Patents by Inventor Joshua Lee Hatfield

Joshua Lee Hatfield 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: 11041421
    Abstract: A fluid injector includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a fluid path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. An actuator unit is disposed within the fluid injector. A valve assembly operatively couples to the actuator unit. A spacer member is disposed between a downstream end portion of the actuator unit and a portion of the valve assembly, the spacer member constructed from a compressible, resilient material so as to compress due to expansion forces from fluid in the fluid injector freezing, and to expand when frozen fluid in the fluid injector melts. The spacer member occupies a space in the fluid path of the fluid injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL POWERTRAIN USA, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Lee Hatfield, Keith Aaron Shaw, Stephen C Bugos
  • Patent number: 10947880
    Abstract: A fluid injector includes a calibration filter tube including a bore defined in an axial direction through the calibration filter tube, the bore defining at least a portion of a fluid path through the fluid injector, the calibration filter tube including a plurality of holes which extend from the bore to an outer surface of the calibration filter tube. A volume reduction member has a bore though which the calibration filter tube extends, the volume reduction member occupying a space between the outer surface of the calibration filter tube and an inner surface of the tube member, the volume reduction member being constructed from resilient, compressible material. Freezing or frozen fluid disposed in the calibration filter tube expands through the holes and at least partially compresses the volume reduction member, so as to reduce fluid expansion forces damaging other components of the fluid injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Powertrain USA, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Lee Hatfield, Keith Aaron Shaw, Stephen C Bugos
  • Publication number: 20190234273
    Abstract: A fluid injector includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a fluid path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. An actuator unit is disposed within the fluid injector. A valve assembly operatively couples to the actuator unit. A spacer member is disposed between a downstream end portion of the actuator unit and a portion of the valve assembly, the spacer member constructed from a compressible, resilient material so as to compress due to expansion forces from fluid in the fluid injector freezing, and to expand when frozen fluid in the fluid injector melts. The spacer member occupies a space in the fluid path of the fluid injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Continental Powertrain USA, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Lee Hatfield, Keith Aaron Shaw, Stephen C Bugos
  • Publication number: 20190234274
    Abstract: A fluid injector includes a calibration filter tube including a bore defined in an axial direction through the calibration filter tube, the bore defining at least a portion of a fluid path through the fluid injector, the calibration filter tube including a plurality of holes which extend from the bore to an outer surface of the calibration filter tube. A volume reduction member has a bore though which the calibration filter tube extends, the volume reduction member occupying a space between the outer surface of the calibration filter tube and an inner surface of the tube member, the volume reduction member being constructed from resilient, compressible material. Freezing or frozen fluid disposed in the calibration filter tube expands through the holes and at least partially compresses the volume reduction member, so as to reduce fluid expansion forces damaging other components of the fluid injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Continental Powertrain USA, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Lee Hatfield, Keith Aaron Shaw, Stephen C Bugos
  • Patent number: 10344725
    Abstract: A fluid injector for injecting fluid includes a body with a fluid passageway extending from an inlet to an outlet of the fluid injector; a valve seat; a valve element that is selectively engages with the valve seat; and a disc member disposed in the fluid passageway downstream of the valve seat. The disc member includes a plurality of channels defined along a first surface of the disc member, and a plurality of orifices defined through the disc, with each disc member being fluidly coupled to a plurality of channels. The channels fluidly coupled to each channel are in offset relation to each other at the orifice such that fluid flowing through the orifice forms a swirl pattern when exiting the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Powertrain, USA, LLC.
    Inventors: Keith Aaron Shaw, Robert Wayne McFarland, Joshua Lee Hatfield
  • Publication number: 20180363611
    Abstract: A fluid injector for injecting fluid includes a body with a fluid passageway extending from an inlet to an outlet of the fluid injector; a valve seat; a valve element that is selectively engages with the valve seat; and a disc member disposed in the fluid passageway downstream of the valve seat. The disc member includes a plurality of channels defined along a first surface of the disc member, and a plurality of orifices defined through the disc, with each disc member being fluidly coupled to a plurality of channels. The channels fluidly coupled to each channel are in offset relation to each other at the orifice such that fluid flowing through the orifice forms a swirl pattern when exiting the orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Aaron Shaw, Robert Wayne McFarland, Joshua Lee Hatfield
  • Patent number: 9617884
    Abstract: A liquid cooled reduction unit includes a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) injection valve. The valve includes an end portion extending to a distal end. The valve is configured to receive a DEF and force the DEF to exit at the distal end such that the DEF is then directed and applied to an exhaust stream of a vehicle engine. A coolant jacket is selectively filled with a coolant and has an outer side and an inner side. The inner side of the jacket faces a length of the end portion and is separated from the length of the end portion by an air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wayne McFarland, Keith Aaron Shaw, Michael J. Hornby, James A. Wynn, Joshua Lee Hatfield, Christopher Caulkins, Stephen C. Bugos
  • Publication number: 20160084129
    Abstract: A liquid cooled reduction unit includes a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) injection valve. The valve includes a housing that forms an elongated chamber therein. The valve configured to receive a DEF and force the DEF through the chamber to exit the chamber and the DEF is then being directed and applied to an exhaust stream of a vehicle engine. A coolant jacket is selectively filled with a coolant and has an outer side and an inner side. The inner side of the jacket faces a length of the valve body and is separated from the length of the valve body by an air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Wayne McFarland, Keith Aaron Shaw, Michael J. Hornby, James A. Wynn, Joshua Lee Hatfield, Christopher Caulkins, Stephen C. Bugos