Patents by Inventor Jennifer C. Wheeler

Jennifer C. Wheeler 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).

  • Publication number: 20200149490
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes an engine defining a plurality of cylinders and configured to combust a fuel. A method of increasing efficiency of an engine includes controlling an amount of fuel being injected into the plurality of cylinders of the engine via a respective fuel injector. An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is in selective fluid communication with a second subset of the plurality of cylinders and the air intake system to route the second exhaust product from the second subset of the plurality of cylinders to an air intake system. A valve is coupled to the EGR system and the exhaust system. A first sensor is disposed between the valve and the air intake system, and measures an amount of reformate in the second exhaust product when the valve is in a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Martino A. Casetti, Michael J. Lucido, Ping Ge, Jennifer C. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 8967089
    Abstract: Improved internal combustion engine power systems (e.g., those used to generate mechanical or electrical power in vehicular applications) that utilize a reformed alcohol fuel comprising a hydrogen-containing gas mixture, and more particularly, the efficient operation of such engines and power systems are disclosed. Modes of operating the engine power systems that provide faster startup and lower cost and emissions are provided. In various preferred embodiments, the internal combustion engine power systems include dilution of the intake fluid mixture introduced into the combustion chamber or cylinder of the engine using recirculated exhaust gas and/or excess combustion air as the diluent, use of blends of ethanol reformate and unreformed ethanol as fuel and aftertreatment of the exhaust gas discharged from the cylinder using a lean NOx trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: David A. Morgenstern, Jennifer C. Wheeler, Robert A. Stein
  • Publication number: 20120097117
    Abstract: Improved internal combustion engine power systems (e.g., those used to generate mechanical or electrical power in vehicular applications) that utilize a reformed alcohol fuel comprising a hydrogen-containing gas mixture, and more particularly, the efficient operation of such engines and power systems are disclosed. Modes of operating the engine power systems that provide faster startup and lower cost and emissions are provided. In various preferred embodiments, the internal combustion engine power systems include dilution of the intake fluid mixture introduced into the combustion chamber or cylinder of the engine using recirculated exhaust gas and/or excess combustion air as the diluent, use of blends of ethanol reformate and unreformed ethanol as fuel and aftertreatment of the exhaust gas discharged from the cylinder using a lean NOx trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: MONSTANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: David A. Morgenstern, Jennifer C. Wheeler, Robert A. Stein