Patents by Inventor Praveen S. Chavannavar

Praveen S. Chavannavar 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: 10215072
    Abstract: Method for controlling and detecting ammonium nitrate and/or ammonium nitrite poisoning within selective catalytic reduction (SCR) devices and systems incorporating the same are provided. Methods can include detecting a SCR inlet exhaust gas NO2:NOx ratio above a poisoning NOx flux threshold, detecting a SCR temperature below a poisoning temperature threshold, and determining SCR catalyst poisoning. Methods can further include performing a SCR catalyst cleaning strategy, wherein the SCR cleaning strategy comprises heating the SCR catalyst composition to a temperature above the poisoning temperature threshold. Cleaning strategies can including utilizing a heater, implementing a post-injection, after-injection, and/or auxiliary injection engine strategy wherein the engine is configured to supply exhaust gas to the SCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Praveen S. Chavannavar, Po-I Lee, Sarah Funk, Thomas LaRose, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180274421
    Abstract: Method for controlling and detecting ammonium nitrate and/or ammonium nitrite poisoning within selective catalytic reduction (SCR) devices and systems incorporating the same are provided. Methods can include detecting a SCR inlet exhaust gas NO2:NOx ratio above a poisoning NOx flux threshold, detecting a SCR temperature below a poisoning temperature threshold, and determining SCR catalyst poisoning. Methods can further include performing a SCR catalyst cleaning strategy, wherein the SCR cleaning strategy comprises heating the SCR catalyst composition to a temperature above the poisoning temperature threshold. Cleaning strategies can including utilizing a heater, implementing a post-injection, after-injection, and/or auxiliary injection engine strategy wherein the engine is configured to supply exhaust gas to the SCR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Praveen S. Chavannavar, Po-I Lee, Sarah Funk, Thomas LaRose, JR.
  • Patent number: 9109486
    Abstract: A mixing chamber for an exhaust system is disclosed. The mixing chamber includes a tapering cross sectional area perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber includes a first end having a first cross sectional area and a second end having a second cross sectional area. The second cross sectional area is less than the first cross sectional area. The second end is configured to receive an injector. The mixing chamber includes a first exhaust conduit fluidly connected to the first end of the mixing chamber and defining a first exhaust gas flow path into the mixing chamber substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The mixing chamber also includes a second exhaust conduit fluidly connected to the first end of the mixing chamber and defining a second exhaust gas flow path out of the mixing chamber substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Publication number: 20150075134
    Abstract: A mixing chamber for an exhaust system is disclosed. The mixing chamber includes a tapering cross sectional area perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber includes a first end having a first cross sectional area and a second end having a second cross sectional area. The second cross sectional area is less than the first cross sectional area. The second end is configured to receive an injector. The mixing chamber includes a first exhaust conduit fluidly connected to the first end of the mixing chamber and defining a first exhaust gas flow path into the mixing chamber substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The mixing chamber also includes a second exhaust conduit fluidly connected to the first end of the mixing chamber and defining a second exhaust gas flow path out of the mixing chamber substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Patent number: 8974738
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon selective catalytic reduction (HC-SCR) catalyst is regenerated using a nitrogen-based reductant agent. The HC-SCR catalyst is in communication with a power system such as an internal combustion engine and receives exhaust gasses from the internal combustion engine. Sulfur in the exhaust gasses may deactivate the HC-SCR catalyst by sulfur oxides forming thereon. To remove the sulfur oxides, a nitrogen-based reductant agent is introduced to the exhaust gasses. The nitrogen-based reductant agent decomposes to nitrogen oxides and hydrogen. The hydrogen reacts with the sulfur oxides to form hydrogen sulfides thereby removing the sulfur oxides from the HC-SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Patent number: 8875501
    Abstract: A method of controlling a power system including an engine and an exhaust treatment system having an exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The method includes determining a catalyst parameter indicative of a conversion efficiency of the exhaust treatment device. The method further includes determining a weighted index based on the catalyst parameter. The method further includes determining a plurality of first index values. In the method, each first index value of the plurality of first index values is predicted as a function of a corresponding respective aftertreatment control strategy. The method further includes selecting an aftertreatment control strategy based on a comparison between the weighted index and each first index value of the plurality of first index values. In the method, the selected aftertreatment control strategy changes the catalyst parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Publication number: 20140255281
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon selective catalytic reduction (HC-SCR) catalyst is regenerated using a nitrogen-based reductant agent. The HC-SCR catalyst is in communication with a power system such as an internal combustion engine and receives exhaust gasses from the internal combustion engine. Sulfur in the exhaust gasses may deactivate the HC-SCR catalyst by sulfur oxides forming thereon. To remove the sulfur oxides, a nitrogen-based reductant agent is introduced to the exhaust gasses. The nitrogen-based reductant agent decomposes to nitrogen oxides and hydrogen. The hydrogen reacts with the sulfur oxides to form hydrogen sulfides thereby removing the sulfur oxides from the HC-SCR catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Patent number: 8765623
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon selective catalytic reduction (HC-SCR) catalyst is regenerated using a nitrogen-based reductant agent. The HC-SCR catalyst is in communication with a power system such as an internal combustion engine and receives exhaust gasses from the internal combustion engine. Sulfur in the exhaust gasses may deactivate the HC-SCR catalyst by sulfur oxides forming thereon. To remove the sulfur oxides, a nitrogen-based reductant agent is introduced to the exhaust gasses. The nitrogen-based reductant agent decomposes to nitrogen oxides and hydrogen. The hydrogen reacts with the sulfur oxides to form hydrogen sulfides thereby removing the sulfur oxides from the HC-SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Publication number: 20140075921
    Abstract: A method of controlling a power system including an engine and an exhaust treatment system having an exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The method includes determining a catalyst parameter indicative of a conversion efficiency of the exhaust treatment device. The method further includes determining a weighted index based on the catalyst parameter. The method further includes determining a plurality of first index values. In the method, each first index value of the plurality of first index values is predicted as a function of a corresponding respective aftertreatment control strategy. The method further includes selecting an aftertreatment control strategy based on a comparison between the weighted index and each first index value of the plurality of first index values. In the method, the selected aftertreatment control strategy changes the catalyst parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Publication number: 20130327017
    Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust filter positioned within an exhaust conduit, and having a first and a second NOx sensing mechanism positioned upstream and downstream the exhaust filter. An electronic control unit is coupled with the NOx sensing mechanisms and generates a signal indicative of a soot loading state of the exhaust filter responsive to a difference in species composition of the sensed NOx upstream and downstream the exhaust filter. Related methodology and control strategy are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Publication number: 20130152545
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system is provided including: a selective catalyst reduction (SCR) unit; a reducing agent dispensing unit configured to introduce a reducing agent into the exhaust; a first NOX sensor upstream of the SCR unit; a second NOX sensor at a location downstream of the SCR unit; a first temperature sensor at a location upstream of where the reducing agent is introduced into the exhaust; a second temperature sensor at a location downstream of where the reducing agent is introduced into the exhaust and upstream of the SCR unit; and a controller configured to determine a reductant quality indicator according to a NOX differential between the first NOX sensor and the second NOX sensor relative to a predicted NOX differential and a temperature differential between the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor relative to a predicted temperature differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Patent number: 8281579
    Abstract: An exhaust system for use with a combustion engine is disclosed. The exhaust system may have a passage connected to receive exhaust from the combustion engine, and a cooling device located external to the passage to create a thermal gradient across a flow area of the passage that causes particulates within the exhaust to agglomerate on a wall of the passage. The exhaust system may also have a filtration device located to separate agglomerated particulates from the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Driscoll, Wade J. Robel, Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Patent number: 8250857
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for an engine is disclosed. The exhaust aftertreatment system including a first exhaust passage, an SCR catalyst disposed in the first exhaust passage, a second exhaust passage parallel with the first exhaust passage and fluidly coupled to the first exhaust passage upstream of the SCR catalyst and a container disposed in the second exhaust passage, the container configured to hold a volume of urea and to direct exhaust from the second exhaust passage through the volume of urea in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James Joshua Driscoll, Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Patent number: 8161731
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment control system includes a controller configured to determine a value representative of a NO2 concentration associated with an exhaust gas upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, and determine a value representative of a NO concentration associated with the exhaust gas upstream of the SCR catalyst. The controller can also be configured to transmit a signal to at least partially control an injection of a hydrocarbon into the exhaust gas, wherein the hydrocarbon injection can occur upstream of an oxidation catalyst to at least partially decrease the NO2 concentration of the exhaust gas downstream of the oxidation catalyst, and wherein the oxidation catalyst can be located upstream of the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James Joshua Driscoll, Wade J. Robel, Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Publication number: 20110099996
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for an engine is disclosed. The exhaust aftertreatment system including a first exhaust passage, an SCR catalyst disposed in the first exhaust passage, a second exhaust passage parallel with the first exhaust passage and fluidly coupled to the first exhaust passage upstream of the SCR catalyst and a container disposed in the second exhaust passage, the container configured to hold a volume of urea and to direct exhaust from the second exhaust passage through the volume of urea in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James Joshua Driscoll, Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Publication number: 20090293463
    Abstract: An exhaust system for use with a combustion engine is disclosed. The exhaust system may have a passage connected to receive exhaust from the combustion engine, and a cooling device located external to the passage to create a thermal gradient across a flow area of the passage that causes particulates within the exhaust to agglomerate on a wall of the passage. The exhaust system may also have a filtration device located to separate agglomerated particulates from the exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: James J. Driscoll, Wade J. Robel, Praveen S. Chavannavar
  • Publication number: 20090277159
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment control system includes a controller configured to determine a value representative of a NO2 concentration associated with an exhaust gas upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, and determine a value representative of a NO concentration associated with the exhaust gas upstream of the SCR catalyst. The controller can also be configured to transmit a signal to at least partially control an injection of a hydrocarbon into the exhaust gas, wherein the hydrocarbon injection can occur upstream of an oxidation catalyst to at least partially decrease the NO2 concentration of the exhaust gas downstream of the oxidation catalyst, and wherein the oxidation catalyst can be located upstream of the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: James Joshua Driscoll, Wade J. Robel, Praveen S. Chavannavar