Patents by Inventor Milan Karunaratne

Milan Karunaratne 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: 8984930
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a compressor including a crankcase. A condition of the compressor may be diagnosed based on a valve leak condition of the compressor based on piston motion within the crankcase. Once a diagnosis is made, appropriate remedial action can be taken to minimize severity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Milan Karunaratne
  • Patent number: 8875561
    Abstract: Presently disclosed are methods and systems for diagnosing a coolant leak of an engine. A method may include diagnosing a coolant leak of an engine based on identified fill signatures of a measured engine coolant pressure. A vehicle system is also disclosed, including an engine, a coolant system operatively connected to the engine, a coolant pressure sensor configured to measure engine coolant pressure during operation of the engine, and a controller, including instructions configured to create a coolant pressure profile corresponding to a given engine speed, and diagnose a condition of the engine based on the coolant pressure profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Milan Karunaratne, Benedict George Lander
  • Patent number: 8850878
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger. In one example, a method includes receiving a signal indicative of a monitored pressure of a pressurized oil supply of a turbocharger or other turbomachine. The method further includes determining whether a high frequency component of the signal meets one or more designated criteria, and, if the high frequency component of the pressure meets the one or more designated criteria, generating a first control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Lloyd Flynn, Bret Dwayne Worden, Matthew John Malone, Milan Karunaratne
  • Patent number: 8701477
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger. In one example, a method includes determining a first pressure at a first location within a turbocharger and determining a second pressure at a second location within the turbocharger. The method further includes indicating degradation of the turbocharger based on the first pressure and the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew John Malone, Kendall Roger Swenson, Neil Blythe, Milan Karunaratne, Bret Dwayne Worden, Paul Lloyd Flynn
  • Publication number: 20130336810
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to monitoring a change in a rotational speed of a crankshaft to identify a failure related to a crankcase breather valve. A reciprocating compressor can include a detection component that is configured to track a rotational speed of a crankshaft of a compressor to identify a change in rotational speed. In an embodiment, the rotational speed can be monitored while unloaded and/or below approximiately 800 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). Based on a change in a rotational speed of the crankshaft, a controller can be configured to communicate an alert which corresponds to a failure related to the crankcase breather valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: BRET DWAYNE WORDEN, RICHARD C. PEOPLES, MILAN KARUNARATNE, JASON M. STRODE, JAYAPRAKASH SHREESHAILAPPA SABARAD
  • Publication number: 20130338899
    Abstract: Presently disclosed are methods and systems for detecting and diagnosing a coolant leak of an engine. A method may include diagnosing a coolant leak of the engine based on a low frequency pressure response of a measured engine coolant pressure. A vehicle system is also disclosed, including an engine, a coolant system operatively connected to the engine. The coolant system includes a coolant reserve and a coolant pump between the engine and the coolant reserve. The vehicle also includes a coolant pressure sensor to measure coolant pressure, and a controller configured to measure an engine coolant pressure and diagnose a coolant leak of the coolant system based on a low frequency pressure response of the measured engine coolant pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Jason M. Strode, Milan Karunaratne
  • Publication number: 20130294937
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include monitoring a crankcase pressure of a compressor, analyzing the monitored crankcase pressure, and identifying a condition of the compressor based on the analysis of the monitored crankcase pressure. A system is also disclosed including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to identify a condition of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: BRET DWAYNE WORDEN, RICHARD C. PEOPLES, DAVID E. PETERSON, JASON M. STRODE, NEIL W. BURKELL, MILAN KARUNARATNE
  • Publication number: 20130294938
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include operating a compressor to compress air from a first stage compressor into an intermediate stage reservoir, to deliver air from the intermediate stage reservoir to a second stage compressor, and to further compress the air in the second stage compressor into a primary reservoir, monitoring an intermediate stage pressure of the intermediate stage reservoir, and identifying a condition of the compressor through recognition of a change in the monitored intermediate stage pressure during a time period in which the compressor is operated. A vehicle system is also provided including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to identify a condition of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: BRET DWAYNE WORDEN, RICHARD C. PEOPLES, DAVID E. PETERSON, JASON M. STRODE, NEIL W. BURKELL, MILAN KARUNARATNE
  • Publication number: 20130294935
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include monitoring a pressure of compressed air within a reservoir of a compressor, actuating an unloader valve of the compressor, and detecting a leak condition of the compressor through recognition of a change in the monitored pressure of the compressed air within the reservoir during a time period in which the unloader valve is actuated. A system is also disclosed including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to determine a condition of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: BRET DWAYNE WORDEN, RICHARD C. PEOPLES, DAVID E. PETERSON, JASON M. STRODE, NEIL W. BURKELL, MILAN KARUNARATNE
  • Publication number: 20130294936
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to removing fluid from a compressor to mitigate condensation accumulated for a compressor. A controller can be configured to actuate a drain valve coupled to an aftercooler of a compressor and actuate a check valve to isolate air pressure of the aftercooler from a reservoir of the compressor. Through control of the drain valve of the aftercooler and the check valve, the controller removes fluid from the aftercooler to facitliate thermal management of a compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: BRET DWAYNE WORDEN, RICHARD C. PEOPLES, DAVID E. PETERSON, JASON M. STRODE, NEIL W. BURKELL, MILAN KARUNARATNE
  • Publication number: 20130294934
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include monitoring a pressure of compressed air within a reservoir, actuating a piston within a cylinder of the compressor, and detecting a leak condition of an exhaust valve of the cylinder through recognition of a change in the monitored pressure of the compressed air within the reservoir during a time period in which the piston is actuated. A system is also disclosed including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to determine a condition of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: BRET DWAYNE WORDEN, RICHARD C. PEOPLES, DAVID E. PETERSON, JASON M. STRODE, NEIL W. BURKELL, MILAN KARUNARATNE
  • Publication number: 20130067911
    Abstract: A shaft imbalance detector system (50) includes a speed sensor (52) that detects a speed of a wheel and generates a speed signal, and a controller (60) connected to the speed sensor (52). The controller (60) is configured to monitor the speed signal, where a variation in the speed signal indicates an imbalance in a shaft (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Matthew John Malone, Milan Karunaratne
  • Publication number: 20130073174
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a crankcase. A condition of the engine may be diagnosed based on frequency content of crankcase pressure. Different types of degradation may be distinguished based on a frequency content of multiple frequencies of the crankcase pressure. Thus, a degraded engine component may be identified in a manner that reduces service induced delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Bret Dwayne WORDEN, Matthew MALONE, Milan KARUNARATNE, Paul Lloyd FLYNN
  • Publication number: 20130071260
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a compressor including a crankcase. A condition of the compressor may be diagnosed based on a valve leak condition of the compressor based on piston motion within the crankcase. Once a diagnosis is made, appropriate remedial action can be taken to minimize severity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Milan Karunaratne
  • Publication number: 20130067914
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger. In one example, a method includes determining a first pressure at a first location within a turbocharger and determining a second pressure at a second location within the turbocharger. The method further includes indicating degradation of the turbocharger based on the first pressure and the second pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew John MALONE, Kendall Roger SWENSON, Neil BLYTHE, Milan KARUNARATNE, Bret Dwayne WORDEN, Paul Lloyd FLYNN
  • Publication number: 20130073172
    Abstract: A detector (50) including a sensor (52) configured to detect entry of a portion of a wheel (20) into a portion of a clearance gap (37) and thereby to signify that the wheel (20) has deviated from the intended wheel path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Matthew John Malone, Milan Karunaratne
  • Publication number: 20130067994
    Abstract: Presently disclosed are methods and systems for diagnosing a coolant leak of an engine. A method may include diagnosing a coolant leak of an engine based on identified fill signatures of a measured engine coolant pressure. A vehicle system is also disclosed, including an engine, a coolant system operatively connected to the engine, a coolant pressure sensor configured to measure engine coolant pressure during operation of the engine, and a controller, including instructions configured to create a coolant pressure profile corresponding to a given engine speed, and diagnose a condition of the engine based on the coolant pressure profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Milan Karunaratne, Benedict George Lander
  • Publication number: 20130067915
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger. In one example, a method includes receiving a signal indicative of a monitored pressure of a pressurized oil supply of a turbocharger or other turbomachine. The method further includes determining whether a high frequency component of the signal meets one or more designated criteria, and, if the high frequency component of the pressure meets the one or more designated criteria, generating a first control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Lloyd Flynn, Bret Dwayne Worden, Matthew John Malone, Milan Karunaratne