Patents by Inventor David Andrew Pierpont
David Andrew 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).
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Publication number: 20240136547Abstract: A fuel cell electrical power generation system is described herein. The system uses a combustor to increase the pressure and temperature of exhaust gases from a fuel cell stack of the system. The combustor uses hydrogen from a hydrogen supply to provide fuel to the combustor. The increased temperature/pressure of the exhaust gases post combustion are used to rotate a turbine, which in turn rotates a compressor of a turbocharger. The compressor compresses incoming air to increase the power output and/or the efficiency of the system. An ebooster can be used in low load conditions, such as during a startup or during at time in which the electrical loading on the fuel cells is relatively low.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David Andrew Pierpont, David M. Ginter
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Patent number: 11560829Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 2, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jeremy Byrd, Eric Lee Schroeder, David Andrew Pierpont, Brian R. Bell, Deborah Lee Ribordy, Jared P. Tolan, Craig P. Hittle
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Patent number: 11454179Abstract: An engine brake controller may obtain a performance characteristic of an engine. The engine brake controller may determine, based on the performance characteristic of the engine, that engine braking is enabled to control the engine. The engine brake controller may monitor a set of operating parameters of the engine. The engine brake controller may determine that operating values of the set of operating parameters satisfy corresponding thresholds of the set of operating parameters. The engine brake controller may determine, based on the operating values satisfying the corresponding thresholds, an engine braking configuration associated with activating engine braking of a set of cylinders of the engine. The set of cylinders may be a proper subset of a total quantity of cylinders of the engine. The engine brake controller may cause the engine braking to be applied to the set of cylinders to increase a temperature of exhaust gas from the engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric Lee Schroeder, David Andrew Pierpont, Zach Engstrom, Shivangi Wagle
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Publication number: 20220049661Abstract: An engine brake controller may obtain a performance characteristic of an engine. The engine brake controller may determine, based on the performance characteristic of the engine, that engine braking is enabled to control the engine. The engine brake controller may monitor a set of operating parameters of the engine. The engine brake controller may determine that operating values of the set of operating parameters satisfy corresponding thresholds of the set of operating parameters. The engine brake controller may determine, based on the operating values satisfying the corresponding thresholds, an engine braking configuration associated with activating engine braking of a set of cylinders of the engine. The set of cylinders may be a proper subset of a total quantity of cylinders of the engine. The engine brake controller may cause the engine braking to be applied to the set of cylinders to increase a temperature of exhaust gas from the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2020Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric Lee SCHROEDER, David Andrew PIERPONT, Zach ENGSTROM, Shivangi WAGLE
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Publication number: 20210207526Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jeremy BYRD, Eric Lee SCHROEDER, David Andrew PIERPONT, Brian R. BELL, Deborah Lee RIBORDY, Jared P. TOLAN, Craig P. HITTLE
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Patent number: 10641140Abstract: An early exhaust valve opening (EEVO) module increases a no-load engine speed so an engine can smoothly transition to driving a load when necessary. The EEVO module includes a drive piston engaging an injector rocker and a driven piston engaging an exhaust rocker. The pistons are fluidly connected by a activation fluid passage so that the drive piston compresses air in the passage when an injector cam rotates the injector rocker and causes movement of the driven gear and the exhaust rocker to open an exhaust valve to release exhaust energy during a piston expansion stroke to limit the energy transferred to a crankshaft. A low pressure timing valve may drain pressurized fluid from the passage during an initial portion of the movement of the drive piston so driven piston does not move to open the exhaust valve until a desired amount of energy has been transferred to the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Craig Phillip Hittle, David Andrew Pierpont
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Publication number: 20180328240Abstract: An early exhaust valve opening (EEVO) module increases a no-load engine speed so an engine can smoothly transition to driving a load when necessary. The EEVO module includes a drive piston engaging an injector rocker and a driven piston engaging an exhaust rocker. The pistons are fluidly connected by a activation fluid passage so that the drive piston compresses air in the passage when an injector cam rotates the injector rocker and causes movement of the driven gear and the exhaust rocker to open an exhaust valve to release exhaust energy during a piston expansion stroke to limit the energy transferred to a crankshaft. A low pressure timing valve may drain pressurized fluid from the passage during an initial portion of the movement of the drive piston so driven piston does not move to open the exhaust valve until a desired amount of energy has been transferred to the crankshaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: November 15, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Craig Phillip Hittle, David Andrew Pierpont
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Patent number: 10113503Abstract: A piston for an engine may include a piston body. The piston body may include a piston crown disposed symmetrically about a central longitudinal axis of the piston. A combustion bowl may be recessed into the piston body and may be offset axially inwardly with respect to the piston crown. A central bowl apex may protrude axially from the combustion bowl and may be offset axially inwardly with respect to the piston crown. A first bowl apex may protrude axially from the combustion bowl and may be disposed radially inwardly with respect to the piston crown. A second bowl apex may protrude axially from the combustion bowl and may be disposed radially inwardly with respect to the first bowl apex and may be radially between the first bowl apex and the central bowl apex. The second bowl apex may be offset axially inwardly with respect to the central bowl apex.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brandon Lee Bowditch, Adwait Vilas Joshi, David Andrew Pierpont, Kalyana Chakravarthy Vutukuri, Abhijitsinha Dilipsinha Pawar
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Publication number: 20180100466Abstract: A piston for an engine may include a piston body. The piston body may include a piston crown disposed symmetrically about a central longitudinal axis of the piston. A combustion bowl may be recessed into the piston body and may be offset axially inwardly with respect to the piston crown. A central bowl apex may protrude axially from the combustion bowl and may be offset axially inwardly with respect to the piston crown. A first bowl apex may protrude axially from the combustion bowl and may be disposed radially inwardly with respect to the piston crown. A second bowl apex may protrude axially from the combustion bowl and may be disposed radially inwardly with respect to the first bowl apex and may be radially between the first bowl apex and the central bowl apex. The second bowl apex may be offset axially inwardly with respect to the central bowl apex.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2016Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brandon Lee Bowditch, Adwait Vilas Joshi, David Andrew Pierpont, Kalyana Chakravarthy Vutukuri, Abhijitsinha Dilipsinha Pawar
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Patent number: 8938962Abstract: An exhaust system for an engine includes a first exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine, a second exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine in parallel with the first exhaust manifold, and at least two turbochargers configured to receive exhaust from the first and second exhaust manifolds. The system also includes a first turbocharger valve fluidly connected to one of the at least two turbochargers. The first turbocharger valve is configured to selectively fluidly connect the one of the at least two turbochargers to the first and second exhaust manifolds. The system further includes a recirculation circuit in fluid communication with the first exhaust manifold. The recirculation circuit includes a first recirculation valve configured to regulate passage of exhaust through the recirculation circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: David Andrew Pierpont
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Publication number: 20130192223Abstract: An exhaust system for an engine includes a first exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine, a second exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine in parallel with the first exhaust manifold, and at least two turbochargers configured to receive exhaust from the first and second exhaust manifolds. The system also includes a first turbocharger valve fluidly connected to one of the at least two turbochargers. The first turbocharger valve is configured to selectively fluidly connect the one of the at least two turbochargers to the first and second exhaust manifolds. The system further includes a recirculation circuit in fluid communication with the first exhaust manifold. The recirculation circuit includes a first recirculation valve configured to regulate passage of exhaust through the recirculation circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Inventor: David Andrew Pierpont
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Patent number: 8297053Abstract: An exhaust system for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The exhaust system may have a first exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine, and a first turbocharger driven by exhaust from the first exhaust manifold. The exhaust system may also have a second exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine in parallel with the first exhaust manifold, and a second turbocharger driven by exhaust from the second exhaust manifold and having a different flow capacity than the first turbocharger. The exhaust system may further have an exhaust gas recirculation circuit in fluid communication with the second exhaust manifold.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: John R. Gladden, David Andrew Pierpont, John P. Timmons
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Publication number: 20120222419Abstract: A turbocharger for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger may have a turbine housing with a first volute, a second volute, and a common outlet. The turbocharger may also have a turbine wheel disposed between the common outlet and the first and second volutes. The turbocharger may further have a first valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the first volute with the second volute upstream of the turbine wheel, a second valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the second volute with the common outlet to bypass the turbine wheel, and a common actuator configured to move the first and second valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Inventors: Craig Phillip Hittle, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, David Andrew Pierpont, Stephan Donald Roozenboom
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Patent number: 8234864Abstract: An engine system is disclosed. The engine system includes an engine, an intake system for providing intake air to the engine and an exhaust system receiving exhaust gas from the engine. The engine system also includes a first exhaust turbine arranged downstream of the engine and a second and third exhaust turbines coupled in parallel and arranged downstream of the first exhaust turbine. A first valve is associated with the second and third exhaust turbines, the first valve configured to at least partially restrict exhaust gas to one of the second and third exhaust turbines and increase exhaust gas to the other turbine. The engine system also includes an exhaust gas recirculation system configured to redirect at least a portion of exhaust gas from the exhaust system to the intake system.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: William Lanier Easley, Jr., David Andrew Pierpont
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Patent number: 8196403Abstract: A turbocharger for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger may have a turbine housing with a first volute, a second volute, and a common outlet. The turbocharger may also have a turbine wheel disposed between the common outlet and the first and second volutes. The turbocharger may further have a first valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the first volute with the second volute upstream of the turbine wheel, a second valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the second volute with the common outlet to bypass the turbine wheel, and a common actuator configured to move the first and second valves.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Craig Phillip Hittle, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, David Andrew Pierpont, Stephan Donald Roozenboom
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Patent number: 8176737Abstract: An exhaust system for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The exhaust system may have a first exhaust manifold, a second exhaust manifold, and an exhaust gas recirculation circuit. The exhaust system may also have a fixed geometry turbocharger with a first volute configured to receive exhaust from the first exhaust manifold, and a second volute configured to receive exhaust from the second exhaust manifold. The exhaust system may also have a recirculation control valve in fluid communication with the first exhaust manifold, the second exhaust manifold and the exhaust gas recirculation circuit. The recirculation control valve may have a valve element movable to selectively adjust a flow of exhaust in the exhaust gas recirculation circuit, the first volute, and the second volute.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David Andrew Pierpont, John Parker Timmons, William L. Easley, Jr.
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Patent number: 8161747Abstract: An exhaust system for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The exhaust system may have a first exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine, a second exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine in parallel with the first exhaust manifold, and an exhaust gas recirculation circuit in fluid communication with only the first exhaust manifold. The exhaust system may also have a first turbocharger having dual volutes configured to simultaneously receive exhaust from the first exhaust manifold and the second exhaust manifold, and a second turbocharger configured to receive exhaust from the first turbocharger and compress air directed into the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David Andrew Pierpont, John Parker Timmons, William L. Easley, Jr.
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Patent number: 8096124Abstract: An exhaust system for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The exhaust system may have a first exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine, and at least one turbocharger driven by exhaust from the first exhaust manifold. The exhaust system may also have a second exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine in parallel with the first exhaust manifold, and at least two turbochargers driven by exhaust from the second exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold may further have an exhaust gas recirculation circuit in fluid communication with only the first exhaust manifold. A number of turbochargers that receives exhaust from the first exhaust manifold may be less than a number of turbochargers that receives exhaust from the second exhaust manifold.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David Andrew Pierpont, John Parker Timmons, Jonathan P. Kilkenny
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Patent number: 7891345Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for a use with an engine having a plurality of cylinders is disclosed. The exhaust gas recirculation system may have an intake passage configured to direct combustion air to all of the plurality of cylinders, and an exhaust passage configured to receive exhaust from fewer than all of the plurality of cylinders. The exhaust gas recirculation system may also have a plurality of separate exhaust conduits in parallel communication with the exhaust passage and configured to direct exhaust from the exhaust passage to the intake passage at multiple locations along a length direction of the intake passage. The multiple locations may be separated from each other by a volume within the intake passage, and the volume may be a function of a total number of the plurality of cylinders, a number of the plurality of cylinders contributing exhaust to the exhaust passage, and a number of the multiple locations.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: David Andrew Pierpont
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Publication number: 20100146965Abstract: An engine system is disclosed. The engine system includes an engine, an intake system for providing intake air to the engine and an exhaust system receiving exhaust gas from the engine. The engine system also includes a first exhaust turbine arranged downstream of the engine and a second and third exhaust turbines coupled in parallel and arranged downstream of the first exhaust turbine. A first valve is associated with the second and third exhaust turbines, the first valve configured to at least partially restrict exhaust gas to one of the second and third exhaust turbines and increase exhaust gas to the other turbine. The engine system also includes an exhaust gas recirculation system configured to redirect at least a portion of exhaust gas from the exhaust system to the intake system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: William Lanier Easley, JR., David Andrew Pierpont