Patents by Inventor Donald P. Carver

Donald P. Carver 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: 6082322
    Abstract: An improved method and system for automatically continuously replacing an engine's used lubricating oil with fresh lubricating oil throughout operation based on engine operating conditions is disclosed. The present system includes an injection control device for injecting small amounts of used lube oil into the engine's fuel system and an auxiliary flow control device for directing controlled quantities of fresh oil into the engine's lube oil system. An electronic controller is provided to vary the amount of used lube oil injected into the oil system based on the severity of engine operation. The process periodically determines an engine operating severity value, i.e. fuel consumption value, for an interval of engine operation and calculates a base line quantity of oil for injection based on the current fuel consumption of the engine during the current interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Graham, Jerry C. Wang, Leslie A. Roettgen, Donald P. Carver, Colin I. Black, David M. Stehouwer, Ray C. Hatton
  • Patent number: 5970942
    Abstract: An improved method and system for automatically continuously replacing an engine's used lubricating oil with fresh lubricating oil throughout operation based on engine operating conditions is disclosed. The present system includes an lube oil replacement pump system operable in a replacement mode for injecting small amounts of used lube oil into the engine's fuel system and directing controlled quantities of fresh oil into the engine's lube oil system to replace the removed oil. The process periodically determines an engine operating severity value, i.e. fuel consumption value, for an interval of engine operation and calculates a base line quantity of oil for injection based on the current fuel consumption of the engine during the current interval. The lube oil replacement pump may also be operated in a makeup mode for adding quantities of fresh oil to the engine lube oil sump to compensate for oil consumed by the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Koeberlein, Paul D. Cantrell, Eric S. Keith, John P. Graham, Jerry C. Wang, Leslie A. Roettgen, Donald P. Carver, Colin I. Black, David M. Stehouwer, Ray C. Hatton
  • Patent number: 5881688
    Abstract: An improved system for automatically continuously replacing an engine's used lubricating oil with fresh lubricating oil throughout operation based on engine operating conditions is disclosed. The present system includes an intermittent injection control device for intermittently injecting small amounts of used lube oil into the engine's fuel system. An electronic controller is provided to vary the amount of used lube oil injected into the oil system based on the severity of engine operation. The system periodically determines an engine operating severity value, i.e. fuel consumption value, for an interval of engine operation and calculates a base line quantity of oil for injection based on the current fuel consumption of the engine during the current interval. The system may also include an auxiliary flow control device for directing controlled quantities of fresh oil into the engine's lube oil system for maintaining the engine's oil sump at a proper level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Graham, Jerry C. Wang, Leslie A. Roettgen, Donald P. Carver, Colin I. Black, David M. Stehouwer, Ray C. Hatton
  • Patent number: 5749339
    Abstract: An improved method and system for automatically continuously replacing an engine's used lubricating oil with fresh lubricating oil throughout operation based on engine operating conditions is disclosed. The present system includes an injection control device for injecting small amounts of used lube oil into the engine's fuel system and an auxiliary flow control device for directing controlled quantities of fresh oil into the engine's lube oil system. An electronic controller is provided to vary the amount of used lube oil injected into the oil system based on the severity of engine operation. The process periodically determines an engine operating severity value, i.e. fuel consumption value, for an interval of engine operation and calculates a base line quantity of oil for injection based on the current fuel consumption of the engine during the current interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Graham, Jerry C. Wang, Leslie A. Roettgen, Donald P. Carver, Colin I. Black, David M. Stehouwer, Ray C. Hatton