Patents by Inventor Mark G. Fulford

Mark G. Fulford 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: 6634619
    Abstract: A pressure control valve having a cage with an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with an engine oil circuit is disclosed. The pressure control valve further has a spool in sliding engagement within the cage which blocks fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet when the spool is in the first position and places the inlet in fluid communication with the outlet when the spool is in the second position. A thin film coating is applied to an outer surface of the spool. The pressure control valve yet further has an actuator which controls movement of the spool slides from the first position to the second position. The coating reduces wear on the outer surface of the spool due to exposure of the spool to the engine oil and sliding engagement with the cage. A component of a hydraulic system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: David A. Cusac, Chuong Q. Dam, Mark G. Fulford, Paul A. Gamble, Robert E. Hawbaker, Rebecca M. Zick
  • Patent number: 6374808
    Abstract: A one-piece non-magnetic poppet of a first material for controlling fluid flow. The poppet is moves from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the poppet plugs an aperture so as to resist fluid flow through the aperture. In the second position, the poppet is in a position that allows fluid flow through the aperture. The poppet may be coup led directly with an armature disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Fulford, Michael J. Laible
  • Publication number: 20020000247
    Abstract: A pressure control valve having a cage with an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with an engine oil circuit is disclosed. The pressure control valve further has a spool in sliding engagement within the cage which blocks fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet when the spool is in the first position and places the inlet in fluid communication with the outlet when the spool is in the second position. A thin film coating is applied to an outer surface of the spool. The pressure control valve yet further has an actuator which controls movement of the spool slides from the first position to the second position. The coating reduces wear on the outer surface of the spool due to exposure of the spool to the engine oil and sliding engagement with the cage. A component of a hydraulic system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: David A. Cusac, Chuong Q. Dam, Mark G. Fulford, Paul A. Gamble, Robert E. Hawbaker, Rebecca M. Zick
  • Patent number: 5913332
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an electronic valve having a filter for filtering particulate matter from a fluid. The apparatus comprises a solenoid coil, an armature slidably disposed for limited axial sliding movement in response to current passing through the solenoid coil, a stator fixed relative to the solenoid coil, a bore extending toward the armature, a pin slidably disposed in the bore, a cage defining a cage aperture, and an edge filter disposed within the cage aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mark G. Fulford
  • Patent number: 5879553
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an apparatus for filtering particulate matter from a fluid. The apparatus is adapted to be placed within a bore of a housing, and in the preferred embodiment comprises a body member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion disposed between the first and second end portions. A first flange and a second flange are connected to the first end portion. A third flange and a fourth flange are connected to the second end portion. A first fluid passing groove and a second fluid passing groove extend from the first end portion toward the second end portion. The first and second fluid passing grooves define a first web portion. A third fluid passing groove and a fourth fluid passing groove extend from the second end portion toward the first end portion. The third and fourth fluid passing grooves define a second web portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mark G. Fulford
  • Patent number: 5757259
    Abstract: A shell/terminal/coil subassembly adapted for an electrically-controlled proportional fluid pressure control valve assembly. The shell/terminal/coil subassembly comprises an encapsulated terminal/coil subassembly, a shell, and an anti-rotation device for preventing relative rotation movement between the terminal/coil subassembly and the shell. The pressure control valve assembly is adapted for, inter alia, a hydraulically-actuated fuel injector system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Fulford, Roy E. Kline, Jerry A. Wear