Patents by Inventor Thomas Michael Lavertu

Thomas Michael Lavertu 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: 11982241
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a multi-fuel engine. In one example, a method includes adjusting a substitution ratio based on an intake manifold temperature. The method further including adjusting the intake manifold temperature to increase the substitution ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lavertu, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Eric Dillen
  • Publication number: 20240088418
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a plurality of fuel cells. The method includes coordinating a distribution of a power demand in response to a power request of a power system comprising a plurality of fuel cells, the power output of each of the fuel cells selected based on a respective efficiency of each of the fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lavertu, Eric Dillen, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Gayathri Indra Seenumani, James D. Brooks, David Allen Eldredge, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
  • Patent number: 11905877
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a location of a fuel injection in response to a substitution rate and a desired EGR flow. In one example, a method may include injecting a first fuel to a combustion chamber via a direct injector positioned to inject directly into the combustion chamber, injecting a second, different, fuel to the combustion chamber via an exhaust port injector positioned to inject toward an exhaust valve of the combustion chamber, and combusting the first and second fuels together in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu
  • Patent number: 11835002
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for using only hydrogen as fuel in a duel fuel engine. In one example, a method may include direct injecting only hydrogen as fuel to one or more engine cylinders and compression igniting the injected hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Eric Dillen, Thomas Michael Lavertu
  • Patent number: 11821375
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for skipping fire in one or more cylinders in a dual fuel engine. In one example, a method may include injecting a combination of two fuels to a first set of cylinders of the engine while disabling fuel injection to all remaining cylinders of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Eric Dillen
  • Patent number: 11781443
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for generating exhaust energy and converting exhaust energy to electrical energy while an engine is not running. In one example, a system for an engine comprises: a first turbocharger including a first compressor driven by a first turbine, the first turbine disposed in an exhaust of the engine; a fuel burner fluidly coupled to the exhaust upstream of the first turbine; a generator coupled to one of the first turbine or an auxiliary, second turbine fluidly coupled to the exhaust downstream of the fuel burner; and one or more bypass valves configured to adjust a flow of air that bypasses the engine and is delivered to the fuel burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: James Robert Mischler, Roy James Primus, Thomas Michael Lavertu
  • Patent number: 11760335
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a method for a hybrid engine system. In one example, the method includes operating an electrical turbocharger to modify engine operating efficiency and to extend battery charge over a duration of a travel route based on a real-time status of the battery charge. The method allows fuel consumption to be decreased while meeting power demands of vehicle navigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lavertu, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Kevin McElhaney
  • Patent number: 11719154
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for engine startup. In one example, a method for an engine includes injecting a fuel mixture with a proportion of a first fuel to a second fuel to decrease carbon emissions, in response to detection of or request for the engine to start. The proportion of the first fuel to the second fuel in the injected fuel mixture is decreased in response to engine speed reaching an idling speed. The first fuel may be a non-hydrocarbon-based fuel and the second fuel may be a hydrocarbon-based fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Eric Dillen
  • Publication number: 20230235708
    Abstract: A vehicle control system and a method of operating thereof may include determining a first ratio at which to operate a vehicle system at a first location along a route along which the vehicle system moves. The first ratio may be based on an amount of a first fuel of a first fuel source relative to an amount of a second fuel of a second fuel source. The vehicle system may be powered by one or more of the first or the second fuel sources. First operational settings at which to control the vehicle system may be determined based on the first ratio between the first and second fuel sources at the first location along the route. Operation of the vehicle system may be controlled according to the first operational settings to move the vehicle system according to the first ratio at the first location along the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lavertu, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Eric Dillen
  • Publication number: 20230202347
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for energy management at a consist. In one example, a method for the energy management includes coordinating a distribution of a power demand in response to a power output of each of a fuel cell system, a battery system, and an engine system. The power output of each of the fuel cell system, the battery system, and the engine system may be selected based on a respective efficiency of each system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lavertu, Eric Dillen, Adam Edgar Klingbeil
  • Publication number: 20230193841
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a multi-fuel engine. In one example, a method includes adjusting a substitution ratio based on an intake manifold temperature. The method further including adjusting the intake manifold temperature to increase the substitution ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lavertu, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Eric Dillen
  • Publication number: 20230193810
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a location of a fuel injection in response to a substitution rate and a desired EGR flow. In one example, a method may include injecting a first fuel to a combustion chamber via a direct injector positioned to inject directly into the combustion chamber, injecting a second, different, fuel to the combustion chamber via an exhaust port injector positioned to inject toward an exhaust valve of the combustion chamber, and combusting the first and second fuels together in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Adam Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu
  • Publication number: 20230193840
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for venting fuel lines in a dual-fuel engine. In one example, a method may include in response to an engine shut-down request, venting fuel lines to remove hydrogen from the fuel lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Dillen, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu
  • Publication number: 20230184181
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for using only hydrogen as fuel in a duel fuel engine. In one example, a method may include direct injecting only hydrogen as fuel to one or more engine cylinders and compression igniting the injected hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Eric Dillen, Thomas Michael Lavertu
  • Publication number: 20230175431
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a multi-fuel engine. In one example, a method includes adjusting an ignitability of a combustion mixture comprising ammonia and hydrogen. The combustion mixture may further include a carbon-containing fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Eric Dillen
  • Publication number: 20230175446
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for skipping fire in one or more cylinders in a dual fuel engine. In one example, a method may include injecting a combination of two fuels to a first set of cylinders of the engine while disabling fuel injection to all remaining cylinders of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Eric Dillen
  • Patent number: 11668218
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a location of a fuel injection in response to a substitution rate and a desired EGR flow. In one example, a method may include injecting a first fuel to a combustion chamber via a direct injector positioned to inject directly into the combustion chamber, injecting a second, different, fuel to the combustion chamber via an exhaust port injector positioned to inject toward an exhaust valve of the combustion chamber, and combusting the first and second fuels together in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu
  • Publication number: 20230151764
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for engine startup. In one example, a method for an engine includes injecting a fuel mixture with a proportion of a first fuel to a second fuel to decrease carbon emissions, in response to detection of or request for the engine to start. The proportion of the first fuel to the second fuel in the injected fuel mixture is decreased in response to engine speed reaching an idling speed. The first fuel may be a non-hydrocarbon-based fuel and the second fuel may be a hydrocarbon-based fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu, Eric Dillen
  • Patent number: 11643963
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for controlling air flow through an engine by adjusting an electric turbocharger of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a system for a vehicle comprises an electric turbocharger comprising a compressor, an exhaust turbine coupled to the compressor via a shaft, and an electric machine mechanically coupled to the shaft; and a controller including a processor and instructions stored on a non-transient memory of the controller that, when executed, cause the controller to: adjust an amount of power provided to or extracted from the shaft by the electric machine based on at least one of a speed of the electric turbocharger, a cylinder pressure, and an exhaust gas temperature. By adjusting the amount of power provided to or extracted from the electric machine, the exhaust gas temperature and the speed of the electric turbocharger may be efficiently maintained within a desired operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Roy James Primus, Thomas Michael Lavertu
  • Publication number: 20230125484
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a method for a hybrid engine system. In one example, the method includes operating an electrical turbocharger to modify engine operating efficiency and to extend battery charge over a duration of a travel route based on a real-time status of the battery charge. The method allows fuel consumption to be decreased while meeting power demands of vehicle navigation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lavertu, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Kevin McElhaney