Patents by Inventor Christine Kay Lambert

Christine Kay Lambert 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).

  • Patent number: 9304061
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and/or diagnosing an emission control system of a vehicle having a first SCR region upstream of a second SCR region are provided herein. One exemplary method includes, indicating degradation based on a first SCR region performance during a first condition; and indicating degradation based on a second SCR region performance during a second condition, the first condition different than the second condition. In this way, different levels of degradation among different SCR regions may be used to indicate emissions levels have increased above a threshold value, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Allen Dobson, Giovanni Cavataio, Ed Badillo, Christine Kay Lambert, Gang Guo
  • Publication number: 20160084185
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing engine cold-start emissions. An exhaust system having a passive NOx adsorber (PNA) may store NOx during an engine cold-start until conditions are optimal for release of the stored NOx to a downstream SCR catalyst. Based on PNA conditions, including a NOx load and a PNA bed temperature, adjustments to EGR rate and/or injection timing may be made to achieve a catalytically favorable ratio of NOx species upstream of the SCR catalyst, after the SCR catalyst has reached its light-off temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Theis, Christine Kay Lambert, Justin Anthony Ura
  • Patent number: 9239019
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for passive regeneration of a particulate matter filter coupled to a gasoline engine. During vehicle deceleration conditions, an engine is operated leaner than stoichiometry over two subsequent lean phases, including an initial longer and leaner phase followed by a shorter and less lean phase. By passively regenerating the filter using intermittent lean engine operation, engine performance can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christine Kay Lambert, Martyn Vincent Twigg
  • Publication number: 20150321181
    Abstract: A method for treating engine exhaust. The method includes contacting an NOx exhaust with an upstream catalyst material coated onto a substrate and including copper or iron loaded in a first zeolite at an upstream loading of 0 to 3.5 g/l to convert the NOx exhaust in a first temperature range of 150° C. to 500° C. to a first NOx converted exhaust. The method further includes contacting the first NOx converted exhaust with a downstream catalyst material coated onto the substrate downstream of the upstream catalyst material and including copper or iron loaded in a second zeolite at a downstream loading of 1.5 to 9.5 g/l to convert the first NOx converted exhaust in a second temperature range of 450° C. to 700° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Hungwen Jen, James Robert Warner, James W. Girard, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Publication number: 20150290632
    Abstract: A chabazite (CHA) zeolite catalyst containing iron and copper is provided as an SCR catalyst for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) from vehicle engine exhausts. The catalyst is formed by incorporating iron during synthesis of the chabazite zeolite, followed by incorporating copper in an ion-exchange step. The resulting catalyst reduces nitrogen oxides over a wide range of temperatures from about 200° C. to about 700° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christine Kay Lambert, Clifford Norman Montreuil
  • Patent number: 9120056
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a catalyst assembly is provided for treating an exhaust from an engine. In one embodiment, the catalyst assembly includes a first catalyst material catalytically active at a first temperature and loaded at a first catalyst material loading, the first catalyst material including a first base metal loading, and a second catalyst material catalytically active at a second temperature lower than the first temperature and loaded at a second catalyst material loading, the second catalyst material including a second base metal loading, wherein the second base metal loading is higher than the first base metal loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Hungwen Jen, James Robert Warner, James W. Girard, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Publication number: 20150231617
    Abstract: The system and methods described provide for an Fe-SAPO-34 catalyst in an SCR catalyst for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) from vehicle engine exhausts. In one example, the catalyst is formed by incorporating iron during synthesis of the SAPO-34 zeolite, which allows iron to be incorporated into the zeolite crystal lattice structure and eliminates the post-synthesis ion-exchange step. The resulting Fe-SAPO-34 catalyst, which may be used in combination with or in addition to a Cu-CHA catalyst, exhibits good high temperature activity at temperatures above 550° C. and provides for a good thermal stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Stanislava Andonova, Stefanie Tamm, Louise Olsson, Clifford Norman Montreuil, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Patent number: 9061244
    Abstract: A system and method for NOx reduction is described, with a catalytic unit including a first zeolite catalyst with a first NOx conversion performance in a first temperature range and a second NOx conversion performance, lower than said first NOx conversion performance, in a second temperature range. The catalytic unit also comprises a second zeolite catalyst with a third NOx conversion performance, lower than said first NOx conversion performance, in the first temperature range and a fourth NOx conversion performance, higher than said second and third NOx conversion performances in the second temperature range, said first temperature range being higher than said second temperature range. The system further includes a controller configured to adjust an amount of reducing agent added to the NOx reducing system responsive to a temperature of the catalytic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Girard, Giovanni Cavataio, Christine Kay Lambert, Rachel Alison Snow
  • Publication number: 20150098870
    Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst includes a support layer. A copper-loaded chabazite (Cu/CHA) layer is supported on the support layer. A copper-loaded beta zeolite (Cu/beta) is supported on the Cu/CHA layer. The Cu/beta may be hydrothermally pre-aged prior to use of the SCR catalyst in a vehicle. The pre-aged Cu/beta is essentially free of phosphorous (P), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), CaSO4, Ca19Zn2(PO4)14, CaZn2(PO4)2, ash, and/or soot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTINE KAY LAMBERT, JUSTIN ANTHONY URA, GIOVANNI CAVATAIO
  • Publication number: 20150013310
    Abstract: An emission control system is provided. The emission control system includes an oxidation catalyst having a precious metal loading of less than 100 grams (g)/cubic foot (ft3) and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) component positioned downstream of the oxidation catalyst operated between 150° C. and 300° C. during engine operation to reduce the formation of N2O in the selective-catalytic reduction component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Christine Kay Lambert, Justin Anthony Ura, Douglas Allen Dobson
  • Publication number: 20150013309
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for managing ammonia storage in an SCR catalyst. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a vehicle-off event, injecting ammonia during a final exhaust blowdown until a predetermined value of ammonia is stored in the SCR catalyst; and in response to a subsequent vehicle-on event when an amount of ammonia stored in the SCR catalyst is less than the predetermined value, injecting ammonia until the predetermined value of ammonia is stored in the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Devesh Upadhyay, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Christine Kay Lambert, David Wynn Philion
  • Patent number: 8883102
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling nitrous oxide emissions are described. In one particular example, nitrous oxide formed in the exhaust system of a diesel hybrid vehicle is routed through an oxidation catalyst heated by an external source such as an electric heater. Then, the catalyst is heated from the external source to reduce nitrous oxide formation within the exhaust system by increasing the catalyst temperature above a temperature range associated with nitrous oxide generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christine Kay Lambert, William Charles Ruona
  • Patent number: 8844274
    Abstract: A diesel engine exhaust treatment system and method is provided which utilizes a diesel particulate filter positioned in the exhaust gas stream of a vehicle which includes an SCR catalyst, an ammonia oxidation catalyst, and/or a diesel oxidation catalyst. The system is capable of performing multiple functions including converting NOx to N2, converting HC and CO to H2O and CO2, trapping particulates, and minimizing ammonia emissions. The system is more compact and efficient than prior systems utilizing separate catalyst units, and minimizes backpressure while maximizing catalyst performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christine Kay Lambert, Yinyan Huang, Douglas A. Dobson, Harendra S. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 8741241
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a layered emission control device coupled to an exhaust manifold. Various formulations may be incorporated in a plurality of layers of the device to enable various emission control functions to be grouped within spatial constraints. For example, a first layer may include a first, oxidizing catalyst, a second layer may include a HC trap, and a third layer may include a second, different oxidizing catalyst, the second layer positioned between the first and third layers. The layers may be organized to reduce functional interference and improve functional synergy between the various emission control functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christine Kay Lambert, Douglas Allen Dobson
  • Publication number: 20140106460
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and/or diagnosing an emission control system of a vehicle having a first SCR region upstream of a second SCR region are provided herein. One exemplary method includes, indicating degradation based on a first SCR region performance during a first condition; and indicating degradation based on a second SCR region performance during a second condition, the first condition different than the second condition. In this way, different levels of degradation among different SCR regions may be used to indicate emissions levels have increased above a threshold value, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Allen Dobson, Giovanni Cavataio, Ed Badillo, Christine Kay Lambert, Gang Guo
  • Patent number: 8661882
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and/or diagnosing an emission control system of a vehicle having a first SCR region upstream of a second SCR region are provided herein. One exemplary method includes, indicating degradation based on a first SCR region performance during a first condition; and indicating degradation based on a second SCR region performance during a second condition, the first condition different than the second condition. In this way, different levels of degradation among different SCR regions may be used to indicate emissions levels have increased above a threshold value, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Allen Dobson, Giovanni Cavataio, Ed Badillo, Christine Kay Lambert, Gang Guo
  • Patent number: 8631648
    Abstract: A system for treating exhaust gases from an engine is described. The system includes, the exhaust gases routed from the engine to atmosphere through an exhaust passage, the system comprising: an injector directing a spray of reductant into the exhaust gases routed from the engine to atmosphere; an exhaust separation passage that separates an exhaust gas flow received from the engine into a plurality of separate exhaust gas flows; a plurality of oxidation catalysts, each of which receives one of the plurality of separate exhaust gas flows; a flow combining passage that receives the plurality of separate exhaust gas flows and combines them into a re-combined exhaust gas flow; a turbocharger that receives the re-combined exhaust gas flow from the flow combining passage; and a selective catalytic reduction catalyst positioned downstream of the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christine Kay Lambert, Yinyan Huang, Harold Huimin Sun, Christopher Oberski
  • Publication number: 20130302232
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a layered emission control device coupled to an exhaust manifold. Various formulations may be incorporated in a plurality of layers of the device to enable various emission control functions to be grouped within spatial constraints. For example, a first layer may include a first, oxidizing catalyst, a second layer may include a HC trap, and a third layer may include a second, different oxidizing catalyst, the second layer positioned between the first and third layers. The layers may be organized to reduce functional interference and improve functional synergy between the various emission control functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christine Kay Lambert, Douglas Allen Dobson
  • Publication number: 20130192202
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for passive regeneration of a particulate matter filter coupled to a gasoline engine. During vehicle deceleration conditions, an engine is operated leaner than stoichiometry over two subsequent lean phases, including an initial longer and leaner phase followed by a shorter and less lean phase. By passively regenerating the filter using intermittent lean engine operation, engine performance can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christine Kay Lambert, Martyn Vincent Twigg
  • Patent number: 8491860
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a layered emission control device coupled to an exhaust manifold. Various formulations may be incorporated in a plurality of layers of the device to enable various emission control functions to be grouped within spatial constraints. For example, a first layer may include a first, oxidizing catalyst, a second layer may include a HC trap, and a third layer may include a second, different oxidizing catalyst, the second layer positioned between the first and third layers. The layers may be organized to reduce functional interference and improve functional synergy between the various emission control functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christine Kay Lambert, Douglas Allen Dobson