Patents Assigned to Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9080487
    Abstract: An exhaust system including a plurality of exhaust treatment devices, plurality of injectors for dosing an exhaust treatment fluid into an exhaust stream, and a controller for controlling each of the plurality of injectors. The controller actively controls an amount of exhaust treatment fluid dosed into the exhaust stream by each of the plurality of injectors based on at least one of an exhaust flow rate and a temperature of the exhaust stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Golin, John DeGeorge, Guanyu Zheng, Adam J. Kotrba
  • Patent number: 9080629
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston disposed within a pressure tube. A valve assembly is attached to the piston. The valve assembly defines a first fluid flow through an always open fluid passage; a second fluid flow due to elastic deformation of a valve disc of the piston assembly; and a third fluid flow due to movement of the entire valve disc away from the piston. In one embodiment, the valve assembly is designed to be pre-assembled at an off-line and/or off-site location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: M'Hand Nait Oukhedou, Gert Mangelschots, Ward Opdekamp, Werner Bosmans
  • Patent number: 9074651
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston assembly which includes separate flow paths. Each flow path is controlled by a valve assembly and each flow path is in parallel with the other two flow paths. One flow path will generate firm damping characteristics. A second flow path opens depending on either the frequency of the shock absorber movement or the amount of movement or stroke of the shock absorber. The third flow path includes an on/off control valve and generates a soft damping characteristic when the control valve is activated. The soft damping characteristic can be generated by a tunable bleed restriction or by a passive valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gunther Bismans, Mark Nowaczyk
  • Patent number: 9067471
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston which has at least one compression fluid passage, at least one rebound fluid passage and at least one bleed fluid passage. A compression valve assembly closes the at least one compression passage and a rebound valve assembly closes the at least one rebound passage. A bleed valve assembly with the bleed fluid passage defines a first, always open flow path through the piston and a second flow path, separate from the first flow path, through the piston. A bleed disc is movable between a first position where the second flow path is open and a second position where the second flow path is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Tuts, Patrick Massonet, Ronny Vanbrabant, Kristoff Six
  • Patent number: 9057316
    Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system including a first exhaust treatment device having a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface, and a second exhaust treatment device and a third mounting surface and a fourth mounting surface. A first mounting structure is attached to the first mounting surface of the first exhaust treatment device, and a second mounting structure attached to the third mounting surface of the second exhaust treatment device, wherein the second and fourth mounting surfaces are secured to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Golin, Douglas Wang, Erwin Peters, Kevin Reeder, Mike Stebli, Bala Gurusamy
  • Patent number: 9057303
    Abstract: Exhaust system for a dual-fuel engine that is provided with a first fuel and a second fuel. The exhaust system includes an exhaust passageway, with an exhaust treatment component provided in the exhaust passageway. A thermal enhancement device communicates with the exhaust passageway and is located upstream from the exhaust treatment component, wherein the thermal enhancement device is operable to raise a temperature of an exhaust located in the exhaust passageway during a switch between the first fuel and the second fuel that is provided to the dual-fuel engine. The exhaust treatment system can also include a by-pass pipe in communication with the exhaust passageway that by-passes the exhaust treatment component, wherein during combustion of the first fuel by the dual-fuel engine, the by-pass pipe is open. During combustion of the second fuel by the dual-fuel engine, the by-pass pipe is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Golin, Adam J. Kotrba, Robert Applegate
  • Patent number: 9046021
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the regeneration of an exhaust gas particulate filter. When regeneration is initiated, an outlet temperature of an exhaust gas oxidation catalyst and an outlet temperature of the exhaust gas particulate filter are detected. As part of a closed loop non-linear temperature targeting regime, the maximum of the outlet temperature of the exhaust gas oxidation catalyst and the outlet temperature of the exhaust gas particulate filter is set as a reference temperature. A regeneration temperature target is initialized and indexed based on a profile time and the reference temperature. As part of a closed loop fuel control regime at least one hydrocarbon dosing value is determined based on an exhaust mass flow, the reference temperature, and the regeneration temperature target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: John W. DeGeorge
  • Publication number: 20150139859
    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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Butzke
  • Patent number: 9033121
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Karl C. Kazmirski, Darrell G. Breese, Matthew L. Roessle, John McGahey
  • Patent number: 9027331
    Abstract: A burner for an exhaust aftertreatment system may include a housing assembly and an ignition device. The housing assembly may include an inner shell surrounded by intermediate and outer shells. The inner shell may at least partially define a combustion chamber. The housing assembly may include an airflow passage having an opening extending through the outer shell. The airflow passage may extend between the outer shell and the intermediate shell as well as between the intermediate shell and the inner shell. The airflow passage may provide fluid communication between the opening and the combustion chamber. The ignition device may be at least partially disposed within the housing assembly and may ignite fuel received from a fuel source and air received from the airflow passage to produce a flame in the combustion chamber. The airflow passage may be in a heat transfer relationship with the flame in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Keith G. Olivier
  • Patent number: 9027332
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system may include a burner, a flame sensor assembly and a control module. The flame sensor assembly may be at least partially disposed within the burner and may include an insulator and an electric heating element in heat transfer relation with the insulator. The control module may be in communication with the flame sensor assembly. The control module may determine whether a flame is present in a combustion chamber based on feedback from the flame sensor assembly. The control module may detect contamination on the insulator based on feedback from the flame sensor assembly. The control module may operate the heating element in a first mode in response to detection of a contamination in which the control module causes electrical power to be applied to the heating element to raise a temperature of the heating element to burn contamination off of the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Keith G. Olivier
  • Patent number: 9016043
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an exhaust after-treatment system that doses an exhaust treatment fluid held from a tank into an exhaust stream. The method includes determining a first temperature of the exhaust treatment fluid in the tank using a temperature sensor. If the first temperature of the exhaust treatment fluid is less than a predetermined temperature, a heater is activated to increase the first temperature of the exhaust treatment fluid. The increasing first temperature is then monitored relative to the predetermined temperature. Then, a second temperature when a phase change of the exhaust treatment fluid occurs is detected. The detected second temperature is then compared to the predetermined temperature to determine whether the exhaust treatment fluid is of sufficient quality, or to determine whether the temperature sensor is rational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Reynolds, III, Thomas Stephens
  • Patent number: 9010096
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system including an exhaust passage in communication with an engine that produces an exhaust. An exhaust canister is coupled to the exhaust passage, and the exhaust canister supports a plurality of exhaust treatment components therein for treating the exhaust, wherein exhaust canister is removable from the exhaust passage, and the exhaust treatment components are removable from the exhaust canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Golin, Dan Owen, Tanay Muthay, Keith Olivier
  • Patent number: 9005535
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment device includes an inner shell, an outer shell and insulation material positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell. An inlet tube has an end in communication with a cavity defined by the inner shell. A substrate for treating engine exhaust is positioned within the inner shell. A baffle plate includes a plurality of apertures positioned such that the exhaust passes through the apertures prior to entering the substrate. The baffle plate supports an end of the inner shell and the inlet tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Megan Wikaryasz, Douglas Otrompke
  • Patent number: 9004470
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes an elastomeric jounce bumper which engages a jounce bumper cap during relatively large compression movements of the shock absorber. The jounce bumper cap includes a jounce bumper nose retaining feature which engages the nose of the jounce bumper during the compression movements. The jounce bumper nose retaining feature restricts sliding movement of the elastomeric jounce bumper with respect to the jounce bumper cap to eliminate noises associated with the relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Fleniken, Christopher Conrad, Ben Schaller
  • Patent number: 8997953
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston assembly disposed within a pressure tube. The piston assembly has a first and a second housing and a valve assembly located adjacent the first housing. The valve assembly has a valve disc which engages the first housing to close at least one of a first plurality of passages extending through the first and second housings and a biasing member for applying a load to the valve disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Deferme
  • Patent number: 8998116
    Abstract: An injector for injecting a reagent includes an electromagnet and an axially translatable valve member positioned within a housing. The valve member is moveable from a seated position to an unseated position in response to energizing the electromagnet. The valve member includes a hollow tube including a curled end having a reduced diameter sized to allow a ball to partially extend beyond the tube end but not pass through the tube. The tube includes an inwardly extending detent restricting the ball from movement within the tube. A pintle head is fixed to the tube and positioned proximate the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Lowry, David Blumhardt, Eric Grant
  • Patent number: 8998114
    Abstract: A reagent injector with a cartridge design has a body with a reagent inlet, outlet, and a swirl chamber, which has an exit orifice that may be covered and uncovered by a solid, movable pintle. Reagent flows through the injector when the exit orifice is covered and uncovered to cool the injector. An insulator may be disposed between the injector body and a mounting flange connectable to an exhaust system. A flow path ensures cooling of an electromagnetic actuator. Reagent may bypass an orifice swirl chamber when the pintle blocks the exit orifice. Fluid may flow between an outside diameter of a pole piece and an inside diameter of an electromagnetic actuator, through an orifice chamber and return through a central bore housing a solid pintle, around which fluid may flow. Different inner injector body passages may direct fluid into an orifice distribution chamber and out to the solid pintle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Olivier, Stephen Thomas, John Lowry
  • Patent number: 8991163
    Abstract: A burner for an exhaust aftertreatment system is provided that includes a nozzle assembly having a body and a heating element. The body may include first and second cavities, a fuel inlet passage and an air inlet passage. The first cavity may receive portion of the heating element and may be in fluid communication with the fuel inlet passage and a fuel discharge passage such that fuel from the fuel inlet passage is heated in the first cavity by the heating element and discharged from the first cavity through the fuel discharge passage. The second cavity may be in fluid communication with the air inlet passage and an air discharge passage. The first and second cavities may be fluidly isolated from each other and may supply fuel and air, respectively, to an exit aperture disposed downstream of the fuel discharge aperture and the air discharge aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Keith G. Olivier
  • Publication number: 20150086426
    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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: John W. DeGeorge, Timothy P. Gardner