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).

  • Publication number: 20030116145
    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: 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
  • Publication number: 20030110768
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, David A. Pierpont, Dennis D. Feucht, Matthew D. Rampenthal, Michael P. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20030101965
    Abstract: An integral lash adjustor for an engine braking system is provided for quick and easy access to adjust and maintain a lash. The integral lash adjustor is located on the top portion of an engine brake stand to eliminate additional steps of removing engine components to access the lash adjusting site. An adjusting screw is threadably fixed inside a plunger body and secured to a plunger. The adjusting screw may be turned in a first direction a predetermined number of turns until abutment against a valve bridge pin, which is in contact with an engine exhaust valve. Next, the adjusting screw is turned in the opposite direction a predetermined number of turns to set the lash, and is then mechanically fastened. In certain embodiments, a pin running from the plunger body into the plunger prevents rotation of the plunger but allows the adjusting screw to turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Steven J Funke, Michael P. Harmon, Scott A. Leman, Matthew G. Mickiewicz
  • Patent number: 6439212
    Abstract: A bypass venturi assembly for recirculating exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine, Particularly suitable for use in an on-road 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 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. An elbow is coupled with the outlet and defines a fluid flow path. The elbow includes a vane therein which is positioned in association with the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, Michael P. Harmon, David A. Pierpont, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Patent number: 6293238
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly for an engine is disclosed. The rocker arm assembly comprises a rocker shaft having a first side and a second side and a rocker arm pivotably disposed on the rocker shaft. The rocker arm comprises a first portion disposed on the first side of the rocker shaft for receiving a force in a first direction from a brake actuator. The rocker arm further comprises a second portion disposed on the second side of the rocker shaft for engaging a valve in a second direction opposite the first direction. When the braking mode is desired, the brake actuator forces the first portion of the rocker arm in a first direction causing the rocker arm to transfer motion from the brake actuator to the exhaust valve or valves, thereby allowing exhaust to exit the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Harmon
  • Patent number: 6283090
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a hydraulic supply circuit, a hydraulically-powered fuel injector assembly, and a hydraulically-powered compression release brake assembly includes the step of advancing a pressurized hydraulic fluid to the fuel injector assembly from the hydraulic supply circuit so as to cause fuel to be injected into a cylinder associated with the engine when the engine is being operated in a drive mode of operation. The method also includes the step of advancing the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the compression release brake assembly so as to cause a piston to be moved from a retracted position to an extended position when the engine is being operated in a brake mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Harmon
  • Patent number: 5697341
    Abstract: The fill metered hydraulically actuated fuel injection system of the present invention utilizes an actuation fluid, preferably lubricating oil, as its actuation medium that is separate and different from the fuel fluid which is actually injected into the engine. Injectors according to the present invention are hydraulically actuated and include a conventional VOP type needle check, and fuel is pressurized by a plunger driven by an intensifier piston. The end of each injection event is achieved when the plunger and piston reach the end of their strokes, which provides for an abrupt end to each injection event. An abrupt end to injection is further accomplished by providing a pressure relief passage in the plunger that relieves pressure acting on the needle check at the end of injection in order to both quickly dissipate residual fuel pressure and allow the needle check to close more rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Ausman, Frederick A. Camplin, Michael P. Harmon, Douglas E. Longman, Lianghe Zuo
  • Patent number: 5478045
    Abstract: An actuator and valve assembly is disclosed which comprises an electrically-energizable actuator assembly and a device for communicating, collecting and draining damping fluid with respect to at least one cavity of the actuator assembly. If too much damping fluid remains in the actuator and valve assembly after shutdown, that damping fluid may cool off and cause slow response of the actuator and valve assembly when it is re-energized. The end result is that quick starting and/or operation of the actuator and valve assembly may be hindered, particularly under cold operating conditions. The communicating, collecting and draining means permits at least a portion of the hot damping fluid to automatically drain from the cavity after the actuator and valve assembly has been shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Ausman, Michael P. Harmon, Ronald D. Shinogle, Michael T. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 5375576
    Abstract: An actuator and valve assembly for an electronically-controlled injector is disclosed which comprises an electrically-energizable actuator assembly and a device for communicating, collecting and draining damping fluid with respect to at least one cavity of the actuator assembly. If too much damping fluid remains in the actuator assembly after engine shutdown, that damping fluid may cool off and cause slow response of the actuator and valve assembly during cold engine starting. The end result is that quick starting and/or operation of the engine may be hindered, particularly under cold engine conditions. The communicating, collecting and draining means permits at least a portion of the hot damping fluid to automatically drain from the cavity after the engine has been shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Ausman, Michael P. Harmon, Ronald D. Shinogle, Michael T. Zimmer