Patents by Inventor Scott F. Shafer
Scott F. Shafer 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).
-
Publication number: 20110248103Abstract: A solenoid operated valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly may include a solenoid having a solenoid coil and an armature movable under influence of the solenoid coil. The valve assembly may also include a valve member operably connected to the armature and configured to selectively contact a valve seat. The valve assembly may further include an outer body containing the solenoid, the armature, the valve member, and the valve seat. In addition, the valve assembly may include a grounding device including an electrically conductive element disposed between the valve member and the outer body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Jeremy T. Claus, Daniel R. Ibrahim
-
Publication number: 20110214642Abstract: A pump and rail assembly includes a plurality of quills that are compressed between quill seats on a pump and an output rail. A rail pressure control valve and a rail pressure sensor are attached to respective ends of the output rail. An inlet throttle valve is attached to a housing of the pump and rail assembly. Depending upon the application, the output rail may supply fuel to a first injection bank that includes a plurality of fuel injectors in a first common rail, and a second fuel injection bank that includes a second common rail and a plurality of fuel injectors. Different engines having different numbers of cylinders may use similar pump and rail assemblies that each include a plurality of quills, a plurality of pumping elements positioned in a pump housing and an output rail. The quills for each of the different engine applications are interchangeable but differ in number. In addition, the pumping elements of each of the different engine applications are also interchangeable but differ in number.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2010Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Zhenyu Li
-
Patent number: 8006715Abstract: A fuel system component is provided. The fuel system component may comprise a valve body having a substantially conical surface region including a first coating. The component may further include a valve seat having a first surface region with a substantially conical surface including a second coating. The coating of the valve seat is configured to engage at least a portion of the coating of the substantially conical surface region of the valve body.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Bryan Moore
-
Patent number: 8002206Abstract: A solenoid operated valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly may include a solenoid having a solenoid coil and an armature movable under influence of the solenoid coil. The valve assembly may also include a valve member operably connected to the armature and configured to selectively contact a valve seat. The valve assembly may further include an outer body containing the solenoid, the armature, the valve member, and the valve seat. In addition, the valve assembly may include a grounding device including an electrically conductive element disposed between the valve member and the outer body.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Jeremy T. Claus, Daniel R. Ibrahim
-
Publication number: 20110094476Abstract: A pressure relief valve is disclosed. The pressure relief valve comprises a body, a valve member, and a resilient member. The body includes a guide bore, a seat surface, an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The valve member is received within a portion of the body and includes a guide portion received within the guide bore, a valve seat configured to sealingly engage the seat surface, and an internal passage. The resilient member biases the valve seat into engagement with the seat surface. The valve member is moveable between a first position in which the inlet is fluidly blocked from the first outlet and the second outlet, a second position in which inlet is fluidly coupled to the first outlet but not to the second outlet, and a third position in which the inlet is fluidly coupled to the first outlet and the second outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Daniel R. Ibrahim, Scott F. Shafer
-
Publication number: 20100282212Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having a valve seat fluidly positioned between an inlet and an outlet. A valve member is movable among a first position, a second position, and a third position. The valve member is in contact with the valve seat and fluidly blocks the inlet from the outlet at the first position. At the second position of the valve member, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a small flow area. The inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a large flow area when the valve member is at the third position. An electrical actuator is attached to the valve body and is operably coupled to move the valve member when energized. The valve member includes an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the inlet when at the first position. A spring is operably positioned to bias the valve member toward the second position when the valve member is at the third position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2009Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Jeffrey DePayva, Daniel R. Puckett, Amy S. Johanson, Kenneth C. Adams, Benjamin R. Tower, Jason Z. Li, Jayaraman Venkataraghavan, Michael D. Gerstner, Michael C. Long
-
Patent number: 7819107Abstract: A pumping element for pressurizing a fluid within a fluid pump includes a plunger reciprocally disposed within a bore defined in a barrel. The plunger and barrel at least partially define a pressurization chamber into which fluid is pressurized. A flow path is defined between the plunger and the bore, the flow path permitting fluid to pass from the pressurization chamber during pressurization of fluid disposed therein. A collection chamber is formed between the plunger and the bore, the collection chamber being disposed adjacent to the bore and being part of a cooling circuit for the pumping element. A plurality of weep openings is defined in the barrel and is fluidly connected to the collection chamber. A reduced diameter portion of the barrel forms an annular reservoir that receives fluid from the weep openings.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Alan R. Stockner, Scott F. Shafer
-
Publication number: 20090159053Abstract: A pumping element for pressurizing a fluid within a fluid pump includes a plunger reciprocally disposed within a bore defined in a barrel. The plunger and barrel at least partially define a pressurization chamber into which fluid is pressurized. A flow path is defined between the plunger and the bore, the flow path permitting fluid to pass from the pressurization chamber during pressurization of fluid disposed therein. A collection chamber is formed between the plunger and the bore, the collection chamber being disposed adjacent to the bore and being part of a cooling circuit for the pumping element. A plurality of weep openings is defined in the barrel and is fluidly connected to the collection chamber. A reduced diameter portion of the barrel forms an annular reservoir that receives fluid from the weep openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Alan R. Stockner, Scott F. Shafer
-
Publication number: 20090114292Abstract: Although modern diesel fuel formulations are intended to reduce emissions of diesel engines, at least some of those modern fuels tend to have relatively low lubricity levels. The control valve assemblies described herein help to minimize any increased wear that would otherwise result from the use of such low lubricity fuels by providing a valve element, a valve guide, and an insert. The valve element is received within the valve guide and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The insert forms a first sealed interface and a second sealed interface with the valve element and the valve guide. When the valve element is in the closed position, both of the first sealed interface and the second sealed interface are engaged. When the valve element is in the open position, only one of the first sealed interface and the second sealed interface is engaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2007Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Christopher R. Jones
-
Publication number: 20090114189Abstract: Mixing a pumped fluid with a lubrication fluid within a pump can undermine the lubricity of the lubrication fluid. In order to reduce mixing of fluids within a pump of the present disclosure, a pump is provided that comprises a housing, a piston, a first annulus, and a second annulus. The housing includes an inlet for the pumped fluid, an inlet for the lubrication fluid provided at a first pressure, and a piston bore fluidly coupled to the inlet for the pumped fluid. The piston is moveable within the piston bore. The first annulus is fluidly coupled to the inlet for the lubrication fluid. The second annulus is configured to be fluidly coupled to a drain circuit provided at a second pressure less than the first pressure. The first annulus and the second annulus are located along the length of the piston bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2007Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Alan R. Stockner
-
Patent number: 7517200Abstract: A pump has a housing defining at least one pumping chamber, and a plunger slidably disposed within the at least one pumping chamber. The plunger is movable between a first and second spaced apart end positions to pressurize a fluid. The pump also has a driver operatively engaged with the plunger to move the plunger between the first end position and the second end position. The pump further has a high-pressure outlet in fluid communication with the at least one pumping chamber. The high pressure outlet passes pressurized fluid during movement of the plunger between the first end position and the second end position. The passing of pressurized fluid through the high-pressure outlet terminates before the plunger completes movement from the first end position to the second end position.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2004Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mandi R. Ferleyko, Scott A. Chockley, Ronald D. Shinogle, Scott F. Shafer, Jianhua Zhang
-
Publication number: 20090078906Abstract: A fuel system component is provided. The fuel system component may comprise a valve body having a substantially conical surface region including a first coating. The component may further include a valve seat having a first surface region with a substantially conical surface including a second coating. The coating of the valve seat is configured to engage at least a portion of the coating of the substantially conical surface region of the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Bryan Moore
-
Patent number: 7470117Abstract: A pump has a housing defining a first pumping chamber and a second pumping chamber. The pump also has a first plunger and a second plunger. The pump additionally has at least one driver operatively engaged with at least one of the first and second plungers to move the at least one of the first and second plungers between first and second end positions. The pump further has a common spill passageway fluidly connectable to the first and second pumping chambers and a selector valve disposed between the common spill passageway and the first and second pumping chambers. The selector valve has a body and a ball valve member operably disposed within the body. The ball valve member is movable between a first and a second ball valve member position to selectively fluidly connect the first and second pumping chambers to the common spill passageway.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Brad E. Bartley, Kevin Charles Reynolds, Gregory W. Hefler
-
Patent number: 7451741Abstract: The pump described herein provides a potentially lower cost alternative to conventional high-pressure pumps by providing a head, a plunger, and a control valve assembly. The head defines a valve bore having a first diameter, a plunger bore having a second diameter, and an intermediate chamber having a third diameter. The plunger is configured to reciprocate within the plunger bore. The plunger, the plunger bore, and the intermediate chamber at least partially define a pumping chamber. The control valve assembly is coupled to the head and includes an actuator moveable in response to an input signal and a valve element coupled to the actuator. The valve element is received within the valve bore and moveable between an open and a closed position. The valve element includes a body having a fourth diameter and a valve head having a fifth diameter. The first diameter is no larger than the second diameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bradley E. Bartley, Scott F. Shafer, Steven Y. Tian, Timur T. Trubnikov, Christopher R. Jones, Haithem Algousi
-
Patent number: 7444989Abstract: A high volume high pressure common rail pump for a fuel system includes pairs of pump head assemblies in phase with each other but oriented in opposition to one another about a rotating cam shaft. Pump pistons in the pump head assemblies simultaneously undergo pumping strokes via a shared two lobe cam of the rotating cam shaft. The pump may include two pairs of pump head assemblies, and each head assembly may include two pump pistons. The cam shaft includes two cams sufficiently out of phase with one another that the cam shaft always has a positive torque even when the cam lobes are symmetrical. In addition, because the pumping is done simultaneously on opposite sides of the cam shaft, the forces on the cam shaft are balanced and its support bearings experience less wear and tear.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2006Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Timur Trubnikov, William John Love V, Heather Rebholz, Jianhua Zhang
-
Publication number: 20080156905Abstract: A solenoid operated valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly may include a solenoid having a solenoid coil and an armature movable under influence of the solenoid coil. The valve assembly may also include a valve member operably connected to the armature and configured to selectively contact a valve seat. The valve assembly may further include an outer body containing the solenoid, the armature, the valve member, and the valve seat. In addition, the valve assembly may include a grounding device including an electrically conductive element disposed between the valve member and the outer body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Jeremy T. Claus, Daniel R. Ibrahim
-
Publication number: 20080121216Abstract: A high volume high pressure common rail pump for a fuel system includes pairs of pump head assemblies in phase with each other but oriented in opposition to one another about a rotating cam shaft. Pump pistons in the pump head assemblies simultaneously undergo pumping strokes via a shared two lobe cam of the rotating cam shaft. The pump may include two pairs of pump head assemblies, and each head assembly may include two pump pistons. The cam shaft includes two cams sufficiently out of phase with one another that the cam shaft always has a positive torque even when the cam lobes are symmetrical. In addition, because the pumping is done simultaneously on opposite sides of the cam shaft, the forces on the cam shaft are balanced and its support bearings experience less wear and tear.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2006Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Timur Trubnikov, William John Love, Heather Rebholz, Jianhua Zhang
-
Patent number: 7370635Abstract: A control system for controlling a device, the device having at least two functional elements, each functional element being controlled by a control signal, is disclosed in the present disclosure. The control system may include detecting means operatively connected to the device and configured to monitor the operation of the device, and to generate a signal indicative of an operating condition of the device. The control system may also include a control module operatively connected to the at least two functional elements and the detecting means, and configured to switch the two control signals applied to the respective functional elements in response to the signal generated by the detecting means.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Snopko, Jack A. Merchant, Scott F. Shafer, Daniel R. Puckett
-
Patent number: 7331329Abstract: Reducing leakage within fuel injectors is one way in which the efficiency of the overall fuel injection system can be improved. In most fuel injectors that include a direct control needle valve, the needle valve member is still biased toward a closed position by a spring that is located in a spring chamber connected to a low pressure vent. In many instances, the needle valve member is guided in a tight clearance region adjacent the spring chamber. Since the internal plumbing of the fuel injector is connected to a high pressure rail during and between injection events, static leakage across the guide region of the needle valve member can reduce efficiency. Static leakage is reduced in the present invention by connecting the spring chamber to the common rail instead of to a low pressure vent.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2002Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Steven Y. Tian, Scott F. Shafer, Daniel R. Ibrahim, Ronald D. Shinogle, Amy M. Hess
-
Publication number: 20080022973Abstract: In an engine equipped with a common rail fuel injection system, the engine can sometimes experience an overspeed condition, and the pump may respond to this overspeed condition with self-actuation even in the absence of any control signal. In order to prevent an over pressurization condition, a liquid supply into a pumping chamber of the pump is limited during a retraction stroke of a pump plunger by energizing an electrical actuator coupled to a spill valve, to move the spill valve toward a closed position. The electrical actuator is de-energized during a pumping stroke of the pump plunger to allow the spill valve to more toward an open position. Liquid from the pumping chamber is discharged through the spill valve during the pumping stroke, but over pressurization is avoided by limiting the amount of liquid that can enter the pumping chamber during the retraction stroke.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2006Publication date: January 31, 2008Inventors: Daniel R. Puckett, Scott F. Shafer, Frank Lombardi