Thomas Anthony Grana

US Patent:

7089738, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Apr 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/102271

Inventors:

Daniel E. Boewe - Columbus IN, US
Danny R. Baker - Columbus IN, US
Philip M. Dimpelfeld - Columbus IN, US
David A. Vittorio - Columbus IN, US
Thomas A. Grana - Columbus IN, US

Assignee:

Cummins, Inc. - Columbus IN

International Classification:

F02B 33/44
F02M 25/07
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

606052, 60602, 60608, 12356821, 701108

Abstract:

A system for controlling turbocharger compressor surge includes a turbocharger compressor fluidly coupled to an engine intake manifold, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve disposed in-line with an EGR conduit fluidly coupled between the engine intake and exhaust manifolds, means for determining a mass flow parameter, a speed sensor producing a speed signal indicative of turbocharger speed, and a control computer configured to determine a mass flow rate surge value, corresponding to a fresh air mass flow rate above which turbocharger compressor surge is avoided, as a function of the speed signal, and to limit the EGR valve position and VGT position as a function of the mass flow parameter and the mass flow rate surge value to maintain exhaust gas flow through the EGR valve at a flow rate below which turbocharger compressor surge is avoided.

US Patent:

7409274, Aug 5, 2008

Filed:

Aug 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/204076

Inventors:

Thomas A. Grana - Columbus IN, US
Barty L. Moffett - Seymour IN, US
Jason H. Stallard - Hayden IN, US

Assignee:

Cummins, Inc - Columbus IN

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701 29, 340901

Abstract:

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for improving engine development. Engine development is improved by equipping a vehicle with a data logger to collect engine performance data, automatically retrieving the data via a secure local wireless network, uploading the data to an enterprise communication server via a secure wide area network, and analyzing the data. The vehicles and vehicle depot may be equipped with WAPs. The wide area network may comprise a VPN over the internet. In certain embodiments, the secure local wireless network is only accessible to wireless devices with registered MAC addresses.

US Patent:

7587892, Sep 15, 2009

Filed:

Dec 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/301998

Inventors:

Melissa H. Dye - Columbus IN, US
Steven M. Bellinger - Columbus IN, US
J. Steve Wills - Columbus IN, US
Thomas A. Grana - Columbus IN, US

Assignee:

Cummins IP, Inc - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F01N 3/00

US Classification:

60295, 60274, 60276, 60297, 60311

Abstract:

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for adapting a regeneration profile for a particulate filter. A controller's input module receives inputs relating to conditions of the filter or engine, and a regeneration vector module creates a regeneration vector. The regeneration vector is based on the inputs and comprises a plurality of regeneration parameters. An output module directs a regeneration mechanism to regenerate the particulate filter according to the regeneration vector. The inputs may include filter condition and regeneration opportunity availability, and the parameters may include temperature, particulate load, exhaust composition and flow rate, and regeneration opportunity recognition.

US Patent:

7788911, Sep 7, 2010

Filed:

Jul 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/491207

Inventors:

Yuetao Zhang - Columbus IN, US
Daniel D. Wilhelm - Nashville IN, US
Joseph M. Brault - Columbus IN, US
Venkata Lakkireddy - Columbus IN, US
James A. Cramer - Columbus IN, US
Thomas A. Grana - Columbus IN, US

Assignee:

Cummins Filtration, Inc. - Nashville TN

International Classification:

F01N 3/00
F02B 27/04

US Classification:

60297, 60273, 60285, 60295

Abstract:

A system, method and computer operable code is disclosed for reducing HC and liquid accumulation in an exhaust gas treatment system. A timer is used to monitor the amount of time the system spends in either absorption mode or desorption mode. If the exhaust gas temperature at the inlet of a oxidation catalyst device is below an absorption threshold, the timer is instructed to count up. If the exhaust gas temperature is above a desorption threshold, the timer is instructed to count down. At a predetermined timer threshold value, the engine is instructed to enter a thermal management mode operable to reduce accumulation of HC and liquid in the exhaust gas management system.

US Patent:

8155860, Apr 10, 2012

Filed:

Sep 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/206088

Inventors:

Javier Franco - Columbus IN, US
Thomas A. Grana - Columbus IN, US
Daniel D. Wilhelm - Nashville IN, US
Xiao Lin - Zionsville IN, US

Assignee:

Cummins Filtration IP, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F02D 41/00

US Classification:

701103, 701114, 7311469

Abstract:

A real time, average pressure difference method for monitoring doser efficiency is described that determines the difference between the average pressure when the doser is not injecting and the average pressure when the doser is injecting at a predetermined commanded injection rate. The average pressure difference method results in improved doser efficiency monitoring. The method can be implemented in a number of areas. For example, in a diesel truck application, the doser efficiency can be monitored accurately in real time.

US Patent:

8371112, Feb 12, 2013

Filed:

Mar 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/074697

Inventors:

Yuetao Zhang - Columbus IN, US
Daniel D. Wilhelm - Nashville IN, US
Thomas A. Grana - Columbus IN, US

Assignee:

Cummins Filtration Inc. - Nashville TN

International Classification:

F01N 3/00

US Classification:

60297, 60274, 60276, 60295, 60311

Abstract:

In a system, an engine includes an exhaust system with a particle filter operable to collect particulate matter in exhaust produced by the engine, a sensor arrangement, a controller, and one or more engine control devices. The sensor arrangement provides a first sensor signal representative of oxygen in the exhaust and a second sensor signal representative of a temperature of the particle filter. The controller regulates operation of the particle filter in response to the sensor arrangement. The controller is structured to generate one or more output signals corresponding to a minimum exhaust flow rate as a function of the first and second sensor signals. The control devices are responsive to the one or more output signals to provide the minimum exhaust flow rate to the filter.

US Patent:

20080016856, Jan 24, 2008

Filed:

Jul 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/490935

Inventors:

Yuetao Zhang - Columbus IN, US
Daniel Wilhelm - Nashville IN, US
Thomas Grana - Columbus IN, US

International Classification:

F01N 3/00

US Classification:

060297000, 060285000, 060295000

Abstract:

A system comprises an engine including an exhaust system with a particle filter operable to collect particulate matter in exhaust produced by the engine, a sensor arrangement, a controller, and one or more engine control devices. The sensor arrangement provides a first sensor signal representative of oxygen in the exhaust and a second sensor signal representative of a temperature of the particle filter. The controller regulates operation of the particle filter in response to the sensor arrangement. The controller is structured to generate one or more output signals corresponding to a minimum exhaust flow rate as a function of the first and second sensor signals. The control devices are responsive to the one or more output signals to provide the minimum exhaust flow rate to the filter.

US Patent:

20110209461, Sep 1, 2011

Filed:

Sep 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/894965

Inventors:

Mark Bays - Columbus IN, US
Thomas A. Grana - Columbus IN, US
Daniel D. Wilheim - Nashville IN, US
Stephen J. Charlton - Columbus IN, US
John Carson Wall - Columbus IN, US

International Classification:

F01N 3/20
F01N 3/10

US Classification:

60274, 60301

Abstract:

A method includes determining a first NOconversion efficiency (η) value and determining that a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) level has increased a threshold amount. Further, the method includes determining a second NOconversion η value and comparing the first NOconversion η value and the second NOconversion η value, determining a NOconversion η change in response to comparing, and determining a DEF quality indicator in response to the NOconversion η change.