Patents by Inventor Chad P. Koci

Chad P. Koci 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: 20150377201
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a body and a needle that is disposed within an internal bore defined by the body. The needle includes a distal surface that intersects with a longitudinal axis of the needle. Moreover, the distal surface also faces the internal surface of the body. The needle further includes a sealing surface that is configured to seat on a sealing surface of the body. The internal surface of the body includes an axial bearing surface disposed between a distal end of the body and the sealing surface of the body. The needle includes an axial bearing surface at least partly facing the axial bearing surface of the internal bore. The axial bearing surface of the body cooperates with the axial bearing surface of the needle to guide movement of the needle relative to the body along an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Kenth I. Svensson, Chad P. Koci, Christopher Gehrke
  • Patent number: 9062577
    Abstract: A method for controlling emissions in the exhaust gas of a diesel engine, the engine having an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The engine's exhaust aftertreatment system need have only an oxidation catalyst and a particulate filter (with no NOx reduction or adsorption device). In “normal” engine conditions, the engine is operated with a lean air-fuel ratio, with “normal” engine conditions being engine conditions other than transient load increase engine conditions. Also, during normal engine conditions, the EGR system is used to reduce engine-out NOx. During transient load increase engine conditions, the engine is operated stoichiometrically or near stoichiometrically and the use of EGR is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chad P. Koci, Vlad L. C. Ulmet, Stefan Simescu, Magdi K. Khair, Gary D. Neely
  • Patent number: 8948999
    Abstract: A method of stoichiometrically operating a diesel-fueled internal combustion engine. During a main (conventional) fuel injection event, fuel is injected into the cylinders. The air-fuel ratio during this main fuel injection event is stoichiometric. The cylinders are operated by either advancing the exhaust valve closing or modifying the phasing of the exhaust and intake valve lift events, to achieve a negative valve overlap period between the end of the exhaust phase and the beginning of the intake phase of the engine cycle. Fuel is injected into the cylinders during the negative valve overlap period, which results in highly reactive fuel and reduces ignition delay during the main fuel injection event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Darius Mehta, Chad P. Koci, Charles E. Roberts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8594909
    Abstract: A method of stoichiometrically operating a diesel-fueled internal combustion engine. A control unit is provide with stored data representing, within a range of exhaust valve timing or event modifications, an amount of fresh air flow and exhaust gas residuals resulting from each modification. During operation of the engine, the control unit is used to determine a desired amount of exhaust gas residuals for a given engine load; to access the stored data to determine a modification that will provide the desired amount of exhaust gas residuals; and to generate a control signal that will result in the desired modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Chad P. Koci, Darius Mehta, Charles E. Roberts, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130304357
    Abstract: A method for controlling emissions in the exhaust gas of a diesel engine, the engine having an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The engine's exhaust aftertreatment system need have only an oxidation catalyst and a particulate filter (with no NOx reduction or adsorption device). In “normal” engine conditions, the engine is operated with a lean air-fuel ratio, with “normal” engine conditions being engine conditions other than transient load increase engine conditions. Also, during normal engine conditions, the EGR system is used to reduce engine-out NOx. During transient load increase engine conditions, the engine is operated stoichiometrically or near stoichiometrically and the use of EGR is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chad P. Koci, Vlad L.C. Ulmet, Stefan Simescu, Magdi K. Khair, Gary D. Neely
  • Publication number: 20130000620
    Abstract: A method of stoichiometrically operating a diesel-fueled internal combustion engine. A control unit is provide with stored data representing, within a range of exhaust valve timing or event modifications, an amount of fresh air flow and exhaust gas residuals resulting from each modification. During operation of the engine, the control unit is used to determining a desired amount of exhaust gas residuals for a given engine load; accessing the stored data to determine a modification that will provide the desired amount of exhaust gas residuals; and generating a control signal that will result in the desired modification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chad P. Koci, Darius Mehta, Charles E. Roberts, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130006498
    Abstract: A method of stoichiometrically operating a diesel-fueled internal combustion engine. During a main (conventional) fuel injection event, fuel is injected into the cylinders. The air-fuel ratio during this main fuel injection event is stoichiometric. The cylinders are operated by either advancing the exhaust valve closing or modifying the phasing of the exhaust and intake valve lift events, to achieve a negative valve overlap period between the end of the exhaust phase and the beginning of the intake phase of the engine cycle. Fuel is injected into the cylinders during the negative valve overlap period, which results in highly reactive fuel and reduces ignition delay during the main fuel injection event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Darius Mehta, Chad P. Koci, Charles E. Roberts, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110011082
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing undesired exhaust emissions during cold start of a turbocharger-equipped internal combustion engine. A bypass line in the engine compartment has a bypass valve that permits exhaust to be bypassed around the turbocharger's turbine during cold start. An oxidation catalyst is closely coupled to the bypass valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Darius Mehta, Terrence F. Alger, II, Chad P. Koci