Patents by Inventor Raj P. Ranganathan

Raj P. Ranganathan 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: 8683790
    Abstract: A diffuser for aiding in the vaporization and mixing of an injected reactant with the exhaust gas feed stream of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system is disclosed. The diffuser is disposed within an exhaust gas conduit of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system and has an impingement surface and a baffle plate disposed downstream of and adjacent thereto. The baffle plate extends outwardly from the diffuser, to terminate at a baffle plate tip that is located intermediate of the diffuser and an inner wall of the exhaust gas conduit. The baffle plate is operable to trap a portion of an exhaust gas feed stream, and a reactant resident therein, to increase the vaporization and residence time of the reactant in the exhaust gas feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Sandro Balestrino, Robert D. Straub, Xiaobin (Sharon) Li
  • Patent number: 8297050
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed towards an apparatus and method for control of fluid flow through a conduit of an exhaust system for an engine, particularly prior to an exhaust treatment device. In one embodiment, a fluid flow control device for receiving and guiding exhaust gas from an engine towards an exhaust gas treatment device is provided. The fluid flow control device includes a nozzle disposed within an exhaust conduit of the engine. The nozzle includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening for forming a first flow path through the nozzle. The nozzle is spaced from the exhaust conduit for forming a second flow path between the nozzle and the exhaust conduit. The fluid flow control device also includes an injector disposed adjacent the nozzle. The injector may be oriented to direct a pressurized fluid to the first or second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Sherif H. El Tahry, Robert D. Straub
  • Publication number: 20110107743
    Abstract: A diffuser for aiding in the vaporization and mixing of an injected reactant with the exhaust gas feed stream of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system is disclosed. The diffuser is disposed within an exhaust gas conduit of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system and has an impingement surface and a baffle plate disposed downstream of and adjacent thereto. The baffle plate extends outwardly from the diffuser, to terminate at a baffle plate tip that is located intermediate of the diffuser and an inner wall of the exhaust gas conduit. The baffle plate is operable to trap a portion of an exhaust gas feed stream, and a reactant resident therein, to increase the vaporization and residence time of the reactant in the exhaust gas feed stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Sandro Balestrino, Robert D. Straub, Xiaobin (Sharon) Li
  • Patent number: 7827971
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine defining a cylinder bore, a fuel tank, a fuel supply assembly in fluid communication with the fuel tank and the cylinder bore, a fuel return assembly in fluid communication with the fuel supply assembly and the fuel tank, and a fuel filter assembly. The fuel filter assembly may include a filter casing having an inlet, an outlet and a bypass opening, and a filter media located within the filter casing. The filter media may be located between the inlet and the outlet, defining a dirty fuel region of the filter assembly between the inlet and the filter media and a clean fuel region between the filter media and the filter outlet. The bypass opening may be in fluid communication with the dirty fuel region and the fuel return assembly to draw gases out of the dirty fuel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Henry W Harper, Robert D. Straub
  • Publication number: 20100186724
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine defining a cylinder bore, a fuel tank, a fuel supply assembly in fluid communication with the fuel tank and the cylinder bore, a fuel return assembly in fluid communication with the fuel supply assembly and the fuel tank, and a fuel filter assembly. The fuel filter assembly may include a filter casing having an inlet, an outlet and a bypass opening, and a filter media located within the filter casing. The filter media may be located between the inlet and the outlet, defining a dirty fuel region of the filter assembly between the inlet and the filter media and a clean fuel region between the filter media and the filter outlet. The bypass opening may be in fluid communication with the dirty fuel region and the fuel return assembly to draw gases out of the dirty fuel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Henry W. Harper, Robert D. Straub
  • Publication number: 20100077742
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide devices, systems and methods for distribution of an engine exhaust gas to one or more exhaust treatment devices. In one embodiment, an exhaust flow diffuser is provided including a conduit defining an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a flow path therebetween. The conduit includes a first section disposed proximate to the inlet opening and a second section disposed proximate to the outlet opening. The second section has an increasing diameter along its length. The conduit is formed by a first member and a second member both of which extend between the inlet opening and outlet opening to form a portion of the first section and the second section. The first member and the second member each include an engagement feature that extends between the inlet opening and outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS
    Inventors: David Robert Ehlen, Raj P. Ranganathan, Daniel Walilko, Patrick D. Murphy, David M. Kiser
  • Publication number: 20100005791
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed towards an apparatus and method for control of fluid flow through a conduit of an exhaust system for an engine, particularly prior to an exhaust treatment device. In one embodiment, a fluid flow control device for receiving and guiding exhaust gas from an engine towards an exhaust gas treatment device is provided. The fluid flow control device includes a nozzle disposed within an exhaust conduit of the engine. The nozzle includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening for forming a first flow path through the nozzle. The nozzle is spaced from the exhaust conduit for forming a second flow path between the nozzle and the exhaust conduit. The fluid flow control device also includes an injector disposed adjacent the nozzle. The injector may be oriented to direct a pressurized fluid to the first or second flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Sherif H. El Tahry, Robert D. Straub
  • Patent number: 7637099
    Abstract: A fluid entrainment apparatus is provided which operates to mix a first fluid stream with a second fluid stream. The apparatus includes first and second fluid flow conduits. The first fluid flow conduit includes a nozzle portion having a converging bore through which the first fluid is accelerated. Additionally, the second fluid flow conduit includes a nozzle portion having a converging bore, a duct portion having a generally cylindrical bore, and a diffuser portion having a diverging bore. The nozzle portion of the second fluid flow conduit is mounted with respect to the nozzle portion of the first fluid flow conduit such that an annular port is formed through which the second fluid passes to mix with the first fluid. Additional fluid mixing occurs in the duct portion and the diffuser portion. The fluid entrainment apparatus may be configured for use within a vehicle exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Brent T. Deep, Bala K. Murthy, Thomas Stewart, Anthony F. Grzelakowski
  • Patent number: 6932029
    Abstract: An engine cooling system includes a centrifugal coolant pump and a cavitation suppressor in the system upstream of the pump inlet. The suppressor increases pressure in the pump inlet by a converging nozzle that accelerates a jet of coolant at the location of the static head and converting kinetic energy of the jet to increased pressure in a diffuser. In an exemplary embodiment, the suppressor is formed of simple components made from available materials and preferably welded into an assembly. A machined nozzle with a diffuser and head pipe made from available steel pipe comprise the main components of the exemplary cavitation suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Edward J. Cryer, III