Patents by Inventor Christopher H. Best

Christopher H. Best 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: 5462033
    Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus of the rotary distributor type has a pumping plunger (14) mounted in a bore (13) in the distributor member and a cam ring (24) operable to move the plunger inwardly in timed relationship with the associated engine. The cam ring is positioned by a fluid pressure operable piston (25) contained within a cylinder (26). The apparatus includes a further piston (31) mounted in a further cylinder connected to the first mentioned cylinder, the further piston being biased by a pre-stressed spring (32). A stop is provided to limit the movement of the further piston against the action of the spring which yields to limit the fuel pressure developed by the plunger during the initial inward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Christopher H. Best
  • Patent number: 5323746
    Abstract: A governor system for the fuel pump of an engine which drives a vehicle through a multi ratio gearbox includes an all speed governor. The governor characteristic in the intermediate speed range is modified by means responsive to the load on the vehicle and by means responsive to the transmission ratio of the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventors: Christopher H. Best, David Shufflebotham
  • Patent number: 4881504
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump includes a plunger reciprocable by an engine driven cam in a bore from which extends an outlet connected in use to a fuel injection nozzle. A spill valve is utilized to control the fuel flow to the nozzle by diverting fuel from the outlet to a low pressure source. In order to prolong the valve closure period a cylinder is provided in which is located a spring loaded piston. When the valve is closed a predetermined volume of fuel is passed to the cylinder to achieve displacement of the piston after which delivery of fuel takes place through the nozzle. The period of closure of the valve in order to achieve delivery of a specific volume of fuel through the nozzle is therefore extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Christopher H. Best
  • Patent number: 4702212
    Abstract: An electromagnetically operable valve for controlling the escape of fuel from the pumping chamber of a high pressure pump includes a valve member slidable in a bore from the end of which extends an outlet about which is formed a conical seating. The valve member is shaped to cooperate with the seating and is urged into contact with the seating when an electromagnetic device is energized. A fuel inlet passage connected to the pumping chamber extends into a chamber defined by a reduced portion of the valve member and the portion thereof which slides in the bore forming a step which defines an annular surface which is exposed to the pressure in said chamber. When the device is deenergized the fuel pressure acting on said surface acts to move the valve member to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Christopher H. Best, David F. Lakin, Timothy M. Simpkins
  • Patent number: 4548177
    Abstract: A governor system for the fuel pump of a road vehicle includes a governor of the all-speed type and means is provided to vary the characteristic of the governor in the intermediate speed range in accordance with the load on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: Christopher H. Best
  • Patent number: 4544905
    Abstract: A linear transducer comprises a former about which is wound a number of windings, the windings being disposed in side by side relationship and having the same number of turns. The windings are connected in series with adjacent windings being wound in the opposite direction. The transducer also includes a core member which has a length substantially equal to the length of the winding. The inductance of the windings varies cylically as the core member is moved through the former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventors: Christopher H. Best, Alec H. Seilly
  • Patent number: 4196708
    Abstract: An engine system includes a valve operable to permit exhaust gas to flow from the exhaust manifold to the air inlet manifold of an engine for the purpose of reducing the noxious gas content of the exhaust. The setting of the valve is dependent upon the amount of fuel supplied to the engine by the pump. A hydraulic signal is generated and this is derived from a supply pump by way of a fixed orifice this pressure being applied to a control valve which regulates the pressure applied to an actuator including a spring loaded piston. A throttle which controls the amount of fuel delivered by the injection pump also forms a further adjustable orifice downstream of the orifice whereby the pressure downstream of the orifice is dependent upon the amount of fuel supplied to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1980
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventors: William S. May, Christopher H. Best