Patents by Inventor Michael J. Paratore, Jr.

Michael J. Paratore, Jr. 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: 20130263576
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention a method for controlling a speed of an internal combustion engine includes shutting off fuel flow into a cylinder to reduce the speed of the internal combustion engine. The method also includes providing an electrical load to an alternator of the internal combustion engine, further reducing the speed of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scot A. Douglas, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Patent number: 8544258
    Abstract: A method of monitoring operation of an exhaust treatment system of a diesel engine includes injecting a dosing agent into an exhaust and monitoring the operating conditions of an engine during normal driving conditions. A control module monitors inlet and outlet temperatures of a catalyst and compares the inlet temperature to the outlet temperature. The control module further evaluates the exhaust treatment system based on the inlet temperature, the outlet temperature and a predetermined temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: David B. Brown, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Michael B. Viola
  • Publication number: 20130239552
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided having an exhaust gas conduit, an oxidation catalyst (“OC”) device, a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, and a control module. The internal combustion engine has at least one operating parameter. The exhaust gas conduit is in fluid communication with, and is configured to receive an exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas contains oxides of nitrogen (“NOx”) and hydrocarbons. The exhaust gas has an exhaust gas temperature. The OC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit, and is activated to induce oxidation of the hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas. The OC device has an oxidation catalyst compound disposed thereon that is selectively activated at a specified temperature range for converting nitrogen oxide (“NO”) to nitrogen dioxide (“NO2”) at a specified percentage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Chang H. Kim, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Steven J. Schmieg
  • Publication number: 20130239554
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, including an exhaust gas conduit, a pressurized vessel, a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, and a control module. The internal combustion engine has a plurality of pistons and an engine off condition that indicates that the pistons are generally stationary. The exhaust gas conduit is in fluid communication with, and configured to receive an exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The pressurized vessel stores a solid ammonia gas producing material. The pressurized vessel is selectively activated to heat the solid ammonia gas producing material into an ammonia gas. The ammonia gas is released into the exhaust gas conduit. The SCR device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured to receive the ammonia gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Joshua Clifford Bedford, Chang H. Kim
  • Publication number: 20130245918
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an internal combustion engine includes a fuel system in fluid communication with a cylinder to direct a fuel flow to be mixed with air in the cylinder and an exhaust system in fluid communication with the cylinder to receive an exhaust gas produced by the combustion process, wherein the exhaust system includes an oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter downstream of the oxidation catalyst. The system also includes a control module that determines an amount of energy to be provided by at least one of: a post-injection process, hydrocarbon injector, and heating device, wherein the amount of energy is based on a desired temperature at a selected location in the exhaust system, an exhaust gas flow rate, a temperature of the received exhaust gas, a flow rate and temperature of the exhaust gas at the inlet of the oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scot A. Douglas, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Jason Daniel Mullins, Patrick Barasa
  • Patent number: 8528323
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes an exhaust module and a combustion module. The exhaust module supplies a first MAF to exhaust produced by the engine upstream of a catalytic converter during regeneration of a PM filter located downstream of the catalytic converter. The combustion module, during the regeneration, supplies a first amount of fuel to a cylinder during an intake stroke based on the first MAF and a second MAF to the cylinder during the intake stroke. The combustion module, during the regeneration, further supplies a second amount of fuel to the cylinder during a subsequent intake stroke based on a first A/F ratio of the cylinder and an oxygen content of the exhaust downstream of the catalytic converter. A method for controlling an engine during regeneration of the PM filter is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Halim G. Santoso, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8511069
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine includes receiving a request to regenerate a particulate matter filter and regulating, in response to the request, operation of the engine and an electric heater that heats an inlet surface of the filter such that for a first period, the heater maintains the inlet surface within a first temperature range above a regeneration temperature of the filter and combustion of a first mass of accumulated PM within the filter is initiated, for a second period following the first period, exhaust cools the inlet surface to within a second temperature range below the regeneration temperature and combustion of the first mass is inhibited, and for a third period following the second period, the inlet surface is maintained within a third temperature range above the regeneration temperature and a second mass of the accumulated PM is combusted. A related control system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Garima Bhatia
  • Patent number: 8505282
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, including an exhaust gas conduit, an oxidation catalyst (“OC”) device, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, and a control module. The OC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit. The OC device adsorbs hydrocarbons and is selectively activated to induce oxidation of the hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured to receive the exhaust gas. The EHC device is located within the OC device and is selectively activated to produce heat and induce further oxidation of the exhaust gas. The EHC device has an oxidation catalyst compound disposed thereon for converting nitrogen oxide (“NO”) to nitrogen dioxide (“NO2”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Chang H. Kim, Steven J. Schmieg
  • Patent number: 8484953
    Abstract: An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine is provided. The system generally includes a particulate filter (PF) that filters particulates from the exhaust wherein an upstream end of the PF receives exhaust from the engine. A grid of electrically resistive material is applied to an exterior upstream surface of the PF and selectively heats exhaust passing through the grid to initiate combustion of particulates within the PF. A catalyst coating is applied to the PF that increases a temperature of the combustion of the particulates within the PF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Frank Ament
  • Patent number: 8479496
    Abstract: An exhaust system includes N heating elements and a particulate matter (PM) filter. The N heating elements heat N portions of an exhaust gas. At least one of the N heating elements is coated with a first selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. The PM filter has an inlet that receives the N portions of the exhaust gas heated by the N heating elements. Each of the N portions of the exhaust gas heats a corresponding region of the inlet. N is an integer greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8475574
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system comprises a particulate matter filter, a first heater element, and a second heater element. The particulate matter (PM) filter filters PM from exhaust gas and includes N zones. Each of the N zones includes an inlet area that receives a portion of the exhaust gas. N is an integer greater than one. The first heater element includes a contact area that heats exhaust gas input to an inlet area of a first one of the N zones. The second heater element includes a second contact area that heats exhaust gas input to an inlet area of a second one of the N zones. A ratio of the contact area of the first heater element to the inlet area of the first zone is greater than a ratio of the contact area of the second heater element to the inlet area of the second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Garima Bhatia
  • Publication number: 20130152553
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, including an exhaust gas conduit, a flow-through container of absorbent particles, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, and a control module. The exhaust gas conduit is in fluid communication with, and is configured to receive an exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas contains oxides of nitrogen (“NOx”) and water. The flow-through container of absorbent particles is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and configured to receive the exhaust gas. The flow-through container substantially adsorbs the water from the exhaust gas below a threshold temperature. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured to receive the exhaust gas. The EHC device is located downstream of the flow through container, and is selectively activated to produce heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Chang H. Kim, Steven J. Schmieg
  • Patent number: 8464523
    Abstract: A regeneration system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter. The PM filter has an upstream end that receives an exhaust gas from an engine. An air pump circuit directs ambient air to a first exhaust conduit upstream from the PM filter. A control module determines a current soot loading level of the PM filter. The control module also at least one of operates the engine in a rich mode and activates an air pump of the air pump circuit when the current soot loading level is greater than a predetermined soot loading level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Halim G. Santoso, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130133307
    Abstract: A power system and a method for energizing an electrically heated catalyst are provided. The system includes a controller that generates a first control signal to set a switching device to a first operational state if the first temperature level downstream of the catalyst is less than a threshold temperature level and the engine is being decelerated. The controller further generates a second control signal to induce a generator to output a second voltage if the first temperature level is less than the threshold temperature level and the engine is being decelerated, such that the second voltage is applied through the switching device in the first operational state to the catalyst to increase a temperature of the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Charles E. Solbrig, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130125534
    Abstract: A method of regenerating a particulate filter that includes an electric heater is provided. The method includes determining a location of particulate matter that remains within at least one region of the particulate filter based on a regeneration event being extinguished; and selectively controlling current to a zone of a plurality of zones of the electric heater to initiate a restrike of the regeneration event based on the location of particulate matter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Patent number: 8443590
    Abstract: A control system comprises an exhaust treatment system, an electric heating module, and an exhaust heating module. The exhaust treatment system comprises a particulate matter (PM) filter and an electric heater. The PM filter includes M zones that receive exhaust gas of an engine and filter PM from the exhaust gas. The electric heater heats exhaust gas input to N of the M zones, wherein M is an integer greater than one and N is an integer less than M. The electric heating module activates the electric heater to heat exhaust gas input to the N zones to regenerate the N zones. The exhaust heating module heats exhaust gas input to the M zones by controlling an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas after the N zones regenerate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130118150
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the invention an exhaust gas after treatment system for an internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust gas conduit configured to transport exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine to exhaust treatment devices of the exhaust gas treatment system. A controller in signal communication with the exhaust gas aftertreatment system is configured to monitor the temperature of a selective catalytic reduction device, wherein the controller is operable to move a valve assembly to an open position when the selective catalytic reduction device is at or above an operating temperature and to move the valve assembly to a closed position when the selective catalytic reduction device is below the operating temperature for entrainment of NOx constituents from the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Joshua Clifford Bedford
  • Publication number: 20130111886
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided, and includes an exhaust gas conduit, an upstream selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device, an oxidation catalyst (“OC”) device, a downstream SCR device, and a control module. The EHC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and is configured to receive the exhaust gas. The EHC device is located downstream of the upstream SCR device and is selectively activated to produce heat. The OC device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit, and is selectively heated by the EHC device. At least one of the EHC device and the OC device have a NOx adsorber catalyst disposed thereon for selectively adsorbing NOx below a threshold temperature and substantially releasing NOx above the threshold temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Charles E. Solbrig
  • Patent number: 8429899
    Abstract: A regeneration system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter loading module that determines a current soot loading level of a PM filter. A PM filter temperature module determines a temperature of the PM filter. An exhaust flow rate module determines an exhaust flow rate of the PM filter. A control module deactivates an air pump of an air pump circuit and operates an engine within a predetermined range of stoichiometry based on the current soot loading, the temperature and the exhaust flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Halim G. Santoso, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130091826
    Abstract: A cold start NO2 generation system includes a catalyst control module that identifies a portion of a three-way catalyst that corresponds to a nitrogen dioxide zone. A diagnostic module determines a temperature in the nitrogen dioxide zone, and a fuel control module adjusts an air/fuel ratio based on the temperature in the nitrogen dioxide zone. A cold start NO2 generation method includes identifying a portion of a three-way catalyst that corresponds to a nitrogen dioxide zone. The method further includes determining a temperature in the nitrogen dioxide zone and adjusting an air/fuel ratio based on the temperature in the nitrogen dioxide zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Chang H. Kim, Steven J. Schmieg