Patents by Inventor Lester L. Peters
Lester L. Peters 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).
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Patent number: 11028810Abstract: An injector is provided, comprising an injector body comprising an inlet passage configured to receive fluid, at least one injection outlet configured to deliver fluid, and a central bore, a needle valve disposed for reciprocal movement within the central bore between a closed position and an opened position; and an actuator configured to move the needle valve between the closed position wherein a first portion of a surface of the valve tip engages a first portion of a surface of the injector body to form a first seal that inhibits flow through the at least one injection outlet, and the opened position wherein a second portion of the surface of the valve tip engages a second portion of the surface of the injector body to form a second seal that inhibits flow through the drain outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Cummins, Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Thomas, Lester L. Peters, Anthony A. Shaull
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Patent number: 10982639Abstract: A fuel injector is provided that includes various precise configuration parameters, including dimensions, shape and/or relative positioning of fuel injector features, resulting in improved efficiency of fuel flow through the fuel injector.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Lester L. Peters, Jeffrey C. Huang, David L. Buchanan, Corydon Edward Morris, Gary L. Gant, Denis Gill, Heribert Kammerstetter, Ernst Winklhofer
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Patent number: 10920727Abstract: A fluid injector assembly extending along a longitudinal axis comprising a housing, and an injector positioned within the housing, the injector comprising a injector body having an interior cavity, a plunger positioned within the interior cavity and comprising a plunger body, a fluid delivery passage along at least a portion of the plunger body, and a plunger tip positioned at a downstream end of the plunger body, the fluid delivery passage comprising a longitudinal passage and at least one internal swirl passage, and the internal swirl passage being angled relative to the longitudinal axis and extending from the longitudinal passage to an opening upstream of the plunger tip, and a nozzle positioned at a downstream end of the injector body and including at least one nozzle passage, fluid being delivered from an upstream end of the injector to the at least one nozzle passage through the fluid delivery passage.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2016Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Anthony Shaull, David L. Buchanan, Lester L. Peters, Bradlee J. Stroia, William D. Daniel
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Publication number: 20200217286Abstract: An injector is provided, comprising an injector body comprising an inlet passage configured to receive fluid, at least one injection outlet configured to deliver fluid, and a central bore, a needle valve disposed for reciprocal movement within the central bore between a closed position and an opened position; and an actuator configured to move the needle valve between the closed position wherein a first portion of a surface of the valve tip engages a first portion of a surface of the injector body to form a first seal that inhibits flow through the at least one injection outlet, and the opened position wherein a second portion of the surface of the valve tip engages a second portion of the surface of the injector body to form a second seal that inhibits flow through the drain outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2017Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Richard D. Thomas, Lester L. Peters, Anthony A. Shaull
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Patent number: 10605213Abstract: An injector combustion shield assembly comprising a bore configured to receive a fuel injector, the bore including a fluid opening in fluid communication with a fluid jacket and a fluid outlet positioned within an annular wall of the bore; and a valve positioned between the fluid jacket and the fluid opening and configured to selectively permit a fluid from the fluid jacket to enter the bore, the valve being movable between an open configuration to permit fluid flow from the fluid jacket into the bore via the fluid opening and a closed configuration to prevent fluid flow from the fluid jacket into the bore.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2016Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan, Timothy P. Lutz, David B. Snyder, Derek G. Weiler, Clayton R. Westerfeld, Julie Anne Colin, Akintomide K. Akinola, Joseph Eric Parlow, Steven J. Kolhouse
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Patent number: 10519911Abstract: A fuel pump for an internal combustion engine is provided comprising a barrel including a central bore having a longitudinal axis, a plunger disposed partially in the central bore and movable along the longitudinal axis, a spring retainer, a first coil spring having a proximal end in contact with a first section of the barrel and a distal end in contact with the spring retainer to urge the spring retainer into engagement with a tappet assembly, an extender element coupled to the plunger, and a second coil spring having a proximal end in contact with a second section of the barrel and a distal end in contact with the extender element to urge the plunger toward the spring retainer, wherein the extender element includes a counter-bore to couple the extender element to the plunger.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Anthony A. Shaull, Lester L. Peters, Brian M. Watson, Roberto M. Munoz
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Publication number: 20190293039Abstract: A fluid injector assembly extending along a longitudinal axis comprising a housing, and an injector positioned within the housing, the injector comprising a injector body having an interior cavity, a plunger positioned within the interior cavity and comprising a plunger body, a fluid delivery passage along at least a portion of the plunger body, and a plunger tip positioned at a downstream end of the plunger body, the fluid delivery passage comprising a longitudinal passage and at least one internal swirl passage, and the internal swirl passage being angled relative to the longitudinal axis and extending from the longitudinal passage to an opening upstream of the plunger tip, and a nozzle positioned at a downstream end of the injector body and including at least one nozzle passage, fluid being delivered from an upstream end of the injector to the at least one nozzle passage through the fluid delivery passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2016Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Anthony Shaull, David L. Buchanan, Lester L. Peters, Bradlee J. Stroia, William D. Daniel
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Patent number: 10415524Abstract: An injector, comprising, an injector body comprising, an inner wall that defines an injector cavity for fluid, at least one inlet channel into the injector cavity, and at least one outlet channel from the injector cavity, a plunger that defines at least one passageway between the injector cavity and the at least one outlet channel, the plunger being movable longitudinally in the injector cavity between at least: a first open arrangement in which the at least one passageway is positioned to direct fluid into the at least one outlet channel at a first position, and a second open arrangement in which the at least one passageway is positioned to direct fluid into the at least one outlet channel at a second position different from the first position.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Bradlee J. Stroia, Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan, Rajesh K. Garg, Wei Ning
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Patent number: 10119496Abstract: A combustion engine and a method of operating the combustion engine are disclosed. The method comprises supplying a charge gas to the combustion chamber through an intake port; discharging a cryogenic fuel in a liquid state from a fuel injector in fluid communication with the combustion chamber; closing an intake valve to close the combustion chamber; and actuating a piston during a compression cycle to compress the charge gas and the cryogenic fuel. At least a portion of the cryogenic fuel evaporates in the closed combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Lester L. Peters, Paul Douglas Free, John Robert Pendray
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Publication number: 20180171949Abstract: A fuel pump for an internal combustion engine is provided comprising a barrel including a central bore having a longitudinal axis, a plunger disposed partially in the central bore and movable along the longitudinal axis, a spring retainer, a first coil spring having a proximal end in contact with a first section of the barrel and a distal end in contact with the spring retainer to urge the spring retainer into engagement with a tappet assembly, an extender element coupled to the plunger, and a second coil spring having a proximal end in contact with a second section of the barrel and a distal end in contact with the extender element to urge the plunger toward the spring retainer, wherein the extender element includes a counter-bore to couple the extender element to the plunger.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2015Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Anthony A. Shaull, Lester L. Peters, Brian M. Watson, Roberto M. Munoz
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Publication number: 20180163594Abstract: An injector, comprising, an injector body comprising, an inner wall that defines an injector cavity for fluid, at least one inlet channel into the injector cavity, and at least one outlet channel from the injector cavity, a plunger that defines at least one passageway between the injector cavity and the at least one outlet channel, the plunger being movable longitudinally in the injector cavity between at least: a first open arrangement in which the at least one passageway is positioned to direct fluid into the at least one outlet channel at a first position, and a second open arrangement in which the at least one passageway is positioned to direct fluid into the at least one outlet channel at a second position different from the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2018Publication date: June 14, 2018Applicant: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Bradlee J. Stroia, Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan, Rajesh K. Garg, Wei Ning
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Publication number: 20180080405Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine with a fuel injector body having a valve chamber, a first conduit in fluid communication with the valve chamber for a first flow of fuel having a first pressure, and a second conduit in fluid communication with the valve chamber for a second flow of fuel having a second pressure. The fuel injector further includes a valve member configured to move between the first conduit and the second conduit. Additionally, an actuator of the fuel injector is configured to move the valve member during a fuel injection cycle. The fuel injector is configured to operate in at least three modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan, Bradlee J. Stroia, William David Daniel, Rajesh K. Garg, Richard D. Thomas
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Patent number: 9920674Abstract: An injector, comprising, an injector body comprising, an inner wall that defines an injector cavity for fluid, at least one inlet channel into the injector cavity, and at least one outlet channel from the injector cavity, a plunger that defines at least one passageway between the injector cavity and the at least one outlet channel, the plunger being movable longitudinally in the injector cavity between at least: a first open arrangement in which the at least one passageway is positioned to direct fluid into the at least one outlet channel at a first position, and a second open arrangement in which the at least one passageway is positioned to direct fluid into the at least one outlet channel at a second position different from the first position.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Bradlee J. Stroia, Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan, Rajesh K. Garg, Wei Ning
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Patent number: 9903329Abstract: A fuel injector is provided that includes various precise configuration parameters, including dimensions, shape and/or relative positioning of fuel injector features, resulting in improved efficiency of fuel flow through the fuel injector.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.Inventors: Lester L. Peters, Jeffrey C. Huang, David L. Buchanan, Corydon Edward Morris, Gary Gant, Denis Gill, Heribert Kammerstetter, Ernst Winklhofer
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Patent number: 9897033Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine with a fuel injector body having a valve chamber, a first conduit in fluid communication with the valve chamber for a first flow of fuel having a first pressure, and a second conduit in fluid communication with the valve chamber for a second flow of fuel having a second pressure. The fuel injector further includes a valve member configured to move between the first conduit and the second conduit. Additionally, an actuator of the fuel injector is configured to move the valve member during a fuel injection cycle. The fuel injector is configured to operate in at least three modes.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan, Bradlee J. Stroia, William David Daniel, Rajesh K. Garg, Richard D. Thomas
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Patent number: 9897053Abstract: A fuel injector is provided comprising an outer housing, a nozzle housing disposed within the outer housing, a flow path between the outer housing and the nozzle housing, the flow path being coupled to a low pressure fuel source, and a circumferential gap in flow communication with the flow path and extending about a tip of the fuel injector between an outer surface of the nozzle housing and an inner surface of a combustion shield adjacent the injector tip. The circumferential gap is in flow communication with a drain gap between the outer housing and a bore for receiving the fuel injector, the drain gap routing the low pressure fuel away from the injector tip.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Kolhouse, Raymond V. Primus, Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan
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Publication number: 20170298887Abstract: Fueling systems and methods are disclosed. Various fueling systems may comprise a single fuel pump configured to supply fuel to a first fuel rail at a first fuel pressure along a first fuel circuit and configured to supply fuel to a second fuel rail at a second fuel pressure along a second fuel circuit, wherein the first fuel rail and second fuel rail are arranged in parallel, and the first fuel circuit is independent of the second fuel circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2016Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Lester L. Peters, Bradlee J. Stroia, Anthony Shaull, Rodney J. Hemmerlein, Richard Davis Thomas
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Patent number: 9719457Abstract: This disclosure provides system and method that can determine hydraulic start of injection (SOI) in engines using an in-cylinder pressure sensor. The system and method determine apparent heat release rate (AHRR) curve data for the cylinder from the pressure information provided by the in-cylinder pressure sensors, and the hydraulic SOI from the derivative of the AHRR curve data. The system and method provide diagnostic, control and/or compensation opportunities for fuel injector operation in high pressure fuel rail engine systems without use of expensive or complex fuel injector components.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Paul V. Moonjelly, Richard A. Booth, Lester L. Peters, Jeffrey C. Huang, Phanindra Garimella
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Publication number: 20170051713Abstract: An injector combustion shield assembly comprising a bore configured to receive a fuel injector, the bore including a fluid opening in fluid communication with a fluid jacket and a fluid outlet positioned within an annular wall of the bore; and a valve positioned between the fluid jacket and the fluid opening and configured to selectively permit a fluid from the fluid jacket to enter the bore, the valve being movable between an open configuration to permit fluid flow from the fluid jacket into the bore via the fluid opening and a closed configuration to prevent fluid flow from the fluid jacket into the bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan, Timothy P. Lutz, David B. Snyder, Derek G. Weiler, Clayton R. Westerfeld, Julie Anne Colin, Akintomide K. Akinola, Joseph Eric Parlow, Steven J. Kolhouse
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Publication number: 20170045023Abstract: A fuel injector is provided comprising an outer housing, a nozzle housing disposed within the outer housing, a flow path between the outer housing and the nozzle housing, the flow path being coupled to a low pressure fuel source, and a circumferential gap in flow communication with the flow path and extending about a tip of the fuel injector between an outer surface of the nozzle housing and an inner surface of a combustion shield adjacent the injector tip. The circumferential gap is in flow communication with a drain gap between the outer housing and a bore for receiving the fuel injector, the drain gap routing the low pressure fuel away from the injector tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Steven J. Kolhouse, Raymond V. Primus, Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan