Patents by Inventor James D. Sparks

James D. Sparks 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: 8347504
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel injector having high-flow orifices in its tip includes removing a bulb from a fuel injector tip having at least one spray orifice with a first diameter, and friction welding a slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a fused interface of material of the slug and material of the fuel injector tip. The method further includes modifying the slug subsequent to friction welding the slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a new bulb from the slug having at least one spray orifice therein with a different diameter than that of the removed bulb. A remanufactured fuel injector, and fuel injector tip, includes an injector tip body having a first tip portion of a first material and a second tip portion of a material compatible for friction welding with the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Karen Raab, James D. Sparks, Scott A. Johnston, Sami El-Sayed
  • Publication number: 20110073681
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel injector having high-flow orifices in its tip includes removing a bulb from a fuel injector tip having at least one spray orifice with a first diameter, and friction welding a slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a fused interface of material of the slug and material of the fuel injector tip. The method further includes modifying the slug subsequent to friction welding the slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a new bulb from the slug having at least one spray orifice therein with a different diameter than that of the removed bulb. A remanufactured fuel injector, and fuel injector tip, includes an injector tip body having a first tip portion of a first material and a second tip portion of a material compatible for friction welding with the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Karen Raab, James D. Sparks, Scott A. Johnston, Sami El-Sayed
  • Patent number: 7866574
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel injector having high-flow orifices in its tip includes removing a bulb from a fuel injector tip having at least one spray orifice with a first diameter, and friction welding a slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a fused interface of material of the slug and material of the fuel injector tip. The method further includes modifying the slug subsequent to friction welding the slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a new bulb from the slug having at least one spray orifice therein with a different diameter than that of the removed bulb. A remanufactured fuel injector, and fuel injector tip, includes an injector tip body having a first tip portion of a first material and a second tip portion of a material compatible for friction welding with the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Karen Raab, James D. Sparks, Scott A. Johnston, Sami El-Sayed
  • Publication number: 20080173733
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel injector having high-flow orifices in its tip includes removing a bulb from a fuel injector tip having at least one spray orifice with a first diameter, and friction welding a slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a fused interface of material of the slug and material of the fuel injector tip. The method further includes modifying the slug subsequent to friction welding the slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a new bulb from the slug having at least one spray orifice therein with a different diameter than that of the removed bulb. A remanufactured fuel injector, and fuel injector tip, includes an injector tip body having a first tip portion of a first material and a second tip portion of a material compatible for friction welding with the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Karen Raab, James D. Sparks, Scott A. Johnston, Sami El-Sayed
  • Patent number: 6176171
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump with precipitate inhibiting features includes a pump body that defines a flushing fluid inlet and a flushing fluid outlet that open into a plunger bore. A plunger is positioned in the plunger bore and is moveable between a retracted position and an advanced position. The plunger has a first end separated from a second end by a side surface. A portion of the side surface and the plunger bore define a flush connection passage that connects the flushing fluid inlet to the flushing fluid outlet over a portion of the plunger's movement between its retracted position and its advanced position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Sparks
  • Patent number: 5979415
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump, preferably for use with relatively large diesel engines employing heavy diesel fuel, includes a pump body that defines a portion of a fuel pressurization chamber in fluid communication with a fuel outlet and a spill passage. The pump body also defines a pressure control chamber and an actuation fluid passage. A spill valve member, which has a pressure surface is exposed to fluid pressure in the pressure control chamber and is moveable between an inject position that blocks the spill passage and a spill position that opens the spill passage. An electronically controlled valve has a control valve member that is moveable between a first position in which the actuation fluid passage is open to the pressure control chamber, and a second position in which the actuation fluid passage is blocked to the pressure control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Sparks, Dennis M. Ruttle
  • Patent number: 5010783
    Abstract: Conventional tappet retainer assemblies for a fuel injection pump typically include a blind radial passage formed in a tappet. Only one opening in the passage is available for inserting and removing a ball bearing or spring and stop pin which must be held in place before the tappet is inserted in a housing bore. In such an arrangement, the ball bearing or compressed spring and stop pin are prone to pop or fall out before the passage opening is closed by an internal wall of the housing bore. The present invention provides an improved tappet retainer assembly which includes a housing, a tappet, a stop device, and a biasing device. The tappet includes an internal passage which allows the stop device and biasing device to be communicated to their final assembled position in the internal passage while the tappet is already inserted in a bore of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Sparks, Dennis E. Van Meter
  • Patent number: 4182122
    Abstract: An exhaust manifold for an internal combustion engine is provided with internal insulation so as to maintain the outside skin temperature preferably below 450.degree. F. The manifold is provided with an exhaust conduit or lining that is comprised of interfitting relatively axially movable sections in contact with the exhaust gases. A low specific gravity or porous sleeve of insulating material is fitted in slightly spaced relationship around the exhaust conduit. The sleeve of insulating material may be wrapped to prevent the metal of the outer cast manifold housing from penetrating the insulation. Each section of the exhaust conduit has a branch for connection to a flanged nipple which is permitted some limited movement relative to the manifold housing when connected to the exhaust ports of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Michael K. Stratton, Karl R. Engquist, Frank E. Keske, Harold C. Powers, James D. Sparks