Patents by Inventor Stefano PELLEGRINO

Stefano PELLEGRINO 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).

  • Publication number: 20200025157
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for a vehicle and method of operating the EGR system. The EGR system includes an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold; an aftertreatment device downstream of the internal combustion engine; an EGR valve downstream of the aftertreatment device; a main compressor; an electric compressor downstream of the main compressor; a low pressure (LP) loop coupled between the aftertreatment device and the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine; and an electronic control unit configured to operate the electric compressor depending on one or more operating parameters. The internal combustion engine uses exhaust from the LP loop without receiving exhaust from a high pressure (HP) loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Roberto Romanato, Stefano Pellegrino
  • Patent number: 10408103
    Abstract: A engine exhaust system includes a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) configured to receive the engine exhaust gases, a first electric heater coupled to the DOC, and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device in fluid communication with the DOC. The engine exhaust system further includes a second electric heater coupled to the DOC, a power switch controller in electronic communication with the first electric heater and the second electric heater, and a single power source electrically coupled to the power switch controller, the first electric heater, and the second electric heater. The power switch controller includes a switch to control a power distribution between the first electric heater and the second electric heater as a function of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yong Miao, Stefano Pellegrino
  • Patent number: 10400653
    Abstract: A method of controlling a particulate filter of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A regeneration cycle of the particulate filter is initiated. During the regeneration, a value of an exhaust gas temperature at an outlet of the particulate filter is determined and a value of a residual soot quantity stored into the particulate filter is estimated on the basis of the measured value of the exhaust gas temperature at the outlet of the particulate filter. The regeneration cycle may be started and stopped based on the estimated residual soot quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Giuseppe Mazzara Bologna, Isadora Ricci, Stefano Pellegrino
  • Patent number: 10138777
    Abstract: Methods for evaluating a soot quantity accumulated in a selective catalytic reduction wash-coated particulate filter (SCRF) of an exhaust gas treatment system are provided, and include injecting reductant proximate the SCRF, determining one or more mapping values, computing a correction value of a soot quantity using a map correlating the one or more mapping values, detecting an apparent soot burning operating temperature, and correcting an estimated value of the soot quantity using the correction value in order to obtain an evaluated value of the soot quantity. The one or more mapping values can include a reductant injection quantity value, a NOx quantity value, a temperature value, and a mass flow value of an exhaust gas. The apparent soot burning operating temperature can comprise a temperature at which a ?P across the SCRF improperly implies an actual soot burning. Further provided are apparatuses for performing the disclosed methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventors: Luciano Nunziato Di Perna, Stefano Pellegrino, Isadora Ricci
  • Patent number: 10138791
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning up a particulate filter of an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine is operated to regenerate the particulate filter measuring. During the regeneration, a value of an engine speed is determined. A temperature of the particulate filter is controlled, if the measured value of the engine speed is smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold value thereof. The particulate filter temperature is controlled by boosting the internal combustion engine and supplying the internal combustion engine with an amount of recirculated exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Cesare Maria Meano, Isadora Ricci, Stefano Pellegrino
  • Patent number: 10125717
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine having a reciprocating piston includes performing a multi after-injection pattern having at least one pair of consecutive injection pulses both starting after a top dead center of the piston and separated by a dwell time shorter than 200 as.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Isadora Ricci, Giorgio Nati, Cosma Negro, Stefano Pellegrino
  • Publication number: 20180274464
    Abstract: An emissions control system for a motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine includes a lean NOx trap (LNT) device including an LNT inlet and an LNT outlet, and a LNT sensor arranged at the LNT inlet. The LNT sensor is operable to detect a temperature of exhaust gases passing into the LNT device. A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) member is fluidically connected to the LNT device. The SCR device includes an SCR inlet and an SCR outlet. An SCR sensor is mounted to the SCR. The SCR sensor is operable to detect a temperature of the SCR. A LNT regeneration control system including a LNT regeneration controller is operatively connected to the LNT sensor and the SCR sensor. The LNT regeneration control system is operable to activate the LNT regeneration controller based on inputs from the LNT sensor and the SCR sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Stefano Pellegrino, Charles E. Solbrig, Jean-Yves Lavallee
  • Patent number: 9970344
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating a soot quantity accumulated in a Selective Catalytic Reduction wash-coated particulate filter of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is equipped with an exhaust gas aftertreatment system including an urea injector. Using a map correlating a urea quantity value, a NOx quantity value, a temperature value and a mass flow value to a correction value of a soot quantity is used to correct an estimated value of the soot quantity in order to obtain an evaluated value of the soot quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Isadora Ricci, Alessandra Aceto, Stefano Pellegrino, Giuseppe Mazzara Bologna
  • Publication number: 20180058284
    Abstract: Methods for evaluating a soot quantity accumulated in a selective catalytic reduction wash-coated particulate filter (SCRF) of an exhaust gas treatment system are provided, and include injecting reductant proximate the SCRF, determining one or more mapping values, computing a correction value of a soot quantity using a map correlating the one or more mapping values, detecting an apparent soot burning operating temperature, and correcting an estimated value of the soot quantity using the correction value in order to obtain an evaluated value of the soot quantity. The one or more mapping values can include a reductant injection quantity value, a NOx quantity value, a temperature value, and a mass flow value of an exhaust gas. The apparent soot burning operating temperature can comprise a temperature at which a ?P across the SCRF improperly implies an actual soot burning. Further provided are apparatuses for performing the disclosed methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Luciano Nunziato Di Perna, Stefano Pellegrino, Isadora Ricci
  • Patent number: 9752519
    Abstract: A method of controlling an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine includes a compressor, an intake manifold, an after-treatment system, a low pressure EGR system and a high pressure EGR system. The method temporarily adjusts a low pressure EGR ratio, keeping constant a total EGR rate, after verifying at least one among compressor parameters, after-treatment system parameters or intake manifold parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alberto Vassallo, Stefano Pellegrino, Salvatore Sannino
  • Publication number: 20170152808
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine having a reciprocating piston includes performing a multi after-injection pattern having at least one pair of consecutive injection pulses both starting after a top dead center of the piston and separated by a dwell time shorter than 200 as.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Isadora RICCI, Giorgio NATI, Cosma NEGRO, Stefano PELLEGRINO
  • Publication number: 20170107886
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning up a particulate filter of an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine is operated to regenerate the particulate filter measuring. During the regeneration, a value of an engine speed is determined. A temperature of the particulate filter is controlled, if the measured value of the engine speed is smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold value thereof. The particulate filter temperature is controlled by boosting the internal combustion engine and supplying the internal combustion engine with an amount of recirculated exhaust gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Cesare Maria MEANO, Isadora RICCI, Stefano PELLEGRINO
  • Publication number: 20170044961
    Abstract: A method of controlling a particulate filter of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A regeneration cycle of the particulate filter is initiated. During the regeneration, a value of an exhaust gas temperature at an outlet of the particulate filter is determined and a value of a residual soot quantity stored into the particulate filter is estimated on the basis of the measured value of the exhaust gas temperature at the outlet of the particulate filter. The regeneration cycle may be started and stopped based on the estimated residual soot quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Giuseppe MAZZARA BOLOGNA, Isadora RICCI, Stefano PELLEGRINO
  • Publication number: 20160258331
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating a soot quantity accumulated in a Selective Catalytic Reduction wash-coated particulate filter of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is equipped with an exhaust gas aftertreatment system including an urea injector. Using a map correlating a urea quantity value, a NOx quantity value, a temperature value and a mass flow value to a correction value of a soot quantity is used to correct an estimated value of the soot quantity in order to obtain an evaluated value of the soot quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Isadora RICCI, Alessandra ACETO, Stefano PELLEGRINO, Giuseppe Mazzara BOLOGNA
  • Publication number: 20150101583
    Abstract: A method of controlling an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine includes a compressor, an intake manifold, an after-treatment system, a low pressure EGR system and a high pressure EGR system. The method temporarily adjusts a low pressure EGR ratio, keeping constant a total EGR rate, after verifying at least one among compressor parameters, after-treatment system parameters or intake manifold parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Alberto VASSALLO, Stefano PELLEGRINO, Salvatore SANNINO