Patents by Inventor John F. Wright

John F. Wright 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: 10132250
    Abstract: The system comprises a fuel description module structured to provide a first signal, and a control circuit operable to receive the first signal. The fuel description module comprises a fuel consumption detection package. The fuel consumption detection package an intake manifold temperature sensor and an exhaust temperature sensor, wherein the first signal corresponds to a difference between the exhaust manifold temperature (EMT) and the intake manifold temperature (IMT). The control circuit is responsive to the first signal to produce a second signal indicating a total energy content (Efuel) of fuel supplied to the dual-fuel engine. The Efuel value indicating the total energy content provided to the engine from a first fuel and a second fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Jinghua Zhong, C. Larry Bruner, John F. Wright, Timothy P. Lutz, Phanindra Garimella, Jacob A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20150354472
    Abstract: The system comprises a fuel description module structured to provide a first signal, and a control circuit operable to receive the first signal. The fuel description module comprises a fuel consumption detection package. The fuel consumption detection package an intake manifold temperature sensor and an exhaust temperature sensor, wherein the first signal corresponds to a difference between the exhaust manifold temperature (EMT) and the intake manifold temperature (IMT). The control circuit is responsive to the first signal to produce a second signal indicating a total energy content (Efuel) of fuel supplied to the dual-fuel engine. The Efuel value indicating the total energy content provided to the engine from a first fuel and a second fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Junghua Zhong, C. Larry Bruner, John F. Wright, Timothy P. Lutz, Phanindra Garimella, Jacob A. Brown
  • Patent number: 8392057
    Abstract: Some exemplary embodiments include methods of operating a hybrid powertrain system including an engine and a motor/generator. One exemplary method includes sensing a characteristic of the motor/generator, determining a first net torque of the engine based upon a model, determining a second net torque of the engine based upon the characteristic of the motor/generator, and diagnosing the system based upon the first net torque and the second net torque. Further exemplary embodiments include hybrid powertrain methods, hybrid powertrain systems, and articles of manufacture configured to store computer executable instructions for hybrid powertrains. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Wright, Vivek A. Sujan, Morgan M. Andreae
  • Publication number: 20110153128
    Abstract: Some exemplary embodiments include methods of operating a hybrid powertrain system including an engine and a motor/generator. One exemplary method includes sensing a characteristic of the motor/generator, determining a first net torque of the engine based upon a model, determining a second net torque of the engine based upon the characteristic of the motor/generator, and diagnosing the system based upon the first net torque and the second net torque. Further exemplary embodiments include hybrid powertrain methods, hybrid powertrain systems, and articles of manufacture configured to store computer executable instructions for hybrid powertrains. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: John F. Wright, Vivek A. Sujan, Morgan M. Andreae
  • Patent number: 7329690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the promotion of a continuous chemical barrier of a soil-born invertebrate pest control agent in soil in a locus where soil-borne invertebrate pests are suspected or known to exist. In particular the present invention relates to compositions of liquid soil-borne invertebrate pest control agents and selected adjuvants wherein the adjuvant improves the downward and lateral movement in the soil of the soil-born invertebrate pest control agent contained in the liquid soil-borne invertebrate pest control agent. The invention set forth herein finds particular utility with soil-born invertebrate pest control agents with a water solubility of 3 ppm, or less, such as bifenthrin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Ballard, John F. Wright, James R. Collins, Terry K. Porter
  • Patent number: 6915776
    Abstract: A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low nitrous oxide emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g. the start of combustion, and generating an associated engine operating condition signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Omowoleoa C. Akinyemi, Russ P. Durrett, Patrick F. Flynn, Gary L. Hunter, Greg A. Moore, Jackie M. Mudd, George G. Muntean, Julie A. Wagner, John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6907870
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6837227
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for estimating the mass flow of recirculated exhaust gas (EGR) from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine via an EGR conduit disposed therebetween and a fraction of EGR attributable to a mass of charge flow entering the intake manifold. An engine controller is responsive to current values of various combinations of the engine exhaust temperature (ETE), intake manifold pressure (IMP), differential pressure (?P) across an EGR valve, and EGR valve position (EGRP) to determine an estimate of EGR mass flow. The controller is further operable to estimate EGR fraction as a function of the estimated EGR mass flow value, mass flow of charge entering the intake manifold, and engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Salim A. Jaliwala, Paul R. Miller, Larry J. Brackney, Thomas A. Dollmeyer, Chuan He, George Brunemann, John F. Wright, Stephen J. Charlton
  • Patent number: 6782737
    Abstract: A system for estimating peak cylinder pressure in an internal combustion engine includes a pressure sensor producing a pressure signal indicative of pressure within an intake manifold of the engine, a temperature sensor producing a temperature signal indicative of temperature within the intake manifold, means for determining a charge fuel ratio corresponding to a ratio of in-cylinder trapped charge mass and in-cylinder trapped fuel mass, and a control computer determining a start-of-injection value corresponding to a start of fuel injection into the engine. The control computer is operable to estimate peak cylinder pressure as a function of the pressure signal, the temperature signal, the charge fuel ratio and the start-of-injection value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Wright
  • Publication number: 20040149255
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
  • Publication number: 20040103860
    Abstract: A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low nitrous oxide emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g. the start of combustion, and generating an associated engine operating condition signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Omowoleola C. Akinyemi, Russ P. Durrett, Patrick F. Flynn, Gary L. Hunter, Greg A. Moore, Jackie M. Mudd, George G. Muntean, Julie A. Wagner, John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6732522
    Abstract: A system for estimating engine exhaust pressure includes a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to an intake manifold of the engine, a turbocharger having a turbine fluidly coupled to an exhaust manifold of the engine, a control actuator responsive to a control command to control either of a swallowing capacity and a swallowing efficiency of the turbine, and a control computer estimating engine exhaust pressure as a function of the pressure signal and the control command. In an alternate embodiment, the system includes an engine speed sensor, an EGR valve fluidly connected between the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold, and an EGR valve position sensor. The control computer is operable in this embodiment to estimate engine exhaust pressure as a function of the pressure signal, the control command, the engine speed signal and the EGR valve position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Wright, Daniel E. Boewe
  • Patent number: 6697729
    Abstract: A system for estimating NOx content of exhaust gas produced by an internal combustion engine includes a control computer operable to estimate an exhaust temperature corresponding to temperature of exhaust gas produced by the engine, to determine an EGR fraction corresponding to a fractional amount of recirculated exhaust gas present in an air charge supplied to the engine, and to estimate an emissions index, corresponding to a fuel rate normalized, mass-based NOx concentration of the exhaust gas produced by the engine, as a function of the exhaust temperature and the EGR fraction. The control computer is further operable to determine a mass flow rate of fresh air entering the intake manifold and a fuel mass flow rate, and estimate the NOx content by volume of the exhaust gas produced by the engine as a function of charge mass flow value, the fuel mass flow value and the emissions index value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6684849
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6684852
    Abstract: A method and internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode, comprising a combustion chamber, an intake system for delivering intake air, a mixing device that mixes a first fuel with the intake air to provide a premixed charge of air and the first fuel, a direct fuel injector adapted to directly inject a second fuel into the combustion chamber, and a control system adapted to control the direct fuel injector in a manner to provide a post-ignition injection where the second fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber after onset of ignition of the premixed charge in the combustion chamber. The second fuel is preferably injected into the combustion chamber during combustion of the premixed charge and/or shortly after combustion of the premixed charge in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Wright, Patrick M. Pierz, Axel O. zur Loye
  • Publication number: 20030200955
    Abstract: A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low nitrous oxide emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g. the start of combustion, and generating an associated engine operating condition signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Omowoleola C. Akinyemi, Russ P. Durrett, Patrick F. Flynn, Gary L. Hunter, Greg A. Moore, Jackie M. Mudd, George G. Muntean, Julie A. Wagner, John F. Wright
  • Publication number: 20030188531
    Abstract: A system for estimating engine exhaust pressure includes a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to an intake manifold of the engine, a turbocharger having a turbine fluidly coupled to an exhaust manifold of the engine, a control actuator responsive to a control command to control either of a swallowing capacity and a swallowing efficiency of the turbine, and a control computer estimating engine exhaust pressure as a function of the pressure signal and the control command. In an alternate embodiment, the system includes an engine speed sensor, an EGR valve fluidly connected between the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold, and an EGR valve position sensor. The control computer is operable in this embodiment to estimate engine exhaust pressure as a function of the pressure signal, the control command, the engine speed signal and the EGR valve position signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: John F. Wright, Daniel E. Boewe
  • Publication number: 20030191575
    Abstract: A system for estimating NOx content of exhaust gas produced by an internal combustion engine includes a control computer operable to estimate an exhaust temperature corresponding to temperature of exhaust gas produced by the engine, to determine an EGR fraction corresponding to a fractional amount of recirculated exhaust gas present in an air charge supplied to the engine, and to estimate an emissions index, corresponding to a fuel rate normalized, mass-based NOx concentration of the exhaust gas produced by the engine, as a function of the exhaust temperature and the EGR fraction. The control computer is further operable to determine a mass flow rate of fresh air entering the intake manifold and a fuel mass flow rate, and estimate the NOx content by volume of the exhaust gas produced by the engine as a function of charge mass flow value, the fuel mass flow value and the emissions index value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: John F. Wright
  • Publication number: 20030188571
    Abstract: A system for estimating peak cylinder pressure in an internal combustion engine includes a pressure sensor producing a pressure signal indicative of pressure within an intake manifold of the engine, a temperature sensor producing a temperature signal indicative of temperature within the intake manifold, means for determining a charge fuel ratio corresponding to a ratio of in-cylinder trapped charge mass and in-cylinder trapped fuel mass, and a control computer determining a start-of-injection value corresponding to a start of fuel injection into the engine. The control computer is operable to estimate peak cylinder pressure as a function of the pressure signal, the temperature signal, the charge fuel ratio and the start-of-injection value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: John F. Wright
  • Publication number: 20030177766
    Abstract: A system for controlling an operating condition of an internal combustion engine includes a control mechanism responsive to a final control command to establish an engine control parameter, and a control computer configured to estimate a current value of the operating condition as a function of the final control command. The control computer determines an error value as a difference between an operating condition limit and the current value of the operating condition, and determines an operating condition parameter as function of the error value and of the current value of the operating condition. The control computer further determines a control command limit as a function of the operating condition parameter, and determines the final control command as a function of the control command limit and a default control command to thereby limit the operating condition to the operating condition limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Yue Yun Wang, David A. Vittorio, John F. Wright