Patents by Inventor William Ruona

William Ruona 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: 8209961
    Abstract: A method of managing vapors generated from an ammonia-containing reductant delivery system for a vehicle is described. The method may include storing ammonia containing vapors generated in the reductant delivery system during engine-off and then purging said stored ammonia into an exhaust of the engine to react in a catalyst in the exhaust flow during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Oberski, Giovanni Cavataio, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Timothy Webb, William Ruona
  • Patent number: 8015801
    Abstract: A method of operating a reductant delivery and storage system of a vehicle, comprising of storing an ammonia-containing fluid in a first storage device, generating ammonia vapors in the first storage device, storing said generated ammonia vapors in a second storage device, purging said stored vapors from the second storage device to an exhaust of the engine, and relieving pressure or vacuum build-up during at least one of said storing and purging is provided via an atmospheric vent coupled in the reductant delivery and storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Oberski, Giovanni Cavataio, Michiel J. van Nieuwstadt, Timothy Webb, William Ruona
  • Publication number: 20100319317
    Abstract: A method of operating a reductant delivery and storage system of a vehicle, comprising of storing an ammonia-containing fluid in a first storage device, generating ammonia vapors in the first storage device and storing said generated ammonia vapors in a second storage device, purging said stored vapors from the second storage device to an exhaust of the engine, delivering said ammonia-containing fluid to said exhaust of the engine, and adjusting at least one of an amount of ammonia-containing fluid delivered and an amount of vapors purged to said exhaust based on the other of said at least one of said amount of ammonia-containing fluid delivered and said amount of vapors purged to said exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Oberski, Giovanni Cavataio, Michiel J. van Nieuwstadt, Timothy Webb, William Ruona
  • Publication number: 20100236219
    Abstract: A method of managing vapors generated from an ammonia-containing reductant delivery system for a vehicle is described. The method may include storing ammonia containing vapors generated in the reductant delivery system during engine-off and then purging said stored ammonia into an exhaust of the engine to react in a catalyst in the exhaust flow during engine operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Oberski, Giovanni Cavataio, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Timothy Webb, William Ruona
  • Patent number: 7770384
    Abstract: A method of operating a reductant delivery and storage system of a vehicle, comprising of storing an ammonia-containing fluid in a first storage device, generating ammonia vapors in the first storage device and storing said generated ammonia vapors in a second storage device, purging said stored vapors from the second storage device to an exhaust of the engine, delivering said ammonia-containing fluid to said exhaust of the engine, and adjusting at least one of an amount of ammonia-containing fluid delivered and an amount of vapors purged to said exhaust based on the other of said at least one of said amount of ammonia-containing fluid delivered and said amount of vapors purged to said exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Oberski, Giovanni Cavataio, Michiel J. van Nieuwstadt, Timothy Webb, William Ruona
  • Patent number: 7726118
    Abstract: A method of managing vapors generated from an ammonia-containing reductant delivery system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising of during at least a portion of engine-off conditions, storing ammonia containing vapors generated in the reductant delivery system, and after said storing and during at least a portion of engine operation, purging said stored ammonia into an exhaust of the engine to react in a catalyst in the exhaust flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Oberski, Giovanni Cavataio, Michiel J. van Nieuwstadt, Timothy Webb, William Ruona
  • Patent number: 7469533
    Abstract: A method of regeneration of an emission control device in a diesel engine of a vehicle having a wheel brake comprises receiving a generation request by an operator of the vehicle; activating the wheel brake; increasing engine torque; and regenerating the emission control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kent Dawson, William Ruona, Michiel J. van Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20080066453
    Abstract: A method of operating a reductant delivery and storage system of a vehicle, comprising of storing an ammonia-containing fluid in a first storage device, generating ammonia vapors in the first storage device, storing said generated ammonia vapors in a second storage device, purging said stored vapors from the second storage device to an exhaust of the engine, and relieving pressure or vacuum build-up during at least one of said storing and purging is provided via an atmospheric vent coupled in the reductant delivery and storage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher Oberski, Giovanni Cavataio, Michiel J. van Nieuwstadt, Timothy Webb, William Ruona
  • Publication number: 20080069750
    Abstract: A method of operating a reductant delivery and storage system of a vehicle, comprising of storing an ammonia-containing fluid in a first storage device, generating ammonia vapors in the first storage device and storing said generated ammonia vapors in a second storage device, purging said stored vapors from the second storage device to an exhaust of the engine, delivering said ammonia-containing fluid to said exhaust of the engine, and adjusting at least one of an amount of ammonia-containing fluid delivered and an amount of vapors purged to said exhaust based on the other of said at least one of said amount of ammonia-containing fluid delivered and said amount of vapors purged to said exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher Oberski, Giovanni Cavatalo, Michiel J. van Nieuwstadt, Timothy Webb, William Ruona
  • Publication number: 20080066452
    Abstract: A method of managing vapors generated from an ammonia-containing reductant delivery system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising of during at least a portion of engine-off conditions, storing ammonia containing vapors generated in the reductant delivery system, and after said storing and during at least a portion of engine operation, purging said stored ammonia into an exhaust of the engine to react in a catalyst in the exhaust flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher Oberski, Giovanni Cavataio, Michael J. van Nieuwstadt, Timothy Webb, William Ruona
  • Patent number: 7322194
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, where an exhaust gas recirculation path with a valve is provided between said intake and exhaust manifold, and the engine has a turbocharger; the method comprising during at least one decreased engine output condition, increasing opening of the exhaust gas recirculation valve and adjusting exhaust expansion through a turbine of the turbocharger to decrease expansion through the turbocharger and thereby reduce a likelihood of turbocharger surge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Harold Sun, Richard Baker, John Vanderslice, Jeffrey B. Schneyer, William Ruona
  • Publication number: 20070251220
    Abstract: A method of regeneration of an emission control device in a diesel engine of a vehicle having a wheel brake comprises receiving a generation request by an operator of the vehicle; activating the wheel brake; increasing engine torque; and regenerating the emission control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Kent Dawson, William Ruona, Michiel Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20070068158
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, where an exhaust gas recirculation path with a valve is provided between said intake and exhaust manifold, and the engine has a turbocharger; the method comprising during at least one decreased engine output condition, increasing opening of the exhaust gas recirculation valve and adjusting exhaust expansion through a turbine of the turbocharger to decrease expansion through the turbocharger and thereby reduce a likelihood of turbocharger surge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Harold Sun, Richard Baker, John Vanderslice, Jeffrey Schneyer, William Ruona
  • Patent number: 7165403
    Abstract: Systems and methods for turbocharging an internal combustion engine include operating two turbochargers in a series configuration for a first operating region and a parallel configuration for a second operating region. Systems and methods for controlling exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in a turbocharged internal combustion engine provide low pressure EGR upstream of a compressor inlet for a first operating region and high pressure EGR downstream of a compressor outlet for a second operating range to further improve turbocharger operating margin and overall efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Sun, William Ruona, Richard Baker, Edward King
  • Publication number: 20060277899
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for removing water/fuel mixture from a water/fuel separator. The method injects the water/fuel mixture is injected into an exhaust aftertreatment device where the fuel portion of such mixture is burned and converted into water and carbon dioxide. The water/fuel mixture is injected as a dose, the timing of the injection being a function of the temperature of exhaust gas from the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventor: William Ruona
  • Publication number: 20060021347
    Abstract: Systems and methods for turbocharging an internal combustion engine include operating two turbochargers in a series configuration for a first operating region and a parallel configuration for a second operating region. Systems and methods for controlling exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in a turbocharged internal combustion engine provide low pressure EGR upstream of a compressor inlet for a first operating region and high pressure EGR downstream of a compressor outlet for a second operating range to further improve turbocharger operating margin and overall efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Sun, William Ruona, Richard Baker, Edward King
  • Patent number: 6973776
    Abstract: A system for effective NOx control in a diesel or other lean burn internal combustion engine is presented. The system includes a urea-based SCR catalyst having an oxidation catalyst coupled upstream of it and an ALNC coupled upstream of the oxidation catalyst. This system configuration results in improved NOx conversion due to faster SCR catalyst warm-up and higher operating temperatures. Additionally, placing the ALNC upstream of the oxidation catalyst prevents hydrocarbon slip into the SCR catalyst at low exhaust gas temperatures. Also, system reliability is improved by adding an auxiliary NOx aftertreatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventors: Michiel van Nieuwstadt, William Ruona, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Publication number: 20050198942
    Abstract: A system for effective NOx control in a diesel or other lean burn internal combustion engine is presented. The system includes a urea-based SCR catalyst having an oxidation catalyst coupled upstream of it and an ALNC coupled upstream of the oxidation catalyst. This system configuration results in improved NOx conversion due to faster SCR catalyst warm-up and higher operating temperatures. Additionally, placing the ALNC upstream of the oxidation catalyst prevents hydrocarbon slip into the SCR catalyst at low exhaust gas temperatures. Also, system reliability is improved by adding an auxiliary NOx aftertreatment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Michiel van Nieuwstadt, William Ruona, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Publication number: 20050091968
    Abstract: A system for effective NOx control in a diesel or other lean burn internal combustion engine is presented. The system includes a urea-based SCR catalyst having an oxidation catalyst coupled upstream of it and an ALNC coupled upstream of the oxidation catalyst. This system configuration results in improved NOx conversion due to faster SCR catalyst warm-up and higher operating temperatures. Additionally, placing the ALNC upstream of the oxidation catalyst prevents hydrocarbon slip into the SCR catalyst at low exhaust gas temperatures. Also, system reliability is improved by adding an auxiliary NOx aftertreatment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Michiel van Nieuwstadt, William Ruona, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Publication number: 20050091969
    Abstract: A method and a system for improved reductant delivery to an exhaust gas aftertreatment device for a lean burn internal combustion engine exhaust is presented. The system includes a heated evaporator unit into which a mixture of reductant and air in injected, wherein the mixture is vaporized and introduced into the exhaust gas aftertreatment device. Introducing the reductant mixed with air into the heated evaporator unit prevents lacquering and soot deposits on the heated element housed inside the unit, and also speeds up the vaporization process due to better reductant distribution thus reducing system response delays and improving conversion efficiency of the exhaust gas aftertreatment device. The reductant delivery system is further improved by adding a catalyst to it, and by preventing the reductant and air mixture from coming into direct contact with the surface of the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Michiel van Nieuwstadt, Devesh Upadhyay, Michael Goebelbecker, William Ruona