Patents Examined by Thomas E. Denion
  • Patent number: 7987665
    Abstract: An apparatus for evacuating exhaust from an exhaust pipe of a vehicle having an external turbine and an internal turbine connected to the external turbine such that when the external turbine rotates the internal turbine rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Jafar Salamat
  • Patent number: 7987663
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a diesel engine with reduced emissions. The method comprises combusting a first biodiesel blend fuel in a diesel engine resulting in the production of diesel exhaust gases containing NOx. The diesel exhaust gases are admixed with a second biodiesel blend fuel, and the second biodiesel blend fuel is hydrolyzed to form reducing agents. The diesel exhaust gases containing NOx are passed through an NOx-reducing catalyst to reduce the NOx through a selective catalytic reduction reaction with the reducing agents. The invention further provides a method for operating a diesel engine with reduced emissions, comprising combusting a first biodiesel blend fuel in a diesel engine resulting in the production of diesel exhaust gases containing NOx. A second biodiesel blend fuel is converted in a fuel processor thereby forming reducing agents, and the diesel exhaust gases are admixed with the reducing agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dan Hancu, Benjamin Hale Winkler, Gregg Anthony Deluga, Daniel George Norton, Frederic Vitse
  • Patent number: 7987661
    Abstract: A method for determining malfunction of a nitrogen oxide sensor compares a nitrogen oxide amount detected by the sensor with a predetermined value of nitrogen oxide. If the difference between the predetermined value and the amount detected by the sensor is within a predetermined range, the method determines whether an engine is in a steady state. If the engine is in a steady state, the method changes one or more engine control parameters, thereby varying an actual nitrogen oxide amount. After changing the parameters, the method determines whether the amount detected by the sensor changes. The method determines that the sensor is malfunctioning if the amount detected by the sensor does not change. A selective catalytic reduction system includes a first nitrogen oxide sensor, a selective catalytic reduction apparatus, and a second nitrogen oxide sensor, all disposed in an exhaust pipe. A control portion performs the above-described method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jae Yoon Jung
  • Patent number: 7987667
    Abstract: A system for removing particulates from the exhaust gas of a vehicle internal combustion engine, particularly during those times that the emission of such particulates into the atmosphere would be of greatest danger to persons in the vicinity of the vehicle, includes a valve connected to the vehicle exhaust manifold for normally directing exhaust to the atmosphere, when in the non-activated condition. The valve directs exhaust to a particulate filter, when in the activated condition. Starting of the engine activates the valve for a predetermined period of time. The valve optionally is GPS-controlled and can be disabled manually or automatically by a switch, which detects the backpressure in the exhaust system. An exhaust pressure sensor monitors the exhaust backpressure, and a circuit device responsive to the exhaust pressure maintains the valve continuously in the non-activated condition, when the exhaust backpressure reaches a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Meier Diesel Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: John Meier, Cris Pasto
  • Patent number: 7987666
    Abstract: Temperature control devices have become common to cool the exhaust stream from a diesel particulate filter before release into the environment. To further cool the filtered exhaust stream and to protect the temperature control device, a duct can be used to surround the inlets of the temperature control device. The duct has a head section surrounding the inlets at one end and a base section extending from the head section with a vent at the other end. Ambient air is drawn through the vent into the duct and into the inlets of the temperature control device to further cool the filtered exhaust stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Isaac D. Branning, Brad D. Singer, Donald J. Kortenber
  • Patent number: 7987825
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an outer body connected with a valve for opening and closing the valve, an inner body that is reciprocally disposed within the outer body and contacts a first input cam configured to an input shaft, a lost motion spring disposed between the outer body and the inner body, a connecting portion selectively connecting the outer body and the inner body, a hydraulic pressure supplying portion supplying hydraulic pressure to the connecting portion, and a lubrication circuit supplying lubricant to a contacting portion of the first input cam and the inner body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yun Sung Hwang
  • Patent number: 7987826
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a low lift cam, a high lift cam in parallel with the low lift cam, a low lift tappet body that selectively contacts the low lift cam, a high lift tappet body disposed within the low lift tappet body and constantly contacting the high lift cam, a guide portion that is connected with a valve and selectively connects the low lift tappet body and the high lift tappet body, and a lost motion spring that is disposed between the guide portion and the low lift tappet body and supplies restoring force to the low lift tappet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Young Hong Kwak, Kiyoung Kwon, Ki Uk Shin, Jin Kook Kong
  • Patent number: 7984609
    Abstract: An exhaust gas post treatment system for nitrogen oxide and particle reduction of internal combustion engines operated with excess air. An oxidation catalytic converter is disposed in the exhaust gas stream of the engine for converting at least a portion of the nitric oxide in the exhaust gas into nitrogen dioxide. The first particle separator or filter is disposed in the exhaust gas stream downstream of the oxidation catalytic converter for converting carbon particles accumulated in the separator or filter into carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and nitric oxide with the aid of nitrogen dioxide contained in the exhaust gas. A partial exhaust gas stream is branched off from the exhaust gas stream upstream of the first separator or filter. A metering device adds reduction agent to the partial exhaust gas stream in the form of ammonia or a material that releases ammonia downstream of the supply location due to hot exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: MAN Truck & Bus AG
    Inventors: Andreas Döring, Klaus Richter
  • Patent number: 7980062
    Abstract: A method for cold start white smoke protection of a hydrocarbon after treatment device, and method of engine operation to effect the same. The method comprises a) determining the temperature of the hydrocarbon after-treatment device during cold start conditions; b) determining hydrocarbon emissions in the hydrocarbon after-treatment device; and c) modifying engine operating conditions to raise the hydrocarbon after-treatment temperature at a pre-determined rate to a temperature sufficient to permit controlled oxidation of the hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon after treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Thomas Barton, Matthew Thomas Baird
  • Patent number: 7980064
    Abstract: A lean NOx trap is a diesel exhaust aftertreatment system is selectively denitrated based on a measure relating to the state and/or the performance of the exhaust aftertreatment system, or a portion thereof comprising the lean NOx trap, reaching a critical value. The critical value is varied according to the demands currently being place on the exhaust aftertreatment system. In one embodiment, the critical value is set based on engine speed-load information. The method regenerates more frequently when exhaust aftertreatment demands are high and less frequently when demands are low. The method improves aftertreatment performance while reducing aftertreatment fuel penalty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dmitry Arie Shamis, James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Johannes Walter Reuter, Karen Evelyn Bevan, Christian Thomas Chimner
  • Patent number: 7980067
    Abstract: A method to detect drive cycles of a vehicle and modify engine operation according to the detected drive cycles to effect regeneration of exhaust components, particularly the Diesel Particulate Filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Thomas Barton, James Erik Plastow, Justin Adam Shetney, Matthew Thomas Baird, Mark Allen Zurawski, Bryant Chan Pham
  • Patent number: 7980079
    Abstract: Power generation systems and methods are disclosed for use with medium to high temperature heat source stream, gaseous or liquid, where the systems and methods permit efficient energy extraction for medium and small scale power plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kalex, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Patent number: 7980060
    Abstract: A clogging determination apparatus determines clogging of a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) such that exhaust pressure is estimated using a sensor deigned for regular control of an engine, without using exhaust pressure sensor. The apparatus includes: the DPF disposed in an exhaust system; an exhaust sensor that measures an air-fuel ratio ? in exhaust gas; and an injector that changes the air-fuel ratio in an cylinder through post-injection. A response time T taken for the exhaust sensor to detect a change in the air-fuel ratio is measured from the time when the post-injection is output from the injector. If this response time T is longer than a clogging determination response time To, the apparatus determines that the DPF is clogged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Tachimoto, Yasushi Omura, Takashi Moriyama
  • Patent number: 7980209
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuator having an armature between upper and lower electromagnets with a stem extending through one electromagnet and guided by a bushing with increased clearance about at least a portion of the inner circumference in at least a middle portion of the bushing to reduce oil shear length and associated viscous friction in the actuator. A two-piece intake/exhaust valve guide includes a lower half with a stepped outer diameter cooperating with a counter-bored hole in the cylinder head to provide a positive stop. The upper and lower halves of the valve guide have increased clearance relative to the valve stem around at least a portion of the inner circumference to reduce oil shear length and associated viscous friction. Reducing viscous friction of the actuator and associated valve guide improves system robustness by decreasing the system sensitivity to temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Philip Thomas Koneda, Thomas William Megli, Yan Wang, Neal James Corey
  • Patent number: 7980063
    Abstract: A dosing device is provided that is suitable for administering a reagent into an exhaust chamber of an internal combustion engine. The device comprises a nozzle body and an insulating jacket wherein the jacket is mounted to the nozzle body at one or more mounting points, and wherein the dosing device is adapted to engage with a port located in the wall of an exhaust chamber. The insulating jacket defines a compartment, which can comprise an insulating material or can be substantially evacuated. The dosing device of the invention is advantageously insulated from the elevated temperatures in the surrounding environment, thereby allowing for the reagent to be maintained at an optimal working temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holdings S.arl
    Inventor: Michael P. Cooke
  • Patent number: 7980068
    Abstract: A passive particulate filter assembly for filtering exhaust. The assembly includes a housing unit defining a filtering chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port. A cylindrical inner core member is disposed in the filtering chamber and is surrounded by a pleated cylindrical filter pack having first and second opposite ends. An end cap couples with the first end of the filter pack and is configured to prevent exhaust flow there through. An end plate is coupled to the second end of the filter pack and is configured to secure the filter pack to the housing unit. The filter pack comprises a woven metal fiber medium preferably manufactured from stainless steel or a nickel-chromium-iron alloy having a porosity of between about 2 to about 15 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Fabrizio C Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 7980065
    Abstract: A method for regenerating a diesel particulate filter includes elevating a temperature of a gas stream flowing into an inlet of the diesel particulate filter to greater than or equal to 450° of the inlet of the diesel particulate filter, wherein the gas stream at the inlet of the diesel particulate filter contains an amount of NOx of equal to or greater than 300 ppm, and an amount of O2 of equal to or greater than 5% volume, thereby burning the soot within the diesel particulate filter. The method also includes elevating a temperature of the gas stream flowing into the inlet of the diesel particulate filter to less than or equal to 550° C. at the inlet of the diesel particulate filter, wherein a burn rate of soot from porous watts of the diesel particulate filter is greater than or equal to 3.8 grams/liter/hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Achim Karl-Erich Heibel, Joshua Adam Jamison, Paul Michael Schelling
  • Patent number: 7980066
    Abstract: A method to operate an electronically controlled internal combustion engine that recognizes when thermal management mode of operation is being applied to an engine but is not attaining desired exhaust temperature for aftertreatment. When the Engine Control System (ECS) recognizes that the engine in operating in thermal management mode in a futile effort, the ECS aborts thermal management mode and returns to normal operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Baird, Amr Mohamed Radwan, Kevin Dean Sisken, Bryant Chan Pham
  • Patent number: 7980080
    Abstract: FCHTMC engine defines a new device, not any makeover. Some instances of conflict, which may arise in general claims for the Stirling or all other engines, are, therefore, of no consequences. This engine improves over the power, efficiency, size, weight, complicity, and versatility of the Stirling and other engines—all known to this date. This application makes the use of the specific refrigerant, Duracool™, for propulsion, not cooling, and the use of the specific ceramic Z500. Multiple horizontal layers describe the engine inner configuration within these layers, defining the space for internal components, providing a simplicity of assembly/dis-assembly and the pipes' usage in structure. The meaning—pipes are incorporated inside of the device, excluding external piping. This style of construction defines the unimpeded access to improve manufacturing costs. This device is a single-hot cycle, multi-cylinder, and none-rotary engine without any vibratory or gyroscopic reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventors: Wayne Douglas Pickette, James Robert Fisher, Gregory James Danner
  • Patent number: 7980070
    Abstract: An exhaust gas cooling system for an engine includes an exhaust gas conduit having an inner tube defining an exhaust gas passage and an exhaust coupler surrounding the inner tube and defining a cooling water passage together with the inner tube therebetween, and a water-lock coupled with a downstream end of the exhaust gas conduit through an exhaust gas conduit coupling section which extends from an upstream end of the water-lock. The exhaust gas conduit coupling section and the exhaust coupler are coupled with each other and the inner tube extends into the interior of the water-lock. A downstream end part of the inner tube can be formed to be a wide portion having a bell mouth configuration. A diameter of the downstream end part becomes larger as a portion thereof exists closer to the end of the downstream end part. The exhaust gas cooling system for the engine can be provided for a water vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Mashiko, Tetsuya Ishino