Patents by Inventor Bryan E. Strawbridge

Bryan E. Strawbridge 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).

  • Combustion engine variable compression ratio apparatus and method
    Patent number: 7055469
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for varying a compression ratio of an engine having a block and a head mounted thereto. The apparatus and method includes a cylinder having a block portion and a head portion, a piston linearly movable in the block portion of the cylinder, a cylinder plug linearly movable in the head portion of the cylinder, and a valve located in the cylinder plug and operable to provide controlled fluid communication with the block portion of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Keith E. Lawrence, Bryan E. Strawbridge, Charles H. Dutart
  • Cylinder head of engine having recirculation chamber
    Patent number: 6868842
    Abstract: A cylinder head of an engine has a body, at least one recirculation chamber, and a flow control system. The body defines at least one orifice, and the recirculation chamber is in fluid communication with the at least one orifice. The flow control system has an inlet flow position and an outlet flow position. A method of operating an engine having at least one recirculation chamber and at least one combustion chamber containing a pressurized fluid includes transferring a portion of the pressurized fluid from the at least one combustion chamber to the at least one recirculation chamber when the pressurized fluid reaches a first predetermined pressure value. The method also includes transferring the portion of the pressurized fluid from the at least one recirculation chamber to the at least one combustion chamber when the pressurized fluid in the at least one combustion chamber reaches a second predetermined pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan E. Strawbridge
  • Combustion engine variable compression ratio apparatus and method
    Publication number: 20040159292
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for varying a compression ratio of an engine having a block and a head mounted thereto. The apparatus and method includes a cylinder having a block portion and a head portion, a piston linearly movable in the block portion of the cylinder, a cylinder plug linearly movable in the head portion of the cylinder, and a valve located in the cylinder plug and operable to provide controlled fluid communication with the block portion of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Keith E. Lawrence, Bryan E. Strawbridge, Charles H. Dutart
  • Cylinder head of engine having recirculation chamber
    Publication number: 20040000297
    Abstract: A cylinder head of an engine has a body, at least one recirculation chamber, and a flow control system. The body defines at least one orifice, and the recirculation chamber is in fluid communication with the at least one orifice. The flow control system has an inlet flow position and an outlet flow position. A method of operating an engine having at least one recirculation chamber and at least one combustion chamber containing a pressurized fluid includes transferring a portion of the pressurized fluid from the at least one combustion chamber to the at least one recirculation chamber when the pressurized fluid reaches a first predetermined pressure value. The method also includes transferring the portion of the pressurized fluid from the at least one recirculation chamber to the at least one combustion chamber when the pressurized fluid in the at least one combustion chamber reaches a second predetermined pressure value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Bryan E. Strawbridge