Patents by Inventor Mark Akins

Mark Akins 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: 11242797
    Abstract: A turbocharger assembly (1) comprises a turbine (4), a compressor (6), a housing (8), one or more electronic components (38, 40, 41, 42, 45, 47, 50, 51, 52, 54, 58) and a pettier device (46). The pettier device (46) is configured to provide electrical power to the one or more electronic components (38, 40, 41, 42, 45, 47, 50, 51, 52, 54, 58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: CUMMINS LTD.
    Inventors: Scott Allen Herr, Mark Akins
  • Publication number: 20210062716
    Abstract: A turbocharger assembly (1) comprises a turbine (4), a compressor (6), a housing (8), one or more electronic components (38, 40, 41, 42, 45, 47, 50, 51, 52, 54, 58) and a pettier device (46). The pettier device (46) is configured to provide electrical power to the one or more electronic components (38, 40, 41, 42, 45, 47, 50, 51, 52, 54, 58).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Scott Allen Herr, Mark Akins
  • Patent number: 8556505
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for reading a temperature of a material includes a thermistor that is communicable in temperature sensing communication with the material. The apparatus also includes a first resistor that has a first resistance and a second resistor that has a second resistance that is lower than the first resistance. Additionally, the apparatus includes a switch that is selectively controllable to electrically couple the first resistor and second resistor to the thermistor in a low temperature mode. The switch also is selectively controllable to electrically couple the second resistor to the thermistor and electrically decouple the first resistor from the thermistor in a high temperature mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Akins, Elma Avdic, Matt Bower, Bruce Morehead
  • Publication number: 20110090938
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for reading a temperature of a material includes a thermistor that is communicable in temperature sensing communication with the material. The apparatus also includes a first resistor that has a first resistance and a second resistor that has a second resistance that is lower than the first resistance. Additionally, the apparatus includes a switch that is selectively controllable to electrically couple the first resistor and second resistor to the thermistor in a low temperature mode. The switch also is selectively controllable to electrically couple the second resistor to the thermistor and electrically decouple the first resistor from the thermistor in a high temperature mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Akins, Elma Avdic, Matt Bower, Bruce Morehead
  • Publication number: 20060032224
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes an internal combustion engine with a turbocharger. The turbocharger includes a compressor with an outlet coupled to an intake of the engine and a turbine coupled to an exhaust manifold of the engine. A a turbocharger speed estimate is determined from engine speed and a ratio between inlet and boost pressure for the compressor. The turbocharger speed estimate is further adjusted as a function of compressor boost pressure variation with time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Applicant: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Akins, Dennis King, Todd Slater, Bryan Milburn, Greg Pataky
  • Patent number: 6678606
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting tampering with the software, software parameters, and calibration data used by a vehicle controller. During authorized installation of controller memory images, a hash function is applied to selected regions of controller memory to obtain stored hash values. Then, periodically during operation of the vehicle, the hash function is applied to the then-current contents of the controller memory to obtain calculated hash values. If the stored hash values stored do not match the calculated hash values, a fault is logged for future retrieval by service personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Akins, Scott Thompson, Dave O'dell, Gopal Chamarthi, Shu Zhang
  • Patent number: 6678607
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are disclosed for creating a signal that indicates the pressure of the fluid in an engine. A switch or sensor determines whether the actual pressure is greater or less than a threshold pressure. If the actual pressure is less than the threshold pressure, a sensed pressure (e.g., the output of a pressure sensor) is used. If the sensed pressure is greater than the threshold pressure, then the output is derived from an estimate of the fluid pressure, where the estimate is based on other operating parameters of the engine. The output signal can be used as an input to a display visible by an operator, controller logs, diagnostic systems, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Akins, Scott Thompson, Robert Smalley, II, Daniel G. Showalter, Bryan Williams, Greg Smith, Eric Holloway
  • Patent number: 6676841
    Abstract: A water-in-fuel abuse detection system provides a way to determine if a vehicle operator has ignored a conventional water-in-fuel indicator light and continued to operate the vehicle beyond a certain threshold. The system includes a sensor positioned in a fuel filter capable of separating an amount of water from a source of fuel. The sensor is operatively connected to a software routine, as well as to a conventional indicator light that illuminates to alert a vehicle operator that water must be purged from the fuel filtration system. The software routine determines the duration, in distance traversed or time elapsed, that the amount of water is at or above the level of the sensor. The routine then writes a fault code to permanent memory when the threshold is exceeded. A diagnostic tool can access the permanent memory and reveal whether the fuel system has be the subject of water-in-fuel abuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Akins, Scott Thompson, Gopal Chamarthi, Stephanie Goerges
  • Publication number: 20030220733
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are disclosed for creating a signal that indicates the pressure of the fluid in an engine. A switch or sensor determines whether the actual pressure is greater or less than a threshold pressure. If the actual pressure is less than the threshold pressure, a sensed pressure (e.g., the output of a pressure sensor) is used. If the sensed pressure is greater than the threshold pressure, then the output is derived from an estimate of the fluid pressure, where the estimate is based on other operating parameters of the engine. The output signal can be used as an input to a display visible by an operator, controller logs, diagnostic systems, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Akins, Scott Thompson, Robert Smalley, Daniel G. Showalter, Bryan Williams, Greg Smith, Eric Holloway
  • Publication number: 20030085180
    Abstract: A water-in-fuel abuse detection system provides a way to determine if a vehicle operator has ignored a conventional water-in-fuel indicator light and continued to operate the vehicle beyond a certain threshold. The system includes a sensor positioned in a fuel filter capable of separating an amount of water from a source of fuel. The sensor is operatively connected to a software routine, as well as to a conventional indicator light that illuminates to alert a vehicle operator that water must be purged from the fuel filtration system. The software routine determines the duration, in distance traversed or time elapsed, that the amount of water is at or above the level of the sensor. The routine then writes a fault code to permanent memory when the threshold is exceeded. A diagnostic tool can access the permanent memory and reveal whether the fuel system has be the subject of water-in-fuel abuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Akins, Scott Thompson, Gopal Chamarthi, Stephanie Goerges
  • Publication number: 20030055552
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting tampering with the software, software parameters, and calibration data used by a vehicle controller. During authorized installation of controller memory images, a hash function is applied to selected regions of controller memory to obtain stored hash values. Then, periodically during operation of the vehicle, the hash function is applied to the then-current contents of the controller memory to obtain calculated hash values. If the stored hash values stored do not match the calculated hash values, a fault is logged for future retrieval by service personnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Akins, Scott Thompson, David N. O'Dell, Gopal Chamarthi, Shu Zhang