Patents by Inventor Craig P. HITTLE

Craig P. 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).

  • Publication number: 20240363919
    Abstract: Immersion cooling of battery cells of a battery module may include a compression plate having cell engaging surfaces on either side with cooling fluid channels defined therein and extending from channel inlets at a plate bottom edge to channel outlets at a plate top edge. The compression plate is disposed between a pair of adjacent battery cells with the cell engaging surfaces facing and engaging the cell casings of the battery cells. The cooling fluid channels may cause cooling fluid entering through the channel inlets to flow over the cell casings and dissipate heat from the battery cells, and to discharge from the cooling fluid channels through the channel outlets. The cooling fluid may then flow over cell top walls of the battery cells to a housing outlet port and out of the module housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar lnc.
    Inventors: Peitong JIN, Craig P. HITTLE
  • Patent number: 12113228
    Abstract: A housing includes a plurality of subassemblies. At least one subassembly of the plurality of subassemblies includes a lower structure extending in a first direction and configured to support one or more batteries, an upper structure extending in the first direction and spaced apart from the lower structure by a vertical distance, and one or more vertical posts attached to the lower structure, the one or more vertical posts connecting the lower structure with the upper structure. The housing further includes a plurality of intermediate panels located between the one or more vertical posts, the plurality of intermediate panels extending in a vertical direction between the lower structure and the upper structure, wherein a battery of the one or more batteries is attached to the lower structure and at least two intermediate panels of the plurality of intermediate panels. The housing also includes a lateral brace attached to and connecting the multiple subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Tanner, Craig P. Hittle, Christopher David Derham, Bradley R. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20240178487
    Abstract: An energy storage system may include a storage container having an enclosed compartment containing one or more energy storage units and an enclosed compartment duct, an inverter cabinet containing an inverter, the inverter cabinet having one or more inverter cabinet inlets, and an inverter exhaust duct. The storage container may also have a transformer bay containing a transformer. The energy storage system may also include an air temperature control unit, attached to the storage container and configured to circulate conditioned air to the enclosed compartment via the enclosed compartment duct and to the inverter cabinet via the one or more inverter cabinet inlets, and to return air from the enclosed compartment and the inverter cabinet via an air temperature control unit return.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy BYRD, Gregory S. HASLER, John M. TANNER, Sampathkumar NACHIMUTHU, Dachuan YU, Eric A. MILLER, Gregory J. DAVIS, Craig P. HITTLE
  • Patent number: 11560829
    Abstract: A recirculation system for a power system is disclosed. The recirculation system may determine, according to a sequence for individually activating a plurality of turbochargers of an engine, that a designated turbocharger of the plurality of turbochargers is to be activated. The recirculation system may cause a recirculation valve of a recirculation line to open to increase an airflow between an intake manifold and a compressor of the designated turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Byrd, Eric Lee Schroeder, David Andrew Pierpont, Brian R. Bell, Deborah Lee Ribordy, Jared P. Tolan, Craig P. Hittle
  • Publication number: 20220255173
    Abstract: A housing includes a plurality of subassemblies. At least one subassembly of the plurality of subassemblies includes a lower structure extending in a first direction and configured to support one or more batteries, an upper structure extending in the first direction and spaced apart from the lower structure by a vertical distance, and one or more vertical posts attached to the lower structure, the one or more vertical posts connecting the lower structure with the upper structure. The housing further includes a plurality of intermediate panels located between the one or more vertical posts, the plurality of intermediate panels extending in a vertical direction between the lower structure and the upper structure, wherein a battery of the one or more batteries is attached to the lower structure and at least two intermediate panels of the plurality of intermediate panels. The housing also includes a lateral brace attached to and connecting the multiple subassemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Tanner, Craig P. Hittle, Christopher David Derham, Bradley R. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20210207526
    Abstract: A recirculation system for a power system is disclosed. The recirculation system may determine, according to a sequence for individually activating a plurality of turbochargers of an engine, that a designated turbocharger of the plurality of turbochargers is to be activated. The recirculation system may cause a recirculation valve of a recirculation line to open to increase an airflow between an intake manifold and a compressor of the designated turbocharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy BYRD, Eric Lee SCHROEDER, David Andrew PIERPONT, Brian R. BELL, Deborah Lee RIBORDY, Jared P. TOLAN, Craig P. HITTLE
  • Patent number: 10934911
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder case forming a plurality of coolant outlets, and an exhaust log structure disposed on the cylinder case and including inner and outer walls defining a coolant jacket therebetween, a plurality of coolant inlets extending through the outer wall and being fluidly connected to the coolant jacket, and a plurality of transfer housings. Each transfer housing includes an inner housing wall forming a gas passage, an outer housing wall disposed at an offset distance around the inner housing wall such that a cooling passage is defined in a space between the inner and outer housing walls, and a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The plurality of coolant inlets is fluidly connected to the plurality of coolant outlets via the cooling passages in the plurality of transfer housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Byrd, Aaron L. Robinson, Craig P. Hittle, Keith W. Mellencamp
  • Patent number: 10746089
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an exhaust log structure onto which a plurality of turbochargers is connected, each turbocharger having a turbine connected to the exhaust log structure and having an inlet fluidly connectable to a respective one of the plurality of outlet ports, an exhaust valve disposed at a turbine outlet such that the flow of exhaust gas out of the turbine is fluidly blocked, and an actuator associated with the exhaust valve and operating to move the exhaust valve from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. An electronic controller provides a command to the actuator to move the exhaust valve between the open and closed positions and is programmed to selectively open two one or more exhaust valves based on an operating condition of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Byrd, Eric L. Schroeder, Liangtao Zhu, Arvind Sivasubramanian, Ryan T. Sunley, Craig P. Hittle, Aaron L. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20200224568
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder case forming a plurality of coolant outlets, and an exhaust log structure disposed on the cylinder case and including inner and outer walls defining a coolant jacket therebetween, a plurality of coolant inlets extending through the outer wall and being fluidly connected to the coolant jacket, and a plurality of transfer housings. Each transfer housing includes an inner housing wall forming a gas passage, an outer housing wall disposed at an offset distance around the inner housing wall such that a cooling passage is defined in a space between the inner and outer housing walls, and a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The plurality of coolant inlets is fluidly connected to the plurality of coolant outlets via the cooling passages in the plurality of transfer housings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Byrd, Aaron L. Robinson, Craig P. Hittle, Keith W. Mellencamp
  • Patent number: 10544767
    Abstract: A fuel injector assembly is disclosed. The fuel injector assembly may include a case that encloses a solenoid assembly. The fuel injector assembly may include one or more inlet passages, positioned on the case, to permit fluid to enter the case to cool the solenoid assembly. The fuel injector assembly may include one or more outlet passages, positioned on the case, to permit fluid to exit the case. The fuel injector assembly may include an annular protrusion positioned around a circumference of the case between the one or more inlet passages and the one or more outlet passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Craig P. Hittle
  • Publication number: 20190353117
    Abstract: A cylinder liner is disclosed. The cylinder liner may include a generally cylindrical body having a top end and a bottom end. The cylinder liner may include a flange connected to the generally cylindrical body at the top end of the generally cylindrical body. The flange may have an annular surface. A first diameter of a top portion of the annular surface may be less than a second diameter of a bottom portion of the annular surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Craig P. Hittle, Shu Zhang, Nathan Bjerk, Andrew Schick
  • Patent number: 10458326
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder case that includes a first geartrain disposed on a front end of the cylinder case and a second geartrain disposed on a rear end of the cylinder case. The first geartrain drives a first camshaft, and the second geartrain drives a second camshaft, the first and second camshafts having respective rotational axes that are parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Craig P. Hittle
  • Publication number: 20190316557
    Abstract: A fuel injector assembly is disclosed. The fuel injector assembly may include a case that encloses a solenoid assembly. The fuel injector assembly may include one or more inlet passages, positioned on the case, to permit fluid to enter the case to cool the solenoid assembly. The fuel injector assembly may include one or more outlet passages, positioned on the case, to permit fluid to exit the case. The fuel injector assembly may include an annular protrusion positioned around a circumference of the case between the one or more inlet passages and the one or more outlet passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Craig P. Hittle
  • Publication number: 20190226389
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an exhaust log structure onto which a plurality of turbochargers is connected, each turbocharger having a turbine connected to the exhaust log structure and having an inlet fluidly connectable to a respective one of the plurality of outlet ports, an exhaust valve disposed at a turbine outlet such that the flow of exhaust gas out of the turbine is fluidly blocked, and an actuator associated with the exhaust valve and operating to move the exhaust valve from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. An electronic controller provides a command to the actuator to move the exhaust valve between the open and closed positions and is programmed to selectively open two one or more exhaust valves based on an operating condition of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Byrd, Eric L. Schroeder, Liangtao Zhu, Arvind Sivasubramanian, Ryan T. Sunley, Craig P. Hittle, Aaron L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10247052
    Abstract: A guide assembly for a valve lifter of an engine. The valve lifter is at least partly received within a bore of a body of the engine and an end portion of the valve lifter is exposed to an outside of the body. The guide assembly includes a pin and a guide. The pin is adapted to be fixedly coupled to the end portion of the valve lifter, while the guide is adapted to be coupled to the body. The guide defines a channel. The pin is received within the channel and cooperates with the channel to facilitate a movement of the valve lifter along an axis of the bore and to restrict a rotation of the valve lifter about the axis of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Craig P. Hittle, Eric L. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20190032520
    Abstract: A guide assembly for a valve lifter of an engine is disclosed. The valve lifter is at least partly received within a bore of a body of the engine and an end portion of the valve lifter is exposed to an outside of the body. The guide assembly includes a pin and a guide. The pin is adapted to be fixedly coupled to the end portion of the valve lifter, while the guide is adapted to be coupled to the body. The guide defines a channel. The pin is received within the channel and cooperates with the channel to facilitate a movement of the valve lifter along an axis of the bore and restrict a rotation of the valve lifter about the axis of the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Craig P. Hittle, Eric L. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20180216522
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder case that includes a first geartrain disposed on a front end of the cylinder case and a second geartrain disposed on a rear end of the cylinder case. The first geartrain drives a first camshaft, and the second geartrain drives a second camshaft, the first and second camshafts having respective rotational axes that are parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Craig P. Hittle
  • Publication number: 20170335791
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head body forming an injector bore, a fuel gallery having segments extending collinearly, two fuel supply passages in fluid communication with the fuel gallery, and two cross-drill passages terminating at a respective cross-drill opening. The two cross-drill passages extend generally parallel to the segments of the fuel gallery and are disposed at an offset distance therefrom such that the cross-drill openings are disposed closer to the right or left side of the cylinder head body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Schick, Craig P. Hittle, Odeta Andone
  • Patent number: 9441531
    Abstract: A diverter valve is disclosed for use with a charge air system. The diverter valve may have a plurality of first inlets configured to receive a flow of warmed air, a plurality of second inlets configured to receive a flow of cooled air, and a single outlet. The diverter valve may also have a single valve element movable to any position between a first position at which the plurality of first inlets are fluidly connected to the single outlet and the plurality of second inlets are blocked from the single outlet, and a second position at which the plurality of second inlets are fluidly connected to the single outlet and the plurality of first inlets are blocked from the single outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan D. Roozenboom, Craig P. Hittle
  • Publication number: 20160251999
    Abstract: A fan drive assembly for a cooling system of an engine is provided. The engine includes an engine housing and a crankshaft. The fan drive assembly includes a fan pulley, a drive pulley, and a connection assembly. The fan pulley rotates a fan unit. The drive pulley defines a central cavity and rotates the fan pulley about a first axis. The connection assembly is provided in association with the engine and the drive pulley. The connection assembly includes a coupling member and a support bracket. The coupling member couples the crankshaft to the drive pulley. The support bracket is attached to the engine housing and is extended along a second axis. The second axis is perpendicular to the first axis. The support bracket further includes at least two attachment members and a hollow projecting portion. The hollow projecting portion axially extends through the central cavity of the drive pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason D. Pape, Craig P. Hittle