Patents by Inventor Robert D. Straub
Robert D. Straub 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).
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Patent number: 6450778Abstract: A pumping system for a fuel injection system includes a body defining a high pressure pumping chamber, a plunger, a high pressure outlet, a high pressure fluid line connecting the pumping chamber to the outlet, a control valve along the fluid line, and a valve and restriction arrangement along the fluid line. The valve and restriction arrangement includes a restriction and a valve body. The valve body is movable between an open position in which fuel flow from the pumping chamber is generally unrestricted by the restriction and a closed position in which fuel flow from the pumping chamber is significantly restricted by the restriction to store energy in the pumping chamber. Advantageously, the high pressure restriction concept may be utilized in a pumping system for various types of rate shaping, including boot injection and square injection, in addition to pilot operation and post injection operations, and others.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Diesel Technology CompanyInventors: Gregg R. Spoolstra, Robert D. Straub
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Publication number: 20020071768Abstract: A pumping system for a fuel injection system includes a body defining a high pressure pumping chamber, a plunger, a high pressure outlet, a high pressure fluid line connecting the pumping chamber to the outlet, a control valve along the fluid line, and a valve and restriction arrangement along the fluid line. The valve and restriction arrangement includes a restriction and a valve body. The valve body is movable between an open position in which fuel flow from the pumping chamber is generally unrestricted by the restriction and a closed position in which fuel flow from the pumping chamber is significantly restricted by the restriction to store energy in the pumping chamber. Advantageously, the high pressure restriction concept may be utilized in a pumping system for various types of rate shaping, including boot injection and square injection, in addition to pilot operation and post injection operations, and others.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2000Publication date: June 13, 2002Applicant: Diesel Technology CompanyInventors: Gregg R. Spoolstra, Robert D. Straub
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Patent number: 6339877Abstract: An apparatus and method of refurbishing a valve seat disposed at a predetermined angle relative to the centerline of an associated valve bore in a workpiece wherein the apparatus includes a support structure on which the workpiece is located such that the centerline of the valve bore is aligned with a known reference axis. The apparatus further includes a tool having a lapping portion corresponding to the valve seat and a drive mechanism for moving the tool along the known reference axis such that the lapping portion is brought into engagement with the valve seat and for rotating the tool relative to the workpiece to lap the valve seat. The method generally includes locating the workpiece in a predetermined position such that the centerline of the valve bore is aligned with the known reference axis and moving the tool having a lapping portion corresponding to the valve seat along the known reference axis such that the lapping portion is brought into engagement with the valve seat.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1999Date of Patent: January 22, 2002Assignee: Diesel Technology CompanyInventors: Robert D. Straub, William M. Galloway, Michael Van Allsburg
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Patent number: 6059545Abstract: A fuel pump or injector has a control valve with a piston valve body axially movable over a motion displacement interval defined by first and second sub-intervals. A first control valve spring causes the piston valve body to be biased toward the unactuated position whenever the piston valve body is in the first sub-interval. A second control valve spring causes the piston valve body to be biased into damped engagement with the valve stop whenever the piston valve body is in the second sub-interval.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Diesel Technology CompanyInventors: Robert D. Straub, Werner Faupel
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Patent number: 5954487Abstract: A fuel pump for a vehicular diesel fuel pump member having a control valve assembly which includes a housing having a control valve chamber, and an actuatable control valve disposed in the control valve chamber. The control valve includes a piston valve body axially movable over a motion displacement interval between first and second positions. The motion displacement interval is defined by first and second sub-intervals bounded by the first and second positions, respectively. The control valve assembly further includes means for actuating the control valve. A valve stop is disposed in the housing adjacent the control valve chamber, and a piston valve body seat contacts the valve stop whenever the piston valve body is in the second position. The piston valve body seat contacts a pump body seating surface whenever the piston valve body is in the first position.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Diesel Technology CompanyInventors: Robert D. Straub, Werner Faupel
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Patent number: 5836286Abstract: An eccentric member for coupling a fuel injector to an internal combustion engine cylinder head. The apparatus includes eccentric members that are rotatable to align fuel coupling components to compensate for gross accumulated component dimension tolerances, thereby allowing the use of economical and reliable O-rings to compensate for remaining tolerances. Embodiments of the apparatus include an eccentric, a coupling member and adapters having off-center fuel passages.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1997Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Diesel Technology CompanyInventors: Robert C. Timmer, Robert D. Straub
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Patent number: 5749717Abstract: A pump for a fuel injection system, the pump primarily including a pump body having a pumping chamber and a pump body end portion, a control valve disposed in a control valve chamber, a reciprocatable plunger, and a cylindrical sleeve having first and second end portions. The first end portion of the sleeve interfits with the pump body end portion. The second end portion of the sleeve slidably interfits with a cam follower assembly for allowing the cam follower assembly to drive the plunger. The plunger is reciprocated with respect to the sleeve over a stroke range between an extended position and a retracted position. A plunger spring biases the plunger to the retracted position. The pump body end portion is press-fit into the first end portion of the sleeve, and sufficiently induces compressive forces in the pump body for acting on the pumping chamber to oppose pumping chamber expansive forces.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1995Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Assignee: Deisel Technology CompanyInventors: Robert D. Straub, Richard Frederic Teerman, Thomas M. Stegink, Daniel B. Ogren
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Patent number: 5636615Abstract: A device is provided for pumping fuel through an internal combustion engine, comprising a pump cylinder and a piston reciprocable within the pump cylinder to define a pump chamber open at one end in which fuel is pressurized during a pump stroke of the piston. A fuel supply means is provided for supplying fuel to the pump chamber. The fuel supply means includes an electromagnetically actuated fuel control valve having an armature secured thereto, with the armature residing in a fuel-filled armature cavity. The armature electromagnetically cycled between a first position closing the fuel control valve and thereby closing the flow of fuel to the pumping chamber and a second position opening the control valve thereby allowing fuel to flow to the pumping chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: Diesel Technology CompanyInventors: Stacy J. Shorey, Randall C. Harkema, Beckie J. DeYoung, Kenneth R. Potter, Robert D. Straub
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Patent number: 5526791Abstract: A high-pressure electromagnetic fuel injector having a dual-function valve directly controlled by an electric solenoid. Fuel pressure in a control volume chamber is controlled by the dual-function valve, and a separate control valve is controlled as a function of fuel pressure in the control volume chamber. A spray tip valve is, in turn, controlled as a function of the pressure of fuel controlled by the control valve to inject fuel through a spray tip orifice. The dual-function valve spills fuel during and after the control valve closes, thus reducing the amount of uncontrolled fuel at the end of an injection. The dual-function valve also provides a drain path through which to vent any fuel that leaks past the control valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Assignee: Diesel Technology CompanyInventors: Robert C. Timmer, Robert D. Straub, Richard F. Teerman, Beckie J. DeYoung, Michael VanAllsburg
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Patent number: 5372115Abstract: This invention describes a fuel system for an internal combustion engine of the diesel type which is completely compatible with methanol and other low cetane liquid fuels. The fuel system is also capable of handling methanol liquid fuel, and other low cetane highly corrosive liquid fuels, of materials fully compatible with the fuel and adapted for long term durability use. Further, a fuel system is disclosed that is free of particulates of less than one micron in size thereby providing superior long term durability protection against scoring within the fuel pump and fuel delivery injectors. The invention also provides a fuel system comprising primary and secondary fuel filters, a fuel pump, and the fuel injectors designed to provide acceptable durability and reliability despite the lack of lubricity in methanol and similar fuels.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1991Date of Patent: December 13, 1994Assignee: Detroit Diesel CorporationInventors: Robert D. Straub, Robert C. Timmer, William R. Baker, Gary W. Johnson, Roger E. Parry, Patricia A. Burkel, Terri Keski-Hynnila
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Patent number: 5230613Abstract: A common rail fuel system, primarily including a high-pressure fuel pump, a rail, fuel injection nozzles, and an electronic control system, is disclosed. A substantially constant fuel pressure is maintained within the rail by the fuel pump under the direction of the electronic control system. The pressurized fuel is communicated to the fuel injection nozzles, which are also under the direction of the electronic control system, thereby providing fuel at injection pressure immediately upon the actuation of the fuel injection nozzles by the electronic control system. The pump incorporates leakage fuel during each stroke without the necessity of rerouting the leakage fuel through a primary supply. This reduces the total amount of fuel pumped and improves metering accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1992Date of Patent: July 27, 1993Assignee: Diesel Technology CompanyInventors: Richard L. Hilsbos, Harold L. Wieland, Robert D. Straub, Richard F. Teerman, Robert C. Timmer
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Solenoid stator assembly for electronically actuated fuel injectors and method of manufacturing same
Patent number: 5155461Abstract: A solenoid stator assembly for electronically actuated fuel injectors is disclosed as having an E-shaped stator core including a top portion and three parallel pole pieces extending orthogonally therefrom. The outer pole pieces each have an outermost side, and each of the three pole pieces has a distal end, a face being formed across the distal end. Each of the outer pole pieces has an attachment slot formed across its outermost side proximate its distal end. A coil of electric wire is disposed around an insulating spool disposed on the central pole piece, and leads from the coil are connected to terminals. A flange on one end of the spool exerts outward forces on the outer pole pieces, prestressing them to resist further flexing caused by outwardly directed forces applied by errant fuel under pressure. An insulating cover is molded around the solenoid stator assembly, enveloping it except for portions of the terminals and the faces of the pole pieces, the cover being bonded to at least the stator core.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1991Date of Patent: October 13, 1992Assignee: Diesel Technology CorporationInventors: Richard F. Teerman, Robert D. Straub, Roger L. Wolfsen, Leland Haines -
Patent number: 5133645Abstract: A common rail fuel system is described which consists primarily of a high-pressure fuel pump, nozzles and a rail or rails having a substantially constant rail pressure situated between the fuel pump and the nozzles, the necessary connecting fuel lines and electronic control system. The pump is constructed to add leakage fuel to each stroke output without the necessity for routing this leakage fuel through the primary supply. This reduces the total amount of fuel pumped and improves metering accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1990Date of Patent: July 28, 1992Assignee: Diesel Technology CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Crowley, Richard L. Hilsbos, Harold L. Wieland, Robert D. Straub, Richard F. Teerman, Robert C. Timmer
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Patent number: 4621843Abstract: A ring seal and beaded tube type tube coupling has the annular bead defined by a rigid ferrule sealingly fixed to the tube with the ferrule including an annular flange forming the bead and having a shank portion extending axially outboard of the flange to thereby shorten, in effect, the unsupported length of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1985Date of Patent: November 11, 1986Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Robert D. Straub
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Patent number: 4485969Abstract: An electromagnetic unit fuel injector for use in a diesel engine includes a housing with a pump therein defined by an externally actuated plunger reciprocable in a bushing and defining therewith a pump chamber open at one end for the discharge of fuel to a spring biased, pressure actuated fuel injection nozzle. The pump chamber is also connected to a first chamber via a solenoid actuated, normally open, hollow pressure balanced poppet valve controlled passage to permit the ingress and egress of fuel. The first chamber adjacent to one end of the valve is in flow communication with a second chamber at the opposite end of the valve and these chambers are connected to a drain passage and supply passage, respectively. During a pump stroke, the solenoid can be energized to move the valve in position to block flow from the pump chamber to the first chamber so as to allow the pressurization of fuel by the pump to effect discharge of fuel from the injection nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1983Date of Patent: December 4, 1984Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: John I. Deckard, Robert D. Straub
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Patent number: 4470545Abstract: An electromagnetic unit fuel injector for use in a diesel engine includes a housing with a pump therein defined by an externally actuated plunger reciprocable in a bushing and defining therewith a pump chamber open at one end for the discharge of fuel to a spring biased, pressure actuated fuel injection nozzle. The pump chamber is also connected to a spill chamber via a solenoid actuated, normally open, hollow, ported valve controlled passage to permit the ingress and egress of fuel. The spill chamber adjacent to the head end of the valve is in flow communication with a supply chamber at the opposite end of the valve and these chambers are connected to a drain passage and supply passage, respectively and are interconnected to each other by the valve and by a second passage in parallel with the hollow valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1983Date of Patent: September 11, 1984Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: John I. Deckard, Robert D. Straub
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Patent number: 4392612Abstract: An electromagnetic unit fuel injector for use in a diesel engine includes a housing with a pump therein defined by an externally actuated plunger reciprocable in a bushing and defining therewith a pump chamber open at one end for the discharge of fuel to a spring biased, pressure actuated fuel injection nozzle. The pump chamber is also connected to a first chamber via a solenoid actuated, normally open, hollow, ported valve controlled passage to permit the ingress and egress of fuel. The first chamber adjacent to one end of the valve is in flow communication with a second chamber at the opposite end of the valve and these chambers are connected to a drain passage and supply passage, respectively. During a pump stroke, the solenoid can be energized to move the valve in position to block flow from the pump chamber to the first chamber so as to allow the pressurization of fuel by the pump to effect discharge of fuel from the injection nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1982Date of Patent: July 12, 1983Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: John I. Deckard, Robert D. Straub
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Patent number: 4046322Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle assembly is provided in one embodiment with a nozzle body having a bored opening extending therethrough from an inlet end of the nozzle body to a spray tip end thereof, a valve being mounted in the nozzle body to extend through the bore to form with the nozzle body an annular fuel chamber, one end of the fuel chamber being connectable by a passage means in the inlet end of the nozzle body to a source of pressurized fuel, the valve having its stem end fixed to the inlet end of the nozzle body and having its head positioned to abut against a valve seat in the spray tip end of the nozzle body in a normally closed position, the stem of the valve intermediate its ends being of reduced diameter relative to the head whereby fuel, at a predetermined pressure in the fuel chamber, will effect longitudinal deformation, that is, lengthening or stretching of the valve a limited amount without causing permanent deformation whereby to cause unseating of the valve from the valve seat to permit the discType: GrantFiled: May 21, 1976Date of Patent: September 6, 1977Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Richard S. Knape, Robert D. Straub