Six-cycle Patents (Class 123/64)
  • Patent number: 9995210
    Abstract: A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a generator and a prime mover. The generator set is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) that is coupled to a controller. The ECU is configured to monitor the engine operation condition to obtain an engine operation condition value; whereas the controller is configured to receive the engine operation condition value and compare the value with an engine operation condition threshold. When the engine operation condition value, for example, exceeds the engine operation condition threshold, the controller instructs the ECU to operate the engine at a first speed; and when the engine operation condition value, for example, is below the engine operation condition threshold, the controller instructs the ECU to operate the engine at a second speed that is slower than the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Randall Scott Burnham, David Jon Renken, Erich Albert Lucht, Cullen Evan Hall, Alec Jeffery, Cesar Armengod Villalba
  • Patent number: 9163568
    Abstract: A cylinder deactivation system comprises a fuel injection module and a cold start control module. The fuel injection module injects a desired amount of fuel into a cylinder of an engine during engine cranking. The cold start control module maintains an intake valve and an exhaust valve associated with the cylinder in respective closed positions while the desired amount of fuel is injected when at least one of an air temperature and a coolant temperature is less than a predetermined cold start temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David P. Sczomak, David J. Cleary, Junseok Chang
  • Patent number: 9010288
    Abstract: A six-stroke engine includes a cylinder, a piston, a cylinder head, a combustion chamber, cylinder injector, a spark plug, an intake port, an exhaust port, an intake valve, an exhaust valve, a valve gear, and a control device. The valve gear operates the intake valve and the exhaust valve to execute six strokes including an intake stroke, a compression stroke without ignition, an expansion stroke without combustion, a compression stroke with ignition, an expansion stroke with combustion, and an exhaust stroke in this order. The control device is programmed to cause the cylinder injector to inject fuel and to energize the spark plug in the compression stroke with ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ei Tsukahara, Takurou Kamichika
  • Patent number: 8978601
    Abstract: A six-stroke engine system including an engine with a combustion chamber including an exhaust valve that expels exhaust gasses and a blowdown exhaust valve that expels blowdown exhaust gasses during recompression. An exhaust line communicates with the engine to direct exhaust gasses out of the combustion chamber, and a blowdown exhaust line communicates with the engine to direct blowdown exhaust gasses out of the combustion chamber and into the exhaust line. The blowdown exhaust gasses are expelled through the blowdown exhaust valve during the recompression stroke, and the exhaust gasses are expelled through the exhaust valve during the exhaust stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: D. Ryan Williams, Scott B. Fiveland
  • Patent number: 8978602
    Abstract: An engine combustion cylinder is fluidly connectable to an intake system through an intake valve and to an exhaust system through an exhaust valve. A valve activation system is to activate the intake valve and the exhaust valve. The valve activation system is responsive to a controller providing command signals to the valve activation system such that, when the engine operates in a six-stroke combustion cycle, the intake valve is opened during a recompression stroke to allow a portion of the products from the first combustion stroke to exit the combustion cylinder and enter into the intake system. This may be done to match the power densities of the first and second power strokes of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: D. Ryan Williams, Scott B. Fiveland
  • Patent number: 8978603
    Abstract: An engine combustion cylinder is fluidly connectable to an intake system through an intake valve and to an exhaust system through an exhaust valve. A valve activation system is to activate the intake valve and the exhaust valve. The valve activation system is responsive to a controller providing command signals to the valve activation system such that, when the engine operates in a six-stroke combustion cycle, the intake valve is opened during a recompression stroke to allow a portion of the products from the first combustion stroke to exit the combustion cylinder and enter into the intake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: D. Ryan Williams, Scott B. Fiveland
  • Publication number: 20150040847
    Abstract: A six-stroke cycle engine includes an intake passage including a downstream end connected to a combustion chamber and no throttle valve therein, and an exhaust passage including a catalyst and an upstream end connected to the combustion chamber. The six-stroke cycle engine includes a first valve configured to open and close the intake passage, a second valve configured to open and close the exhaust passage, a valve gear configured to operate the first valve and the second valve so that an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke are executed, in this order, and to operate only the first valve so that a scavenging intake stroke and a scavenging exhaust stroke are executed, in this order, following the exhaust stroke. The valve gear includes a variable valve mechanism configured to continuously change an opening and closing timing and a lift amount of the first valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ei Tsukahara
  • Publication number: 20140366819
    Abstract: A six-stroke cycle engine includes an intake passage including a throttle valve, and an exhaust passage including a catalyst. The six-stroke cycle engine includes a scavenging passage including a first end defined by a scavenging port and a second other end connected to the intake passage upstream of the throttle valve. The six-stroke cycle engine includes an intake valve, an exhaust valve, a scavenging valve, and a valve gear configured to operate these valves. The valve gear closes the scavenging valve and operates the intake valve and the exhaust valve so as to execute an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke, in this order. The valve gear also operates only the scavenging valve so as to execute a scavenging intake stroke and a scavenging exhaust stroke, in this order, following the exhaust stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Ei Tsukahara
  • Publication number: 20140326202
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an internal combustion engine and a method of operating the engine on a six stroke cycle, in which the fifth and sixth strokes cool the engine to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Robert E. WAGNER
  • Patent number: 8820049
    Abstract: A method to control valves in a cylinder operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode. Valves are controlled to improve engine emissions as operating conditions vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8807094
    Abstract: The hybrid multi-power stroke engine is an improved internal combustion engine that includes a steam engine integrated into the design, which derives power from heat generated at the combustion chamber as well as exhaust manifold of the internal combustion engine. The steam engine injects and exhausts superheated steam directly into the cylinder on a 5th and 6th stroke thereby alternating the engine from internal combustion to steam. A water tank is in fluid communication with a water pump and piping that passes across the cylinder block whereby heat is removed therefrom. The piping is in fluid communication with an exhaust manifold that transfers superheated steam to an electronic steam intake valve that injects the superheated steam on a 5th stroke. An auxiliary camshaft opens an exhaust steam valve on a 6th stroke in order to exhaust the expanded steam from the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Emilio D. Lopez-Pino
  • Publication number: 20140224195
    Abstract: A six-stroke engine includes a cylinder, a piston, a cylinder head, a combustion chamber, cylinder injector, a spark plug, an intake port, an exhaust port, an intake valve, an exhaust valve, a valve gear, and a control device. The valve gear operates the intake valve and the exhaust valve to execute six strokes including an intake stroke, a compression stroke without ignition, an expansion stroke without combustion, a compression stroke with ignition, an expansion stroke with combustion, and an exhaust stroke in this order. The control device is programmed to cause the cylinder injector to inject fuel and to energize the spark plug in the compression stroke with ignition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ei Tsukahara, Takurou Kamichika
  • Patent number: 8763571
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to providing an air supply for components associated with an engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for using compressed air generated by a split-cycle engine to power components such as valves or air springs associated with the split-cycle engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Scuderi Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian P. Gilbert, Anthony S. Perkins, Jean-Pierre Pirault, Riccardo Meldolesi
  • Publication number: 20140158069
    Abstract: A six-stroke engine system including an engine with a combustion chamber including an exhaust valve that expels exhaust gasses, a blowdown exhaust valve that expel blowdown exhaust gasses during recompression, and an intake valve and a blowdown compressor intake valve that introduce air. An exhaust line directs exhaust gasses to drive a turbine, which drives a compressor. An intake line receives compressed air from the compressor and directs it into the combustion chamber through the intake valve. A blowdown exhaust line, separate from the exhaust line, directs blowdown exhaust gasses from the blowdown exhaust valve to drive the blowdown turbine, which drives a blowdown compressor. A blowdown compressor line directs compressed air from the intake line into the blowdown compressor, and directs super-compressed air from the blowdown compressor through the blowdown compressor intake valve during recompression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: D. Ryan Williams, Scott B. Fiveland
  • Publication number: 20140158068
    Abstract: A six-stroke engine system including an engine with a combustion chamber including an exhaust valve that expels exhaust gasses and a blowdown exhaust valve that expels blowdown exhaust gasses during recompression. An exhaust line communicates with the engine to direct exhaust gasses out of the combustion chamber, and a blowdown exhaust line communicates with the engine to direct blowdown exhaust gasses out of the combustion chamber and into the exhaust line. The blowdown exhaust gasses are expelled through the blowdown exhaust valve during the recompression stroke, and the exhaust gasses are expelled through the exhaust valve during the exhaust stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: D. Ryan Williams, Scott B. Fiveland
  • Publication number: 20140158071
    Abstract: A fuel introduction system introduces fuel to an internal combustion engine operating on a six-stroke combustion cycle including a first compression stroke, a first power stroke, a second compression stroke, and a second power stroke. The fuel introduction system includes a first orifice set for introducing a first fuel charge to a combustion chamber of the engine during the first compression stroke and/or power stroke and a second orifice set for introducing a second fuel charge to the combustion chamber during the second compression stroke and/or power stroke. Combustion of the second fuel charge can assist in burning particulate matter left in the combustion chamber from combusting the first fuel charge. The first and second orifice sets can be configured to differentiate the first and second fuel charges by, for example, fuel quantity or spray pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kenth Svensson
  • Publication number: 20140158072
    Abstract: An engine combustion cylinder is fluidly connectable to an intake system through an intake valve and to an exhaust system through an exhaust valve. A valve activation system is to activate the intake valve and the exhaust valve. The valve activation system is responsive to a controller providing command signals to the valve activation system such that, when the engine operates in a six-stroke combustion cycle, the intake valve is opened during a recompression stroke to allow a portion of the products from the first combustion stroke to exit the combustion cylinder and enter into the intake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: D. Ryan Williams, Scott B. Fiveland
  • Publication number: 20140158070
    Abstract: An engine combustion cylinder is fluidly connectable to an intake system through an intake valve and to an exhaust system through an exhaust valve. A valve activation system is to activate the intake valve and the exhaust valve. The valve activation system is responsive to a controller providing command signals to the valve activation system such that, when the engine operates in a six-stroke combustion cycle, the intake valve is opened during a recompression stroke to allow a portion of the products from the first combustion stroke to exit the combustion cylinder and enter into the intake system. This may be done to match the power densities of the first and second power strokes of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: D. Ryan Williams, Scott B. Fiveland
  • Publication number: 20130199492
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a compressor cylinder having a respective inlet, a first outlet and a respective piston slideably movable within the compressor cylinder and operatively connected to a rotating crankshaft. The compressor cylinder provides a first stage of compression to a charge when the charge is transferred from the compressor cylinder during every revolution of the crankshaft. A first power cylinder includes a respective inlet in fluid communication with the first outlet of the compressor cylinder, a respective outlet and a respective piston slideably movable within the first power cylinder and operatively connected to the rotating crankshaft. The first power cylinder provides a second stage of compression and firing of the charge within the first power cylinder every two revolutions of the crankshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Gopalakrishnan, Russell P. Durrett, Paul M. Najt
  • Patent number: 8448613
    Abstract: An 8-stroke internal combustion engine which generates power in a highly efficient manner by injecting water such that the combustion gas is re-circulated, retaken into a cylinder block and recompressed immediately after 4-strokes resulting from the burning of fuel such that 4-strokes resulting from the combustion of fuel and 4-strokes resulting from the evaporation and volume expansion of injected water are alternately repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Kwang Jae Song, Se Jin Song
  • Publication number: 20130104542
    Abstract: An engine comprising at least two cylinders and a turbocharger that includes a turbine operationally attached to a compressor. The intake air for the cylinders is routed through the compressor and exhaust gas from one of the cylinders is recirculated to the air fuel mixture for both cylinders, which exhaust gas from the other cylinder is routed through the turbine, further wherein the first reciprocating cylinder operates on a four-stroke cycle and the second reciprocating cylinder operates on a two-stroke cycle. Methods of operating an engine are disclosed. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Adam Edgar Klingbeil
  • Patent number: 8414288
    Abstract: A combustion system comprising a combustion chamber fed by fuel and oxidant delivery lines. The oxidant line has an oxidant tank pressurized by a compressor. The fuel delivery line has a fuel source and a fuel feed mechanism. An ignition device ignites the oxidant and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. The coolant line is adapted to inject cooling fluid directly into the combustion chamber. An energy production device is disposed downstream a combustion chamber exhaust valve for converting energy from both exhausted combustion gases and coolant gases exhausted from the combustion chamber. In some embodiments the coolant is the oxidant, while in other embodiments the coolant is another fluid introduced from a separate coolant delivery line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Ilan Tzriker
  • Patent number: 8291872
    Abstract: A six-stroke engine cycle having improved efficiency. Heat is recovered from the engine combustion gases by using a 6-stroke engine cycle in which combustion gases are partially vented proximate the bottom-dead-center position of the fourth stroke cycle, and water is injected proximate the top-dead-center position of the fourth stroke cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: James P. Szybist, James C. Conklin
  • Patent number: 8256390
    Abstract: Described is a six-cycle internal combustion engine. Four of the cycles are the standard “Otto” cycles, namely intake, compression, power and exhaust plus two additional cycles, a primary intake cycle and a transfer cycle. The two additional cycles act as a supercharger to provide compressed air to the intake port of the “Otto” cycle. The engine utilizes four independently operated valves, including a transfer valve and a secondary intake valve. The transfer valve and secondary intake valve are in fluid communication via a conduit. A discharge conduit can be provided from a pressurized transfer system to release any excessive pressure within the conduit. Alternately, external pressure can be forced into the transfer conduit and a secondary intake conduit to increase the pressure within a combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: M. Jeffrey Bonner
  • Patent number: 8191355
    Abstract: A method to control valves in a cylinder operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode. Valves are controlled to improve engine emissions as operating conditions vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Lewis
  • Patent number: 8191516
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine in a delayed exhaust engine cycle may include opening an intake valve of the engine during a first stroke to form an intake stroke. The method may further include closing the intake valve and determining an engine operating temperature. The engine operating temperature may be compared to a predetermined temperature limit. A first fuel mass may be provided to the combustion chamber between an end portion of a second stroke and a beginning portion of a third stroke. The third stroke may form a first power stroke and the intake valve and an exhaust valve in communication with the combustion chamber may be closed during the second and third strokes. The exhaust valve may be maintained in a closed position during a fourth stroke when the engine operating temperature is less than the predetermined temperature limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph J. Moon, Roberto L Rastelli, William C. Albertson
  • Patent number: 8186334
    Abstract: In an attempt to regenerate energy of exhaust gas by using a pressure regenerator secured to an exhaust port of a displacement type engine so as to realize the Atkinson's cycle, if the engine is a four-cycle engine, raising regenerative pressure may cause abnormal fuel combustion or melting damage of an exhaust valve. The present invention has successfully solved this problem by using a six-cycle engine. The six-cycle engine with a regenerator according to the present invention is capable of varying proportion of the power output that is generated by the six-cycle engine itself and that is generated by the regenerator. Using this principle enables the six-cycle engine with a generator to be used as an engine that is capable of generating two kinds of output power or as a six-cycle gas turbine with high controllability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Kazuo Ooyama
  • Patent number: 7937943
    Abstract: This invention provides heat engines based on the structure of internal combustion engines and employs a gaseous working fluid without combustion. The heat engine comprises at least a piston and cylinder assembly and each cylinder has at least an associated heating chamber with a heat exchanger unit being disposed therewithin. The chamber may have at least a chamber valve to establish or block the flow of the gaseous working fluid between the heating chamber and cylinder space. The engine is adapted to operate on cycles that enable heat transfer from a heat source to the working fluid while being enclosed within the heating chamber and provides substantially increased heat transfer duration before the power stroke. Therefore the engine may produce sufficiently high power output with reasonably high thermal efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Yiding Cao
  • Publication number: 20100313831
    Abstract: A six-stroke engine cycle having improved efficiency. Heat is recovered from the engine combustion gases by using a 6-stroke engine cycle in which combustion gases are partially vented proximate the bottom-dead-center position of the fourth stroke cycle, and water is injected proximate the top-dead-center position of the fourth stroke cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: James P. Szybist, James C. Conklin
  • Publication number: 20100300385
    Abstract: Engines and processes for their operation include a compressor cylinder, at least one power cylinder, and an expander cylinder. The outlet of the compressor cylinder is fed to the inlet of a power cylinder, and the outlet of the power cylinder is fed to the expander cylinder. The compressor cylinder and the expander cylinder are operated in two-stroke fashion, and the power cylinder is operated in four-stroke fashion, all of which cylinders share a common crankshaft. Heat may be recuperated from the exhaust gas and directed to the inlet gas of the power cylinder, increasing overall efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Russell P. Durrett, Venkatesh Gopalakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20100212300
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine system comprising operating a first cylinder group at a first number of strokes per combustion cycle, operating a second cylinder group at a second number of strokes per combustion cycle, the second number of strokes per cycle being different than the first number of strokes per cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott B. Fiveland, James J. Driscoll, Kevin L. Bruch
  • Patent number: 7726268
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an arrangement of cylinders each having a reciprocating piston operatively linked to a crankshaft. The cycle for each cylinder includes an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a power stroke, an exhaust stroke, and two free strokes during which the exhaust valve or a separate clean air valve is left open. The power stroke of each cylinder fires simultaneously with the free stroke of another cylinder. The engine and method of operation provides a six stroke cycle for each power stroke to yield three revolutions of the crankshaft per cycle, thereby increasing fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Howard Kelem, Estelle Kelem
  • Publication number: 20100095913
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an arrangement of cylinders each having a reciprocating piston operatively linked to a crankshaft. The cycle for each cylinder includes an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a power stroke, an exhaust stroke, and two free strokes during which the exhaust valve or a separate clean air valve is left open. The power stroke of each cylinder fires simultaneously with the free stroke of another cylinder. The engine and method of operation provides a six stroke cycle for each power stroke to yield three revolutions of the crankshaft per cycle, thereby increasing fuel efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Howard Kelem, Estelle Kelem
  • Publication number: 20100083921
    Abstract: A six-cycle engine has the advantage for the capability of internal cooling with scavenging air. This advantage enables the compressive ratio to rise, thereby achieving lower fuel consumption. However, there has been a critical problem due to lowered temperature of the exhaust catalyst and excessive volume of oxygen contained therein caused by the mixing of the scavenging air with exhaust gas. To solve the problem of lowered temperature, the invention has thermally insulated the fuel combustion chamber and the exhausting system, and controlled the aperture degree of the scavenging port valve relatively to the suction valve to adjust the scavenging air volume against the suction air, thereby controlling temperature of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: JOHO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazou Ooyama
  • Publication number: 20100077988
    Abstract: There are no prospects for engines using hydrogen as fuel to be put to practical use due to significant small output, knocking, and backfire. An object of the present invention is to obtain a stable automobile engine at high drive that can be commercially put to practical use. A hydrogen-only 6-stroke engine realizing high output by 6-strokes for premixing two to seven atmospheric pressure or high pressure hydrogen and air at equivalent weight, spraying the pre-mixture into a cylinder cooled by filling the cylinder with cold air in advance, spraying, compressing, and exploding the mixture, discharging the mixture from a lower exhaust hole, and discharging remaining waste gas from an upper exhaust hole is proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Japan Hydrogen Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoki YAMASAKI
  • Patent number: 7673596
    Abstract: Described is a six-cycle internal combustion engine. Four of the cycles are the standard “Otto” cycles, namely intake, compression, power and exhaust plus two additional cycles, a primary intake cycle and a transfer cycle. The two additional cycles act as a supercharger to provide compressed air to the intake port of the “Otto” cycle. The benefit is reduced fuel consumption due to 1 power stroke per every 3rd crankshaft revolution and the ability to vary the intake pressure and create a more favorable torque curve at low to mid RPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: M. Jeffrey Bonner
  • Publication number: 20100050963
    Abstract: In an attempt to regenerate energy of exhaust gas by using a pressure regenerator secured to an exhaust port of a displacement type engine so as to realize the Atkinson's cycle, if the engine is a four-cycle engine, raising regenerative pressure may cause abnormal fuel combustion or melting damage of an exhaust valve. The present invention has successfully solved this problem by using a six-cycle engine. The six-cycle engine with a regenerator according to the present invention is capable of varying proportion of the power output that is generated by the six-cycle engine itself and that is generated by the regenerator. Using this principle enables the six-cycle engine with a generator to be used as an engine that is capable of generating two kinds of output power or as a six-cycle gas turbine with high controllability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: JOHO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazou Ooyama
  • Patent number: 7650745
    Abstract: A method to control valves in a cylinder operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode. Valves are controlled to improve engine emissions as operating conditions vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7624709
    Abstract: This invention provides an internal combustion engine that has a substantially increased expansion ratio, a variable compression ratio, and subsequently a significantly improved thermal efficiency. This improvement in thermal efficiency is attained without involving a complex mechanical structure or an enlarged engine size. The engine comprises at least a piston and cylinder assembly including a piston reciprocatingly mounted within the cylinder space, and at least two combustion chambers associated with said cylinder, each said combustion chamber having a port leading to said cylinder space and a combustion-chamber valve, said valve opens and closes said port to establish or block the communication between said combustion chamber and cylinder space, wherein said internal combustion engine is adapted to operate on preferred cycles in accordance with load conditions to substantially increase the engine's expansion ratio or provide a variable compression ratio mechanism under part load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Yiding Cao
  • Publication number: 20090277403
    Abstract: The present invention provides a variable-coordination-timing type self-cooling engine capable of adjusting the initiation timings and the injected amount of each injection process according to the change in the combusting pressure with the variable-coordinate-timing system. The variable-coordination-timing system will regulate the air flow between each coordinate-channel and its associated power-cylinder to optimize the cooling effects, and the hot-combusting-medium in each power-cylinder will be mixed with a flow of compressed air at a controlled rate and pressure, which prevents the hot-combusting-medium from charging into the primary-coordinate-channel and the secondary-coordinate-channel, thereby sustaining the cooling effects of the self-cooling-16-process in continuous high power output operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Lung-tan Hu
  • Publication number: 20090277404
    Abstract: The present invention provides an active-threshold control system for the self-cooling engine to improve the energy efficiency of the self-cooling-16-process. The active-threshold-control type self-cooling engine consists of a primary-power-cylinder and a secondary-power cylinder and a cooling-cylinder and an active-threshold-control system that controls the initiation timing of each injection-process with the active-cooling-phase, thereby limiting the maximum compression pressure in each coordinate-channel and reducing the energy loss during the first-cold-compression-process and the second-cold-compression-process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Lung-tan Hu
  • Publication number: 20090235881
    Abstract: Described is a six-cycle internal combustion engine. Four of the cycles are the standard “Otto” cycles, namely intake, compression, power and exhaust plus two additional cycles, a primary intake cycle and a transfer cycle. The two additional cycles act as a supercharger to provide compressed air to the intake port of the “Otto” cycle. The benefit is reduced fuel consumption due to 1 power stroke per every 3rd crankshaft revolution and the ability to vary the intake pressure and create a more favorable torque curve at low to mid RPM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: M. Jeffrey Bonner
  • Patent number: 7426916
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine having at least one cylinder including an intake valve and an exhaust valve, the method comprising of injecting a first amount of fuel into the cylinder; auto-igniting a first mixture of air and said first amount of fuel by compressing said first mixture; injecting a second amount of fuel into the cylinder after auto-igniting said first mixture; combusting a second mixture of said second amount of fuel and gasses from auto-ignition of said first mixture; holding an intake valve of the cylinder closed between auto-igniting the first mixture and combusting the second mixture; and exhausting said combusted second mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Reed, Nate Trask, Alex Gibson
  • Patent number: 7418928
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine is provided. The engine may have a housing with one or more combustion chambers, including a first combustion chamber. The engine may also have a piston in fluid communication with the first combustion chamber. The method may include combusting fuel in the first combustion chamber, thereby producing combustion gas that expands and drives the piston during a first combustion-gas-expansion stroke of the piston. The method may also include compressing at least part of the combustion gas in the first combustion chamber during a compression stroke of the piston. Additionally, the method may include, between commencement of the first combustion-gas-expansion stroke and completion of the compression stroke, releasing part of the combustion gas from the first combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Scott B. Fiveland
  • Publication number: 20080098969
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine having at least one cylinder including an intake valve and an exhaust valve, the method comprising of injecting a first amount of fuel into the cylinder; auto-igniting a first mixture of air and said first amount of fuel by compressing said first mixture; injecting a second amount of fuel into the cylinder after auto-igniting said first mixture; combusting a second mixture of said second amount of fuel and gasses from auto-ignition of said first mixture; holding an intake valve of the cylinder closed between auto-igniting the first mixture and combusting the second mixture; and exhausting said combusted second mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Dennis Reed, Nate Trask, Alex Gibson
  • Patent number: 7334549
    Abstract: A method to control valves during multi-stroke cylinder operation. Valves are controlled to improve emissions and engine torque resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, John O. Michelini
  • Publication number: 20070295290
    Abstract: This invention provides an internal combustion engine that has a substantially increased expansion ratio, a variable compression ratio, and subsequently a significantly improved thermal efficiency. This improvement in thermal efficiency is attained without involving a complex mechanical structure or an enlarged engine size. The engine comprises at least a piston and cylinder assembly including a piston reciprocatingly mounted within the cylinder space, and at least two combustion chambers associated with said cylinder, each said combustion chamber having a port leading to said cylinder space and a combustion-chamber valve, said valve opens and closes said port to establish or block the communication between said combustion chamber and cylinder space, wherein said internal combustion engine is adapted to operate on preferred cycles in accordance with load conditions to substantially increase the engine's expansion ratio or provide a variable compression ratio mechanism under part load conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Yiding Cao
  • Patent number: 7216640
    Abstract: A method for calculating transient fuel wall wetting characteristics of an operating engine is described. The method accounts for cylinder valve deactivation of cylinders in the engine in calculating the dynamic fueling compensation. In one example, fuel vaporization effects from fuel puddles in deactivated cylinders are considered when calculating the fueling compensation for active cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gang Song, Ilya V. Kolmanovsky, John Ottavio Michelini, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7143725
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dual six-stroke self-cooling internal combustion engine which utilizes a turbo and a cooling cylinder to compress cool air onto the engine head and reduce the engine temperature. The present invention greatly reduces the size and the manufacture cost of the cooling equipments such as radiator and intercooler by cooling the power cylinder from within. In addition, the present invention slightly increases the fuel efficiency and reduces the exhaust temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventor: Lung Tan Hu
  • Patent number: 7124717
    Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders are described, each cylinder having at least one intake valve and one exhaust valve having fully variable valve control, a fuel feed to at least one first cylinder of the plurality of cylinders being deactivated, a first quantity of fresh air being drawn in by opening the at least one intake valve of the at least one first cylinder in a first downward movement of the piston of the at least one first cylinder, and a second quantity of fresh air being ejected by opening the at least one exhaust valve with a first upward movement of the piston of the at least one first cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Gaessler, Udo Diehl, Karsten Mischker, Rainer Walter, Andreas Blumenstock, Bernd Rosenau, Juergen Schiemann, Christian Grosse, Georg Mallebrein, Volker Beuche, Stefan Reimer