Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Nielsen
Douglas J. Nielsen 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).
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Publication number: 20190085738Abstract: An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second exhaust valves. The assembly includes an exhaust rocker arm and a valve bridge operably associated with the rocker arm and including a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body. The main body is configured to engage the first exhaust valve, and the lever is configured to engage the second exhaust valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: Mark VanWingerden, Douglas J. Nielsen, JR., James E. McCarthy, JR.
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Publication number: 20190040826Abstract: A computer control network is connected to a multiple-cylinder engine and implements aftertreatment temperature management. Processors are configured to determine an aftertreatment temperature-efficient air to fuel ratio that satisfies the sensed power output request, determine an air to fuel ratio adjustment, select an in-cylinder exhaust gas recirculation technique, select at least one EGR cylinder of the multiple-cylinder engine to implement the in-cylinder exhaust gas recirculation technique, and control the intake valves to open and the exhaust valves to close for the selected at least one EGR cylinder to adjust the oxygen and particulate content of the exhaust gas by applying at least a second compression stroke of the respective reciprocating piston of the at least one EGR cylinder to the exhaust gas to push the exhaust gas through to the intake manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Douglas J. Nielsen
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Publication number: 20190040769Abstract: A valve train assembly includes a first exhaust valve, a second exhaust valve, and a valve bridge including a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body, the main body configured to engage the first exhaust valve, and the lever configured to engage the second exhaust valve. An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively open the first and second exhaust valves, the exhaust valve rocker arm assembly including an exhaust valve rocker arm with a hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) assembly coupled thereto, the HLA assembly in contact with the valve bridge main body. An engine brake rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively open the second exhaust valve and including an engine brake rocker arm with a combined HLA and added motion capsule coupled thereto. The combined HLA and added motion capsule is configured to selectively engage and rotate the lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: Douglas J. Nielsen, James E. McCarthy, JR., Kshamta Bishnoi, Kiran Bairy, Majo Cecur
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Publication number: 20190010835Abstract: A combined exhaust and engine brake rocker arm assembly configured to selectively open first and second exhaust valves, includes a rocker arm body, an exhaust rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body, and an engine brake rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body and configured to operate in a collapse mode and a rigid mode. The exhaust rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage a valve bridge to open the first and second exhaust valves, and the engine brake rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage the valve bridge to open only the first exhaust valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2018Publication date: January 10, 2019Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Douglas J. Nielsen, Kshamta Bishnoi
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Patent number: 10132208Abstract: An engine roller lifter for use in a valve train of an internal combustion engine and constructed in accordance to another example of the present disclosure includes a body having an outer peripheral surface configured for sliding movement in a bore provided in the engine. The bore is supplied by an oil passage communicating therewith. The body can define a transverse passage. A groove can be formed around the body and inset from the outer peripheral surface. A connecting channel can be formed in the body and inset from the outer peripheral surface, the connecting channel fluidly connects the groove and the transverse passage. A roller bearing can be rotatably mounted to the body and configured for rolling contact with an engine camshaft. Oil received at the groove from the bore flows along the connecting channel, into the transverse passage and onto the roller bearing.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Douglas J. Nielsen
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Publication number: 20180298794Abstract: A friction loss management system for an engine, comprises a combustion engine comprising a crankshaft and a plurality of cylinders, a reciprocating piston assembly connected to the crankshaft, a fuel injector connected to an injection controller, an intake valve connected to an intake valve controller, and an exhaust valve connected to an exhaust valve controller. A control unit comprises at least one set of control algorithms configured to receive engine power demand data, and determine a number of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders for deactivation based on the received engine power demand data and further based on sensed or stored friction values for the plurality of cylinders. Determining the number of cylinders of for deactivation minimizes friction between the plurality of cylinders and their respective reciprocating piston assembly by selecting a cylinder combination of active cylinders and deactivated cylinders with the lowest total friction while meeting engine power demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Douglas J. Nielsen, Christian Cousin
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Publication number: 20180274457Abstract: A friction loss management system for an engine, comprises a combustion engine comprising a crankshaft and a plurality of cylinders, a reciprocating piston assembly connected to the crankshaft, a fuel injector connected to an injection controller, an intake valve connected to an intake valve controller, and an exhaust valve connected to an exhaust valve controller. A control unit comprises at least one set of control algorithms configured to receive engine power demand data, and determine a number of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders for deactivation based on the received engine power demand data and further based on sensed or stored friction values for the plurality of cylinders. Determining the number of cylinders of for deactivation minimizes friction between the plurality of cylinders and their respective reciprocating piston assembly by selecting a cylinder combination of active cylinders and deactivated cylinders with the lowest total friction while meeting engine power demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: James E McCarthy, JR., Douglas J Nielsen, Christian Cousin
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Publication number: 20180230914Abstract: A diesel engine system, comprises a selectively actuated cylinder deactivation mechanism configured to lift and lower a valve and to deactivate actuation of the valve. A sleeve comprises a recesses. A controllable latch is movable between a latched condition to catch the latch in the recesses and an unlatched condition configured to collapse the latch from the recesses. A pushrod is coupled to the sleeve, the pushrod is configured to lift and lower the valve when the latch is in the latched condition. The pushrod is further configured to reciprocate inside the sleeve to deactivate actuation of the valve when the latch is in the unlatched condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: James E McCarthy, JR., Douglas J Nielsen
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Patent number: 10047644Abstract: An apparatus for measuring at least one of temperature and pressure within a cylinder of an internal combustion engine can include an engine valve and a sensor. The internal combustion engine can include a valvetrain having rocker arm assembly, a camshaft, a valve, and a hydraulic lash adjuster. The engine valve can have a valve head and a valve stem extending from the valve head in an axial direction. The valve head can have a valve face configured to be in pressure communication with an engine cylinder. The valve stem can have an outer surface with a cylindrical portion and a variably-shaped portion. The variably-shaped portion can define a target detectable by the sensor and the sensor can be installed adjacent to the target. Alternatively, the sensor can be positioned to detect a level of force at some point along the valvetrain.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Dale Arden Stretch, John Albert Kovacich, John Trublowski, James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Karen Evelyn Bevan, Douglas J. Nielsen, David Yee, Evan Grimm, Xubin Song, Martin Pryor
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Publication number: 20180223757Abstract: A method for operating a multiple cylinder diesel engine system in a thermal management mode comprises monitoring an aftertreatment temperature, monitoring operating conditions, and determining that the aftertreatment temperature is below an ideal temperature. Fuel injected in to firing cylinders of the multiple cylinder diesel engine can be increased until the aftertreatment temperature is above the ideal temperature, which can comprise selecting a get hot mode that provides an optimal heat transfer rate for transferring heat exhausted from the multiple cylinder diesel engine to the aftertreatment. When the aftertreatment temperature is above the ideal temperature, and when the multiple cylinder diesel engine system is operating within at least one threshold range, cylinder deactivation mode can be entered in at least one cylinder of the multiple cylinder diesel engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: JAMES E MCCARTHY, JR., Douglas J Nielsen, Dale Arden Stretch
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Publication number: 20180156078Abstract: An engine roller lifter for use in a valve train of an internal combustion engine and constructed in accordance to another example of the present disclosure includes a body having an outer peripheral surface configured for sliding movement in a bore provided in the engine. The bore is supplied by an oil passage communicating therewith. The body can define a transverse passage. A groove can be formed around the body and inset from the outer peripheral surface. A connecting channel can be formed in the body and inset from the outer peripheral surface, the connecting channel fluidly connects the groove and the transverse passage. A roller bearing can be rotatably mounted to the body and configured for rolling contact with an engine camshaft. Oil received at the groove from the bore flows along the connecting channel, into the transverse passage and onto the roller bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: Leighton Roberts, Douglas J. Nielsen, James E. McCarthy, JR.
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Publication number: 20180003088Abstract: An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly includes an exhaust rocker arm and a valve bridge operably associated with the rocker arm. The valve bridge includes a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body. The main body is configured to engage the first exhaust valve, and the lever is configured to engage the second exhaust valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: Douglas J. Nielsen, James E. McCarthy, JR.
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Publication number: 20170321575Abstract: A valve train assembly includes a rocker arm assembly, and axial shifting cam assembly, and a lost motion device. The axial shifting cam assembly is movable between a first axial position and a second axial position on a camshaft, the cam assembly having a first cam having a first lobe, and a second cam having a second lobe. The first and second lobes are configured to each selectively engage the rocker arm assembly to respectively perform a first and a second discrete valve lift event. The lost motion device is operably associated with the rocker arm assembly and configured to perform a third discrete valve lift event, distinct from the first and second valve lift events.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: Philip William Wetzel, Douglas J. Nielsen, James E. McCarthy, JR.
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Publication number: 20170321576Abstract: A rocker arm comprising a supply path that communicates with a first lash bore and a first spool bore. A spool is in the spool bore. A hydraulic lash device is in the first lash bore, wherein an outer body is configured to collapse during a first valve lift profile when receiving a low pressure fluid, and wherein the outer body and the inner body are configured to cooperate rigidly when receiving a high pressure fluid during a second valve lift profile. The spool is movable to a first spool position to align the spool notch with a first spool path and a second spool path, and the spool is movable to a second spool position to align the spool notch with the second spool path and an accumulator path. The supply path in to the rocker arm is the only source of fluid to the spool.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventor: Douglas J. Nielsen
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Publication number: 20170306810Abstract: An engine roller lifter for use in a valve train of an internal combustion engine includes a body, an anti-rotation device and a clip. The body can have an outer peripheral surface configured for sliding movement in a bore provided in the engine. The body can define a receiving channel formed in the outer peripheral surface. The body can further define a slot formed at the receiving channel. The anti-rotation device can include a guide plug received in the receiving channel of the body. The guide plug can extend outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the body. The guide plug can be configured to locate into a bore slot defined in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The clip can be received by the slot and captured the guide plug in the receiving channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Douglas J. Nielsen, Anthony Leon Spoor, Robert D. Hogan, James E. McCarthy, JR.
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Publication number: 20170234173Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster assembly constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a bucket and a hydraulic lash adjuster. The hydraulic lash adjuster is received in the bucket and has a body, a leakdown plunger and a socket. The leakdown plunger is received in the body. The socket is received by the leakdown plunger. The socket and leakdown plunger define a reservoir therebetween. The socket includes a gravity feed arrangement to feed fluid to the reservoir of the leakdown plunger.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventor: Douglas J. Nielsen
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Publication number: 20160319708Abstract: An engine roller lifter for use in a valve train of an internal combustion engine and constructed in accordance to another example of the present disclosure includes a body having an outer peripheral surface configured for sliding movement in a bore provided in the engine. The bore is supplied by an oil passage communicating therewith. The body can define a transverse passage. A groove can be formed around the body and inset from the outer peripheral surface. A connecting channel can be formed in the body and inset from the outer peripheral surface, the connecting channel fluidly connects the groove and the transverse passage. A roller bearing can be rotatably mounted to the body and configured for rolling contact with an engine camshaft. Oil received at the groove from the bore flows along the connecting channel, into the transverse passage and onto the roller bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventor: Douglas J. Nielsen
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Publication number: 20160115830Abstract: An apparatus for measuring at least one of temperature and pressure within a cylinder of an internal combustion engine can include an engine valve and a sensor. The internal combustion engine can include a valvetrain having rocker arm assembly, a camshaft, a valve, and a hydraulic lash adjuster. The engine valve can have a valve head and a valve stem extending from the valve head in an axial direction. The valve head can have a valve face configured to be in pressure communication with an engine cylinder. The valve stem can have an outer surface with a cylindrical portion and a variably-shaped portion. The variably-shaped portion can define a target detectable by the sensor and the sensor can be installed adjacent to the target. Alternatively, the sensor can be positioned to detect a level of force at some point along the valvetrain.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Dale Arden Stretch, John Albert Kovacich, John Trublowski, James Edward McCarthy, JR., Karen Evelyn Bevan, Douglas J. Nielsen, David Yee, Evan Grimm, Xubin Song, Martin Pryor
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Patent number: 5660153Abstract: A valve control system for an internal combustion engine, which is particularly adapted for selectively actuating and deactuating an engine valve. The system includes an inner rocker arm which contacts the cam and an outer rocker arm which engages the valve, the inner and outer arms being in nesting relation to one another and in pivotal contact with the output plunger of a stationary lash adjuster. A sliding latch member is movable between an active position wherein the inner and outer arms are effectively latched together to transmit the force of the cam through the inner and outer arms to the valve, and an inactive position wherein the inner and outer arms are free to move relative to one another. A spring acting between the inner and outer arms biases the inner arm into engagement with the cam and the outer arm, and the outer arm into engagement with the valve and the lash adjuster. Positive stops between the inner and outer arms are effective to limit lash adjuster leak down.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1995Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Keith Hampton, David M. Preston, Dale A. Stretch, Douglas J. Nielsen, Neal L. Tack
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Patent number: 5615647Abstract: A latch assembly for an engine valve control system wherein first and second rocker arms are selectively latched together to rotate in unison to open the valve in response to the force applied by a cam, or are allowed to rotate independently of one another. The latch assembly includes a slide assembly which is received in surrounding relation to one of the rocker arms and which retains a latch member engageable by the rocker arms. In a preferred embodiment the slide assembly includes a force application surface located along the longitudinal axes of the rocker arms remote from the latch member.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1996Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Douglas J. Nielsen