Thomas J Carroll

US Patent:

6363913, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Jun 9, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/593625

Inventors:

David M. Milam - Metamora IL
Thomas S. Carroll - Peoria IL
Chien-Chang Lee - Rochester Hills MI
Charles R. Miller - Metamora IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02M 3302

US Classification:

123446

Abstract:

A fuel injector performs main fuel injection by raising fuel pressure in a nozzle chamber to lift a check valve member to a fully open position, and performs preinjection or microinjection by operating a solid state motor to lift the check valve member a much smaller distance.

US Patent:

6443121, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Jun 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/606286

Inventors:

Thomas S. Carroll - Peoria IL
Gregory O. Taylor - Hinsdale IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02M 5704

US Classification:

123296, 1231884, 123507, 123508, 123 9012

Abstract:

An engine comprises a housing that defines a hollow piston cavity that is separated from a gas passage by a valve seat. The housing further defines a biasing hydraulic cavity and a control hydraulic cavity. A gas valve member is also included in the engine and is movable relative to the valve seat between an open position at which the hollow piston cavity is open to the gas passage and a closed position in which the hollow piston cavity is blocked from the gas passage. The gas valve member includes a ring mounted on a valve piece and a retainer positioned between the ring and the valve piece. A closing hydraulic surface is included on the gas valve member and is exposed to liquid pressure in the biasing hydraulic cavity.

US Patent:

20130080288, Mar 28, 2013

Filed:

Nov 19, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/681042

Inventors:

Thomas John Carroll - Algonquin IL, US

Assignee:

W.W. GRAINGER, INC. - Lake Forest IL

International Classification:

G06Q 30/06
G06Q 30/02

US Classification:

705 267

Abstract:

A dynamic merchandising system creates for each of a plurality of products in a plurality of purchase orders a list of products purchased together. This information is then used to create ordered lists reflecting relationships between various product attributes, e.g., the relationships between different brand names purchased together, different product categories purchased together, different catalog pages of products purchased together, etc. From these ordered relationship lists information may be selected and presented to the customer for the purpose of directing the customer to additional purchasing opportunities.

US Patent:

62236466, May 1, 2001

Filed:

Sep 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/662983

Inventors:

Thomas S. Carroll - Peoria IL
Steven F. Meister - Chillicothe IL
Charles R. Miller - Metamora IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F01L 1500

US Classification:

91189A

Abstract:

An actuator for opening a poppet exhaust valve, which is closed by a spring and opens in normal operation against a relatively low pressure and which opens for compression braking against a relatively high pressure, is motivated in either event by the same hydraulic pressure. The actuator has a unitary central valve and piston element, which is coaxially directed toward the exhaust valve stem and has an area providing, when subjected to the pressure, a force sufficient to open the exhaust valve for normal operation but insufficient to open the exhaust valve during compression braking. The element extends through a relatively larger diameter annular piston which is slidably fitted about the element and within a bore receiving the annular piston. In normal operation, the element provides enough force to move from an unactuated position and open the exhaust valve, and initial movement of the element closes off passages in the element that admit the pressure to the piston which thus does not move. During compression braking, the force developed by the central element cannot move the element and the exhaust valve so that these passages admit pressure to the piston which provides sufficient force to move with the central element and open the exhaust valve.

US Patent:

56069405, Mar 4, 1997

Filed:

Dec 21, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/576277

Inventors:

Scott F. Shafer - Morton IL
Thomas S. Carroll - Peoria IL
Steven F. Meister - Chillicothe IL
David R. Orr - Pekin IL
J. Roger Weber - Chillicothe IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F01L 116

US Classification:

123 9012

Abstract:

The present invention is an apparatus 10 for hydraulically slowing a member (12), preferably an engine poppet valve, to an acceptable impact seating velocity as the valve (12) is moved from open to closed. The poppet valve (12) has a stem (16) having a first portion (18) connected through a stepped portion (20) to a second portion (22) having a greater cross-sectional area than the first portion (18). The valve (12) rides within a guide body (28) having an opening (34) in an end wall (32) thereof through which the first portion (18) of the stem (16) extends. A hydraulic fluid space (50) is formed by the guide body (28) and the valve (12). As the valve (12) closes, fluid is forced out of the space (50) through a first fluid exit opening (66). As the valve (12) nears its seat (44), the fluid still in the space (50) is forced out through a second fluid exit opening (68) through which the rate of flow is less than the rate of flow through the first fluid exit opening (66). As the valve (12) continues closing, fluid still in the space (50) is compressed, increasing its hydraulic pressure and creating a resistive force to further movement of the poppet valve (12), thereby slowing it to an acceptable impact velocity.

US Patent:

59751398, Nov 2, 1999

Filed:

Jan 9, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/004899

Inventors:

Thomas S. Carroll - Peoria IL
Chien Chang Lee - Peoria IL
David M. Milam - Metamora IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F15B 13043

US Classification:

13762564

Abstract:

A servo control valve includes a valve body that defines a high pressure passage, a low pressure passage and a flow passage. A valve member has a first pressure surface in opposition to a control pressure surface. The valve member is positioned in the valve body and moveable between a first position in which the high pressure passage is open to the flow passage, and a second position in which the low pressure passage is open to the flow passage. A pilot member is positioned in the valve body and is moveable between an up position in which the control pressure surface is exposed to pressure in the high pressure passage, and a down position in which the control pressure surface is exposed to pressure in the low pressure passage. A spring is operably positioned to bias a valve member toward one of its first position and its second position.