Cummins names winners of Perr Innovation Award

Cummins Inc. on May 19 announced the recipients of the annual Dr. Julius P. Perr Innovation Award, given to Cummins employees past or present whose patented inventions have significantly improved the company, the industry or the environment.

Winners Christopher Holm of Stoughton, Wis., and a team from Huddersfield, United Kingdom – Peter S. McKean, David M. Moulson, John F. Parker, Stephen E. Garrett and Michael Cummings – each developed innovative technologies that have helped position Cummins as a leader in the power solution business. Holm received his award in Columbus, Ind., and the Huddersfield team will receive their award in June in the United Kingdom.

“Cummins strives to be first to market with innovative technologies that deliver value to our customers. We call it ‘Innovation you can depend on’,” said John Wall, vice president and chief technical officer, Cummins Inc. “By recognizing the work of these engineers today, we hope to encourage further innovation in all Cummins business units.”

Holm developed a breather device – called the impactor – that captures oil mist droplets in crankcase gaseous emissions. With that device, diesel engine crankcase gases are no longer vented into the atmosphere. The product, which was launched in 2001, is used on all Cummins engines as well as those of some other manufacturers. This device has about 60 percent of the North American market, with sales exceeding $15 million.

Holm has worked for Cummins Filtration in Stoughton, Wis., since 1990 and currently leads the Research and Technology organization.

The Huddersfield team developed a device that increases the durability and ease of use of the mechanism which operates the nozzle of the VGT. This device meets emissions standards and is set to dominate the heavy-duty diesel market with sales of $250 million annually.

Team members Steve Garrett, John Parker and David Moulson work for Cummins Turbo Technologies in Huddersfield and Peter McKean retired as a senior designer after 44 years with the company. Garrett, who has been with Cummins for 22 years, and Parker, with the Company 33 years, are both principal engineers. Moulson is a designer and has been with Cummins for 31 years.

The runners-up are Peter K. Herman, co-inventor of a high-capacity lubricating oil centrifuge that reduces engine wear and prolongs the life of the engine, and Steven M. Bellinger, who developed torque control algorithms that control engine performance. Both received their awards at a ceremony in Columbus, Ind.

"These inventions are representative of the wealth of innovation inside the technical communities of Cummins," said J. Bruce Schelkopf, chief counsel for global intellectual property law, Cummins Inc. "We are proud to provide our innovative solutions in our offerings, to our worldwide customers and markets, and in our communities – and we're especially proud of breadth of innovation and invention our teams attain in achieving new breakthroughs that may benefit many throughout the entire global community."

This prestigious award is named in honor of Dr. Julius P. Perr, who developed innovations that enabled Cummins to be a technology leader in the diesel engine business. Dr. Perr joined Cummins in 1958 after fleeing Communist Hungary, contributing to fuel systems and engine design. Perr, named as the inventor on 65 U.S. patents, died in 2005.

Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, (USA) Cummins serves customers in more than 160 countries through its network of 550 company-owned and independent distributor facilities and more than 5,000 dealer locations.