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).

  • Patent number: 9638067
    Abstract: A Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system associated with an internal combustion engine is in a configuration that enables handling of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) gas by using the energy recovered from a Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system. The system includes a control module for regulating various function of the internal combustion engine and its associated systems along with the Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Nelson, Timothy C. Ernst
  • Patent number: 9556778
    Abstract: An engine including a WHR system includes a clutch positioned to engage or disengage a WHR feedpump that moves working fluid through a WHR circuit. The clutch engages or disengages the feedpump under certain operating conditions of the engine and/or the WHR system, and/or at the request of an operator of the engine. Conditions may include cool or cold components, and insufficient working fluid. The operator may also request the clutch be disengaged, such as might be advantageous if the operator detects an operational problem with the WHR system or determines there is an advantage to operating the engine without the WHR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Zigan, Andrew P. Perr, Timothy C. Ernst
  • Patent number: 9518497
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery system with a system and method for calculation of the net output torque from the waste heat recovery system. The calculation uses inputs from existing pressure and speed sensors to create a virtual pump torque sensor and a virtual expander torque sensor, and uses these sensors to provide an accurate net torque output from the WHR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS, INC.
    Inventors: Christophe Tricaud, Timothy C. Ernst, James A. Zigan
  • Patent number: 9470115
    Abstract: A cooling system provides improved heat recovery by providing a split core radiator for both engine cooling and condenser cooling for a Rankine cycle (RC). The cooling system includes a radiator having a first cooling core portion and a second cooling core portion. An engine cooling loop is fluidly connected the second cooling core portion. A condenser of an RC has a cooling loop fluidly connected to the first cooling core portion. A valve is provided between the engine cooling loop and the condenser cooling loop adjustably control the flow of coolant in the condenser cooling loop into the engine cooling loop. The cooling system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the valve and adapted to determine a load requirement for the internal combustion engine and adjust the valve in accordance with the engine load requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9334760
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a waste heat recovery (WHR) system and to a system and method for regulation of a fluid inventory in a condenser and a receiver of a Rankine cycle WHR system. Such regulation includes the ability to regulate the pressure in a WHR system to control cavitation and energy conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20160061059
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a waste heat recovery (WHR) system and method for regulating exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling, and more particularly, to a Rankine cycle WHR system and method, including a recuperator bypass arrangement to regulate EGR exhaust gas cooling for engine efficiency improvement and thermal management. This disclosure describes other unique bypass arrangements for increased flexibility in the ability to regulate EGR exhaust gas cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Dave Morris
  • Patent number: 9217338
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a waste heat recovery (WHR) system and method for regulating exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling, and more particularly, to a Rankine cycle WHR system and method, including a recuperator bypass arrangement to regulate EGR exhaust gas cooling for engine efficiency improvement and thermal management. This disclosure describes other unique bypass arrangements for increased flexibility in the ability to regulate EGR exhaust gas cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Dave Morris
  • Publication number: 20150275701
    Abstract: A power generation system having a combustion engine with a Rankine bottoming cycle, the system including a first flow path for a process fluid and a second flow path for a working fluid, and a heat exchanger arranged along both the first and the second flow paths to transfer waste heat from the process fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger includes a first flow conduit being bounded by a first wall section and configured to convey the process fluid, a second flow conduit to convey the working fluid, the second flow conduit being bounded by a second wall section spaced apart from the first wall section to define a gap therebetween, and a thermally conductive structure arranged within the gap and joined to the first and second wall sections to transfer heat therebetween, the gap being fluidly isolated from both the process fluid and the working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory Gerald Hughes, Michael J. Reinke, Tony Rousseau, Timothy C. Ernst, James Zigan, Christopher Nelson
  • Patent number: 9140209
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery (WHR) system connects a working fluid to fluid passages formed in an engine block and/or a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, forming an engine heat exchanger. The fluid passages are formed near high temperature areas of the engine, subjecting the working fluid to sufficient heat energy to vaporize the working fluid while the working fluid advantageously cools the engine block and/or cylinder head, improving fuel efficiency. The location of the engine heat exchanger downstream from an EGR boiler and upstream from an exhaust heat exchanger provides an optimal position of the engine heat exchanger with respect to the thermodynamic cycle of the WHR system, giving priority to cooling of EGR gas. The configuration of valves in the WHR system provides the ability to select a plurality of parallel flow paths for optimal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20150226091
    Abstract: A Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system associated with an internal combustion engine is in a configuration that enables handling of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) gas by using the energy recovered from a Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system. The system includes a control module for regulating various function of the internal combustion engine and its associated systems along with the Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. NELSON, Timothy C. Ernst
  • Publication number: 20150159535
    Abstract: An engine including a WHR system includes a clutch positioned to engage or disengage a WHR feedpump that moves working fluid through a WHR circuit. The clutch engages or disengages the feedpump under certain operating conditions of the engine and/or the WHR system, and/or at the request of an operator of the engine. Conditions may include cool or cold components, and insufficient working fluid. The operator may also request the clutch be disengaged, such as might be advantageous if the operator detects an operational problem with the WHR system or determines there is an advantage to operating the engine without the WHR system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Zigan, Andrew P. Perr, Timothy C. Ernst
  • Patent number: 9021808
    Abstract: A Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system associated with an internal combustion engine is in a configuration that enables handling of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) gas by using the energy recovered from a Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system. The system includes a control module for regulating various function of the internal combustion engine and its associated systems along with the Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Nelson, Timothy C. Ernst
  • Publication number: 20150096543
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. NELSON, Timothy C. ERNST
  • Publication number: 20150027118
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery system with a system and method for calculation of the net output torque from the waste heat recovery system. The calculation uses inputs from existing pressure and speed sensors to create a virtual pump torque sensor and a virtual expander torque sensor, and uses these sensors to provide an accurate net torque output from the WHR system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Christophe Tricaud, Timothy C. Ernst, James A. Zigan
  • Publication number: 20150013935
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a non-condensable gas collection, detection, and removal system for a WHR system that helps to maintain cycle efficiency of the WHR system across the life of an engine system associated with the WHR system. A storage volume is configured to collect non-condensable gas received from the working fluid circuit, and a release valve is configured to selectively release non-condensable gas contained within the storage volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy C. ERNST, James A. ZIGAN
  • Publication number: 20150000274
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a Rankine cycle waste heat recovery (WHR) system that provides cooling to an air conditioning condenser and may use waste heat from the air conditioning condenser to raise the temperature of a working fluid of the WHR system. The Rankine cycle WHR system also converts waste heat from an internal combustion engine in which the WHR system is positioned. Thus, the Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system serves to provide cooling to an air conditioning system of an internal combustion system while serving to convert waste heat into useful energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy C. ERNST, Christopher R. NELSON, James A. ZIGAN, Tony ROUSSEAUO
  • Patent number: 8919328
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Nelson, Timothy C. Ernst
  • Publication number: 20140345274
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes a Rankine cycle (RC) circuit having a pump, a boiler, an energy converter, and a condenser fluidly coupled via conduits in that order, to provide additional work. The additional work is fed to an input of a gearbox assembly including a capacity for oil by mechanically coupling to the energy converter to a gear assembly. An interface is positioned between the RC circuit and the gearbox assembly to partially restrict movement of oil present in the gear assembly into the RC circuit and partially restrict movement of working fluid present in the RC circuit into the gear assembly. An oil return line is fluidly connected to at least one of the conduits fluidly coupling the RC components to one another and is operable to return to the gear assembly oil that has moved across the interface from the gear assembly to the RC circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy C. ERNST, James A. ZIGAN
  • Publication number: 20140345275
    Abstract: A Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system uses a receiver with a maximum liquid working fluid level lower than the minimum liquid working fluid level of a sub-cooler of the waste heat recovery system. The receiver may have a position that is physically lower than the sub-cooler's position. A valve controls transfer of fluid between several of the components in the waste heat recovery system, especially from the receiver to the sub-cooler. The system may also have an associated control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. ERNST, Christopher R. NELSON
  • Publication number: 20140318124
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a waste heat recovery (WHR) system and to a system and method for regulation of a fluid inventory in a condenser and a receiver of a Rankine cycle WHR system. Such regulation includes the ability to regulate the pressure in a WHR system to control cavitation and energy conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy C. ERNST, Christopher R. NELSON