Patents by Inventor Glenn Stanfield

Glenn Stanfield 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: 7937938
    Abstract: A machine includes a hydraulic fan system for circulating cooling air through an engine compartment. Periodically, the fan rotation direction is briefly reversed in order to dislodge any material debris that may have accumulated at the inlet to the engine compartment. When a fan reversal event is initiated, the fan motor will continue to rotate due to angular momentum even after the pump output flow has been switched from a first motor port to a second motor port. During this continued rotation as the fan decelerates to zero speed, vacuum pressure levels can arise at the first motor port, and a pressure spike can develop at the second motor port. In order to alleviate these conditions, a pressure transfer valve briefly opens to facilitate fluid flow directly from the second motor port to the first motor port as the fan motor decelerates towards zero speed before reversing direction, simultaneously alleviating vacuum and pressure spike conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Beau Kuipers, Edward Mate, Glenn Stanfield
  • Publication number: 20090266072
    Abstract: A machine includes a hydraulic fan system for circulating cooling air through an engine compartment. Periodically, the fan rotation direction is briefly reversed in order to dislodge any material debris that may have accumulated at the inlet to the engine compartment. When a fan reversal event is initiated, the fan motor will continue to rotate due to angular momentum even after the pump output flow has been switched from a first motor port to a second motor port. During this continued rotation as the fan decelerates to zero speed, vacuum pressure levels can arise at the first motor port, and a pressure spike can develop at the second motor port. In order to alleviate these conditions, a pressure transfer valve briefly opens to facilitate fluid flow directly from the second motor port to the first motor port as the fan motor decelerates towards zero speed before reversing direction, simultaneously alleviating vacuum and pressure spike conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Beau Kuipers, Edward Mate, Glenn Stanfield