Patents by Inventor Eric S. Keyster
Eric S. Keyster 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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Publication number: 20040118764Abstract: Often in diesel engines, there are two or more fuel filters that provide intense filtration of the fuel prior to injection of the fuel into the engine. However, the two or more fuel filters consume a considerable amount of space within the vehicle which may prevent all of the fuel filters from being attached to the engine. The present invention is a multiple fuel filter pump module that includes a module housing. The module housing is formed to include a pump housing and a dual fuel filter head portion. A fuel pump is positioned within the pump housing, and more than one detachable fuel filter assemblies are attached to the multiple fuel filter head portion. The module housing can be attached to an engine housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Terry L. Miller, Brett M. Bailey, Jeffrey L. Castleman, Eric S. Keyster
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Publication number: 20030116490Abstract: A fuel filter assembly includes a filter assembly housing with an annular outer surface and a fuel filter positioned within the filter assembly housing. A heater element is positioned between the annular outer surface of the filter assembly housing and the fuel filter. The fuel filter assembly is part of a fuel system attached to an engine. The filter assembly housing has an inlet and outlet. Fuel traveling through the fuel filter is heated by the heater element when the fuel temperature is below a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature preferably corresponds to a temperature below which paraffins form in the fuel. The invention assists in a cold start by avoiding a clogged fuel filter due to paraffin formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2001Publication date: June 26, 2003Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Keyster, Terry L. Miller, Brett M. Bailey
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Patent number: 6568916Abstract: A variable delivery fixed displacement pump is provided which has a rotating drive plate with a fixed angle. The drive plate has a fill passage extending between its radial outer surface and its drive surface, which allows fluid to be supplied to a fluid journal bearing. The drive plate also has a series of bearing supply passages which fluidly connect the drive surface of the drive plate with a base surface, allowing fluid to be supplied to a fluid thrust bearing. A method of pumping fluid is also provided which is comprised of the steps of reciprocating a plurality of pistons at least in part by rotating the drive plate, and by fluidly connecting a pumping chamber of the pistons to an annular groove that is part of the drive plate fill passage.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Eric S. Keyster
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Patent number: 6561771Abstract: An axial piston pump with center inlet fill utilizes a hydrostatic thrust bearing and a hydrodynamic journal bearing to support a rotating wobble type drive plate connected to a drive shaft. The rotation of the drive plate causes a plurality of parallel pistons to reciprocate up and down. The pumping chambers of a portion of the pistons are fluidly connected via a center fill passage to the inlet defined by the pump housing. Simultaneously, the pumping chambers of a different portion of the pistons are fluidly connected to the outlet via a high pressure actuation fluid outlet passage. The center fill passage exploits centrifugal forces to assist, rather than resist, the supply of low pressure fluid to the pistons, especially when rotating at higher speeds.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Eric S. Keyster, Dennis Gibson
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Patent number: 6557455Abstract: The present invention finds applicability in barrel assemblies defining a ring shaped cavity that is to be fluidly sealed from a central bore. Current barrel assemblies, such as those used in hydraulic pumps, are made from castings. This can be undesirable due to long production time and difficulty in producing consistent components. The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of these problems by disclosing a barrel assembly and a method for making the same wherein the barrel and the plug are manufactured from the same material, or from materials having similar coefficients of thermal expansion. Thus, upon pump operation and optional heat treatment of the assembled barrel assembly, both the barrel and the plug will expand in a similar manner. The present invention finds application in axial piston pumps, especially for high pressure hydraulic systems, and other two piece components having a cavity requiring a seal.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Keyster, Timur T. Trubnikov
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Patent number: 6517331Abstract: A displacement pump includes a rotatable drive shaft; a low-pressure hydraulic fluid reservoir; at least one piston containing a piston cavity; and a drive plate connected with the drive shaft. The drive plate includes an inlet passage and a fill slot. The fill slot is fluidly connected with the low pressure hydraulic fluid reservoir via the inlet passage. The drive plate is rotatable about the drive shaft such that as the drive plate rotates, the piston cavity is intermittently fluidly connected with the fill slot.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Dennis H. Gibson, Eric S. Keyster
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Publication number: 20020192083Abstract: An axial piston pump with center inlet fill utilizes a hydrostatic thrust bearing and a hydrodynamic journal bearing to support a rotating wobble type drive plate connected to a drive shaft. The rotation of the drive plate causes a plurality of parallel pistons to reciprocate up and down. The pumping chambers of a portion of the pistons are fluidly connected via a center fill passage to the inlet defined by the pump housing. Simultaneously, the pumping chambers of a different portion of the pistons are fluidly connected to the outlet via a high pressure actuation fluid outlet passage. The center fill passage exploits centrifugal forces to assist, rather than resist, the supply of low pressure fluid to the pistons, especially when rotating at higher speeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Eric S. Keyster, Dennis Gibson
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Publication number: 20020187055Abstract: A variable delivery fixed displacement pump is provided which has a rotating drive plate with a fixed angle. The drive plate has a fill passage extending between its radial outer surface and its drive surface, which allows fluid to be supplied to a fluid journal bearing. The drive plate also has a series of bearing supply passages which fluidly connect the drive surface of the drive plate with a base surface, allowing fluid to be supplied to a fluid thrust bearing. A method of pumping fluid is also provided which is comprised of the steps of reciprocating a plurality of pistons at least in part by rotating the drive plate, and by fluidly connecting a pumping chamber of the pistons to an annular groove that is part of the drive plate fill passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2001Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Eric S. Keyster
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Patent number: 6464473Abstract: A pumping system for supplying high pressure actuation fluid to individual fuel injectors of an engine equipped with a hydraulically-actuated fuel injection system wherein the three major elements of the system, namely, the pump, the rail pressure control valve and the bleed-off sump or reservoir are physically separated and spaced from one another. The pump is annular, having a central opening through which the engine crankshaft passes. The crankshaft and pump wobble plate are rotationally coupled by opposing flats on each. The pump, rail pressure control valve and reservoir are mounted directly to the engine, receiving and discharging fluid through internal engine passageways, thereby eliminating the usual tubing, and fittings. The pump itself is compact and relatively short in the axial direction, leaving space for mounting such things as a cylindrical housing having belt grooves in its outer surface and a viscous damper on the crankshaft between the pump and the terminal crankshaft end.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: James R. Blass, Dennis H. Gibson, Mark F. Sommars, Eric S. Keyster
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Publication number: 20020102166Abstract: A pump end cap preferably includes a plastic molding that is shaped to include an external electrical socket and is internally shaped to include electric motor brush placement holders. Electric motor brushes are mounted on the holders. The electric motor portion of the electronic pump assembly is completed when the end cap is mated to an appropriate housing. By integrating a portion of the electric motor into the pump end cap, the need for wires extending from an electric motor terminal to the outside of the pump housing is eliminated. The present invention preferably finds application in fuel pump and filter assemblies used in conjunction with diesel type internal combustion engines.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2002Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Eric S. Keyster, James R. Blass, Terry L. Miller, Phil Hall, Paul Meyer
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Publication number: 20020088341Abstract: The present invention finds applicability in barrel assemblies defining a ring shaped cavity that is to be fluidly sealed from a central bore. Current barrel assemblies, such as those used in hydraulic pumps, are made from castings. This can be undesirable due to long production time and difficulty in producing consistent components. The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of these problems by disclosing a barrel assembly and a method for making the same wherein the barrel and the plug are manufactured from the same material, or from materials having similar coefficients of thermal expansion. Thus, upon pump operation and optional heat treatment of the assembled barrel assembly, both the barrel and the plug will expand in a similar manner. The present invention finds application in axial piston pumps, especially for high pressure hydraulic systems, and other two piece components having a cavity requiring a seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventors: Eric S. Keyster, Timur T. Trubnikov
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Patent number: 6378497Abstract: A fuel injector adapter consists of a block defining a pressure communication passage therethrough and an actuation fluid passage. The actuation fluid passage includes three separate branches that open through an outer surface of the block at three separate locations.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Keyster, Jack A. Merchant
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Patent number: 6364631Abstract: A pumping system for supplying high pressure actuation fluid to individual fuel injectors of an engine equipped with a hydraulically-actuated fuel injection system wherein the three major elements of the system, namely, the pump, the rail pressure control valve and the bleed-off sump or reservoir are physically separated and spaced from one another. The pump is annular, having a central opening through which the engine crankshaft passes. The crankshaft and pump wobble plate are rotationally coupled by opposing flats on each. The pump, rail pressure control valve and reservoir are mounted directly to the engine, receiving and discharging fluid through internal engine passageways, thereby eliminating the usual tubing, and fittings. The pump itself is compact and relatively short in the axial direction, leaving space for mounting such things as a cylindrical housing having belt grooves in its outer surface and a viscous damper on the crankshaft between the pump and the terminal crankshaft end.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1999Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James R. Blass, Dennis H. Gibson, Mark F. Sommars, Eric S. Keyster