Patents by Inventor Jack A. Merchant

Jack A. Merchant 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: 7415946
    Abstract: An engine includes a housing having a combustion chamber. The engine may also include a fuel injector for supplying fuel directly or indirectly to the combustion chamber. Additionally, the engine may include an engine-lubricant-supply system operable to discharge engine lubricant onto the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Merchant, Paul Olsen, Scott Wallington, Thomas Meyer, II, Earl Pilgrim
  • Patent number: 7392790
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a device, the device having at least two functional elements, each functional element being controlled by a control signal, is disclosed in the present disclosure. The control system may include detecting means operatively connected to the device and configured to monitor the operation of the device, and to generate a signal indicative of an operating condition of the device. The control system may also include a control module operatively connected to the at least two functional elements and the detecting means, and configured to switch the two control signals applied to the respective functional elements in response to the signal generated by the detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Daniel Puckett, Jack Merchant
  • Publication number: 20080115770
    Abstract: A high pressure pump for a common rail fuel system avoids torque reversals in its cam shaft by applying a cyclic parasitic load. As the high pressure pump pistons transition from a pumping stroke to a retraction stroke, the cyclic parasitic loading device is loaded to avoid torque reversals in the cam shaft. The cyclic parasitic load device may include a medium pressure pump, such as for supplying medium pressure fuel to a particle trap regeneration device associated with the exhaust after treatment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Jack A. Merchant
  • Patent number: 7370635
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a device, the device having at least two functional elements, each functional element being controlled by a control signal, is disclosed in the present disclosure. The control system may include detecting means operatively connected to the device and configured to monitor the operation of the device, and to generate a signal indicative of an operating condition of the device. The control system may also include a control module operatively connected to the at least two functional elements and the detecting means, and configured to switch the two control signals applied to the respective functional elements in response to the signal generated by the detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Snopko, Jack A. Merchant, Scott F. Shafer, Daniel R. Puckett
  • Publication number: 20070251470
    Abstract: An engine includes a housing having a combustion chamber. The engine may also include a fuel injector for supplying fuel directly or indirectly to the combustion chamber. Additionally, the engine may include an engine-lubricant-supply system operable to discharge engine lubricant onto the fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Jack Merchant, Paul Olsen, Scott Wallington, Thomas Meyer, Earl Pilgrim
  • Publication number: 20070227126
    Abstract: A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The fuel system has a common source of pressurized fuel, at least one injection device, an exhaust treatment device, and a regeneration device. The at least one injection device is configured to inject fuel from the common source into a combustion chamber of the engine. The exhaust treatment device is configured to remove particulate matter from an exhaust flow of the engine. The regeneration device is configured to inject fuel from the common source into at least one of the exhaust treatment device and the exhaust flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Lifeng Wang, Rui Zhang, John D. Gierszewski, Curtis J. Graham, Andrew C. Heebink, Jack A. Merchant
  • Publication number: 20070169750
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a device, the device having at least two functional elements, each functional element being controlled by a control signal, is disclosed in the present disclosure. The control system may include detecting means operatively connected to the device and configured to monitor the operation of the device, and to generate a signal indicative of an operating condition of the device. The control system may also include a control module operatively connected to the at least two functional elements and the detecting means, and configured to switch the two control signals applied to the respective functional elements in response to the signal generated by the detecting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Daniel Puckett, Jack Merchant
  • Publication number: 20070169752
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a device, the device having at least two functional elements, each functional element being controlled by a control signal, is disclosed in the present disclosure. The control system may include detecting means operatively connected to the device and configured to monitor the operation of the device, and to generate a signal indicative of an operating condition of the device. The control system may also include a control module operatively connected to the at least two functional elements and the detecting means, and configured to switch the two control signals applied to the respective functional elements in response to the signal generated by the detecting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Snopko, Jack Merchant, Scott Shafer, Daniel Puckett
  • Publication number: 20070074704
    Abstract: A fluid system for an engine is disclosed. The fluid system has a manifold with a plurality ports, and a retention device configured to constrain the manifold relative to the engine in only a single translational direction. The fluid system also has a plurality of tubes configured to communicate fluid from the ports with the engine and to constrain the manifold in the remaining translational directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Jack Merchant, Paul Olsen
  • Patent number: 6378497
    Abstract: A fuel injector adapter consists of a block defining a pressure communication passage therethrough and an actuation fluid passage. The actuation fluid passage includes three separate branches that open through an outer surface of the block at three separate locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Keyster, Jack A. Merchant