Patents by Inventor Kenneth M. EASTMAN

Kenneth M. EASTMAN 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: 11136945
    Abstract: An automobile vehicle engine exhaust system with integrated exhaust gas recirculation portion includes a cylinder head having a first exhaust passage internal to the cylinder head. The first exhaust passage is split within the cylinder head into a dedicated exhaust passage opening out of the cylinder head via a dedicated exhaust port, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) exhaust passage opening out of the cylinder head via an EGR exhaust port. A valve assembly is operated to open one of the dedicated exhaust port or the EGR exhaust port while closing the other one of the dedicated exhaust port or the EGR exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kaczmar, Kenneth M. Eastman, Jason Melecosky
  • Publication number: 20200400107
    Abstract: An automobile vehicle engine exhaust system with integrated exhaust gas recirculation portion includes a cylinder head having a first exhaust passage internal to the cylinder head. The first exhaust passage is split within the cylinder head into a dedicated exhaust passage opening out of the cylinder head via a dedicated exhaust port, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) exhaust passage opening out of the cylinder head via an EGR exhaust port. A valve assembly is operated to open one of the dedicated exhaust port or the EGR exhaust port while closing the other one of the dedicated exhaust port or the EGR exhaust port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Kaczmar, Kenneth M. Eastman, Jason Melecosky
  • Publication number: 20200400108
    Abstract: A vehicle engine exhaust system with integrated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) includes an exhaust manifold having multiple exhaust ports including a first exhaust port and a second exhaust port. The first exhaust port and the second exhaust port receive exhaust flow from a common exhaust split upstream of the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port. A valve assembly has a first butterfly valve positioned in the first exhaust port and a second butterfly valve positioned in the second exhaust port. A shaft is positioned within the exhaust manifold commonly connecting the first butterfly valve to the second butterfly valve to simultaneously rotate the first butterfly valve and the second butterfly valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Kaczmar, Kenneth M. Eastman
  • Patent number: 10690086
    Abstract: A pushrod valvetrain combustion system assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a two-valve pushrod assembly and a cylinder top that forms a portion of a cylinder head. The cylinder top has a single intake port, a single exhaust port, a spark plug bore, and a fuel injector bore. The pushrod assembly includes an intake valve positioned in the intake port and an exhaust valve positioned in the exhaust port. The intake port and exhaust port are positioned adjacent each other and are positioned along an axis that intersects a center point of each of the ports. The intersecting axis is rotated relative to a centerline of the crankshaft of the engine, providing space for the spark plug bore and fuel injector bore to both be located in the cylinder top on a same side of the intersecting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Keating, Kenneth M. Eastman, Erwan R. Gautier
  • Publication number: 20200056562
    Abstract: A pushrod valvetrain combustion system assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a two-valve pushrod assembly and a cylinder top that forms a portion of a cylinder head. The cylinder top has a single intake port, a single exhaust port, a spark plug bore, and a fuel injector bore. The pushrod assembly includes an intake valve positioned in the intake port and an exhaust valve positioned in the exhaust port. The intake port and exhaust port are positioned adjacent each other and are positioned along an axis that intersects a center point of each of the ports. The intersecting axis is rotated relative to a centerline of the crankshaft of the engine, providing space for the spark plug bore and fuel injector bore to both be located in the cylinder top on a same side of the intersecting axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Edward J. Keating, Kenneth M. Eastman, Erwan R. Gautier
  • Publication number: 20170058823
    Abstract: A cylinder head defines an inlet port having an exit. A valve seat insert defines a seat cut surface that is disposed adjacent to the exit of the inlet port. A cross section of the inlet port parallel to a centerline of the inlet port defines a long turn edge of the inlet port cross section. The long turn edge of the inlet port cross section defines a flow path trajectory of the inlet port. The seat cut surface and the flow path trajectory are substantially aligned to extend the flow path trajectory of the long turn edge of the inlet port cross section across the seat cut surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Kenneth M. Eastman, Edward J. Keating, Erwan Gautier
  • Patent number: 9133745
    Abstract: An integrated exhaust manifold for use with an internal combustion engine and dual scroll turbocharger. The integrated exhaust manifold includes a first exhaust passageway fluidly connected between a first pair of piston cylinders and the dual scroll turbocharger for transporting exhaust gas from the first pair of piston cylinders to a first input of dual scroll turbocharger. The integrated exhaust manifold includes a second exhaust passageway fluidly connected between a second pair of piston cylinders and the dual scroll turbocharger for transporting exhaust gas from the second pair of piston cylinders to a second input of the dual scroll turbocharger. The second exhaust passageway is fluidly independent from the first exhaust passageway and the first and second exhaust passageways are positioned to define a septum area therebetween. A cooling system having a septum cooling jacket is use to cool the septum area between the first and second exhaust passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Akram R. Zahdeh, Colin Blacklock Bosman, Kenneth M. Eastman, Robert S. McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20150059339
    Abstract: An integrated exhaust manifold for use with an internal combustion engine and dual scroll turbocharger. The integrated exhaust manifold includes a first exhaust passageway fluidly connected between a first pair of piston cylinders and the dual scroll turbocharger for transporting exhaust gas from the first pair of piston cylinders to a first input of dual scroll turbocharger. The integrated exhaust manifold includes a second exhaust passageway fluidly connected between a second pair of piston cylinders and the dual scroll turbocharger for transporting exhaust gas from the second pair of piston cylinders to a second input of the dual scroll turbocharger. The second exhaust passageway is fluidly independent from the first exhaust passageway and the first and second exhaust passageways are positioned to define a septum area therebetween. A cooling system having a septum cooling jacket is use to cool the septum area between the first and second exhaust passageways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Akram R. Zahdeh, Colin Blacklock Bosman, Kenneth M. Eastman, Robert S. Mcalpine
  • Patent number: 8850804
    Abstract: A secondary air injection or SAIR system is illustrated and described which includes a first air injection path defined by in part by a lower ditch formed in the head mounting surface of the cylinder block, and a second air injection path defined in part by a second ditch formed in the block mounting surface. The cylinder head gasket is used to separate and seal the first ditch from the second ditch. The first and second air injection paths are separate and isolated from one another such that secondary air may be selectively introduced through the first air injection path into the first exhaust leg and selective introduced through the second injection path into the second exhaust leg independent of the first air injection path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Kenneth M. Eastman, Robert S. McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20140230772
    Abstract: A secondary air injection or SAIR system is illustrated and described which includes a first air injection path defined by in part by a lower ditch formed in the head mounting surface of the cylinder block, and a second air injection path defined in part by a second ditch formed in the block mounting surface. The cylinder head gasket is used to separate and seal the first ditch from the second ditch. The first and second air injection paths are separate and isolated from one another such that secondary air may be selectively introduced through the first air injection path into the first exhaust leg and selective introduced through the second injection path into the second exhaust leg independent of the first air injection path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. HAYMAN, Kenneth M. EASTMAN, Robert S. MCALPINE