Patents by Inventor Martin A. Lehman
Martin A. Lehman 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).
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Patent number: 11705676Abstract: A plug configured to be at least partially inserted into a central housing of a turbocharger. The plug includes a body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a threaded portion extending from the second end to a location on the body between the first end and the second end. The plug further includes a heat sink coupled to the second end, and a microchip mounted to a substrate that is coupled to the heat sink, the microchip configured to store information related to the turbocharger, wherein the microchip is at least partially submerged in coolant in the central housing when the plug is inserted into the central housing of the turbocharger.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Hogan, Thomas Jeffrey Crowell, Jon Ashley Johnson, Anurag Menon Kunnath, Martin A. Lehman, Marian Elizabeth L. Neal, Vincent John Neyens, Joseph Brock Oelze, Tryg Carl Tow, Ross Wetzel
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Patent number: 11433330Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a filter assembly includes a filter housing including a housing inlet and a housing outlet, and a filtering section located downstream of the housing inlet and upstream of the housing outlet. The filtering section includes a first filtering portion, a second filtering portion, a wall longitudinally separating the first filtering portion and the second filtering portion, a filtering outlet, and a valve located in the filtering outlet. The valve includes a closed condition and an open condition, and wherein, in the valve closed condition the valve blocks flow from the second filtering portion to the housing outlet.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin A. Lehman, Lee A. Reiners
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Publication number: 20220186659Abstract: A plug configured to be at least partially inserted into a central housing of a turbocharger. The plug includes a body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a threaded portion extending from the second end to a location on the body between the first end and the second end. The plug further includes a heat sink coupled to the second end, and a microchip mounted to a substrate that is coupled to the heat sink, the microchip configured to store information related to the turbocharger, wherein the microchip is at least partially submerged in coolant in the central housing when the plug is inserted into the central housing of the turbocharger.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2020Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Hogan, Thomas Jeffrey Crowell, Jon Ashley Johnson, Anurag Menon Kunnath, Martin A. Lehman, Marian Elizabeth L. Neal, Vincent John Neyens, Joseph Brock Oelze, Tryg Carl Tow, Ross Wetzel
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Patent number: 11352973Abstract: Operating a machine system includes triggering, based on activation of an on-board electronic control system, interrogation of electronically controlled components installed in a machine to read a plurality of electronic trim files each resident on a different one of the electronically controlled components. A data structure on an electronic storage medium in the control system is populated with the electronic trim files each time the control system is activated, such as by turning on an ignition switch. Operating the machine system also includes outputting control signals based on the electronic trim files to run the machine system based on operation of the electronically controlled components responsive to the outputted control signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin Lehman, Vincent Neyens, Scott Shafer, Andrew Marrack
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Publication number: 20200360840Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a filter assembly includes a filter housing including a housing inlet and a housing outlet, and a filtering section located downstream of the housing inlet and upstream of the housing outlet. The filtering section includes a first filtering portion, a second filtering portion, a wall longitudinally separating the first filtering portion and the second filtering portion, a filtering outlet, and a valve located in the filtering outlet. The valve includes a closed condition and an open condition, and wherein, in the valve closed condition the valve blocks flow from the second filtering portion to the housing outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin A. LEHMAN, Lee A. REINERS
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Publication number: 20200318569Abstract: Operating a machine system includes triggering, based on activation of an on-board electronic control system, interrogation of electronically controlled components installed in a machine to read a plurality of electronic trim files each resident on a different one of the electronically controlled components. A data structure on an electronic storage medium in the control system is populated with the electronic trim files each time the control system is activated, such as by turning on an ignition switch. Operating the machine system also includes outputting control signals based on the electronic trim files to run the machine system based on operation of the electronically controlled components responsive to the outputted control signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2019Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin Lehman, Vincent Neyens, Scott Shafer, Andrew Marrack
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Patent number: 10208727Abstract: A fluid conditioning module having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet is provided. The fluid conditioning module includes a first pump element, a second pump element, a pressure regulator, a controller, and a prime mover to impart rotational motion in the first and second pump elements. A first pump inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. A filter inlet is in fluid communication with a first pump outlet and a second pump outlet, and a filter outlet is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. A pressure regulator inlet and a pressure regulator outlet are in fluid communication with the filter outlet and a recirculation conduit, respectively. The control valve has a first position and a second position, which allows fluid flow through the recirculation conduit. The controller adjusts operation of one or more of the prime mover and the control valve based upon a predetermined parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Andrew O. Marrack, Scott F. Shafer, Martin A. Lehman, Kenneth C. Adams
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Patent number: 10190508Abstract: A system for detecting a pre-fill status of a fuel filter in a fuel system includes a monitoring mechanism structured to monitor a fluid property of the fuel system indicative of priming. A control mechanism is coupled with and structured to received data from the monitoring mechanism, and outputs a signal responsive to a time to prime the fuel system that is indicative of a filter pre-fill state.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Martin A. Lehman
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Patent number: 10184436Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a fluid injector assembly; a fluid conditioning module having an outlet port that is fluidly coupled to an inlet port of the fluid injector assembly; an injector assembly outlet conduit fluidly coupled to an outlet port of the fluid injector assembly and disposed downstream of the fluid injector assembly, the injector assembly outlet conduit defining a pressure measurement port and a flow-restricting orifice, the pressure measurement port being disposed upstream of the flow-restricting orifice along the direction of fluid flow through the fluid injector assembly; a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the pressure measurement port; and a controller operatively coupled to the fluid conditioning module and the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to adjust a flowrate of a fluid through the injector assembly inlet conduit based on a pressure signal from the pressure sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Martin Lehman, Lifeng Wang, David E. Hackett, Taylor Tang, Andrew Marrack, Dennis H. Gibson
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Patent number: 10036314Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a fluid injector assembly, a fluid conditioning module having an outlet port that is fluidly coupled to an inlet port of the fluid injector assembly via an injector assembly inlet conduit. The fluid injection system further includes a flush conduit fluidly coupled to the outlet port of the fluid conditioning module, a flush valve disposed in the flush conduit and configured to control a flowrate of fluid therethrough, and a controller operatively coupled to the fluid conditioning module and the flush valve, the controller being configured to adjust a flowrate of a fluid through the injector assembly inlet conduit by controlling a flowrate of fluid through the flush conduit.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Hackett, Martin Lehman, Scott F. Shafer
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Publication number: 20180135575Abstract: A fuel filter pre-fill detection system includes a monitoring mechanism structured to monitor a fluid property of a fuel system indicative of priming of the fuel system. A control mechanism is coupled with and structured to received data from the monitoring mechanism, and outputs a signal responsive a time to prime the fuel system that is indicative of a filter pre-fill state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Martin A. Lehman
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Patent number: 9957940Abstract: A fluid conditioning system includes a first filter mount having a first filter inlet port and a first filter outlet port, a first motor, a first pump operatively coupled to the first motor, a second filter mount having a second filter inlet port, a second pump, and a controller operatively coupled to the first motor. The controller is configured to operate the first pump at a flowrate that is higher than a flowrate of the second pump. An outlet of the first pump is fluidly coupled to the first filter inlet port via a first filter inlet conduit, and an inlet of the first pump is fluidly coupled the first filter outlet port via a first filter outlet conduit. An inlet of the second pump is fluidly coupled to the first filter outlet port via the first filter outlet conduit.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, David E. Hackett, Steven Y. Tian, Martin Lehman
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Publication number: 20180106249Abstract: A control system for a fuel supply module of an engine is provided. The control system includes a first fuel flow sensor in a fuel supply line which detects a first amount of fuel flowing through the fuel supply line and generates a first signal indicative of the first amount of fuel. The control system includes a second fuel flow sensor in the fuel return line which detects a second amount of fuel flowing through the fuel return line and generates a second signal indicative of the second amount of fuel. A controller receives the first signal and the second signal. The controller calculates a difference between the first signal and the second signal. The controller commands operation of the fuel supply module to supply a fuel flow to the engine independent of the engine speed, based on the difference between the first signal and the second signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2016Publication date: April 19, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin A. Lehman, Scott F. Shafer, Daniel R. Puckett
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Patent number: 9909468Abstract: A fluid conditioning system includes a recirculation pump fluidly coupled to a reservoir via a first conduit; a delivery pump fluidly coupled in series with the recirculation pump, such that an outlet of the recirculation pump is fluidly coupled to an inlet of the delivery pump via a second conduit; and a recirculation loop including a recirculation filter, an inlet of the recirculation filter being fluidly coupled to the second conduit, and an outlet of the recirculation filter being fluidly coupled to the first conduit. The recirculation pump is configured to operate at a flow rate that is higher than a flow rate of the delivery pump.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin Lehman, Scott F. Shafer
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Publication number: 20170198633Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a fluid injector assembly, a fluid conditioning module having an outlet port that is fluidly coupled to an inlet port of the fluid injector assembly via an injector assembly inlet conduit. The fluid injection system further includes a flush conduit fluidly coupled to the outlet port of the fluid conditioning module, a flush valve disposed in the flush conduit and configured to control a flowrate of fluid therethrough, and a controller operatively coupled to the fluid conditioning module and the flush valve, the controller being configured to adjust a flowrate of a fluid through the injector assembly inlet conduit by controlling a flowrate of fluid through the flush conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Hackett, Martin Lehman, Scott F. Shafer
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Publication number: 20170184110Abstract: A fluid conditioning module having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet is provided. The fluid conditioning module includes a first pump element, a second pump element, a pressure regulator, a controller, and a prime mover to impart rotational motion in the first and second pump elements. A first pump inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. A filter inlet is in fluid communication with a first pump outlet and a second pump outlet, and a filter outlet is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. A pressure regulator inlet and a pressure regulator outlet are in fluid communication with the filter outlet and a recirculation conduit, respectively. The control valve has a first position and a second position, which allows fluid flow through the recirculation conduit. The controller adjusts operation of one or more of the prime mover and the control valve based upon a predetermined parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: June 29, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Andrew O. Marrack, Scott F. Shafer, Martin A. Lehman, Kenneth C. Adams
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Publication number: 20170058728Abstract: A fluid conditioning system includes a recirculation pump fluidly coupled to a reservoir via a first conduit; a delivery pump fluidly coupled in series with the recirculation pump, such that an outlet of the recirculation pump is fluidly coupled to an inlet of the delivery pump via a second conduit; and a recirculation loop including a recirculation filter, an inlet of the recirculation filter being fluidly coupled to the second conduit, and an outlet of the recirculation filter being fluidly coupled to the first conduit. The recirculation pump is configured to operate at a flow rate that is higher than a flow rate of the delivery pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin Lehman, Scott F. Shafer
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Publication number: 20170016416Abstract: A fluid injection system includes a fluid injector assembly; a fluid conditioning module having an outlet port that is fluidly coupled to an inlet port of the fluid injector assembly; an injector assembly outlet conduit fluidly coupled to an outlet port of the fluid injector assembly and disposed downstream of the fluid injector assembly, the injector assembly outlet conduit defining a pressure measurement port and a flow-restricting orifice, the pressure measurement port being disposed upstream of the flow-restricting orifice along the direction of fluid flow through the fluid injector assembly; a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the pressure measurement port; and a controller operatively coupled to the fluid conditioning module and the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to adjust a flowrate of a fluid through the injector assembly inlet conduit based on a pressure signal from the pressure sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2015Publication date: January 19, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Martin Lehman, Lifeng Wang, David E. Hackett, Taylor Tang, Andrew Marrack, Dennis H. Gibson
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Patent number: 9447740Abstract: A fuel injector is disclosed for use in an engine system. The fuel injector may have a body defining a gas inlet, an oil inlet, and an oil outlet. The fuel injector may also have a nozzle connected to the body and having a base end in fluid communication with the gas inlet, and an injection tip located opposite the base end. The fuel injector may also have a valve check disposed in the nozzle and movable to selectively block and unblock the injection tip of the nozzle, and a plunger disposed in the body between the oil inlet and the oil outlet. The plunger may be movable between a flow-passing position and a flow-blocking position to cause movement of the valve check through the injection tip. The injector may further have a solenoid actuator configured to selectively move the plunger.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron Michael Brown, David E. Hackett, Lifeng Wang, Scott F. Shafer, Alan R. Stockner, Martin A. Lehman
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Publication number: 20160230720Abstract: A fluid conditioning system includes a first filter mount having a first filter inlet port and a first filter outlet port; a motor unit; a recirculation pump unit operatively coupled to the motor unit, an outlet of the recirculation pump unit being fluidly coupled to the first filter inlet port via a first filter inlet conduit, an inlet of the recirculation pump unit being fluidly coupled to the first filter outlet port via a first filter outlet conduit; a second filter mount having a second filter inlet port; and a delivery pump unit operatively coupled to the motor unit. The inlet of the delivery pump unit is fluidly coupled to the first filter outlet port via the first filter outlet conduit, and the outlet of the delivery pump unit is fluidly coupled to the second filter inlet port via a second filter inlet conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2015Publication date: August 11, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Hackett, Scott F. Shafer, Steven Y. Tian, Martin Lehman