Patents by Inventor Kurt D. Beckman

Kurt D. Beckman 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: 5487371
    Abstract: The design and construction of past air-oil separators included labyrinth type designs with a series of baffles which can be expensive and complicated to manufacture. The present invention utilizes an air-oil separator which allows the introduction of blow-by gas to high velocity fresh air at its boundary layer in order to separate oil and air from the blow-by gas. The air-oil separator has an annular housing with first and second compartments. The blow-by gas enters a constricted middle portion of the first compartment through a plurality of openings. Simultaneously, fresh air at a high velocity flows through the constricted middle portion. The blow-by gas is accelerated with the fresh air flow at the boundary layer of the fresh air. The fresh air flow and blow-by gas reach an annular opening in the second compartment which strips the boundary layer from the fresh air flow causing the blow-by gas to split off into an annular outer gallery at a high velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt D. Beckman, Beth A. Hinchee
  • Patent number: D364085
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Lyn Seaquist
    Inventors: Kurt D. Beckman, James R. Dunbar