Patents Assigned to Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9221014
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system may include a tank, an injector, a supply conduit, a pump, a pressure sensor, and a control module. The tank may contain a volume of a fluid. The injector may be configured to inject the fluid into a stream of exhaust gas discharged from the combustion engine. The supply conduit may fluidly connect the tank and the injector. The pump may pump the fluid from the tank to the injector. The control module may be in communication with the pressure sensor and the pump and may control the pump based on first and second measurements from the pressure sensor. The first measurement may be indicative of a first pressure within the supply conduit when the pump is operating. The second measurement from the pressure sensor may be indicative of a second pressure within the supply conduit when the pump is not operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Butzke
  • Patent number: 9217483
    Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle includes a shock absorber and a damper module. The shock absorber includes a plurality of digital valves. The shock absorber is operable at one of multiple damping states based on a valve state of the digital valves. The damper module is coupled to each of the digital valves and controls each of the digital valves to a desired state based on a damper setting. The damper module determines a target damping state, where the target state is one of the multiple damping states. The damper module performs a switch operation to control the valve state of the plurality of digital valves to a given desired state when the target damping state is different from a present damping state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Scott S. Dunaway, David R. Blankenship, Karl C. Kazmirski, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Jeffrey T. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20150337702
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system may treat exhaust gas discharged from an engine. The system may include first and second selective-catalytic-reduction (SCR) catalysts and a valve. The valve may be disposed upstream of the first SCR catalyst and at least one of an oxidation catalyst and a particulate filter. The valve is connected to first and second exhaust flow paths and is movable between a first position allowing exhaust gas to flow through the first flow path and bypass the second flow path and a second position allowing exhaust gas to flow through the second flow path and bypass the first flow path. The second SCR catalyst may be a low-temperature SCR catalyst and may be disposed in the second flow path. A control module may cause the valve to move between the first and second positions based on a temperature of the exhaust gas and/or a temperature of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Padmanabha Reddy Ettireddy, Adam J. Kotrba, Michael Golin
  • Patent number: 9169890
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a valve assembly which includes a valve disc engaging an inner and outer valve land defined by a valve body. The inner valve land is a non-circular valve land such that a radial dimension between the inner and outer valve land varies based upon a circumferential position of the radial dimension. The varying radial dimension provides a progressive valve opening for the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Groves, Ben Schaller, Darrell G. Breese, Daniel T. Keil, Andrew M. Jacobson, John P. McGahey
  • Patent number: 9163691
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a housing with a piston rod assembly disposed therein. A first rod guide member is secured within a first portion of the housing so as to be concentrically disposed about at least a portion of the piston rod assembly. A second rod guide member is secured within the housing adjacent the first rod guide member so as to be concentrically disposed about at least another portion of the piston rod assembly. An electronically controlled valve assembly is disposed within the second rod guide member and is in communication with the first rod guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Roessle, Karl C. Kazmirski, Thomas P. Mallin, John McGahey, Timothy Bombrys, David R. Blankenship, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen
  • Patent number: 9163549
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment device includes an inlet tube having an end in communication with a cavity within a housing. An exhaust treatment component for treating engine exhaust is positioned within the housing. A metal mounting member includes a mounting provision. A retaining plate is engaged with the metal mounting member and fixed to the housing to retain the mounting member between the housing and the retaining plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Megan Wikaryasz, Douglas Otrompke, Pavel Robles
  • Patent number: 9151198
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system includes an exhaust treatment device having a stepped outer diameter. First and second clamps each include a stepped inner diameter such that the clamps engage the exhaust treatment device and other portions of the exhaust treatment system when the exhaust treatment device is properly oriented. The exhaust treatment device interferes with one of the clamps to preclude coupling the exhaust treatment device to an adjacent portion of the exhaust treatment system when an attempt is made to install the exhaust treatment device in a reversed improper orientation. A consistent exhaust flow direction through an exhaust treatment device such as a diesel particulate filter may be maintained through use of the inventive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Golin, Rick Thompson
  • Patent number: 9150077
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly that provides a high damping load during a compression stroke and an extension valve assembly that provides a high damping load during an extension stroke. One or more digital valve assemblies is positioned to work in parallel with the compression valve assembly and the extension valve assembly to provide a lower damping load. The lowering of the damping load is based upon the cross sectional area of flow passages provided by the one or more digital valve assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Roessle, Karl C. Kazmirski, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Darrell G. Breese, Daniel T. Keil, Thomas P. Mallin, Jeffrey T. Gardner
  • Patent number: 9140158
    Abstract: A burner for an exhaust gas treatment system includes a tubular inner housing having a closed upstream end, a reduced diameter portion, and a plurality of apertures downstream of the reduced diameter portion. An outer housing surrounds the inner housing comprising a bypass flow path therebetween. First and second tubular supports fix the upstream end of the inner housing to the outer housing and provide fluid communication between a cavity within the inner housing to a location outside of the outer housing. A plate fixes the downstream end of the inner housing to the outer housing and cooperates with the housings to partially define an aperture formed in a portion of the bypass flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Morley, Lawrence Dalimonte, Jagandeep Sandhu
  • Patent number: 9140174
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment device includes an inner shell spaced apart from an outer shell by a first gap. An inlet assembly includes a first inner cap and a first outer cap spaced apart by a second gap. An outlet assembly includes a second inner cap and a second outer cap spaced apart from each other by a third gap. A substrate is located within the inner shell. An insulating mat is positioned between the substrate and the inner shell and includes a reduced diameter portion compressing the insulating mat between the inner shall and the substrate. Insulation material fills the first, second and third gaps that are in communication with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Megan Wikaryasz, Douglas Otrompke, Pavel Robles
  • Patent number: 9133743
    Abstract: A system for treating the exhaust output by an internal combustion engine includes a regeneration positioned upstream from a diesel particulate filter. The regeneration unit combusts a fuel to heat the exhaust entering the diesel particulate filter. An air pump supplies a secondary source of compressed air to the regeneration unit and is adapted to be driven by the internal combustion engine. A speed sensor is coupled to the air pump and operable to output a signal indicative of a rotational speed of an air pump component. A controller receives the speed sensor signal and determines an operating speed of the internal combustion engine based on the speed sensor signal. The controller controls the regeneration unit based on the engine operating speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Butzke
  • Publication number: 20150247546
    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 first and second bypass valve assemblies that control fluid flow through bypass passage that bypasses the piston assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Mark NOWACZYK, Gunther BISMANS
  • Patent number: 9121320
    Abstract: A muffler includes a shell, baffles, and a plurality of pipes. The shell defines first and second end cavities and a central cavity. The end cavities have larger cross-sectional areas that a cross-sectional area of the central cavity. The baffles cooperate to form multiple chambers within the shell. A first inlet directs a first portion of the exhaust into a first chamber. A second inlet directs a second portion of the exhaust into a second chamber. A first pipe extends through first, third and fourth baffles and includes an inlet in the fourth chamber. The first pipe directs exhaust from the fourth chamber to a first outlet at the first end cavity. A second pipe extends through the second, third and fourth baffles and includes an inlet in the third chamber. The second pipe directs exhaust from the third chamber to a second outlet at the second end cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Carr, Frederick M. Baumgartner, David R. Bednarz, Deep K. Singh, Bradley B. Walworth
  • Publication number: 20150231567
    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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Golin, Adam J. Kotrba
  • Patent number: 9108484
    Abstract: An automobile includes an active suspension system and a leveling system. The leveling system receives high pressure fluid from the active suspension system in order to change static vehicle height and compensate for static load changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Koen Reybrouck
  • Patent number: 9108157
    Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system including an exhaust passage having at least a first portion and a second portion. An exhaust treatment component may be positioned within the exhaust passage between the first and second portions, and an insulating blanket insulates each of the first portion, second portion, and the exhaust treatment component. Temperature sensors may be positioned at the first portion, the second portion, the exhaust treatment component, wherein each sensor monitors the temperature at its location. A controller may have access to temperature data associated with an insulated exhaust after-treatment system, and the controller compares the monitored temperatures to the temperature data to determine whether a difference exceeding a predetermined threshold exists. If the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller outputs an error signal identifying particular portions of the exhaust system that are no longer insulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Golin, John W. DeGeorge
  • Patent number: 9103252
    Abstract: A modular exhaust after-treatment system including a plurality of exhaust after-treatment modules. Each module includes a housing defining a non-linear flow path arranged between an inlet passage and an outlet passage. The non-linear flow path includes a first portion adjacent the inlet passage that includes a first exhaust treatment component, a second portion downstream from the first portion, and a third portion downstream from second portion adjacent the outlet passage, wherein the third portion includes a second exhaust treatment component. The plurality of exhaust after-treatment modules are secured to each other in either horizontally or vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Golin, Guanyu Zheng, Timothy P. Gardner, Paul Majewski
  • Patent number: 9095827
    Abstract: A mixer for mixing an exhaust flow with a fluid injected into an exhaust pipe includes a tubular housing having a reduced size center portion positioned between first and second ends. The housing includes circumferentially spaced apart apertures extending through the center portion. A first mixing element includes a first peripheral portion positioned within one of the apertures and a second peripheral portion positioned within another one of the apertures. A second mixing element includes third and fourth peripheral portions positioned within other apertures of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Manoj K. Sampath, Rangan Chakravarthi, James Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20150196877
    Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system including an exhaust passage having at least a first portion and a second portion. An exhaust treatment component may be positioned within the exhaust passage between the first and second portions, and an insulating blanket insulates each of the first portion, second portion, and the exhaust treatment component. Temperature sensors may be positioned at the first portion, the second portion, the exhaust treatment component, wherein each sensor monitors the temperature at its location. A controller may have access to temperature data associated with an insulated exhaust after-treatment system, and the controller compares the monitored temperatures to the temperature data to determine whether a difference exceeding a predetermined threshold exists. If the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller outputs an error signal identifying particular portions of the exhaust system that are no longer insulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Golin, John W. DeGeorge
  • Patent number: 9080634
    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 piston disposed within the housing. The piston moves within the housing to control the fluid flow through a bypass fluid passage that bypasses the piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Nowaczyk, Gunther Bismans