Patents by Inventor Robert S. McAlpine
Robert S. McAlpine 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: 11598253Abstract: A wastegate system of a vehicle includes: a wastegate valve configured to regulate exhaust flow through a turbine of a turbocharger of an engine; a wastegate actuator including a lever that is mechanically coupled to the wastegate valve via one or more linkages and that is configured to move linearly based on a pressure within an interior of the wastegate actuator; a resonator that is fluidly coupled to the interior of the wastegate actuator via a first one or more hoses and that is configured to counteract force attributable to pressure changes in the exhaust from combustion events within the engine; and a regulator valve that is fluidly connected between a pneumatic source and the resonator via a second one or more hoses and that is configured to regulate the pressure within the interior of the wastegate actuator.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2022Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Lisa M. Marcella-O'Leary, David J. Hajdyla, Grant Brady, Bret J. Kukulis, Robert S. McAlpine
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Publication number: 20210215111Abstract: An engine system includes: an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders; a bypass valve arranged to receive exhaust output from at least a dedicated one of the cylinders and to selectively one of: direct the exhaust through an exhaust system to atmosphere; and direct the exhaust to an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve; the EGR valve, where the EGR valve is configured to, when open, enable flow of the exhaust to an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine; and an intake air valve located between an air cleaner and a mass airflow (MAF) sensor and configured to, when open, enable flow of ambient air to the intake manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Edward J. KEATING, Robert S. MCALPINE, Lisa M. MARCELLA-O'LEARY
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Patent number: 11060471Abstract: An engine system includes: an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders; a bypass valve arranged to receive exhaust output from at least a dedicated one of the cylinders and to selectively one of: direct the exhaust through an exhaust system to atmosphere; and direct the exhaust to an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve; the EGR valve, where the EGR valve is configured to, when open, enable flow of the exhaust to an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine; and an intake air valve located between an air cleaner and a mass airflow (MAF) sensor and configured to, when open, enable flow of ambient air to the intake manifold.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Edward J. Keating, Robert S. McAlpine, Lisa M. Marcella-O'Leary
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Patent number: 10378393Abstract: An improved cam follower for a vehicle engine includes a body, a spring seat, a tower, a spring and an anti-rotation member. The body defines a body diameter, a first open end, and a second end. The spring seat includes a spring seat opening and an interlock portion. The spring seat may be affixed to the first open end of the body. The spring seat further includes a spring seat diameter wherein the spring seat diameter is greater than the body diameter. The tower may be disposed in a pin housing through the spring seat opening at the first open end of the body. The tower further includes an upper flange and a spring which abuts the upper flange at a first spring end. The second spring end abuts the spring seat. The anti-rotation member accordingly may be coupled to the body via the spring seat.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Alan W Hayman, Jared M Satkowiak, Robert S McAlpine
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Publication number: 20180347412Abstract: An improved cam follower for a vehicle engine includes a body, a spring seat, a tower, a spring and an anti-rotation member. The body defines a body diameter, a first open end, and a second end. The spring seat includes a spring seat opening and an interlock portion. The spring seat may be affixed to the first open end of the body. The spring seat further includes a spring seat diameter wherein the spring seat diameter is greater than the body diameter. The tower may be disposed in a pin housing through the spring seat opening at the first open end of the body. The tower further includes an upper flange and a spring which abuts the upper flange at a first spring end. The second spring end abuts the spring seat. The anti-rotation member accordingly may be coupled to the body via the spring seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Alan W Hayman, Jared M Satkowiak, Robert S McAlpine
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Patent number: 10077727Abstract: A fuel control module controls fuel injection of an engine based on a predetermined lean air/fuel ratio. The predetermined lean air/fuel ratio is fuel lean relative to a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for the fuel. A cylinder control module selectively deactivates opening of intake and exhaust valves of M cylinders of the engine to increase removal of nitrogen oxide (NOx) from exhaust. M is an integer greater than 0 and less than a total number of cylinders of the engine. The fuel control module further: disables fueling of the M cylinders while opening of the intake and exhaust valves of the M cylinders is deactivated; and, while fueling of the M cylinders is disabled and opening of the intake and exhaust valves of the M cylinders is deactivated, controls fuel injection of other cylinders based on a predetermined rich air/fuel ratio that is fuel rich relative to the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: David P. Sczomak, Robert J. Gallon, Robert S. McAlpine, Arun S. Solomon
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Patent number: 10018128Abstract: An engine control system includes an internal combustion engine including a plurality of cylinders. An intake manifold is connected to the internal combustion engine. An exhaust manifold is connected to the internal combustion engine. A supercharger is connected to an air intake passage and the intake manifold and includes a variable speed drive. A throttle valve is disposed in the air intake passage. An exhaust passage is in connection with the exhaust manifold. A passive selective catalytic reduction catalyst system is in communication with the exhaust passage. An exhaust gas recirculation passage is in communication with the exhaust passage and the air intake passage and includes an exhaust gas recirculation valve. A controller controls the variable speed drive of the supercharger and the throttle valve and the exhaust gas recirculation valve based upon engine conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ko-Jen Wu, Oliver Rudwinsky, Robert S. McAlpine
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Publication number: 20180058390Abstract: A cylinder head casting for a three cylinder engine having a dedicated exhaust gas recirculation cylinder and two non-dedicated cylinders, includes three combustion chamber upper wall portions. First and second exhaust ports/runners extend from two of the three combustion chamber upper wall portions, respectively, for the non-dedicated cylinders and are paired together prior to a first common breakout at an exhaust flange in a side face of the cylinder head. A third exhaust port/runner extends from the other of the three combustion chamber upper wall portions corresponding to the dedicated EGR cylinder remains separated from the first and second exhaust port runners until a separate second breakout at the exhaust flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Alan W. HAYMAN, Robert S. McALPINE
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Publication number: 20180038293Abstract: An engine control system includes an internal combustion engine including a plurality of cylinders. An intake manifold is connected to the internal combustion engine. An exhaust manifold is connected to the internal combustion engine. A supercharger is connected to an air intake passage and the intake manifold and includes a variable speed drive. A throttle valve is disposed in the air intake passage. An exhaust passage is in connection with the exhaust manifold. A passive selective catalytic reduction catalyst system is in communication with the exhaust passage. An exhaust gas recirculation passage is in communication with the exhaust passage and the air intake passage and includes an exhaust gas recirculation valve. A controller controls the variable speed drive of the supercharger and the throttle valve and the exhaust gas recirculation valve based upon engine conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Ko-Jen WU, Oliver RUDWINSKY, Robert S. McALPINE
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Patent number: 9797279Abstract: An exhaust valve includes a stem extending to a valve end. The valve end includes a pressure relief apparatus. An engine assembly includes a casing defining a cylinder bore, a combustion chamber and an exhaust passage. The combustion chamber is disposed between the exhaust passage and the cylinder bore. The engine assembly also includes a piston movable in the cylinder bore. The engine assembly further includes an exhaust valve movable between a first position blocking fluid communication through the exhaust passage and a second position allowing fluid communication through the exhaust passage. The exhaust valve includes a pressure relief apparatus configured to allow fluid communication through the exhaust valve from the cylinder bore to the exhaust passage when the exhaust valve is in the first position and a predetermined pressure threshold occurs in the cylinder bore between the exhaust valve and the piston.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Gm Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Terry A. Tomas, Kenneth L. Briscoe, Robert S. McAlpine
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Patent number: 9714694Abstract: A tensioner device, includes a housing defining a cylindrical bore. A plunger is disposed in the bore and has a non-cylindrical outer surface. A spring is engaged with the plunger for biasing the plunger in an outward direction and an oil passage is in communication with the cylindrical bore for delivering pressurized oil to the bore. The non-cylindrical outer surface provides hydraulic clearance areas between the plunger and the bore to provide improved damping without high damping force.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Eric D. Staley, David R. Staley, Robert S. McAlpine
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Publication number: 20170198652Abstract: A fuel control module controls fuel injection of an engine based on a predetermined lean air/fuel ratio. The predetermined lean air/fuel ratio is fuel lean relative to a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for the fuel. A cylinder control module selectively deactivates opening of intake and exhaust valves of M cylinders of the engine to increase removal of nitrogen oxide (NOx) from exhaust. M is an integer greater than 0 and less than a total number of cylinders of the engine. The fuel control module further: disables fueling of the M cylinders while opening of the intake and exhaust valves of the M cylinders is deactivated; and, while fueling of the M cylinders is disabled and opening of the intake and exhaust valves of the M cylinders is deactivated, controls fuel injection of other cylinders based on a predetermined rich air/fuel ratio that is fuel rich relative to the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: David P. SCZOMAK, Robert J. GALLON, Robert S. MCALPINE, Arun S. SOLOMON
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Patent number: 9670823Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block defining a cylinder, a cylinder head, and an exhaust manifold operatively connected to the cylinder head and configured to exhaust post-combustion gasses from the cylinder. The engine also includes a turbocharger having a turbine housing and configured to be driven by the post-combustion gasses from the exhaust manifold, to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient, and to discharge the pressurized airflow to the cylinder. The engine additionally includes a cooling module arranged between the turbine housing and the cylinder head and defining a third coolant jacket configured to cool the turbine housing. A vehicle employing such an engine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine
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Publication number: 20170059010Abstract: A tensioner device, includes a housing defining a cylindrical bore. A plunger is disposed in the bore and has a non-cylindrical outer surface. A spring is engaged with the plunger for biasing the plunger in an outward direction and an oil passage is in communication with the cylindrical bore for delivering pressurized oil to the bore. The non-cylindrical outer surface provides hydraulic clearance areas between the plunger and the bore to provide improved damping without high damping force.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Eric D. STALEY, David R. STALEY, Robert S. McALPINE
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Publication number: 20160281582Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block defining a cylinder, a cylinder head, and an exhaust manifold operatively connected to the cylinder head and configured to exhaust post-combustion gasses from the cylinder. The engine also includes a turbocharger having a turbine housing and configured to be driven by the post-combustion gasses from the exhaust manifold, to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient, and to discharge the pressurized airflow to the cylinder. The engine additionally includes a cooling module arranged between the turbine housing and the cylinder head and defining a third coolant jacket configured to cool the turbine housing. A vehicle employing such an engine is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine
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Publication number: 20160265396Abstract: An exhaust valve includes a stem extending to a valve end. The valve end includes a pressure relief apparatus. An engine assembly includes a casing defining a cylinder bore, a combustion chamber and an exhaust passage. The combustion chamber is disposed between the exhaust passage and the cylinder bore. The engine assembly also includes a piston movable in the cylinder bore. The engine assembly further includes an exhaust valve movable between a first position blocking fluid communication through the exhaust passage and a second position allowing fluid communication through the exhaust passage. The exhaust valve includes a pressure relief apparatus configured to allow fluid communication through the exhaust valve from the cylinder bore to the exhaust passage when the exhaust valve is in the first position and a predetermined pressure threshold occurs in the cylinder bore between the exhaust valve and the piston.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Terry A. Tomas, Kenneth L. Briscoe, Robert S. McAlpine
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Publication number: 20160258369Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a first engine bank and a second engine bank. A first intake valve is disposed in an intake port of a cylinder of the first engine bank, and is configured for metering the first flow of combustion air by periodically opening and closing according to a first intake valve lift and duration characteristic. A variable valve train control mechanism is configured for affecting the first intake valve lift and duration characteristic. Either a lift or duration of the first intake valve is modulated so as to satisfy an EGR control criterion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine, Edward J. Keating
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Patent number: 9435298Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a first engine bank and a second engine bank. A first intake valve is disposed in an intake port of a cylinder of the first engine bank, and is configured for metering the first flow of combustion air by periodically opening and closing according to a first intake valve lift and duration characteristic. A variable valve train control mechanism is configured for affecting the first intake valve lift and duration characteristic. Either a lift or duration of the first intake valve is modulated so as to satisfy an EGR control criterion.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine, Edward J. Keating
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Patent number: 9422833Abstract: A camshaft assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft, a first lobe set, and a second lobe set, extending along, and rotatable about, a cam axis. The first lobe set includes a first, second, and third lobe. The second lobe set includes a first and second lobe. The first lobe set is movable along the cam axis between a first, second, and third position. The second lobe set is movable along the cam axis between a first and second position. The first and second position of each of the first and second lobe sets corresponds to lift of a respective valve stem in the engine. The third position of the first lobe set corresponds to zero lift of the respective valve stem to provide cylinder deactivation of a corresponding cylinder within the engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine
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Publication number: 20160146062Abstract: A camshaft assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft, a first lobe set, and a second lobe set, extending along, and rotatable about, a cam axis. The first lobe set includes a first, second, and third lobe. The second lobe set includes a first and second lobe. The first lobe set is movable along the cam axis between a first, second, and third position. The second lobe set is movable along the cam axis between a first and second position. The first and second position of each of the first and second lobe sets corresponds to lift of a respective valve stem in the engine. The third position of the first lobe set corresponds to zero lift of the respective valve stem to provide cylinder deactivation of a corresponding cylinder within the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine