Patents by Inventor Michael J. Paratore

Michael J. Paratore 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: 8029582
    Abstract: An assembly includes a particulate matter (PM) filter that comprises an upstream end for receiving exhaust gas, a downstream end and multiple zones. An absorbing layer absorbs microwave energy in one of N frequency ranges and is arranged with the upstream end. N is an integer. A frequency selective filter has M frequency selective segments and receives microwave energy in the N frequency ranges. M is an integer. One of the M frequency selective segments permits passage of the microwave energy in one of the N frequency ranges and does not permit passage of microwave energy in the other of the N frequency ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Kevin W. Kirby, Amanda Phelps, Daniel J. Gregoire
  • Publication number: 20110219752
    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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Halim G. Santoso, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110214414
    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 applied to at least one of the PF and the grid. A control module estimates a temperature of the grid and controls the engine to produce a desired exhaust product to increase the temperature of the grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110214569
    Abstract: A system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter including an upstream end for receiving exhaust gas and a downstream end. A radiant zoned heater includes N zones, where N is an integer greater than one, wherein each of the N zones includes M sub-zones, where M is an integer greater than or equal to one. A control module selectively activates at least a selected one of the N zones to initiate regeneration in downstream portions of the PM filter from the one of the N zones, restricts exhaust gas flow in a portion of the PM filter that corresponds to the selected one of the N zones, and deactivates non-selected ones of the N zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Patent number: 7997069
    Abstract: A control system for reducing ash comprises a temperature estimator module that estimates a temperature of an electrically heated particulate matter (PM) filter. A temperature and position estimator module estimates a position and temperature of an oxidation wave within the electrically heated PM filter. An ash reduction control module adjusts at least one of exhaust flow, fuel and oxygen levels in the electrically heated PM filter to adjust a position of the oxidation wave within the electrically heated PM filter based on the oxidation wave temperature and position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Yongsheng He
  • Patent number: 7975469
    Abstract: A control system that controls regeneration of a particulate filter is provided. The system generally includes a propagation module that estimates a propagation status of combustion of particulate matter in the particulate filter. A regeneration module controls current to the particulate filter to re-initiate regeneration based on the propagation status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Frank Ament
  • Patent number: 7958723
    Abstract: A control system that controls regeneration of a particulate filter is provided. The system generally includes a regeneration module that controls current to the particulate filter to initiate combustion of particulate matter in the particulate filter. A propagation module estimates a propagation status of the combustion of the particulate matter based on a combustion temperature. A temperature adjustment module controls the combustion temperature by selectively increasing a temperature of exhaust that passes through the particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Frank Ament
  • Patent number: 7931715
    Abstract: An exhaust filter system includes a particulate filter (PF) that is disposed downstream from an engine. The PF filters particulates within an exhaust from the engine. A heating element heats particulate matter in the PF. A fastener limits expansion movement of the heating element relative to the PF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Frank Ament, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7931727
    Abstract: A regeneration system comprises a particulate matter (PM) filter including a microwave energy absorbing surface, and an antenna system comprising N antennas and an antenna driver module that sequentially drives the antenna system in a plurality of transverse modes of the antenna system to heat selected portions of the microwave absorbing surface to regenerate the PM filter, where N is an integer greater than one. The transverse modes may include transverse electric (TE) and/or transverse magnetic (TM) modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Kevin W. Kirby, Amanda Phelps, Daniel J. Gregoire
  • Publication number: 20110067386
    Abstract: A particulate filter assembly for application to an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust gas particulate filter configured to receive and filter exhaust gas from an exhaust system. An oxidation catalyst compound is disposed on an outer radial region of the exhaust gas particulate filter and is configured to induce oxidation of carbon monoxide from the combustion of carbon and particulates, to thereby maintain temperatures in the radially outer portion at a level sufficient to maintain the combustion of carbon and particulates therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Patent number: 7901475
    Abstract: A diesel particulate filter assembly comprises a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a heater assembly. The DPF filters a particulate from exhaust produced by an engine. The heater assembly has a first metallic layer that is applied to the DPF, a resistive layer that is applied to the first metallic layer, and a second metallic layer that is applied to the resistive layer. The second metallic layer is etched to form a plurality of zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110036076
    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: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Garima Bhatia
  • Patent number: 7886529
    Abstract: An exhaust system may include a canister that is disposed downstream from an engine. A particulate filter (PF) is disposed within the canister and filters particulates within an exhaust from the engine. A reducing catalyst is disposed within the canister, is on the PF, and promotes reaction of a liquid reductant in the exhaust after reception by the PF. A heating element is disposed within the canister and heats particulate matter in the PF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Yongsheng He
  • Publication number: 20110030554
    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: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Garima Bhatia
  • Patent number: 7877987
    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 selectively heats exhaust passing through the upstream end to initiate combustion of particulates within the PF. A hydrocarbon adsorbent coating applied to the PF releases hydrocarbons into the exhaust to increase a temperature of the combustion of the particulates within the PF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20110004391
    Abstract: A control system comprises a particulate matter (PM) filter, an electric heater, a first heating module, and a second heating module. The PM filter includes M zones that filter PM from exhaust gas. The electric heater includes M segments corresponding to the M zones that heat exhaust gas input to selected ones of the M zones when activated. The first heating module activates N of the M segments to heat exhaust gas input to N of the M zones to regenerate the N zones. The second heating module operates in one of a first mode and a second mode to regenerate other ones of the M zones after the N zones are regenerated. The first mode includes adjusting an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas. The second mode includes activating other ones of the M segments to heat exhaust gas input to other ones of the M zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110000195
    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: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110000194
    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: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100326403
    Abstract: A control system comprises a combustion control module and a regeneration control module. The combustion control module controls operation of a vehicle in a first mode during which a combustion engine is off and in a second mode during which the combustion engine is on. The regeneration control module is in communication with the combustion control module and activates an electric heater during the first mode to heat an inlet of a particulate matter (PM) filter. Exhaust gas produced by the combustion engine enters the inlet and initiates a regeneration cycle of the PM filter in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Stuart R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100319315
    Abstract: A control system includes a heater control module and a particulate matter (PM) load module. The heater control module selectively activates an electric heater to initiate regeneration in a zone of a particulate filter and deactivates the electric heater after the regeneration is initiated. The regeneration continues along a length of the particulate filter after the electric heater is deactivated. The PM load module determines a PM load based on an outlet temperature of the particulate filter after the regeneration is initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Stuart R. Smith, Garima Bhatia