Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Alan J. Hickman
  • Patent number: 7121523
    Abstract: Particularly in an engine that has been inactive for a substantial period of time at a cold temperature, fluid forces acting on moving members, such as electronically-activated fluid control valves, may be significant until the engine warms up. A way to reduce the fluid forces and their detrimental effects is to reduce the volume of fluid which are creating the fluid forces, including venting all or some of this fluid to drain. Additionally, fluid that gathers can be drained away. In order to accomplish such venting, the present disclosure includes a fluid control valve having a body with at least one fluid passage connected to a bore, a movable member in the bore, an actuator connected to the movable member to move the movable member, and at least one vent passage opening into the bore between the fluid passage and the actuator. The disclosure may include additional drain passages to drain away gathered fluid from actuating components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Kenneth Adams, Wade Robel, Frank Jianyuan Yang
  • Patent number: 7114230
    Abstract: A method for automatically setting valve clearances in internal combustion engines (also known as “tappet setting” or “valve lash setting”) comprises a series of steps in which a rocker arm is set to a zero position that is recorded as a reference datum and an adjustment screw is then operated to set the rocker arm to a first reference position. The adjustment screw is then rotated through a predetermined angle so that the rocker arm is moved to a second reference position. The difference between the first and second reference positions and the predetermined angle are used to determine a coefficient relating the angular movement of the adjustment screw to linear movement of the rocker arm. The coefficient is then used to calculate the angular rotation of the adjustment screw required to set a predetermined valve clearance relative to the zero position. The initial adjustment of the rocker arm position serves to neutralize backlash in the valve drive train prior to setting the valve clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Graham P. Batchelor, William M. Crozier
  • Patent number: 6827050
    Abstract: A control system adapted to control an actuator between extended and retracted positions has a fluid control valve connected to the actuator a source of high pressure fluid and a reservoir. The fluid control valve is movable between a first position at which the actuator is connected back to the fluid reservoir adapted and a second position operable to connect the actuator to a high pressure actuation fluid source. An electronic control module is connected in control communication with the fluid control valve and adapted to automatically generate a control signal to position the control valve at the second position in response to an elapsed time being passed at which the fluid control valve is at the first position is greater than a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Clifford E. Cotton, III, Bernhard Kirsch, David E. Martin, Olaf Ohligschlaeger, Rene Schulz, Ronald D. Shinogle, Alan R. Stockner, Ye Tian, Stephen M. Wiley
  • Patent number: 6817344
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The system includes a first pump adapted to generate a flow of fuel and a second pump in fluid connection with the first pump and adapted to increase the flow of fuel to a predetermined pressure. A fuel filter is disposed between the first pump and the second pump. A sensing line is adapted to provide an indication of the pressure of the flow of fuel between the filter and the second pump. A pressure regulator is adapted to receive the indication of the pressure of the flow of fuel and to control the flow of fuel delivered to the fuel filter based on the indication of the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Issac R. Dandan, Amy Marie Hess, Bryan E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6675115
    Abstract: A method for automatically setting valve clearances in internal combustion engines (also known as “tappet setting” or “valve lash setting”) comprises a series of steps in which a rocker arm is set to a zero position that is recorded as a reference datum and an adjustment screw is then operated to set the rocker arm to a first reference position. The adjustment screw is then rotated through a predetermined angle so that the rocker arm is moved to a second reference position. The difference between the first and second reference positions and the predetermined angle are used to determine a coefficient relating the angular movement of the adjustment screw to linear movement of the rocker arm. The coefficient is then used to calculate the angular rotation of the adjustment screw required to set a predetermined valve clearance relative to the zero position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Co Ltd
    Inventors: Graham P. Batchelor, William M. Crozier
  • Patent number: 6662558
    Abstract: A variable delivery pump is provided for use in a work system. The variable delivery pump includes a variable delivery control arrangement that uses reduced pressure from the variable delivery pump to control the delivery of fluid from the pump. The reduced pressure is directed to a first port of the variable delivery control arrangement and acts to bias the flow changing mechanism to a maximum position when the work system does not require fluid flow. When the work system needs pressurized fluid, the reduced pressure that is also being directed across a flow restrictor is progressively blocked thus causing a variable valve arrangement to controllably direct reduced pressurized fluid to a second fluid port of the flow changing mechanism in opposition to the pressurized fluid at the first fluid port. In the subject arrangement, small orifices requiring large flows is eliminated. Consequently, the subject control arrangement is not adversely subject to high viscosity oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Bryan E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6644277
    Abstract: A high pressure pump system (14) for use with a hydraulic engine system (10), such as a fuel injection system (10) or a compression release brake system, provides variable delivery of pressurized fluid using sleeve metering principles. The relative position of metering sleeves (56) with respect to pumping pistons (32) is controlled electro-hydraulically by a control circuit (60, 160). The control circuit (60, 160) receives pressurized fluid from the pump delivery gallery (50) or another high pressure area (50, 52) and, using a pressure reducer (64, 164), reduces the operating pressure within the control circuit (60, 160) to a substantially constant pressure lower than the pump output pressure. Lower operating pressure within the control circuit (60, 160) improves the manufacturability of the control circuit components and helps to achieve better control of the pump output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James R. Blass, Dennis H. Gibson, George M. Matta, Mark F. Sommars, Jerry A. Wear
  • Patent number: 6431134
    Abstract: A plurality of modular camshaft follower assemblies of substantially identical construction and configuration are positively connected to a camshaft supporting structure of an internal combustion engine and adjustable to position a plurality of camshaft following lever arms at a proper timing location relative to a camshaft. Conduits in sealed serial communication with shafts pivotally supporting the camshaft following lever arms of the modular camshaft following assemblies deliver fluid flow from an engine block of the internal combustion engine to the camshaft following lever arms. The plurality of modular camshaft follower assemblies are each mounted on the engine through access openings in a side wall of the engine block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ruediger Hass
  • Patent number: 6418712
    Abstract: A breather gas outlet has an adaptor having a hollow member with a first end engaged at an aperture in a wall of an exhaust system of an engine to allow breather gas flow thereinto. A nozzle has a second hollow member serves as a breather gas conduit and is positioned inside the adaptor. The nozzle has a mounting portion sealingly engaged with an inside surface of the adaptor towards a second end thereof. And, a nozzle portion extends laterally towards but ends short of the first end thereof. The nozzle portion has an outer dimension less than the inner dimension of the adaptor so as to form a space therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Darley
  • Patent number: 6365108
    Abstract: A siloxane filter system for protecting an oxygen probe utilized in an internal combustion engine fueled by bio-gases, the filter system having a stainless fiber filter removably disposed in a housing having and inlet port and an outlet port disposed in fluid communication with an exhaust duct in such a manner as to cause exhaust gases to flow through the housing and filter, the oxygen probe is disposed in the housing down stream of the filter, causing siloxane in the exhaust gases to be deposited on the stainless fibers of the filter and essentially siloxane free gases passes over the oxygen probe extending its useful life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Dale A. Philyaw
  • Patent number: 6354186
    Abstract: A displacement pump has a rotatable drive shaft and at least one piston containing a piston cavity, and a piston shoe flexibly connected with the piston. The piston shoe comprises a shoe passage fluidly connected with the piston cavity. The displacement pump also has a hydrostatic thrust bearing plate comprising at least one thrust pad, and a driveplate connected with the drive shaft and disposed between the piston shoe and the thrust pad. The driveplate comprises a bearing surface proximate to the thrust pad, a pumping surface proximate to the piston shoe, and at least one communication port fluidly connecting the bearing surface with the pumping surface. The driveplate is rotatable to a position in which the piston cavity is fluidly connected with the thrust pad via the shoe passage and the communication port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis H. Gibson, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 6327962
    Abstract: A one piece piston for an internal combustion engine has a piston skirt that is connected to a flange portion and a supporting portion of a piston body. The piston skirt provides support to the flange portion and a piston ring belt portion disposed about and connected to the piston body. The one piece piston has a closed piston cooling gallery defined by the piston body, the flange portion and piston ring belt portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Kruse
  • Patent number: 6301890
    Abstract: A system for preparing gas mixtures for combustion, reducing emissions during combustion and treating and purifying resultant exhaust gas mixtures includes an exhaust gas scrubbing and condensing heat exchanger which cleans, cools and dries an exhaust gas mixture, a source of clean water which supplies clean water for heating and humidifying, a steam producer for converting clean water to steam, a steam boiler for increasing the energy of the steam and the energy of a fluid compound gas. An exhaust gas turbine, a steam turbine, and a fluid compound gas turbine all mounted on a common shaft are operative to convert energy in the exhaust gas mixture, the steam, and the fluid compound gas to mechanical energy on the common shaft. The system is particularly suited for use with an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: MaK Motoren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Herbert Zeretzke
  • Patent number: 6286414
    Abstract: A compact one piece piston for use in an internal combustion engine has a compression height (“CH”) of between 55 percent and 70 percent the piston diameter (“D”) and a closed piston cooling gallery defined by a piston ring belt welded at spaced locations to a piston body and to a flange portion of the piston body. The flange portion supports a second end of the piston ring belt and resists deflection of the piston ring belt. The closed piston cooling gallery is configured to promote heat transfer and piston cooling by facilitating shaking of a cooling fluid located within the closed piston cooling gallery during reciprocal piston movement. A piston skirt extending from the flange provides additional strength and rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Kruse
  • Patent number: 6269796
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying high pressure actuating fluid such as engine lubricating oil to hydraulically actuated electronically controlled injectors (HEUIs) in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus has a fluid rail with outlet ports to communicate the actuating fluid to the injectors which is adapted to be mountable on an engine so as to be located in use above the actuating fluid inlets of the injectors. A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine incorporating such apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Scott Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6250274
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (10) having an oil sump (12) mounted below an engine block (14), the engine block accommodating a crankshaft (16) and its associated connecting rods (18) wherein the engine includes a barrier (24) located at a position adjacent a lowermost point in the sweep of a big end (20, 22) of one of said connecting rods, the barrier being dedicated to the connecting rod and acting to restrict oil contained in the sump reaching the vicinity of the connecting rod big end during a lowermost portion of its sweep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Deane
  • Patent number: 6237571
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for connecting a fuel pressure tube to a side feed injector device of an internal combustion engine providing a conduit for leak-back transfer from the injector to a take-off point for return to the fuel feed system having a holder for fitting onto an injector body and serving to receive a fuel pressure tube, a housing member configured to cooperate with the holder to define a leak-back receptacle, and ducts to enable communication of a leak-back flow of fuel from the injector and to enable controlled delivery of the leak-back fuel for re-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Mark Harrison
  • Patent number: 6223701
    Abstract: A cooled one piece piston for use in an internal combustion engine has a piston body with piston cooling gallery disposed annularly in the piston body and a flange portion extending radially from a supporting portion of the piston body. A piston ring belt portion is connected to the piston body and to the flange portion by welding to provide strength and rigidity, to close off the piston cooling gallery and to define a closed piston cooling gallery. The closed piston cooling gallery has a preselected longitudinal length sufficient to provide a maximum amount of fluid shaking space for improved piston cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Kruse
  • Patent number: 6199543
    Abstract: A baffle for fitment over breather gas inlet of an internal combustion engine breather system to limit the ingress of oil droplets has a baffle plate at a first end, a second end connectable to a breather gas inlet, and a gas conduit extending between the ends, open at the second end and closed at the first end by the baffle plate, and having a perforated wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Maciej Bedkowski
  • Patent number: 6198209
    Abstract: A spark plug assembly for an internal combustion engine has a housing, an electrode, an axis and a conducting member radially oriented relative to the axis has a collar disposed about the axis and connected to an end of the housing. The spark plug is connected to the engine and exposed to a combustion chamber of the engine. The collar extends a predetermined distance from the end of the housing and shields a gap between the conducting member and electrode from air swirl introduced into a combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl D. Baldwin, David W. Brandes, Richard P. Staab