Patents by Inventor Sam R. Congram

Sam R. Congram 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: 4502433
    Abstract: A multi-fuel engine is capable of running on lead free gasoline, leaded gasoline, and liquid propane. The engine has a valve seat and an exhaust valve. The valve seat has a seating surface. The exhaust valve has an axis, a seating face, and is of dimensions sufficient for seating of the valve on the valve seat. The seating surface has a width in a range of about 2.30 to about 2.90 millimeters and defines an included angle in a range of about 110.degree. to about 130.degree. relative to the axis of the exhaust valve. Apparatus forcibly urges the seating face against the seating surface at a force in a range of about 200 to about 245 Newtons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Theodore Becker, Jr., Sam R. Congram, Carl L. McClung
  • Patent number: 4170203
    Abstract: A multi-fuel internal combustion engine block, head and manifold assembly having a plurality of intake ports and exhaust ports communicating with a plurality of cylinders through one side of the assembly includes a low profile intake and exhaust manifold construction wherein separate, generally U-shaped intake and exhaust manifolds of generally elliptical cross-section communicate with the intake and exhaust ports, respectively, each of the manifolds including a planar face in contact with the face of the other manifold, the faces being of the same size and of a length corresponding to at least 50% of the total length of the intake manifold and of a width equal to at least 25% of the periphery of the intake manifold to facilitate operation on leaded gasoline, leadfree gasoline, or bottled gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Sam R. Congram, John M. Corkill
  • Patent number: 4164927
    Abstract: A reinforced stamped valve cover including an elongated housing having a trough-like configuration including an elongated base wall, a pair of spaced, elongated side walls attached to and extending from one side of the base wall, and a pair of spaced, relatively short end walls extending from the base wall and adjoining the end walls. The walls are stamped from a single sheet of metal and are provided with an outwardly directed ledge substantially surrounded by a peripheral flange. A pair of spaced, U-shaped strengthening members are disposed within the housing with each having a bight and a pair of legs extending therefrom. Each bight is configured to substantially conform to the base wall and is in substantial abutment therewith. Each leg abuts a corresponding one of the side walls along substantially the entire extension thereof from the base wall and past the ledge to define with the flange a gasket-receiving pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Sam R. Congram, George S. Cole
  • Patent number: 4121557
    Abstract: In an engine having an elongated block terminating at one end in a flywheel housing, a flywheel with at least one timing mark on its periphery and rotatable within the housing, and spaced lifting eyes secured to the engine so that the engine may be lifted from a support, the improvement wherein the flywheel housing has an opening in its generally uppermost surface through which the timing mark may be viewed and one of the lifting eyes includes a base defining a closure for the opening. Bolts removably secure the base to the flywheel housing about the opening to (a) close the opening and (b) secure the lifting eye to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Sam R. Congram, Carl L. McClung