Patents by Inventor Bradley J. Shaffer
Bradley J. Shaffer 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: 20190360437Abstract: An air shutoff valve for use on an internal combustion engine includes a gate that is moveable between armed and triggered positions by springs when a release pin is retracted and allows a spring loaded retention pin to retract and release the gate, which is also spring loaded, to drop. The release pin is operated by an actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2018Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Rodney A. Lawrence, Bradley J. Shaffer, Brandyn A. Stack, Joseph John Stabnik, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
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Patent number: 10473067Abstract: An air shutoff valve for use on an internal combustion engine includes a gate that is moveable between armed and triggered positions by springs when a release pin is retracted and allows a spring loaded retention pin to retract and release the gate, which is also spring loaded, to drop. The release pin is operated by an actuator.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Rodney A. Lawrence, Bradley J. Shaffer, Brandyn A. Stack, Joseph John Stabnik, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
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Publication number: 20130074798Abstract: A tray for de-aeration of oil contained in an oil pan including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a side surface. The inner surface is adapted to face a bottom surface of the oil pan. The outer surface is adapted to face an oil-gas interface of the oil contained in the oil pan. The side surface extends from the inner surface. Moreover, the side surface encloses a submerged surface to collect aeration bubbles present in the oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20130004103Abstract: A main sleeve bearing for an assembly wherein a journal member is rotatable within a bore is provided. The main sleeve bearing may include a first bearing shell portion and a second bearing shell portion. The first bearing shell portion and the second bearing shell portion may be assembled to form the main sleeve bearing with a circumferential outer surface and an inner bearing surface. The second bearing shell portion may define a greater portion of a circumference of the main sleeve bearing than the first bearing shell portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20120160207Abstract: An engine bearing shell with improved side load capability is disclosed. The engine bearing includes an upper bearing shell having a first single side relief portion. The engine bearing also includes a lower bearing shell having a second side relief portion. The upper bearing shell and the lower bearing shell may be assembled to form a cylindrical bore that is disposed therebetween. The first and second single side relief portions are configured to compensate for any offset shift that occurs at parting lines located between the assembled upper and lower bearing shells.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Patent number: 7976222Abstract: A drivetrain for use with a power unit. The drivetrain may have a driving member, a driven member, and a sleeve disposed between the driving member and the driven member. The drivetrain may further have a first oil film bearing disposed between the sleeve and one of the driving member and the driven member.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Patent number: 7775890Abstract: A drivetrain for use with a power unit is disclosed. The drivetrain may have a crankshaft, a flywheel having spline teeth, and a flexible plate connecting the crankshaft to the flywheel. The drivetrain may also have a driven member having spline teeth configured to mate with the spline teeth of the flywheel, and a limiter associated with at least one of the flywheel and the driven member. The limiter may be configured to limit a maximum axial movement and a maximum radial movement between the flywheel and the driven member.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20090034890Abstract: A drivetrain for use with a power unit is disclosed. The drivetrain may have a driving member, a driven member, and a sleeve disposed between the driving member and the driven member. The drivetrain may further have a first oil film bearing disposed between the sleeve and one of the driving member and the driven member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20080257676Abstract: A drivetrain for use with a power unit is disclosed. The drivetrain may have a crankshaft, a flywheel having spline teeth, and a flexible plate connecting the crankshaft to the flywheel. The drivetrain may also have a driven member having spline teeth configured to mate with the spline teeth of the flywheel, and a limiter associated with at least one of the flywheel and the driven member. The limiter may be configured to limit a maximum axial movement and a maximum radial movement between the flywheel and the driven member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Patent number: 6805108Abstract: A heat exchanger for mounting in a supercharger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a body having a first end and a second end. A water bonnet is connectable with the first end of the body and includes an inlet, an outlet, an inner annulus, and an outer annulus. The inlet may be associated with one of the inner and outer annuluses and the outlet is associated with the other of the inner and outer annuluses.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Bradley J. Shaffer, John R. Gladden
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Publication number: 20040118389Abstract: A heat exchanger for mounting in a supercharger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a body having a first end and a second end. A water bonnet is connectable with the first end of the body and includes an inlet, an outlet, an inner annulus, and an outer annulus. The inlet may be associated with one of the inner and outer annuluses and the outlet is associated with the other of the inner and outer annuluses.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bradley J. Shaffer, John R. Gladden
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Patent number: 6718768Abstract: A flywheel assembly for use with a supercharger having a rotatable shaft is provided. The flywheel assembly includes a flywheel configured to rotate about an axis of and be supported by the rotatable shaft and a clutch configured to selectively couple the flywheel to the rotatable shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20040025506Abstract: A flywheel assembly for use with a supercharger having a rotatable shaft is provided. The flywheel assembly includes a flywheel configured to rotate about an axis of and be supported by the rotatable shaft and a clutch configured to selectively couple the flywheel to the rotatable shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2002Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Patent number: 6672062Abstract: A supercharger arrangement, having a first rotor assembly, including a first compressor with a first compressor inlet and a first compressor outlet, and a second compressor with a second compressor inlet and a second compressor outlet. The supercharger arrangement also having a second rotor assembly, including a third compressor with a third compressor inlet and a third compressor outlet, and a fourth compressor with a fourth compressor inlet and a fourth compressor outlet; and a first inter-stage conduit that communicates the first compressor outlet with the fourth compressor inlet so that flow from the first compressor feeds into the fourth compressor.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Publication number: 20030115876Abstract: A supercharger arrangement, having a first rotor assembly, including a first compressor with a first compressor inlet and a first compressor outlet, and a second compressor with a second compressor inlet and a second compressor outlet. The supercharger arrangement also having a second rotor assembly, including a third compressor with a third compressor inlet and a compressor outlet, and a fourth compressor with a fourth compressor inlet and a fourth compressor outlet; and a first inter-stage conduit that communicates the first compressor outlet with the fourth compressor inlet so that flow from the first compressor feeds into the fourth compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: June 26, 2003Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Patent number: 6575192Abstract: The invention relates generally to a check valve and more particularly to a check valve for a fuel passage of a prechamber assembly of an internal combustion engine comprising a carrier member, a stop member, and a ring member. The ring member is resiliently disposed between the carrier and stop members. The ring member is movable between a first position blocking fluid communication between the carrier and stop members and a second position passing fluid between the carrier and stop members. The principal use is for applications that control fluid passing between components, such as prechamber assemblies in gaseous engines.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Patent number: 6176082Abstract: An exhaust manifold cooling assembly for an internal combustion engine having a turbocharger, an exhaust a manifold, heat exchanger, and an outer shell. Exhaust gas from the engine passes through the exhaust manifold, the turbocharger, and the heat exchanger. The cooled exhaust gases pass through a cooling passageway disposed about, generally surrounding and spaced from the exhaust manifold. Heat is further absorbed by the cooling exhaust gasses.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Patent number: 6089204Abstract: A combined axial and torsional crankshaft vibration damper for reciprocating engines comprising a hub fastened to a crankshaft and a inertia ring connected to the hub by a material that transmits a portion of the vibratory movement of the crankshaft to the inertia ring which tends to continue constant rotational movement and resists the vibrational movement and dampens the axial and torsional vibration of the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1999Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
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Patent number: 6012741Abstract: An arrangement and method for connecting a fluid passing conduit to a supporting housing having a conduit receiving bore has a strap assembly disposed about an end portion of the fluid passing conduit and a torque restraining bracket. A plurality of fasteners removably connect spaced end portions of the torque restraining bracket and the strap assembly together and secure the torque restraining bracket to the fluid passing conduit. A fastener connects a middle portion of the restraining bracket to the supporting member and maintains the fluid passing conduit from axial and rotary movement. A sealing member seals between the fluid passing conduit and the supporting member. A pilot ring concentrically pilots the conduit end portion relative to the bore.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1998Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bradley J. Shaffer, Jay C. Rene, Jay A. Tschetter
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Patent number: 5937837Abstract: A crankcase blowby disposal system for a reciprocating engine comprising a heat exchanger in fluid communication with an oil filter and the crankcase in which blowby comprising oil droplets, oil mist, oil vapor, water vapor and other gases, the blowby is vented from the crankcase, passes through the heat exchanger which cools the blowby to a temperature below the dew point of the oil vapor and above the dew point of the water vapor, whereby the oil vapor condenses and the water vapor does not condense, then the cooled blowby passes through an oil filter which removes essentially all the oil from the blowby, the oil free blowby is then returned to the engine intake or exhaust or vented to the atmosphere, the oil collected in the oil filter may be returned to the crankcase.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bradley J. Shaffer, Richard P. Staab