Patents by Inventor Rajesh N. Nair

Rajesh N. Nair 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: 11365697
    Abstract: A controller may determine that a regeneration process associated with an engine of a machine is active. The controller may obtain, based on determining that the regeneration process is active, information concerning a speed of the engine, information concerning a load of the engine, and information concerning a fuel rate of the engine. The controller may select, based on the information concerning the speed of the engine, the information concerning the load of the engine, and the information concerning the fuel rate of the engine, a control process, of a plurality of control processes, to control an intake manifold absolute pressure (IMAP) of the engine to facilitate the regeneration process. The controller may cause, according to the selected control process, adjustment of one or more components of a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) of the engine and an intake throttle valve (ITV) of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh N. Nair, Samuel Were, James Harris Mutti
  • Publication number: 20220120232
    Abstract: A controller may determine that a regeneration process associated with an engine of a machine is active. The controller may obtain, based on determining that the regeneration process is active, information concerning a speed of the engine, information concerning a load of the engine, and information concerning a fuel rate of the engine. The controller may select, based on the information concerning the speed of the engine, the information concerning the load of the engine, and the information concerning the fuel rate of the engine, a control process, of a plurality of control processes, to control an intake manifold absolute pressure (IMAP) of the engine to facilitate the regeneration process. The controller may cause, according to the selected control process, adjustment of one or more components of a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) of the engine and an intake throttle valve (ITV) of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh N. NAIR, Samuel WERE, James Harris MUTTI
  • Patent number: 9062576
    Abstract: Operating an exhaust particulate filter system for an internal combustion engine includes transmitting electromagnetic energy, for example having a frequency above about 2 GHz, through an exhaust particulate filter containing trapped soot. The transmitted electromagnetic energy may be attenuated in response to the trapped soot, and a filter soot loading value calculated based at least in part upon a correlation among an attenuation of the electromagnetic energy, a temperature of the filter, and a mass of the trapped soot. An algorithm based upon a partial derivative of an equation representing the correlation may be used in calculating the filter soot loading value, and a resulting soot mass. The calculated soot mass is used to determine a relative soot loading state of the filter in conjunction with information as to ash loading. Responsive to determining the relative soot loading state satisfies regeneration suitability conditions, a regeneration initiation command may be outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Snopko, Rajesh N. Nair, Frederic Fugere, Andrew A. Knitt, Anthony C. Rodman
  • Patent number: 8875496
    Abstract: A regeneration control system for an exhaust filter in an internal combustion engine system includes a first sensing mechanism for monitoring an exhaust flow resistance of the exhaust filter, and a second sensing mechanism for monitoring an attenuation of electromagnetic energy transmitted through the exhaust filter. The regeneration control system further includes an electronic controller coupled with the sensing mechanisms and configured to output a filter regeneration command responsive to an amount of particulate matter trapped within the exhaust filter. The electronic controller is further configured to weight data from the first and second sensing mechanisms in determining the amount of particulate matter. Weighting of the data may be responsive to an operating state of the internal combustion engine system. Related methodology is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh N. Nair, Michael A. Snopko
  • Publication number: 20140298775
    Abstract: A regeneration control system for an exhaust filter in an internal combustion engine system includes a first sensing mechanism for monitoring an exhaust flow resistance of the exhaust filter, and a second sensing mechanism for monitoring an attenuation of electromagnetic energy transmitted through the exhaust filter. The regeneration control system further includes an electronic controller coupled with the sensing mechanisms and configured to output a filter regeneration command responsive to an amount of particulate matter trapped within the exhaust filter. The electronic controller is further configured to weight data from the first and second sensing mechanisms in determining the amount of particulate matter. Weighting of the data may be responsive to an operating state of the internal combustion engine system. Related methodology is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Michael A. Snopko, Rajesh N. Nair
  • Patent number: 8833063
    Abstract: A method of detecting ash in an exhaust particulate filter system for an internal combustion engine includes transmitting electromagnetic energy through an exhaust particulate filter containing soot and ash, and sensing a strength of the transmitted electromagnetic energy after having been attenuated in response to the soot. The method further includes electronically storing a filter monitoring history responsive to a difference between the transmitted strength and the sensed strength of the electromagnetic energy, and detecting an amount of the ash based at least in part upon a pattern of electromagnetic energy attenuation defined by the stored filter monitoring history. An exhaust particulate filter system for implementing related methodology includes a microprocessor configured to determine a value indicative of an amount of ash contained within an exhaust particulate filter responsive to a pattern of electromagnetic energy attenuation defined by a stored filter monitoring history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Snopko, Rajesh N. Nair, Anthony C. Rodman
  • Patent number: 8470070
    Abstract: Detecting ash in a diesel particulate filter includes receiving data indicative of signal attenuation for ash-responsive and ash-insensitive RF signals transmitted through a diesel particulate filter containing trapped soot and ash. A difference between the RF signals, such as a difference in signal attenuation, may be leveraged to detect a relative ash loading state or a change in relative ash loading state of the diesel particulate filter, and responsively indicate that filter cleaning is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Vadiraj P. Kulkarni, Matthew E. Leustek, Sara K. Michels, Rajesh N. Nair, Michael A. Snopko, Andrew A. Knitt
  • Publication number: 20130000274
    Abstract: A regeneration control system for an exhaust filter in an internal combustion engine system includes a first sensing mechanism for monitoring an exhaust flow resistance of the exhaust filter, and a second sensing mechanism for monitoring an attenuation of electromagnetic energy transmitted through the exhaust filter. The regeneration control system further includes an electronic controller coupled with the sensing mechanisms and configured to output a filter regeneration command responsive to an amount of particulate matter trapped within the exhaust filter. The electronic controller is further configured to weight data from the first and second sensing mechanisms in determining the amount of particulate matter. Weighting of the data may be responsive to an operating state of the internal combustion engine system. Related methodology is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Rajesh N. Nair, Michael A. Snopko
  • Publication number: 20120291419
    Abstract: A method of detecting ash in an exhaust particulate filter system for an internal combustion engine includes transmitting electromagnetic energy through an exhaust particulate filter containing soot and ash, and sensing a strength of the transmitted electromagnetic energy after having been attenuated in response to the soot. The method further includes electronically storing a filter monitoring history responsive to a difference between the transmitted strength and the sensed strength of the electromagnetic energy, and detecting an amount of the ash based at least in part upon a pattern of electromagnetic energy attenuation defined by the stored filter monitoring history. An exhaust particulate filter system for implementing related methodology includes a microprocessor configured to determine a value indicative of an amount of ash contained within an exhaust particulate filter responsive to a pattern of electromagnetic energy attenuation defined by a stored filter monitoring history.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Snopko, Rajesh N. Nair, Anthony C. Rodman
  • Publication number: 20120159929
    Abstract: A method of operating an exhaust particulate filter system for an internal combustion engine includes transmitting electromagnetic energy, for example having a frequency above about 2 GHz through an exhaust particulate filter containing trapped soot. The transmitted electromagnetic energy may be attenuated in response to the trapped soot, and a filter soot loading value calculated based at least in part upon a correlation among an attenuation of the electromagnetic energy, a temperature of the filter, and a mass of the trapped soot. An algorithm based upon a partial derivative of an equation representing the correlation may be used in calculating the filter soot loading value, and a resulting soot mass. Responsive to determining the calculated soot mass satisfies regeneration suitability conditions, a regeneration initiation command may be outputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Snopko, Anthony C. Rodman, Rajesh N. Nair
  • Publication number: 20120159930
    Abstract: A method of operating an exhaust particulate filter system for an internal combustion engine includes transmitting electromagnetic energy, for example having a frequency above about 2 GHz, through an exhaust particulate filter containing trapped soot. The transmitted electromagnetic energy may be attenuated in response to the trapped soot, and a filter soot loading value calculated based at least in part upon a correlation among an attenuation of the electromagnetic energy, a temperature of the filter, and a mass of the trapped soot. An algorithm based upon a partial derivative of an equation representing the correlation may be used in calculating the filter soot loading value, and a resulting soot mass. The calculated soot mass is used to determine a relative soot loading state of the filter in conjunction with information as to ash loading. Responsive to determining the relative soot loading state satisfies regeneration suitability conditions, a regeneration initiation command may be outputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Snopko, Rajesh N. Nair, Frederic Fugere, Andrew A. Knitt, Anthony C. Rodman
  • Publication number: 20120158242
    Abstract: A machine includes an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust particulate filter system coupled therewith having an exhaust particulate filter for trapping particulates in exhaust from the internal combustion engine. A control system for the exhaust particulate filter includes a sensing mechanism such as an RF soot sensor and a data processor coupled with the sensing mechanism and configured to output a moisture compensation signal responsive to a pattern of inputs from the sensing mechanism indicative of moisture within the exhaust particulate filter, for controlling regeneration thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Snopko, Anthony C. Rodman, Rajesh N. Nair, Frederic Fugere, Andrew A. Knitt, Malshantha M. Kankanamge
  • Publication number: 20120017570
    Abstract: Detecting ash in a diesel particulate filter includes receiving data indicative of signal attenuation for ash-responsive and ash-insensitive RF signals transmitted through a diesel particulate filter containing trapped soot and ash. A difference between the RF signals, such as a difference in signal attenuation, may be leveraged to detect a relative ash loading state or a change in relative ash loading state of the diesel particulate filter, and responsively indicate that filter cleaning is needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Vadiraj P. Kulkarni, Matthew E. Leustek, Sara K. Michels, Rajesh N. Nair, Michael A. Snopko, Andrew A. Knitt