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).
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Patent number: 9638154Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
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Patent number: 9234488Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
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Patent number: 9228551Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
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Publication number: 20140251277Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
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Publication number: 20140182550Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2012Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
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Publication number: 20140069388Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
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Patent number: 8622046Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Gerstner, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower, Bharath Chandrashekar, Zhenyu Li
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Publication number: 20130000604Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.Inventor: Michael D. Gerstner
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Patent number: 8291889Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20110315117Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Inventors: Michael D. GERSTNER, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower, Bharath Chandrashekar, Zhenyu Li
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Publication number: 20100282212Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2009Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: 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