Patents Examined by Willie R. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 7266439
    Abstract: A fuel property adaptive control system for controlling the performance of an engine, such as an internal combustion engine. An on-board fuel classifier classifies the fuel that the engine is running. Based on stored properties for that fuel, the system selects optimal engine control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Junmin Wang, Gary D. Neely, Shizuo Sasaki, Thomas W. Ryan, III
  • Patent number: 6739308
    Abstract: The present invention provides a piston for a diesel engine that reduces emissions generated during the combustion of fuel in a combustion chamber and a head that allows more air to flow into and out of the combustion chamber. The piston includes an igniter that ignites fuel injected into the combustion chamber and a piston bowl. The piston bowl agitates air in the combustion chamber to quickly mix the fuel and air before the igniter ignites the fuel and to reduce carbon build-up from unburned fuel in the combustion chamber. By igniting the fuel shortly after it is injected into the combustion chamber, the igniter reduces the time between injection and combustion of the fuel in the combustion chamber. Thus, the amount of NOx produced during combustion is reduced. Furthermore, injection of the fuel can commence when the piston is closer to top dead center and thus more power can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Hatch & Kirk, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Curtis
  • Patent number: 5666930
    Abstract: An intake system is disclosed for conducting air to a v-configured, internal combustion engine. The engine includes an engine coolant crossover conduit which extends between cylinder heads and has coolant passages which operate to conduct coolant therebetween. A throttle body mounting flange extends outwardly from a side of the conduit and includes a throttle body mounting surface which surrounds an opening extending through the flange. A throttle body is mounted to the throttle body mounting surface of the throttle body mounting flange with the opening of the flange aligned with the throttle body bore for conducting inlet air from said throttle body and to a conduit extending between the flange and the intake manifold of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jack Edward Elder