Patents by Inventor RODNEY ALLEN LAWRENCE

RODNEY ALLEN LAWRENCE 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).

  • Patent number: 11994220
    Abstract: Air valves, such as wastegates, utilize a shaft that rotates within a bushing system. Conventional deposition processes limit the thickness of the wear material between the shaft and bushing system. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein utilize one or more coating sleeves that are press-fit onto the shaft. This enables a thicker layer of wear material to be applied to the shaft, thereby improving the longevity and durability of the air valve, while also simplifying the manufacturing process. Embodiments may also utilize one or more anti-rotation features, such as a dowel or axial protrusion, and/or may utilize snap ring(s) to prevent axial sliding of the coating sleeve(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Eric Ferguson, Brandyn Stack
  • Patent number: 11988119
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed including an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine can include an engine block defining a combustion chamber and a crankcase in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine can include an auxiliary device in fluid communication with the crankcase of the engine block. The auxiliary device is driven by the internal combustion engine to supply air to the crankcase of the engine block at a desired pressure range and a desired mass flow rate range to ventilate the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas K. Smith, Rodney Allen Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20240159317
    Abstract: Air valves, such as wastegates, utilize a shaft that rotates within a bushing system. Conventional deposition processes limit the thickness of the wear material between the shaft and bushing system. Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein utilize one or more coating sleeves that are press-fit onto the shaft. This enables a thicker layer of wear material to be applied to the shaft, thereby improving the longevity and durability of the air valve, while also simplifying the manufacturing process. Embodiments may also utilize one or more anti-rotation features, such as a dowel or axial protrusion, and/or may utilize snap ring(s) to prevent axial sliding of the coating sleeve(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen LAWRENCE, Eric FERGUSON, Brandyn STACK
  • Patent number: 11946397
    Abstract: An engine system optionally including: a crankcase of an engine having a blow-by gas passing therethrough; a liquid source containing a liquid; and an oil separating apparatus in fluid communication with the blow-by gas. The oil separating apparatus having a coalescing filter to separate oil from the blow-by gas. Separate from the blow-by gas and the coalescing filter, the oil separating apparatus is in fluid communication with the liquid source to receive the liquid. The liquid is passed through the oil separating apparatus in a heat exchange relationship with the blow-by gas to maintain a desired temperature range for the blow-by gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Joshua Amiel Lehe, Nicholas Edwin Wainscott, Eric John Forthofer
  • Patent number: 11867099
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed for separating oil from a blow-by gas of an engine. An example includes engine system includes a crankcase having a blow-by gas passing therethrough, a compressor configured to receive air and compress the air, an aftercooler, an oil separating apparatus and a jet pump. The aftercooler communicates with the compressor and is configured to cool at least a portion of the air compressed by the compressor. The oil separating apparatus communicates with the blow-by gas. The oil separating apparatus communicates with a boost air that is a mixture of the compressed air from the compressor and cooled air from the aftercooler. The jet pump communicates with both the blow-by gas after leaving the oil separating apparatus and the boost air after leaving the oil separating apparatus and is configured to combine the blow-by gas and the boost air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Joshua Amiel Lehe
  • Patent number: 11566592
    Abstract: A fluid supply system for a machine such as an internal combustion engine includes a shutoff valve having an electrical actuator that includes a solenoid subassembly, and a stabilizer for the electrical valve actuator. The stabilizer includes a fitting structured to couple the shutoff valve to adjacent hardware in the fluid supply system, and a strongarm extending between the fitting and the solenoid assembly and clamped to the solenoid subassembly. A vibration-damping reinforced grommet may be clamped between the solenoid subassembly and the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn Anthony Stack, Joseph John Stabnik, Keith Thomas Igoe, Eric Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11454147
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed including an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine can include an engine block defining a combustion cylinder and a crankcase, a piston moveable within the combustion cylinder; a cylinder head coupled to the engine block adjacent to and in fluid communication with the combustion cylinder, and a purge system. The purge system can be in fluid communication with the crankcase. The purge system can supply air to the crankcase and to the cylinder head. The purge system can comprise a valve cover coupled to the cylinder head, a breather coupled to the valve cover, and a fumes disposal line coupled with the breather. The fumes disposal line can transport fumes from the breather and away from the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Edwin Wainscott, Kyle Robert Brewer, Rodney Allen Lawrence, Scott Byron Fiveland, Yongxian Gu
  • Publication number: 20220090526
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed including an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine can include an engine block defining a combustion cylinder and a crankcase, a piston moveable within the combustion cylinder; a cylinder head coupled to the engine block adjacent to and in fluid communication with the combustion cylinder, and a purge system. The purge system can be in fluid communication with the crankcase. The purge system can supply air to the crankcase and to the cylinder head. The purge system can comprise a valve cover coupled to the cylinder head, a breather coupled to the valve cover, and a fumes disposal line coupled with the breather. The fumes disposal line can transport fumes from the breather and away from the cylinder head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Edwin Wainscott, Kyle Robert Brewer, Rodney Allen Lawrence, Scott Byron Fiveland, Yongxian Gu
  • Publication number: 20210270218
    Abstract: A fluid supply system for a machine such as an internal combustion engine includes a shutoff valve having an electrical actuator that includes a solenoid subassembly, and a stabilizer for the electrical valve actuator. The stabilizer includes a fitting structured to couple the shutoff valve to adjacent hardware in the fluid supply system, and a strongarm extending between the fitting and the solenoid assembly and clamped to the solenoid subassembly. A vibration-damping reinforced grommet may be clamped between the solenoid subassembly and the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn Anthony Stack, Joseph John Stabnik, Keith Thomas Igoe, Eric Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11028806
    Abstract: A fluid supply system for a machine such as an internal combustion engine includes a shutoff valve having an electrical actuator that includes a solenoid subassembly, and a stabilizer for the electrical valve actuator. The stabilizer includes a fitting structured to couple the shutoff valve to adjacent hardware in the fluid supply system, and a strongarm extending between the fitting and the solenoid assembly and clamped to the solenoid subassembly. A vibration-damping reinforced grommet may be clamped between the solenoid subassembly and the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn Anthony Stack, Joseph John Stabnik, Keith Thomas Igoe, Eric Ferguson
  • Patent number: 10612687
    Abstract: A shutoff valve assembly for a fluid supply system includes a shutoff valve, with a valve member movable therein to shutoff fluid flow through a fluid conduit. The shutoff valve assembly includes a sensor target assembly with a sensor target located outside of the valve housing, and a rotator structured to transmit a rotation of the valve member within the valve housing to the sensor target. A proximity sensor is located outside of the valve housing and structured to produce a valve closing signal based on rotation of the sensor target that is indicative of initiating closing the shutoff valve. The design is adapted for relatively high temperature and high vibration environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Robert S. Caplinger, Brandyn Anthony Stack, Joseph John Stabnik
  • Publication number: 20190301638
    Abstract: A shutoff valve assembly for a fluid supply system includes a shutoff valve, with a valve member movable therein to shutoff fluid flow through a fluid conduit. The shutoff valve assembly includes a sensor target assembly with a sensor target located outside of the valve housing, and a rotator structured to transmit a rotation of the valve member within the valve housing to the sensor target. A proximity sensor is located outside of the valve housing and structured to produce a valve closing signal based on rotation of the sensor target that is indicative of initiating closing the shutoff valve. The design is adapted for relatively high temperature and high vibration environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Robert S. Caplinger, Brandyn Anthony Stack, Joseph John Stabnik
  • Publication number: 20190301411
    Abstract: A fluid supply system for a machine such as an internal combustion engine includes a shutoff valve having an electrical actuator that includes a solenoid subassembly, and a stabilizer for the electrical valve actuator. The stabilizer includes a fitting structured to couple the shutoff valve to adjacent hardware in the fluid supply system, and a strongarm extending between the fitting and the solenoid assembly and clamped to the solenoid subassembly. A vibration-damping reinforced grommet may be clamped between the solenoid subassembly and the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn Anthony Stack, Joseph John Stabnik, Keith Thomas Igoe, Eric Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20160194988
    Abstract: A housing for a crankcase ventilation system of an engine is provided. The housing includes a plurality of walls connected together and having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the plurality of walls defines a central cavity therewithin. The central cavity is adapted to enclose at least a portion of each of a Valve Cover integrated Breather (VCIB), an oil mist separator, and an inlet line connecting the VCIB and the oil mist separator. The housing also includes a coupling mechanism provided on one of the plurality of walls to mount the housing to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn Anthony Stack, Eric William Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20160194987
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting an oil mist separator to a valve cover of an engine is provided. The assembly includes a cylindrical housing having two portions and apertures to couple the cylindrical housing on the valve cover. Each portion includes a side wall, a top surface extending from a top edge of the sidewall and a bottom surface laterally spaced apart from the top surface. The bottom surface extends perpendicularly from a bottom edge of the sidewall. Each portion also includes a flange member extending from each side edge of the sidewall and fastening apertures to couple the two portion of the cylindrical housing with each other. The cylindrical housing defines a central cavity configured to receive the oil mist separator therein and to encapsulate the oil mist separator therein. Each portion further includes dampening members configured to provide mechanical support to the oil mist separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: RODNEY ALLEN LAWRENCE, BRANDYN ANTHONY STACK, ERIC WILLIAM FERGUSON