Patents by Inventor Brian W. Mahnken

Brian W. Mahnken 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).

  • Diesel exhaust system variable backpressure muffler
    Patent number: 7337609
    Abstract: The invention concerns diesel particulate filter regeneration in an exhaust system of a vehicle having a diesel engine. The particulate filter regeneration is selectively accomplished by actuating a particulate filter backpressure valve located downstream of the diesel particulate filter. Exhaust noise is attenuated for both normal driving and regeneration modes of operation by directing the exhaust flow through different flow paths in a muffler downstream of the diesel particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Mahnken, Santiago Santurtun, Jeffrey M. Park