Patents by Inventor Mark F. Sommars

Mark F. Sommars 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: 9863333
    Abstract: A dual fuel injector may be used to inject both gas and liquid fuel into a cylinder of a compression ignition engine. An injector body defines a first set of nozzle outlets, a second set of nozzle outlets, a first fuel inlet and a second fuel inlet. A dual solenoid actuator includes a first armature, a first coil, a second armature and a second coil that share a common centerline. The dual solenoid actuator has a non-injection configuration at which the first armature is at an un-energized position and the second armature is at an un-energized position. The dual solenoid actuator has a first fuel injection configuration at which the first fuel inlet is fluidly connected to the first set of nozzle outlets, the first armature is at an energized position and the second armature is at the un-energized position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 9624845
    Abstract: A dual fuel injector may be used to inject both gas and liquid fuel into a cylinder of a compression ignition engine. An injector body defines a first set of nozzle outlets, a second set of nozzle outlets, a first fuel inlet and a second fuel inlet. A dual solenoid actuator includes a first armature, a first coil, a second armature and a second coil that share a common centerline. The dual solenoid actuator has a non-injection configuration at which the first armature is at an un-energized position and the second armature is at an un-energized position. The dual solenoid actuator has a first fuel injection configuration at which the first fuel inlet is fluidly connected to the first set of nozzle outlets, the first armature is at an energized position and the second armature is at the un-energized position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 9441587
    Abstract: A pressure regulator for use in an engine is disclosed. The pressure regulator may include first and second flow paths formed in a body, wherein the first flow path is configured to pass a first fluid and the second flow path is configured to receive a second fluid. A diaphragm may be disposed within the first flow path and the diaphragm may be configured to move based on a pressure differential between the first and second fluids. The pressure regulator may further include a seat associated with the first flow path. A primary valve element may be connected to the diaphragm and configured to selectively engage the seat when a pressure of the fluid in the first flow path exceeds a pressure of the fluid in the second flow path by a first threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cory A Brown, David T Montgomery, Mark F Sommars
  • Patent number: 9422899
    Abstract: A dual fuel system includes a dual fuel injector that has disposed therein a gaseous nozzle chamber fluidly connected to a gaseous fuel inlet, and a liquid nozzle chamber fluidly connected to the liquid fuel inlet. The dual fuel injector also includes a hydraulic lock seal with an annular volume of liquid fuel surrounding a guide segment of a gas needle valve member for inhibiting migration of gaseous fuel into the liquid fuel. A liquid fuel common rail is fluidly connected to a liquid fuel inlet. A check valve is fluidly positioned between the gaseous fuel common rail and the gaseous nozzle chamber of the dual fuel injector for blocking liquid fuel leaked into a gaseous nozzle chamber through the hydraulic lock seal from entering the gaseous fuel common rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Alan Stockner
  • Patent number: 9416760
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a fuel inlet, a drain outlet and a nozzle outlet, and has disposed therein a nozzle chamber, a needle control chamber and a valve chamber. The needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the drain outlet through a drain passage that includes the conical seat, is fluidly connected to the nozzle chamber through a Z orifice, and fluidly connected to the valve chamber through an A orifice. The nozzle chamber is fluidly connected to the valve chamber by a pressure passage that includes an F orifice that opens through a flat seat. A control valve member is trapped to move between contact with conical seat and contact with the flat seat. An electrical actuator is operable to push the control valve member away from the conical seat toward the flat seat when energized. A direct control needle valve has an opening hydraulic surface positioned in the nozzle chamber and a closing hydraulic surface positioned in the needle control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 9234472
    Abstract: A dual fuel compression ignition engine operates by injecting gaseous fuel and liquid diesel fuel from a common fuel injector directly into each engine cylinder. The gaseous fuel is ignited by compression igniting a small pilot injection quantity of the liquid diesel fuel. Evaporated natural gas from a cryogenic tank and/or a fuel conditioning module is dosed into an intake manifold of the engine with an electronically controlled supply valve. The electronically controlled supply valve may open to supply evaporated gas to the intake manifold contingent upon combustion conditions in the engine cylinder demonstrating a low risk of methane slip, and the dosing quantities are limited to reduce risk of ignition of an air/gas mixture in the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Alan R. Stockner
  • Patent number: 9206778
    Abstract: A dual fuel injector utilizes first and second control valves to open and close first and second nozzle outlet sets to inject a first fuel and a second fuel, respectively. The first and second fuels may be natural gas and liquid diesel, respectively. Control over liquid and diesel fuel injection events includes control lines that include F, A, and Z orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 9181881
    Abstract: A dual fuel common rail engine supplies pressurized natural gas and liquid diesel fuel at different pressures through a co-axial quill assembly for direct injection from a single fuel injector into an engine cylinder. Each coaxial quill assembly includes a matched pair of inner and outer quills that are chosen to have dimensions that allow both quills to sealingly engage each fuel injector at a common conical seat responsive to a clamping force applied along an axis. Matched pairs of inner and outer quills are retained together during pre-installation handling with a retainer that is left between the inner and outer quills after installation in an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Baldwin, Dennis H. Gibson, Dana R. Coldren, Mark F. Sommars
  • Publication number: 20150136072
    Abstract: A dual fuel injector may be used to inject both gas and liquid fuel into a cylinder of a compression ignition engine. An injector body defines a first set of nozzle outlets, a second set of nozzle outlets, a first fuel inlet and a second fuel inlet. A dual solenoid actuator includes a first armature, a first coil, a second armature and a second coil that share a common centerline. The dual solenoid actuator has a non-injection configuration at which the first armature is at an un-energized position and the second armature is at an un-energized position. The dual solenoid actuator has a first fuel injection configuration at which the first fuel inlet is fluidly connected to the first set of nozzle outlets, the first armature is at an energized position and the second armature is at the un-energized position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Publication number: 20150136073
    Abstract: A dual fuel injector may be used to inject both gas and liquid fuel into a cylinder of a compression ignition engine. An injector body defines a first set of nozzle outlets, a second set of nozzle outlets, a first fuel inlet and a second fuel inlet. A dual solenoid actuator includes a first armature, a first coil, a second armature and a second coil that share a common centerline. The dual solenoid actuator has a non-injection configuration at which the first armature is at an un-energized position and the second armature is at an un-energized position. The dual solenoid actuator has a first fuel injection configuration at which the first fuel inlet is fluidly connected to the first set of nozzle outlets, the first armature is at an energized position and the second armature is at the un-energized position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 9027534
    Abstract: A compression ignition dual fuel engine supplies natural gas fuel and liquid diesel fuel to each engine cylinder from a common fuel injector. Each fuel injector is fluidly connected to both a liquid fuel common rail and a gaseous fuel common rail. The engine includes a surplus gas system for capturing surplus gas, such as evaporated gas from the gaseous fuel supply and pressure control system, or left over pressurized natural gas produced by engine shut down. Rather than being vented to atmosphere, the surplus gas can be burned in the engine when operating conditions present burn opportunities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Alan Stockner, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 8997720
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fuel circuit of a fuel injector that includes a first channel, a second channel, and a valve. The first channel is configured to receive a first fuel and define a flow path for the first fuel. The second channel is configured to receive a second fuel and define a flow path for the second fuel. The valve is in fluid communication with the first channel and the second channel. The valve is adapted to direct the second fuel to the first channel when a pressure in the first channel reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Xiangdong Ding, Hoisan Kim, Mayank Mittal, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 8978623
    Abstract: A dual fuel common rail fuel injector includes a first and second check needle used to selectively inject two different fuels such as diesel and liquefied natural gas. The fuel injector includes a fuel separator disposed in the interior cavity of the first check needle and is in sealing contact with the nozzle. The fuel separator is configured to prevent commingling of the diesel fuel and the liquefied natural gas. The fuel injector also includes at least one sealing member that is configured to prevent the diesel fuel from leaking from the diesel fuel check cavity into a gaseous fuel orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Sommars, Hoisan Kim, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 8967502
    Abstract: A dual fuel injector may be used to injector both gas and liquid fuel into a cylinder of a compression ignition engine. An injector body defines a first set of nozzle outlets, a second set of nozzle outlets, a first fuel inlet and a second fuel inlet. A dual solenoid actuator includes a first armature, a first coil, a second armature and a second coil that share a common centerline. The dual solenoid actuator has a non-injection configuration at which the first armature is at an un-energized position and the second armature is at an un-energized position. The dual solenoid actuator has a first fuel injection configuration at which the first fuel inlet is fluidly connected to the first set of nozzle outlets, the first armature is at an energized position and the second armature is at the un-energized position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 8925519
    Abstract: A dual fuel system includes a plurality of fuel injectors that each have a non-injection configuration, a liquid fuel injection configuration, a gaseous fuel injection configuration and a combined fuel injection configuration. Each of the fuel injectors includes a liquid control valve member with a guide segment that defines a portion of a leak path from a liquid fuel inlet to a drain outlet, and a gas control valve member with a guide segment that defines a second leak path from the liquid fuel inlet to the drain outlet. Each injector body includes a tip component that defines both a liquid nozzle outlet set and a gas nozzle outlet set. A dual solenoid actuator has a first armature coupled to the liquid control valve member, a second armature coupled to the gas control valve member, and a shared stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding, Dana Coldren
  • Publication number: 20140361103
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a fuel inlet, a drain outlet and a nozzle outlet, and has disposed therein a nozzle chamber, a needle control chamber and a valve chamber. The needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the drain outlet through a drain passage that includes the conical seat, is fluidly connected to the nozzle chamber through a Z orifice, and fluidly connected to the valve chamber through an A orifice. The nozzle chamber is fluidly connected to the valve chamber by a pressure passage that includes an F orifice that opens through a flat seat. A control valve member is trapped to move between contact with conical seat and contact with the flat seat. An electrical actuator is operable to push the control valve member away from the conical seat toward the flat seat when energized. A direct control needle valve has an opening hydraulic surface positioned in the nozzle chamber and a closing hydraulic surface positioned in the needle control chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 8905059
    Abstract: A system for controlling leakage of diesel fuel into the natural gas side of a dual fuel injector during low pressure natural gas conditions comprises a leakage control valve that blocks the diesel fuel line during very low natural gas line pressure conditions, including start-up and limp-home mode conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Sommars, Hoisan Kim
  • Patent number: 8881709
    Abstract: A common rail single fluid injection system includes fuel injectors ramp shaped injection curves at both the front and back ends of an injection event. This is accomplished by including a check speed control device fixed in position within the check control chamber of a fuel injector. The check speed control device controls the speed of a check by restricting fuel flowing into and out of the check control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars
  • Publication number: 20140311455
    Abstract: A dual fuel injector utilizes first and second control valves to open and close first and second nozzle outlet sets to inject a first fuel and a second fuel, respectively. The first and second fuels may be natural gas and liquid diesel, respectively. Control over liquid and diesel fuel injection events includes control lines that include F, A and Z orifices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 8844842
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a fuel inlet, a drain outlet and a nozzle outlet, and has disposed therein a nozzle chamber, a needle control chamber and a valve chamber. The needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the drain outlet through a drain passage that includes the conical seat, is fluidly connected to the nozzle chamber through a Z orifice, and fluidly connected to the valve chamber through an A orifice. The nozzle chamber is fluidly connected to the valve chamber by a pressure passage that includes an F orifice that opens through a flat seat. A control valve member is trapped to move between contact with conical seat and contact with the flat seat. An electrical actuator is operable to push the control valve member away from the conical seat toward the flat seat when energized. A direct control needle valve has an opening hydraulic surface positioned in the nozzle chamber and a closing hydraulic surface positioned in the needle control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding