Patents by Inventor Michael A. Zolvinski

Michael A. Zolvinski 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: 12117022
    Abstract: A diffuser for a return line on a hydraulic tank may include a coupling portion configured for coupling in fluid communication with a return port of the hydraulic tank and for receiving return fluid along an incoming longitudinal direction. The diffuser may also include a dispersion portion in fluid communication with the coupling portion and configured for dispersing the return fluid radially. The diffuser may also include a manifold arranged around the dispersion portion and configured to direct the return fluid circumferentially and axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A Zolvinski, Henry Torosyan, Ravishankar Rajendran
  • Publication number: 20220325727
    Abstract: A diffuser for a return line on a hydraulic tank may include a coupling portion configured for coupling in fluid communication with a return port of the hydraulic tank and for receiving return fluid along an incoming longitudinal direction. The diffuser may also include a dispersion portion in fluid communication with the coupling portion and configured for dispersing the return fluid radially. The diffuser may also include a manifold arranged around the dispersion portion and configured to direct the return fluid circumferentially and axially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A Zolvinski, Henry Torosyan, Ravishankar Rajendran
  • Patent number: 11428336
    Abstract: A ball float vent valve includes a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port and an axial passageway there-between. The passageway may be defined by a cylindrical inlet chamber, a cylindrical outlet chamber and a tapered seat connecting the inlet chamber and outlet chamber. The outlet chamber may include an annular retaining groove proximate the outlet port. A spherical float may be positioned in the outlet chamber. The float may be dimensioned to seal the passageway when seated on the tapered seat. A retainer positioned in the retaining groove may include an outer crescent region having a plurality of apertures, a center region dimensioned to retain the float in the outlet chamber, and a linking region connecting the outer region to the center region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William N. O'Neill, Bruno L. Risatti, Michael A. Zolvinski, Bill F. Erdman, Dayao Chen
  • Publication number: 20220178457
    Abstract: A ball float vent valve includes a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port and an axial passageway there-between. The passageway may be defined by a cylindrical inlet chamber, a cylindrical outlet chamber and a tapered seat connecting the inlet chamber and outlet chamber. The outlet chamber may include an annular retaining groove proximate the outlet port. A spherical float may be positioned in the outlet chamber. The float may be dimensioned to seal the passageway when seated on the tapered seat. A retainer positioned in the retaining groove may include an outer crescent region having a plurality of apertures, a center region dimensioned to retain the float in the outlet chamber, and a linking region connecting the outer region to the center region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar lnc.
    Inventors: William N. O'Neill, Bruno L. Risatti, Michael A. Zolvinski, Biil F. Erdman, Dayao Chen