Patents by Inventor John Kirwan
John Kirwan 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).
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Publication number: 20240116441Abstract: A camera monitor system for a vehicle includes at least one forward facing camera that has a field of view that at least partially encompasses a route of forward travel of the vehicle. A camera monitor system (CMS) is configured to receive a video feed from the at least one forward facing camera. The CMS includes a processor and a memory, the memory stores instructions for causing the processor to identify a clearance object in the video feed, for causing the processor to determine a clearance height of the clearance object from the video feed, and compare the clearance height of the clearance object to a height of a trailer, and initiate a response in response to the clearance height of the object being less than or equal to the clearance height of the trailer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Troy Otis Cooprider, John Kirwan, Banuprakash Murthy
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Patent number: 11826331Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, articles of manufacture, food products, and methods for treating certain conditions, such as fibrotic disease (e.g., asthma). For example, in certain embodiments, provided herein are food products (e.g., that are ketogenic) that contain high levels (e.g., at least 10% by weight of the food product) of capric acid (C10), myristic acid (C14), or combination thereof (e.g., as free fatty acids or as triglycerides). In other embodiments, methods are provided for receiving an order for such a food product, and shipping the food product to a subject with fibrotic disease (e.g., after receiving or verifying prescription information). In some embodiments, methods are provided of administering or providing a composition to a subject such that the subject receives at least 50 grams per day (e.g., 200 grams per day), on multiple days, of capric acid (C10), myristic acid (C14), or combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic FoundationInventors: John Kirwan, Suzy Comhair, Kewal Asosingh
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Publication number: 20200230094Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, articles of manufacture, food products, and methods for treating certain conditions, such as fibrotic disease (e.g., asthma). For example, in certain embodiments, provided herein are food products (e.g., that are ketogenic) that contain high levels (e.g., at least 10% by weight of the food product) of capric acid (C10), myristic acid (C14), or combination thereof (e.g., as free fatty acids or as triglycerides). In other embodiments, methods are provided for receiving an order for such a food product, and shipping the food product to a subject with fibrotic disease (e.g., after receiving or verifying prescription information). In some embodiments, methods are provided of administering or providing a composition to a subject such that the subject receives at least 50 grams per day (e.g., 200 grams per day), on multiple days, of capric acid (C10), myristic acid (C14), or combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2017Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: John Kirwan, Suzy Comhair, Kewal Asosingh
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Publication number: 20070180819Abstract: A diesel combustion engine system providing improved fuel combustion and exhaust aftertreatment includes: a diesel combustion engine having a liquid fuel intake, an air intake, a reformate intake, and an exhaust outlet; a liquid diesel fuel source in fluid communication with the liquid fuel intake and an on-board catalytic partial oxidation fuel reformer that receives a supply of hydrogen-containing liquid diesel fuel and a supply of air and produces therefrom a hydrogen-rich reformate. An exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet and the reformer includes a reformate conduit upstream from exhaust aftertreatment components.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2006Publication date: August 9, 2007Inventors: Mark Sellnau, Ather Quader, John Kirwan
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Publication number: 20070125647Abstract: A sensor includes an oxygen pump cell; an oxygen pump chamber; an emf cell; a reference chamber providing a fluid connection to the reference gas; gas channels in fluid communication with the pump and emf electrodes, the reference gas comprising reformate produced by a fuel reformer fueled by an air-fuel gas mixture having an air-fuel ratio; a reformer electronic control module; a sensor electronic control module; a heater; a temperature sensor disposed in communication with the heater and the sensor control module for maintaining the sensor at a desired operating temperature; a closed loop controlled operation amplifier in electrical communication with the sensor, whereby the oxygen pump cell provides sufficient oxygen ions to oxidize an incoming diffusion-limiting fuel flux to the emf cell and maintain a constant emf at the emf cell, and wherein a current value represents an equivalent to the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel gas mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2005Publication date: June 7, 2007Inventors: Da Wang, Walter Symons, Robert Farhat, John Kirwan, Joachim Kupe, Kenneth Mowery
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Publication number: 20070107307Abstract: In one embodiment, a fuel reformer can comprise: a mixing zone capable of mixing a fuel and an oxidant to form a fuel mixture and a reforming zone disposed downstream of the mixing zone. The reforming zone comprises a primary substrate and a secondary substrate. The primary substrate is disposed upstream of the secondary substrate and has a primary thermal mass that is greater than a secondary thermal mass of the secondary substrate. One embodiment of a method for operating a fuel reformer can comprise: mixing an oxidant and a fuel to form a fuel mixture, combusting the fuel mixture, heating the secondary substrate above its light-off temperature, changing an air to fuel ratio of the fuel mixture to a reforming mixture, producing an exotherm and a reformate at the secondary substrate, heating a primary substrate with the exotherm to above its light-off temperature, and producing a reformate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2005Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: John Kirwan, Francois Ravenda
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Publication number: 20070084119Abstract: liquid fuel reformer apparatus includes a reactor tube having at a first end and injector for introducing droplets of liquid fuel and an inlet for introducing an air flow, and at a second end an outlet for discharging a reformate fuel stream. A reforming catalyst for converting the liquid fuel to the reformate fuel stream is disposed within the reactor tube, and at least one regulator member is disposed between the first end of the tube and the catalyst. At least a portion of the regulator member is permeable to the liquid fuel and to air flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2005Publication date: April 19, 2007Inventors: John MacBain, Michael Salemi, Jonathon Bennett, John Kirwan
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Publication number: 20070084116Abstract: A vehicle reforming system includes a reformer for chemically converting a hydrocarbon-containing fuel to a hydrogen-gas-rich reformate gas, as well as electric heating devices by which thermal energy for generating a reaction temperature required for the conversion may be fed to the reformer. The reformer system also has a high-performance capacitor, which supplies the electric heating devices with electric current.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2005Publication date: April 19, 2007Applicants: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Juergen Ringler, Christian Liebl, Michael Preis, Jochem Huber, John Kirwan, Malcolm Grieve
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Publication number: 20070033872Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of heating an exhaust treatment device can comprise: generating reformate in a reformer, wherein the reformate comprises hydrogen; introducing oxygen to the reformate prior to combining the reformate with another stream; combusting a portion of the reformate and generating an exotherm to form heated reformate; and introducing the heated reformate to the exhaust treatment device. In one embodiment the exhaust system can comprise: a reformer; a reformate conduit disposed in physical communication with a reformate outlet of the reformer; an exhaust treatment device disposed in fluid communication with the reformer; and an oxygen supply disposed in fluid communication with the reformate conduit such that oxygen can be introduced into the reformate conduit upstream of a reformate conduit outlet, wherein the reformate conduit outlet is disposed in physical communication with an exhaust conduit and/or the exhaust treatment device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2005Publication date: February 15, 2007Inventors: Haskell Simpkins, Joseph Bonadies, David Goulette, Kenneth Price, John Kirwan
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Publication number: 20060213187Abstract: A NOx abatement system comprising: a first NOx adsorber (18) capable of being disposed in-line and downstream of and in fluid communication with an engine (12); a selective catalytic reduction catalyst (20) disposed in-line and downstream of and in direct fluid communication with the first NOx adsorber (18), wherein the selective catalytic reduction catalyst (20) is capable of storing ammonia; and an off-line reformer (24) disposed in selective communication with and upstream of the first NOx adsorber (18) and the selective catalytic reduction catalyst (20), wherein the reformer (24) is capable of producing a reformate comprising primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2004Publication date: September 28, 2006Inventors: Joachim Kupe, James Zizelman, Jean Botti, Haskell Simpkins, Mark Hemingway, William LaBarge, Thomas Silvis, John Kirwan, Joseph Bonadies, Kenneth Price
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Patent number: 7037349Abstract: A fast start-up catalytic reformer for producing hydrogen-rich reformate from hydrocarbon fuel includes a reactor having an inlet for receiving a flow of fuel and a flow of air, a reforming catalyst disposed within a reforming chamber in the reactor, and an outlet for discharging the produced reformate stream. An ignition device within the reactor tube ignites a first lean mixture in combustion mode to generate exhaust gases to warm the catalyst which also warms the wall of the reactor adjacent the catalyst. The reactor then switches over to a rich fuel/air mixture during reforming mode. A jacket concentrically surrounds the reactor, defining a mixing chamber therebetween which communicates with the reforming chamber via openings in the wall of the reactor. Fuel entering the reformer in combustion mode is injected directly into the reforming chamber to provide rapid warming of the catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth J. Dauer, Michael R. Salemi, Richard F. Nashburn, John Kirwan
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Publication number: 20050198900Abstract: A catalytic reformer assembly and methods of operation, including fast start-up. The reformer assembly includes a reactor for receiving hydrocarbon fuel and air and a reforming catalyst within the reactor for converting the fuel and air to hydrogen-containing reformate. The assembly further includes a heat exchanger that straddles the reformer such that gases entering and leaving the reformer pass through opposite sides of the heat exchanger. A combustor ahead of the heat exchanger includes a first fuel injector and igniter. A fuel/air mixture may be either ignited at start-up to quickly heat both sides of the heat exchanger, the reactor, and the reformer, or passed into the reactor for reforming at steady state. A second fuel injector may be provided in the reactor. The two fuel injectors may have overlapping flow ranges and may be used separately or in tandem to provide a broad range of reformate flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2005Publication date: September 15, 2005Inventors: Richard Nashburn, John Kirwan, Kenneth Dauer, Michael Salemi, Gregory Sterman, Jonathon Bennett
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Publication number: 20050132650Abstract: A fast light-off catalytic reformer and method includes at least one preferably substantially cylindrical reactor tube having an inlet for receiving a flow of fuel and a flow of air, a reforming catalyst disposed within the reactor tube for converting the fuel and air to a reformate stream, and an outlet for discharging the produced reformate stream. An ignition device disposed within the reactor tube initiates an exothermic reaction between the fuel and air. Heat generated thereby provides fast light-off of the reforming catalyst. An associated control system selects fuel and air flow delivery rates and operates the ignition device to achieve fast light-off of the reforming catalyst at start-up and to maintain the catalyst at a temperature sufficient to optimize reformate yield. The rapid production of high yields of reformate is particularly suitable for use in an on-board reforming strategy for meeting SULEV emissions with spark-ignition engines, especially with larger, higher emitting vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2005Publication date: June 23, 2005Inventors: Galen Fisher, John Kirwan
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Publication number: 20050076636Abstract: An internal combustion engine is supplied with reformate from a hydrocarbon reformer at engine start-up and during engine warm-up. The reformate fuel mixture is fuel-lean at start-up to ensure that all the fuel is burned while the exhaust converter is thermally non-functional. Shortly after start-up, the mixture is changed to be fuel-rich, providing unburned reformate fuel in the exhaust stream. During start-up and warm-up, the output of an air pump is controllably divided between the reformer (primary air) and the engine exhaust system (secondary air). Unburned reformate from the engine and secondary air from the air pump ignite and thereby rapidly heat the converter. Gasoline or diesel fueling of the engine by fuel injection is preferably delayed until the engine and the converter both reach operating temperatures, whereupon the engine is fueled by fuel injection and further reforming is terminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2003Publication date: April 14, 2005Inventors: Richard Nashburn, John Kirwan, Michael Salemi, Malcolm Grieve
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Patent number: 6869456Abstract: A method for starting a fast light-off catalytic reformer for producing hydrogen-rich reformate fuel from hydrocarbon fuel and air, the reformer having means for receiving flows of fuel and air, a reforming catalyst for reforming the fuel and air mixture, and an ignition device. A control system selects fuel and air flow rates to form a lean fuel/air mixture and operates the ignition device to ignite the lean mixture to produce hot exhaust gases that flow over and heat the reforming catalyst for a first length of time. Fuel flow is then stopped temporarily for a second length of time, and further ignition is terminated. Fuel flow is then restarted and adjusted to provide a rich fuel/air mixture which is directed to the heated catalyst for reforming into reformate fuel. Air flow may also be adjusted in setting the lean and/or rich fuel/air mixtures.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Salemi, Jonathon R. Bennett, Richard Nashburn, John Kirwan, Ather A. Quader, James M. Haller
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Publication number: 20050056236Abstract: A combined gasoline and hydrogen fueling system for a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine, including, preferably, a rapid-start catalytic reformer for producing reformate gas containing hydrogen from gasoline. The reformate from the reformer is swept by air into the intake manifold of the cold engine where it is mixed with intake air and then drawn into the cylinders and ignited conventionally to start the engine. A computer-based reformer control system optimizes the amount of reformate formed and the resulting reformate/air mixture. The reformer control system interfaces or is integral with a computer-based gasoline and air supply system for the engine, the two systems cooperating to optimize a mixture of gasoline and reformate in the intake manifold at all times during warming of the engine and its exhaust catalyst to steady-state operating temperature. Preferably, flow of reformate is terminated thereafter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2003Publication date: March 17, 2005Inventors: Brian Allston, John Kirwan, James Haller
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Publication number: 20050022450Abstract: A reformer system comprises a reformer catalyst capable of reforming a fuel to hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and a water gas shift catalyst in fluid communication with the reformer catalyst and in fluid communication with an exhaust gas source comprising water, wherein the water gas shift catalyst is capable of reacting carbon monoxide with the water to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2004Publication date: February 3, 2005Inventors: Cher-Dip Tan, Jeffrey Weissman, Joseph Bonadies, John Kirwan
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Publication number: 20050011184Abstract: A method and system for introducing supplemental material to an exhaust aftertreatment device, including: a delivery system, an air pump operable to input pressurized air to the delivery system, and a turbosupercharger of an internal combustion engine operable to deliver pressurized air to an inlet of the air pump. The supplemental material introduced to the exhaust aftertreatment device is pressurized by the pressurized air input from the air pump, and the air inlet to the air pump is pressurized by the turbosupercharger for the internal combustion engine. The delivery system uses existing pressurized air generated within the engine system from the turbosupercharger to supplement air pressure supplied to the turbine-style air pump used by the delivery system. The supplemental material may comprise ammonia, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or urea.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2004Publication date: January 20, 2005Inventors: Kenneth Price, Joseph Bonadies, John Kirwan, David Goulette
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Publication number: 20030233789Abstract: A fast start-up catalytic reformer for producing hydrogen-rich reformate from hydrocarbon fuel includes a reactor having an inlet for receiving a flow of fuel and a flow of air, a reforming catalyst disposed within a reforming chamber in the reactor, and an outlet for discharging the produced reformate stream. An ignition device within the reactor tube ignites a first lean mixture in combustion mode to generate exhaust gases to warm the catalyst which also warms the wall of the reactor adjacent the catalyst. The reactor then switches over to a rich fuel/air mixture during reforming mode. A jacket concentrically surrounds the reactor, defining a mixing chamber therebetween which communicates with the reforming chamber via openings in the wall of the reactor. Fuel entering the reformer in combustion mode is injected directly into the reforming chamber to provide rapid warming of the catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2002Publication date: December 25, 2003Inventors: Kenneth J. Dauer, Michael R. Salemi, Richard F. Nashburn, John Kirwan
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Publication number: 20030000145Abstract: A method for starting a fast light-off catalytic reformer for producing hydrogen-rich reformate fuel from hydrocarbon fuel and air, the reformer having means for receiving flows of fuel and air, a reforming catalyst for reforming the fuel and air mixture, and an ignition device. A control system selects fuel and air flow rates to form a lean fuel/air mixture and operates the ignition device to ignite the lean mixture to produce hot exhaust gases that flow over and heat the reforming catalyst for a first length of time. Fuel flow is then stopped temporarily for a second length of time, and further ignition is terminated. Fuel flow is then restarted and adjusted to provide a rich fuel/air mixture which is directed to the heated catalyst for reforming into reformate fuel. Air flow may also be adjusted in setting the lean and/or rich fuel/air mixtures.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Michael R. Salemi, Jonathon R. Bennett, Richard Nashburn, John Kirwan, Ather A. Quader, James M. Haller