Patents by Inventor Hoisan Kim

Hoisan Kim 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: 12292022
    Abstract: An alternative fuel management system may include a base configured for arrangement on a supporting floor or other framework of a vessel and configured to support alternative fuel supply equipment. The system may also include a sealed enclosure sealingly coupled to the base and configured to surround the alternative fuel supply equipment. The system may also include the alternative fuel supply equipment and it may be arranged within the sealed enclosure. The alternative fuel supply equipment may include a high-pressure pump, a fuel filter, a transfer pump, and a high-pressure fuel delivery line extending across the sealed enclosure and configured to provide alternative fuel from the high-pressure pump to a combustion engine. The alternative fuel management system may also include a purge fluid system configured to deliver purge fluid to the combustion engine from a source of purge fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana Ray Coldren, Bryan E. Nelson, Hoisan Kim
  • Publication number: 20250122853
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a body assembly having a proximal end and a distal end comprising a nozzle, an electronically operated valve situated within the body assembly, the electronically operated valve comprising a plurality of electrical wires, and a passageway configured to convey electrical wires from the electronically operated valve proximally through the fuel injector and out the proximal end and external to the body assembly. The fuel injector further includes a seal situated within the passageway and distal a proximal end of the passageway, the seal surrounding the plurality of electrical wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Hoisan KIM
  • Publication number: 20250101926
    Abstract: A dual fuel system includes a first pressurized fuel reservoir, a first fuel pump fluidly connected to the first pressurized fuel reservoir, a second pressurized fuel reservoir, and a second fuel pump including a pump outlet fluidly connected to the second pressurized fuel reservoir, a pumping chamber, an actuating fluid inlet fluidly connected to at least one of the first fuel pump or the first pressurized fuel reservoir, and at least one pumping element. The first fuel pump may have excess capacity, at least at times, so as to provide a pressurized first fuel for actuating the second fuel pump. The at least one pumping element may include an intensifier or de-intensifier plunger such that a flow rate of a second pressurized fuel from the second fuel pump is different than a flow rate of the first pressurized fuel from the first fuel pump as an actuating fluid for the second fuel pump. Related apparatus and methodology is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Jack A. Merchant
  • Patent number: 12234782
    Abstract: A dual fuel engine system includes an engine, and a fuel system including a pressurized fuel reservoir, a first fuel pump, and a plurality of second fuel pumps each having an actuating fluid inlet fluidly connected to at least one of the first fuel pump or the pressurized fuel reservoir. The plurality of second fuel pumps may intensify or de-intensify a pressure of a second fuel relative to a pressure of the first fuel used to actuate the second fuel pumps so as to obtain an increased flow rate of the second fuel. Related apparatus and methodology is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Dana Ray Coldren, Lifeng Wang
  • Publication number: 20240301849
    Abstract: An alternative fuel management system may include a base configured for arrangement on a supporting floor or other framework of a vessel and configured to support alternative fuel supply equipment. The system may also include a sealed enclosure sealingly coupled to the base and configured to surround the alternative fuel supply equipment. The system may also include the alternative fuel supply equipment and it may be arranged within the sealed enclosure. The alternative fuel supply equipment may include a high-pressure pump, a fuel filter, a transfer pump, and a high-pressure fuel delivery line extending across the sealed enclosure and configured to provide alternative fuel from the high-pressure pump to a combustion engine. The alternative fuel management system may also include a purge fluid system configured to deliver purge fluid to the combustion engine from a source of purge fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana Ray Coldren, Bryan E. Nelson, Hoisan Kim
  • Patent number: 12085050
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is described herein. The system uses a switching rail in combination with a first fuel rail to operate the internal combustion engine of the system. The first fuel rail receives the first fuel for combustion within one or more of the combustion cylinders of the internal combustion engine. The switching rails are configured to receive either the first fuel or a second fuel. A controller is used to operate a switching valve that, depending on the position of the switching valve, routes or directs either the second fuel or the first fuel from their respective fuel tanks. In a switching condition, such as startup, shutdown, or when the second fuel is not available, the controller can use the first fuel as the alternate source of fuel provided through the switching rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Arnold Myoungjin Kim, Dana Ray Coldren, Eric Lee Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20240141857
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is described herein. The system uses a switching rail in combination with a first fuel rail to operate the internal combustion engine of the system. The first fuel rail receives the first fuel for combustion within one or more of the combustion cylinders of the internal combustion engine. The switching rails are configured to receive either the first fuel or a second fuel. A controller is used to operate a switching valve that, depending on the position of the switching valve, routes or directs either the second fuel or the first fuel from their respective fuel tanks. In a switching condition, such as startup, shutdown, or when the second fuel is not available, the controller can use the first fuel as the alternate source of fuel provided through the switching rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Arnold Myoungjin Kim, Dana Ray Coldren, Eric Lee Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11105304
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body, and a stack within the injector body, and having a nozzle supply passage therein. The stack includes a solenoid assembly having a solenoid housing piece with a fuel bore formed therein that includes a segment of the nozzle supply passage. The solenoid housing piece includes a solenoid housing material in a base state, and a solenoid housing material in a residual compressive stressed state, with the fuel bore being formed by the solenoid housing material in the residual compressive stressed state. Residual stresses may be imparted by ballizing, nitriding, carburizing, autofrettage, or still another technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Victor Iskander Yacoub, Sridhar Thangaswamy, Cory Brown, Robert Joseph Smith
  • Patent number: 11067028
    Abstract: A fuel injector system includes an injector body having a proximal end and a distal end, the injector body defining a nozzle having an outlet. The injector system includes a spill valve fluidly connected to the outlet and having a spill valve member movable between an open position and a closed position. The injector system includes a control valve including a control valve member movable between an open position and a closed position. The injector system includes a check valve fluidly connected to the outlet, the control valve including a check valve needle movable between an open position and a closed position. The injector system also includes an electrical monitoring circuit configured to output a signal indicative of at least one of the open position or the closed position of the spill valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Robert M. Campion, Steven C. Taylor, Bao Feng
  • Patent number: 10871122
    Abstract: A fuel system is disclosed. The fuel system may include at least one fuel injector, the at least one fuel injector having an injector body and one or more piezoelectric sensors located in the injector body. The fuel system may include a controller configured to: obtain, from the one or more piezoelectric sensors, one or more pressure measurements associated with a fuel injection process; determine a timing of the fuel injection process based on the one or more pressure measurements; determine an adjustment to the timing based on a comparison of the timing to a reference timing; and adjust the timing of the fuel injection process based on the determined adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Campion, Hoisan Kim, Kenth I. Svensson
  • Publication number: 20200224603
    Abstract: A fuel injector system includes an injector body having a proximal end and a distal end, the injector body defining a nozzle having an outlet. The injector system includes a spill valve fluidly connected to the outlet and having a spill valve member movable between an open position and a closed position. The injector system includes a control valve including a control valve member movable between an open position and a closed position. The injector system includes a check valve fluidly connected to the outlet, the control valve including a check valve needle movable between an open position and a closed position. The injector system also includes an electrical monitoring circuit configured to output a signal indicative of at least one of the open position or the closed position of the spill valve member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan KIM, Robert M. CAMPION, Steven C. TAYLOR, Bao FENG
  • Publication number: 20200173408
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body, and a stack within the injector body, and having a nozzle supply passage therein. The stack includes a solenoid assembly having a solenoid housing piece with a fuel bore formed therein that includes a segment of the nozzle supply passage. The solenoid housing piece includes a solenoid housing material in a base state, and a solenoid housing material in a residual compressive stressed state, with the fuel bore being formed by the solenoid housing material in the residual compressive stressed state. Residual stresses may be imparted by ballizing, nitriding, carburizing, autofrettage, or still another technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Victor Iskander Yacoub, Sridhar Thangaswamy, Cory Brown, Robert Joseph Smith
  • Patent number: 9995261
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body defining a liquid fuel passage, a gaseous fuel passage, and a first guide bore; a gaseous fuel check guided within the first guide bore between a retracted position and an advanced position to selectively open and block, respectively, fluid communication between the gaseous fuel passage and a gaseous fuel nozzle outlet; and a sleeve seal seated within the first guide bore, the sleeve seal having an inner surface defining a sleeve seal bore therethrough, and at least a portion of the gaseous fuel check is disposed within the sleeve seal bore; an outer surface of the sleeve seal including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being disposed closer to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve seal bore along a radial direction than the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Hoisan Kim
  • Patent number: 9863333
    Abstract: A dual fuel injector may be used to inject both gas and liquid fuel into a cylinder of a compression ignition engine. An injector body defines a first set of nozzle outlets, a second set of nozzle outlets, a first fuel inlet and a second fuel inlet. A dual solenoid actuator includes a first armature, a first coil, a second armature and a second coil that share a common centerline. The dual solenoid actuator has a non-injection configuration at which the first armature is at an un-energized position and the second armature is at an un-energized position. The dual solenoid actuator has a first fuel injection configuration at which the first fuel inlet is fluidly connected to the first set of nozzle outlets, the first armature is at an energized position and the second armature is at the un-energized position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 9624845
    Abstract: A dual fuel injector may be used to inject both gas and liquid fuel into a cylinder of a compression ignition engine. An injector body defines a first set of nozzle outlets, a second set of nozzle outlets, a first fuel inlet and a second fuel inlet. A dual solenoid actuator includes a first armature, a first coil, a second armature and a second coil that share a common centerline. The dual solenoid actuator has a non-injection configuration at which the first armature is at an un-energized position and the second armature is at an un-energized position. The dual solenoid actuator has a first fuel injection configuration at which the first fuel inlet is fluidly connected to the first set of nozzle outlets, the first armature is at an energized position and the second armature is at the un-energized position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 9586164
    Abstract: A particulate separator for a gaseous fluid is provided. The particulate separator includes a sealable collection container defining a collection volume therein. The particulate separator also includes a gaseous fluid conduit provided through the sealable collection container. The gaseous fluid conduit defines an inner channel therein. The gaseous fluid conduit includes an inlet and an outlet. The gaseous fluid conduit also includes an arcuate segment provided between the inlet and the outlet. The arcuate segment includes a plurality of slits formed therein. The plurality of slits is configured to provide fluid communication between the collection volume and the inner channel of the gaseous fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Hoisan Kim
  • Patent number: D934298
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Iskander Yacoub, Cory A. Brown, Satya Naga Deepak Pillarisetti, Kevin J. Schreader, Hoisan Kim, Jianhua Zhang
  • Patent number: D934299
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Iskander Yacoub, Cory A. Brown, Satya Naga Deepak Pillarisetti, Kevin J. Schreader, Hoisan Kim, Jianhua Zhang
  • Patent number: D949923
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Iskander Yacoub, Cory A. Brown, Satya Naga Deepak Pillarisetti, Kevin J. Schreader, Hoisan Kim, Jianhua Zhang
  • Patent number: D950608
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Iskander Yacoub, Cory A. Brown, Satya Naga Deepak Pillarisetti, Kevin J. Schreader, Hoisan Kim, Jianhua Zhang