Patents by Inventor Timothy S. Finn

Timothy S. Finn 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).

  • Publication number: 20230175465
    Abstract: A filter element may include first and second pairs of opposing walls extending along a longitudinal axis of the filter element. The first and second pairs of opposing walls may create a flow passage between an inlet end and an outlet end of the filter element. The filter element may further include filter media configured to separate particulates from air flowing through the flow passage, and a wedge element associated with an exterior surface of at least one of the first pair of opposing walls. The wedge element may be configured to cooperate with an interior surface of a filter housing configured to receive the filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Michael KAUFMANN, Klaus-Dieter RUHLAND, Timothy S FINN
  • Patent number: 11591993
    Abstract: A filter element may include first and second pairs of opposing walls extending along a longitudinal axis of the filter element. The first and second pairs of opposing walls may create a flow passage between an inlet end and an outlet end of the filter element. The filter element may further include filter media configured to separate particulates from air flowing through the flow passage, and a wedge element associated with an exterior surface of at least one of the first pair of opposing walls. The wedge element may be configured to cooperate with an interior surface of a filter housing configured to receive the filter element. Outlet edges of the opposing walls of the first pair of opposing walls may extend at a first oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the wedge element may extend at a second oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Timothy S. Finn, Michael Kaufmann, Klaus-Dieter Ruhland
  • Patent number: 11565208
    Abstract: An air filter subassembly includes a filter element with a pre-cleaner tube member that is snapped onto the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Finn
  • Publication number: 20220401865
    Abstract: An air filter subassembly includes a filter element with a pre-cleaner tube member that is snapped onto the filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Finn
  • Patent number: 10400715
    Abstract: A stand-alone air filter assembly has a unitary molded plastic preform shell, with the preform shell including an inlet section, an outlet section, and a hose connection section integral with a downstream end of the outlet section. A filter media pack including a fluted filter media member is fitted inside the inlet section of the preform shell through which unfiltered air enters the air filter assembly. The outlet section of the preform shell through which filtered air leaves the air filter assembly converges from a larger, first cross-sectional area of the inlet section to a smaller, second cross-sectional area at the downstream end of the outlet section, and the outlet section includes one or more sensor ports that are each configured to support a sensor for measuring a characteristic of the filtered air leaving the air filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Finn
  • Publication number: 20180142650
    Abstract: A stand-alone air filter assembly has a unitary molded plastic preform shell, with the preform shell including an inlet section, an outlet section, and a hose connection section integral with a downstream end of the outlet section. A filter media pack including a fluted filter media member is fitted inside the inlet section of the preform shell through which unfiltered air enters the air filter assembly. The outlet section of the preform shell through which filtered air leaves the air filter assembly converges from a larger, first cross-sectional area of the inlet section to a smaller, second cross-sectional area at the downstream end of the outlet section, and the outlet section includes one or more sensor ports that are each configured to support a sensor for measuring a characteristic of the filtered air leaving the air filter assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. FINN
  • Patent number: 9675920
    Abstract: An apparatus for partially blocking airflow in a precleaner for an internal combustion engine may include a stationary barrier configured to be mounted in a precleaner. The apparatus may further include a movable barrier coupled to the stationary barrier and configured to move between an open position and a closed position in response to changes in an air flow rate through the precleaner. When the air flow rate through the precleaner reaches a threshold air flow rate, the movable barrier may move from the closed position toward the open position, and when the air flow rate through the precleaner drops below the threshold air flow rate, the movable barrier may move from the open position toward the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Finn, Shawn M. Ryon
  • Publication number: 20160305375
    Abstract: A pre-cleaner for a filter assembly having a main filter housing is provided. The pre-cleaner includes a pre-cleaner housing that includes a first wall and a second wall opposite to the first wall. The pre-cleaner is being configured to be detachably coupled to the main filter housing in each of a first configuration and a second configuration. The pre-cleaner also includes a plurality of flow conduits extending between the first wall and the second wall. The plurality of flow conduits is configured to receive a fluid therein in each of the first configuration and the second configuration. The second wall is disposed within the main filter housing in the first configuration and disposed outside the main filter housing in the second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Finn
  • Patent number: 9441583
    Abstract: An air filter assembly for a machine is disclosed. The air filter may have a filter medium, and a side wall connected to the filter medium on a first side of the filter medium. The side wall may have a first engagement feature and a second engagement feature. At least one of the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature may project from the side wall. The first engagement feature and the second engagement feature may be configured to slidingly engage a filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Finn, Shawn M. Ryon
  • Publication number: 20160230716
    Abstract: A filter element may include first and second pairs of opposing walls extending along a longitudinal axis of the filter element. The first and second pairs of opposing walls may create a flow passage between an inlet end and an outlet end of the filter element. The filter element may further include filter media configured to separate particulates from air flowing through the flow passage, and a wedge element associated with an exterior surface of at least one of the first pair of opposing walls. The wedge element may be configured to cooperate with an interior surface of a filter housing configured to receive the filter element. Outlet edges of the opposing walls of the first pair of opposing walls may extend at a first oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the wedge element may extend at a second oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Finn
  • Publication number: 20160177893
    Abstract: An apparatus for partially blocking airflow in a precleaner for an internal combustion engine may include a stationary barrier configured to be mounted in a precleaner. The apparatus may further include a movable barrier coupled to the stationary barrier and configured to move between an open position and a closed position in response to changes in an air flow rate through the precleaner. When the air flow rate through the precleaner reaches a threshold air flow rate, the movable barrier may move from the closed position toward the open position, and when the air flow rate through the precleaner drops below the threshold air flow rate, the movable barrier may move from the open position toward the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Timothy S. FINN, Shawn M. RYON
  • Publication number: 20160059172
    Abstract: A filter element for an air cleaner assembly may include a first side member and a second side member opposite the first side member. The first and second side members may extend in a substantially longitudinal direction and substantially within respective first and second planes with an intermediate space therebetween. The filter element may further include filter media separating and extending between the first side member and the second side member in the intermediate space. The first and second side members and the filter media may have a perimeter cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the filter element may further include a locating flange extending substantially around the perimeter cross-section and transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the locating flange does not lie within a single plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: MARK T. ALLOTT, Timothy S. Finn, Vincent P. Caliendo, Bobby J. Kinsey, JR., Vicky S. Wright, Philip C. Spengler
  • Publication number: 20150345438
    Abstract: An air filter assembly for a machine is disclosed. The air filter may have a filter medium, and a side wall connected to the filter medium on a first side of the filter medium. The side wall may have a first engagement feature and a second engagement feature. At least one of the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature may project from the side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Finn, Shawn M. Ryon