Patents by Inventor Scott Shafer
Scott 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).
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Patent number: 11352973Abstract: Operating a machine system includes triggering, based on activation of an on-board electronic control system, interrogation of electronically controlled components installed in a machine to read a plurality of electronic trim files each resident on a different one of the electronically controlled components. A data structure on an electronic storage medium in the control system is populated with the electronic trim files each time the control system is activated, such as by turning on an ignition switch. Operating the machine system also includes outputting control signals based on the electronic trim files to run the machine system based on operation of the electronically controlled components responsive to the outputted control signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin Lehman, Vincent Neyens, Scott Shafer, Andrew Marrack
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Publication number: 20200318569Abstract: Operating a machine system includes triggering, based on activation of an on-board electronic control system, interrogation of electronically controlled components installed in a machine to read a plurality of electronic trim files each resident on a different one of the electronically controlled components. A data structure on an electronic storage medium in the control system is populated with the electronic trim files each time the control system is activated, such as by turning on an ignition switch. Operating the machine system also includes outputting control signals based on the electronic trim files to run the machine system based on operation of the electronically controlled components responsive to the outputted control signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2019Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Martin Lehman, Vincent Neyens, Scott Shafer, Andrew Marrack
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Patent number: 10544769Abstract: A fuel system is disclosed for use with an engine, including a fuel injector assembly fluidly coupled with a low-pressure fuel conduit, an accumulator, and a cap within an opening in the accumulator. The fuel injector assembly may be structured to draw in low-pressure fuel, pressurize the fuel, and store the pressurized fuel in the accumulator for injection to a combustion chamber. The cap has a pressure sensor and a pressure relief valve therein, and drains fuel leaked past fluid seals between the cap and each of the pressure sensor, the pressure relief valve, and the accumulator by way of a common drain line.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron M. Brown, Cory A. Brown, Sridhar Thangaswamy, Alan R. Stockner, Victor I. Yacoub, Zhenyu Li, Lifeng Wang, Satya Naga Deepak Pillarisetti, Scott Shafer, Robert Michael Campion, George Kodikulam Joseph
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Patent number: 10054075Abstract: A fuel system for a machine is disclosed. The fuel system may include a fuel pump, a pump motor configured to drive the fuel pump, and a pump controller. The pump controller may be operatively connected to the pump motor, a main battery bank of the machine via a power wire and a ground wire, and an engine controller of the machine via a communication wire. The pump controller may be configured to detect a failure of at least one of the communication wire, the power wire, and the ground wire. The pump controller may also be configured to adjust a power output and an operation of the pump motor based on the detected failure of at least one of the communication wire, the power wire, and the ground wire.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Andrew Marrack, Scott Shafer
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Publication number: 20180223764Abstract: A fuel system for a machine is disclosed. The fuel system may include a fuel pump, a pump motor configured to drive the fuel pump, and a pump controller. The pump controller may be operatively connected to the pump motor, a main battery bank of the machine via a power wire and a ground wire, and an engine controller of the machine via a communication wire. The pump controller may be configured to detect a failure of at least one of the communication wire, the power wire, and the ground wire. The pump controller may also be configured to adjust a power output and an operation of the pump motor based on the detected failure of at least one of the communication wire, the power wire, and the ground wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2017Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Andrew Marrack, Scott Shafer
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Publication number: 20180100476Abstract: A fuel system is disclosed for use with an engine, including a fuel injector assembly fluidly coupled with a low-pressure fuel conduit, an accumulator, and a cap within an opening in the accumulator. The fuel injector assembly may be structured to draw in low-pressure fuel, pressurize the fuel, and store the pressurized fuel in the accumulator for injection to a combustion chamber. The cap has a pressure sensor and a pressure relief valve therein, and drains fuel leaked past fluid seals between the cap and each of the pressure sensor, the pressure relief valve, and the accumulator by way of a common drain line.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron M. Brown, Cory A. Brown, Sridhar Thangaswamy, Alan R. Stockner, Victor I. Yacoub, Zhenyu Li, Lifeng Wang, Satya Naga Deepak Pillarisetti, Scott Shafer, Robert Michael Campion, George Kodikulam Joseph
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Patent number: 9303604Abstract: An asymmetrical orifice for bypass control in a clean fuel module may include a body having first and second end surfaces and an inner surface defining a bore through the body extending from a first opening through the first end surface to a second opening through the second end surface. The first opening has a first opening inner diameter and the second opening has a second opening inner diameter that is less than the first opening inner diameter. The asymmetrical orifice also includes a flow control contour in the second end surface surrounding the second opening of the bore. The configuration may give the asymmetrical orifice a first discharge coefficient for fluid flowing from the first opening to the second opening that is greater than a second discharge coefficient for fluid flowing in a second direction from the second opening to the first opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David Elliot Hackett, Scott Shafer, Martin Lehman, Alan Willard Wells, Lifeng Wang
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Publication number: 20160003011Abstract: An equipment transport assembly for drilling operations includes at least one drilling operation component. Also included is a module structure including an interior region dimensioned to receive the at least one drilling operation component therein, wherein the module structure is configured to be loaded with the at least one drilling operation component at a location for transport to a remote underwater drilling site. Further included is at least one laser located proximate the underwater drilling site and configured to detect the size and position of the module structure and the at least one drilling operation component. Yet further included is a robot located at the underwater drilling site and configured to unload the at least one drilling operation component from the module structure and maneuver the at least one drilling operation component to be operatively coupled to an underwater drilling rig.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventor: Randall Scott SHAFER
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Patent number: 9121155Abstract: The present invention provides an the ice resistant Jackup leg that comprises a plurality of chords, a plurality of plate structures, wherein the chords and plate structures are alternatively positioned so that the plate structures connect the chords to form the peripheral structure of the ice resistant Jackup leg, a plurality of longitudinal stiffeners, wherein the longitudinal stiffeners are disposed onto the inner surface of the plate structures for stiffening the plate structures, and a plurality of traverse web frames or girders, wherein the traverse web frames or girders are disposed onto the inner surface of the plate structures for supporting the plurality of longitudinal stiffeners. The present invention also provides an ice resistant Jackup platform employing the ice resistant Jackup leg.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignees: Keppel Offshore & Marine Technology Centre Pte LtdInventors: Kok Seng Foo, Michael John Perry, Cynthia Wang, Matthew Quah Chin Kau, Randall Scott Shafer, Peter Noble
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Publication number: 20150198124Abstract: An asymmetrical orifice for bypass control in a clean fuel module may include a body having first and second end surfaces and an inner surface defining a bore through the body extending from a first opening through the first end surface to a second opening through the second end surface. The first opening has a first opening inner diameter and the second opening has a second opening inner diameter that is less than the first opening inner diameter. The asymmetrical orifice also includes a flow control contour in the second end surface surrounding the second opening of the bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventors: David Elliot Hackett, Scott Shafer, Martin Lehman, Alan Willard Wells, Lifeng Wang
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Publication number: 20150197989Abstract: An underwater drilling rig assembly includes a hull anchored to a sea floor with at least one anchoring component. Also included is a rig assembly disposed on the hull. Further included is a mast unit of the rig assembly. Yet further included is a pipe handling unit configured to maneuver a drill pipe into operative communication with the mast unit. Also included is a drill bit assembly operatively coupled to the mast unit. Further included is a control unit positioned proximate the sea floor and in operative communication with a plurality of components of the underwater drilling rig assembly, the control unit operatively coupled to at least one surface vessel for remote control of the underwater drilling rig assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Randall Scott SHAFER, Peter George NOBLE
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Patent number: 8967914Abstract: The present invention provides a riser protection structure being suitable to be employed in a Jackup rig. The riser protection structure comprises a plurality of piles, an upper module, wherein the upper module comprises a main protection tubing for receiving a riser, a plurality of sleeves to be installed over the plurality of piles, and a connecting network; wherein the plurality of sleeves are disposed around the main protection tubing; and wherein the main protection tubing and the plurality of sleeves are connected together by the connecting network, and a lower module, wherein the lower module comprises a plurality of tubular guides for guiding and later fixing the piles and a connecting structure, wherein the plurality of piles are securely disposed into the seabed for providing the requisite support for the upper and lower modules when they are assembled.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignees: Keppel Offshore & Marine Technology Centre, Pte Ltd/ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Kok Seng Foo, Michael John Perry, Quah Chin Kau Matthew, Cynthia Wang, Randall Scott Shafer, Peter Noble, Dominic P. Berta
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Patent number: 8899880Abstract: The present invention provides a structure-assisted Jackup system comprising a Jackup drilling unit with a main deck structure and a plurality of legs movably coupled with the main deck structure, one or more support base structures disposed on seabed, and a plurality of movable supports, wherein each of the plurality of movable supports is securely coupled with either the main deck structure or one or more support base structure. The present invention also provides a process for assembling the structure-assisted Jackup system.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Keppel Offshore & Marine Technology Centre Pte LtdInventors: Kok Seng Foo, Michael John Perry, Matthew Chin Kau Quah, Cynthia Wang, Tak On Cheung, Randall Scott Shafer, Peter Noble
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Patent number: 8899879Abstract: A structure-supported Jackup system comprising a Jackup drilling unit with a main deck structure and a plurality of legs movably coupled with the main deck structure, two or more support base structures disposed on seabed, and a plurality of movable supports, wherein each of the plurality of movable supports is securely coupled with either the main deck structure or one of the two or more support base structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Keppel Offshore & Marine Technology Centre Pte LtdInventors: Kok Seng Foo, Michael John Perry, Matthew Chin Kau Quah, Cynthia Wang, Tak On Cheung, Randall Scott Shafer, Peter Noble
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Publication number: 20140338637Abstract: A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The engine may have a crankshaft and a plurality of cylinders. The fuel system may have a plurality of plungers separately connectable to the crankshaft and a plurality of fuel injectors associated with the plurality of cylinders. The fuel system may also have a common rail configured to store pressurized fuel. The fuel system may additionally have a plurality of first conduits, each first conduit fluidly connecting a barrel associated with a respective one of the plurality of plungers to the common rail. The fuel system may also have a plurality of second conduits, each second conduit fluidly connecting the common rail to a respective one of the plurality of fuel injectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott Shafer, Steven Tian
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Publication number: 20140331974Abstract: A combustion engine system and a method of operating the combustion engine system are disclosed. The combustion engine system includes a first fuel pump operatively coupled to a first prime mover and fluidly coupled to a fuel reservoir, a first power source operatively coupled to the first prime mover, the first power source including a first controller, a third fuel pump having an inlet that is fluidly coupled to a discharge of the first fuel pump, a first filter in fluid communication with the first fuel pump, a combustion engine fluidly coupled to a discharge of the third fuel pump and operative to convert fuel from the third fuel pump into shaft power. The first controller is configured to drive the first prime mover at a substantially constant power, independent of a rate of consumption of the fuel by the combustion engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2013Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Chad Ahmad, Steven Tian, Scott Shafer, Alan Stockner, David Hackett
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Publication number: 20140205383Abstract: The invention relates generally to a method for supporting non-buoyant offshore drilling units that are anchored to the sea floor and are subject to heavy lateral loads. Specifically, tension tendons are attached to piled foundations to prevent jack-ups from being overturned by the loads. Tension can also be applied to the tendons to provide additional hold down forces to the offshore units.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Peter NOBLE, Randall Scott SHAFER
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Publication number: 20140147214Abstract: The present invention provides a structure-supported. Jackup system comprising a Jackup drilling unit with a main deck structure and a plurality of legs movably coupled with the main deck structure, two or more support base structures disposed on seabed, and a plurality of movable supports, wherein each of the plurality of movable supports is securely coupled with either the main deck structure or one of the two or more support base structure. The present invention also provides a process for assembling the structure-supported Jackup system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Inventors: Kok Seng FOO, Michael John Perry, Matthew Chin Kau Quah, Cynthia Wang, Tak On Cheung, Randall Scott Shafer, Peter Noble
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Publication number: 20140147215Abstract: The present invention provides a structure-assisted Jackup system comprising a Jackup drilling unit with a main deck structure and a plurality of legs movably coupled with the main deck structure, one or more support base structures disposed on seabed, and a plurality of movable supports, wherein each of the plurality of movable supports is securely coupled with either the main deck structure or one or more support base structure. The present invention also provides a process for assembling the structure-assisted Jackup system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Inventors: Kok Seng FOO, Michael John Perry, Matthew Chin Kau Quah, Cynthia Wang, Tak On Cheung, Randall Scott Shafer, Peter Noble
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Publication number: 20140086690Abstract: The present invention provides an the ice resistant Jackup leg that comprises a plurality of chords, a plurality of plate structures, wherein the chords and plate structures are alternatively positioned so that the plate structures connect the chords to form the peripheral structure of the ice resistant Jackup leg, a plurality of longitudinal stiffeners, wherein the longitudinal stiffeners are disposed onto the inner surface of the plate structures for stiffening the plate structures, and a plurality of traverse web frames or girders, wherein the traverse web frames or girders are disposed onto the inner surface of the plate structures for supporting the plurality of longitudinal stiffeners. The present invention also provides an ice resistant Jackup platform employing the ice resistant Jackup leg.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Inventors: Kok Seng Foo, Michael John Perry, Cynthia Wang, Matthew Quah Chin Kau, Randall Scott Shafer, Peter Noble