Patents by Inventor Robert M. Hurst
Robert M. Hurst 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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Patent number: 6907870Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
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Publication number: 20040149255Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2004Publication date: August 5, 2004Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
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Patent number: 6684849Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
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Patent number: 6659071Abstract: An internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode and a method for operating the engine, the engine including an engine body with a piston assembly, a combustion chamber formed in the engine body by the piston assembly, an intake system for delivering intake air to the combustion chamber during an intake stroke, a mixing device that mixes a first fuel with the intake air to provide a premixed charge of air and the first fuel, a direct fuel injector adapted to directly inject a second fuel into the combustion chamber, and a control system adapted to control the direct fuel injector in a manner to provide at least one early control injection, and preferably, a plurality of early control injections of the second fuel into the combustion chamber before start of combustion of the premixed charge.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Tim R. Frazier, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, Axel O. zur Loye
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Publication number: 20030168037Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
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Patent number: 6561157Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Axel O zur Loye, Larry J Brackney, Cariappa M Chenanda, Robert M Hurst, Lester L Peters, Patrick M Pierz, John F Wright
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Publication number: 20020040692Abstract: An internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode and a method for operating the engine, the engine including an engine body with a piston assembly, a combustion chamber formed in the engine body by the piston assembly, an intake system for delivering intake air to the combustion chamber during an intake stroke, a mixing device that mixes a first fuel with the intake air to provide a premixed charge of air and the first fuel, a direct fuel injector adapted to directly inject a second fuel into the combustion chamber, and a control system adapted to control the direct fuel injector in a manner to provide at least one early control injection, and preferably, a plurality of early control injections of the second fuel into the combustion chamber before start of combustion of the premixed charge.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Tim R. Frazier, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, Axel O. zur Loye
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Publication number: 20020007816Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: Axel O. Zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright