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: 11486321
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicle includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to perform various operations. The operations include determining that the vehicle is in reverse and in response, deactivating a cylinder of an engine of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: Cummins Inc., Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron William Beinborn, J. Steven Kolhouse
  • Patent number: 11459965
    Abstract: Managing firing fraction transitions of a variable displacement internal combustion engines by (a) avoiding transport delays in an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) feed by starting movement of an EGR valve position after a decision to transition to a new firing fraction has been made, but prior to the start of the transition and (b) adjusting the EGR valve as needed during the transition so as to maintain an EGR fraction within a predetermined range during the transition. By performing both (a) and (b), spikes of nitrous oxide (NOx) and/or hydrocarbon emissions are reduced or altogether eliminated during the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: Tula Technology, Inc., Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Louis J. Serrano, Xiaoping Cai, J. Steven Kolhouse, Avra Brahma, Adrian P. Dale
  • Publication number: 20220290622
    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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Anant Puri, J. Steven Kolhouse, Apurva A. Chunodkar
  • Patent number: 11441495
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for controlling operation of dual fuel engines are disclosed that regulate the fueling 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 fueling amounts are controlled to improve operational outcomes of the duel fuel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    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
  • Publication number: 20220282677
    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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron William Beinborn, J. Steven Kolhouse, Jonathan A. Dickson
  • Patent number: 11428133
    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 controller to: determine a set of emission regulations based on a location of a vehicle; determine a target temperature of a catalyst of an aftertreatment system of the vehicle in response to the determined set of emission regulations; compare a current temperature of the catalyst to the determined target temperature; and in response to the current temperature of the catalyst being below the determined target temperature, provide a thermal management command to increase the catalyst temperature toward the determined target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignees: Cummins Inc., Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Kay Light-Holets, J. Steven Kolhouse, Govindarajan Kothandaraman, Carlos Alcides Lana
  • Patent number: 11396284
    Abstract: A system for diagnosing engine braking performance of an engine comprising a plurality of cylinders comprises an exhaust manifold pressure sensor configured to detect an exhaust manifold pressure corresponding to exhaust gas emitted from a plurality of cylinders. A controller is configured to determine an exhaust manifold pressure value corresponding to at least one cylinder of the plurality of cylinders that is being used for engine braking, from an exhaust manifold pressure sensor signal received from the exhaust manifold pressure sensor. The controller is also configured to determine an engine braking value based on the exhaust manifold pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Adam C. Cecil, Adrian P. Dale, Anshul Shambav, Anthony K. Perfetto, David J. Stroh, J. Steven Kolhouse, Ryan E. Schultz, Samuel C. Geckler, Thomas M. Yonushonis
  • Patent number: 11378022
    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: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Anant Puri, J. Steven Kolhouse, Apurva A. Chunodkar
  • Publication number: 20220205401
    Abstract: A system for controlling operations of an engine comprises a plurality of cylinders and a controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of cylinders. The controller is configured to determine an operating condition of the engine, and in response to determining that the operating condition is suitable for activating less then all cylinders of the plurality of cylinders during a cycle of the engine, determine a first firing pattern, and a second firing pattern different from the first firing pattern for activating the plurality of cylinders of the engine. The controller is configured to activate a first set of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders based on the first firing pattern, and subsequent to activating the first set of cylinders, activate a second set of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders different from the first set of cylinders based on the second firing pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicants: CUMMINS INC., TULA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Aaron William Beinborn, Lyle E. Kocher
  • Patent number: 11313295
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed that include an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders operable to be deactivated while controlling a variable geometry turbocharger in response to the reduced number of active cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron William Beinborn, Adrian P. Dale, Lyle E. Kocher, J. Steven Kolhouse
  • Publication number: 20220120233
    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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Ross A. Phillips, Donald J. Benson, J. Steven Kolhouse, Avra Brahma
  • Publication number: 20220099038
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a control circuit. The control circuit is structured to interpret condition data indicative of an external operating condition of a vehicle, determine an operating parameter of the vehicle based on an actuator response of an actuator of the vehicle, compare the operating parameter to an operating parameter threshold where the operating parameter threshold is based on the external operating condition, and remap an actuator response map of the actuator based on the comparison indicating that the operating parameter does not satisfy the operating parameter threshold. The operating parameter includes at least one of a fuel economy value, an emissions value, an acceleration value, a braking value, or a wear value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Carlos Alcides Lana, Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, J. Stephen Wills, Thomas M. Yonushonis
  • Publication number: 20220074379
    Abstract: A method of controlling an ignitor for a spark-ignition engine includes receiving, by a controller, at least one of fuel quality data regarding a fuel for the spark-ignition engine or a characteristic regarding the ignitor for the spark-ignition engine. The method additionally includes controlling, by the controller, an ignition energy characteristic of the ignitor in response to the at least one of the fuel quality data regarding the fuel or the characteristic regarding the ignitor for the spark-ignition engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Daniel J. O'Connor, Philipe F. Saad
  • Publication number: 20220034267
    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: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Anant Puri, J. Steven Kolhouse, Apurva A. Chunodkar
  • Publication number: 20220018321
    Abstract: A fuel system is provided, comprising: a liquid fuel source; a gaseous fuel source; and a dual injector having a first flow path in flow communication with the liquid fuel source and a second flow path in flow communication with gaseous fuel source, and an outlet in flow communication with the first and second flow paths and positioned to directly inject liquid fuel from the first flow path and gaseous fuel from the second flow path into a combustion chamber of a cylinder of an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Anthony Kyle Perfetto
  • Publication number: 20220009348
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: J. Steven KOLHOUSE, Lisa A. ORTH-FARRELL, Steven E. CARLSON, Aaron W. BEINBORN
  • Patent number: 11203954
    Abstract: A system includes a valve actuation system, a pre-lubrication pump coupled to a lubrication circuit and configured to provide oil to the valve actuation system, a catalyst for receiving and treating exhaust gasses, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify an engine start request and determine whether the catalyst temperature is below a first threshold value. In response to determining that the catalyst temperature is below the first threshold value, the controller actuates the pre-lubrication pump to direct lubricant to the valve actuation system, controls the valve actuation system to deactivate at least one cylinder of an engine, and, subsequent to deactivating the at least one cylinder of the engine, cranks the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Lyle E. Kocher
  • Patent number: 11199142
    Abstract: The systems, methods, and apparatuses provided herein disclose interpreting a performance criteria for a vehicle, wherein the performance criteria is indicative of a desired operating parameter for the vehicle; interpreting a good driver definition value indicative of a good driver profile for the interpreted performance criteria; determining a performance value indicative of how an operator of the vehicle is performing with respect to the good driver definition value; and in response to the performance value indicating that the vehicle is not satisfying the performance criteria, managing an actuator output response value for at least one actuator in the vehicle to facilitate achievement of the good driver definition value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Carlos Alcides Lana, Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, J. Stephen Wills, Thomas M. Yonushonis
  • Publication number: 20210372312
    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 controller to: determine a set of emission regulations based on a location of a vehicle; determine a target temperature of a catalyst of an aftertreatment system of the vehicle in response to the determined set of emission regulations; compare a current temperature of the catalyst to the determined target temperature; and in response to the current temperature of the catalyst being below the determined target temperature, provide a thermal management command to increase the catalyst temperature toward the determined target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicants: Cummins Inc., Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Kay Light-Holets, J. Steven Kolhouse, Govindarajan Kothandaraman, Carlos Alcides Lana
  • Publication number: 20210355887
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicle includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to perform various operations. The operations include determining that the vehicle is in reverse and in response, deactivating a cylinder of an engine of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Aaron William Beinborn, J. Steven Kolhouse