Patents by Inventor George L. Muntean

George L. Muntean 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: 10605138
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a blending chamber having a urea inlet, a blending chamber gas inlet, and a blending chamber outlet. A urea source provides a pressurized urea solution to the urea inlet at a urea injection pressure, and a pressurized gas source transmits pressurized gas to the blending chamber gas inlet via a passageway. The passageway is configured to decrease pressure of the pressurized gas transmitted along its length from a first pressure of gas received from the pressurized gas source to a second pressure of gas provided to the blending chamber gas inlet. The first pressure of gas received from the pressurized gas source is greater than the urea injection pressure and the second pressure of gas provided to the blending chamber gas inlet is less than the urea injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: George L. Muntean, Steve Holl, Joydeep Chakrabarti, John Anthis, Joshua D. Henry, Samuel Johnson, Andrew Myer, John K. Heichelbech
  • Publication number: 20180171851
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a blending chamber having a urea inlet, a blending chamber gas inlet, and a blending chamber outlet. A urea source provides a pressurized urea solution to the urea inlet at a urea injection pressure, and a pressurized gas source transmits pressurized gas to the blending chamber gas inlet via a passageway. The passageway is configured to decrease pressure of the pressurized gas transmitted along its length from a first pressure of gas received from the pressurized gas source to a second pressure of gas provided to the blending chamber gas inlet. The first pressure of gas received from the pressurized gas source is greater than the urea injection pressure and the second pressure of gas provided to the blending chamber gas inlet is less than the urea infection pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: George L. Muntean, Steve Holl, Joydeep Chakrabarti, John Anthis, Joshua D. Henry, Samuel Johnson, Andrew Myer
  • Patent number: 9926822
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a blending chamber having a urea inlet, a blending chamber gas inlet, and a blending chamber outlet. A urea source provides a pressurized urea solution to the urea inlet at a urea injection pressure, and a pressurized gas source transmits pressurized gas to the blending chamber gas inlet via a passageway. The passageway is configured to decrease pressure of the pressurized gas transmitted along its length from a first pressure of gas received from the pressurized gas source to a second pressure of gas provided to the blending chamber gas inlet. The first pressure of gas received from the pressurized gas source is greater than the urea injection pressure and the second pressure of gas provided to the blending chamber gas inlet is less than the urea injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: George L. Muntean, Steve Holl, Joydeep Chakrabarti, John Anthis, Joshua D. Henry, Samuel Johnson, Andrew Myer
  • Patent number: 9719392
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivery of diesel exhaust fluid or other reductant to an injector for release into an engine exhaust aftertreatment system. The injector includes a nozzle assembly that thermally shields the diesel exhaust fluid from the exhaust gas temperatures. A diesel exhaust fluid delivery procedure is also disclosed for nozzle cooling prior to operation of the injector for emissions reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Aalok Trivedi, Andrew Myer, Stephanie L. Apewokin, Samuel Johnson, Srivardhan Chandrapati, George L. Muntean, Joshua D. Henry, John Anthis, Omkar Tendolkar
  • Publication number: 20170175608
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivery of diesel exhaust fluid or other reductant to an injector for release into an engine exhaust aftertreatment system. The injector includes a nozzle assembly that thermally shields the diesel exhaust fluid from the exhaust gas temperatures. A diesel exhaust fluid delivery procedure is also disclosed for nozzle cooling prior to operation of the injector for emissions reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Aalok TRIVEDI, Andrew MYER, Stephanie L. APEWOKIN, Samuel JOHNSON, Srivardhan CHANDRAPATI, George L. MUNTEAN, Joshua D. HENRY, John ANTHIS, Omkar TENDOLKAR
  • Patent number: 9617889
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivery of diesel exhaust fluid or other reductant to an injector for release into an engine exhaust aftertreatment system. The injector includes a nozzle assembly that thermally shields the diesel exhaust fluid from the exhaust gas temperatures. A diesel exhaust fluid delivery procedure is also disclosed for nozzle cooling prior to operation of the injector for emissions reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Aalok Trivedi, Andrew Myer, Stephanie L. Apewokin, Samuel Johnson, Srivardhan Chandrapati, George L. Muntean, Joshua D. Henry, John Anthis, Omkar Tendolkar
  • Publication number: 20160084131
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivery of diesel exhaust fluid or other reductant to an injector for release into an engine exhaust aftertreatment system. The injector includes a nozzle assembly that thermally shields the diesel exhaust fluid from the exhaust gas temperatures. A diesel exhaust fluid delivery procedure is also disclosed for nozzle cooling prior to operation of the injector for emissions reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Aalok TRIVEDI, Andrew MYER, Stephanie L. APEWOKIN, Samuel JOHNSON, Srivardhan CHANDRAPATI, George L. MUNTEAN, Joshua D. HENRY, John ANTHIS, Omkar TENDOLKAR
  • Patent number: 9234445
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivery of diesel exhaust fluid or other reductant to an injector for release into an engine exhaust aftertreatment system. The injector includes a nozzle assembly that thermally shields the diesel exhaust fluid from the exhaust gas temperatures. A diesel exhaust fluid delivery procedure is also disclosed for nozzle cooling prior to operation of the injector for emissions reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Aalok Trivedi, Andrew Myer, Stephanie L. Apewokin, Samuel Johnson, Srivardhan Chandrapati, George L. Muntean, Joshua D. Henry, John Anthis, Omkar Tendolkar
  • Publication number: 20150049574
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a blending chamber having a urea inlet, a blending chamber gas inlet, and a blending chamber outlet. A urea source provides a pressurized urea solution to the urea inlet at a urea injection pressure, and a pressurized gas source transmits pressurized gas to the blending chamber gas inlet via a passageway. The passageway is configured to decrease pressure of the pressurized gas transmitted along its length from a first pressure of gas received from the pressurized gas source to a second pressure of gas provided to the blending chamber gas inlet. The first pressure of gas received from the pressurized gas source is greater than the urea injection pressure and the second pressure of gas provided to the blending chamber gas inlet is less than the urea injection pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: George L. Muntean, Steve Holl, Joydeep Chakrabarti, John Anthis, Joshua D. Henry, Samuel Johnson, Andrew Myer
  • Patent number: 6314941
    Abstract: A reprogrammable electronic step timing control system having a fuel pressure threshold that is discretely variable as a function of engine speed. The fuel pressure threshold is increased for engine speeds above rated speed by a predetermined amount. A programming key is provided in a wiring harness to allow fuel pressure and speed thresholds to be readily changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Cummin Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Gant, Brian W. Robinson, Jon Padfield, George L. Muntean
  • Patent number: 6199533
    Abstract: A three-way fuel injection control valve assembly is provided which includes a pilot valve for controlling the movement of a drain valve member and a separate supply valve member to minimize valve response time and transition flow losses. The solenoid operated two-way pilot valve controls the flow of fuel from a control volume formed adjacent the ends of the drain valve member and the supply valve member to begin and end an injection event. A transition flow loss limiting feature is provided which causes the drain valve member to close prior to the opening of the supply valve member and subsequently causes the supply valve member to close prior to the opening of the drain valve member during a given injection event thereby minimizing transition flow losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Corydon Edward Morris, Gary L. Gant, George L. Muntean, Árpád M. Pataki, Bela Doszpoly
  • Patent number: 6116273
    Abstract: Check valves (500) are incorporated into a fuel injector so as to form a controlling orifice in the system between the solenoid vales which direct fuel to the respective injection and timing chambers of the fuel injector and the chambers themselves. The precision fuel metering capability of the valve (500) is determined by an annular clearance created between the plunger (512) of the valve and the valve body (510) when the valve is in its maximum stroke. For achieving a bi-stable operation of the valve, the ratio of the plunger valve seat (510d) area to the maximum plunger valve (512b) area and the spring (514) are key parameters. The check valves (500) are formed as cartridge type check valves that can be calibrated outside of the injector prior to the installation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Yul J. Tarr, Lester L. Peters, Bai Mao Yen, Laszlo D. Tikk, Ivar L. Johnson, Daniel G. Burns, Mustahsen Gull, Harry L. Wilson, George L. Muntean
  • Patent number: 6109542
    Abstract: A servo-controlled fuel injector is provided which includes a leakage limiting valve device for limiting the quantity of high pressure fuel available for leakage into the combustion chamber in the event the closed nozzle valve element fails to sealingly engage its seat between injection events. The servo-controlled fuel injector includes a control volume positioned adjacent an outer end of the nozzle valve element, a control volume charge circuit for supplying fuel to the control volume, a drain circuit for draining fuel from the control volume to a low pressure drain and an injection control valve positioned along the drain circuit for controlling the flow through the drain circuit so as to cause reciprocal movement of the nozzle valve element. The leakage limiting valve is integrated into the fuel injector body and positioned along a fuel transfer passage to block the flow of high pressure fuel to a nozzle cavity between injection events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Corydon E. Morris, Gary L. Gant, George L. Muntean
  • Patent number: 6076507
    Abstract: A pump system for preventing hot start knock in a diesel engine following engine shut down carried by fuel leakage into one or more of the combustion chambers of a multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine equipped with a fuel system including open nozzle injectors connected with a common rail. The system includes a transfer pump (46) in fluid communication with the common rail (50) and the fuel tank (48) for pumping fuel out of the common rail and into the fuel tank. A transfer pump control module (82) is provided for actuating the transfer pump (46) for a period of time following engine shut down to remove a sufficient amount of fuel from the common rail to prevent fuel from leakage through the open nozzles. The control system module may include a timer (96) and a voltage sensor (86) to sense condition of a fuel shut off valve (64). A retrofit kit (FIG. 5) is provided including a control module bracket (98) and a transfer module bracket (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman C. Blizard, Thomas Kozlowski, Raymond J. Amlung, George L. Muntean, William D. Daniel
  • Patent number: 5979789
    Abstract: A fuel injector for effectively preventing excessive loading of a component mounted internal to the injector is provided which includes a one-piece retainer having first and second connector portions for permitting two independent loads to be applied to different internal components of the injector. The second connector portion includes threads for engaging a nozzle assembly to impart a compressive force on the nozzle assembly. The first connector portion also includes threads for engaging an outer barrel for placing a first compressive load on a load sensitive internal component, such as a center tube of an injection control valve. In this manner, the second compressive force can be set at a minimum level independent from the first compressive force to permit the size of the center tube to be minimized thereby reducing the overall size of the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Sullivan, John D. Crofts, Harry L. Wilson, George L. Muntean, Kevin L. Vogt, Mustahsen Gull, John L. Long
  • Patent number: 5979803
    Abstract: An improved fuel injector for providing precise control over injection timing, quantity and rate shape is provided which includes a fuel pressure balancing device for balancing the fuel pressure forces acting on a needle valve element while the element is in both the closed and open positions thereby permitting an actuator to more precisely and predictably control the movement of the needle valve element. The fuel pressure balancing device includes a cavity formed in the needle valve element and pressure balancing surfaces formed on the needle valve element and positioned in the cavity. The actuator may be a piezoelectric actuator for compressing actuating fluid in an actuating fluid circuit which includes a fluid chamber positioned adjacent a needle valve element and fluidically separate from a fuel supply circuit for supplying high pressure fuel for injection. Actuating fluid pressure in the chamber acts on the needle valve element to initiate injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company
    Inventors: Lester L. Peters, Julius P. Perr, Benjamin M. Yen, George L. Muntean, J. Victor Perr, John D. Crofts
  • Patent number: 5947442
    Abstract: A compact fluid flow control valve is provided which effectively and predictably controls the flow of fluid using a minimum number of components to permit inexpensive manufacture and assembly. The control valve includes a one-piece valve plunger guide and stop which extends through an aperture formed in a stator of the solenoid assembly. The valve plunger guide and stop includes an integral guide surface for guiding the valve plunger through reciprocal movement within the aperture of the stator, an integral stop surface positioned for abutment by the valve plunger when in the energized position to define a minimum air gap between an armature and the stator. The one-piece valve plunger guide and stop reduces the number of parts of the control valve to achieve simplicity in structure and lower costs while avoiding the need for a shim to set the minimum air gap. The present control valve also includes a plunger overtravel impact limiting device including a movable valve head and a hydraulic damping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney M. Shurman, Edward B. Manring, David L. Burt, Chafic Hammoud, George L. Muntean
  • Patent number: 5894991
    Abstract: An improved cam operated, open nozzle, unit injector is disclosed including an injector body formed by a barrel, spring housing, and nozzle and containing a central bore for receiving a variable length plunger assembly mounted for reciprocal movement within the injector body wherein the variable length plunger is formed by an outer plunger and inner plunger combined with a timing plunger, mounted between the inner and outer plungers to form a collapsible timing chamber into which a variable quantity of fuel may be metered and expelled on a cycle by cycle basis to provide a variable effective length to the plunger assembly to cause controlled variation in injection timing based on variation in the timing fluid supplied to the injector and wherein the timing plunger is provided with a radial flange for engaging a stop formed in the injector barrel to hold the timing plunger in a predetermined precise location during metering of timing fluid into the collapsible timing chamber and to render the injector timing i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Edwards, Dan K. Vetters, Dan K. Hickey, George L. Muntean, Ray J. Amlung, Jeffrey L. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5884848
    Abstract: An improved fuel injector for providing precise control over injection timing, quantity and rate shape is provided which includes a piezoelectric actuator for compressing actuating fluid in an actuating fluid circuit which includes a fluid chamber positioned adjacent a needle valve element and fluidically separate from a fuel supply circuit for supplying high pressure fuel for injection. Actuating fluid pressure in the chamber acts on the needle valve element to initiate injection. A fuel pressure balancing device is provided for balancing the fuel pressure forces acting on the needle valve element while the element is in both the closed and open positions thereby permitting the piezoelectric actuator to more precisely and predictably control the rate of movement, and the extent of movement, of the needle valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Crofts, George L. Muntean
  • Patent number: RE48525
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a blending chamber having a urea inlet, a blending chamber gas inlet, and a blending chamber outlet. A urea source provides a pressurized urea solution to the urea inlet at a urea injection pressure, and a pressurized gas source transmits pressurized gas to the blending chamber gas inlet via a passageway. The passageway is configured to decrease pressure of the pressurized gas transmitted along its length from a first pressure of gas received from the pressurized gas source to a second pressure of gas provided to the blending chamber gas inlet. The first pressure of gas received from the pressurized gas source is greater than the urea injection pressure and the second pressure of gas provided to the blending chamber gas inlet is less than the urea injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: George L. Muntean, Steve Holl, Joydeep Chakrabarti, John Anthis, Joshua D. Henry, Samuel Johnson, Andrew Myer, John K. Heichelbech