Patents by Inventor Kevin McElhaney

Kevin McElhaney 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: 11760335
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a method for a hybrid engine system. In one example, the method includes operating an electrical turbocharger to modify engine operating efficiency and to extend battery charge over a duration of a travel route based on a real-time status of the battery charge. The method allows fuel consumption to be decreased while meeting power demands of vehicle navigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lavertu, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Kevin McElhaney
  • Publication number: 20230272737
    Abstract: A turbine-compressor assembly includes a turbine-compressor device fluidly coupled with a heat source, a compressor, and a turbine via plural valves. A power device is coupled with the turbine-compressor device via a shaft. A controller can control operation of the plural valves to control the movement of fluids within the assembly to selectively switch between the turbine-compressor device operating in one of plural operating modes. In a first mode of operation, the turbine-compressor device can generate electrical power and direct the electrical power to the power device to control an amount of power provided to or extracted from the shaft by the power device. In a second mode of operation, the turbine-compressor device can receive electrical power from the power device to consumer the electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Neil Xavier Blythe, Pradheepram Ottikkutti, Rogier Giepman, Michael Majewski, Kevin McElhaney, Najeeb Kuzhiyil, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Adam C. Felton, Christopher Joseph Homison, Oren Aharon
  • Patent number: 11680517
    Abstract: A method and a turbine-compressor assembly of a system having a turbine-compressor device fluidly coupled with a heat source, a compressor, and a turbine via plural valves. A power device may be coupled with the turbine-compressor device. A controller may control operation of the plural valves to control movement of fluids within the assembly to selectively switch between the turbine-compressor device operating in one of plural modes. In a turbine mode of operation, the turbine-compressor device may generate electrical power and direct the electrical power to the power device. In a compressor mode of operation, the turbine-compressor device may receive electrical power from the power device to consume the electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Neil Xavier Blythe, Pradheepram Ottikkutti, Rogier Giepman, Michael Majewski, Kevin McElhaney, Najeeb Kuzhiyil, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Adam C. Felton, Christopher Joseph Homison
  • Publication number: 20230125484
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a method for a hybrid engine system. In one example, the method includes operating an electrical turbocharger to modify engine operating efficiency and to extend battery charge over a duration of a travel route based on a real-time status of the battery charge. The method allows fuel consumption to be decreased while meeting power demands of vehicle navigation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lavertu, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Kevin McElhaney
  • Publication number: 20230015517
    Abstract: A mixing structure can include a body having first conduits, mixture conduits, and second conduits extending through the body to the internal volume. The first conduits may be closer to a first side of the body than the mixture conduits and the second conduits. The second conduits may closer to another side of the body than the first conduits and the mixture conduits. The internal volume may receive liquid streams from an injector. The first conduits and the second conduits may receive gas streams from outside the body. The body may thermally modify the gas streams and entrain the gas streams into the liquid streams in the internal volume. The mixture conduits may be positioned to direct the gas streams entrained into the liquid streams out of the body in directions directed toward the second side of the body and away from the first side of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Sreenivasa Rao Gubba, Bhaskar Tamma, Victor Manuel Salazar, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Roy James Primus, John Dowell, Kevin Bailey, Kevin McElhaney
  • Patent number: 11549429
    Abstract: A fuel and gas mixing structure for an engine is provided. This mixing structure includes a body configured to be positioned between a fuel injector and a cylinder of an engine. The body defines an interior volume that is configured to receive gas (e.g., air) from outside the body and to receive one or more streams of fuel from the fuel injector in the interior volume. The body also includes one or more upper channels and one or more lower channels that are configured to provide a substantially similar amount of flow relative to each other to the interior volume The body also defines one or more mixture conduits configured to conduct plumes of the fuel and gas, while mixing, from the interior volume to one or more exit ports and therethrough to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Sreenivasa Rao Gubba, Bhaskar Tamma, Victor Manuel Salazar, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Roy James Primus, John Dowell, Kevin Bailey, Kevin McElhaney
  • Publication number: 20220316387
    Abstract: A method and a turbine-compressor assembly of a system having a turbine-compressor device fluidly coupled with a heat source, a compressor, and a turbine via plural valves. A power device may be coupled with the turbine-compressor device. A controller may control operation of the plural valves to control movement of fluids within the assembly to selectively switch between the turbine-compressor device operating in one of plural modes. In a turbine mode of operation, the turbine-compressor device may generate electrical power and direct the electrical power to the power device. In a compressor mode of operation, the turbine-compressor device may receive electrical power from the power device to consume the electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Neil Xavier Blythe, Pradheepram Ottikkutti, Rogier Giepman, Michael Majewski, Kevin McElhaney, Najeeb Kuzhiyil, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Adam C. Felton, Christopher Joseph Homison
  • Patent number: 11359558
    Abstract: A method and a turbine-compressor assembly of a system having an engine includes an upstream valve coupled with a compressor and a turbine-compressor device, a downstream valve coupled with a turbine and the device, and a controller to control the upstream, downstream, and a control valve. The controller selectively operates the device in a plurality of operating modes. In a turbine mode of operation, the upstream valve directs inlet air to the compressor, the turbine receives engine exhaust, the downstream valve directs first turbine exhaust from the turbine to the device, and the control valve directs second turbine exhaust from the device to an outlet. In a compressor mode of operation, the control valve directs the inlet air to the device, the upstream valve directs first compressed air from the device to the compressor, and the downstream valve directs the first turbine exhaust from the turbine to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Neil Xavier Blythe, Pradheepram Ottikkutti, Rogier Giepman, Michael Majewski, Kevin McElhaney, Najeeb Kuzhiyil
  • Publication number: 20210199062
    Abstract: A method and a turbine-compressor assembly of a system having an engine includes an upstream valve coupled with a compressor and a turbine-compressor device, a downstream valve coupled with a turbine and the device, and a controller to control the upstream, downstream, and a control valve. The controller selectively operates the device in a plurality of operating modes. In a turbine mode of operation, the upstream valve directs inlet air to the compressor, the turbine receives engine exhaust, the downstream valve directs first turbine exhaust from the turbine to the device, and the control valve directs second turbine exhaust from the device to an outlet. In a compressor mode of operation, the control valve directs the inlet air to the device, the upstream valve directs first compressed air from the device to the compressor, and the downstream valve directs the first turbine exhaust from the turbine to the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Neil Xavier Blythe, Pradheepram Ottikkutti, Rogier Giepman, Michael Majewski, Kevin McElhaney, Najeeb Kuzhiyil
  • Patent number: 11008932
    Abstract: A fuel and gas mixing structure for an engine is provided. This mixing structure includes a body configured to be positioned between a fuel injector and a cylinder of an engine. The body defines an interior volume that is configured to receive gas from outside the body and to receive one or more streams of fuel from the fuel injector in the interior volume. The body also defines one or more mixture conduits configured to conduct plumes of the fuel and gas, while mixing, from the interior volume to one or more exit ports and therethrough to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Roy James Primus, John Dowell, Victor Manuel Salazar, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Kevin Bailey, Kevin McElhaney, Bhaskar Tamma, Sreenivasa Rao Gubba
  • Patent number: 10961902
    Abstract: A method and a turbine-compressor assembly of a system having an engine includes an upstream valve coupled with a compressor and a turbine-compressor device, a downstream valve coupled with a turbine and the device, and a controller to control the upstream, downstream, and a control valve. The controller selectively operates the device in a plurality of operating modes. In a turbine mode of operation, the upstream valve directs inlet air to the compressor, the turbine receives engine exhaust, the downstream valve directs first turbine exhaust from the turbine to the device, and the control valve directs second turbine exhaust from the device to an outlet. In a compressor mode of operation, the control valve directs the inlet air to the device, the upstream valve directs first compressed air from the device to the compressor, and the downstream valve directs the first turbine exhaust from the turbine to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Neil Xavier Blythe, Pradheepram Ottikkutti, Rogier Giepman, Michael Majewski, Kevin McElhaney, Najeeb Kuzhiyil
  • Publication number: 20200256243
    Abstract: A method and a turbine-compressor assembly of a system having an engine includes an upstream valve coupled with a compressor and a turbine-compressor device, a downstream valve coupled with a turbine and the device, and a controller to control the upstream, downstream, and a control valve. The controller selectively operates the device in a plurality of operating modes. In a turbine mode of operation, the upstream valve directs inlet air to the compressor, the turbine receives engine exhaust, the downstream valve directs first turbine exhaust from the turbine to the device, and the control valve directs second turbine exhaust from the device to an outlet. In a compressor mode of operation, the control valve directs the inlet air to the device, the upstream valve directs first compressed air from the device to the compressor, and the downstream valve directs the first turbine exhaust from the turbine to the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Neil Xavier Blythe, Pradheepram Ottikkutti, Rogier Giepman, Michael Majewski, Kevin McElhaney, Najeeb Kuzhiyil
  • Publication number: 20200191045
    Abstract: A fuel and gas mixing structure for an engine is provided. This mixing structure includes a body configured to be positioned between a fuel injector and a cylinder of an engine. The body defines an interior volume that is configured to receive gas (e.g., air) from outside the body and to receive one or more streams of fuel from the fuel injector in the interior volume. The body also includes one or more upper channels and one or more lower channels that are configured to provide a substantially similar amount of flow relative to each other to the interior volume The body also defines one or more mixture conduits configured to conduct plumes of the fuel and gas, while mixing, from the interior volume to one or more exit ports and therethrough to the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Sreenivasa Rao Gubba, Bhaskar Tamma, Victor Manuel Salazar, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Roy James Primus, John Dowell, Kevin Bailey, Kevin McElhaney
  • Publication number: 20190218959
    Abstract: A fuel and gas mixing structure for an engine is provided. This mixing structure includes a body configured to be positioned between a fuel injector and a cylinder of an engine. The body defines an interior volume that is configured to receive gas from outside the body and to receive one or more streams of fuel from the fuel injector in the interior volume. The body also defines one or more mixture conduits configured to conduct plumes of the fuel and gas, while mixing, from the interior volume to one or more exit ports and therethrough to the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Roy James Primus, John Dowell, Victor Manuel Salazar, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Kevin Bailey, Kevin McElhaney, Bhaskar Tamma, Sreenivasa Rao Gubba