Patents by Inventor Robert Jay Natkin
Robert Jay Natkin 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: 8341950Abstract: Systems and methods for converting engine heat energy to electricity using a thermoelectric conversion device are provided herein. One example system may include an engine heat source, a thermoelectric conversion device for converting heat into electricity, and a heat pipe. The heat pipe is positioned so that when the temperature of the engine exhaust is too high, the excess heat may be transferred away from the thermoelectric conversion device to the heat sink via the heat pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Karl Bidner, Robert Jay Natkin, Shane Elwart, Gopichandra Surnilla
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Publication number: 20100011753Abstract: Systems and methods for converting engine heat energy to electricity using a thermoelectric conversion device are provided herein. One example system may include an engine heat source, a thermoelectric conversion device for converting heat into electricity, and a heat pipe having a first end and a second end and configured to transfer heat received at the first end to the second end, the first end interposed between the engine exhaust passage and the thermoelectric conversion device, the second end disposed in a heat sink.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David Karl Bidner, Robert Jay Natkin, Shane Elwart, Gopichandra Surnilla
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Patent number: 7059114Abstract: A hydrogen fueled reciprocating spark ignition engine includes a fuel system for providing gaseous hydrogen to the cylinders of the engine and a lean NOx trap coupled to the engine for treating the engine's exhaust. A controller determines when to purge the lean NOx trap and provides gaseous hydrogen to the lean NOx trap during purging by operating the engine fuel rich or injecting hydrogen upstream of the lean NOx trap.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2004Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xiaoguo Tang, Joseph Robert Theis, Robert Jay Natkin, Siamak Hashemi, William F. Stockhausen
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Publication number: 20040237512Abstract: A hydrogen fueled reciprocating spark ignition engine includes a fuel system for providing gaseous hydrogen to the cylinders of the engine and a lean NOx trap coupled to the engine for treating the engine's exhaust. An EGR system provides recirculated exhaust gas to the engine, and a controller operates the fuel system and EGR system during periodic purging of the lean NOx trap such that the engine is operated fuel rich, with the mass of EGR approximating 40%-80% of the mass of air and fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: XIAOGUO TANG, JOSEPH ROBERT THEIS, ROBERT JAY NATKIN, SIAMAK HASHEMI, WILLIAM F. STOCKHAUSEN
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Patent number: 6779337Abstract: A hydrogen fueled reciprocating spark ignition engine includes a fuel system for providing gaseous hydrogen to the cylinders of the engine and a lean NOx trap coupled to the engine for treating the engine's exhaust. An EGR system provides recirculated exhaust gas to the engine, and a controller operates the fuel system and EGR system during periodic purging of the lean NOx trap such that the engine is operated fuel rich, with the mass of EGR approximating 40%-80% of the mass of air and fuel.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xiaoguo Tang, Joseph Robert Theis, Robert Jay Natkin, Siamak Hashemi, William F. Stockhausen
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Patent number: 6748934Abstract: An automotive engine has a charge air conditioning system, including a charge booster, and a first intercooler for transferring heat from charge air flowing from the booster. The first intercooler transfers heat from the charge air to ambient air, and a second intercooler downstream from the first intercooler further reduces the heat content of the charge air by transferring heat from the charge air to a refrigerated fluid. An engine control module controls the engine's spark timing and fuel charge as a function of at least the amount of air charge cooling provided by the second intercooler. The present engine is particularly well adapted to operate on gaseous hydrogen fuel.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Jay Natkin, August Thomas Vaught
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Publication number: 20040055281Abstract: A hydrogen fueled reciprocating spark ignition engine includes a fuel system for providing gaseous hydrogen to the cylinders of the engine and a lean NOx trap coupled to the engine for treating the engine's exhaust. An EGR system provides recirculated exhaust gas to the engine, and a controller operates the fuel system and EGR system during periodic purging of the lean NOx trap such that the engine is operated fuel rich, with the mass of EGR approximating 40%-80% of the mass of air and fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2002Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Xiaoguo Tang, Joseph Robert Theis, Robert Jay Natkin, Siamak Hashemi, William F. Stockhausen
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Patent number: 6606982Abstract: A crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine includes a first valve for controlling air flow into the engine's crankcase, a second valve for controlling air flow out of the crankcase, and a separator for receiving air flowing from the second valve and for removing oil entrained in the air. The first and second valves may be spring-operated valves, such as reed valves.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: William F. Stockhausen, Robert Jay Natkin, Lowell Reams
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Publication number: 20030098011Abstract: An automotive engine has a charge air conditioning system, including a charge booster, and a first intercooler for transferring heat from charge air flowing from the booster. The first intercooler transfers heat from the charge air to ambient air, and a second intercooler downstream from the first intercooler further reduces the heat content of the charge air by transferring heat from the charge air to a refrigerated fluid. An engine control module controls the engine's spark timing and fuel charge as a function of at least the amount of air charge cooling provided by the second intercooler. The present engine is particularly well adapted to operate on gaseous hydrogen fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2003Publication date: May 29, 2003Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: ROBERT JAY NATKIN , AUGUST THOMAS VAUGHT
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Patent number: 6516615Abstract: A system for an automobile has a compressed fuel source (14) having a first fuel pressure. An expansion device (26) is coupled to the compressed fuel source (14) and reduces the first pressure to a second pressure lower than the first pressure. The expansion device (26) generates a first quantity of work and forms a reduced pressure fuel. A chemical energy conversion engine (16) is coupled to the expansion device (26) and receives a reduced pressure fuel. The chemical energy conversion engine (16) generates a second quantity of work in response to the decompressed fuel. In one aspect of the invention, the first quantity of work and the second quantity of work may be coupled to an output shaft (20) such as the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. In another aspect of the invention, the first quantity of work may be coupled to an accessory (40) either directly or indirectly. Indirect coupling may, for example, be performed using an accessory drive belt of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William Francis Stockhausen, Donald Cameron Bingham, Robert Jay Natkin
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Patent number: 6446616Abstract: A ventilation system (11) is provided to prevent the buildup of gaseous fuel within the vehicle upon degradation of the performance of the various parts within the fuel distribution system. The vehicle (10) has a combustible gas fuel source within the vehicle. The ventilation system includes a fuel line (28) coupling the engine (18) and the gas source. A vent line (30) is coupled to a vent. A pressure regulator (56) and pressure relief valve (60) are coupled between fuel line (28) and vent line. When either or both the pressure regulator (56) or relief valve (60) become inoperable, gaseous fuel is coupled to the vent line.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Michael Kabat, Lowell Allan Reams, Robert Jay Natkin