Patents by Inventor Dana Ray COLDREN
Dana Ray COLDREN 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: 20240301849Abstract: An alternative fuel management system may include a base configured for arrangement on a supporting floor or other framework of a vessel and configured to support alternative fuel supply equipment. The system may also include a sealed enclosure sealingly coupled to the base and configured to surround the alternative fuel supply equipment. The system may also include the alternative fuel supply equipment and it may be arranged within the sealed enclosure. The alternative fuel supply equipment may include a high-pressure pump, a fuel filter, a transfer pump, and a high-pressure fuel delivery line extending across the sealed enclosure and configured to provide alternative fuel from the high-pressure pump to a combustion engine. The alternative fuel management system may also include a purge fluid system configured to deliver purge fluid to the combustion engine from a source of purge fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2023Publication date: September 12, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Dana Ray Coldren, Bryan E. Nelson, Hoisan Kim
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Patent number: 12085050Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is described herein. The system uses a switching rail in combination with a first fuel rail to operate the internal combustion engine of the system. The first fuel rail receives the first fuel for combustion within one or more of the combustion cylinders of the internal combustion engine. The switching rails are configured to receive either the first fuel or a second fuel. A controller is used to operate a switching valve that, depending on the position of the switching valve, routes or directs either the second fuel or the first fuel from their respective fuel tanks. In a switching condition, such as startup, shutdown, or when the second fuel is not available, the controller can use the first fuel as the alternate source of fuel provided through the switching rail.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2022Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Arnold Myoungjin Kim, Dana Ray Coldren, Eric Lee Schroeder
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Publication number: 20240141857Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is described herein. The system uses a switching rail in combination with a first fuel rail to operate the internal combustion engine of the system. The first fuel rail receives the first fuel for combustion within one or more of the combustion cylinders of the internal combustion engine. The switching rails are configured to receive either the first fuel or a second fuel. A controller is used to operate a switching valve that, depending on the position of the switching valve, routes or directs either the second fuel or the first fuel from their respective fuel tanks. In a switching condition, such as startup, shutdown, or when the second fuel is not available, the controller can use the first fuel as the alternate source of fuel provided through the switching rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Arnold Myoungjin Kim, Dana Ray Coldren, Eric Lee Schroeder
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Publication number: 20240044308Abstract: A dual fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a first fuel supply of a liquid pilot fuel, a primary fuel supply of a liquid primary fuel, and a dual fuel injector. The dual fuel injector includes a spill valve fluidly connected with a plunger cavity and movable to control a start of injection and an end of injection, and an admission valve. The admission valve is movable to admit a pilot fuel into the fuel injector, such that the pilot fuel is conveyed through an outlet check to form, within a primary fuel passage fluidly connected to the plunger cavity, a segmented fuel charge of leading pilot fuel and trailing primary fuel by displacing some of the primary fuel. The liquid pilot fuel may be a higher cetane/lower octane liquid fuel, and the primary fuel may be a lower cetane/higher octane liquid fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric Lee Schroeder, David Todd Montgomery, Dana Ray Coldren, Chad Koci
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Patent number: 11815054Abstract: A dual fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a first fuel supply of a liquid pilot fuel, a primary fuel supply of a liquid primary fuel, and a dual fuel injector. The dual fuel injector includes a spill valve fluidly connected with a plunger cavity and movable to control a start of injection and an end of injection, and an admission valve. The admission valve is movable to admit a pilot fuel into the fuel injector, such that the pilot fuel is conveyed through an outlet check to form, within a primary fuel passage fluidly connected to the plunger cavity, a segmented fuel charge of leading pilot fuel and trailing primary fuel by displacing some of the primary fuel. The liquid pilot fuel may be a higher cetane/lower octane liquid fuel, and the primary fuel may be a lower cetane/higher octane liquid fuel.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric Lee Schroeder, David Todd Montgomery, Dana Ray Coldren, Chad Koci
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Patent number: 11591995Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector housing, an outlet check, an injection control valve assembly, and a valve seat orifice plate integrating a valve seat and various orifices for outlet check control. In the valve seat orifice plate a drain orifice extends between a valve seat surface and a check control chamber formed between a closing hydraulic surface of the outlet check and the valve seat orifice plate. First and second re-pressurization orifices extend between an outer surface of the valve seat orifice plate and the check control chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Cory Andrew Brown, Matthew Robert Vanderveen, Andrew Justin Wallis, Michael Curtis Herr, Dana Ray Coldren
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Patent number: 11506162Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel injector having a split check assembly with a control piece, an outlet piece, and a check sleeve. A trapped volume is formed between the control piece and the outlet piece within the check sleeve, to hydraulically couple the control piece to the outlet piece. A starting rate shape clearance fluidly connects the trapped volume to a fuel cavity and is formed between the check sleeve and one of the control piece or outlet piece received therein, and modulates a starting rate shape of fuel injection from the fuel injector. Related methodology is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Cory Andrew Brown, Sana Mahmood, Dana Ray Coldren, Glenn Brian Cox, Matthew Robert Vanderveen
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Patent number: 11506163Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle assembly includes a two-piece outlet check having a timing control piece and a rate control piece. A nozzle passage is formed between a nozzle body and a two-piece outlet check, and a sac cavity is formed by the rate control piece and the nozzle body and fluidly connects a through-hole in the rate control piece to nozzle outlets. A starting-flow clearance is formed by the rate control piece and the timing control piece, and is opened by moving the timing control piece relative to the rate control piece. Moving the rate control piece relative to the nozzle body opens a main-flow seat. The nozzle assembly provides a slow starting injection rate shape in a common rail or similar fuel system and improved controllability over minimum delivery quantities.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Sana Mahmood, Glenn Brian Cox, Dana Ray Coldren
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Publication number: 20220290641Abstract: A dual fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a first fuel supply of a liquid pilot fuel, a primary fuel supply of a liquid primary fuel, and a dual fuel injector. The dual fuel injector includes a spill valve fluidly connected with a plunger cavity and movable to control a start of injection and an end of injection, and an admission valve. The admission valve is movable to admit a pilot fuel into the fuel injector, such that the pilot fuel is conveyed through an outlet check to form, within a primary fuel passage fluidly connected to the plunger cavity, a segmented fuel charge of leading pilot fuel and trailing primary fuel by displacing some of the primary fuel. The liquid pilot fuel may be a higher cetane/lower octane liquid fuel, and the primary fuel may be a lower cetane/higher octane liquid fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric Lee Schroeder, David Todd Montgomery, Dana Ray Coldren, Chad Koci
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Publication number: 20220243691Abstract: A dual fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a first fuel supply of a liquid pilot fuel, a primary fuel supply of a liquid primary fuel, and a dual fuel injector. The dual fuel injector includes a spill valve fluidly connected with a plunger cavity and movable to control a start of injection and an end of injection, and an admission valve. The admission valve is movable to admit a pilot fuel into the fuel injector, such that the pilot fuel is conveyed through an outlet check to form, within a primary fuel passage fluidly connected to the plunger cavity, a segmented fuel charge of leading pilot fuel and trailing primary fuel by displacing some of the primary fuel. The liquid pilot fuel may be a higher cetane/lower octane liquid fuel, and the primary fuel may be a lower cetane/higher octane liquid fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2021Publication date: August 4, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric Lee Schroeder, David Todd Montgomery, Dana Ray Coldren, Chad Koci
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Patent number: 11384721Abstract: A dual fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a first fuel supply of a liquid pilot fuel, a primary fuel supply of a liquid primary fuel, and a dual fuel injector. The dual fuel injector includes a spill valve fluidly connected with a plunger cavity and movable to control a start of injection and an end of injection, and an admission valve. The admission valve is movable to admit a pilot fuel into the fuel injector, such that the pilot fuel is conveyed through an outlet check to form, within a primary fuel passage fluidly connected to the plunger cavity, a segmented fuel charge of leading pilot fuel and trailing primary fuel by displacing some of the primary fuel. The liquid pilot fuel may be a higher cetane/lower octane liquid fuel, and the primary fuel may be a lower cetane/higher octane liquid fuel.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric Lee Schroeder, David Todd Montgomery, Dana Ray Coldren, Chad Koci
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Publication number: 20220186697Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle assembly includes a two-piece outlet check having a timing control piece and a rate control piece. A nozzle passage is formed between a nozzle body and a two-piece outlet check, and a sac cavity is formed by the rate control piece and the nozzle body and fluidly connects a through-hole in the rate control piece to nozzle outlets. A starting-flow clearance is formed by the rate control piece and the timing control piece, and is opened by moving the timing control piece relative to the rate control piece. Moving the rate control piece relative to the nozzle body opens a main-flow seat. The nozzle assembly provides a slow starting injection rate shape in a common rail or similar fuel system and improved controllability over minimum delivery quantities.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2020Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Sana Mahmood, Glenn Brian Cox, Dana Ray Coldren
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Publication number: 20220154673Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel injector having a split check assembly with a control piece, an outlet piece, and a check sleeve. A trapped volume is formed between the control piece and the outlet piece within the check sleeve, to hydraulically couple the control piece to the outlet piece. A starting rate shape clearance fluidly connects the trapped volume to a fuel cavity and is formed between the check sleeve and one of the control piece or outlet piece received therein, and modulates a starting rate shape of fuel injection from the fuel injector. Related methodology is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2020Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Cory Andrew Brown, Sana Mahmood, Dana Ray Coldren, Glenn Brian Cox, Matthew Robert Vanderveen
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Publication number: 20220082073Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector housing, an outlet check, an injection control valve assembly, and a valve seat orifice plate integrating a valve seat and various orifices for outlet check control. In the valve seat orifice plate a drain orifice extends between a valve seat surface and a check control chamber formed between a closing hydraulic surface of the outlet check and the valve seat orifice plate. First and second re-pressurization orifices extend between an outer surface of the valve seat orifice plate and the check control chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2020Publication date: March 17, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Cory Andrew Brown, Matthew Robert Vanderveen, Andrew Justin Wallis, Michael Curtis Herr, Dana Ray Coldren
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Patent number: 11125147Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes an igniter having an igniter housing with a combustion prechamber formed therein, and a piston movable within the igniter housing to increase a pressure of an ignition charge of fuel and air within the combustion prechamber to an autoignition threshold. The ignition system includes a hydraulic actuator to apply an actuating force to the piston. Related methodology is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott B. Fiveland, Dana Ray Coldren
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Patent number: 11118490Abstract: Operating a machine system for co-production of electrical power and filtered potable water includes operating an electrical generator by way of rotation of an engine output shaft to produce electrical power, and collecting water condensed from cooled treated exhaust from the engine for delivery to an outgoing water conduit. Operating the machine system further includes supplying electrical power produced by the electrical generator to an in situ electrical load, and to at least one ex situ electrical load such as a power grid. The in situ electrical load is produced by at least one of an exhaust conveyance device, an air conveyance device, or a water conveyance device in a water subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Dana Ray Coldren
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Publication number: 20210231037Abstract: Operating a machine system for co-production of electrical power and filtered potable water includes operating an electrical generator by way of rotation of an engine output shaft to produce electrical power, and collecting water condensed from cooled treated exhaust from the engine for delivery to an outgoing water conduit. Operating the machine system further includes supplying electrical power produced by the electrical generator to an in situ electrical load, and to at least one ex situ electrical load such as a power grid. The in situ electrical load is produced by at least one of an exhaust conveyance device, an air conveyance device, or a water conveyance device in a water subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Dana Ray Coldren
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Publication number: 20200392892Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes an igniter having an igniter housing with a combustion prechamber formed therein, and a piston movable within the igniter housing to increase a pressure of an ignition charge of fuel and air within the combustion prechamber to an autoignition threshold. The ignition system includes a hydraulic actuator to apply an actuating force to the piston. Related methodology is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2019Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott B. Fiveland, Dana Ray Coldren
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Patent number: 10041447Abstract: A manifold for a pump is configured to connect to a jacket to form a reservoir and to connect to at least one pumping mechanism disposed within the reservoir. The manifold includes a first side including a first side surface configured to face the reservoir and a second side including a second side surface. The manifold also includes a bypass passage, at least one push rod guide bore extending through the first side surface and the second side surface, and a leakage passage fluidly connecting the at least one push rod guide bore to an outlet disposed outside the first side surface. The manifold further includes a discharge passage including at least one inlet disposed in the first side surface, and the at least one inlet is configured to receive fluid pumped by the at least one pumping mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Sunil Jefferey Bean, Joshua Wayne Steffen, Dana Ray Coldren, Cory Andrew Brown, Robert Michael Campion
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Patent number: 10036383Abstract: A pump piston is disclosed. The pump piston may include a body having an actuating end, a pressurizing end opposite the actuating end, and an outer diameter that is greater at the pressurizing end than at the actuating end, wherein the outer diameter varies between the pressurizing end and the actuating end without increasing to form an outer diameter profile.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Alan Ray Stockner, Sana Mahmood, Joshua Steffen, Dana Ray Coldren