Patents by Inventor John Heichelbech

John Heichelbech 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: 10087804
    Abstract: Urea solution pumps having leakage bypass flowpaths and methods of operating the same are disclosed. Certain embodiments are pump apparatuses including an inlet passage in flow communication with a source of urea solution and a pump chamber, an outlet passage in flow communication with the pump chamber and an exhaust after treatment system, a diaphragm facing the pump chamber and coupled with an actuator, a first housing member coupled with a second housing member form a seal around the pumping chamber, a leak collection chamber surrounding the seal, and a return passage in flow communication with the leak collection chamber and the inlet passage. Urea solution that leaks from the pump chamber past the seal is received by the leak collection chamber and flows through the return passage to the pump inlet passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: George Muntean, Nachiket Pawar, Kundana Inala, Steve Holl, Stephanie Apewokin, Cynthia Gosselin, Andrew Myer, Jim F. Burke, John Heichelbech
  • Patent number: 9938875
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for urea dosing of an exhaust after treatment system are disclosed. Exemplary apparatuses include a chamber configured to receive pressurized gas at a first inlet, receive urea solution at a second inlet and provide a combined flow of pressurized gas and urea to an outlet, flow passage extending from the first inlet to a seating surface, and a valve member configured to move between an open position in which the valve member is spaced apart from the seating surface and a closed position in which the valve member contacts the seating surface. As the valve member moves from the open position to the closed position, the valve member contacts the seating surface at a first location and wipes an area of the seating surface extending from the first location in a direction toward the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Myer, Chetan Ponnathpur, John Heichelbech, George Muntean, Stephen Holl, James F. Burke, John Anthis, Joydeep Chakrabarti, Brandon Simmons, Niklas Schmidt, Yogesh V. Birari
  • Patent number: 9856772
    Abstract: A reductant system for an aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The reductant system includes at least one reductant feed line and a reductant system component such as a dosing module. The feed line is connected to the dosing module with a fluid connector. The fluid connector includes a body made from a first material that has a low heat conductivity and an insert made from a second material that has a greater heat conductivity than that of the first material. The insert extends from the body of the fluid connector into a storage chamber of the dosing module, and conducts heat from heated reductant in the feed line to the reductant stored in the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: John Heichelbech, James F. Burke, John Anthis, Andrew Myer
  • Publication number: 20160326929
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for urea dosing of an exhaust after treatment system are disclosed. Exemplary apparatuses include a chamber configured to receive pressurized gas at a first inlet, receive urea solution at a second inlet and provide a combined flow of pressurized gas and urea to an outlet, flow passage extending from the first inlet to a seating surface, and a valve member configured to move between an open position in which the valve member is spaced apart from the seating surface and a closed position in which the valve member contacts the seating surface. As the valve member moves from the open position to the closed position, the valve member contacts the seating surface at a first location and wipes an area of the seating surface extending from the first location in a direction toward the flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Myer, Chetan Ponnathpur, John Heichelbech, George Muntean, Stephen Holl, James F. Burke, John Anthis, Joydeep Chakrabarti, Brandon Simmons, Niklas Schmidt, Yogesh V. Birari
  • Patent number: 9470129
    Abstract: A reductant delivery system is provided for delivery of reductant to an engine exhaust aftertreatment system that is heated during cold temperature conditions. A heat exchange fluid flows through a heat exchange circuit that provides a flow path from the heat source to the doser, from the doser to the reductant storage tank, and from the reductant storage tank to the heat source. A control valve controls the flow of the heat exchange fluid in the heat exchange circuit so that at least one heat exchange cycle includes a circulation period that increases the temperature of the reductant in the doser and storage tank and a termination period where circulation is stopped until reductant temperature in the doser reaches a lower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Myer, John Heichelbech, Stephanie Apewokin, Stephen Holl, James F. Burke
  • Patent number: 9422850
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for urea dosing of an exhaust after treatment system are disclosed. Exemplary apparatuses include a chamber configured to receive pressurized gas at a first inlet, receive urea solution at a second inlet, and provide a combined flow of pressurized gas and urea to an outlet, a flow passage extending from the first inlet to a seating surface, and a valve member configured to move between an open position in which the valve member is spaced apart from the seating surface and a closed position in which the valve member contacts the seating surface. As the valve member moves from the open position to the closed position the valve member contacts the seating surface at a first location and wipes an area of the seating surface extending from the first location in a direction toward the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Myer, Chetan Ponnathpur, John Heichelbech, George Muntean, Stephen Holl, James F. Burke, John Anthis, Joydeep Chakrabarti, Brandon Simmons, Niklas Schmidt, Yogesh V. Birari
  • Publication number: 20160230630
    Abstract: A reductant system for an aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The reductant system includes at least one reductant feed line and a reductant system component such as a dosing module. The feed line is connected to the dosing module with a fluid connector. The fluid connector includes a body made from a first material that has a low heat conductivity and an insert made from a second material that has a greater heat conductivity than that of the first material. The insert extends from the body of the fluid connector into a storage chamber of the dosing module, and conducts heat from heated reductant in the feed line to the reductant stored in the storage chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: John Heichelbech, James F. Burke, John Anthis, Andrew Myer
  • Patent number: 9341295
    Abstract: A reductant system for an aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The reductant system includes at least one reductant feed line and a reductant system component such as a dosing module. The feed line is connected to the dosing module with a fluid connector. The fluid connector includes a body made from a first material that has a low heat conductivity and an insert made from a second material that has a greater heat conductivity than that of the first material. The insert extends from the body of the fluid connector into a storage chamber of the dosing module, and conducts heat from heated reductant in the feed line to the reductant stored in the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Heichelbech, Jim F. Burke, John Anthis, Andrew Myer
  • Patent number: 9255512
    Abstract: Urea injection system wash cycle methods and systems are disclosed. An exemplary wash cycle method includes operating a urea injection system to provide urea solution to a first inlet of a blending chamber, provide pressurized gas to a second inlet of the blending chamber, and output a combined flow of pressurized gas and urea solution from the blending chamber. A pressure of the combined flow at a location downstream from the first inlet and the second inlet is monitored. A wash cycle is performed based upon the monitored pressure wherein the flow of pressurized gas is turned off and urea solution is provided to the blending chamber. An exemplary system includes a controller configured to control a urea injection system to perform a wash cycle in accordance with the exemplary method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wei Huang, Yongquan Chai, Andrew Myer, James F. Burke, Joydeep Chakrabarti, Mugdha Naik, John Anthis, John Heichelbech, Guinness Shrestha
  • Patent number: 9089791
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine may have a reductant delivery system with a reductant tank. A filter module positioned in the reductant tank filters reductant before it is conveyed to the reductant pump to remove impurities. In order to reduce gas flow to the pump, the filter module may have an outlet port leading to the reductant pump and a venting port positioned above the outlet port such that gas bubbles float to the venting port prior to entry of the reductant into the outlet port. The filter module may be secured to a tank level sensor assembly, and may vent the gas to a gas reservoir above the reductant in the reductant tank. Such a filtration system may operate independently of any return line that conveys reductant back to the reductant tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: CUMMINS IP, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Myer, John Heichelbech, George Muntean, Stephen Holl, Jim Burke, John Anthis
  • Publication number: 20150128569
    Abstract: A reductant delivery system is provided for delivery of reductant to an engine exhaust aftertreatment system that is heated during cold temperature conditions. A heat exchange fluid flows through a heat exchange circuit that provides a flow path from the heat source to the doser, from the doser to the reductant storage tank, and from the reductant storage tank to the heat source. A control valve controls the flow of the heat exchange fluid in the heat exchange circuit so that at least one heat exchange cycle includes a circulation period that increases the temperature of the reductant in the doser and storage tank and a termination period where circulation is stopped until reductant temperature in the doser reaches a lower limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Myer, John Heichelbech, Stephanie Apewokin, Stephen Holl, James F. Burke
  • Patent number: 8959903
    Abstract: A reductant delivery system is provided for delivery of reductant to an engine exhaust aftertreatment system that is heated during cold temperature conditions. A heat exchange fluid flows through a heat exchange circuit that provides a flow path from the heat source to the doser, from the doser to the reductant storage tank, and from the reductant storage tank to the heat source. A control valve controls the flow of the heat exchange fluid in the heat exchange circuit so that at least one heat exchange cycle includes a circulation period that increases the temperature of the reductant in the doser and storage tank and a termination period where circulation is stopped until reductant temperature in the doser reaches a lower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Myer, John Heichelbech, Stephanie Apewokin, Stephen Holl, James F. Burke
  • Publication number: 20150030466
    Abstract: Urea solution pumps having leakage bypass flowpaths and methods of operating the same are disclosed. Certain embodiments are pump apparatuses including an inlet passage in flow communication with a source of urea solution and a pump chamber, an outlet passage in flow communication with the pump chamber and an exhaust after treatment system, a diaphragm facing the pump chamber and coupled with an actuator, a first housing member coupled with a second housing member form a seal around the pumping chamber, a leak collection chamber surrounding the seal, and a return passage in flow communication with the leak collection chamber and the inlet passage. Urea solution that leaks from the pump chamber past the seal is received by the leak collection chamber and flows through the return passage to the pump inlet passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: George Muntean, Nachiket Pawar, Kundana Inala, Steve Holl, Stephanie Apewokin, Cynthia Gosselin, Andrew Myer, Jim F. Burke, John Heichelbech
  • Publication number: 20150027556
    Abstract: Urea injection system wash cycle methods and systems are disclosed. An exemplary wash cycle method includes operating a urea injection system to provide urea solution to a first inlet of a blending chamber, provide pressurized gas to a second inlet of the blending chamber, and output a combined flow of pressurized gas and urea solution from the blending chamber. A pressure of the combined flow at a location downstream from the first inlet and the second inlet is monitored. A wash cycle is performed based upon the monitored pressure wherein the flow of pressurized gas is turned off and urea solution is provided to the blending chamber. An exemplary system includes a controller configured to control a urea injection system to perform a wash cycle in accordance with the exemplary method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Huang, Yongquan Chai, Andrew Myer, James F. Burke, Joydeep Chakrabarti, Mugdha Naik, John Anthis, John Heichelbech, Guinnes Shrestha
  • Publication number: 20150027553
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for urea dosing of an exhaust after treatment system are disclosed. Exemplary apparatuses include a chamber configured to receive pressurized gas at a first inlet, receive urea solution at a second inlet, and provide a combined flow of pressurized gas and urea to an outlet, a flow passage extending from the first inlet to a seating surface, and a valve member configured to move between an open position in which the valve member is spaced apart from the seating surface and a closed position in which the valve member contacts the seating surface. As the valve member moves from the open position to the closed position the valve member contacts the seating surface at a first location and wipes an area of the seating surface extending from the first location in a direction toward the flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Myer, Chetan Ponnathpur, John Heichelbech, George Muntean, Stephen Holl, James F. Burke, John Anthis, Joydeep Chakrabarti, Brandon Simmons
  • Patent number: 8888017
    Abstract: A system includes a cylindrical blend chamber having two inlets and one outlet. The outlet is fluidly coupled to a transfer line, and a nozzle is positioned downstream of the transfer line. The nozzle is fluidly coupled to an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine. The system further includes a first inlet fluidly coupled to a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) stream, and a second inlet fluidly coupled to an air stream. The DEF stream and the air stream intersect at a divergent angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Chetan Ponnathpur, Stephanie L. Apewokin, Steve Holl, Jim F. Burke, John Heichelbech, Andrew Myer, Melissa A. Zaczek, Yongquan Chai, Eric Burmeister, Nate Garrett
  • Publication number: 20140290214
    Abstract: A reductant system for an aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The reductant system includes at least one reductant feed line and a reductant system component such as a dosing module. The feed line is connected to the dosing module with a fluid connector. The fluid connector includes a body made from a first material that has a low heat conductivity and an insert made from a second material that has a greater heat conductivity than that of the first material. The insert extends from the body of the fluid connector into a storage chamber of the dosing module, and conducts heat from heated reductant in the feed line to the reductant stored in the storage chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Heichelbech, Jim F. Burke, John Anthis, Andrew Myer
  • Publication number: 20140260206
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine may have a reductant delivery system with a reductant tank. A filter module positioned in the reductant tank filters reductant before it is conveyed to the reductant pump to remove impurities. In order to reduce gas flow to the pump, the filter module may have an outlet port leading to the reductant pump and a venting port positioned above the outlet port such that gas bubbles float to the venting port prior to entry of the reductant into the outlet port. The filter module may be secured to a tank level sensor assembly, and may vent the gas to a gas reservoir above the reductant in the reductant tank. Such a filtration system may operate independently of any return line that conveys reductant back to the reductant tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CUMMINS IP, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Myer, John Heichelbech, George Muntean, Steve Holl, Jim Burke, John Anthis
  • Publication number: 20140250873
    Abstract: A reductant delivery system is provided for delivery of reductant to an engine exhaust aftertreatment system that is heated during cold temperature conditions. A heat exchange fluid flows through a heat exchange circuit that provides a flow path from the heat source to the doser, from the doser to the reductant storage tank, and from the reductant storage tank to the heat source. A control valve controls the flow of the heat exchange fluid in the heat exchange circuit so that at least one heat exchange cycle includes a circulation period that increases the temperature of the reductant in the doser and storage tank and a termination period where circulation is stopped until reductant temperature in the doser reaches a lower limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Myer, John Heichelbech, Stephanie Apewokin, Stephen Holl, James F. Burke
  • Publication number: 20120160934
    Abstract: A system includes a cylindrical blend chamber having two inlets and one outlet. The outlet is fluidly coupled to a transfer line, and a nozzle is positioned downstream of the transfer line. The nozzle is fluidly coupled to an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine. The system further includes a first inlet fluidly coupled to a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) stream, and a second inlet fluidly coupled to an air stream. The DEF stream and the air stream intersect at a divergent angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Chetan Ponnathpur, Stephanie L. Apewokin, Steve Holl, Jim F. Burke, John Heichelbech, Andrew Myer, Melissa A. Zaczek, Yongquan Chai, Eric Burmester, Nate Garrett