Patents by Inventor Sean Whitaker

Sean Whitaker 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).

  • Intake air heater for assisting DPF regeneration
    Patent number: 8042326
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for enhancing diesel engine performance is provided. At low engine load and cold ambient temperatures, an intake air heater increases the engine load via an engine alternator, which in turn, enables the engine to burn more fuel by the process of combustion. The combusted fuel elevates exhaust gas temperatures, which thereby accommodates cold start, controls white smoke, and aids DPF regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tracy M. Farell, Julian C. Tan, Sean Whitaker
  • Intake Air Heater for Assisting DPF Regeneration
    Publication number: 20090044520
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for enhancing diesel engine performance is provided. At low engine load and cold ambient temperatures, an intake air heater increases the engine load via an engine alternator, which in turn, enables the engine to burn more fuel by the process of combustion. The combusted fuel elevates exhaust gas temperatures, which thereby accommodates cold start, controls white smoke, and aids DPF regeneration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Tracy M. Farell, Julian C. Tan, Sean Whitaker