Patents by Inventor Brett A. Zook

Brett A. Zook has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11434842
    Abstract: Operating a gaseous fuel engine system includes determining a detonation level in combustion cylinders in an engine in the gaseous fuel engine system, comparing the detonation level to a detonation level limit, calculating a detonation error, and limiting an engine load of the engine to a derated engine load level based on a reduction to intake manifold air pressure (IMAP) that is performed responsive to the detonation error. The gaseous fuel engine system can be operated at a reduced, derated engine load, rather than being shut down, and permitted to increase in engine load level as detonation events clear. Related control logic and structure are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett A. Zook, Christopher F. Gallmeyer, Karthik Jayasankaran, Kamalakannan Thammireddi Vajram
  • Publication number: 20220268232
    Abstract: Operating a gaseous fuel engine system includes determining a detonation level in combustion cylinders in an engine in the gaseous fuel engine system, comparing the detonation level to a detonation level limit, calculating a detonation error, and limiting an engine load of the engine to a derated engine load level based on a reduction to intake manifold air pressure (IMAP) that is performed responsive to the detonation error. The gaseous fuel engine system can be operated at a reduced, derated engine load, rather than being shut down, and permitted to increase in engine load level as detonation events clear. Related control logic and structure are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett A. Zook, Christopher F. Gallmeyer, Karthik Jayasankaran, Kamalakannan Thammireddi Vajram
  • Patent number: 10815912
    Abstract: A reformer system may include a reformer device having a fuel inlet, an air inlet and a gas outlet, a first valve set coupled to the fuel inlet and configured to selectively supply a reformer fuel flow from an engine fuel flow to the fuel inlet, a second valve set coupled to the air inlet and configured to selectively supply a reformer air flow from a compressor outlet air flow to the air inlet, and a controller in electrical communication with the first valve set and the second valve set. The controller may determine a target reformer fuel flow based on a target gas flow, determine a target reformer air flow based on the reformer fuel flow and a target air-to-fuel ratio, adjust the reformer fuel flow according to the target reformer fuel flow, and adjust the reformer air flow according to the target reformer air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Deepti Bhosekar, Venkat Vijay Kishore Turlapati, Brett A. Zook, Andrew J. Loetz
  • Publication number: 20180030907
    Abstract: A reformer system may include a reformer device having a fuel inlet, an air inlet and a gas outlet, a first valve set coupled to the fuel inlet and configured to selectively supply a reformer fuel flow from an engine fuel flow to the fuel inlet, a second valve set coupled to the air inlet and configured to selectively supply a reformer air flow from a compressor outlet air flow to the air inlet, and a controller in electrical communication with the first valve set and the second valve set. The controller may determine a target reformer fuel flow based on a target gas flow, determine a target reformer air flow based on the reformer fuel flow and a target air-to-fuel ratio, adjust the reformer fuel flow according to the target reformer fuel flow, and adjust the reformer air flow according to the target reformer air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Deepti Bhosekar, Venkat Vijay Kishore Turlapati, Brett A. Zook, Andrew J. Loetz
  • Patent number: 9856803
    Abstract: A natural gas engine system may have an engine having at least one cylinder. The engine may also have an intake manifold configured to deliver air for combustion to the cylinder and an exhaust manifold configured to discharge exhaust from the cylinder. The natural gas engine system may have a generator coupled to the engine. The generator may be configured to generate electrical power for an electrical load. The natural gas engine system may have a fuel source configured to supply natural gas for combustion in the engine, and an air tank in fluid communication with the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold. Further, the natural gas engine system may have a controller. The controller may be configured to direct a first amount of air from the air tank to the exhaust manifold and a second amount of air from the air tank to the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Howard, Timothy B. James, Todd A. Rezac, Brett A. Zook, David J. Lin, Gary Boyer, Robert Maxson
  • Publication number: 20170074183
    Abstract: A natural gas engine system may have an engine having at least one cylinder. The engine may also have an intake manifold configured to deliver air for combustion to the cylinder and an exhaust manifold configured to discharge exhaust from the cylinder. The natural gas engine system may have a generator coupled to the engine. The generator may be configured to generate electrical power for an electrical load. The natural gas engine system may have a fuel source configured to supply natural gas for combustion in the engine, and an air tank in fluid communication with the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold. Further, the natural gas engine system may have a controller. The controller may be configured to direct a first amount of air from the air tank to the exhaust manifold and a second amount of air from the air tank to the intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff HOWARD, Timothy B. JAMES, Todd A. REZAC, Brett A. ZOOK, David J. LIN, Gary BOYER, Robert MAXSON
  • Publication number: 20140290614
    Abstract: An engine system includes a fuel supply unit configured to supply fuel into a combustion chamber. The engine system includes a fuel supply unit to regulate the supply of fuel into an inlet port via a fuel rail and an air supply unit configured to supply compressed air into the combustion chamber. A control system is configured to receive operating conditions of the engine system. Further, the control system includes a detector component configured to generate a control signal indicative of a start-up condition of an engine system. A switching component of the controller receives the control signal indicative of the start-up condition of the engine system from the detector component and further transmits a fuel supply control signal to the fuel valve based on an air-fuel ratio error signal, and transmit an air supply control signal to the choke valve based on an engine speed error signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Arvind Sivasubramanian, Christopher F. Gallmeyer, David J. Lin, Brett A. Zook