Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Menssen

Andrew J. Menssen 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: 11459987
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a pump includes an electrical actuator having a stator and an armature. The stator includes an annular outer stator portion and an annular inner stator portion, and an annular channel formed radially between the outer stator portion and the inner stator portion. A first radial channel extending through the annular outer stator portion between an outer surface of the outer stator portion and the annular channel, and at least one second opening in the annular outer stator portion results in magnetic symmetry of the stator. Upon activating the electrical actuator, the attraction of the armature towards the stator is uniform thus displacing fluid between the stator and armature in a uniform manner and to avoid high velocity, potentially damaging fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Nikhil M. Arya, Andrew J. Menssen
  • Publication number: 20220049673
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a pump includes an electrical actuator having a stator and an armature. The stator includes an annular outer stator portion and an annular inner stator portion, and an annular channel formed radially between the outer stator portion and the inner stator portion. A first radial channel extending through the annular outer stator portion between an outer surface of the outer stator portion and the annular channel, and at least one second opening in the annular outer stator portion results in magnetic symmetry of the stator . Upon activating the electrical actuator, the attraction of the armature towards the stator is uniform thus displacing fluid between the stator and armature in a uniform manner and to avoid high velocity, potentially damaging fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Nikhil M. Arya, Andrew J. Menssen
  • Publication number: 20150101559
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a button for a rocker arm assembly. The button includes a head portion. The button includes a shank extending from the head portion along a longitudinal axis. The button further includes a base portion extending from the shank. The base portion has a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface has a substantially concave profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Rudolph, Andrew J. Menssen