Patents by Inventor Paul Douglas Free

Paul Douglas Free 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: 11156144
    Abstract: A controller for a dosing module including a pump, an inlet manifold coupled to the pump, a nozzle, an outlet manifold coupled to the nozzle, a first branch coupled to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold and having a first flow restrictor and a first valve, a second branch coupled to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold and having a second flow restrictor and a second valve, and a sensor coupled to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold, includes an input/output interface and a processing circuit. The input/output interface is configured to electronically communicate with the first valve and the second valve. The processing circuit configured to selectively cause the first valve to be in a first valve first position, in which the first valve facilitates fluid communication from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold through the first branch, and a first valve second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Taren DeHart, Vaibhav J. Lawand, Stephen M. Holl, Paul Douglas Free, Nassim Khaled, Colin L. Norris
  • Patent number: 11047281
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of treating a diesel exhaust system that includes heating a reagent to a temperature such that at least a portion of the reagent is heated to a gaseous phase, injecting the reagent into a diesel exhaust stream upstream of a catalyst, and reacting the diesel exhaust with the heated reagent over the catalyst to convert NOx into N2 and H2O. The heating modulates a mass flow rate of the reagent by converting a state of matter of the reagent at least partially to the gaseous phase prior to or after being injected, and the heated reagent in the gaseous form reduces deposit formations within the diesel exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark Denis Everly, Paul Douglas Free, Jeffrey R. Diestelmeier, Andrew D. Selvy
  • Publication number: 20200123952
    Abstract: A controller for a dosing module including a pump, an inlet manifold coupled to the pump, a nozzle, an outlet manifold coupled to the nozzle, a first branch coupled to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold and having a first flow restrictor and a first valve, a second branch coupled to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold and having a second flow restrictor and a second valve, and a sensor coupled to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold, includes an input/output interface and a processing circuit. The input/output interface is configured to electronically communicate with the first valve and the second valve. The processing circuit configured to selectively cause the first valve to be in a first valve first position, in which the first valve facilitates fluid communication from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold through the first branch, and a first valve second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Taren DeHart, Vaibhav J. Lawand, Stephen M. Holl, Paul Douglas Free, Nassim Khaled, Colin L. Norris
  • Patent number: 10544721
    Abstract: A dosing module includes an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, a first branch, and a second branch. The inlet manifold is configured to selectively receive reductant from a pump. The outlet manifold is configured to selectively provide the reductant to a nozzle. The first branch is coupled to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold. The first branch is configured to selectively provide the reductant from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. The first branch includes a first flow restrictor configured to restrict the reductant as the reductant is provided to the outlet manifold. The second branch is coupled to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold. The second branch is configured to selectively provide the reductant from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold separately from the first branch. The second branch includes a second flow restrictor that is configured to restrict the reductant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Taren DeHart, Vaibhav J. Lawand, Stephen M. Holl, Paul Douglas Free, Nassim Khaled, Colin L. Norris
  • Patent number: 10480377
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving the performance of an aftertreatment system by elevating its temperature above an activation temperature. According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes injecting a quantity of a fuel into certain fueled cylinders of a plurality of combustion cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the plurality of combustion cylinders further including non-fueled cylinders. Exhaust from the fueled cylinders is directed through the aftertreatment system while uncombusted gas from the non-fueled cylinders is directed away from the aftertreatment system. In certain embodiments, the uncombusted gas may be directed into an intake manifold in fluid communication with the plurality of combustion cylinders through an orifice. The system includes an engine having exhaust valves to control flow of the exhaust and uncombusted gas and a controller configured to perform the operations of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Free, Jennifer Kay Light-Holets, Vaibhav Daramwar, David A. Brush
  • Publication number: 20190178130
    Abstract: A dosing module includes an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, a first branch, and a second branch. The inlet manifold is configured to selectively receive reductant from a pump. The outlet manifold is configured to selectively provide the reductant to a nozzle. The first branch is coupled to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold. The first branch is configured to selectively provide the reductant from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. The first branch includes a first flow restrictor configured to restrict the reductant as the reductant is provided to the outlet manifold. The second branch is coupled to the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold. The second branch is configured to selectively provide the reductant from the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold separately from the first branch. The second branch includes a second flow restrictor that is configured to restrict the reductant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Taren DeHart, Vaibhav J. Lawand, Stephen M. Holl, Paul Douglas Free, Nassim Khaled, Colin L. Norris
  • Publication number: 20180363527
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of treating a diesel exhaust system that includes heating a reagent to a temperature such that at least a portion of the reagent is heated to a gaseous phase, injecting the reagent into a diesel exhaust stream upstream of a catalyst, and reacting the diesel exhaust with the heated reagent over the catalyst to convert NOx into N2 and H2O. The heating modulates a mass flow rate of the reagent by converting a state of matter of the reagent at least partially to the gaseous phase prior to or after being injected, and the heated reagent in the gaseous form reduces deposit formations within the diesel exhaust system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark Denis Everly, Paul Douglas Free, Jeffrey R. Diestelmeier, Andrew D. Selvy
  • Patent number: 10119496
    Abstract: A combustion engine and a method of operating the combustion engine are disclosed. The method comprises supplying a charge gas to the combustion chamber through an intake port; discharging a cryogenic fuel in a liquid state from a fuel injector in fluid communication with the combustion chamber; closing an intake valve to close the combustion chamber; and actuating a piston during a compression cycle to compress the charge gas and the cryogenic fuel. At least a portion of the cryogenic fuel evaporates in the closed combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Lester L. Peters, Paul Douglas Free, John Robert Pendray
  • Patent number: 9915191
    Abstract: An intake manifold is provided that controls swirl on entry to a combustion chamber. Each intake manifold includes a fin or rib portion positioned to reduce or eliminate swirl induced by the configuration of the intake manifold, particularly when used in a large engine having a left bank and a right bank of combustion chambers. By controlling swirl induced by the intake manifold, swirl consistency is improved between engine cylinders and between the left bank and the right bank, improving the consistency of power output and reducing emissions, particularly particulate emissions, also called smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Free, Jason Robert Griffin, Alex Edward Priestley, Stephen Sunadh Gidla, Peter Vinson Woon, Joseph Scot Roederer
  • Publication number: 20170152791
    Abstract: An intake manifold is provided that controls swirl on entry to a combustion chamber. Each intake manifold includes a fin or rib portion positioned to reduce or eliminate swirl induced by the configuration of the intake manifold, particularly when used in a large engine having a left bank and a right bank of combustion chambers. By controlling swirl induced by the intake manifold, swirl consistency is improved between engine cylinders and between the left bank and the right bank, improving the consistency of power output and reducing emissions, particularly particulate emissions, also called smoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Free, Jason Robert Griffin, Alex Edward Priestley, Stephen Sunadh Gidla, Peter Vinson Woon, Joseph Scot Roederer
  • Publication number: 20170152781
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving the performance of an aftertreatment system by elevating its temperature above an activation temperature. According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes injecting a quantity of a fuel into certain fueled cylinders of a plurality of combustion cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the plurality of combustion cylinders further including non-fueled cylinders. Exhaust from the fueled cylinders is directed through the aftertreatment system while uncombusted gas from the non-fueled cylinders is directed away from the aftertreatment system. In certain embodiments, the uncombusted gas may be directed into an intake manifold in fluid communication with the plurality of combustion cylinders through an orifice. The system includes an engine having exhaust valves to control flow of the exhaust and uncombusted gas and a controller configured to perform the operations of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Free, Jennifer Kay Light- Holets, Vaibhav Daramwar, David A. Brush
  • Patent number: 9650925
    Abstract: A system and method of providing supplementary oil flow to an oil circuit of an internal combustion engine is described. The primary oil supply is from a mechanical oil pump. The supplementary oil supply is provided using a control system, one or more sensors, and an electrical oil pump. The system is beneficial in circumstances where the mechanical oil pump provides insufficient oil flow, including during engine shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Free, Kavana Rao, Michael F. Mattern
  • Patent number: 9644590
    Abstract: A fuel injector has a plurality of injection fuel delivery passages, which transport fuel from a proximate end to an injector cavity near the distal end of the fuel injector, wherein less than a total number of injection fuel delivery passages include an orifice. This configuration provides a reduction in fueling variation from pulse to pulse (multi-pulse) with respect to pulse separation due to pressure variation while allowing a sufficient amount of fuel flow to the injector cavity. Thus, the consistency of Start-Of-Injection (SOI) and opening rate both improve significantly and advantageously. For compactness, the orifices may be positioned in a cover plate used to retain the components of the injection control valve assembly and may further be arranged in an arc segment when viewed along a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Paul Peavler, Donald J. Benson, Paul Douglas Free, Jeffrey C. Huang, Eric Benham, C. Edward Morris, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9605630
    Abstract: An intake manifold is provided that controls swirl on entry to a combustion chamber. Each intake manifold includes a fin or rib portion positioned to reduce or eliminate swirl induced by the configuration of the intake manifold, particularly when used in a large engine having a left bank and a right bank of combustion chambers. By controlling swirl induced by the intake manifold, swirl consistency is improved between engine cylinders and between the left bank and the right bank, improving the consistency of power output and reducing emissions, particularly particulate emissions, also called smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Free, Jason Robert Griffin, Alex Edward Priestley, Stephen Sunadh Gidla, Peter Vinson Woon, Joseph Scot Roederer
  • Publication number: 20150292441
    Abstract: A combustion engine and a method of operating the combustion engine are disclosed. The method comprises supplying a charge gas to the combustion chamber through an intake port; discharging a cryogenic fuel in a liquid state from a fuel injector in fluid communication with the combustion chamber; closing an intake valve to close the combustion chamber; and actuating a piston during a compression cycle to compress the charge gas and the cryogenic fuel. At least a portion of the cryogenic fuel evaporates in the closed combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Lester L. Peters, Paul Douglas Free, John Robert Pendray
  • Publication number: 20150219054
    Abstract: A fuel injector has a plurality of injection fuel delivery passages, which transport fuel from a proximate end to an injector cavity near the distal end of the fuel injector, wherein less than a total number of injection fuel delivery passages include an orifice. This configuration provides a reduction in fueling variation from pulse to pulse (multi-pulse) with respect to pulse separation due to pressure variation while allowing a sufficient amount of fuel flow to the injector cavity. Thus, the consistency of Start-Of-Injection (SOI) and opening rate both improve significantly and advantageously. For compactness, the orifices may be positioned in a cover plate used to retain the components of the injection control valve assembly and may further be arranged in an arc segment when viewed along a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Cummins Inc
    Inventors: Paul Peavler, Donald J. Benson, Paul Douglas Free, Jeffrey C. Huang, Eric Benham, C. Edward Morris, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150000627
    Abstract: An intake manifold is provided that controls swirl on entry to a combustion chamber. Each intake manifold includes a fin or rib portion positioned to reduce or eliminate swirl induced by the configuration of the intake manifold, particularly when used in a large engine having a left bank and a right bank of combustion chambers. By controlling swirl induced by the intake manifold, swirl consistency is improved between engine cylinders and between the left bank and the right bank, improving the consistency of power output and reducing emissions, particularly particulate emissions, also called smoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Free, Jason Robert Griffin, Alex Edward Priestley, Stephen Sunadh Gidla, Peter Vinson Woon, Joseph Scot Roederer
  • Patent number: 8844492
    Abstract: An intake manifold is provided that controls swirl on entry to a combustion chamber. Each intake manifold includes a fin or rib portion positioned to reduce or eliminate swirl induced by the configuration of the intake manifold, particularly when used in a large engine having a left bank and a right bank of combustion chambers. By controlling swirl induced by the intake manifold, swirl consistency is improved between engine cylinders and between the left bank and the right bank, improving the consistency of power output and reducing emissions, particularly particulate emissions, also called smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Free, Jason Robert Griffin, Alex Edward Priestley, Stephen Sunadh Gidla, Peter Vinson Woon, Joseph Scot Roederer
  • Publication number: 20140245983
    Abstract: An intake manifold is provided that controls swirl on entry to a combustion chamber. Each intake manifold includes a fin or rib portion positioned to reduce or eliminate swirl induced by the configuration of the intake manifold, particularly when used in a large engine having a left bank and a right bank of combustion chambers. By controlling swirl induced by the intake manifold, swirl consistency is improved between engine cylinders and between the left bank and the right bank, improving the consistency of power output and reducing emissions, particularly particulate emissions, also called smoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Paul Douglas FREE, Jason Robert GRIFFIN, Alex Edward PRIESTLEY, Stephen Sunadh GIDLA, Peter Vinson WOON, Joseph Scot ROEDERER
  • Publication number: 20140032085
    Abstract: A system and method of providing supplementary oil flow to an oil circuit of an internal combustion engine is described. The primary oil supply is from a mechanical oil pump. The supplementary oil supply is provided using a control system, one or more sensors, and an electrical oil pump. The system is beneficial in circumstances where the mechanical oil pump provides insufficient oil flow, including during engine shutdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Douglas FREE, Kavana RAO, Michael F. MATTERN