Patents by Inventor Brandyn A. Stack

Brandyn A. Stack 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: 12644402
    Abstract: Apparatuses including an oil separation device are discussed and shown. The oil separation device can optionally include a jacket arranged between an inner housing and an outer housing. The inner housing has an inner cavity that receives a filter configured to separate the oil from a blow-by gas. A first inlet port is positioned to extend generally tangentially relative to the jacket and a first outlet port is positioned to extend generally tangentially relative to the jacket. The oil separation device can include a first cover and a second cover coupled to or integral with at least the outer housing at opposing end portions. The first cover and the second cover are configured to receive the blow-by gas and to pass the blow-by gas as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Joshua Amiel Lehe, Chetan Vishwanath Kulkarni, Brandyn A. Stack, Yegor Litvinov, Mircea Radu Farmus
  • Publication number: 20260131272
    Abstract: Apparatuses including a coalescing filter are discussed and shown. The coalescing filter can include a filter media, a central core, a first end cap and a second end cap. The central core can define a central cavity. The central core can be positioned within the filter media. The first end cap can be coupled to the filter media at a first end and can have a plurality of ridges on an opposing side from the central core and the filter media. The plurality of ridges are configured to provide increased rigidity to the first end cap. The second end cap can be coupled to the filter media at a second opposing end from the first end cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Joshua Amiel Lehe, Brandyn A. Stack, Yegor Litvinov, Eric W. Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20260092543
    Abstract: Apparatuses including an oil separation device are discussed and shown. The oil separation device can optionally include a jacket arranged between an inner housing and an outer housing. The inner housing has an inner cavity that receives a filter configured to separate the oil from a blow-by gas. A first inlet port is positioned to extend generally tangentially relative to the jacket and a first outlet port is positioned to extend generally tangentially relative to the jacket. The oil separation device can include a first cover and a second cover coupled to or integral with at least the outer housing at opposing end portions. The first cover and the second cover are configured to receive the blow-by gas and to pass the blow-by gas as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2024
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Joshua Amiel Lehe, Chetan Vishwanath Kulkarni, Brandyn A. Stack, Yegor Litvinov, Mircea Radu Farmus
  • Patent number: 12497912
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed including apparatus for separating oil from a blow-by gas of an engine. The apparatus can include an outer housing, an inner housing, a filter, one or more ports, a first cover and a second cover. The inner housing can be positioned within the outer housing and defines an inner cavity. The inner housing and the outer housing can form a jacket therebetween. The filter configured to separate the oil from the blow-by gas positioned within the inner cavity. The one or more ports can be configured for fluid communication with the jacket. The first cover can have at least a first port therein to receive the blow-by gas or allow the blow-by gas to pass from the first cover. The second cover can have a second port therein to receive the blow-by gas or allow the blow-by gas to pass from the second cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
  • Patent number: 12410737
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed including internal combustion engine optionally including: a crankcase having a blow-by gas passing therethrough; a source of a boost air; a jacket containing a water; an oil separating apparatus in fluid communication with the boost air and the blow-by gas and having a coalescing filter to separate oil from the blow-by gas; and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the boost air, wherein the heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the jacket to receive the water, wherein the water is passed in a heat transfer relationship with the boost air in the heat exchanger to achieve a desired temperature range for the boost air passing to the oil separating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas K. Smith, Rodney Allen Lawrence, Joseph G. Chambers, Jarrett T. Corcoran, Brandyn A. Stack
  • Patent number: 12359593
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed for separating oil from a blow-by gas of an engine. An example includes a method that includes passing the blow-by gas to a first oil separating apparatus and a second oil separating apparatus, wherein the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus are physically coupled together along interfacing surfaces and in fluid communication with one another as an array, separating the blow-by gas by passing the blow-by gas through respective filters of the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus, removing the oil from the blow-by gas with the respective filters and recombining the blow-by gas after passing from the respective filters; passing the blow-by gas as a single flow stream from the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
  • Publication number: 20250170511
    Abstract: Apparatuses including coalescing filter are discussed and shown. The coalescing filter can optionally include: a filter media; a central core defining a central cavity, the central core positioned within the filter media; a first end cap; a coupling assembly attached to and extending outward from the first end cap, wherein the coupling assembly is configured to couple with a housing to position the coalescing filter within the housing; and a second end cap opposing the first end cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 29, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Joshua Amiel Lehe, Brandyn A. Stack, Yegor Litvinov
  • Publication number: 20250163836
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed including internal combustion engine optionally including: a crankcase having a blow-by gas passing therethrough; a source of a boost air; a jacket containing a water; an oil separating apparatus in fluid communication with the boost air and the blow-by gas and having a coalescing filter to separate oil from the blow-by gas; and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the boost air, wherein the heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the jacket to receive the water, wherein the water is passed in a heat transfer relationship with the boost air in the heat exchanger to achieve a desired temperature range for the boost air passing to the oil separating apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Lucas K. Smith, Rodney Allen Lawrence, Joseph G. Chambers, Jarrett T. Corcoran, Brandyn A. Stack
  • Publication number: 20240218817
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed for separating oil from a blow-by gas of an engine. An example includes a method that includes passing the blow-by gas to a first oil separating apparatus and a second oil separating apparatus, wherein the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus are physically coupled together along interfacing surfaces and in fluid communication with one another as an array, separating the blow-by gas by passing the blow-by gas through respective filters of the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus, removing the oil from the blow-by gas with the respective filters and recombining the blow-by gas after passing from the respective filters; passing the blow-by gas as a single flow stream from the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
  • Publication number: 20240218816
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed including apparatus for separating oil from a blow-by gas of an engine. The apparatus can include an outer housing, an inner housing, a filter, one or more ports, a first cover and a second cover. The inner housing can be positioned within the outer housing and defines an inner cavity. The inner housing and the outer housing can form a jacket therebetween. The filter configured to separate the oil from the blow-by gas positioned within the inner cavity. The one or more ports can be configured for fluid communication with the jacket. The first cover can have at least a first port therein to receive the blow-by gas or allow the blow-by gas to pass from the first cover. The second cover can have a second port therein to receive the blow-by gas or allow the blow-by gas to pass from the second cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
  • Patent number: 11946397
    Abstract: An engine system optionally including: a crankcase of an engine having a blow-by gas passing therethrough; a liquid source containing a liquid; and an oil separating apparatus in fluid communication with the blow-by gas. The oil separating apparatus having a coalescing filter to separate oil from the blow-by gas. Separate from the blow-by gas and the coalescing filter, the oil separating apparatus is in fluid communication with the liquid source to receive the liquid. The liquid is passed through the oil separating apparatus in a heat exchange relationship with the blow-by gas to maintain a desired temperature range for the blow-by gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Joshua Amiel Lehe, Nicholas Edwin Wainscott, Eric John Forthofer
  • Patent number: 11867099
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed for separating oil from a blow-by gas of an engine. An example includes engine system includes a crankcase having a blow-by gas passing therethrough, a compressor configured to receive air and compress the air, an aftercooler, an oil separating apparatus and a jet pump. The aftercooler communicates with the compressor and is configured to cool at least a portion of the air compressed by the compressor. The oil separating apparatus communicates with the blow-by gas. The oil separating apparatus communicates with a boost air that is a mixture of the compressed air from the compressor and cooled air from the aftercooler. The jet pump communicates with both the blow-by gas after leaving the oil separating apparatus and the boost air after leaving the oil separating apparatus and is configured to combine the blow-by gas and the boost air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Joshua Amiel Lehe
  • Patent number: 11118630
    Abstract: A valve system may include a valve having a housing with a bore and a valve member positioned within the bore. The valve member may include a valve shaft with a recess. The valve system may also include an actuator having an actuator shaft with an end portion. An adapter may couple the valve shaft and the actuator shaft. The adapter may include a body having a shape corresponding to a shape of the recess of the valve shaft for fitting the adapter within the recess and an aperture extending into the body. The aperture may have a shape corresponding to a shape of the end portion of the actuator shaft for press fitting the adapter onto the actuator shaft. The adapter may fit within the recess and press fit coupled to the actuator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, William Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20200256395
    Abstract: A valve system may include a valve having a housing with a bore and a valve member positioned within the bore. The valve member may include a valve shaft with a recess. The valve system may also include an actuator having an actuator shaft with an end portion. An adapter may couple the valve shaft and the actuator shaft. The adapter may include a body having a shape corresponding to a shape of the recess of the valve shaft for fitting the adapter within the recess and an aperture extending into the body. The aperture may have a shape corresponding to a shape of the end portion of the actuator shaft for press fitting the adapter onto the actuator shaft. The adapter may fit within the recess and press fit coupled to the actuator shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney A. LAWRENCE, Brandyn A. STACK, William JENKINS
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10458375
    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 retention pin is retracted and allows a spring loaded retention pin to retract and release the gate, which is also spring loaded, to drop. The retention pin is operated by an actuator through a cam mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack
  • Patent number: 10132217
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankcase having first and second pluralities of openings. A oil separation module has at least one inlet housing that communicates with a oil separation filter and is connectable to at least one opening from the first plurality of openings or from the second plurality of openings to define a crankcase vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Eric Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20180051605
    Abstract: A conduit for transferring fluid from one location to another. The conduit includes a tube having an outer surface and an insulation layer surrounding the tube. A heating layer is disposed between the insulation layer and the tube, such that the heating layer is wrapped around the outer surface of the tube. The conduit includes a reinforcement layer sandwiched between the insulation layer and the heating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brandyn A. Stack, Rodney A. Lawrence, Eric Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20170276040
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankcase having first and second pluralities of openings. A oil separation module has at least one inlet housing that communicates with a oil separation filter and is connectable to at least one opening from the first plurality of openings or from the second plurality of openings to define a crankcase vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Eric Ferguson