Patents by Inventor Erik L. Piper
Erik L. Piper 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).
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Publication number: 20190145369Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic start/stop operations for an engine. While the engine is shutdown, operation of the engine may be automatically started upon expiration of a threshold time limit or in response to one or more adverse or deteriorated conditions of a power storage device, such as, for example, a state of health, state of function, or state of charge of the power storage device. After the engine has been automatically started, the ability of the controller to subsequently automatically stop the operation of the engine may be disabled until at least one secondary condition is satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the at least one secondary condition, the controller may again be enabled to at least automatically stop the operation of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Martin T. Books, Erik L. Piper, Brian R. Alderfer, Jaideep Prasad, John P. O'Brien
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Patent number: 10184441Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic start/stop operations for an engine. While the engine is shutdown, operation of the engine may be automatically started upon expiration of a threshold time limit or in response to one or more adverse or deteriorated conditions of a power storage device, such as, for example, a state of health, state of function, or state of charge of the power storage device. After the engine has been automatically started, the ability of the controller to subsequently automatically stop the operation of the engine may be disabled until at least one secondary condition is satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the at least one secondary condition, the controller may again be enabled to at least automatically stop the operation of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Books, Erik L. Piper, Brian R. Alderfer, Jaideep Prasad, John P. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20180202341Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling engine start/stop operations based at least in part on considerations relating to the thermal management of an exhaust gas after-treatment system. A control system may monitor and/or predict conditions and/or properties of the after-treatment system, including conditions related to the thermal management of a selective catalytic reduction system and the properties of an exhaust gas stream that has been released from an internal combustion engine and into the after-treatment system. Such conditions may be evaluated in determining whether the thermal management of the after-treatment system is at, or will be in, a condition that may accommodate a start/stop operation of the internal combustion engine with minimal, if any, adverse impact on the thermal management of the after-treatment system. Such an evaluation may, in at least certain situations, provide at least a consideration as to whether to de-activate or activate start/stop operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Robert Edward Cochran, John P. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20170089314Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic start/stop operations for an engine. While the engine is shutdown, operation of the engine may be automatically started upon expiration of a threshold time limit or in response to one or more adverse or deteriorated conditions of a power storage device, such as, for example, a state of health, state of function, or state of charge of the power storage device. After the engine has been automatically started, the ability of the controller to subsequently automatically stop the operation of the engine may be disabled until at least one secondary condition is satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the at least one secondary condition, the controller may again be enabled to at least automatically stop the operation of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Martin T. Books, Erik L. Piper, Brian R. Alderfer, Jaideep Prasad, John P. O'Brien
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Patent number: 9145850Abstract: Disclosed is a power system comprising a condensation injection system positioned downstream of an EGR cooler. The condensation injection system comprises a condensation pump and a condensation injector. The condensation injector is positioned downstream of the condensation pump. The condensation pump is configured to pump the condensation to the condensation injector, and the condensation injector is configured to inject the condensation into the intake gas, the intake gas being a combination of a fresh intake gas and a recirculated portion of an exhaust gas.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Erik L. Piper, Richard E. Winsor
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Publication number: 20140363278Abstract: The disclosure relates to a control system for a turbo-charged engine having a variable geometry turbine driving a compressor. An intake manifold temperature sensor senses an intake manifold temperature. An intake manifold pressure sensor senses an intake manifold pressure. A turbine inlet temperature sensor senses a turbine inlet temperature. A turbine inlet pressure sensor senses a turbine inlet pressure. A control unit generates a vane position control signal which is applied to a vane control input of the turbine. The control unit generates the vane position control signal as a function of turbine inlet temperature and turbine inlet pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: ERIK L. PIPER, Dustin W. Ridenour, Scott A. Chase, Matthew R. Evers, John L. Lahti
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Patent number: 8746217Abstract: Disclosed is a power system comprising an internal combustion engine. A fan is associated with the engine and configured for providing an air flow. The power system further comprises an EGR system having an air cooled, HT EGR cooler configured for cooling recirculated exhaust gas, wherein the HT EGR cooler is positioned downstream of the internal combustion engine. The HT EGR cooler is further positioned such that the air flow travels across the outside of the HT EGR cooler. The EGR system further comprises an air cooled, LT EGR cooler is configured for further cooling at least a portion of the recirculated exhaust gas, wherein the LT EGR cooler is positioned downstream of the HT EGR cooler. The LT EGR cooler is further positioned such that the air flow travels across the outside of the LT EGR cooler.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Erik L. Piper, Alan D. Sheidler, Craig W. Lohmann
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Publication number: 20140116404Abstract: Disclosed is a power system comprising a condensation injection system positioned downstream of an EGR cooler. The condensation injection system comprises a condensation pump and a condensation injector. The condensation injector is positioned downstream of the condensation pump. The condensation pump is configured to pump the condensation to the condensation injector, and the condensation injector is configured to inject the condensation into the intake gas, the intake gas being a combination of a fresh intake gas and a recirculated portion of an exhaust gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: Erik L. Piper, Richard E. Winsor
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Patent number: 8437943Abstract: A method of controlling a diesel engine connected to a load, the method including the steps of detecting an increased torque requirement and matching a fuel flow with an airflow. The detecting an increased torque requirement step detects an increased torque requirement for the engine, the increased torque requirement taking place during a period of time. The matching a fuel flow step matches a fuel flow with an airflow going to the engine during the increased torque requirement, the matching step keeps the airflow and the fuel flow during the period of time at a substantially stoichiometric level enabling the use of a three-way catalyst to reduce NOx emissions during transients.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Richard E. Winsor, Erik L. Piper, Kirby J. Baumgard
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Patent number: 8418462Abstract: A method of operating a variable geometry turbine (VTG) during transient operations for maximum response by determining the VTG area at the balance condition of the pressure ratio and efficiency curves for the variable geometry turbine to achieve maximum power. The method includes measurements of turbine inlet pressure, turbine outlet pressure, turbine rpm, and other parameters used to measure turbine mass flow.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Erik L. Piper
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Publication number: 20130087127Abstract: Disclosed is a power system comprising an internal combustion engine. A fan is associated with the engine and configured for providing an air flow. The power system further comprises an EGR system having an air cooled, HT EGR cooler configured for cooling recirculated exhaust gas, wherein the HT EGR cooler is positioned downstream of the internal combustion engine. The HT EGR cooler is further positioned such that the air flow travels across the outside of the HT EGR cooler. The EGR system further comprises an air cooled, LT EGR cooler is configured for further cooling at least a portion of the recirculated exhaust gas, wherein the LT EGR cooler is positioned downstream of the HT EGR cooler. The LT EGR cooler is further positioned such that the air flow travels across the outside of the LT EGR cooler.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Alan D. Sheidler, Craig W. Lohmann
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Patent number: 8371278Abstract: A high flow EGR system for an internal combustion engine having a pair of series connected EGR coolers and a water droplet condensation collector and reservoir connected to the gas flow. The reservoir feeds a pump which is actuated to inject the liquid to the engine adjacent each cylinder for uniform distribution of the water to the engine cylinders. The pump is controlled to inject the water at appropriate conditions during the engine operating cycle.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Richard E. Winsor, Erik L. Piper
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Patent number: 8316829Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for efficiently operating an engine utilizing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). The apparatus includes an exhaust manifold receiving exhaust gas from a first cylinder set, an EGR manifold receiving exhaust gas from a second cylinder set, and a passage comprising a variable restriction. The passage fluidly couples the exhaust manifold to the EGR manifold. The apparatus further includes a controller with modules for interpreting engine operating conditions and controlling actuators in response to the engine operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Philip M. Dimpelfeld, Santiago A. Durango, Russell P. Durrett
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Patent number: 8103427Abstract: A method is disclosed for adjusting a target EGR mass flow in response to a current charge flow and target EGR fraction. The method includes interpreting an air-fuel ratio and a target air-fuel ratio. The method further includes interpreting a charge flow and a target EGR fraction. The method further includes determining an adjusted target EGR mass flow based on the air-fuel ratio, the target air-fuel ratio, the charge flow, and the target EGR fraction. The method further includes controlling an actuator based on the adjusted target EGR mass flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Andrew W. Osburn, Mert Geveci, Richard J. Gustafson, Erik L. Piper
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Publication number: 20110283695Abstract: A method of operating a variable geometry turbine (VTG) during transient operations for maximum response by determining the VTG area at the balance condition of the pressure ratio and efficiency curves for the variable geometry turbine to achieve maximum power. The method includes measurements of turbine inlet pressure, turbine outlet pressure, turbine rpm, and other parameters used to measure turbine mass flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventor: Erik L. Piper
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Publication number: 20110259306Abstract: A high flow EGR system for an internal combustion engine having a pair of series connected EGR coolers and a water droplet condensation collector and reservoir connected to the gas flow. The reservoir feeds a pump which is actuated to inject the liquid to the engine adjacent each cylinder for uniform distribution of the water to the engine cylinders. The pump is controlled to inject the water at appropriate conditions during the engine operating cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Richard E. Winsor, Erik L. Piper
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Publication number: 20110184631Abstract: A method of controlling a diesel engine connected to a load, the method including the steps of detecting an increased torque requirement and matching a fuel flow with an airflow. The detecting an increased torque requirement step detects an increased torque requirement for the engine, the increased torque requirement taking place during a period of time. The matching a fuel flow step matches a fuel flow with an airflow going to the engine during the increased torque requirement, the matching step keeps the airflow and the fuel flow during the period of time at a substantially stoichiometric level enabling the use of a three-way catalyst to reduce NOx emissions during transients.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Inventors: Richard E. Winsor, Erik L. Piper, Kirby J. Baumgard
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Patent number: 7937208Abstract: An air breathing fuel consuming internal combustion engine with EGR and a control for the quantity of EGR. The total gas flow of the engine is calculated by measuring temperature and pressure at the intake to the engine. The fresh air flow is measured by an orifice or venturi at any point in the flow path for fresh air for combustion by the engine prior to the introduction of the EGR flow. The difference between the calculated total flow and fresh air flow is the actual EGR flow which is used to set the EGR relative to total flow according to one of a number of selected control algorithms.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Erik L. Piper
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Publication number: 20110077838Abstract: A method is disclosed for adjusting a target EGR mass flow in response to a current charge flow and target EGR fraction. The method includes interpreting an air-fuel ratio and a target air-fuel ratio. The method further includes interpreting a charge flow and a target EGR fraction. The method further includes determining an adjusted target EGR mass flow based on the air-fuel ratio, the target air-fuel ratio, the charge flow, and the target EGR fraction. The method further includes controlling an actuator based on the adjusted target EGR mass flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: Andrew W. Osburn, Mert Geveci, Richard J. Gustafson, Erik L. Piper
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Publication number: 20100145598Abstract: An air breathing fuel consuming internal combustion engine with EGR and a control for the quantity of EGR. The total gas flow of the engine is calculated by measuring temperature and pressure at the intake to the engine. The fresh air flow is measured by an orifice or venturi at any point in the flow path for fresh air for combustion by the engine prior to the introduction of the EGR flow. The difference between the calculated total flow and fresh air flow is the actual EGR flow which is used to set the EGR relative to total flow according to one of a number of selected control algorithms.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventor: Erik L. Piper