Patents by Inventor John R. Brubaker
John R. Brubaker 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).
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Publication number: 20240093659Abstract: A piston may have an annular body including a crown portion defining a longitudinal axis, a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a plane containing the longitudinal axis and the radial direction, and a contoured combustion bowl. In the plane containing the longitudinal axis and the radial direction, the crown portion includes a radially outer squish surface, and a swirl pocket having a reentrant surface that extends axially downwardly and radially outwardly from the squish surface defining a tangent that forms a reentrant angle with the squish surface that ranges from 53.0 degrees to 57.0 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron S. Ness, Andrew J. Loetz, John R. Brubaker, Christopher L. Batta
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Patent number: 11918864Abstract: Embodiments of putter-type golf club head comprising a striking surface capable of achieving consistent ball speeds across the striking surface to account for various ball impact locations are described herein. The striking surface has at least two materials that differ in concentration away from the geometric center of the striking surface to provide this consistency. Consistent (or uniform) ball speed is achieved throughout the striking surface as the portion of the golf ball that contacts the striking surface interacts with at least two materials having a differing material characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Alex G. Woodward, Matthew T. Schier, Murphy R. Alexander, Anthony D. Serrano, James D. Willmott, Erik M. Henrikson, David A. Higdon, Cole D. Brubaker, John A. Solheim
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Patent number: 11840983Abstract: A piston may have an annular body including a crown portion defining a longitudinal axis, a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a plane containing the longitudinal axis and the radial direction, and a contoured combustion bowl. In the plane containing the longitudinal axis and the radial direction, the crown portion includes a radially outer squish surface, and a swirl pocket having a reentrant surface that extends axially downwardly and radially outwardly from the squish surface defining a tangent that forms a reentrant angle with the squish surface that ranges from 53.0 degrees to 57.0 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron S. Ness, Andrew J. Loetz, John R. Brubaker, Christopher L. Batta
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Publication number: 20230265810Abstract: A piston may have an annular body including a crown portion defining a longitudinal axis, a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a plane containing the longitudinal axis and the radial direction, and a contoured combustion bowl. In the plane containing the longitudinal axis and the radial direction, the crown portion includes a radially outer squish surface, and a swirl pocket having a reentrant surface that extends axially downwardly and radially outwardly from the squish surface defining a tangent that forms a reentrant angle with the squish surface that ranges from 53.0 degrees to 57.0 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2022Publication date: August 24, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron S. Ness, Andrew J. Loetz, John R. Brubaker, Christopher L. Batta
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Publication number: 20190376441Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes a body that includes a terminal post, a central electrode, and a mounting sleeve that includes a threaded portion. A precombustion cavity is defined within the body. A free end of the central electrode extends into the precombustion cavity, and a plurality of posts is disposed through the mounting sleeve at the threaded portion, each of the plurality of posts protruding at least partially into the chamber by a predetermined distance (d). An electrode having one or more limbs is connected to the free end of the central electrode. A cap is disposed to close an open end of the precombustion cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2018Publication date: December 12, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John R. Brubaker
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Patent number: 10193340Abstract: A static synchronous compensator configured to be installed in and provide reactive power to a medium voltage electric distribution system. There is a multi-level cascaded H-bridge (CHB) converter in an enclosure, having a nominal operating voltage in the medium voltage range. There is a first electrical bushing connecting the medium voltage electric distribution system to the input of the CHB converter. There is a second electrical bushing connecting ground or floating ground to the output of the CHB converter. There is a cooling system, which circulates the cooling fluid between in the interior of the enclosure to cool the CHB converter. There is a controller to control the converter to output reactive power at a medium voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: American Superconductor CorporationInventors: Andrew Specht, John R. Brubaker, Mark D. Putnam, Douglas C. Folts, David G. Oteman, Patrick S. Flannery
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Publication number: 20180269682Abstract: A static synchronous compensator configured to be installed in and provide reactive power to a medium voltage electric distribution system. There is a multi-level cascaded H-bridge (CHB) converter in an enclosure, having a nominal operating voltage in the medium voltage range. There is a first electrical bushing connecting the medium voltage electric distribution system to the input of the CHB converter. There is a second electrical bushing connecting ground or floating ground to the output of the CHB converter. There is a cooling system, which circulates the cooling fluid between in the interior of the enclosure to cool the CHB converter. There is a controller to control the converter to output reactive power at a medium voltage level.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2017Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Andrew Specht, John R. Brubaker, Mark D. Putnam, Douglas C. Folts, David G. Oteman, Patrick S. Flannery
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Patent number: 9822729Abstract: A piston is disclosed. The piston may have a piston crown having a top surface. The piston may also have a first land disposed in the piston crown adjacent the top surface. The first land may have a side surface disposed generally orthogonal to the top surface. Further the piston may have a second land axially separated from the first land. In addition, the piston may have a groove disposed between the first land and the second land. The piston may also have a notch extending between the side surface and the top surface. The notch may have a generally concave shape and may extend circumferentially around the top surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron Ness, John R. Brubaker
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Publication number: 20170122251Abstract: A piston is disclosed. The piston may have a piston crown having a top surface. The piston may also have a first land disposed in the piston crown adjacent the top surface. The first land may have a side surface disposed generally orthogonal to the top surface. Further the piston may have a second land axially separated from the first land. In addition, the piston may have a groove disposed between the first land and the second land. The piston may also have a notch extending between the side surface and the top surface. The notch may have a generally concave shape and may extend circumferentially around the top surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Aaron NESS, John R. BRUBAKER
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Patent number: 9142939Abstract: The present invention provides a power converter mounting system including a flange that cooperates with a power converter and an enclosure. The flange includes a through hole that cooperates with an opening in the enclosure to permit the power converter to extend therethrough. A number of fasteners connect to the flange and overhang a portion of the power converter. The fasteners are configured to be manipulated from a front side of the power converter. An outer perimeter of the flange extends beyond the opening in the enclosure. The flange is secured to the enclosure with a number of fasteners that are also operable from the front side of the power converter. The power converter mounting assembly is configured to secure a power converter to an enclosure so as to satisfy a variety of sealing requirements as well as allowing convenient servicing of the power converter system.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bruce W. Weiss, John R. Brubaker, Keith A. Alwardt, Paul J. Grosskreuz, Robert M. Michalski, Wayne O. Tobias
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Patent number: 8910372Abstract: An improved choke assembly for a power electronics device is provided. More specifically, a choke assembly with improved protection from environmental conditions such as dirt and water is provided. An improved choke assembly may include an insulative housing for an inductor coil that seals the inductor coil from the environment.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John R. Brubaker, Lixiang Wei
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Patent number: 8358516Abstract: The present invention provides a power converter mounting system including a flange that cooperates with a power converter and an enclosure. The flange includes a through hole that cooperates with an opening in the enclosure to permit the power converter to extend therethrough. A number of fasteners connect to the flange and overhang a portion of the power converter. The fasteners are configured to be manipulated from a front side of the power converter. An outer perimeter of the flange extends beyond the opening in the enclosure. The flange is secured to the enclosure with a number of fasteners that are also operable from the front side of the power converter. The power converter mounting assembly is configured to secure a power converter to an enclosure so as to satisfy a variety of sealing requirements as well as allowing convenient servicing of the power converter system.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bruce W. Weiss, John R. Brubaker, Keith A. Alwardt, Paul J. Grosskreuz, Robert M. Michalski, Brian S. W. Tobias
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Publication number: 20120144658Abstract: An improved choke assembly for a power electronics device is provided. More specifically, a choke assembly with improved protection from environmental conditions such as dirt and water is provided. An improved choke assembly may include an insulative housing for an inductor coil that seals the inductor coil from the environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2012Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John R. Brubaker, Lixiang Wei
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Patent number: 8125304Abstract: An improved choke assembly for a power electronics device is provided. More specifically, a choke assembly with improved protection from environmental conditions such as dirt and water is provided. An improved choke assembly may include an insulative housing for an inductor coil that seals the inductor coil from the environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John R Brubaker, Lixiang Wei
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Patent number: 7902957Abstract: A technique is disclosed for cooling resistive elements, such as brake resistors used in motor drives, as well as other resistors. A phase change heat spreader is thermally coupled to the resistive element and a continuous phase change cycle takes place in the heat spreader to extract heat from the resistive element. The element and heat spreader may be packaged as a modular unit or may be integrated into a system.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Lukaszewski, John R. Brubaker, Paul J. Grosskreuz, Neil Gollhardt, Lawrence D. Radosevich, Bruce W. Weiss
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Publication number: 20100118507Abstract: The present invention provides a power converter mounting system including a flange that cooperates with a power converter and an enclosure. The flange includes a through hole that cooperates with an opening in the enclosure to permit the power converter to extend therethrough. A number of fasteners connect to the flange and overhang a portion of the power converter. The fasteners are configured to be manipulated from a front side of the power converter. An outer perimeter of the flange extends beyond the opening in the enclosure. The flange is secured to the enclosure with a number of fasteners that are also operable from the front side of the power converter. The power converter mounting assembly is configured to secure a power converter to an enclosure so as to satisfy a variety of sealing requirements as well as allowing convenient servicing of the power converter system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventors: Bruce W. Weiss, John R. Brubaker, Keith A. Alwardt, Paul J. Grosskreuz, Robert M. Michalski, Wayne O. Tobias, Brian S.W. Tobias
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Publication number: 20100079230Abstract: An improved choke assembly for a power electronics device is provided. More specifically, a choke assembly with improved protection from environmental conditions such as dirt and water is provided. An improved choke assembly may include an insulative housing for an inductor coil that seals the inductor coil from the environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John R. Brubaker, Lixiang Wei
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Publication number: 20080266046Abstract: A technique is disclosed for cooling resistive elements, such as brake resistors used in motor drives, as well as other resistors. A phase change heat spreader is thermally coupled to the resistive element and a continuous phase change cycle takes place in the heat spreader to extract heat from the resistive element. The element and heat spreader may be packaged as a modular unit or may be integrated into a system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Richard A. Lukaszewski, John R. Brubaker, Paul J. Grosskreuz, Neil Gollhardt, Lawrence D. Radosevich, Bruce W. Weiss
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Patent number: 4616206Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker wherein a movable contact arm (8) is operated between open and closed positions with a stationary contact (4b) by an operating mechanism which controls an overcenter toggle drive spring (12) and which is automatically openable upon sensing overload conditions by releasing a latched lever (10) for carrying the line of action of the drive spring (12) across the pivot (8a) of the movable contact arm (8). The current sensing trip means (16) for unlatching the latched lever (10) is formed of a shape memory effect alloy to provide a significant amount of travel of the latching end thereof in response to a narrow band of current thereby to insure release of the latch lever (10) without need for calibrating the breaker.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1984Date of Patent: October 7, 1986Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert B. Bridges, John R. Brubaker
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Patent number: 4570144Abstract: A heater strip (12) is disposed in spaced relation to a temperature responsive actuator element (20) for indirectly heating that element in response to current flow in the heater (12). An adjustable heat sink (22) is disposed in spaced proximity to the actuator element (20) for removing heat from the actuator element by radiation therefrom through air to the heat sink in a first position and adjustable to be in thermally conductive engagement with the actuator in a second position for increasing the efficiency of heat transfer from the actuator to the heat sink. Increased current flow in the protected branch circuit is required to cause the actuator (20) to attain its predetermined actuation temperature as the heat sink is adjusted to increase the efficiency of heat transfer between the actuator (20) and the heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1984Date of Patent: February 11, 1986Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert B. Bridges, John R. Brubaker, Jerome K. Hastings, John W. Kroll