Patents by Inventor Charles E. Solbrig
Charles E. Solbrig 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).
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Patent number: 8713917Abstract: A control system includes a temperature module that determines a temperature of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, a derivative module that determines a derivative of the temperature, and a dosing module that regulates a dosage of a reductant supplied to the SCR catalyst to regulate an engine out NOx level. A control module generates control signals based on the temperature derivative, wherein the control signals regulate an amount of reductant accumulated within the SCR catalyst to reduce reductant release from the SCR catalyst during thermal transients.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2008Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Inventors: Charles E. Solbrig, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140060014Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided and includes an exhaust gas conduit, a generator, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, and a control module. The exhaust gas conduit is in fluid communication with, and is configured to receive an exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The generator operates at a generator speed to produce electrical power. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit. The EHC device includes a monolith structure that is divided into a plurality of segments that define discrete resistive paths. The resistive paths are selectively connected to the generator for receiving electrical power. The control module is in communication with the EHC device, the generator, and the internal combustion engine. The control module includes control logic for determining the generator speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Chang H. Kim, Charles E. Solbrig
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Patent number: 8661790Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, and includes an exhaust gas conduit, an upstream selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, an oxidation catalyst (“OC”) device, a downstream SCR device, and a control module. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured to receive the exhaust gas. The EHC device is located downstream of the upstream SCR device and is selectively activated to produce heat. The OC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit, and is selectively heated by the EHC device. At least one of the EHC device and the OC device have a NOx adsorber catalyst disposed thereon for selectively adsorbing NOx below a threshold temperature and substantially releasing NOx above the threshold temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Charles E. Solbrig
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Publication number: 20140041370Abstract: An exhaust treatment system for an internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust gas conduit configured to receive an exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine and to deliver the exhaust gas to an exhaust treatment device. A fluid delivery system is located upstream of the exhaust treatment device and is configured to deliver a fluid thereto. It comprises a fluid injector, a fluid tube in fluid communication with the fluid injector and extending radially into the exhaust gas conduit for receipt of fluid from a spray tip of the fluid injector, a controller configured to energize the fluid injector to deliver fluid to the fluid tube, and opening(s) in the tube, disposed beyond the boundary layer of exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas conduit, for release of the fluid into the exhaust gas flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Charles E. Solbrig, Ognyan N. Yanakiev, Peter Hubl, Erik W. Dennis
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Publication number: 20140026544Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The exhaust gas system includes an exhaust gas conduit, a generator, a vehicle electrical system, a primary energy storage device, a rechargeable secondary energy storage device, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, and a control module. The primary energy storage device is selectively connected to the generator. The primary energy storage device has a threshold state of charge (“SOC”). The rechargeable secondary energy storage device is selectively connected to the generator and the vehicle electrical system. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit. The EHC device has an electric heater that is selectively connected the generator for receiving energy and a selectively activated catalyst that is heated to a respective light-off temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Charles E. Solbrig, Chang H. Kim
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Publication number: 20130343421Abstract: An engine air system for charge flow temperature estimation includes a charge air cooler outlet temperature sensor configured to provide a first temperature signal, an exhaust gas recirculation outlet temperature sensor configured to provide a second temperature signal, and a control module configured to receive the first temperature signal and the second temperature signal. The control module includes a charge flow temperature estimation module configured to determine an the estimated charge flow temperature at an intake manifold temperature sensing position based on a combination of the first temperature signal multiplied by an estimated fresh air fraction and the second temperature signal multiplied by an exhaust gas recirculation fraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ognyan N. Yanakiev, Charles E. Solbrig, Ryle Maxson
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Publication number: 20130312389Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a particulate filter that is configured to treat exhaust gas. A method for monitoring the particulate filter includes employing a soot sensor to monitor the exhaust gas downstream of the particulate filter. A fault is detected in the particulate filter when accumulated soot mass indicated by the soot sensor exceeds a soot mass threshold over a course of engine operation between a first regeneration event and a second regeneration event of the particulate filter. A control module associated with operation of the internal combustion engine is notified of the fault.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ognyan N. Yanakiev, Igor Anilovich, Cristian Taibi, Charles E. Solbrig, Janean E. Kowalkowski
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Publication number: 20130247545Abstract: A mixing plenum for exhaust gas comprises a canister with an inlet and an outlet. A bulkhead is located downstream from the inlet to define an exhaust gas consolidation chamber. An opening in the bulkhead allows exhaust gas to enter a u-shape conduit configured to direct the exhaust gas from a downstream direction to an upstream direction before releasing the exhaust gas back into the plenum downstream of the bulkhead. An injector is configured to inject fluid into the exhaust gas entering the conduit. A conduit exit located a distance “E” from the downstream side of the bulkhead allows the exhaust gas/fluid mixture to exit the conduit into a larger exit volume of the compact mixing can, in the manner of an expansion chamber, where its velocity slows and further mixing of the fluid/exhaust gas occurs and exits the compact mixing can through the outlet flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Charles E. Solbrig, Ognyan N. Yanakiev
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Patent number: 8534050Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment system for a diesel engine is provided. The system includes a controller operably coupled to the engine that induces the engine to combust a rich air/fuel mixture in at least one cylinder at a predetermined time interval after startup of the engine to output exhaust gases including elevated levels of CO, and a percentage increase in HC that is less than a minimal threshold percentage relative to combusting a lean air/fuel mixture. The system further includes a diesel oxidation catalyst that receives the exhaust gases and oxidizes the CO to obtain an exothermic reaction that increases a temperature of the exhaust gases flowing through the oxidation catalyst to greater than a threshold temperature level. The system further includes an SCR catalyst which receives the exhaust gases and reduces NOx in the exhaust gases.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ognyan N. Yanakiev, Charles E. Solbrig
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Publication number: 20130133307Abstract: A power system and a method for energizing an electrically heated catalyst are provided. The system includes a controller that generates a first control signal to set a switching device to a first operational state if the first temperature level downstream of the catalyst is less than a threshold temperature level and the engine is being decelerated. The controller further generates a second control signal to induce a generator to output a second voltage if the first temperature level is less than the threshold temperature level and the engine is being decelerated, such that the second voltage is applied through the switching device in the first operational state to the catalyst to increase a temperature of the catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Charles E. Solbrig, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
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Publication number: 20130111886Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, and includes an exhaust gas conduit, an upstream selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, an oxidation catalyst (“OC”) device, a downstream SCR device, and a control module. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured to receive the exhaust gas. The EHC device is located downstream of the upstream SCR device and is selectively activated to produce heat. The OC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit, and is selectively heated by the EHC device. At least one of the EHC device and the OC device have a NOx adsorber catalyst disposed thereon for selectively adsorbing NOx below a threshold temperature and substantially releasing NOx above the threshold temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Charles E. Solbrig
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Patent number: 8265852Abstract: A control system includes a first module, a fuel determination module, a temperature error correction module, and a hydrocarbon injection control module. The first module determines a temperature difference between a desired inlet temperature of a particulate filter (PF) and an outlet temperature of a first catalyst. The fuel determination module determines an uncorrected desired fuel value based on the temperature difference, an ambient temperature, and a mass flow of exhaust gas. The temperature error correction module generates a desired fuel value based on the uncorrected desired fuel value. The hydrocarbon injection control module controls a hydrocarbon injector based on the desired fuel value.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Inventors: Ognyan N. Yanakiev, Charles E. Solbrig
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Patent number: 8245567Abstract: A method for indicating a malfunctioning catalyst in a powertrain including an internal combustion engine and an aftertreatment system including an aftertreatment device utilizing a catalyst to convert NOx includes monitoring a NOx content entering the aftertreatment system, monitoring a NOx content exiting the aftertreatment system, determining an actual conversion efficiency based upon the NOx content entering the aftertreatment system and the NOx content exiting the aftertreatment system, monitoring factors affecting conversion efficiency within the aftertreatment device, determining a malfunction conversion efficiency indicative of the malfunctioning catalyst based upon the factors affecting conversion efficiency within the aftertreatment device, and indicating the malfunctioning catalyst based upon comparing the actual conversion efficiency to the malfunction conversion efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Charles E. Solbrig, Ognyan N. Yanakiev
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Patent number: 8201444Abstract: A powertrain includes an internal combustion engine and an aftertreatment system having an aftertreatment device utilizing a catalyst to convert NOx. A method for indicating a malfunctioning catalyst includes monitoring an actual NOx content exiting the aftertreatment system, monitoring factors affecting conversion efficiency of the aftertreatment device, determining a predicted threshold NOx content exiting the aftertreatment system for an exemplary malfunctioning catalyst based upon the factors affecting conversion efficiency, comparing the actual NOx content exiting the aftertreatment system to the predicted threshold NOx content exiting the aftertreatment system, and indicating a malfunctioning catalyst based upon the comparing.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Ognyan N. Yanakiev, Charles E. Solbrig
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Patent number: 8096110Abstract: A control system comprising an ammonia (NH3) storage level determination module that determines a NH3 storage level in an exhaust system, a desired NH3 storage level determination module that determines a desired NH3 storage level based on an exhaust temperature, and a nitrogen oxide (NOx) mass flow rate control module that controls a NOx mass flow rate based on a difference between the NH3 storage level and the desired NH3 storage level. A method comprising determining a NH3 storage level in an exhaust system, determining a desired NH3 storage level based on an exhaust temperature, and controlling a NOx mass flow rate based on a difference between the NH3 storage level and the desired NH3 storage level.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Inventor: Charles E. Solbrig
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Patent number: 8091416Abstract: A method for controlling a malfunction catalyst diagnostic test that determines a malfunction status of a catalyst within a selective catalytic reduction device includes monitoring an exhaust gas flow within an aftertreatment system, estimating an effect of the exhaust gas flow on an estimated reductant storage on a catalyst within the selective catalytic reduction device, and selectively disabling the malfunction catalyst diagnostic test based upon the estimating the effect of the exhaust gas flow on the estimated reductant storage.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Ognyan N. Yanakiev, Charles E. Solbrig
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Publication number: 20110146243Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment system for a diesel engine is provided. The system includes a controller operably coupled to the engine that induces the engine to combust a rich air/fuel mixture in at least one cylinder at a predetermined time interval after startup of the engine to output exhaust gases including elevated levels of CO, and a percentage increase in HC that is less than a minimal threshold percentage relative to combusting a lean air/fuel mixture. The system further includes a diesel oxidation catalyst that receives the exhaust gases and oxidizes the CO to obtain an exothermic reaction that increases a temperature of the exhaust gases flowing through the oxidation catalyst to greater than a threshold temperature level. The system further includes an SCR catalyst which receives the exhaust gases and reduces NOx in the exhaust gases.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Ognyan N. Yanakiev, Charles E. Solbrig
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Patent number: 7926263Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for regenerating a particulate filter, desulfating a lean NOx trap, desulfating or regenerating a hydrocarbon-selective catalytic reduction catalyst, desulfating or regenerating a urea-selective catalytic reduction catalyst, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: David J. Stroh, Michael B. Viola, Charles E. Solbrig
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING A REDUCTANT INJECTION SYSTEM IN AN EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM
Publication number: 20110083424Abstract: An internal combustion engine operating at a lean air/fuel ratio includes a reductant injection system configured to dispense reductant into an exhaust gas feedstream upstream of a selective catalytic reduction device. The reductant injection system includes a reductant delivery system fluidly coupled to a reductant dispensing device that is configured to dispense the reductant. A method for monitoring the reductant injection system includes commanding the reductant dispensing device to dispense reductant at a prescribed reductant flowrate, controlling the reductant delivery system to a preferred operating state, monitoring operation of the reductant delivery system and estimating a reductant flowrate as a function of the monitored operation of the reductant delivery system, and diagnosing operation of the reductant injection system as a function of the prescribed reductant flowrate and the estimated reductant flowrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Charles E. Solbrig, Stephen Paul Levijoki -
Patent number: 7886527Abstract: A base dose module generates a base dose signal that corresponds to a mass flow rate of a dosing agent. A dose adjustment module receives an ammonia (NH3) signal and determines a first dose adjustment based upon the NH3 signal. The NH3 signal indicates NH3 measured downstream of a catalyst. The dose determination module generates a dosing signal based upon the base dose signal and the first dose adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Inventor: Charles E. Solbrig