Patents by Inventor Gerald N. Coleman

Gerald N. Coleman 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: 6786938
    Abstract: An aqueous fuel composition comprising hydrocarbon petroleum distillate, purified water, and an additive composition, in which the aqueous fuel composition, and particularly the additive composition, is comprised of components which are essentially free of silicon, resulting in a fuel having reduced particulate emissions with a resulting reduction in exhaust system deposits. The disclosure further provides for an aqueous fuel composition adapted for use in an internal combustion engine having selected components of the fuel system coated with a metal nitride coating, such as chromium nitride or titanium nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Clean Fuel Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Cemenska, Gerald N. Coleman
  • Publication number: 20040112329
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a compression ignition engine having a cylinder wall, a piston, and a head defining a combustion chamber. The method and apparatus includes delivering fuel substantially uniformly into the combustion chamber, the fuel being dispersed throughout the combustion chamber and spaced from the cylinder wall, delivering an oxidant into the combustion chamber sufficient to support combustion at a first predetermined combustion duration, and delivering a diluent into the combustion chamber sufficient to change the first predetermined combustion duration to a second predetermined combustion duration different from the first predetermined combustion duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Eric C. Fluga, Kevin P. Duffy
  • Publication number: 20040020204
    Abstract: Combustion air for use in an engine is normally compressed by a compressor which adds heat during the process of increasing the density of the combustion air. To decrease the heat content of the combustion air, an aftercooler is used. When compressing combustion air to a higher density, the combustion air is compressed by a first compressor section to a first preestablished pressure and temperature and by a second compressor section to a second preestablished pressure and temperature. To decrease the heat content of the highly compressed dense combustion air, a first aftercooler having an air to liquid configuration is used and a second aftercooler having an air to air configuration is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: James J. Callas, Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, David A. Pierpont, James R. Weber
  • Patent number: 6659092
    Abstract: A bypass venturi assembly for recirculating exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine, and particularly suitable for use in a vehicle, is provided with a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. A center piece is positioned within the housing and in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. An annular venturi nozzle positioned between the housing and the center piece is in communication with the combustion air inlet and defines a combustion air venturi section. The venturi nozzle is in communication with the exhaust gas inlet and defines an exhaust gas venturi section. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. An exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet. The venturi nozzle is separate from the housing and allows a nozzle with a particular configuration to be utilized, depending upon the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, Michael P. Harmon, David A. Pierpont, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Patent number: 6656236
    Abstract: A method of formulating a fuel emulsion composition for use in a specified compression ignition engine in which the fuel composition includes a hydrocarbon petroleum distillate, purified water; alcohol; and an additive composition comprising various ingredients. The types and amounts of the fuel and alcohol are selected so that the sum of its net heating value (lower heating value * percent of total composition) and the net heating value of the additive composition yields a net heating value of the aqueous fuel composition that is within the operating parameters for fuel heating values for the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Clean Fuel Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James E. Sibley
  • Patent number: 6651618
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder, may include supplying a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, selectively operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold substantially during a majority portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber after the intake valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Stephen A. Faulkner, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Scott A. Leman, Cornelius N. Opris, Maarten Verkiel, James R. Weber
  • Publication number: 20030213463
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder, may include supplying a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, selectively operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold substantially during a majority portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber after the intake valve is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Stephen A. Faulkner, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Scott A. Leman, Cornelius N. Opris, Maarten Verkiel, James R. Weber
  • Patent number: 6640542
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a combustion air supply and an exhaust manifold. A bypass venturi assembly includes a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. A center piece is positioned within the housing and is in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. An exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet. A single shaft is coupled with and carries each of the combustion air bypass valve and the exhaust gas valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, Michael P. Harmon, David A. Pierpont, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Patent number: 6609373
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with an exhaust manifold, a turbocharger, and a bypass venturi assembly. The turbocharger includes a turbine and a compressor, with the turbine having a variable geometry inlet coupled with the exhaust manifold, and the compressor having an outlet. The bypass venturi assembly includes a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. The combustion air inlet is coupled with the compressor outlet. The exhaust gas inlet is coupled with the exhaust manifold. A center piece is positioned within the housing and is in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. The exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, David A. Pierpont, Dennis D. Feucht, Matthew D. Rampenthal, Michael P. Harmon
  • Patent number: 6607566
    Abstract: An improved method for producing highly stabile aqueous fuel emulsions. The method provides for selectively combining prescribed quantities of diesel fuel, purified water, alcohol, and an additive package and emulsifying the fuel mixture using a high shear mixer. The optimum viscosity and stability in the aqueous fuel emulsion is achieved by bypassing a selected quantity of the fuel emulsion around the high shear mixing device such that the final fuel emulsion includes a bi-modal droplet size distribution having droplet sizes less than about 15 microns in size. Additional stability and performance features of the aqueous fuel emulsion are attributed to the contents of the additive package that includes a combination of surfactants, lubricity additive, cetane improvers, citric acid, and methanol wherein each of the various additives may perform multiple functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Clean Fuel Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis L. Endicott, Edward A. Jakush, Alex Nikolov
  • Publication number: 20030115874
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a combustion air supply and an exhaust manifold. A bypass venturi assembly includes a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. A center piece is positioned within the housing and is in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. An exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet. A single shaft is coupled with and carries each of the combustion air bypass valve and the exhaust gas valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, Michael P. Harmon, David A. Pierpont, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Publication number: 20030116145
    Abstract: A bypass venturi assembly for recirculating exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine, and particularly suitable for use in a vehicle, is provided with a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. A center piece is positioned within the housing and in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. An annular venturi nozzle positioned between the housing and the center piece is in communication with the combustion air inlet and defines a combustion air venturi section. The venturi nozzle is in communication with the exhaust gas inlet and defines an exhaust gas venturi section. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. An exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet. The venturi nozzle is separate from the housing and allows a nozzle with a particular configuration to be utilized, depending upon the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, Michael P. Harmon, David A. Pierpont, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Publication number: 20030110768
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with an exhaust manifold, a turbocharger, and a bypass venturi assembly. The turbocharger includes a turbine and a compressor, with the turbine having a variable geometry inlet coupled with the exhaust manifold, and the compressor having an outlet. The bypass venturi assembly includes a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. The combustion air inlet is coupled with the compressor outlet. The exhaust gas inlet is coupled with the exhaust manifold. A center piece is positioned within the housing and is in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. The exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, David A. Pierpont, Dennis D. Feucht, Matthew D. Rampenthal, Michael P. Harmon
  • Patent number: 6543428
    Abstract: A method and system for the intake air separation within an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of the intake air separation system include an intake air inlet adapted to receive the intake air used in the combustion process for the engine and an intake air separation device in flow communication with the intake air inlet and adapted for separating the intake air into a flow of the oxygen enriched air and a flow of nitrogen enriched air. The intake air separation system further includes a first outlet in fluid communication with the intake air separation device and adapted to receive the flow of the oxygen enriched air as well as a second outlet also in fluid communication with the intake air separation device and adapted to provide the flow of nitrogen enriched air to the intake manifold for use in the combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Blandino, Gerald N. Coleman, Charles H. Dutart, Eric C. Fluga
  • Patent number: 6484499
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. Then at least one first turbine inlet has a controllable, variable intake nozzle fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet has a controllable, variable intake nozzle fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6484500
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a first exhaust manifold, a second exhaust manifold, a first turbocharger having a first turbine and a first compressor, and a second turbocharger having a second turbine and a second compressor. A second gas inlet port of the second turbine is connected in fluid communication with a second exhaust manifold to receive at least a portion of second combustion gases. A second gas outlet port of the second turbine and the first exhaust manifold are in fluid communication with a first gas inlet port of the first turbine. A valve is connected in fluid communication with the second exhaust manifold to receive a remainder of exhaust gases not included in the at least a portion of the second combustion gases supplied to the second turbine. The valve is connected in fluid communication with a mixer to deliver at least a portion of the remainder of exhaust gases to the mixer for mixing with compressed air in the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, James J. Faletti, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 6453893
    Abstract: A method and system for the intake air separation within an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of the intake air separation system include an intake air inlet adapted to receive substantially all of the intake air used in the combustion process for the engine and an intake air separation device in flow communication with the intake air inlet and adapted for separating substantially all of the intake air into a flow of the oxygen enriched air and a flow of nitrogen enriched air. The intake air separation system further includes a first outlet in fluid communication with the intake air separation device and adapted to receive a flow of the oxygen enriched air as well as a second outlet also in fluid communication with the intake air separation device and adapted to provide the flow of nitrogen enriched air to the intake manifold for use in the combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Charles H. Dutart, Eric C. Fluga
  • Patent number: 6447556
    Abstract: A transportable fuel emulsion blending system is provided. The disclosed embodiments of the transportable fuel emulsion blending system includes a plurality of fluid circuits, including a hydrocarbon circuit, a fuel emulsion additive circuit, a water circuit and an optional alcohol/methanol circuit all of which are disposed on a transportable platform such as a vehicle or moveable skid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Clean Fuel Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Cemenska, Gerald N. Coleman, Ted W. Scheuermann
  • Patent number: 6439212
    Abstract: A bypass venturi assembly for recirculating exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine, Particularly suitable for use in an on-road vehicle, is provided with a housing having an outlet, a combustion air inlet and an exhaust gas inlet. A center piece is Positioned within the housing and is in communication with the combustion air inlet. The center piece defines a combustion air bypass section therein. A combustion air bypass valve is positioned in association with the combustion air bypass section. An exhaust gas valve is positioned in association with the exhaust gas inlet. An elbow is coupled with the outlet and defines a fluid flow path. The elbow includes a vane therein which is positioned in association with the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Dennis D. Feucht, Michael P. Harmon, David A. Pierpont, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Patent number: 6418721
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a motor vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold and includes a controllable, variable intake nozzle. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont