Patents by Inventor John R. Gladden

John R. Gladden 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: 8813713
    Abstract: The piston has a crown forming a piston bowl. The piston bowl has a center portion with a convex spherical shape, a floor having a convex frusto-conical shape adjacent the center portion, and a base having a concave toroidal shape surrounding the floor. The piston bowl also has a cylindrical wall extending tangentially from the base that surrounds the center portion. The piston has a top surface perpendicular to the cylindrical wall along a rim of the piston bowl. A ratio between the piston bowl depth and the cylindrical wall length is less than 4, and a ratio between the piston bowl diameter and the piston bowl depth is 4.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Gladden, Jonathan Kilkenny, Christopher Batta
  • Patent number: 8297053
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The exhaust system may have a first exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine, and a first turbocharger driven by exhaust from the first exhaust manifold. The exhaust system may also have a second exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine in parallel with the first exhaust manifold, and a second turbocharger driven by exhaust from the second exhaust manifold and having a different flow capacity than the first turbocharger. The exhaust system may further have an exhaust gas recirculation circuit in fluid communication with the second exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Gladden, David Andrew Pierpont, John P. Timmons
  • Publication number: 20100024416
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The exhaust system may have a first exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine, and a first turbocharger driven by exhaust from the first exhaust manifold. The exhaust system may also have a second exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine in parallel with the first exhaust manifold, and a second turbocharger driven by exhaust from the second exhaust manifold and having a different flow capacity than the first turbocharger. The exhaust system may further have an exhaust gas recirculation circuit in fluid communication with the second exhaust manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: John R. Gladden, David Andrew Pierpont, John P. Timmons
  • Patent number: 7104120
    Abstract: In order to accurately determine a life of a turbocharger, the specific use, herein referred to as a “duty cycle” of the turbocharger, should be monitored. However, in order to directly monitor the duty cycle of the turbocharger, there are additional costs of assembly and installation of a turbocharger rotational speed sensor. The present invention determines a life of a turbocharger by indirectly monitoring the duty cycle of the turbocharger through sensors that generally serve a pre-existing purpose within a vehicle or machine. A compressor inlet pressure sensor and compressor outlet pressure sensor are in communication with an electronic control module that includes a life determining algorithm. The life determining algorithm determines the life of the turbocharger based on a relationship between a sensed compressor inlet pressure and a sensed compressor outlet pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Gladden
  • Patent number: 6805108
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for mounting in a supercharger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a body having a first end and a second end. A water bonnet is connectable with the first end of the body and includes an inlet, an outlet, an inner annulus, and an outer annulus. The inlet may be associated with one of the inner and outer annuluses and the outlet is associated with the other of the inner and outer annuluses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Bradley J. Shaffer, John R. Gladden
  • Patent number: 6761025
    Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction emissions control system of a compression ignition engine is provided with enhanced ammonia feed control for improved emissions control performance. The reduction agent is provided in two doses, and the reactor is provided with two reacting beds. The second dose of reactant is provided between the first and second reacting beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Gladden
  • Publication number: 20040118389
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for mounting in a supercharger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a body having a first end and a second end. A water bonnet is connectable with the first end of the body and includes an inlet, an outlet, an inner annulus, and an outer annulus. The inlet may be associated with one of the inner and outer annuluses and the outlet is associated with the other of the inner and outer annuluses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Shaffer, John R. Gladden
  • Publication number: 20040118109
    Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction emissions control system of a compression ignition engine is provided with enhanced ammonia feed control for improved emissions control performance. The reduction agent is provided in two doses, and the reactor is provided with two reacting beds. The second dose of reactant is provided between the first and second reacting beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: John R. Gladden
  • Patent number: 6601388
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a turbine having a low pressure region of minimum static pressure. A compressor has a high pressure region of maximum dynamic pressure. A conduit fluidly interconnects the high pressure region with the low pressure region. A valve is associated with the conduit for opening and closing the conduit. Compressed air or a fuel/air mixture may be bled from the compressor to the turbine over a wider arrange of operating conditions, even at low load operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: John R. Gladden
  • Patent number: 6553764
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for use in an internal combustion engine, and particularly suitable for use in an on-road vehicle, is provided with a turbocharger including a turbine, a compressor and a turboshaft coupling the turbine and the compressor together; mechanically coupling a first motor/generator to the turboshaft; mechanically coupling a second motor/generator to a flywheel; electrically coupling the second motor/generator to the first motor/generator; storing power in the flywheel using the second motor/generator during periods of excess turbocharger boost; and rotating the turbocharger shaft using the first motor/generator during periods of insufficient turbocharger boost. The turbocharger system provides a compact and efficient method of storing energy in the flywheel during periods of excess turbocharger boost, and retrieving energy from the flywheel during periods of insufficient turbocharger boost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: John R. Gladden, Beth A. Hinchee
  • Patent number: 6550247
    Abstract: A control for a turbocharger system in an internal combustion engine particularly useful for multiple parallel turbochargers having turbines with discrete step variable nozzles. In response to a need for adjustment the variable nozzles are adjusted sequentially, not simultaneously. Sequential adjustment of the turbines minimizes the impact of the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: John R. Gladden
  • Patent number: 6422014
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a two stage turbine including a first turbine stage and a second turbine stage. A wastegate conduit is fluidly coupled with the two stage turbine. The wastegate conduit bypasses only a single one of the first turbine stage or second turbine stage. A valve is positioned in association with the wastegate conduit for controlling flow through the wastegate conduit. A compressor is coupled with and rotatably driven by the two stage turbine. The controllable wastegate conduit provides effective control of the power input to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Gladden
  • Patent number: 6418723
    Abstract: A low pressure fuel system for a gaseous fuel internal combustion engine in which the source of gaseous fuel is at a pressure lower than the intake manifold pressure of the internal combustion engine. The gaseous fuel is inducted into the interstage duct of a multi-compressor combustion air turbocharger associated with the internal combustion engine. The combined flow of air and gaseous fuel is further compressed in the second compressor stage of the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Gladden
  • Patent number: 6374612
    Abstract: An interstage cooling system for the turbocharger of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. Diffuser vanes, turning vanes and/or deswirling vanes are used as the heat exchangers in the interstage duct. A coolant fluid is supplied to the heat exchangers and flows between the heat exchangers in series through internal coolant links or through internal cavities defined by the turbocharger housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Gladden, Phillip J. Houtz
  • Patent number: 6357234
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine is provided with a plurality of turbochargers. Each turbocharger includes a rotatable shaft; a turbine having turbine wheel carried by the shaft, an inlet and a variable nozzle at the inlet; and a multi-stage compressor. The multi-stage compressor includes a first compressor wheel carried by the shaft, an axially extending first inlet associated with the first compressor wheel, a radially extending first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel, a second compressor wheel carried by the shaft, an axially extending second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel, a radially extending second outlet associated with the second compressor wheel, and a interstage duct fluidly interconnecting in series the first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel with the second inlet associated with second compressor wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Gladden
  • Patent number: 6345503
    Abstract: A method of configuring a compressor in a turbocharger for use in an internal combustion engine is provided with the steps of: providing a multi-stage compressor including a first compressor wheel carried by a shaft, an axially extending first inlet and a radially extending first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel, a second compressor wheel carried by the shaft, an axially extending second inlet and a radially extending second outlet associated with the second compressor wheel; fluidly interconnecting in series the first outlet with the second inlet using an interstage duct; selecting a total pressure ratio to be provided by the multi-stage compressor; ascertaining a first pressure ratio provided by the first compressor wheel at an operating speed; sizing the second compressor wheel to provide a second pressure ratio, dependent upon the total pressure ratio and the first pressure ratio; determining a stress on the second compressor wheel at the operating speed; determining a temperature within
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Gladden
  • Patent number: 6324848
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine is provided with at least one rotatable shaft and a multi-stage compressor. The multi-stage compressor includes a first compressor wheel carried by a corresponding shaft, an axially extending first inlet associated with the first compressor wheel, a radially extending first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel, a second compressor wheel carried by a corresponding shaft, an axially extending second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel, and a radially extending second outlet associated with the second compressor wheel. An interstage duct fluidly interconnects in series the first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel with the second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel. At least one bypass duct is provided, with each bypass duct fluidly interconnecting the first outlet with the first inlet; the first outlet with an ambient environment; and/or the second outlet with the first outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Gladden, Min Wu
  • Patent number: 6301889
    Abstract: A turbocharger, particularly suitable for use in an internal combustion engine, recirculates exhaust gas from the turbine to an interstage duct area between two compressor wheels of a multi-stage compressor. The turbocharger includes a rotatable shaft; a turbine including a turbine wheel carried by the shaft; and a multi-stage compressor. The multi-stage compressor includes a first compressor wheel carried by the shaft, an axially extending first inlet associated with the first compressor wheel, and a radially extending first outlet associated with the compressor wheel. A second compressor wheel carried by the shaft includes an axially extending second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel, and a radially extending second outlet associated with the second compressor wheel. An interstage duct fluidly interconnects in series the first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel and a second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Gladden, Phillip J. Houtz
  • Patent number: 6293103
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with at least one intake manifold and a turbocharger. The turbocharger includes a rotatable shaft; a turbine having a turbine wheel carried by the shaft; and a multi-stage compressor. The multi-stage compressor includes a first compressor wheel carried by the shaft, an axially extending first inlet associated with the first compressor wheel, a radially extending first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel, a second compressor wheel carried by the shaft, an axially extending second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel, a radially extending second outlet associated with the second compressor wheel, and an interstage duct fluidly interconnecting in series the first outlet associated with the first compressor wheel with the second inlet associated with the second compressor wheel. The second outlet is fluidly coupled with the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Gladden
  • Patent number: 6282899
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine is described. Compressor wheels for first and second compression stages are disposed in box-like enclosures. Turbines, connected by shafts to the compressor wheels, are disposed outside the enclosures. Inlets in the first enclosure provide fluid to the first stage compressors, which operate to pressurize the first enclosure with the fluid. Fluid flows from the first enclosure to inlets of the second stage compressors, which operate to pressurize the second enclosure with the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Gladden