Patents by Inventor Michael D. Gerstner

Michael D. Gerstner 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: 9638154
    Abstract: A fuel pump manifold pressure control system may be effective to provide a compact and more effective fuel pump mechanism for compression ignition engines, such as diesel and some natural gas engines. The fuel pump manifold pressure control system includes a fuel pump manifold, at least one fuel injection accumulator adapted for supplying pressurized fuel to at least one fuel injector, a pressure control valve, a pressure sensor, and a pressure relief valve, all contained within a compact fuel pump housing. The pressure control valve and pressure sensor are each adapted for signal communication with electronic controller, and for fuel communication with the fuel pump manifold. The pressure relief valve is adapted for fuel communication with the fuel pump manifold. Each of the control valve, sensor, and relief valve are fixedly mounted to and internally contained within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
  • Patent number: 9234488
    Abstract: A quill connector for a fuel system in an engine includes an elongate quill body defining a fuel conduit having a proximal accumulator segment, and a flow limiter subassembly, for limiting oversupplying of a pressurized fuel, positioned at least partially within the accumulator segment. The subassembly includes a seat component attached to the elongate quill body and supporting a guide component wherein a hydraulically actuated valve and a biaser are disposed. The valve is movable to a closed position during supplying pressurized fuel to a fuel injector, to interrupt a flow of the pressurized fuel thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
  • Patent number: 9228551
    Abstract: A quill tube is provided. The quill tube includes a hollow body and a spherical head. The hollow body defines a bore within the quill tube. The bore is configured to direct a flow of fuel into a fuel injector. The spherical head is located at a first end of the hollow body. The spherical head includes a tip, a first surface and a second surface. The tip is located at a distal end of the spherical head. The first surface is configured to engage with the fuel injector. The second surface is positioned between the tip and the first surface. Further, a flange is located proximate to the spherical head. The flange is angularly positioned relative to the first surface. If the spherical head is contacted against an external surface, the flange is configured to cause the second surface to touch the external surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
  • Publication number: 20140251277
    Abstract: A quill connector for a fuel system in an engine includes an elongate quill body defining a fuel conduit having a proximal accumulator segment, and a flow limiter subassembly, for limiting oversupplying of a pressurized fuel, positioned at least partially within the accumulator segment. The subassembly includes a seat component attached to the elongate quill body and supporting a guide component wherein a hydraulically actuated valve and a biaser are disposed. The valve is movable to a closed position during supplying pressurized fuel to a fuel injector, to interrupt a flow of the pressurized fuel thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
  • Publication number: 20140182550
    Abstract: A high-pressure quill for a fuel injection system of an engine includes a pair of elongated components linked together in fluid communication. The upstream component includes a plenum chamber with a seat at its upstream end. The pair of elongated components is linked together by a linking component in a manner to permit fluid flow therethrough. A fuel flow limiter is slidably supported in the chamber and is operable during normal operation to provide predetermined quantities of fuel during each injection event to a combustion chamber and, in the event of a failure condition, to terminate fuel flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
  • Publication number: 20140069388
    Abstract: A quill tube is provided. The quill tube includes a hollow body and a spherical head. The hollow body defines a bore within the quill tube. The bore is configured to direct a flow of fuel into a fuel injector. The spherical head is located at a first end of the hollow body. The spherical head includes a tip, a first surface and a second surface. The tip is located at a distal end of the spherical head. The first surface is configured to engage with the fuel injector. The second surface is positioned between the tip and the first surface. Further, a flange is located proximate to the spherical head. The flange is angularly positioned relative to the first surface. If the spherical head is contacted against an external surface, the flange is configured to cause the second surface to touch the external surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
  • Patent number: 8622046
    Abstract: A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The fuel system may have a pump, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a plurality of fuel accumulators. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may be disposed at least partially within a different cylinder head of the engine in fluid communication with an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with adjacent fuel accumulators of the plurality of fuel accumulators. At least one of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with the pump. The fuel system may further have a plurality of flow limiters. Each of the plurality of flow limiters may be disposed between an associated fuel accumulator of the plurality of fuel accumulators and an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerstner, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower, Bharath Chandrashekar, Zhenyu Li
  • Publication number: 20130000604
    Abstract: A fuel pump manifold pressure control system may be effective to provide a compact and more effective fuel pump mechanism for compression ignition engines, such as diesel and some natural gas engines. The fuel pump manifold pressure control system includes a fuel pump manifold, at least one fuel injection accumulator adapted for supplying pressurized fuel to at least one fuel injector, a pressure control valve, a pressure sensor, and a pressure relief valve, all contained within a compact fuel pump housing. The pressure control valve and pressure sensor are each adapted for signal communication with electronic controller, and for fuel communication with the fuel pump manifold. The pressure relief valve is adapted for fuel communication with the fuel pump manifold. Each of the control valve, sensor, and relief valve are fixedly mounted to and internally contained within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
  • Patent number: 8291889
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having a valve seat fluidly positioned between an inlet and an outlet. A valve member is movable among a first position, a second position, and a third position. The valve member is in contact with the valve seat and fluidly blocks the inlet from the outlet at the first position. At the second position of the valve member, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a small flow area. The inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a large flow area when the valve member is at the third position. An electrical actuator is attached to the valve body and is operably coupled to move the valve member when energized. The valve member includes an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the inlet when at the first position. A spring is operably positioned to bias the valve member toward the second position when the valve member is at the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Jeffrey DePayva, Daniel R. Puckett, Amy S. Johanson, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower, Jason Z. Li, Jayaraman Venkataraghavan, Michael D. Gerstner, Michael C. Long
  • Publication number: 20110315117
    Abstract: A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The fuel system may have a pump, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a plurality of fuel accumulators. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may be disposed at least partially within a different cylinder head of the engine in fluid communication with an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with adjacent fuel accumulators of the plurality of fuel accumulators. At least one of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with the pump. The fuel system may further have a plurality of flow limiters. Each of the plurality of flow limiters may be disposed between an associated fuel accumulator of the plurality of fuel accumulators and an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Michael D. GERSTNER, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower, Bharath Chandrashekar, Zhenyu Li
  • Publication number: 20100282212
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having a valve seat fluidly positioned between an inlet and an outlet. A valve member is movable among a first position, a second position, and a third position. The valve member is in contact with the valve seat and fluidly blocks the inlet from the outlet at the first position. At the second position of the valve member, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a small flow area. The inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a large flow area when the valve member is at the third position. An electrical actuator is attached to the valve body and is operably coupled to move the valve member when energized. The valve member includes an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the inlet when at the first position. A spring is operably positioned to bias the valve member toward the second position when the valve member is at the third position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Jeffrey DePayva, Daniel R. Puckett, Amy S. Johanson, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower, Jason Z. Li, Jayaraman Venkataraghavan, Michael D. Gerstner, Michael C. Long