Patents by Inventor Marion B. Grant

Marion B. Grant 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: 10603717
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a Three Dimensional (3D) printed component is provided. The system includes a substrate adapted for at least partially 3D printing the component thereon. The substrate includes a first geometrical feature. The system also includes a plurality of processing stations interconnected to one another. Each of the plurality of processing stations is adapted to receive the substrate. Each of the plurality of processing stations includes a second geometrical feature adapted to interlock with the first geometrical feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marion B. Grant, Nathan John Parsons, Thierry Andre Marchione, Huijun Wang
  • Publication number: 20180056389
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a Three Dimensional (3D) printed component is provided. The system includes a substrate adapted for at least partially 3D printing the component thereon. The substrate includes a first geometrical feature. The system also includes a plurality of processing stations interconnected to one another. Each of the plurality of processing stations is adapted to receive the substrate. Each of the plurality of processing stations includes a second geometrical feature adapted to interlock with the first geometrical feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marion B. Grant, Nathan John Parsons, Thierry Andre Marchione, Huijun Wang
  • Patent number: 9867568
    Abstract: A method of determining wear of an artificial knee assembly (AKA) includes acquiring a first set of computed tomography (CT) data about the AKA in vivo. A first volumetric file is generated based on the first set of CT data. A first point cloud data set is generated based on the first volumetric AKA file. A first dimensional analysis of the AKA is performed using the first point cloud data set. A second volumetric file is generated based on a second set of acquired CT data before implantation or from a model. A second point cloud data set is generated based on the second volumetric AKA file. A second dimensional analysis is performed using the second point cloud data set. The first dimensional analysis is compared to the second dimensional analysis and a determination is made if they are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marion B. Grant, Nien L. Lee
  • Publication number: 20170367647
    Abstract: A method of determining wear of an artificial knee assembly (AKA) includes acquiring a first set of computed tomography (CT) data about the AKA in vivo. A first volumetric file is generated based on the first set of CT data. A first point cloud data set is generated based on the first volumetric AKA file. A first dimensional analysis of the AKA is performed using the first point cloud data set. A second volumetric file is generated based on a second set of acquired CT data before implantation or from a model. A second point cloud data set is generated based on the second volumetric AKA file. A second dimensional analysis is performed using the second point cloud data set. The first dimensional analysis is compared to the second dimensional analysis and a determination is made if they are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marion B. Grant, Nien L. Lee
  • Patent number: 9809188
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cabin cover system positioned over the operator cabin of a machine. The cabin cover system comprises a first support member extending vertically from a frame member. The first support member has a first portion attached to the frame member and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion. The cabin cover system further includes a canopy pivotally coupled to the second portion of the first support member. The cabin cover system also includes at least one hydraulic actuator operatively coupled to each of the canopy and the frame member. The at least one hydraulic actuator is configured to pivotally move the canopy towards the truck body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marion B. Grant
  • Patent number: 9649732
    Abstract: A system for sealing a plurality of orifices through a wall of a vessel is provided. The system includes a plurality of sealing members configured to releasably seal respective orifices of the plurality of orifices. The system also includes a base defining a central axis therethrough. The base includes a plurality of segments disposed about the central axis. Each of the plurality of segments includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface is configured to engage at least one sealing member of the plurality of sealing members. Further, each segment of the plurality of segments is configured to deform toward the central axis on application of a force upon the outer surface thereof to bias the at least one sealing member into sealing engagement with a respective orifice of the plurality of orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul N. Gami, Marion B. Grant, John S. Miller, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160311481
    Abstract: A track adjustment system for adjusting a track of an undercarriage system of a machine is provided. The undercarriage system includes a drive sprocket and an idler. The track adjustment system includes a sensor module provided proximate to a portion of the track. The sensor module generates a signal indicative of a sag in the portion of the track. An adjuster assembly is coupled to the idler, and adjusts a position of the idler with respect to the drive sprocket. A controller is coupled to the sensor module and the adjuster assembly. The controller receives the signal indicative of the sag in the portion of the track. The controller compares the sag with a pre-defined range. The controller alters a tension, through the adjuster assembly, in the portion of the track, if the sag in the portion of the track lies outside the pre-defined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marion B. Grant, Timothy A. Thorson
  • Patent number: 9333597
    Abstract: A method for repairing a nitrided surface having a damaged area is disclosed. The method includes introducing the nitrided surface into a bath containing electroless material for a predetermined period of time. The method also includes coating the damaged area with a layer of the electroless material. Further the method subjects the layer to an autofrettage process. The electroless material is heat treated at a predetermined temperature for a predefined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Huijun Wang, Marion B. Grant
  • Publication number: 20150360330
    Abstract: A system for sealing a plurality of orifices through a wall of a vessel is provided. The system includes a plurality of sealing members configured to releasably seal respective orifices of the plurality of orifices. The system also includes a base defining a central axis therethrough. The base includes a plurality of segments disposed about the central axis. Each of the plurality of segments includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface is configured to engage at least one sealing member of the plurality of sealing members. Further, each segment of the plurality of segments is configured to deform toward the central axis on application of a force upon the outer surface thereof to bias the at least one sealing member into sealing engagement with a respective orifice of the plurality of orifices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Rahul N. Gami, Marion B. Grant, John S. Miller, JR.
  • Patent number: 9133802
    Abstract: A device for sealing one or more orifices on a vessel for pressurizing fluid is provided. The device includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface includes one or more substantially semi-spherical protrusions corresponding to the orifices. The protrusions are configured to contact with edges of the orifices and seal the orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul N. Gami, Marion B. Grant, John S. Miller, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150251277
    Abstract: A method of laser drilling a component is disclosed. The method includes contacting a sacrificial material with the component. The method also includes aligning a laser drilling tool with the sacrificial material and the component. The method further includes incidenting a laser beam on the sacrificial material. The method includes containing a trumpet effect caused by the laser beam within a thickness of the sacrificial material. Further, the method includes forming a reverse tapered orifice within the component. The method also includes removing the sacrificial material from the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thierry A. Marchione, Marion B. Grant, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150158131
    Abstract: A method for repairing a nitrided surface having a damaged area is disclosed. The method includes introducing the nitrided surface into a bath containing electroless material for a predetermined period of time. The method also includes coating the damaged area with a layer of the electroless material. Further the method subjects the layer to an autofrettage process. The electroless material is heat treated at a predetermined temperature for a predefined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Huijun WANG, Marion B. GRANT
  • Patent number: 8986817
    Abstract: A plunger for fuel injection assembly is provided. The plunger includes a nitrided surface. The nitrided surface includes a damaged area. An electroless material is coated on the damaged area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Huijun Wang, Marion B. Grant
  • Publication number: 20140331729
    Abstract: A device for sealing one or more orifices on a vessel for pressurizing fluid is provided. The device includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface includes one or more substantially semi-spherical protrusions corresponding to the orifices. The protrusions are configured to contact with edges of the orifices and seal the orifices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul N. Gami, Marion B. Grant, John S. Miller, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140272323
    Abstract: A plunger for fuel injection assembly is provided. The plunger includes a nitrided surface. The nitrided surface includes a damaged area. An electroless material is coated on the damaged area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Huijun Wang, Marion B. Grant
  • Patent number: 8674259
    Abstract: A manufacturing system for producing a reverse-tapered orifice is disclosed. The manufacturing system may have a mount configured to hold a workpiece, and a laser source configured to generate a laser beam. The manufacturing system may also have a delivery media operatively connected to the laser source. The delivery media may be configured to deliver the laser beam into a hollow portion of the workpiece to create the orifice through a wall of the workpiece having a laser beam entrance opening larger than a laser beam exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaoli Hu, Marion B. Grant, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8496191
    Abstract: A seal arrangement for a needle valve in a fuel injector (100) includes a nozzle housing (122) forming an outer cavity (216) and defining a needle valve seat (218). A plurality of nozzle openings (204) are formed in the nozzle housing (122) and arranged symmetrically around its centerline at a first radial distance (R1). An outer needle valve (104) is reciprocally mounted in the outer cavity (216) and has a seat portion (224) arranged to abut the needle valve seat (218) when the outer needle valve (104) is seated or closed. A first ledge (502) formed on the seat portion (224) of the outer needle valve (104) sealably contacts the needle valve seat (218) along a first line contact seal (220) and a second ledge (508) formed on the seat portion (224) of the outer needle valve (104) sealably contacts the needle valve seat (218) along a second line contact seal (222).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marion B. Grant, Vladimir Theodorof, Dana R. Coldren
  • Patent number: 8381402
    Abstract: A production robust autofrettage process for strengthening fuel injector nozzle tips includes applying a vacuum to the interior volume of the nozzle tip. Plugs are suctioned over each of the nozzle outlets. Nozzle outlets are blocked by pressing the plugs between the nozzle tip and a fixture component. The nozzle tip is then autofrettaged at least in part by pressurizing the interior volume with an autofrettage liquid. The plugs are then removed from the nozzle outlets leaving the nozzle tip strengthened with compressive residual stress, especially in the sac region of the interior volume of the nozzle tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marion B. Grant, Petr Michlik
  • Patent number: 8322004
    Abstract: A metallic fuel system component includes an internal surface and an external surface. The metallic fuel system component is made by inducing compressive residual stress in only a portion of the internal surface of the metallic fuel system component by transmitting a laser shock wave through the metallic fuel system component from the external surface to the internal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpilar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Lewis, Alan R. Stockner, Dennis H. Gibson, Marion B. Grant, Jr., Avinash R. Manubolu
  • Patent number: 8237081
    Abstract: A manufacturing system is disclosed. The manufacturing system may have a laser source configured to generate a laser beam, and a delivery media operatively connected to the laser source. The manufacturing system may also have a gradient index lens located at a tip end of the delivery media to refract and focus the laser beam exiting the delivery media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaoli Hu, Marion B. Grant, Jr.