Patents by Inventor Martin Leo Willi

Martin Leo Willi 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: 10989146
    Abstract: A system and method is provided that introduces oil droplets into the combustion chamber of a lean burn natural gas engine via dedicated channels located in the cylinder head and a valve seat insert for providing multiple distributed sources of ignition in addition to the spark plug based ignition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Martin Leo Willi, Darryl Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20200141303
    Abstract: A system and method is provided that introduces oil droplets into the combustion chamber of a lean burn natural gas engine via dedicated channels located in the cylinder head and a valve seat insert for providing multiple distributed sources of ignition in addition to the spark plug based ignition system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Martin Leo Willi, Darryl Baldwin
  • Patent number: 9410867
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for measuring internal cylinder pressure of a combustion chamber at least partially formed by a cylinder head. The system may include an emitter configured to generate and emit a wavelength of energy along a surface of the cylinder head, and a target inline with the emitter and configured to receive the wavelength of energy. The system may also include a controller in communication with the emitter and/or target. The controller may be configured to correlate a distortion of the wavelength of energy to the internal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Leo Willi, Marion Billingsley Grant
  • Publication number: 20160215682
    Abstract: An ignition system is disclosed for use with an engine having a combustion chamber. The ignition system may have a pre-chamber configured to fluidly communicate with the combustion chamber of the engine, and a vent passage open to the pre-chamber. The ignition system may also have a valve configured to selectively allow fluid flow through the vent passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joel David Hiltner, Martin Leo Willi
  • Publication number: 20160160742
    Abstract: A spark plug arrangement is disclosed for use in an engine system. The spark plug arrangement may include a body, and a cap fixedly connected to the body to form an integral pre-chamber. The cap may have at least one orifice. The spark plug arrangement may also include an electrode extending through the body and at least partially into the pre-chamber. The electrode may be configured to create a spark in the pre-chamber. The spark plug arrangement may further include a capillary tube disposed within the body and configured to inject gaseous fuel into the pre-chamber to form an air and fuel mixture to be ignited by the spark in the pre-chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Leo WILLI, David Mark GINTER, Daniel George VAN ALSTINE
  • Publication number: 20160161368
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for measuring internal cylinder pressure of a combustion chamber at least partially formed by a cylinder head. The system. may include an emitter configured to generate and emit a wavelength of energy along a surface of the cylinder head, and a target inline with the emitter and configured to receive the wavelength of energy. The system may also include a controller in communication with the emitter and/or target. The controller may be configured to correlate a distortion of the wavelength of energy to the internal pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Leo Willi, Marion Billingsley Grant
  • Patent number: 9162565
    Abstract: A fuel tank mounting system for movable machine is disclosed. The mounting system may include a fuel tank connected to a frame of the movable machine in such a manner as to allow vertical motion of the tank relative to the frame. The fuel tank may be mounted to the frame using a spring and/or a shock absorber. The fuel tank may be a cryogenic fuel tank for storage of liquid natural gas. The shock absorbers may be tunable so that the level of dampening provided by the shock absorber is tailored to the type of machine and the specific mode of operation of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Leo Willi
  • Patent number: 8899040
    Abstract: A power system includes a natural gas engine, a first turbine receiving an exhaust from the engine, and a second turbine having an inlet fluidly connected to an outlet of the first turbine. The power system also includes a compressor driven by the first turbine. The compressor has an outlet fluidly connected to the engine. The power system further includes a bypass system directing a fluid from the outlet of the compressor to the inlet of the second turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Shriram Vijayaraghavan, Scott Byron Fiveland, Martin Leo Willi
  • Publication number: 20140060946
    Abstract: A fuel tank mounting system for movable machine is disclosed. The mounting system may include a fuel tank connected to a frame of the movable machine in such a manner as to allow vertical motion of the tank relative to the frame. The fuel tank may be mounted to the frame using a spring and/or a shock absorber. The fuel tank may be a cryogenic fuel tank for storage of liquid natural gas. The shock absorbers may be tunable so that the level of dampening provided by the shock absorber is tailored to the type of machine and the specific mode of operation of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Martin Leo Willi
  • Publication number: 20130081391
    Abstract: A power system includes a natural gas engine, a first turbine receiving an exhaust from the engine, and a second turbine having an inlet fluidly connected to an outlet of the first turbine. The power system also includes a compressor driven by the first turbine. The compressor has an outlet fluidly connected to the engine. The power system further includes a bypass system directing a fluid from the outlet of the compressor to the inlet of the second turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Shriram Vijayaraghavan, Scott Byron Fiveland, Martin Leo Willi
  • Patent number: 7849692
    Abstract: A segmented heat exchanger system for transferring heat energy from an exhaust fluid to a working fluid. The heat exchanger system may include a first heat exchanger for receiving incoming working fluid and the exhaust fluid. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion of the first heat exchanger in a parallel flow configuration. In addition, the heat exchanger system may include a second heat exchanger for receiving working fluid from the first heat exchanger and exhaust fluid from a third heat exchanger. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion of the second heat exchanger in a counter flow configuration. Furthermore, the heat exchanger system may include a third heat exchanger for receiving working fluid from the second heat exchanger and exhaust fluid from the first heat exchanger. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion of the third heat exchanger in a parallel flow configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Darryl Dean Baldwin, Martin Leo Willi, Scott Byron Fiveland, Kristine Ann Timmons
  • Publication number: 20100019506
    Abstract: A power system is disclosed. The power system may include an output device and a combustion engine configured to combust ammonia as a primary fuel to generate mechanical power directed to the output device. The power system may also include an electrical unit configured to supplement the mechanical power directed to the output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Weidong Gong, Martin Leo Willi
  • Publication number: 20090320814
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling a combustion engine. The system includes a measurement apparatus disposed external to a combustion chamber of the engine. A device is configured to selectively direct an amount of air and fuel to the measurement apparatus. An ignition source is configured to ignite the air and fuel to produce a flame propagating within the measurement apparatus. A sensor is configured to measure at least one parameter associated with the flame propagating within the measurement apparatus. A controller is configured to determine a flame speed within the measurement apparatus based on the at least one measured parameter, and to control an operating flame speed in the engine by managing an air/fuel ratio of the engine based on the determined flame speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Scott Byron Fiveland, Martin Leo Willi, David Todd Montgomery
  • Patent number: 7467621
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine is provided. The method may include supplying a combustible combination of reactants to a combustion chamber of the engine, which may include supplying a first hydrocarbon fuel, hydrogen fuel, and a second hydrocarbon fuel to the combustion chamber. Supplying the second hydrocarbon fuel to the combustion chamber may include at least one of supplying at least a portion of the second hydrocarbon fuel from an outlet port that discharges into an intake system of the engine and supplying at least a portion of the second hydrocarbon fuel from an outlet port that discharges into the combustion chamber. Additionally, the method may include combusting the combustible combination of reactants in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Christian Lauper, Jr., Martin Leo Willi, Balamurugesh Thirunavukarasu, Weidong Gong
  • Publication number: 20080295501
    Abstract: A power system is provided having an engine configured to combust a substantially stoichiometric air/fuel mixture and produce a flow of exhaust. The power system also has an exhaust passageway fluidly connected to the engine. In addition, the power system has a catalytic device situated within the exhaust passageway. Furthermore, the system has an exhaust gas recirculation loop fluidly connected to the exhaust passageway. The system further has a steam fuel reformer situated within the exhaust gas recirculation loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Weidong Gong, Martin Leo Willi, Balamurugesh Thirunavukarasu
  • Publication number: 20080098995
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine is provided. The method may include supplying a combustible combination of reactants to a combustion chamber of the engine, which may include supplying a first hydrocarbon fuel, hydrogen fuel, and a second hydrocarbon fuel to the combustion chamber. Supplying the second hydrocarbon fuel to the combustion chamber may include at least one of supplying at least a portion of the second hydrocarbon fuel from an outlet port that discharges into an intake system of the engine and supplying at least a portion of the second hydrocarbon fuel from an outlet port that discharges into the combustion chamber. Additionally, the method may include combusting the combustible combination of reactants in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: John Christian Lauper, Martin Leo Willi, Balamurugesh Thirunavukarasu, Weidong Gong
  • Publication number: 20080022684
    Abstract: A segmented heat exchanger system for transferring heat energy from an exhaust fluid to a working fluid. The heat exchanger system may include a first heat exchanger for receiving incoming working fluid and the exhaust fluid. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion of the first heat exchanger in a parallel flow configuration. In addition, the heat exchanger system may include a second heat exchanger for receiving working fluid from the first heat exchanger and exhaust fluid from a third heat exchanger. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion of the second heat exchanger in a counter flow configuration. Furthermore, the heat exchanger system may include a third heat exchanger for receiving working fluid from the second heat exchanger and exhaust fluid from the first heat exchanger. The working fluid and exhaust fluid may travel through at least a portion of the third heat exchanger in a parallel flow configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Darryl Dean Baldwin, Martin Leo Willi, Scott Byron Fiveland, Kristine Ann Timmons