Patents by Inventor J. Steven Kolhouse

J. Steven Kolhouse 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: 11933237
    Abstract: A system includes an exhaust aftertreatment system including a particulate filter and a controller. The controller is configured to: receive a particulate filter regeneration event trigger; receive information, the information comprising a temperature regarding the particulate filter; determine the temperature regarding the particulate filter is below a temperature threshold associated with a particulate filter regeneration event; and responsive to determining the temperature regarding the particulate filter is below the temperature threshold, command the engine to operate in a cylinder deactivation mode, whereby at least one cylinder of a plurality of cylinders of the engine is deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: Cummins Inc., Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, David Langenderfer, David Schmidt, Vijay Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 11933202
    Abstract: Systems and methods to extend a life of a component of a cylinder deactivation system are provided. A method includes generating, by a controller, an initial life factor for the component; initiating, by the controller, a CDA mode for an engine; determining, by the controller, an actual life factor for the component, the actual life factor determined by comparing a number of switching events of a cylinder in the CDA mode to a number of cycles of the cylinder in the CDA mode; comparing, by the controller, the actual life factor to the initial life factor; and modifying, by the controller based on the comparison, operation of the engine in the CDA mode to adjust the actual life factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: Cummins Inc., Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Frazier, J. Steven Kolhouse, Steven J. Small, Louis Joseph Serrano
  • Publication number: 20240084747
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for controlling operation of dual fuel engines are disclosed that regulate the fuelling amounts provided by a first fuel and a second fuel during operation of the engine. The first fuel can be a liquid fuel and the second fuel can be a gaseous fuel. The fuelling amounts are controlled to improve operational outcomes of the duel fuel engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: C. Larry Bruner, Phanindra V. Garimella, Geomy George, Timothy P. Lutz, J. Steven Kolhouse, Edmund P. Hodzen, Robert Charles Borregard, Mark A. Rosswurm, Axel Otto zur Loye
  • Patent number: 11920533
    Abstract: A system includes an aftertreatment system heater of an exhaust aftertreatment system coupled to an engine A controller coupled to the aftertreatment system heater is configured to determine a condition of an exhaust gas from an engine and compare the condition to a predefined threshold. If the condition of the exhaust gas does not meet the predefined threshold, the controller is configured to determine whether an engine operating condition is met for activating a cylinder deactivation operating mode for the engine. If the engine operating condition is met, the controller is configured to operate the engine in the cylinder deactivation operating mode by deactivating a cylinder of a plurality of cylinders. If the engine operating condition is not met, the controller is configured to activate the aftertreatment system heater to heat the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: Cummins Inc., Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Kay Light-Holets, J. Steven Kolhouse, Christopher R. Nelson, Anant Puri, Xiaobo Song, Avra Brahma
  • Patent number: 11920530
    Abstract: A method for delaying cylinder reactivation in a vehicle includes identifying, by a controller, a request to exit a cylinder deactivation state. The controller determines if the request is due to a transient condition. If the request is due to the transient condition, the controller analyzes at least one of the transient condition and a condition of the vehicle. The controller determines a first adjustment to the vehicle based on analyzing at least one of the transient condition and the condition of the vehicle. The first adjustment is configured to mitigate the transient condition. The controller implements the first adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron William Beinborn, J. Steven Kolhouse, Jonathan A. Dickson
  • Patent number: 11905908
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine fueling system to manage fuel in an accumulator supplying fuel to an engine including multiple cylinders comprising monitoring fuel load in the accumulator, determining that the engine is operating in a cylinder deactivation mode such as a skip-fire mode during which one or more fueling events to one or more of the cylinders is being skipped, and controlling a supply of fuel from a fuel pump to the accumulator during the cylinder deactivation mode operation. In embodiments, controlling the supply of fuel includes causing fuel to be supplied from the fuel pump to the accumulator if the monitored fuel load is less than or equal to a first fuel load, and causing fuel to be not supplied from the fuel pump to the accumulator if the monitored fuel load is greater than the first load value. Controlling the supply of fuel may comprise controlling the supply of fuel during each fueling event cycle of each deactivated cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Ross A. Phillips, Donald J. Benson, J. Steven Kolhouse, Avra Brahma
  • Publication number: 20240026833
    Abstract: A method of controlling a fixed cylinder deactivation (CDA) system of an engine system is provided. The method includes: deactivating, by a controller, a cylinder of the engine system to operate the engine system in a fixed CDA mode; determining, by the controller, a temperature of an injector tip nozzle associated with the cylinder; comparing, by the controller, the temperature of the injector tip nozzle to a threshold temperature; and in response to determining that the temperature of the injector tip nozzle is greater than the threshold temperature, activating, by the controller, the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicants: Cummins Inc., Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Ross A. Phillips
  • Patent number: 11859567
    Abstract: A method of controlling a skip-fire cylinder deactivation system of an engine system is provided. The method includes a controller deactivating a cylinder of the engine system to operate the engine system in a skip-fire mode. The method further includes determining a temperature of an injector tip nozzle associated with the cylinder and comparing the temperature of the injector tip nozzle to a threshold a temperature. In response to determining that the temperature of the injector tip nozzle is greater than the threshold temperature, the cylinder is activated by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Cummins Inc., Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Ross A. Phillips
  • Patent number: 11859569
    Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating exhaust gas emissions via cylinder deactivation are provided. A system includes a controller coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric motive device. The controller includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instruction that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to: receive a power request less than a current power output from the internal combustion engine; command the electric motive device to provide a supplemental power output based on the received power request; command the internal combustion engine to operate in a cylinder deactivation mode whereby at least one cylinder of a plurality of cylinders of the internal combustion engine is deactivated; responsive to determining that a power output of the internal combustion engine is substantially equivalent to the power request after commanding the internal combustion engine to operate in the cylinder deactivation mode, deactivate the electric motive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Cummins Inc., Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Avra Brahma
  • Publication number: 20230407804
    Abstract: A system includes an exhaust aftertreatment system including a particulate filter and a controller. The controller is configured to: receive a particulate filter regeneration event trigger; receive information, the information comprising a temperature regarding the particulate filter; determine the temperature regarding the particulate filter is below a temperature threshold associated with a particulate filter regeneration event; and responsive to determining the temperature regarding the particulate filter is below the temperature threshold, command the engine to operate in a cylinder deactivation mode, whereby at least one cylinder of a plurality of cylinders of the engine is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicants: Cummins Inc., Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, David Langenderfer, David Schmidt, Vijay Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 11840971
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for controlling operation of dual fuel engines are disclosed that regulate the fuelling amounts provided by a first fuel and a second fuel during operation of the engine. The first fuel can be a liquid fuel and the second fuel can be a gaseous fuel. The fuelling amounts are controlled to improve operational outcomes of the duel fuel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins Inc
    Inventors: C. Larry Bruner, Phanindra V. Garimella, Geomy George, Timothy P. Lutz, J. Steven Kolhouse, Edmund P. Hodzen, Robert Charles Borregard, Mark A. Rosswurm, Axel Otto zur Loye
  • Patent number: 11840996
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of controlling an ignitor are disclosed. A method includes: receiving, by a controller, fuel quality data regarding a fuel for a spark-ignition engine; determining, by the controller, a fuel quality metric based on the fuel quality data; and controlling, by the controller, an ignition energy characteristic of an ignitor in response to the fuel quality metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Daniel J. O'Connor, Philipe F. Saad
  • Patent number: 11833902
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes an engine, a transmission, a differential, and a waste heat recovery (WHR) drive that converts thermal energy into mechanical and electrical energy. The WHR drive can include a WHR power unit structured to convert thermal energy into rotation of a WHR drive shaft. A motor/generator having a motor/generator shaft can selectively operate as a motor or a generator. A mechanical linkage is structured to selectively link an output shaft to one of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft independently of the other of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft. The output shaft is selectively coupled to one of the engine, the transmission, or the differential. The vehicle system may also include a traction motor to provide drive to the vehicle. The output shaft can be selectively coupled to the traction motor or the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Manik Narula, Timothy C. Ernst, Michael J. Ruth, Jonathan A. Dickson, J. Steven Kolhouse, Nimish Bagayatkar
  • Patent number: 11828252
    Abstract: An intake air circuit is structured to transmit intake air from a turbocharger compressor to an intake manifold of an engine. A charge air cooler (“CAC”), a bypass line, and a bypass heater are each positioned along the intake air circuit in parallel with each other. A first control valve is structured to controllably divert the intake air around the CAC. A second control valve is structured to controllably divert the intake air around at least one of the bypass line and the bypass heater. A controller operatively coupled to each of the engine, and the first and second control valves is structured to control each of the first and second control valves to cause the intake air to flow along a determined desired flow path based on each of measured ambient temperature and measured engine load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Daniel J. Mohr, Adrian P. Dale, Samuel C. Geckler, Leon A. LaPointe, David J. Stroh, Anthony Kyle Perfetto, Robin J. Bremmer, Ryan Edward Schultz
  • Patent number: 11820359
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery (WHR) hybrid power system can be utilized in vehicles to convert heat energy into mechanical energy. The WHR system can include a WHR power unit structured to convert thermal energy into rotation of a WHR drive shaft. A motor/generator having a motor/generator shaft can selectively operate as a motor or a generator. A mechanical linkage can be structured to selectively link a output shaft to one of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft independently of the other of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Manik Narula, Timothy C. Ernst, Michael J. Ruth, Jonathan A. Dickson, J. Steven Kolhouse, Nimish Bagayatkar
  • Patent number: 11802519
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bypassing a compromised engine cylinder via cylinder deactivation are described according to various embodiments herein. A system includes an engine coupled to a controller. The controller includes at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the controller to: determine that one or more cylinders of a plurality of cylinders of the engine is compromised based on data regarding operation of the engine; and cause the engine to operate in the modified engine operating mode whereby operation of the one or more cylinders that are compromised is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignees: Cummins Inc., Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron William Beinborn, J. Steven Kolhouse, David J. Langenderfer, David Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20230326264
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses include a controller including at least one processor coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to: receive data indicative of at least one of a current route or of a current performance of a vehicle; correlate at least one of the current route or the current performance to a control strategy; and determine at least one of a timing or a duration of an active regeneration event for an aftertreatment system based on the correlated control strategy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Heichelbech, J. Steven Kolhouse, Sun Shuai, Di Wang, Kai Wang, Yujun Wang
  • Patent number: 11767797
    Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for controlling a cylinder deactivation (CDA) operation for an electrified powertrain, the electrified powertrain comprising an engine and an additional power source, the engine having a plurality of cylinders. The method includes the step of operating the electrified powertrain in a CDA mode and deactivating one or more selected cylinders of the plurality of cylinders; receiving measurement data indicative of operating conditions of the electrified powertrain; analyzing the measurement data to determine whether a predetermined operating condition is met; and adjusting the CDA operation by adjusting the duration of the CDA operation or changing a number of deactivated cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Anant Puri, J. Steven Kolhouse, Apurva A. Chunodkar
  • Publication number: 20230278651
    Abstract: A trailer arranged to be coupled to tractor unit. The tractor unit comprising an electric or hybrid electric powertrain and a control system for controlling the powertrain, wherein the trailer comprises a trailer battery and the trailer battery is arranged to provide power to the powertrain under control of the control system. The control system comprising a control module arranged to provide signals for controlling the trailer battery. The trailer battery comprising a battery management system arranged to receive the control signals and to control the trailer battery in dependence thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: David P. Genter, John Robert Pendray, J. Steven Kolhouse, Jacob Ensign, Archit N. Koti, Nuwan Janaka Gallege, Aaron William Beinborn, Joseph P. Chandraraj, Bradford K.O. Palmer, Marco Gatti
  • Patent number: 11724594
    Abstract: Engine controllers and control schemes that facilitate skip fire engine operation in conjunction with use power take-off devices are described. In one aspect, a skip fire mode is exited when the power take-off unit is engaged and the current torque request exceeds a torque threshold. In some embodiments, the exit is delayed when the temperature of an after treatment system is below a designated temperature threshold. In another aspect, the engine transitions to the skip fire mode when the power take-off unit disengages. In some embodiments, exiting is conditioned on the current torque request being less than a torque threshold. In some embodiments, the transition is made immediately, whereas in others the transition only occurs when the power take-off unit is not reengaged for a period of time or is further conditioned on determining that the power take-off unit is likely to remain disengaged for the period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: Tula Technology, Inc., Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Lisa A. Orth-Farrell, Steven E. Carlson, Aaron W. Beinborn