Patents by Inventor Eric L. Schroeder
Eric L. Schroeder 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: 12289519Abstract: A package in which an onboard computing system and a plurality of sensor devices are embedded. The package includes a plurality of cameras that are positioned against sidewalls of the package in order to capture image data of the external environment. When the computing system determines the package has arrived at a predesignated set of coordinates corresponding to a target property for which an appraisal is to be performed, the cameras are activated and begin collecting image data. The image data is transmitted to a remote server which will store the image data for review by insurance personnel.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2023Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)Inventors: Michael J. Maciolek, Donnette L. Moncrief Brown, Manfred Amann, Timothy Frank Davison, Snehal Desai, Nicole Ferretti, Rachel Michelle Ballew, Chung Shing Sheldon Lee, Martin Lopez, Kelsey Anne O'Brien, Melissa Jane Porter, Sayeef Rahim, Eric David Schroeder, Steven J. Schroeder, Joseph Michael Vesco
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Patent number: 12264992Abstract: A system configured to monitor a condition of a fluid conduit includes a leak detection sensor assembly having a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor positioned on the fluid conduit. The system also includes one or more additional sensor assemblies positioned on the fluid conduit. The system further includes a controller configured to determine a presence of a leak along the fluid conduit in response to a resistance of a leak detection electrical circuit formed by the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor indicating that the leak detection electrical circuit is closed and data from the one or more additional sensor assemblies indicating the presence of the leak along the fluid conduit.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2022Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)Inventors: Eric David Schroeder, Ashley Raine Philbrick, Carlos J P Chavez, Manfred Amann, Donnette L. Moncrief Brown
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Patent number: 12257464Abstract: A fire prevention system for a building. The fire protection system has an inlet duct having an interior end and an exterior end. An air handler is disposed at the interior end of the inlet duct to provide air from outside the building to the air handler. A flame arrester is located at the exterior end of the inlet duct to prevent burning embers from entering the inlet duct. The fire protection system also includes an interior duct system for distributing air from the air handler through the building. Distribution vents in the interior duct system allow flow of air from the interior duct system to the interior of the building to raise the pressure in the building above the outside pressure. Exhaust vents to allow flow of air out of the building. Also, a method for fire prevention for a building exposed to a fire.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2021Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)Inventors: Manfred Amann, Justin Dax Haslam, Ravi Durairaj, Matthew Ryan Santacroce, Snehal Desai, Eric David Schroeder, Donnette L. Moncrief Brown, Meredith Beveridge, Michael J. Maciolek, Robert Wiseman Simpson, Timothy Frank Davison
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Publication number: 20250084813Abstract: A fuel injector is capable of injecting a plurality of different fuels in a single fuel injection event, the fuel injector including: a nozzle at an end of the fuel injector, the nozzle having a tip, openings in the tip of the nozzle through which fuel is configured to be injected, and a check valve member with a tip located within the nozzle, the check valve member being movable between an injection position in which fuel is injected via the openings and a closed position in which the openings are closed. The fuel injector further includes a primary fuel path within the fuel injector, a pilot fuel path within the fuel injector, and a mixing volume connecting the primary fuel path and the pilot fuel path when the check valve member is in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Dana R. COLDREN, Eric L. SCHROEDER
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Publication number: 20240360806Abstract: A gaseous fuel engine system includes a hydrogen fuel supply, an engine housing having an intake port extending to a cylinder, and an intake runner. The intake runner includes a valve mount attached to a conduit and having a valve mounting face, and a gaseous fuel admission valve is mounted upon the valve mounting face. A hydrogen fuel passage extends from the valve mount through the conduit and is oriented angularly to at least one of a clamping face of the intake runner or the valve mounting face. Related apparatus and methodology is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2024Publication date: October 31, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Michael Bardell, Yongxian Gu, Eric L. Schroeder, Patrick J. Seiler
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Patent number: 12065992Abstract: A gaseous fuel engine system includes a hydrogen fuel supply, an engine housing having an intake port extending to a cylinder, and an intake runner. The intake runner includes a valve mount attached to a conduit and having a valve mounting face, and a gaseous fuel admission valve is mounted upon the valve mounting face. A hydrogen fuel passage extends from the valve mount through the conduit and is oriented angularly to at least one of a clamping face of the intake runner or the valve mounting face. Related apparatus and methodology is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2023Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Michael Bardell, Yongxian Gu, Eric L. Schroeder, Patrick J. Seiler
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Publication number: 20240247622Abstract: A gaseous fuel engine system includes a hydrogen fuel supply, an engine housing having an intake port extending to a cylinder, and an intake runner. The intake runner includes a valve mount attached to a conduit and having a valve mounting face, and a gaseous fuel admission valve is mounted upon the valve mounting face. A hydrogen fuel passage extends from the valve mount through the conduit and is oriented angularly to at least one of a clamping face of the intake runner or the valve mounting face. Related apparatus and methodology is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2023Publication date: July 25, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Michael Bardell, Yongxian Gu, Eric L. Schroeder, Patrick J. Seiler
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Patent number: 12006900Abstract: A system for measuring fuel delivery from a multi-fuel injector of a device includes a fuel injector for injecting a first fuel and a second fuel, a first fuel pump for supplying the first fuel to the fuel injector, a first sensor including a first measurement reservoir for measuring a volume of flow of the first fuel to the injector, the first measurement reservoir having a supply chamber that that decreases in volume upon actuation of the fuel injector, a second fuel pump for supplying the second fuel to the fuel injector, and a second sensor for measuring a volume of flow of the second fuel to the fuel injector.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2023Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scot D Ward, Eric L Schroeder
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Patent number: 11920528Abstract: Operating a gaseous fuel engine system includes detecting preignition in one or more of a plurality of cylinders based on a monitored cylinder pressure during combustion of a gaseous fuel such as a gaseous hydrogen fuel. Operating a gaseous fuel engine system also includes reducing a fuel injection amount for the one or more of the plurality of cylinders to a derated fuel injection amount that is based on a timing of the detected preignition. Fuel injection amount may be reduced to a greater relative extent if detected preignition is early, and to a lesser relative extent if detected preignition is later, in an engine cycle. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Graziano, Jr., Eric L. Schroeder, Christopher R. Gehrke, Jaswinder Singh, Patrick J. Seiler, Andrew J. Neaville, Geetika Dilawari, Zachary S. Engstrom
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Publication number: 20240044298Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a first fuel injector having a first electronically-controlled valve and a first injection valve configured to inject fuel when the first electronically-controlled valve is actuated. A second fuel injector has a second electronically-controlled valve and a second injection valve configured to inject fuel when the second electronically-controlled valve is actuated. The fuel injection system also includes a single fuel injector driver configured to actuate the first electronically-controlled valve and the second electronically-controlled valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2022Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Andrew O. MARRACK, Bradley D. FERGUSON, Eric L. SCHROEDER
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Patent number: 11873776Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a first fuel injector having a first electronically-controlled valve and a first injection valve configured to inject fuel when the first electronically-controlled valve is actuated. A second fuel injector has a second electronically-controlled valve and a second injection valve configured to inject fuel when the second electronically-controlled valve is actuated. The fuel injection system also includes a single fuel injector driver configured to actuate the first electronically-controlled valve and the second electronically-controlled valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Andrew O. Marrack, Bradley D. Ferguson, Eric L. Schroeder
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Patent number: 11840979Abstract: Operating a gaseous hydrogen fuel engine includes controlling an injection timing of a gaseous hydrogen fuel injected into a flow of pressurized intake air so as to produce a leading cooling flow of pressurized intake air into a cylinder in an engine, a trailing purging flow through an intake conduit, and a middle flow of both pressurized intake air and gaseous hydrogen fuel into the cylinder. Undesired combustion such as preignition and/or backfire can be limited. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2023Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Michael Bardell, Yongxian Gu, Eric L. Schroeder, Patrick J. Seiler
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Patent number: 11815055Abstract: A fuel injector capable of injecting a plurality of different fuels in a single fuel injection event includes a body including a primary fuel path and a pilot fuel path and a first plunger in fluid communication with the pilot fuel path. The fuel injector also includes a second plunger in fluid communication with the primary fuel path and with the pilot fuel path, a hydraulic control chamber within the pilot fuel path, and an injection valve at which the primary fuel path and the pilot fuel path connect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Lifeng Wang, Eric L. Schroeder
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Patent number: 11773792Abstract: A multi-fuel injector includes a primary fuel inlet configured to receive a liquid primary fuel, a pilot fuel inlet configured to receive a liquid pilot fuel that is a different fuel than the primary fuel, and a spill valve in fluid communication with the primary fuel inlet. The fuel injector also includes a control valve configured to control a pressure of fluid within a hydraulic control chamber, and an injection valve abutting the hydraulic control chamber, the injection valve being configured to move to an injection position to inject both the primary fuel and the pilot fuel.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Eric L. Schroeder, Robert Graumueller, Andrew O. Marrack
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Patent number: 11230992Abstract: The piston has a contoured combustion bowl with a radially inner shelf portion that is spaced axially away from the radially outer lip portion a first axial distance, and a swirl pocket that extends radially from the radially inner shelf portion and defines a lower axial extremity that is spaced axially away from the radially outer lip portion a second axial distance that is greater than the first axial distance. The swirl pocket defines a tangent extending in the radially outer direction, forming an acute angle with the radially outer lip portion ranging from 70 degrees to 80 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Christopher R. Gehrke, David A. Pierpont
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Publication number: 20210310438Abstract: The piston has a contoured combustion bowl with a radially inner shelf portion that is spaced axially away from the radially outer lip portion a first axial distance, and a swirl pocket that extends radially from the radially inner shelf portion and defines a lower axial extremity that is spaced axially away from the radially outer lip portion a second axial distance that is greater than the first axial distance. The swirl pocket defines a tangent extending in the radially outer direction, forming an acute angle with the radially outer lip portion ranging from 70 degrees to 80 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2020Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Christopher R. Gehrke, David A. Pierpont
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Patent number: 10746089Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an exhaust log structure onto which a plurality of turbochargers is connected, each turbocharger having a turbine connected to the exhaust log structure and having an inlet fluidly connectable to a respective one of the plurality of outlet ports, an exhaust valve disposed at a turbine outlet such that the flow of exhaust gas out of the turbine is fluidly blocked, and an actuator associated with the exhaust valve and operating to move the exhaust valve from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. An electronic controller provides a command to the actuator to move the exhaust valve between the open and closed positions and is programmed to selectively open two one or more exhaust valves based on an operating condition of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jeremy Byrd, Eric L. Schroeder, Liangtao Zhu, Arvind Sivasubramanian, Ryan T. Sunley, Craig P. Hittle, Aaron L. Robinson
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Patent number: 10544767Abstract: A fuel injector assembly is disclosed. The fuel injector assembly may include a case that encloses a solenoid assembly. The fuel injector assembly may include one or more inlet passages, positioned on the case, to permit fluid to enter the case to cool the solenoid assembly. The fuel injector assembly may include one or more outlet passages, positioned on the case, to permit fluid to exit the case. The fuel injector assembly may include an annular protrusion positioned around a circumference of the case between the one or more inlet passages and the one or more outlet passages.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Craig P. Hittle
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Publication number: 20190353117Abstract: A cylinder liner is disclosed. The cylinder liner may include a generally cylindrical body having a top end and a bottom end. The cylinder liner may include a flange connected to the generally cylindrical body at the top end of the generally cylindrical body. The flange may have an annular surface. A first diameter of a top portion of the annular surface may be less than a second diameter of a bottom portion of the annular surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2018Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Craig P. Hittle, Shu Zhang, Nathan Bjerk, Andrew Schick
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Publication number: 20190316557Abstract: A fuel injector assembly is disclosed. The fuel injector assembly may include a case that encloses a solenoid assembly. The fuel injector assembly may include one or more inlet passages, positioned on the case, to permit fluid to enter the case to cool the solenoid assembly. The fuel injector assembly may include one or more outlet passages, positioned on the case, to permit fluid to exit the case. The fuel injector assembly may include an annular protrusion positioned around a circumference of the case between the one or more inlet passages and the one or more outlet passages.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2018Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Craig P. Hittle