Patents by Inventor David A. Pierpont

David A. Pierpont 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: 6484500
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a first exhaust manifold, a second exhaust manifold, a first turbocharger having a first turbine and a first compressor, and a second turbocharger having a second turbine and a second compressor. A second gas inlet port of the second turbine is connected in fluid communication with a second exhaust manifold to receive at least a portion of second combustion gases. A second gas outlet port of the second turbine and the first exhaust manifold are in fluid communication with a first gas inlet port of the first turbine. A valve is connected in fluid communication with the second exhaust manifold to receive a remainder of exhaust gases not included in the at least a portion of the second combustion gases supplied to the second turbine. The valve is connected in fluid communication with a mixer to deliver at least a portion of the remainder of exhaust gases to the mixer for mixing with compressed air in the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, James J. Faletti, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6484499
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. Then at least one first turbine inlet has a controllable, variable intake nozzle fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet has a controllable, variable intake nozzle fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6460519
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a motor vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is a fixed geometry inlet fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet is a fixed geometry inlet fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6439212
    Abstract: A bypass venturi assembly for recirculating exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine, Particularly suitable for use in an on-road vehicle, is provided with a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. A center piece is Positioned within the housing and is in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. An exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet. An elbow is coupled with the outlet and defines a fluid flow path. The elbow includes a vane therein which is positioned in association with the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, Michael P. Harmon, David A. Pierpont, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Patent number: 6418721
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a motor vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold and includes a controllable, variable intake nozzle. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
  • Publication number: 20020088230
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a motor vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold and includes a controllable, variable intake nozzle. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
  • Publication number: 20020088231
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. Then at least one first turbine inlet has a controllable, variable intake nozzle fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet has a controllable, variable intake nozzle fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6412279
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a motor vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold and includes a controllable, variable intake nozzle. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
  • Publication number: 20020073981
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a motor vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold and includes a controllable, variable intake nozzle. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6397598
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least one exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with a corresponding exhaust manifold, and the first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the intake manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the first turbine outlet and with a corresponding exhaust manifold. The second compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the first compressor inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6378509
    Abstract: A multifunction valve, particularly suited for use in an internal combustion engine, provides adjustable EGR thereto. The internal combustion engine has a block defining a plurality of combustion cylinders, each combustion cylinder of the plurality of combustion cylinders having a displacement volume. An intake manifold is fluidly connected to the block to supply combustion air to each combustion cylinder. The intake manifold has an air intake port and a first EGR inlet port. A secondary exhaust manifold is fluidly coupled to at least one of the plurality of combustion cylinders. The secondary exhaust manifold has an exhaust outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6360732
    Abstract: A twin-turbocharged internal combustion engine improves compression efficiency and improves response by serial arrangement of a first turbocharger and a second turbocharger. An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system using boost cooling reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The EGR system cools recirculated exhaust gas by exchanging heat with compressed, cooled combustion air in an EGR heat exchanger. The second turbocharger has a variable geometry turbine to control flow of recirculated exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett M. Bailey, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6324847
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, a first exhaust manifold, a second exhaust manifold and an intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. An EGR system is disposed in fluid flow communication between the first exhaust manifold and the intake manifold. A turbocharger includes a compressor having an inlet receiving combustion gas and an outlet in fluid flow communication with the intake manifold. A turbine is drivingly coupled to the compressor, and has a turbine casing and a turbine wheel. The turbine casing defines separate first and second inlet paths for exhaust gas flow from the first and second exhaust manifolds. Efficiency and performance are improved by preserving pulse energy in one exhaust manifold flow, and increasing back pressure in the manifold providing EGR flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6321537
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system, particularly suitable for use in an internal combustion engine, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least one exhaust manifold, and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders, and each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with a corresponding exhaust manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with a corresponding exhaust manifold. A valve assembly includes an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6220233
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas recirculation valve adapted for coupling to an intake manifold and adapted for connection to an secondary exhaust outlet. The exhaust gas recirculation valve is controllably positioned in one of a first position and a second position, wherein when the exhaust gas recirculation valve is in the first position the exhaust gas from each cylinder is transported through the primary exhaust outlet, and when the exhaust gas recirculation valve is in the second position an exhaust gas flow from at least one of the plurality of combustion cylinders is transported through the secondary exhaust outlet. An actuator is placed in communication with the exhaust gas recirculation valve for effecting a position change thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Pierpont