Patents by Inventor Russell R. Graze, Jr.

Russell R. Graze, Jr. 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: 8505395
    Abstract: A partial dilution exhaust sampling system has an expanded ability to simultaneously perform two different evaluations on exhaust from a power source. Beyond testing for particulate matter production, the system may simultaneously evaluate exhaust for undesirable gaseous emissions such as NOx and carbon dioxide and/or concurrently evaluate particle size and distribution in the exhaust sample. After extracting sample flow from the exhaust stream of the power source and adding diluent to the sample flow, the diluted sample flow is divided into a first portion flow and a second portion flow. Depending upon whether the additional exhaust evaluation device is in parallel with the particulate measurement gravimetric filter or in series with the filter, a dilution flow actuator and/or an exit actuator may be adjusted to account for a fraction of diluted sample flow directed to the auxiliary exhaust evaluation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Russell R. Graze, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8256307
    Abstract: Testing of engine particulate matter production during a transient is made more accurate by selecting an appropriate sized opening for a test probe of the sampling system located in the exhaust line upstream from a particulate trap. By examining the pressure signature at the test probe location and utilizing that information in conjunction with a desired volumetric flow rate into the sampling system, a flow opening size for the test probe can be selected that reduces potential oversampling which may be otherwise induced due to the back pressure increases in the exhaust line caused by the presence of the particulate trap. The flow opening into the test probe of the sampling system behaves relative unrestricted when pressure differentials at the test probe location are relatively low, such as during steady state operating conditions, but restricts flow into the sampling system when pressure differentials are relatively high, such as at a pressure during a transient event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Russell R. Graze, Jr., Linda M. Riedlinger, Jerry K. Randall
  • Publication number: 20110048105
    Abstract: A partial dilution exhaust sampling system has an expanded ability to simultaneously perform two different evaluations on exhaust from a power source. Beyond testing for particulate matter production, the system may simultaneously evaluate exhaust for undesirable gaseous emissions such as NOx and carbon dioxide and/or concurrently evaluate particle size and distribution in the exhaust sample. After extracting sample flow from the exhaust stream of the power source and adding diluent to the sample flow, the diluted sample flow is divided into a first portion flow and a second portion flow. Depending upon whether the additional exhaust evaluation device is in parallel with the particulate measurement gravimetric filter or in series with the filter, a dilution flow actuator and/or an exit actuator may be adjusted to account for a fraction of diluted sample flow directed to the auxiliary exhaust evaluation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Russell R. Graze, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100101302
    Abstract: Testing of engine particulate matter production during a transient is made more accurate by selecting an appropriate sized opening for a test probe of the sampling system located in the exhaust line upstream from a particulate trap. By examining the pressure signature at the test probe location and utilizing that information in conjunction with a desired volumetric flow rate into the sampling system, a flow opening size for the test probe can be selected that reduces potential oversampling which may be otherwise induced due to the back pressure increases in the exhaust line caused by the presence of the particulate trap. The flow opening into the test probe of the sampling system behaves relative unrestricted when pressure differentials at the test probe location are relatively low, such as during steady state operating conditions, but restricts flow into the sampling system when pressure differentials are relatively high, such as at a pressure during a transient event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Russell R. Graze, JR., Linda M. Riedlinger, Jerry K. Randall
  • Patent number: 7549350
    Abstract: A dilution tunnel having a flow chamber structure with an inlet, an outlet, and an internal flow passage for a sample gas, the sample gas being adapted to flow in a flow direction between the inlet and the outlet. The flow chamber structure having a plurality of pores that communicate between an outside region external of the flow chamber structure and the internal flow passage. The pores are adapted to introduce a diluting gas from the outside region into the internal flow passage. The flow chamber structure is adapted to provide a diluting rate of the dilution tunnel that varies in the flow direction of the dilution tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Russell R. Graze, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7406885
    Abstract: A partial flow dilution tunnel in a gas sampling system is connected to the exhaust from an internal combustion engine. More accurate gas sampling results are enabled for accounting for a delay from when the engine produces an exhaust change to when that transient arrives at a probe location. Thus, an estimated time delay is determined, and the gas sampling system is operated at least in part based upon that estimated time delay for the exhaust to arrive at the sampling location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Russell R. Graze, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7404340
    Abstract: A gas sampling system 36 capable of testing and certifying internal combustion engines 16 under transient conditions is provided and includes a partial flow dilution tunnel 38, master and slave mass flow controllers 80,60 and a transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement 110. The transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement 110 measures the transient changes in intake air and varies the flow of diluent air to the partial flow dilution tunnel 38. By controlling the diluent air in this manner ensures that a particle sample can be taken at any time that is at a constant proportion to the exhaust flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Dickson, Russell R. Graze, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7243559
    Abstract: A gas sampling system 36 capable of testing and certifying internal combustion engines 16 under transient conditions is provided and includes a partial flow dilution tunnel 38, master and slave mass flow controllers 80,60 and a transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement 110. The transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement 110 measures the transient changes in intake air and varies the flow of diluent air to the partial flow dilution tunnel 38. By controlling the diluent air in this manner ensures that a particle sample can be taken at any time that is at a constant proportion to the exhaust flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Dickson, Russell R. Graze, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7044009
    Abstract: A dilution tunnel having a flow chamber structure with an inlet, an outlet, and an internal flow passage for a sample gas, the sample gas being adapted to flow in a flow direction between the inlet and the outlet. The flow chamber structure having a plurality of pores that communicate between an outside region external of the flow chamber structure and the internal flow passage. The pores are adapted to introduce a diluting gas from the outside region into the internal flow passage. The flow chamber structure is adapted to provide a diluting rate of the dilution tunnel that varies in the flow direction of the dilution tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Russell R. Graze, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6752856
    Abstract: An assembly for removing aerosol from crankcase gasses being returned to an air intake manifold is generally shown at and includes a housing having a housing wall defining a top portion and a base with at least one drain. An inlet line extends through the housing wall communicating with a crankcase. An outlet line extends through the top portion for communicating with an air intake manifold. An inertial separator generally shown at is attached to the inlet line and has a screen through which the crankcase gasses pass and an impacter plate for obstructing aerosol suspended in the gasses. A sheet wound in spaced convolutions to define a spiraled path from the exterior to a central space conveys gasses from the inertial separator to the central space. A thermal interception tube located in the central space receives gasses and has a tube wall for gasses to pass therethrough and an opening at one end for egress of gasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Russell R. Graze, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6729195
    Abstract: An exhaust gas sampling system for use in connection with the sampling of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas streams has a plurality of diluters arranged in a serial array along an axial extent. A source of engine exhaust gas is fluidically connected to the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to supply an engine exhaust gas stream into each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters in a serial manner. A source of dilution air fluidically is connected to each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters so as to supply dilution air into each one of the plurality of serially arranged diluters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Russell R. Graze, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6615677
    Abstract: A method for controlling the dilution air supply to a partial flow dilution tunnel in a gas sampling system is provided. The gas sampling system is capable of testing and certifying internal combustion engines under transient conditions and includes a partial flow dilution tunnel, master and slave mass flow controllers and a transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement. The transient dilution air flow controlling arrangement measures the transient changes in intake air and varies the flow of diluent air to the partial flow dilution tunnel. By controlling the diluent air in this manner ensures that a particle sample can be taken at any time that is at a constant proportion to the exhaust flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Richard R. Dickson, Russell R. Graze, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5365773
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring gaseous blowby a piston of an operating internal combustion engine. The apparatus have a heating and filtering system which function to increase the accuracy of the resultant measurements. The orientation of the conduit, flow meter, and the control of oil sump pressures also contribute to improved accuracy and ease of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Russell R. Graze, Jr., Wayne A. Supak
  • Patent number: 5058440
    Abstract: A gas sampling device includes a dilution tunnel of particularly effective construction that reduces contamination or soiling of the ducting leading to a filter assembly and improves the accuracy of the results. The gas sampling device has a sampling probe disposable in the gas stream of an engine or the like, and a controlled source of clean and pressurized diluent air. The dilution tunnel includes an air distribution tube defining a plurality of distribution holes therethrough, a collar defining a first annular chamber about the air distribution tube that is connected to the air source, and a porous center tube having a plurality of micron-sized pores connected between the sampling probe and the filter assembly. A second annular chamber is defined between both tubes, and the diluent air supplied thereto is uniformly passed through the porous center tube to effect good mixing of the exhaust gas and diluent air while providing a boundary layer of diluent air that keeps the center tube clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Russell R. Graze, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5024193
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel combustion system for a lean burn internal combustion engine. Because of the lean fuel/air ratio, it is difficult to consistently achieve complete and thorough combustion within the main combustion chamber because of the relatively slow rate of flame propagation. The subject fuel combustion system includes a precombustion chamber assembly defining a prechamber having a preselected shape and volume and includes a plurality of ejection passages. The passages are of a preselected geometric cross-section for directing and controllably expanding burning gases from the prechamber into the main combustion chamber at a velocity greater than the speed of sound in order to penetrate and cause igniting and burning in the main combustion chamber for faster and more complete combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Russell R. Graze, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4408575
    Abstract: Nozzle assemblies are used to spray a liquid, for example oil, for cooling a reciprocating piston in an engine. Heretofore, the spray pattern has been undesirably divergent and this has proven to be a problem when spraying a long distance. The present nozzle assembly (10) maintains a substantially columnar spray pattern by having an inlet portion (40) defining an opening (46), and an outlet portion (42) defining a first passage (62) for communicating a first liquid flow from the opening (46) outwardly thereof at a first velocity, and a plurality of passages (66) for communicating a second liquid flow from the opening (46) outwardly thereof at a second velocity less than the first velocity. The passages preferably have a relatively significant L/D ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Floyd H. Clairmont, Jr., Russell R. Graze, Jr.