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: 8671920Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder configured to operate on a four-stroke combustion cycle, a dedicated EGR cylinder configured to operate on a two-stroke combustion cycle and an EGR supply conduit extending between an exhaust port of the dedicated EGR cylinder and the cylinder configured to operate on a four-stroke combustion cycle for delivery of exhaust gas exiting the dedicated EGR cylinder to the cylinder configured to operate on a four-stroke combustion cycle for combustion therein.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine
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Patent number: 8667953Abstract: A system includes a fuel cutoff module and a cylinder deactivation module. The fuel cutoff module generates a fuel cutoff signal when a deceleration fuel cutoff condition occurs, wherein fueling to M cylinders of an engine is disabled based on the fuel cutoff signal, and wherein M is an integer greater than or equal to one. The cylinder deactivation module deactivates the M cylinders in response to the fuel cutoff signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2009Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Inventors: Robert Jack Gallon, Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine, James J. Mazzola, III
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Patent number: 8651075Abstract: An engine assembly may define first and second combustion chamber and may include a camshaft having a first lobe region engaged with the first valve arrangement and a second lobe region engaged with the second valve arrangement and rotatable relative to the first lobe region. The cam phaser may be coupled to the camshaft and may include a first member and a second member rotatable relative to the first member. The first lobe region may be fixed for rotation with the first member and the second lobe region may be fixed for rotation with the second member to vary valve timing for the second combustion chamber independently from the valve timing of the first combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine
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Publication number: 20140030099Abstract: An impeller, which is rotatable about an axis, includes an inlet shroud and a backing plate. An inlet orifice is defined by the inlet shroud, and a plurality of outlet orifices are radially outward of the inlet orifice. A plurality of vanes are disposed between the inlet shroud and the backing plate. The vanes are formed integrally as one-piece with the inlet shroud.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine, Robert J. Gallon, Akram R. Zahdeh
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Publication number: 20140030086Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a centrifugal pump assembly including a pump housing defining a cavity and an impeller disposed within the cavity, the impeller being affixed to a shaft. The pump housing includes an inner surface having a geometric pattern configured in increase a turbulence of a fluid flow over the inner surface. The impeller includes one or more blades and a shroud. The inner surface of the pump housing and the shroud of the impeller define a leakage path.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Inventors: David R. Staley, Robert S. McAlpine, Roxann M. Bittner
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Patent number: 8544436Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a first valve, a first valve lift mechanism and a first camshaft. The engine structure may define a first combustion chamber and a first port in communication with the first combustion chamber. The first valve may be located in the first port and the first valve lift mechanism may be engaged with the first valve. The first camshaft may be rotationally supported on the engine structure and may include a first double lobe engaged with the first valve lift mechanism. The first double lobe may define a first valve opening region including a first peak and a second valve opening region including a second peak rotationally offset from the first peak.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine
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Publication number: 20130146004Abstract: A crankshaft for an internal combustion engine comprises at least four main journals aligned on a crankshaft axis of rotation and at least three crankpins, each disposed about a respective crankpin axis and positioned between the main journals. Each of the respective crankpin axes is oriented parallel to, and spaced radially from, the crankshaft axis of rotation. Each of the crankpins is joined to a pair of crank arms for force transmission between the crankpin and the pair of crank arms. Each pair of crank arms is joined to a respective main journal for transmitting torque between the pair of crank arms and the main journal. At least two of the crankpins are positioned substantially in phase with one another and a third crankpin being positioned approximately 180 degrees apart from the at least two crankpins.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine
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Patent number: 8327814Abstract: A rocker arm may include a valve engagement region, a lift mechanism engagement region, a pivot region, and a body portion. The valve engagement region may be located at a first longitudinal end of the rocker arm and on a first side of the rocker arm. The lift mechanism engagement region may be located at a second longitudinal end of the rocker arm. The pivot region may be located between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region and may define a rotational axis for the rocker arm. The body portion may extend longitudinally between and couple the valve engagement region, the pivot region and the lift mechanism engagement region to one another. The body portion may define first and second ribs on a second side of the rocker arm that extend longitudinally between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Inventors: Hatem Zakaria Orban, Robert S. McAlpine, Akram R. Zahdeh
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Publication number: 20120260897Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a working cylinder, an EGR cylinder, an intake system for supplying a combustion air charge to the cylinders, a first exhaust system for removing exhaust gas from the working cylinder and to the atmosphere, a second exhaust system for removing exhaust from the EGR cylinder and supplying the exhaust gas through an EGR supply conduit to the intake system, an EGR bypass conduit extending between and fluidly connecting the EGR supply conduit and the first exhaust treatment system, a first valve assembly disposed in the EGR supply conduit between the intake system and an inlet of the EGR bypass conduit and a second valve assembly disposed in the EGR bypass conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Alan W. Hayman, Rodney E. Baker, Robert S. McAlpine
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Publication number: 20120234270Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure and a crankshaft. The engine structure may include an engine block defining a first bank of cylinders defining two cylinders and a second bank of cylinders defining two cylinders forming a V4 arrangement. The crankshaft may include a first crank pin, a second crank pin, a third crank pin and a fourth crank. The fourth crank pin may be rotationally offset from the first crank pin by a first angle of less than two hundred and seventy degrees in the rotational direction of the crankshaft. The second and third crank pins may be located rotationally between the first crank pin and the fourth crank pin in the rotational direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: EDWARD J. KEATING, ROBERT S. MCALPINE, AKRAM R. ZAHDEH, HATEM ZAKARIA ORBAN
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Publication number: 20120210958Abstract: A crankshaft for a V8 engine includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth crank pins defined on the crankshaft. The second crank pin is rotationally offset from the first crank pin, the third crank pin is rotationally offset from the first and second crank pins, the fourth crank pin is rotationally offset from the first, second and third crank pins, the fifth crank pin is rotationally offset from the first, second, third and fourth crank pins, and the sixth pin is rotationally offset from the first, second, third, fourth and fifth crank pins. The seventh crank pin is rotationally aligned with the first crank pin and the eighth crank pin is rotationally aligned with the second crank pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: EDWARD J. KEATING, ROBERT S. MCALPINE, AKRAM R. ZAHDEH, HATEM ZAKARIA ORBAN
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Publication number: 20120145103Abstract: An engine assembly may define first and second combustion chamber and may include a camshaft having a first lobe region engaged with the first valve arrangement and a second lobe region engaged with the second valve arrangement and rotatable relative to the first lobe region. The cam phaser may be coupled to the camshaft and may include a first member and a second member rotatable relative to the first member. The first lobe region may be fixed for rotation with the first member and the second lobe region may be fixed for rotation with the second member to vary valve timing for the second combustion chamber independently from the valve timing of the first combustion chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: ALAN W. HAYMAN, ROBERT S. MCALPINE
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Publication number: 20120145097Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a first valve, a first valve lift mechanism and a first camshaft. The engine structure may define a first combustion chamber and a first port in communication with the first combustion chamber. The first valve may be located in the first port and the first valve lift mechanism may be engaged with the first valve. The first camshaft may be rotationally supported on the engine structure and may include a first double lobe engaged with the first valve lift mechanism. The first double lobe may define a first valve opening region including a first peak and a second valve opening region including a second peak rotationally offset from the first peak.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: ALAN W. HAYMAN, ROBERT S. MCALPINE
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Publication number: 20120048244Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder configured to operate on a four-stroke combustion cycle, a dedicated EGR cylinder configured to operate on a two-stroke combustion cycle and an EGR supply conduit extending between an exhaust port of the dedicated EGR cylinder and the cylinder configured to operate on a four-stroke combustion cycle for delivery of exhaust gas exiting the dedicated EGR cylinder to the cylinder configured to operate on a four-stroke combustion cycle for combustion therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine
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Patent number: 8109246Abstract: A camshaft damping mechanism may include first and second housing members and a biasing member. The first housing member may be engaged with a camshaft. The second housing member may be slidably coupled to the first housing member and may abut an engine structure. The biasing member may be retained axially between the first and second housing members and may force the first housing member in an outward axial direction from the second housing member.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Inventors: Robert Jack Gallon, Rodney E. Baker, Alan W. Hayman, Robert S McAlpine
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Publication number: 20120006287Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, exhaust valves supported by the engine structure and a camshaft supported by the engine structure and engaged with the exhaust valves. The engine structure may define first, second, third and fourth combustion chambers arranged in series and a plurality of exhaust ports, each in communication with a corresponding combustion chamber. The engine structure may also define a flange region defining a first exhaust gas outlet axially aligned with the second combustion chamber and a second exhaust gas outlet axially aligned with the third combustion chamber. The engine structure may define first and second exhaust passages that extend from the first and second exhaust ports, respectively, to the first exhaust gas outlet and third and fourth exhaust passages that extend from the third and fourth exhaust ports, respectively, to the second exhaust gas outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2010Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: ALAN W. HAYMAN, ERIC C. DOUSE, ROBERT S. MCALPINE
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Publication number: 20120006295Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a first valve and a second valve. The engine structure may define a combustion chamber and first and second exhaust ports in communication with the combustion chamber. The first valve may be arranged within the first exhaust port and have a first surface area. The second valve may be arranged within the second exhaust port and have a second surface area greater than the first surface area.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2010Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: ALAN W. HAYMAN, ERIC C. DOUSE, ROBERT S. MCALPINE
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Patent number: 8028672Abstract: A dry sump oil tank assembly for a vehicle is provided with a housing defining an internal cavity. The housing is configured with a laterally-extending portion to add lateral volume to the internal cavity and has at least one internal baffle attached to the housing within the internal cavity below the laterally-extending portion and configured to reduce sloshing of oil within the cavity. The dry sump oil tank assembly is particularly useful for high performance applications, such as racing vehicles, and may utilize components from standard vehicle applications, thus maximizing the economies of scale of producing such components and being suited for a vehicle that may be typically used in standard driving conditions, but occasionally subjected to high performance use.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Gregory P. Prior, Akram R. Zahdeh, Robert S. McAlpine, Bryce E. Mazzola
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Publication number: 20110083639Abstract: A system includes a fuel cutoff module and a cylinder deactivation module. The fuel cutoff module generates a fuel cutoff signal when a deceleration fuel cutoff condition occurs, wherein fueling to M cylinders of an engine is disabled based on the fuel cutoff signal, and wherein M is an integer greater than or equal to one. The cylinder deactivation module deactivates the M cylinders in response to the fuel cutoff signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Robert Jack Gallon, Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine, James J. Mazzola, III
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Publication number: 20110067660Abstract: A rocker arm may include a valve engagement region, a lift mechanism engagement region, a pivot region, and a body portion. The valve engagement region may be located at a first longitudinal end of the rocker arm and on a first side of the rocker arm. The lift mechanism engagement region may be located at a second longitudinal end of the rocker arm. The pivot region may be located between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region and may define a rotational axis for the rocker arm. The body portion may extend longitudinally between and couple the valve engagement region, the pivot region and the lift mechanism engagement region to one another. The body portion may define first and second ribs on a second side of the rocker arm that extend longitudinally between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: HATEM ZAKARIA ORBAN, ROBERT S. MCALPINE, AKRAM R. ZAHDEH