Patents by Inventor Bruce B. Bykowski

Bruce B. Bykowski 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).

  • System and method for burner-based accelerated aging of emissions control device, with engine cycle having cold start and warm up modes
    Patent number: 7347086
    Abstract: A method for accelerated aging of an automotive catalytic converter under conditions incorporating cold start simulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Cynthia C. Webb, Bruce B. Bykowski, Gordon J. Bartley
  • Method for drive cycle simulation using non-engine based test system
    Patent number: 7299137
    Abstract: A method for simulating at least one drive cycle of a vehicle using a non-engine based test system, the method including providing a non-engine based test system including a combustor in fluid communication with a catalytic converter from the vehicle; supplying fuel and air to said combustor at an air to fuel ratio (AFR) and under conditions effective to produce a feedstream flowpath; substantially stoichiometrically combusting at least a portion of the fuel in the feedstream flowpath under conditions effective to simulate at least one drive cycle of the vehicle and to produce a simulated drive cycle exhaust product for the vehicle, the conditions being effective to prevent substantial damage to the combustor; and, collecting and analyzing the simulated drive cycle exhaust product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Gordon J. Bartley, Andy M. Anderson, Cynthia C. Webb, Bruce B. Bykowski
  • Method for testing catalytic converter durability
    Patent number: 7277801
    Abstract: The present application relates in general to methods for testing the performance of an automotive catalytic converter under conditions simulating those which occur in motor vehicles over extended driving conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Cynthia C. Webb, Bruce B. Bykowski, Gordon J. Bartley
  • Method for accelerated aging of catalytic converters incorporating engine cold start simulation
    Patent number: 6983645
    Abstract: A method for accelerated aging of an automotive catalytic converter under conditions incorporating cold start simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Cynthia C. Webb, Bruce B. Bykowski, Gordon J. Bartley
  • Method for drive cycle simulation using non-engine based test system
    Publication number: 20040237636
    Abstract: A method for simulating at least one drive cycle of a vehicle using a non-engine based test system, the method comprising: providing a non-engine based test system comprising a combustor in fluid communication with a catalytic converter from the vehicle; supplying fuel and air to said combustor at an air to fuel ratio (AFR) and under conditions effective to produce a feedstream flowpath; substantially stoichiometrically combusting at least a portion of the fuel in the feedstream flowpath under conditions effective to simulate at least one drive cycle of the vehicle and to produce a simulated drive cycle exhaust product for the vehicle, the conditions being effective to prevent substantial damage to the combustor; and, collecting and analyzing the simulated drive cycle exhaust product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Gordon J. Bartley, Andy M. Anderson, Cynthia C. Webb, Bruce B. Bykowski
  • Method for accelerated aging of catalytic converters incorporating engine cold start simulation
    Publication number: 20040025580
    Abstract: A method for accelerated aging of an automotive catalytic converter under conditions incorporating cold start simulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Cynthia C. Webb, Bruce B. Bykowski, Gordon J. Bartley
  • Method for testing catalytic converter durability
    Publication number: 20040007056
    Abstract: The present application relates in general to methods for testing the performance of an automotive catalytic converter under conditions simulating those which occur in motor vehicles over extended driving conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Cynthia C. Webb, Bruce B. Bykowski, Gordon J. Bartley
  • Engine exhaust after-treatment device
    Patent number: 4813231
    Abstract: A diesel particulate trap formed from silicon carbide cermet foam with associated hardware to retain the foam in a particular configuration. Several pieces of the foam, in the shape of "doughnuts", are stacked on top of each other. The stack of foam doughnuts is assembled in a container designed to allow diesel exhaust to flow radially inward through the doughnuts and exit through the center. Ceramic felt gaskets are interposed between the doughnuts and between each of the end doughnuts and steel end plates. These gaskets serve as buffers and allow for different thermal expansion properties of the steel and silicon carbide cermet foam. The silicon carbide is conducting and has resistance and when current is passed through the foam doughnuts, they become hot enough to burn the collected particulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Bruce B. Bykowski