Patents by Inventor Joel D. Feucht

Joel D. Feucht 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: 5490762
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid circulating pump utilizing a plug assembly sealingly disposed within a weep hole located in a secondary compartment of a cavity. The plug assembly is disposed within the weep hole and has a tube portion extending a predetermined length into the secondary compartment. A connector holds the plug assembly within the second compartment and sealingly engages the plug assembly with the weep hole. The length of the tube portion is sufficient to contain the leaked fluid within the secondary compartment until it can be evaporated, substantially eliminating fluid leakage into the atmosphere. However, excessive fluid build-up may occur within the secondary compartment when the pump is damaged. The present invention allows the excessive fluid to leak out to the atmosphere through a bore in the plug assembly to signal that pump repair is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joel D. Feucht, Stephen G. Shoup, Victor E. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5338153
    Abstract: The design and construction of past fluid circulating pumps, having a weep hole, allowed small amounts of leaked fluid to escape through the weep hole and into the atmosphere resulting in environmental concern and lower customer perception of the product. The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a fluid circulating pump utilizing a plug means sealingly disposed within a weep hole located in a secondary compartment of a cavity. The plug means is sealingly disposed within the weep hole and has a tube portion extending a predetermined length into the secondary compartment. The length of the tube portion is sufficient to contain the leaked fluid within the secondary compartment until it can be evaporated, substantially eliminating fluid leakage into the atmosphere. However, excessive fluid build-up may occur within the secondary compartment when the pump is damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Victor E. Swanson, Joel D. Feucht, Stephen G. Shoup