Patents by Inventor Brett M. Bailey

Brett M. Bailey 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: 8444729
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes an array of filter cartridges positioned within a shell, each of the cartridges having an electrically powered heating element coupled therewith. Exhaust gases may be distributed among the cartridges according to a single distribution pattern, and the filter can be regenerated without diverting, dividing or bypassing exhaust gases from the filter. The filter cartridges may be cylindrical or wedge-shaped, or of a variety of other configurations. Regeneration may take place according to a non-axial regeneration propagation profile. Other aspects include feedback control and feedforward control of regeneration based on sensing an electrical resistance property of each of the electrically powered heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett M. Bailey, Clifford E. Cotton, Christopher J. Rynders, Jr., Michael J. Readey, Michael J. Pollard, Robert L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7913675
    Abstract: A spark ignited gaseous fuel engine including an exhaust gas recirculation system and method for operating a gaseous fuel engine are provided. The exhaust gas recirculation system has an adjustable flow and is operable to supply exhaust gas to at least one engine cylinder. The engine further includes means for determining a value indicative of a charge density of a combustion mixture that includes gaseous fuel, air and exhaust gas supplied to the at least one cylinder, and adjusting a flow quantity through the exhaust gas recirculation system based at least in part on the value. The charge density may permit the controller to set a NOx output rate from the engine via a pre-determined correlation between charge density and NOx output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett M. Bailey, William C. Boley
  • Publication number: 20090272263
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes an array of filter cartridges positioned within a shell, each of the cartridges having an electrically powered heating element coupled therewith. Exhaust gases may be distributed among the cartridges according to a single distribution pattern, and the filter can be regenerated without diverting, dividing or bypassing exhaust gases from the filter. The filter cartridges may be cylindrical or wedge-shaped, or of a variety of other configurations. Regeneration may take place according to a non-axial regeneration propagation profile. Other aspects include feedback control and feedforward control of regeneration based on sensing an electrical resistance property of each of the electrically powered heating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett M. Bailey, Clifford E. Cotton, Christopher J. Rynders, JR., Michael J. Readey, Michael J. Pollard, Robert L. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20090076713
    Abstract: A spark ignited gaseous fuel engine including an exhaust gas recirculation system and method for operating a gaseous fuel engine are provided. The exhaust gas recirculation system has an adjustable flow and is operable to supply exhaust gas to at least one engine cylinder. The engine further includes means for determining a value indicative of a charge density of a combustion mixture that includes gaseous fuel, air and exhaust gas supplied to the at least one cylinder, and adjusting a flow quantity through the exhaust gas recirculation system based at least in part on the value. The charge density may permit the controller to set a NOx output rate from the engine via a pre-determined correlation between charge density and NOx output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Brett M. Bailey, William C. Boley
  • Patent number: 7490466
    Abstract: A power source is provided for use with an exhaust gas recirculation and selective catalytic reduction system. The power source has a main air-intake passage fluidly connected to a first air-intake passage and a second air-intake passage. A first cylinder group may be fluidly connected to the first air-intake passage and a first exhaust passage, wherein the first exhaust passage may include an ammonia-producing catalyst configured to convert at least a portion of a fluid in the first exhaust passage into ammonia. Further, a second cylinder group may be fluidly connected to the second air-intake passage and a second exhaust passage. A third cylinder group may be fluidly connected to the second air-intake passage. The power source may have a recirculation loop that includes the second air-intake passage and the third cylinder group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Wade J. Robel, Brett M. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20080098983
    Abstract: Cool combustion refers to combusting fuel in a region of equivalence ratios and temperatures between a soot production region and a NOx production region. Cool combustion is achieved by compressing air in a variable volume of an internal combustion engine beyond an auto-ignition point of a fuel. The compressed air is made to flow in an airflow passage by movement of a piston in the vicinity of top dead center. Fuel is injected into the compressed air stream, auto-ignites and burns in the low emissions region between NOx and soot formation regimes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Brett M. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20080022665
    Abstract: A power source is provided for use with an exhaust gas recirculation and selective catalytic reduction system. The power source has a main air-intake passage fluidly connected to a first air-intake passage and a second air-intake passage. A first cylinder group may be fluidly connected to the first air-intake passage and a first exhaust passage, wherein the first exhaust passage may include an ammonia-producing catalyst configured to convert at least a portion of a fluid in the first exhaust passage into ammonia. Further, a second cylinder group may be fluidly connected to the second air-intake passage and a second exhaust passage. A third cylinder group may be fluidly connected to the second air-intake passage. The power source may have a recirculation loop that includes the second air-intake passage and the third cylinder group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Wade J. Robel, Brett M. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7261097
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one combustion chamber and a piston configured to reciprocate within the at least one combustion chamber between a top-dead-center position and a bottom-dead-center position. The internal combustion engine also has a pre-combustion chamber, an air induction system, a fuel system, a spark plug at least partially disposed within the pre-combustion chamber. The air induction system is configured to direct air into the at least one combustion chamber. The fuel system is configured to direct gasoline into the at least one combustion chamber. The spark plug is configured to selectively ignite a mixture of the air and gasoline. The internal combustion engine also has an exhaust system configured to direct exhaust from the at least one combustion chamber and an exhaust gas recirculation system configured to selectively redirect at least a portion of the exhaust from the exhaust system back to the air induction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Weidong Gong, Martin L. Willi, Scott B. Fiveland, Brett M. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7007669
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises the steps of introducing a primary fuel into a main combustion chamber of the engine, introducing a pilot fuel into the main combustion chamber of the engine, determining an operating load of the engine, determining a desired spark plug ignition timing based on the engine operating load, and igniting the primary fuel and pilot fuel with a spark plug at the desired spark plug ignition timing. The method is characterized in that the octane number of the pilot fuel is lower than the octane number of the primary fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin L. Willi, Brett M. Bailey, Scott B. Fiveland, Weidong Gong
  • Publication number: 20040118764
    Abstract: Often in diesel engines, there are two or more fuel filters that provide intense filtration of the fuel prior to injection of the fuel into the engine. However, the two or more fuel filters consume a considerable amount of space within the vehicle which may prevent all of the fuel filters from being attached to the engine. The present invention is a multiple fuel filter pump module that includes a module housing. The module housing is formed to include a pump housing and a dual fuel filter head portion. A fuel pump is positioned within the pump housing, and more than one detachable fuel filter assemblies are attached to the multiple fuel filter head portion. The module housing can be attached to an engine housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Terry L. Miller, Brett M. Bailey, Jeffrey L. Castleman, Eric S. Keyster
  • Patent number: 6681571
    Abstract: The displacement of fluid translating devices are normally controlled by changing the angle of an eccentric or a cam plate to change the pumping stroke of the pistons within the device. In the subject arrangement, the displacement of the fluid translating device is controlled by controlling the flow being delivered into or away from each of the associated pressure chambers defined therein by the respective ones of a plurality of pistons. By not permitting the flow from every piston to be directed into useful work, the volume of fluid being directed into or away from the fluid translating device can be altered. Likewise, the direction of fluid flow within the fluid translating device can be selectively changed thus permitting the subject fluid translating device to be capable of pumping or motoring in both directions of flow relative to the first and second inlet/outlet ports thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Brett M. Bailey, Andrew H. Nippert
  • Patent number: 6598396
    Abstract: A piston-pumped EGR system for an internal combustion engine includes first and second stationary regenerators. Alternating flow through the first and second stationary regenerators is controlled by a regenerator directional flow control valve in fluid communication with at least one check valve disposed between the regenerator directional flow control valve and an exhaust manifold of the engine. Flow through the stationary recuperators is controlled so that exhaust gas and cooling bleed flow are alternatingly directed through the stationary recuperators whereby heat is removed from the recirculated exhaust gas prior to reintroduction into an intake manifold and one of the stationary regenerators is cooled by bleed air, which is subsequently discharged into the exhaust manifold of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Brett M. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20030116490
    Abstract: A fuel filter assembly includes a filter assembly housing with an annular outer surface and a fuel filter positioned within the filter assembly housing. A heater element is positioned between the annular outer surface of the filter assembly housing and the fuel filter. The fuel filter assembly is part of a fuel system attached to an engine. The filter assembly housing has an inlet and outlet. Fuel traveling through the fuel filter is heated by the heater element when the fuel temperature is below a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature preferably corresponds to a temperature below which paraffins form in the fuel. The invention assists in a cold start by avoiding a clogged fuel filter due to paraffin formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Keyster, Terry L. Miller, Brett M. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20030110765
    Abstract: The displacement of fluid translating devices are normally controlled by changing the angle of an eccentric or a cam plate to change the pumping stroke of the pistons within the device. In the subject arrangement, the displacement of the fluid translating device is controlled by controlling the flow being delivered into or away from each of the associated pressure chambers defined therein by the respective ones of a plurality of pistons. By not permitting the flow from every piston to be directed into useful work, the volume of fluid being directed into or away from the fluid translating device can be altered. Likewise, the direction of fluid flow within the fluid translating device can be selectively changed thus permitting the subject fluid translating device to be capable of pumping or motoring in both directions of flow relative to the first and second inlet/outlet ports thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Brett M. Bailey, Andrew H. Nippert
  • Publication number: 20030093994
    Abstract: A piston-pumped EGR system for an internal combustion engine includes first and second stationary regenerators. Alternating flow through the first and second stationary regenerators is controlled by a regenerator directional flow control valve in fluid communication with at least one check valve disposed between the regenerator directional flow control valve and an exhaust manifold of the engine. Flow through the stationary recuperators is controlled so that exhaust gas and cooling bleed flow are alternatingly directed through the stationary recuperators whereby heat is removed from the recirculated exhaust gas prior to reintroduction into an intake manifold and one of the stationary regenerators is cooled by bleed air, which is subsequently discharged into the exhaust manifold of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: Brett M. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6526753
    Abstract: An exhaust gas regenerator/particulate capture system is provided with a first particulate trap and a second particulate trap. A regenerator valve is provided having a valve member, an EGR inlet port, and a purge air outlet port. The valve member is operable between a first position and a second position. When the valve member is in the first position, the EGR inlet port is connected in fluid communication with the first particulate trap and the purge air outlet port is connected in fluid communication with the second particulate trap. When the valve member is in the second position, the EGR inlet port is connected in fluid communication with the second particulate trap and the purge air outlet port is connected in fluid communication with the first particulate trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Brett M. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6484703
    Abstract: A valve for use in an EGR system for an internal combustion engine has a housing having an exhaust inlet, an EGR outlet, an exhaust outlet and a bleed air inlet. A butterfly plate is pivotally connected to the housing. The butterfly plate has at least a first position and a second position, wherein the first position defines a first fluid path between the exhaust inlet and the EGR outlet and defines a second fluid path between the bleed air inlet and the exhaust outlet, and wherein the second position defines a third fluid path between the exhaust inlet and the exhaust outlet and defines a fourth fluid path between the bleed air inlet and the EGR outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brett M. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20020166547
    Abstract: A valve for use in an EGR system for an internal combustion engine has a housing having an exhaust inlet, an EGR outlet, an exhaust outlet and a bleed air inlet. A butterfly plate is pivotally connected to the housing. The butterfly plate has at least a first position and a second position, wherein the first position defines a first fluid path between the exhaust inlet and the EGR outlet and defines a second fluid path between the bleed air inlet and the exhaust outlet, and wherein the second position defines a third fluid path between the exhaust inlet and the exhaust outlet and defines a fourth fluid path between the bleed air inlet and the EGR outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Brett M. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6470677
    Abstract: A free piston engine system, particularly suitable for use in a motorized vehicle, is provided with at least one hydraulic pump, each pump having a first fluid port and a second fluid port. A free piston internal combustion engine includes a combustion cylinder and a hydraulic cylinder. A low pressure accumulator is fluidly coupled with the hydraulic cylinder. A first control valve interconnects the low pressure accumulator with the hydraulic cylinder. At least one high pressure accumulator is fluidly coupled with the hydraulic cylinder. At least one second control valve is provided, with each second control valve interconnecting a respective high pressure accumulator with the hydraulic cylinder. A third control valve interconnects the hydraulic cylinder with the first fluid port of each pump. A fourth control valve interconnects the hydraulic cylinder with the second fluid port of each pump. A first working pressure accumulator is coupled between each pump and the third control valve or fourth control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brett M. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6463895
    Abstract: A free piston internal combustion engine includes a housing with a combustion cylinder and a hydraulic cylinder. A piston includes a piston head reciprocally disposed within the combustion cylinder and movable during a compression stroke to a top dead center position and during a return stroke to a BDC position. A plunger head is reciprocally disposed within the hydraulic cylinder. A plunger rod interconnects and is rigidly affixed to each of the piston head and the plunger head. The plunger head and the hydraulic cylinder define a variable volume pressure chamber on a side of the plunger head generally opposite the plunger rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Brett M. Bailey