Patents by Inventor Carl T. Vuk

Carl T. Vuk 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).

  • Patent number: 8522757
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an engine block for internal combustion, a high-pressure (HP) turbocharger for delivering pressurized intake air to the engine block, a low-pressure (LP) turbocharger for delivering pressurized intake air to the HP turbocharger, a turbogenerator for recovering heat energy from the exhaust gas downstream of the LP turbocharger to generate electricity, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system comprising an EGR-pump drawing exhaust gas from an EGR inlet located downstream of the turbogenerator, wherein the EGR-pump controllably delivers exhaust gas to an EGR mixer in the pressurized intake air stream at a location between the LP turbocharger and HP turbocharger. An electronic control unit (ECU) is adapted to command the EGR-pump to deliver a desired EGR flow-rate to the engine block based on look-up tables and either open-loop and/or closed-loop control algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Patent number: 8522756
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine defined as having an engine block for internal combustion, a high-pressure turbocharger for delivering pressurized intake air to the engine block, a low-pressure turbocharger for delivering pressurized intake air to the high-pressure turbocharger, a turbogenerator for recovering heat energy from the exhaust gas downstream of the low-pressure turbocharger to generate electricity, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system comprising an EGR-pump drawing exhaust gas from an EGR inlet located between the low-pressure and high-pressure turbocharger turbines, wherein the EGR-pump controllably delivers exhaust gas to an EGR mixer in the pressurized intake air stream at a location between the low-pressure and high-pressure turbocharger compressors. An electronic control unit (ECU) is adapted to command the EGR-pump to deliver a desired EGR flow-rate to the engine block based on look-up tables and either open-loop and/or closed-loop control algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Carl T. Vuk, Richard E. Winsor
  • Patent number: 8439021
    Abstract: An EGR system for an IC engine, wherein the IC engine includes a block defining a plurality of combustion cylinders, a plurality of multi-valve heads, each multi-valve head associated with a respective combustion cylinder and including an inlet valve and an exhaust valve, an exhaust manifold fluid coupled with each exhaust valve, and an intake manifold fluidly coupled between the exhaust manifold and each inlet valve. The EGR system includes: a plurality of EGR inlet valves and a plurality of EGR exhaust valves, wherein each multi-valve head includes at least one EGR inlet valve and at least one EGR exhaust valve; an EGR exhaust manifold fluidly coupled with each EGR exhaust valve; and an EGR intake manifold fluidly coupled between the EGR exhaust manifold and each EGR inlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Publication number: 20130079980
    Abstract: A vehicle arrangement includes a tow vehicle and a towed vehicle. The towed vehicle includes at least two wheels and at least one motor, with each motor being coupled with a corresponding wheel. A load sensing hitch between the tow vehicle and the towed vehicle provides an output signal representing a sensed load on the load sensing hitch. An electrical processing circuit is coupled with the load sensing hitch. The electrical processing circuit actuates at least one motor, dependent upon the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Carl T. Vuk, Alan D. Sheidler, Peter Finamore, Bernard E. Romig
  • Patent number: 8327812
    Abstract: A cooling system for a liquid cooled internal combustion engine having coolant passages and a heat exchanger selected to operate the engine cooling system in the region of nucleate boiling. A sensor detects the presence of nucleate boiling and a variable volume chamber has a flexible diaphragm urged on one side by controlled air pressure and responsive to the sensor maintain the coolant system pressure at a level maintaining optimum nucleate boiling to increase heat flux from the engine and reduce overall size of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Patent number: 8302398
    Abstract: A work machine having an internal combustion engine such as a diesel is connected to a transmission by a flexible coupling. The engine may have a turbocharger to increase its output. A power turbine is connected to receive exhaust products from the turbocharger turbine via an exhaust aftertreatment device. The power turbine is connected to either the transmission downstream of the flexible coupling or to an external load. In either case, the power turbine in the form of a centripetal turbine is isolated from the torsional vibrations of the IC engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Publication number: 20110303199
    Abstract: An EGR system for an IC engine, wherein the IC engine includes a block defining a plurality of combustion cylinders, a plurality of multi-valve heads, each multi-valve head associated with a respective combustion cylinder and including an inlet valve and an exhaust valve, an exhaust manifold fluid coupled with each exhaust valve, and an intake manifold fluidly coupled between the exhaust manifold and each inlet valve. The EGR system includes: a plurality of EGR inlet valves and a plurality of EGR exhaust valves, wherein each multi-valve head includes at least one EGR inlet valve and at least one EGR exhaust valve; an EGR exhaust manifold fluidly coupled with each EGR exhaust valve; and an EGR intake manifold fluidly coupled between the EGR exhaust manifold and each EGR inlet valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Patent number: 8065878
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a reciprocating multi cylinder internal combustion engine with multiple valves. At least a pair of exhaust valves are provided and each supply a separate power extraction device. The first exhaust valves connect to a power turbine used to provide additional power to the engine either mechanically or electrically. The flow path from these exhaust valves is smaller in area and volume than a second flow path which is used to deliver products of combustion to a turbocharger turbine. The timing of the exhaust valve events is controlled to produce a higher grade of energy to the power turbine and enhance the ability to extract power from the combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Patent number: 7950231
    Abstract: A diesel or HHCI engine has an air intake and an exhaust for products of combustion. A pair of turbochargers receive the products of combustion in a series relationship and an exhaust aftertreatment device receive the products of combustion from the downstream turbine. A power turbine receives the output from the exhaust aftertreatment device and an EGR system of the power turbine passes a selected portion of the output to a point upstream of the upstream turbocharger compressor. A device adds fuel to the aftertreatment device to regenerate the particulate filter and the power turbine recoups the additional energy. The power turbine may be used to drive accessories or the prime output of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Publication number: 20110094486
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an engine block for internal combustion, a high-pressure (HP) turbocharger for delivering pressurized intake air to the engine block, a low-pressure (LP) turbocharger for delivering pressurized intake air to the HP turbocharger, a turbogenerator for recovering heat energy from the exhaust gas downstream of the LP turbocharger to generate electricity, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system comprising an EGR-pump drawing exhaust gas from an EGR inlet located downstream of the turbogenerator, wherein the EGR-pump controllably delivers exhaust gas to an EGR mixer in the pressurized intake air stream at a location between the LP turbocharger and HP turbocharger. An electronic control unit (ECU) is adapted to command the EGR-pump to deliver a desired EGR flow-rate to the engine block based on look-up tables and either open-loop and/or closed-loop control algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Publication number: 20110094485
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine defined as having an engine block for internal combustion, a high-pressure turbocharger for delivering pressurized intake air to the engine block, a low-pressure turbocharger for delivering pressurized intake air to the high-pressure turbocharger, a turbogenerator for recovering heat energy from the exhaust gas downstream of the low-pressure turbocharger to generate electricity, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system comprising an EGR-pump drawing exhaust gas from an EGR inlet located between the low-pressure and high-pressure turbocharger turbines, wherein the EGR-pump controllably delivers exhaust gas to an EGR mixer in the pressurized intake air stream at a location between the low-pressure and high-pressure turbocharger compressors. An electronic control unit (ECU) is adapted to command the EGR-pump to deliver a desired EGR flow-rate to the engine block based on look-up tables and either open-loop and/or closed-loop control algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Carl T. Vuk, Richard W. Winsor
  • Publication number: 20110094224
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an engine block for internal combustion, a turbocharger for delivering pressurized intake air to the engine block, a turbogenerator for recovering heat energy from the exhaust gas downstream of the turbocharger to generate electricity, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system comprising an EGR-pump drawing exhaust gas from an EGR inlet located between the turbocharger and the turbogenerator, wherein the EGR-pump controllably delivers exhaust gas to an EGR mixer in the pressurized intake air stream at a location between the turbocharger and the engine block. An electronic control unit (ECU) is adapted to command the EGR-pump to deliver a desired EGR flow-rate to the engine block based on look-up tables and either open-loop and/or closed-loop control algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Carl T. Vuk
  • Patent number: 7891185
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine incorporating a turbo-generator and one or more variably activated exhaust valves. The exhaust valves are adapted to variably release exhaust gases from a combustion cylinder during a combustion cycle to an exhaust system. The turbo-generator is adapted to receive exhaust gases from the exhaust system and rotationally harness energy therefrom to produce electrical power. A controller is adapted to command the exhaust valve to variably open in response to a desired output for the turbo-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Publication number: 20110017154
    Abstract: A cooling system for a liquid cooled internal combustion engine having coolant passages and a heat exchanger selected to operate the engine cooling system in the region of nucleate boiling. A sensor detects the presence of nucleate boiling and a variable volume chamber has a flexible diaphragm urged on one side by controlled air pressure and responsive to the sensor maintain the coolant system pressure at a level maintaining optimum nucleate boiling to increase heat flux from the engine and reduce overall size of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Patent number: 7673591
    Abstract: A cooling system for a liquid cooled internal combustion engine having coolant passages and a heat exchanger selected to operate the engine cooling system in the region of nucleate boiling. A sensor detect the presence of nucleate boiling and a pump and pressure relief valve responsive to the sensor maintain the coolant system pressure at a level marinating optimum nucleate boiling to increase heat flux from the engine and reduce overall size of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Publication number: 20100050632
    Abstract: A work machine having an internal combustion engine such as a diesel is connected to a transmission by a flexible coupling. The engine may have a turbocharger to increase its output. A power turbine is connected to receive exhaust products from the turbocharger turbine via an exhaust aftertreatment device. The power turbine is connected to either the transmission downstream of the flexible coupling or to an external load. In either case, the power turbine in the form of a centripetal turbine is isolated from the torsional vibrations of the IC engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Publication number: 20090301410
    Abstract: A cooling system for a liquid cooled internal combustion engine having coolant passages and a heat exchanger selected to operate the engine cooling system in the region of nucleate boiling. A sensor detect the presence of nucleate boiling and a pump and pressure relief valve responsive to the sensor maintain the coolant system pressure at a level marinating optimum nucleate boiling to increase heat flux from the engine and reduce overall size of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Publication number: 20090223220
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a reciprocating multi cylinder internal combustion engine with multiple valves. At least a pair of exhaust valves are provided and each supply a separate power extraction device. The first exhaust valves connect to a power turbine used to provide additional power to the engine either mechanically or electrically. The flow path from these exhaust valves is smaller in area and volume than a second flow path which is used to deliver products of combustion to a turbocharger turbine. The timing of the exhaust valve events is controlled to produce a higher grade of energy to the power turbine and enhance the ability to extract power from the combustion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Publication number: 20090107123
    Abstract: An air breathing, fuel consuming internal combustion engine such as a diesel or homogenous charge compression ignition engine has an air intake and an exhaust for products of combustion. A pair of turbochargers receive the products of combustion in a series relationship and an exhaust aftertreatment device, such as a particulate filter, receive the products of combustion from the downstream turbine. A power turbine receives the output from the exhaust aftertreatment device and an EGR system downstream of and exposed to the output of the power turbine selectively passes a selected portion of the output to a point upstream of the upstream turbocharger compressor. A device adds fuel to the aftertreatment device to regenerate the particulate filter and the power turbine recoups the additional energy. The power turbine may be used to drive accessories or the prime output of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Publication number: 20090045629
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine incorporating a turbo-generator and one or more variably activated exhaust valves. The exhaust valves are adapted to variably release exhaust gases from a combustion cylinder during a combustion cycle to an exhaust system. The turbo-generator is adapted to receive exhaust gases from the exhaust system and rotationally harness energy therefrom to produce electrical power. A controller is adapted to command the exhaust valve to variably open in response to a desired output for the turbo-generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk