Patents by Inventor Darius Mehta

Darius Mehta 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: 20120029789
    Abstract: A method of preventing a pre-ignition event within a cylinder (20) of a spark ignition engine (100) involves taking in-cylinder measurements and using the measurements to determine the instantaneous heat being released within the cylinder (20) as a function crank angle. If significant heat is being released before the intended spark timing, additional fuel is injected into the cylinder (20) immediately following the detection of early heat release (pre-ignition) within the same engine cycle, preferably within 45 crank angle degrees following the detection of pre-ignition. The additional fuel quenches the heat released within the cylinder (20) to prevent a pre-ignition event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Darius Mehta, Terrence F. Alger, II, Manfred Amann, Jayant V. Sarlashkar
  • Publication number: 20110011082
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing undesired exhaust emissions during cold start of a turbocharger-equipped internal combustion engine. A bypass line in the engine compartment has a bypass valve that permits exhaust to be bypassed around the turbocharger's turbine during cold start. An oxidation catalyst is closely coupled to the bypass valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Darius Mehta, Terrence F. Alger, II, Chad P. Koci
  • Patent number: 7822531
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method and system for reducing emissions and improving knock-tolerance in an engine. Air, including exhaust gas present at levels greater than 20% by total air mass, may be introduced into a combustion chamber having a volume including a piston and a cylinder head. A first amount of fuel and a second amount of fuel may be directly injected into the combustion chamber at various points during the cycle, wherein the ratio of the air, including the exhaust gas, to the first and second amounts of fuel is 14.0:1 to 15.0:1. The first and second amounts of fuel may then be ignited. An electronic control unit may be utilized to time the injections and control the introduction of exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Terrence Francis Alger, II, Charles Edward Roberts, Jr., Darius Mehta
  • Publication number: 20090308070
    Abstract: Improved exhaust gas recirculation system and methods that use one or more of the engine's cylinders as dedicated EGR cylinders. All of the exhaust from the dedicated EGR cylinders is recirculated back to the engine intake. Thus, the EGR rate is constant, but the EGR mass flow may be controlled by adjusting the air-fuel ratio of the dedicated EGR cylinders or by using various variable valve timing techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Terrence Francis Alger, II, Barrett Wade Mangold, Jess Witman Gingrich, Darius Mehta
  • Publication number: 20090266344
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method and system for reducing emissions and improving knock-tolerance in an engine. Air, including exhaust gas present at levels greater than 20% by total air mass, may be introduced into a combustion chamber having a volume including a piston and a cylinder head. A first amount of fuel and a second amount of fuel may be directly injected into the combustion chamber at various points during the cycle, wherein the ratio of the air, including the exhaust gas, to the first and second amounts of fuel is 14.0:1 to 15.0:1. The first and second amounts of fuel may then be ignited. An electronic control unit may be utilized to time the injections and control the introduction of exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Terrence Francis Alger, II, Charles Edward Roberts, JR., Darius Mehta
  • Patent number: 7495447
    Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the durability of spark plugs. A test system simulates the pressure, temperature, and exhaust flow of an internal combustion engine, and has a test chamber in which these simulated conditions exist. A number of spark plugs are installed in the test chamber and are cycled through a desired ignition cycle. The test chamber temperature and pressure may be precisely controlled, as well as the duty cycle of spark events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Terrence Francis Alger, II, Darius Mehta, Charles Edward Roberts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7299623
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature and/or space velocity of exhaust gas provides control of the maximum temperature of the exhaust gas to prevent thermal damage to the Diesel engine components and associated aftertreatment devices during regeneration of the aftertreatment devices. The method includes controlling intake and/or exhaust valve opening timing and duration, either singly or in combination with selective individual cylinder cutout, in response to sensed engine operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, Ryan C. Roecker, Charles E. Roberts, Jr., Lee G. Dodge, Christopher J. Chadwell, Darius Mehta, Daniel W. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20070096742
    Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the durability of spark plugs. A test system simulates the pressure, temperature, and exhaust flow of an internal combustion engine, and has a test chamber in which these simulated conditions exist. A number of spark plugs are installed in the test chamber and are cycled through a desired ignition cycle. The test chamber temperature and pressure may be precisely controlled, as well as the duty cycle of spark events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Terrence Alger, Darius Mehta, Charles Roberts
  • Patent number: 7017547
    Abstract: Fuel temperature management is used to control the penetration distance of liquid-phase fuel into the combustion chamber of direct injection engines. Fuel temperature management enables the alteration of liquid-phase penetration distance to compensate for real-time changes in fuel composition, injector geometry, injection pressure, combustion mode, or combustion chamber thermodynamic conditions during engine operation. Alteration of the liquid-phase penetration distance prevents or reduces undesirable liquid fuel impingement on combustion chamber surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventors: Darius Mehta, Lee G. Dodge, Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, Charles E. Roberts, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20060000203
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature and/or space velocity of exhaust gas provides control of the maximum temperature of the exhaust gas to prevent thermal damage to the Diesel engine components and associated aftertreatment devices during regeneration of the aftertreatment devices. The method includes controlling intake and/or exhaust valve opening timing and duration, either singly or in combination with selective individual cylinder cutout, in response to sensed engine operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Rudolf Stanglmaier, Ryan Roecker, Charles Roberts, Lee Dodge, Christopher Chadwell, Darius Mehta, Daniel Stewart
  • Publication number: 20040255900
    Abstract: Fuel temperature management is used to control the penetration distance of liquid-phase fuel into the combustion chamber of direct injection engines. Fuel temperature management enables the alteration of liquid-phase penetration distance to compensate for real-time changes in fuel composition, injector geometry, injection pressure, combustion mode, or combustion chamber thermodynamic conditions during engine operation. Alteration of the liquid-phase penetration distance prevents or reduces undesirable liquid fuel impingement on combustion chamber surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Darius Mehta, Lee G. Dodge, Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, Charles E. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20040123588
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature and/or space velocity of exhaust gas provides control of the maximum temperature of the exhaust gas to prevent thermal damage to the Diesel engine components and associated aftertreatment devices during regeneration of the aftertreatment devices. The method includes controlling intake and/or exhaust valve opening timing and duration, either singly or in combination with selective individual cylinder cutout, in response to sensed engine operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, Ryan C. Roecker, Charles E. Roberts,, Lee G. Dodge, Christopher J. Chadwell, Darius Mehta, Daniel W. Stewart