Patents by Inventor Patrick M. Pierz
Patrick M. Pierz 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).
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Patent number: 10715067Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
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Publication number: 20190363654Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
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Patent number: 10451014Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for an injector assembly including an injector tip having a prechamber, such as a permanent, passive prechamber (PPPC), and a nozzle combustion shield (NCS) to mitigate pre-ignition events, such as knocking, caused by overheating of the prechamber. The NCS has a thermal conductivity greater than the injector tip. The NCS optionally includes a barrel forming a slip fit with the cylinder head bore and forming a press fit with the injector tip. The NCS also optionally includes a brim to form a combustion seal with a cylinder head. As the spark plug ignites a fuel charge in the prechamber, heat is absorbed into the injector tip, flows into the NCS barrel, out of the NCS brim, and into the cylinder head for cooling via a cooling jacket.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Darren Ting, Patrick M. Pierz
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Patent number: 10305404Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
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Publication number: 20180149125Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for an injector assembly including an injector tip having a prechamber, such as a permanent, passive prechamber (PPPC), and a nozzle combustion shield (NCS) to mitigate pre-ignition events, such as knocking, caused by overheating of the prechamber. The NCS has a thermal conductivity greater than the injector tip. The NCS optionally includes a barrel forming a slip fit with the cylinder head bore and forming a press fit with the injector tip. The NCS also optionally includes a brim to form a combustion seal with a cylinder head. As the spark plug ignites a fuel charge in the prechamber, heat is absorbed into the injector tip, flows into the NCS barrel, out of the NCS brim, and into the cylinder head for cooling via a cooling jacket.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: May 31, 2018Applicant: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Darren Ting, Patrick M. Pierz
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Publication number: 20180041153Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M. Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
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Patent number: 9793842Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M. Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
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Publication number: 20170211508Abstract: An engine including a gaseous fuel system; a cylinder including a flat combustion face, the flat combustion face including four valves, each valve positioned in a port, the four valves including two intake valves positioned to selectively meter intake of charge into the cylinder via respective ports and including two exhaust valves positioned to selectively meter output of exhaust from the cylinder via respective ports. Intake valves are larger than exhaust valves and an ignition source is offset from center of a combustion surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: Patrick M. Pierz, Leon A. LaPointe
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Publication number: 20170138251Abstract: An engine includes a cylinder having an internal combustion chamber and extending longitudinally, a cylinder head coupled to the cylinder, and a fuel-fed pre-chamber positioned within a portion of the cylinder head. The pre-chamber includes a pre-chamber volume and plurality of nozzle holes extending from the pre-chamber volume. The engine also includes an ignition source positioned longitudinally above the pre-chamber volume and a locating member positioned on at least one of the pre-chamber and the cylinder head. The locating member is configured to position the pre-chamber in a predetermined orientation within the cylinder head.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2015Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Atsuhiko Watanabe, Patrick M. Pierz, Darren Ting
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Patent number: 9441528Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved prechamber device for an internal combustion engine. The prechamber device is positioned adjacent to a combustion chamber. The improved prechamber device is configured to improve removal of heat from the prechamber device, particularly in the area adjacent to the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.Inventor: Patrick M. Pierz
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Publication number: 20160097317Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved prechamber device for an internal combustion engine. The prechamber device is positioned adjacent to a combustion chamber. The improved prechamber device is configured to improve removal of heat from the prechamber device, particularly in the area adjacent to the combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventor: Patrick M. Pierz
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Patent number: 9217360Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved prechamber device for an internal combustion engine. The prechamber device is positioned adjacent to a combustion chamber. The improved prechamber device is configured to improve removal of heat from the prechamber device, particularly in the area adjacent to the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventor: Patrick M. Pierz
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Publication number: 20150076820Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION IP, INC.Inventors: John R. PENDRAY, Patrick M. PIERZ, Bradford K. PALMER, Andrew KITCHEN
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Patent number: 8912672Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2011Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Cummins Power Generator IP, Inc.Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M. Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
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Publication number: 20130139784Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved prechamber device for an internal combustion engine. The prechamber device is positioned adjacent to a combustion chamber. The improved prechamber device is configured to improve removal of heat from the prechamber device, particularly in the area adjacent to the combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.Inventor: Patrick M. PIERZ
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Publication number: 20120175876Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M. Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
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Patent number: 8176885Abstract: A system and method for reducing fouling. In one embodiment, the system includes a housing and a plurality of channels contained within the housing. The system also includes a fouling reduction element that passes through at least one channel of the plurality of channels, wherein the fouling reduction element is movable such that it reduces fouling inside of the at least one channel. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the fouling reduction element efficiently cleans the inside of the channels of the cooling system.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventor: Patrick M Pierz
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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
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Patent number: 7550024Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment assembly and method enables lateral removal of an aftertreatment component from between first and second assembly components for servicing.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Pawson, Jay V. Warner, Patrick M. Pierz, Randolph G. Zoran
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Publication number: 20080060351Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment assembly and method enables lateral removal of an aftertreatment component from between first and second assembly components for servicing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventors: Kenneth Pawson, Jay V. Warner, Patrick M. Pierz, Randolph G. Zoran