Patents Represented by Attorney Michael McNeil
  • Patent number: 5961052
    Abstract: A control valve, preferably for use in a fuel injector, includes a valve body defining an inlet passage separated from an outlet passage by a valve seat. A single pole solenoid is attached to the valve body, and includes a pole piece and an armature. A valve member with a centerline is positioned in the valve body, attached to the armature and moveable between an open position in which the inlet passage is open to the outlet passage, and a closed position in which the inlet passage is closed to the outlet passage. The pole piece is positioned between the valve seat and the armature along the centerline of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Charles D. Ellenbecker, Ching W. Jaw
  • Patent number: 5957106
    Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel injector having a needle valve member and an injector body that defines a fuel pressurization chamber that opens to a nozzle outlet. The needle valve member is positioned in the injector body and is moveable between an inject position at which the nozzle outlet is open, and a blocked position at which the nozzle outlet is blocked. A portion of the injector body adjacent the nozzle outlet is a mono gas valve member. The movement of the gas valve member controls one or both of the intake and exhaust portions of the engine cycle. The gas valve member is also hydraulically-actuated and electronically-controlled by the same hydraulic actuator that operates the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald P. Maloney, Charles R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5950931
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a low pressure space, a trapped volume and a fuel pressurization chamber in fluid communication with a nozzle outlet. A needle valve member is positioned in the injector body and moveable between an inject position in which the fuel pressurization chamber is opened to the nozzle outlet, and a closed position in which the nozzle outlet is blocked to the fuel pressurization chamber. The needle valve member includes a lifting hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the fuel pressurization chamber, and a closing hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the trapped volume. At least one of the injector body and the needle valve member define a pressure decay passage extending between the trapped volume and the low pressure space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Beatty, Chetan J. Desai, George M. Matta
  • Patent number: 5934245
    Abstract: A two cycle engine comprises an engine casing that defines a hollow piston cavity, a first gas passageway and a second gas passageway. The hollow piston cavity is separated from the first gas passageway by a valve seat. A piston is positioned in the hollow piston cavity and is moveable between a top position in which the second gas passageway is blocked to the hollow piston cavity, and a bottom position in which the second gas passageway is open to the hollow piston cavity. A gas valve member is positioned adjacent the valve seat and is moveable between an open position and a closed position relative to the valve seat. The gas valve member defines a nozzle outlet that opens directly into the hollow piston cavity. A needle valve member is positioned in the gas valve member and is moveable between an inject position in which the nozzle outlet is open, and a blocked position in which the nozzle outlet is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Miller, John W. Winkler, Willibald G. Berlinger
  • Patent number: 5913582
    Abstract: A portable computer workstation for ergonomic use in crowded work settings such as hospitals, factories, laboratories and automobile service facilities, is described. The workstation includes a rectangularly shaped box cabinet with a keyboard drawer slidably mounted to it. A window assembly is mounted to the top of the cabinet. The window assembly enables an external user to view a computer monitor that is mounted within the cabinet under the window. The window protects the computer monitor from chemical spills and other potentially damaging contaminants. The cabinet is also preferably mounted on four lockable casters so that the same can be moved easily from one location to another. When the keyboard drawer is concealed within the cabinet, the workstation preferably takes up only a small amount of floor space and presents a substantially smooth catch-free and easily cleanable exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Inventor: Gary M. Coonan
  • Patent number: 5899070
    Abstract: In a turbo compounded air and fuel supply system for a gaseous fuel engine, separate turbochargers are utilized to compress the air and gaseous fuel. A first turbocharger has a first turbine connected to an exhaust line from the engine and a first compressor having an inlet open to a source of air. A compressed air supply line has one end connected to the outlet from the first compressor and its other end connected to an engine air inlet. A gaseous fuel supply line has one end connected to a source of low pressure gaseous fuel. A second turbocharger has a second turbine connected to the exhaust line from the engine and has a second compressor with an inlet connected to the gaseous fuel supply line. A high pressure gaseous fuel supply line has one end connected to the outlet of the second compressor and its other end connected to an engine fuel inlet. A computer controlled wastegate valve in the exhaust line allows a portion of the exhaust to be bypassed around the second turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kim J. Droessler, Walter E. Earleson, Carol J. Smith
  • Patent number: 5897058
    Abstract: A control valve includes a first valve body component that defines an outlet passage and a first planar surface surrounding a valve seat. A second valve body component has a second planar surface and is fastened against the first valve body component with the second planar surface in contact with the first planar surface at a sealing land. The first valve body component and the second valve body component define a high pressure cavity surrounded by the sealing land. One of the first valve body component and the second valve body component define an inlet passage opening to the high pressure cavity. A valve member has a portion positioned in the high pressure cavity and is moveable between a closed position in which the valve member contacts the valve seat closing the outlet passage to the high pressure cavity, and an open position in which the outlet passage is open to the high pressure cavity. The sealing land has a symmetrical non-circular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Charles D. Ellenbecker, Ching W. Jaw
  • Patent number: 5894830
    Abstract: An engine includes an engine housing having an oil pan with an amount of oil therein. An oil lubricating system for the engine has a low pressure pump attached to the engine housing. A hydraulic system, which uses the same oil as the lubricating system, has a high pressure pump positioned in the oil pan, attached to the engine housing, and at least partially submerged in the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Blass, Dennis H. Gibson, Dean D. Messinger, Alan R. Stockner
  • Patent number: 5895390
    Abstract: In a method of making an entry hole for implanting a retrograde humeral nail across a fracture in a humerus comprises the initial step of providing a pin placement guide having a base with a bone contact surface and a guide portion attached to the base. A guide bore with a guide axis extends through the guide portion and the bone contact portion of the base. The pin placement guide is clamped on the humerus so that the guide axis is at a relatively small angle of less than 20.degree. with respect to the bone axis of the humerus, and the bone contact surface is substantially aligned with the bone axis. Next, a guide pin with a tip is inserted through the guide bore. A guide hole is bored into the bone along the guide axis with the guide pin. Next, the clamp and pin placement guide are removed. Finally, the guide hole is reamed to enlarge it into an entry hole that is at an angle with respect to the bone axis equal or less than that of the guide axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Biomet, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Moran, Robert Border
  • Patent number: 5878720
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated fuel injector includes an injector body having a nozzle chamber that opens to a nozzle outlet. A control valve is mounted in the injector body and is attached to a solenoid that is moveable between a rest position and a fully energized position. A piston/plunger/barrel assembly is utilized to hydraulically pressurize fuel in the nozzle chamber to a fuel pressure that is substantially proportional to an amount of current being supplied to the solenoid. A needle valve member is positioned in the nozzle chamber and moveable between an open position in which the nozzle outlet is opened and a closed position in which the nozzle outlet is blocked. Finally, a spring is utilized to bias the solenoid toward its rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Anderson, Shikui K. Chen, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 5878965
    Abstract: A control valve, preferably for use with a fuel injector, includes a valve body defining a solenoid cavity, an inlet passage, an outlet passage and a metering passage extending between the solenoid cavity and the outlet passage. A solenoid is mounted in the solenoid cavity. A valve member has one end attached to the solenoid and is positioned to reciprocate in the valve body between an open position in which the inlet passage is opened to the outlet passage and a closed position in which the inlet passage is closed to the outlet passage. The inlet passage is in fluid communication with the solenoid cavity via the metering passage when the valve member is in its open position. Appropriate sizing of the metering passage can prevent secondary injections by providing adequate pressure relief to the solenoid cavity while also substantially damping any pressure waves that may travel to the solenoid cavity through the metering passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Charles D. Ellenbecker, Ching W. Jaw
  • Patent number: 5870995
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated fuel injection system includes an actuation fluid supply pipe having a flange. A hydraulically actuated fuel injector has a centerline, at least two different clamping surfaces and a side surface with an actuation fluid inlet. The clamping surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of the centerline. A clamp is attached to the flange of the actuation fluid supply pipe around the centerline of the injector while bearing against the at least two different clamping surfaces. The clamp allows for reliable sealing in a small space while minimizing internal distortion to injector components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Stockner, Norval J. Wiemken
  • Patent number: 5860969
    Abstract: A version adjustment instrument is utilized with modular femoral components, including a modular stem component having a coronal slot and/or a bowed portion and a modular body component attachable to the modular stem component in a substantially fixed orientation relative to the coronal slot or bowed portion. The instrument includes a base with a face surface having a plurality of adjacent angle markings. A body component support has a first coupler formed to engage the modular body component in a substantially fixed orientation relative to the body component support. A stem locator has a second coupler formed to engage one of either the coronal slot or bowed portion (if any) of the modular stem component in a substantially fixed orientation relative to the stem locator. One of the body component support or the stem locator is connected to the base at a position away from the face surface in a substantially fixed orientation relative to the angle markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Biomet, Inc.
    Inventors: John White, Roy Wiley