Patents by Inventor David E. Hackett
David E. Hackett 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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Patent number: 10184436Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a fluid injector assembly; a fluid conditioning module having an outlet port that is fluidly coupled to an inlet port of the fluid injector assembly; an injector assembly outlet conduit fluidly coupled to an outlet port of the fluid injector assembly and disposed downstream of the fluid injector assembly, the injector assembly outlet conduit defining a pressure measurement port and a flow-restricting orifice, the pressure measurement port being disposed upstream of the flow-restricting orifice along the direction of fluid flow through the fluid injector assembly; a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the pressure measurement port; and a controller operatively coupled to the fluid conditioning module and the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to adjust a flowrate of a fluid through the injector assembly inlet conduit based on a pressure signal from the pressure sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Martin Lehman, Lifeng Wang, David E. Hackett, Taylor Tang, Andrew Marrack, Dennis H. Gibson
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Patent number: 10036314Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a fluid injector assembly, a fluid conditioning module having an outlet port that is fluidly coupled to an inlet port of the fluid injector assembly via an injector assembly inlet conduit. The fluid injection system further includes a flush conduit fluidly coupled to the outlet port of the fluid conditioning module, a flush valve disposed in the flush conduit and configured to control a flowrate of fluid therethrough, and a controller operatively coupled to the fluid conditioning module and the flush valve, the controller being configured to adjust a flowrate of a fluid through the injector assembly inlet conduit by controlling a flowrate of fluid through the flush conduit.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Hackett, Martin Lehman, Scott F. Shafer
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Patent number: 10036401Abstract: A pump includes a housing having an internal surface defining a volute configured to receive a pump impeller therein, an extension tube fluidly coupled to the volute, a wall of the extension tube having an internal surface disposed opposite an external surface, and a bonnet having an internal surface defining a first inlet aperture and a second inlet aperture therethrough, the first inlet aperture and the second inlet aperture being in fluid communication with the volute via the extension tube. The internal surface of the bonnet and the external surface of the extension tube define a bonnet flow path therebetween, the first inlet aperture of the bonnet being in fluid communication with the volute via the bonnet flow path.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Hackett, Scott F. Shafer
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Patent number: 9957940Abstract: A fluid conditioning system includes a first filter mount having a first filter inlet port and a first filter outlet port, a first motor, a first pump operatively coupled to the first motor, a second filter mount having a second filter inlet port, a second pump, and a controller operatively coupled to the first motor. The controller is configured to operate the first pump at a flowrate that is higher than a flowrate of the second pump. An outlet of the first pump is fluidly coupled to the first filter inlet port via a first filter inlet conduit, and an inlet of the first pump is fluidly coupled the first filter outlet port via a first filter outlet conduit. An inlet of the second pump is fluidly coupled to the first filter outlet port via the first filter outlet conduit.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, David E. Hackett, Steven Y. Tian, Martin Lehman
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Publication number: 20170198633Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a fluid injector assembly, a fluid conditioning module having an outlet port that is fluidly coupled to an inlet port of the fluid injector assembly via an injector assembly inlet conduit. The fluid injection system further includes a flush conduit fluidly coupled to the outlet port of the fluid conditioning module, a flush valve disposed in the flush conduit and configured to control a flowrate of fluid therethrough, and a controller operatively coupled to the fluid conditioning module and the flush valve, the controller being configured to adjust a flowrate of a fluid through the injector assembly inlet conduit by controlling a flowrate of fluid through the flush conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Hackett, Martin Lehman, Scott F. Shafer
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Publication number: 20170016416Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a fluid injector assembly; a fluid conditioning module having an outlet port that is fluidly coupled to an inlet port of the fluid injector assembly; an injector assembly outlet conduit fluidly coupled to an outlet port of the fluid injector assembly and disposed downstream of the fluid injector assembly, the injector assembly outlet conduit defining a pressure measurement port and a flow-restricting orifice, the pressure measurement port being disposed upstream of the flow-restricting orifice along the direction of fluid flow through the fluid injector assembly; a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the pressure measurement port; and a controller operatively coupled to the fluid conditioning module and the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to adjust a flowrate of a fluid through the injector assembly inlet conduit based on a pressure signal from the pressure sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2015Publication date: January 19, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Martin Lehman, Lifeng Wang, David E. Hackett, Taylor Tang, Andrew Marrack, Dennis H. Gibson
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Publication number: 20160305444Abstract: A pump includes a housing having an internal surface defining a volute configured to receive a pump impeller therein, an extension tube fluidly coupled to the volute, a wall of the extension tube having an internal surface disposed opposite an external surface, and a bonnet having an internal surface defining a first inlet aperture and a second inlet aperture therethrough, the first inlet aperture and the second inlet aperture being in fluid communication with the volute via the extension tube. The internal surface of the bonnet and the external surface of the extension tube define a bonnet flow path therebetween, the first inlet aperture of the bonnet being in fluid communication with the volute via the bonnet flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2015Publication date: October 20, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Hackett, Scott F. Shafer
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Publication number: 20160290302Abstract: A fuel injector may include a nozzle assembly and a body. The body may have a fuel inlet, a nozzle supply passage fluidly coupled to the nozzle assembly, and an internal surface defining a chamber within the body. The fuel inlet may be fluidly coupled to the nozzle supply passage via the chamber. The fuel inlet defines an inlet dimension and the chamber defines a chamber dimension, the chamber dimension being larger than the inlet dimension.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2015Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, David E. Hackett, Craig Habeger
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Patent number: 9447740Abstract: A fuel injector is disclosed for use in an engine system. The fuel injector may have a body defining a gas inlet, an oil inlet, and an oil outlet. The fuel injector may also have a nozzle connected to the body and having a base end in fluid communication with the gas inlet, and an injection tip located opposite the base end. The fuel injector may also have a valve check disposed in the nozzle and movable to selectively block and unblock the injection tip of the nozzle, and a plunger disposed in the body between the oil inlet and the oil outlet. The plunger may be movable between a flow-passing position and a flow-blocking position to cause movement of the valve check through the injection tip. The injector may further have a solenoid actuator configured to selectively move the plunger.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron Michael Brown, David E. Hackett, Lifeng Wang, Scott F. Shafer, Alan R. Stockner, Martin A. Lehman
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Publication number: 20160230720Abstract: A fluid conditioning system includes a first filter mount having a first filter inlet port and a first filter outlet port; a motor unit; a recirculation pump unit operatively coupled to the motor unit, an outlet of the recirculation pump unit being fluidly coupled to the first filter inlet port via a first filter inlet conduit, an inlet of the recirculation pump unit being fluidly coupled to the first filter outlet port via a first filter outlet conduit; a second filter mount having a second filter inlet port; and a delivery pump unit operatively coupled to the motor unit. The inlet of the delivery pump unit is fluidly coupled to the first filter outlet port via the first filter outlet conduit, and the outlet of the delivery pump unit is fluidly coupled to the second filter inlet port via a second filter inlet conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2015Publication date: August 11, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Hackett, Scott F. Shafer, Steven Y. Tian, Martin Lehman
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Publication number: 20160195053Abstract: A fluid conditioning system includes a first filter mount having a first filter inlet port and a first filter outlet port, a first motor, a first pump operatively coupled to the first motor, a second filter mount having a second filter inlet port, a second pump, and a controller operatively coupled to the first motor. The controller is configured to operate the first pump at a flowrate that is higher than a flowrate of the second pump. An outlet of the first pump is fluidly coupled to the first filter inlet port via a first filter inlet conduit, and an inlet of the first pump is fluidly coupled the first filter outlet port via a first filter outlet conduit. An inlet of the second pump is fluidly coupled to the first filter outlet port via the first filter outlet conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2015Publication date: July 7, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, David E. Hackett, Steven Y. Tian, Martin Lehman
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Patent number: 9291133Abstract: A shaft arrangement for an axial piston pump assembly to couple to a rotatable member such as a gear therewith. A shaft extends at least partially through a housing chamber of the pump about a longitudinal axis. Reciprocating pistons are disposed within the chamber radially about the shaft. A cam unit is fitted over the shaft and provides an angled camming surface to engage the pistons. Bearing assemblies are fitted over the cam unit. An adapter can be fitted over the proximal end of the cam unit. The adapter has a distal surface which may abut the bearing assembly and be axially spaced from the cam unit, and an outer radial surface to engage the rotatable member. A clamping device provides a desired clamp load path between the rotatable member, the adapter, the cam unit, the bearing assemblies and the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Pickell, Bryan E. Nelson, Satyasai C. Avasarala, David E. Hackett
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Publication number: 20150369143Abstract: A fuel injector is disclosed for use in an engine system. The fuel injector may have a body defining a gas inlet, an oil inlet, and an oil outlet. The fuel injector may also have a nozzle connected to the body and having a base end in fluid communication with the gas inlet, and an injection tip located opposite the base end. The fuel injector may also have a valve check disposed in the nozzle and movable to selectively block and unblock the injection tip of the nozzle, and a plunger disposed in the body between the oil inlet and the oil outlet. The plunger may be movable between a flow-passing position and a flow-blocking position to cause movement of the valve check through the injection tip. The injector may further have a solenoid actuator configured to selectively move the plunger.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Aaron Michael BROWN, David E. HACKETT, Lifeng WANG, Scott F. SHAFER, Alan R. STOCKNER, Martin A. LEHMAN
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Publication number: 20140334947Abstract: A fluid pump system for a fluid delivery system is disclosed. The fluid pump system includes a drive cylinder and a drive piston slidably disposed in the drive cylinder. A drive rod including a crowned end is connected to the drive piston. The fluid system further includes a pump cylinder and a pump piston slidably disposed in the pump cylinder. A pump rod including a crowned end is connected to the pump piston. The drive rod and the pump rod are configured to be detachably coupled to each other, wherein the crowned end of the drive rod cooperates with the crowned end of the pump rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2013Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: David E. Hackett
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Publication number: 20130152779Abstract: A shaft arrangement for an axial piston pump assembly to couple to a rotatable member such as a gear therewith. A shaft extends at least partially through a housing chamber of the pump about a longitudinal axis. Reciprocating pistons are disposed within the chamber radially about the shaft. A cam unit is fitted over the shaft and provides an angled camming surface to engage the pistons. Bearing assemblies are fitted over the cam unit. An adapter can be fitted over the proximal end of the cam unit. The adapter has a distal surface which may abut the bearing assembly and be axially spaced from the cam unit, and an outer radial surface to engage the rotatable member. A clamping device provides a desired clamp load path between the rotatable member, the adapter, the cam unit, the bearing assemblies and the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Pickell, Bryan E. Nelson, Satyasai C. Avasarala, David E. Hackett
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Patent number: 6647770Abstract: An apparatus for testing internal combustion engine valves is provided. The apparatus includes a housing with a bore for receiving a seat fixture. The seat fixture, in turn, receives a seat insert. A valve is inserted into the apparatus so the valve head is received at the seat insert and the valve stem extends through the seat fixture and through an axial bore in the housing. One end of the valve engages an actuating apparatus that provides a lifting action of the valve so that the valve head moves off of the seat insert as well as a rotating action to the valve. Another actuator is provided to move the valve from a lifted position to a seated position. A heater is employed to heat the valve to high temperatures to simulate extreme operating conditions. A cooling system is also provided to rapidly cool the valve and associated elements to simulate a rapid cooling condition. A method for testing internal combustion engine valves is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Mysore S. Satish, Timothy E. McGreevy, James J. Buettner, David A. Cusac, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Ronald P. Maloney, Brian A. Cull, John R. Davenport, Burhan Hamdan, David E. Hackett, Reid A. Peterson, Gary L. Spadin, Loren L. Randle, Michael L. Lusher
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Patent number: 6626137Abstract: A lash adjuster and a method for adjusting lash in an engine valve train are provided. A first component of the lash adjuster is formed from a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. A second component of the lash adjuster is formed from a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. The second component has an exterior dimension that is greater than or equal to a corresponding interior dimension of the first component when the lash adjuster is heated to an operating temperature.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2002Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: David E. Hackett
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Publication number: 20030131815Abstract: A lash adjuster and a method for adjusting lash in an engine valve train are provided. A first component of the lash adjuster is formed from a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. A second component of the lash adjuster is formed from a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. The second component has an exterior dimension that is greater than or equal to a corresponding interior dimension of the first component when the lash adjuster is heated to an operating temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventor: David E. Hackett
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Publication number: 20030010103Abstract: An apparatus for testing internal combustion engine valves is provided. The apparatus includes a housing with a bore for receiving a seat fixture. The seat fixture, in turn, receives a seat insert. A valve is inserted into the apparatus so the valve head is received at the seat insert and the valve stem extends through the seat fixture and through an axial bore in the housing. One end of the valve engages an actuating apparatus that provides a lifting action of the valve so that the valve head moves off of the seat insert as well as a rotating action to the valve. Another actuator is provided to move the valve from a lifted position to a seated position. A heater is employed to heat the valve to high temperatures to simulate extreme operating conditions. A cooling system is also provided to rapidly cool the valve and associated elements to simulate a rapid cooling condition. A method for testing internal combustion engine valves is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventors: Mysore S. Satish, Timothy E. McGreevy, James J. Buettner, David A. Cusac, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Ronald P. Maloney, Brian A. Cull, John R. Davenport, Burhan Hamdan, David E. Hackett, Reid A. Peterson, Gary L. Spadin, Loren L. Randle, Michael L. Lusher
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Patent number: 6349686Abstract: In a hydraulically actuated gas exchange valve, the initiation and termination of gas exchange is achieved with a hydraulically driven valve that functions by opening an actuation fluid passage to a high pressure inlet source and a low pressure drain, respectively. The large amount of fluid needed to actuate a gas exchange valve can result in dynamic flow forces around the hydraulically driven valve making closing of the valve with a conventional biasing spring problematic. The small size of the valve limits the size and therefore strength of the biasing springs. Likewise, the need to provide a sufficiently strong spring limits valve designs. The present invention is intended to provide superior control over the timing of gas exchange by employing a hydraulic bias in place of the conventional biasing spring. Hydraulic bias allows both a greater closing force on the valve than could be provided with a spring, and allows for greater versatility in future valve designs.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Dennis D. Feucht, David E. Hackett