Patents by Inventor Matthew D. Rampenthal

Matthew D. Rampenthal 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: 7150152
    Abstract: A compound turbocharger is provided, including at least one housing. A first turbocharger having an outer shaft is disposed within the housing, and a second turbocharger is provided having an inner shaft co-axial with and extending within the outer shaft. At least one displacement limiter is disposed at a selected position along the length of the outer shaft. A method of reducing vibrational amplitude in an inner shaft of a coaxial shaft assembly is further provided, including the step of operably positioning at least one displacement limiter at a selected position along a length of the outer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Paul W. Reisdorf, Eric C. Fluga, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Patent number: 6892532
    Abstract: An exhaust system in an internal combustion engine has an exhaust manifold, an exhaust flange is connected to the exhaust manifold, and a turbocharger is connected to the exhaust flange. The turbocharger has an exhaust inlet flange connected to the exhaust flange. The exhaust manifold has a first passage and a second passage, and the exhaust flange has a first exhaust port and a second exhaust port. The exhaust ports of the exhaust flange each have a generally triangular cross-sectional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Timothy A. Bruce, Daniel J. Pelarski, Matthew D. Rampenthal, Neil A. Terry
  • Patent number: 6659092
    Abstract: A bypass venturi assembly for recirculating exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine, and particularly suitable for use in a vehicle, is provided with a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. A center piece is positioned within the housing and in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. An annular venturi nozzle positioned between the housing and the center piece is in communication with the combustion air inlet and defines a combustion air venturi section. The venturi nozzle is in communication with the exhaust gas inlet and defines an exhaust gas venturi section. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. An exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet. The venturi nozzle is separate from the housing and allows a nozzle with a particular configuration to be utilized, depending upon the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, Michael P. Harmon, David A. Pierpont, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Publication number: 20030221426
    Abstract: An exhaust system in an internal combustion engine has an exhaust manifold, an exhaust flange is connected to the exhaust manifold, and a turbocharger is connected to the exhaust flange. The turbocharger has an exhaust inlet flange connected to the exhaust flange. The exhaust manifold has a first passage and a second passage, and the exhaust flange has a first exhaust port and a second exhaust port. The exhaust ports of the exhaust flange each have a generally triangular cross-sectional configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy A. Bruce, Daniel J. Pelarski, Matthew D. Rampenthal, Neil A. Terry
  • Patent number: 6640542
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a combustion air supply and an exhaust manifold. A bypass venturi assembly includes a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. A center piece is positioned within the housing and is in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. An exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet. A single shaft is coupled with and carries each of the combustion air bypass valve and the exhaust gas valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, Michael P. Harmon, David A. Pierpont, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Patent number: 6609373
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with an exhaust manifold, a turbocharger, and a bypass venturi assembly. The turbocharger includes a turbine and a compressor, with the turbine having a variable geometry inlet coupled with the exhaust manifold, and the compressor having an outlet. The bypass venturi assembly includes a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. The combustion air inlet is coupled with the compressor outlet. The exhaust gas inlet is coupled with the exhaust manifold. A center piece is positioned within the housing and is in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. The exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, David A. Pierpont, Dennis D. Feucht, Matthew D. Rampenthal, Michael P. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20030116145
    Abstract: A bypass venturi assembly for recirculating exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine, and particularly suitable for use in a vehicle, is provided with a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. A center piece is positioned within the housing and in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. An annular venturi nozzle positioned between the housing and the center piece is in communication with the combustion air inlet and defines a combustion air venturi section. The venturi nozzle is in communication with the exhaust gas inlet and defines an exhaust gas venturi section. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. An exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet. The venturi nozzle is separate from the housing and allows a nozzle with a particular configuration to be utilized, depending upon the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, Michael P. Harmon, David A. Pierpont, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Publication number: 20030115874
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a combustion air supply and an exhaust manifold. A bypass venturi assembly includes a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. A center piece is positioned within the housing and is in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. An exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet. A single shaft is coupled with and carries each of the combustion air bypass valve and the exhaust gas valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, Michael P. Harmon, David A. Pierpont, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Publication number: 20030110768
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with an exhaust manifold, a turbocharger, and a bypass venturi assembly. The turbocharger includes a turbine and a compressor, with the turbine having a variable geometry inlet coupled with the exhaust manifold, and the compressor having an outlet. The bypass venturi assembly includes a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. The combustion air inlet is coupled with the compressor outlet. The exhaust gas inlet is coupled with the exhaust manifold. A center piece is positioned within the housing and is in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. The exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, David A. Pierpont, Dennis D. Feucht, Matthew D. Rampenthal, Michael P. Harmon
  • Patent number: 6439212
    Abstract: A bypass venturi assembly for recirculating exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine, Particularly suitable for use in an on-road vehicle, is provided with a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. A center piece is Positioned within the housing and is in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. An exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet. An elbow is coupled with the outlet and defines a fluid flow path. The elbow includes a vane therein which is positioned in association with the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, Michael P. Harmon, David A. Pierpont, Matthew D. Rampenthal