Patents by Inventor Bryant Morris

Bryant Morris 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: 10859046
    Abstract: A system comprising a drain for a fuel-water separator (FWS) assembly and a sensor is disclosed. The sensor may include a sensing element that is attached to the drain, wherein, when the drain engages the FWS assembly, a cavity is formed by an endcap at least partially within the FWS assembly and by at least one of the drain or the sensor, wherein the sensing element is exposed within the cavity, wherein a first side of the cavity is at least partially open, and wherein a second side of the cavity is formed by at least one of the drain or the sensor, wherein the cavity is configured to receive fluid through the first side and collect the fluid in the cavity to trigger the sensing element. Numerous other aspects and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell L. Morehouse, III, Bryant Morris, Jeffrey R. Ries
  • Patent number: 10753330
    Abstract: A drain for a fuel-water separator (FWS) bowl is disclosed. The drain may include a valve element configured to float in a first fluid and not in a second fluid, wherein the valve element is in a valve element chamber of the drain, wherein the valve element chamber includes an opening configured to drain the first fluid from the valve element chamber, and wherein the valve element seals the opening when the drain is in an open position and when the first fluid has been drained from the valve element chamber; and a member configured to unseal the valve element from the opening when the drain is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Corey C. Eadie, Javier Rodriguez, Bryant Morris, Patrick Savage
  • Publication number: 20190383252
    Abstract: A system comprising a drain for a fuel-water separator (FWS) assembly and a sensor is disclosed. The sensor may include a sensing element that is attached to the drain, wherein, when the drain engages the FWS assembly, a cavity is formed by an endcap at least partially within the FWS assembly and by at least one of the drain or the sensor, wherein the sensing element is exposed within the cavity, wherein a first side of the cavity is at least partially open, and wherein a second side of the cavity is formed by at least one of the drain or the sensor, wherein the cavity is configured to receive fluid through the first side and collect the fluid in the cavity to trigger the sensing element. Numerous other aspects and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell L. MOREHOUSE, III, Bryant MORRIS, Jeffrey R. RIES
  • Publication number: 20190323463
    Abstract: A drain for a fuel-water separator (FWS) bowl is disclosed. The drain may include a valve element configured to float in a first fluid and not in a second fluid, wherein the valve element is in a valve element chamber of the drain, wherein the valve element chamber includes an opening configured to drain the first fluid from the valve element chamber, and wherein the valve element seals the opening when the drain is in an open position and when the first fluid has been drained from the valve element chamber; and a member configured to unseal the valve element from the opening when the drain is in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Corey C. Eadie, Javier Rodriguez, Bryant Morris, Patrck Savage
  • Patent number: 10245532
    Abstract: A center tube for use with a filter element comprises a unitary body having a standpipe that defines a length along the longitudinal axis and a central flow passage and a plurality of radially extending flow fins attached to the standpipe, the flow fins spaced axially from one another along the standpipe to define radial flow channels, wherein each of the fins further defines a first aperture between the fin and the standpipe, the apertures together defining a first outer axial flow passage and the standpipe defines a rectangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ries, Bryant Morris, Samuel D. Oanes
  • Patent number: 10112133
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter element, a cap, and a base seal. The filter element has a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inside passage. The cap is affixed to the first end. The cap has a cap perimeter configured to mate with an opening of a filter housing. The base seal is disposed at the second end. The base seal has an outlet port in cooperative alignment with the inside passage. The base seal is configured to seal the outlet port to a housing outlet and the base seal is configured to seal a housing drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Mark McElroy
  • Patent number: 10058805
    Abstract: A connection includes a first component, a second component, a cord member, a detent, and a catch assembly. The first component has an opening with an inner surface and a first annular groove disposed about the inner surface. The second component has a top end configured to fit in the opening. The top end has an outer surface with a second annular groove disposed about the outer surface. The first annular groove and the second annular groove are configured to form a channel in response to being disposed in cooperative alignment. The cord member is configured to be removably inserted into the channel to secure the first component to the second component. The detent is disposed on the cord member. The catch assembly is configured to engage the detent and provide resistance to movement of the cord member relative to the catch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Sam Oanes, Jeffrey Ries
  • Publication number: 20170361249
    Abstract: A center tube for use with a filter element comprises a unitary body having a standpipe that defines a length along the longitudinal axis and a central flow passage and a plurality of radially extending flow fins attached to the standpipe, the flow fins spaced axially from one another along the standpipe to define radial flow channels, wherein each of the fins further defines a first aperture between the fin and the standpipe, the apertures together defining a first outer axial flow passage and the standpipe defines a a rectangular shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ries, Bryant Morris, Sam Oanes
  • Patent number: 9752541
    Abstract: A filter media includes flutes, forward plugs, and aft plugs. Each of the flutes has a forward flute face, an aft flute face, and a flute body defining a flute conduit to convey the fluid. The forward plugs are disposed in alternating ones of the flutes. Each forward plug includes a plug base and an aerodynamic plug nose. The aerodynamic plug nose has a center axis and a nose surface tapering outwardly from the center axis towards the plug base. The plug nose is configured to aerodynamically redirect a flow of the fluid away from the center axis. The flutes that have forward plugs include a flute outlet disposed at the aft flute face. The aft plugs are disposed in the flutes adjacent to the flutes that have corresponding forward plugs. The flutes that have aft plugs include a flute inlet disposed at the forward flute face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Martin, Jason Jura, Bryant Morris
  • Patent number: 9724628
    Abstract: A fuel water separator is provided. The fuel water separator includes a filter having a top end cap and a bottom end cap. A sensor is coupled to the top end cap of the filter. A probe is configured to be coupled to the sensor and to the bottom end cap. The probe is configured to be positioned outside the filter between the top end cap and the bottom end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Darrell L. Morehouse, III, Jeffrey R. Ries
  • Publication number: 20170120171
    Abstract: A connection includes a first component, a second component, a cord member, a detent, and a catch assembly. The first component has an opening with an inner surface and a first annular groove disposed about the inner surface. The second component has a top end configured to fit in the opening. The top end has an outer surface with a second annular groove disposed about the outer surface. The first annular groove and the second annular groove are configured to form a channel in response to being disposed in cooperative alignment. The cord member is configured to be removably inserted into the channel to secure the first component to the second component. The detent is disposed on the cord member. The catch assembly is configured to engage the detent and provide resistance to movement of the cord member relative to the catch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Sam Oanes, Jeffrey Ries
  • Publication number: 20170021291
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter element, a cap, and a base seal. The filter element has a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inside passage. The cap is affixed to the first end. The cap has a cap perimeter configured to mate with an opening of a filter housing. The base seal is disposed at the second end. The base seal has an outlet port in cooperative alignment with the inside passage. The base seal is configured to seal the outlet port to a housing outlet and the base seal is configured to seal a housing drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Mark McElroy
  • Patent number: 9545589
    Abstract: A connection includes a first component, second component and a cord member. The first component has an opening with an inner surface and a first annular groove disposed about the inner surface. The second component has a top end configured to fit in the opening. The top end has an outer surface with a second annular groove disposed about the outer surface. The first annular groove and the second annular groove are configured to form a channel in response to being disposed in cooperative alignment. The cord member is configured to be removably inserted into the channel to secure the first component to the second component. The cord member includes a tapered portion disposed at a distal end of the cord member and is configured to provide a mechanical advantage to urge the first annular groove and the second annular groove into cooperative alignment in response to being inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Jeffrey Ries, Darrell Morehouse, III
  • Patent number: 9440178
    Abstract: A filter element includes a center tube and a blank of a filter media. The center tube has a first end and a second end. The blank is folded into a plurality of triangles. Each triangle is disposed adjacent to another of the plurality of triangles to form a series of triangular pleats to form a pleated filter media. The pleated filter media is disposed about the center tube. A cross sectional area of the pleated filter media proximal to each of the first end and the second end is greater than a cross sectional area of the pleated filter media at a point between the first end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bryant Morris
  • Publication number: 20160160815
    Abstract: A filter media includes flutes, forward plugs, and aft plugs. Each of the flutes has a forward flute face, an aft flute face, and a flute body defining a flute conduit to convey the fluid. The forward plugs are disposed in alternating ones of the flutes. Each forward plug includes a plug base and an aerodynamic plug nose. The aerodynamic plug nose has a center axis and a nose surface tapering outwardly from the center axis towards the plug base. The plug nose is configured to aerodynamically redirect a flow of the fluid away from the center axis. The flutes that have forward plugs include a flute outlet disposed at the aft flute face. The aft plugs are disposed in the flutes adjacent to the flutes that have corresponding forward plugs. The flutes that have aft plugs include a flute inlet disposed at the forward flute face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Martin, Jason Jura, Bryant Morris
  • Publication number: 20160089621
    Abstract: A connection includes a first component, second component and a cord member. The first component has an opening with an inner surface and a first annular groove disposed about the inner surface. The second component has a top end configured to fit in the opening. The top end has an outer surface with a second annular groove disposed about the outer surface. The first annular groove and the second annular groove are configured to form a channel in response to being disposed in cooperative alignment. The cord member is configured to be removably inserted into the channel to secure the first component to the second component. The cord member includes a tapered portion disposed at a distal end of the cord member and is configured to provide a mechanical advantage to urge the first annular groove and the second annular groove into cooperative alignment in response to being inserted therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Jeffrey Ries, Darrell Morehousee, III
  • Patent number: D754304
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Jeffrey Ries, Darrell Morehouse, Brian Sutton
  • Patent number: D777878
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Jeffrey Ries, Brian Sutton
  • Patent number: D782000
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Jeffrey Ries, Brian Sutton, Matthew Johnson
  • Patent number: D793525
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Morris, Jeffrey Ries, Brian Sutton