Patents by Inventor Joseph R. Derk

Joseph R. Derk 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).

  • Publication number: 20120266706
    Abstract: A compliant gear assembly for a gear train of an internal combustion engine includes a hub subassembly having a first hub component and a second hub component. The first hub component defines a first axis, and the compliant gear assembly includes a gear ring rotatable relative to the hub subassembly and defining a gear ring axis of rotation. The second hub component is movable relative to the first hub component between a first stop position and a second stop position. A compliance mechanism is coupled between the first hub component and the second hub component and biases the second hub component toward the first stop position. Translating the second hub component relative to the first hub component in a direction normal to the first axis attenuates torque spikes induced for example via fuel injector actuation and/or cylinder firing in an engine gear train employing the compliant gear assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brosowske, Joseph R. Derk, Thomas L. Atwell, Aaron J. Weber, Scott A. Snoble
  • Patent number: 8225689
    Abstract: A compliant gear assembly for a gear train of an internal combustion engine includes a hub subassembly having a first hub component and a second hub component. The first hub component defines a first axis, and the compliant gear assembly includes a gear ring rotatable relative to the hub subassembly and defining a gear ring axis of rotation. The second hub component is movable relative to the first hub component in a direction normal to the first axis between a first stop position at which the gear ring axis of rotation is co-linear with the first axis and a second stop position at which the gear ring axis of rotation is parallel to but not co-linear with the first axis. A compliance mechanism is coupled between the first hub component and the second hub component and biases the second hub component toward the first stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brosowske, Aaron J. Weber, Scott A. Snoble, Thomas L. Atwell, Joseph R. Derk
  • Patent number: 7658124
    Abstract: A compliant gear assembly includes a gear ring positioned about a hub and configured to translate responsive to a torque on the gear assembly, and biased toward co-axial alignment with the hub via at least one actuator. A method of managing loads on an idler gear in the gear train is still further provided including translating the gear ring responsive to the torque on the idler gear. A work machine includes an engine having a housing and a geartrain mounted thereon, the geartrain including a crank gear, a cam gear and a compliant idler gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brosowske, Aaron J. Weber, Scott A. Snoble, Thomas L. Atwell, Joseph R. Derk, Cristian V. Striletchi, Dwight V. Stone
  • Publication number: 20090217779
    Abstract: A compliant gear assembly for a gear train of an internal combustion engine includes a hub subassembly having a first hub component and a second hub component. The first hub component defines a first axis, and the compliant gear assembly includes a gear ring rotatable relative to the hub subassembly and defining a gear ring axis of rotation. The second hub component is movable relative to the first hub component in a direction normal to the first axis between a first stop position at which the gear ring axis of rotation is co-linear with the first axis and a second stop position at which the gear ring axis of rotation is parallel to but not co-linear with the first axis. A compliance mechanism is coupled between the first hub component and the second hub component and biases the second hub component toward the first stop position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brosowske, Aaron J. Weber, Scott A. Snoble, Thomas L. Atwell, Joseph R. Derk
  • Publication number: 20080041177
    Abstract: A compliant gear assembly includes a gear ring positioned about a hub and configured to translate responsive to a torque on the gear assembly, and biased toward co-axial alignment with the hub via at least one actuator. A method of managing loads on an idler gear in the gear train is still further provided including translating the gear ring responsive to the torque on the idler gear. A work machine includes an engine having a housing and a geartrain mounted thereon, the geartrain including a crank gear, a cam gear and a compliant idler gear assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brosowske, Aaron J. Weber, Scott A. Snoble, Thomas L. Atwell, Joseph R. Derk, Cristian V. Striletchi, Dwight V. Stone