Patents by Inventor Marc C. Megel

Marc C. Megel 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).

  • Patent number: 11739681
    Abstract: A far square or diamond architecture engine with tumble flow to support spark-ignited fuel usage. The engine may be provided in a configuration generally suited for swirl flow, compression combustion fuel usage. However, the introduction of a unique, replaceable valve head assembly may be utilized to induce tumble flow within a combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, spark-ignited fuel may be utilized without requiring vast overhaul of the engine to accommodate such fuels. Notably, with the addition of such an assembly, diesel fuel may be replaced with natural gas on large scale equipment without the requirement of impractically burdensome or expensive measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Christopher L. Wray, Marc C Megel, Zainal Abidin
  • Patent number: 11655777
    Abstract: An engine with a vertically oriented parallel valve and stem arrangement accommodating tumble flow to support spark-ignited fuel usage. The engine may be provided in a configuration generally suited for swirl flow, compression combustion fuel usage. However, the introduction of a unique, replaceable valve head assembly may be utilized to induce tumble flow within a combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, spark-ignited fuel may be utilized without requiring vast overhaul of the engine to accommodate such fuels. Notably, with the addition of such an assembly, diesel fuel may be replaced with natural gas on large scale equipment without the requirement of impractically burdensome or expensive measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher L. Wray, Zainal Abidin, Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Marc C. Megel
  • Publication number: 20230073196
    Abstract: A far square or diamond architecture engine with tumble flow to support spark-ignited fuel usage. The engine may be provided in a configuration generally suited for swirl flow, compression combustion fuel usage. However, the introduction of a unique, replaceable valve head assembly may be utilized to induce tumble flow within a combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, spark-ignited fuel may be utilized without requiring vast overhaul of the engine to accommodate such fuels. Notably, with the addition of such an assembly, diesel fuel may be replaced with natural gas on large scale equipment without the requirement of impractically burdensome or expensive measures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Christopher L. Wray, Marc C. Megel, Zainal Abidin
  • Publication number: 20230077310
    Abstract: An engine with a vertically oriented parallel valve and stem arrangement accommodating tumble flow to support spark-ignited fuel usage. The engine may be provided in a configuration generally suited for swirl flow, compression combustion fuel usage. However, the introduction of a unique, replaceable valve head assembly may be utilized to induce tumble flow within a combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, spark-ignited fuel may be utilized without requiring vast overhaul of the engine to accommodate such fuels. Notably, with the addition of such an assembly, diesel fuel may be replaced with natural gas on large scale equipment without the requirement of impractically burdensome or expensive measures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Christopher L. Wray, Zainal Abidin, Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Marc C. Megel
  • Patent number: 10054083
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for an internal combustion engine having two dedicated EGR cylinders. A dual valve system is used to control the output of the dedicated EGR cylinders so that the engine may intake EGR exhaust from both, only one, or neither of the dedicated EGR cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Martin Selway, Ian Paul Gilbert, Marc C. Megel
  • Publication number: 20170002774
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for an internal combustion engine having two dedicated EGR cylinders. A dual valve system is used to control the output of the dedicated EGR cylinders so that the engine may intake EGR exhaust from both, only one, or neither of the dedicated EGR cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Martin Selway, Ian Paul Gilbert, Marc C. Megel
  • Patent number: 9162280
    Abstract: A hybrid ceramic/sand casting method of manufacturing a metal part. The method is especially suitable for manufacturing engine cylinder blocks or cylinder head, which have very small internal passages or other very small internal features. These parts are formed using a hybrid core having at least one ceramic section and at least one sand section, with the ceramic section being used to create the internal feature. A mold cavity is created for the part, and the hybrid core is positioned in the mold. Molten metal is introduced into the mold, and after the metal cools, the core is removed, thereby forming the part with the internal feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Barry E. Westmoreland, Douglas A. McKee, Marc C. Megel, Mark A. Tussing, Thomas E. Reinhart, David P. Branyon
  • Publication number: 20150027658
    Abstract: A hybrid ceramic/sand casting method of manufacturing a metal part. The method is especially suitable for manufacturing engine cylinder blocks or cylinder head, which have very small internal passages or other very small internal features. These parts are formed using a hybrid core having at least one ceramic section and at least one sand section, with the ceramic section being used to create the internal feature. A mold cavity is created for the part, and the hybrid core is positioned in the mold. Molten metal is introduced into the mold, and after the metal cools, the core is removed, thereby forming the part with the internal feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Barry E. Westmoreland, Douglas A. McKee, Marc C. Megel, Mark A. Tussing, Thomas E. Reinhart, David P. Branyon
  • Patent number: 8899207
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an engine is provided comprising a monolithic structure forming an upper deck, a fire deck, at least one coolant jacket and a cavity to accommodate a fuel injector or an ignitor therein, the cavity defined by a wall connecting the fire deck with the upper deck. The wall connecting the fire deck with the upper deck, as well as other features of the cylinder head, are preferably arranged to support the fire deck against a deflection thereof by transmitting a mechanical load introduced on a flame face of the fire deck to the upper deck. A method of increasing the stiffness of the cylinder head is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Marc C. Megel, Mark A. Tussing, Barry E. Westmoreland, Douglas A. McKee, Riccardo Meldolesi, Gareth Roberts
  • Patent number: 8544450
    Abstract: A cylinder head sleeve for an engine is provided comprising a sleeve first part and a sleeve second part which form a cavity to contain a fuel injector or an ignitor, and wherein the sleeve first part and the sleeve second part which form a joint for the sleeve first part and the sleeve second part to move relative to each other. A cylinder head assembly is also provided comprising the sleeve and a cylinder head, as well as a method of providing the cylinder head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Marc C. Megel, Mark A. Tussing, Barry E. Westmoreland
  • Patent number: 8267148
    Abstract: A hybrid ceramic/sand casting method of manufacturing a metal part. The method is especially suitable for parts having one or more very small internal gaps, such as might occur with a linear passage or round opening. These parts are formed using a hybrid core having at least one ceramic section and at least one sand section, with the ceramic section being used to create the internal gap. A mold cavity is created for the part, and the hybrid core is positioned in the mold. Molten metal is introduced into the mold, and after the metal cools, the core is removed, thereby forming the part with the internal gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Marc C. Megel, Douglas A. McKee, Barry E. Westmoreland, Keith E. Denholm
  • Publication number: 20110083624
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an engine is provided comprising a monolithic structure forming an upper deck, a fire deck, at least one coolant jacket and a cavity to accommodate a fuel injector or an ignitor therein, the cavity defined by a wall connecting the fire deck with the upper deck. The wall connecting the fire deck with the upper deck, as well as other features of the cylinder head, are preferably arranged to support the fire deck against a deflection thereof by transmitting a mechanical load introduced on a flame face of the fire deck to the upper deck. A method of increasing the stiffness of the cylinder head is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Marc C. MEGEL, Mark A. TUSSING, Barry E. WESTMORELAND, Douglas A. McKEE, Riccardo MELDOLESI, Gareth ROBERTS
  • Publication number: 20110083622
    Abstract: A cylinder head sleeve for an engine is provided comprising a sleeve first part and a sleeve second part which form a cavity to contain a fuel injector or an ignitor, and wherein the sleeve first part and the sleeve second part which form a joint for the sleeve first part and the sleeve second part to move relative to each other. A cylinder head assembly is also provided comprising the sleeve and a cylinder head, as well as a method of providing the cylinder head assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Marc C. MEGEL, Mark A. TUSSING, Barry E. WESTMORELAND