Patents by Inventor Giovanni Cavataio

Giovanni Cavataio 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: 11794172
    Abstract: Methods are provided for emissions control of a vehicle. In one example, a catalyst may include a cerium-based support material and a transition metal catalyst loaded on the support material, the transition metal catalyst including nickel and copper, wherein nickel in the transition metal catalyst is included in a monatomic layer loaded on the support material. In some examples, limiting nickel to the monatomic layer may mitigate extensive transition metal catalyst degradation ascribed to sintering of thicker nickel washcoat layers. Further, by utilizing the cerium-based support material, side reactions involving nickel in the transition metal catalyst with other support materials may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rachael Jean Harrington, Eva Thanasiu, Hungwen Jen, Giovanni Cavataio, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn
  • Publication number: 20230250747
    Abstract: A catalytic converter system having oxygen storage materials is disclosed and methods for determining whether to reactivate oxygen storage materials and monitoring failure events of the oxygen storage materials are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Wu, Eva Thanasiu, Giovanni Cavataio, Carolyn Parks Hubbard, Andrew Gregory Getsoian, Yisun Cheng, Natalie Roxas, Michael James Uhrich
  • Patent number: 11629627
    Abstract: A catalytic converter system having oxygen storage materials is disclosed and methods for determining whether to reactivate oxygen storage materials and monitoring failure events of the oxygen storage materials are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Wu, Eva Thanasiu, Giovanni Cavataio, Carolyn Parks Hubbard, Andrew Gregory Getsoian, Yisun Cheng, Natalie Roxas, Michael James Uhrich
  • Patent number: 11618008
    Abstract: Methods for preparing ceria-zirconia (CZO) materials calcined with precious group metals (PGM) include calcining a CZO material with PGM. The calcined CZO/PGM catalyst is reduced at a temperature of ?1000° C. to ?1100° C. for a time of ?0.5 hour to 1 hour to form a (CZO/PGM)-pyrochlore catalyst. The (CZO/PGM)-pyrochlore catalyst exhibits superior oxygen storage capacity characteristics as a three-way catalyst in vehicle exhaust gas systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Wu, Giovanni Cavataio, Ann O'Neill, Natalie Roxas
  • Patent number: 11603787
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a gasoline urea selective catalytic reductant catalyst are described. In one example, an observer is provided that corrects an estimate of an amount of NH3 that is stored in a SCR. The amount of NH3 that is stored in the SCR is a basis for generating additional NH3 or ceasing generation of NH3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Uhrich, Timothy R. Gernant, Giovanni Cavataio, Joseph Thomas
  • Patent number: 11583834
    Abstract: An automotive catalytic converter includes a three-way catalyst having Rh as the only precious metal configured as a front zone and a three-way catalyst having a mixture of Rh and Pd, Pt, or both configured as a rear zone, such that an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine passes through the front zone before passing through the rear zone to minimize sulfur poisoning of the catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yisun Cheng, Giovanni Cavataio, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, Mira Bumbaroska, Carolyn Parks Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20220341359
    Abstract: A catalytic converter system having oxygen storage materials is disclosed and methods for determining whether to reactivate oxygen storage materials and monitoring failure events of the oxygen storage materials are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Wu, Eva Thanasiu, Giovanni Cavataio, Carolyn Parks Hubbard, Andrew Gregory Getsoian, Yisun Cheng, Natalie Roxas, Michael James Uhrich
  • Patent number: 11428144
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include positioning an oxygen sensor in an engine exhaust downstream from a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, determining an oxygen storage capacity of the SCR catalyst based on a measurement of the oxygen sensor, and determining an extent of deactivation of the SCR catalyst based on the oxygen storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Michael Uhrich, Jason Wu, Andrew Getsoian
  • Publication number: 20220170400
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a gasoline urea selective catalytic reductant catalyst are described. In one example, an observer is provided that corrects an estimate of an amount of NH3 that is stored in a SCR. The amount of NH3 that is stored in the SCR is a basis for generating additional NH3 or ceasing generation of NH3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Uhrich, Timothy R. Gernant, Giovanni Cavataio, Joseph Thomas
  • Publication number: 20220127995
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Michael Uhrich, Jason Wu, Andrew Getsoian
  • Patent number: 11300064
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an aftertreatment system. In one example, a system comprising a spark-ignited engine comprising a selective catalytic reduction device (SCR) arranged in an exhaust passage downstream of a catalyst, and an injector positioned to inject a reductant directly into the exhaust passage downstream of the catalyst subsequent an engine shut-off event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Giovanni Cavataio, William Charles Ruona, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20220105492
    Abstract: Methods for preparing ceria-zirconia (CZO) materials calcined with precious group metals (PGM) include calcining a CZO material with PGM. The calcined CZO/PGM catalyst is reduced at a temperature of ?1000° C. to ?1100° C. for a time of ?0.5 hour to 1 hour to form a (CZO/PGM)-pyrochlore catalyst. The (CZO/PGM)-pyrochlore catalyst exhibits superior oxygen storage capacity characteristics as a three-way catalyst in vehicle exhaust gas systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Wu, Giovanni Cavataio, Ann O'Neill, Natalie Roxas
  • Publication number: 20220003179
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an aftertreatment system. In one example, a system comprising a spark-ignited engine comprising a selective catalytic reduction device (SCR) arranged in an exhaust passage downstream of a catalyst, and an injector positioned to inject a reductant directly into the exhaust passage downstream of the catalyst subsequent an engine shut-off event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Giovanni Cavataio, William Charles Ruona, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 11203961
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for emissions control of a vehicle. In one example, an emissions treatment device includes a porous substrate and a catalytic washcoat disposed thereon, the catalytic washcoat having nickel and no other metal. The porous substrate may be configured to filter particulate matter (PM) exiting the vehicle and the catalytic washcoat may be configured to oxidize at least a portion of the PM. The nickel in the catalytic washcoat may provide additional oxygen storage capacity and increased tolerance to sulfur poisoning of catalytic activity of the catalytic washcoat, further promoting PM oxidation. Moreover, because the catalytic washcoat may increase PM oxidation during passive regeneration events, a total number of active regeneration events may be decreased and fuel economy may be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Brian Chanko, Xin Liu, Douglas Allen Dobson, Giovanni Cavataio, Eva Thanasiu
  • Publication number: 20210387170
    Abstract: Methods are provided for emissions control of a vehicle. In one example, a catalyst may include a cerium-based support material and a transition metal catalyst loaded on the support material, the transition metal catalyst including nickel and copper, wherein nickel in the transition metal catalyst is included in a monatomic layer loaded on the support material. In some examples, limiting nickel to the monatomic layer may mitigate extensive transition metal catalyst degradation ascribed to sintering of thicker nickel washcoat layers. Further, by utilizing the cerium-based support material, side reactions involving nickel in the transition metal catalyst with other support materials may be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Rachael Jean Harrington, Eva Thanasiu, Hungwen Jen, Giovanni Cavataio, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn
  • Patent number: 11167272
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for emissions control of a vehicle. In one example, a catalyst may include a cerium-based support material and a transition metal catalyst loaded on the support material, the transition metal catalyst including nickel and copper, wherein nickel in the transition metal catalyst is included in a monatomic layer loaded on the support material. In some examples, limiting nickel to the monatomic layer may mitigate extensive transition metal catalyst degradation ascribed to sintering of thicker nickel washcoat layers. Further, by utilizing the cerium-based support material, side reactions involving nickel in the transition metal catalyst with other support materials may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rachael Jean Harrington, Eva Thanasiu, Hungwen Jen, Giovanni Cavataio, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn
  • Publication number: 20210285354
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for emissions control of a vehicle. In one example, an emissions treatment device includes a porous substrate and a catalytic washcoat disposed thereon, the catalytic washcoat having nickel and no other metal. The porous substrate may be configured to filter particulate matter (PM) exiting the vehicle and the catalytic washcoat may be configured to oxidize at least a portion of the PM. The nickel in the catalytic washcoat may provide additional oxygen storage capacity and increased tolerance to sulfur poisoning of catalytic activity of the catalytic washcoat, further promoting PM oxidation. Moreover, because the catalytic washcoat may increase PM oxidation during passive regeneration events, a total number of active regeneration events may be decreased and fuel economy may be maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy Brian Chanko, Xin Liu, Douglas Allen Dobson, Giovanni Cavataio, Eva Thanasiu
  • Patent number: 11073061
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a multicomponent aftertreatment device arranged in a vehicle exhaust gas passage. In one example, a system may include an oxygen storage catalyst and an underbody trap catalyst comprising metal modified zeolite, the oxygen storage catalyst arranged upstream of the underbody trap catalyst in an exhaust passage of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gang Guo, Jason Lupescu, Giovanni Cavataio, Eva Thanasiu, Hungwen Jen, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn
  • Patent number: 10926240
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon trap is provided for reducing cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. The trap comprises a monolithic flow-through substrate having a porosity of at least 60% and including a zeolite loading of at least 4 g/in3 in or on its walls. A separate coating of a three-way catalyst is provided over the zeolite coating. The trap may further include an oxygen storage material. The hydrocarbon trap may be positioned in the exhaust gas system of a vehicle such that unburnt hydrocarbons are adsorbed on the trap and stored until the monolith reaches a sufficient temperature for catalyst activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Jason Aaron Lupescu, Manish Sharma
  • Patent number: 10898886
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon and NOx catalyst trap includes a three-way catalyst, and a zeolite layer adjacent to the three-way catalyst and including alumina and silica arranged to form a repeating skeletal frame that defines cavities including active metal active sites for hydrocarbon and NOx trapping such that individual atoms of the active metal are bound to the frame within the cavities via oxygen atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lifeng Xu, Giovanni Cavataio, Justin Anthony Ura, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, Gang Guo