Patents by Inventor John Cody Vacca

John Cody Vacca 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: 10030675
    Abstract: A system for stabilizing pressure fluctuations in a hydraulic line of a hydraulic circuit includes a hydraulic vessel coupled to the hydraulic line; a separator element disposed within the vessel to define a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber within the vessel; and a relief valve disposed in communication with the second fluid chamber of the vessel. The vessel includes a first fluid receivable in the first fluid chamber from the hydraulic line and a second fluid that is disposed within the second fluid chamber. The separator element is moveable within the vessel in response to a volume change of the first fluid received from the hydraulic line. The relief valve is configured to selectively release the second fluid from the vessel in response to a pressure of the first fluid exceeding a pre-determined amount of pressure within the hydraulic vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Kleitsch, John Cody Vacca
  • Patent number: 9764671
    Abstract: A valve for a brake cooling system may include a body including a first and a second end, a first at least one radial passage, and a second at least one radial passage fluidly communicable with the first end. A first seat may be disposed within the body proximate the first end, while a plug may include a stop, a collar, and a first trunk disposed between the stop and the collar. The collar and the first trunk may be disposed in the body while an adapter may include a second seat, a head, and a second trunk disposed between the second seat and the head. The second seat and the second trunk may be disposed in the plug with a chamber, fluidly communicable with the adapter and the first at least one radial passage, being defined in the first trunk of the plug. An actuator may be slidably disposed in the chamber, and be in operative association with a biasing member. A poppet may be in operative association with the biasing member and the first seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Cody Vacca, Bala Natarajan Balashanmugam, Partiban Chengalvarayan, Daniel T. Mather, Carl Andrew McIlheran, Thomas Dale Morris
  • Publication number: 20160327110
    Abstract: A valve for a brake cooling system may include a body including a first and a second end, a first at least one radial passage, and a second at least one radial passage fluidly communicable with the first end. A first seat may be disposed within the body proximate the first end, while a plug may include a stop, a collar, and a first trunk disposed between the stop and the collar. The collar and the first trunk may be disposed in the body while an adapter may include a second seat, a head, and a second trunk disposed between the second seat and the head. The second seat and the second trunk may be disposed in the plug with a chamber, fluidly communicable with the adapter and the first at least one radial passage, being defined in the first trunk of the plug. An actuator may be slidably disposed in the chamber, and be in operative association with a biasing member. A poppet may be in operative association with the biasing member and the first seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Cody Vacca, Bala Natarajan Balashanmugam, Partiban Chengalvarayan, Daniel T. Mather, Carl Andrew Mcllheran, Thomas Dale Morris
  • Publication number: 20160298657
    Abstract: A system for stabilizing pressure fluctuations in a hydraulic line of a hydraulic circuit includes a hydraulic vessel coupled to the hydraulic line; a separator element disposed within the vessel to define a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber within the vessel; and a relief valve disposed in communication with the second fluid chamber of the vessel. The vessel includes a first fluid receivable in the first fluid chamber from the hydraulic line and a second fluid that is disposed within the second fluid chamber. The separator element is moveable within the vessel in response to a volume change of the first fluid received from the hydraulic line. The relief valve is configured to selectively release the second fluid from the vessel in response to a pressure of the first fluid exceeding a pre-determined amount of pressure within the hydraulic vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Kleitsch, John Cody Vacca