Patents by Inventor Jason W. Hudgens

Jason W. Hudgens 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: 10934923
    Abstract: A heat shield assembly is provided for shielding a wire harness that is associated with a sensor in communication with a heat source. The heat shield assembly includes a base plate having a primary aperture that is configured to allow passage of the wire harness therethrough. The primary aperture is disposed in alignment with a hole defined on a shroud of the heat source. The heat shield assembly also includes a pair of walls extending upwardly from a pair of opposite edges of the base plate. Further, the heat shield assembly also includes a pair of ledge members that extend laterally from a pair of first ends associated with the pair of walls. Furthermore, the heat shield assembly also includes a pair of thermal diverter plates that extend angularly from a pair of second ends associated with the pair of ledge members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Hudgens, Scott M Peters, Ryan W. Rieboldt
  • Publication number: 20200217236
    Abstract: A heat shield assembly is provided for shielding a wire harness that is associated with a sensor in communication with a heat source. The heat shield assembly includes a base plate having a primary aperture that is configured to allow passage of the wire harness therethrough. The primary aperture is disposed in alignment with a hole defined on a shroud of the heat source. The heat shield assembly also includes a pair of walls extending upwardly from a pair of opposite edges of the base plate. Further, the heat shield assembly also includes a pair of ledge members that extend laterally from a pair of first ends associated with the pair of walls. Furthermore, the heat shield assembly also includes a pair of thermal diverter plates that extend angularly from a pair of second ends associated with the pair of ledge members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Hudgens, Scott M. Peters, Ryan W. Rieboldt
  • Patent number: 10328366
    Abstract: An inlet filter is disclosed for use with a reductant tank having a fill spout. The inlet filter may have a generally cylindrical base portion with an open top end and an open bottom end and configured for mounting inside the fill spout. The inlet filter may also have a mesh bag with a top connected to the generally cylindrical base portion, a folded bottom, and open side edges. The inlet filter may further have a bag carrier configured to close the open side edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Hudgens, Theron J. Cassidy, Dave T. Ahlman, Shawn R. Herold
  • Patent number: 10054021
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an accumulator is provided for an engine exhaust treatment system. The accumulator includes a container, an inlet portion for receiving exhaust treatment fluid, a conduit in communication with the inlet portion of the container to withdraw exhaust treatment fluid from the inlet portion, and an outlet portion configured to receive exhaust treatment fluid from the inlet portion and having an outlet for discharging exhaust treatment fluid. The accumulator includes a weir separating the inlet portion and the outlet portion that permits exhaust treatment fluid in the inlet portion to flow into the outlet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jason W. Hudgens
  • Publication number: 20170254243
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an accumulator is provided for an engine exhaust treatment system. The accumulator includes a container, an inlet portion for receiving exhaust treatment fluid, a conduit in communication with the inlet portion of the container to withdraw exhaust treatment fluid from the inlet portion, and an outlet portion configured to receive exhaust treatment fluid from the inlet portion and having an outlet for discharging exhaust treatment fluid. The accumulator includes a weir separating the inlet portion and the outlet portion that permits exhaust treatment fluid in the inlet portion to flow into the outlet portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jason W. Hudgens
  • Publication number: 20170189837
    Abstract: A fluid reservoir for accommodating a fluid reductant used in an SCR exhaust treatment process may include various styles or designs of bag filters to filter debris and contaminants from the reductant prior to being channeled out of the reservoir. To secure the bag filter to a header assembly accommodating the various inlet and outlet tubes, in one aspect, the bag filter is adapted to fit around a header boss descending from the header assembly and protruding into the reservoir volume. Various configurations for the bag filter can be utilized to secure the bag filter to the header boss in a manner that isolates the tubes of the header assembly from the remainder of the reservoir volume to prevent debris and the like from being unintentionally drawn out of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Herold, Matthew F. Fahrenkrug, Jason W. Hudgens, Theron J. Cassidy
  • Publication number: 20170122170
    Abstract: A fluid reservoir for accommodating a fluid reductant used in an SCR exhaust treatment process may include various styles or designs of bag filters to filter debris and contaminants from the reductant prior to being channeled out of the reservoir. To secure the bag filter to a header assembly accommodating the various inlet and outlet tubes, in one aspect, the header assembly may be associated with a base assembly designed to reduce leak paths allowing reductant to bypass the bag filter. In another aspect, the bag filter may be secured directly to the header assembly without the base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Matthew F. Fahrenkrug, Jason W. Hudgens, Theron J. Cassidy, Shawn Herold
  • Publication number: 20160339370
    Abstract: An inlet filter is disclosed for use with a reductant tank having a fill spout. The inlet filter may have a generally cylindrical base portion with an open top end and an open bottom end and configured for mounting inside the fill spout. The inlet filter may also have a mesh bag with a top connected to the generally cylindrical base portion, a folded bottom, and open side edges. The inlet filter may further have a bag carrier configured to close the open side edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Hudgens, Theron J. Cassidy, Dave T. Ahlman, Shawn R. Herold
  • Patent number: 9468875
    Abstract: A fluid reservoir includes a reservoir body forming a reservoir volume and a header opening. A header seals the header opening and includes at least a heater disposed within the reservoir volume and a fluid draw conduit. A bag filter is connected to the header such that it completely encloses the heater and the fluid draw conduit such that, when fluid is drawn from the reservoir volume through the sump location, the fluid is filtered by the bag filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Theron J. Cassidy, Jason W. Hudgens, David Ahlman
  • Publication number: 20160282167
    Abstract: A system and method to provide an operator indication for filling a reductant tank is provided. A first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor receives a first signal and a second signal indicative of a coolant temperature and an ambient temperature associated with the reductant tank, respectively. Further, a controller determines a rate of change of temperature of the coolant based on the first signal and the second signal. The controller predicts thawing time for the fill valve based on the rate of change of the temperature of the coolant. The controller provides a first indication to the operator of a ready-to-fill status of the reductant tank based on the thawing time. The controller receives a third signal indicating a level of reductant in the reductant tank from a level sensor to identify a tank-full status of the reductant tank and to provide a second indication to the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin I. Landwehr, Jason W. Hudgens
  • Patent number: 9248390
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a fluid reservoir having an inlet screen and a main reservoir filter. The fluid reservoir is adapted to enclose a fluid therewithin and includes a reservoir body forming a reservoir volume that is fluidly connected to an inlet conduit, a supply conduit, and a return conduit. The inlet screen is disposed fluidly along the inlet conduit and adapted to filter a fluid provided to fill the reservoir through the inlet conduit. The main reservoir filter is disposed fluidly along the supply conduit and adapted to filter a fluid drawn from the reservoir volume and provided through the supply conduit to a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Hudgens, Theron J. Cassidy, Jeffrey R. Ries, Lynsey Hart
  • Publication number: 20150361847
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an aftertreatment system is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a coolant conduit. The coolant conduit is configured to allow a coolant flow therethrough. The valve assembly also includes a valve element having a valve passage. The valve element is configured to control a reductant flow through the valve passage. The valve assembly further includes a coupling mechanism provided on the valve element. The coupling mechanism is configured to attach the valve element to the coolant conduit such that a temperature of the valve assembly is controlled based on the coolant flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew F. Fahrenkrug, Theron J. Cassidy, Jason W. Hudgens, Jinhui Sun
  • Publication number: 20150354425
    Abstract: A removable heating element is disclosed. The removable heating element includes a resistive filament. The removable heating element also includes a housing. The housing is connected to the resistive filament. The housing is configured to be coupled to a drain port of a reductant tank. The removable heating element also includes a receptacle provided on the housing. The receptacle is configured to be connected to an external power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Jason W. Hudgens, Matthew Fahrenkrug
  • Publication number: 20150240683
    Abstract: A reductant supply system for an engine aftertreatment device is provided. The reductant supply system includes a tank configured to store a reductant. The reductant supply system includes a filter configured to receive the reductant from the tank. The filter defines a filtered volume therein. The reductant supply system includes a suction conduit in fluid communication with the filtered volume. The reductant supply system also includes a pump in fluid communication with the suction conduit. The pump is configured to pressurize the reductant. The reductant supply system further includes a return conduit configured to recirculate at least a part of the reductant pressurized by the pump to the filtered volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Hudgens, Jinhui Sun
  • Publication number: 20150196862
    Abstract: A fluid reservoir includes a reservoir body forming a reservoir volume and a header opening. A header seals the header opening and includes at least a heater disposed within the reservoir volume and a fluid draw conduit. A bag filter is connected to the header such that it completely encloses the heater and the fluid draw conduit such that, when fluid is drawn from the reservoir volume through the sump location, the fluid is filtered by the bag filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Theron J. Cassidy, Jason W. Hudgens, David Ahlman
  • Publication number: 20150198071
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a fluid reservoir having an inlet screen and a main reservoir filter. The fluid reservoir is adapted to enclose a fluid therewithin and includes a reservoir body forming a reservoir volume that is fluidly connected to an inlet conduit, a supply conduit, and a return conduit. The inlet screen is disposed fluidly along the inlet conduit and adapted to filter a fluid provided to fill the reservoir through the inlet conduit. The main reservoir filter is disposed fluidly along the supply conduit and adapted to filter a fluid drawn from the reservoir volume and provided through the supply conduit to a pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Hudgens, Theron J. Cassidy, Jeffrey R. Ries, Lynsey Hart
  • Patent number: 8820059
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for an injector is located in a curved portion of an exhaust line having an exhaust flow from an upstream end to a downstream end. The mounting assembly includes an indent extending at least partially into the exhaust line curved portion and disposed in the exhaust flow. The downstream wall has an interior surface oriented to substantially face the exhaust line downstream end. A recess extends from the downstream wall in a direction away from the exhaust line downstream end, and a recess aperture is formed in the recess and configured to fluidly communicate with the injector. The recess reduces the amount of exhaust heat reaching the injector tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew F. Fahrenkrug, Jason W. Hudgens, Richard A. Crandell
  • Publication number: 20140237998
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for an injector is located in a curved portion of an exhaust line having an exhaust flow from an upstream end to a downstream end. The mounting assembly includes an indent extending at least partially into the exhaust line curved portion and disposed in the exhaust flow. The downstream wall has an interior surface oriented to substantially face the exhaust line downstream end. A recess extends from the downstream wall in a direction away from the exhaust line downstream end, and a recess aperture is formed in the recess and configured to fluidly communicate with the injector. The recess reduces the amount of exhaust heat reaching the injector tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Matthew F. Fahrenkrug, Jason W. Hudgens, Richard A. Crandell
  • Publication number: 20140140892
    Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system for heating a sensor system attached to a diesel particulate filter for determining the condition of the diesel particulate filter is provided. The exhaust after-treatment system includes a diesel particulate filter, a sensor system, and a heating mechanism. The sensor system is configured to monitor pressure at an input end and an output end of the diesel particulate filter. The heating mechanism is in thermal contact with the sensor system. The heating mechanism is disposed downstream of an engine cooling system and enables a flow of engine coolant around the sensor system, preventing condensation and freezing of the sensor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Hudgens, Allen B. Chu