Patents by Inventor Daniel R. Cohn

Daniel R. Cohn 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).

  • FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE ETHANOL OCTANE ENHANCEMENT OF GASOLINE ENGINES
    Publication number: 20110226210
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg, John B. Heywood
  • Fuel management system for variable ethanol octane enhancement of gasoline engines
    Patent number: 7971572
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg, John B. Heywood
  • HIGH PRESSURE GASIFIER SYSTEM USING ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED HEATING
    Publication number: 20110126461
    Abstract: The problems of the prior art are overcome by the apparatus and method disclosed herein. The reactor vessel of a plasma gasifier is operated at high pressure. To compensate for the negative effects of high pressure, various modifications to the plasma gasifier are disclosed. For example, by moving the slag, more material is exposed to the plasma, allowing better and more complete processing thereof. In some embodiments, magnetic fields are used to cause movement of the slag and molten metal within the vessel. An additional embodiment is to add microwave heating of the slag and/or the incoming material. Microwave heating can also be used as an alternative to plasma heating in a high pressure gasification system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: INENTEC LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn, Jeffrey E. Surma, James A. Batdorf, David A. Lamar
  • REGENERATOR FOR SYNGAS CLEANUP AND ENERGY RECOVERY IN GASIFIER SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20110126460
    Abstract: A rotating heat regenerator is used to recover heat from the syngas at it exits the reactor vessel of a waste or biomass gasifier. In some embodiments, three or more streams are passed through the heat exchanger. One stream is the dirty syngas, which heats the rotating material. A second stream is a cold stream that is heated as it passes through the material. A third stream is a cleaning stream, which serves to remove particulates that are collected on the rotating material as the dirty syngas passes through it. This apparatus can also be used as an auto-heat exchanger, or it can exchange heat between separate flows in the gasifier process. The apparatus can also be used to reduce the heating requirement for the thermal residence chamber (TRC) used downstream from the gasification system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: InEnTec LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn, Jeffrey E. Surma, James A. Batdorf, David A. Lamar
  • HIGH EFFICIENCY NATURAL GAS/GASOLINE BI-FUEL ENGINES USING ON-DEMAND KNOCK CONTROL
    Publication number: 20110114058
    Abstract: A bi-fuel spark ignition engine is disclosed. The engine can operate on either gasoline, natural gas or a combination of the two. The amount of each fuel that is used by the engine is based on the engine's operating parameters, such as RPM and torque. In some embodiments, the operator can provide input, such as the availability of natural gas, which affects the operation of the engine. In some embodiments, an anti-knock agent is used to prevent knock at higher values of torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: ETHANOL BOOSTING SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg, John B. Heywood
  • DIMETHYL ETHER (DME) ENHANCED GASOLINE ENGINE
    Publication number: 20110100323
    Abstract: An engine having DME pilot ignition is disclosed. DME Pilot ignition creates far more energy than a conventional spark plug, thus minimizes the possibility of misfire in the engine map. DME injection can be used in a number of ways. In one embodiment, DME injection replaces the conventional spark plug in an Otto cycle engine. In another embodiment, DME injection is used in addition to spark ignition to minimize the use of DME. In this embodiment, DME injection is only used during those portions of the engine map where misfire may occur, or during those times when a misfire sensor detects misfire. DME injection can also be used in conjunction with alcohol boosting in other embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: ETHANOL BOOSTING SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: John M. Bradley, Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn
  • FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE ETHANOL OCTANE ENHANCEMENT OF GASOLINE ENGINES
    Publication number: 20110030653
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg, John B. Heywood
  • Fuel management system for variable ethanol octane enhancement of gasoline engines
    Patent number: 7841325
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg, John B. Heywood
  • FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE ETHANOL OCTANE ENHANCEMENT OF GASOLINE ENGINES
    Publication number: 20100288232
    Abstract: Fuel management system for enhanced operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder. It is preferred that the direct injection occur after the inlet valve is closed. It is also preferred that stoichiometric operation with a three way catalyst be used to minimize emissions. In addition, it is also preferred that the anti-knock agents have a heat of vaporization per unit of combustion energy that is at least three times that of gasoline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn, John B. Heywood
  • FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE ETHANOL OCTANE ENHANCEMENT OF GASOLINE ENGINES
    Publication number: 20100263625
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg, John B. Heywood
  • MILLIMETER-WAVE DRILLING AND FRACTURING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20100252324
    Abstract: System for drilling boreholes into subsurface formations. A gyrotron injects millimeter-wave radiation energy into the borehole and pressurization apparatus is provided for pressurizing the borehole whereby a thermal melt front at the end of the borehole propagates into the subsurface formations. In another aspect, a system for fracturing a subsurface formation is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Paul P. Woskov, Daniel R. Cohn
  • FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR VERY HIGH EFFICIENCY FLEX FUEL ENGINES
    Publication number: 20100206249
    Abstract: Turbocharged or supercharged spark ignition engine. The engine includes a source of methanol for direct injection of methanol into the engine and for delivering a portion of the methanol to a reformer for generating a hydrogen-rich gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn
  • FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE ETHANOL OCTANE ENHANCEMENT OF GASOLINE ENGINES
    Publication number: 20100199946
    Abstract: Fuel management system for enhanced operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder. It is preferred that the direct injection occur after the inlet valve is closed. It is also preferred that stoichiometric operation with a three way catalyst be used to minimize emissions. In addition, it is also preferred that the anti-knock agents have a heat of vaporization per unit of combustion energy that is at least three times that of gasoline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg, John B. Heywood
  • Fuel Tank System for Direct Ethanol Injection Octane Boosted Gasoline Engine
    Publication number: 20100198481
    Abstract: Fuel tank system for a direct ethanol injection octane boosted gasoline engine. The system includes a gasoline engine and a main fuel tank that contains a mix of gasoline and gasoline E85. A smaller secondary tank is provided to contain ethanol or E85. An injector directly injects in a separately controlled fashion ethanol or E85 into a cylinder of the engine to boost octane. A control module controls the relative amounts of gasoline and ethanol used and structure is provided for fueling the main and secondary fuel tanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: ETHANOL BOOSTING SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Paul N. Blumberg, Daniel R. Cohn, John Heywood
  • Fuel management system for variable ethanol octane enhancement of gasoline engines
    Patent number: 7762233
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg, John B. Heywood
  • Single nozzle direct injection system for rapidly variable gasoline/anti-knock agent mixtures
    Patent number: 7762243
    Abstract: Engine management system for operation of a direct injection spark ignition gasoline engine. The system includes a gasoline engine, a source of gasoline and a source of an anti-knock agent. Gasoline and anti-knock agent are introduced into a proportioning valve that delivers a selected mixture of gasoline/anti-knock agent to a high pressure pump. At least one injector receives the selected mixture from the high pressure pump and delivers the mixture into a cylinder of the engine. The engine management system provides a rapidly variable mixture of directly injected anti-knock agent and gasoline which prevents knock as the engine torque increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Ethanol Boosting Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Paul Blumberg, Daniel R. Cohn, John Heywood
  • FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE ETHANOL OCTANE ENHANCEMENT OF GASOLINE ENGINES
    Publication number: 20100175659
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg, John B. Heywood
  • Fuel Management System for Very High Efficiency Flex Fuel Engines Powered by Methanol and Gasoline
    Publication number: 20100174470
    Abstract: Turbocharged or supercharged spark ignition engine. The engine includes a source of methanol for direct injection of methanol into the engine and for delivering a portion of the methanol to a reformer for generating a hydrogen-rich gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn
  • Fuel management system for variable ethanol octane enhancement of gasoline engines
    Patent number: 7740004
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg, John Heywood
  • SINGLE NOZZLE DIRECT INJECTION SYSTEM FOR RAPIDLY VARIABLE GASOLINE/ANTI-KNOCK AGENT MIXTURES
    Publication number: 20100147265
    Abstract: Engine management system for operation of a direct injection spark ignition gasoline engine. The system includes a gasoline engine, a source of gasoline and a source of an anti-knock agent. Gasoline and anti-knock agent are introduced into a proportioning valve that delivers a selected mixture of gasoline/anti-knock agent to a high pressure pump. At least one injector receives the selected mixture from the high pressure pump and delivers the mixture into a cylinder of the engine. The engine management system provides a rapidly variable mixture of directly injected anti-knock agent and gasoline which prevents knock as the engine torque increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: ETHANOL BOOSTING SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Paul Blumberg, Daniel R. Cohn, John Heywood