Patents by Inventor Robert J. Maxson

Robert J. Maxson 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: 11174800
    Abstract: A controller for an internal combustion engine of a generator set operates the engine at a first, low load condition at a lean air/fuel ratio using hydrogen fuel, and at a second, high load condition at a richer air/fuel ratio using gaseous fuel. The controller transitions from the first condition to the second condition by adding gaseous fuel to achieve the richer air/fuel ratio during a transient event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Wang, Robert J. Maxson, David M. Ginter, Michael Bardell
  • Publication number: 20210087981
    Abstract: A controller for an internal combustion engine of a generator set operates the engine at a first, low load condition at a lean air/fuel ratio using hydrogen fuel, and at a second, high load condition at a richer air/fuel ratio using gaseous fuel. The controller transitions from the first condition to the second condition by adding gaseous fuel to achieve the richer air/fuel ratio during a transient event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Wang, Robert J. Maxson, David M. Ginter, Michael Bardell
  • Publication number: 20160053667
    Abstract: A prechamber assembly for an engine is disclosed. The prechamber assembly includes an air-fuel chamber and a prechamber in fluid communication with the air-fuel chamber via a conduit. The conduit includes a first end disposed in the air-fuel chamber and a second end disposed in the prechamber to allow premixed air-fuel mixture to flow from the air-fuel chamber to the prechamber. The prechamber is to receive a lean air-fuel mixture during a compression stroke of the engine. Further, the prechamber assembly also includes a valve disposed at the first end of the conduit, the valve configured to allow the premixed air-fuel mixture to flow from the air-fuel chamber to the prechamber. The premixed air-fuel mixture entering the prechamber mixes with the lean air-fuel mixture to form a stoichiometric ratio of a rich air-fuel mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Loetz, Robert J. Maxson, Joel D. Hiltner
  • Patent number: 6609496
    Abstract: An engine controller regulates fuel flow to an internal combustion engine based on sensed air flow and sensed engine operational parameters. The engine controller includes a speed sensor, a power sensor, an airflow meter and a controller unit. The speed sensor generates an engine speed signal representative of sensed engine speed, the power sensor generates an output power signal representative of sensed engine output power and the airflow meter generates an actual airflow signal representative of sensed airflow. The controller unit is responsive to the engine speed signal, the output power signal and the actual airflow signal and develops a command signal for an air-fuel mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Kevin L. Bruch, Robert J. Maxson, Geoffrey D. Ginzel
  • Patent number: 5375565
    Abstract: A flame arrestor is disclosed for use with an intake of an internal combustion engine, comprising a cylindrical housing defining an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of honeycombed passageways extending between the inlet and the outlet, wherein each of the plurality of honeycombed passageways has a predetermined length and a predetermined small cross-section substantially smaller than the predetermined length. The cylindrical housing is welded within a mounting bracket adapted for receipt in the intake of the internal combustion engine. The flame arrestor is particularly beneficial for use in a boosted engine in that cooling effectiveness and manufacturability are enhanced by the use of the honeycombed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Maxson, Aaron L. Smith, James C. Smith