Patents by Inventor Robert Wayne Burrahm

Robert Wayne Burrahm 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: 7748976
    Abstract: A burner-based exhaust gas generation system, for producing exhaust gas, typically for use in testing exhaust system devices. Post-burner exhaust gas is recirculated back to a main exhaust line, and used for purposes such as cooling or enhancing the burner output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Burrahm, Michael Glenn Ross, Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Suzanne Annette Timmons, Gordon James Johnston Bartley
  • Patent number: 6962143
    Abstract: A heavy-duty flame propagation engine has control systems and exhaust aftertreatment systems adapted to provide ultra-low emissions relative to Diesel engines while achieving comparable fuel consumption at reduced emission levels. The control systems include exhaust gas circulation, variable valve actuation, cylinder deactivation, pilot fuel injection, high energy ignition systems and combinations thereof to provide substantially stoichiometric combustion conditions over an entire load range of the engine. In one embodiment, the engine has direct in-cylinder fuel injection, is adapted for lean air-fuel mixture operation, and includes an oxidation catalyst and a lean NOx adsorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas William Ryan, III, Robert Wayne Burrahm, Rudolf Hermann Stanglmaier, Charles Edward Roberts, Jr., James Corwin Snyder, Lee Gene Dodge, Daniel William Stewart, Timothy Joseph Callahan, John Thomas Kubesh
  • Patent number: 6318309
    Abstract: Two pistons are reciprocatively disposed in each cylinder of an engine thereby forming combustion chambers at each end of the cylinder that operate in a four-stroke cycle, and a third combustion chamber formed between the pistons that selectively operates in a two-stroke mode. The combustion chambers at the ends of the cylinders have heads in which intake and exhaust valves are disposed, and the third chamber between the pair of pistons is ported to provide scavenged flow. The third chamber is not fueled and remains inactive except when maximum power is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Burrahm, John Craig Hedrick