Patents by Inventor Richard Herman Holtman

Richard Herman Holtman 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).

  • Engine valve actuation system and method
    Patent number: 7063055
    Abstract: An engine valve actuation system is provided. The system includes an engine valve moveable between a closed position and an open position. A spring is operatively connected to the engine valve to bias the engine valve towards the closed position. An actuator is operatively connected to the engine valve and is operable to selectively engage the engine valve to prevent the engine valve from returning to the closed position and to release the engine valve to allow the engine valve to return to the closed position. A sensor is configured to provide information related to the operation of the actuator. A controller is configured to transmit a signal to the actuator to engage the engine valve to prevent the engine valve from returning to the closed position and to release the engine valve to the allow the engine valve to return to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Kenneth Bloms, James J. Faletti, Richard Herman Holtman, Scott Alan Leman, David Andrew Pierpont
  • Engine valve actuation system and method
    Patent number: 6807929
    Abstract: An engine valve actuation system is provided. The system includes an engine valve moveable between a closed position and an open position. A spring is operatively connected to the engine valve to bias the engine valve towards the closed position. An actuator is operatively connected to the engine valve and is operable to selectively engage the engine valve to prevent the engine valve from returning to the closed position and to release the engine valve to allow the engine valve to return to the closed position. A sensor is configured to provide information related to the operation of the actuator. A controller is configured to transmit a signal to the actuator to engage the engine valve to prevent the engine valve from returning to the closed position and to release the engine valve to the allow the engine valve to return to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jason Kenneth Bloms, James J. Faletti, Richard Herman Holtman, Scott Alan Leman, David Andrew Pierpont
  • System and method for calibrating variable actuation system
    Patent number: 6668773
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a variable valve actuation system is provided. An engine valve is moved from a first position where the engine valve blocks a flow of fluid to a second position where the engine valve passes a flow of fluid. A valve actuator is actuated to prevent the engine valve from returning to the first position. A signal is transmitted to cause the valve actuator and to allow the engine valve to return to the first position. The return of the engine valve to the first position is determined. A time parameter indicative of an elapsed time between the transmission of the signal and movement of the engine valve to the first position is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Richard Herman Holtman, Scott Alan Leman, Sean O. Cornell, John Stephen Pipis, Jr., Ronald D. Shinogle
  • Engine valve actuation system and method
    Publication number: 20030213447
    Abstract: An engine valve actuation system is provided. The system includes an engine valve moveable between a closed position and an open position. A spring is operatively connected to the engine valve to bias the engine valve towards the closed position. An actuator is operatively connected to the engine valve and is operable to selectively engage the engine valve to prevent the engine valve from returning to the closed position and to release the engine valve to allow the engine valve to return to the closed position. A sensor is configured to provide information related to the operation of the actuator. A controller is configured to transmit a signal to the actuator to engage the engine valve to prevent the engine valve from returning to the closed position and to release the engine valve to the allow the engine valve to return to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Jason Kenneth Bloms, James J. Faletti, Richard Herman Holtman, Scott Alan Leman, David Andrew Pierpont
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALIBRATING VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20030213448
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a variable valve actuation system is provided. An engine valve is moved from a first position where the engine valve blocks a flow of fluid to a second position where the engine valve passes a flow of fluid. A valve actuator is actuated to prevent the engine valve from returning to the first position. A signal is transmitted to cause the valve actuator and to allow the engine valve to return to the first position. The return of the engine valve to the first position is determined. A time parameter indicative of an elapsed time between the transmission of the signal and movement of the engine valve to the first position is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Richard Herman Holtman, Scott Alan Leman, Sean O. Cornell, John Stephen Pipis, Ronald D. Shinogle