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).
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Patent number: 10989146Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Martin Leo Willi, Darryl Baldwin
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Publication number: 20200141303Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Martin Leo Willi, Darryl Baldwin
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Patent number: 9410867Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin Leo Willi, Marion Billingsley Grant
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Publication number: 20160215682Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2015Publication date: July 28, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joel David Hiltner, Martin Leo Willi
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Publication number: 20160160742Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin Leo WILLI, David Mark GINTER, Daniel George VAN ALSTINE
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Publication number: 20160161368Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin Leo Willi, Marion Billingsley Grant
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Patent number: 9162565Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Martin Leo Willi
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Patent number: 8899040Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Shriram Vijayaraghavan, Scott Byron Fiveland, Martin Leo Willi
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Publication number: 20140060946Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.Inventor: Martin Leo Willi
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Publication number: 20130081391Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventors: Shriram Vijayaraghavan, Scott Byron Fiveland, Martin Leo Willi
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Patent number: 7849692Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2006Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Darryl Dean Baldwin, Martin Leo Willi, Scott Byron Fiveland, Kristine Ann Timmons
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Publication number: 20100019506Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2008Publication date: January 28, 2010Inventors: Weidong Gong, Martin Leo Willi
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Publication number: 20090320814Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Scott Byron Fiveland, Martin Leo Willi, David Todd Montgomery
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Patent number: 7467621Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: John Christian Lauper, Jr., Martin Leo Willi, Balamurugesh Thirunavukarasu, Weidong Gong
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Publication number: 20080295501Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Weidong Gong, Martin Leo Willi, Balamurugesh Thirunavukarasu
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Publication number: 20080098995Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: John Christian Lauper, Martin Leo Willi, Balamurugesh Thirunavukarasu, Weidong Gong
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Publication number: 20080022684Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2006Publication date: January 31, 2008Inventors: Darryl Dean Baldwin, Martin Leo Willi, Scott Byron Fiveland, Kristine Ann Timmons