Patents by Inventor Robert S. Caplinger

Robert S. Caplinger 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).

  • Shutoff valve assembly and sensing subsystem for detecting state of same
    Patent number: 10612687
    Abstract: A shutoff valve assembly for a fluid supply system includes a shutoff valve, with a valve member movable therein to shutoff fluid flow through a fluid conduit. The shutoff valve assembly includes a sensor target assembly with a sensor target located outside of the valve housing, and a rotator structured to transmit a rotation of the valve member within the valve housing to the sensor target. A proximity sensor is located outside of the valve housing and structured to produce a valve closing signal based on rotation of the sensor target that is indicative of initiating closing the shutoff valve. The design is adapted for relatively high temperature and high vibration environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Robert S. Caplinger, Brandyn Anthony Stack, Joseph John Stabnik
  • SHUTOFF VALVE ASSEMBLY AND SENSING SUBSYSTEM FOR DETECTING STATE OF SAME
    Publication number: 20190301638
    Abstract: A shutoff valve assembly for a fluid supply system includes a shutoff valve, with a valve member movable therein to shutoff fluid flow through a fluid conduit. The shutoff valve assembly includes a sensor target assembly with a sensor target located outside of the valve housing, and a rotator structured to transmit a rotation of the valve member within the valve housing to the sensor target. A proximity sensor is located outside of the valve housing and structured to produce a valve closing signal based on rotation of the sensor target that is indicative of initiating closing the shutoff valve. The design is adapted for relatively high temperature and high vibration environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Robert S. Caplinger, Brandyn Anthony Stack, Joseph John Stabnik