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).

  • Publication number: 20170089314
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, Erik L. Piper, Brian R. Alderfer, Jaideep Prasad, John P. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9145850
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Richard E. Winsor
  • Publication number: 20140363278
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: ERIK L. PIPER, Dustin W. Ridenour, Scott A. Chase, Matthew R. Evers, John L. Lahti
  • Patent number: 8746217
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Alan D. Sheidler, Craig W. Lohmann
  • Publication number: 20140116404
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Richard E. Winsor
  • Patent number: 8437943
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Winsor, Erik L. Piper, Kirby J. Baumgard
  • Patent number: 8418462
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Erik L. Piper
  • Publication number: 20130087127
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Alan D. Sheidler, Craig W. Lohmann
  • Patent number: 8371278
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Winsor, Erik L. Piper
  • Patent number: 8316829
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Philip M. Dimpelfeld, Santiago A. Durango, Russell P. Durrett
  • Patent number: 8103427
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Osburn, Mert Geveci, Richard J. Gustafson, Erik L. Piper
  • Publication number: 20110283695
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Erik L. Piper
  • Publication number: 20110259306
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Richard E. Winsor, Erik L. Piper
  • Publication number: 20110184631
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Richard E. Winsor, Erik L. Piper, Kirby J. Baumgard
  • Patent number: 7937208
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Erik L. Piper
  • Publication number: 20110077838
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew W. Osburn, Mert Geveci, Richard J. Gustafson, Erik L. Piper
  • Publication number: 20100145598
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Erik L. Piper
  • Publication number: 20090199825
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: CUMMINS IP, INC
    Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Philip M. Dimpelfeld, Santiago A. Durango, Russell P. Durrett