Additional Air Supply Patents (Class 123/26)
  • Patent number: 11522346
    Abstract: A prechamber sparkplug includes a housing having a nozzle with a prechamber formed therein, and each of a first set and a second set of electrode prongs within the prechamber. The second set of electrode prongs downwardly depend from attachment points to the housing, and form, together with the first set of electrode prongs, spark gaps within the prechamber. Each of the anode-cathode pairs formed by the sets of electrode prongs is spaced radially inward a clearance distance from the prechamber wall to position the spark gaps in a flow of swirled gases. The flow of swirled gases displaces a flame kernel formed at the spark gaps to inhibit quenching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: James Jay Cress
  • Patent number: 10837381
    Abstract: In the start control, the first and second discharge actions of the ignition apparatuses are controlled. The first discharge action is performed to ignite the mixed gas in the multiple cylinders. The second discharge action is performed to generate the ozone. The first discharge action is performed immediately after the start of the cranking. The first discharge action is performed in the cylinders which belongs to the first and second cylinder groups. The second discharge action is performed before the start of the cranking. The second discharge action is performed in at least one cylinder which belongs to the second cylinder group. The multiple cylinders belong to the first or second cylinder group. The multiple cylinders are classified into the first or second cylinder group based on the crank angle section SCA set for each cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Ashizawa
  • Patent number: 10458373
    Abstract: An oxygen separation device includes a substrate and an oxygen ion transport membrane supported on the substrate. The substrate has an air inlet end and a retentate outlet end. An intake air passageway extends through the substrate from the air inlet end to the retentate outlet end. The oxygen ion transport membrane is between the substrate and the intake air passageway and is adapted to separate oxygen atoms from the air in the intake air passageway and to transport the oxygen atoms to the substrate. The oxygen separation device collects the oxygen from the substrate for supply to an internal combustion engine for use as the gas of the gas-fuel mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Bradford
  • Patent number: 9890689
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, gaseous fuel is injected in a first injection through a pre-combustion chamber into the combustion chamber to mix with air in the combustion chamber. The pre-combustion chamber has a jet aperture in fluid communication between the pre-combustion chamber and the combustion chamber. Mixed gaseous fuel and air is then ingested into the pre-combustion chamber from the combustion chamber and ignited. In a second injection, injecting gaseous fuel into the pre-combustion chamber and expelling, with the second injection, ignited gaseous fuel and air from the pre-combustion chamber through the jet aperture and into the combustion chamber as a flaming jet with a core of gaseous fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory James Hampson, Domenico Chiera
  • Patent number: 9863361
    Abstract: A direct injection diesel engine is provided with a fuel injection nozzle which is capable of performing a multistage injection. In a middle-or-high load region, in order to decrease soot, an after-injection is performed immediately after a main injection. In a case of fuel with a low Cetane number, the after-injection can cause a worsening of soot. Hence, an ignition delay interval (period of time) of the main injection is determined. In a case where the ignition time delay interval (period of time) is equal to or above a threshold value, the after-injection is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isshou Uehara
  • Patent number: 9803538
    Abstract: A ducted combustion system is disclosed. The ducted combustion system includes a combustion chamber bound by a flame deck surface of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and by a piston top surface of a piston disposed within the internal combustion engine. The system includes a fuel injector including a plurality of orifices, the plurality of orifices injecting fuel into the combustion chamber as a plurality of fuel jets. The system includes a duct structure defining a plurality of ducts and disposed within the combustion chamber between the flame deck surface and the piston top surface, the plurality of ducts being disposed such that each of the plurality of fuel jets at least partially enters one of the plurality of ducts upon being injected into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Anders, Kenth Svensson, Bobby John, Chad Koci, Christopher Gehrke, Glen Martin, Timothy Bazyn
  • Patent number: 9745927
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for an air system for an internal combustion engine (“ICE”). The air system can include a compressor, separation device, first conduit, second conduit and a system for controlling a ratio of gasses that enter the combustion chamber during an intake stroke. The separation device can include a housing and membrane. The housing can be fluidly coupled to the compressor and configured to receive a first volume of intake air therefrom. The membrane can be disposed within the housing and configured to separate the first volume of intake air into a volume of nitrogen-rich air and a volume of oxygen-rich air. The first conduit can fluidly couple the compressor to the combustion chamber. The second conduit can fluidly couple the compressor to the separation device. The gasses can include the volume of nitrogen-rich air, the volume of oxygen-rich air, and a second volume of intake air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Powell, Michael Bima
  • Patent number: 9297327
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately measuring an air-fuel-ratio of an engine. During a first condition of decreased scavenging, adjusting fuel injection based on a more-upstream air-fuel ratio, and during a second condition of increased scavenging, adjusting fuel injection based on one or more more-downstream air-fuel ratios and not based on the more-upstream air-fuel ratio. During the first condition, adjusting fuel injection may be further based on the one or more more-downstream air-fuel ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Helmut Hans Ruhland, Albert Breuer, Thomas Lorenz, Moritz Klaus Springer
  • Patent number: 9291083
    Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and apparatus to reduce emissions of target emission gasses such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and carbon oxides from combustion exhaust such as marine engine exhaust by gas membrane separation and liquid carrier chemical absorption. The membrane separation system consists of an absorption system containing semi-permeable hollow fiber membranes through which is circulated a liquid absorbent. Exhaust gases contact the exterior surface of the membranes and the target gasses selectively permeate the membrane wall and are absorbed by the liquid carrier(s) within the bore and thereby are removed from the exhaust stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: IONADA INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Edoardo Panziera
  • Publication number: 20140230757
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine control apparatus includes a secondary air supply device having a secondary air supply passage that supplies secondary air pumped by an air pump into an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine and an opening/closing unit that opens and closes the secondary air supply passage. A controller provided in the internal combustion engine control apparatus sets the opening/closing unit in an open condition such that the secondary air is supplied to the secondary air supply passage, and then executes foreign matter removal control in which the opening/closing unit is opened and closed. As a result, foreign matter caught in an ASV during AI control is removed immediately. By implementing OBD after removing the foreign matter, detection of an open sticking abnormality caused by foreign matter caught in the ASV is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Kondo, Ryosuke Tsukamoto, Hironori Kitadani, Jun Aoki, Shinsuke Kiyomiya, Kazuyoshi Tashiro, Satoshi Kawai, Tatsuro Nakata
  • Patent number: 8656870
    Abstract: An engine system and a method of operation are described. The engine may be operating in two-stroke and four-stroke modes while still maintaining a target exhaust air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 8567191
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for operating an internal combustion engine are provided. In one embodiment, an example method for operating an internal combustion engine includes, under a first condition, charging a compressed air storage vessel via a compressor. The method further includes, under a second condition, directly injecting compressed air from the storage vessel to a cylinder of the engine to enhance fuel combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Stephen Mark Geyer
  • Publication number: 20130087109
    Abstract: An engine without a compressor or a turbine comprises a combustion chamber for burning a fuel-air mixture formed by mixing a fuel with outside air; and an outside air introduction part for introducing outside air into the combustion chamber. The outside air introduction part comprises an intake main port for introducing outside air into the combustion chamber from the direction along the central axis of the combustion chamber and a plurality of intake sub-ports for introducing outside air into the combustion chamber from the direction toward the central axis. The intake sub-ports comprise ejection openings capable of ejecting outside air toward a collision point inside the combustion chamber. Streams of outside air ejected from the ejection openings of the intake sub-ports mutually collide at the collision point and are thereby compressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: WASEDA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Ken Naitoh
  • Patent number: 8381524
    Abstract: A piston and a reciprocating expansion engine with a piston having a piston head, a piston neck, and a piston shaft are described. The piston head has at least one groove which runs in a circumferential direction suitable for receiving a piston ring, and the piston shaft has a pin boss and, at its outer circumference, a guide surface which is suitable for guiding the piston along a cylinder inner wall. An outer diameter of the piston neck is smaller than an outer diameter of the piston head and/or of the piston shaft, and the length of the piston neck approximately corresponds to the travel of the piston in the installed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Oesterreich AG
    Inventors: Gottfried Raab, Markus Raup, Josef Klammer, Roland Kirchberger, Michael Lang
  • Patent number: 8365701
    Abstract: A method of operating a multi-cylinder compression ignition engine having at least one cylinder acting as a compression cylinder and at least one cylinder action as a combustion cylinder. The method comprise compressing air in the compression cylinder, and in the combustion cylinder, opening and then closing an exhaust valve during an exhaust stroke to trap some exhaust gas, during a compression stoke immediately following the exhaust stroke, injecting a controlled amount of fuel into the combustion chamber to obtain compression ignition at or near a top dead center piston position without reaching combustion temperatures at which NOX is formed, and injecting compressed air and fuel during a power stroke immediately following the compression stroke to sustain combustion to burn the fuel with an equivalence ratio within a predetermined range around unity. Various embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sturman Digital Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Oded Eddie Sturman
  • Patent number: 8082892
    Abstract: The present invention is a second kind of High Efficiency Integrated Heat Engine, or HEIHE-2 for short. HEIHE-2 is a reciprocal combustion engine integrated with both compound cycle and combined cycle. HEIHE-2 comprises triple compound cylinder structure, with the first cylinder and the second cylinder being the primary combustion and/or expansion cylinders; and the third cylinder being the secondary combustion and/or expansion cylinder. Power strokes driven by expansions of different working fluids such as air-fuel combustion products, steam and compressed air, are integrated into one engine block. Triple cylinder structure provides compound expansions of three (3) different fluids as to recover the energies that would be lost with the exhaust fluids or during braking. All of these make HEIHE-2 work around four (4) periods with six (6) different operation strokes. All four (4) working periods contain four (4) different power strokes but only two (2) of them consume the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Yuanping Zhao, Yuanfan Zhao, Yuanjun Zhao, Yiheng Zhao, Biyun Zhou
  • Publication number: 20090056670
    Abstract: The present invention is a second kind of High Efficiency Integrated Heat Engine, or HEIHE-2 for short. HEIHE-2 is a reciprocal combustion engine integrated with both compound cycle and combined cycle. HEIHE-2 comprises triple compound cylinder structure, with the first cylinder and the second cylinder being the primary combustion and/or expansion cylinders; and the third cylinder being the secondary combustion and/or expansion cylinder. Power strokes driven by expansions of different working fluids such as air-fuel combustion products, steam and compressed air, are integrated into one engine block. Triple cylinder structure provides compound expansions of three (3) different fluids as to recover the energies that would be lost with the exhaust fluids or during braking. All of these make HEIHE-2 work around four (4) periods with six (6) different operation strokes. All four (4) working periods contain four (4) different power strokes but only two (2) of them consume the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: YUANPING ZHAO, Yuanfan Zhao, Yuanjun Zhao, Yiheng Zhao, Biyun Zhou
  • Patent number: 7465337
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with an air separation unit and a method of realizing such an internal combustion engine, the air separation unit is able to be fed by intake air compressed by a charging unit and cooled by a charged air cooler. The internal combustion engine can at least periodically be fed with a retentate, provided by the air separation unit, having such a composition that, in comparison to normal, it is oxygen enriched. The air separation unit is connected to the outlet of the charged air cooler, and compressed intake air from the charging unit undergoes purification that includes the separation of fluid and/or solid contents before being fed into the air separation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Uwe Gaertner, Thomas Koch
  • Patent number: 7389754
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) for supplying an air-fuel mixture to a two-stroke internal combustion engine cylinder (2), comprising a carburettor (3) having a throttle valve (4) and usually a choke valve. The system further has a transfer passage (6) between a crankcase chamber and a combustion chamber of said engine. A supply conduit for additional air (8) is having an air valve (10) for said additional air, and said supply conduit for additional air (8) is being adapted to discharge the additional air into the top portion of said transfer passage (6) during a portion of a cycle of said two-stroke internal combustion engine. Further the air valve (10) is controlled by the throttle valve (4) so as to affecting a air valve opening state when said throttle valve opening state is affected. Said air valve (10) is of a barrel valve type while said throttle valve (4) is of a butterfly valve type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Mikael Holmdahl, Håkan Granath
  • Patent number: 7377272
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the emissions and improving the performance of an internal combustion engine (40). An input air stream is separated into an oxygen-enriched air stream and a nitrogen-enriched air stream. The nitrogen-enriched air stream is received by a holding chamber (35). The oxygen-enriched air and a combustible fuel are provided to a combustion chamber (45) of the internal combustion engine (40) and a combustion process is initiated. After a predefined time delay, a volume of nitrogen-enriched air is provided from the holding chamber (35) to the combustion chamber (45) to be used during the rest of the combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: World Air Energy Corporation
    Inventor: James G. Davidson
  • Patent number: 7314043
    Abstract: A boost system for an engine, comprising an engine having at least a cylinder; a fuel injector coupled to said cylinder; a compression device coupled to said engine; a compressed air storage device coupled to said compression device and configured to deliver compressed air to an air flow amplifier device located in the inlet air passageway to said cylinder; and a controller to adjust an amount of fuel injection to account for variation of air delivered to said cylinder from said flow amplifier device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Al Berger, Thomas Leone
  • Patent number: 7188587
    Abstract: A method of operating a compression ignition engine is disclosed. The method comprises, introducing an enriching component into a combustion chamber during an intake stroke, igniting the enriching component during the compression stroke, introducing a main injection of fuel to the combustion chamber after the ignition of the enriching component, igniting the main injection of fuel, and introducing a supplemental gas to the combustion chamber after igniting the main injection of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ather A. Quader, John E. Kirwan, Philip J. Dingle, Malcolm James Grieve
  • Patent number: 7171924
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one combustion chamber and a piston slidably disposed within the at least one combustion chamber. The piston is configured to reciprocate between a top-dead-center position and a bottom-dead-center position. The internal combustion engine also has an air supply in selective fluid communication with the at least one combustion chamber and a fuel supply in selective fluid communication with the at least one combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine further has a supply of non-combustible gas and at least one injector in fluid communication with the at least one combustion chamber and the supply of non-combustible gas. The at least one injector is configured to inject non-combustible gas from the supply into the at least one combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Wade James Robel, Scott B. Fiveland, Joel D. Hiltner
  • Patent number: 7143726
    Abstract: A method for controlling the opening of at least one intake valve of a combustion chamber in a periodically working piston engine, at least one intake valve of the combustion chamber being opened during a first partial period of a working period of the piston engine for charging the combustion chamber; and at least one intake valve of the combustion chamber being opened during a second partial period of the working period, wherein the second partial period begins after the combustion of the combustion chamber charge and has no overlap with the first partial period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Gaessler, Ernst Wild, Udo Diehl, Karsten Mischker, Rainer Walter, Ruediger Weiss, Andreas Baumann, Lutz Reuschenbach, Bernd Rosenau, Juergen Ulm, Juergen Schiemann, Christian Grosse, Georg Mallebrein, Volker Beuche, Stefan Reimer
  • Patent number: 7121232
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, Z-engine. The compression part and the working part are separated. New gas is transported to the upper side of the piston. Below there is a small chamber corner. When the piston comes nearer the upper hollow part, the combustion gases go out from the cylinder through exhaust-valves. After the changing of the gas, before filling the upper chamber, there is a secondary compression, the firing of the mix, or fire. In advance of the compression can be other than the volume of the working pistons together. The side effect of the piston can be taken away by means of a double cam mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Timo Tapani Janhunen
  • Patent number: 7100543
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the emissions and improving the performance of an internal combustion engine (40). An input air stream is separated into an oxygen-enriched air stream and a nitrogen-enriched air stream. The nitrogen-enriched air stream is received by a holding chamber (35). The oxygen-enriched air and a combustible fuel are provided to a combustion chamber (45) of the internal combustion engine (40) and a combustion process is initiated. After a predefined time delay, a volume of nitrogen-enriched air is provided from the holding chamber (35) to the combustion chamber (45) to be used during the rest of the combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: World Air Energy Corporation
    Inventor: James G. Davidson
  • Patent number: 7007653
    Abstract: A composition for forming an electrode for use in a torch jet spark plug is provided. The composition comprises a ceramic material, ceramic particles, and an electrically conductive material. The ceramic particles are dispersed within the ceramic material. At least some of the ceramic particles have a predetermined size. This predetermined size is at least as large as the thickness of the finally formed electrode. The electrically conductive material is capable of being manipulated to form ribbons around the ceramic particles and of being sintered to form the electrode. The resultant electrode has good resistance to explosive erosion mechanisms, which consequently increases the life of the torch jet spark plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventors: William J. Labarge, Kaius Kiiren Polikarpus, Keith Michael Brenske
  • Patent number: 6933687
    Abstract: A dual motor configuration 10 is provided for driving two fans for moving air to cool an engine. The dual motor configuration includes a primary brushless motor 18 constructed and arranged to be electronically controlled to drive a first fan 16 over a range of speeds. A secondary brush motor 24 is constructed and arranged to be electronically controlled to drive a second fan 22 over a range of speeds. The secondary brush motor includes an electronic switching device 26 associated therewith for receiving a pulse width modulated signal for controlling speed of the secondary brush motor. Thus, different combinations of speeds of the first and second motors can be selectively chosen to meet cooling requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: John Makaran, Erich Maier
  • Publication number: 20040255875
    Abstract: An engine includes a piston located in a cylinder, an inlet through which at least a portion of fuel for an ignition and combustion is passed into the cylinder, an outlet through which exhaust from the combustion is removed from the cylinder, and an air injector that injects air into the cylinder after the ignition and before exhaust escapes through the outlet. The air injector injects sufficient air to burn out all active matter of the fuel, whereby emissions from the engine are free of active matter of the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: SIC Motors, D.O.O.
    Inventors: Tihomir Sic, Miladin Vidakovic
  • Publication number: 20040221822
    Abstract: This invention is an improvement of U.S. Pat. No. 6,463,917 that produces an increased and continuous volume of Ozone and Nitrous Oxide that is self controlling, provides increased power and a 33% increase in fuel mileage while preventing the formation of noxious nitrogen oxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Jack Silver
  • Publication number: 20040074453
    Abstract: A diagnostic system according to the present invention diagnoses system failure of a secondary air injection system. The secondary air injection system includes a pump that provides air to an exhaust system via a conduit and a valve that controls the flow of air through the conduit. A pressure sensor measures pressure in the conduit. A controller predicts pressure in the conduit during first, second and third operational phases of the secondary air injection system. The controller compares the measured pressure to the predicted pressure to evaluate operation of the secondary air injection system. During the first phase, the secondary air injection system is used to reduce vehicle emissions. During the second phase, the valve is shut while the pump is on. During the third phase, the pump is turned off while the valve is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Matthew J. Roelle, Martin L. Hall, Daniel H. Hooker, Gary E. Johnston, Kevin E. Person, Jeffrey M. Polidan
  • Patent number: 6722352
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an integrally connected pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system to provide oxygen-enriched air or oxygen-deficient air, in situ, to the mixing chamber of a spark-ignition or compression-ignition engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Smolarek, David A. Walker, Bernard T. Neu
  • Publication number: 20040055585
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an integrally connected pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system to provide oxygen-enriched air or oxygen-deficient air, in situ, to the mixing chamber of a spark-ignition or compression-ignition engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: James Smolarek, David A. Walker, Bernard T. Neu
  • Patent number: 6571770
    Abstract: So that sufficient combustion air is available in all the cylinders of a diesel internal combustion engine both under part load and in transient operating states, oxygen-containing gas or additional gas or compressed air from a gas distributor is additionally supplied under pressure to the combustion space of the cylinder, even after the diesel internal engine has been started, through at least one separate additional-gas inlet by means of at least one separate additional-gas valve (V1a). The supply of this additional gas can commence after closing of an air inlet valve (VE) or of an air outlet valve (VA) of the diesel internal combustion engine. The method is suitable for both 4-stroke and 2-stroke diesel internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Turbo Systems AG
    Inventors: Ennio Codan, Hugo Fiedler, Ioannis Vlaskos
  • Patent number: 6561139
    Abstract: Secondary air is strategically introduced into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine event after the main combustion event to reduce HC and CO emissions. While the technique is applicable to virtually any otto cycle engine, it is particularly well-suited for use in a “rich burn” utility engine typically operating at an equivalence ratio (ER) of about 1.2 or above. Such engines start easily, run well, and emit low levels of NOx at ERs on the order of 1.2. The invention takes advantage of these benefits by admitting an air/fuel charge and allowing otto-cycle combustion to occur in at least generally the usual fashion (although at least preferably as rapidly as possible for a given engine design), using the standard fuel-rich carburetor calibration to fuel the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Evan Guy Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan S. Guy
  • Publication number: 20030066498
    Abstract: Secondary air is strategically introduced into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine event after the main combustion event to reduce HC and CO emissions. While the technique is applicable to virtually any otto cycle engine, it is particularly well-suited for use in a “rich burn” utility engine typically operating at an equivalence ratio (ER) of about 1.2 or above. Such engines start easily, run well, and emit low levels of NOx at ERs on the order of 1.2. The invention takes advantage of these benefits by admitting an air/fuel charge and allowing otto-cycle combustion to occur in at least generally the usual fashion (although at least preferably as rapidly as possible for a given engine design), using the standard fuel-rich carburetor calibration to fuel the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: Evan Guy Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan S. Guy
  • Patent number: 6484673
    Abstract: Within each of: (1) an internal combustion engine system; (2) a transportation vehicle which incorporates the internal combustion engine system; and (3) a method for operating the internal combustion engine system, there is employed: (1) an internal combustion engine having a minimum of one combustion chamber; (2) a gas compressor absent an associated compressed gas tank, where the gas compressor is driven by a power output of the internal combustion engine; and (3) a controller programmed for providing a compressed gas charge from the gas compressor to the minimum of one combustion chamber during a portion of a compression cycle within the minimum of one combustion chamber, but not including a beginning portion of the compression cycle within the minimum of one combustion chamber. Each of the internal combustion engine system, transportation vehicle and method provides enhanced internal combustion engine performance and economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Davis, Jialin Yang
  • Patent number: 6173567
    Abstract: A combustion air management and emission control system injects supplemental air directly into combustion chambers of a diesel engine in order to reduce total particulates in exhaust gases being emitted from the engine. A portion of intake air flowing toward an intake manifold of the engine is diverted to a compressor so that controlled quantities of pressurized supplemental air can be injected directly into each of the combustion chambers while the piston within the combustion chamber is in its expansion and/or exhaust strokes. At least a portion of the diverted intake air can be directed through a selectively permeable membrane device so that oxygen-enriched air and nitrogen-enriched air are produced. At least a portion of the oxygen-enriched air can be supplied to the compressor so that the supplemental air being injected into the combustion chambers will contain a desired, elevated amount of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Ramesh B. Poola, Ramanujam R. Sekar
  • Patent number: 6138616
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for supplying air to an internal combustion engine including an inlet for supplying air to at least one cylinder in the engine, a tank for storing additional air under pressure, a feeder for supplying additional air from the tank, a valve for supplying additional air to the cylinder from the feeder, the valve including a first valve portion for supplying the air to the cylinder, the first valve portion being moveable between a closed position in which the air cannot be supplied to the cylinder and an open position in which the air is supplied to the cylinder and including a passage connected to the feeder for supplying the additional air to the cylinder therethrough. Methods for supplying air to an internal combustion engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Arne Svensson
  • Patent number: 6055808
    Abstract: An emission control system for reducing total particulates and NO.sub.X emissions from the exhaust of a diesel engine includes an air supply system that supplies oxygen enriched air to an air intake of the engine. The air supply system may include a selectively permeable air separating membrane device for producing the oxygen enriched air. In order to effectively utilize the increase in the concentration level of oxygen in the intake air, the amount of fuel being supplied to the diesel engine also is increased at a minimum in proportion to the increased concentration level of oxygen in the intake air. The increase in the amount of such fuel being supplied to the diesel engine can be adjusted by an electronic fuel injection system used on such diesel engines. In addition, the electronic fuel injection system is used to retard the injection timing of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Ramesh B. Poola, Ramanujam R. Sekar
  • Patent number: 5983865
    Abstract: In order to supply an air-fuel mixture composed of the fuel and compressed air to a combustion chamber of an engine, an air-fuel mixture valve is opened by a valve body which is moved via the core shifted by magnetic force of the electromagnetic coil. The invention provides a method of determining the magnetic force of the electromagnetic coil on the basis of the relationship defined by Fm.gtoreq.Fv-fa, where Fm denotes axial tension depending upon the magnetic force of the electromagnetic coil, Fv denotes force necessary for opening or closing the empty air-fuel mixture valve, and fa denotes force for compressed air to open the air-fuel mixture valve. The pressure of the compressed air is used as the auxiliary force to open the air-fuel mixture valve. This allows the air-fuel mixture valve to be made more compact and reduces power consumption of the electromagnetic coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamashita, Minoru Ueda, Shunji Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 5960777
    Abstract: A novel method of operating an internal combustion engine employs a selectively gas permeable membrane to provide either oxygen or nitrogen enriched air feed to beneficially affect engine performance. By feeding enriched air from a membrane unit such performance parameters as reduced NOx emissions, lean burn limit, engine power, and reduced cold start emissions can be enhanced relative to feeding ambient air. The selectively gas permeable membrane unit further includes a nonporous membrane (i) having an oxygen/nitrogen selectivity of at least 1.4 and a permeability to oxygen of at least 50 barrers; (ii) formed from an amorphous copolymer of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole; and (iii) being at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the amorphous copolymer.A cylindrical module having many substantially parallel aligned small diameter hollow fiber membrane structures is ideally suited for carrying out the novel method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Compact Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Marshall Nemser, Kevin Patrick Callaghan, Todd Colin Reppert
  • Patent number: 5937960
    Abstract: The air rail comprises a housing defining an air passageway conduit therein. The conduit has a plurality of passageways therethrough with access to the passageways provided by a plurality of ports disposed in the housing, the main passageway being fed pressurized air from an air compressor discharge and discharging to the brake reservoir. A second passageway acts as a sensing and secondary air supply passageway, the outlet ports from this second passageway being engageable in a push to connect manner with air tubing leading to various air-using systems and devices, the outlets each being positioned as close as possible to the corresponding structure to which it is to be engaged. Further, the air rail may incorporate a fuel oil passageway therein, thereby providing for pre-warming of fuel for the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventor: Dallas D. Dewey
  • Patent number: 5718194
    Abstract: An environmental accommodating, reduced NOx, spark or plasma ignited, reciprocating, multi-fuel engine utilizing direct, in-cylinder water injection and an optional oxygen enriched air supply is able to operate as an ultra-lean burn, high compression ratio engine for notable power output and increased efficiency. The in-cylinder low-temperature water injection promotes numerous desirable effects. One, the in-cylinder water injection during compression stroke significantly lowers compression temperatures through the latent heat of vaporization of the liquid water to the gaseous form. The lower temperature of compression permits increased compression ratios while avoiding pre-ignition. As well, the low-temperature water injected air/fuel or enriched O.sub.2 /air/fuel mass demands less work in the compression stroke thereby increasing overall engine efficiency. The low-temperature water injection promotes increased mass flow through the engine for increased power output and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Inventor: W. Sidney Binion
  • Patent number: 5400746
    Abstract: A system for simultaneously increasing combustion efficiency and reducing pollutant emissions. Oxygen enriched air (i.e., air from which a portion of the nitrogen has been removed so that the oxygen concentration is higher than in normal air) and water droplets of predetermined size are both present in the cylinder of a four cycle internal combustion engine during the power/combustion stroke. Oxygen enriched air may be mixed with normal air drawn into the combustion chamber during the intake stroke. Also, and alternatively, the droplets may be water or H.sub.2 O.sub.2 bubbles filled with normal or oxygen-enriched air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Odex, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Susa, Tam V. Tran
  • Patent number: 5381760
    Abstract: High pressure air on the order of 3,000 PSI is injected into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine during only the combustion cycle of engine operation to increase its horsepower and torque. The injection of air is triggered by the combustion chamber pressure reaching a predetermined level which causes a check valve to be opened thereby providing communication from an air source to the combustion chamber. When the combustion chamber pressure drops to a predetermined level, spring biased pressure combined with air injection pressure will exceed combustion pressure and cause the ball valve to return to its closed position. The cycle will be repeated during each combustion cycle of operation of a multiple cycle engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Thermal Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward L. Simonds
  • Patent number: 5325824
    Abstract: A split cycle internal combustion engine having located wholly within the combustion chamber (13) of the firing cylinder (10) and spaced from the walls thereof a hollow dome (14) with the closed head of the dome (14) adjacent to the head (11) of the firing cylinder (10) and the open base of the dome (14) nearer to the power piston (12), a nozzle (24) directing air from a compressor around the interior wall of the dome (14), nozzle (24) directing fuel into the dome (14) after all the air has entered the dome (14) and a nozzle (25) for igniting the fuel/air mixture when the temperature of the dome (14) is insufficiently high for ignition. An inwardly directed flange (17) extends around the open base of the dome (14) to form a channel (18). It is preferred that the engine operates at very high pressures, the compressor is multi-stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: John D. Wishart
  • Patent number: 5147417
    Abstract: An air intake system for a mobile combustion engine is disclosed. The air intake system comprises a membrane formed from an amorphous polymer of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole, the membrane exhibiting an oxygen-nitrogen selectivity of at least 1.4:1. Either the permeate section or the feed section of the membrane is adapted to be in fluid flow communication with a combustion zone of the mobile combustion engine. The membrane preferably has an oxygen flus in excess of 100 Barrers, especially in excess of 500 Barrers. The air intake system provides either oxygen-enriched air or oxygen-deplected air for the engine, depending on the mode of operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Du Pont Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart M. Nemser
  • Patent number: 5051113
    Abstract: An air intake system for a mobile combustion engine is disclosed. The air intake system comprises a membrane formed from an amorphous polymer of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole, the membrane exhibitign an oxygen/nitrogen selectivity of at least 1.4:1. The permeate section of the membrane is adapted to be in fluid flow communication with a combustion zone of the mobile combustion engine. The membrane preferably has an oxygen flux in excess of 100 Barrers, esepcially in excess of 500 Barrers. The air intake system provides oxygen-enriched air for the engine, to make the engine more efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Du Pont Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart M. Nemser
  • Patent number: 5031592
    Abstract: There is disclosed an internal combustion (V-8) engine having an improved form of cylinder head and intake manifold for augmented combustion air flow and improved fuel mixing wherein the intake chamber immediately upstream of the intake valve is provided with two inlet ducts rather than the usual one inlet duct. The primary inlet duct may be conventional; the secondary inlet duct branches off in a direction more nearly parallel to the central axis of the cylinder and preferably connects to an inlet pipe which draws air through an independent air filter. The secondary inlet duct is provided with its own butterfly valve which can be independently controlled either automatically or manually and may be provided with a fuel injector. Secondary inlet ducts of the system can be attached on the outside to the inlet stacks (for injected engines), to an air breather base (on carburated engines), or to draw filtered air from the atmosphere directly into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventors: Sam Jones, Jeff Jones