Patents by Inventor Bobby John
Bobby John 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).
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Publication number: 20260063065Abstract: Operating a gaseous fuel engine system includes opening and closing two intake valves for each of a plurality of intake ports to fluidly connect the intake ports to cylinders in an engine via two intake valve openings. Pressurized intake air is fed through each of the intake ports so as to define flow streamlines extending to inward sides of the respective two intake valve openings. Gaseous fuel admitted to each of the plurality of intake ports is advanced into cylinders in an engine in a manner proportionally concentrated around the respective flow streamlines. When advanced into the cylinders the gaseous fuel may be biased in distribution away from cylinder walls thereof. In an embodiment the gaseous fuel includes a gaseous hydrogen fuel. Related apparatus is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2024Publication date: March 5, 2026Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bobby John, Jonathan W. Anders, Naga Krishna Chaitanya Kavuri, William J. Barnes
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Patent number: 12540593Abstract: An engine system includes an engine housing having an intake port to convey an incoming flow of intake air to a first intake valve opening and a second intake valve opening located downstream of the first intake valve opening. A port fuel injector assembly is supported in the engine housing and includes a fuel injector within a sleeve and an outwardly opening fuel injection valve. The sleeve includes a fuel-directing cap extending into the intake port and forming a fuel injection opening defining an outgoing fuel path axis oriented at a fuel exit angle, to improve distribution of a gaseous fuel such as a gaseous hydrogen fuel to the respective intake valve openings for mixing and combustion in an engine cylinder. Related apparatus of a port fuel injector assembly and methodology is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2024Date of Patent: February 3, 2026Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bobby John, Jonathan W. Anders, Naga Krishna Chaitanya Kavuri, Dean C. Diers
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Patent number: 12516638Abstract: An engine system operating and control strategy includes autoigniting a directly injected pilot fuel to ignite a primary fuel in a cylinder in a first engine cycle. The strategy further includes comparing data indicative of a heat release in a cylinder in the first engine cycle to phasing error criteria for an earlier pilot shot of the pilot fuel and a later shot of the pilot fuel. A quantity of one or more pilot shots in a subsequent engine cycle is varied, based on the comparison. Pilot shot quantity can be varied closed loop to obtain desired combustion phasing characteristics, such as when a characteristic of a primary fuel is changed during operation. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2024Date of Patent: January 6, 2026Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bobby John, Jonathan W. Anders
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Publication number: 20250327432Abstract: An engine system includes an engine housing forming a plurality of intake ports, and a plurality of fuel admission tubes each forming a fuel passage and at least one mixing air opening fluidly connected to the fuel passage between a first tube end and a terminal end surface of a second tube end. The mixing air opening may be formed in an end cap of the fuel admission tube. A plurality of mixing air openings in a fuel admission tube may have at least one of a circumferential distribution or an axial distribution that is biased in a direction of an incoming flow of intake air. Related apparatus and methodology is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2024Publication date: October 23, 2025Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bobby John, Jonathan W. Anders, Naga Krishna Chaitanya Kavuri, William Barnes
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Patent number: 12448939Abstract: An engine system includes an engine housing forming a plurality of intake ports, and a plurality of fuel admission tubes each forming a fuel passage and at least one mixing air opening fluidly connected to the fuel passage between a first tube end and a terminal end surface of a second tube end. The mixing air opening may be formed in an end cap of the fuel admission tube. A plurality of mixing air openings in a fuel admission tube may have at least one of a circumferential distribution or an axial distribution that is biased in a direction of an incoming flow of intake air. Related apparatus and methodology is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2024Date of Patent: October 21, 2025Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bobby John, Jonathan W. Anders, Naga Krishna Chaitanya Kavuri, William Barnes
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Publication number: 20250290480Abstract: An engine system includes an engine housing having an intake port to convey an incoming flow of intake air to a first intake valve opening and a second intake valve opening located downstream of the first intake valve opening. A port fuel injector assembly is supported in the engine housing and includes a fuel injector within a sleeve and an outwardly opening fuel injection valve. The sleeve includes a fuel-directing cap extending into the intake port and forming a fuel injection opening defining an outgoing fuel path axis oriented at a fuel exit angle, to improve distribution of a gaseous fuel such as a gaseous hydrogen fuel to the respective intake valve openings for mixing and combustion in an engine cylinder. Related apparatus of a port fuel injector assembly and methodology is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2024Publication date: September 18, 2025Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bobby John, Jonathan W. Anders, Naga Krishna Chaitanya Kavuri, Dean C. Diers
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Publication number: 20250290458Abstract: An engine system operating and control strategy includes autoigniting a directly injected pilot fuel to ignite a primary fuel in a cylinder in a first engine cycle. The strategy further includes comparing data indicative of a heat release in a cylinder in the first engine cycle to phasing error criteria for an earlier pilot shot of the pilot fuel and a later shot of the pilot fuel. A quantity of one or more pilot shots in a subsequent engine cycle is varied, based on the comparison. Pilot shot quantity can be varied closed loop to obtain desired combustion phasing characteristics, such as when a characteristic of a primary fuel is changed during operation. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2024Publication date: September 18, 2025Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bobby John, Jonathan W. Anders
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Patent number: 12337820Abstract: Operating a hybrid power system for a machine includes combusting a direct injected gaseous hydrogen fuel in an engine operating an electrical generator, and increasing a load demand of the hybrid power system. Operating the hybrid power system further includes operating an electrical-assist compressor to supply an increased airflow into the engine based on an increased engine power demand to satisfy the increased load demand. Air-fuel equivalence ratio of the engine (so-called “lambda”) is maintained at a ratio of about 2 or greater to limit NOx emissions, and between a hydrogen fuel misfire limit and a hydrogen fuel preignition limit. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2023Date of Patent: June 24, 2025Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Robert M. McDavid, Jonathan W. Anders, Bobby John, Timothy A. Bazyn, Youngjin Son, Aaron W. Costall, Radoslav B. Ivanov
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Patent number: 12209560Abstract: A gaseous fuel engine system includes an engine housing forming a plurality of intake ports, and a plurality of fuel admission tubes oriented to admit a gaseous fuel into the plurality of intake ports. The fuel admission tubes include mixers having flow-impinged surfaces exposed to at least one of a flow of gaseous fuel or a flow of intake air and each including a detachment edge. The mixers may include fins, wedge structures, and/or a contoured outer surface of the fuel admission tube. Related apparatus and methodology is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2024Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Anders, Bobby John, Kenth I. Svensson, Naga Krishna Chaitanya Kavuri, William J. Barnes
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Publication number: 20240351573Abstract: Operating a hybrid power system for a machine includes combusting a direct injected gaseous hydrogen fuel in an engine operating an electrical generator, and increasing a load demand of the hybrid power system. Operating the hybrid power system further includes operating an electrical-assist compressor to supply an increased airflow into the engine based on an increased engine power demand to satisfy the increased load demand. Air-fuel equivalence ratio of the engine (so-called “lambda”) is maintained at a ratio of about 2 or greater to limit NOx emissions, and between a hydrogen fuel misfire limit and a hydrogen fuel preignition limit. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2023Publication date: October 24, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Robert M. McDavid, Jonathan W. Anders, Bobby John, Timothy A. Bazyn, Youngjin Son, Aaron W. Costall, Radoslav B. Ivanov
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Patent number: 12110851Abstract: An engine includes a piston movable in a cylinder and having a combustion bowl, and an annular rim forming a scoop extending axisymmetrically around a piston center axis. A fuel injector tip extends into the cylinder and includes a first orifice set and a second orifice set offset from one another and offset from the piston center axis. A plurality of orifice-rim distances are defined between orifices in the second orifice set and an annular rim of the piston. The orifices in the second orifice set having a range of orifice sizes varied in direct relation to the respective orifice-rim distances. Related methodology is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2022Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bobby John, Jonathan W. Anders
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Patent number: 12078129Abstract: A gaseous fuel engine includes an engine housing having a cylinder block with a combustion cylinder therein, and an engine head including an intake port, an exhaust port, a fuel port, and an igniter bore, each extending to a fire deck. The gaseous fuel engine includes a fuel admission valve movable to close and open the fuel port. A non-axisymmetric clearance is defined between an inner port surface and the fuel admission valve and directionally biases a flow of gaseous fuel from the fuel port. Related methodology is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2022Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jonathan W. Anders, Bobby John, Chad Palmer Koci, Naga Krishna Chaitanya Kavuri
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Publication number: 20240200520Abstract: An engine includes a piston movable in a cylinder and having a combustion bowl, and an annular rim forming a scoop extending axisymmetrically around a piston center axis. A fuel injector tip extends into the cylinder and includes a first orifice set and a second orifice set offset from one another and offset from the piston center axis. A plurality of orifice-rim distances are defined between orifices in the second orifice set and an annular rim of the piston. The orifices in the second orifice set having a range of orifice sizes varied in direct relation to the respective orifice-rim distances. Related methodology is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2022Publication date: June 20, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bobby John, Jonathan W. Anders
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Publication number: 20240200513Abstract: A gaseous fuel engine includes an engine housing having a cylinder block with a combustion cylinder therein, and an engine head including an intake port, an exhaust port, a fuel port, and an igniter bore, each extending to a fire deck. The gaseous fuel engine includes a fuel admission valve movable to close and open the fuel port. A non-axisymmetric clearance is defined between an inner port surface and the fuel admission valve and directionally biases a flow of gaseous fuel from the fuel port. Related methodology is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2022Publication date: June 20, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jonathan W. Anders, Bobby John, Chad Palmer Koci, Naga Krishna Chaitanya Kavuri
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Patent number: 11885290Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle assembly having a nozzle case, and a concentric check assembly within the nozzle case. Transfer passages are formed in an outer check of the check assembly, and spray orifices are formed in the nozzle case. A fuel volume is formed between the outer check and an inner check, and the inner check is movable to fluidly connect the transfer passages to the fuel volume. The outer check is rotatable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation to fluidly connect separate sets of the transfer passages to separate sets of the spray orifices. Spray ducts are in spray path alignment with at least one of the sets of spray orifices.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bobby John, Jonathan William Anders, Glen Clifford Martin
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Patent number: 11639701Abstract: An engine system includes an engine housing having a cylinder block and a cylinder head. An intake opening and an exhaust opening and an igniter opening are formed in a fire deck surface of the cylinder head. A plurality of always-open fuel admission ports are fluidly connected to a combustion chamber and arranged in at least one of the cylinder block or the cylinder head. The always-open fuel admission ports convey a gaseous fuel such as a gaseous hydrogen fuel, a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, or still others, to the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2022Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Chad Koci, Bobby John, Naga Krishna Chaitanya Kavuri, Jonathan William Anders
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Patent number: 11598300Abstract: Operating an engine includes injecting a first charge of liquid fuel using a first set of nozzle outlets in a fuel injector, and injecting a second charge of liquid fuel using a second set of nozzle outlets in a fuel injector. The first charge is autoignited in a first engine cycle, and the second charge is autoignited in a second engine cycle, and may be used to pilot ignite a charge of gaseous fuel. Operating the engine further includes limiting errors in targeting of the second charge of liquid fuel caused by transitioning the engine from a first combination to a second combination of speed, load, and boost, by varying an injection pressure of the liquid fuel from the first engine cycle to the second engine cycle.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jonathan W. Anders, Bobby John, Robert Campion
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Ducted fuel injector having nested checks with non-rotating outer check and method of operating same
Patent number: 11549474Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector housing having a nozzle assembly with a nozzle piece, and a nested check assembly of an outer check and an inner check. Spray orifices are formed in the nozzle piece in a first orifice set equipped with a first spray duct set and a second orifice set equipped with a second spray duct set. The inner check can be opened to spray fuel from the first orifice set and the outer check can be opened to spray fuel from both the first orifice set and the second orifice set. The outer check is non-rotating while the inner check can be permitted to rotate during service. Spray ducts associated with the first orifice set may have a different duct length and duct inside diameter than spray ducts associated with the second orifice set. The first orifice set may include lower-flow spray orifices and the second orifice set may include higher-flow spray orifices. Related methodology is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Glen Clifford Martin, Bobby John, Jonathan William Anders -
DUCTED FUEL INJECTOR HAVING NESTED CHECKS WITH NON-ROTATING OUTER CHECK AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME
Publication number: 20220372942Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector housing having a nozzle assembly with a nozzle piece, and a nested check assembly of an outer check and an inner check. Spray orifices are formed in the nozzle piece in a first orifice set equipped with a first spray duct set and a second orifice set equipped with a second spray duct set. The inner check can be opened to spray fuel from the first orifice set and the outer check can be opened to spray fuel from both the first orifice set and the second orifice set. The outer check is non-rotating while the inner check can be permitted to rotate during service. Spray ducts associated with the first orifice set may have a different duct length and duct inside diameter than spray ducts associated with the second orifice set. The first orifice set may include lower-flow spray orifices and the second orifice set may include higher-flow spray orifices. Related methodology is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2021Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Glen Clifford Martin, Bobby John, Jonathan William Anders -
Patent number: 11359590Abstract: An igniter for a dual fuel engine includes an igniter body having spray outlets formed in a nozzle and arranged in a plurality of outlet sets. The igniter further includes a plurality of outlet checks each movable in the igniter body to open and close the spray outlets in a respective one of the plurality of outlet sets, and spark electrodes mounted to the igniter body and forming a spark gap. The outlet sets vary set-to-set in at least one of spray angle, spray outlet number, or spray outlet size. Related methodology is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2021Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bobby John, Jonathan William Anders