Patents by Inventor Thomas L. McKinley
Thomas L. McKinley 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).
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Publication number: 20230237445Abstract: Systems and apparatuses include one or more processing circuits comprising one or more memory devices coupled to one or more processors, the one or more memory devices configured to store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive vehicle information including operating conditions and historical vehicle information, develop a vehicle model using a machine learning engine that receives the vehicle information, determine a fleet failure probability based on the vehicle model and fleet information including fleet usage and fleet vehicle types, and determine a predictive maintenance schedule based on the fleet failure probability.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. McKinley, Zigmund W. Meluskey, Meghana Somwanshi, Devawrat S. Bhave, Sandeep Verma
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Patent number: 7328572Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment device has a turbulator provided by a tube having a perforated star-plugged downstream end.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. McKinley, Randolph G. Zoran
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Patent number: 6810725Abstract: An EGR measurement device for recirculating a portion of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine that is adapted to allow accurate measurement of exhaust gas flow when the exhaust gas flows in a reverse direction that is opposite to the forward direction toward the intake of the engine. In one embodiment, an extension portion is used which extends over a second tap to allow measurement of pressure in the reverse flow direction so that flow rate can be calculated. In another embodiment, one or more pitot tubes are provided that allows accurate measurement of exhaust gas flows when the exhaust gas flows in a reverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Gregory H. Henderson, Michael J. Marthaler, Jeffrey J. Braun, Vinoo Thomas, Guangping Pan, Thomas L. McKinley
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Publication number: 20040168508Abstract: An EGR measurement device for recirculating a portion of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine that is adapted to allow accurate measurement of exhaust gas flow when the exhaust gas flows in a reverse direction that is opposite to the forward direction toward the intake of the engine. In one embodiment, an extension portion is used which extends over a second tap to allow measurement of pressure in the reverse flow direction so that flow rate can be calculated. In another embodiment, one or more pitot tubes are provided that allows accurate measurement of exhaust gas flow when the exhaust gas flows in a reverse direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Gregory H. Henderson, Michael J. Marthaler, Jeffrey J. Braun, Vinoo Thomas, Guangping Pan, Thomas L. McKinley
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Patent number: 6526752Abstract: A passive engine exhaust flow restriction arrangement includes a fixed geometry flow restriction mechanism disposed in line with an exhaust conduit. In one embodiment, the flow restriction mechanism is disposed upstream of a turbocharger turbine, and in an alternate embodiment it is disposed downstream of the turbine. In either case, the flow restriction mechanism defines a fixed cross sectional flow area therethrough that is less than the cross sectional flow area of the exhaust conduit. Preferably, the cross sectional flow area of the flow restriction mechanism is sized to optimize one, or both, of turbine efficiency and engine fuel economy.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Cummins, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. McKinley, John M. Mulloy, Philip Dimpelfeld
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Publication number: 20020100280Abstract: A passive engine exhaust flow restriction arrangement includes a fixed geometry flow restriction mechanism disposed in line with an exhaust conduit. In one embodiment, the flow restriction mechanism is disposed upstream of a turbocharger turbine, and in an alternate embodiment it is disposed downstream of the turbine. In either case, the flow restriction mechanism defines a fixed cross sectional flow area therethrough that is less than the cross sectional flow area of the exhaust conduit. Preferably, the cross sectional flow area of the flow restriction mechanism is sized to optimize one, or both, of turbine efficiency and engine fuel economy.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Inventors: Thomas L. McKinley, John M. Mulloy, Philip Dimpelfeld
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Patent number: 6354084Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) enhancement system for a turbocharged internal combustion engine includes a throttle valve arranged in the exhaust duct of the engine, downstream of the EGR system. The throttle valve is controlled in response to engine load and engine speed to selectively provide back pressure upstream of the throttle valve to selectively drive an EGR exhaust flow through an EGR duct to the intake manifold. An embodiment of the EGR system includes a cooler that lowers the temperature of the EGR exhaust flow to provide better reductions in nitric oxide emissions. The exhaust turbine of the turbocharger may be of the fixed geometry type or the variable geometry type to provide a turbine with a fixed or variable swallowing capacity. The fixed geometry turbine is preferably equipped to allow excess pressure to be released through a wastegate duct arranged in fluid parallel with the exhaust turbine, thereby allowing for higher power and higher speeds.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1999Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. McKinley, Philip M. Dimpelfeld, John M. Mulloy
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Patent number: 6311494Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) enhancement system for a turbocharged internal combustion engine includes a throttle valve arranged in the exhaust duct of the engine, downstream of the EGR system. The throttle valve is controlled in response to engine load and engine speed to selectively provide back pressure upstream of the throttle valve to selectively drive an EGR exhaust flow through an EGR duct to the intake manifold. An embodiment of the EGR system includes a cooler that lowers the temperature of the EGR exhaust flow to provide better reductions in nitric oxide emissions. The turbine is equipped to allow excess pressure to be released through a wastegate duct arranged in fluid parallel with the exhaust turbine, thereby allowing for higher power and higher speeds.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2001Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. McKinley, Philip M. Dimpelfeld, John M. Mulloy
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Publication number: 20010017033Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) enhancement system for a turbocharged internal combustion engine includes a throttle valve arranged in the exhaust duct of the engine, downstream of the EGR system. The throttle valve is controlled in response to engine load and engine speed to selectively provide back pressure upstream of the throttle valve to selectively drive an EGR exhaust flow through an EGR duct to the intake manifold. An embodiment of the EGR system includes a cooler that lowers the temperature of the EGR exhaust flow to provide better reductions in nitric oxide emissions. The turbine is equipped to allow excess pressure to be released through a wastegate duct arranged in fluid parallel with the exhaust turbine, thereby allowing for higher power and higher speeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2001Publication date: August 30, 2001Inventors: Thomas L. McKinley, Philip M. Dimpelfeld, John M. Mulloy
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Patent number: 5474041Abstract: The present invention provides for automatic relief of excess pressure within an engine lubrication system in such a way as to recover a significant portion of the energy that was used to create the excess oil pressure. A pressure regulator creates a directed flow of oil in order to relieve pressure within the lubrication system. This directed flow of oil is caused to impact an impulse/momentum wheel, thereby imparting momentum from the oil to the wheel, creating a torque therein. The impulse/momentum wheel is advantageously coupled to the engine gear train, thereby reducing the engine power required to run the gear train by recovering energy from the lubrication system.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1994Date of Patent: December 12, 1995Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.Inventors: P. Doug Free, Thomas L. McKinley