Patents by Inventor Cory A. Brown

Cory A. Brown 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: 9091240
    Abstract: A system, related method and computer program product are disclosed for controlling fuel mass of CNG received by an engine. The system may comprise a heat exchanger configured to receive CLNG and supply coolant and to output CNG and return coolant, an injector configured to inject CNG into the engine, a gas line between the injector and heat exchanger, a control valve configured to receive return coolant from the heat exchanger and to change the amount of return coolant flowing through control valve, and a controller connected to the control valve. The gas line may be configured to carry CNG from the heat exchanger to the injector. The controller may be configured to maintain a Gas Line Temperature within an operating range by adjusting the amount of return coolant flowing through the control valve based, at least in part, on the Gas Line Temperature and a Target Return Coolant Temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Grant, Frank Lombardi, Daniel Reese Puckett, Cory A. Brown, Joshua Wayne Steffen, Paul Joseph Desiderio
  • Patent number: 9046067
    Abstract: A fuel injector has the ability to inject two fuels that differ in at least one of pressure, chemical identity and matter phase, such as liquid diesel fuel and nature gas. A first direct operated check includes a closing hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in a first control chamber, and is normally biased toward a closed position by a first spring. A second direct operated check has a closing hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in a second control chamber, and is biased toward a closed position with a second spring. The first spring and the second spring are located on opposite sides of a plane oriented perpendicular to a long axis of the injector body, in part to satisfy packaging constraints when the direct operated checks are arranged in a side by side parallel configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Adrienne M. Brasche
  • Patent number: 8997720
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fuel circuit of a fuel injector that includes a first channel, a second channel, and a valve. The first channel is configured to receive a first fuel and define a flow path for the first fuel. The second channel is configured to receive a second fuel and define a flow path for the second fuel. The valve is in fluid communication with the first channel and the second channel. The valve is adapted to direct the second fuel to the first channel when a pressure in the first channel reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Xiangdong Ding, Hoisan Kim, Mayank Mittal, Mark F. Sommars
  • Publication number: 20140338639
    Abstract: A method of controlling injection rate shape of gaseous fuel in a dual fuel injector of an engine is disclosed. The dual fuel injector comprises a gaseous fuel needle check, a gaseous fuel control chamber, and a spring chamber. The method includes determination of an injection rate shape based on current operational characteristics of the engine. On the basis of the determined injection rate shape, liquid fuel pressure of the liquid fuel to be supplied to the gaseous fuel control chamber and the spring chamber is determined. The liquid fuel at the determined liquid fuel pressure, is delivered to the gaseous fuel control chamber and the spring chamber. The gaseous fuel needle check is lifted to inject the gaseous fuel based on the determined injection rate shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Cory A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20140331963
    Abstract: A compression ignition engine is fueled from common rail fuel injectors that predominately inject natural gas fuel that is compression ignited with a small pilot injection of liquid diesel fuel. Before and after a rapid fueling increase transient, the liquid and gaseous rail pressures are controlled toward respective pressures based upon engine speed and load. During the transient, the liquid rail pressure is controlled toward an elevated liquid pressure in order to cause a surge in the supply of gaseous fuel to the gaseous fuel common rail to proactively satisfy the increased gaseous fuel injection rate while obviating a substantial pressure deficit in the gaseous fuel common rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Grant, Frank Lombardi, Daniel R. Puckett, Cory Brown
  • Patent number: 8850803
    Abstract: A system includes a main engine operating on gaseous fuel from a tank. An auxiliary engine operates using gaseous fuel vented from the tank. A first exhaust passage receives a first stream of exhaust gas from the main engine. A second exhaust passage receives exhaust gas from the auxiliary engine, which passes through an ammonia-producing catalyst. A third exhaust passage is fluidly connected to the first and second exhaust passages and routes exhaust gas through a NOx reducing catalyst. The system operates such that a mass flow of ammonia generated by the ammonia-producing catalyst substantially matches a total mass flow of NOx gas in the third exhaust passage that is treated within the ammonia-producing catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Cory A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20140276825
    Abstract: Surgical methods and fixation devices for bone fixation and stabilization on a patient include exposing at least a portion of a first phalanx and a second phalanx at a joint of a patient; creating a passage in an intramedullary canal of the first phalanx; inserting a first head portion of a fixation device along the passage in the intramedullary canal in a translating manner past the cancellous bone in the phalanx until the head portion engages the subchondral bone at a base of the first phalanx, the fixation device having an opposing second head portion extending out of the passage from the first phalanx; and introducing the second phalanx onto the second head portion so that the second head portion anchors in the second phalanx.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Arrowhead Medical Device Technologies LLC
    Inventors: B. Cory Brown, Thomas J. Twardzik
  • Publication number: 20140238353
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting leakage of a liquid fuel into a gas fuel rail of a dual-fuel system for an internal combustion engine are disclosed. The methods and systems include sending an injection signal from a controller to a fuel injector and subsequently injecting gas fuel and liquid fuel into a cylinder for combustion. A pressure in the gas rail detects the pressure in the gas rail over a pre-determined time period after the injection event. A controller measures pressure fluctuations in the gas rail over a pre-determined time period after the injection event. If the pressure in the gas rail fluctuates by more than the pre-determined amount, the controller is programmed to take at least one mitigating action to prevent or limit damage to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Michael A. Brown, Steven Thomas Grant, Daniel Reese Puckett, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140202429
    Abstract: A system, related method and computer program product are disclosed for controlling fuel mass of CNG received by an engine. The system may comprise a heat exchanger configured to receive CLNG and supply coolant and to output CNG and return coolant, an injector configured to inject CNG into the engine, a gas line between the injector and heat exchanger, a control valve configured to receive return coolant from the heat exchanger and to change the amount of return coolant flowing through control valve, and a controller connected to the control valve. The gas line may be configured to carry CNG from the heat exchanger to the injector. The controller may be configured to maintain a Gas Line Temperature within an operating range by adjusting the amount of return coolant flowing through the control valve based, at least in part, on the Gas Line Temperature and a Target Return Coolant Temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Grant, Frank Lombardi, Daniel Reese Puckett, Cory A. Brown, Joshua Wayne Steffen, Paul Joseph Desiderio
  • Publication number: 20140196686
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel engine combines the efficiencies associated with high compression ratio engines with the attractiveness of fueling with natural gas. Each engine cylinder has an associated fuel injector positioned for direct injection and supplied with gaseous fuel from a high pressure common rail. A separate ignition prechamber is also supplied with natural gas and includes an ignition device. Hot gas generated by igniting a mixture of gaseous fuel and air in the prechamber are used to ignite a much larger charge of gaseous fuel injected into the engine cylinder from the fuel injector. The engine has a compression ratio greater than 14: to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Cory A. Brown, Martin L. Willi
  • Publication number: 20140196687
    Abstract: A dual fuel engine utilizes a compression ignited pilot injection of liquid diesel fuel to ignite a mixture of gaseous fuel and air in each engine cylinder. The gaseous fuel is injected at a relatively low pressure directly into the engine cylinder from a fuel injector. The liquid diesel fuel is injected directly into the engine cylinder from the same fuel injector. In-cylinder dynamic gas blending during the compression stroke can reduce potential hydrocarbon slip that could occur when unburned fuel resides in crevice volumes within the engine cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Cory A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20140182552
    Abstract: A dual fuel common rail system may be operated in a regular mode in which a relatively large charge of gaseous fuel is ignited by compression igniting a relatively small injection quantity of liquid diesel fuel. The dual fuel system may be operated in a single fuel limp home mode in which liquid diesel fuel is injected at higher pressures. Over pressurization of the gaseous fuel side of the fuel system due to leaked liquid fuel is avoided by regularly injecting leaked liquid fuel, but not gaseous fuel, from the gaseous nozzle outlet set during the limp home mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Joshua W. Steffen, Dana R. Coldren, Alan R. Stockner, Hoisan Kim, Dianqi Fang
  • Publication number: 20140165966
    Abstract: A pressure regulator for use in an engine is disclosed. The pressure regulator may include first and second flow paths formed in a body, wherein the first flow path is configured to pass a first fluid and the second flow path is configured to receive a second fluid. A diaphragm may be disposed within the first flow path and the diaphragm may be configured to move based on a pressure differential between the first and second fluids. The pressure regulator may further include a seat associated with the first flow path. A primary valve element may be connected to the diaphragm and configured to selectively engage the seat when a pressure of the fluid in the first flow path exceeds a pressure of the fluid in the second flow path by a first threshold amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, David T. Montgomery, Mark F. Sommars
  • Publication number: 20140158224
    Abstract: A fuel supply arrangement adapted for use with a locomotive system. The fuel supply arrangement includes a flow line to supply the fuel from a tender car to an engine car. Further, a quick disconnect coupling is provided on the flow line. A first control system is provided on the flow line configured to stop the supply of the fuel in an event of breaking of the flow line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Cory A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20140157764
    Abstract: A system includes a main engine operating on gaseous fuel from a tank. An auxiliary engine operates using gaseous fuel vented from the tank. A first exhaust passage receives a first stream of exhaust gas from the main engine. A second exhaust passage receives exhaust gas from the auxiliary engine, which passes through an ammonia-producing catalyst. A third exhaust passage is fluidly connected to the first and second exhaust passages and routes exhaust gas through a NOx reducing catalyst. The system operates such that a mass flow of ammonia generated by the ammonia-producing catalyst substantially matches a total mass flow of NOx gas in the third exhaust passage that is treated within the ammonia-producing catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Cory A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20140150422
    Abstract: A clean fill port system for a compressed gas tank having a fill port includes a sealable enclosure surrounding the fill port. The sealable enclosure includes a closeable lid that defines a sealed cavity within the sealable enclosure when the lid is in a closed position. A pressurized fluid supply port is directly fluidly connected with the sealed cavity. The sealable enclosure completely encloses the fill port and is configured to maintain a pressurized fluid within the sealed cavity such that ingress of water or debris into the sealed cavity is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Dana R. Coldren
  • Publication number: 20140091159
    Abstract: A fuel injector has the ability to inject two fuels that differ in at least one of pressure, chemical identity and matter phase, such as liquid diesel fuel and nature gas. A first direct operated check includes a closing hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in a first control chamber, and is normally biased toward a closed position by a first spring. A second direct operated check has a closing hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in a second control chamber, and is biased toward a closed position with a second spring. The first spring and the second spring are located on opposite sides of a plane oriented perpendicular to a long axis of the injector body, in part to satisfy packaging constraints when the direct operated checks are arranged in a side by side parallel configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Adrienne M. Brasche
  • Publication number: 20140069387
    Abstract: In one aspect, a common rail fuel system includes a plurality of fuel injectors that each include an injector body defining a first fuel inlet fluidly connected to a first common rail and a second fuel inlet fluidly connected to a second common rail. Liquid fuel injection from a first nozzle outlet set is facilitated by energizing a first electrical actuator to open a direct operated check. Injection of gaseous fuel from a second nozzle outlet set is facilitated by energizing a second electrical actuator to open an admission valve to flood a gaseous nozzle chamber with high pressure gaseous fuel above a valve opening pressure that opens a conventional spring biased check to facilitate gaseous fuel injection out of second nozzle outlet set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Dennis H. Gibson
  • Publication number: 20130160742
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fuel circuit of a fuel injector that includes a first channel, a second channel, and a valve. The first channel is configured to receive a first fuel and define a flow path for the first fuel. The second channel is configured to receive a second fuel and define a flow path for the second fuel. The valve is in fluid communication with the first channel and the second channel. The valve is adapted to direct the second fuel to the first channel when a pressure in the first channel reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Xiangdong Ding, Hoisan Kim, Mayank Mittal, Mark F. Sommars
  • Publication number: 20120073270
    Abstract: A method of retrofitting an engine with an exhaust system is disclosed. The method may include placing an exhaust treatment device in an exhaust duct of the engine, and placing an exhaust heater in fluid communication with the exhaust duct of the engine at a location upstream of the exhaust treatment device. The method may further include connecting an air supply passage at a first end to an inlet duct of the engine at a location downstream of a compressor and at a second end to the exhaust heater. The method may additionally include placing a restrictor valve in the inlet duct of the engine at a location downstream of the first end of the air supply passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Glenn B. Cox, R. Zachary Richey, Cory A. Brown