Patents by Inventor Wade J. Robel
Wade J. Robel 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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Patent number: 7765795Abstract: A method of controlling engine NOx production is provided. The method may include determining a desired amount of NOx production for at least one engine cylinder at a first time and determining at least one engine operating parameter to produce the desired amount of NOx using a feed-forward neural network.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: James J. Driscoll, Mary L. Kesse, Wade J. Robel, Amit Jayachandran
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Patent number: 7762060Abstract: An exhaust treatment system is provided. The system may include a particulate trap configured to remove one or more types of particulate matter from an exhaust flow of an engine. The system may also include a catalyst configured to chemically alter at least one component of the exhaust flow. Further, the system may include an exhaust conduit configured to direct the exhaust flow from the engine to the particulate trap and the catalyst. In addition, the exhaust treatment system may include a heating system configured to maintain the temperature of the catalyst above a first predetermined temperature. The heating system may also be configured to periodically raise the temperature of the particulate trap above a higher, second predetermined temperature to thereby effectuate a regeneration of the particulate trap by oxidizing particulate matter accumulated in the particulate trap.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: William L. Easley, Jr., Maarten Verkiel, Aaron D. Strauser, James J. Driscoll, Wade J. Robel
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Publication number: 20100154392Abstract: A method of adjusting a ratio of NO to NO2 in a flow of exhaust gas is disclosed. The method includes directing a first portion of the exhaust flow through at least one first channel, wherein the at least one first channel is a wall-flow channel, and directing a second portion of the exhaust flow through at least one second channel, wherein the at least one second channel is an open flow-through channel. The method further includes converting NO into NO2 at a first rate in the first portion of the exhaust flow as the first portion of the exhaust flow passes through the at least one first channel and converting NO into NO2 at a second rate in the second portion of the exhaust flow as the second portion of the exhaust flow passes through the at least one second channel, the second rate being slower than the first rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventor: Wade J. Robel
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Patent number: 7685809Abstract: Often NOx selective catalysts that use ammonia to reduce NOx within exhaust to a harmless gas require on-board storage of ammonia which can be hazardous and inconvenient. In order to generate ammonia in exhaust, the present disclosure increases a NOx concentration in exhaust from at least one combustion chamber, at least in part, by injecting fuel in a predetermined increased NOx generation sequence that includes a first injection during non-auto ignition conditions and a second injection during auto ignition conditions. At least a portion of the NOx is converted to ammonia by passing at least a portion of the exhaust with the increased NOx concentration over an ammonia-producing catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2005Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Josh Driscoll, Wade J. Robel, Cory A. Brown, Roger L. Urven, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090293463Abstract: An exhaust system for use with a combustion engine is disclosed. The exhaust system may have a passage connected to receive exhaust from the combustion engine, and a cooling device located external to the passage to create a thermal gradient across a flow area of the passage that causes particulates within the exhaust to agglomerate on a wall of the passage. The exhaust system may also have a filtration device located to separate agglomerated particulates from the exhaust.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: James J. Driscoll, Wade J. Robel, Praveen S. Chavannavar
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Patent number: 7624569Abstract: Engines that include different combustion strategies for different cylinders may create a power imbalance resulting in undesirable engine vibrations. The engine system of the present disclosure includes a first engine that is operable to produce a high NOx concentration exhaust and a second engine that is operable to produce a low NOx concentration exhaust. The first engine is fluidly connected to a first section of an exhaust passage and the second engine is fluidly connected to a second section of the exhaust passage. The exhaust from the first engine and the exhaust from the second engine are merged in a merged section of the exhaust passage downstream from both the first and second sections of the exhaust passages. The high NOx concentration exhaust may be converted to ammonia for reacting with the low NOx concentration exhaust to arrive at very low NOx concentration from the merged exhaust.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Josh Driscoll, Wade J. Robel, Jason Bloms
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Publication number: 20090277159Abstract: An exhaust treatment control system includes a controller configured to determine a value representative of a NO2 concentration associated with an exhaust gas upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, and determine a value representative of a NO concentration associated with the exhaust gas upstream of the SCR catalyst. The controller can also be configured to transmit a signal to at least partially control an injection of a hydrocarbon into the exhaust gas, wherein the hydrocarbon injection can occur upstream of an oxidation catalyst to at least partially decrease the NO2 concentration of the exhaust gas downstream of the oxidation catalyst, and wherein the oxidation catalyst can be located upstream of the SCR catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventors: James Joshua Driscoll, Wade J. Robel, Praveen S. Chavannavar
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Patent number: 7607291Abstract: An engine system includes first and second combustion chamber groups that supply exhaust to respective first and second exhaust passages. NOx in the exhaust of the first combustion group is converted to ammonia, such as by enriching the exhaust with fuel and then passing the mixture over an appropriate catalyst. Particles are trapped and continuously oxidized through appropriate placement of one or more particle traps coated with an appropriate oxidizing catalyst. NOx in the second passage from the second combustion group is combined with ammonia produced in the first passage and converted to nitrogen and water in a merged passage before being vented to atmosphere. This conversion is accomplished by passing the merged exhaust over an appropriate selective catalytic reduction catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Josh Driscoll, Wade J. Robel
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Publication number: 20090241540Abstract: A system for recovering engine exhaust energy is provided. The system includes an exhaust system including a first exhaust branch and a second exhaust branch. The system includes a first and a second group of exhaust valves associated with a plurality of engine cylinders. The system also includes an energy recovering assembly. The system further includes a control mechanism configured to control at least one of the first and second groups of exhaust valves according to a determined timing strategy based on at least one engine operating parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventor: Wade J. Robel
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Publication number: 20090205321Abstract: An exhaust system for use with an engine is disclosed. The exhaust system may have a first treatment device configured to receive a flow of exhaust from the engine and convert a first constituent of the exhaust to a second constituent. The exhaust system may also have a second treatment device located downstream of the first treatment device and configured to reduce the first constituent and the second constituent. The exhaust system may further have a flow regulator configured to selectively vary a rate of exhaust passing through the first treatment device, and a controller configured to operate the flow regulator such that a desired amount of the first constituent and the second constituent is received by the second treatment device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Kerry A. Delvecchio, Delbert Kramer, Richard W. Kruiswyk, Wade J. Robel, Hafiz Anees
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Publication number: 20090193794Abstract: An exhaust system for use with an engine is disclosed. The exhaust system may have an exhaust passageway, a reduction catalyst located within the exhaust passageway, and a particulate filter located within the exhaust passageway upstream of the reduction catalyst. The exhaust system may also have an oxidation catalyst located within the exhaust passageway upstream of the reduction catalyst to provide a desired ratio of NO:NO2 to the reduction catalyst, and an exhaust gas recirculation loop. The exhaust gas recirculation loop may be situated to receive exhaust from the exhaust passageway at a location upstream of the oxidation catalyst and downstream of the particulate filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventors: Wade J. Robel, James J. Driscoll
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Publication number: 20090188235Abstract: An exhaust system for use with an engine is disclosed. The exhaust system may have a first treatment device situated to receive a flow of exhaust and convert a first constituent of the exhaust to a second constituent, and a second treatment device located downstream of the first treatment device to reduce the first and second constituents. The exhaust system may also have a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of one of a temperature and an oxygen concentration of the exhaust, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to vary the other of the temperature and the oxygen concentration based on the signal such that a desired amount of the first constituent is converted to the second constituent by the first treatment device prior to reduction by the second treatment device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2008Publication date: July 30, 2009Inventors: Wade J. Robel, James J. Driscoll, Michael S. Bond, David M. Milam
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Patent number: 7552583Abstract: A power source is provided for use with selective catalytic reduction systems for exhaust-gas purification. The power source includes a first cylinder group with a first air-intake passage and a first exhaust passage, and a second cylinder group with a second air-intake passage and a second exhaust passage. The second air-intake passage is fluidly isolated from the first air-intake passage. A fuel-supply device may be configured to supply fuel into the first exhaust passage, and a catalyst may be disposed downstream of the fuel-supply device to convert at least a portion of the exhaust stream in the first exhaust passage into ammonia.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2004Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Wade J. Robel, James J. Driscoll, Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin J. Knox
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Patent number: 7490466Abstract: A power source is provided for use with an exhaust gas recirculation and selective catalytic reduction system. The power source has a main air-intake passage fluidly connected to a first air-intake passage and a second air-intake passage. A first cylinder group may be fluidly connected to the first air-intake passage and a first exhaust passage, wherein the first exhaust passage may include an ammonia-producing catalyst configured to convert at least a portion of a fluid in the first exhaust passage into ammonia. Further, a second cylinder group may be fluidly connected to the second air-intake passage and a second exhaust passage. A third cylinder group may be fluidly connected to the second air-intake passage. The power source may have a recirculation loop that includes the second air-intake passage and the third cylinder group.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2006Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Wade J. Robel, Brett M. Bailey
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Publication number: 20090035194Abstract: An exhaust treatment system includes an oxidation device having a plurality of channels through which a flow of exhaust flows. A first portion of the channels of the oxidation device are coated with catalytic material for converting NO to NO2 and a second portion of the channels are uncoated with the catalytic material. The exhaust treatment system also includes a selective catalytic reduction device disposed downstream from the oxidation device. The selective catalytic reduction device is configured to receive the flow of exhaust passing through the oxidation device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventors: Wade J. Robel, Praveen Shivshankar Chavannavar, William Lyle Hardy, Eric Lee Schroeder
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Publication number: 20090035195Abstract: An exhaust treatment system includes a catalyzed particulate filter disposed in a first passageway and configured to receive a first portion of a flow of exhaust. The catalyzed particulate filter is at least partially coated with a catalytic material for converting NO to NO2. The exhaust treatment system also includes a second passageway configured to direct a second portion of the flow of exhaust around the catalyzed particulate filter and a selective catalytic reduction device disposed downstream from the first passageway and the second passageway. The selective catalytic reduction device is configured to receive a combined flow of exhaust including the first and second portions of the flow of exhaust.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventor: Wade J. Robel
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Publication number: 20090031702Abstract: A filter includes a housing including an inlet and an outlet, and the housing includes a first section and a second section. The filter also includes a plurality of parallel channels defined by a plurality of porous walls within the first and second sections of the housing. The plurality of channels extend between the inlet and the outlet. The plurality of channels in the first section of the housing includes at least one first channel including an inlet stopper and at least one second channel including an outlet stopper. The plurality of channels in the second section of the housing including at least one open channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventor: Wade J. Robel
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Publication number: 20080302093Abstract: A power system is provided having a first power source including at least one engine configured to combust a first air/fuel mixture and produce a first exhaust stream. The fuel of the first air/fuel mixture may be liquefied petroleum gas. The system also has a first exhaust passageway fluidly connected to the first power source and configured to receive the first exhaust stream. In addition, the system has a second power source including at least one engine configured to combust a second fuel/air mixture and produce a second exhaust stream. Furthermore, the system has a second exhaust passageway fluidly connected to the second power source and configured to receive the second exhaust stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: David Todd Montgomery, Weidong Gong, Wade J. Robel, James Joshua Driscoll
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Patent number: 7434389Abstract: An engine system includes an internal combustion engine having an exhaust system, and an air supply passage connecting therewith. The engine system includes an auxiliary regeneration device coupled with the exhaust system, and an auxiliary power turbine coupled with the exhaust system and positioned downstream the auxiliary regeneration device. A method of providing power in an internal combustion engine system is further provided, including turning off the engine, moving gases through an exhaust system of the engine, including combusting a fuel in the exhaust system with an auxiliary regeneration device, and operating a power source separate from the engine by rotating an auxiliary power turbine via the gases moving through the exhaust system.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Wade J. Robel
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Publication number: 20080223023Abstract: An engine system includes an internal combustion engine having an exhaust system, and an air supply passage connecting therewith. The engine system includes an auxiliary regeneration device coupled with the exhaust system, and an auxiliary power turbine coupled with the exhaust system and positioned downstream the auxiliary regeneration device. A method of providing power in an internal combustion engine system is further provided, including turning off the engine, moving gases through an exhaust system of the engine, including combusting a fuel in the exhaust system with an auxiliary regeneration device, and operating a power source separate from the engine by rotating an auxiliary power turbine via the gases moving through the exhaust system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2006Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventor: Wade J. Robel