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).

  • Publication number: 20110126393
    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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Marion B. Grant, Petr Michlik
  • Publication number: 20100276520
    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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Lewis, Alan R. Stockner, Dennis H. Gibson, Marion B. Grant, JR., Avinash R. Manubolu
  • Patent number: 7706912
    Abstract: An orifice formation system is provided. The system includes a manufacturing machine configured to form an orifice in a workpiece, a computed tomography x-ray machine configured to generate data based on geometry of the workpiece, and a computer in communication with the manufacturing machine and the computed tomography x-ray machine. The computer is configured to control the manufacturing machine based on the data generated by the computed tomography x-ray machine. A method of controlling formation of an orifice in a workpiece is also provided. The method includes acquiring computed tomography data about the workpiece, determining geometry of the workpiece based on the computed tomography data, and forming an orifice in the workpiece based on the determined geometry of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marion B. Grant, Nien L. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090320288
    Abstract: A method for facilitating turbine repair is disclosed. The method includes determining wear characteristics of a turbine blade based on at least one of turbine type or turbine application. The method also includes determining a delineated repair area on the turbine blade based on the determined wear characteristics of the turbine blade. The method additionally includes providing a replacement turbine blade part generally matching the size, shape, and material of the turbine blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Alexei P. Yelistratov, Marion B. Grant
  • Publication number: 20090294421
    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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Zhaoli Hu, Marion B. Grant, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090294416
    Abstract: A manufacturing system is disclosed. The manufacturing system may have a mount configured to hold a workpiece, a laser source configured to generate a laser beam directed toward a first side of the workpiece, and a sensor located on a second side of the workpiece. The sensor may be configured to sense a characteristic of the laser beam during penetration of the workpiece and to generate a signal in response thereto. The manufacturing system may also have a controller in communication with the laser source and the sensor. The controller may be configured to adjust parameters of the laser beam during penetration of the workpiece based on the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Zhaoli Hu, Marion B. Grant, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090294423
    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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Zhaoli Hu, Marion B. Grant, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090283612
    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 (RI). 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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Marion B. Grant, Vladimir Theodorof, Dana R. Coldren
  • Publication number: 20090143885
    Abstract: An orifice formation system is provided. The system includes a manufacturing machine configured to form an orifice in a workpiece, a computed tomography x-ray machine configured to generate data based on geometry of the workpiece, and a computer in communication with the manufacturing machine and the computed tomography x-ray machine. The computer is configured to control the manufacturing machine based on the data generated by the computed tomography x-ray machine. A method of controlling formation of an orifice in a workpiece is also provided. The method includes acquiring computed tomography data about the workpiece, determining geometry of the workpiece based on the computed tomography data, and forming an orifice in the workpiece based on the determined geometry of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Marion B. Grant, Nien L. Lee
  • Patent number: 7441484
    Abstract: A method for pre-scribing a workpiece to facilitate chip breaking when machining the workpiece on the same machine with the same tooling used for cutting, utilizing an invokable CNC cycle of the CNC machine completing the workpiece machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Larsen, Marion B. Grant, Jr., Michael P. Vogler