The patents pending were filed "privately", so searching is a waste of time. You have to know the application number in order to gain access, so all this bs about DD is just that...BS.
Here is a quote from the legal dept...in reference to another patent I found in the search process..
Bob:
You piqued my interest and I actually spent the past half hour reading the referenced patent. There are a couple of points to be made. First, our patents are still in the pending stage and if you search without the pending number, you will not find them. This is because we chose to keep them private until they are through the review process and issued. Second, without giving away any sensitive information, I can tell you that these guys are not even close. They have an interesting idea but their system is just not where ours is. Truly, it is just a level of sophistication.
Let me give you an analogy: The patent you reference is sort of like throwing a rock at the moon while our system is closer to having an AMRAAM missile go after and destroy an incoming ICBM in flight. Truly, it is the intelligent control system that makes the difference. But it does not stop there, the gas generator itself is very different as well. Apples to oranges for sure.
I wish these guys well, but to compete in his market they really need to start thinking outside of the box.
END
Although the referenced patent may be un-sophisticated, the company has CARB approval for a large variety of diesel vehicles, which may be more valuable (at least in CA) than a patent.
At least they have taken the time to submit their hardware for testing. CARB and the EPA, however are primarily interested in making sure any add-on does not increase pollution, and any "certification" will reflect that, not mileage improvement or exhaust effects, which sounds contrary to the goal of the "EPA".
Unless there is a way the EPA cn make money on this technology, or increase the number of EPA employees to regulate the industry, they have absolutely no interest, and have stated this to me in prior emails.
