Patents by Inventor David F. Gullett

David F. Gullett 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: 6159383
    Abstract: A filter head having a pump housing, a flow passage network, and a mounting bracket is adaptable to engage a replaceable filter cartridge. An electric pump is positioned within the pump housing. A Seal/isolator disposed between the pump housing and electric pump protects the electric pump from vibrations. After changing the filter cartridge, typically an air pocket forms creating a danger for a fuel injector or fuel injector pump. By using an electronic controller, an operator may remotely operate the electric pump to prime the filter cartridge. Also, the electronic controller may selectively determine whether the fluid flowing from the filter cartridge passes through the electric pump or instead passes directly into an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Gullett, Larry A. Larson
  • Patent number: 5846416
    Abstract: A reusable fluid filter assembly comprises a cylindrical housing, a top plate assembly, a top plate attachment member, and a replaceable coreless filter element. The housing has means for removably connecting the housing to the top plate, and a hollow central core having an open first end and being connected to the closed end of the housing at the second end. The central core has a plurality of fluid outlet perforations. The top plate has a rim, fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means extending through the top plate. The top plate attachment member has a tubular shape, and a fluid outlet port extending through it. The coreless filter element having annular end caps on first and second open ends is disposed in the housing. The fluid inlet means of the top plate are in fluid communication with a fluid inlet chamber defined by the filter element and housing. The central core extends into the first open end of the filter and the hollow cylindrical chamber of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David F. Gullett
  • Patent number: 5762788
    Abstract: A reusable fluid filter assembly includes a cylindrical housing, a top plate assembly, a top plate attachment member, and a replaceable coreless filter element. The housing has means for sealingly engaging the housing to the top plate, and a hollow central core having an open first end and being connected to the closed end of the housing at the second end. The central core has a plurality of fluid outlet perforations. The top plate has a rim, fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means extending through the top plate. The top plate attachment member has a tubular shape, and a fluid outlet port extending through it. The coreless filter element having annular end caps on first and second open ends is disposed in the housing. The fluid inlet means of the top plate are in fluid communication with a fluid inlet chamber defined by the filter element and housing. The central core extends into the first open end of the filter and the hollow cylindrical chamber of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David F. Gullett
  • Patent number: 5695636
    Abstract: A reusable fluid filter assembly is provided, comprising, a cylindrical housing having external threads adjacent its open end; a top plate assembly having internal threads and indexing means for preventing rotation of the top plate with respect to a filter mounting base after the filter is positioned; a top plate attachment member having a fluid exit port extending through it and internal threads for threading onto corresponding external threads on the filter mounting base; and a replaceable filter element. A sealing ring in an annular channel adjacent the external threads of the housing seals the filter assembly when the housing is threaded into the top plate. The top plate attachment member secures the top plate assembly to the filter mounting base and also seals against the open end of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David F. Gullett
  • Patent number: 5681461
    Abstract: A reusable fluid filter assembly is provided, comprising, a cylindrical housing having external threads adjacent its open end; a top plate assembly having internal threads; a hollow central core having a plurality of fluid outlet perforations extending through it, and internal threads for threading onto corresponding external threads on a filter mounting base; and a replaceable coreless filter element. A sealing ring in an annular channel adjacent the external threads of the housing seals the filter assembly when the housing is threaded into the top plate. The hollow central core secures the top plate assembly to the filter mounting base and also seals against the open end of the coreless filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Gullett, Kenneth J. Wolbeck
  • Patent number: 5647504
    Abstract: A fluid filter, such as an oil filter for example, has a canister, a top plate and a sealing ring. The sealing ring overlaps portions of the top plate and canister. The sealing ring and canister are joined one to the other by laser welding about the sealing ring adjacent the canister and forming a mechanical lock between the canister and the top plate by mixing of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Gullett, Ronald T. Taylor, Daniel J. Techtow