Patents by Inventor Christopher R. Gehrke

Christopher R. Gehrke 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: 20140032081
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a first fuel injector configured to inject a first fuel into an engine cylinder in response to a first injection signal, a second fuel injector configured to inject a second fuel into the engine cylinder in response to a second injection signal, and a third fuel injector configured to inject a third fuel into the engine cylinder in response to a third injection signal. The first, second and third fuels have different reactivities. An electronic controller provides, as appropriate, first, second and third injection signals using an engine speed and an engine load signals as primary control parameters such that the engine operates in at least two different combustion modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Martin Willi, Christopher R. Gehrke
  • Publication number: 20110265456
    Abstract: A diesel engine and method for operating a diesel engine with exhaust after-treatment device regeneration capability are disclosed. The diesel engine may employ an exhaust after-treatment device such as a diesel particular filter to remove soot from the combustion gases exhausted by the engine. In order to regenerate the exhaust after-treatment device, the temperature of the exhaust gases is raised sufficiently to do so. The temperature of the exhaust gases is raised to such a level by employing multiple compression and expansion strokes of the piston in certain engine cycles, with a combustion event associated with each pair of compression and expansion strokes. The engine may operate in a four stroke, one combustion cycle during conventional power operation, and switch to an enhanced combustion cycle during regeneration. The enhanced combustion cycle may include eight strokes such as one intake stroke, three compression strokes, three expansion strokes, and one exhaust stroke, with three combustion events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Scott B. Fiveland, Christopher R. Gehrke
  • Publication number: 20080078170
    Abstract: A method of controlling an exhaust treatment system includes sensing a temperature representative of a catalyst material temperature at start-up of a power source and comparing the sensed temperature to a threshold temperature. The method also includes igniting a regeneration device of the exhaust treatment system in response to the comparing. The regeneration device is disposed upstream of the catalyst material. The method further includes operating the regeneration device at a target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher R. Gehrke, Justin W. McMenamy
  • Patent number: 7296562
    Abstract: A control system for estimating the performance of a compressor is disclosed. The control system has a compressor fluidly connected to an inlet manifold of a power source. The control system also has a power source speed sensor to provide an indication of a rotational speed of the power source, an inlet pressure sensor to provide an indication of a pressure of a fluid within the inlet manifold, an inlet temperature sensor to provide an indication of a temperature of the fluid within the inlet manifold, an atmospheric pressure sensor to provide an indication of an atmospheric pressure, and a control module in communication with each of the sensors. The control module is configured to monitor an engine valve opening duration and an exhaust gas recirculation valve position, and estimate a compressor inlet pressure based on the provided indications, the monitored duration, and the monitored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpiller Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Withrow, Kevin L. Dea, Christopher R. Gehrke, Michael R. Donoho, II