Injecting Diverse Fuels Or Different States Of Same Fuel Patents (Class 123/304)
  • Patent number: 8977474
    Abstract: A diesel-gasoline dual fuel powered combustion engine system is provided with spark-assisted fouling free EGR system in which gasoline and air are homogeneously combined and supplied to cylinders and then a diesel fuel is injected and combusted together. The system may include: a plurality of cylinders each having a fuel injector; and an exhaust line through which flows an exhaust gas discharged as a fuel from each cylinder is combusted; wherein gasoline fuel combustion type is adapted to one or more cylinder of the plurality of the cylinders, and diesel-gasoline fuel pre-mixed combustion type is adapted to the other cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dae Choi, Hyunsung Jung, Minyoung Ki, Hyeungwoo Lee
  • Patent number: 8973554
    Abstract: The present invention provides a two solenoid valve relay with a two-phase fuel injection valve for a diesel engine, which is installed on a valve itself to enable injection at pressure greater than opening pressure, at which the fuel enters into a fuel valve, thereby improving fuel injection performance, and which is configured to enable adjustment of an injection timing at the opening pressure within the valve, wherein injection timings through a solenoid valve is provided for low load and high load, respectively, such that a distinct difference exists between the injection timings to open the nozzle hole of the nozzle in a differential manner at pressure higher than the pressure, at which the fuel enters to the fuel valve and internal spring opening pressure, thereby injecting fuel at high pressure even at low load to facilitate vaporization, and wherein, in case of a high speed operation or high load, low pressure/high pressure needle valves are opened at the same time to quickly inject fuel of a high vol
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Heavy Industries, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Deuk-Jin Park, Eung-Sung Kim, Ju-Tae Kim, Kang-Yun Jung, Kwang-Cheol Heo, Jong-Suk Kim, Jung-Hyun Park, Eun Ha, Beom-Yong No
  • Publication number: 20150059687
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a phase of gaseous fuel delivered to fuel injectors of a fuel delivery system. In one example, a method may include adjusting a fuel pressure in a fuel delivery system to deliver fuel in each of a liquid and a gaseous phase during different engine operating conditions. The fuel pressure may be based on a temperature, composition, and desired phase of the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Warren Curtis, John Hedges, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Publication number: 20150033732
    Abstract: A supercharging device of a bifuel engine using a gas fuel and a liquid fuel as fuels, and having a supercharger supercharging or turbocharger turbocharging a large amount of intake air into a combustion chamber of the engine by driving a compressor arranged in an intake passage of the engine by an output shaft of the engine or an electric motor, performs the compressing by the compressor of the supercharger or turbocharger when the gas fuel is used, and does not perform the supercharging or turbocharging by the compressor of the supercharger or turbocharger when the liquid fuel is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Hiroyuki HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 8944027
    Abstract: A method of operating an electronically controlled dual fuel compression ignition engine includes injecting a pilot ignition quantity of liquid fuel into an engine cylinder from a dual fuel injector in an engine cycle during an auto ignition condition. An amount of gaseous fuel is also injected into the engine cylinder from the dual fuel injector in the same engine cycle. The amount of gaseous fuel is divided between a pre-mix quantity of gaseous fuel, which may be injected about 90° before top dead center, and a post ignition quantity of gaseous fuel that may be injected after top dead center, with both quantities being greater than zero. An engine controller may change a ratio of the pre-mix quantity of gaseous fuel to the post ignition quantity of gaseous fuel responsive to changing from a first engine speed and load to a second engine speed and load. The pilot ignition quantity of liquid fuel is compression ignited, which in turn causes the gaseous fuel to be ignited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20150020769
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for igniting a gaseous fuel directly introduced into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine comprises steps of heating a space near a fuel injector nozzle; introducing a pilot amount of the gaseous fuel in the combustion chamber during a first stage injection event; controlling residency of the pilot amount in the space such that a temperature of the pilot amount increases to an auto-ignition temperature of the gaseous fuel whereby ignition occurs; introducing a main amount of the gaseous fuel during a second stage injection event after the first stage injection event; and using heat from combustion of the pilot amount to ignite the main amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Jian Huang, Sandeep Munshi, Gordon P. McTaggart-Cowan, David R. Wager
  • Patent number: 8925518
    Abstract: A system has an engine. The engine has a combustion chamber, a pre-combustion chamber apart from the combustion chamber, and an opening spanning between the combustion chamber and the pre-combustion chamber. The engine also has a first fuel supply system adapted to supply liquid fuel to the pre-combustion chamber and a second fuel supply system adapted to supply a second, different fuel to the combustion chamber. In certain instances, an oxygen supply system supplies oxygen into the prechamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Riley, Gregory James Hampson, Domenico Chiera
  • Publication number: 20150000630
    Abstract: A system and method of utilizing engine compression braking technology to create a parasitic load on an engine during initial idling by putting some of the engine cylinders in braking mode while others remain in power mode. Engine compression brakes are operably connected to the engine cylinders. When engine temperature is below a predetermined value, the engine compression brakes for a portion of the cylinders are activated, and those cylinders impose a parasitic load on the engine that rapidly warms the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Dana Ray Coldren
  • Patent number: 8924126
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for conserving fuel used by an engine. In some embodiments a control module processes a user-provided input, as a first function, into a second function. The second function can be used to direct the engine with a directive output power. The directive output power may have regions equal to, greater than, and/or less than what the power output would be if the engine were controlled using the user-provided input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fuel Saving Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey N. Yu, James W. Hill
  • Patent number: 8919330
    Abstract: A number of systems and methods are disclosed which increase the replenishment interval for anti-knock fluid. This is especially important during activities which require a large amount of anti-knock fluid, such as towing. In some embodiments, the systems and methods are used to reduce anti-knock fluid consumption. For example, changes to engine operation, such as rich operation, spark retarding, upspeeding, and variable valve timing, all serve to reduce the amount of anti-knock fluid required to eliminate knocking. In other embodiments, the composition of the anti-knock fluid is modified, such as by using a higher octane fluid, or through the addition of water to the anti-knock fluid. In other embodiments, the replenishment interval is increased through a larger anti-knock fluid storage capacity. In one embodiment, a three tank system is used where the third tank can be used to store gasoline or anti-knock fluid, depending on the driving conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ethanol Boosting Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn
  • Patent number: 8904994
    Abstract: An ammonia burning internal combustion engine can feed ammonia and a highly combustible substance burning easier than ammonia to a combustion chamber. When the amount of ammonia fed into the combustion chamber is increased or when the ratio of the amount of the ammonia to the total amount of the ammonia and the highly combustible substance fed into the combustion chamber is increased, the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine are controlled so the air-fuel mixture fed into the combustion chamber is made easier to burn. As a result, an ammonia burning internal combustion engine designed to suppress a drop in combustibility of auxiliary fuel due to ammonia, can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryo Michikawauchi, Yasushi Ito, Kazuki Iwatani, Shiro Tanno
  • Publication number: 20140331962
    Abstract: Operating a dual gaseous and liquid fuel engine includes injecting gaseous and liquid fuels directly into an engine cylinder, and compression igniting the liquid fuel to ignite the gaseous fuel therein. Data indicative of energy content of injected gaseous fuel and also energy content of gaseous fuel conveyed to compensate for depletion of gaseous fuel via injection is received, and a signal outputted indicative of an energy imbalance between the injected and conveyed gaseous fuel responsive to the data. Diagnostics are run in response to the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Stockner
  • Publication number: 20140331964
    Abstract: A compression ignition engine is fueled from common rail fuel injectors that predominately inject natural gas fuel that is compression ignited with a small pilot injection of liquid diesel fuel. Prior to servicing the engine, a service tool may establish a communication link with an electronic controller that controls operation of the engine. Pressure information for a gaseous fuel common rail and a liquid fuel common rail are displayed with the service tool, when the engine is stopped, in order to determine whether the rails are completely depressurized indicating that it is then o.k. to perform servicing tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Grant, Frank Lombardi, Daniel R. Puckett, Alan R. Stockner
  • Publication number: 20140331963
    Abstract: A compression ignition engine is fueled from common rail fuel injectors that predominately inject natural gas fuel that is compression ignited with a small pilot injection of liquid diesel fuel. Before and after a rapid fueling increase transient, the liquid and gaseous rail pressures are controlled toward respective pressures based upon engine speed and load. During the transient, the liquid rail pressure is controlled toward an elevated liquid pressure in order to cause a surge in the supply of gaseous fuel to the gaseous fuel common rail to proactively satisfy the increased gaseous fuel injection rate while obviating a substantial pressure deficit in the gaseous fuel common rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Grant, Frank Lombardi, Daniel R. Puckett, Cory Brown
  • Publication number: 20140331965
    Abstract: A system, comprising, a combustion chamber, and a free-radical injector configured to inject free radicals into the combustion chamber at an ignition timing to trigger combustion of a fuel-air mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Patterson
  • Patent number: 8875666
    Abstract: A process for operating an internal combustion engine or a nozzle includes producing a fuel mixture in-situ. The fuel mixture consists of a polar component A, a nonpolar fuel component B, an amphiphilic component C, and an auxiliary component D. The fuel mixture is produced in a high-pressure region of an injection system of an internal combustion engine or of a nozzle within 10 seconds of an injection operation. The fuel mixture is injected into the internal combustion engine or the nozzle. A pressure is in a range of from 100 to 4,000 bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: Universitaet zu Koeln, Fachhochschule Trier
    Inventors: Reinhard Strey, Lada Bemert, Christof Simon, Heinrich Doerksen
  • Patent number: 8869754
    Abstract: An engine system with a reformer, wherein an unreformed fuel is reformed by the reformer mounted in an exhaust pipe, and wherein a reformed fuel containing hydrogen is supplied to an engine. The engine system with a reformer includes a controller which, when the hydrogen generated by the reformer is supplied to the engine, determines a target heat generation beginning timing in accordance with a load applied to an engine, an engine speed, and an air excess ratio of an air-fuel mixture, and which controls an ignition timing of the engine so that a difference between a current heat generation beginning timing and the target heat generation beginning timing of the engine is within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimada, Takao Ishikawa, Yasuo Yoshii
  • Publication number: 20140311445
    Abstract: A method of switching between liquefied gas fuel and liquid fuel consuming modes of a direct injection combustion engine including pumping liquefied gas fuel to a high pressure,pump for pumping the liquefied gas fuel to a high pressure rail of the engine during the liquefied gas fuel consuming mode, switching to the liquid fuel consuming mode, pumping the liquid fuel to the high pressure pump, flushing liquefied gas fuel via a return line between the high pressure pump and a fuel tank, controlling pump operation, controlling flow through the return line, and controlling the pressure of the fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Indopar B.V.
    Inventors: Sebastiaan Martinus Emanuel Ten Broeke, Jeroen Visscher
  • Publication number: 20140311444
    Abstract: A compression ignition engine is fueled from common rail fuel injectors that predominately inject natural gas fuel that is compression ignited with a small pilot injection of liquid diesel fuel. Before and after a rapid load loss transient, the liquid and gaseous rail pressures are controlled toward respective pressures based upon engine speed and load. During the transient, the liquid rail pressure is controlled relative to the gas rail pressure in order to maintain the liquid rail pressure greater than the gas pressure during the transient to avoid migration gaseous fuel into the liquid fuel side of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Steven Thomas Grant, Frank Lombardi, Daniel R. Puckett
  • Patent number: 8862355
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for restarting an engine that can be selectively deactivated during idle-stop conditions. In one embodiment, current is directed to a starter motor and an electric brake sequentially by limiting the current supplied to one while current is supplied to the other, an order of delivering the current based on a timing of a restart request relative to an electric brake request, as well as vehicle operating conditions at the time the requests were received. By coordinating the operation of a starter motor with the operation of an electric brake, loading of the engine system's electrical supply can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Chad Everette Griffin, Felix Nedorezov
  • Patent number: 8851045
    Abstract: A compression ignition (diesel) engine uses two or more fuel charges during a combustion cycle, with the fuel charges having two or more reactivities (e.g., different cetane numbers), in order to control the timing and duration of combustion. By appropriately choosing the reactivities of the charges, their relative amounts, and their timing, combustion can be tailored to achieve optimal power output (and thus fuel efficiency), at controlled temperatures (and thus controlled NOx), and with controlled equivalence ratios (and thus controlled soot). At low load and no load (idling) conditions, the aforementioned results are attained by restricting airflow to the combustion chamber during the intake stroke (as by throttling the incoming air at or prior to the combustion chamber's intake port) so that the cylinder air pressure is below ambient pressure at the start of the compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rolf Deneys Reitz, Reed M. Hanson, Derek A. Splitter, Sage L. Kokjohn
  • Patent number: 8844495
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an engine with an integrated mixing of fluids device and associated technology for improvement of the efficiency of the engine, and more specifically to an engine equipped with a fuel mixing device for improvement of the overall properties by inline oxygenation of the liquid, a change in property of the liquid such as cooling form improved combustion, or the use of re-circulation of exhaust from the engine to further improve engine efficiency and reduce unwanted emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tubulent Energy, LLC
    Inventors: David Livshits, Lester Teichner
  • Patent number: 8844498
    Abstract: A system, comprising, a combustion chamber, and a free-radical ignition system configured to inject free radicals into the combustion chamber at an ignition timing to trigger combustion of a fuel-air mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Compression Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Patterson
  • Patent number: 8839763
    Abstract: A compression ignition dual fuel engine utilizes individual fuel injectors to inject both gaseous and liquid fuels into each engine cylinder. Each of the fuel injectors includes two electrical actuators that control pressure in a respective liquid control chamber and gaseous control chamber to control the opening movement of check valves to facilitate liquid and gaseous fuel injection events, respectfully. The control fluid for liquid injection events is liquid, whereas the control fluid for the gaseous injection event is gaseous. The used liquid fuel drained from each fuel injector is returned for recirculation and subsequent injection, whereas the used gaseous fuel that drains from the fuel injector is supplied to the intake manifold for burning as circumstances permit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mayank Mittal
  • Patent number: 8820295
    Abstract: Fuel injectors are disclosed that are capable of simultaneously delivering liquid and gaseous fuels to the combustion chamber of a compression ignition engine. For example, fuel injectors are disclosed that can deliver liquid diesel fuel, as a pilot liquid, along with a gaseous fuel, such as natural gas or other available fuels that are gases at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. The fuels are delivered to the needle control valve cavity sequentially via separate passageways. The delivery of the pressurized liquid fuel is actuated by the single actuator that is provided for each fuel injector. The actuator may be of a solenoid type or of a piezoelectric type or other suitable actuator as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. A liquid fuel check valve, in combination with the actuator, controls the delivery of the pilot liquid fuel to the needle control valve cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Dana R. Coldren
  • Patent number: 8800269
    Abstract: In a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine in which a first fuel, which has a property to inhibit the adsorption of exhaust gas components by an exhaust gas purification catalyst, and the second fuel, which has a property not to inhibit the adsorption of the exhaust gas components by the exhaust gas purification catalyst, are able to be selectively used, the present invention has a task to decrease an amount of consumption of the second fuel in a suitable manner. In order to solve this task, the fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine according the present invention is constructed such that the second fuel is first supplied to the internal combustion engine when the exhaust gas purification catalyst is in a cold state, and a change from the second fuel to the first fuel is then made before the exhaust gas purification catalyst subsequently rises in temperature to an activation temperature thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakayama, Toru Kidokoro, Hiroshi Sawada
  • Patent number: 8800529
    Abstract: A dual fuel injection valve with concentric needles comprises an inner needle and an outer needle surrounding the inner needle, both needles being located inside the injection valve body. The valve is provided with a first set and a second set of orifices for separately injecting two different fuels directly into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The outer needle is fixed against rotation with respect to the injection valve body such that an interlace angle between the centerlines of the first series of orifices and second series of orifices is set at different predetermined angles to reduce methane emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Wickstone, Philip G. Hill, Jian Huang, Sandeep Munshi
  • Publication number: 20140202420
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for a combustion engine with direct injection and in particular to switching between two types of fuel is disclosed. A high-pressure pump (10) is connected to a combustion engine and the high-pressure rail for the direct injection of a fuel. At least two fuel storages (21,27) containing petrol and liquefied gas are present. The arrangement allows for switching from one fuel to another. Switching occurs by purging a fuel from the high-pressure pump (10) and the fuel supply line connected thereto by temporarily collecting the fuel in a purge unit (28). The purge unit (28) is arranged for purging the high-pressure pump (10), thus forcing out the prevailing fuel and replacing it with the new fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: VIALLE ALTERNATIVE FUEL SYSTEMS B.V.
    Inventors: Maria Servatius Alfons Jaasma, Piet Van Eijck
  • Patent number: 8783281
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing temperature and pressure of fuel in a fuel tank stored at or near its vapor pressure. In response to fuel feed pressure, a variable ratio of liquid fuel to fuel vapor is extracted from the fuel tank in order to regulate temperature and pressure of the fuel for the purpose of keeping the pressure lower in anticipation of refilling or to assist a vaporizer of the fuel system which is incompletely vaporizing the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Carter, Richard W. Hurley, Mark D. Archer, Alec G. Woolley, Jon D. Edsell
  • Patent number: 8783214
    Abstract: An oil filter and oil-additive dispensing device comprising an oil filter and oil additive replenishment system further comprising: a full-flow oil filter; a by-pass oil filter; an oil additive dispensing system; and an on-vehicle controller to dispense additive as required, track additive consumption and signal the need for a replacement system is described. Also a method of using such oil filter and oil-additive dispensing device to extend the useful life of lubricating oil in a vehicle engine is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anil K. Sachdev, Edward P. Becker, Thomas A. Perry, Emerson J. Adams, Thomas C. Pederson
  • Publication number: 20140196687
    Abstract: A dual fuel engine utilizes a compression ignited pilot injection of liquid diesel fuel to ignite a mixture of gaseous fuel and air in each engine cylinder. The gaseous fuel is injected at a relatively low pressure directly into the engine cylinder from a fuel injector. The liquid diesel fuel is injected directly into the engine cylinder from the same fuel injector. In-cylinder dynamic gas blending during the compression stroke can reduce potential hydrocarbon slip that could occur when unburned fuel resides in crevice volumes within the engine cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Cory A. Brown
  • Patent number: 8763585
    Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus includes: an adsorbent disposed in an internal space of a leading end portion of a fuel injector, the adsorbent being capable of selectively adsorbing an alcohol component in the blended fuel of gasoline and alcohol; fuel pressure controller capable of achieving states in which a pressure of fuel to be supplied to the fuel injector is set to a low or high pressure range having a small or large adsorbed amount of alcohol on the adsorbent; and split injection controller that makes the fuel injector inject fuel for one cycle in a plurality of times, when the pressure of fuel to be supplied to the fuel injector is set to the high pressure range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Tsukagoshi, Fumito Chiba, Mamoru Yoshioka, Ryota Onoe
  • Publication number: 20140123936
    Abstract: A dual fuel injector utilizes first and second control valves to open and close first and second nozzle outlet sets to inject a first fuel and a second fuel, respectively. The first and second control valves have concentric lines of action, and include a self alignment feature with respect to a flat seat. The two fuels may differ in at least one of chemical identity, matter phase and pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Dana R. Coldren, Mayank Mittal
  • Publication number: 20140116375
    Abstract: A compression ignition dual fuel engine supplies natural gas fuel and liquid diesel fuel to each engine cylinder from a common fuel injector. Each fuel injector is fluidly connected to both a liquid fuel common rail and a gaseous fuel common rail. The engine includes a surplus gas system for capturing surplus gas, such as evaporated gas from the gaseous fuel supply and pressure control system, or left over pressurized natural gas produced by engine shut down. Rather than being vented to atmosphere, the surplus gas can be burned in the engine when operating conditions present burn opportunities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Alan Stockner, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 8712669
    Abstract: Systems and methods of operating an engine with a varying fuel composition. In one example, a split injection is performed during engine cranking with at least some fuel injected in the intake stroke and some fuel injected in the compression stroke. Further, a split ratio of the injection is adjusted based on the alcohol content of the injected fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Krengel, Peter C. Moilanen, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 8707938
    Abstract: A number of systems and methods are disclosed which increase the replenishment interval for anti-knock fluid. This is especially important during activities which require a large amount of anti-knock fluid, such as towing. In some embodiments, the systems and methods are used to reduce anti-knock fluid consumption. For example, changes to engine operation, such as rich operation, spark retarding, upspeeding, and variable valve timing, all serve to reduce the amount of anti-knock fluid required to eliminate knocking. In other embodiments, the composition of the anti-knock fluid is modified, such as by using a higher octane fluid, or through the addition of water to the anti-knock fluid. In other embodiments, the replenishment interval is increased through a larger anti-knock fluid storage capacity. In one embodiment, a three tank system is used where the third tank can be used to store gasoline or anti-knock fluid, depending on the driving conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ethanol Boosting Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn
  • Publication number: 20140102407
    Abstract: Embodiments of injectors configured for adaptively injecting multiple different fuels and coolants into a combustion chamber, and for igniting the different fuels, are disclosed herein. An injector according to one embodiment includes a body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The injector further includes a first flow channel extending through the body, and a second flow channel extending through the body that is separate from the first flow channel and electrically isolated from the first flow channel. The first flow channel is configured to receive a first fuel, and the second flow channel is configured to receive at least one of a second fuel and a coolant. The injector further comprises a valve carried by the body that is movable between a closed position and an open position to introduce at least one of the second fuel and the coolant into a combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: McAlister Technologies, LLC
  • Patent number: 8690967
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power generation system, which includes a source of a seed oil, a source of alcohol, and a reactor in communication with the source of seed oil and the source of alcohol. The reactor produces a biofuel product. The system has a power source that operates on a biofuel energy source to produce heated exhaust. The power source is in communication with the reactor to utilize a portion of the biofuel product as its biofuel energy source. The system has a heat transfer mechanism that transfers heat from the exhaust manifold to the reactor. The power source also converts mechanical power into electrical power. Also disclosed is a system that involves extraction of oil from an oilseed product. A method of extracting oil from an oilseed product, a method of making a transesterified seed oil, and a method of making a biofuel are also disclosed, as are products obtained thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Syracuse University
    Inventors: Gheorghe Anitescu, Lawrence L. Tavlarides
  • Patent number: 8683979
    Abstract: A dual fuel system for an engine includes a plurality of fuel injectors that each include an injector body with a tip component defining a plurality of gas nozzle outlets and a plurality of liquid nozzle outlets positioned for direct injection into one of the engine cylinders. Each of the fuel injectors is fluidly connected to a gaseous fuel common rail through a quill and an outer passage defined between an inner tube and an outer tube. Each of the fuel injectors is fluidly connected to a liquid fuel common rail through the quill and an inner passage defined by the inner tube. Each combination of an inner tube and outer tube extend into the engine housing between the quill and one of the fuel injectors. Each of the inner tubes extends through one of the outer tubes and is compressed between a conical seat on the quill and a conical seat on one of the fuel injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars
  • Publication number: 20140053800
    Abstract: A machine includes a machine body and a dual fuel compression ignition engine attached to the machine body. A dual fuel system is operably coupled to supply the engine with liquid diesel fuel and natural gas fuel directly into respective cylinders of the engine. The fuel system includes an insulated tank for storing the natural gas fuel, a pressure sensor positioned to measure fluid pressure within the tank, and a pump for drawing the natural gas fuel from the tank. An electronic controller is in communication with the pressure sensor and has a cryogenic system diagnostics algorithm executable thereon that is configured to receive a pressure signal from the pressure sensor, detect a cryogenic system fault based on the signal, and generate a notification signal based on the fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Joshua W. Steffen, Dana R. Coldren, Alan R. Stockner
  • Patent number: 8627858
    Abstract: Methods and systems for selectively fuelling a vehicle are provided. One example method of fuelling a vehicle may include receiving a fuel in a fuel reservoir in the vehicle, and directing the fuel to one of a plurality of storage tanks based on a fuel type. In one example, the directing of fuel may include adjusting one or more fuelling valves positioned between the fuel reservoir and the plurality of storage tanks to vary a direction of fuel flow to the plurality of storage tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shane Elwart
  • Patent number: 8616177
    Abstract: A compression ignition engine uses two or more fuel charges having two or more reactivities to control the timing and duration of combustion. In a preferred implementation, a lower-reactivity fuel charge is injected or otherwise introduced into the combustion chamber, preferably sufficiently early that it becomes at least substantially homogeneously dispersed within the chamber before a subsequent injection is made. One or more subsequent injections of higher-reactivity fuel charges are then made, and these preferably distribute the higher-reactivity matter within the lower-reactivity chamber space such that combustion begins in the higher-reactivity regions, and with the lower-reactivity regions following thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rolf Deneys Reitz, Reed M. Hanson, Derek A. Splitter, Sage L. Kokjohn
  • Patent number: 8594907
    Abstract: A method to control an internal combustion engine includes operating the engine with a fuel blend of a first fuel and a second fuel, monitoring a value of a first combustion parameter during engine operation, monitoring a first value for a second combustion parameter during engine operation, determining a second value for the second combustion parameter in accordance with a predetermined correspondence among the first combustion parameter, the second combustion parameter, and a predetermined fuel blend of the first fuel and the second fuel, determining the fuel blend based upon a difference between the first and second values for the second combustion parameter, and controlling the engine based upon the fuel blend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Ibrahim Haskara
  • Patent number: 8580111
    Abstract: A device for separating fuel components comprising a separating membrane for separating high-octane fuel components from un-separated fuel and a heat exchanger between first liquid passing through the heat exchanger and second liquid passing through the heat exchanger, is provided. The first liquid is un-separated fuel passing through the heat exchanger before being supplied to the separating membrane. The second liquid is low-octane fuel remaining when the high-octane fuel components are separated from the un-separated fuel, passing through the heat exchanger after changing to an almost liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Randall D. Partridge, George Walchuk, Kouseki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8550058
    Abstract: As one example, a fuel rail assembly for supplying pressurized fuel to a plurality of cylinders of an engine is provided. The fuel rail assembly includes a fuel rail housing defining an internal fuel rail volume having at least a first region and a second region; a fuel separation membrane element disposed within the fuel rail housing that segregates the first region from the second region. The membrane element can be configured to pass a first component of a fuel mixture such as an alcohol through the membrane element from the first region to the second region at a higher rate than a second component of the fuel mixture such as a hydrocarbon. The separated alcohol and hydrocarbon components can be provided to the engine in varying relative amounts based on operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark Allen Dearth, Tom G. Leone
  • Patent number: 8538664
    Abstract: An electronic controller for a diesel engine (1) performs primary injection control in which primary injection of fuel is controlled based on an operational status of the diesel engine and additional injection control in which additional injection of the fuel is controlled for estimation of a cetane number of the fuel. The electronic controller includes a control means that, as the additional injection control, causes a plurality of fuel injections to be performed at different injection timings as the additional injection, calculates the amount of increase in torque of a crankshaft (14) due to each of the fuel injections, estimates injection timing at which misfiring starts to occur based on a trend of variation in the calculated torque increase amount as the injection timing of the fuel injections is shifted in one direction, and estimates the cetane number of the fuel based on the estimated injection timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Miyaura, Yasuyuki Terada, Atsushi Morikawa
  • Patent number: 8522747
    Abstract: The fuel injection apparatus includes: a fuel injector having a leading end portion that has an internal space in which fuel is accumulated and an injection port for injecting fuel; and an adsorbent disposed in the internal space, the adsorbent being capable of selectively adsorbing an alcohol component in a blended fuel of gasoline and alcohol. The fuel injection apparatus controls an injection amount from the fuel injector such that an air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine is a control target air-fuel ratio based on an alcohol concentration of the blended fuel to be supplied to the fuel injector. In this fuel injection apparatus, a fuel pressure is brought to a predetermined low fuel pressure when a request is issued for desorbing alcohol adsorbed on the adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumito Chiba, Mamoru Yoshioka, Takahiro Tsukagoshi, Ryota Onoe
  • Patent number: 8522758
    Abstract: A number of systems and methods are disclosed which increase the replenishment interval for anti-knock fluid. This is especially important during activities which require a large amount of anti-knock fluid, such as towing. In some embodiments, the systems and methods are used to reduce anti-knock fluid consumption. For example, changes to engine operation, such as rich operation, spark retarding, upspeeding, and variable valve timing, all serve to reduce the amount of anti-knock fluid required to eliminate knocking. In other embodiments, the composition of the anti-knock fluid is modified, such as by using a higher octane fluid, or through the addition of water to the anti-knock fluid. In other embodiments, the replenishment interval is increased through a larger anti-knock fluid storage capacity. In one embodiment, a three tank system is used where the third tank can be used to store gasoline or anti-knock fluid, depending on the driving conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ethanol Boosting Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn
  • Patent number: 8516991
    Abstract: To improve an ignitability to a fuel having a low compressed ignitability in a combustion chamber in a compressed self-ignition diffusive combustion mode operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shiro Tanno, Yasushi Ito
  • Patent number: RE45159
    Abstract: A system for supply of LPG/ammonia for direct-injection petrol or diesel engine includes an electronic control unit where the control unit governs a petrol/diesel pump, a supplementary petrol/diesel pump, a petrol/diesel-delivery solenoid vale, LPG/ammonia-return solenoid valve, LPG/ammonia pump, a supplementary LPG/ammonia pump, a LPG/ammonia-delivery solenoid vale and a LPG/ammonia injector, such that only one of LPG/ammonia and petrol/diesel is fed to the engine at any point in time, and a combination of i) LPG and petrol, ii) LPG and diesel, iii) ammonia and petrol, and iv) ammonia and diesel is never fed to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Icomet SpA
    Inventor: Luciano Cippitani