Patents Examined by Jonathan R Matthias
  • Patent number: 11441499
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling imbalance with an exhaust tuning valve. In one example, a method may include adjusting a first exhaust tuning valve in response to combustion torque imbalance in a first and second group of cylinders. Additionally or alternatively, the position of the second exhaust tuning valve may be adjusted in response to an imbalance generated by the same group of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sumanth Reddy Dadam, Hani Ayesh, Vinod Ravi, Di Zhu, Vivek Kumar
  • Patent number: 11441464
    Abstract: Systems for reducing the content of residual pollutants from tailpipes emissions in an exhaust line having a cold part may include an ozone generation system; an MnO2 catalyst; and a lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst. In these systems, the ozone, MnO2 catalyst, and LNT catalyst may be provided in the cold part of the exhaust line. In these systems, the residuals pollutants may be oxidized at temperatures of from about 20° C. to about 150° C. in rich or lean conditions and NO2 may have a concentration of less than 0.1 mg/km in the tailpipe emissions downstream of the cold part of the exhaust line. Corresponding methods may include generating ozone from an ozonizer; injecting the ozone in a mixing chamber comprising the residual pollutants to form a first mixture; converting the first mixture using an MnO2 catalyst to form a second mixture; and converting the second mixture using an LNT catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Emmanuel Laigle, Christophe Chaillou, Caroline Norsic, André Nicolle
  • Patent number: 11434796
    Abstract: A muffler may include a thin plate mesh provided in an internal space of an inlet chamber formed at a side opposite to an outlet chamber of a muffler housing such that gas contained in exhaust fluid passes through the thin plate mesh by collision of the exhaust fluid against the thin plate mesh and water contained in the exhaust fluid is separated from the gas; a water movement guide fluidically-connected to the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber for allowing the water gathered at the front side of the thin plate mesh in the internal space of the inlet chamber to flow therein and move to the outlet chamber; and a muffler pipe connected to the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber for allowing the gas gathered at the rear side of the thin plate mesh in the internal space of the inlet chamber to move to the outlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ju-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 11434802
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an exhaust gas aftertreatment system comprising in the given order in the flow direction of the exhaust gas: a device for metering ammonia and/or a compound that can be decomposed to form ammonia into the exhaust gas to be cleaned, as a reducing agent; one or more SCR catalysts, which form a first SCR unit; one or more SCR and/or ammonia oxidation and/or ammonia slip catalysts, which form a second SCR unit; and a NOx sensor in the exhaust gas tail pipe. An amount, to be metered into the exhaust gas, of ammonia and/or of the decomposable compound is set using the nitrogen oxide concentration in the exhaust gas tail pipe that is determined by the NOx sensor, and the occurrence or non-occurrence of an ammonia excess in the region of the NOx sensor can be determined from the sensor signal of the NOx sensor by evaluating said sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Deutz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Volker Smits
  • Patent number: 11421569
    Abstract: A muffler includes a first tube defining a first inlet for receiving exhaust and a first outlet. The muffler includes a housing defining a tuning chamber. The muffler includes a second tube at least partially received within the first tube. Further, the second tube defines a second inlet disposed within the first tube and a second outlet disposed in fluid communication with the tuning chamber. The muffler further includes a muffler outlet for discharging exhaust from the muffler. Moreover, the first tube and the second tube define an annular passage therebetween. The annular passage is disposed in fluid communication with the first outlet of the first tube and the muffler outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Abdulhadi Madi
  • Patent number: 11408321
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system comprises a first passageway having a first temperature and a second passageway having a second temperature different than the first temperature. A turbine is disposed downstream from the first passageway and upstream from the second passageway. The turbine is in fluidic communication with the first passageway and the second passageway. The turbine is structured to receive an exhaust gas from the first passageway, generate energy using the exhaust gas flowing through the turbine and communicate the exhaust gas to the second passageway. The aftertreatment system also includes an insertion device structured to insert an exhaust reductant into the first passageway. A selective catalytic reduction system is configured to receive the exhaust gas from the second passageway and treat the exhaust gas. The first temperature can be higher than the second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Heichelbech, John G. Buechler, Richard J. Ancimer, Thomas M. Yonushonis
  • Patent number: 11401847
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust tuning valve. In one example, a method may include adjusting the exhaust tuning valve in response to a steering wheel angle input. Additionally or alternatively, the position of the exhaust tuning valve may be adjusted differently in response to a same steering wheel angle input during different driving behaviors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sumanth Reddy Dadam, Vinod Kumar Ravi, Hani Mohammad Ayesh
  • Patent number: 11396838
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods include an upstream exhaust analysis circuit structured to determine a characteristic of an exhaust gas stream entering a nitrous oxide (NOx) storage catalyst; a prediction circuit structured to predict a downstream NOx concentration of an exhaust gas stream exiting the NOx storage catalyst based on a model of a NOx storage capacity or a dynamic response of the NOx storage catalyst; a downstream exhaust analysis circuit structured to determine a downstream NOx concentration of the exhaust gas stream exiting the NOx storage catalyst; and a comparison circuit structured to compare the predicted downstream NOx concentration to the determined downstream NOx concentration, and determine a health of the NOx storage catalyst based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Haas, Krishna Kamasamudrum, Ashok Kumar
  • Patent number: 11390267
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle having an engine and an electric machine, a transmission, a battery, and an exhaust treatment system having a particulate filter. The battery discharges during a charge-depleting mode of the electrical machine and charges when the electrical machine operates as a generator such that the battery charge state moves between lower and upper limits. If a filter regeneration requirement is detected, the filter is regenerated by raising the temperature of the exhaust gas. When the need for filter regeneration is detected, the battery is discharged to below the lower limit, in the charge-depleting mode of the electrical machine, prior to the regeneration. Subsequently, to regenerate the filter, the engine is operated to raise the exhaust gas temperature by increasing the torque provided by the engine, and the electric machine operates as a generator to charge the battery and/or operate an auxiliary electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Sauter, Markus Eisele, Martin Dietrich, Michael Walser
  • Patent number: 11384667
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for use with over-the-road vehicle is disclosed. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a reducing agent mixer with a mixing can and a heated doser unit configured to inject heated reducing agent into the mixing can for distribution throughout exhaust gases passed through the mixing can. Heating of reducing agent may be selectively applied based on a variety of inputs to a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLC
    Inventor: Tony Parrish
  • Patent number: 11384673
    Abstract: An energy recovery system and a method of recovering energy are disclosed. In one arrangement, an exhaust gas conduit system guides a flow of exhaust gas generated by a combustion process. A heat exchange fluid circuit guides a flow of a heat exchange fluid. An electrical generator generates electrical power from the flow of heat exchange fluid. The heat exchange fluid circuit is configured so that heat is transferred from the exhaust gas to the heat exchange fluid while the exhaust gas is flowing through the exhaust gas conduit system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventors: Kamaljit Singh Chana, Vikram Sridhar, Sunny Singh Chana, Michael Joseph Pekris
  • Patent number: 11384672
    Abstract: A secondary air introduction device is configured to supply air into an exhaust passage of an engine to combust unburned gas contained in exhaust gas. The secondary air introduction device includes: an air introduction passage configured to introduce air into the exhaust passage; and a secondary air valve configured to be attached to an outer surface of a cylinder head of the engine and to control opening and closing of the air introduction passage. The secondary air valve is configured to be attached to an outer lateral surface of the cylinder head on one side in an axial direction of a crankshaft, and the secondary air valve includes an air introduction inlet formed in a position opposite to the outer lateral surface of the cylinder head in the axial direction of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Tatsuya Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 11377990
    Abstract: An exhaust pipe with a double pipe structure that can reduce generation of a turbulent flow of exhaust gases is provided. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the exhaust pipe includes a double pipe and a retention member. The double pipe includes an inner pipe and an outer pipe. The retention member is disposed in a gap provided between an outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe and an inner circumferential surface of the outer pipe. The retention member is disposed at at least one end of the double pipe. At the end of the double pipe where the retention member is disposed, a radial clearance between the outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe and the inner circumferential surface of the outer pipe at an opening of the inner pipe is smaller than the radial clearance in an arrangement area where the retention member is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: FUTABA INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinnosuke Toichi, Takeshi Osanai, Yoshiaki Kataoka, Hayato Tawada, Katsuhiko Kainuma
  • Patent number: 11377991
    Abstract: A lightweight and compact muffler device that can be installed in a limited space in an inside of a generator. A top cover and an undercover (end cover) provided on a top and a bottom of a vertically disposed casing are each formed in substantially trapezoidal shape. Thereby, an inner capacity of the casing can be secured to be large, as a result of which, a size of the muffler device can be made compact, and no extra component is required, so that reduction in manufacturing cost and reduction in weight can be achieved. Since the casing is disposed vertically, it is possible to install the casing even when an installation space is small in an inside of a housing of a generator, and it is possible to make the generator compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroko Murakami, Tadafumi Hirose
  • Patent number: 11377995
    Abstract: A muffler is detachably attached to an engine. A catalyst for purifying exhaust gas is provided upstream of the muffler, and a secondary air valve for supplying air to an exhaust passage is provided upstream of the catalyst. The catalyst and the secondary air valve are integrally unitized. A catalyst unit including the catalyst and the secondary air valve is provided between the engine and the muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventors: Kazuki Masui, Takaharu Minami, Tadashi Kato, Hideki Takatsuka, Noboru Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 11377993
    Abstract: Subject of the invention is an exhaust gas purification system for a gasoline engine, comprising in consecutive order the following devices: a first three-way-catalyst (TWC1), a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) and a second three-way-catalyst (TWC2), wherein the wash coat load (WCL) of the TWC2 is greater than the WCL of the GPF, wherein the WCL is determined in g/l of the volume of the device. The invention also relates to methods in which the system is used and uses of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jan Schoenhaber, Joerg-Michael Richter, Carolin Braun
  • Patent number: 11371411
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle having an exhaust gas aftertreatment device involves an on-board electronic computing device receiving consumption information characterizing consumption of a reducing agent by the exhaust gas aftertreatment device and tank information characterizing a filling level of a reducing agent tank. Tank information is evaluated together with the consumption information with regard to a divergence, and upon determination of the divergence between the tank information and the consumption information, error information is stored in a blockchain characterizing the motor vehicle, and an action of the motor vehicle is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
    Inventor: Hanno Weber
  • Patent number: 11359535
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system capable of purifying exhaust gas containing moisture includes superheated steam generating pipes (20, 40) and a housing (10). The superheated steam generating pipe (20, 40) is formed of a material capable of generating heat by energization, and has a flow path (200, 400) through which exhaust gas can flow, and moisture contained in the exhaust gas flowing through the flow path is converted into superheated steam by the heat. The housing (10) is provided to accommodate the superheated steam generating pipe, is formed to allow the exhaust gas before being introduced into the flow path to flow therethrough and can preheat the exhaust gas by the heat of the superheated steam generating pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: JISSEN KANKYO KENKYUSHO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hisashi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 11352925
    Abstract: A heating element for a vehicle exhaust gas purification device is provided and is to be disposed in an exhaust gas duct. The heating element extends around a central axis. and comprises a central support defined around the central axis, a heating grid extending radially around the central support, and a liaison element. The liaison element comprises a plurality of mounting brackets comprising at least a first part connecting the mounting brackets to the heating grid, at least a second part connecting the bracket to the duct, intended to be directly or indirectly attached to the duct, and at least one intermediate section connecting the first connecting part to the second connecting part. The connecting element is at least partially radially flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Sommier, Matthieu Riverain, Marc Leroux, Sébastien Hanauer
  • Patent number: 11352929
    Abstract: A catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine has a housing (2) and a catalyst element (12) formed in the housing (2). The housing (2) is formed such that exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine can flow through the housing (2). The catalyst element (12) is formed such that fluid can flow around and through it. Additionally, the catalyst element (12) has a plurality of ribs (15) on its surface (14) that faces the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Uli Sofan