Patents by Inventor Donald W. Heston

Donald W. Heston 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: 8024919
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine system includes passing exhaust gases from an engine to an aftertreatment device such as a particulate filter at an exhaust temperature less than a target temperature, and increasing a temperature of exhaust gases passing through the aftertreatment device to the target temperature by controllably restricting exhaust flow upstream the filter. The method still further includes generating a signal indicative of exhaust back pressure and reducing exhaust pressure by selectively reducing airflow to the engine responsive to the signal. An internal combustion engine system and associated control system includes an electronic control unit configured to selectively increase a temperature of exhaust gases passing through a particulate filter to a regeneration temperature via a variable flow restriction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Fluga, Donald W. Heston, Richard Kruiswyk, Daniel W. Crosby, Brian Hoff
  • Publication number: 20090031715
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine system includes passing exhaust gases from an engine to an aftertreatment device such as a particulate filter at an exhaust temperature less than a target temperature, and increasing a temperature of exhaust gases passing through the aftertreatment device to the target temperature by controllably restricting exhaust flow upstream the filter. The method still further includes generating a signal indicative of exhaust back pressure and reducing exhaust pressure by selectively reducing airflow to the engine responsive to the signal. An internal combustion engine system and associated control system includes an electronic control unit configured to selectively increase a temperature of exhaust gases passing through a particulate filter to a regeneration temperature via a variable flow restriction device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Eric Fluga, Donald W. Heston, Richard Kruiswyk, Daniel W. Crosby, Brian Hoff
  • Patent number: 6564554
    Abstract: Engines having turbochargers with a mechanically actuated wastegate typically control the wastegate in response to the air pressure at an outlet of a compressor portion of the turbocharger. Some engine configurations don't provide enough compressor outlet pressure variation to suitably control the wastegate. In the present invention, a control strategy is provided for opening and closing a wastegate based on exhaust gas pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Robert L. Hercey, Donald W. Heston, David L. Lehman
  • Patent number: 6546919
    Abstract: A cooling system has an air-to-air or first heat exchanger and a fluid or second heat exchanger mounted remotely from a main radiator for cooling an internal combustion engine. A filter filters a recipient fluid, such as an ambient air, before the recipient fluid passes through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A cooled fluid is conducted to a flow of intake air for the internal combustion engine. A fan causes the recipient fluid to pass through the filter and the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The spent recipient fluid is discharged to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James J. Callas, Ronald L. Dupree, Donald W. Heston
  • Publication number: 20030029168
    Abstract: Engines having turbochargers with a mechanically actuated wastegate typically control the wastegate in response to the air pressure at an outlet of a compressor portion of the turbocharger. Some engine configurations don't provide enough compressor outlet pressure variation to suitably control the wastegate. In the present invention, a control strategy is provided for opening and closing a wastegate based on exhaust gas pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Hercey, Donald W. Heston, David L. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20020189255
    Abstract: A cooling system has an air-to-air or first heat exchanger and a fluid or second heat exchanger mounted remotely from a main radiator for cooling an internal combustion engine. A filter filters a recipient fluid, such as an ambient air, before the recipient fluid passes through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A cooled fluid is conducted to a flow of intake air for the internal combustion engine. A fan causes the recipient fluid to pass through the filter and the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The spent recipient fluid is discharged to atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: James J. Callas, Ronald L. Dupree, Donald W. Heston