Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Brindle

Thomas E. Brindle 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: 7243711
    Abstract: Some engine applications place spatial constraints on heat exchangers, such as oil coolers. In such a case, a heat exchanger having an oblong rather than a circular cross section can satisfy spatial constraints, and with certain internal geometry, may permit improved heat rejection performance while potentially enabling a cost reduction through a reduction in materials. The heat exchanger has a housing which defines a heat exchanging cavity within which a tube bundle is positioned. The tube bundle is made up of a plurality of tubes in a hexagonal packing pattern that are supported by a plurality of baffles. The tube bundle and the housing define a serpentine flow path between an inlet and an outlet. The serpentine flow path includes a plurality of segments that are generally perpendicular to the tubes, and these segments are separated by flow direction changing windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Amstutz, Thomas E. Brindle, Timothy A. Bruce, Bruce Hershock, Sandra L. Ketcherside, John A. Nelson, Dan A. Piterski, James L. Tilson