Patents by Inventor Leon A. LaPointe

Leon A. LaPointe 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).

  • Publication number: 20160290288
    Abstract: A system and method for condensation management in a low-pressure loop EGR system are provided. The system includes an EGR condensation temperature module configured to determine an EGR condensation temperature of recirculated exhaust gas upstream of an EGR cooler and an EGR coolant temperature controller communicably coupled to the EGR condensation temperature module. The EGR coolant temperature controller provides EGR coolant to the EGR cooler at or above the EGR condensation temperature. The system also includes a charge air condensation temperature module configured to determine a charge air condensation temperature of charge air upstream of a charge air cooler and a charge air coolant temperature controller communicably coupled to the charge air condensation temperature module. The charge air coolant temperature controller provides charge air coolant to the charge air cooler at or above the charge air condensation temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Daniel J. Mohr, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Ashish Gupta
  • Patent number: 9359968
    Abstract: An apparatus for dithering fuel into an internal combustion engine includes a turbine that is powered by the internal combustion engine and a first fuel injector that injects a first fuel into an air stream to create a fuel/air stream. The apparatus also includes an air/fuel compressor that provides a compressed fuel/air stream to the internal combustion engine. The air/fuel compressor is powered by the turbine, and the air/fuel compressor compresses the fuel/air stream to create the compressed fuel/air stream. Additionally, the apparatus includes a second fuel injector that injects a second fuel into the compressed fuel/air stream prior to the compressed fuel/air stream entering the engine and after the compressed fuel/air stream exits the air/fuel compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS IP, INC.
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Daniel J. Mohr, Ashish Gupta, James A. Zigan
  • Patent number: 9347359
    Abstract: Described herein is an air dithering system for an internal combustion engine generating exhaust gas that includes an exhaust line in exhaust gas receiving communication with the internal combustion engine. The system also includes an exhaust aftertreatment component positioned within the exhaust line in exhaust gas receiving communication with exhaust gas in the exhaust line. Further, the system includes an air injector in air injecting communication with exhaust gas in the exhaust line at a location downstream of the internal combustion engine and upstream of the exhaust aftertreatment component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS IP, INC.
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Scott Miles, Jay Shah
  • Patent number: 9279394
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system includes a spark-ignited internal combustion engine powered by a gaseous fuel. The engine system also includes an air intake in air providing communication with the internal combustion engine. Further, the engine system includes an exhaust system in exhaust gas receiving communication with the internal combustion engine. The exhaust system includes a methane oxidation catalyst through which at least a portion of the exhaust gas flows and an exhaust gas recirculation line in exhaust gas providing communication with the air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Daniel J. Mohr, Ashish Gupta, Aleksey Yezerets, Neal W. Currier, Tamas Szailer, Thomas M. Yonushonis
  • Publication number: 20150300297
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system includes a spark-ignited internal combustion engine powered by a gaseous fuel. The engine system also includes an air intake in air providing communication with the internal combustion engine. Further, the engine system includes an exhaust system in exhaust gas receiving communication with the internal combustion engine. The exhaust system includes a methane oxidation catalyst through which at least a portion of the exhaust gas flows and an exhaust gas recirculation line in exhaust gas providing communication with the air intake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: CUMMINS IP, INC.
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Daniel J. Mohr, Ashish Gupta, Aleksey Yezerets, Neal W. Currier, Tamas Szailer, Thomas M. Yonushonis
  • Publication number: 20150241399
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable mediums for determining combustion properties of wellhead gas. A methane concentration of a gas mixture is measured. A non-methane hydrocarbon concentration of the gas mixture is measured. An inert concentration of the gas mixture is calculated. A first surrogate for the non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is selected, where the first surrogate is selected as propane if the methane concentration is greater than a first threshold, and where the first surrogate is selected as pentane if the methane concentration is less than or equal to the first threshold. A methane number of the gas mixture is determined, where the methane number is based on the methane concentration, the first surrogate, and the inert concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Shu Li, Leon A. LaPointe, Aniket Gupta, Matthew L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20150020766
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an internal combustion engine having an improved prechamber device. The prechamber device includes features that provide improved mixing of fuel and air, specifically, a plurality of ribs positioned in a cavity of the prechamber device. The improved mixing of fuel and air yields improved uniformity of combustion in an associated combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Premjee Sasidharan
  • Publication number: 20140260203
    Abstract: A system and method for reforming a portion of an exhaust gas stream in an internal combustion engine system. An exhaust gas recirculation assembly divides the exhaust gas stream into a recycle stream and a vent stream. A mixer in fluid receiving communication with the recycle stream forms a combination stream by mixing a gaseous fuel stream with the recycle stream. A thermochemical recuperator component fluidly connects to the mixer and includes a first flow path and a second flow path. The first flow path has a catalyst through which the combination stream flows to create a reformate stream, and the second flow path has a heat transfer area for transferring heat from the vent stream to the combination stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Daniel J. Mohr, Ashish Gupta
  • Publication number: 20140261351
    Abstract: An apparatus for dithering fuel into an internal combustion engine includes a turbine that is powered by the internal combustion engine and a first fuel injector that injects a first fuel into an air stream to create a fuel/air stream. The apparatus also includes an air/fuel compressor that provides a compressed fuel/air stream to the internal combustion engine. The air/fuel compressor is powered by the turbine, and the air/fuel compressor compresses the fuel/air stream to create the compressed fuel/air stream. Additionally, the apparatus includes a second fuel injector that injects a second fuel into the compressed fuel/air stream prior to the compressed fuel/air stream entering the engine and after the compressed fuel/air stream exits the air/fuel compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Daniel J. Mohr, Ashish Gupta, James A. Zigan
  • Publication number: 20140261298
    Abstract: Described herein is a combustion pre-chamber apparatus for a main combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine that includes a body that defines an internal combustion cavity. The apparatus also includes at least one orifice that extends through the body. The at least one orifice includes a first end open to the internal combustion cavity and a second end open to the main combustion chamber. The first end is bigger than the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Premjee Sasidharan, Leon A. LaPointe
  • Publication number: 20140260196
    Abstract: Described herein is an air dithering system for an internal combustion engine generating exhaust gas that includes an exhaust line in exhaust gas receiving communication with the internal combustion engine. The system also includes an exhaust aftertreatment component positioned within the exhaust line in exhaust gas receiving communication with exhaust gas in the exhaust line. Further, the system includes an air injector in air injecting communication with exhaust gas in the exhaust line at a location downstream of the internal combustion engine and upstream of the exhaust aftertreatment component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Scott Miles, Jay Shah
  • Publication number: 20140069086
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system includes a spark-ignited internal combustion engine powered by a gaseous fuel. The engine system also includes an air intake in air providing communication with the internal combustion engine. Further, the engine system includes an exhaust system in exhaust gas receiving communication with the internal combustion engine. The exhaust system includes a methane oxidation catalyst through which at least a portion of the exhaust gas flows and an exhaust gas recirculation line in exhaust gas providing communication with the air intake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: LEON A. LAPOINTE, EDWARD J. LYFORD-PIKE, DANIEL J. MOHR, ASHISH GUPTA, ALEKSEY YEZERETS, NEAL W. CURRIER, TAMAS SZAILER, THOMAS YONUSHONIS
  • Patent number: 8662053
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including a first end defining an inner passage along a first inner surface of the first end, where the inner passage has threads structured to receive a spark plug. The apparatus further includes a second end opposite the first end and extending into a combustion chamber of a cylinder, the second end defining a pre-combustion chamber along a second inner surface and threads on an outer surface structured to thread into a spark plug hole in a cylinder head, which may be an enlarged spark plug hole. The second end includes holes that fluidly couple the pre-combustion chamber of the second end with the combustion chamber of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Chris L. Sanger, James A. Zigan, Daniel J. Mohr, Laszlo D. Tikk
  • Publication number: 20110283980
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided including an engine block, a cylinder head mounted on the engine block including a combustion face forming a portion of a combustion chamber, wherein the combustion face includes a pent-roof portion and a hemispherical shaped portion. A first intake valve port formed in the cylinder head includes a first intake valve port opening formed in the pent-roof portion while a second intake valve port formed in the cylinder head includes a second intake valve port opening formed in the pent-roof portion. An exhaust valve port formed in the cylinder head includes an exhaust valve port opening formed in the hemispherical shaped portion. A transition portion may also be included to blend the combustion face connecting the pent-roof and the hemispherical portions. One or more spark plug bore openings are formed and optimally positioned in the combustion face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick M. PIERZ, Leon A. LAPOINTE
  • Publication number: 20110146618
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including a first end defining an inner passage along a first inner surface of the first end, where the inner passage has threads structured to receive a spark plug. The apparatus further includes a second end opposite the first end and extending into a combustion chamber of a cylinder, the second end defining a pre-combustion chamber along a second inner surface and threads on an outer surface structured to thread into a spark plug hole in a cylinder head, which may be an enlarged spark plug hole. The second end includes holes that fluidly couple the pre-combustion chamber of the second end with the combustion chamber of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Chris L. Sanger, James A. Zigan, Daniel J. Mohr, Laszio D. Tikk
  • Publication number: 20070186538
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an exhaust temperature for an internal combustion engine at idle and light load conditions is disclosed. The method and system comprise determining a desired range of fuel consumption within the internal combustion engine to meet a desired exhaust temperature. The method and system further comprise controlling the fuel consumption to fall within the range. Control strategies to elevate exhaust temperature at idle or light load conditions are disclosed. These strategies allow for exhaust temperatures for aftertreatment regeneration to be reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Dollmeyer, Jennifer Rumsey, Larry Brackney, Leon Lapointe
  • Patent number: 6659071
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode and a method for operating the engine, the engine including an engine body with a piston assembly, a combustion chamber formed in the engine body by the piston assembly, an intake system for delivering intake air to the combustion chamber during an intake stroke, a mixing device that mixes a first fuel with the intake air to provide a premixed charge of air and the first fuel, a direct fuel injector adapted to directly inject a second fuel into the combustion chamber, and a control system adapted to control the direct fuel injector in a manner to provide at least one early control injection, and preferably, a plurality of early control injections of the second fuel into the combustion chamber before start of combustion of the premixed charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Tim R. Frazier, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, Axel O. zur Loye
  • Publication number: 20020040692
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode and a method for operating the engine, the engine including an engine body with a piston assembly, a combustion chamber formed in the engine body by the piston assembly, an intake system for delivering intake air to the combustion chamber during an intake stroke, a mixing device that mixes a first fuel with the intake air to provide a premixed charge of air and the first fuel, a direct fuel injector adapted to directly inject a second fuel into the combustion chamber, and a control system adapted to control the direct fuel injector in a manner to provide at least one early control injection, and preferably, a plurality of early control injections of the second fuel into the combustion chamber before start of combustion of the premixed charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Tim R. Frazier, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, Axel O. zur Loye