Patents Assigned to Achates Power, Inc.
  • Air Handling Control For Opposed-Piston Engines With Uniflow Scavenging
    Publication number: 20160076468
    Abstract: In an air handling system of a uniflow-scavenged, two-stroke cycle opposed-piston engine, one or more engine operating state parameters are sensed, numerical values of air handling parameters based on trapped conditions in a cylinder of the engine at the last port closing of an engine operating cycle are determined in response to the sensed parameters, the numerical values are evaluated, and one or more of the numerical values is adjusted in response to the evaluation. The adjusted numerical values are used to control charge air flow and EGR flow in the air handling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Randy E. Herold, NISHIT NAGAR, FABIEN G. REDON
  • Trapped burned gas fraction control for opposed-piston engines with uniflow scavenging
    Patent number: 9284884
    Abstract: A trapped burned gas fraction is controlled in a two-stroke cycle opposed-piston engine with uniflow scavenging by adjusting an external EGR setpoint in real time. The adjusted setpoint is used to control EGR flow in the engine's air handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Nishit Nagar, Donovan M. Quimby
  • Air Handling Control For Opposed-Piston Engines With Uniflow Scavenging
    Publication number: 20160053674
    Abstract: In an air handling system of a uniflow-scavenged, two-stroke cycle opposed-piston engine, one or more engine operating state parameters are sensed, numerical values of air handling parameters based on trapped conditions in a cylinder of the engine at the last port closing of an engine operating cycle are determined in response to the sensed parameters, the numerical values are evaluated, and one or more of the numerical values is adjusted in response to the evaluation. The adjusted numerical values are used to control charge air flow and EGR flow in the air handling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: RANDY E. HEROLD, NISHIT NAGAR, FABIEN G. REDON
  • Mechanism For Varying Crankshaft Timing On A Belt/Chain Driven, Dual Crankshaft Opposed-Piston Engine
    Publication number: 20160047296
    Abstract: A mechanism for varying crankshaft timing on a belt/chain driven, dual crankshaft opposed-piston engine includes sprockets on corresponding ends of the two crankshafts, connected by a belt or chain which is tensioned by two or more tensioners. By changing the position of the tensioners the length of the two spans of the belt/chain are varied and thus the phase between the crankshafts is varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Fabien G. Redon, GARY A. VRSEK
  • Split Gear Assembly With One-Way Roller Clutch For Controlling Backlash In Opposed-Piston Engines
    Publication number: 20160033030
    Abstract: Backlash is controlled in an opposed-piston engine that includes two crankshafts disposed in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship and a gear train coupling the first and second crankshafts, the gear train including a driving gear coupled to the first crankshaft and a split gear assembly engaged with the driving gear to transfer rotation from the driving gear to the split gear assembly. The split gear assembly includes first and second gears, a spring mechanism that acts to angularly offset the first gear relative to the second gear in a first direction, and a one-way clutch mechanism that prevents relative angular movement of the first gear relative to the second gear in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Balazs V. Palfai
  • Opposed-Piston Engine Structure With A Split Cylinder Block
    Publication number: 20160032861
    Abstract: An engine structure for a multi-cylinder, opposed-piston engine includes a cylinder block with a plurality of inline cylinders. Each cylinder has ends with an outside diameter and an intermediate portion between the ends of a relatively larger outside diameter than the ends. The cylinder block includes a bearing web structure that positions bearing web elements outside of a plane that longitudinally bisects all of the cylinders. The cylinder block is split into two sections so as to permit cylinder liners to be inserted into and removed from cylinder tunnels in the cylinder block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Fuqua
  • Exhaust Layout With Accompanying Firing Sequence For Two-Stroke Cycle, Inline, Opposed-Piston Engines
    Publication number: 20160032824
    Abstract: An opposed-piston engine includes an inline cylinder block with an open exhaust chamber that contains all of the engine's exhaust ports. Exhaust outlets open from the exhaust chamber through opposing sides of the cylinder block. A turbocharger is positioned on each side of the cylinder block and has an inlet closely coupled with a respective exhaust outlet. The exhaust chamber is divided into separate collector sections, each collector section containing the exhaust ports of one or more cylinders, and each turbocharger has a first inlet closely coupled with a first collector section and a second inlet closely coupled with a second collector section. The engine has a cylinder firing sequence which alternates between the cylinders in the first and second collector sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Fuqua
  • Combustion chamber construction with dual mixing regions for opposed-piston engines
    Patent number: 9211797
    Abstract: A combustion chamber construction for opposed-piston engines in which fuel is injected from two opposed injectors includes a dual mixing region construction with a respective mixing region for each injector and a coupling region between the two mixing regions through which the mixing regions communicate. In some aspects, the mixing regions are bulbous and are connected by a waist, or tunnel, region that is relatively narrower than the bulbous mixing chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Neerav Abani, Ryan G. MacKenzie
  • Air handling system for an opposed-piston engine in which a supercharger provides boost during engine startup and drives EGR during normal engine operation
    Patent number: 9206752
    Abstract: The air handling system of a turbocharged opposed-piston engine with uniflow scavenging includes an a supercharger operable to provide boost during startup and to drive EGR during normal engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: Suramya D. Naik
  • Air handling control for opposed-piston engines with uniflow scavenging
    Patent number: 9206751
    Abstract: In an air handling system of a uniflow-scavenged, two-stroke cycle opposed-piston engine, one or more engine operating state parameters are sensed, numerical values of air handling parameters based on trapped conditions in a cylinder of the engine at the last port closing of an engine operating cycle are determined in response to the sensed parameters, the numerical values are evaluated, and one or more of the numerical values is adjusted in response to the evaluation. The adjusted numerical values are used to control charge air flow and EGR flow in the air handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Randy E. Herold, Nishit Nagar, Fabien G. Redon
  • Air Handling Constructions for Opposed-Piston Engines
    Publication number: 20150337727
    Abstract: An opposed-piston engine has a cylinder block with a plurality of cylinders arranged inline, with each cylinder including an intake port longitudinally separated from an exhaust port. The engine is equipped with an air handling system that includes intake and exhaust chambers inside the cylinder block. All of the cylinder intake ports are contained in the intake chamber to receive charge air therein. The intake chamber includes elongated air inlets opening through opposing sides of the cylinder block. The exhaust chamber includes at least one exhaust outlet opening through a side of the cylinder block; all of the cylinder exhaust ports are contained in the exhaust chamber to discharge exhaust thereinto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Fuqua, John J. Koszewnik, Suramya D. Naik, Fabien G. Redon, Gerhard Regner, Rodrigo Zermeño-Benitez
  • Open Intake and Exhaust Chamber Constructions for an Air Handling System of an Opposed-Piston Engine
    Publication number: 20150337728
    Abstract: An opposed-piston engine has a cylinder block with a plurality of cylinders arranged inline, with each cylinder including an intake port longitudinally separated from an exhaust port. The engine's air handling system includes open intake and exhaust chambers in the cylinder block. The open chamber constructions eliminate the need for multi-pipe manifolds and smooth the flow of charge air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Fuqua, John J. Koszewnik, Suramya D. Naik, Fabien G. Redon, Gerhard Regner, Rodrigo Zermeño Benitez
  • Rocking journal bearings for two-stroke cycle engines
    Patent number: 9175725
    Abstract: A rocking journal bearing for a two-stroke cycle engine includes a bearing sleeve having a bearing surface with a plurality of axially-spaced, eccentrically-disposed surface segments and a rocking journal having a plurality of axially-spaced, eccentrically-disposed journal segments. The rocking journal is retained for rocking oscillation on the bearing surface. Space for receiving oil is provided in the rocking journal and oil delivery outlets acting through the journal segments deliver received oil to the bearing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Eric P. Dion, Clark A. Klyza, Ryan G. MacKenzie, Michael H. Wahl
  • Piston constructions for opposed-piston engines
    Patent number: 9163505
    Abstract: A piston construction for an opposed-piston engine accommodates contoured end surfaces of the piston crowns and articulation of the pistons with piston rods. The shape of each piston crown includes a bowl with an adjoining ridge that protrudes axially of the piston. A cooling construction for the piston includes an outer gallery running around the inner surface of the piston sidewall in the vicinity of the crown. The outer gallery girds and is in fluid communication with a central gallery that abuts the deepest part of the bowl. The outer gallery has an asymmetric profile that rises under the ridge and that slants upwardly under a peripheral portion of the bowl. A mechanism for coupling the piston to a piston rod includes a biaxial slipper bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Eric P. Dion, Brendan M. Lenski, Ryan G. MacKenzie
  • FUEL INJECTION WITH SWIRL SPRAY PATTERNS IN OPPOSED-PISTON ENGINES
    Publication number: 20150285127
    Abstract: In a fuel injection spray pattern for an opposed piston engine, the individual spray plumes have both radial and tangential components with respect to an injection axis (102, 114, 121), which adds a swirl component to a spray pattern of fuel directly injected into the combustion chamber of the opposed piston engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Neerav Abani, Clark A. Klyza, Fabien G. Redon
  • Piston Cooling Configuration Utilizing Lubricating Oil From Bearing Reservoir In An Opposed-Piston Engine
    Publication number: 20150252715
    Abstract: Pressurized lubricating oil is accumulated in the bearings of opposed pistons and accumulated oil is dispensed therefrom for bearing lubrication and also for cooling the undercrowns of the pistons by jets of oil emitted from the bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan G. MacKenzie
  • Liner component for a cylinder of an opposed-piston engine
    Patent number: 9121365
    Abstract: The structure of a cylinder with longitudinally-separated exhaust and intake ports includes a powdered metal (PM) ring sintered over grooves and/or slots in the exhaust port bridges and/or the top center (TC) portion of a cylinder liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryant A. Wagner
  • Air Handling System for an Opposed-Piston Engine in which a Supercharger Provides Boost During Engine Startup and Drives EGR During Normal Engine Operation
    Publication number: 20150219030
    Abstract: The air handling system of a turbocharged opposed-piston engine with uniflow scavenging includes an a supercharger operable to provide boost during startup and to drive EGR during normal engine operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Suramya D. Naik
  • Reduction of ring clipping in two-stroke cycle engines
    Patent number: 9068498
    Abstract: A port for a cylinder of a two-stroke cycle engine includes at least one generally circumferential array of port openings. Port openings have a shape that reduces ring clipping during engine operation. The port opening shape is defined at a bore surface by opposing top and bottom edges joined by side edges. Each of the top and bottom edges is characterized by rounded corner transitions to the side edges, a rounded peak, and inclined ramp portions extending from the rounded corner transitions to the rounded peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: Brian J. Callahan
  • Lubricating configuration for maintaining wristpin oil pressure in a two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine
    Patent number: 9038593
    Abstract: A lubricating configuration in a two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine for a piston wristpin minimizes losses in oil pressure at the wristpin as the piston approaches bottom center and reduces the required oil supply pressure to the engine. The wristpin is constructed to absorb and store oil pressure energy when oil pressure at the wristpin is high, and to release that stored energy to pressurize the oil at the wristpin when connecting rod oil pressure is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Kessler, Clark A. Klyza