Patents by Inventor Michael P. Harmon

Michael P. Harmon 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: 9010209
    Abstract: A gear assembly including a main gear including a first hub, a first gear ring positioned about the first hub, and a first helically splined region. The gear assembly further includes a sub-gear co-axially disposed relative to the main gear with a resilient member disposed therebetween. The sub-gear including a second hub, a second gear ring positioned about the second hub, and a second helically splined region complementary to the first helically splined region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Murphy, Anthony K. Chan, Michael P. Harmon
  • Patent number: 8695455
    Abstract: A transmission system includes a crankshaft having an outer surface with a plurality of splines and a hub having an inner surface with a plurality of splines. The hub is mounted on the crankshaft such that the plurality of splines on the inner surface of the hub meshes with the plurality of splines on the outer surface of the crankshaft. The transmission system further includes a flywheel mounted to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Travis T. Petry-Johnson, Franklin J. Struwe, Michael P. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20130228029
    Abstract: A gear assembly including a main gear including a first hub, a first gear ring positioned about the first hub, and a first helically splined region. The gear assembly further includes a sub-gear co-axially disposed relative to the main gear with a resilient member disposed therebetween. The sub-gear including a second hub, a second gear ring positioned about the second hub, and a second helically splined region complementary to the first helically splined region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Murphy, Anthony K. Chan, Michael P. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20120152048
    Abstract: A transmission system disclosed herein includes a crankshaft having an outer surface with a plurality of splines and a hub having an inner surface with a plurality of splines. The hub is mounted on the crankshaft such that the plurality of splines on the inner surface of the hub meshes with the plurality of splines on the outer surface of the crankshaft. The transmission system further includes a flywheel mounted to the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Travis T. Petry-Johnson, Franklin J. Struwe, Michael P. Harmon
  • Patent number: 8074611
    Abstract: A thermostat assembly for a combustion engine having at least one cylinder is disclosed. The assembly has a cylinder head configured to cap off the at least one cylinder, the cylinder head having a recess fluidly connected to a coolant passage of the combustion engine. The assembly also has a thermostat located completely within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Schell, Paul F. Olsen, Michael P. Harmon, Geary W. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7650863
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for a combustion engine is provided. The valve actuation system may have an engine valve movable between first and second spaced apart end positions. The valve actuation system may also have a first cam element mechanically coupled to move the engine valve, and a first hydraulic slave piston operatively connected to the engine valve to move the engine valve independent of movement of the first cam element. The valve actuation system may further have a high pressure rail fluidly connected to the first hydraulic piston, and a control valve disposed between the high pressure rail and the first hydraulic piston to regulate movement of the engine valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bond, Steven J. Funke, Michael P. Harmon
  • Patent number: 7594485
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for an engine is provided. The valve actuation system can include two or more engine cylinders, each cylinder having at least one intake valve configured to control air-flow into each of the two or more cylinders and at least one exhaust valve configured to control the flow of exhaust gases out of each of the two or more cylinders. The at least one first cylinder includes an exhaust cam lobe configured to control the valve timing of an exhaust valve of the at least one first cylinder and to cause an exhaust valve of a second cylinder to open during an expansion stroke of the second cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Harmon
  • Patent number: 7520257
    Abstract: A cylinder head of an engine is disclosed, the cylinder head including an upper deck, a lower deck, and a sidewall extending between the upper deck and the lower deck. The lower deck defines a block-engaging portion and a combustion chamber flame deck. The combustion chamber flame deck is spaced apart from the block-engaging portion. An engine is also disclosed that includes a cylinder block having a cylinder bore, and a piston slidably positioned within the cylinder bore. The engine also includes a cylinder head having a lower deck connected to the cylinder block, the lower deck defining a block-engaging portion and a combustion chamber flame deck. The combustion chamber flame deck is spaced apart from the block-engaging portion by a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd M. Adams, Scott Beatty, James William Brogdon, Michael P. Harmon, Humphrey Niven, James D. Peltier
  • Publication number: 20090084331
    Abstract: A thermostat assembly for a combustion engine having at least one cylinder is disclosed. The assembly has a cylinder head configured to cap off the at least one cylinder, the cylinder head having a recess fluidly connected to a coolant passage of the combustion engine. The assembly also has a thermostat located completely within the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: William L. Schell, Paul F. Olsen, Michael P. Harmon, Geary W. Smith, JR.
  • Patent number: 7481048
    Abstract: A regeneration assembly includes a first portion including a combustion chamber connected to a combustor head. The regeneration assembly also includes a second portion including a housing. The first portion is removably connectable to the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Harmon, Cho Y. Liang, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mari Lou Balmer-Millar
  • Publication number: 20080149053
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for an engine is provided. The valve actuation system can include two or more engine cylinders, each cylinder having at least one intake valve configured to control air-flow into each of the two or more cylinders and at least one exhaust valve configured to control the flow of exhaust gases out of each of the two or more cylinders. The at least one first cylinder includes an exhaust cam lobe configured to control the valve timing of an exhaust valve of the at least one first cylinder and to cause an exhaust valve of a second cylinder to open during an expansion stroke of the second cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Michael P. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20080127920
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for a combustion engine is provided. The valve actuation system may have an engine valve movable between first and second spaced apart end positions. The valve actuation system may also have a first cam element mechanically coupled to move the engine valve, and a first hydraulic slave piston operatively connected to the engine valve to move the engine valve independent of movement of the first cam element. The valve actuation system may further have a high pressure rail fluidly connected to the first hydraulic piston, and a control valve disposed between the high pressure rail and the first hydraulic piston to regulate movement of the engine valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Michael S. Bond, Steven J. Funke, Michael P. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20070228191
    Abstract: A fluid-injecting system includes a nozzle assembly which includes a housing defining an outlet cooling passage, an outlet control passage, at least one inlet supply passageway, and an injection orifice. The nozzle assembly also includes a shaft disposed within the housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. The fluid-injecting system further includes a first valve in fluid communication with the nozzle assembly configured to regulate the supply of a fluid through the at least one inlet passageway and a second valve in fluid communication with the nozzle assembly to regulate a flow of fluid through the outlet passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Michael P. Harmon, Cho Y. Liang
  • Patent number: 6971366
    Abstract: Engine compression release brakes include some degree of lash between the brake actuation portion and the engine exhaust valve portion. The disclosed apparatus and method provides an integral lash adjuster that includes an adjusting screw that is threadably received by a slidable plunger. Rotation of the adjusting screw causes the plunger to slide relative to a plunger cavity and responsively modify the amount of lash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Funke, Michael P. Harmon, Scott A. Leman, Matthew G. Mickiewicz
  • Patent number: 6814044
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping oil in a machine. The apparatus and method includes a first gear drivably connected to the machine, a second gear connected to the machine such that a set of teeth located on the first gear engage a set of teeth located on the second gear, an oil inlet port located near the teeth of the first gear slightly before a point of engagement of the teeth of the first and second gears, and an oil outlet port located at the point of engagement of the teeth of the first and second gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Christopher M. Elliott, Michael P. Harmon, Aaron J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20040107940
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping oil in a machine. The apparatus and method includes a first gear drivably connected to the machine, a second gear connected to the machine such that a set of teeth located on the first gear engage a set of teeth located on the second gear, an oil inlet port located near the teeth of the first gear slightly before a point of engagement of the teeth of the first and second gears, and an oil outlet port located at the point of engagement of the teeth of the first and second gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher M. Elliott, Michael P. Harmon, Aaron J. Weber
  • 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
  • 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: 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