Patents by Inventor James J. Faletti
James J. Faletti 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: 20020088230Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a motor vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold and includes a controllable, variable intake nozzle. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
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Publication number: 20020088231Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. Then at least one first turbine inlet has a controllable, variable intake nozzle fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet has a controllable, variable intake nozzle fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
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Patent number: 6412279Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a motor vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold and includes a controllable, variable intake nozzle. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
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Patent number: 6408833Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a combustion air supply, an intake manifold, an exhaust manifold, and an exhaust gas recirculation system having a venturi assembly. The venturi assembly includes an outlet, a combustion air inlet connected and in communication with the combustion air supply, and an exhaust gas inlet connected and in communication with the exhaust manifold. A bypass fluid line and a bypass valve in the nature of a check valve are provided to bypass the venturi assembly. The check valve is responsive to changes in pressure drop across the venturi assembly, to open and close the bypass fluid line and limit the pressure drop across the venturi assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: James J. Faletti
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Publication number: 20020073981Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for a motor vehicle, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the first exhaust manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having an inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the second exhaust manifold and includes a controllable, variable intake nozzle. The first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the second compressor inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2000Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
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Publication number: 20020069862Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a combustion air supply, an intake manifold, an exhaust manifold, and an exhaust gas recirculation system having a venturi assembly. The venturi assembly includes an outlet, a combustion air inlet connected and in communication with the combustion air supply, and an exhaust gas inlet connected and in communication with the exhaust manifold. A bypass fluid line and a bypass valve in the nature of a check valve are provided to bypass the venturi assembly. The check valve is responsive to changes in pressure drop across the venturi assembly, to open and close the bypass fluid line and limit the pressure drop across the venturi assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2000Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventor: James J. Faletti
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Patent number: 6351946Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes at least one exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. A turbocharger includes a turbine, a first compressor and a second compressor. The turbine is connected with the exhaust manifold and has a controllable variable nozzle. The first compressor and the second compressor each are connected with and driven by the turbine. The first compressor has an inlet for receiving combustion air and an outlet. The second compressor has an inlet connected with each exhaust manifold and an outlet. A mixer interconnects the first compressor outlet and the second compressor outlet with the intake manifold. A controller is connected with and controls operation of the turbine variable nozzle, dependent upon an operating characteristic associated with the second compressor.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1999Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: James J. Faletti
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Patent number: 6321717Abstract: A method of compression braking is provided for use in an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers that share a common exhaust manifold, such as, for example, a six-cylinder engine. The method comprises the steps of moving each exhaust valve to an open position at a first time corresponding to approximately the beginning of the power portion of the cycle of the combustion chamber associated with the exhaust valve and moving each exhaust valve to the open position at a second time corresponding to approximately the end of the intake portion of the cycle of the combustion chamber associated with the exhaust valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: James J. Faletti
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Patent number: 6321537Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system, particularly suitable for use in an internal combustion engine, is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least one exhaust manifold, and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders, and each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with a corresponding exhaust manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with a corresponding exhaust manifold. A valve assembly includes an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, David A. Pierpont
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Patent number: 6209530Abstract: A system and method for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation system (10) on an electronically controlled, turbocharger (18) equipped internal combustion engine (12) having two or more actuating devices (84,86). In the disclosed embodiments, the actuating devices (84,86) may include an exhaust gas recirculation valve (40), a turbocharger back pressure valve (44), the vane actuators (46) in a variable geometry turbocharger (48), or an air intake throttle valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James J. Faletti, Alois Amstutz
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Patent number: 6148793Abstract: A braking control for an engine permits the timing and duration of exhaust valve opening events to be accurately determined independent of engine events so that braking power can be precisely controlled. According to one embodiment, further control over braking power can be accomplished by controlling turbocharger geometry.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1998Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, Scott G. Sinn
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Patent number: 6092496Abstract: A method of operating a diesel engine is disclosed. The method includes the step of sensing a temperature level associated with the engine. The method further includes the step of positioning the intake valve in the open position during an exhaust stroke of the engine if the temperature level is below a predetermined threshold value, whereby heated exhaust gases advance into the intake conduit during the exhaust stroke so as to heat intake air located in the intake conduit prior to the intake air advancing into the combustion chamber during a subsequent intake stroke. The method yet further includes the step of positioning the intake valve in the closed position during the exhaust stroke if the temperature level is above the predetermined threshold value, whereby heated exhaust gases are prevented from advancing into the intake conduit during the exhaust stroke. A diesel engine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Sameer Bhargava, James J. Faletti
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Patent number: 6055965Abstract: A closed loop control system for an exhaust gas recovery flow in an internal combustion engine having an intake air pressurizing device is provided. The closed loop control system includes an engine controller connected to an intake air mass flow sensor, an engine operation sensor, and an intake air throttle valve for controlling the intake air mass flow rate. In addition, the controller is operatively connected to a variable gas pocket valve for selectively controlling exhaust gas feedback in conjunction with the intake air throttle valve. The variable gas pocket valve and the intake air throttle valve may be actuated in response to the control system parameters to provide accurate control of exhaust gas recovery flow to provide reduced emissions of unburned fuel and particulate matter from the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1997Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Alois Amstutz, James J. Faletti
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Patent number: 5813231Abstract: A braking control for an engine permits the timing and duration of exhaust valve opening events to be accurately determined independent of engine events so that braking power can be precisely controlled. According to one embodiment, further control over braking power can be accomplished by controlling turbocharger geometry.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1995Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, Scott G. Sinn
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Patent number: 5771867Abstract: A system and method for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation system in an internal combustion engine having two or more actuating devices on a supercharger-type pressure-charged internal combustion engine, or, in a turbocharger equipped pressure-charged internal combustion engine. In the disclosed embodiments, the actuating devices may include a variable gas pocket valve, an air intake throttle valve, an exhaust gas recirculation valve, a turbocharger back pressure valve, or the adjustable turbine blades in a variable gas turbine. In the disclosed embodiments, the control system includes a pair of actuators operatively coupled to an engine controller. The second actuator is operatively responsive to the first actuator when the first actuator command signal exceeds prescribed actuator limits.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1997Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Alois Amstutz, James J. Faletti
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Patent number: 5724939Abstract: A method of engine compression braking for an internal combustion engine is disclosed wherein the engine is converted to a two-cycle mode for braking. Exhaust valves are opened in cylinders wherein associated pistons are near top dead center and substantially simultaneously, exhaust valves are opened in cylinders wherein associated pistons are nominally past bottom dead center. The method results in an advantageous braking power increase due to back-filling of the cylinders wherein the pistons are nominally past bottom dead center. A similar method is disclosed for use during four-cycle braking.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James J. Faletti, David E. Hackett
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Patent number: 5647318Abstract: A braking control for an engine permits the timing and duration of exhaust valve opening to be accurately determined independent of engine events so that braking power can be precisely controlled.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1995Date of Patent: July 15, 1997Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Dennis D. Feucht, Scott G. Sinn, James J. Faletti
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Patent number: 5619963Abstract: An actuator for engaging an exhaust valve develops a first force to take up the lash between the actuator and the exhaust valve and generates a second, stronger force to open the exhaust valve.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, Scott G. Sinn
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Patent number: 5615653Abstract: A control for operating an engine in a braking mode of operation includes an actuator engagable with an engine exhaust valve. A braking magnitude is selected from a continuous range of braking magnitudes between minimum and maximum levels and turn-on and turn-off points for the actuator are established from the selected braking magnitude. The actuator is operated in accordance with the turn-on and turn-off points to cause the engine to develop the selected braking magnitude.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1995Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, Scott G. Sinn
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Patent number: 5595158Abstract: A device for use in an engine brake control to move an exhaust valve to an open position includes an actuator engageable with the exhaust valve and an electrically-operable control valve. The actuator includes a valve spool and a slave piston wherein the slave piston includes a passage and wherein the valve spool includes a high pressure annulus coupled to a source of high fluid pressure and a low pressure annulus coupled to a source of low fluid pressure. The valve spool is movable relative to the slave piston to interconnect the passage with the high pressure annulus or the low pressure annulus. The electrically-operable control valve selectively provides high fluid pressure to the valve spool and to the slave piston to cause the slave piston to oscillate about a point at which the exhaust valve is disposed in the open position and the passage is alternately connected to the low pressure annulus and the high pressure annulus.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1995Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James J. Faletti, Dennis D. Feucht, Scott G. Sinn