Patents Assigned to ACHATES POWERS, INC.
  • MINIMIZING OIL LEAKAGE FROM ROCKING JOURNAL BEARINGS
    Publication number: 20180202487
    Abstract: A rocking journal bearing is provided in a piston coupling mechanism. The bearing includes a sleeve and a wristpin constructed with two sets of eccentrically-disposed bearing surfaces which alternate in accepting a compressive load during an operational cycle of the bearing. The sleeve includes a network of grooves to transport oil to the bearing surfaces. Lubricating oil flow through the bearing is minimized by limiting provision of pressurized oil from the wristpin to the network of grooves to portions of the cycle when one or the other of the sets of bearing surfaces receives the compressive load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: JOHN M. KESSLER, Clark A. Klyza
  • Piston cooling for opposed-piston engines
    Patent number: 10001050
    Abstract: Pistons for opposed-piston engines include an interior annular cooling gallery. The gallery is provided with inlet and drain passageways constructed to shield a jet of liquid coolant entering the gallery, thereby reducing interference between the incoming jet and liquid coolant circulating in the gallery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan G. MacKenzie, Fabien G. Redon
  • Exhaust layout with accompanying firing sequence for two-stroke cycle, inline, opposed-piston engines
    Patent number: 10001057
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Fuqua
  • Low reactivity, compression-ignition, opposed-piston engine
    Patent number: 9995201
    Abstract: A compression-ignition, opposed-piston engine using a low reactivity fuel as an ignition medium manages trapped temperature and trapped combustion residue within, and fuel injection into, the combustion chambers of the engine, and controls the compression ratio of the engine in order to realize reductions in emissions as well as improved fuel consumption efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: Fabien G. Redon
  • Asymmetrically-shaped combustion chamber for opposed-piston engines
    Patent number: 9995213
    Abstract: A combustion chamber for an opposed-piston engine has an elongated asymmetrical shape in longitudinal section that runs along a chamber centerline, between diametrically-opposed openings of the combustion chamber through which fuel is injected. The asymmetry apportions combustion chamber volume to provide additional clearance on a side of the chamber centerline toward which swirl is directed, thereby giving a fuel plume space to swing without hindrance in response to swirl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Neerav Abani, Ryan G. MacKenzie, Rishikesh Venugopal
  • On-board diagnostics for an opposed-piston engine equipped with a supercharger
    Patent number: 9982617
    Abstract: On-board diagnostic monitoring of a two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine includes diagnostic monitoring of an air handling system equipped with a supercharger to determine whether the supercharger is functioning properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Nishit Nagar, Arunandan Sharma
  • Gear backlash control for an opposed-piston engine
    Patent number: 9958057
    Abstract: An opposed-piston engine includes a backlash reducing gear with at least a first and second gear that move relative to each other because of a hydraulic pressure applied within the gear. A backlash control system that includes the backlash reducing gear can dynamically adjust backlash between at least two gears in the gear train of the engine during operation of the engine instead of setting backlash prior to operation of the engine. A method for adjusting backlash in a two-stroke-cycle, opposed-piston engine with a backlash reducing gear includes providing hydraulic fluid, such as oil, to the gear, and allowing the backlash reducing gear to adapt to changes in the engine that include temperature changes, torque reversals, changes in load and the like. The backlash reducing gear adapts to changes in the engine by controlled leaking and intake of oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Abhishek B. Sahasrabudhe, Sumanth Kashyap, John J. Koszewnik
  • Fuel limiter for a uniflow-scavenged, two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine
    Patent number: 9957901
    Abstract: Control of fuel flow in a uniflow-scavenged, two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine includes limiting an amount of torque or fuel in response to a torque demand, based upon a comparison and a selection of fuel delivery options derived from a global airflow parameter and/or a trapped airflow parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Nishit Nagar, Arunandan Sharma
  • Low reactivity, compression-ignition, opposed-piston engine
    Patent number: 9957880
    Abstract: A compression-ignition, opposed-piston engine using a low reactivity fuel as an ignition medium manages trapped temperature and trapped combustion residue within, and fuel injection into, the combustion chambers of the engine, and controls the compression ratio of the engine in order to realize reductions in emissions as well as improved fuel consumption efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: Fabien G. Redon
  • EGR constructions for opposed-piston engines
    Patent number: 9951725
    Abstract: A two-stroke, opposed-piston engine with one or more ported cylinders and uniflow scavenging includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) construction that provides a portion of the exhaust gasses produced by the engine for mixture with charge air to control the production of NOx during combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Eric P. Dion, Iain J. L. Read, Fabien G. Redon, Gerhard Regner, Michael H. Wahl
  • HYBRID OPPOSED-PISTON ENGINE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180087445
    Abstract: An opposed-piston engine system equipped for full hybrid compressed-air/combustion includes capacity for storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation. The hybrid opposed-piston engine system includes a control mechanization for operating the opposed-piston engine in a combustion mode by provision of fuel, in a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air, and in a combustion mode supplemented by provision of stored compressed air. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle equipped with an opposed-piston engine includes storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation and operating in the vehicle a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: JOHN J. KOSZEWNIK
  • Minimizing oil leakage from rocking journal bearings
    Patent number: 9926969
    Abstract: A rocking journal bearing is provided in a piston coupling mechanism. The bearing includes a sleeve and a wristpin constructed with two sets of eccentrically-disposed bearing surfaces which alternate in accepting a compressive load during an operational cycle of the bearing. The sleeve includes a network of grooves to transport oil to the bearing surfaces. Lubricating oil flow through the bearing is minimized by limiting provision of pressurized oil from the wristpin to the network of grooves to portions of the cycle when one or the other of the sets of bearing surfaces receives the compressive load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: John M. Kessler, Clark A. Klyza
  • Multi-speed planetary drive for a supercharger
    Patent number: 9927006
    Abstract: A multi-speed drive for a supercharger includes a planetary gear mechanism with a sun gear mechanism, a plurality of planet gears mounted on a planet carrier, and a ring gear, all mounted for rotation on a stationary shaft. A rotary-mechanical drive input is received by either the ring gear or the planetary drive, and a rotary-mechanical drive output is provided by the planetary drive when the ring gear receives the input, or by the ring gear when the planetary drive receives the input. A one-way roller clutch is disposed coaxially with the planetary gear mechanism, between the sun gear mechanism and the stationary shaft. A hydraulically-actuated, clutch assembly mounted coaxially with the planetary gear mechanism on the stationary shaft engages the sun gear and the ring gear to change the gear ratio of the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Sumanth Kashyap, Balazs V. Palfai
  • Maintaining EGR flow in a uniflow-scavenged, two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine
    Patent number: 9926867
    Abstract: In a turbocharged, uniflow-scavenged, two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine, transient changes in engine operating conditions initiate modes of air handling operation during which reversal of EGR flow in a high pressure EGR loop of the air handling system is prevented by operating one or more air handling devices to increase resistance to exhaust flow in the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Schum, Arunandan Sharma
  • Hybrid opposed-piston engine system
    Patent number: 9915188
    Abstract: An opposed-piston engine system equipped for full hybrid compressed-air/combustion includes capacity for storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation. The hybrid opposed-piston engine system includes a control mechanization for operating the opposed-piston engine in a combustion mode by provision of fuel, in a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air, and in a combustion mode supplemented by provision of stored compressed air. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle equipped with an opposed-piston engine includes storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation and operating in the vehicle a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: John J. Koszewnik
  • CYLINDER LINER FOR AN OPPOSED-PISTON ENGINE
    Publication number: 20180058368
    Abstract: A cylinder liner for an opposed-piston engine, and corresponding methods of extending engine durability and thermal management therewith, has opposite ends and a bore with a longitudinal axis for supporting reciprocating movement of a pair of opposed pistons. An intermediate portion of the liner extends between the opposite ends and includes an annular liner portion within which the pistons reach respective TC locations. A liner ring is seated in a portion of the bore in the annular liner portion, between the TC locations, for scraping carbon from top lands of the pistons and/or increasing the thermal resistance of the annular liner portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: JOHN J. KOSZEWNIK, Bryant A. Wagner
  • SKEWED COMBUSTION CHAMBER FOR OPPOSED-PISTON ENGINES
    Publication number: 20180058315
    Abstract: A combustion chamber for an opposed-piston engine has a rotationally skewed shape in a longitudinal section that is orthogonal to a chamber centerline, between diametrically-opposed openings of the combustion chamber through which fuel is injected. The rotationally skewed shape interacts with swirl to generate a tumble bulk charge air motion structure that increases turbulence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: RISHIKESH VENUGOPAL
  • PORT EDGE SHAPE WITH CONTINUOUS CURVATURE FOR IMPROVED RING-PORT INTERACTION AND FLOW AREA
    Publication number: 20180045135
    Abstract: A port opening edge shape for a port in a cylinder of an opposed-piston combustion engine is optimized for flow area, as well as for minimization of piston ring clipping. The port opening edge shape includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a first and second side edge connecting the top and bottom edge, and an apex in the top edge. The apex has the minimum radius of curvature of the port opening edge shape. A spline that defines the port opening edge shape can be calculated based upon a maximum height, a full width, an amount or degree of skew, and a minimum radius of curvature. A model can measure values for engine performance and determine which spline defines a port opening edge shape yields a desired engine performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: BRIAN J. CALLAHAN
  • PORT EDGE SHAPE WITH CONTINUOUS CURVATURE FOR IMPROVED RING-PORT INTERACTION AND FLOW AREA
    Publication number: 20180045136
    Abstract: A port opening edge shape for a port in a cylinder of an opposed-piston combustion engine is optimized for flow area, as well as for minimization of piston ring clipping. The port opening edge shape includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a first and second side edge connecting the top and bottom edge, and an apex in the top edge. The apex has the minimum radius of curvature of the port opening edge shape. A spline that defines the port opening edge shape can be calculated based upon a maximum height, a full width, an amount or degree of skew, and a minimum radius of curvature. A model can measure values for engine performance and determine which spline defines a port opening edge shape yields a desired engine performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: BRIAN J. CALLAHAN
  • EGR for a two-stroke cycle engine without a supercharger
    Patent number: 9869258
    Abstract: A two-stroke cycle, turbo-driven, opposed-piston engine with one or more ported cylinders and uniflow scavenging has no supercharger. The engine includes a high pressure EGR loop and a pump in the EGR loop to boost the pressure of the recirculated exhaust products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: Eric P. Dion