Patents by Inventor Theodore H. Becker, Jr.

Theodore H. Becker, Jr. 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: 6516765
    Abstract: A valve arrangement includes a valve member that rotates within a valve guide such that a frictional wear area is unlikely to occur on a discrete location of the valve stem and/or the valve guide. The valve guide includes a bore, the bore defining a longitudinal axis and a helical bore groove. The valve member includes a valve head and a stem, the stem being guided for reciprocal movement within the valve guide. The valve stem reciprocates within the valve bore and includes a helical stem groove. As the valve stem reciprocates within the valve bore, the helical bore groove and the helical stem groove interact to impart an axial rotation to the valve member about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Theodore H. Becker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6220605
    Abstract: A slip joint for an engine exhaust system having a male and female manifold section which utilizes a sleeve assembly that is disposed about one of the manifold sections. The sleeve assembly has a positioning portion and locating portion. The positioning portion is in sealing engagement with one of the manifold sections and the locating portion is in resiliently sealing engagement with the other manifold section. The principle use is for exhaust manifold connections, however any joint that has thermal expansion or encounters vibrational loads will benefit from this invention. For example, exhaust gas recirculation systems may have passages connected with this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore H. Becker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6213075
    Abstract: Roller follower assemblies generally reduce frictional losses and wear associated with operating fuel injectors using a cam. Oil helps to reduce wear, but may not remove small particles. Buildup of these small particles may prevent a roller of the roller follower assembly from rotating about an axle pin. In the present invention, a hard coating is disposed between the axle pin and the roller to reduce rolling friction and buildup of small particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Oyelayo O. Ajayi, Theodore H. Becker, Jr., Chuong Q. Dam, Jian Zhang