Patents by Inventor Jill M. Cummings
Jill M. Cummings 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: 8764854Abstract: In some embodiments, a deposit-forming reference fuel composition comprises a high sulfur base fuel composition in an amount greater than 50 weight % based on total weight % of the deposit-forming reference fuel composition, wherein the high sulfur base fuel composition comprises greater than or equal to 200 ppm sulfur based on total sulfur content of the base fuel composition. The deposit-forming reference fuel composition also comprises a reactive diolefin dopant; and a reaction initiating peroxide. The reaction initiating peroxide has an active oxygen content greater than or equal to 2 weight % based on total oxygen content of the reaction initiating peroxide and a half-life temperature of 80° C. to 200° C. The deposit-forming reference fuel composition is free from a detergent additive and has a concentration ratio of greater than 1:1 for the reactive diolefin dopant to the reaction initiating peroxide.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: William M. Studzinski, Jill M. Cummings
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Patent number: 8712627Abstract: A vehicle biodiesel fuel diagnostic method may include determining a biodiesel fuel concentration of fuel added to a vehicle fuel tank during a fueling event at a fueling location and determining the fueling location. The biodiesel fuel concentration and fueling location may be transmitted to an information system where the concentration and location are stored in a database. The method may further include indicating an abnormal biodiesel fuel condition in the database when the biodiesel fuel concentration is outside of a predetermined range.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jill M. Cummings, Mike M. McDonald, William C. Albertson
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Patent number: 8202730Abstract: A method for detecting contamination of a conventional petroleum-based fuel used in an internal combustion engine is provided. A sample of engine oil is separated into a polar component and a non-polar component by a polar solvent. The polar component is analyzed for one or more biodiesel chemical components selected from the group consisting of plant sterols, fatty acid methyl esters, cetane, and combinations thereof, which relate to a degree of engine oil contamination. The polar and non-polar component may be analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and optionally Flame Ionization Detection (FID) for the one or more biodiesel chemical components, which can provide a semi-quantitative level of such biodiesel chemical components. Fuel samples can also be analyzed for biodiesel contamination species via GC/MS.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Inventor: Jill M. Cummings
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Patent number: 8087287Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for detecting degradation of an engine oil, by separation into a polar component and a non-polar component via admixture with a polar solvent having a polarity index greater than or equal to 5 and optionally a non-polar solvent having a polarity index of less than or equal to about 1. The polar component is analyzed for one or more degradation indicators selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, acid content, and combinations thereof. Such degradation indicators relate to a degree of engine oil degradation. The polar component may be analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) for the one or more degradation indicators, which can provide a semi-quantitative level of such degradation indicator species. The non-polar component identifies combustion products that help to explain the level of degradation.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Jill M. Cummings
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Publication number: 20110232365Abstract: A method for detecting contamination of a conventional petroleum-based fuel used in an internal combustion engine is provided. A sample of engine oil is separated into a polar component and a non-polar component by a polar solvent. The polar component is analyzed for one or more biodiesel chemical components selected from the group consisting of plant sterols, fatty acid methyl esters, cetane, and combinations thereof, which relate to a degree of engine oil contamination. The polar and non-polar component may be analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and optionally Flame Ionization Detection (FID) for the one or more biodiesel chemical components, which can provide a semi-quantitative level of such biodiesel chemical components. Fuel samples can also be analyzed for biodiesel contamination species via GC/MS.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: JILL M. CUMMINGS
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Patent number: 7981680Abstract: A method for detecting contamination of a conventional petroleum-based fuel used in an internal combustion engine is provided. A sample of engine oil is separated into a polar component and a non-polar component by a polar solvent. The polar component is analyzed for one or more biodiesel chemical components selected from the group consisting of plant sterols, fatty acid methyl esters, cetane, and combinations thereof, which relate to a degree of engine oil contamination. The polar and non-polar component may be analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and optionally Flame Ionization Detection (FID) for the one or more biodiesel chemical components, which can provide a semi-quantitative level of such biodiesel chemical components. Fuel samples can also be analyzed for biodiesel contamination species via GC/MS.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Jill M. Cummings
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Publication number: 20110060497Abstract: A vehicle biodiesel fuel diagnostic method may include determining a biodiesel fuel concentration of fuel added to a vehicle fuel tank during a fueling event at a fueling location and determining the fueling location. The biodiesel fuel concentration and fueling location may be transmitted to an information system where the concentration and location are stored in a database. The method may further include indicating an abnormal biodiesel fuel condition in the database when the biodiesel fuel concentration is outside of a predetermined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Jill M. Cummings, Mike M. McDonald, William C. Albertson
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Publication number: 20100116022Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for detecting degradation of an engine oil, by separation into a polar component and a non-polar component via admixture with a polar solvent having a polarity index greater than or equal to 5 and optionally a non-polar solvent having a polarity index of less than or equal to about 1. The polar component is analyzed for one or more degradation indicators selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, acid content, and combinations thereof. Such degradation indicators relate to a degree of engine oil degradation. The polar component may be analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) for the one or more degradation indicators, which can provide a semi-quantitative level of such degradation indicator species. The non-polar component identifies combustion products that help to explain the level of degradation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2008Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Jill M. Cummings
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Publication number: 20100120158Abstract: A method for detecting contamination of a conventional petroleum-based fuel used in an internal combustion engine is provided. A sample of engine oil is separated into a polar component and a non-polar component by a polar solvent. The polar component is analyzed for one or more biodiesel chemical components selected from the group consisting of plant sterols, fatty acid methyl esters, cetane, and combinations thereof, which relate to a degree of engine oil contamination. The polar and non-polar component may be analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and optionally Flame Ionization Detection (FID) for the one or more biodiesel chemical components, which can provide a semi-quantitative level of such biodiesel chemical components. Fuel samples can also be analyzed for biodiesel contamination species via GC/MS.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2008Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Jill M. Cummings
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Patent number: 7549326Abstract: A piston testing apparatus is provided including a housing having an inner wall and defining a cavity therethrough; a piston disposed in the housing cavity and having a polymer coating deposited thereon, wherein the polymer coating of the piston contacts the housing inner wall; a connecting rod coupled to the piston; and an actuator coupled to the connecting rod and configured to provide a reciprocating movement of the piston through the cavity. An injection plate for the piston testing apparatus and a method for challenging an adhesion of the polymer coating to the piston are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Jill M. Cummings, Tim A. Watson, William M. Penzer, Gary W. Beemer, Albert J. Black
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Publication number: 20080202203Abstract: A piston testing apparatus is provided including a housing having an inner wall and defining a cavity therethrough; a piston disposed in the housing cavity and having a polymer coating deposited thereon, wherein the polymer coating of the piston contacts the housing inner wall; a connecting rod coupled to the piston; and an actuating means coupled to the connecting rod and configured to provide a reciprocating movement of the piston through the cavity. An injection plate for the piston testing apparatus and a method for challenging an adhesion of the polymer coating to the piston are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Jill M. Cummings, Tim A. Watson, William M. Penzer, Gary W. Beemer, Albert J. Black
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Patent number: 7059169Abstract: A test apparatus for measuring the air entrainment characteristics of a fluid includes a reservoir for containing the fluid, an aerator apparatus to cause air entrainment of the fluid, and a density meter to measure the effects of air entrainment on fluid density. The test apparatus enables in-situ measurement of the transient air entrainment behavior of the fluid. A corresponding method is provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Jill M. Cummings, Christopher C. Morgan, Jr., Roy Fewkes, James L. Linden, Diana Foghel