Patents by Inventor Jess W. Gingrich

Jess W. Gingrich 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: 20140069082
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling recirculated exhaust gas composition and quantity provided to an internal combustion engine, which has one or more separately controllable combustion cylinders, a main exhaust line and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop. A first exhaust valve is connected to the main exhaust line, and a second exhaust valve is connected to the EGR loop. The operation of the exhaust valves is controlled such that exhaust does not flow through both exhaust valves at the same time. Control of the exhaust valves is coordinated with the main fueling event used to control the exhaust composition exiting each valve for every cylinder on every cycle. During each engine cycle, a post-combustion fuel injection event is also used to add fuel to the exhaust in-cylinder, which flows only through the second (EGR) exhaust valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Terrence F. Alger, II, Jess W. Gingrich
  • Patent number: 8561599
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatuses and systems to manage exhaust gas expelled from an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present disclosure provides an exhaust gas recirculation apparatus to distribute recirculated exhaust gas in an air stream to be introduced to an internal combustion engine, with the apparatus comprising an intake passage defined by a wall structure, the wall structure including a plurality of apertures therein configured to distribute recirculated exhaust gas into the intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Jess W. Gingrich, Steven H. Almaraz
  • Publication number: 20130239547
    Abstract: An integrated water-gas-shift (WGS) and emissions control device (ECD) catalyst for treating exhaust from an internal combustion engine. The engine is assumed to have an EGR loop, such that exhaust is recirculated back to the engine's intake. A WGS catalyst on the EGR loop, for conditioning the EGR flow, is integrated with a catalyzed ECD on the main exhaust line, for reducing pollutant emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jess W. Gingrich, Steven H. Almaraz
  • Publication number: 20130220286
    Abstract: A method using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in an internal combustion engine. The engine has at least one “dedicated EGR cylinder”, whose entire exhaust is recirculated back to all the engine cylinders. The dedicated EGR cylinder is operated at a rich air-fuel ratio, and the other cylinders are operated stoichiometrically so that a conventional three way catalyst may be used to treat the exhaust. A fuel injector is used to inject fuel into the combustion chamber of the dedicated EGR cylinder after initiation of the main combustion event. This post injection method overcomes flammability limits of a dedicated EGR cylinder, and increases the hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) in its exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jess W. Gingrich, Terrence F. Alger, II, Raphael Gukelberger
  • Publication number: 20130104861
    Abstract: A method of improving the diffusion combustion of a compression ignition engine. Such engines have at least one cylinder, each cylinder having a compression chamber and operated with an intake phase, compression phase, expansion phase, and exhaust phase of a reciprocating piston. An antenna is placed within the combustion chamber, and is used to apply electromagnetic energy to the diffusion combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Charles E. Roberts, JR., Jess W. Gingrich, Terrence F. Alger, II
  • Publication number: 20130104862
    Abstract: A method of improving the combustion of a spark-ignition internal combustion engine. Such engines have at least one cylinder, each cylinder having a compression chamber and operated such that an air-fuel mixture introduced into the combustion chamber is ignited to cause a combustion event. An antenna is placed within the combustion chamber, and is used to apply electromagnetic energy to the combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jess W. Gingrich, Terrence F. Alger, II, Charles E. Roberts, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120204845
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatuses and systems to manage exhaust gas expelled from an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present disclosure provides an exhaust gas recirculation apparatus to distribute recirculated exhaust gas in an air stream to be introduced to an internal combustion engine, with the apparatus comprising an intake passage defined by a wall structure, the wall structure including a plurality of apertures therein configured to distribute recirculated exhaust gas into the intake passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jess W. GINGRICH, Steven H. ALMARAZ
  • Publication number: 20120204844
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatuses and systems to manage exhaust gas expelled from cylinders of an internal combustion engine. An exemplary system may comprise at least one cylinder of the engine configured to operate as a dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cylinder, and wherein substantially all exhaust gas expelled from the dedicated EGR cylinder is recirculated to an intake system of the engine. In one embodiment, the system may include a flow restrictor configured and arranged to restrict a flow of the recirculated exhaust gas to the dedicated EGR cylinder without restricting a flow of the recirculated exhaust gas to the remaining cylinders of the engine. In another embodiment, exhaust gas may be expelled from the dedicated EGR cylinder in pulsations, and the intake system may be configured to reduce an amplitude of the pulsations of the exhaust gas expelled from the dedicated EGR cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jess W. GINGRICH, Barrett W. MANGOLD, Steven H. ALMARAZ
  • Patent number: 7389752
    Abstract: A method and system for providing pilot fuel for a pilot ignition system of an internal combustion engine having one or more cylinders and having a lubrication system. A portion of the lubricating oil is diverted from the lubricating system. During the pilot ignition phase of the engine combustion cycle, the diverted lubricating oil is injected into the one or more cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Terrence F. Alger, II, Jess W. Gingrich, Stephen F. Hahne
  • Publication number: 20080022680
    Abstract: A water-gas shift catalyst in an exhaust gas recirculation system of either a naturally-aspirated or forced induction fuel-injected internal combustion engine uses a water-gas shift reaction to increase the amount of hydrogen in recirculated exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Jess W. Gingrich, Terrence F. Alger
  • Patent number: 7168411
    Abstract: An engine control strategy that ensures that NOx emissions from the engine will be maintained at an acceptable level. The control strategy is based on a two-dimensional fuel-air curve, in which air manifold pressure (AMP) is a function of fuel header pressure and engine speed. The control strategy provides for closed loop NOx adjustment to a base AMP value derived from the fuel-air curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Gary D. Bourn, Jack A. Smith, Jess W. Gingrich