Patents by Inventor Craig Hittle

Craig Hittle 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: 10927715
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a valvetrain having a pivot stand assembly that includes rocker arm assemblies and a compound pivot stand including a cap that integrates camshaft journaling and rocker arm support. The cap includes an elongate cap body structured to bolt to a base to form a camshaft journal bore, and each of a first and a second shaft bore for receiving rocker arm pivot shafts to position the rocker arms at different pivot locations. The rocker arms may be structured to actuate gas exchange valves arranged in a diamond pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Hittle
  • Patent number: 10865705
    Abstract: A control valve assembly for an engine system having a turbocharger system. The control valve is configured to control the position of a turbine actuator and a compressor actuator by directing hydraulic fluid into the proper passages. The control valve assembly includes a hydraulic powered bypass valve that, when energized, can reduce flow restriction of the hydraulic fluid, and can increase the speed of actuation of the turbine actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Hittle, Eric Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20200018194
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a valvetrain having a pivot stand assembly that includes rocker arm assemblies and a compound pivot stand including a cap that integrates camshaft journaling and rocker arm support. The cap includes an elongate cap body structured to bolt to a base to form a camshaft journal bore, and each of a first and a second shaft bore for receiving rocker arm pivot shafts to position the rocker arms at different pivot locations. The rocker arms may be structured to actuate gas exchange valves arranged in a diamond pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Hittle
  • Patent number: 9695721
    Abstract: A modular exhaust manifold includes a plurality of exhaust manifold segments coupled together along a common axis. Exhaust manifold segments include a water jacket tube defining a liquid coolant passage around each of the plurality of exhaust manifold segments. The internal combustion engine also includes a coupling assembly for joining adjacent exhaust manifold segments. The coupling assembly includes a plurality of annular sealing devices configured to fit within a first set of grooves formed on an end portion of a first exhaust manifold segment. The coupling assembly also includes a spacing collar configured to attach to the end portion of the first exhaust manifold segment and couple with a fixed radial flange formed on an adjacent end portion of a second exhaust manifold segment to join the first exhaust manifold segment and the second exhaust manifold segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Maloney, Craig Hittle, Christopher Reed, Anwarul Karim, Daniel Barb
  • Publication number: 20160348564
    Abstract: A modular exhaust manifold includes a plurality of exhaust manifold segments coupled together along a common axis. Exhaust manifold segments include a water jacket tube defining a liquid coolant passage around each of the plurality of exhaust manifold segments. The internal combustion engine also includes a coupling assembly for joining adjacent exhaust manifold segments. The coupling assembly includes a plurality of annular sealing devices configured to fit within a first set of grooves formed on an end portion of a first exhaust manifold segment. The coupling assembly also includes a spacing collar configured to attach to the end portion of the first exhaust manifold segment and couple with a fixed radial flange formed on an adjacent end portion of a second exhaust manifold segment to join the first exhaust manifold segment and the second exhaust manifold segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Maloney, Craig Hittle, Christopher Reed, Anwarul Karim, Daniel Barb
  • Publication number: 20130067891
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system including a housing with two or more inlets configured to receive separate entering exhaust streams from an engine. The system may include two or more first exhaust treatment devices, each configured to receive one of the separate entering exhaust streams in a first direction. The system may further include two or more redirecting flow passages configured to combine the separate exhaust streams into a merged exhaust stream that flows in a second direction about 180 degrees from the first direction and an intermediate flow region configured to divide the merged exhaust stream into two or more separate exiting exhaust streams. The system also may also includes two or more second exhaust treatment devices, each configured to receive one of the separate exiting exhaust streams in a third direction about 90 degrees from the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Craig Hittle, Stephan D. Roozenboom, Tetsu O. Velasquez, Pauk W. Park, Shashank Mupparapu, Rick E. Jeffs, Michael P. Boahene, Yung T. Bui