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).

  • Patent number: 10451014
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Ting, Patrick M. Pierz
  • Publication number: 20180149125
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Darren Ting, Patrick M. Pierz
  • Publication number: 20180041153
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M. Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
  • Patent number: 9793842
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M. Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
  • Publication number: 20170211508
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick M. Pierz, Leon A. LaPointe
  • Publication number: 20170138251
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Watanabe, Patrick M. Pierz, Darren Ting
  • Patent number: 9441528
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick M. Pierz
  • Publication number: 20160097317
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Patrick M. Pierz
  • Patent number: 9217360
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick M. Pierz
  • Publication number: 20150076820
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: John R. PENDRAY, Patrick M. PIERZ, Bradford K. PALMER, Andrew KITCHEN
  • Patent number: 8912672
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generator IP, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M. Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
  • Publication number: 20130139784
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick M. PIERZ
  • Publication number: 20120175876
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M. Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
  • Publication number: 20110283980
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick M. PIERZ, Leon A. LAPOINTE
  • Patent number: 7550024
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment assembly and method enables lateral removal of an aftertreatment component from between first and second assembly components for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Pawson, Jay V. Warner, Patrick M. Pierz, Randolph G. Zoran
  • Publication number: 20080060351
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment assembly and method enables lateral removal of an aftertreatment component from between first and second assembly components for servicing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth Pawson, Jay V. Warner, Patrick M. Pierz, Randolph G. Zoran
  • Patent number: 6907870
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
  • Publication number: 20040149255
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6684852
    Abstract: A method and internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode, comprising a combustion chamber, an intake system for delivering intake air, a mixing device that mixes a first fuel with the intake air to provide a premixed charge of air and the first fuel, a direct fuel injector adapted to directly inject a second fuel into the combustion chamber, and a control system adapted to control the direct fuel injector in a manner to provide a post-ignition injection where the second fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber after onset of ignition of the premixed charge in the combustion chamber. The second fuel is preferably injected into the combustion chamber during combustion of the premixed charge and/or shortly after combustion of the premixed charge in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Wright, Patrick M. Pierz, Axel O. zur Loye
  • Patent number: 6684849
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright