Patents by Inventor Frank Witt

Frank Witt 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: 11181070
    Abstract: A cylinder block of an engine is provided. The cylinder block includes a cast body defining one or more cylindrical bores. The cylinder block also includes a crankshaft bearing wall formed within the cast body. The crankshaft bearing wall is configured to be removably coupled with a bearing cap to define an opening for rotatably supporting a crankshaft of the engine. The cylinder block further includes a chamfered shoulder portion casted on the crankshaft bearing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jan Grebien, Volker Abraham, Frank Witt, Marco Petersen, Paul Mlynarczyk
  • Publication number: 20190211775
    Abstract: A cylinder block of an engine is provided. The cylinder block includes a cast body defining one or more cylindrical bores. The cylinder block also includes a crankshaft bearing wall formed within the cast body. The crankshaft bearing wall is configured to be removably coupled with a bearing cap to define an opening for rotatably supporting a crankshaft of the engine. The cylinder block further includes a chamfered shoulder portion casted on the crankshaft bearing wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jan Grebien, Volker Abraham, Frank Witt, Marco Petersen, Paul Mlynarczyk
  • Publication number: 20140352645
    Abstract: A cylinder liner for being mounted to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine includes an inner liner face for guiding a piston of the internal combustion engine, an outer liner face, and a liner end face facing the cylinder head in a mounted state and connecting the inner liner face and the outer liner face. The inner liner face extends along a cylinder axis of the cylinder liner. The liner end face includes a sealing groove for holding a joint ring and a step-like structure formed in a liner wall of the cylinder liner. The step-like structure includes in series a first radially extending liner face, a first axially extending liner face, a second radially extending liner face, a second axially extending liner face, a third radially extending liner face, and a transition liner face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Sascha Burkhard, Volker Abaraham, Frank Witt, Heiko Sattler
  • Patent number: 8813716
    Abstract: A pre-combustion chamber tip for an internal combustion engine having a first body portion with a pre-combustion chamber located within, the first body portion having a terminal end with a plurality of orifices configured to direct expanding gases out of the pre-combustion chamber and a second body portion attached to the first body portion, the second body portion having an exterior surface, a cooling fluid opening formed in the exterior surface, a cooling fluid passage in fluid communication with the cooling fluid opening, and a ridge associated with the cooling fluid opening, the ridge extending from the exterior surface and configured to divert cooling fluid flow into the cooling fluid opening and cooling fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hendrik Herold, Ulrich Holst, Frank Witt, Eike Joachim Sixel
  • Publication number: 20120325179
    Abstract: A pre-combustion chamber tip for an internal combustion engine having a first body portion with a pre-combustion chamber located within, the first body portion having a terminal end with a plurality of orifices configured to direct expanding gases out of the pre-combustion chamber and a second body portion attached to the first body portion, the second body portion having an exterior surface, a cooling fluid opening formed in the exterior surface, a cooling fluid passage in fluid communication with the cooling fluid opening, and a ridge associated with the cooling fluid opening, the ridge extending from the exterior surface and configured to divert cooling fluid flow into the cooling fluid opening and cooling fluid passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hendrik Herold, Ulrich Holst, Frank Witt, Eike Joachim Sixel
  • Patent number: 6598982
    Abstract: An alignment device for a rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle provides a visible signal or indication to a driver of the vehicle to assist the driver in aligning the rearview mirror assembly for proper rearward and/or sideward viewing. The alignment device is adaptable for interior and exterior rearview mirror assemblies. Preferably, the alignment device includes an illumination source positioned at or near the reflective element of the rearview mirror assembly. The illumination source is actuatable to provide the visible signal during an adjustment period of the rearview mirror assembly and may be deactivated following such time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Frank A. Witt
  • Publication number: 20020048094
    Abstract: An alignment device for a rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle provides a visible signal or indication to a driver of the vehicle to assist the driver in aligning the rearview mirror assembly for proper rearward and/or sideward viewing. The alignment device is adaptable for interior and exterior rearview mirror assemblies. Preferably, the alignment device includes an illumination source positioned at or near the reflective element of the rearview mirror assembly. The illumination source is actuatable to provide the visible signal during an adjustment period of the rearview mirror assembly and may be deactivated following such time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Frank A. Witt
  • Publication number: 20020041442
    Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror system includes a rearview mirror assembly including a reflective element and a housing for the reflective element. The reflective element includes a plurality of reflective element segments. At least one of the reflective element segments is an electro-optic variable reflective element having a partial reflectance level that varies as a function of a drive signal. The vehicular rearview mirror system further includes directional light-sensing means for producing an output that varies as a function of a direction that light is sensed by the light-sensing means. The output is provided as a drive signal to the at least one of the reflective element segments. In this manner, the at least one of the reflective element segments has a partial reflectance level that is a function at least of direction that light is sensed by the light-sensing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventor: Frank A. Witt
  • Patent number: 5846085
    Abstract: Firefighter training device for limiting a trainee's vision and simulating firefighting conditions across a trainee's field of view. The device includes a view-limiting simulation mask which is worn by a trainee (e.g., respirator mask, glasses, or goggles). The mask houses a voltage controlled liquid crystal (LC) lens system, either single or multi-layered, which is divided into various individually and electronically controllable segments. Host dyes might be injected into LC materials to produce colors in the lens segments. Pre-programmed and random pattern control of lens segments occludes the trainee's vision and simulates smoke and/or fires. Sound and strobes might be added to simulate explosions and other firefighting conditions. A transmitter, which includes switchable controls, can be used to send control signals to the mask. The training device can effectively be used indoors or outdoors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Flameco, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Witt, III
  • Patent number: 5660549
    Abstract: Firefighter training device for limiting a trainee's vision and simulating firefighting conditions across a trainee's field of view. The device includes a view-limiting simulation mask which is worn by a trainee (e.g., respirator mask, glasses, or goggles). The mask houses a voltage controlled liquid crystal (LC) lens system, either single or multi-layered, which is divided into various individually and electronically controllable segments. Host dyes might be injected into LC materials to produce colors in the lens segments. Pre-programmed and random pattern control of lens segments occludes the trainee's vision and simulates smoke and/or fires. Sound and strobes might be added to simulate explosions and other firefighting conditions. A transmitter, which includes switchable controls, can be used to send control signals to the mask. The training device can effectively be used indoors or outdoors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Flameco, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Witt, III
  • Patent number: 5413483
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for permitting night vision training by simulating night vision viewing during daylight operation. A cylindrical imaging device includes an objective lens and an ocular lens. Light from the objective lens passes through a filter and is inverter by a fiber optic inverter. A pair of liquid crystals receive the inverted image and pass the same to the ocular lens for viewing by the user. A plurality of lamps are positioned for impinging light on the second liquid crystal under electronic control. The pair of liquid crystals are controlled electronically for simulating night vision photomultiplier viewing. A pair of such imaging tubes are mounted in a training helmet together with under-goggle viewing areas and peripheral viewing areas in which liquid crystals are separately placed and are separately controllable in accordance with sensed light levels. An instructor pilot uses a microprocessor based controller for controlling each of the six liquid crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Instrument Flight Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Witt, III
  • Patent number: 4960325
    Abstract: A light protection apparatus receives a beam of light having both a harmless light component and a harmful light component. The apparatus includes a housing having a forward end and a rear viewing end. A view aperture is located near the viewing end and receives the beam of light. An objective lens passes light onto a reflective device within the housing. The reflective device reflects the beam of light onto a partially reflective surface. The partially reflective surface includes an absorbing portion and a reflective pellicle surface. The reflective pellicle surface reflects the harmless light component to an eye piece lens. The harmful component, however, destroys the pellicle surface and the harmful light is transmitted to the absorbing portion and thus no reflection occurs. A cartridge carries the pellicle surface and is threadably removable with respect to the housing for replacement of the cartridge. In addition, a laser detector detects the presence of laser light and signals the user accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Inventor: Frank A. Witt, III
  • Patent number: 4714581
    Abstract: A relatively thin thermoplastic sheet material, vacuum molded to form a sign letter base including hollow wall members and hollow light-fixture supports upstanding from a single-thickness horizontal bottom member. The base inverted forms a mold itself for receiving a flexible plastic foam inserted to a suitable height and disposed within the vertical walls and fixture supports for providing compressible elasticity to the thin molded sheet in predetermined locations for enabling cooperative interaction of the same with retainer members used to secure a display sign face and gas filled lighting tube structures in proper location onto the base. A rigid polyester resin is cast as a ring encircling the letter walls, located and supported by the flexible foam to stabilize and support the thin nature of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Colite Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Witt
  • Patent number: 4482326
    Abstract: A pair of flight training glasses having improved position sensor comprised of a pair of non-parallel photocells for preventing monitoring error. An improved lens in the glasse has a plurality of segmented portions independently controllable for affecting view sizing and for simulating various cloud conditions during aircraft flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Instrument Flight Research Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Witt
  • Patent number: 4462661
    Abstract: The invention is a laser ray eye protection device comprised of a laser detector, voltage controlled lens or lenses, and related interconnecting circuitry. The lenses remain in the normally transparent state until a laser ray is sensed by the detector which energizes the lenses into a state of opacity by the interconnecting circuitry. The invention may take on numerous specific embodiments. Various partial modifications and combinations thereof are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Instrument Flight Research
    Inventor: Frank Witt
  • Patent number: 4202123
    Abstract: A relatively thin thermoplastic sheet material, vacuum molded to form a sign letter base including hollow wall members and hollow light-fixture supports upstanding from a single-thickness horizontal bottom member. The base inverted forms a mold itself for receiving a flexible plastic foam inserted to a suitable height and disposed within the vertical walls and fixture supports for providing compressible elasticity to the thin molded sheet in predetermined locations for enabling cooperative interaction of the same with retainer members used to secure a display sign face and gas filled lighting tube structures in proper location onto the base. A rigid polyester resin is cast as a ring encircling the letter walls, located and supported by the flexible foam to stabilize and support the thin nature of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Assignee: Colite Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Witt
  • Patent number: 4201004
    Abstract: A relatively thin thermoplastic sheet material, vacuum molded to form a sign letter base including hollow wall members and hollow light-fixture supports upstanding from a single-thickness horizontal bottom member. The base inverted forms a mold itself for receiving a flexible plastic foam inserted to a suitable height and disposed within the vertical walls and fixture supports for providing compressible elasticity to the thin molded sheet in predetermined locations for enabling cooperative interaction of the same with retainer members used to secure a display sign face and gas filled lighting tube structures in proper location onto the base. A rigid polyester resin is cast as a ring encircling the letter walls, located and supported by the flexible foam to stabilize and support the thin nature of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: Colite Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Witt
  • Patent number: 4201003
    Abstract: A relatively thin thermoplastic sheet material, vacuum molded to form a sign letter base including hollow wall members and hollow light-fixture supports upstanding from a single-thickness horizontal bottom member. The base inverted forms a mold itself for receiving a flexible plastic foam inserted to a suitable height and disposed within the vertical walls and fixture supports for providing compressible elasticity to the thin molded sheet in predetermined locations for enabling cooperative interaction of the same with retainer members used to secure a display sign face and gas filled lighting tube structures in proper location onto the base. A rigid polyester resin is cast as a ring encircling the letter walls, located and supported by the flexible foam to stabilize and support the thin nature of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: Colite Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Witt
  • Patent number: 4164284
    Abstract: A container novelty having complementary outer shell portions simulating a portion of a predetermined shape having disposed therein a container for containing a beverage in spaced relationship to the internal walls of the respective shell portion and a cap shaped to complement the remainder portion of the predetermined shape detachably connected to the container. An insulating material is disposed in the space between the shells and the container disposed therebetween. In another form of the invention, the novelty is utilized as a housing for a radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1979
    Inventors: Frank Witt, Stephen Semanchik
  • Patent number: 4152846
    Abstract: Instrument flight training glasses including a voltage-controlled, liquid crystal viewing lens system operable to a first state of transparency when wearer is viewing the instrument control panel of his aircraft and operable to a second state of opacity to instantaneously occlude viewing when wearer changes his line of vision outside of the aircraft. A lens position sensing system monitors the relative position of the lens system with respect to the aircraft windshield for lens state actuation responsive to a lens position permitting the wearer to view through the windshield along his greatest, upper peripheral line of sight. A manual switching arrangement permits maintenance of lens transparency to provide vertigo simulation capabilities upon flight landing approach whereby wearer changing his line of sight outside of the aircraft to occlude his viewing, and thereafter manually switching the lens to its transparent state enters a condition of vertigo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Inventor: Frank A. Witt