Having Subcharger Associated With The Cylinder Patents (Class 123/316)
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Patent number: 7634988Abstract: An engine block is disclosed in one embodiment having a cylinder shape bore, which forms the outside wall surface of a cylindrical air chamber. Radially outwards from the cylindrical air chamber there is an annular shape combustion chamber, which has a circular inner wall surface, circular outer wall surface, closed annular shaped top surface, and an annular shaped open end opposite of the top surface. The bottom end of the circular inner wall surface of the annular shape combustion chamber and the bottom end of the outside wall surface of the cylindrical air chamber defines an annular shape surface. This surface fits inside the annular shape air chamber in the piston assembly. In one embodiment, in the lower part of the circular inner wall surface of the annular shape combustion chamber there is a circular groove for an oil scraper ring of conventional design.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Inventor: Reijo K. Salminen
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Patent number: 7593805Abstract: To provide a control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of attaining both the securing of excellent drivability and the reduction of impact occurring when a movable part abuts against a restriction part at the same time. The control system 1 includes a variable valve lift mechanism 50 that changes a valve lift Liftin, and includes a restriction part 67a for having a movable part 65 abut thereagainst for restricting the valve lift Liftin such that it does not exceed a predetermined limit lift Liftin_L, and a variable intake air amount mechanism 11 that changes the intake air amount. The control system calculates a control input ULiftin for control of the variable valve lift mechanism 50, with a predetermined control algorithm including a disturbance suppression parameter POLE_lf (step 54), such that the valve lift Liftin follows up the target valve lift Liftin_cmd.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kanako Shimojo, Yuji Yasui
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Patent number: 7588019Abstract: Methods and devices of operating an internal combustion engine, especially a gasoline engine with direct gasoline injection, in a controlled self-ignition. The internal combustion engine includes a combustion chamber, at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve, whose opening times are changeable. The internal combustion engine also includes an adjustable exhaust gas recirculation and a gas mixture capable of ignition, which contains the residual gas, which is compressed in the combustion chamber during a compression stroke, whereby the gas mixture self-ignites toward the end of the compression stroke. The residual gas moves into, respectively remains in, the combustion chamber by using internal and external exhaust gas recirculation.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Andre F. Casal Kulzer
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Publication number: 20090101115Abstract: In at least a first cycle at startup, an opening timing of an exhaust valve is controlled to 45 degrees before-bottom-dead-center of an exhaust stroke, or to a retard side of the normal closing timing that is set after warm-up is complete. Also, the closing timing of the exhaust valve is preferably controlled to an advance side of top-dead-center in a second cycle at startup and thereafter at the latest. Accordingly, the amount of unburned HC discharged during a cold start of an internal combustion engine is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2006Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Murase, Hiroki Ichinose, Yuuichi Katou
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Patent number: 7500475Abstract: A method of operating an engine is provided. The engine may include a housing having a combustion chamber, a piston disposed adjacent the combustion chamber, a crankshaft connected to the piston, an intake valve associated with the combustion chamber, and an exhaust valve associated with the combustion chamber. The method may also include opening the intake valve after a power stroke of the piston begins and closing the intake valve before the exhaust stroke ends. Furthermore, the method may include causing the exhaust valve to be open for part of an intake stroke of the piston and closing the exhaust valve at least about 30 degrees of crankshaft rotation after the intake stroke begins.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Perkins Engines Company LimitedInventors: Max Brian Raymond, Michael Robert Stott, Nicholas John Richards, Andrew Oliver, Wei Cai
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Patent number: 7484498Abstract: Disclosed is a spark-ignition gasoline engine, which comprises control means operable, when an engine operation zone is a high-load operation zone including a WOT region within at least a low speed range, to adjust a closing timing of an intake valve in such a manner as to maintain an effective compression ratio at 13 or more, and retard an ignition timing to a point within a predetermined stroke range just after a top dead center of a compression stroke, wherein the effective compression ratio is calculated based on an intake-valve closing timing defined by a valve lift amount of 1 mm. The present invention can provide a spark-ignition gasoline engine having both a low-cost performance and a high engine-power performance even in a high-load operation zone (particularly WOT region) in a low speed range.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Hitomi, Noriyuki Iwata, Masahisa Yamakawa, Toshiaki Nishimoto, Takashi Yohso, Takayoshi Hayashi
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Patent number: 7469181Abstract: A homogeneous charge compression ignition engine is set up by first identifying combinations of compression ratio and exhaust gas percentages for each speed and load across the engines operating range. These identified ratios and exhaust gas percentages can then be converted into geometric compression ratio controller settings and exhaust gas recirculation rate controller settings that are mapped against speed and load, and made available to the electronic engine controller. This provides the engine controller with a look up table of what compression ratio and exhaust gas rates should be at each speed and load. The engine controller also balances at least one of combustion phasing and energy release among a plurality of cylinders in order to enable higher load operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kevin P. Duffy, Andrew J. Kieser, Michael P. Liechty, William L. Hardy, Anthony Rodman, Carl-Anders Hergart
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Patent number: 7422004Abstract: In a variable compression ratio internal combustion engine in which the compression ratio is changed by changing the combustion chamber volume, the present invention enables to inhibit irregularities in the air-fuel ratio involved by changing of the combustion chamber volume. In a transition period during which the compression ratio is changed, the actual volume of the combustion chamber realized by a compression ratio changing mechanism is detected. A factor that influences the air-fuel ratio (for example, fuel injection quantity, cylinder intake air quantity or amount of EGR) is controlled based on the actual volume of the combustion chamber thus detected to make the air-fuel ratio substantially equal to that before and after the change of the compression ratio.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Daisuke Akihisa, Eiichi Kamiyama, Akio Kikori, legal representative, Shigeo Kikori
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Patent number: 7415967Abstract: A method for improving engine intake manifold pressure control of an internal combustion engine is described. According to one aspect of the description, the manifold pressure may be controlled to reduce fuel consumption and engine emissions during at least some operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nate R. Trask, Thomas W. Megli
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Patent number: 7377267Abstract: A method is provided for an engine capable of burning gaseous fuel, the engine also including a combustion chamber, a fuel supply system with at least one fuel tank, at least one intake valve, and at least one exhaust valve, an injector to directly inject gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber, and an exhaust oxygen sensor. The method comprises directly injecting fuel from the injector into the chamber at a variable supply pressure which decreases as fuel tank pressure decreases; and adjusting at least one of an injection time and duration based at least on said variable pressure and information from the exhaust oxygen sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
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Patent number: 7337763Abstract: A combustion chamber valve, such as an intake valve or an exhaust valve, is briefly opened during the compression and/or power strokes of a 4-strokes combustion cycle in an internal combustion engine (in particular, a diesel or CI engine). The brief opening may (1) enhance mixing withing the combustion chamber, allowing more complete oxidation of particulates to decrease engine emissions; and/or may (2) delay ignition until a more desirable time, potentially allowing a means of timing ignition in otherwise difficult-to-control conditions, e.g., in HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) conditions.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Rolf Deneys Reitz, Christopher J. Rutland, Rahul Jhavar
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Patent number: 7320307Abstract: A method for improving engine intake manifold pressure control of an internal combustion engine is described. According to one aspect of the description, the manifold pressure may be controlled to reduce fuel consumption and engine emissions during at least some operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2005Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nate R. Trask, Thomas W. Megli
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Patent number: 7318314Abstract: A supercharged internal-combustion engine has at least two cylinders with a combustion cycle during which a cylinder (10) of the engine is in the intake phase with burnt gas scavenging in the vicinity of the top dead center (TDC) thereof while another cylinder is in the exhaust phase in the vicinity of the bottom dead center (BDC) thereof, the cylinders having at least one intake (12) with an intake valve (141, 142, 143, 144) and at least one exhaust (18) with an exhaust valve (201, 202, 203, 204). Controlling the engine includes carrying out scavenging of the burnt gases of the cylinder in the intake phase by a valve overlap stage by opening simultaneously its exhaust (201) and intake (141) valves, and controlling opening of exhaust valve (203) of the cylinder in the exhaust phase so that, during at least part of the overlap stage, the exhaust pressure (Pe) of the cylinder in the intake phase is lower than its intake pressure (Pa).Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Alexandre Pagot, GaƩtan Monnier
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Patent number: 7318018Abstract: A control system which is capable of compensating for and suppressing the influence of a periodic disturbance on a controlled object more quickly, even when the controlled object is subjected to the periodic disturbance the amplitude of which periodically changes, thereby enhancing the stability and the accuracy of control. The control system includes an ECU. The ECU calculates disturbance compensation values for compensating for a periodic disturbance by searching maps and tables, in timing of generation of each pulse of a CRK signal. The ECU calculates control inputs at a predetermined control period, with predetermined control algorithms, according to the disturbance compensation values read in at the control period, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Mitsunobu Saito, Tadaharu Shoji, Akiyuki Yonekawa
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Patent number: 7314037Abstract: The invention relates to a multicylinder internal combustion engine (1) comprising intake valves and exhaust valves that are provided with at least one additional valve (10) for each cylinder (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6), a preferably tubular pressure container (9) with a gas chamber (90) into which extend ducts (11) originating from the valves (10) such that gas can be exchanged between individual cylinders (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6) when the valves (10) are actuated. The pressure container (9) is provided with a device (17) for cooling the quantities of gas exchanged between individual cylinders (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6). In order to increase the cooling capacity, the cooling device (17) encompasses at least one cooling pipe (17) which is axially inserted into the pressure container (9) and is penetrated by coolant. The outer jacket (171) of the cooling pipe (170) borders the gas chamber (90), the gas that is exchanged between individual cylinders (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6) flowing around said outer jacket (171).Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2004Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: AVL List GmbHInventor: Robert Roithinger
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Publication number: 20070283933Abstract: An approach is provided for compensating engine fueling during starting conditions in which positive valve overlap is enabled early in the start. In one example, the valve timing is adjusted to increase positive overlap during cold starting conditions, and fuel adjustments are provided to compensate for the evaporation effects of the increased residual push-back.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2006Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventors: Steve Magner, Xiaoying Zhang, John Rollinger, Mrdjan Jankovic, Sue Wagers
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Patent number: 7281527Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method of deriving mechanical work from a combustion gas in internal combustion engines and reciprocating internal combustion engines for carrying out the method. The invention includes methods and apparatuses for managing combustion charge densities, temperatures, pressures and turbulence in order to produce a true mastery within the power cylinder in order to increase fuel economy, power, and torque while minimizing polluting emissions.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Inventor: Clyde C. Bryant
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Publication number: 20070234990Abstract: An internal combustion engine (101, 601, 901) alters an effective compression ratio from an effective compression ratio for a start-up operation to a larger effective compression ratio for a normal operation when an engine rotation speed (NE) increases beyond a resonance rotation speed region during cranking. A controller (104, 610, 910) determines whether or not the engine (101, 601, 901) has reached a combustion possible state on the basis of the engine rotation speed (NE) during cranking and an operating parameter (PA, TA, TW, P_Rail, V_Ang) other than the engine rotation speed (NE) (S1102, S1202, S1204). When the determination is negative, the controller (104, 610, 910) inhibits fuel supply to the engine (101, 601, 901) by a fuel supply device (207), even when the engine rotation speed has increased beyond the resonance rotation speed region (S406). In so doing, a combustion defect such as a misfire is prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2007Publication date: October 11, 2007Inventors: Toshikazu Shiino, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Tomohiko Tatara
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Publication number: 20070227517Abstract: Procedure to operate an internal combustion engine, especially a gasoline engine with direct gasoline injection, in a controlled self-ignition, whereby the internal combustion engine comprises a combustion chamber at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve, whose opening times are changeable, and comprises as well an adjustable exhaust gas recirculation and a gas mixture capable of ignition, which contains the residual gas, which is compressed in the combustion chamber during a compression stroke, whereby the gas mixture self-ignites toward the end of the compression stroke. The residual gas moves into, respectively remains in, the combustion chamber by means of internal and external exhaust gas recirculation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBHInventor: Andre F. Casal Kulzer
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Publication number: 20070227503Abstract: Disclosed is a spark-ignition gasoline engine, which comprises control means operable, when an engine operation zone is a high-load operation zone including a WOT region within at least a low speed range, to adjust a closing timing of an intake valve in such a manner as to maintain an effective compression ratio at 13 or more, and retard an ignition timing to a point within a predetermined stroke range just after a top dead center of a compression stroke, wherein the effective compression ratio is calculated based on an intake-valve closing timing defined by a valve lift amount of 1 mm. The present invention can provide a spark-ignition gasoline engine having both a low-cost performance and a high engine-power performance even in a high-load operation zone (particularly WOT region) in a low speed range.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventors: Mitsuo Hitomi, Noriyuki Iwata, Masahisa Yamakawa, Toshiaki Nishimoto, Takashi Yohso, Takayoshi Hayashi
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Publication number: 20070215126Abstract: A NOx emission reduction apparatus includes high-temperature EGR gas supply means for supplying a high-temperature EGR gas into an engine cylinder, low-temperature EGR gas supply means for supplying a low-temperature EGR gas into the engine cylinder and very-low-load operation control means for, as an engine load decreases in a very-low-load range, increasing an EGR rate of the high-temperature EGR gas and decreasing an EGR rate of the low-temperature EGR gas for stable engine operations and NOx emission reduction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2007Publication date: September 20, 2007Inventors: Taisuke Shiraishi, Koji Hiraya, Akihiko Kakuho, Morihiro Nagamine, Daisuke Tanaka
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Publication number: 20070208489Abstract: In an internal-combustion engine, comprising at least one cylinder, at least one intake pipe and at least one exhaust pipe associated to the cylinder, at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve, which control passage through said intake and exhaust pipes, there are provided first sensor means for detecting the temperature in said intake pipe, second sensor means for detecting the pressure in said intake pipe, third sensor means for detecting the engine r.p.m., and fourth means for detecting or calculating the temperature in said exhaust pipe. An electronic control unit pre-arranged for receiving the signals at output from said first, second and third sensor means calculates the amount of fresh air taken in by the engine on the basis of a mathematical model that is of general applicability and that, in particular, is applicable irrespective of the technological implementation specifically used for a system for variable valve actuation with which the engine can be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2007Publication date: September 6, 2007Applicant: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per AzioniInventors: Fabio Borean, Alberto Pisoni
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Patent number: 7263968Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising, an engine management unit, a combustion chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port, a fuel supply mechanism to supply gasoline to the engine, a valve train mechanism to permit introduction of air to the inlet port of the combustion chamber and release exhaust gases from the outlet port of the combustion chamber, and an external recirculating system whereby exhaust gases from the outlet port may be passed to the inlet port, wherein, the engine management unit is operable to, control the valve train mechanism to retain and/or rebreathe exhaust gases within the combustion chamber to cause the engine to operate in a controlled auto ignition combustion mode, and control the external recycling system to supply exhaust gases to the inlet port in the controlled auto ignition combustion mode, such that self-ignition occurs in the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Mahle Powertrain LimitedInventors: Alasdair Cairns, Hugh Blaxill
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Patent number: 7258100Abstract: A method for controlling the output of an internal combustion engine includes opening an intake valve on a cylinder; receiving air from an intake manifold into the cylinder during an intake stroke of a piston in the cylinder; returning excess air from the cylinder back into the intake manifold during the initial portion of the compression stroke of the piston, wherein a quantity of combustion air or air/fuel mixture necessary for a desired engine power output remains in the cylinder; and then closing the intake valve. A control device includes a control camshaft rotatively coupled to the crankshaft having a control cam with lobes that engage the intake valves for holding one or more intake valves open; a cam phaser to vary the phase of the controlled cam relative to the main camshaft; and a cam phase controller linked to the cam phaser, wherein advancing the phase of the control cam increases the power output of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2004Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Inventor: Bruce Pinkston
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Patent number: 7237540Abstract: A method for actuating one or more exhaust valves in an internal combustion engine during positive power operation is disclosed. The expansion stroke of an engine cylinder is effectively lengthened and the exhaust stroke is effectively shortened by delaying the opening and/or advancing the closing of the exhaust valve relative to conventional exhaust valve timing during the exhaust stroke. Selective variation of the exhaust stroke during positive power operation of the engine may reduce NOx production.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.Inventor: Shenquiang Huang
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Publication number: 20070137629Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a plurality of cylinders and a changing mechanism the changes a timing at which an intake valve provided for each of the cylinders closes, comprising: a control portion that controls the changing mechanism so that the intake valve closes at a timing within a predetermined range from a bottom dead center; and a detection portion that detects at least one of an air-fuel ratio of each of the cylinders and a value corresponding to the air-fuel ratio when the changing mechanism is controlled so that the intake valve closes at the timing within the predetermined range from the bottom dead center.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: June 21, 2007Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Takashi Hamada
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Patent number: 7191743Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an internal combustion engine having an engine block defining at least one cylinder and a head connected with said engine block. The head has an air intake port and an exhaust port. The internal combustion engine also has a piston and a combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine further has an air intake valve movable to open and close the air intake port and an air supply system having at least one turbocharger fluidly connected to the air intake port. The internal combustion engine additionally has a fuel supply system operable to inject fuel into the combustion chamber, a cam assembly selectively mechanically linked to the air intake valve to move the air intake valve, and an electromagnetic actuator configured to decouple the cam assembly from the air intake valve and control movement of the air intake valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: James R. Weber, Scott A. Leman, Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Homa Afjeh
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Patent number: 7188020Abstract: A control system which is capable of compensating for and suppressing the influence of a periodic disturbance on a controlled object more quickly, even when the controlled object is subjected to the periodic disturbance the amplitude of which periodically changes, thereby enhancing the stability and the accuracy of control. The control system includes an ECU. The ECU calculates disturbance compensation values for compensating for a periodic disturbance by searching maps and tables, in timing of generation of each pulse of a CRK signal. The ECU calculates control inputs at a predetermined control period, with predetermined control algorithms, according to the disturbance compensation values read in at the control period, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Mitsunobu Saito, Tadaharu Shoji, Akiyuki Yonekawa
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Patent number: 7181332Abstract: A residual ratio factor characterizing the amount of residual exhaust gas left in a selected cylinder at the end of a piston intake stroke is determined from tabular and surface models based on previously gathered dynamometer data from a test vehicle at various engine speeds. The residual ratio factor is then used to calculate the mole fractions of air and residual exhaust gas in the selected cylinder, which, in turn, are used to determine mass airflow at an engine intake port at the end of the intake stroke. The mass airflow can then be used to derive further models for determining an engine operating parameter, such as fuel/air ratio, required for achieving at preselected vehicle operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventors: Roger K Vick, Michael J Prucka, Timothy A Coatesworth, Denise M Kramer, Eugenio DiValentin, Gregory L Ohl
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Patent number: 7159560Abstract: A combustion method for a supercharged four-stroke engine having at least four cylinders includes a combustion cycle during which a cylinder of the engine is in the exhaust phase while another cylinder is in the supercharged air intake phase with a burnt gas scavenging stage. The start of the exhaust phase of the cylinder in the exhaust phase is shifted in relation to the start of the burnt gas scavenging stage of the cylinder in the intake phase.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Pierre Leduc, GaƩtan Monnier
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Patent number: 7150250Abstract: Low load operating point for a controlled auto-ignition four-stroke internal combustion engine is reduced without compromising combustion stability through a valve control operative to establish sub-atmospheric pressure conditions within the combustion chamber into which fuel and exhaust gases are introduced. A split-injection control operative to introduce a first fuel fraction into the combustion chamber during an intake stroke and a second fuel fraction into the combustion chamber during a compression event, in combination with the valve control, provides further reductions in low load operating points without compromising combustion stability.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Tang-Wei Kuo, Barry L. Brown
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Patent number: 7150272Abstract: Method and arrangement for delivering EGR gas to combustion spaces in a multi-cylinder, four-stroke internal combustion engine. Each cylinder, with an associated piston, has at least one inlet valve and at least one exhaust valve (10) for controlling fluid interconnection between the combustion space in the cylinder and an intake system and an exhaust system, respectively. A rotatable camshaft (18) having a cam curve (23) is designed to interact with a cam follower (17) for operation of the exhaust valve (10) during a first opening and closing phase. The cam curve (23) is also designed to interact with a second cam follower (20) during a second opening and closing phase which is phase-offset in relation to the first aforementioned opening and closing phase. This configuration facilitates the cylinder being connected to the exhaust system during the induction stroke, once the exhaust stroke is completed.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Volvo LastvƄgnar ABInventor: Per Persson
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Patent number: 7128062Abstract: A method is disclosed for expanding the mid load range of a four-stroke gasoline direct-injection controlled auto-ignition combustion engine. The engine includes at least one cylinder containing a piston reciprocably connected with a crank and defining a variable volume combustion chamber including an intake valve controlling communication with an air intake and an exhaust valve controlling communication with an exhaust outlet. A system is employed for variably actuating the intake and exhaust valves. The valve actuating system is employable to operate the intake and exhaust valves with an exhaust re-compression or an exhaust re-breathing valve strategy. A reservoir chamber in communication with the combustion chamber is provided for temporary holding of residual burned gas. Residual burned gas in the combustion chamber and the exhaust outlet enters into the reservoir chamber and then loses thermal energy while in the reservoir chamber before being drawn back into the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignees: General Motors Corporation, University of MichiganInventors: Tang-Wei Kuo, Paul M. Najt, James A. Eng, Junseok Chang, Zoran S. Filipi, Dionissios N. Assanis, Orgun A. Guralp
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Patent number: 7114484Abstract: Provided herein are a drive apparatus that includes an internal combustion engine capable of operating with a high expansion ratio by reducing an effective compression ratio through advancement of an intake valve closing timing, and a control method of the drive apparatus, and a motor vehicle equipped with the apparatus and method. The drive apparatus further includes a torque output device capable of outputting a torque to an output shaft of the internal combustion engine. Upon a command to stop operation of the internal combustion engine, the apparatus controls the driving of the torque output device so that the internal combustion engine stops at a target stop position which is set outside a region that leads to an increased compression ration in an initial compression stroke when the internal combustion engine is next stated.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keiji Kaita, Shinichi Abe, Satoshi Kaneko
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Patent number: 7082898Abstract: The present invention aims at expanding an operation range for allowing a compression ignition combustion operation. The present invention provides an internal combustion engine of a compression ignition type that is capable of operating with a compression ignition combustion scheme in a given operation range. The ECU of the internal combustion engine detects an operating condition of the internal combustion engine and determines, according to the detected operating condition, which mode is to be used operate the internal combustion engine, a 4-cycle compression ignition mode or a 2-cycle compression ignition mode. The ECU controls the internal compression engine to perform the compression ignition mode determined.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co. Ltd.Inventors: Tohru Kitamura, Tomio Kimura, Shohei Okazaki, Akira Kato, Toshihiro Yamaki, Katsura Okubo, Moriyoshi Awasaka, Junji Yasuda, Yasuhiro Urata, Takashi Kakinuma, Yoshimasa Kaneko
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Patent number: 7036483Abstract: Dual-lobed cams mounted on the intake camshaft of a diesel engine selectively retard timing of the intake valve closure. The purpose of retarding timing of the intake valves is to retard valve closing sufficiently to shorten the effective compression strokes of the pistons and thus reduce the effective compression ratio. This occurs when the intake valves remain open past piston bottom dead center for a desired period into the normal compression stroke phase of engine operation. This reduces compression pressures so that combustion temperatures are reduced and exhaust emissions, primarily NOx, may be thus limited under conditions of warmed-up engine operation. Dual-lobed cams may also be employed to retard timing of the intake valve opening to throttle admitted air during cold running conditions to effect higher in-cylinder charge temperatures to reduce hydrocarbon and white smoke emissions due to poor ignition and incomplete combustion.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Sherif H. El Tahry, Roger B. Krieger
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Patent number: 7004125Abstract: A valve train system for operating an intake valve of an internal combustion engine, in which an operation amount of the intake valve is controlled. When it is determined that there is a need of improving a fuel efficiency by increasing the compression ratio within the combustion chamber on the basis of an engine operating state, an exhaust valve is opened and subsequently closed after an intake stroke until the pressure within the exhaust chamber becomes equal to the pressure within the exhaust passage so as to increase the compression ratio within the exhaust valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshiaki Asada
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Patent number: 6988477Abstract: An engine is cranked by a motor generator at a start time of the engine. An engine ECU opens an intake valve or an exhaust valve during a compression stroke using a valve control mechanism during a period from when cranking is started until when a predetermined crank angle position (detected by a crank angle sensor) is reached, thereby reducing a compression workload.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Kataoka, Kimitoshi Tsuji, Yasushi Kusaka
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Patent number: 6951211Abstract: Working cycle for internal combustion engines, with methods and apparatuses for managing combustion charge density, temperature, pressures and turbulence (among other characteristics). At least one embodiment describes a supercharged internal combustion engine in which a supercharging portion of air is compressed, cooled and injected late in the compression process. A sub-normal compression ratio or low āeffectiveā compression ratio initial air charge is received by a cylinder/compression chamber on the engine intake process, which during compression produces only a fraction of heat-of-compression as that produced by a conventional engine. During compression process, dense, cooled supercharging air charge is injected, adding density and turbulence above that of conventional engines with low āeffectiveā compression ratio for this portion of air charge also. Compression continues and near piston top dead center, the air charge being mixed with fuel is ignited for power pulse followed by scavenging.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Inventor: Clyde C. Bryant
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Patent number: 6925984Abstract: In an internal combustion engine of a premixed charge compression self-ignition type in which fuel and intake gas are premixed with each other, and the mixture is compressed and self-ignites, target ignition timing determination means (42) to determine a target ignition timing ? based on at least an engine operation state, target compression ratio determination means (41) to determine a target compression ratio (?t) required for the mixture to ignite, and control means (26) to control opening and closing of an intake valve (7) so that an effective compression ratio at the target ignition timing (?) becomes equal to the target compression ratio (?t) are provided. According to this, the ignition timing of the fuel can be appropriately controlled.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventor: Akihiko Minato
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Patent number: 6907859Abstract: An Elevated Expansion-Ratio Internal Combustion Engine has a substantially standard repeating four-stroke sequence for each cylinder, and the Engine includes for each cylinder: an intake valve, a combustion-gas exhaust valve, and a vapor return valve. A return manifold for vapor connects from the return valves of respective ones of the cylinders back into a passage ahead of a beginning portion of an intake manifold. Substantially during a predetermined part of each compression stroke in the sequence of strokes, the return valve opens after a closing of the intake valve, and thereafter closes at a time within the compression stroke corresponding to a predetermined position of the piston in the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2004Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Inventor: Barnett Joel Robinson
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Patent number: 6837199Abstract: A valve actuating apparatus for an internal combustion engine selectively operating in the normal Otto cycle or the Miller cycle is provided which enables the engine to achieve stable combustion and improved fuel economy during cruising or in a low-load engine operating region. A delayed-closing cam for Miller cycle operation and a normal cam having a cam profile for earlier valve-closing timing of the intake valve than a cam profile of the delayed-closing cam are provided on a camshaft. A cam profile-switching mechanism switches between the delayed-closing cam and the normal cam, for opening and closing the intake valve. An ECU controls the switching mechanism such that when a detected operating condition of the engine indicates starting or idling, the intake valve is operated by the normal cam, and when the detected operating condition indicates cruising, the intake valve is operated by the delayed-closing cam.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuya Matsuura, Hitoshi Takahashi, Masaki Takayama, Mitsuru Sugimoto, Teruyoshi Morita, Tomio Kimura
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Publication number: 20040211372Abstract: A fuel injection control device in which fuel injected into the combustion chamber is ignited after a pre-mixing period has elapsed following the completion of the injection of the fuel, includes target pre-mixing period determining unit for determining the target pre-mixing period on the basis of the engine operating conditions, actual pre-mixing period detection unit for detecting the actual pre-mixing period, and pre-mixing period adjustment means for adjusting the pre-mixing period of the fuel so that the actual pre-mixing period approaches the target pre-mixing period. With this device, the pre-mixing period of the fuel can be appropriately controlled, and the exhaust gas can be reliably improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Applicant: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventor: Naoki Shimazaki
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Publication number: 20040211393Abstract: A method for equalizing the filling of cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine (14) comprising a fully variable mechanical valve train (20) having an adjusting shaft (1) that controls the valve lift of the inlet valves of a cylinder bank and can be rotated together with its rotationally fixed adjusting cam (2) by an electromechanical actuator (3) whereby an equalization of the filling of the individual cylinders is achieved by the fact that filling-dependent engine data are measured by a sensor (16) while the engine (14) is running and are processed using suitable software in a control device (15) into signals with which the actuator (3) rotates the adjusting shaft (1) selectively for each cylinder in keeping with the opening phase and thus regulates the lift and the time cross-section of the individual inlet valves and, as a consequence, also the filling of the individual cylinders to a desired set value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventor: Ulrich Grau
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Patent number: 6799552Abstract: A system for operating an internal combustion engine includes an intake valve moveable between a first position at which fluid is blocked from flowing to or from the cylinder and a second position at which fluid is allowed to pass to or from the cylinder. The system includes a fluid actuator selectively operable to hold the intake valve from moving to the first position during a portion of a compression stroke and a control valve configured to control fluid flow between a source of fluid and the fluid actuator. A fuel supply system supplies a predetermined amount of fuel to the cylinder at an appropriate time during an engine cycle based on at least one engine operating parameter, and a controller determines a need to de-rate the engine based on a sensed parameter relating to source fluid viscosity during a cycle in which the fluid actuator is not operated.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Thomas J. Crowell, David Andrew Pierpont
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Publication number: 20040153234Abstract: An internal combustion engine is capable of changing a compression ratio according to an output torque. A motor is connected with an output shaft of the internal combustion engine to transmit torque to and from the output shaft. The internal combustion engine detects a torque demand required to the internal combustion engine. When the torque demand exceeds a threshold torque, which is set in advance for changeover of setting of the compression ratio in the internal combustion engine, the motor is controlled to output a torque to the output shaft. The torque output from the motor restricts the output torque of the internal combustion engine to be not greater than the threshold torque. Such control effectively prevents frequent changeover of the setting of the compression ratio in the internal combustion engine. This arrangement desirably saves energy required for the frequent changeover of the compression ratio and thus enhances the total efficiency of the internal combustion engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2004Publication date: August 5, 2004Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuhisa Mogi, Shigeki Miyashita
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Patent number: 6769393Abstract: A valve system for an engine is provided. The valve system includes a cylinder head that defines an intake passageway, an exhaust passageway, and an auxiliary passageway. The auxiliary passageway includes a first connection with the intake passageway and a second connection with the exhaust passageway. A control valve is disposed in the auxiliary passageway. The control valve is moveable between a first position where the control valve blocks the first connection between the auxiliary passageway and the intake passageway and a second position where control valve blocks the second connection between the auxiliary passageway and the exhaust passageway.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Stanley Kevin Widener, David Pratt Branyon, Barry Edward Westmoreland
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Publication number: 20040118118Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder, may include supplying pressurized air from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, selectively operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold substantially during a majority portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber after the intake valve is closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.Inventors: James Richard Weber, Scott A. Leman
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Patent number: 6745746Abstract: An internal combustion engine, which has poppet type valve overlap and timing means and has the centerline of each and every cylinder being offset from the rotational axis of the crankshaft in the counter direction of rotation, provides efficient transformation of combustion energy to mechanical rotational power reducing exhaust loss, heat loss and detonation, and increasing volumetric efficiency. The engine also increases effective torque at certain rotational angle of an early stage of a power stroke. Thereby, the invented engine improves thermal efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Inventor: Yoshiyuki Ishii
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Patent number: 6736106Abstract: A combustion chamber valve, such as an intake valve or an exhaust valve, is briefly opened during the compression and/or power strokes of a 4-stroke combustion cycle in an internal combustion engine (in particular, a diesel or CI engine). The brief opening may (1) enhance mixing withing the combustion chamber, allowing more complete oxidation of particulates to decrease engine emissions; and/or may (2) delay ignition until a more desirable time, potentially allowing a means of timing ignition in otherwise difficult-to-control conditions, e.g., in HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) conditions.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Rolf Deneys Reitz, Christopher J. Rutland, Rahul Jhavar