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).

  • Publication number: 20260066669
    Abstract: In one instance, disclosed herein is a fuel-powered charging system, comprising: an engine-generator set comprising: an engine operative to combust a fuel to generate mechanical energy; a fuel injector operative to inject the fuel into the engine; a doser operative to dose the fuel with an additive to increase a reactivity of the fuel; and a generator operative to convert the mechanical energy generated by the combustion of the fuel within the engine into a first electrical energy; a battery operative to output a second electrical energy; and at least one charger operative to charge the battery using the first electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2024
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David T. MONTGOMERY, Chad P. KOCI, Kenth I. SVENSSON, Paul S. WANG, Eric L. SCHROEDER
  • Patent number: 12516622
    Abstract: An intake manifold temperature system including an internal combustion engine, an intake manifold connected to the internal combustion engine, an air supply system configured to supply compressed air to the internal combustion engine, an ambient condition sensor, an air system sensor, a manifold condition sensor, and a controller. The air supply system may include a compressor, an air cooler connected downstream of the compressor, a bypass passage connected downstream of the compressor to provide compressed air to the intake manifold, the air having bypassed the air cooler, and an electronically-controlled bypass valve connected downstream of the compressor, the bypass valve configured to control a proportion of air flow through the bypass passage and through the air cooler. The controller may be configured to actuate the bypass valve based on signals and a desired intake manifold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2026
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony C. Rodman, Eric L. Schroeder, Amit P. Bhole
  • Publication number: 20250334092
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle having a combined-fuel outlet passage fluidly connected to a first fuel passage and a second fuel passage and extending to a plurality of nozzle outlets. A nozzle check movable in the nozzle includes a plurality of transfer holes fluidly connecting the first fuel passage through the nozzle check to the combined-fuel outlet passage. The plurality of transfer holes are orientated to limit mixing between two liquid fuels in a combined fuel charge in the combined-fuel outlet passage. The combined fuel charge may be formed of a leading compression-ignition liquid fuel such as diesel and a trailing liquid fuel such as methanol. Related apparatus and methodology is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2024
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric L. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 12326127
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Eric L. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 12297795
    Abstract: A fuel injector in a fuel system having a first fuel supply of a first fuel and a second fuel supply of a second fuel includes a multifunctional control valve movable in the fuel injector to control admission of the first fuel to a combined-fuel outlet passage, and to control a timing and an injection pressure of a fuel charge containing the first fuel. In an embodiment the first fuel includes a compression-ignition fuel such as diesel and the second fuel includes an alcohol fuel such as methanol. Related apparatus and methodology is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Dana R. Coldren, Robert Graumüller, Kaushik Krishnamurthy, Dean C. Diers, Lifeng Wang, Jianhua Zhang
  • Publication number: 20250084813
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. COLDREN, Eric L. SCHROEDER
  • Publication number: 20240360806
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Michael Bardell, Yongxian Gu, Eric L. Schroeder, Patrick J. Seiler
  • Patent number: 12065992
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Michael Bardell, Yongxian Gu, Eric L. Schroeder, Patrick J. Seiler
  • Publication number: 20240247622
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Michael Bardell, Yongxian Gu, Eric L. Schroeder, Patrick J. Seiler
  • Patent number: 11920528
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20240044298
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew O. MARRACK, Bradley D. FERGUSON, Eric L. SCHROEDER
  • Patent number: 11873776
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew O. Marrack, Bradley D. Ferguson, Eric L. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11840979
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Michael Bardell, Yongxian Gu, Eric L. Schroeder, Patrick J. Seiler
  • Patent number: 11815055
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Lifeng Wang, Eric L. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11773792
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Eric L. Schroeder, Robert Graumueller, Andrew O. Marrack
  • Patent number: 11230992
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Christopher R. Gehrke, David A. Pierpont
  • Publication number: 20210310438
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Christopher R. Gehrke, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 10746089
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Byrd, Eric L. Schroeder, Liangtao Zhu, Arvind Sivasubramanian, Ryan T. Sunley, Craig P. Hittle, Aaron L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10544767
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Craig P. Hittle
  • Publication number: 20190353117
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Schroeder, Craig P. Hittle, Shu Zhang, Nathan Bjerk, Andrew Schick