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: 8826662
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8800285
    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: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8776517
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a system including a Rankine power cycle cooling subsystem providing emissions-critical charge cooling of an input charge flow. The system includes a boiler fluidly coupled to the input charge flow, an energy conversion device fluidly coupled to the boiler, a condenser fluidly coupled to the energy conversion device, a pump fluidly coupled to the condenser and the boiler, an adjuster that adjusts at least one parameter of the Rankine power cycle subsystem to change a temperature of the input charge exiting the boiler, and a sensor adapted to sense a temperature characteristic of the vaporized input charge. The system includes a controller that can determine a target temperature of the input charge sufficient to meet or exceed predetermined target emissions and cause the adjuster to adjust at least one parameter of the Rankine power cycle to achieve the predetermined target emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8752378
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery (WHR) system including a Rankine cycle (RC) subsystem for converting heat of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, and an internal combustion engine including the same. The WHR system includes an exhaust gas heat exchanger that is fluidly coupled downstream of an exhaust aftertreatment system and is adapted to transfer heat from the exhaust gas to a working fluid of the RC subsystem. An energy conversion device is fluidly coupled to the exhaust gas heat exchanger and is adapted to receive the vaporized working fluid and convert the energy of the transferred heat. The WHR system includes a control module adapted to control at least one parameter of the RC subsystem based on a detected aftertreatment event of a predetermined thermal management strategy of the aftertreatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140137554
    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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicants: PACCAR, INC., CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. ERNST, Christopher R. NELSON
  • Patent number: 8683801
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery system and method in which pressure in a Rankine cycle (RC) system of the WHR system is regulated by diverting working fluid from entering an inlet of an energy conversion device of the RC system. In the system, an inlet of a controllable bypass valve is fluidly coupled to a working fluid path upstream of an energy conversion device of the RC system, and an outlet of the bypass valve is fluidly coupled to the working fluid path upstream of the condenser of the RC system such that working fluid passing through the bypass valve bypasses the energy conversion device and increases the pressure in a condenser. A controller determines the temperature and pressure of the working fluid and controls the bypass valve to regulate pressure in the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson, James A. Zigan
  • Patent number: 8635871
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system for use with an engine. The waste heat recovery system receives heat input from both an exhaust gas recovery system and exhaust gas streams. The system includes a first loop and a second loop. The first loop is configured to receive heat from both the exhaust gas recovery system and the exhaust system as necessary. The second loop receives heat from the first loop and the exhaust gas recovery system. The second loop converts the heat energy into electrical energy through the use of a turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8627663
    Abstract: An energy recovery system and method using an organic rankine cycle is provided for recovering waste heat from an internal combustion engine, which effectively controls condenser pressure to prevent unwanted cavitation within the fluid circulation pump. A coolant system may be provided with a bypass conduit around the condenser and a bypass valve selectively and variably controlling the flow of coolant to the condenser and the bypass. A subcooler may be provided integral with the receiver for immersion in the accumulated fluid or downstream of the receiver to effectively subcool the fluid near the inlet to the fluid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson, James A. Zigan
  • Publication number: 20140007575
    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 positioned in a downstream direction of forced cooling air from the first cooling core portion, and an engine cooling loop including an engine coolant return line fluidly connected to an inlet of the second cooling core portion, and an engine coolant feed line connected to an outlet of the second cooling core portion. A condenser of an RC has a cooling loop including a condenser coolant return line fluidly connected to an inlet of the first cooling core portion and a condenser coolant feed line fluidly connected an outlet of 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8544274
    Abstract: A thermodynamic system for waste heat recovery, using an organic rankine cycle is provided which employs a single organic heat transferring fluid to recover heat energy from two waste heat streams having differing waste heat temperatures. Separate high and low temperature boilers provide high and low pressure vapor streams that are routed into an integrated turbine assembly having dual turbines mounted on a common shaft. Each turbine is appropriately sized for the pressure ratio of each stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy C Ernst
  • Patent number: 8407998
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system for use with an engine. The waste heat recovery system receives heat input from both an exhaust gas recovery system and exhaust gas streams. The system includes a first loop and a second loop. The first loop is configured to receive heat from both the exhaust gas recovery system and the exhaust system as necessary. The second loop receives heat from the first loop and the exhaust gas recovery system. The second loop converts the heat energy into electrical energy through the use of a turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20130019847
    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: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Nelson, Timothy C. Ernst
  • Publication number: 20120216762
    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: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120210713
    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: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. ERNST, Christopher R. NELSON
  • Publication number: 20120198839
    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: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. NELSON, Timothy C. ERNST
  • Publication number: 20120192560
    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: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Dave Morris
  • Publication number: 20120042650
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery system and method in which pressure in a Rankine cycle (RC) system of the WHR system is regulated by diverting working fluid from entering an inlet of an energy conversion device of the RC system. In the system, an inlet of a controllable bypass valve is fluidly coupled to a working fluid path upstream of an energy conversion device of the RC system, and an outlet of the bypass valve is fluidly coupled to the working fluid path upstream of the condenser of the RC system such that working fluid passing through the bypass valve bypasses the energy conversion device and increases the pressure in a condenser. A controller determines the temperature and pressure of the working fluid and controls the bypass valve to regulate pressure in the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson, James A. Zigan
  • Publication number: 20120036850
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery (WHR) system including a Rankine cycle (RC) subsystem for converting heat of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, and an internal combustion engine including the same. The WHR system includes an exhaust gas heat exchanger that is fluidly coupled downstream of an exhaust aftertreatment system and is adapted to transfer heat from the exhaust gas to a working fluid of the RC subsystem. An energy conversion device is fluidly coupled to the exhaust gas heat exchanger and is adapted to receive the vaporized working fluid and convert the energy of the transferred heat. The WHR system includes a control module adapted to control at least one parameter of the RC subsystem based on a detected aftertreatment event of a predetermined thermal management strategy of the aftertreatment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. ERNST, Christopher R. NELSON
  • Publication number: 20120023946
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a system including a Rankine power cycle cooling subsystem providing emissions-critical charge cooling of an input charge flow, which includes at least one of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) source and a charge air source, upstream of an intake internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. ERNST, Christopher R. NELSON
  • Patent number: 7997076
    Abstract: A system for converting heat from an engine into work includes a boiler coupled to a heat source for transferring heat to a working fluid, a turbine that transforms the heat into work, a condenser that transforms the working fluid into liquid, a recuperator with one flow path that routes working fluid from the turbine to the condenser, and another flow path that routes liquid working fluid from the condenser to the boiler, the recuperator being configured to transfer heat to the liquid working fluid, and a bypass valve in parallel with the second flow path. The bypass valve is movable between a closed position, permitting flow through the second flow path and an opened position, under high engine load conditions, bypassing the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy C. Ernst