Patents by Inventor Darrell Sparks

Darrell Sparks 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: 11506153
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for an engine includes a conduit, and a U-shaped exhaust gas mixer. The conduit is configured to direct an exhaust gas away from an exhaust manifold. The U-shaped exhaust gas mixer is configured to direct exhaust gas from the conduit and into an engine air intake system. The U-shaped exhaust gas mixer is arranged with a pre-mixing cavity configured to disperse the exhaust gas and entraining the exhaust gas into an intake air flow prior to distribution into an intake manifold of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Liangjun Hu, Daniel William Kantrow, Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: 11499489
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for an engine includes a conduit, and a mixer. The conduit is configured to direct to direct exhaust gas away from an exhaust manifold. The mixer is configured to direct exhaust gas from the conduit, into an engine air intake system. The mixer is arranged with an exhaust gas mixing volute chamber having a plurality of mixing vanes configured to direct the exhaust gas into a central intake airflow upstream of an intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Liangjun Hu, Daniel Joseph Styles, Daniel William Kantrow, Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: 11480139
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine having an intake manifold, a turbocharger having a compressor, and an exhaust gas recovery (EGR) mixer coupled between the compressor and the intake manifold. The EGR mixer includes a central air duct having a central axis, an annular ring circumscribing the central duct and having an inlet connectable to an EGR system and an outlet in fluid communication with the central air duct, and a vane assembly disposed in the central air duct upstream of the annular ring and having a plurality of vanes configured to swirl air passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Liangjun Hu, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Daniel Joseph Styles, Darrell Sparks, Daniel William Kantrow
  • Publication number: 20220307436
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for an engine includes a conduit, and a mixer. The conduit is configured to direct to direct exhaust gas away from an exhaust manifold. The mixer is configured to direct exhaust gas from the conduit, into an engine air intake system. The mixer is arranged with an exhaust gas mixing volute chamber having a plurality of mixing vanes configured to direct the exhaust gas into a central intake airflow upstream of an intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Liangjun Hu, Daniel Joseph Styles, Daniel William Kantrow, Darrell Sparks
  • Publication number: 20220307451
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for an engine includes a conduit, and a U-shaped exhaust gas mixer. The conduit is configured to direct an exhaust gas away from an exhaust manifold. The U-shaped exhaust gas mixer is configured to direct exhaust gas from the conduit and into an engine air intake system. The U-shaped exhaust gas mixer is arranged with a pre-mixing cavity configured to disperse the exhaust gas and entraining the exhaust gas into an intake air flow prior to distribution into an intake manifold of an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Liangjun Hu, Daniel William Kantrow, Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: 11225936
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for an engine includes a first conduit, a second conduit, and a mixer. The first conduit is configured to direct a first portion of exhaust gas away from a first exhaust manifold. The second conduit is configured to direct a second portion of exhaust gas away from a second exhaust manifold. The mixer is configured to direct the first and second portions of the exhaust gas from the first and second conduits, respectively, into an engine air intake system. The mixer is arranged to segregate the first and second portions of the exhaust gas while the first and second portions of the exhaust gas are within the mixer. The mixer forms a ring about a perforated tube. The mixer is configured to direct the first and second portions of the exhaust gas into the air intake system via the perforated tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Liangjun Hu, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Daniel Joseph Styles, Daniel William Kantrow, Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: 10161371
    Abstract: A piston may include an outer peripheral surface and a crown. The outer peripheral surface may include first and second openings spaced about and extending through the outer peripheral surface. The crown may include a recess at least partially defined by a first lobe in fluid communication with the first opening and a second lobe in fluid communication with the second opening. Each of the first and second lobes may be recessed relative to an adjacent portion of the recess of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Gustav R. Johnson, Gary L. Hunter, Darrell Sparks
  • Publication number: 20180014440
    Abstract: A pecan tree distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: Consistent and acceptable fruit production, small fruit cluster, early nut maturity, large nut producing mammoth kernels with excellent color, and high resistance to scab fungus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Sparks
  • Publication number: 20160252067
    Abstract: A piston may include an outer peripheral surface and a crown. The outer peripheral surface may include first and second openings spaced about and extending through the outer peripheral surface. The crown may include a recess at least partially defined by a first lobe in fluid communication with the first opening and a second lobe in fluid communication with the second opening. Each of the first and second lobes may be recessed relative to an adjacent portion of the recess of the crown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gustav R. JOHNSON, Gary L. HUNTER, Darrell SPARKS
  • Publication number: 20160100512
    Abstract: A pecan tree distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: high prolificacy, consistent production, early nut maturity, kernel size suited to confection trade, excellent color, absence of kernel speckling, excellent resistance to the scab fungus (Fusicladosporium effusum), and high resistance but not immunity to black aphid (melanocallis caryaefoliae)and leaf scorch mite (Eotetranychus hicoriae).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Darrell Sparks
  • Publication number: 20150026849
    Abstract: A pecan tree distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: Consistent and acceptable fruit production, small fruit cluster, moderately early nut maturity, large nut producing mammoth kernels with good color and no observed speckling, and no observed scab fungus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Sparks
  • Publication number: 20150026848
    Abstract: A pecan tree distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: high precociousness and prolificacy, consistent production (if fruit thinned), early nut maturity, large nut size that produces mammoth halves, unusual high percentage kernel, exceptional kernel color, no kernel speckling has been observed, high resistance to N scorch, black pecan aphid, pecan leaf scorch mite, and good resistance to scab fungus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: PP20867
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Pecan tree, Carya illinoinensis, which is characterized by a early nut production, early nut maturity, scab fungus resistance, and high percentage kernel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation
    Inventor: Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: PP23335
    Abstract: A pecan tree distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: Precociousness, moderately early nut maturity, large nut size, a nut with a high percentage kernel, exceptional kernel quality, moderate resistance to scab and good resistance to powdery mildew and to black pecan aphid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: PP24373
    Abstract: A pecan tree distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: Precociousness and prolificacy, early nut maturity, large nut size, a nut with a high kernel percentage, good kernel color, lack of speckling and a good resistance to leaf scab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: PP25465
    Abstract: A pecan tree distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: Consistent and acceptable fruit production, small fruit cluster, moderately early nut maturity, large nut producing mammoth kernels with good color and no observed speckling, and no observed scab fungus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: PP25740
    Abstract: A pecan tree distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: high precociousness and prolificacy, consistent production (if fruit thinned), early nut maturity, large nut size that produces mammoth halves, unusual high percentage kernel, exceptional kernel color, no kernel speckling has been observed, high resistance to N scorch, black pecan aphid, pecan leaf scorch mite, and good resistance to scab fungus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: PP26705
    Abstract: A pecan tree distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: high prolificacy, consistent production, early nut maturity, kernel size suited to confection trade, excellent color, absence of kernel speckling, excellent resistance to the scab fungus (Fusicladosporium effusum), and high resistance but not immunity to black aphid (melanocallis caryaefoliae) and leaf scorch mite (Eotetranychus hicoriae).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: PP29316
    Abstract: A pecan tree distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: Consistent and acceptable fruit production, small fruit clusters, moderately early nut maturity, large nut producing mammoth kernels with excellent color and no speckling, and high resistance to scab fungus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: PP29422
    Abstract: A pecan tree distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: Consistent and acceptable fruit production, small fruit cluster, early nut maturity, large nut producing mammoth kernels with excellent color, and high resistance to scab fungus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell Sparks