Patents by Inventor Karen M. Adams

Karen M. Adams 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: 6502386
    Abstract: A carbon monoxide sensor placed downstream of the catalytic converter and a temperature sensor placed upstream of the converter in a diesel engine provide information to build a real time CO conversion efficiency versus catalyst temperature curve to determine whether a catalyst has deteriorated beyond a predetermined point with respect to On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) requirements. Pre catalyst CO concentration is inferred from the engine operating conditions, and catalyst temperature is determined using the temperature sensor output and the engine exhaust flow heat transfer model. The real time curve is compared to a reference curve to determine catalyst performance. Catalyst performance with respect to CO conversions can then be correlated to that for HC and NOx to meet OBD requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Mazur, Karen M Adams, Paul Matthew Laing, Robert Henry Hammerle
  • Patent number: 5443660
    Abstract: A no-VOC or low-VOC no-clean flux formulation for use in the assembly of electronic circuit boards having a conformal coating. The formulation comprises a solvent, a water-soluble weak organic acid, a halide-free, non-ionic surfactant, and a biocidal co-solvent. The formulation is compatible with the conformal coating, permits no or low VOC emissions into the environment, and eliminates post-soldering cleaning steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Guilian Gao, Jay D. Baker, Brenda J. Nation, Karen M. Adams
  • Patent number: 4508691
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of using an exhaust gas catalyst for treatment of exhaust gases developed by burning a hydrocarbon fuel or a fuel containing hydrocarbon and alcohol blends in an internal combustion engine. These exhaust gases contain varying amounts of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen depending upon the operating conditions of an internal combustion engine. This specification teaches a method of using an improved catalyst composition in which a support medium is provided for supporting the catalyst system. This support medium has deposited thereon palladium and finely divided tungsten. Tungsten is present on the support media in a quantity such that tungsten is available to substantially all of the palladium on the support medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Karen M. Adams, Haren S. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 4389382
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of using an exhaust gas catalyst for treatment of exhaust gases developed by burning a hydrocarbon based fuel in an internal combustion engine. These exhaust gases contain varying amounts of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen depending upon the operating conditions of the internal combustion engine. This specification teaches use of an improved catalyst composition in which a support medium is provided for supporting the catalyst system, the support medium having an upstream support portion and a downstream support portion over which the exhaust gases pass in succession. The upstream support portion of the support medium has palladium deposited thereon and the downstream support portion of the support medium has tungsten deposited thereon. The catalyst system has particular utility as a three-way catalyst operating at approximately stoichiometric conditions or as a catalyst for use in conjunction with the fast burn engines or as an oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Haren S. Gandhi, Karen M. Adams
  • Patent number: 4374103
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of using an exhaust gas catalyst for treatment of exhaust gases developed by burning a hydrocarbon based fuel in an internal combustion engine. These exhaust gases contain varying amounts of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen depending upon the operating conditions of the internal combustion engine. This specification teaches the use of an improved catalyst composition in which a support medium is provided for supporting the catalyst system, the support medium having an upstream support portion and a downstream support portion over which the exhaust gases pass in succession. The upstream support portion of the support medium has deposited thereon palladium and the downstream support portion of the support medium has deposited thereon palladium and tungsten. Tungsten is present on the downstream support portion of the support medium in a quantity such that tungsten is available to substantially all of the palladium on that portion of the support medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Haren S. Gandhi, Karen M. Adams