Patents by Inventor Stephen D. Cofer
Stephen D. Cofer 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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Publication number: 20230332521Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lubrication system comprising: a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with a lubricant source and an outlet; a cooler having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump and an outlet; a lubrication filter having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the cooler and an outlet; a first delivery path in fluid communication with the outlet of the lubrication filter, the first delivery path being configured to deliver cooled, filtered lubricant to a bearing system of an engine; and a second delivery path in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump, the second delivery path being configured to deliver uncooled, unfiltered lubricant to piston cooling nozzles of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel P. Hassall, John Jerl Purcell, III, Stephen D. Cofer, JR., David M. Barnes, Aaron S. Quinton, Reid M. Irish
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Patent number: 11719139Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lubrication system comprising: a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with a lubricant source and an outlet; a cooler having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump and an outlet; a lubrication filter having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the cooler and an outlet; a first delivery path in fluid communication with the outlet of the lubrication filter, the first delivery path being configured to deliver cooled, filtered lubricant to a bearing system of an engine; and a second delivery path in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump, the second delivery path being configured to deliver uncooled, unfiltered lubricant to piston cooling nozzles of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Nathaniel P. Hassall, John Jerl Purcell, III, Stephen D. Cofer, Jr., David M. Barnes, Aaron S. Quinton, Reid M. Irish
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Patent number: 11649851Abstract: Improved engine crankshaft thrust bearing includes an arrangement in which the thrust bearing can be employed with a first type of crankshaft for a replacement engine block and also with a different, second type of crankshaft that can also be employed in the replacement engine block. The second type of crankshaft was previously used in the engine block being replaced.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventor: Stephen D. Cofer, Jr.
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Patent number: 11466600Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine lubrication fluid system with a main rifle for distribution of filtered lubrication fluid to a plurality of engine components through a plurality of secondary rifles connected to the main rifle. The system also includes a bypass for bypassing the filter in response to certain engine operating conditions. The bypass is connected to at least one of the secondary rifles so that unfiltered lubrication fluid is not provided to certain engine components under filter bypass conditions, and provided directly to certain other engine components for which unfiltered lubrication fluid is less problematic.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Cofer, Jr., Ella Michelle Morris, Nickolas A. Springmeyer
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Publication number: 20220298936Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine lubrication fluid system with a main rifle for distribution of filtered lubrication fluid to a plurality of engine components through a plurality of secondary rifles connected to the main rifle. The system also includes a bypass for bypassing the filter in response to certain engine operating conditions. The bypass is connected to at least one of the secondary rifles so that unfiltered lubrication fluid is not provided to certain engine components under filter bypass conditions, and provided directly to certain other engine components for which unfiltered lubrication fluid is less problematic.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2021Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Stephen D. Cofer, JR., Ella Michelle Morris, Nickolas A. Springmeyer
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Publication number: 20210199152Abstract: Improved engine crankshaft thrust bearing includes an arrangement in which the thrust bearing can be employed with a first type of crankshaft for a replacement engine block and also with a different, second type of crankshaft that can also be employed in the replacement engine block. The second type of crankshaft was previously used in the engine block being replaced.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventor: Stephen D. Cofer, JR.
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Patent number: 10920628Abstract: A filter head of an engine includes a conduit extending along a longitudinal axis and a thermostat extending longitudinally within the conduit. The thermostat is movable between an open position and a closed position. The filter head also includes a sealing member positioned within the conduit downstream from the thermostat. The thermostat abuts the sealing member to inhibit flow through the conduit when in the open position and the thermostat is longitudinally spaced apart from the sealing member to permit axial flow of fluid through the conduit when in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2016Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Thomas James Lochrane, Stephen D. Cofer Jr., Thomas Lee Mack
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Patent number: 10808607Abstract: An energy storage device is provided for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The energy storage device includes first and second end connectors connected to respective ones of a piston and crankshaft, and a flexible connection rod portion rotatably connected with the first and second end connectors. The flexible connection rod portion elastically buckles above a predetermined cylinder pressure threshold to store combustion energy and provide a more constant pressure combustion process.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: John M. Antonevich, Reid Irish, Stephen D. Cofer, Jr., Kent H. Clark, Garrett Blum, Michael Kosinski, Beth Wagner, Mark Gray
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Publication number: 20190271241Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lubrication system comprising: a pump having an inlet in fluid communication with a lubricant source and an outlet; a cooler having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump and an outlet; a lubrication filter having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the cooler and an outlet; a first delivery path in fluid communication with the outlet of the lubrication filter, the first delivery path being configured to deliver cooled, filtered lubricant to a bearing system of an engine; and a second delivery path in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump, the second delivery path being configured to deliver uncooled, unfiltered lubricant to piston cooling nozzles of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: September 5, 2019Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel P. Hassall, John Jerl Purcell, III, Stephen D. Cofer, JR., David M. Barnes, Aaron S. Quinton, Reid M. Irish
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Publication number: 20180100432Abstract: An energy storage device is provided for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The energy storage device includes first and second end connectors connected to respective ones of a piston and crankshaft, and a flexible connection rod portion rotatably connected with the first and second end connectors. The flexible connection rod portion elastically buckles above a predetermined cylinder pressure threshold to store combustion energy and provide a more constant pressure combustion process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: John M. Antonevich, Reid Irish, Stephen D. Cofer, JR., Kent H. Clark, Garrett Blum, Michael Kosinski, Beth Wagner, Mark Gray
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Publication number: 20170058729Abstract: A filter head of an engine includes a conduit extending along a longitudinal axis and a thermostat extending longitudinally within the conduit. The thermostat is movable between an open position and a closed position. The filter head also includes a sealing member positioned within the conduit downstream from the thermostat. The thermostat abuts the sealing member to inhibit flow through the conduit when in the open position and the thermostat is longitudinally spaced apart from the sealing member to permit axial flow of fluid through the conduit when in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Thomas J. Lochrane, Stephen D. Cofer, Thomas L. Mack
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Patent number: 8122859Abstract: A piston cooling nozzle including a nylon body having a hub and a pair of integral legs extending from the hub and a tube for delivering coolant to a piston. The pair of legs are formed relative to the hub and the tube to ensure that when the body is mounted to an engine block, the legs engage a cylinder liner to thereby position the tube between a skirt of the piston and a connecting rod coupled to the piston.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Cummins, Inc.Inventors: Neal R. Phelps, Stephen D. Cofer, Jr., Kent H. Clark, Eric D. Stahl, Kenneth Howard, John Cook
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Publication number: 20100095910Abstract: A piston cooling nozzle including a nylon body having a hub and a pair of integral legs extending from the hub and a tube for delivering coolant to a piston. The pair of legs are formed relative to the hub and the tube to ensure that when the body is mounted to an engine block, the legs engage a cylinder liner to thereby position the tube between a skirt of the piston and a connecting rod coupled to the piston.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Neal R. Phelps, Stephen D. Cofer, JR., Kent H. Clark, Eric D. Stahl, Kenneth Howard, John Cook