Patents by Inventor Frank G. Gerke

Frank G. Gerke 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: 6655142
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, is provided with a turbine including a rotatable turbine shaft, a turbine wheel carried by the turbine shaft, and a drive gear carried by the turbine shaft. A first compressor includes a rotatable first compressor shaft, a first compressor wheel carried by the first compressor shaft, and a first driven gear carried by the first compressor shaft. The first driven gear is operatively engaged with and driven by the drive gear. The turbocharger has a compact arrangement, and allows for optimization of compressor wheel operating speeds, including in a turbocharger having multiple compression stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James J. Callas, Frank G. Gerke, Delbert L. Kramer, Mark D. Moeckel
  • Publication number: 20030188534
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, is provided with a turbine including a rotatable turbine shaft, a turbine wheel carried by the turbine shaft, and a drive gear carried by the turbine shaft. A first compressor includes a rotatable first compressor shaft, a first compressor wheel carried by the first compressor shaft, and a first driven gear carried by the first compressor shaft. The first driven gear is operatively engaged with and driven by the drive gear. The turbocharger has a compact arrangement, and allows for optimization of compressor wheel operating speeds, including in a turbocharger having multiple compression stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: James J. Callas, Frank G. Gerke, Delbert L. Kramer, Mark D. Moeckel
  • Patent number: 6625984
    Abstract: A variable geometry nozzle suitable for a radial turbine in a turbocharger for an internal combustion engine. The turbine inlet, turbine outlet or both include a vane assembly having a housing and an adjustable cartridge movable in the housing. Each cartridge has vanes having a plurality of vane sections. Each vane section provides a vane geometry different than the vane geometries of the other vane sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Frank G. Gerke, Beth A. Hinchee, Mark D. Moeckel
  • Publication number: 20030115869
    Abstract: A variable geometry nozzle suitable for a radial turbine in a turbocharger for an internal combustion engine. The turbine inlet, turbine outlet or both include a vane assembly having a housing and an adjustable cartridge movable in the housing. Each cartridge has vanes having a plurality of vane sections. Each vane section provides a vane geometry different than the vane geometries of the other vane sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Frank G. Gerke, Beth A. Hinchee, Mark D. Moeckel
  • Patent number: 6553763
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine is provided with a compressor having an inlet receiving combustion gas and an outlet; and a turbine drivingly coupled to the compressor. The turbine has a shaft and a turbine wheel disposed on the shaft. The turbine wheel has a plurality of turbine blades and an edge defining a plurality of scallops. Scallop fillers are disposed between the turbine blades. Advantages of a scalloped turbine wheel, resulting from reductions in mass, are achieved without reductions in efficiency normally experienced with scalloped turbine wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James J. Callas, Frank G. Gerke, Delbert L. Kramer, Mark D. Moeckel