Patents by Inventor Paul D. Free

Paul D. Free 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: 11603945
    Abstract: An actuator is driven by a brushless motor having a rotor with axially extended magnets, permitting axial movement of the rotor while maintaining overlap between the magnets and a stator secured in a fixed position. The rotor is engaged with a fixed structure by a connection such as a ramp or thread that translates rotation into axial movement of the rotor along a rotational axis of the actuator. A valve member coupled to the rotor moves axially between a closed position and a range of positions that regulate fluid flow through a valve. A motor control circuit applies power to the stator coils to rotate the rotor and coupled valve member to a desired axial position and maintain the rotor and valve member at the selected position. The rotor and valve member may be biased toward a rotational position corresponding to a closed position of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Stanadyne LLC
    Inventors: Nicola Fachechi, Paul D. Free, Walter A. Hoemann
  • Publication number: 20210332906
    Abstract: An actuator is driven by a brushless motor having a rotor with axially extended magnets, permitting axial movement of the rotor while maintaining overlap between the magnets and a stator secured in a fixed position. The rotor is engaged with a fixed structure by a connection such as a ramp or thread that translates rotation into axial movement of the rotor along a rotational axis of the actuator. A valve member coupled to the rotor moves axially between a closed position and a range of positions that regulate fluid flow through a valve. A motor control circuit applies power to the stator coils to rotate the rotor and coupled valve member to a desired axial position and maintain the rotor and valve member at the selected position. The rotor and valve member may be biased toward a rotational position corresponding to a closed position of the valve member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Nicola Fachechi, Paul D. Free, Walter A. Hoemann
  • Patent number: 9291138
    Abstract: A fuel injector control valve is provided that includes a drain circuit for directing the flow of fuel away from temperature sensitive components of a fuel injector in which the fuel injector control valve is positioned. The drain circuit includes at least one portion that directs drain fuel axially inward or toward a fuel injector orifice, and away from an actuator of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Corydon E. Morris, Paul D. Free
  • Patent number: 6220234
    Abstract: A coating for a portion of the flowpath of a diffuser of a centrifugal compressor. The coating covers a portion of the diffuser against which flows high velocity air from the compressor blades. The coating is a smooth, tenacious, heat-resistant powder paint that reduces the aerodynamic drag of the diffuser walls on the high velocity air thus increasing the efficiency of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company
    Inventors: Glenn L. Baker, Paul D. Free
  • Patent number: 5558067
    Abstract: An electronic fuel injector includes a metering chamber defined by a metering piston and the sides and bottom of a bore defined within the injector body, and a timing chamber defined by the metering piston, the bore sides and a timing plunger slidably disposed within the bore. A biasing spring is connected to opposing surfaces of the timing plunger and metering piston for biasing the metering piston away from the timing plunger. The metering chamber is in constant fuel communication with a pressurized fuel source and the timing chamber receives fuel from the fuel source according to the actuation of a solenoid actuated control valve disposed therebetween. A fueling strategy for such an injector requires actuating the control valve to substantially fill the timing chamber before filling the metering chamber, for subsequent injection into the engine, when the force of the biasing spring is at a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman C. Blizard, Paul D. Free
  • Patent number: 5411003
    Abstract: A viscosity sensitive, pressure divider arrangement for use as part of an engine timing control tappet system where that system includes a block oil pressure supply, hydromechanical control valve and an oil sump, the pressure divider arrangement including an inlet chamber, a divider chamber and an exit chamber. The inlet chamber is connected to the divider chamber by means of a first connecting conduit having a relatively short length. The outlet side of the divider chamber is connected with the exit chamber by means of a second connecting conduit which has a length substantially longer than the length of the first connecting conduit. Additionally, the divider chamber includes a pressure-assist outlet aperture which is in flow communication with the hydromechanical control valve. The viscosity of oil flowing into the pressure divider arrangement will be acted upon by the combination of connecting conduits wherein the first connecting conduit is less viscosity sensitive than is the second connecting conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter W. Eberhard, John J. McCosby, Paul D. Free, Jerome M. Long, David A. Olson
  • Patent number: 5390851
    Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a solenoid operated unit fuel injector, for internal combustion engines of the type which are capable of having distinct timing, metering and injection periods, and in which the same supply line serves for the delivery of fuel to both a timing chamber and a metering chamber, is improved by providing a drilling in the injector barrel which leads directly from the timing fluid flow portion of the fuel supply circuit to an injector fuel drain path, and mounting a C-shaped spring valve on the injector body for controlling dumping of fuel through the drilling at a location above that of the timing and metering spill ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin W. Long, George L. Muntean, Paul D. Free
  • Patent number: 5024200
    Abstract: A flow controlling system having a viscosity sensitive means for producing a simulated fluid pressure which varies in correspondence with a fluid pressure at a predetermined portion of a fluid flow circuit on the basis of the viscosity of the fluid flowing through the circuit, and a pressure regulating means, that is responsive to changes in the simulated pressure, for maintaining a predetermined pressure at that predetermined portion of the fluid flow circuit. In particular, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flow controlling system is utilized in an engine timing control tappet system of the type having at least one expansible tappet for controlling timing of a fuel injector using oil that is supplied by a pump to an engine lubrication circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Free, B. Doszpoly, Tibor J. Villanyi, David A. Olson