Patents by Inventor Robert D. Straub

Robert D. Straub 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: 10006429
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a housing defining a longitudinal bore having a proximal end and a distal end, a high pressure fuel duct in communication with the longitudinal bore and a valve seat including a valve seat surface and an aperture at the distal end of the longitudinal bore. A poppet valve is disposed in the longitudinal bore and includes a valve head that is engageable with the valve seat surface. An actuator device is disposed at the proximal end of the longitudinal bore and a hydraulic coupler is disposed between the actuator and the poppet valve within the longitudinal bore. The hydraulic coupler defines a chamber that receives low pressure fuel for providing a hydraulic lash adjuster between the actuator and the poppet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Battiston, Robert D. Straub
  • Patent number: 9879644
    Abstract: A fuel injector may include a housing, a pintle nozzle assembly and an actuation assembly. The housing may define a longitudinal bore, a high pressure fuel duct in communication with the longitudinal bore and a valve seat including a valve seat surface and an aperture. The pintle nozzle assembly may include a stem and a pintle and may be at least partially disposed within the longitudinal bore and be variably displaceable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the pintle nozzle assembly may abut the valve seat to seal the aperture. In the second position, the pintle nozzle assembly may be displaced from the valve seat to open the aperture. The actuation assembly may be coupled with the pintle nozzle assembly and operate to move the pintle nozzle assembly to a plurality of positions between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Publication number: 20170284355
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a housing defining a longitudinal bore having a proximal end and a distal end, a high pressure fuel duct in communication with the longitudinal bore and a valve seat including a valve seat surface and an aperture at the distal end of the longitudinal bore. A poppet valve is disposed in the longitudinal bore and includes a valve head that is engageable with the valve seat surface. An actuator device is disposed at the proximal end of the longitudinal bore and a hydraulic coupler is disposed between the actuator and the poppet valve within the longitudinal bore. The hydraulic coupler defines a chamber that receives low pressure fuel for providing a hydraulic lash adjuster between the actuator and the poppet valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Paul A. BATTISTON, Robert D. STRAUB
  • Patent number: 9267422
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine assembly that defines a bore, and a piston disposed and moveable within the bore. The piston and the engine assembly cooperate to define a combustion chamber therebetween. A direct injection fuel system directs a fuel spray into the combustion chamber along a linear path. The combustion chamber includes a contoured surface having a plurality of annular recesses. The contoured surface divides and re-directs the fuel spray from the linear path into each of the annular recesses to form a plurality of independent rotating vortices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Patent number: 9261060
    Abstract: A fuel injector may include a housing, a poppet valve assembly, and an actuation assembly. The housing may define a longitudinal bore, a high pressure fuel duct in communication with the longitudinal bore and a valve seat including a valve seat surface and an aperture. The poppet valve assembly may include a stem and a valve head, be disposed within the longitudinal bore and be variably displaceable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the valve head may abut the valve seat to seal the aperture. In the second position, the valve head may be displaced from the valve seat to open the aperture. The actuation assembly may operate to move the poppet valve assembly between the first position and the second position. The high pressure fuel duct may carry pressurized fuel that biases the poppet valve assembly to be in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Patent number: 9121330
    Abstract: A porting system for a turbo-charged loop scavenged two-stroke engine includes a cylinder including a cylinder wall and a cylinder head. At least one inlet port is provided in the cylinder wall. The at least one inlet port is arranged a first distance from the cylinder head and fluidically connected to a compressor portion of a turbo-charger. A first exhaust port is provided in the cylinder wall. The first exhaust port is arranged a second distance from the cylinder head and is fluidically connected to a turbine portion of the turbo-charger through first exhaust passage. A second exhaust port is provided in the cylinder wall. The second exhaust port is arranged a third distance from the cylinder head that is greater than the second distance and the second exhaust passage is fluidically connected to a second exhaust passage bypassing the turbine portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Patent number: 9091199
    Abstract: A combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a contoured surface that defines a plurality of deflection foils. The contoured surface distributes fuel spray into portions directed toward one of the deflection foils. Each deflection foil re-directs their respective portion of the fuel spray into a combined radial path that swirls about a center of the combustion chamber. Each of the deflection foils defines a flow path and a foil axis. The flow path includes an entrance segment and an exit segment. The entrance segment directs a portion of the fuel spray radially away from the center of the combustion chamber, and the exit segment directs the portion of the fuel spray substantially tangential relative to the combined radial path of the re-directed portions of the fuel spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Patent number: 9004039
    Abstract: A cylinder lubrication system comprises a cylinder liner defining a cylinder, a piston reciprocally mounted in the cylinder for axial travel along a cylinder axis and having a piston skirt that moves in close proximity with the cylinder, an oil supply passage extending substantially circumferentially about an outer surface of the cylinder liner, an oil supply line fluidly connecting the oil supply passage to an oil supply, a series of small holes extending radially through the cylinder liner, from the cylinder to the oil supply passage, and operable as oil passages for lubricating oil from the oil supply to flow to the upper portion of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Publication number: 20140311122
    Abstract: A particulate filter assembly, an exhaust gas treatment system having a particulate filter assembly, and a control method for flow controlled zoned regeneration of the particulate filter assembly are provided. The particulate filter assembly is configured to receive an exhaust gas stream from an internal combustion engine and includes an inlet end configured to receive the exhaust gas stream, a filter configured to remove particulates from the exhaust gas stream, a heating device positioned upstream from the filter having a plurality of zones, each zone of the plurality of zones independently operable to heat a corresponding region of the filter and an exhaust flow valve positioned downstream from the filter configured to selectively restrict flow of the exhaust gas stream through the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Robert D. Straub, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140261261
    Abstract: A porting system for a turbo-charged loop scavenged two-stroke engine includes a cylinder including a cylinder wall and a cylinder head. At least one inlet port is provided in the cylinder wall. The at least one inlet port is arranged a first distance from the cylinder head and fluidically connected to a compressor portion of a turbo-charger. A first exhaust port is provided in the cylinder wall. The first exhaust port is arranged a second distance from the cylinder head and is fluidically connected to a turbine portion of the turbo-charger through first exhaust passage. A second exhaust port is provided in the cylinder wall. The second exhaust port is arranged a third distance from the cylinder head that is greater than the second distance and the second exhaust passage is fluidically connected to a second exhaust passage bypassing the turbine portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Publication number: 20140238341
    Abstract: A combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a contoured surface that defines a plurality of deflection foils. The contoured surface distributes fuel spray into portions directed toward one of the deflection foils. Each deflection foil re-directs their respective portion of the fuel spray into a combined radial path that swirls about a center of the combustion chamber. Each of the deflection foils defines a flow path and a foil axis. The flow path includes an entrance segment and an exit segment. The entrance segment directs a portion of the fuel spray radially away from the center of the combustion chamber, and the exit segment directs the portion of the fuel spray substantially tangential relative to the combined radial path of the re-directed portions of the fuel spray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Publication number: 20140109862
    Abstract: A cylinder lubrication system comprises a cylinder liner defining a cylinder, a piston reciprocally mounted in the cylinder for axial travel along a cylinder axis and having a piston skirt that moves in close proximity with the cylinder, an oil supply passage extending substantially circumferentially about an outer surface of the cylinder liner, an oil supply line fluidly connecting the oil supply passage to an oil supply, a series of small holes extending radially through the cylinder liner, from the cylinder to the oil supply passage, and operable as oil passages for lubricating oil from the oil supply to flow to the upper portion of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Patent number: 8683790
    Abstract: A diffuser for aiding in the vaporization and mixing of an injected reactant with the exhaust gas feed stream of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system is disclosed. The diffuser is disposed within an exhaust gas conduit of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system and has an impingement surface and a baffle plate disposed downstream of and adjacent thereto. The baffle plate extends outwardly from the diffuser, to terminate at a baffle plate tip that is located intermediate of the diffuser and an inner wall of the exhaust gas conduit. The baffle plate is operable to trap a portion of an exhaust gas feed stream, and a reactant resident therein, to increase the vaporization and residence time of the reactant in the exhaust gas feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Sandro Balestrino, Robert D. Straub, Xiaobin (Sharon) Li
  • Publication number: 20140060481
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing laminar flow through a fuel injection nozzle are provided. The method may comprise the steps of: providing a housing defining a cavity; providing a nozzle assembly having a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion, the nozzle assembly being disposed within the cavity; placing the nozzle assembly in a closed position wherein the nozzle assembly is engaged with a valve seat defined by the housing; displacing the nozzle assembly and moving the nozzle assembly in an open position; expelling fuel through a gap defined between the second portion of the nozzle assembly and the housing, wherein the gap is sized to restrict fuel flow and create a laminar flow output stream having a Reynolds Number of equal to or less than 2000. The method may further include the step of returning the nozzle assembly to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Publication number: 20140060475
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a piston disposed within a bore and moveable in a reciprocating motion within the bore along a central bore axis. The piston includes an axial end surface that defines a combustion chamber having a plurality of annular recesses recessed into the axial end surface of the piston. One of a plurality of valves is disposed opposite each of the plurality of annular recesses of the combustion chamber. Each of the plurality of annular recesses is axially aligned with a head of one of the plurality of valves and is sized to receive an outer perimeter of the head therein to provide clearance during valve overlap, between the axial end surface of the piston and the head of the valve, when the piston is disposed near a top dead center position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Straub, Paul Anthony Battiston, Amrita R. Wadhwa
  • Publication number: 20140014078
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure and an exhaust gas recirculation control valve supported on the engine structure. The engine structure defines a cylinder bore and intake and exhaust ports in communication with the cylinder bore. An internal exhaust gas recirculation passage is defined in the engine structure and extends from the exhaust port to the intake port and may overlie a central region of the cylinder bore. The exhaust gas recirculation control valve is at least partially located within the internal exhaust gas recirculation passage and is displaceable between an open position and a closed position. The open position allows exhaust gas flow from the exhaust port to the intake port through the internal exhaust gas recirculation passage and the closed position obstructs exhaust gas flow from the exhaust port to the intake port through the internal exhaust gas recirculation passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dean, Robert D. Straub
  • Patent number: 8627659
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, first and second exhaust gas conduits, a turbine and a flow control mechanism. The engine structure may define a first cylinder and first and second exhaust ports in communication with the first cylinder. The first exhaust gas conduit may be in fluid communication with the first exhaust port. The second exhaust gas conduit may be in fluid communication with the second exhaust port. The turbine may be in fluid communication with the first exhaust gas conduit. The flow control mechanism may prevent the exhaust gas from the first cylinder from flowing through the second exhaust gas conduit during a first mode and may allow the exhaust gas to flow through both the first and second exhaust gas conduits during a second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Patent number: 8468998
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a piston, and a direct injection fuel system. The engine structure may define a cylinder bore and an intake port in communication with the cylinder bore and adapted to mitigate intake air swirl within the cylinder bore. The piston may be disposed within the cylinder bore for a reciprocal stroke between a top dead center position and a bottom dead center position. The piston may define an annular recess portion in an axial end surface thereof. The direct injection fuel system may include a fuel injector that provides a fuel spray to a combustion chamber defined by the piston and the cylinder bore. The fuel spray may define an annular plume intersecting the annular recess portion in the piston when the piston is in an injection position within twenty percent of the reciprocal stroke from the top dead center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Publication number: 20130111899
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, first and second exhaust gas conduits, a turbine and a flow control mechanism. The engine structure may define a first cylinder and first and second exhaust ports in communication with the first cylinder. The first exhaust gas conduit may be in fluid communication with the first exhaust port. The second exhaust gas conduit may be in fluid communication with the second exhaust port. The turbine may be in fluid communication with the first exhaust gas conduit. The flow control mechanism may prevent the exhaust gas from the first cylinder from flowing through the second exhaust gas conduit during a first mode and may allow the exhaust gas to flow through both the first and second exhaust gas conduits during a second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: ROBERT D. STRAUB
  • Publication number: 20130092123
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine assembly that defines a bore, and a piston disposed and moveable within the bore. The piston and the engine assembly cooperate to define a combustion chamber therebetween. A direct injection fuel system directs a fuel spray into the combustion chamber along a linear path. The combustion chamber includes a contoured surface having a plurality of annular recesses. The contoured surface divides and re-directs the fuel spray from the linear path into each of the annular recesses to form a plurality of independent rotating vortices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub