Patents by Inventor Cristian Tofan-Petre

Cristian Tofan-Petre 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: 6675572
    Abstract: A method of diverting flow with a valve through a first filter and a second filter to purify exhaust gas with at least one of the filters and to regenerate at least one of the filters with the exhaust gas. Positioning the valve in a first operative position purifies the exhaust gas with the first filter and regenerates the second filter with the exhaust gas. Positioning the valve in a second operative position that is different that the first operative position purifies the exhaust gas with the second filter and regenerates the first filter with the exhaust gas. The method can be achieved by a valve for an exhaust system that including a body and a flow inhibitor. The body defines a volume and has a first inlet, a second inlet, a recirculation chamber, and an outlet chamber in fluid communication with the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Everingham, Cristian Tofan-Petre, Thomas Maciejowski
  • Patent number: 6601565
    Abstract: A pressure regulating valve and system, including a pressure regulating valve having a housing defining a chamber with a first passage and second passage; a pressure operative member separating the first and second passages, the member having at least a first and second position, the first passage having a first volume and flow therethrough when the member is in the first position, and the first passage having a second volume and a first portion of the flow therethrough and the second passage having a second portion of the flow therethrough when the member is in the second position; and a spring biasing the member to the first position; an injector communicating with the valve; a diverter communicating with a fuel supply and the valve; a filter between the first outlet and the valve; and a fuel pump located between the fuel supply and the diverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Cristian Tofan-Petre
  • Patent number: 6484704
    Abstract: A system and a method for recirculating a flow of exhaust gases. The system comprises a passage through which the exhaust gas flow passes, a valve movable in the passage between a generally open configuration and a generally closed configuration, an actuator operatively connected to the valve, and a fail-safe returning the valve to one of the generally open and generally closed configurations if the actuator is disabled. The generally open configuration of the valve substantially permits the exhaust gas flow to pass through the passage, and the generally closed configuration of the valve substantially prevents the exhaust gas flow from passing through the passage. The actuator includes a one-way driver and a release to move the valve between the generally open and generally closed configurations and to vary the exhaust gas flow though the passage. The method comprises energizing the actuator with a power supply, and moving the valve to a fail-safe position if the power supply fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: John Edward Cook, Cristian Tofan-Petre
  • Publication number: 20020050273
    Abstract: A pressure regulating valve and system, including a pressure regulating valve having a housing defining a chamber with a first passage and second passage; a pressure operative member separating the first and second passages, the member having at least a first and second position, the first passage having a first volume and flow therethrough when the member is in the first position, and the first passage having a second volume and a first portion of the flow therethrough and the second passage having a second portion of the flow therethrough when the member is in the second position; and a spring biasing the member to the first position; an injector communicating with the valve; a diverter communicating with a fuel supply and the valve; a filter between the first outlet and the valve; and a fuel pump located between the fuel supply and the diverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: Siemens Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Cristian Tofan-Petre
  • Publication number: 20020035920
    Abstract: A method of diverting flow with a valve through a first filter and a second filter to purify exhaust gas with at least one of the filters and to regenerate at least one of the filters with the exhaust gas. Positioning the valve in a first operative position purifies the exhaust gas with the first filter and regenerates the second filter with the exhaust gas. Positioning the valve in a second operative position that is different that the first operative position purifies the exhaust gas with the second filter and regenerates the first filter with the exhaust gas. The method can be achieved by a valve for an exhaust system that including a body and a flow inhibitor. The body defines a volume and has a first inlet, a second inlet, a recirculation chamber, and an outlet chamber in fluid communication with the volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Gary Everingham, Cristian Tofan-Petre, Thomas Maciejowski
  • Publication number: 20010032632
    Abstract: A system and a method for recirculating a flow of exhaust gases. The system comprises a passage through which the exhaust gas flow passes, a valve movable in the passage between a generally open configuration and a generally closed configuration, an actuator operatively connected to the valve, and a fail-safe returning the valve to one of the generally open and generally closed configurations if the actuator is disabled. The generally open configuration of the valve substantially permits the exhaust gas flow to pass through the passage, and the generally closed configuration of the valve substantially prevents the exhaust gas flow from passing through the passage. The actuator includes a one-way driver and a release to move the valve between the generally open and generally closed configurations and to vary the exhaust gas flow though the passage. The method comprises energizing the actuator with a power supply, and moving the valve to a fail-safe position if the power supply fails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: John Edward Cook, Cristian Tofan-Petre