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).

  • Patent number: 11705676
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 11433330
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. Lehman, Lee A. Reiners
  • Publication number: 20220186659
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20200360840
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. LEHMAN, Lee A. REINERS
  • Patent number: 10208727
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew O. Marrack, Scott F. Shafer, Martin A. Lehman, Kenneth C. Adams
  • Patent number: 10190508
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Martin A. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20180135575
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Martin A. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20180106249
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. Lehman, Scott F. Shafer, Daniel R. Puckett
  • Publication number: 20170184110
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew O. Marrack, Scott F. Shafer, Martin A. Lehman, Kenneth C. Adams
  • Patent number: 9447740
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Brown, David E. Hackett, Lifeng Wang, Scott F. Shafer, Alan R. Stockner, Martin A. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20150369143
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Aaron Michael BROWN, David E. HACKETT, Lifeng WANG, Scott F. SHAFER, Alan R. STOCKNER, Martin A. LEHMAN
  • Publication number: 20140224215
    Abstract: A fuel filtration system is provided. The fuel filtration system includes a pump configured to receive a flow of fuel from a fuel storage tank and at least one filter positioned downstream to the fuel filtration system and fluidly coupled to the pump. The fuel filtration system further comprises a recirculation loop configured to recirculate at least a portion of the fuel through the at least one filter. The recirculation loop is also configured to provide a remaining portion of the fuel to an engine during the recirculation. The remaining portion of the fuel is determined based on a fuel consumption of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Martin A. Lehman, Eric J. Herron, Steven Y. Tian, Krishna K. Chinta, Scott F. Shafer, Byron R. Wear
  • Patent number: 6279539
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated fuel injector includes an injector body which has an outer surface. An armature cavity is defined by the injector body and a solenoid. The solenoid includes an armature, which is positioned within the armature cavity. Attached to the armature and positioned in the injector body is a valve member that defines a centerline. A plurality of evacuation passages which extend from the armature cavity to the outer surface are defined by the injector body. The armature and the evacuation passages are positioned on opposite sides of a plane that is oriented perpendicular to the centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Graves, Martin A. Lehman
  • Patent number: 5385132
    Abstract: A fluid system of an internal combustion engine has controls and a separate radiator for maintaining the temperature of incoming engine combustion air at optimum conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Martin A. Lehman