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).

  • Publication number: 20190360437
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Lawrence, Bradley J. Shaffer, Brandyn A. Stack, Joseph John Stabnik, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
  • Patent number: 10473067
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Lawrence, Bradley J. Shaffer, Brandyn A. Stack, Joseph John Stabnik, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
  • Publication number: 20130074798
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20130004103
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20120160207
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7976222
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7775890
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20090034890
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20080257676
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6805108
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Bradley J. Shaffer, John R. Gladden
  • Publication number: 20040118389
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Shaffer, John R. Gladden
  • Patent number: 6718768
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20040025506
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6672062
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20030115876
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6575192
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6176082
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6089204
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6012741
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Shaffer, Jay C. Rene, Jay A. Tschetter
  • Patent number: 5937837
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Shaffer, Richard P. Staab