Patents by Inventor Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren
Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren 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: 11349341Abstract: A wireless power transmission method of control is disclosed where equalization of the reactive voltages of a series resonant circuit, which is part of a transmitter antenna tuning and coupling unit, is obtained by adjusting the switching frequency and thereby used to determine a switching frequency of the driving high frequency inverter. By measuring and largely equalizing the voltage parameters of the series resonant circuit to establish an inverter switching frequency, improved efficiency of the wireless power transmission method.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Vitesco Technologies USA, LLCInventors: Perry Robert Czimmek, Willem Nicolaas Van Vuuren, Douglas Edward Cosby
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Publication number: 20210159733Abstract: A wireless power transmission method of control is disclosed where equalization of the reactive voltages of a series resonant circuit, which is part of a transmitter antenna tuning and coupling unit, is obtained by adjusting the switching frequency and thereby used to determine a switching frequency of the driving high frequency inverter. By measuring and largely equalizing the voltage parameters of the series resonant circuit to establish an inverter switching frequency, improved efficiency of the wireless power transmission method.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicant: Vitesco Technologies USA, LLCInventors: Perry Robert Czimmek, Willem Nicolaas Van Vuuren, Douglas Edward Cosby
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Publication number: 20190168243Abstract: A dosing unit includes a fluid injector having a valve seat; a valve needle movable within the fluid injector between a closed position in which an end engages with the valve seat to block a flow of fluid from exiting the fluid injector and an open position in which the end is spaced apart from the valve seat so as to allow fluid to exit the fluid injector. The valve body, the valve seat and the valve needle form an outwardly opening valve assembly. A pole piece fixedly is disposed within the valve body, and an armature is coupled to the valve needle upstream of the pole piece. A coil is disposed around the pole piece and the armature so as to generate a force when energized to move the armature toward the pole piece and to cause the valve needle to move from the closed to the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Willem Nicolaas Van Vuuren, Michael J. Hornby, Stephen C. Bugos
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Publication number: 20180058291Abstract: An injector having at least one heat dissipation element used for providing a highly conductive path for transferring heat away from a valve portion of an injector. In one embodiment, the heat dissipation element is a cylindrical element, or conductive plug, in contact with the injector valve body and the injector housing. In one embodiment, the heat dissipation element is a plurality of cooling fins, each being in direct contact with the injector housing. The fins may be used in combination with the cylindrical element to serve as an additional heat evacuation conduction path, allowing the heat to be dissipated by convection through the large surface area provided by the fins. The cylindrical element may be made of copper, but it is also within the scope of the invention that any suitable thermally conductive material may be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Stephen C. Bugos, Willem Nicolaas Van Vuuren
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Patent number: 9777859Abstract: A sealing device which is used as part of an injector in a reductant delivery unit (RDU), where the RDU is part of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for injecting diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) into an exhaust system, used for controlling exhaust emissions. This invention improves the purging efficiency of the RDU, in addition to improving the sealing performance of the unit by reducing the fluid volume to be evacuated from the injector, and provides an additional sealing barrier to reduce the sealing load of the existing sealing elements. An additional sealing device having a ring seal and a stopper element (also referred to as a “plug”) is pressed into the upper valve body of the injector, which results in a reduced fluid volume that is left behind after a purging event, due to the reduced initial volume at the beginning of the purge.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren, Stephen C Bugos
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Patent number: 9689293Abstract: A reductant delivery unit reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from a vehicle. The delivery unit includes a solenoid operated fluid injector having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The inlet receives a source of reducing agent and the outlet communicates with an exhaust gas flow path of the vehicle so that the fluid injector controls injection of the reducing agent into the exhaust gas flow path. The fluid injector has an inlet tube for directing the reducing agent between the inlet and the outlet. A coil heater is integral with the fluid injector and is constructed and arranged, when energized, to inductively heat the inlet tube and thus at least a portion of the reducing agent so that an unheated volume, of the reducing agent in the inlet tube, which is adjacent to the fluid outlet, is less than about 100 mm3.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren, Stephen C Bugos, Michael J Hornby
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Patent number: 9273581Abstract: A purge procedure which is part of an injector, that may be used as part of a reductant delivery unit (RDU), where the RDU is part of a selective catalytic reduction system for injecting diesel exhaust fluid into an exhaust system, to control exhaust emissions. The RDU delivers a reductant carrier to the engine exhaust system. The purge process includes a control strategy to improve the quality of the purge cycle (i.e., increase the amount of fluid evacuated). The sequence of the purge event is adjusted in order to generate a strong vacuum in the fluid supply line and the injector—this enhances the efficiency of the purge by increasing the initial flow rates through the injector. However, upon opening the injector, the pressure inside the fluid path increases to a level just below the ambient pressure outside the injector, therefore the gas flow rate is substantially reduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventor: Willem Nicolaas Van Vuuren
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Publication number: 20160053652Abstract: A reductant delivery unit reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from a vehicle. The delivery unit includes a solenoid operated fluid injector having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The inlet receives a source of reducing agent and the outlet communicates with an exhaust gas flow path of the vehicle so that the fluid injector controls injection of the reducing agent into the exhaust gas flow path. The fluid injector has an inlet tube for directing the reducing agent between the inlet and the outlet. A coil heater is integral with the fluid injector and is constructed and arranged, when energized, to inductively heat the inlet tube and thus at least a portion of the reducing agent so that an unheated volume, of the reducing agent in the inlet tube, which is adjacent to the fluid outlet, is less than about 100 mm3.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren, Stephen C. Bugos, Michael J. Hornby
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Patent number: 9074511Abstract: A reductant delivery unit for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles includes a fluid injector having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet receives a source of urea solution. An injector flange is coupled directly with an end of the fluid injector and has a flange outlet in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the fluid injector. The flange outlet is associated with an exhaust gas flow path upstream of a SCR catalytic converter with the fluid injector controlling injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. Internal surface structure that defines the flange outlet includes a conical surface joined with at least one radius surface. The radius surface is constructed and arranged to resist formation of deposits on the internal surface structure due to break down of the urea solution.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Willem Nicolaas Van Vuuren, Stephen C. Bugos
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Publication number: 20150115051Abstract: A purge procedure which is part of an injector, that may be used as part of a reductant delivery unit (RDU), where the RDU is part of a selective catalytic reduction system for injecting diesel exhaust fluid into an exhaust system, to control exhaust emissions. The RDU delivers a reductant carrier to the engine exhaust system. The purge process includes a control strategy to improve the quality of the purge cycle (i.e., increase the amount of fluid evacuated). The sequence of the purge event is adjusted in order to generate a strong vacuum in the fluid supply line and the injector—this enhances the efficiency of the purge by increasing the initial flow rates through the injector. However, upon opening the injector, the pressure inside the fluid path increases to a level just below the ambient pressure outside the injector, therefore the gas flow rate is substantially reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventor: Willem Nicolaas Van Vuuren
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Patent number: 8997463Abstract: A reductant delivery unit for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles includes a solenoid operated fluid injector associated with an exhaust gas flow path upstream of a SCR catalytic converter. The fluid injector has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet receiving a source of reducing agent and the fluid outlet communicating with the exhaust gas flow path so that the fluid injector controls injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. The fluid injector has an inlet tube for directing the reducing agent between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A shield is fixed with respect to the fluid injector and surrounds at least portions of the fluid injector. A coil heater is integral with the fluid injector and is constructed and arranged, when energized, to inductively heat the inlet tube to thereby heat the reducing agent within the inlet tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Stephen C. Bugos, Michael J. Hornby, Perry Czimmek, Keith Shaw, Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren
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Publication number: 20150059322Abstract: A reductant delivery unit having active cooling which is constructed to have sufficient structural robustness, and to improve corrosion resistance of the assembly, where an attack on the base injector is conceivable with the use of incorrect coolant media. The reductant delivery unit has an upper shield, a lower shield connected to the upper shield, and an inner sleeve. The reductant delivery unit also includes a lower sleeve connected to the inner sleeve and the lower shield. A liquid cooling cavity is formed by the connection between the inner sleeve and the lower shield, the lower sleeve and the lower shield, and the lower sleeve and the inner sleeve. Coolant flows into the liquid cooling cavity to provide a cooling function to an injector partially located within the inner sleeve, and a corrugated portion of the lower sleeve transfers heat away from at least a portion of the injector.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Stephen C. Bugos, Willem Nicolaas Van Vuuren
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Publication number: 20140373508Abstract: A trigger circuit is provided for a peak and hold driver circuit for a reductant delivery unit (RDU) having a solenoid-operated injector for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles. The peak and hold driver circuit is constructed and arranged to actuate the injector in a rise-to-peak current phase followed by a low current hold phase. The trigger circuit includes an injector open detection circuit constructed and arranged, based on a detected opening event of the injector, to trigger a transition from the rise-to-peak phase to the subsequent hold phase of the injector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren, Douglas Edward Cosby
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Publication number: 20140314644Abstract: A reductant delivery unit for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles includes a solenoid operated fluid injector associated with an exhaust gas flow path upstream of a SCR catalytic converter. The fluid injector has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet receiving a source of reducing agent and the fluid outlet communicating with the exhaust gas flow path so that the fluid injector controls injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. The fluid injector has an inlet tube for directing the reducing agent between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A shield is fixed with respect to the fluid injector and surrounds at least portions of the fluid injector. A coil heater is integral with the fluid injector and is constructed and arranged, when energized, to inductively heat the inlet tube to thereby heat the reducing agent within the inlet tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2013Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Stephen C. Bugos, Michael J. Hornby, Perry Czimmek, Keith Shaw, Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren
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Publication number: 20140138568Abstract: A sealing device which is used as part of an injector in a reductant delivery unit (RDU), where the RDU is part of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for injecting diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) into an exhaust system, used for controlling exhaust emissions. This invention improves the purging efficiency of the RDU, in addition to improving the sealing performance of the unit by reducing the fluid volume to be evacuated from the injector, and provides an additional sealing barrier to reduce the sealing load of the existing sealing elements. An additional sealing device having a ring seal and a stopper element (also referred to as a “plug”) is pressed into the upper valve body of the injector, which results in a reduced fluid volume that is left behind after a purging event, due to the reduced initial volume at the beginning of the purge.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren, Stephen C. Bugos
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Publication number: 20140137543Abstract: A reductant delivery unit for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles includes a fluid injector having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet receives a source of urea solution. An injector flange is coupled directly with an end of the fluid injector and has a flange outlet in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the fluid injector. The flange outlet is associated with an exhaust gas flow path upstream of a SCR catalytic converter with the fluid injector controlling injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. Internal surface structure that defines the flange outlet includes a conical surface joined with at least one radius surface. The radius surface is constructed and arranged to resist formation of deposits on the internal surface structure due to break down of the urea solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Willem Nicolaas Van Vuuren, Stephen C. Bugos
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Patent number: 8596043Abstract: A diesel dosing system for a vehicle includes a control valve (31) controlling fluid flow to a dosing valve (32) for supplying fuel directly into an exhaust passage of the vehicle. A system pressure source (55) feeds the control valve. A shutoff valve (54) is fluidly connected to the pressure source downstream thereof and to the control valve upstream thereof. The shutoff valve permits bi-directional flow there-through. A connection (57) is between the shutoff valve and the control valve defining a fluid volume there-between. The shutoff valve permits fluid flow from the system pressure source through the connection and to the control valve during a regeneration phase of the system. Upon engine shutdown and based on fluid pressure in the volume, the shutoff valve opens so that fluid trapped in the volume will communicate with the pressure source thereby reducing the fluid pressure in the volume.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: William Imoehl, Willem Nicolaas Van Vuuren
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Patent number: 8087239Abstract: A reductant delivery unit (16) is provided unit for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles. The unit includes a solenoid fluid injector (18) associated with an exhaust gas flow path (13). The injector has a fluid inlet (28) and a fluid outlet (30) with the fluid inlet receiving a source of urea solution and the fluid outlet communicating directly with the exhaust flow path so as to control injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. Supply structure (32) defines the fluid inlet and includes a cup (37) coupled to a body (18) of the injector and a supply tube (29) integral with the cup to define a single member. The supply tube is coupled with the source (27) of urea solution to deliver urea solution to the fluid inlet. The supply tube is heated by a heat source (33) so that an entire volume of the urea solution delivered to the fluid inlet is heated.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Bugos, Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren
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Patent number: 8024922Abstract: A reductant delivery unit (10) is provided for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles. The unit includes a solenoid fluid injector (10) constructed and arranged to be associated with an exhaust gas flow path (14) upstream of a SCR catalytic converter (17). The fluid injector has a fluid inlet (13) and a fluid outlet (15) with the fluid inlet being constructed and arranged to receive a source of urea solution and the fluid outlet being constructed and arranged to communicate directly with the exhaust flow path so as to control injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. An interface (24) is constructed and arranged to couple the fluid injector to the gas flow path. The interface defines a thermal barrier constructed and arranged to decoupled a body of the injector from exposure to heat in the exhaust gas flow path.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Willem Nicolaas van Vuuren, Stephen Bugos, William Imoehl, Michael Hornby, Ray Wildeson, Olaf Graupner, David Cole
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Publication number: 20100146944Abstract: A diesel dosing system for a vehicle includes a control valve (31) controlling fluid flow to a dosing valve (32) for supplying fuel directly into an exhaust passage of the vehicle. A system pressure source (55) feeds the control valve. A shutoff valve (54) is fluidly connected to the pressure source downstream thereof and to the control valve upstream thereof. The shutoff valve permits bi-directional flow there-through. A connection (57) is between the shutoff valve and the control valve defining a fluid volume there-between. The shutoff valve permits fluid flow from the system pressure source through the connection and to the control valve during a regeneration phase of the system. Upon engine shutdown and based on fluid pressure in the volume, the shutoff valve opens so that fluid trapped in the volume will communicate with the pressure source thereby reducing the fluid pressure in the volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: William Imoehl, Willem Nicolaas Van Vuuren