Patents by Inventor James W. Girard

James W. Girard 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: 9339800
    Abstract: A method for treating engine exhaust. The method includes contacting an NOx exhaust with an upstream catalyst material coated onto a substrate and including copper or iron loaded in a first zeolite at an upstream loading of 0 to 3.5 g/l to convert the NOx exhaust in a first temperature range of 150° C. to 500° C. to a first NOx converted exhaust. The method further includes contacting the first NOx converted exhaust with a downstream catalyst material coated onto the substrate downstream of the upstream catalyst material and including copper or iron loaded in a second zeolite at a downstream loading of 1.5 to 9.5 g/l to convert the first NOx converted exhaust in a second temperature range of 450° C. to 700° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Hungwen Jen, James Robert Warner, James W. Girard, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Publication number: 20150321181
    Abstract: A method for treating engine exhaust. The method includes contacting an NOx exhaust with an upstream catalyst material coated onto a substrate and including copper or iron loaded in a first zeolite at an upstream loading of 0 to 3.5 g/l to convert the NOx exhaust in a first temperature range of 150° C. to 500° C. to a first NOx converted exhaust. The method further includes contacting the first NOx converted exhaust with a downstream catalyst material coated onto the substrate downstream of the upstream catalyst material and including copper or iron loaded in a second zeolite at a downstream loading of 1.5 to 9.5 g/l to convert the first NOx converted exhaust in a second temperature range of 450° C. to 700° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Hungwen Jen, James Robert Warner, James W. Girard, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Patent number: 9120056
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a catalyst assembly is provided for treating an exhaust from an engine. In one embodiment, the catalyst assembly includes a first catalyst material catalytically active at a first temperature and loaded at a first catalyst material loading, the first catalyst material including a first base metal loading, and a second catalyst material catalytically active at a second temperature lower than the first temperature and loaded at a second catalyst material loading, the second catalyst material including a second base metal loading, wherein the second base metal loading is higher than the first base metal loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Hungwen Jen, James Robert Warner, James W. Girard, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Patent number: 9061244
    Abstract: A system and method for NOx reduction is described, with a catalytic unit including a first zeolite catalyst with a first NOx conversion performance in a first temperature range and a second NOx conversion performance, lower than said first NOx conversion performance, in a second temperature range. The catalytic unit also comprises a second zeolite catalyst with a third NOx conversion performance, lower than said first NOx conversion performance, in the first temperature range and a fourth NOx conversion performance, higher than said second and third NOx conversion performances in the second temperature range, said first temperature range being higher than said second temperature range. The system further includes a controller configured to adjust an amount of reducing agent added to the NOx reducing system responsive to a temperature of the catalytic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Girard, Giovanni Cavataio, Christine Kay Lambert, Rachel Alison Snow
  • Patent number: 8343448
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing NOx emissions from a vehicle including an engine having an exhaust. In one example, the system comprises a NOx reducing system coupled to the engine exhaust including a base metal zeolite, said NOx reducing system including a first layer with a first pore size and a second layer with a second pore size, said first pore size being smaller than said second pore size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, James W. Girard, Hungwen Jen, Rachel Alison Snow, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Publication number: 20120275978
    Abstract: A system and method for NOx reduction is described, with a catalytic unit including a first zeolite catalyst with a first NOx conversion performance in a first temperature range and a second NOx conversion performance, lower than said first NOx conversion performance, in a second temperature range. The catalytic unit also comprises a second zeolite catalyst with a third NOx conversion performance, lower than said first NOx conversion performance, in the first temperature range and a fourth NOx conversion performance, higher than said second and third NOx conversion performances in the second temperature range, said first temperature range being higher than said second temperature range. The system further includes a controller configured to adjust an amount of reducing agent added to the NOx reducing system responsive to a temperature of the catalytic unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Girard, Giovanni Cavataio, Christine Kay Lambert, Rachel Alison Snow
  • Patent number: 8225597
    Abstract: A system and method for NOx reduction is described, with a catalytic unit including a first zeolite catalyst with a first NOx conversion performance in a first temperature range and a second NOx conversion performance, lower than said first NOx conversion performance, in a second temperature range. The catalytic unit also comprises a second zeolite catalyst with a third NOx conversion performance, lower than said first NOx conversion performance, in the first temperature range and a fourth NOx conversion performance, higher than said second and third NOx conversion performances in the second temperature range, said first temperature range being higher than said second temperature range. The system further includes a controller configured to adjust an amount of reducing agent added to the NOx reducing system responsive to a temperature of the catalytic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Girard, Giovanni Cavataio, Christine Kay Lambert, Rachel Alison Snow
  • Patent number: 8137648
    Abstract: A diesel engine exhaust treatment system and method is provided which includes a platinum group metal trapping device (16) comprising cerium oxide or a perovskite material positioned between a diesel oxidation catalyst and an SCR catalyst. The platinum group metal trapping device traps trace amounts of platinum group metals which may be released from the diesel oxidation catalyst during engine operation and prevents them from accumulating on the SCR catalyst, preventing potential contamination of the SCR catalyst as well as ensuring that the performance of the SCR catalyst is uninhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hungwen Jen, Giovanni Cavataio, James W. Girard
  • Patent number: 8071038
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an emission control system for reducing gases from the exhaust of a combustion engine. In at least one embodiment, the emission control system includes an exhaust passage for transporting the exhaust from the combustion engine, and a particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction (SCR/PF) unit disposed within the passage, with the unit having a plurality of spaced filter walls extending axially along the passage and selective catalytic reduction catalyst variably loaded on the unit to provide a more uniform pressure drop relative to a unit having uniformly loaded catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Girard, Giovanni Cavataio, Jeong Yeol Kim, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Publication number: 20110200505
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a catalyst assembly is provided for treating an exhaust from an engine. In one embodiment, the catalyst assembly includes a first catalyst material catalytically active at a first temperature and loaded at a first catalyst material loading, the first catalyst material including a first base metal loading, and a second catalyst material catalytically active at a second temperature lower than the first temperature and loaded at a second catalyst material loading, the second catalyst material including a second base metal loading, wherein the second base metal loading is higher than the first base metal loading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Hungwen Jen, James Robert Warner, James W. Girard, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Publication number: 20110162346
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an emission control system for reducing gases from the exhaust of a combustion engine. In at least one embodiment, the emission control system includes an exhaust passage for transporting the exhaust from the combustion engine, and a particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction (SCR/PF) unit disposed within the passage, with the unit having a plurality of spaced filter walls extending axially along the passage and selective catalytic reduction catalyst variably loaded on the unit to provide a more uniform pressure drop relative to a unit having uniformly loaded catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Girard, Giovanni Cavataio, Jeong Yeol Kim, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Patent number: 7963104
    Abstract: An emission control system capable of remediating an exhaust from an internal combustion engine and having an exhaust passage, an oxidation catalyst, a reducing agent and a source of the reducing agent cooperating with an aperture in the exhaust passage. The aperture is disposed downstream of the oxidation catalyst. The system also includes a mixer arranged within the exhaust passage downstream of the aperture. The mixer includes a plurality of mixing elements. The mixer also includes a coating capable of hydrolyzing the reducing agent. At least a portion of the mixing elements which have a thermal conductivity greater than 8 W/m/° K. The system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst disposed downstream from the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Girard, Rachel Alison Snow, Emil G. Serban, Giovanni Cavataio, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Publication number: 20110138777
    Abstract: A diesel engine exhaust treatment system and method is provided which includes a platinum group metal trapping device positioned between a diesel oxidation catalyst and an SCR catalyst. The platinum group metal trapping device traps trace amounts of platinum group metals which may be released from the diesel oxidation catalyst during engine operation and prevents them from accumulating on the SCR catalyst, preventing potential contamination of the SCR catalyst as well as ensuring that the performance of the SCR catalyst is uninhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Hungwen Jen, Glovanni Cavataio, James W. Girard
  • Publication number: 20100077738
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing NOx emissions from a vehicle including an engine having an exhaust. In one example, the system comprises a NOx reducing system coupled to the engine exhaust including a base metal zeolite, said NOx reducing system including a first layer with a first pore size and a second layer with a second pore size, said first pore size being smaller than said second pore size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, James W. Girard, Hungwen Jen, Rachel Allson Snow, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Publication number: 20100077737
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing NOx emissions from a vehicle including an engine having an exhaust. One example system comprises a NOx reducing system coupled to the engine exhaust, said NOx reducing system including a catalytic unit, said catalytic unit including a first zeolite catalyst with a first NOx conversion performance in a first temperature range and a second NOx conversion performance, lower than said first NOx conversion performance, in a second temperature range. The catalytic unit also comprises a second zeolite catalyst with a third NOx conversion performance, lower than said first NOx conversion performance, in the first temperature range and a fourth NOx conversion performance, higher than said second and third NOx conversion performances in the second temperature range, said first temperature range being higher than said second temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Girard, Giovanni Cavataio, Christine Kay Lambert, Rachel Alison Snow
  • Publication number: 20090205324
    Abstract: An emission control system capable of remediating an exhaust from an internal combustion engine and having an exhaust passage, an oxidation catalyst, a reducing agent and a source of the reducing agent cooperating with an aperture in the exhaust passage. The aperture is disposed downstream of the oxidation catalyst. The system also includes a mixer arranged within the exhaust passage downstream of the aperture. The mixer includes a plurality of mixing elements. The mixer also includes a coating capable of hydrolyzing the reducing agent. At least a portion of the mixing elements which have a thermal conductivity greater than 8 W/m/° K. The system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst disposed downstream from the mixer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Girard, Rachel Alison Snow, Emil G. Serban, Giovanni Cavataio, Christine Kay Lambert