Patents by Inventor Lee G. Dodge

Lee G. Dodge 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: 7497077
    Abstract: An aqueous urea dosing system has a first tube through which the urea solution is conveyed to a small mixing chamber. Compressed air is continuously conveyed through an annular space between the outer surface of the first tube and the inner surface of a second tube which has a distal end that extends beyond a distal end of the first tube. The mixing chamber is positioned between the respective distal ends of the first and second tubes. The urea solution is discharged into the small mixing chamber, and subsequently immediately into an exhaust gas, in a series of discreet pulses, the width and period of which are controlled by a pulse-width-modulated flow control valve spaced from the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Lee G. Dodge, Paul H. Kunkel
  • Publication number: 20080022663
    Abstract: An aqueous urea dosing system has a first tube through which the urea solution is conveyed to a small mixing chamber. Compressed air is continuously conveyed through an annular space between the outer surface of the first tube and the inner surface of a second tube which has a distal end that extends beyond a distal end of the first tube. The mixing chamber is positioned between the respective distal ends of the first and second tubes. The urea solution is discharged into the small mixing chamber, and subsequently immediately into an exhaust gas, in a series of discreet pulses, the width and period of which are controlled by a pulse-width-modulated flow control valve spaced from the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Lee G. Dodge, Paul H. Kunkel
  • Patent number: 7299623
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature and/or space velocity of exhaust gas provides control of the maximum temperature of the exhaust gas to prevent thermal damage to the Diesel engine components and associated aftertreatment devices during regeneration of the aftertreatment devices. The method includes controlling intake and/or exhaust valve opening timing and duration, either singly or in combination with selective individual cylinder cutout, in response to sensed engine operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, Ryan C. Roecker, Charles E. Roberts, Jr., Lee G. Dodge, Christopher J. Chadwell, Darius Mehta, Daniel W. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7198555
    Abstract: An improved atomizer, in which the liquid to be sprayed is circulated around the nozzle tip to prevent degradation of the liquid in hot environments. The circulation is controlled by a valve, which permits the liquid to circulate even when no liquid is being sprayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Lee G. Dodge
  • Patent number: 7017547
    Abstract: Fuel temperature management is used to control the penetration distance of liquid-phase fuel into the combustion chamber of direct injection engines. Fuel temperature management enables the alteration of liquid-phase penetration distance to compensate for real-time changes in fuel composition, injector geometry, injection pressure, combustion mode, or combustion chamber thermodynamic conditions during engine operation. Alteration of the liquid-phase penetration distance prevents or reduces undesirable liquid fuel impingement on combustion chamber surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventors: Darius Mehta, Lee G. Dodge, Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, Charles E. Roberts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6948310
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature and/or space velocity of exhaust gas passing through an aftertreatment device disposed in the exhaust system of a diesel engine provides an optimal environment for efficient conversion of NOx and undesirable emissions during transient and steady state engine operation. The method includes controlling intake and/or exhaust valve timing, either singly or in combination with fuel injection timing and selective individual cylinder cutout, in response to sensed engine operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventors: Charles E. Roberts, Jr., Andrew C. Matheaus, David P. Branyon, Rudolf H Stanglmaier, Lee G. Dodge, Thomas W. Ryan, III, Daniel W. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20040255900
    Abstract: Fuel temperature management is used to control the penetration distance of liquid-phase fuel into the combustion chamber of direct injection engines. Fuel temperature management enables the alteration of liquid-phase penetration distance to compensate for real-time changes in fuel composition, injector geometry, injection pressure, combustion mode, or combustion chamber thermodynamic conditions during engine operation. Alteration of the liquid-phase penetration distance prevents or reduces undesirable liquid fuel impingement on combustion chamber surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Darius Mehta, Lee G. Dodge, Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, Charles E. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20040123588
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature and/or space velocity of exhaust gas provides control of the maximum temperature of the exhaust gas to prevent thermal damage to the Diesel engine components and associated aftertreatment devices during regeneration of the aftertreatment devices. The method includes controlling intake and/or exhaust valve opening timing and duration, either singly or in combination with selective individual cylinder cutout, in response to sensed engine operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, Ryan C. Roecker, Charles E. Roberts,, Lee G. Dodge, Christopher J. Chadwell, Darius Mehta, Daniel W. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20040060284
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature and/or space velocity of exhaust gas passing through an aftertreatment device disposed in the exhaust system of a diesel engine provides an optimal environment for efficient conversion of NOx and undesirable emissions during transient and steady state engine operation. The method includes controlling intake and/or exhaust valve timing, either singly or in combination with fuel injection timing and selective individual cylinder cutout, in response to sensed engine operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Charles E. Roberts, Andrew C. Matheaus, David P. Branyon, Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, Lee G. Dodge, Thomas W. Ryan, Daniel W. Stewart
  • Patent number: 6378489
    Abstract: At least two separate fuels, having different volatility characteristics, are used to control the combustion phasing in a compression ignition engine. Desirably, the separate fuels are produced by distillation by which a parent fuel is separated into separate fractions having different reactivity. The provision multiple fuels by distillation and the control method embodying the present invention are particularly useful in controlling the combustion phasing of homogenous charge compression ignition combustion processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventors: Rudolf H. Stanglmaier, Charles E. Roberts, Jr., Daniel W. Dickey, Thomas W. Ryan, III, Jeffrey A. Leet, Lee G. Dodge, Matthew E. Schulman