Patents by Inventor Benjamin R. Tower

Benjamin R. Tower 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: 12078135
    Abstract: A multipart fuel filter element includes a cartridge body having a plurality of through bores radially offset with respect to a centerline. An inlet end cap adjacent a first cartridge face includes an inlet aperture centrally aligned with the centerline and a plurality of distribution apertures aligned with and directing fuel to the plurality of through bores. An outlet end cap adjacent a second cartridge face includes an outlet aperture also aligned with the centerline and a plurality of reception aperture that are aligned with the through bores to receive fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Adrienne M. Brasche, Michael H. McLean, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower
  • Patent number: 11852112
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a common rail fuel system includes an energizer section, an injector section, and control section axially disposed along an injector axis. To control and injection event, the control section includes a control orifice manifold that has a plurality of control orifices and control passages to distribute high pressure fuel with the injector assembly. To prevent plugging of the control orifices and passages, an internal filter element with a plurality of filtration orifices is located in proximity to the control orifice manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Tower, Daniel R. Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 11708810
    Abstract: An engine head assembly includes a double-walled fuel connector assembly in an engine head and forming a high-pressure fuel supply passage and a low-pressure fuel return passage. The engine head assembly also includes a fuel injector. A high-pressure fuel inlet path extends between a fuel inlet and spray orifices through an injector body in the fuel injector. A low-pressure cooling fuel outlet path extends between an injection control valve seat in the fuel injector and a cooling fuel outlet in a nozzle case of the fuel injector. Expelled cooling fuel is passed through the low-pressure fuel return passage in the double-walled fuel connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Manjunath Bannur Nagaraja, Zhenyu Li, Benjamin R Tower, Aniket Suresh Dighe
  • Publication number: 20230109534
    Abstract: A multipart fuel filter element includes a cartridge body having a plurality of through bores radially offset with respect to a centerline. An inlet end cap adjacent a first cartridge face includes an inlet aperture centrally aligned with the centerline and a plurality of distribution apertures aligned with and directing fuel to the plurality of through bores. An outlet end cap adjacent a second cartridge face includes an outlet aperture also aligned with the centerline and a plurality of reception aperture that are aligned with the through bores to receive fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Adrienne M. Brasche, Michael H. McLean, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower
  • Publication number: 20220163009
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a common rail fuel system includes an energizer section, an injector section, and control section axially disposed along an injector axis. To control and injection event, the control section includes a control orifice manifold that has a plurality of control orifices and control passages to distribute high pressure fuel with the injector assembly. To prevent plugging of the control orifices and passages, an internal filter element with a plurality of filtration orifices is located in proximity to the control orifice manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Tower, Daniel R. Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 11280306
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector housing, a check control valve assembly within the injector housing, a direct-operated check, a valve biaser supported on the injector housing, and a dry-running protection valve trapped between the valve biaser and the injector housing. The dry-running protection valve limits expelling drained actuation fluid from the fuel injector to enable filling a low-pressure volume therein in advance of filling a low pressure drain line common to a plurality of fuel injectors in an internal combustion engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Manjunath Bannur Nagaraja, Venkata R. Tatikonda, Benjamin R. Tower
  • Patent number: 8622046
    Abstract: A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The fuel system may have a pump, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a plurality of fuel accumulators. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may be disposed at least partially within a different cylinder head of the engine in fluid communication with an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with adjacent fuel accumulators of the plurality of fuel accumulators. At least one of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with the pump. The fuel system may further have a plurality of flow limiters. Each of the plurality of flow limiters may be disposed between an associated fuel accumulator of the plurality of fuel accumulators and an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerstner, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower, Bharath Chandrashekar, Zhenyu Li
  • Publication number: 20130001891
    Abstract: A two-piece assembly having both a plug component and a load component. The plug component includes a protrusion or bite edge that is capable of creating a metal-to-metal seal. The load component is rotated into position such that it provides an axial force on the plug component and increases the quality of the metal-to-metal seal. Rotational force from the load component is not transferred to the plug component because of a zero-moment interface. Thus, the present sealing assembly is capable of sealing at high pressures and avoid creating leak paths in the sealing land.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin R. Tower
  • Patent number: 8291889
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having a valve seat fluidly positioned between an inlet and an outlet. A valve member is movable among a first position, a second position, and a third position. The valve member is in contact with the valve seat and fluidly blocks the inlet from the outlet at the first position. At the second position of the valve member, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a small flow area. The inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a large flow area when the valve member is at the third position. An electrical actuator is attached to the valve body and is operably coupled to move the valve member when energized. The valve member includes an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the inlet when at the first position. A spring is operably positioned to bias the valve member toward the second position when the valve member is at the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Jeffrey DePayva, Daniel R. Puckett, Amy S. Johanson, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower, Jason Z. Li, Jayaraman Venkataraghavan, Michael D. Gerstner, Michael C. Long
  • Publication number: 20110315117
    Abstract: A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The fuel system may have a pump, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a plurality of fuel accumulators. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may be disposed at least partially within a different cylinder head of the engine in fluid communication with an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with adjacent fuel accumulators of the plurality of fuel accumulators. At least one of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with the pump. The fuel system may further have a plurality of flow limiters. Each of the plurality of flow limiters may be disposed between an associated fuel accumulator of the plurality of fuel accumulators and an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Michael D. GERSTNER, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower, Bharath Chandrashekar, Zhenyu Li
  • Publication number: 20100282212
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having a valve seat fluidly positioned between an inlet and an outlet. A valve member is movable among a first position, a second position, and a third position. The valve member is in contact with the valve seat and fluidly blocks the inlet from the outlet at the first position. At the second position of the valve member, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a small flow area. The inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a large flow area when the valve member is at the third position. An electrical actuator is attached to the valve body and is operably coupled to move the valve member when energized. The valve member includes an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the inlet when at the first position. A spring is operably positioned to bias the valve member toward the second position when the valve member is at the third position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Jeffrey DePayva, Daniel R. Puckett, Amy S. Johanson, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower, Jason Z. Li, Jayaraman Venkataraghavan, Michael D. Gerstner, Michael C. Long