Patents by Inventor Roger A. Stapf

Roger A. Stapf 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: 5373892
    Abstract: The design of past vehicles having internal combustion engines has focused attention toward aerodynamic principles. However, present day vehicles have done little to reconfigure the vehicle's engine systems in order to enhance the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The present invention allows for enhancements of the aerodynamics of the vehicle by utilizing a dry sump means 60 within a dry sump lubricated engine 36 which eliminates a conventional oil pan and allows a replacing cover 46 to be smaller and more shallow thereby lowering the overall profile of the engine 36. The additional use of a separately mounted oil cooler 76 reduces the heat load to a radiator 80 thereby decreasing the necessary size for the radiator 80. The smaller radiator 80 decreases the vertical spatial requirements for the engine 36. By lowering the overall profile of the engine 36, with both the more shallow cover 46 and the smaller radiator 80, a vehicle hood 18 can be manufactured with an increased slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Johnson, Roger A. Stapf
  • Patent number: H1466
    Abstract: The design and construction of past oxygen injection systems having an oxygen mixer to inject oxygen into an air intake pipe required the use of oxygen in a highly pressurized state. The use of high pressure oxygen required precise pressure control in order to maintain safety. Additionally, the high pressure tank used for storing the oxygen was not space efficient due to the large volume occupied by the oxygen in the gaseous state. The present invention overcomes these problems by utilizing oxygen in the liquid state. Liquid oxygen is stored within a more space efficient storage tank. A solenoid is signaled through an electronic control unit to open under specific operating conditions allowing liquid oxygen to flow from the storage tank. Upon leaving the storage tank, the liquid oxygen is converted to a gaseous state where it flows through an oxygen supply pipe so that the oxygen can be injected by an oxygen mixer into an air intake pipe for mixing with ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Roger A. Stapf