Patents by Inventor Paul M. Najt

Paul M. Najt 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).

  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOLAR-POWERED ENGINE THERMAL MANAGEMENT
    Publication number: 20120286052
    Abstract: A system and method of engine thermal management. Energy may be received from a solar energy source electrically connected to a vehicle propulsion system. At least some of the energy from the solar energy source may be used to heat a component of the vehicle propulsion system. A control module may provide at least some of the energy from the solar energy source to a heater, for example, to heat a component of the vehicle propulsion system prior to starting the vehicle propulsion system. The heater may heat the vehicle propulsion system to temperatures within a predetermined range associated with optimal efficiency of the vehicle propulsion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Prasad ATLURI, Kushal Narayanaswamy, Gerald A. Szekely, JR., Joel G. Toner, Paul M. Najt
  • Passive ammonia-selective catalytic reduction for NOx control in internal combustion engines
    Patent number: 8302379
    Abstract: Engine exhaust gas feedstream NOx emissions aftertreatment includes a catalytic device and first and second ammonia selective catalytic reduction devices. The first and second ammonia-selective catalytic reduction devices each includes a base metal. Engine operation can be modulated to generate an engine-out exhaust gas feedstream that converts to ammonia. The ammonia is stored on the first and second ammonia selective catalytic reduction devices and used to reduce NOx emissions in the exhaust gas feedstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kushal Narayanaswamy, Paul M. Najt, Wei Li, Kevin L. Perry, Steven J. Schmieg
  • Method and apparatus for controlling exhaust emissions in a spark-ignition direct-injection engine
    Patent number: 8291695
    Abstract: Exhaust emissions from a spark-ignition direct-injection engine connected to an oxidation catalytic device and a selective catalyst reduction device having a capacity to store ammonia reductant are controlled. The engine operates in a first combustion mode to generate ammonia reductant, stored on the second aftertreatment device. The engine operates lean of stoichiometry and nitrides of oxygen in the exhaust gas feedstream are reduced on the second aftertreatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Perry, Thompson M. Sloane, Jong H. Lee, Kushal Narayanaswamy, Wei Li, Paul M. Najt
  • INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WITH EMISSION TREATMENT INTERPOSED BETWEEN TWO EXPANSION PHASES
    Publication number: 20120260627
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a first work extraction station for extracting work from combustion and expansion of working gases. An emission treatment station treats the working gases after leaving the first extraction work station for reducing emissions. A second work extraction station receives the working gases from the emission treatment station for a second extraction of work from the working gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Russell P. DURRETT, Venkatesh GOPALAKRISHNAN, Paul M. NAJT
  • HCCI FUEL INJECTORS FOR ROBUST AUTO-IGNITION AND FLAME PROPAGATION
    Publication number: 20120255517
    Abstract: A direct injection engine includes a fuel injector receiving a flow of pressurized fuel. The fuel injector provides fuel injections directly into a combustion chamber of the engine. The fuel injector includes a first fuel injector nozzle opening directing with a first narrow injection angle a first portion of a fuel injection mass at a spark gap of a spark plug. The fuel injector further includes a second fuel injector nozzle opening dispersing with a second wider injection angle a second portion of the fuel injection mass within the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald O. Grover, JR., Hanho Yun, Paul M. Najt
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOLAR-POWERED CONTROL OF EXHAUST AFTER-TREATMENT SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20120255279
    Abstract: A system and method for providing energy to auto systems such as systems after-treating exhaust. Energy may be received from a solar energy source electrically connected to an after-treatment system. At least some of the energy from the solar energy source may be provided to the after-treatment system to purify exhaust from an engine. A control module may provide at least some of the energy from the solar energy source to a heater, for example, to initiate heating the after-treatment system prior to starting the engine. The heater may heat the after-treatment to temperatures within a predetermined temperature range associated with optimal efficiency for the after-treatment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Prasad ATLURI, Kushal NARAYANASWAMY, Paul M. NAJT, Yongsheng HE, Madhusudan RAGHAVAN
  • PISTON FOR ROBUST AUTO-IGNITION
    Publication number: 20120255520
    Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine is located within a cylinder of the engine. The piston includes a dish-shaped depression in a surface of the piston exposed to a combustion chamber of the cylinder providing a recess from a nominal top of the piston. The depression includes a depression boundary located at the nominal top of the piston and proximate to an outer diameter of the piston, an apex, and inclined walls connecting the apex to the depression boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ronald O. Grover, JR., Hanho Yun, Tito R. Huffman, Paul M. Najt
  • Hybrid powertrain system using free piston linear alternator engines
    Patent number: 8261860
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes reciprocating free-piston internal combustion engines, each including a linear alternator device configured to generate electric power. A control module determines mechanical and electrical power demands responsive to an operator torque request and a state of charge of an energy storage device. The control module operates the torque machine to generate an output torque responsive to the mechanical power demands and operates the reciprocating free-piston internal combustion engines to generate electric power responsive to the electrical power demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The Regents of the Univeristy of Michigan
    Inventors: Paul M. Najt, Tang-Wei Kuo, Rodney B. Rask, Aristotelis Babajimopoulos, Zoran S. Filipi, George Lavoie, Dionissios N. Assanis
  • Method for controlling combustion mode transitions in an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8235012
    Abstract: An engine is transitioned from a first combustion mode to a second combustion mode. Phase and lift of the intake and exhaust valves are sequentially adjusted corresponding to intake air cylinder volume and residual gas cylinder volume corresponding to the first and second combustion modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jun-Mo Kang, Hanho Yun, Nicole Wermuth, Paul M. Najt
  • ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20120191288
    Abstract: An on-board diagnostics system and method are disclosed for a vehicle having an engine and an exhaust system. The system includes a modified selective catalytic reduction catalyst coupled to the engine via the exhaust system, where the modified selective catalytic reduction catalyst includes oxygen storage components. An upstream oxygen sensor is disposed in the exhaust pipe upstream of the modified selective catalytic reduction catalyst and a downstream oxygen sensor is disposed in the exhaust pipe downstream from the modified selective catalytic reduction catalyst. An engine control module receives data from the upstream and downstream oxygen sensors and determines a lifespan of the modified selective catalytic reduction catalyst based upon the data from the upstream and downstream oxygen sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gongshin Qi, Wei Li, Steven J. Schmieg, David B. Brown, Paul M. Najt
  • Method and apparatus for ammonia formation in a catalytic converter
    Patent number: 8216521
    Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment system for treating an engine-out exhaust gas feedstream of a spark-ignition direct-injection engine includes a multi-stage catalytic converter comprising a converter inlet, a converter outlet, and a substrate having a first end associated with the converter inlet and a second end associated with the converter outlet. The substrate further includes a multiplicity of flow passages between the first and second ends of the substrate, a first surface location corresponding to the first end of the substrate, and a second surface location corresponding to the second end of the substrate. The first and second washcoat stages include washcoats formulated to generate hydrogen and ammonia from the engine-out exhaust gas feedstream. An ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device is downstream of the first and second washcoat stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wei Li, Paul M. Najt, Kushal Narayanaswamy, Kevin L. Perry, Chang H. Kim
  • METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FUEL INJECTOR
    Publication number: 20120166067
    Abstract: A method for determining injected fuel mass delivered from an electromagnetic solenoid-activated fuel injector during a fuel injection event includes determining a sensed injection duration and a maximum injection mass flowrate during the fuel injection event, and determining the injected fuel mass for the fuel injection event based on the sensed injection duration and the maximum injection mass flowrate during the fuel injection event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott E. Parrish, Ronald J. Zink, Paul M. Najt
  • Method and apparatus for operating an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8191519
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes intake and exhaust camshafts including high-lift lobes and low-lift lobes separated by a lobe separation angle. The engine transitions between operating in a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode with positive valve overlap and a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode with negative valve overlap solely by selecting the corresponding one of the high-lift lobes and the low-lift lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nicole Wermuth, Paul M. Najt, Hanho Yun
  • Method for controlling a spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine at low loads
    Patent number: 8186329
    Abstract: A spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine is controlled at low loads through split fuel injections and spark discharges including one injection and spark during a negative valve overlap period and another injection and spark during a compression phase of the engine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nicole Wermuth, Paul M. Najt, Hanho Yun
  • OPPOSED FREE PISTON LINEAR ALTERNATOR
    Publication number: 20120112468
    Abstract: A free piston linear alternator includes a cylinder having a pair of bounce chambers, a pair of scavenging chambers, a pair of opposed pistons and a combustion chamber disposed between the opposed pistons. The pistons are axially opposed from each other and generate electric current when each of the pistons linearly translate. Each of the bounce chambers is disposed between respective ones of the pistons and a respective outer end of the cylinder and includes substantially constrained air configured to return respective ones of the pistons to a respective first position from a respective second position after combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Najt, Russell P. Durrett, Venkatesh Gopalakrishnan
  • FREE PISTON LINEAR ALTERNATOR UTILIZING OPPOSED PISTONS WITH SPRING RETURN
    Publication number: 20120112467
    Abstract: A free piston linear alternator includes a cylinder having a pair of outer chambers, a pair of opposed pistons and a combustion chamber disposed between the opposed pistons. Each outer chamber is disposed between respective ones of the pistons and a respective outer end of the cylinder. The pistons are axially opposed from each other and independently generate electric current when each of the pistons linearly translate. Each of a pair of return members is disposed within a respective one of the outer chambers, and each of the return members is configured to return respective ones of the pistons to a respective first position from a respective second position after combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Gopalakrishnan, Paul M. Najt, Russell P. Durrett
  • TURBOCOMPOUND FREE PISTON LINEAR ALTERNATOR
    Publication number: 20120112469
    Abstract: A free piston linear alternator including a pair of pistons, each piston axially opposed from the other and generating electric current when linearly translating within the cylinder, a combustion chamber disposed between the pistons, a return mechanism configured to return the pistons to respective first positions from respective second positions after combustion; and an exhaust system fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber and including a power turbine transforming exhaust gas feedstream pressure into a mechanical output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Russell P. Durrett, Venkatesh Gopalakrishnan, Paul M. Najt
  • METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FUEL INJECTOR
    Publication number: 20120080536
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electromagnetically-activated fuel injector includes determining an injector activation signal having an injection duration, an initial peak pull-in current and a secondary hold current corresponding to a preferred injected fuel mass for a fuel injection event associated with a non-monotonic region of injector operation, and controlling the fuel injector using the injector activation signal to achieve the preferred injected fuel mass for the fuel injection event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott E. Parrish, Paul M. Najt
  • CATALYST MATERIALS FOR NOx OXIDATION IN AN EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM THAT USES PASSIVE AMMONIA SCR
    Publication number: 20120060472
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system that receives an exhaust flow from a lean-burn engine and a method for treating the exhaust flow are described. The exhaust aftertreatment system may include a three-way-catalyst, an oxidation catalyst, and a NH3—SCR catalyst. The three-way-catalyst passively generates NH3 from native NOX contained in the exhaust flow when an A/F mixture supplied to the engine is cycled from lean to rich. The generated NH3 is then stored in the NH3—SCR catalyst to facilitate NOX reduction when the A/F mixture supplied to the engine is cycled back to lean. The oxidation catalyst is located upstream of the NH3—SCR catalyst and operates to lower the NO to NO2 molar ratio of the NOX fed to the NH3—SCR catalyst. The oxidation catalyst comprises perovskite oxide particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wei Li, Chang H. Kim, Kevin L. Perry, Paul M. Najt, Kushal Narayanaswamy
  • METHOD FOR MANAGING TRANSITIONS IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES WITH A HYBRID DRIVE POWERTRAIN
    Publication number: 20120035793
    Abstract: A method for controlling combustion mode transitions for an engine of a hybrid powertrain includes commanding an increase in engine torque, adjusting motor torque output from a torque machine responsive to the operator torque request and the commanded increase in engine torque, executing the combustion mode transition, and operating the torque machine in a torque reclamation state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jun-Mo Kang, Man-Feng Chang, Chen-Fang Chang, Paul M. Najt