Kenneth David Adams

US Patent:

7121523, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

Dec 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/730645

Inventors:

Kenneth Adams - Bloomington IL, US
Wade Robel - Normal IL, US
Frank Jianyuan Yang - Novi MI, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F16K 31/02

US Classification:

251119, 25112906, 25112916, 137312

Abstract:

Particularly in an engine that has been inactive for a substantial period of time at a cold temperature, fluid forces acting on moving members, such as electronically-activated fluid control valves, may be significant until the engine warms up. A way to reduce the fluid forces and their detrimental effects is to reduce the volume of fluid which are creating the fluid forces, including venting all or some of this fluid to drain. Additionally, fluid that gathers can be drained away. In order to accomplish such venting, the present disclosure includes a fluid control valve having a body with at least one fluid passage connected to a bore, a movable member in the bore, an actuator connected to the movable member to move the movable member, and at least one vent passage opening into the bore between the fluid passage and the actuator. The disclosure may include additional drain passages to drain away gathered fluid from actuating components.

US Patent:

8100346, Jan 24, 2012

Filed:

Nov 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/998642

Inventors:

Jayaraman Venkataraghavan - Dunlap IL, US
Zhenlong Xu - Peoria IL, US
Kenneth C. Adams - Bloomington IL, US
Stephen Lewis - Chillicothe IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B05B 1/08

US Classification:

2391022, 2391021, 25112906, 310328, 310355, 267170

Abstract:

A piezoelectrically actuated device includes a body, a valve disposed within the body and an actuator for the valve, the actuator including a casing coupled with the body and a piezoelectric element disposed within the casing The actuator further includes a multi-function spring applying a preloading force to the piezoelectric element. The multi-function spring includes a first segment having a piston configured to translate a motion of the piezoelectric element during operation of the actuator, a second segment having at least one flexural element and a third segment having a first set of threads. The first set of threads is engaged with a second set of threads of the actuator and maintains the second segment in a tension state which corresponds with the preloading force.

US Patent:

8291889, Oct 23, 2012

Filed:

May 7, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/437028

Inventors:

Scott F. Shafer - Morton IL, US
Jeffrey DePayva - Dunlap IL, US
Daniel R. Puckett - Peoria IL, US
Amy S. Johanson - Normal IL, US
Kenneth C. Adams - Dunlap IL, US
Benjamin R. Tower - Varna IL, US
Jason Z. Li - Peoria IL, US
Jayaraman Venkataraghavan - Dunlap IL, US
Michael D. Gerstner - Peoria IL, US
Michael C. Long - Metamora IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02M 59/36

US Classification:

123458, 123511, 123514, 701103, 701110

Abstract:

A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having a valve seat fluidly positioned between an inlet and an outlet. A valve member is movable among a first position, a second position, and a third position. The valve member is in contact with the valve seat and fluidly blocks the inlet from the outlet at the first position. At the second position of the valve member, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a small flow area. The inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet via a large flow area when the valve member is at the third position. An electrical actuator is attached to the valve body and is operably coupled to move the valve member when energized. The valve member includes an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the inlet when at the first position. A spring is operably positioned to bias the valve member toward the second position when the valve member is at the third position.

US Patent:

8622046, Jan 7, 2014

Filed:

Jun 25, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/823623

Inventors:

Michael D. Gerstner - Peoria IL, US
Kenneth C. Adams - Dunlap IL, US
Benjamin R. Tower - Varna IL, US
Bharath Chandrashekar - Peoria IL, US
Zhenyu Li - Peoria IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02M 63/04

US Classification:

123447, 123467, 123468, 123469

Abstract:

A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The fuel system may have a pump, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a plurality of fuel accumulators. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may be disposed at least partially within a different cylinder head of the engine in fluid communication with an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors. Each of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with adjacent fuel accumulators of the plurality of fuel accumulators. At least one of the plurality of fuel accumulators may also be in fluid communication with the pump. The fuel system may further have a plurality of flow limiters. Each of the plurality of flow limiters may be disposed between an associated fuel accumulator of the plurality of fuel accumulators and an associated fuel injector of the plurality of fuel injectors.

US Patent:

20110297125, Dec 8, 2011

Filed:

Jun 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/792874

Inventors:

Scott F. Shafer - Morton IL, US
Michael David Gerstner - Peoria IL, US
Kenneth C. Adams - Dunlap IL, US
Daniel Richard Ibrahim - Metamora IL, US
Zhenyu Li - Peoria IL, US
Benjamin Ray Tower - Varna IL, US

Assignee:

CATERPILLAR INC. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02M 63/02

US Classification:

123456

Abstract:

A common rail fuel system includes a reverse flow check valve fluidly positioned between each of a plurality of common rail fuel injectors and an outlet of a high pressure pump. The reverse flow check valves divide the overall system fluid volume into an upstream common volume and a plurality of separate downstream volumes. The upstream common volume is greater than the sum of the separate downstream volumes. The reverse flow check valve is movable between a first configuration with a large flow area and a second configuration with a small flow area. The reverse flow check valve associated with each of the individual fuel injectors may be housed in a quill that fluidly connects the fuel injectors to the high pressure common rail.

US Patent:

20230109534, Apr 6, 2023

Filed:

Sep 28, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/487925

Inventors:

- Peoria IL, US
Michael H. McLean - Peoria IL, US
Kenneth C. Adams - Dunlap IL, US
Benjamin R. Tower - Varna IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02M 37/32
B01D 29/00
B01D 29/15
B01D 29/88
B01D 35/30

Abstract:

A multipart fuel filter element includes a cartridge body having a plurality of through bores radially offset with respect to a centerline. An inlet end cap adjacent a first cartridge face includes an inlet aperture centrally aligned with the centerline and a plurality of distribution apertures aligned with and directing fuel to the plurality of through bores. An outlet end cap adjacent a second cartridge face includes an outlet aperture also aligned with the centerline and a plurality of reception aperture that are aligned with the through bores to receive fuel.

US Patent:

20170184110, Jun 29, 2017

Filed:

Dec 28, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/980318

Inventors:

- Peoria IL, US
Scott F. Shafer - Morton IL, US
Martin A. Lehman - Congerville IL, US
Kenneth C. Adams - Dunlap IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F04D 15/00
F04D 13/06
F04D 13/14
F04D 29/42
F04C 11/00
F04B 23/14
F04D 7/02
F04D 29/70
F04D 1/00
F04D 29/22

Abstract:

A fluid conditioning module having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet is provided. The fluid conditioning module includes a first pump element, a second pump element, a pressure regulator, a controller, and a prime mover to impart rotational motion in the first and second pump elements. A first pump inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. A filter inlet is in fluid communication with a first pump outlet and a second pump outlet, and a filter outlet is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. A pressure regulator inlet and a pressure regulator outlet are in fluid communication with the filter outlet and a recirculation conduit, respectively. The control valve has a first position and a second position, which allows fluid flow through the recirculation conduit. The controller adjusts operation of one or more of the prime mover and the control valve based upon a predetermined parameter.

US Patent:

20170037879, Feb 9, 2017

Filed:

Oct 25, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/333455

Inventors:

- Peoria IL, US
Kenneth Carroll Adams - Dunlap IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F15B 15/14
F04B 53/10
F04B 53/14
F04B 15/08
F04B 9/107

Abstract:

A hydraulic actuator for a cryogenic pump is provided. The hydraulic actuator includes a piston. The hydraulic actuator also includes a base housing. The hydraulic actuator further includes a push rod assembly. The push rod assembly includes a tube guide. The push rod assembly also includes a push rod. The push rod is adapted to reciprocate within the tube guide. The hydraulic actuator also includes a sealing assembly having a hollow cylindrical configuration. The sealing assembly includes a first static seal portion. The first static seal portion being connected to the base housing. The sealing assembly also includes a second static seal portion. The second static seal portion is connected to the push rod. The sealing assembly further includes an expandable annular bellow extending between the first and second static seal portions. The sealing assembly is adapted to prevent flow of a first fluid in a first direction.