Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Hoops

Christopher M. Hoops 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).

  • Piston with combustion stabilizing bowl
    Patent number: 12698734
    Abstract: A piston for engine may include an annular body including a combustion bowl defining a volume and surrounded on a top side thereof by an annular crown portion defining a top squish surface with include an inner edge defining an opening to the combustion bowl. The opening may include an area for combustion gases to enter the bowl during a compression stroke of the piston. The combustion bowl may include a reentrant surface that defines a tangent that forms a reentrant angle with the top squish surface. The reentrant angle may range from 28.0 degrees to 32.0 degrees. A ratio of a bowl volume to an area of the entry opening may ranges from 45 mm to 52 mm. A ratio of a bowl volume to the reentrant angle may range from 12 cc/deg to 15 cc/deg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2026
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Hoops, Sean Jeffery Moser, Adam J. Clute, Andrew Joseph Loetz, Aaron Ness, Tyler M. Kackley
  • PISTON WITH COMBUSTION STABILIZING BOWL
    Publication number: 20250297569
    Abstract: A piston for engine may include an annular body including a combustion bowl defining a volume and surrounded on a top side thereof by an annular crown portion defining a top squish surface with include an inner edge defining an opening to the combustion bowl. The opening may include an area for combustion gases to enter the bowl during a compression stroke of the piston. The combustion bowl may include a reentrant surface that defines a tangent that forms a reentrant angle with the top squish surface. The reentrant angle may range from 28.0 degrees to 32.0 degrees. A ratio of a bowl volume to an area of the entry opening may ranges from 45 mm to 52 mm. A ratio of a bowl volume to the reentrant angle may range from 12 cc/deg to 15 cc/deg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Publication date: September 25, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Hoops, Sean Jeffery Moser, Adam J. Clute, Andrew Joseph Loetz, Aaron Ness, Tyler M. Kackley
  • Sparkplug having cathode and anode compositions for extended service life
    Patent number: 12196168
    Abstract: A sparkplug includes a sparkplug housing, a cathode including at least one electrode prong and being formed predominantly of iridium, and an anode formed at least predominantly of iron or steel. The material compositions of the cathode and anode provide for extended sparkplug service life, especially in high power density applications employing a prechamber sparkplug. Related methodology is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Cress, Sean J. Moser, Christopher M. Hoops
  • SPARKPLUG HAVING CATHODE AND ANODE COMPOSITIONS FOR EXTENDED SERVICE LIFE
    Publication number: 20240337234
    Abstract: A sparkplug includes a sparkplug housing, a cathode including at least one electrode prong and being formed predominantly of iridium, and an anode formed at least predominantly of iron or steel. The material compositions of the cathode and anode provide for extended sparkplug service life, especially in high power density applications employing a prechamber sparkplug. Related methodology is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2023
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Cress, Sean J. Moser, Christopher M. Hoops