Patents by Inventor Rick E. Jeffs

Rick E. Jeffs has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20150211406
    Abstract: An after-treatment system includes a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst or a similar aftertreatment unit or brick that may be inserted into the opened end of a sleeve. The aftertreatment brick includes a substrate matrix with catalytic material that extends between a first face and a second face. A mantle is disposed around the substrate matrix and extends between a first rim proximate the first face and a second rim proximate the second face. The mantle may include a overhang extension that extends the first rim of the mantle beyond the first face of the substrate matrix. To enable retrieval of the SCR catalyst from the sleeve, a retrieval feature is disposed on a readily accessible, inner surface of the overhang extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Mirza P. Baig, Thomas W. Manning, Rick E. Jeffs, Kristian N. Engelsen, Andrew M. Denis, Pradyumna V. Rao
  • Patent number: 9050559
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system and method treats exhaust gasses produced by an internal combustion process or a similar process. The aftertreatment system includes an aftertreatment module having a sleeve extending between a first end and a second end. One or more aftertreatment bricks are axially inserted into a sleeve opening disposed in the first end of the sleeve. To prevent the aftertreatment bricks from unintentionally exiting the sleeve, a captive ring is disposed around the first end of the sleeve as a loose fitting collar. The captive ring is restrained on the sleeve by a circumferential bead protruding about the first end. The captive ring can couple with a retention ring placed adjacent the first end. When coupled to the captive ring, a portion of the retention ring extends partially across and blocks the sleeve opening, preventing the aftertreatment brick from exiting the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Denis, Thomas W. Manning, Ian Aguirre, Rick E. Jeffs, Nagaraju Manchikanti
  • Patent number: 9011782
    Abstract: An after-treatment system includes a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst or a similar aftertreatment unit or brick that may be inserted into the opened end of a sleeve. The aftertreatment brick includes a substrate matrix with catalytic material that extends between a first face and a second face. A mantle is disposed around the substrate matrix and extends between a first rim proximate the first face and a second rim proximate the second face. The mantel may include a overhang extension that extends the first rim of the mantle beyond the first face of the substrate matrix. To enable retrieval of the SCR catalyst from the sleeve, a retrieval feature is disposed on a readily accessible, inner surface of the overhang extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mirza P. Baig, Thomas W. Manning, Rick E. Jeffs, Kristian N. Engelsen, Andrew M. Denis, Pradyumna V. Rao
  • Publication number: 20140283528
    Abstract: To assemble an aftertreatment module for use in the treatment of exhaust gasses and the like, an aftertreatment brick is inserted into a sleeve opening in a sleeve and advanced toward an opposite end of the sleeve. To retain the aftertreatment brick in the sleeve, the end of the sleeve can include a stop flange and the aftertreatment brick can include a mantle flange. The stop flange and the mantle flange can abut against each other to prevent further movement of the aftertreatment brick through the sleeve. To seal against exhaust gasses leaking though the module, a gasket can be disposed between the stop flange and the mantle flange. Exterior ribs disposed around the aftertreatment brick can assist concentric alignment between the flanges and gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Denis, Mirza P. Baig, Nilkanth N. Desai, Rick E. Jeffs, Kristian N. Engelsen, Pradyumna V. Rao, Ian Aguirre
  • Publication number: 20140248186
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system and method treats exhaust gasses produced by an internal combustion process or a similar process. The aftertreatment system includes an aftertreatment module having a sleeve extending between a first end and a second end. One or more aftertreatment bricks are axially inserted into a sleeve opening disposed in the first end of the sleeve. To prevent the aftertreatment bricks from unintentionally exiting the sleeve, a captive ring is disposed around the first end of the sleeve as a loose fitting collar. The captive ring is restrained on the sleeve by a circumferential bead protruding about the first end. The captive ring can couple with a retention ring placed adjacent the first end. When coupled to the captive ring, a portion of the retention ring extends partially across and blocks the sleeve opening, preventing the aftertreatment brick from exiting the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Denis, Thomas W. Manning, Ian Aguirre, Rick E. Jeffs, Nagaraju Manchikanti
  • Patent number: 8752370
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system including a housing with two or more inlets configured to receive separate entering exhaust streams from an engine. The system may include two or more first exhaust treatment devices, each configured to receive one of the separate entering exhaust streams in a first direction. The system may further include two or more redirecting flow passages configured to combine the separate exhaust streams into a merged exhaust stream that flows in a second direction about 180 degrees from the first direction and an intermediate flow region configured to divide the merged exhaust stream into two or more separate exiting exhaust streams. The system also may also includes two or more second exhaust treatment devices, each configured to receive one of the separate exiting exhaust streams in a third direction about 90 degrees from the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Craig P. Hittle, Stephan D. Roozenboom, Tetsu O. Velasquez, Paul W. Park, Shashank Mupparapu, Rick E. Jeffs, Michael P. Boahene, Yung T. Bui
  • Publication number: 20140044612
    Abstract: An after-treatment system includes a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst or a similar aftertreatment unit or brick that may be inserted into the opened end of a sleeve. The aftertreatment brick includes a substrate matrix with catalytic material that extends between a first face and a second face. A mantle is disposed around the substrate matrix and extends between a first rim proximate the first face and a second rim proximate the second face. The mantel may include a overhang extension that extends the first rim of the mantle beyond the first face of the substrate matrix. To enable retrieval of the SCR catalyst from the sleeve, a retrieval feature is disposed on a readily accessible, inner surface of the overhang extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Mirza P. Baig, Thomas W. Manning, Rick E. Jeffs, Kristian N. Engelsen, Andrew M. Denis, Pradyumna V. Rao
  • Publication number: 20130067891
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system including a housing with two or more inlets configured to receive separate entering exhaust streams from an engine. The system may include two or more first exhaust treatment devices, each configured to receive one of the separate entering exhaust streams in a first direction. The system may further include two or more redirecting flow passages configured to combine the separate exhaust streams into a merged exhaust stream that flows in a second direction about 180 degrees from the first direction and an intermediate flow region configured to divide the merged exhaust stream into two or more separate exiting exhaust streams. The system also may also includes two or more second exhaust treatment devices, each configured to receive one of the separate exiting exhaust streams in a third direction about 90 degrees from the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Craig Hittle, Stephan D. Roozenboom, Tetsu O. Velasquez, Pauk W. Park, Shashank Mupparapu, Rick E. Jeffs, Michael P. Boahene, Yung T. Bui
  • Publication number: 20120096833
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment module comprising a plurality of mounts for connecting the module to a surface. The mounts are arranged in a radial pattern around a central location of the module. The mounts also have a direction of travel aligned with a radial direction of expansion that passes through the central location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dongming Tan, Mirza P. Baig, Rick E. Jeffs, Tetsu O. Velasquez, Umakanth Sakaray, Ramanlal M. Gandhi, Brandon J. Stephens, Steven R. Storm