Patents by Inventor Stephen G. Shoup
Stephen G. Shoup 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: 5490762Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid circulating pump utilizing a plug assembly sealingly disposed within a weep hole located in a secondary compartment of a cavity. The plug assembly is disposed within the weep hole and has a tube portion extending a predetermined length into the secondary compartment. A connector holds the plug assembly within the second compartment and sealingly engages the plug assembly with the weep hole. The length of the tube portion is sufficient to contain the leaked fluid within the secondary compartment until it can be evaporated, substantially eliminating fluid leakage into the atmosphere. However, excessive fluid build-up may occur within the secondary compartment when the pump is damaged. The present invention allows the excessive fluid to leak out to the atmosphere through a bore in the plug assembly to signal that pump repair is needed.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1995Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joel D. Feucht, Stephen G. Shoup, Victor E. Swanson
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Patent number: 5338153Abstract: The design and construction of past fluid circulating pumps, having a weep hole, allowed small amounts of leaked fluid to escape through the weep hole and into the atmosphere resulting in environmental concern and lower customer perception of the product. The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a fluid circulating pump utilizing a plug means sealingly disposed within a weep hole located in a secondary compartment of a cavity. The plug means is sealingly disposed within the weep hole and has a tube portion extending a predetermined length into the secondary compartment. The length of the tube portion is sufficient to contain the leaked fluid within the secondary compartment until it can be evaporated, substantially eliminating fluid leakage into the atmosphere. However, excessive fluid build-up may occur within the secondary compartment when the pump is damaged.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1993Date of Patent: August 16, 1994Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Victor E. Swanson, Joel D. Feucht, Stephen G. Shoup
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Patent number: 5040454Abstract: Present day diesel engines having aluminum piston assemblies are limited to combustion chamber pressures of approximately 12,410 kPa (1,800 psi) whereas the desire is to increase such pressures up to the 15,170 kPa (2,200 psi) range. To reach such levels the instant piston assembly includes a steel piston member having an upper cylindrical portion of a diameter "D" and a compression height "CH". The ratio of the compression height "CH" to the diameter "D" being within the range of from 60% to 45%. The piston member is preferably forged and subsequently machined to precisely controllable dimensions. Moreover, the piston assembly is preferably of the articulated type and includes a forged aluminum piston skirt connected to the piston member through a common wrist pin. Engine manufacturers are also demanding a smaller engine package size while retaining power output, improve fuel consumption and decreased emissions.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1991Date of Patent: August 20, 1991Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benny Ballheimer, Stephen G. Shoup
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Patent number: 4941440Abstract: Present day diesel engines having aluminum piston assemblies are limited to combustion chamber pressures of approximately 12,410 kPa (1,800 psi) whereas the desire is to increase such pressures up to the 15,170 kPa (2,200 psi) range. To reach such levels the instant engine has a piston assembly including a steel piston member having an upper cylindrical portion of a diameter D and defining a top surface, a depending tubular wall having a top ring groove a minimal elevational distance TRH below the top surface, and an annular cooling recess located beneath the top surface and juxtaposed to the top ring groove for removing heat away therefrom in use. The piston member is preferably forged and subsequently machined to precisely controllable dimensions, and has a ratio of TRH to D of less than 0.06. Moreover, the piston assembly is preferably of the articulated type and includes a forged aluminum piston skirt connected to the piston member through a common wrist pin.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1989Date of Patent: July 17, 1990Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Weber, Kenneth R. Kamman, Benny Ballheimer, Stephen G. Shoup
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Patent number: 4354692Abstract: A heavy duty drawbar features a Z-type brace which is accessible from the end of a vehicle which carries the drawbar. The Z-type brace provides significant strength for the overall drawbar while still allowing easy access to the hitch fastening bolts for easy changing. Also, the hitch can be placed very close to the vehicle when held by such a Z-type brace. Two of the Z-type braces are supported each between generally vertical frame members and the hitch of the drawbar is supported between the two Z-type braces.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1979Date of Patent: October 19, 1982Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.Inventor: Stephen G. Shoup
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Patent number: 4212139Abstract: A heavy duty drawbar features a Z-type brace which is accessible from the end of a vehicle which carries the drawbar. The Z-type brace provides significant strength for the overall drawbar while still allowing easy access to the hitch fastening bolts for easy changing. Also, the hitch can be placed very close to the vehicle when held by such a Z-type brace. Two of the Z-type braces are supported each between generally vertical frame members and the hitch of the drawbar is supported between the two Z-type braces.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1977Date of Patent: July 15, 1980Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.Inventor: Stephen G. Shoup
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Patent number: 4151920Abstract: A vehicle main frame has a pair of arms individually having first, second and third portions, with the first and third portions being disposed in first and second upright and substantially longitudinally oriented planes transversely offset from one another, and with the second portions of the arms connecting the first and third portions. Joints are provided for mounting an implement with forces from the implement being transmitted to the first portions of the arms in substantial alignment with the first planes.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1977Date of Patent: May 1, 1979Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.Inventor: Stephen G. Shoup
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Patent number: 3970557Abstract: A system for filtering hydraulic fluid wherein a high flow rate of uncontaminated fluid is required. A housing having a paper filter element disposed therein is placed in a main oil flow line. The housing has a removable cover to which is fixed a rigid cylindrical baffle means which immediately confronts oil entering the inlet to the housing. With this arrangement cold, viscous oil entering the housing through the inlet thereof, which would normally tend to crush the paper filter element, impinges instead upon the cylindrical baffle means where its momentum is dissapated so that damage to the paper filter element is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1975Date of Patent: July 20, 1976Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.Inventor: Stephen G. Shoup
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Patent number: D322969Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1988Date of Patent: January 7, 1992Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benny Ballheimer, Kenton L. Erickson, James A. Green, Stephen G. Shoup