Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Atwell

Thomas L. Atwell 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).

  • Publication number: 20230374928
    Abstract: A turbine connector (40) in an engine exhaust manifold (30) includes a turbine foot (54) attached to incoming exhaust conduits (42,46). The turbine foot (54) has an outer perimetric edge (72) defining a trapezoidal shape, and inner perimetric edges (86,90) forming exhaust outlets (88,92) from the incoming exhaust conduits (42,46). The inner perimetric edges (86,90) have varied perimetric curvatures largest in finite curvature size upon a web (94) extending between the exhaust outlets (88,92), and together forming an hourglass web profile in a turbine-mounting plane defined by the turbine foot (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Wolk, Thomas L Atwell, Vikas Bhupendra Sheth, Jeremy Ross Conyers
  • Patent number: 11549459
    Abstract: A cylinder liner is provided that includes a cylinder bore capable of housing a piston, a top end having an annular flange, a first cylindrical section, a second cylindrical section, and an annular ridge that separates the first cylindrical section and the second cylindrical section. When employed in an a liner bore of an engine bock, the cylinder liner provides for two channels that allow for coolant to be supplied to the cylinder liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Yao Chen, Aaron Gary Heintz, Jason Lee Van Farowe, Thomas L. Atwell, David L. Lueders, John W. Milem, Suresh Babu Chennagowni, Khairul Hassan
  • Patent number: 11525385
    Abstract: A passive diverter fitting for a cooling system of an engine includes a base defining an interior cavity, an inlet opening extending through the base that is in fluid communication with the interior cavity, an outlet opening that is in fluid communication with the interior cavity, and a bypass opening that is in fluid communication with the interior cavity. The base is configured to be removably disposed in a cavity of an engine block. The inlet opening is positioned to receive coolant when the passive diverter fitting is disposed in the cavity of the engine block. The outlet opening is in fluid communication with the area exterior to the engine block when the passive diverter fitting is disposed in the cavity of the engine block. The bypass opening is in fluid communication with an interior coolant passage of the engine block when the passive diverter fitting is disposed in the cavity of the engine block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Yao Chen, Aaron Gary Heintz, Jason Lee Van Farowe, Thomas L. Atwell, Scott R. Schuricht, Lance Clay Barke, Phani Chandar Reddy Konatham, Vijaya Krishna Dara
  • Patent number: 11313260
    Abstract: An engine includes a cylinder block having formed therein a plurality of cylinders, a main oil gallery, and a spray jet gallery. A cross-hole is fluidly connected to the main oil gallery and extends to the spray jet gallery. Oil spray jets are each fluidly connected to one of a plurality of oil feed holes fluidly connected to the spray jet gallery. An oil admission valve, which can be hydraulically actuated or electrically actuated, is supported in the cylinder block and movable between a closed position to block the spray jet gallery and each of the oil feed holes from the cross-hole, and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Yao Chen, Samuel Jaroslav Stafl, Chad Palmer Koci, Thomas L. Atwell, Andrew David Schick
  • Patent number: 11149679
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an engine block and one or more cylinder heads. The engine block houses a plurality of cylinder liners and includes a cylinder liner coolant jacket below an upper planar surface of the engine block and in fluid communication with the plurality of cylinder liners. The one or more cylinder heads are attached to the upper planar surface of the engine block and each of the one or more cylinder heads including one or more cylinder head coolant jackets and one or more downward coolant passages extending from the one or more cylinder head coolant jackets to the cylinder liner coolant jacket for delivering coolant from the one or more cylinder head coolant jackets to the cylinder liner coolant jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Yao Chen, Aaron Gary Heintz, Jason Lee Van Farowe, Thomas L. Atwell, David L. Lueders, John W. Milem, Phani Chandar Reddy Konatham, Suresh Babu Chennagowni, Khairul Hassan, Parthipan Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20210254539
    Abstract: A passive diverter fitting for a cooling system of an engine includes a base defining an interior cavity, an inlet opening extending through the base that is in fluid communication with the interior cavity, an outlet opening that is in fluid communication with the interior cavity, and a bypass opening that is in fluid communication with the interior cavity. The base is configured to be removably disposed in a cavity of an engine block. The inlet opening is positioned to receive coolant when the passive diverter fitting is disposed in the cavity of the engine block. The outlet opening is in fluid communication with the area exterior to the engine block when the passive diverter fitting is disposed in the cavity of the engine block. The bypass opening is in fluid communication with an interior coolant passage of the engine block when the passive diverter fitting is disposed in the cavity of the engine block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Yao Chen, Aaron Gary Heintz, Jason Lee Van Farowe, Thomas L. Atwell, Scott R. Schuricht, Lance Clay Barke, Phani Chandar Reddy Konatham, Vijaya Krishna Dara
  • Publication number: 20210254577
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an engine block and one or more cylinder heads. The engine block houses a plurality of cylinder liners and includes a cylinder liner coolant jacket below an upper planar surface of the engine block and in fluid communication with the plurality of cylinder liners. The one or more cylinder heads are attached to the upper planar surface of the engine block and each of the one or more cylinder heads including one or more cylinder head coolant jackets and one or more downward coolant passages extending from the one or more cylinder head coolant jackets to the cylinder liner coolant jacket for delivering coolant from the one or more cylinder head coolant jackets to the cylinder liner coolant jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Yao Chen, Aaron Gary Heintz, Jason Lee Van Farowe, Thomas L. Atwell, David L. Lueders, John W. Milem, Phani Chandar Reddy Konatham, Suresh Babu Chennagowni, Khairul Hassan, Parthipan Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20210254578
    Abstract: A cylinder liner is provided that includes a cylinder bore capable of housing a piston, a top end having an annular flange, a first cylindrical section, a second cylindrical section, and an annular ridge that separates the first cylindrical section and the second cylindrical section. When employed in an a liner bore of an engine bock, the cylinder liner provides for two channels that allow for coolant to be supplied to the cylinder liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Yao Chen, Aaron Gary Heintz, Jason Lee Van Farowe, Thomas L. Atwell, David L. Lueders, John W. Milem, Suresh Babu Chennagowni, Khairul Hassan
  • Publication number: 20120266706
    Abstract: A compliant gear assembly for a gear train of an internal combustion engine includes a hub subassembly having a first hub component and a second hub component. The first hub component defines a first axis, and the compliant gear assembly includes a gear ring rotatable relative to the hub subassembly and defining a gear ring axis of rotation. The second hub component is movable relative to the first hub component between a first stop position and a second stop position. A compliance mechanism is coupled between the first hub component and the second hub component and biases the second hub component toward the first stop position. Translating the second hub component relative to the first hub component in a direction normal to the first axis attenuates torque spikes induced for example via fuel injector actuation and/or cylinder firing in an engine gear train employing the compliant gear assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brosowske, Joseph R. Derk, Thomas L. Atwell, Aaron J. Weber, Scott A. Snoble
  • Patent number: 8225689
    Abstract: A compliant gear assembly for a gear train of an internal combustion engine includes a hub subassembly having a first hub component and a second hub component. The first hub component defines a first axis, and the compliant gear assembly includes a gear ring rotatable relative to the hub subassembly and defining a gear ring axis of rotation. The second hub component is movable relative to the first hub component in a direction normal to the first axis between a first stop position at which the gear ring axis of rotation is co-linear with the first axis and a second stop position at which the gear ring axis of rotation is parallel to but not co-linear with the first axis. A compliance mechanism is coupled between the first hub component and the second hub component and biases the second hub component toward the first stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brosowske, Aaron J. Weber, Scott A. Snoble, Thomas L. Atwell, Joseph R. Derk
  • Patent number: 8197230
    Abstract: A damper assembly including an input member, an output member, and a transfer assembly is disclosed. The input member is configured to receive a torsional input. The output member is configured to provide a torsional output. The transfer assembly is coupled between the input member and the output member and includes a ring, a first guide, a second guide, a first spring, and a second spring. The ring defines a first linear slide path that has a first end and a second end, and a second linear slide path that has a third end and a fourth end. The first guide is slideable within the first linear slide path and coupled to the input member. The second guide is slideable within the second linear slide path and coupled to the input member. The first spring is positioned between the first guide and the second end of the first linear slide path. The second spring is positioned between the second guide and the fourth end of the second linear slide path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Schell, Thomas A. Brosowske, Paul F. Olsen, Thomas L. Atwell
  • Patent number: 7658124
    Abstract: A compliant gear assembly includes a gear ring positioned about a hub and configured to translate responsive to a torque on the gear assembly, and biased toward co-axial alignment with the hub via at least one actuator. A method of managing loads on an idler gear in the gear train is still further provided including translating the gear ring responsive to the torque on the idler gear. A work machine includes an engine having a housing and a geartrain mounted thereon, the geartrain including a crank gear, a cam gear and a compliant idler gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brosowske, Aaron J. Weber, Scott A. Snoble, Thomas L. Atwell, Joseph R. Derk, Cristian V. Striletchi, Dwight V. Stone
  • Publication number: 20090217779
    Abstract: A compliant gear assembly for a gear train of an internal combustion engine includes a hub subassembly having a first hub component and a second hub component. The first hub component defines a first axis, and the compliant gear assembly includes a gear ring rotatable relative to the hub subassembly and defining a gear ring axis of rotation. The second hub component is movable relative to the first hub component in a direction normal to the first axis between a first stop position at which the gear ring axis of rotation is co-linear with the first axis and a second stop position at which the gear ring axis of rotation is parallel to but not co-linear with the first axis. A compliance mechanism is coupled between the first hub component and the second hub component and biases the second hub component toward the first stop position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brosowske, Aaron J. Weber, Scott A. Snoble, Thomas L. Atwell, Joseph R. Derk
  • Publication number: 20090160113
    Abstract: A damper assembly including an input member, an output member, and a transfer assembly is disclosed. The input member is configured to receive a torsional input. The output member is configured to provide a torsional output. The transfer assembly is coupled between the input member and the output member and includes a ring, a first guide, a second guide, a first spring, and a second spring. The ring defines a first linear slide path that has a first end and a second end, and a second linear slide path that has a third end and a fourth end. The first guide is slideable within the first linear slide path and coupled to the input member. The second guide is slideable within the second linear slide path and coupled to the input member. The first spring is positioned between the first guide and the second end of the first linear slide path. The second spring is positioned between the second guide and the fourth end of the second linear slide path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: William L. Schell, Thomas A. Brosowske, Paul F. Olsen, Thomas L. Atwell
  • Publication number: 20080041177
    Abstract: A compliant gear assembly includes a gear ring positioned about a hub and configured to translate responsive to a torque on the gear assembly, and biased toward co-axial alignment with the hub via at least one actuator. A method of managing loads on an idler gear in the gear train is still further provided including translating the gear ring responsive to the torque on the idler gear. A work machine includes an engine having a housing and a geartrain mounted thereon, the geartrain including a crank gear, a cam gear and a compliant idler gear assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brosowske, Aaron J. Weber, Scott A. Snoble, Thomas L. Atwell, Joseph R. Derk, Cristian V. Striletchi, Dwight V. Stone
  • Patent number: 6657189
    Abstract: A method of maintaining measurement accuracy of specific constituents in prompt gamma neutron activation analyzers in a flow of bulk material having a known range of flow rates. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of samples of the bulk material for insertion into the analyzer in geometries and quantities referred to as loading profiles. Each of the loading profiles is inserted into the analyzer and measured long enough to yield a measurement uncertainty that is small compared to the observed differences in analysis results from one loading to another. The results are recorded and differences computed as measured errors for subsequent mathematical generation of the expected error at any loading value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Analyser Systems AG
    Inventors: Thomas L. Atwell, Victor W. Lanz, Anton M. Lucchin
  • Publication number: 20030102428
    Abstract: A method of maintaining measurement accuracy of specific constituents in prompt gamma neutron activation analyzers in a flow of bulk material having a known range of flow rates comprising of the steps of providing a plurality of samples of the bulk material in the form of standard geometric units, each said unit having the same concentration of the specific constituent to be measured and said units in a form that can be arranged to pass through the analyzer in the same manner as the bulk material; for insertion into the analyzer in geometries and quantities referred to as loading profiles that range from the smallest to the largest flow rates to be expected with the specific bulk material and the specific analyzer, successively inserting each of the loading profiles into the analyzer and measuring long enough to yield a measurement uncertainty that is small compared to the observed differences in analysis results from one loading to another, and recording these results and computing the differences of the mea
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas L. Atwell, Victor W. Lanz, Anton M. Lucchin
  • Patent number: 6470285
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rejecting signals exhibiting pulse pile-up and devices incorporating the method and/or apparatus. A pulse sensor senses pulses and an analog-to-digital converter digitizes the sensed pulses into discrete ADC values over a plurality of time slices. The digitized pulses are stored in a FIFO memory for processing by a classification processor. The processor qualifies the pulse and marks its first time slice. The processor includes accumulators that calculate parameters from various regions of the pulse. The calculated parameters are compared to criteria from identical regions of known, non-piled pulses. Pulses whose calculated parameters meet the criteria are accepted and stored in one memory location, and pulses whose calculated parameter do not meet the criteria are rejected and stored in another memory location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Analyser Systems AG
    Inventor: Thomas L. Atwell
  • Patent number: 5732115
    Abstract: In a bulk material analyzer in which bulk material is received in an activation region between a pair of neutron sources laterally disposed on one side of the activation region for emitting neutrons for bombarding the bulk material within the activation region to cause gamma-rays to be emitted from the bombarded bulk material and a pair of gamma-ray detectors laterally disposed on another side of the activation region for detecting gamma-rays emitted from the bulk material, a primary neutron moderator is disposed about the neutron sources for reducing the velocity of the emitted neutrons; and a secondary neutron moderator is disposed about the primary neutron moderator for further reducing the velocity of the neutrons and is further disposed adjacent the lateral edges of the activation region for channeling and reflecting the neutrons into the activation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Gamma-Metrics
    Inventors: Thomas L. Atwell, Raymond J. Proctor, Chaur-Ming Shyu, Chris A. Isaacson, Andrew H. Smith
  • Patent number: 5396071
    Abstract: A bulk material analyzer of the type in which the bulk material is transported through the material analyzer assembly on a conveyor belt between at least one radiation source and at least one radiation detector, includes a plurality of lower and upper modules that contain radiation shielding material and are so shaped as to define a passageway for the conveyor belt between the upper modules and the lower modules when the upper modules are placed on the lower modules. A primary centrally located lower module also includes the radiation sources and a primary centrally located upper module also includes the radiation detectors. Some of the outwardly located modules contain less radiation shielding material. The radiation shielding material includes a plurality of personally portable blocks. The conveyor belt is supported by compressed air passed through central upper wails in the outwardly located lower modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Gamma-Metrics
    Inventors: Thomas L. Atwell, Chris A. Isaacson, Andrew H. Smith, James P. Stronski, Richard A. Ackermann