Abstract: A method for processing an accelerometer data set generated from an operating internal combustion engine is disclosed. The processed accelerometer data is cepstrally filtered and a heat release trace is pulled from the accelerometer data set. That heat release trace is then used to estimate combustion quality and combustion phasing within the engine and control future combustion events using this information. Misfire and knock sensing is also incorporated into the engine controls. The method provides controls for an engine to allow it to adjust combustion from cycle window to cycle window generally without the need for expensive and less durable direct pressure measurement devices as compared to accelerometers. The resulting fuel injection speed results in the fuel passing through shock waves within the combustion chamber, which, in turn, promotes combustion of the fuel by promoting mixing of the fuel and intake charge within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A common rail directly actuated fuel injection valve is disclosed with a hydraulic transmission device that is fluidly isolated from the fuel so that the hydraulic fluid can be different from the fuel. This arrangement is particularly suitable for valves that inject a gaseous fuel, but can also be beneficial for use with liquid fuels. According to the method, the hydraulic fluid is pressurizable by the fuel pressure to reduce differential pressures and leakage, in addition to assisting with operation of the hydraulic transmission device. The method further comprises detecting the position of the valve needle for more accurate control of rate of fuel injection during an injection event.

Abstract: A liquid cooled fuel injection valve is operable to inject fuel directly into a combustion chamber through a nozzle orifice provided in an injector tip. The fuel injection valve further comprises a cooling system for draining fuel from a fuel cavity disposed within the injector tip and a drain valve that opens when pressure within the fuel cavity is greater than a predetermined set point. Fuel drained through the cooling system is directed to a drain system that may be combined with drain passages typically found in fuel injection valves. In a preferred embodiment, the drain valve is disposed within the fuel injection valve.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and a method of operating same are provided with direct injection of gaseous fuel into a combustion chamber and an ignition assist apparatus disposed within the combustion chamber. An ignition assist apparatus disposed within the combustion chamber comprises an electric incandescent ignitor with a sleeve disposed around the ignitor and a catalytic alloy. The catalytic alloy comprises a first catalytic element with a greater affinity for oxygen than that of a second catalytic element, and the second catalytic element having a greater affinity for the fuel than that of the first catalytic element.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaseous-fueled internal combustion engine comprises selecting one of at least two predetermined operating modes as a function of engine load and engine speed. A first operating mode is selected when said engine is commanded to operate within a first region corresponding to a low load and low speed range, and a second operating mode is selected when said engine is commanded to operate within a second region distinct from said first region and corresponding to at least one of a greater load and a greater speed range compared to said first region. In the first operating mode, the gaseous fuel is introduced in a single injection event with the injection valve commanded to open with a constant amplitude A1. In the second operating mode, the gaseous fuel is introduced in a single injection event and the injection valve is commanded to begin with a constant amplitude A2 for a predetermined time and then to open to an amplitude A3, wherein amplitude A3 is greater than amplitude A2.

Abstract: A storage tank for cryogenic liquids incorporates an ullage vessel that provides for an ullage space. The ullage vessel is in communication through an ullage line to a fill line that provides cryogen to a cryogen space. The junction where the ullage line and fill line meet is of a certain cross-sectional area. Downstream of the junction, the fill line is of a greater cross-sectional area than at the junction. This creates a pressure reduction at the junction during filling, which causes a net flow of material from the ullage space over the course of filling. Once the tank is liquid full, causing cryogen to be redirected down the ullage line, the smaller cross-sectional area of the ullage line compared to the fill line causes a reduction in flow of cryogen which is detected by the fill pump causing filling to stop.

Abstract: A method and apparatus generate turbulence and impact on soot rich zone within a burning fuel jet within a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A reservoir accumulates charge and projects the charge into a combustion chamber and into and around the burning fuel directly injected into the combustion chamber. A ring or the fire deck define one or more reservoirs with an orifice for accumulating, directing and ejecting the charge. The method and apparatus are particularly beneficial when employed with gaseous fuels.

Abstract: A medium and high pressure pump systems supplies a cryogenic fluid from a storage tank. The system comprises a pump that is operable to pump cryogenic liquid or a mixture of cryogenic liquid and vapor. The pump preferably comprises an inducer with at least two chambers and means for recycling excess fluid within the inducer instead of returning excess fluid to the storage tank. The reciprocating pump is preferably double acting such that fluid is discharged from the pump during both extension and retraction strokes.

Abstract: A dual fuel injection valve separately and independently injects two different fuels into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A first fuel is delivered to the injection valve at injection pressure and a second fuel is either raised to injection pressure by an intensifier provided within the injection valve, or delivered to the injection valve at injection pressure. Electronically controlled valves control hydraulic pressure in control chambers disposed within the injection valve. The pressure of the hydraulic fluid in these control chambers is employed to independently actuate a hollow outer needle that controls the injection of the first fuel. Disposed within the outer needle is an inner needle that controls the injection of the second fuel. The outer needle closes against a seat associated with the injection valve body and the inner needle closes against a seat associated with the outer needle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting a gaseous fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine (ICE) cylinder employs a combination of operating modes. First, one of a low load and a high load mode of operation is selected during the operation of the ICE. Low load and high load modes are distinguished by the combustion characteristics of an amount of fumigated fuel added to the combustion chamber. Fumigated fuel that supports combustion will cause high load to be selected. Fumigated fuel that does not support combustion will cause low load to be selected. A directly injected amount of fuel is provided under low load. Under high load, a directly injected quantity of fuel is added when the piston is near top dead center to allow the engine to meet load requirement above that provided by the fumigated fuel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for supplying both cryogenic liquid and vapor from a storage tank to a pump to reduce the need for venting. The pump is operable to pump cryogenic liquid or a mixture of liquid and vapor. Different operating modes are selectable to control mass flow rate through the pump. With one operating mode a high flow rate is achieved by supplying only cryogenic liquid to the pump. By selecting another operating mode, a lower mass flow rate is achieved by simultaneously supplying liquid and vapor from the storage tank to the pump. The pump preferably has an inducer with at least two chambers and valves for recycling excess fluid within the inducer instead of returning it to the storage tank. The reciprocating pump is preferably double acting such that fluid is discharged from the pump during both extension and retraction strokes.

Abstract: In the present method and apparatus, cryogenic liquid and vapor are pumped from a storage tank and the proportion of liquid and vapor is controlled so as to influence flow rate through the apparatus. In an induction stroke, the piston of a reciprocating pump is retracted and cryogenic fluid is drawn from the storage tank into a piston chamber associated with the piston. Flow rate is controlled through the apparatus by controlling the proportion of liquid and vapor supplied to the pump during the induction stroke by supplying substantially only vapor to the pump during a portion of the induction stroke. In a compression stroke, the pump compresses and condenses vapor into liquid and then compresses any liquid within the piston chamber; compressed cryogenic fluid is ultimately discharged from the pump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing gaseous fuel into a piston cylinder of an operating internal combustion engine in two separate stages involves monitoring a set of engine parameters, determining engine load and engine speed from the set of engine parameters, in a first stage, introducing a first portion of the gaseous fuel into the cylinder where the first portion of gaseous fuel forms a substantially homogeneous mixture comprising gaseous fuel and air prior to combustion, and in a second stage, occurring sequentially after the first stage, introducing a second portion of the gaseous fuel into the cylinder. The gaseous fuel quantity is variable in response to at least one of engine load and engine speed. Initiation and duration for at least one of the first and second stages is also variable in response to at least one of engine load and engine speed.

Abstract: A double-acting reciprocating motor with a uni-directional fluid flow path comprises a piston disposed within a cylinder. Within the cylinder, the piston defines a first chamber between the piston and a cylinder base and a second chamber between the piston and a cylinder head. Fluid is introduced into the first chamber of the motor through an inlet port associated with the cylinder base. A pass-through valve controls the flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. An outlet valve regulates the draining of fluid from the second chamber through an outlet port associated with the cylinder head. Fluid pressure within the first chamber urges the piston towards the cylinder head when the pass-through valve is closed and the outlet valve is open. The piston surface facing the second chamber is larger than the piston surface facing the first chamber, so the piston moves towards the cylinder base when the pass-through valve is open and the outlet valve is closed.

Abstract: A directly actuated injection valve comprises a hollow valve housing, a valve needle disposed within the hollow interior, a needle spring and a tubular magnetostrictive actuator assembly disposed in an annular space around a portion of the valve needle. A magnetic field activates the magnetostrictive material to change its length to cause a corresponding movement of the valve needle that actuates the valve. The valve needle is formed from a ferromagnetic material and extends through the tubular magnetostrictive actuator assembly without interfering with the flux field that is directed through the magnetostrictive member. A passive hydraulic link assembly is preferably employed to compensate for component wear, temperature effects and manufacturing variations within design tolerances.

Abstract: A directly actuated injection valve comprises a hollow valve housing, a valve member disposed within the hollow interior, a biasing mechanism, an actuator assembly and a passive hydraulic link assembly. The valve member is movable between a closed position and an open position for governing the flow of fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The biasing mechanism, preferably a spring, biases the valve member in the closed position. The actuator assembly generates an opening force that acts against the valve spring to open the valve. The hydraulic link assembly is interposed between the valve member and the valve spring and the actuator assembly. The hydraulic link assembly transmits respective closing and opening forces to the valve member. The hydraulic link preferably comprises a piston disposed within a cylinder that is filled with a hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A directly actuated injection valve comprises a hollow valve housing, a valve needle disposed within the hollow interior, a needle spring, and a magnetostrictive actuator assembly disposed in an annular space around a portion of the valve needle. A magnetic field actuates the magnetostrictive material to change its length to cause a corresponding movement of the valve needle that actuates the valve. The valve needle is comprises of a plurality of magnetostrictive actuator assembly is formed from a non-ferromagnetic material and the portion of the needle comprising the needle tip, which contacts the valve seat, is formed from a different material that has higher through-hardness than that the non-ferromagnetic material. The portion of the needle formed from a non-ferromagnetic material prevents interference with the flux field that is directed through the magnetostrictive member.

Abstract: A seal assembly for providing sealing between a movable cylindrical body and a housing body comprises separate sealing mechanisms for providing static and dynamic sealing. The seal assembly is associated in fixed relationship with either the cylindrical body or the housing body and provides a static seal with the body it is associated with and a dynamic seal with the body that moves relative to the seal assembly. The static sealing mechanism is temperature-activated so that within the operating temperature range, a metallic member of the static seal mechanism is pressed tightly against the associated body to provide a fluid tight static seal. The temperature-activation is caused by the metallic member having a different thermal expansion coefficient than the associated body. The dynamic seal may employ known dynamic sealing mechanisms such as spring-energized seals, interference fit seals, and/or temperature-activated seals.

Abstract: A gaseous and liquid fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine comprises an injection valve body that houses two separate concentric fuel injection valve assemblies. The first valve assembly is a pilot fuel needle valve assembly, which comprises a first needle movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the body between an open and a closed position. The second valve assembly is a gaseous fuel needle valve assembly, which comprises a second needle movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis between an open and a closed position. The gaseous fuel needle valve assembly controls the injection of gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber through a plurality of gaseous fuel holes formed in a nozzle tip of the gaseous fuel needle valve assembly. At least one of the nozzle tips is rotatable to thereby change the position of the pilot fuel holes with respect to the gaseous fuel holes.

Abstract: A double-acting reciprocating motor with uni-directional fluid flow path comprises a piston disposed within a cylinder. A first chamber is defined by the cylinder space between the piston and a cylinder base. A second chamber is defined by the cylinder space between the piston and a cylinder head. Fluid is introduced into the motor through an inlet port and into the first chamber. A pass-through valve controls the flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. An outlet valve regulates the draining of fluid from the second chamber through an outlet port. The outlet port and the inlet port are associated with opposite ends of the motor. Differential fluid pressure urges the piston towards the cylinder head when the pass-through valve is closed and the outlet valve is open. The piston surface facing the second chamber is larger than the piston surface facing the first chamber, so the piston moves towards the cylinder base when the pass-through valve is open and the outlet valve is closed.