Patents by Inventor Curtis J. Graham

Curtis J. Graham 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: 12078137
    Abstract: An injector sleeve for a cylinder head may include a lower portion, a middle portion, and an upper portion. The upper portion may have a maximum thickness along at least a portion of a length thereof, and a groove on an inner surface of the injector sleeve. The groove may have an upper planar surface that is normal to a longitudinal axis of the injector sleeve. A related method of removing an injector sleeve from a cylinder head may include inserting a removal tool into the injector sleeve, within the cylinder head, by a predetermined depth, engaging a surface of the removal tool with an upper planar surface of a groove on an inner surface of an upper portion of the injector sleeve, and pulling the removal tool outward from the cylinder head, thereby removing the injector sleeve from the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Schick, Curtis J. Graham
  • Patent number: 11333062
    Abstract: A pre-chamber for a fuel injector is disclosed. The pre-chamber includes a cylindrical body member extending axially from a first end portion to a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. The pre-chamber further includes a bottom plate located proximal to the first end portion of the cylindrical body member. The pre-chamber also includes a sacrificial member extending axially outwards from the second end portion of the cylindrical body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J Graham, Daniel Cavanaugh, Kevin P. Reardon
  • Patent number: 11092183
    Abstract: A shearing fastener for sealing a fastener hole in a work piece includes a shank, a plug, and a fastener head. The fastener head is disposed along the upper end of the shank, while the lower end of the shank further includes a transition section that tapers inward and intersects with an upper surface of the plug at a neck. The plug has a threaded outer surface and an outer diameter greater than the shank. The plug engages the threaded bore of the fastener hole when inserted therein. The shank is configured to shear across the neck and separate the shank from the plug when the fastener head is torqued above a threshold torque. The plug is retained within the threaded bore of the fastener hole to seal the lower end of the fastener hole, forming a repaired work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis J. Graham
  • Patent number: 10677240
    Abstract: A method for remanufacturing a fluid end block of pump. The fluid end block includes a first bore defining a first longitudinal axis, a second bore defining a second longitudinal axis and a third bore defining a third longitudinal axis. The method includes enlarging, by a machining process, the first bore to a first predetermined dimension, the second bore to a second predetermined dimension and the third bore to a third predetermined dimension, inserting a first insert into the enlarged first bore and coupling the first insert to the fluid end block, the first insert having a first slot and a second slot, inserting a second insert into the enlarged second bore such that the second insert is at least partially received within the first slot and inserting a third insert into the enlarged third bore such that the third insert is at least partially received within the second slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Christopher A. Kinney
  • Patent number: 10662865
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a prechamber assembly includes determining a width W of an original circumferential weld bead that extends around and joins a proximal end of an outer peripheral wall of a prechamber housing and a distal end of an outer peripheral wall of a body assembly, cutting through the weld bead in order to separate the prechamber housing from the body assembly, and removing material from an outer peripheral portion of a distal end portion of the body assembly. The method includes removing the material in an axial direction parallel to the central axis of the prechamber assembly for a distance that is from 2.5-3 times the width W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Timothy S. Graham, Kegan J. Luick, Larry D. Bright
  • Patent number: 10641159
    Abstract: A pre-chamber for a fuel injector is disclosed. The pre-chamber includes a cylindrical body member extending axially from a first end portion to a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. The pre-chamber further includes a bottom plate located proximal to the first end portion of the cylindrical body member. The pre-chamber also includes a sacrificial member extending axially outwards from the second end portion of the cylindrical body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Daniel Cavanaugh, Kevin P. Reardon
  • Patent number: 10563494
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a fluid end block having a plurality of segments adapted to receive working fluid includes removing at least one damaged segment from the plurality of segments of the fluid end block. The method also includes providing at least one replacement segment at a location of the at least one damaged segment. The method further includes providing a seal between a first surface of the at least one replacement segment and a first surface of at least one adjacent segment of the plurality of segments. The method includes coupling the at least one replacement segment with the at least one adjacent segment to form a remanufactured fluid end block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Christopher A. Kinney
  • Publication number: 20190353090
    Abstract: A pre-chamber for a fuel injector is disclosed. The pre-chamber includes a cylindrical body member extending axially from a first end portion to a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. The pre-chamber further includes a bottom plate located proximal to the first end portion of the cylindrical body member. The pre-chamber also includes a sacrificial member extending axially outwards from the second end portion of the cylindrical body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Daniel Cavanaugh, Kevin P. Reardon
  • Publication number: 20190309780
    Abstract: A shearing fastener for sealing a fastener hole in a work piece includes a shank, a plug, and a fastener head. The fastener head is disposed along the upper end of the shank, while the lower end of the shank further includes a transition section that tapers inward and intersects with an upper surface of the plug at a neck. The plug has a threaded outer surface and an outer diameter greater than the shank. The plug engages the threaded bore of the fastener hole when inserted therein. The shank is configured to shear across the neck and separate the shank from the plug when the fastener head is torqued above a threshold torque. The plug is retained within the threaded bore of the fastener hole to seal the lower end of the fastener hole, forming a repaired work piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis J. Graham
  • Patent number: 10422367
    Abstract: A shearing fastener for sealing a fastener hole in a work piece includes a shank, a plug, and a fastener head. The fastener head is disposed along the upper end of the shank, while the lower end of the shank further includes a transition section that tapers inward and intersects with an upper surface of the plug at a neck. The plug has a threaded outer surface and an outer diameter greater than the shank. The plug engages the threaded bore of the fastener hole when inserted therein. The shank is configured to shear across the neck and separate the shank from the plug when the fastener head is torqued above a threshold torque. The plug is retained within the threaded bore of the fastener hole to seal the lower end of the fastener hole, forming a repaired work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis J. Graham
  • Publication number: 20190145400
    Abstract: A method for remanufacturing a fluid end block of pump. The fluid end block includes a first bore defining a first longitudinal axis, a second bore defining a second longitudinal axis and a third bore defining a third longitudinal axis. The method includes enlarging, by a machining process, the first bore to a first predetermined dimension, the second bore to a second predetermined dimension and the third bore to a third predetermined dimension, inserting a first insert into the enlarged first bore and coupling the first insert to the fluid end block, the first insert having a first slot and a second slot, inserting a second insert into the enlarged second bore such that the second insert is at least partially received within the first slot and inserting a third insert into the enlarged third bore such that the third insert is at least partially received within the second slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Christopher A. Kinney
  • Publication number: 20190128104
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a fluid end block having a plurality of segments adapted to receive working fluid includes removing at least one damaged segment from the plurality of segments of the fluid end block. The method also includes providing at least one replacement segment at a location of the at least one damaged segment. The method further includes providing a seal between a first surface of the at least one replacement segment and a first surface of at least one adjacent segment of the plurality of segments. The method includes coupling the at least one replacement segment with the at least one adjacent segment to form a remanufactured fluid end block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Christopher A. Kinney
  • Patent number: 10232469
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component is disclosed. The method includes depositing a material on a removable form structure having geometry corresponding to an internal space of the component. The material is deposited on the removable form structure by an additive manufacturing technique. The method includes removing the removable form structure to obtain a pre-machined component, and then machining the pre-machined component to manufacture the component having the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Daniel T. Cavanaugh
  • Patent number: 10227949
    Abstract: A piston including a piston crown, the piston crown defining a combustion bowl with a bowl base and bottom surface. A failure initiation structure is provided on the bottom surface of the combustion bowl to initiate favorable fracture at predetermined loads. Such favorable fracture may lead to the a separation of a fragment of the bowl base from the combustion bowl when a predetermined load or pressure is exceeded within the combustion bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Daniel T. Cavanaugh, Waylon S. Walker
  • Publication number: 20180179986
    Abstract: A piston including a piston crown, the piston crown defining a combustion bowl with a bowl base and bottom surface. A failure initiation structure is provided on the bottom surface of the combustion bowl to initiate favorable fracture at predetermined loads. Such favorable fracture may lead to the a separation of a fragment of the bowl base from the combustion bowl when a predetermined load or pressure is exceeded within the combustion bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Daniel T. Cavanaugh, Waylon S. Walker
  • Publication number: 20180163762
    Abstract: A shearing fastener for sealing a fastener hole in a work piece includes a shank, a plug, and a fastener head. The fastener head is disposed along the upper end of the shank, while the lower end of the shank further includes a transition section that tapers inward and intersects with an upper surface of the plug at a neck. The plug has a threaded outer surface and an outer diameter greater than the shank. The plug engages the threaded bore of the fastener hole when inserted therein. The shank is configured to shear across the neck and separate the shank from the plug when the fastener head is torqued above a threshold torque. The plug is retained within the threaded bore of the fastener hole to seal the lower end of the fastener hole, forming a repaired work piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis J. Graham
  • Publication number: 20180093349
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component is disclosed. The method includes depositing a material on a removable form structure having geometry corresponding to an internal space of the component. The material is deposited on the removable form structure by an additive manufacturing technique. The method includes removing the removable form structure to obtain a pre-machined component, and then machining the pre-machined component to manufacture the component having the internal space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Daniel T. Cavanaugh
  • Publication number: 20180087447
    Abstract: A pre-chamber for a fuel injector is disclosed. The pre-chamber includes a cylindrical body member extending axially from a first end portion to a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. The pre-chamber further includes a bottom plate located proximal to the first end portion of the cylindrical body member. The pre-chamber also includes a sacrificial member extending axially outwards from the second end portion of the cylindrical body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Daniel Cavanaugh, Kevin P. Reardon
  • Publication number: 20180058305
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a prechamber assembly includes determining a width W of an original circumferential weld bead that extends around and joins a proximal end of an outer peripheral wall of a prechamber housing and a distal end of an outer peripheral wall of a body assembly, cutting through the weld bead in order to separate the prechamber housing from the body assembly, and removing material from an outer peripheral portion of a distal end portion of the body assembly. The method includes removing the material in an axial direction parallel to the central axis of the prechamber assembly for a distance that is from 2.5-3 times the width W.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Timothy S. Graham, Kegan J. Luick, Larry D. Bright
  • Publication number: 20170218951
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a fluid end block of a well stimulation pump includes cleaning an interior surface of a body of the fluid end block. The interior surface defines a chamber, a plunger passage in communication with the chamber, an intake passage in fluid communication with the chamber, and a discharge passage in fluid communication with the chamber. The interior surface is made from a base material. The interior surface of the fluid end block is cold-worked to produce a compressive residual stress layer within the body. A coating layer made from a non-metallic material is applied to at least a portion of the interior surface of the body. The non-metallic material is different from the base material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Daniel T. Cavanaugh