Patents by Inventor Timothy C. Ernst
Timothy C. Ernst 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: 20250105322Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a humidifier including a wet-side fluidically coupled downstream of the fuel cell stack and a dry-side fluidically coupled upstream of the fuel cell stack, and a first oxygen sensor. The humidifier is configured to humidify a dry air stream to form a partially humidified air stream that exits the dry-side of the humidifier and enters the fuel cell stack. The first oxygen sensor is arranged downstream of the wet-side of the humidifier and is configured to measure a first oxygen concentration of an exhaust air stream exiting the wet-side of the humidifier to determine a presence of a leak in the humidifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2024Publication date: March 27, 2025Inventors: Timothy C. ERNST, James A. ZIGAN
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Patent number: 12188431Abstract: A waste heat recovery system comprising a thermal circuit. The thermal circuit includes a boiler and an expander fluidly coupled to the boiler. The thermal circuit further includes a power transfer system integrated to the expander. The power transfer system is configured to receive mechanical energy from the expander. The thermal circuit further includes an ejector fluidly coupled to the boiler and to the power transfer system. The ejector is configured to receive a motive flow of working fluid from the boiler. The ejector is further configured to receive a suction flow of working fluid from the power transfer system. The ejector is further configured to combine the motive flow of working fluid and the suction flow of working fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2021Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Jared Carpenter Delahanty, Nathan Thomas Honican
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Patent number: 12065959Abstract: Heating of the charge air in an intake is provided by a working fluid that is circulated through the intake to exchange heat with the charge air. The heated charge air can be used in response to a thermal management condition for an exhaust gas produced by operation of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2022Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Daniel J. Mohr
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Publication number: 20240097240Abstract: A cooling system for an electrified vehicle includes a first cooling loop for circulating coolant for cooling at least one of power electronics and a motor/generator of the vehicle. The first coolant loop includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the coolant in the first cooling loop. A second cooling loop is provided for circulating coolant for cooling a battery of the vehicle. The second cooling loop includes a coolant chiller connected to a refrigeration system of the vehicle for exchanging heat in the coolant received from the battery with the refrigeration system of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Jonathan A. Dickson, Manik Narula
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Publication number: 20240084727Abstract: Heating of the charge air in an intake is provided by a working fluid that is circulated through the intake to exchange heat with the charge air. The heated charge air can be used in response to a thermal management condition for an exhaust gas produced by operation of the internal combustion engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2022Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Daniel J. Mohr
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Patent number: 11862779Abstract: A cooling system for an electrified vehicle includes a first cooling loop for circulating coolant for cooling at least one of power electronics and a motor/generator of the vehicle. The first coolant loop includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the coolant in the first cooling loop. A second cooling loop is provided for circulating coolant for cooling a battery of the vehicle. The second cooling loop includes a coolant chiller connected to a refrigeration system of the vehicle for exchanging heat in the coolant received from the battery with the refrigeration system of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Jonathan A. Dickson, Manik Narula
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Patent number: 11833902Abstract: A vehicle system includes an engine, a transmission, a differential, and a waste heat recovery (WHR) drive that converts thermal energy into mechanical and electrical energy. The WHR drive can include a WHR power unit structured to convert thermal energy into rotation of a WHR drive shaft. A motor/generator having a motor/generator shaft can selectively operate as a motor or a generator. A mechanical linkage is structured to selectively link an output shaft to one of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft independently of the other of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft. The output shaft is selectively coupled to one of the engine, the transmission, or the differential. The vehicle system may also include a traction motor to provide drive to the vehicle. The output shaft can be selectively coupled to the traction motor or the engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Manik Narula, Timothy C. Ernst, Michael J. Ruth, Jonathan A. Dickson, J. Steven Kolhouse, Nimish Bagayatkar
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Patent number: 11820359Abstract: A waste heat recovery (WHR) hybrid power system can be utilized in vehicles to convert heat energy into mechanical energy. The WHR system can include a WHR power unit structured to convert thermal energy into rotation of a WHR drive shaft. A motor/generator having a motor/generator shaft can selectively operate as a motor or a generator. A mechanical linkage can be structured to selectively link a output shaft to one of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft independently of the other of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Manik Narula, Timothy C. Ernst, Michael J. Ruth, Jonathan A. Dickson, J. Steven Kolhouse, Nimish Bagayatkar
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Patent number: 11739665Abstract: A waste heat recovery (WHR) system that can be utilized in internal combustion engine systems includes at least two circuits, one having a low pressure working fluid and another having a high pressure working fluid. Each circuit can include heat exchangers to allow the working fluid to absorb heat form one or more heat source fluids associated with the engine. The system can also include an expander configured to receive the working fluid from the at least two circuits, and generating mechanical power. The system also can include a condenser, a sub cooler, and at least one working fluid pump to pump the working fluid in the at least two circuits. The cooling system also includes a controller that can receive temperature and pressure values from various locations in the WHR system and control at least the flow rates of the working fluids in the at least two circuits.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, James A. Zigan, Jared Carpenter Delahanty
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Publication number: 20230117810Abstract: A waste heat recovery system for an engine system includes a first charge air cooler in communication with a working fluid path of the waste heat recovery system. The first charge air cooler includes a first waste heat recovery core and a first cooling fluid core. The first waste heat recovery core includes a first working fluid inlet configured to receive a working fluid from the working fluid path. The first working fluid conduit is coupled to the first working fluid inlet and a first working fluid outlet. The first cooling fluid core includes a first cooling fluid inlet in fluid communication with a cooling fluid source and a first cooling fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the first cooling fluid inlet and a first cooling fluid outlet. The first cooling fluid conduit is configured to direct cooling fluid from the first cooling fluid inlet to the first cooling fluid outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Jared Carpenter Delahanty, Timothy C. Ernst, Achyut Paudel
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Publication number: 20220316425Abstract: A waste heat recovery system comprising a thermal circuit. The thermal circuit includes a boiler and an expander fluidly coupled to the boiler. The thermal circuit further includes a power transfer system integrated to the expander. The power transfer system is configured to receive mechanical energy from the expander. The thermal circuit further includes an ejector fluidly coupled to the boiler and to the power transfer system. The ejector is configured to receive a motive flow of working fluid from the boiler. The ejector is further configured to receive a suction flow of working fluid from the power transfer system. The ejector is further configured to combine the motive flow of working fluid and the suction flow of working fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Jared Carpenter Delahanty, Nathan Thomas Honican
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Publication number: 20220228513Abstract: A waste heat recovery (WHR) system that can be utilized in internal combustion engine systems includes at least two circuits, one having a low pressure working fluid and another having a high pressure working fluid. Each circuit can include heat exchangers to allow the working fluid to absorb heat form one or more heat source fluids associated with the engine. The system can also include an expander configured to receive the working fluid from the at least two circuits, and generating mechanical power. The system also can include a condenser, a sub cooler, and at least one working fluid pump to pump the working fluid in the at least two circuits. The cooling system also includes a controller that can receive temperature and pressure values from various locations in the WHR system and control at least the flow rates of the working fluids in the at least two circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2020Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, James A. Zigan, Jared Carpenter Delahanty
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Patent number: 11187185Abstract: A waste heat recovery system comprising a thermal circuit. The thermal circuit includes a boiler and an expander fluidly coupled to the boiler. The thermal circuit further includes a power transfer system integrated to the expander. The power transfer system is configured to receive mechanical energy from the expander. The thermal circuit further includes an ejector fluidly coupled to the boiler and to the power transfer system. The ejector is configured to receive a motive flow of working fluid from the boiler. The ejector is further configured to receive a suction flow of working fluid from the power transfer system. The ejector is further configured to combine the motive flow of working fluid and the suction flow of working fluid.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Jared Carpenter Delahanty, Nathan Thomas Honican
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Publication number: 20210305644Abstract: A cooling system for an electrified vehicle includes a first cooling loop for circulating coolant for cooling at least one of power electronics and a motor/generator of the vehicle. The first coolant loop includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the coolant in the first cooling loop. A second cooling loop is provided for circulating coolant for cooling a battery of the vehicle. The second cooling loop includes a coolant chiller connected to a refrigeration system of the vehicle for exchanging heat in the coolant received from the battery with the refrigeration system of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Jonathan A. Dickson, Manik Narula
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Publication number: 20210300328Abstract: A waste heat recovery (WHR) hybrid power system can be utilized in vehicles to convert heat energy into mechanical energy. The WHR system can include a WHR power unit structured to convert thermal energy into rotation of a WHR drive shaft. A motor/generator having a motor/generator shaft can selectively operate as a motor or a generator. A mechanical linkage can be structured to selectively link a output shaft to one of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft independently of the other of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Applicant: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Manik Narula, Timothy C. Ernst, Michael J. Ruth, Jonathan A. Dickson, J. Steven Kolhouse, Nimish Bagayatkar
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Patent number: 11125139Abstract: An engine cooling system comprises an engine cooling circuit, comprising a first pump structured to circulate engine coolant fluid therethrough. A remote coolant radiator positioned along the engine cooling circuit downstream of the engine and outside of a vehicle cooling package area is structured to transfer heat from the engine coolant fluid to air. A coolant heat exchanger is positioned along the engine cooling circuit in parallel to the remote coolant radiator. A waste heat recovery system comprises a working fluid circuit comprising a second pump. The coolant heat exchanger is positioned along the working fluid circuit and is structured to transfer heat from the engine coolant fluid to the working fluid. An expander is structured to convert energy from the heat transferred to the working fluid from the engine cooling fluid to mechanical energy. A condenser positioned downstream of the expander is structured to cool the working fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson, Jared Carpenter Delahanty
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Patent number: 11092069Abstract: A waste heat recovery (WHR) system and method for regulating exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling is described. More particularly, a Rankine cycle WHR system and method is described, including an arrangement to improve the precision of EGR cooling for engine efficiency improvement and thermal management.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. Nelson, Timothy C. Ernst
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Patent number: 11008972Abstract: A system for cooling a cylinder head includes a cylinder head, a cylinder block, and a waste heat recovery system. The cylinder head includes a first water jacket and a second water jacket. The cylinder block is coupled to the cylinder head. The cylinder block includes a third water jacket. The first water jacket is coupled to a first cooling circuit. The second water jacket is coupled to a second cooling circuit. The third water jacket is coupled to a third cooling circuit. The waste heat recovery system is coupled to at least one of the first cooling circuit, the second cooling circuit, and the third cooling circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2017Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Stanley, Jason R. Griffin, Timothy C. Ernst
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Patent number: 11001250Abstract: A waste heat recovery (WHR) hybrid power system can be utilized in vehicles to convert heat energy into mechanical energy. The WHR system can include a WHR power unit structured to convert thermal energy into rotation of a WHR drive shaft. A motor/generator having a motor/generator shaft can selectively operate as a motor or a generator. A mechanical linkage can be structured to selectively link a output shaft to one of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft independently of the other of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Manik Narula, Timothy C. Ernst, Michael J. Ruth, Jonathan A. Dickson, J. Steven Kolhouse, Nimish Bagayatkar
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Patent number: 10968785Abstract: A waste heat recovery system (100) is provided. At least one heat exchanger (104) is fluidically coupled to a waste heat source (102) and is configured for selectively recovering heat from the waste heat source (102) to heat a working fluid (108). An energy conversion device (112) is fluidically coupled to the at least one heat exchanger (104) and is configured to receive the working fluid (108) and to generate an energy for performing work or transferring the energy to another device using the heat recovered from the waste heat source (102). A condenser (122) is fluidically coupled to the energy conversion device (112) and configured to receive the working fluid (108) from the energy conversion device (112) and to condense the working fluid (108) into a liquid phase.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Jared C. Delahanty, Timothy C. Ernst, J. Steven Kolhouse, Brett A. Boas