Patents by Inventor Curtis John Graham
Curtis John 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).
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Publication number: 20230143692Abstract: A fitting has a first housing including a first body and a second body. The first body defines a first channel and a second channel, and second body defines a third channel that is co-planar with the first channel and a fourth channel that is co-planar with the first channel. First bearings are disposed within the first channel and the third channel, where the first bearings rotatably coupled the first housing to the second housing. Additionally, second bearings are disposed within the second channel and the fourth channel, the second bearings rotatably coupling the first housing to the second housing. A plug couples to the first housing, a gasket is disposed between the plug and the first housing, and a passage is defined at least in part by the first housing, the second housing, and the plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Curtis John Graham, Christopher Anthony Kinney, Robert E. Sharp, Ryan Dean Macy
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Patent number: 11618112Abstract: A remanufactured pinion shaft includes a salvage member secured to a replacement member. The salvage member may be formed from a damaged pinion shaft and includes first gear teeth proximate a first axial end and a first alignment member proximate a second axial end. The replacement member includes second gear teeth proximate a first axial end and a second alignment member proximate a second axial end. The first alignment member and the second alignment member cooperate to transmit rotational motion between the first salvage member and the replacement member and/or align the salvage member relative to the replacement member.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Curtis John Graham, Christopher Anthony Kinney
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Patent number: 11585288Abstract: A cylinder head assembly includes a cylinder head having a top deck, a fire deck, and an igniter post extending upward from the fire deck. An igniter sleeve is within an igniter bore in the cylinder head and includes a locating surface clamped against an upward facing stop surface of the cylinder head. A tip coolant clearance is defined axially between a sleeve tip and the fire deck, and a body coolant clearance is defined peripherally between the igniter sleeve and the cylinder head and is continuously circumferential of the igniter sleeve axially between the sleeve tip and a coolant cavity formed in the cylinder head.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jonathan R Chittenden, Viorel Petrariu, Curtis John Graham
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Publication number: 20210340978Abstract: A power end frame includes a housing and a face plate secured to the housing. During use, components of the power end frame, including the housing and the face plate, are subjected to large tensile stresses. This disclosure describes a method of imparting compressive stresses in the power end frame to resist these large tensile stresses.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2020Publication date: November 4, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Curtis John Graham, Christopher Anthony Kinney
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Publication number: 20210332876Abstract: A remanufactured pinion shaft includes a salvage member secured to a replacement member. The salvage member may be formed from a damaged pinion shaft and includes first gear teeth proximate a first axial end and a first alignment member proximate a second axial end. The replacement member includes second gear teeth proximate a first axial end and a second alignment member proximate a second axial end. The first alignment member and the second alignment member cooperate to transmit rotational motion between the first salvage member and the replacement member and/or align the salvage member relative to the replacement member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2020Publication date: October 28, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Curtis John Graham, Christopher Anthony Kinney
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Patent number: 10471554Abstract: A method for remanufacturing or repairing a cylinder head having a bore configured to receive a fuel injector comprises machining a portion of a surface forming the bore to remove imperfections, inserting a repair component into the bore proximate the machined portion of the bore, and spraying material into the bore proximate the machined portion and the repair component, thereby holding the component into place.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Curtis John Graham, Robert E. Sharp, Daniel Thomas Cavanaugh, Robert Louis Brockman
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Publication number: 20190061072Abstract: A method for remanufacturing or repairing a cylinder head having a bore configured to receive a fuel injector comprises machining a portion of a surface forming the bore to remove imperfections, inserting a repair component into the bore proximate the machined portion of the bore, and spraying material into the bore proximate the machined portion and the repair component, thereby holding the component into place.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Curtis John Graham, Robert E. Sharp, Daniel Thomas Cavanaugh, Robert Louis Brockman
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Patent number: 10166629Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engine block is disclosed. In embodiments, the method includes forming an expansion hole in a block body of the engine block that encircles an engine block bore at a head face of the engine block. The method also includes placing an insert into the expansion hole, the insert including an insert body. The method further includes placing a reaction material between the insert and the block body. The method yet further includes forming an insert bond layer between the insert and block body using the reaction material. The method still further includes forming an insert bore through the insert body.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Taylor Douglas Young, Daniel Thomas Cavanaugh, Curtis John Graham, Luis A Vazquez
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Patent number: 10082137Abstract: A relief valve assembly includes a housing assembly defining a chamber therein. The relief valve assembly includes a piston. The piston may be at least partially disposed within the chamber. The relief valve assembly includes a pilot inlet. The pilot inlet may be configured to provide a pilot pressure proximate a second end of the chamber. The relief valve assembly includes an overpressure inlet sealed from a first end of the chamber by the piston. The overpressure inlet may be configured to provide an inlet pressure which may actuate the piston when the inlet pressure exceeds the pilot pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Curtis John Graham, Samuel Jaroslav Stafl
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Publication number: 20170204850Abstract: A relief valve assembly includes a housing assembly defining a chamber therein. The relief valve assembly includes a piston. The piston may be at least partially disposed within the chamber. The relief valve assembly includes a pilot inlet. The pilot inlet may be configured to provide a pilot pressure proximate a second end of the chamber. The relief valve assembly includes an overpressure inlet sealed from a first end of the chamber by the piston. The overpressure inlet may be configured to provide an inlet pressure which may actuate the piston when the inlet pressure exceeds the pilot pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2016Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventors: Curtis John Graham, Samuel Jaroslav Stafl
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Patent number: 9657682Abstract: A cylinder liner assembly is disclosed for use with an engine. The cylinder liner assembly may include a liner having a hollow generally cylindrical body extending from a top end to a bottom end along a longitudinal axis, and an internal annular cuff ring groove formed at the top end of the liner. An internal surface of the internal cuff ring groove may include a metal spray coating having a thermal conductivity that is less than a thermal conductivity of a base material of the liner to act as a thermal insulating layer. A cuff ring may be disposed within the internal cuff ring groove at the top end of the liner in contact with the metal spray coating. A seal may be disposed around an outer circumferential surface of the liner approximately in axial alignment with an internal axial end of the internal cuff ring groove.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Curtis John Graham, Daniel Thomas Cavanaugh, Taylor Douglas Young
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Publication number: 20170107941Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engine block is disclosed. In embodiments, the method includes forming an expansion hole in a block body of the engine block that encircles an engine block bore at a head face of the engine block. The method also includes placing an insert into the expansion hole, the insert including an insert body. The method further includes placing a reaction material between the insert and the block body. The method yet further includes forming an insert bond layer between the insert and block body using the reaction material. The method still further includes forming an insert bore through the insert body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2015Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Taylor Douglas Young, Daniel Thomas Cavanaugh, Curtis John Graham, Luis A Vazquez
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Publication number: 20160356239Abstract: A cylinder liner assembly is disclosed for use with an engine. The cylinder liner assembly may include a liner having a hollow generally cylindrical body extending from a top end to a bottom end along a longitudinal axis, and an internal annular cuff ring groove formed at the top end of the liner. An internal surface of the internal cuff ring groove may include a metal spray coating having a thermal conductivity that is less than a thermal conductivity of a base material of the liner to act as a thermal insulating layer. A cuff ring may be disposed within the internal cuff ring groove at the top end of the liner in contact with the metal spray coating. A seal may be disposed around an outer circumferential surface of the liner approximately in axial alignment with an internal axial end of the internal cuff ring groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Curtis John GRAHAM, Daniel Thomas CAVANAUGH, Taylor Douglas YOUNG
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Patent number: 9353702Abstract: A method of manufacturing an engine block is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing an engine block including a cylinder bore and a top deck with a head face including a predetermined surface roughness. The method also includes masking the cylinder bore with a masking plug, the masking plug being located at a predetermined insertion distance measured from a masking plug outer surface to the head face. The method further includes applying a corrosion resistant coating to the top deck over the head face and machine finishing the engine block including the coating to the engine block specifications.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Sharp, Adam William Ostein, Curtis John Graham, Jarrod David Moss, Bharat Kumar Meduru
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Publication number: 20160061143Abstract: A method of manufacturing an engine block is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing an engine block including a cylinder bore and a top deck with a head face including a predetermined surface roughness. The method also includes masking the cylinder bore with a masking plug, the masking plug being located at a predetermined insertion distance measured from a masking plug outer surface to the head face. The method further includes applying a corrosion resistant coating to the top deck over the head face and machine finishing the engine block including the coating to the engine block specifications.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Robert E. Sharp, Adam William Ostein, Curtis John Graham, Jarrod David Moss, Bharat Kumar Meduru
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Publication number: 20160040582Abstract: An exhaust system component is disclosed. The exhaust system component may have a tubular body that defines a passage. The tubular body may have a joining portion that is configured to fluidly connect the passage to another exhaust system component. The joining portion may have a first layer of cast iron. The joining portion may also have a second layer covering at least a portion of the first layer. The second layer may contain at least iron, chromium, and aluminum.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2014Publication date: February 11, 2016Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Robert Eugene Sharp, Adam William Ostein, Bharat Kumar Meduru, Curtis John Graham
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Patent number: 9206811Abstract: A remanufactured pump includes a casing and a pumping mechanism positioned within the casing having a rotatable pump shaft and an impeller mounted upon the pump shaft and rotatable within a pumping chamber in the casing. A first insert is held fast within a first bore in the casing, and a second insert is held fast within a second bore in the casing, each via an interference fit. Sealing mechanisms are positioned within the first and second inserts to form a first seal about the pump shaft to prevent leakage of a working fluid from the pumping chamber, and a second seal about the pump shaft to prevent leakage of a lubricating fluid from a bearing chamber in the casing. Related methodology is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Donald Gene Clark, Curtis John Graham, Jack Maclellan Nix, Caxton Darnell Martin, Jr.
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Patent number: 8925196Abstract: A method of increasing oil pressure in a heavy duty truck engine lubricating system is provided. The lubricating system comprises an oil pressure regulating assembly mounted in an oil filter base and having a main spring to regulate oil pressure, and a high pressure relief valve assembly mounted in the oil filter base and having a peak clipping spring to relieve oil pressure when the pressure exceeds a specified limit. The method includes the steps of replacing the main spring with a replacement main spring having a higher spring constant and replacing the peak clipping spring with a replacement peak clipping spring having a higher spring constant. A replacement kit for increasing oil pressure is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Adam William Ostein, Christopher Lee Bach, Patrick W. Savage, Jr., Curtis John Graham
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Patent number: 8845313Abstract: Embodiments of an oil pump for an engine have an increased pump capacity while maintaining or marginally increasing the overall physical size of the pump. In some embodiments, this increased capacity is reflected in a pump length efficiency ratio, which compares an effective gear length (LG) of first and second pump gears used in the oil pump, to an effective housing length (LH). The effective housing length (LH) is a longitudinal distance between surfaces on opposite ends of the oil pump that must be maintained for the oil pump to fit into an available space. Accordingly, the pump length efficiency ratio indicates how much of the effective housing length (LH) can be occupied by the gears. Alternatively, the pump capacity is measured using an output flow efficiency ratio, which compares a theoretical pump flow (FP) at a given gear speed (SG) to the effective housing length (LH) of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Curtis John Graham, Adam William Ostein, Patrick William Savage, Jr., Christopher Lee Bach
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Patent number: 8714131Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engine block includes removing material from the top deck of the engine block surrounding a first opening to create a first recessed area, positioning a first insert within the first recessed area, removing material from the top deck of the engine block surrounding a second opening to create a second recessed area that at least partially overlaps the first recessed area, and positioning a second insert within the second recessed area.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Adam William Ostein, Curtis John Graham, Kegan Luick, Jarrod D. Moss