Patents by Inventor Steven J. Kolhouse

Steven J. Kolhouse 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: 10605213
    Abstract: An injector combustion shield assembly comprising a bore configured to receive a fuel injector, the bore including a fluid opening in fluid communication with a fluid jacket and a fluid outlet positioned within an annular wall of the bore; and a valve positioned between the fluid jacket and the fluid opening and configured to selectively permit a fluid from the fluid jacket to enter the bore, the valve being movable between an open configuration to permit fluid flow from the fluid jacket into the bore via the fluid opening and a closed configuration to prevent fluid flow from the fluid jacket into the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan, Timothy P. Lutz, David B. Snyder, Derek G. Weiler, Clayton R. Westerfeld, Julie Anne Colin, Akintomide K. Akinola, Joseph Eric Parlow, Steven J. Kolhouse
  • Patent number: 9926904
    Abstract: A method for energy ignition management of a spark-ignition engine includes receiving, by a controller, at least one ignition energy characteristic to affect control of at least one combustion cylinder. The method further includes controlling the at least one combustion cylinder via the controller. Controlling the at least one combustion cylinder via the controller includes adjusting the at least one ignition energy characteristic in response to at least one operating condition of the engine. The at least one ignition energy characteristic is a magnitude of one of a current or voltage of spark energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Kolhouse, Samuel C. Geckler, David Stroh
  • Patent number: 9897053
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided comprising an outer housing, a nozzle housing disposed within the outer housing, a flow path between the outer housing and the nozzle housing, the flow path being coupled to a low pressure fuel source, and a circumferential gap in flow communication with the flow path and extending about a tip of the fuel injector between an outer surface of the nozzle housing and an inner surface of a combustion shield adjacent the injector tip. The circumferential gap is in flow communication with a drain gap between the outer housing and a bore for receiving the fuel injector, the drain gap routing the low pressure fuel away from the injector tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Kolhouse, Raymond V. Primus, Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 9851722
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an initial planning module, a tandem implementation module, and a scheduler module. The initial planning module is structured to interpret one or more fleet delivery requirements, assets, drivers, and vehicle descriptions. The tandem implementation module is structured to determine a travel schedule with respect to a first vehicle and a second vehicle that enables the first vehicle and the second vehicle to travel in tandem for a least a portion of a route in response to input from the initial planning module. The scheduler module is structured to provide a fleet delivery schedule to the first vehicle and the second vehicle in response to the determination of the tandem implementation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Kolhouse, Carlos A. Lana, Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, J. Stephen Wills, Thomas M. Yonushonis
  • Patent number: 9771917
    Abstract: A system, method, and engine control module for energy ignition management of a combustion engine. The method may be performed by the system or the engine control module. The method includes determining operating conditions of the combustion engine, setting ignition energy characteristics for a dedicated EGR cylinder and a non-dedicated EGR cylinder based on the operating conditions. The ignition energy characteristics include at least one of magnitude of energy, current, voltage, and ignition energy duration. At least one characteristic of the ignition energy characteristics for the non-dedicated EGR cylinder is different than a corresponding characteristic for the dedicated EGR cylinder. The method also includes energizing ignition aid plugs based on the ignition energy characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Geckler, David Stroh, Steven J. Kolhouse
  • Patent number: 9771850
    Abstract: Reductant delivery systems are disclosed that include a dry reductant source and a liquid reductant source which are operable to selectively provide gaseous reductant and liquid reductant to an exhaust aftertreatment system for treatment and reduction of NOx emissions. The gaseous reductant is provided to the exhaust aftertreatment system for treatment of NOx emissions under a first temperature condition associated with the exhaust system and the liquid reductant for treatment of NOx emissions under a second temperature condition associated with the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Cary Henry, Steven J. Kolhouse
  • Publication number: 20170218863
    Abstract: A method, a combustion engine controller, and a combustion engine incorporating the controller to implement the method are provided. The method includes determining a first dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (D-EGR) cylinder parameter value of a first D-EGR cylinder parameter associated with a first D-EGR cylinder of the combustion engine; and regenerating the first D-EGR cylinder responsive to the first D-EGR cylinder parameter value satisfying a threshold indicative of a carbon build-up level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Samuel C. Geckler, David Stroh, Steven J. Kolhouse, Anthony Kyle Perfetto
  • Patent number: 9689333
    Abstract: A method for operating a dual-fuel engine. Embodiments include receiving sensor input information, including information representative of a temperature of the engine. A first fuel, optionally diesel fuel, and a second fuel that is different than the first fuel, optionally natural gas, are supplied to the engine during a start mode when the engine temperature is below a normal operating temperature range. The first and second fuels can be supplied to the engine during a run mode when the engine temperature is within the normal operating temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Kolhouse
  • Publication number: 20170175614
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising adjusting at least one of an air-to-fuel ratio and an ignition spark characteristic of a first cylinder of an engine to produce an exhaust gas comprising a predetermined quantity of hydrogen; and providing the exhaust gas from the first cylinder to a second cylinder of the engine, wherein the exhaust gas comprising the hydrogen ignites a first fuel type in response to a compression event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Steven J. Kolhouse, Lyle E. Kocher, Samuel C. Geckler
  • Publication number: 20170115666
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an initial planning module, a tandem implementation module, and a scheduler module. The initial planning module is structured to interpret one or more fleet delivery requirements, assets, drivers, and vehicle descriptions. The tandem implementation module is structured to determine a travel schedule with respect to a first vehicle and a second vehicle that enables the first vehicle and the second vehicle to travel in tandem for a least a portion of a route in response to input from the initial planning module. The scheduler module is structured to provide a fleet delivery schedule to the first vehicle and the second vehicle in response to the determination of the tandem implementation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. KOLHOUSE, Carlos A. LANA, Vivek A. SUJAN, Phani VAJAPEYAZULA, J. Stephen WILLS, Thomas M. YONUSHONIS
  • Publication number: 20170051713
    Abstract: An injector combustion shield assembly comprising a bore configured to receive a fuel injector, the bore including a fluid opening in fluid communication with a fluid jacket and a fluid outlet positioned within an annular wall of the bore; and a valve positioned between the fluid jacket and the fluid opening and configured to selectively permit a fluid from the fluid jacket to enter the bore, the valve being movable between an open configuration to permit fluid flow from the fluid jacket into the bore via the fluid opening and a closed configuration to prevent fluid flow from the fluid jacket into the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan, Timothy P. Lutz, David B. Snyder, Derek G. Weiler, Clayton R. Westerfeld, Julie Anne Colin, Akintomide K. Akinola, Joseph Eric Parlow, Steven J. Kolhouse
  • Publication number: 20170045023
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided comprising an outer housing, a nozzle housing disposed within the outer housing, a flow path between the outer housing and the nozzle housing, the flow path being coupled to a low pressure fuel source, and a circumferential gap in flow communication with the flow path and extending about a tip of the fuel injector between an outer surface of the nozzle housing and an inner surface of a combustion shield adjacent the injector tip. The circumferential gap is in flow communication with a drain gap between the outer housing and a bore for receiving the fuel injector, the drain gap routing the low pressure fuel away from the injector tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Steven J. Kolhouse, Raymond V. Primus, Lester L. Peters, David L. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 9551993
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a logistics manager that includes a processor. The logistics manager is communicably coupled to at least one of a first wireless communication module onboard a first vehicle and a second wireless communication module onboard a second vehicle. The logistics manager is configured to: receive, via the first wireless communication module, first data regarding the first vehicle, where the first data is provided by a first sensor module onboard the first vehicle; receive, via the second wireless communication module, second data regarding the second vehicle, where the second data is provided by a second sensor module onboard the second vehicle; and provide navigational commands to at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle based on a cost and benefit analysis in response to at least one the first data and the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Kolhouse, Carlos A. Lana, Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, J. Stephen Wills, Thomas M. Yonushonis
  • Publication number: 20160341089
    Abstract: Reductant delivery systems are disclosed that include a dry reductant source and a liquid reductant source which are operable to selectively provide gaseous reductant and liquid reductant to an exhaust aftertreatment system for treatment and reduction of NOx emissions. The gaseous reductant is provided to the exhaust aftertreatment system for treatment of NOx emissions under a first temperature condition associated with the exhaust system and the liquid reductant for treatment of NOx emissions under a second temperature condition associated with the exhaust system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Cary HENRY, Steven J. KOLHOUSE
  • Patent number: 9464583
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of dual fuel internal combustion engines in response to cylinder pressure based determinations are disclosed. The techniques control fuelling contributions from a first fuel source and a second fuel source to achieve desired operational outcomes in response to the cylinder pressure based determinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel Otto zur Loye, Geomy George, Timothy P. Lutz, Steven J. Kolhouse, C. Larry Bruner
  • Patent number: 9429060
    Abstract: Reductant delivery systems are disclosed that include a dry reductant source and a liquid reductant source which are operable to selectively provide gaseous reductant and liquid reductant to an exhaust aftertreatment system for treatment and reduction of NOx emissions. The gaseous reductant is provided to the exhaust aftertreatment system for treatment of NOx emissions under a first temperature condition associated with the exhaust system and the liquid reductant for treatment of NOx emissions under a second temperature condition associated with the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Cary Henry, Steven J. Kolhouse
  • Publication number: 20160097367
    Abstract: A system, method, and engine control module for energy ignition management of a combustion engine. The method may be performed by the system or the engine control module. The method includes determining operating conditions of the combustion engine, setting ignition energy characteristics for a dedicated EGR cylinder and a non-dedicated EGR cylinder based on the operating conditions. The ignition energy characteristics include at least one of magnitude of energy, current, voltage, and ignition energy duration. At least one characteristic of the ignition energy characteristics for the non-dedicated EGR cylinder is different than a corresponding characteristic for the dedicated EGR cylinder. The method also includes energizing ignition aid plugs based on the ignition energy characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Samuel C. Geckler, David Stroh, Steven J. Kolhouse
  • Publication number: 20160097366
    Abstract: A method for energy ignition management of a spark-ignition engine includes receiving, by a controller, at least one ignition energy characteristic to affect control of at least one combustion cylinder. The method further includes controlling the at least one combustion cylinder via the controller. Controlling the at least one combustion cylinder via the controller includes adjusting the at least one ignition energy characteristic in response to at least one operating condition of the engine. The at least one ignition energy characteristic is a magnitude of one of a current or voltage of spark energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Kolhouse, Samuel C. Geckler, David Stroh
  • Publication number: 20160075333
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining a recommended route reference for a vehicle based on simulations of a model of the vehicle including load information, route information, and a cost strategy, and providing commands to an output device based on the recommended route reference to provide an operator of the vehicle with feedback on the recommended route reference and/or to control the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Vivek Anand Sujan, Carlos Alcides Lana, Steven J. Kolhouse, Phani Vajapeyazula, Thomas M. Yonushonis, J. Stephen Wills
  • Publication number: 20160054736
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a logistics manager that includes a processor. The logistics manager is communicably coupled to at least one of a first wireless communication module onboard a first vehicle and a second wireless communication module onboard a second vehicle. The logistics manager is configured to: receive, via the first wireless communication module, first data regarding the first vehicle, where the first data is provided by a first sensor module onboard the first vehicle; receive, via the second wireless communication module, second data regarding the second vehicle, where the second data is provided by a second sensor module onboard the second vehicle; and provide navigational commands to at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle based on a cost and benefit analysis in response to at least one the first data and the second data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: CUMMINS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Kolhouse, Carlos A. Lana, Vivek A. Sujan, Phani Vajapeyazula, J. Stephen Wills, Thomas M. Yonushonis