Patents by Inventor Michael J. Pollard

Michael J. Pollard 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: 10393111
    Abstract: A pumping mechanism is disclosed. The pumping mechanism may include a barrel formed of a barrel substrate and including a first end surface, a second end surface opposite the first end surface, and a bore between the first and second end surfaces. Each of the first and second end surfaces and the bore is coated with a metal plating. The pumping mechanism may further include a plunger formed of a plunger substrate and configured to be slidably disposed in the bore in barrel, the plunger substrate having a tribological coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Ray Stockner, Aaron M. Brown, Sridhar Thangaswamy, Glenn B. Cox, John Jay Truhan, Jr., Michael J. Pollard, John P. McDonnel
  • Patent number: 9995290
    Abstract: A cryogenic pump configured for pressurizing a cryogenic fluid is provided. The cryogenic pump includes a warm end portion adapted to not contact cryogenic fluid during operation of the pump and including one or more driving components. The cryogenic pump includes a cold end portion adapted to contact cryogenic fluid during operation of the pump and including a pump inlet and a pump outlet. An insulating arrangement including an insulator plate is arranged between the warm end portion and the cold end portion and defines a first air gap between the cold end portion and the insulator plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Pollard, Cory A. Brown, Alan R. Stockner, Adrienne M. Brasche
  • Publication number: 20170096998
    Abstract: A pumping mechanism is disclosed. The pumping mechanism may include a barrel formed of a barrel substrate and including a first end surface, a second end surface opposite the first end surface, and a bore between the first and second end surfaces. Each of the first and second end surfaces and the bore is coated with a metal plating. The pumping mechanism may further include a plunger formed of a plunger substrate and configured to be slidably disposed in the bore in barrel, the plunger substrate having a tribological coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Ray STOCKNER, Aaron M. BROWN, Sridhar THANGASWAMY, Glenn B. COX, John Jay TRUHAN, JR., Michael J. POLLARD, John P. MCDONNEL
  • Publication number: 20160146199
    Abstract: A cryogenic pump configured for pressurizing a cryogenic fluid is provided. The cryogenic pump includes a warm end portion adapted to not contact cryogenic fluid during operation of the pump and including one or more driving components. The cryogenic pump includes a cold end portion adapted to contact cryogenic fluid during operation of the pump and including a pump inlet and a pump outlet. An insulating arrangement including an insulator plate is arranged between the warm end portion and the cold end portion and defines a first air gap between the cold end portion and the insulator plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Pollard, Cory A. Brown, Alan R. Stockner, Adrienne M. Brasche
  • Patent number: 8444729
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes an array of filter cartridges positioned within a shell, each of the cartridges having an electrically powered heating element coupled therewith. Exhaust gases may be distributed among the cartridges according to a single distribution pattern, and the filter can be regenerated without diverting, dividing or bypassing exhaust gases from the filter. The filter cartridges may be cylindrical or wedge-shaped, or of a variety of other configurations. Regeneration may take place according to a non-axial regeneration propagation profile. Other aspects include feedback control and feedforward control of regeneration based on sensing an electrical resistance property of each of the electrically powered heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett M. Bailey, Clifford E. Cotton, Christopher J. Rynders, Jr., Michael J. Readey, Michael J. Pollard, Robert L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7981174
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes an array of filter cartridges positioned within a shell, each of the cartridges having an electrically powered heating element coupled therewith. Exhaust gases are distributed among the cartridges according to a single distribution pattern, and the filter can be regenerated without diverting, dividing or bypassing exhaust gases from the filter. Other aspects include feedback control and feedforward control of regeneration based on sensing an electrical resistance property of each of the electrically powered heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bailey, Michael J. Pollard, Michael Readey, Craig F. Habeger, Robert L. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20100025500
    Abstract: A fuel injector is disclosed. The fuel injector has an injector body and an injector needle located inside the injector body. At least one of the injector body and injector needle has a portion configured to be exposed to a combustion chamber, the portion including maraging or carburizing steel and having a nitrided outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Michael J. Pollard, Petr Michlik, Jeff A. Jensen, Scott A. Johnston, Pingshun Zhao
  • Publication number: 20090272263
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes an array of filter cartridges positioned within a shell, each of the cartridges having an electrically powered heating element coupled therewith. Exhaust gases may be distributed among the cartridges according to a single distribution pattern, and the filter can be regenerated without diverting, dividing or bypassing exhaust gases from the filter. The filter cartridges may be cylindrical or wedge-shaped, or of a variety of other configurations. Regeneration may take place according to a non-axial regeneration propagation profile. Other aspects include feedback control and feedforward control of regeneration based on sensing an electrical resistance property of each of the electrically powered heating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett M. Bailey, Clifford E. Cotton, Christopher J. Rynders, JR., Michael J. Readey, Michael J. Pollard, Robert L. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20090188389
    Abstract: A particulate filter includes a filter element comprising a non-perforated tube having an exhaust inlet at a first end and an exhaust outlet at a second end. A fibrous metallic filter medium is disposed within the filter element and is configured to trap particulate matter from an exhaust gas. A first metallic foam disk is attached at the second end of the filter element, and retains the fibrous metallic filter medium within the filter element. A second metallic foam disk may be attached at the first end of the filter element and may allow the particulate filter to be reversed with respect to an exhaust gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Herbert F.M. Dacosta, Thomas E. Paulson, Michael J. Pollard
  • Publication number: 20090133382
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes an array of filter cartridges positioned within a shell, each of the cartridges having an electrically powered heating element coupled therewith. Exhaust gases are distributed among the cartridges according to a single distribution pattern, and the filter can be regenerated without diverting, dividing or bypassing exhaust gases from the filter. Other aspects include feedback control and feedforward control of regeneration based on sensing an electrical resistance property of each of the electrically powered heating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Brett Bailey, Michael J. Pollard, Michael Readey, Craig F. Habeger, Robert L. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20080236118
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a shell shaped to fit the particulate filter within a predefined spatial envelope. Filter elements arranged in a bundle and having a packing arrangement are positioned within the housing. Each of the filter elements includes a perforated tube wrapped with fibrous metallic filter media. The bundle defines a perimetric line at least partially matched to the shape of the shell. An assembly method for a particulate filter includes arranging filter elements in a packing structure within a bundle, the bundle having peripherally located filter elements and internally located filter elements. The filter elements each include a perforated tube wrapped with fibrous metallic filter media. The assembly method further includes positioning the bundle of filter elements within a housing having a shape at least partially matched to a shape of the bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Darrel H. Meffert, Michael J. Pollard, Herbert F.M. Dacosta, Ronak Shah
  • Publication number: 20080236119
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a shell shaped to fit the particulate filter within a predefined spatial envelope. Filter elements are arranged in a composite filter assembly and are packed within a housing. Each of the filter elements includes a cartridge having a frame wrapped with fibrous metallic filter media. The composite filter assembly has a shape corresponding to the shape of the shell. Each cartridge of the composite filter assembly is reversibly coupled with a frame internal of the shell via trapping elements having a release state and a trapping state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy J. Boland, Thomas E. Paulson, Herbert F. M. DaCosta, Ronak Shah, Robert L. Meyer, Philip Bruza, Michael J. Pollard
  • Patent number: 7264643
    Abstract: An electrical connection element for providing an electrical connection to a porous material may include a first electrically conductive plate disposed on at least a portion of a first side of the porous material. A second electrically conductive plate may be disposed on at least a portion of a second side of the porous material, opposite to the first side. An electrically conductive material may impregnate the porous material in a region between the first and second electrically conductive plates, and an electrical connector may be attached to at least one of the first and second electrically conductive plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Earnest Williams, Matthew Thomas Kiser, Michael J. Pollard, Jo L. Costura, Cornelius Nicolae Opris, Hind M. Abi-Akar, Robert L. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20030000085
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a camshaft used in an internal combustion engine. The method of manufacturing the camshaft produces a camshaft which has reduced weight and added wear resistance at a lobe of the camshaft. The camshaft is manufactured to provide increased efficiency of the internal combustion engine. The method of making the camshaft includes mixing wear resistant material with a base material and metering the mixture into a rotating die. The rotating die rotates at a predetermined speed and forces the wear resistant material to the outer surface of the lobes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Majewski, Michael J. Pollard
  • Patent number: 6484396
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a camshaft used in an internal combustion engine. The method of manufacturing the camshaft produces a camshaft which has reduced weight and added wear resistance at a lobe of the camshaft. The camshaft is manufactured to provide increased efficiency of the internal combustion engine. The method of making the camshaft includes mixing wear resistant material with a base material and metering the mixture into a rotating die. The rotating die rotates at a predetermined speed and forces the wear resistant material to the outer surface of the lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Thomas Majewski, Michael J. Pollard
  • Patent number: 6442835
    Abstract: A camshaft used in an internal combustion engine which has reduced weight and added wear resistance at a lobe of the camshaft. The camshaft is provided to add increased wear resistance and reduced weight to the internal combustion engine for increased efficiency of the internal combustion engine. The camshaft includes wear resistant material at the surface of the lobe of the camshaft. The wear resistant material is distributed on the outer surface of the lobe and incorporated into the base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Majewski, Michael J. Pollard
  • Publication number: 20020073945
    Abstract: A camshaft used in an internal combustion engine which has reduced weight and added wear resistance at a lobe of the camshaft. The camshaft is provided to add increased wear resistance and reduced weight to the internal combustion engine for increased efficiency of the internal combustion engine. The camshaft includes wear resistant material at the surface of the lobe of the camshaft. The wear resistant material is distributed on the outer surface of the lobe and incorporated into the base material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Majewski, Michael J. Pollard