Patents by Inventor Larry R. Mitzelfelt, Jr.

Larry R. Mitzelfelt, Jr. 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: 6986646
    Abstract: Electronically controlled variable delivery pumps produce output based upon a control signal generated by an electronic control module. The electronic control module includes programming that acknowledges that each pump may have performance characteristics that deviate from a hypothetical nominal pump. Actual pump performance characteristics are then programmed into the electronic control module so that pump control signals are customized or electronically trimmed to suit the performance characteristics of that individual pump. The performance characteristics of the individual pump are gained through testing. The electronic pump trimming strategy of the present invention is particularly applicable to hydraulic systems, such as fuel injection systems, used in internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Bettenhausen, Bryan E. Nelson, Larry R. Mitzelfelt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6349920
    Abstract: A spool slides in a bore to open and close a valve. The spool moves in a first direction until the spool forcibly engages a seat in the bore, closing the valve. The spool moves in a second direction opposite the first direction so that the spool disengages with the seat, opening the valve. Proper configuration of the spool and bore geometries in the vicinity of the seat keeps static pressure from developing that could otherwise retard spool valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Lewis, Charles B. Looney, Wade J. Robel, Larry R. Mitzelfelt, Jr., David E. Martin, James D. Griffith, J. Duwayne Manahan, Avtar S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 6076501
    Abstract: A two speed governor for an internal combustion engine includes a flyweight assembly rotatably mounted in a housing. The riser is positioned in the housing and operably connected to the flyweight assembly. The riser is moveable between a retracted position, and intermediate position and an advanced position. A first spring is operably mounted in the housing to bias the riser toward its retracted position when the riser is located anywhere between its retracted position and its advanced position. A second spring is operably mounted in the housing to bias the riser toward its retracted position when the riser is between its intermediate and advanced positions. The second spring has a pre-load but is inoperable when the riser is between its retracted position and its intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Costley, Thomas S. Lane, Larry R. Mitzelfelt, Jr., Jeffrey R. Ries
  • Patent number: 6029682
    Abstract: A spool slides in a bore to open and close a valve. An armature moveable relative to the spool is biased in a first direction. A coupling biasing member biases the armature and the spool toward each other. When a solenoid is actuated the armature and the spool move in a second direction opposite the first direction until the spool forcibly engages a seat in the bore, closing the valve and stopping the spool movement. The armature continues to move in the second direction, causing the coupling to apply additional force to keep the spool engaged against the seat, until the armature reaches a second position where it forcibly engages with the spool. This stops the armature from moving further in the second direction, but allows the stationary armature to continue applying force to keep the spool engaged against the seat. When the solenoid is de-energized the armature bias sends the armature back in the first direction until it strikes the spool, causing the spool to rapidly unseat, thus opening the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Lewis, Charles B. Looney, Larry R. Mitzelfelt, Jr., David E. Martin, James D. Griffith, Kenneth A. Caron, William T. Groff, J. Duwayne Manahan, Avtar S. Sandhu, Wade J. Robel