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: 6267561
    Abstract: A variable delivery, fixed displacement pump comprises a plurality of pistons reciprocated within corresponding cylinders in a cylinder block. The pistons are reciprocated by rotation of a fixed angle swash plate connected to the pistons. The pistons and cylinders cooperate to define a plurality of fluid compression chambers each have a delivery outlet. A vent port is provided from each fluid compression chamber to vent fluid therefrom during at least a portion of the reciprocal stroke of the piston. Each piston and cylinder combination cooperates to close the associated vent port during another portion of the reciprocal stroke so that fluid is then pumped through the associated delivery outlet. The delivery rate of the pump is varied by adjusting the axial position of the swash plate relative to the cylinder block, which varies the duration of the piston stroke during which the vent port is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 5878720
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated fuel injector includes an injector body having a nozzle chamber that opens to a nozzle outlet. A control valve is mounted in the injector body and is attached to a solenoid that is moveable between a rest position and a fully energized position. A piston/plunger/barrel assembly is utilized to hydraulically pressurize fuel in the nozzle chamber to a fuel pressure that is substantially proportional to an amount of current being supplied to the solenoid. A needle valve member is positioned in the nozzle chamber and moveable between an open position in which the nozzle outlet is opened and a closed position in which the nozzle outlet is blocked. Finally, a spring is utilized to bias the solenoid toward its rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Anderson, Shikui K. Chen, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 5826802
    Abstract: An improved fuel injector system comprising a nozzle tip which defines a pressure control chamber, an injection chamber, and at least one fuel injection orifice. The nozzle tip further includes a movable direct-operated check operable to selectively control fluid communication between the injection chamber and the fuel injection orifice. The improvement includes a hilt reciprocally movable within the injection chamber and being of a construction to define a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The improvement further includes a high pressure fuel passage communicating high pressure fuel to the lower chamber. The present invention provides reduced stresses on the nozzle tip as the check engages the check seat while not adversely affecting the performance of the fuel injector. This results in lower tip wear and improved life of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Anderson, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 5717372
    Abstract: A solenoid including a single coil of windings, an immovable stator, and opposed first and second armatures defining an air gap therebetween. A driving circuit energizes the coil to cause the first and second armatures to simultaneously move toward each other from respective first positions to respective second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Howard N. Cannon, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 5697342
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated fuel injector includes an injector body having a needle control chamber, a nozzle chamber, and a nozzle outlet that opens to the nozzle chamber. Fuel within the injector is hydraulically pressurized during each injection cycle. A needle valve is positioned to reciprocate in the nozzle chamber between an open position in which the nozzle outlet is open and a closed position in which the nozzle outlet is closed. The needle valve includes a closing hydraulic surface exposed to pressure in the needle control chamber. A needle control valve is mounted within the injector body and is moveable between an off position in which the needle control chamber is opened to a source of high pressure fluid and an on position in which the needle control chamber is opened to a low pressure passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Anderson, Dennis H. Gibson, Gregory W. Hefler, Dale C. Maley, Ronald D. Shinogle, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 5628293
    Abstract: An improved electronically-controlled fluid injector system comprises a fluid storage chamber and a direct-operated check. Pressurization of fluid in the storage chamber begins before the start of fluid injection. Fluid injection begins by hydraulically unbalancing the check. Fluid injection sharply ends by hydraulically balancing the check to allow a biasing device to close the check. The present invention provides improved control of several fluid injection parameters, including higher peak fluid injection capability and less fluid injection pressure drop at the end of injection, resulting in improved engine performance and lower emissions, noise, and wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis H. Gibson, Gregory W. Hefler, Ronald D. Shinogle, Mark F. Sommars, Howard N. Cannon
  • Patent number: 5551398
    Abstract: An improved electronically-controlled fluid injector system comprises a fluid storage chamber and a direct-operated check. Pressurization of fluid in the storage chamber begins before the start of fluid injection. Fluid injection begins by hydraulically unbalancing the check. Fluid injection sharply ends by hydraulically balancing the check to allow a biasing device to close the check.The present invention provides improved control of several fluid injection parameters, including higher peak fluid injection capability and less fluid injection pressure drop at the end of injection, resulting in improved engine performance and lower emissions, noise, and wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis H. Gibson, Gregory W. Hefler, Ronald D. Shinogle, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 5494219
    Abstract: A control valve assembly adapted for a fuel injector includes a valve seat with fluid inlet and fluid outlet. A poppet valve controls the flow of fluid through the valve seat. A pair of electrical actuators are selectively operably energized for releasing the poppet and moving the poppet to valve open and closed positions. Split fuel injection can be provided using either sequential operation or concurrent operation, i.e., phasing. Permanent magnets, holding current and residual magnetism enable the latching of the poppet valve in each of the valve open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dale C. Maley, Ronald D. Shinogle, Mark F. Sommars, Oded E. Sturman
  • Patent number: 4295521
    Abstract: A heat exchanger core (16) is angularly mounted in portions (12,12a) of a supporting frame. Locaters (32,34) are provided to properly locate the core (16) on the frame (12,12a) relative to air flow across the core (16). A resilient sealing mount (54,56), seals the frame (12,12a) core (16) connection, accommodates the locators (32,34) and damps vibration between the frame (12,12a) and core (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 4037575
    Abstract: An altitude compensated fuel control system includes a fuel control member for controlling flow of fuel to an internal combustion engine, a stop for limiting movement of the fuel control member toward an increased fuel direction establishing a maximum fuel flow position of the fuel control member and a device responsive to changes in atmospheric pressure for adjusting the maximum fuel flow position of the fuel control member with changes in atmospheric pressure so that the amount of fuel delivered to the engine decreases with an increase in altitude for maintaining a substantially constant air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 4026260
    Abstract: A fuel control member of an internal combustion engine is operative to control the flow of fuel to the engine and is operatively connected to an element of a speed responsive governor which is adapted to urge the fuel control member towad an increased fuel position when the load on the engine is increased. A device is provided for limiting movement of the fuel control member toward the increased fuel direction establishing a maximum fuel flow position of the fuel control member. A speed sensitive flyweight arrangement is connected to the element of the governor for moving it and the fuel control member in a decreased fuel flow direction for reducing the amount of fuel delivered to the engine when the engine speed decreases below a predetermined speed due to a load thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Karl L. Kleimenhagen, Mark F. Sommars