Patents by Inventor Steven James Funke

Steven James Funke 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: 7513108
    Abstract: A method for altering an operating condition of a filter includes actively increasing the temperature of the filter to a desired temperature below a regeneration temperature and sensing a filter operating condition at about the desired temperature. The method also includes comparing the sensed filter operating condition to an expected filter operating condition range and actively increasing the temperature of the filter to the regeneration temperature in response to the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Wayne Tomlins, Steven James Funke, Chandini Muniratnam Ammineni, Michael Paul Withrow, Anil Raina
  • Patent number: 7506625
    Abstract: A method of controlling an engine during an engine startup or shutdown condition includes operating a valve to open a port of a combustion chamber to allow fluid to flow between the combustion chamber and the port for at least one entire engine cycle. The method also includes preventing combustion of fuel during a combustion stroke of the at least one engine cycle. The engine cycle occurs during the engine startup or shutdown condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Alan Leman, Jason Kenneth Bloms, Steven James Funke, James Richard Weber
  • Patent number: 5845852
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body and a three-way control valve having a valve element movable between first and second positions in the injector body. A check is disposed in the injector body and is movable to inject fuel when the control valve is in the second position and to block fuel injection when the control valve is in the first position. An actuator is selectively operable to move the valve element between the first and second positions. The injector includes a single clearance fit located in the control valve wherein the clearance fit is not exposed to a substantial pressure differential when the control valve is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Donald John Waldman, Keith Edward Lawrence, Steven James Funke, Craig William Lohmann