Patents by Inventor Eric W. Ferguson

Eric W. Ferguson 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: 20260131272
    Abstract: Apparatuses including a coalescing filter are discussed and shown. The coalescing filter can include a filter media, a central core, a first end cap and a second end cap. The central core can define a central cavity. The central core can be positioned within the filter media. The first end cap can be coupled to the filter media at a first end and can have a plurality of ridges on an opposing side from the central core and the filter media. The plurality of ridges are configured to provide increased rigidity to the first end cap. The second end cap can be coupled to the filter media at a second opposing end from the first end cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Joshua Amiel Lehe, Brandyn A. Stack, Yegor Litvinov, Eric W. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 12497912
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed including apparatus for separating oil from a blow-by gas of an engine. The apparatus can include an outer housing, an inner housing, a filter, one or more ports, a first cover and a second cover. The inner housing can be positioned within the outer housing and defines an inner cavity. The inner housing and the outer housing can form a jacket therebetween. The filter configured to separate the oil from the blow-by gas positioned within the inner cavity. The one or more ports can be configured for fluid communication with the jacket. The first cover can have at least a first port therein to receive the blow-by gas or allow the blow-by gas to pass from the first cover. The second cover can have a second port therein to receive the blow-by gas or allow the blow-by gas to pass from the second cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
  • Patent number: 12359593
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed for separating oil from a blow-by gas of an engine. An example includes a method that includes passing the blow-by gas to a first oil separating apparatus and a second oil separating apparatus, wherein the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus are physically coupled together along interfacing surfaces and in fluid communication with one another as an array, separating the blow-by gas by passing the blow-by gas through respective filters of the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus, removing the oil from the blow-by gas with the respective filters and recombining the blow-by gas after passing from the respective filters; passing the blow-by gas as a single flow stream from the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
  • Patent number: 12071871
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed including apparatus for a ventilation system for supplying air to a crankcase of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus can optionally include a housing, an air filter, a lid and a pressure relief valve. The housing can form a cavity and having an inlet and an outlet therein. The inlet communicates with the cavity and is offset from a centerline axis of the housing. The air filter can be received by the cavity. An outer circumference of the air filter can be oriented at an angle that is substantially tangent to the inlet. The lid can be attachable to and removable from the housing for selectively accessing the air filter. The pressure relief valve coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas K. Smith, Rodney Allen Lawrence, Eric W. Ferguson, Ryan R. Stoneman
  • Publication number: 20240218817
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed for separating oil from a blow-by gas of an engine. An example includes a method that includes passing the blow-by gas to a first oil separating apparatus and a second oil separating apparatus, wherein the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus are physically coupled together along interfacing surfaces and in fluid communication with one another as an array, separating the blow-by gas by passing the blow-by gas through respective filters of the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus, removing the oil from the blow-by gas with the respective filters and recombining the blow-by gas after passing from the respective filters; passing the blow-by gas as a single flow stream from the first oil separating apparatus and the second oil separating apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
  • Publication number: 20240218816
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed including apparatus for separating oil from a blow-by gas of an engine. The apparatus can include an outer housing, an inner housing, a filter, one or more ports, a first cover and a second cover. The inner housing can be positioned within the outer housing and defines an inner cavity. The inner housing and the outer housing can form a jacket therebetween. The filter configured to separate the oil from the blow-by gas positioned within the inner cavity. The one or more ports can be configured for fluid communication with the jacket. The first cover can have at least a first port therein to receive the blow-by gas or allow the blow-by gas to pass from the first cover. The second cover can have a second port therein to receive the blow-by gas or allow the blow-by gas to pass from the second cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
  • Publication number: 20190360437
    Abstract: An air shutoff valve for use on an internal combustion engine includes a gate that is moveable between armed and triggered positions by springs when a release pin is retracted and allows a spring loaded retention pin to retract and release the gate, which is also spring loaded, to drop. The release pin is operated by an actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Lawrence, Bradley J. Shaffer, Brandyn A. Stack, Joseph John Stabnik, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov
  • Patent number: 10473067
    Abstract: An air shutoff valve for use on an internal combustion engine includes a gate that is moveable between armed and triggered positions by springs when a release pin is retracted and allows a spring loaded retention pin to retract and release the gate, which is also spring loaded, to drop. The release pin is operated by an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney A. Lawrence, Bradley J. Shaffer, Brandyn A. Stack, Joseph John Stabnik, Eric W. Ferguson, Yegor Litvinov