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).

  • Patent number: 11352973
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Lehman, Vincent Neyens, Scott Shafer, Andrew Marrack
  • Publication number: 20200318569
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Lehman, Vincent Neyens, Scott Shafer, Andrew Marrack
  • Patent number: 10544769
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 10054075
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Marrack, Scott Shafer
  • Publication number: 20180223764
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Marrack, Scott Shafer
  • Publication number: 20180100476
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 9303604
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Elliot Hackett, Scott Shafer, Martin Lehman, Alan Willard Wells, Lifeng Wang
  • Publication number: 20150198124
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: David Elliot Hackett, Scott Shafer, Martin Lehman, Alan Willard Wells, Lifeng Wang
  • Publication number: 20140338637
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Steven Tian
  • Publication number: 20140331974
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Ahmad, Steven Tian, Scott Shafer, Alan Stockner, David Hackett
  • Patent number: 7690353
    Abstract: Noise and vibrations associated with a common rail fuel system drive linkage are reduced by synchronizing a high pressure common rail supply pump with engine operation. This may be accomplished by selecting a linkage associated with a desired ratio of engine speed to pump speed along with selecting a number of pump plungers and cam lobes that results in synchronizing action of the pump with engine combustion events. In particular, a pattern of pumping events per engine cycle repeats during each engine cycle. In a more sophisticated version, the pattern of pumping events per engine cycle includes a sub-pattern of pumping events that repeats an integer number of times each engine cycle, where the integer number equals the number of engine cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Jianhua Zhang, Daniel Ibrahim
  • Publication number: 20090272366
    Abstract: A method of setting up a common rail internal combustion engine system includes setting a fuel pump for a common rail of the engine system at a configuration where a camshaft of the fuel pump is rotationally stable. The rotationally stable configuration may be a configuration where forces acting on the camshaft are balanced. The engine may then be set in an engine timing state which is accordant with the pump configuration, and the pump installed on the engine when in its first configuration and when the engine is at the engine timing state. The pump may be designed such that it has an installation assist mechanism which obviates the need for specialized tools or set up strategies to install the fuel pump on the engine with a correct timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Christopher R. Jones
  • Publication number: 20090139493
    Abstract: Noise and vibrations associated with a common rail fuel system drive linkage are reduced by synchronizing a high pressure common rail supply pump with engine operation. This may be accomplished by selecting a linkage associated with a desired ratio of engine speed to pump speed along with selecting a number of pump plungers and cam lobes that results in synchronizing action of the pump with engine combustion events. In particular, a pattern of pumping events per engine cycle repeats during each engine cycle. In a more sophisticated version, the pattern of pumping events per engine cycle includes a sub-pattern of pumping events that repeats an integer number of times each engine cycle, where the integer number equals the number of engine cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Jianhua Zhang, Daniel Ibrahim
  • Publication number: 20090114190
    Abstract: To reduce mixing of fluids within a high pressure pump, a pump is provided that comprises a housing, a piston, an annulus, and a first seal. The housing includes an inlet for a first fluid, an inlet for a second fluid, and a piston bore fluidly coupled to the inlet for the first fluid. The piston is moveable within the piston bore and has a first end exposed to the first fluid and a second end exposed to the second fluid. The annulus is defined within the piston bore and is configured to be fluidly coupled to a drain circuit having a pressure less than the pressure of the first fluid. The first seal is coupled to the housing and is located outside of the piston bore. The first seal engages the piston to create a seal that substantially prevents the second fluid from entering the piston bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Bradley E. Bartley
  • Patent number: 7392790
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Daniel Puckett, Jack Merchant
  • Publication number: 20070217925
    Abstract: A variable discharge pump is provided, the pump comprising a pumping chamber and a reciprocating plunger disposed within a plunger bore so as to reciprocate within the pumping chamber. The pump also has an electrically actuated spill control valve which opens or closes fluid communication between the pumping chamber and a low pressure area. The control valve is operated for a first period of time extending from a first time point occurring after the plunger passes bottom dead center to a second time point occurring before the plunger passes top dead center. The control valve is then operated for a second period of time extending from a third time point occurring between the second time point and the passing of the plunger through top dead center to a fourth time point occurring after the plunger has passed top dead center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Ye Tian, Scott Shafer, Jianhua Zhang, Daniel Puckett
  • Patent number: 7272532
    Abstract: A method is provided for predicting a quality characteristic of a product to be manufactured. The method may integrate one or more of feature and tolerance information associated with the product, manufacturing characteristic information associated with the manufacture of the product, measurement capability characteristic information associated with the manufacture of the product, assembly characteristic information associated with an assembly of the product, and desired quality characteristic information associated with the product. Based on the integrated information, the quality characteristic of the product may be predicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Alan Stockner, Ye Tian
  • Publication number: 20070169750
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Daniel Puckett, Jack Merchant
  • Publication number: 20070169752
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Snopko, Jack Merchant, Scott Shafer, Daniel Puckett
  • Publication number: 20060201484
    Abstract: Mixing of lubrication fluid and pumped fluid within a pump can undermine lubricity of the lubrication fluid and/or contaminate the pumped fluid (e.g. fuel) with lubrication fluid. In order to reduce mixing of fluids within a high pressure pump of the present disclosure, a lubrication fluid is supplied to the high pressure pump. A low pressure pump supplies a second fluid to the high pressure pump. The pressure of the second fluid is increased within at least one piston bore of the high pressure pump. Mixing of the lubrication fluid and the second fluid is reduced by fluidly connecting a weep annulus which is opened to the at least one piston bore to a low pressure pump inlet of the low pressure pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Alan Stockner, Greg Hefler, Chris Stewart, Dan Rushton