Patents Examined by Matthew T Largi
  • Patent number: 11268416
    Abstract: A method includes providing electric power to an electrically heated catalyst of an exhaust aftertreatment system. The method includes obtaining an impedance value of the electrically heated catalyst in response to providing the electric power. The method includes determining an oxygen storage capacity of the electrically heated catalyst based on the impedance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Edward Szczepanski
  • Patent number: 11268423
    Abstract: A mixer comprises a first subassembly including a first holder fixed to a first mixing element. The first holder includes a base interconnecting a first sidewall with a spaced apart second sidewall. The first mixing element includes a base interconnecting first and second spaced apart mounting flanges that are fixed to the first and second sidewalls. A second subassembly includes a second holder fixed to a second mixing element. The second holder includes a base interconnecting a third sidewall with a spaced apart fourth sidewall. The second mixing element including a base interconnecting third and fourth spaced apart mounting flanges that are fixed to the third and fourth sidewalls. Distal ends of the first sidewall and the third sidewall are fixed to one another. Distal ends of the second sidewall and the fourth sidewall are fixed to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Roy Porter, Ronald Rohraff
  • Patent number: 11225896
    Abstract: A degradation diagnosis device includes a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor and a control device. The control device is configured to perform a rich process and a lean process alternately and repeatedly in a degradation diagnosis process for diagnosing degradation of the exhaust gas control catalyst. The control device is configured to, in the degradation diagnosis process, determine that the exhaust gas control catalyst has been degraded when the lean process is executed and the frequency with which an output air-fuel ratio of the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor is equal to the lean air-fuel ratio is equal to or more than a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norihisa Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11225894
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for use with an over-the-road vehicle is disclosed. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a flash-boil doser mounted to an exhaust conduit and a catalyst coupled to the exhaust conduit. The flash-boil doser configured to inject heated and pressurized reducing agent into an exhaust passageway defined by the exhaust conduit for distribution throughout exhaust gases passed through the exhaust conduit. The catalyst configured to react the reducing agent with the nitrous oxide in the flow of exhaust gases to provide treated exhaust gases with a reduced nitrous oxide amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLC
    Inventor: Robin Willats
  • Patent number: 11220947
    Abstract: A method for detecting the icing of a particulate filter, especially of a gasoline particulate filter, includes determining the temperature of the exhaust gas flow flowing through the particulate filter, whereby icing of the particulate filter is detected on the basis of the determined temperature of the exhaust gas flow. The method is improved in that the temperature of the exhaust gas flow upstream from the particulate filter and the temperature of the exhaust gas flow downstream from the particulate filter are determined, whereby on the basis of the measured temperature difference, the heat input into the particulate filter and the quantity of water present in the particulate filter are determined, whereby the aggregates states of the water present in the particulate filter are calculated by drawing up a balance of the heat quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Chris Frehse, Christoph Nee, Sebastian Heinken, Hagen Müller
  • Patent number: 11215098
    Abstract: Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems are known and are generally included in the exhaust systems of diesel engines in order to treat the exhaust gases of such engines. Such systems typically involve the introduction of a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) into exhaust gas flowing in an exhaust passage of an engine. DEF dosing systems are limited by the amounts of DEF that can be delivered without deposits forming on surfaces of the aftertreatment system. An impaction device is dosed with DEF at a first rate based on a set of characteristics of the SCR system. A second set of characteristics, such as an available storage capacity for DEF, is determined based on a set of criteria, such as a decomposition rate of DEF. Based on the second set of characteristics, the DEF dosing rate is changed to a second rate. The dosing rate is reverted to the first rate after a second set of criteria, e.g. a lower threshold of available storage for DEF, are fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Alexis Eden, Leo Shead, Ronald Silver, Ben Reid, Graham Hargrave, Paul Gaynor, Thomas Lockyer
  • Patent number: 11215100
    Abstract: A reductant insertion assembly for inserting a reductant into an aftertreatment system includes: a pump assembly comprising a pump that includes a pump outlet; a first metering assembly fluidly coupled to the pump outlet, the first metering assembly comprising a first metering manifold; and a second metering assembly fluidly coupled in series with the pump, the second metering assembly being a separate structure from the first metering assembly and comprising a second metering manifold removably coupled to the first metering manifold. The pump is configured to pump the reductant to the first metering assembly, and to the second metering assembly via the first metering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Kent Lorenz, Colin L. Norris, Taren DeHart, Tony L. Bowden
  • Patent number: 11208930
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus includes a three-way catalyst. The three-way catalyst includes a downstream catalyst layer and an upstream catalyst layer. The downstream catalyst layer is to be provided in an exhaust pipe. The downstream catalyst layer contains a noble metal material containing at least one of Pd, Rh, or Pt, and an OSC material containing at least ceria. The upstream catalyst layer is to be provided in the exhaust pipe closer to an engine than the downstream catalyst layer is. The upstream catalyst layer contains the noble metal material and the OSC material. The upstream catalyst layer contains the ceria at a content less than a content of the ceria in the downstream catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuyoshi Sasaki, Isao Tan
  • Patent number: 11208937
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a diesel oxidation catalyst fault includes: obtaining an standard molar enthalpy of formation-revolution speed-load table; obtaining a revolution speed, a load, a temperature difference of front and rear exhaust pipes, and a casing temperature, obtaining an standard molar enthalpy of formation corresponding to the revolution speed and the load from the standard molar enthalpy of formation-revolution speed-load table, and calculating an actual formation enthalpy corresponding to the temperature difference of front and rear exhaust pipes and the casing temperature from the temperature difference of front and rear exhaust pipes and the casing temperature; calculating a standard reaction enthalpy from the standard molar enthalpy of formation and standard conversion efficiency; and diagnosing a diesel oxidation catalyst fault by comparing the actual formation enthalpy with the standard reaction enthalpy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: TONGJI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Piqiang Tan, Chaojie Yao, Deyuan Wang, Zhiyuan Hu, Diming Lou, Yunhua Zhang, Liang Fang
  • Patent number: 11193408
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control unit (8) for controlling reactivation of a lean NOx trap (LNT) disposed in an exhaust system (3) connected to an internal combustion engine (2), the control unit (8). The control unit (8) has at least one processor (11) configured to generate a reactivate flag (RF) for the LNT (6). A memory device (12) having instructions stored therein is coupled to the at least one processor (11). The at least one processor (11) is configured to generate the reactivate flag (RF) when the exhaust gas supplied to the LNT (6) is lean and an LNT temperature (TLNT) is greater than or equal to a predefined LNT temperature threshold (T1). The present disclosure also relates to a method of controlling reactivation of the LNT (6). The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising reactivation control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Bending, Michael Davies
  • Patent number: 11181072
    Abstract: A monolithic combustor body may provide multi-stage combustion. A combustor body may include a combustion chamber body and a plurality of heating walls that include a heat sink. The combustion chamber body may be disposed annularly about a longitudinal axis and defining a combustion chamber. The plurality of heating walls may include heat sink. The plurality of heating walls may occupy a radially or concentrically outward position relative to the combustion chamber and may define a corresponding plurality of combustion-gas pathways fluidly communicating with at least a proximal portion of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joshua Tyler Mook, Kevin Michael VandeVoorde, Aigbedion Akwara, Michael Robert Notarnicola, Jason Joseph Bellardi, Mohammed El Hacin Sennoun, Mohamed Osama, Zachary William Nagel
  • Patent number: 11174805
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine with split lambda modes are provided. At least one example method comprises, while operating an engine in a condition that is within a resonant frequency region for a default split lambda mode, carrying out a rolling split lambda mode. The engine may be operated with only stoichiometric engine cycles in the default split lambda mode, the stoichiometric engine cycles including enleaned and enriched cylinders. Further, the engine may be operated with a plurality of non-stoichiometric engine cycles when carrying out the rolling split lambda mode, the plurality of non-stoichiometric engine cycles including at least one rich engine cycle and at least one lean engine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Rani Kiwan, Joseph Lyle Thomas
  • Patent number: 11174769
    Abstract: A work machine is capable of detecting an abnormality in the amount of soot in exhaust gas in an exhaust pipe upstream of an exhaust gas aftertreatment device. The work machine includes: an exhaust gas sensor which detects the amount of soot contained in exhaust gas between an engine and an exhaust gas aftertreatment device and generates a soot amount detection signal; and a controller into which the detection signal is input. The controller includes an abnormality judgment section that makes an abnormality judgment on whether or not the detected soot amount is abnormal, and a threshold setting section that sets a soot amount threshold that is a threshold for making the abnormality judgment. The abnormality judgment section judges an abnormality when the value of the soot amount corresponding to the soot amount detection signal is larger than the soot amount threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsunori Hirozawa, Masayuki Kagoshima
  • Patent number: 11162405
    Abstract: An exhaust purification system of an internal combustion engine comprises a filter trapping particulate matter in exhaust gas, a differential pressure sensor detecting a differential pressure before and after the filter or a differential pressure between a pressure in the exhaust passage and an atmospheric pressure, a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of exhaust gas, and a deposition calculating part configured to calculate an amount of particulate matter deposited at the filter. The deposition calculating part is configured to calculate a first estimated value of an amount of the particulate matter based on the differential pressure, calculate a second estimated value of an amount of the particulate matter based on an amount of increase of temperature of the exhaust gas, and calculate an amount of the particulate matter based on the first estimated value and the second estimated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noriyasu Kobashi, Noriyasu Adachi, Yusuke Saito
  • Patent number: 11156213
    Abstract: A hydraulic system comprises a fluid tank and a pump, including a pump reservoir, fluidly coupled to the tank via a supply line. A valve is in fluidic communication with the pump reservoir via a pressure line. A backflow line fluidly couples the pump reservoir to the fluid tank via a timer reservoir and an orifice included in the timer reservoir. The hydraulic system transitions between a normal state and a purge state. In the normal state in which the pump is on, a first portion of the fluid is communicated from the pump reservoir to the valve and a second portion of the fluid is communicated from the pump reservoir to the tank. In the purge state, the pressure line and valve are purged followed by the backflow line and the pump reservoir such that no fluid remains in the pump reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Young
  • Patent number: 11154806
    Abstract: A method for controlling a filtering efficiency of a filter including a filtering area between an inflow area and an outflow area. Determining a present exhaust mass flow into the filter. Determining a pressure drop across the filter from the inflow area and the outflow area of the filter. Normalizing the measured pressure drop to provide a normalized pressure drop according to a predetermined normalization pressure level at a predetermined temperature for a model filter. Comparing the normalized pressure drop to a pressure drop model including a relation between the pressure drop across a filter and exhaust mass flow to the filter. Determining a pressure deviation between the normalized pressure drop and a pressure drop value calculated based on the pressure drop model and the present exhaust gas flow. Controlling the pressure drop across the filter for reducing the pressure deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Dahlgren, Stefan Dunert
  • Patent number: 11155458
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for preventing overflow of urea water out of an injection hole of a urea water tank when urea water is injected into the injection hole. The device is configured to enhance the function of a ventilation flow path, thus efficiently relieving pressure in the urea water tank when urea water is injected into the urea water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Tae Yoon Lee, June Young Park, Jun Sik Lim, Sung Won Lee, Seung Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 11143082
    Abstract: An exhaust purification system of the internal combustion engine, is provided with: an exhaust purification catalyst having a catalytic function; a particulate filter arranged at a downstream side from the exhaust purification catalyst; an oxygen feed device feeding gas containing oxygen into exhaust gas flowing into the particulate filter; a detection device detecting a concentration of ammonia in exhaust gas flowing out from the particulate filter; and a control device. The control device controls the oxygen feed device so as to feed oxygen from the oxygen feed device to the particulate filter if a temperature of the exhaust purification catalyst is equal to or greater than an activation temperature and an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas is a rich air-fuel ratio, and estimates the amount of deposition of particulate matter on the particulate filter based on the output of the detection device when feeding oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shogo Tanaka, Norihisa Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11136911
    Abstract: Determining the presence of a particle filter in the exhaust gas tract of an engine, with the steps of determining a first exhaust gas temperature curve which occurs in the exhaust gas tract upstream of the particle filter; measuring a second exhaust gas temperature curve by a first temperature sensor arranged downstream of the particle filter; determining a first heat quantity by integration over a specific time of a first heat flow curve determined by a first exhaust gas mass flow, a first specific heat capacity and the first exhaust gas temperature curve; determining a second heat quantity by integration over the specific time of a second heat flow curve determined by a second exhaust gas mass flow, a second specific heat capacity and the second exhaust gas temperature curve, evaluating the first heat quantity and the second heat quantity to determine the presence of the correct particle filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Nienhoff, Hao Chen, Paul Rodatz
  • Patent number: 11125131
    Abstract: A heat generation system including: a liquid storage tank; a heating element including: a reaction container having a storage space, and a porous body stored in the storage space, and loaded with an exothermic reaction solid that causes an exothermic reaction when being in contact with the liquid; a liquid injection mechanism member including: a liquid flow pipe that communicates between the liquid storage tank and the storage space of the reaction container, through which the liquid flows, and an injection unit that injects the liquid into the storage space; and discharge mechanism member including: a discharge pipe that communicates with the storage space of the reaction container, and a discharge unit that discharges a liquid product generated by the exothermic reaction caused by contact between the liquid and the exothermic reaction solid, and a vaporized material of the liquid, from the storage space through the discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Miyairi, Shinichi Miwa