Patents Assigned to Pacbrake Company
  • Patent number: 12031462
    Abstract: An exhaust rocker assembly for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during a compression-release engine braking operation. The exhaust rocker assembly comprises an exhaust rocker arm and a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) mounted to the exhaust rocker arm and operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof. The CBCM includes a casing, an actuation piston disposed outside the casing so as to define an actuation piston cavity, a reset check valve provided between the casing and the actuation piston, and a compression brake actuator disposed in the casing. The actuation piston reciprocates relative to the casing. The compression brake actuator includes a control piston. The control piston engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the actuation piston cavity and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the actuation piston cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Kody Taylor, Peter Stec
  • Publication number: 20230235687
    Abstract: A compression-release engine brake system operating an exhaust valve of an engine during a compression-release engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises an exhaust rocker arm and a brake reset device disposed in a reset bore formed in the exhaust rocker arm. The brake reset device comprises a reset check valve, a slider-piston slidably disposed in the reset bore and an external slider bias spring biasing the piston foot away from the brake reset device. The external slider bias spring is disposed outside the reset bore and around the piston-slider. The brake reset device permits pressurized hydraulic fluid to flow from a supply conduit to a reset conduit to supply a brake actuation piston when the reset check valve is open. The actuation piston extends and engages the exhaust valve toward the end of a compression stroke of the internal combustion engine, and the brake reset device resets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Kody TAYLOR, James BALDWIN, Peter STEC
  • Patent number: 11619149
    Abstract: A compression-release engine brake system operating an exhaust valve of an engine during a compression-release engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises an exhaust rocker arm and a brake reset device disposed in a reset bore formed in the exhaust rocker arm. The brake reset device comprises a reset check valve, a slider-piston slidably disposed in the reset bore and an external slider bias spring biasing the piston foot away from the brake reset device. The external slider bias spring is disposed outside the reset bore and around the piston-slider. The brake reset device permits pressurized hydraulic fluid to flow from a supply conduit to a reset conduit to supply a brake actuation piston when the reset check valve is open. The actuation piston extends and engages the exhaust valve toward the end of a compression stroke of the internal combustion engine, and the brake reset device resets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Kody Taylor, James Baldwin, Peter Stec
  • Patent number: 11384698
    Abstract: A compression-release brake system for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during an engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof. The CBCM includes a casing defining an actuator cavity, a actuation piston disposed outside the casing so as to define an actuation piston cavity between the casing and the actuation piston, and a check valve provided between the actuation piston cavity and a compression brake actuator disposed in the actuator cavity. The actuation piston reciprocates relative to the casing. The compression brake actuator includes an actuator element and a biasing spring. The actuator element selectively engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the actuation piston cavity and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the actuation piston cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Peter Stec, Kody Taylor, Devin Batcheller
  • Patent number: 11242778
    Abstract: A compression-release engine brake system for effectuating a compression-release engine braking operation of an internal combustion engine. The compression-release system includes a lost motion exhaust rocker assembly including an exhaust rocker arm, an actuation device including an actuation piston and an actuation cavity, and a reset device including a reset check valve and a slider-piston. Hydraulic fluid in the exhaust rocker arm is locked in the actuation cavity when the reset check valve is in the closed position, and flows through the reset check valve when the reset check valve is in the open position. The slider-piston is associated with the reset check valve so that in an extended position of the slider-piston the reset check valve is free to move toward the closed position, and in a retracted position of the slider-piston the reset check valve is moved to the open position thereof by the slider-piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Devin Batcheller, Kody Taylor, Vincent Meneely
  • Patent number: 11149659
    Abstract: A compression-release brake system for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during an engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof. The CBCM includes a casing defining an actuator cavity, a actuation piston disposed outside the casing so as to define an actuation piston cavity between the casing and the actuation piston, and a check valve provided between the actuation piston cavity and a compression brake actuator disposed in the actuator cavity. The actuation piston reciprocates relative to the casing. The compression brake actuator includes an actuator element and a biasing spring. The actuator element selectively engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the actuation piston cavity and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the actuation piston cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Peter Stec, Kody Taylor, Devin Batcheller
  • Patent number: 10767522
    Abstract: A compression-release engine brake system for effectuating a compression-release engine braking operation of an internal combustion engine. The compression-release system includes a lost motion exhaust rocker assembly including an exhaust rocker arm, an actuation device including an actuation piston and an actuation cavity, and a reset device including a reset check valve and a slider-piston. Hydraulic fluid in the exhaust rocker arm is locked in the actuation cavity when the reset check valve is in the closed position, and flows through the reset check valve when the reset check valve is in the open position. The slider-piston is associated with the reset check valve so that in an extended position of the slider-piston the reset check valve is free to move toward the closed position, and in a retracted position of the slider-piston the reset check valve is moved to the open position thereof by the slider-piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Devin Batcheller, Kody Taylor, Vincent Meneely
  • Patent number: 10190451
    Abstract: A compression-release brake system is provided that includes a lost motion exhaust rocker assembly, an actuation piston, and a reset device. The actuation piston includes an actuation piston body that is slidably received by the rocker arm to define a piston cavity in the rocker arm and is movable between piston retracted and extended positions. The actuation piston is configured to be operatively associated with the exhaust valve to permit unseating of the exhaust valve from the seated state. An actuation piston check valve is configured to move between closed and open positions to permit hydraulic fluid flow through an actuation piston communication port to the piston cavity. The reset device includes a reset check valve and a reset pressure control spring for applying a biasing force to the reset check valve to urge the reset check valve toward an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Vincent Meneely, Robert Price
  • Patent number: 9885263
    Abstract: A compression-release brake system is provided that includes a lost motion exhaust rocker assembly, an actuation piston, and a reset device. The actuation piston includes an actuation piston body that is slidably received by the rocker arm to define a piston cavity in the rocker arm and is movable between piston retracted and extended positions. The actuation piston is configured to be operatively associated with the exhaust valve to permit unseating of the exhaust valve from the seated state. An actuation piston check valve is configured to move between closed and open positions to permit hydraulic fluid flow through an actuation piston communication port to the piston cavity. The reset device includes a reset check valve and a reset pressure control spring for applying a biasing force to the reset check valve to urge the reset check valve toward an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Vincent Meneely, Robert Price
  • Patent number: 9752471
    Abstract: A compression-release brake system is provided that includes a lost motion exhaust rocker assembly, an actuation piston, and a reset device. The actuation piston includes an actuation piston body that is slidably received by the rocker arm to define a piston cavity in the rocker arm and is movable between piston retracted and extended positions. The actuation piston is configured to be operatively associated with the exhaust valve to permit unseating of the exhaust valve from the seated state. An actuation piston check valve is configured to move between closed and open positions to permit hydraulic fluid flow through an actuation piston communication port to the piston cavity. The reset device includes a reset check valve and a reset pressure control spring for applying a biasing force to the reset check valve to urge the reset check valve toward an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Vincent Meneely, Robert Price
  • Patent number: 9562448
    Abstract: A compression-release brake system for effectuating a compression-release engine braking operation in connection with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a lost motion exhaust rocker assembly including a rocker arm, an actuation piston slidably received by the rocker arm to define part of a piston cavity in the rocker arm and movable between a piston retracted position and a piston extended position, the actuation piston configured to operatively associate with the exhaust valve to permit unseating of the exhaust valve from the seated state, and a reset device received by the rocker arm and operatively associated with the actuation piston to return the exhaust valve to the seated state by the end of the expansion stroke in the brake-on mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Vincent Meneely, Robert Price
  • Patent number: 9429051
    Abstract: A compression-release brake system comprises an exhaust rocker arm, an actuation piston slidable in a piston bore in the exhaust rocker arm so as to press an exhaust valve, a supply conduit formed within the exhaust rocker arm, and an exhaust valve reset device mounted to the exhaust rocker arm. The actuation piston defines an actuation piston cavity within the actuation piston bore between the piston bore and the actuation piston. The exhaust valve reset device includes a reset check valve disposed between the supply conduit and the actuation piston cavity to hydraulically lock the actuation piston cavity by closing the reset check valve when a pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the actuation piston cavity exceeds the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the supply conduit. The reset check valve is biased closed by the pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the actuation piston cavity during the brake-on mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Vincent Meneely, Robert Price
  • Patent number: 8272363
    Abstract: A compression-release brake system for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during an engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof and a source of a pressurized hydraulic fluid. The CBCM includes a casing defining piston and actuator cavities, a slave piston mounted within the piston cavity, a check valve provided between a supply conduit and a slave piston chamber and a compression brake actuator disposed in the actuator cavity. The compression brake actuator includes an actuator element and a biasing spring. The actuator element selectively engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the slave piston chamber, and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the slave piston chamber. The actuator element is exposed to atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Vincent Meneely, Robert Price
  • Patent number: 8037865
    Abstract: A compression-release brake system for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during an engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof and a source of a pressurized hydraulic fluid. The CBCM includes a casing defining piston and actuator cavities, a slave piston mounted within the piston cavity, a check valve provided between a supply conduit and a slave piston chamber and a compression brake actuator disposed in the actuator cavity. The compression brake actuator includes an actuator element and a biasing spring. The actuator element selectively engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the slave piston chamber, and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the slave piston chamber. The actuator element is exposed to atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Vincent Meneely, Robert Price
  • Patent number: 7913810
    Abstract: A high-performance muffler assembly for exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The muffler assembly comprises an elongated casing having an inlet port and an exit port, a first pipe disposed within the casing and having an inlet end in fluid communication with the inlet port and an outlet end selectively fluidly connected to the exit port of the casing, and a first valve mounted within the casing. The first valve is selectively movable between a closed position and an open position for regulating an exhaust gas flow through the first pipe. The muffler assembly is operable in a number of different modes of operation including a high-performance mode, an exhaust braking mode, a reverse-flow mode, etc., determined by the positions of the first valve of the muffler assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Vincent A. Meneely, Brad Sebring, Gabriel Gavril
  • Patent number: 7900597
    Abstract: A compression-release brake system for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during an engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof and a source of a pressurized hydraulic fluid. The CBCM includes a casing defining piston and actuator cavities, a slave piston mounted within the piston cavity, a check valve provided between a supply conduit and a slave piston chamber and a compression brake actuator disposed in the actuator cavity. The compression brake actuator includes an actuator element and a biasing spring. The actuator element selectively engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the slave piston chamber, and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the slave piston chamber. The actuator element is exposed to atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Vincent Meneely, Robert Price
  • Patent number: 7673720
    Abstract: A high-performance muffler assembly for exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The muffler assembly comprises an elongated casing having an inlet port and an exit port, a first pipe disposed within the casing and having an inlet end in fluid communication with the inlet port and an outlet end selectively fluidly connected to the exit port of the casing, and a first valve mounted within the casing. The first valve is selectively movable between a closed position and an open position for regulating an exhaust gas flow through the first pipe. The muffler assembly is operable in a number of different modes of operation including a high-performance mode, an exhaust braking mode, a reverse-flow mode, etc., determined by the positions of the first valve of the muffler assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Vincent A. Meneely, Brad Sebring, Gabriel Gavril