Patents by Inventor Kurtis M. Best

Kurtis M. Best 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: 9903418
    Abstract: An adapter for use in a power system having a first powertrain joined to a second powertrain by a coupling. The adapter may have a generally cylindrical body having a central bore formed therein that is configured to receive a shaft of the first powertrain, and splines formed at an end of the central bore. The adapter may also have a connection keyway formed within an outer annular surface of the generally cylindrical body and configured to receive a key that engages the coupling, and a balancing keyway formed within the outer annular surface of the generally cylindrical body and configured to remain empty to balance the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kurtis M. Best, Tobias James Toennies
  • Publication number: 20160169291
    Abstract: An adapter is disclosed for use in a power system having a first powertrain joined to a second powertrain by a coupling. The adapter may have a generally cylindrical body having a central bore formed therein that is configured to receive a shaft of the first powertrain, and splines formed at an end of the central bore. The adapter may also have a connection keyway formed within an outer annular surface of the generally cylindrical body and configured to receive a key that engages the coupling, and a balancing keyway formed within the outer annular surface of the generally cylindrical body and configured to remain empty to balance the coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Kurtis M. BEST, Tobias James TOENNIES
  • Patent number: 6845747
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine at idle that reduces NOx and controls smoke and hydrocarbon emissions. An idle delivery quantity of fuel is determined and divided into a first quantity of fuel and a second quantity of fuel in approximately equal quantities. During a compression stroke of an engine piston, the first quantity of fuel is injected into an engine cylinder. Adjusting at least one of timing and quantity of the injection of the first quantity of fuel reduces, at least in part, NOx emissions. At a timing angle of at least thirty degrees after the first quantity of fuel is injected and after the first quantity of fuel has been burned, there is an injection of the second quantity of fuel. Adjusting at least one of timing and quantity of the injection of the second quantity of fuel reduces, at least in part, smoke emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jason J. Rasmussen, Kevin P. Duffy, Kurtis M. Best, Matthew R. Roth
  • Publication number: 20040007203
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine at idle that reduces NOx and controls smoke and hydrocarbon emissions. An idle delivery quantity of fuel is determined and divided into a first quantity of fuel and a second quantity of fuel in approximately equal quantities. During a compression stroke of an engine piston, the first quantity of fuel is injected into an engine cylinder. Adjusting at least one of timing and quantity of the injection of the first quantity of fuel reduces, at least in part, NOx emissions. At a timing angle of at least thirty degrees after the first quantity of fuel is injected and after the first quantity of fuel has been burned, there is an injection of the second quantity of fuel. Adjusting at least one of timing and quantity of the injection of the second quantity of fuel reduces, at least in part, smoke emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Jason J. Rasmussen, Kevin P. Duffy, Kurtis M. Best, Matthew R. Roth