Patents by Inventor Ulrich Hilger

Ulrich Hilger 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: 8172557
    Abstract: A high-pressure gas compressor comprises a single-acting cam driven piston with a pressure compensation chamber disposed between the piston and the cam. A roller tappet assembly transmits reciprocating motion from the cam to the piston. A pressurized gas directed to the pressure compensation chamber offsets forces acting on the piston from the compression chamber gas pressure, thereby reducing Hertzian pressure between the tappet roller and the cam. Overall efficiency and durability can be improved by reducing friction between compressor components, for example by employing thin film coatings to reduce friction, pressurized oil lubrication systems and higher cylinder bore diameter to piston stroke ratios. The service life of gas seals and compression efficiency can be improved by thermal management strategies, including liquid-cooled compressor cylinder liners and intercoolers between compression stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: Ulrich Hilger, Bernd Bartunek, Martin Blank
  • Publication number: 20080213115
    Abstract: A high-pressure gas compressor comprises a single-acting cam driven piston with a pressure compensation chamber disposed between the piston and the cam. A roller tappet assembly transmits reciprocating motion from the cam to the piston. A pressurized gas directed to the pressure compensation chamber offsets forces acting on the piston from the compression chamber gas pressure, thereby reducing Hertzian pressure between the tappet roller and the cam. Overall efficiency and durability can be improved by reducing friction between compressor components, for example by employing thin film coatings to reduce friction, pressurized oil lubrication systems and higher cylinder bore diameter to piston stroke ratios. The service life of gas seals and compression efficiency can be improved by thermal management strategies, including liquid-cooled compressor cylinder liners and intercoolers between compression stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Ulrich Hilger, Bernd Bartunek, Martin Blank
  • Patent number: 6854438
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a fuel injection nozzle for injecting a gaseous fuel directly into the combustion chamber. shield, is installed in close proximity to the fuel injection nozzle, provides a shielded space around a hot surface igniter and restricts flow between the shielded space and the combustion chamber. The nozzle comprises a fuel injection port oriented to direct a fuel spray against a surface of the sleeve An inlet in the sleeve allows air and fuel to enter the shielded space to form a combustible mixture therein. The sleeve contains a substantial amount of the combustible mixture within the shielded space until it ignites and pressure builds within the shielded space to propel a combustion flame through at least one discharge opening and into contact with the fuel sprays emerging from the fuel injection nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Westport Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Hilger, Bernd Bartunek, Kevin Kwame Oversby, Ian Hayden Lockley, John Gordon Crawford, Kenneth R. C. Mann, Richard Wing
  • Patent number: 6845746
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a fuel injection nozzle for injecting a gaseous fuel directly into the combustion chamber. Installed in close proximity to the fuel injection nozzle is an ignition device, comprising a sleeve that provides a shielded space around a hot surface igniter. The sleeve restricts flow between the shielded space and the combustion chamber. An inlet opening in the sleeve allows air and fuel to enter the shielded space to form a combustible mixture therein. The sleeve contains a substantial amount of the combustible mixture within the shielded space until it ignites and pressure builds within the shielded space to propel a combustion flame through at least one discharge opening that is oriented to direct the combustion flame into contact with the fuel spray roots emerging from the fuel injection nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Westport Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Hilger, Bernd Bartunek
  • Publication number: 20040069267
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a fuel injection nozzle disposed in a combustion chamber for injecting a gaseous fuel directly into the combustion chamber. An ignition device disposed within the combustion chamber is installed in close proximity to the fuel injection nozzle, and comprises a sleeve that provides a shielded space around a hot surface igniter and the sleeve restricts flow between the shielded space and the combustion chamber. The nozzle comprises a fuel injection port that is oriented to direct a fuel spray to impinge upon a surface of the sleeve at about a 90 degree angle. At least one inlet opening in the sleeve allows air and fuel to enter the shielded space to form a combustible mixture therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Ulrich Hilger, Bernd Bartunek, Kevin Kwame Oversby, Ian Hayden Lockley, John Gordon Crawford, Kenneth R. C. Mann, Richard Wing
  • Publication number: 20040011323
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a fuel injection nozzle disposed in a combustion chamber for injecting a gaseous fuel directly into the combustion chamber. An ignition device, also disposed within the combustion chamber, is installed in close proximity to the fuel injection nozzle. The ignition device comprises a sleeve that provides a shielded space around a hot surface igniter and the sleeve restricts flow between the shielded space and the combustion chamber. At least one inlet opening in the sleeve allows air and fuel to enter the shielded space to form a combustible mixture therein. The sleeve contains a substantial amount of the combustible mixture within the shielded space until it ignites and pressure builds within the shielded space to propel a combustion flame through at least one discharge opening and into contact with the fuel spray roots emerging from the fuel injection nozzle. The discharge opening(s) are oriented to direct the combustion flame in the direction of the fuel spray roots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Ulrich Hilger, Bernd Bartunek
  • Patent number: 5617823
    Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a cylinder having an upper, generally planar bounding surface formed by an inner wall portion of a cylinder head; a fuel injection device and a spark plug held in the cylinder head and opening into the cylinder; a piston axially slidably disposed in the cylinder; a combustion chamber defined between the upper bounding surface of the cylinder head and the top piston face when the piston is in its upper dead center position; and an annular ridge situated on the top piston face. The annular ridge subdivides the combustion chamber into an inner partial combustion chamber and an outer partial combustion chamber surrounding the inner partial combustion chamber. The inner partial combustion chamber is situated in an effective range of the fuel injection device and the spark plug. Further, throughgoing apertures are provided in the annular ridge for maintaining a continuous communication between the inner and outer partial combustion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventors: Charles Gray, Jr., Karl H. Hellmann, Gary W. Rogers, Ulrich Hilger
  • Patent number: 5005402
    Abstract: A device for the determination of the alcohol content and/or the calorific value of fuels by measuring the characteristics of the fuel in a measurement cell in which a flow body that is at least partially wetted by the fuel is arranged. The accuracy and speed of this measurement is improved by providing a first electrode for the dielectric measurement of the fuel and a second electrode for the measurement of the conductivity of the fuel on the outside of the flow body. Preferably the first electrode for the measurement of the capacitance, its outer connection and the walls of the measurement cell form a mechanically rigid system. It can also be expedient to mount the measuring circuit for the measurement of at least the capacitance directly on the housing of the measurement cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KB
    Inventors: Franz Pischinger, Ernst Scheid, Ulrich Hilger, Gunter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 4787349
    Abstract: An ignition device (2) for an air-compressing internal combustion engine which is cooled only to a small extent by the fuel which impacts upon it. As shown in FIG. 3, a heat reservoir in the form of at least one incandescent helix (15, 16) is inserted between an incandescent rod (6) and a casing (10) which surrounds the helix and the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Kloeckner-Humboldt-Deutz AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Hilger