Patents by Inventor CHRISTOPHER L. WRAY
CHRISTOPHER L. WRAY 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: 11768128Abstract: An internal combustion engine for neutron diffraction analysis is provided. The engine includes an elongated piston chamber formed from an aluminum alloy to ensure maximum neutron visibility into the combustion chamber. An elongated piston assembly reciprocates within the elongated piston chamber, the piston assembly including an upper piston joined to a lower piston. The upper piston and the lower piston are hollow, thereby reducing the reciprocating mass and increasing neutron access to the combustion chamber. The upper piston is lubricated with a neutron-transparent fluorocarbon lubricant such as perfluoropolyether (PFPE), while the lower piston and the crankcase are lubricated with hydrocarbon lubricant. The engine enables 3D and time-resolved measurements of strain, stress, and temperature, as well as phase transformation, texture, and microstructure.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLCInventors: Martin L. Wissink, Christopher L. Wray, Scott J. Curran, Ke An, Matthew J. Frost, Yan Chen
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Patent number: 11739681Abstract: A far square or diamond architecture engine with tumble flow to support spark-ignited fuel usage. The engine may be provided in a configuration generally suited for swirl flow, compression combustion fuel usage. However, the introduction of a unique, replaceable valve head assembly may be utilized to induce tumble flow within a combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, spark-ignited fuel may be utilized without requiring vast overhaul of the engine to accommodate such fuels. Notably, with the addition of such an assembly, diesel fuel may be replaced with natural gas on large scale equipment without the requirement of impractically burdensome or expensive measures.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Christopher L. Wray, Marc C Megel, Zainal Abidin
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Patent number: 11655777Abstract: An engine with a vertically oriented parallel valve and stem arrangement accommodating tumble flow to support spark-ignited fuel usage. The engine may be provided in a configuration generally suited for swirl flow, compression combustion fuel usage. However, the introduction of a unique, replaceable valve head assembly may be utilized to induce tumble flow within a combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, spark-ignited fuel may be utilized without requiring vast overhaul of the engine to accommodate such fuels. Notably, with the addition of such an assembly, diesel fuel may be replaced with natural gas on large scale equipment without the requirement of impractically burdensome or expensive measures.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Inventors: Christopher L. Wray, Zainal Abidin, Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Marc C. Megel
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Publication number: 20230073196Abstract: A far square or diamond architecture engine with tumble flow to support spark-ignited fuel usage. The engine may be provided in a configuration generally suited for swirl flow, compression combustion fuel usage. However, the introduction of a unique, replaceable valve head assembly may be utilized to induce tumble flow within a combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, spark-ignited fuel may be utilized without requiring vast overhaul of the engine to accommodate such fuels. Notably, with the addition of such an assembly, diesel fuel may be replaced with natural gas on large scale equipment without the requirement of impractically burdensome or expensive measures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2021Publication date: March 9, 2023Applicant: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Christopher L. Wray, Marc C. Megel, Zainal Abidin
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Publication number: 20230077310Abstract: An engine with a vertically oriented parallel valve and stem arrangement accommodating tumble flow to support spark-ignited fuel usage. The engine may be provided in a configuration generally suited for swirl flow, compression combustion fuel usage. However, the introduction of a unique, replaceable valve head assembly may be utilized to induce tumble flow within a combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, spark-ignited fuel may be utilized without requiring vast overhaul of the engine to accommodate such fuels. Notably, with the addition of such an assembly, diesel fuel may be replaced with natural gas on large scale equipment without the requirement of impractically burdensome or expensive measures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2021Publication date: March 9, 2023Applicant: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Christopher L. Wray, Zainal Abidin, Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Marc C. Megel
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Publication number: 20220390326Abstract: An internal combustion engine for neutron diffraction analysis is provided. The engine includes an elongated piston chamber formed from an aluminum alloy to ensure maximum neutron visibility into the combustion chamber. An elongated piston assembly reciprocates within the elongated piston chamber, the piston assembly including an upper piston joined to a lower piston. The upper piston and the lower piston are hollow, thereby reducing the reciprocating mass and increasing neutron access to the combustion chamber. The upper piston is lubricated with a neutron-transparent fluorocarbon lubricant such as perfluoropolyether (PFPE), while the lower piston and the crankcase are lubricated with hydrocarbon lubricant. The engine enables 3D and time-resolved measurements of strain, stress, and temperature, as well as phase transformation, texture, and microstructure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Martin L. Wissink, Christopher L. Wray, Scott J. Curran, Ke An, Matthew J. Frost, Yan Chen
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Patent number: 11168605Abstract: Heat transfer jackets with various passage configurations for cooling or heating equipment. For the equipment of interest, one or more regions of maximum heat transfer are identified. For these regions, the cooling jacket is configured with at least one of the following heat transfer passage geometries: impinging jets, curved blades, columns, dimpled interface, organic, or turbulator. The passage geometries are then manufactured using additive manufacturing.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Kevin L. Hoag, Christopher L. Wray, Charles E. Roberts, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210108552Abstract: Heat transfer jackets with various passage configurations for cooling or heating equipment. For the equipment of interest, one or more regions of maximum heat transfer are identified. For these regions, the cooling jacket is configured with at least one of the following heat transfer passage geometries: impinging jets, curved blades, columns, dimpled interface, organic, or turbulator. The passage geometries are then manufactured using additive manufacturing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Kevin L. Hoag, Christopher L. Wray, Charles E. Roberts, JR.
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Publication number: 20130298889Abstract: Disclosed is an engine valve port including a valve opening, a first portion, and a separate second portion. The first portion and the second portion are separately connected to the valve opening, and the first portion and the second portion merge together at a location spaced from the valve opening. The valve port has a bifurcated, porpoise-like shape. The first portion and the second portion are generally arcuate in shape, and the first portion and the second portion have a generally semicircular cross-section. Also disclosed is an engine including such a valve port. A valve associated with the valve port may be an outwardly-opening valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: SCUDERI GROUP, INC.Inventors: FORD A. PHILLIPS, CHRISTOPHER L. WRAY, MITCHEL A. SMOLIK