Patents by Inventor Domenico Chiera
Domenico Chiera 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).
-
Publication number: 20190257274Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation mixer includes a convergent nozzle in a flow path from an air inlet of the mixer to an outlet of the mixer. The convergent nozzle is oriented converging toward the outlet of the mixer. The nozzle accelerates the flow to high velocity, which is released as a free-jet. The mixer includes an exhaust gas housing having an exhaust gas inlet into an interior of the exhaust gas housing, and a convergent-divergent nozzle having an air-fuel-exhaust gas inlet in fluid communication to receive fluid flow from the convergent nozzle (i.e., the free-jet), the interior of the exhaust gas housing, and a fuel supply into the mixer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: Woodward Inc.Inventors: Gregory James Hampson, Domenico Chiera
-
Patent number: 10316803Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation mixer includes a convergent nozzle in a flow path from an air inlet of the mixer to an outlet of the mixer. The convergent nozzle is oriented converging toward the outlet of the mixer. The nozzle accelerates the flow to high velocity, which is released as a free-jet. The mixer includes an exhaust gas housing having an exhaust gas inlet into an interior of the exhaust gas housing, and a convergent-divergent nozzle having an air-fuel-exhaust gas inlet in fluid communication to receive fluid flow from the convergent nozzle (i.e., the free-jet), the interior of the exhaust gas housing, and a fuel supply into the mixer.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Gregory James Hampson, Domenico Chiera
-
Publication number: 20190093604Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation mixer includes a convergent nozzle in a flow path from an air inlet of the mixer to an outlet of the mixer. The convergent nozzle is oriented converging toward the outlet of the mixer. The nozzle accelerates the flow to high velocity, which is released as a free-jet. The mixer includes an exhaust gas housing having an exhaust gas inlet into an interior of the exhaust gas housing, and a convergent-divergent nozzle having an air-fuel-exhaust gas inlet in fluid communication to receive fluid flow from the convergent nozzle (i.e., the free-jet), the interior of the exhaust gas housing, and a fuel supply into the mixer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Applicant: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Gregory James Hampson, Domenico Chiera
-
Patent number: 10054102Abstract: An engine has an ignition source in a combustion chamber of the engine. An inner housing is provided that includes one or more jet apertures and defines an inner chamber containing the ignition source. An outer housing (or pre-chamber) is provided that includes one or more jet apertures in communication with the main combustion chamber and defines an outer chamber containing the inner housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
-
Publication number: 20180080429Abstract: An engine has an ignition source in a combustion chamber of the engine. An inner housing is provided that includes one or more jet apertures and defines an inner chamber containing the ignition source. An outer housing (or pre-chamber) is provided that includes one or more jet apertures in communication with the main combustion chamber and defines an outer chamber containing the inner housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
-
Patent number: 9890689Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, gaseous fuel is injected in a first injection through a pre-combustion chamber into the combustion chamber to mix with air in the combustion chamber. The pre-combustion chamber has a jet aperture in fluid communication between the pre-combustion chamber and the combustion chamber. Mixed gaseous fuel and air is then ingested into the pre-combustion chamber from the combustion chamber and ignited. In a second injection, injecting gaseous fuel into the pre-combustion chamber and expelling, with the second injection, ignited gaseous fuel and air from the pre-combustion chamber through the jet aperture and into the combustion chamber as a flaming jet with a core of gaseous fuel.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Gregory James Hampson, Domenico Chiera
-
Patent number: 9890690Abstract: An injector-igniter assembly includes a passive prechamber and a fuel injector. In an internal combustion engine, fuel is directly injected into a combustion chamber to mix with air in the combustion chamber. Embodiments enable filing the prechamber at different air-fuel-ratio than the main chamber without directly filling the prechamber with fuel. The prechamber has jet apertures in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. In operation, fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber though nozzles to form a cloud adjacent to openings into the prechamber. Subsequently, mixed fuel and air is ingested into the prechamber from the combustion chamber and ignited. The degree of mixing prior to ingestion into the prechamber can be controlled using different nozzles configurations. Ignited gaseous fuel and air is expelled from the prechamber through the jet apertures and into the combustion chamber as a flaming jet with a core of gaseous fuel.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
-
Patent number: 9893497Abstract: In some aspects, a spark plug includes a spark gap in an enclosure of the spark plug. The spark plug includes a passage in the interior of the enclosure. During operation of the engine, the passage directs flow through the spark gap, primarily away from a combustion chamber end of the enclosure. The passage can direct flow at a velocity of 5 meters/second or greater.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2013Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
-
Patent number: 9856848Abstract: An engine has an ignition source in a combustion chamber of the engine. An inner housing is provided that includes one or more jet apertures and defines an inner chamber containing the ignition source. An outer housing (or pre-chamber) is provided that includes one or more jet apertures in communication with the main combustion chamber and defines an outer chamber containing the inner housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
-
Patent number: 9843165Abstract: A system for igniting a mixture in an internal combustion engine includes an elongate plug body generally residing around a center longitudinal axis and adapted to couple to the internal combustion engine. The system also includes a first ignition body residing about an end of the plug body and a second ignition body adjacent the first ignition body to define a flame kernel initiation gap between the second ignition body and the first ignition body. The system also includes a transversely extending cap at the end of the plug body that is longitudinally spaced from the plug body by a support comprising a leg that is radially offset from the center longitudinal axis, the support defining a peripheral opening around a perimeter of the cap where a total radially-facing area of the support is less than a total area of the peripheral opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
-
Patent number: 9840963Abstract: An air/fuel mixture is ignited in an internal combustion engine by receiving the air/fuel mixture as an incoming air/fuel mixture flow from a main combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine into an enclosure adjacent the main combustion chamber. The enclosure defines a first chamber enclosing first and second ignition bodies and the enclosure defines a second chamber adjacent the first chamber and connected to the first chamber via a passage. A portion of the air/fuel mixture received in the enclosure is directed toward an ignition gap between the first and second ignition bodies and another portion is directed into the second chamber. The air/fuel mixture is then ignited in the ignition gap, and flame from combustion in the first chamber is ejected into the main combustion chamber. Then, flame from combustion in the second chamber is ejected into the main combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
-
Patent number: 9765682Abstract: Air/fuel mixture is received from a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine into an enclosure about a flame kernel initiation gap between a first ignition body and a second ignition body. Air/fuel mixture received into the enclosure is directed into a flame kernel initiation gap. The mixture is then ignited in the flame kernel initiation gap.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
-
Publication number: 20170163012Abstract: A system for igniting a mixture in an internal combustion engine includes an elongate plug body generally residing around a center longitudinal axis and adapted to couple to the internal combustion engine. The system also includes a first ignition body residing about an end of the plug body and a second ignition body adjacent the first ignition body to define a flame kernel initiation gap between the second ignition body and the first ignition body. The system also includes a transversely extending cap at the end of the plug body that is longitudinally spaced from the plug body by a support comprising a leg that is radially offset from the center longitudinal axis, the support defining a peripheral opening around a perimeter of the cap where a total radially-facing area of the support is less than a total area of the peripheral opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
-
Patent number: 9653886Abstract: A system for igniting a mixture in an internal combustion engine includes an elongate plug body generally residing around a center longitudinal axis and adapted to couple to the internal combustion engine. The system also includes a first ignition body residing about an end of the plug body and a second ignition body adjacent the first ignition body to define a flame kernel initiation gap between the second ignition body and the first ignition body. The system also includes a transversely extending cap at the end of the plug body that is longitudinally spaced from the plug body by a support comprising a leg that is radially offset from the center longitudinal axis, the support defining a peripheral opening around a perimeter of the cap where a total radially-facing area of the support is less than a total area of the peripheral opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
-
Publication number: 20170122184Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, gaseous fuel is injected in a first injection through a pre-combustion chamber into the combustion chamber to mix with air in the combustion chamber. The pre-combustion chamber has a jet aperture in fluid communication between the pre-combustion chamber and the combustion chamber. Mixed gaseous fuel and air is then ingested into the pre-combustion chamber from the combustion chamber and ignited. In a second injection, injecting gaseous fuel into the pre-combustion chamber and expelling, with the second injection, ignited gaseous fuel and air from the pre-combustion chamber through the jet aperture and into the combustion chamber as a flaming jet with a core of gaseous fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Gregory James Hampson, Domenico Chiera
-
Publication number: 20170096932Abstract: An injector-igniter assembly includes a passive prechamber and a fuel injector. In an internal combustion engine, fuel is directly injected into a combustion chamber to mix with air in the combustion chamber. Embodiments enable filing the prechamber at different air-fuel-ratio than the main chamber without directly filling the prechamber with fuel. The prechamber has jet apertures in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. In operation, fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber though nozzles to form a cloud adjacent to openings into the prechamber. Subsequently, mixed fuel and air is ingested into the prechamber from the combustion chamber and ignited. The degree of mixing prior to ingestion into the prechamber can be controlled using different nozzles configurations. Ignited gaseous fuel and air is expelled from the prechamber through the jet apertures and into the combustion chamber as a flaming jet with a core of gaseous fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
-
Publication number: 20170044970Abstract: A pre-chamber spark plug that includes a shell. Additionally, the pre-chamber spark plug includes an insulator disposed within the shell. In a particular embodiment, a center electrode has a first portion surrounded by the insulator, and a second portion that extends from the insulator into a pre-chamber. The pre-chamber defined by the shell. In a further embodiment, a ground electrode is attached to the insulator. In particular embodiments, the ground electrode is tubular in shape and includes an inner spark surface ring spaced in surrounding relation to the center electrode to create a spark gap, an outer ring attached to the shell, and a plurality of rounded spokes connecting the inner and outer rings. In a particular embodiment, the ground and center electrodes accommodate attachment of precious metal alloys to increase electrode surface life. In another embodiment the ground electrode and insulator is coaxial to the center electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Domenico Chiera, David C. Petruska, Gregory James Hampson
-
Patent number: 9476347Abstract: A pre-chamber spark plug that includes a shell. Additionally, the pre-chamber spark plug includes an insulator disposed within the shell. In a particular embodiment, a center electrode has a first portion surrounded by the insulator, and a second portion that extends from the insulator into a pre-chamber. The pre-chamber defined by the shell. In a further embodiment, a ground electrode is attached to the insulator. In particular embodiments, the ground electrode is tubular in shape and includes an inner spark surface ring spaced in surrounding relation to the center electrode to create a spark gap, an outer ring attached to the shell, and a plurality of rounded spokes connecting the inner and outer rings. In a particular embodiment, the ground and center electrodes accommodate attachment of precious metal alloys to increase electrode surface life. In another embodiment the ground electrode and insulator is coaxial to the center electrode.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Woodward, Inc.Inventors: Domenico Chiera, David C. Petruska, Gregory James Hampson
-
Publication number: 20160273443Abstract: An air/fuel mixture is ignited in an internal combustion engine by receiving the air/fuel mixture as an incoming air/fuel mixture flow from a main combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine into an enclosure adjacent the main combustion chamber. The enclosure defines a first chamber enclosing first and second ignition bodies and the enclosure defines a second chamber adjacent the first chamber and connected to the first chamber via a passage. A portion of the air/fuel mixture received in the enclosure is directed toward an ignition gap between the first and second ignition bodies and another portion is directed into the second chamber. The air/fuel mixture is then ignited in the ignition gap, and flame from combustion in the first chamber is ejected into the main combustion chamber. Then, flame from combustion in the second chamber is ejected into the main combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
-
Publication number: 20160276810Abstract: A system for igniting a mixture in an internal combustion engine includes an elongate plug body generally residing around a center longitudinal axis and adapted to couple to the internal combustion engine. The system also includes a first ignition body residing about an end of the plug body and a second ignition body adjacent the first ignition body to define a flame kernel initiation gap between the second ignition body and the first ignition body. The system also includes a transversely extending cap at the end of the plug body that is longitudinally spaced from the plug body by a support comprising a leg that is radially offset from the center longitudinal axis, the support defining a peripheral opening around a perimeter of the cap where a total radially-facing area of the support is less than a total area of the peripheral opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2015Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson