Patents by Inventor Axel O. zur Loye

Axel O. zur Loye has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20020020388
    Abstract: A method and internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode, comprising a combustion chamber, an intake system for delivering intake air, a mixing device that mixes a first fuel with the intake air to provide a premixed charge of air and the first fuel, a direct fuel injector adapted to directly inject a second fuel into the combustion chamber, and a control system adapted to control the direct fuel injector in a manner to provide a post-ignition injection where the second fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber after onset of ignition of the premixed charge in the combustion chamber. The second fuel is preferably injected into the combustion chamber during combustion of the premixed charge and/or shortly after combustion of the premixed charge in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: John F. Wright, Patrick M. Pierz, Axel O. zur Loye
  • Publication number: 20020017269
    Abstract: A novel and improved engine and method are provided which includes a premixed charge compression ignition engine capable of operating over a wide load range without the need to vary the IMT beyond easily achievable or desirable temperature levels. The engine and method adjust the start of combustion by adjusting the engine speed and torque while delivering a targeted engine horsepower output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Tim R. Frazier
  • Publication number: 20020007816
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Axel O. Zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6286482
    Abstract: A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low oxides of nitrogen emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick F. Flynn, Gary L. Hunter, Axel O. zur Loye, Omowoleoia C. Akinyemi, Russ P. Durrett, Greg A. Moore, Jackie M. Mudd, George G. Muntean, Julie A. Wagner, John F. Wright
  • Publication number: 20010017127
    Abstract: A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low nitrous oxide emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g. the start of combustion, and generating an associated engine operating condition signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Patrick F. Flynn, Gary L. Hunter, Axel O. Zur Loye, Omowoleola C. Akinyemi, Russ P. Durrett, Greg A. Moore, Jackie M. Mudd, George G. Muntean, Julie A. Wagner, John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6276334
    Abstract: A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low oxides of nitrogen emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick F. Flynn, Gary L. Hunter, Axel O. zur Loye, Omowoleola C. Akinyemi, Russ P. Durrett, Greg A. Moore, George G. Muntean, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, Julie A. Wagner, John F. Wright, Jackie M. Yeager
  • Patent number: 6243641
    Abstract: A system and method in which the exhaust manifold pressure is measured by a single gauge-type pressure sensor positioned in the exhaust manifold to detect misfires in all cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The pressure sensor detects the exhaust manifold pressure and feeds a signal to a microcomputer via an analog-to-digital converter. A data processing device monitors the pressure waveform created by the data from the sensor to determine if a full or partial misfire occurs. If a cylinder suffers from a partial or complete misfire, the strength of the pressure pulse for that cylinder will be reduced, thus, allowing the data processing device to identify the misfire. The data processing device may determine a misfire by computing an average peak pressure for each combustion cycle, a pressure threshold as a function of engine speed and fuel consumption rate, and a minimum pressure value based on the difference between the average peak pressure and the pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric B. Andrews, Axel O. zur Loye, Mark R. Stepper
  • Patent number: 6230683
    Abstract: A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low nitrous oxide emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Omowoleola C. Akinyemi, Russ P. Durrett, Patrick F. Flynn, Gary L. Hunter, Greg A. Moore, Jackie M. Mudd, George G. Muntean, Julie A. Wagner, John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 5890470
    Abstract: A constant horsepower throttle progression control system and method. In order to improve driveability of a vehicle compared to prior art engine controllers, the present invention operates an engine so as to either produce a constant (or nearly constant) output horsepower at all engine speeds for any throttle position, or so as to produce an output horsepower equal to a predetermined percentage of the range between full rated power and motoring horsepower at all engine speeds for any throttle position. The predetermined percentage may or may not be equal to the percentage of full throttle represented by the throttle position, and may or may not be linearly related thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter V. Woon, Axel O. zur Loye