Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Sharp

Christopher A. Sharp 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: 7550126
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for augmenting the amount of NOX in the exhaust of an exhaust flow simulation system. These methods and system can be “combustion” or “post combustion”. A combustion embodiment injects a nitrogen-containing compound (doping agent) into the burner, so that it mixed and combusted with the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Cynthia C. Webb, Christopher A. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20080178574
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for augmenting the amount of NOX in the exhaust of an exhaust flow simulation system. These methods and system can be “combustion” or “post combustion”. A combustion embodiment injects a nitrogen-containing compound (doping agent) into the burner, so that it mixed and combusted with the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Cynthia C. Webb, Christopher A. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7195006
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the temperature of recirculated exhaust gas in an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, such as those used in connection with diesel engines. An EGR loop (which may be either a high pressure loop or a low pressure loop) has a dual-leg segment with an EGR cooler on one leg and an EGR heater on the other leg. By means of a valve, the EGR gas may be diverted to either one leg or the other, thereby providing either cooled or heated EGR gas to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Magdi K. Khair, Yiqun Huang, Christopher A. Sharp, Cynthia C. Webb
  • Patent number: 6718757
    Abstract: A method for controlling diesel engine emissions is disclosed. The diesel engine's exhaust system has a NOx oxidation catalyst, a diesel particulate filter (DPF), and a lean NOx trap (LNT). The DPF is monitored to determine the need for regeneration. The LNT is monitored to determine the need for regeneration or desulfurization. A fuel injector is used to inject fuel upstream of the LNT under certain conditions, and a bypass may be used to bypass exhaust around the oxidation catalyst to provide richer or hotter exhaust to the LNT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Magdi K. Khair, Cynthia C. Webb, Gordon J. Bartley, Christopher A. Sharp
  • Patent number: 6615580
    Abstract: A method for controlling diesel engine emissions is disclosed. The diesel engine's exhaust system has a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a lean NOx trap (LNT). The DPF is a filter and is monitored to determine the need for regeneration. The LNT is monitored to determine the need for regeneration or desulfurization. A fuel injector is used to inject fuel upstream of the LNT under certain conditions, and a bypass may be used to bypass exhaust around the DPF to provide richer or hotter exhaust to the LNT. The sensor outputs and controls for providing the appropriate heat or fuel mix for regeneration and desulfurization may be controlled with enhancements to existing engine control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Magdi K. Khair, Cynthia C. Webb, Gordon J. Bartley, Christopher A. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20030140621
    Abstract: A method for controlling diesel engine emissions is disclosed. The diesel engine's exhaust system has a NOx oxidation catalyst, a diesel particulate filter (DPF), and a lean NOx trap (LNT). The DPF is monitored to determine the need for regeneration. The LNT is monitored to determine the need for regeneration or desulfurization. A fuel injector is used to inject fuel upstream of the LNT under certain conditions, and a bypass may be used to bypass exhaust around the oxidation catalyst to provide richer or hotter exhaust to the LNT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Magdi K. Khair, Cynthia C. Webb, Gordon J. Bartley, Christopher A. Sharp
  • Patent number: 6138649
    Abstract: A system is provided for rapidly changing the flow of recirculated exhaust gas to each cylinder of an internal combustion engine operating on diesel fuel or other fuels. The system preferably includes an exhaust gas recirculation line having an exhaust gas recirculation pump along with a reservoir and cooler for storing a desired volume of recirculated exhaust gas. Recirculated exhaust gas is preferably supplied from the reservoir to each cylinder of the associated engine through respective recirculated exhaust gas conduits. A metering valve is preferably disposed within each recirculated exhaust gas conduit immediately adjacent to each cylinder. The metering valves provide uniform distribution of recirculated exhaust gas to the respective cylinders and allow the system to rapidly change the flow of recirculated exhaust gas to each cylinder. The system provides recirculated exhaust gas at a point close to the combustion chamber where it is needed for effective reduction of undesirable NO.sub.x emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Magdi K. Khair, Christopher A. Sharp