Patents by Inventor Kevin Dea

Kevin Dea 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: 9512763
    Abstract: A dosing system for dosing diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) into an inlet of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment module of a diesel engine is described. The dosing system may comprise a DEF supply line configured to deliver the DEF from a pump to a first injector and a second injector at the inlet. The DEF supply line may include a tri-axis connector configured to split the DEF from the pump into two portions each exiting one of a first outlet port and a second outlet port, a first delivery conduit configured to deliver the DEF exiting the first outlet port to the first injector, and a second delivery conduit configured to deliver the DEF exiting the second outlet port to the second injector. The first injector and the second injector may dose the same quantity of the DEF into the inlet of the aftertreatment module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Hudgens, Matthew Fahrenkrug, Theron Cassidy, Brian Cole, Kevin Dea
  • Publication number: 20160160725
    Abstract: A dosing system for dosing diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) into an inlet of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment module of a diesel engine is described. The dosing system may comprise a DEF supply line configured to deliver the DEF from a pump to a first injector and a second injector at the inlet. The DEF supply line may include a tri-axis connector configured to split the DEF from the pump into two portions each exiting one of a first outlet port and a second outlet port, a first delivery conduit configured to deliver the DEF exiting the first outlet port to the first injector, and a second delivery conduit configured to deliver the DEF exiting the second outlet port to the second injector. The first injector and the second injector may dose the same quantity of the DEF into the inlet of the aftertreatment module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Hudgens, Matthew Fahrenkrug, Theron Cassidy, Brian Cole, Kevin Dea
  • Patent number: 9234444
    Abstract: A flame detection system is disclosed. The system may have a flame chamber and a filter, wherein the filter includes filter media configured to collect matter from an engine exhaust. Additionally, the filter may be disposed downstream of the flame chamber. An ignition device may be disposed in the flame chamber and may be configured to ignite a flame in the flame chamber to regenerate the filter. A sensor may be disposed proximate the ignition device, and may be configured to sense a change in electrical conductivity that is indicative of a presence of the flame in the flame chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Korenev, William Love, Kevin Dea, Jason Bloms, Timothy Feucht, Richard Holland
  • Publication number: 20140238233
    Abstract: A flame detection system is disclosed. The system may have a flame chamber and a filter, wherein the filter includes filter media configured to collect matter from an engine exhaust. Additionally, the filter may be disposed downstream of the flame chamber. An ignition device may be disposed in the flame chamber and may be configured to ignite a flame in the flame chamber to regenerate the filter. A sensor may be disposed proximate the ignition device, and may be configured to sense a change in electrical conductivity that is indicative of a presence of the flame in the flame chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Sergey Korenev, William Love, Kevin Dea, Jason Bloms, Timothy Feucht, Richard Holland
  • Publication number: 20120204537
    Abstract: An after-treatment device that includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF) requiring periodic regeneration includes a sensor providing a signal indicative of a soot accumulation and at least one device providing an operating parameter indicative of a work mode of the machine. A controller determines a soot loading of the DPF based least partially on the soot signal, and a readiness level based on the operating parameter. A soot level trigger is determined based on a time period since a regeneration was completed and the readiness level, and a debounce time period is determined based on the soot loading and the readiness level. The controller is configured to initiate a regeneration event of the DPF when the debounce time period has expired while the soot loading exceeds the soot level trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Dea, Tom Carlill, Oliver Cates, Trent Chellingworth
  • Patent number: 7979196
    Abstract: A power system including an exhaust producing engine, an exhaust system and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The EGR system may include an EGR flowpath and an air intake system. The EGR system may also include an EGR valve configured to regulate the flow of exhaust gases through the EGR flowpath. The power system may also include a monitoring system configured to monitor operating parameters of at least two components of the EGR system. The power system may also include a controller configured to determine, based on the monitored operating parameters, a maximum flowrate value for each of the components. Each of the maximum flowrate values may represent the maximum EGR flowrate for that component. The controller may be configured to control the EGR valve, based on the maximum flowrate values, to result in an EGR flowrate no greater than the lowest of the maximum flowrate values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Dea, James Durand, Evan Jacobson
  • Patent number: 7634981
    Abstract: A method for operating a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes controlling opening of intake or exhaust valves, via a step of generating a control current in a control circuit for an electrical actuator coupled with the valve. The control circuit is then monitored for an induced current that differs from the control current, and a signal outputted that is indicative of valve performance responsive to monitoring the control circuit. Another operating method includes determining engine valve performance and also trimming an engine valve based on one signal which is indicative of valve performance. An internal combustion engine includes an electrical actuator configured to control opening or closing of one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Dea, Daniel R. Puckett
  • Patent number: 7469692
    Abstract: A power system including an exhaust producing engine, an exhaust system and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The EGR system may include an EGR flowpath and an air intake system. The EGR system may also include an EGR valve configured to regulate the flow of exhaust gases through the EGR flowpath. The power system may also include a monitoring system configured to monitor operating parameters of at least two components of the EGR system. The power system may also include a controller configured to determine, based on the monitored operating parameters, a maximum flowrate value for each of the components. Each of the maximum flowrate values may represent the maximum EGR flowrate for that component. The controller may be configured to control the EGR valve, based on the maximum flowrate values, to result in an EGR flowrate no greater than the lowest of the maximum flowrate values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Dea, James Durand, Evan Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20080271450
    Abstract: A power system including an exhaust producing engine, an exhaust system and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The EGR system may include an EGR flowpath and an air intake system. The EGR system may also include an EGR valve configured to regulate the flow of exhaust gases through the EGR flowpath. The power system may also include a monitoring system configured to monitor operating parameters of at least two components of the EGR system. The power system may also include a controller configured to determine, based on the monitored operating parameters, a maximum flowrate value for each of the components. Each of the maximum flowrate values may represent the maximum EGR flowrate for that component. The controller may be configured to control the EGR valve, based on the maximum flowrate values, to result in an EGR flowrate no greater than the lowest of the maximum flowrate values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin Dea, James Durand, Evan Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20080162018
    Abstract: A power system including an exhaust producing engine, an exhaust system and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is provided. The EGR system may include an EGR flowpath and an air intake system. The EGR system may also include an EGR valve configured to regulate the flow of exhaust gases through the EGR flowpath. The power system may also include a monitoring system configured to monitor operating parameters of at least two components of the EGR system. The power system may also include a controller configured to determine, based on the monitored operating parameters, a maximum flowrate value for each of the components. Each of the maximum flowrate values may represent the maximum EGR flowrate for that component. The controller may be configured to control the EGR valve, based on the maximum flowrate values, to result in an EGR flowrate no greater than the lowest of the maximum flowrate values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin Dea, James Durand, Evan Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20080141957
    Abstract: A method for operating a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes controlling opening of intake or exhaust valves, via a step of generating a control current in a control circuit for an electrical actuator coupled with the valve. The control circuit is then monitored for an induced current that differs from the control current, and a signal outputted that is indicative of valve performance responsive to monitoring the control circuit. Another operating method includes determining engine valve performance and also trimming an engine valve based on one signal which is indicative of valve performance. An internal combustion engine includes an electrical actuator configured to control opening or closing of one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin Dea, Daniel R. Puckett
  • Publication number: 20070227139
    Abstract: A control system for estimating the performance of a compressor is disclosed. The control system has a compressor fluidly connected to an inlet manifold of a power source. The control system also has a power source speed sensor to provide an indication of a rotational speed of the power source, an inlet pressure sensor to provide an indication of a pressure of a fluid within the inlet manifold, an inlet temperature sensor to provide an indication of a temperature of the fluid within the inlet manifold, an atmospheric pressure sensor to provide an indication of an atmospheric pressure, and a control module in communication with each of the sensors. The control module is configured to monitor an engine valve opening duration and an exhaust gas recirculation valve position, and estimate a compressor inlet pressure based on the provided indications, the monitored duration, and the monitored position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Withrow, Kevin Dea, Christopher Gehrke, Michael Donoho