Patents by Inventor Cornelius N. Opris
Cornelius N. Opris 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).
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Publication number: 20110030343Abstract: An engine exhaust aftertreatment system including a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. The SCR system includes a reductant injection system configured to introduce a reductant into a exhaust stream of a engine, a SCR catalysts configured to reduce NOx in the presence of a reductant, and a SCR monitoring system configured to determine temperatures associated with the SCR system. The SCR system also includes a heat source configured to raise the temperature of the exhaust stream and a controller configured to operate the heat source to reach exhaust stream temperatures in the SCR system of at least about 400 degrees Celsius based on the temperature associated with the SCR system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Matthew Thomas Kiser, Cornelius N. Opris, Alan R. Stockner, Jinhui Sun, Zhiyong Wei
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Publication number: 20100170225Abstract: An exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The exhaust treatment device includes a supply of reductant at a first pressure and an exhaust passage. The device further includes a venturi located within the exhaust passage and configured to facilitate reductant entry into the exhaust passage by reducing a pressure of exhaust flowing through the exhaust passage to a second pressure that is less than the first pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventors: Cornelius N. Opris, Anthony C. Rodman
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Patent number: 7332016Abstract: A particulate trap has a housing with an inlet and an outlet. The particulate trap also has a plurality of fluidly isolated filters stacked within the housing, between the inlet and the outlet. The stacked plurality of filters have a stack direction and a transverse direction and the flow of exhaust is directed through the plurality of filters in the transverse direction. The particulate trap further has an actuator with a blocking portion configured for linear movement to selectively block exhaust flow through each of the plurality of filters.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joanna Louise Costura, Matthew E. Williams, Matthew T. Kiser, Cornelius N. Opris, J. Josh Driscoll, Dave Michael Thaler, Robert L. Meyer
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Patent number: 7291197Abstract: A filter element has a filter media and at least one base member. The filter element further has a ceramic paste connecting the filter media to the at least one base member.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joanna Louise Costura, Matthew E. Williams, Matthew T. Kiser, Cornelius N. Opris, Dave Michael Thaler, Amy Fluharty
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Patent number: 7178492Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder, may include supplying a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, selectively operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold substantially during a majority portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber after the intake valve is closed.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Stephen A. Faulkner, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Scott A. Leman, Cornelius N. Opris, Maarten Verkiel, James R. Weber
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Patent number: 7159386Abstract: A crankcase ventilation system may include a first exhaust flow path configured to permit flow of main exhaust gases from a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and a particulate trap disposed in the first exhaust flow path. The system may also include a second exhaust flow path configured to enable flow of crankcase gases from a crankcase of the internal combustion engine and to merge the crankcase gases with the main exhaust gases at a point in the first exhaust flow path located downstream of the particulate trap.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: Cornelius N. Opris
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Patent number: 7107764Abstract: An exhaust treatment system of a power source includes a filter having a housing with an inlet and an outlet, and a regeneration device disposed outside of the housing of the filter. The regeneration device is fluidly connected to the inlet of the housing. The exhaust treatment system also includes an exhaust line configured to assist in directing a portion of a filtered flow of exhaust from the filter outlet to the power source.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Cornelius N. Opris, John P. Timmons, Mari Lou Balmer-Millar, Cho Y. Liang, Anil Raina
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Efficiently regenerated particle trap for an internal combustion engine and method of operating same
Patent number: 7108739Abstract: Particle traps are often used to reduce particulate emissions from internal combustion engines to acceptable levels. In order to maintain the particulate traps, they must be periodically regenerated in order to burn off the trapped particles. Strategies for efficiently regenerating the particle traps have been elusive. The present invention separates the exhaust flow into several flow paths. During regeneration, the flow paths are sequentially partially closed, and the particle traps in each of the flow paths are individually regenerated using electrically conductive filter elements. The present invention can be used to effectively filter particles from any combustion process, especially exhaust from internal combustion engines. The particle trap assembly achieves a relatively low pressure loss and efficient regeneration by supplying an oxidizer via a small cross-flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kartik G. Iyer, Cornelius N. Opris, Owen C. Kolstad -
Patent number: 6981370Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating regeneration of a particulate matter (PM) filter in an exhaust system in an internal combustion engine. The method and apparatus includes determining a change in pressure of exhaust gases passing through the PM filter, and responsively varying an opening of an intake valve in fluid communication with a combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Cornelius N. Opris, Maarten Verkiel
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Publication number: 20040221820Abstract: An engine particularly suited to powering work machines operated under varying loads. The engine includes a plurality of combustion cylinders operable in a homogenous charge compression ignition mode, each adapted to operate in both two-stroke and four-stroke cycles. Variable compression ratios and boost are available to improve performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2003Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventors: Cornelius N. Opris, Scott B. Fiveland, Jonathan P. Kilkenny
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Publication number: 20040103648Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating regeneration of a particulate matter (PM) filter in an exhaust system in an internal combustion engine. The method and apparatus includes determining a change in pressure of exhaust gases passing through the PM filter, and responsively varying an opening of an intake valve in fluid communication with a combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2002Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: Cornelius N. Opris, Maarten Verkiel
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Patent number: 6694930Abstract: A piston assembly, particularly suitable for use in a free piston internal combustion engine, is provided with a piston including at least one oil coolant passage therein. The plunger shaft is substantially rigidly attached to the piston and axially extends from the piston. The plunger shaft includes at least one oil supply passage fluidly connected with at least one oil coolant passage.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Willibald G. Berlinger, William E. Moser, Cornelius N. Opris, Christopher G. Wark, Leland W. Weiss
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Patent number: 6651618Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder, may include supplying a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, selectively operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold substantially during a majority portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber after the intake valve is closed.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Stephen A. Faulkner, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Scott A. Leman, Cornelius N. Opris, Maarten Verkiel, James R. Weber
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Publication number: 20030213463Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder, may include supplying a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, selectively operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold substantially during a majority portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber after the intake valve is closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Stephen A. Faulkner, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Scott A. Leman, Cornelius N. Opris, Maarten Verkiel, James R. Weber
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Patent number: 6634459Abstract: An accessory drive system to provide engagement between a driving input source and a driven accessory unit includes a housing attachable to the input source. A fluid suction port and a discharge port are defined by the housing and the suction port is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir of the input source. The fluid discharge port is in fluid communication with the suction port and a gear assembly is rotatably supported by the housing. The accessory unit is operably engaged by the input source through the gear assembly and the gear assembly is structured and arranged within the housing to urge fluid away from the housing in response to movement of the gear assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Thaddeus T. Litkenhus, Cornelius N. Opris, Craig R. Rust, William L. Short
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Publication number: 20030066499Abstract: A piston assembly, particularly suitable for use in a free piston internal combustion engine, is provided with a piston including at least one oil coolant passage therein. The plunger shaft is substantially rigidly attached to the piston and axially extends from the piston. The plunger shaft includes at least one oil supply passage fluidly connected with at least one oil coolant passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2001Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventors: Willibald G. Berlinger, William E. Moser, Cornelius N. Opris, Christopher G. Wark, Leland W. Weiss
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Patent number: 6532913Abstract: Modern internal combustion engines produce high temperatures and pressures in the combustion chamber of the engine that place immense stresses on the engine's pistons. These temperatures and pressures can cause pistons to deform or wear and prematurely fail. One of the primary means of overcoming these detrimental effects on a piston is increasing the efficiency of heat rejection from the piston. One method of increasing the amount of heat drawn away from the piston is increasing the surface area of the inner surface of the piston crown so that a cooling medium, such as oil, can contact the inner surface and draw heat therefrom. Installing or forming an annular fin in the underside of the piston increases the surface area for oil to contact and permits precise targeting of piston locations from which heat is to be evacuated. Such annular fins can be quickly and easily installed or formed for use with any type of pistons, such as forged, cast, composite or mechanically joined pistons.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: Cornelius N. Opris
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Publication number: 20020078935Abstract: A particulate trap unit has a housing defining a filter chamber and a back flush chamber. The filter chamber has a first inlet port and a first outlet port for facilitating a first fluid flow through the filter chamber. The back flush chamber has a second inlet port and a second outlet port for facilitating a second fluid flow through the back flush chamber. A particulate trap filter is positioned in the housing and extends into both the filter chamber and the back flush chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2000Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventor: Cornelius N. Opris