Abstract: An engine brake system for opening an engine exhaust valve recirculates actuating fluid between an actuator and a pump so that demands placed on an oil pump of the engine are minimized.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An engine compression braking system for a multicylinder engine having a plurality of hydraulically operated exhaust valve actuators, one for each respective cylinder exhaust valve. An hydraulically operated braking control valve is operatively coupled to each of the exhaust valve actuators to in turn simultaneously open each associated exhaust valve. Selective fluid coupling and decoupling of hydraulic operating lines to the braking control valve enables a spool valve element to effectively float between an operating end point and a return end point to prevent the spool valve element from undesirably impacting the end point stops. The engine braking horsepower can be varied by timing the simultaneous opening of the exhaust valves and the duration of the opening.

Abstract: During low speed operation of a turbocharged engine the transient response time of the engine from low speed and low loads to high speed and high loads is slow because of the slow response time to raise the boost pressure level from the turbocharger. The present invention provides an apparatus to improve the transient response time of the engine by causing at least a selected subset of the combustion chambers to be operated in a two-stroke pumping mode of operation while maintaining the others in a four-stroke mode, thus, increasing the airflow through the turbine of the turbocharger during low speed and/or low loads operation of the engine maintaining a high boost pressure level.

Abstract: Braking systems for use with internal combustion engine have in the past used a variety of mechanical mechanisms to activate the braking system in addition to the conventional cam, lifters, pushrods and rocker arms. Many of these systems fail to provide the option of controllably and modulatively varying the sequence and amount of the opening and closing of an intake or exhaust valve relative to a piston position in a cylinder bore. The present invention provides an electronic control system outputting an discrete control signal, an opening device for unit actuation of each of the pair of valves independently. The electronic control system is programmable to respond in a first predetermined logic pattern for conventional operation of the engine at which time each of the pair of valves are in the closed position during the compression stroke.

Abstract: Starting systems for use with internal combustion engine have in the past used a variety of add on mechanical mechanisms to provide cold starting. Many of these systems fail to provide the option of controllably and modulatively varying the sequence and amount of the opening and closing of an intake or exhaust valve relative to a piston position in a cylinder bore. The present invention provides an electronic control system outputting an discrete control signal, and an opening device for unit actuation of each of the pair of valves independently. The electronic control system is programmable to respond in a first predetermined logic pattern for conventional operation of the engine at which time each of the pair of valves is in the open position during the exhaust stroke.

Abstract: One way of reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from an engine having a plurality of combustion chambers is through exhaust gas recirculation. The present invention provides an apparatus for exhaust gas recirculation by causing at least a selected subset of the combustion chambers to be operated in a four-stroke reverse flow motoring mode of operation while the remaining combustion chambers are operated is a normal four-stroke mode. In the four-stroke reverse flow motoring mode of operation, exhaust gas is inducted into the combustion chamber of a selected subset of combustion chambers. The exhaust gas is then compressing and expanded in the combustion chambers. Cooling of the exhaust gas is achieved during the compression and expansion strokes. The cooled exhaust gas is then expelled from the combustion chambers to be mixed with fresh charge air.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for performing a plurality of diagnostic testing modes on an engine having a plurality of cylinders by controlling, independently, a mode of operation for each of the cylinders, each cylinder including intake and exhaust valves and a fuel injector for injecting fuel into a corresponding cylinder. A first method comprises the steps of cutting fuel to all but one cylinder, monitoring the output of the engine, repeating the fuel cutting and monitoring steps for the remaining cylinders, and calculating engine friction by averaging the power required to crank the engine by the cylinders during the monitoring steps.

Abstract: Multiple intake valves operatively associated in a common combustion chamber are advantageous in that the design achieves high output for an internal combustion engine. The subject modified cylinder head utilizes the advantages available in a multiple intake valve system, but further enhances the design by reducing heat rejection. In the subject modified cylinder head, three intake valves (38,40,42) having corresponding intake valve ports (26,28,30) and one exhaust valve (68) having an exhaust valve port (66) are operatively associated in a common combustion chamber. A reduction in heat rejection is achieved through a relationship between the cross-sectional areas of the intake and exhaust valve ports (26,28,30,66). The intake valve ports (26,28,30) are constructed so that their cross-sectional area is larger than about 69% of the combined cross-sectional area of the intake and the exhaust ports (26,28,30,66).

Abstract: An annoying problem with diesel engines is combustion noise especially under high speed, low load conditions. The problem is caused by the relatively long ignition delay period or the period of time from the start of fuel injection into the combustion chamber until ignition occurs. The length of the ignition delay period influences the severity of the noise produced as it determines the amount of fuel that is ready to be burned. The length of the ignition delay period is strongly dependent on cylinder gas temperature during the initial part of the fuel injection schedule. The present invention provides an apparatus to reduce the ignition delay period by elevating the temperature of the air in a selected one of the combustion chambers so that at the start of the compression stroke the air is elevated reducing the ignition delay period.

Abstract: A system for controlling operational modes of an engine including valve and injection events, in which the engine comprises a plurality of cylinders having an intake and exhaust valve, an injector, a chamber and an intake and exhaust port. The plurality of cylinders are connected by an intake and exhaust manifold. The system comprises a cylinder control unit for independently governing an operational mode of each of the cylinders. The cylinder control unit comprises a valve control unit for controlling the operation of the intake and exhaust valves. The cylinder control unit also controls opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves in accordance with the independently governed operational mode of each cylinder. The cylinder control unit further comprises an injector control unit for controlling the operation of the each of the injectors. The injector control unit controls fuel injection timing of each of the injectors, independently of the operation of the intake and exhaust valves.