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: 20160290288Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2015Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Daniel J. Mohr, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Ashish Gupta
-
Patent number: 9359968Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: CUMMINS IP, INC.Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Daniel J. Mohr, Ashish Gupta, James A. Zigan
-
Patent number: 9347359Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: CUMMINS IP, INC.Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Scott Miles, Jay Shah
-
Patent number: 9279394Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: 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: 20150300297Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: 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: 20150241399Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: Cummins, Inc.Inventors: Shu Li, Leon A. LaPointe, Aniket Gupta, Matthew L. Schneider
-
Publication number: 20150020766Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Premjee Sasidharan
-
Publication number: 20140260203Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Cummins IP, Inc.Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Daniel J. Mohr, Ashish Gupta
-
Publication number: 20140261351Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Cummins IP, Inc.Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Daniel J. Mohr, Ashish Gupta, James A. Zigan
-
Publication number: 20140261298Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Premjee Sasidharan, Leon A. LaPointe
-
Publication number: 20140260196Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Scott Miles, Jay Shah
-
Publication number: 20140069086Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventors: LEON A. LAPOINTE, EDWARD J. LYFORD-PIKE, DANIEL J. MOHR, ASHISH GUPTA, ALEKSEY YEZERETS, NEAL W. CURRIER, TAMAS SZAILER, THOMAS YONUSHONIS
-
Patent number: 8662053Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Chris L. Sanger, James A. Zigan, Daniel J. Mohr, Laszlo D. Tikk
-
Publication number: 20110283980Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: Patrick M. PIERZ, Leon A. LAPOINTE
-
Publication number: 20110146618Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Chris L. Sanger, James A. Zigan, Daniel J. Mohr, Laszio D. Tikk
-
Publication number: 20070186538Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2006Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Thomas Dollmeyer, Jennifer Rumsey, Larry Brackney, Leon Lapointe
-
Patent number: 6659071Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: 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: 20020040692Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Tim R. Frazier, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, Axel O. zur Loye