Patents by Inventor Brian V. Tranel

Brian V. Tranel 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).

  • Publication number: 20160108791
    Abstract: A method and a system for determining if fuel containing more than the desired concentration of sulfur is being combusted in an engine. The engine includes a selected catalytic reduction (SCR) module or a lean NOx trap (LNT) and the system includes various sensors and a controller for calculating NOx conversion ratio and ammonia slip. Timers are utilized for purposes of positively identifying when sulfur in the fuel is causing a substandard performance of the exhaust system. If the timers or time periods are not satisfied, a conversion ratio failure or an ammonia slip failure is attributable to equipment failure, and not sulfur in the fuel. However, if the timers are satisfied, then sulfur in the fuel is positively identified as the problem thereby enabling the operator to eliminate equipment failure as a possible source of the conversion ratio or ammonia slip failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvain J. Charbonnel, Brian V. Tranel, Purvarag S. Shah
  • Patent number: 7946117
    Abstract: A method of determining and regulating a mass flow rate exhaust gases recirculated into an engine is disclosed. The method may comprise directing the exhaust gases through a venturi and sensing a differential exhaust pressure across the venturi. The method may further include sensing an absolute exhaust pressure at the venturi, and sensing a temperature of the exhaust gases. The method may further include determining the mass flow rate of the exhaust based on the sensed differential fluid pressure, absolute fluid pressure, and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Atkinson, Christopher F. Gallmeyer, Ashutosh Katari, Brian V. Tranel
  • Publication number: 20080141757
    Abstract: A method of determining and regulating a mass flow rate exhaust gases recirculated into an engine is disclosed. The method may comprise directing the exhaust gases through a venturi and sensing a differential exhaust pressure across the venturi. The method may further include sensing an absolute exhaust pressure at the venturi, and sensing a temperature of the exhaust gases. The method may further include determining the mass flow rate of the exhaust based on the sensed differential fluid pressure, absolute fluid pressure, and temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: David C. Atkinson, Christopher F. Gallmeyer, Ashutosh Katari, Brian V. Tranel