Patents by Inventor Marc Christian Allain

Marc Christian Allain 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: 8649961
    Abstract: A method to operate an electronic controlled internal combustion engine to perform on board NOx emissions level diagnostics. In one embodiment, the method may include operating the engine to maintain a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time, determining whether the engine operating status is stable for one of cruise control, idle engine speed, engine torque, or high idle regeneration for a predetermined period of time, cycling the EGR valve between a first position for a predetermined period of time and then in a second position for a predetermined period of time, a determining a change in engine out NOx levels to determine whether an engine component or system is malfunctioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Scott Hawkins, Marc Christian Allain, Justin R. Kollien
  • Patent number: 8109258
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for diagnosing slow EGR response in an internal combustion engine equipped with an electronic controller with memory. In one embodiment, the method includes passing an EGR setpoint value and an actual EGR value through first order filters to eliminate high frequency noise; determining an actual EGR gradient as a function of any difference between the EGR set point and the actual EGR value while simultaneously determining an actual EGR gradient; and logging a fault in the electronic controller if the expected EGR gradient is greater than the actual EGR gradient by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Christian Allain, Miguel Menoyo-Alonso
  • Patent number: 7676318
    Abstract: A real-time, on board, diesel engine emissions estimation with an empirical, table-based approach that accounts for up to eight (8) input parameters, for optimum emissions estimation under steady state or transient engine operation. The method considers a steady state NOx model, steady state Particulate Matter model, transient NOx model and transient Particulate Matter models to populate a table in memory. The switch between steady state and transient models, real time emissions estimations is based on the rate of change of engine speed (RPM). If the rate of change of RPM exceeds a predetermined threshold, transient models for NOx and Particulate Matter are used to operate the engine and reduce emissions of NOx and Particulate Matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: Marc Christian Allain
  • Patent number: 7631626
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to protect a starter from over heating during any cranking operation to start an electronically controlled internal combustion engine having an electronic control unit with a memory. The method includes constraining the time during which a cranking operation may proceed and ensuring that the starter temperature is within a predetermined range to ensure that the starter does not operate for a time period that permits the starter to heat up beyond a predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Allen Zurawski, Marc Christian Allain
  • Patent number: 7614231
    Abstract: A method to estimate real-time exhaust pressure in a compression ignition engine with variable geometry turbocharger and an EGR by adding the turbocharger RPM, the engine RPM, EGR value position and intake manifold pressure to determine a final turbocharger turbine inlet pressure to control NOx emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Christian Allain, Min Sun
  • Patent number: 7281518
    Abstract: Method for controlling and improving the transient emissions of an electronically controlled heavy duty diesel engine having an ECM with memory, a turbocharger and an EGR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Christian Allain, Min Sun