David B Kittelson, 824825 Queen Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55410

6971258, Dec 6, 2005

Dec 31, 2003

10/749498

Michael L. Rhodes - Richfield MN, US
Brian C. Krafthefer - Stillwater MN, US
Hongbin Ma - Falcon Heights MN, US
David B. Kittelson - Minneapolis MN, US

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

G01N037/00

73 2801, 73 2802

A sensor for detecting particulate matter in an exhaust stream of an engine. The sensor may be a spark-plug-like device having an extended center electrode composed of a stainless steel or other material. The electrode may have a thin passivating layer formed on it. The layer may be grown or deposited on the electrode within the exhaust system. The sensor may detect charge transients indicative of particulate concentration in the exhaust stream. Information about particulate matter in the exhaust system along with other engine information may be processed for controlling or adjusting parameters of the engine to affect the particulate matter in the exhaust system.

7628007, Dec 8, 2009

Dec 18, 2006

11/612183

David B. Kittelson - Minneapolis MN, US
Brian C. Krafthefer - Stillwater MN, US
Hongbin Ma - Columbus IN, US
Michael L. Rhodes - Richfield MN, US

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

F01N 3/00

60277, 60274, 60276, 60295, 60297, 731181

Method and system of onboard diagnostics in engine emissions monitoring, particularly for detecting anomalous cylinder behavior. In some embodiments, at least one sensor in the exhaust path measures electric charge that is indicative of particulate matter. In some embodiments, at least one sensor measures oxides of nitrogen. The indications of instantaneous emissions can be used to effect real-time adjustments in engine control, and can be logged for maintenance purposes.

2013019, Aug 8, 2013

Feb 7, 2013

13/762075

Regents of the University of Minnesota - St. Paul MN, US
Jane H. Davidson - Wayzata MN, US
Wojciech Lipinski - Minneapolis MN, US
David B. Kittelson - Minneapolis MN, US

Regents of the University of Minnesota - St. Paul MN

C10J 3/72

48 62 R, 48 89, 48101, 48108, 48111

In various embodiments, the present invention provides a reaction chamber, including a catalyst, and a heating chamber configured to receive light. The heating chamber is positioned underneath at least a portion of the reaction chamber.

2013033, Dec 19, 2013

Jun 18, 2013

13/920724

David B. Kittelson - Minneapolis MN, US
Lei Tian - Minneapolis MN, US

F01B 11/04

60370, 417364

The invention herein described consists of a single-cylinder free-piston engine system comprising a combustion cylinder, a compression cylinder, a seal between the two cylinders and a piston assembly, capable of being produced in a miniature scale (e.g., less than 10 cubic centimeters volume). The combustion cylinder consists of a holding chamber wherein fuel enters through a fuel inlet port before combustion, a combustion chamber wherein combustion occurs according to an HCCI process, after which the excess fuel and exhaust leaves the engine system through a port for exhaust, and a port extending from the holding chamber to the combustion chamber. The compression cylinder comprises a compression chamber wherein a compressible a compressible fluid enters through an inlet port, is compressed by the single-cylinder engine system, and the compressed fluid exits through an outlet port, and a rebound chamber wherein energy from the combustion process is conserved by a rebound element.

4575800, Mar 11, 1986

Sep 6, 1983

6/529287

David B. Kittelson - Minneapolis MN

Optimizer Control Corporation - Burnsville MN

G05B 1302
F02P 508

36443105

An adaptive electronic control system in which a machine control parameter is oscillated (dithered) back and forth on either side of a given setting of such machine control parameter, with the period of the dithering being in synchronism with the natural cycle of the machine, whereby the changes in the control system's error signal due to normal speed changes of the machine itself are minimized or eliminated. When applied to a spark ignition of a gasoline engine or the injection timing on a diesel engine, the timing is advanced and retarded in synchronism with the rotation of the engine's shaft such that each phase of the dither cycle includes an equal number of complete engine cycles. The effect on engine speed occasioned by the dithering of the machine control parameter is then computed and an error signal is produced which is used to further adjust the parameter control setting in a direction to optimize performance of the machine. The system may be implemented by using a properly programmed microprocessor or, alternatively, can be implemented with discrete digital logic components.

4304096, Dec 8, 1981

May 11, 1979

6/038077

Benjamin Y. H. Liu - North Oaks MN
David B. Kittelson - Minneapolis MN
Daniel F. Dolan - St. Anthony MN
David Y. H. Pui - Minneapolis MN

The Regents of the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis MN

F01N 300

60274

The method and apparatus for controlling particulate emissions from a combustion apparatus, as a diesel engine. Diesel engine exhaust particles are electrically charged during the formation of the particles in the engine combustion chambers. A particle collector is used to collect the electrically charged particles on collecting structures connected to a high voltage power supply and ground. The collecting structures of the particle collector can be a plurality of parallel metal plates, spaced cylindrical rods, or concentrically located cylindrical members. A fibrous matrix can be located adjacent the particle collecting structure to collect the charged particles as they move through the matrix. In one embodiment, the collected particles separate from the collecting structures and return to the engine intake. In another embodiment, a removable collecting cartridge has electrically conductive plates for collecting the charged particles.

4338784, Jul 13, 1982

Dec 11, 1980

6/215457

Benjamin Y. H. Liu - North Oaks MN
David B. Kittelson - Minneapolis MN
Daniel F. Dolan - St. Anthony MN
David Y. H. Pui - Minneapolis MN

The Regents of the University of Minn. - Minneapolis MN

F01N 300

60274

The method and apparatus for controlling particulate emissions from a combustion apparatus, as a diesel engine. Diesel engine exhaust particles are electrically charged during the formation of the particles in the engine combustion chamber. A particle collector is used to collect the electrically charged particles on collecting structures connected to a high voltage power supply and ground. The collecting structures of the particle collector can be a plurality of parallel metal plates, spaced cylindrical rods, or concentrically located cylindrical members. A fibrous matrix can be located adjacent the particle collecting structure to collect the charged particles as they move through the matrix. In one embodiment, the collected particles separate from the collecting structures and return to the engine intake. In another embodiment, a removable collecting cartridge has electrically conductive plates for collecting the charged particles.

5270542, Dec 14, 1993

Dec 31, 1992

7/999125

Peter H. McMurry - Minneapolis MN
David B. Kittelson - Minneapolis MN
Paul J. Ziemann - Minneapolis MN
Peng Liu - Minneapolis MN
Nagaraja P. Rao - Fishkill NY

Regents of the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis MN

H01J 4104

250288

A particle beam shaping apparatus preferably includes a prefocusing element and a primary focusing element disposed within a tube. An aerosol beam source having relatively heavy particles and relatively light gas is operably connected to the prefocusing element. The prefocusing element preferentially expands the aerosol beam such that the gas diverges laterally relatively rapidly while the particles diverge laterally relatively slowly. The tube laterally confines the rapidly expanding gas such that the primary focusing element converges the gas upon the particle beam to more narrow the particle beam. A detector may be located downstream of the primary focusing means to sense the particles impinging thereon. A skimmer is preferably interposed between the primary focusing element and the detection means to remove the gas while allowing the particles to pass therethrough. The particles may be electrically charged and deflected prior to their detection such that the particles' relative masses may be determined by the detection means.