Patents by Inventor Cynthia Chaffin Webb

Cynthia Chaffin Webb 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: 20220025801
    Abstract: A heavy duty truck includes a diesel engine, an exhaust after-treatment system, and an engine control unit. The exhaust after-treatment system may include one or more selective catalytic reduction systems, each with a respective heater, and each heater with a respective pair of temperature sensors, one upstream and the other downstream of the heater. Such systems may be used to perform diagnostic methods including populating a lookup table having heat energy supplied to an exhaust gas stream by the diesel engine as a first independent variable, heat energy supplied to the exhaust gas stream by a heater as a second independent variable, and a resulting temperature as an output. Such a lookup table can be used to maintain a temperature of the exhaust gas flow at a constant target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Charles Wayne Reinhardt Swart, Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Maarten Meijer, Varun Ramesh
  • Patent number: 11181026
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for operating an EAS including a close coupled SCR unit, a downstream SCR unit, a diesel oxidation catalyst unit (DOC) and a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The methods utilize the close coupled SCR unit to manage NOx emissions from the EAS during regeneration of a diesel particulate filter (DPF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: PACCAR INC
    Inventors: Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Charles Wayne Reinhardt Swart, Maarten Meijer, Varun Ramesh
  • Publication number: 20210333171
    Abstract: Aspects of systems, method, and computer-readable storage media are described herein that are configured to provide operator fleet performance benchmarking and analytics. A fleet analytics system may include user-friendly front end client application with which a non-technical user may interface, and a back end analytics and visualization system that is deployed on the cloud and offered as a service to determine a subset of ‘like operators’ to utilize as a baseline in a benchmark analysis, to benchmark a target operator's performance against the subset of like operators, determine analytics resulting from the benchmark analysis, and to generate visualizations of the analytics for display to the user/operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Varun Ramesh, Carl Hergart, Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Jorge Rafael Lozada Ramirez
  • Publication number: 20210334727
    Abstract: Aspects of systems, method, and computer-readable storage media are provided that determine a vehicle configuration based on operator use case-specific performance impacts. A fleet analytics system is deployed as a lightweight, easy-to-use cloud-based service to a non-technical audience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Varun Ramesh, Carl Hergart, Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Jorge Rafael Lozada Ramirez
  • Publication number: 20210071556
    Abstract: Technologies for producing an exhaust gas stream with controlled hydrocarbon species are disclosed. In some embodiments the technologies include an apparatus for producing an exhaust gas stream. The apparatus may include a burner for combusting primary fuel and produce an exhaust gas stream, and an exhaust pipe coupled to the burner to receive the exhaust gas stream. One or more supplemental fuel inlets may be coupled to the exhaust gas pipe for the addition of supplemental fuel to the exhaust gas stream. In embodiments, the speciation and total concentration of hydrocarbon compounds in the exhaust gas stream may be adjusted by controlling the relative amount of supplemental fuel added to the exhaust gas stream. Methods for producing an exhaust gas stream are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Cary A. HENRY, Cynthia Chaffin WEBB, Scott T. EAKLE
  • Publication number: 20200408163
    Abstract: Methods of improving SCR performance in heavy duty vehicles may use multiple interdependent control techniques to increase engine exhaust temperatures in a fuel efficient manner. One method combines cylinder deactivation and mechanical loading of an engine by an electrical generator used to input energy into an exhaust stream to manipulate the exhaust temperature through the combined effect of modified air-to-fuel ratio and supplemental energy input. In particular, cylinder deactivation may be used to modify the engine air flowrate and the electric generator may be used to apply mechanical load on the engine to manipulate the engine fuel flow rate to control the engine air-to-fuel ratio and thereby increase exhaust temperatures. The exhaust temperatures may be further increased by using the electrical generator to add the energy generated as input energy to the exhaust stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Michael Douglas Gerty, Uday Vadlamani, Kimberly Denise McKinnon, Constantin Emil Nedelcu, Maarten Meijer, Charles Wayne Reinhardt Swart
  • Patent number: 10753246
    Abstract: Technologies for producing an exhaust gas stream with controlled hydrocarbon species are disclosed. In some embodiments the technologies include an apparatus for producing an exhaust gas stream. The apparatus may include a burner for combusting primary fuel and produce an exhaust gas stream, and an exhaust pipe coupled to the burner to receive the exhaust gas stream. One or more supplemental fuel inlets may be coupled to the exhaust gas pipe for the addition of supplemental fuel to the exhaust gas stream. In embodiments, the speciation and total concentration of hydrocarbon compounds in the exhaust gas stream may be adjusted by controlling the relative amount of supplemental fuel added to the exhaust gas stream. Methods for producing an exhaust gas stream are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Cary A. Henry, Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Scott T. Eakle
  • Publication number: 20190048772
    Abstract: Technologies for producing an exhaust gas stream with controlled hydrocarbon species are disclosed. In some embodiments the technologies include an apparatus for producing an exhaust gas stream. The apparatus may include a burner for combusting primary fuel and produce an exhaust gas stream, and an exhaust pipe coupled to the burner to receive the exhaust gas stream. One or more supplemental fuel inlets may be coupled to the exhaust gas pipe for the addition of supplemental fuel to the exhaust gas stream. In embodiments, the speciation and total concentration of hydrocarbon compounds in the exhaust gas stream may be adjusted by controlling the relative amount of supplemental fuel added to the exhaust gas stream. Methods for producing an exhaust gas stream are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Cary A. HENRY, Cynthia Chaffin WEBB, Scott T. EAKLE
  • Patent number: 7748976
    Abstract: A burner-based exhaust gas generation system, for producing exhaust gas, typically for use in testing exhaust system devices. Post-burner exhaust gas is recirculated back to a main exhaust line, and used for purposes such as cooling or enhancing the burner output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Burrahm, Michael Glenn Ross, Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Suzanne Annette Timmons, Gordon James Johnston Bartley
  • Patent number: 7741127
    Abstract: A method of using a burner-based system to produce diesel exhaust gas that contains particulate matter of a desired composition, to simulate the PM matter in exhaust produced by a production-type diesel internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Gordon James Johnston Bartley, Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Imad Abdul-Khalek
  • Patent number: 7578179
    Abstract: A temperature control system and method for use with an exhaust flow simulation system. A typical exhaust flow simulator is a burner-based system, in which exhaust from a combustive burner is exhausted through an exhaust line. A temperature control section divides the exhaust from the burner line into two paths: a cool path and an uncooled (hot) path. The cool path uses a heat exchanger to cool the exhaust. The cool path also has a control valve that controls the relative portions of hot and cool exhaust, which are re-mixed downstream the valve into an exhaust line. Various embodiments have different configurations for the two paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Ernest Melvin Krueger, Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Jason T. Miwa, Robert W. Burrahm
  • Publication number: 20080236134
    Abstract: A temperature control system and method for use with an exhaust flow simulation system. A typical exhaust flow simulator is a burner-based system, in which exhaust from a combustive burner is exhausted through an exhaust line. A temperature control section divides the exhaust from the burner line into two paths: a cool path and an uncooled (hot) path. The cool path uses a heat exchanger to cool the exhaust. The cool path also has a control valve that controls the relative portions of hot and cool exhaust, which are re-mixed downstream the valve into an exhaust line. Various embodiments have different configurations for the two paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Ernest M. Krueger, Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Jason T. Miwa, Robert W. Burrahm
  • Patent number: 7412335
    Abstract: A burner-based system for producing exhaust that simulates the exhaust produced by a production type internal combustion engine. The system is computer controlled so that parameters such as the composition of the exhaust, its rate of flow, and its temperature can be specified. This permits various engine operating conditions to be simulated. An emissions control device can be installed to receive the exhaust, and to thereby undergo rigorous testing. Various tests for durability can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Andy Morris Anderson, Gordon James Johnston, Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Martin John Heimrich, Thomas Ray Gabehart, Bruce Bruno Bykowski
  • Patent number: 7212926
    Abstract: A method for testing one or more test components including providing a non-engine based test system including a combustor in fluid communication with the one or more test components; supplying air and fuel to the combustor at an air to fuel ratio (AFR) and under feed conditions effective to produce a feedstream flowpath, wherein the fuel includes one or more alternative fuel which is gaseous at ambient conditions including atmospheric pressure and a temperature of about 20° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Melvin Nathaniel Ingalls, Jr., Gordon James Johnston Bartley, Cynthia Chaffin Webb
  • Patent number: 6742328
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling diesel engine emissions, including, for example, oxides of nitrogen emissions, particulate matter emissions, and the like. The emission control system according to this invention is provided in the exhaust passageway of a diesel engine and includes a catalyst-based particulate filter; and first and second lean NOx trap systems coupled to the catalyst-based particulate filter. The first and second lean NOx trap systems are arranged in a parallel flow configuration with each other. Each of the first and second lean NOx trap systems include a carbon monoxide generating catalyst device, a sulfur trap device, a lean NOx device, a supplemental fuel injector device, and a plurality of flow diverter devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Phillip Anthony Weber, Magdi K. Khair
  • Publication number: 20030074893
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling diesel engine emissions, including, for example, oxides of nitrogen emissions, particulate matter emissions, and the like. The emission control system according to this invention is provided in the exhaust passageway of a diesel engine and includes a catalyst-based particulate filter; and first and second lean NOx trap systems coupled to the catalyst-based particulate filter. The first and second lean NOx trap systems are arranged in a parallel flow configuration with each other. Each of the first and second lean NOx trap systems include a carbon monoxide generating catalyst device, a sulfur trap device, a lean NOx device, a supplemental fuel injector device, and a plurality of flow diverter devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Phillip Anthony Weber, Magdi K. Khair
  • Patent number: 5771683
    Abstract: An improved auxiliary heat source for use in an engine cold start emission reduction system includes a flame containment chamber having at least one wall formed of a porous foam material that confines the flame within a predetermined chamber while permitting heat therefrom to emerge and flow to an exhaust system catalyst or, in the case of diesel engines, a particulate trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Cynthia Chaffin Webb