Patents by Inventor Stephen J. Charlton

Stephen J. Charlton 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: 20200116068
    Abstract: A diagnostic engine calibration module is provided that is structured to diagnose a vehicle system by causing the vehicle system to operate outside of one or more calibration parameters. The diagnostic engine calibration module includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF) pressure module structured to determine a pressure differential across a DPF of an engine of the vehicle system and compare the determined pressure differential against a plurality of predetermined fault thresholds to diagnose the DPF, the plurality of predetermined fault thresholds including a predetermined minimum pressure threshold and a predetermined maximum pressure threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony J. Hall, Stephen J. Charlton, Michael J. McGuire
  • Patent number: 10508582
    Abstract: An engine diagnostic tool includes a diagnostic engine calibration module structured to include a plurality of diagnostic processes for operating an internal combustion engine system of an immobilized vehicle. One or more of the plurality of diagnostic processes are structured to be an intrusive diagnostic process for the internal combustion engine system, wherein the intrusive diagnostic process causes the internal combustion engine system to operate outside of one or more calibration parameters. The diagnostic engine module is further structured to control the order and timing of each diagnostic process in the plurality of diagnostic processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony J. Hall, Stephen J. Charlton, Michael J. McGuire
  • Publication number: 20170292432
    Abstract: An engine diagnostic tool includes a diagnostic engine calibration module structured to include a plurality of diagnostic processes for operating an internal combustion engine system of an immobilized vehicle. One or more of the plurality of diagnostic processes are structured to be an intrusive diagnostic process for the internal combustion engine system, wherein the intrusive diagnostic process causes the internal combustion engine system to operate outside of one or more calibration parameters. The diagnostic engine module is further structured to control the order and timing of each diagnostic process in the plurality of diagnostic processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony J. Hall, Stephen J. Charlton, Michael J. McGuire
  • Patent number: 9708960
    Abstract: An engine diagnostic tool includes a diagnostic engine calibration module structured to include a plurality of diagnostic processes for operating an internal combustion engine system of an immobilized vehicle. One or more of the plurality of diagnostic processes are structured to be an intrusive diagnostic process for the internal combustion engine system, wherein the intrusive diagnostic process causes the internal combustion engine system to operate outside of one or more calibration parameters. The diagnostic engine module is further structured to control the order and timing of each diagnostic process in the plurality of diagnostic processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony J. Hall, Stephen J. Charlton, Michael J. McGuire
  • Publication number: 20140331752
    Abstract: An engine diagnostic tool includes a diagnostic engine calibration module structured to include a plurality of diagnostic processes for operating an internal combustion engine system of an immobilized vehicle. One or more of the plurality of diagnostic processes are structured to be an intrusive diagnostic process for the internal combustion engine system, wherein the intrusive diagnostic process causes the internal combustion engine system to operate outside of one or more calibration parameters. The diagnostic engine module is further structured to control the order and timing of each diagnostic process in the plurality of diagnostic processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony J. Hall, Stephen J. Charlton, Michael J. McGuire
  • Patent number: 8863504
    Abstract: A method includes determining a first NOx conversion efficiency (?) value and determining that a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) level has increased a threshold amount. Further, the method includes determining a second NOx conversion ? value and comparing the first NOx conversion ? value and the second NOx conversion ? value, determining a NOx conversion ? change in response to comparing, and determining a DEF quality indicator in response to the NOx conversion ? change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Bays, Thomas A. Grana, Daniel D. Wilheim, Stephen J. Charlton, John Carson Wall
  • Publication number: 20110209461
    Abstract: A method includes determining a first NOx conversion efficiency (?) value and determining that a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) level has increased a threshold amount. Further, the method includes determining a second NOx conversion ? value and comparing the first NOx conversion ? value and the second NOx conversion ? value, determining a NOx conversion ? change in response to comparing, and determining a DEF quality indicator in response to the NOx conversion ? change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Bays, Thomas A. Grana, Daniel D. Wilheim, Stephen J. Charlton, John Carson Wall
  • Patent number: 6837227
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for estimating the mass flow of recirculated exhaust gas (EGR) from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine via an EGR conduit disposed therebetween and a fraction of EGR attributable to a mass of charge flow entering the intake manifold. An engine controller is responsive to current values of various combinations of the engine exhaust temperature (ETE), intake manifold pressure (IMP), differential pressure (?P) across an EGR valve, and EGR valve position (EGRP) to determine an estimate of EGR mass flow. The controller is further operable to estimate EGR fraction as a function of the estimated EGR mass flow value, mass flow of charge entering the intake manifold, and engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Salim A. Jaliwala, Paul R. Miller, Larry J. Brackney, Thomas A. Dollmeyer, Chuan He, George Brunemann, John F. Wright, Stephen J. Charlton
  • Publication number: 20020100463
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for estimating the mass flow of recirculated exhaust gas (EGR) from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine via an EGR conduit disposed therebetween and a fraction of EGR attributable to a mass of charge flow entering the intake manifold. An engine controller is responsive to current values of various combinations of the engine exhaust temperature (ETE), intake manifold pressure (IMP), differential pressure (&Dgr;P) across an EGR valve, and EGR valve position (EGRP) to determine an estimate of EGR mass flow. The controller is further operable to estimate EGR fraction as a function of the estimated EGR mass flow value, mass flow of charge entering the intake manifold, and engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Salim A. Jaliwala, Paul R. Miller, Larry J. Brackney, Thomas A. Dollmeyer, Chuan He, George Brunemann, John F. Wright, Stephen J. Charlton
  • Patent number: 6216461
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation and control system is provided for an internal combustion engine, wherein a portion of engine exhaust gas flow is recirculated through an EGR duct to engine intake air. The recirculated exhaust gas is pumped through the EGR duct by an EGR compressor driven by a dedicated EGR drive that is independently controllable. Because the EGR drive is independently powered and controlled, the EGR flow rate capacity of the system is not dictated by, or limited, by factors such as engine exhaust flow rate. A controller modulates power delivery to the drive means in response to at least one operating condition parameter in order to achieve a desired EGR flow rate. In order to further optimize efficiency, the EGR compressor is preferably a discrete displacement pump which is controllably drivable in a pulse-capture mode, wherein each intake of the EGR compressor is timed synchronously with exhaust pulses in the exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh S. Shao, Long Kung Hwang, Paul R. Miller, Stephen J. Charlton
  • Patent number: 6216460
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation and control system is provided for an internal combustion engine, wherein a portion of engine exhaust gas flow is recirculated through an EGR duct to engine intake air. The recirculated exhaust gas is pumped through the EGR duct by an EGR compressor driven by a dedicated EGR drive that is independently controllable. Because the EGR drive is independently powered and controlled, the EGR flow rate capacity of the system is not dictated by, or limited, by factors such as engine exhaust flow rate. A controller modulates power delivery to the drive means in response to at least one operating condition parameter in order to achieve a desired EGR flow rate. In order to further optimize efficiency, the EGR compressor is preferably a discrete displacement pump which is controllably drivable in a pulse-capture mode, wherein each intake of the EGR compressor is timed synchronously with exhaust pulses in the exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh S. Shao, Long-Kung Hwang, Paul R. Miller, Stephen J. Charlton
  • Patent number: 6164071
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation and control system is provided for an internal combustion engine, wherein a portion of engine exhaust gas flow is recirculated through an EGR duct to engine intake air. The recirculated exhaust gas is pumped through the EGR duct by an EGR compressor driven by a dedicated EGR drive that is independently controllable. Because the EGR drive is independently powered and controlled, the EGR flow rate capacity of the system is not dictated by, or limited, by factors such as engine exhaust flow rate. A controller modulates power delivery to the drive means in response to at least one operating condition parameter in order to achieve a desired EGR flow rate. In order to further optimize efficiency, the EGR compressor is preferably a discrete displacement pump which is controllably drivable in a pulse-capture mode, wherein each intake of the EGR compressor is timed synchronously with exhaust pulses in the exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh S. Shao, Long Kung Hwang, Paul R. Miller, Stephen J. Charlton