Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Chadwell

Christopher J. Chadwell 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: 11480083
    Abstract: A cylinder head is disclosed herein to allow for temperature control of exhaust gases exiting from an associated exhaust manifold. The cylinder head includes a combustion section that defines a plurality of combustion chambers and an exhaust manifold coupled to the combustion section. The combustion section fluidly couples to exhaust inlets defined by the exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold includes at least one exhaust passageway in fluid communication with the exhaust inlets and in fluid communication with an exhaust outlet to receive combustion gases from the combustion section and output the same via the exhaust outlet. The exhaust manifold further includes at least one coolant passageway that at least partially surrounds the at least one exhaust passageway to pass coolant therethrough in order to draw and reject heat from exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Christopher J. Chadwell, Thomas E. Briggs, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220106894
    Abstract: A cylinder head is disclosed herein to allow for temperature control of exhaust gases exiting from an associated exhaust manifold. The cylinder head includes a combustion section that defines a plurality of combustion chambers and an exhaust manifold coupled to the combustion section. The combustion section fluidly couples to exhaust inlets defined by the exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold includes at least one exhaust passageway in fluid communication with the exhaust inlets and in fluid communication with an exhaust outlet to receive combustion gases from the combustion section and output the same via the exhaust outlet. The exhaust manifold further includes at least one coolant passageway that at least partially surrounds the at least one exhaust passageway to pass coolant therethrough in order to draw and reject heat from exhaust gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher J. CHADWELL, Thomas E. BRIGGS, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10465618
    Abstract: A system and method for generating microwaves for microwave enhanced combustion (MEC) input to an MEC antenna of an internal combustion engine. The system uses a directional coupler to deliver the MEC input signal to the MEC antenna and to receive a reflected power signal from the MEC antenna. A first feedback path determines a desired frequency, based on the reflected power and using an impedance-matching controller that matches the reflected power to a desired frequency value. A second feedback path determines a power correction term. An open loop path determines a feedforward power term, as well as timing, for the MEC input signal, based on various engine conditions. The feedforward power term is corrected with the power correction term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Yilun Luo, Scott R. Hotz, Terrence F. Alger, Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Patent number: 9869216
    Abstract: A cooling system and method of using a cooling system for an engine equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. A pump provides pressure for circulating liquid through the cooling system. The cooling system has two loops: an engine cooling loop and an EGR cooling loop. The engine cooling loop cools the engine in a conventional manner. The EGR cooling loop goes first to an EGR cooler and next to an oil cooler. The heat exchange at the EGR cooler results in warmed coolant being delivered to the oil cooler, where it warms engine oil. Warm-up time for engine oil is thereby decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Terrence F. Alger, II, Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Patent number: 9845747
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel injection to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the engine having exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) from at least one dedicated EGR (D-EGR) cylinder, with the other cylinders being main cylinders. The D-EGR cylinder is run at a richer equivalence ratio than the main cylinders, with the goal of providing increased H2 and CO in the recirculated exhaust. The rich limit of the D-EGR cylinder is maximized by dividing the fuel injection into multiple fuel injection events, with each fuel injection event occurring during the intake valve lift period of the engine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Bradley D. Denton, Raphael Gukelberger, Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20170328289
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel injection to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the engine having exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) from at least one dedicated EGR (D-EGR) cylinder, with the other cylinders being main cylinders. The D-EGR cylinder is run at a richer equivalence ratio than the main cylinders, with the goal of providing increased H2 and CO in the recirculated exhaust. The rich limit of the D-EGR cylinder is maximized by dividing the fuel injection into multiple fuel injection events, with each fuel injection event occurring during the intake valve lift period of the engine cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Bradley D. Denton, Raphael Gukelberger, Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20160222868
    Abstract: A cooling system and method of using a cooling system for an engine equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. A pump provides pressure for circulating liquid through the cooling system. The cooling system has two loops: an engine cooling loop and an EGR cooling loop. The engine cooling loop cools the engine in a conventional manner. The EGR cooling loop goes first to an EGR cooler and next to an oil cooler. The heat exchange at the EGR cooler results in warmed coolant being delivered to the oil cooler, where it warms engine oil. Warm-up time for engine oil is thereby decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Terrence F. Alger, II, Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Patent number: 9309804
    Abstract: A method of providing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to an air-boosted internal combustion engine. The engine has both a high pressure EGR loop and a low pressure EGR loop. Each EGR loop has a valve that controls the amount of EGR that is delivered to the engine intake from that loop. During low-speed engine conditions, more EGR is delivered to the engine intake from the low pressure EGR loop than from the high pressure EGR loop. During high-speed engine conditions, more EGR is delivered to the engine intake from the high pressure EGR loop than from the low pressure EGR loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Christopher J. Chadwell, Terrence F. Alger, II, Shinhyuk Joo
  • Patent number: 8938948
    Abstract: A diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment system and method of use. The system and method combine the attributes of lean or stoichiometric operation, using multiple LNTs (lean NOx traps) with one being capable of acting both as a lean NOx trap and a three-way catalyst. The engine is operated with lean air-to-fuel ratios during times that LNT treatment can efficiently reduce NOx from the exhaust gas. During times that lean NOx treatment is ineffective, the diesel engine is operated at or near a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, so that three-way catalyst treatment can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Charles E. Roberts, Jr., Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20140260242
    Abstract: A method of providing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to an air-boosted internal combustion engine. The engine has both a high pressure EGR loop and a low pressure EGR loop. Each EGR loop has a valve that controls the amount of EGR that is delivered to the engine intake from that loop. During low-speed engine conditions, more EGR is delivered to the engine intake from the low pressure EGR loop than from the high pressure EGR loop. During high-speed engine conditions, more EGR is delivered to the engine intake from the high pressure EGR loop than from the low pressure EGR loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Christopher J. Chadwell, Terrence F. Alger, II, Shinhyuk Joo
  • Patent number: 8769949
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control system and method for controlling a superturbocharged engine system in various operation modes. Throttle control mode may idle the superturbocharger during low and medium engine loads, so that boost is not created in the intake manifold. During high engine load conditions (open throttle), boosting occurs in response to the driver, operator, or control system requesting increased engine loads. For transient control mode, the control system may respond to transient conditions in response to engine speed and load so that the engine does not bog down or overcome vehicle traction limits. The control system may also predict future operating points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Vandyne Superturbo, Inc.
    Inventors: Ed VanDyne, Jared William Brown, Volker Schumacher, Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20140109553
    Abstract: A diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment system and method of use. The system and method combine the attributes of lean or stoichiometric operation, using multiple LNTs (lean NOx traps) with one being capable of acting both as a lean NOx trap and a three-way catalyst. The engine is operated with lean air-to-fuel ratios during times that LNT treatment can efficiently reduce NOx from the exhaust gas. During times that lean NOx treatment is ineffective, the diesel engine is operated at or near a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, so that three-way catalyst treatment can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Charles E. Roberts, JR., Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20120186248
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control system and method for controlling a superturbocharged engine system in various operation modes. Throttle control mode may idle the superturbocharger during low and medium engine loads, so that boost is not created in the intake manifold. During high engine load conditions (open throttle), boosting occurs in response to the driver, operator, or control system requesting increased engine loads. For transient control mode, the control system may respond to transient conditions in response to engine speed and load so that the engine does not bog down or overcome vehicle traction limits. The control system may also predict future operating points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Ed VanDyne, Jared William Brown, Volker Schumacher, Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Patent number: 7654246
    Abstract: When operating in a homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion mode, an in-cylinder condition guided fueling function and a dedicated exhaust burner disposed in an exhaust gas recirculation system of the engine are used to burn excess oxygen in recirculated exhaust gas and to achieve fast and smooth engine response during transient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Junmin Wang, Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20090090329
    Abstract: When operating in a homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion mode, an in-cylinder condition guided fueling function and a dedicated exhaust burner disposed in an exhaust gas recirculation system of the engine are used to burn excess oxygen in recirculated exhaust gas and to achieve fast and smooth engine response during transient operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Junmin WANG, Christopher J. CHADWELL
  • Patent number: 7299623
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature and/or space velocity of exhaust gas provides control of the maximum temperature of the exhaust gas to prevent thermal damage to the Diesel engine components and associated aftertreatment devices during regeneration of the aftertreatment devices. The method includes controlling intake and/or exhaust valve opening timing and duration, either singly or in combination with selective individual cylinder cutout, in response to sensed engine operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, Ryan C. Roecker, Charles E. Roberts, Jr., Lee G. Dodge, Christopher J. Chadwell, Darius Mehta, Daniel W. Stewart
  • Patent number: 6792899
    Abstract: The flame propagation rate resulting from a combustion event in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is controlled by modulation of the heat transfer from the combustion flame to the combustion chamber walls. In one embodiment, heat transfer from the combustion flame to the combustion chamber walls is mechanically modulated by a movable member that is inserted into, or withdrawn from, the combustion chamber thereby changing the shape of the combustion chamber and the combustion chamber wall surface area. In another embodiment, heat transfer from the combustion flame to the combustion chamber walls is modulated by cooling the surface of a portion of the combustion chamber wall that is in close proximity to the area of the combustion chamber where flame speed control is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Charles E. Roberts, Jr., Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20040123588
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature and/or space velocity of exhaust gas provides control of the maximum temperature of the exhaust gas to prevent thermal damage to the Diesel engine components and associated aftertreatment devices during regeneration of the aftertreatment devices. The method includes controlling intake and/or exhaust valve opening timing and duration, either singly or in combination with selective individual cylinder cutout, in response to sensed engine operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, Ryan C. Roecker, Charles E. Roberts,, Lee G. Dodge, Christopher J. Chadwell, Darius Mehta, Daniel W. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20040074455
    Abstract: The flame propagation rate resulting from a combustion event in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is controlled by modulation of the heat transfer from the combustion flame to the combustion chamber walls. In one embodiment, heat transfer from the combustion flame to the combustion chamber walls is mechanically modulated by a movable member that is inserted into, or withdrawn from, the combustion chamber thereby changing the shape of the combustion chamber and the combustion chamber wall surface area. In another embodiment, heat transfer from the combustion flame to the combustion chamber walls is modulated by cooling the surface of a portion of the combustion chamber wall that is in close proximity to the area of the combustion chamber where flame speed control is desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Charles E. Roberts, Christopher J. Chadwell