Patents Assigned to Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
  • Rod guide assembly with multi-piece valve assembly
    Patent number: 9404551
    Abstract: A shock absorber may include a piston rod, a first rod guide member, a second rod guide member, and an electronically controlled valve assembly. The first rod guide member is concentrically disposed about the piston rod, and the second rod guide member is concentrically disposed about the piston rod and is adjacent the first rod guide member. The electronically controlled valve assembly may include a coil assembly and a valve guide assembly. The valve guide assembly may be disposed adjacent to the coil assembly and may be concentrically disposed about the second rod guide member. The valve guide assembly includes a spool and defines a valve inlet, a valve outlet, and a chamber. The spool is disposed within the chamber and controls the flow of fluid between the valve inlet and the valve outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Roessle, Scott S. Dunaway, David R. Blankenship, Jeffrey T. Gardner
  • Damper with integrated electronics
    Patent number: 9399383
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle comprises an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber and a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly includes power drive electronics, and is electrically coupled to the shock absorber. The printed circuit board assembly is disposed with the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Blankenship, Karl C. Kazmirski, Scott S. Dunaway, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Matthew L. Roessle, Matthew R. Schelosky
  • Modular system for reduction of sulphur oxides in exhaust
    Patent number: 9387438
    Abstract: An engine exhaust after-treatment system including an exhaust passage including a plurality of legs, with an exhaust control valve being positioned at an inlet of each of the legs that is configured to control an amount of exhaust that enters each leg. A desulfurization treatment component is located within each of the legs. An alkaline reagent tank provides an alkaline reagent to the desulfurization treatment component, and a reagent control valve is disposed between the alkaline reagent tank and the desulfurization treatment component. The reagent control valve is configured to control an amount of alkaline reagent that enters the desulfurization component. A controller may be communication with each of the exhaust control valves and reagent control valves, wherein the controller is configured to control the exhaust control valves independently of the reagent control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Golin, Adam J. Kotrba
  • Soot load determination system
    Patent number: 9371767
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system for treating exhaust gas discharged from a combustion engine may include a particulate filter, a reductant-injection system, an ammonia sensor and a control module. The particulate filter may be configured to filter exhaust gas discharged from the combustion engine. The reductant-injection system may be configured to inject a reductant into a stream of the exhaust gas upstream of the particulate filter. The ammonia sensor may be configured to sense a concentration of ammonia in the stream of exhaust gas downstream of the particulate filter. The control module may be in communication with the ammonia sensor and may determine a soot load of the particulate filter based on data received from the ammonia sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: John W. DeGeorge, Timothy P. Gardner
  • Exhaust mixing assembly
    Patent number: 9364790
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment component including a mixing assembly located within a housing. The mixing assembly includes a decomposition tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to receive the exhaust from the inlet and being configured to receive a reagent exhaust treatment fluid; a flow reversing device disposed proximate the second end, the flow reversing device configured to direct a mixture of the exhaust and reagent exhaust treatment fluid as the mixture exits the second end of the decomposition tube in a direction back toward the first end, the flow reversing device including a plurality of deflecting members for swirling and intermixing the exhaust and reagent exhaust treatment fluid; and a swirl arrester device configured to eliminate the swirling of the exhaust and reagent exhaust treatment fluid after exiting the flow reversing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Manoj Sampath, Omkar Champhekar
  • Air-assisted reductant delivery system
    Patent number: 9359928
    Abstract: A pump assembly (214) for an exhaust treatment system is provided that may include a housing (220), a gas flow path (259), a reductant flow path (239) and a pump (224). The housing may include a first inlet (236) configured to receive a reductant from a tank (210), a second inlet (252) configured to receive a gas from a gas compressor (13), and an outlet (262) through which the gas and the reductant exit the housing. The gas flow path may extend between and fluidly communicate with the second inlet and the outlet. The reductant flow path may extend between and fluidly communicate with the first inlet and the outlet. The pump may be at least partially disposed within the housing and may include a motor in a heat transfer relationship with gas flowing through the gas flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gaofeng Fan, Jianqiang Fan, Yang Yang, Mingdao Xu, Bo Hu, Jianzhong Guan, Yingxin Jian
  • Exhaust mixing device
    Patent number: 9352276
    Abstract: A swirl device for intermixing a reagent exhaust treatment fluid and an exhaust produced by an engine. The swirl device includes a cylindrical tube defining an inlet for receipt of the reagent exhaust treatment fluid and the exhaust, and a swirl member attached to the cylindrical tube. The swirl member conically expands outward from the cylindrical tube and includes a plurality of tabs separated by elongate slots. The plurality of tabs are configured to swirl and intermingle the reagent exhaust treatment fluid and the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Manoj Sampath
  • In-line flow diverter
    Patent number: 9347355
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for reducing emissions from an engine includes an exhaust conduit adapted to supply an exhaust stream from the engine to an exhaust treatment device. The conduit includes an aperture. An injector injects a reagent through the aperture and into the exhaust stream. A flow modifier is positioned within the exhaust conduit upstream of the injector. The flow modifier includes a diverter for increasing the velocity of the exhaust gas at a predetermined location within the conduit relative to the injected reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Floyd, John M. Lowry, Larry J. Geer
  • Impact Reinforced Composite Spring Seat for a Shock Absorber
    Publication number: 20160137017
    Abstract: A strut assembly including a spring to help absorb impacts and a shock absorber to help control motion of the spring is disclosed. The shock absorber includes a base assembly and is mounted between a top mount assembly and a knuckle. The top mount assembly mounts to the body of the vehicle and helps support the spring. An upper spring seat is adjacent the top mount assembly and receives one end of the spring. A lower spring seat formed of a composite material is supported by the base assembly and is adapted to support another end of the spring. The lower spring seat includes at least one reinforcing element having a plurality of reinforcing cords disposed between an upper surface and a lower surface for improving impact resistance thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Julien Wilkin
  • Water injection exhaust treatment system
    Patent number: 9334775
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system may include gas, reductant and water conduits, a nozzle and a pump. The gas conduit may be in fluid communication with a source of compressed gas and may include a first valve controlling a flow of compressed gas through the gas conduit. The water conduit may be in fluid communication with a water source and may include a second valve controlling a flow of water through the water conduit. The nozzle may be in fluid communication with the gas, reductant and water conduits. The pump may be disposed between the nozzle and the second valve and may be in fluid communication with the reductant and water conduits. The pump may be operable in a first pumping direction to pump reductant from the reductant source to the nozzle and in a second pumping direction to pump reductant away from the nozzle and toward the reductant source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Anzhou Wu, Joshua Hicks, Padmanabha Reddy Ettireddy, Daniel R. Johnson, Ryan A. Floyd, Gaofeng Fan
  • Vertical ultrasonic decomposition pipe
    Patent number: 9334781
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment component for treating an exhaust produced by an engine. The exhaust treatment component includes a housing, a first exhaust treatment component substrate positioned within the housing, and a dosing module for dosing a reagent exhaust treatment fluid into the exhaust. The dosing module is secured to the housing and positioned upstream of the first exhaust treatment component substrate. An ultrasonic transducer is positioned between the dosing module and the first exhaust treatment component substrate. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to emit a plurality of ultrasonic waves into the exhaust including the reagent exhaust treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: John Stanavich, William Adams, Daniel Alexander, Michael Golin
  • Axial flow atomization module
    Patent number: 9314750
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment component for treating an engine exhaust including a housing including an inlet and an outlet. A mixing device is located within the housing between the inlet and the outlet, and the mixing device includes a shell communicating with the outlet, a decomposition tube having a first end and a second end, and a flow reversing device disposed proximate the second end. The first end extends from the shell and is configured to receive the exhaust from the inlet, and is configured to receive a reagent exhaust treatment fluid. The second end is positioned within the shell. The flow reversing device is configured to direct a mixture of the exhaust and reagent exhaust treatment fluid in predetermined directions into the shell, the flow reversing device reverses a flow direction of the exhaust back towards the first end of the decomposition tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: John Stanavich, Megan Wikaryasz, Rick Thompson
  • Flow reversing exhaust gas mixer
    Patent number: 9289724
    Abstract: An exhaust mixing device for mixing an exhaust produced by an engine with a reagent exhaust treatment fluid that is dosed into the exhaust from a dosing module. The exhaust mixing device includes a decomposition tube having a first end and a second end. The first end of the decomposition tube is configured to receive the exhaust and the reagent exhaust treatment fluid. A flow reversing device is positioned at the second end of the decomposition tube. The flow reversing device includes a plurality of deflecting members that intermix the exhaust and reagent exhaust treatment fluid, and direct the exhaust and reagent exhaust treatment fluid in predetermined directions, wherein the flow reversing device reverses a flow direction of the exhaust back towards the first end of the decomposition tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: John Stanavich, William Adams, Manoj K. Sampath, Meng-Huang Lu
  • Exhaust component mounting structure
    Patent number: 9291086
    Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system includes an exhaust inlet, an exhaust outlet, and an array of exhaust treatment components disposed in a housing. The housing includes a first connection flange securing the housing to the inlet, a second connection flange securing the housing to the outlet, and a third flange positioned between the first and second flanges. A mounting device is secured to the third flange to independently support the housing relative to the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Golin, Douglas Wang, Erwin Peters, Kevin Reeder, Michael Stebli, Bala Subramanian Gurusamy
  • Axial flow atomization module
    Patent number: 9291081
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment component for treating an engine exhaust. The component includes a housing including an inlet and an outlet, and a mixing assembly located within the housing between the inlet and the outlet. The mixing assembly includes a decomposition tube having a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to receive the exhaust from the inlet and is configured to receive a reagent exhaust treatment fluid. A flow reversing device is disposed proximate the second end, and the flow reversing device is configured to direct a mixture of the exhaust and reagent exhaust treatment fluid as the mixture exits the second end of the decomposition tube in a direction back toward the first end, wherein the flow reversing device includes a plurality of deflecting members for intermixing the exhaust and reagent exhaust treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: John Stanavich, William Adams, Figen Lacin, Manoj K. Sampath
  • High velocity compression damping valve
    Patent number: 9285011
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a pressure sensitive valve assembly that controls fluid flow through the pressure sensitive valve assembly based upon the velocity of the piston assembly in the shock absorber. The pressure sensitive valve assembly restricts fluid flow as the velocity of the piston in a compression stroke increases to increase the damping loads provided by the shock absorber. A secondary valve assembly controls fluid flow through the pressure sensitive valve assembly when the pressure sensitive valve assembly is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Kazmirski, Darrell G. Breese, Matthew L. Roessle, John McGahey
  • Suspension leveling system
    Patent number: 9272598
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly including a first end, a second end, and a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is movable between a retracted position providing the vehicle suspension assembly with a first overall length, and an extended position providing the vehicle suspension assembly with a second overall length greater than the first overall length. The vehicle suspension assembly is configured to raise a vehicle when moved from the first overall length to the second overall length by the hydraulic actuator. The vehicle suspension assembly is configured to lower the vehicle when moved from the second overall length to the first overall length by the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Kazmirski, Rudi Schurmans, David Blankenship, Scott Dunaway, Zoren Gaspar
  • Shock absorber with frequency dependent passive valve
    Patent number: 9239092
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a pressure tube with a piston assembly slidably disposed within the pressure tube and attached to a piston rod. The piston assembly divides the pressure tube into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. The piston assembly includes a frequency dependent valve assembly attached to the piston rod which defines a housing attached to the piston rod and a spool valve assembly. The spool valve assembly includes a spool valve and a bypass valve assembly that controls fluid flow through bypass passage that bypasses the piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Nowaczyk, Gunther Bismans
  • Urea common rail
    Patent number: 9222388
    Abstract: An exhaust system including a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) component and an oxidation catalyst component. The exhaust system also includes an exhaust treatment fluid injection system for dispersing an exhaust treatment fluid into an exhaust stream at a location adjacent either the SCR component or the oxidation catalyst component, wherein the exhaust treatment fluid injection device includes a common rail that provides the exhaust treatment fluid under pressure to a plurality of injectors that dose the exhaust treatment fluid into the exhaust stream. The exhaust treatment fluid injection device also includes a return rail for returning unused exhaust treatment fluid to the fluid source. Each of the common rail and return rail can be configured to allow drainage of the exhaust treatment fluid as a freeze-protection feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Dana Kregling, Michael Golin, Guanyu Zheng, Alan Brockman, Adam J. Kotrba, Timothy P. Gardner, Andrey Factor
  • Shock absorber with frequency dependent passive valve
    Patent number: 9222539
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a pressure tube with a piston assembly slidably disposed within the pressure tube and attached to a piston rod. The piston assembly divides the pressure tube into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. The piston assembly includes a frequency dependent valve assembly attached to the piston rod which defines a housing attached to the piston rod and a spool valve assembly. The spool valve assembly includes a pair of spool valves and a pair of bypass valve assemblies that control fluid flow through a bypass passage that bypasses the piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Nowaczyk, Jan Vochten