Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Stephen G Shoup

Benny Ballheimer

Victor E Swanson

Joel D Feucht

Robert L Weber

James A Green

Kenneth R Kamman

Kenton L Erickson

The present invention provides a fluid circulating pump utilizing a plug assembly sealingly disposed within a weep hole located in a secondary compartment of a cavity. The plug assembly is disposed within the weep hole and has a tube portion extending a predetermined length into the secondary compartment. A connector holds the plug assembly within the second compartment and sealingly engages the plug assembly with the weep hole. The length of the tube portion is sufficient to contain the leaked fluid within the secondary compartment until it can be evaporated, substantially eliminating fluid leakage into the atmosphere. However, excessive fluid build-up may occur within the secondary compartment when the pump is damaged. The present invention allows the excessive fluid to leak out to the atmosphere through a bore in the plug assembly to signal that pump repair is needed.

Weep hole plug for a fluid circulating pump

The design and construction of past fluid circulating pumps, having a weep hole, allowed small amounts of leaked fluid to escape through the weep hole and into the atmosphere resulting in environmental concern and lower customer perception of the product. The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a fluid circulating pump utilizing a plug means sealingly disposed within a weep hole located in a secondary compartment of a cavity. The plug means is sealingly disposed within the weep hole and has a tube portion extending a predetermined length into the secondary compartment. The length of the tube portion is sufficient to contain the leaked fluid within the secondary compartment until it can be evaporated, substantially eliminating fluid leakage into the atmosphere. However, excessive fluid build-up may occur within the secondary compartment when the pump is damaged. The present invention allows the excessive fluid to leak out to the atmosphere through a bore in the plug means to signal that pump repair is needed.

Non-drip fluid circulating pump

Piston or similar article

Present day diesel engines having aluminum piston assemblies are limited to combustion chamber pressures of approximately 12,410 kPa (1,800 psi) whereas the desire is to increase such pressures up to the 15,170 kPa (2,200 psi) range. To reach such levels the instant piston assembly includes a steel piston member having an upper cylindrical portion of a diameter 'D' and a compression height 'CH'. The ratio of the compression height 'CH' to the diameter 'D' being within the range of from 60% to 45%. The piston member is preferably forged and subsequently machined to precisely controllable dimensions. Moreover, the piston assembly is preferably of the articulated type and includes a forged aluminum piston skirt connected to the piston member through a common wrist pin. Engine manufacturers are also demanding a smaller engine package size while retaining power output, improve fuel consumption and decreased emissions. The subject piston member provides a simple and inexpensive solution to the increased power output package size relationship. To insure a small engine package, the piston member has a compression height to maximum diameter ratio within the range of from 60% to 45%. The piston member is preferably made from a steel forging to insure a reduced porosity over that of existing standard castings.

Piston assembly and piston member thereof having a predetermined

Present day diesel engines having aluminum piston assemblies are limited to combustion chamber pressures of approximately 12,410 kPa (1,800 psi) whereas the desire is to increase such pressures up to the 15,170 kPa (2,200 psi) range. To reach such levels the instant engine has a piston assembly including a steel piston member having an upper cylindrical portion of a diameter D and defining a top surface, a depending tubular wall having a top ring groove a minimal elevational distance TRH below the top surface, and an annular cooling recess located beneath the top surface and juxtaposed to the top ring groove for removing heat away therefrom in use. The piston member is preferably forged and subsequently machined to precisely controllable dimensions, and has a ratio of TRH to D of less than 0.06. Moreover, the piston assembly is preferably of the articulated type and includes a forged aluminum piston skirt connected to the piston member through a common wrist pin. The skirt has an upwardly facing oil trough that is disposed in a cooperating relationship with the cooling recess of the piston member. A midsupported cylinder liner surrounds the piston assembly and a recess is provided thereabout at an elevation aligned with the top ring groove for maximizing cooling.

Engine including a piston member having a high top ring groove

A heavy duty drawbar features a Z-type brace which is accessible from the end of a vehicle which carries the drawbar. The Z-type brace provides significant strength for the overall drawbar while still allowing easy access to the hitch fastening bolts for easy changing. Also, the hitch can be placed very close to the vehicle when held by such a Z-type brace. Two of the Z-type braces are supported each between generally vertical frame members and the hitch of the drawbar is supported between the two Z-type braces.

Heavy duty drawbar

A vehicle main frame has a pair of arms individually having first, second and third portions, with the first and third portions being disposed in first and second upright and substantially longitudinally oriented planes transversely offset from one another, and with the second portions of the arms connecting the first and third portions. Joints are provided for mounting an implement with forces from the implement being transmitted to the first portions of the arms in substantial alignment with the first planes.

Vehicle main frame

A system for filtering hydraulic fluid wherein a high flow rate of uncontaminated fluid is required. A housing having a paper filter element disposed therein is placed in a main oil flow line. The housing has a removable cover to which is fixed a rigid cylindrical baffle means which immediately confronts oil entering the inlet to the housing. With this arrangement cold, viscous oil entering the housing through the inlet thereof, which would normally tend to crush the paper filter element, impinges instead upon the cylindrical baffle means where its momentum is dissapated so that damage to the paper filter element is avoided.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Stephen G Shoup