Patents by Inventor Chiara Altamura

Chiara Altamura 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: 11629654
    Abstract: An engine includes at least one cylinder, a first intake valve and a second intake valve associated with the cylinder, to control a flow of intake air from a first intake duct and a second intake duct, respectively. The two intake ducts communicate with a common intake manifold, so as to receive air at the same pressure. During the intake stage, in each cylinder operating cycle, initially an opening and closing movement of only the first intake valve is activated, while the second intake valve remains closed and, subsequently, an opening and closing movement of only said second intake valve is activated, while the first intake valve remains closed. In this way, the two air flows at the same pressure entering the cylinder give rise to a high turbulent kinetic energy, to the advantage of combustion efficiency and reduction of harmful exhaust emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETÀ CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Raffaele Ricco, Sergio Stucchi, Marcello Gargano, Onofrio De Michele, Chiara Altamura
  • Patent number: 11466598
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine provided with an electro-hydraulic system for variable actuation of the intake valves of the engine, each cylinder has two intake valves, which are associated with two intake conduits and are controlled by a single cam of a camshaft through a single hydraulic circuit. The communication of the hydraulic actuators of the two intake valves with a discharge channel is controlled by two electrically-actuated control valves, both of an on/off two-position type, arranged in series with each other along a hydraulic line for communication between the a pressure volume and the discharge channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETÀ CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Raffaele Ricco, Sergio Stucchi, Marcello Gargano, Domenico Lepore, Chiara Altamura
  • Publication number: 20220260025
    Abstract: An engine includes at least one cylinder, a first intake valve and a second intake valve associated with the cylinder, to control a flow of intake air from a first intake duct and a second intake duct, respectively. The two intake ducts communicate with a common intake manifold, so as to receive air at the same pressure. During the intake stage, in each cylinder operating cycle, initially an opening and closing movement of only the first intake valve is activated, while the second intake valve remains closed and, subsequently, an opening and closing movement of only said second intake valve is activated, while the first intake valve remains closed. In this way, the two air flows at the same pressure entering the cylinder give rise to a high turbulent kinetic energy, to the advantage of combustion efficiency and reduction of harmful exhaust emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Raffaele RICCO, Sergio STUCCHI, Marcello GARGANO, Onofrio DE MICHELE, Chiara ALTAMURA
  • Publication number: 20210164368
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine provided with an electro-hydraulic system for variable actuation of the intake valves of the engine, each cylinder has two intake valves, which are associated with two intake conduits and are controlled by a single cam of a camshaft through a single hydraulic circuit. The communication of the hydraulic actuators of the two intake valves with a discharge channel is controlled by two electrically-actuated control valves, both of an on/off two-position type, arranged in series with each other along a hydraulic line for communication between the a pressure volume and the discharge channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Raffaele RICCO, Sergio STUCCHI, Marcello GARGANO, Domenico LEPORE, Chiara ALTAMURA
  • Patent number: 10151221
    Abstract: A system for variable actuation of an engine valve of an engine includes a master piston driven by a cam of a camshaft. A slave piston is driven by the master piston by a volume of pressurized fluid. The slave piston causes the engine valve to open, against the action of a spring. A control valve controls a communication between pressurized fluid and an environment at lower pressure, with which a fluid accumulator is in communication. A control unit is programmed for controlling the control valve according to one or more different valve modes. When one of these valve modes is actuated, the control valve opens the communication in advance with respect to the end of the lift cycle of the cam, and not after closing of the engine valve to prevent or reduce a decrease in pressure in the volume of pressurized fluid after closing of the engine valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Marcello Gargano, Onofrio De Michele, Chiara Altamura, Domenico Lepore
  • Patent number: 9791055
    Abstract: An electrically actuated control valve has three mouths and three operating positions, in which the three mouths includes a first mouth for inlet of a working fluid, and a second mouth and a third mouth for outlet of the working fluid. The three operating positions include a first operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second mouth and the third mouth is enabled, a second operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to only one of said second and third mouths is enabled, and a third operating position in which the passage of fluid from the first to the second mouth and the third mouth is disabled. The control valve includes an electric or electromagnetic actuator for controlling the passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second and third mouths providing the aforesaid three operating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Onofrio De Michele, Marcello Gargano, Domenico Lepore, Chiara Altamura
  • Publication number: 20170175592
    Abstract: A system for variable actuation of an engine valve of an engine includes a master piston driven by a cam of a camshaft. A slave piston is driven by the master piston by a volume of pressurized fluid. The slave piston causes the engine valve to open, against the action of a spring. A control valve controls a communication between pressurized fluid and an environment at lower pressure, with which a fluid accumulator is in communication. A control unit is programmed for controlling the control valve according to one or more different valve modes. When one of these valve modes is actuated, the control valve opens the communication in advance with respect to the end of the lift cycle of the cam, and not after closing of the engine valve to prevent or reduce a decrease in pressure in the volume of pressurized fluid after closing of the engine valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Sergio STUCCHI, Raffaele RICCO, Marcello GARGANO, Onofrio DE MICHELE, Chiara ALTAMURA, Domenico LEPORE
  • Patent number: 9441509
    Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a three-way, three-position solenoid valve, having an inlet communicating with a pressurized-fluid chamber and with a hydraulic actuator of an intake valve, and two outlets communicating with an actuator of another intake valve of a cylinder and the exhaust channel. The solenoid valve has a first position, in which the inlet communicates with both outlets, a second position, in which the inlet communicates only with the outlet connected to the actuator of the intake valve and a third position, in which the inlet does not communicate with any of the two outlets. During at least part of an active stroke of a tappet, the solenoid valve is kept in the third position to render the first intake valve active. During the active stroke of the tappet, the solenoid valve is never brought into the second position so that the second intake valve always remains closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societá Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Onofrio De Michele, Marcello Gargano, Chiara Altamura, Carlo Mazzarella
  • Patent number: 9416691
    Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a system for variable actuation of intake valves, including a control valve for each cylinder, which controls communication of a pressurized-fluid chamber with a discharge channel. The control valve has at least three different positions, namely, a first completely open position, a second partially open position, and a third completely closed position. Electronic control means are programmed for keeping the control valve in its closed position in operating stages in which the intake valve must remain coupled to the respective cam and for bringing the control valve from its completely closed position to its partially open position or to its completely open position in operating stages in which the intake valve must be uncoupled from the respective cam, selection between the first position and said second position of the control valve being made as a function of one or more operating parameters of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Onofrio De Michele, Marcello Gargano, Carlo Mazzarella, Chiara Altamura
  • Patent number: 9140223
    Abstract: The fuel injection system comprises a fuel injector controlled by commands of a control unit. The fuel injector comprises a metering servo valve having a control chamber provided with an outlet passage that is opened/closed by an open/close element that is axially movable. The open/close element is carried by an axial guide element that is separate from an armature of an electromagnet. The open/close element is held in the closing position by a spring acting through an intermediate body. In some instances, the strokes of the open/close element and of the armature are chosen so as to eliminate, upon closing of the servo valve, the rebounds of the open/close element subsequent to the first rebound. The control unit controls a fuel injection comprising a pilot fuel injection and a main fuel injection, via two distinct electrical commands, which are spaced apart by a dwell time such as to occur in an area of reduced variation of the amount of injected fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societá Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Onofrio De Michele, Chiara Altamura, Domenico Lepore
  • Publication number: 20150034031
    Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a system for variable actuation of intake valves, including a control valve for each cylinder, which controls communication of a pressurized-fluid chamber with a discharge channel. The control valve has at least three different positions, namely, a first completely open position, a second partially open position, and a third completely closed position. Electronic control means are programmed for keeping the control valve in its closed position in operating stages in which the intake valve must remain coupled to the respective cam and for bringing the control valve from its completely closed position to its partially open position or to its completely open position in operating stages in which the intake valve must be uncoupled from the respective cam, selection between the first position and said second position of the control valve being made as a function of one or more operating parameters of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Sergio STUCCHI, Raffaele RICCO, Onofrio DE MICHELE, Marcello GARGANO, Carlo MAZZARELLA, Chiara ALTAMURA
  • Publication number: 20140346258
    Abstract: An electrically actuated control valve has three mouths and three operating positions, in which the three mouths includes a first mouth for inlet of a working fluid, and a second mouth and a third mouth for outlet of the working fluid. The three operating positions include a first operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second mouth and the third mouth is enabled, a second operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to only one of said second and third mouths is enabled, and a third operating position in which the passage of fluid from the first to the second mouth and the third mouth is disabled. The control valve includes an electric or electromagnetic actuator for controlling the passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second and third mouths providing the aforesaid three operating positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Sergio STUCCHI, Raffaele RICCO, Onofrio DE MICHELE, Marcello GARGANO, Domenico LEPORE, Chiara ALTAMURA
  • Publication number: 20140318484
    Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a three-way, three-position solenoid valve, having an inlet communicating with a pressurized-fluid chamber and with a hydraulic actuator of an intake valve, and two outlets communicating with an actuator of another intake valve of a cylinder and the exhaust channel. The solenoid valve has a first position, in which the inlet communicates with both outlets, a second position, in which the inlet communicates only with the outlet connected to the actuator of the intake valve and a third position, in which the inlet does not communicate with any of the two outlets. During at least part of an active stroke of a tappet, the solenoid valve is kept in the third position to render the first intake valve active. During the active stroke of the tappet, the solenoid valve is never brought into the second position so that the second intake valve always remains closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Sergio STUCCHI, Raffaele RICCO, Onofrio DE MICHELE, Marcello GARGANO, Chiara ALTAMURA, Carlo MAZZARELLA
  • Patent number: 8851118
    Abstract: A solenoid valve comprises a first mouth for an inlet of a working fluid and a second mouth and a third mouth for an outlet of the working fluid. The valve has a first operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second mouth and the third mouth is enabled, a second operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to only one of the second and third mouths is enabled, and a third operating position in which the passage of fluid from the first to the second mouth and the third mouth is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Sergio Stucchi, Onofrio De Michele, Raffaele Ricco, Marcello Gargano, Chiara Altamura, Carlo Mazzarella
  • Patent number: 8807116
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, comprising: at least one fuel electroinjector; and one electronic control unit designed to supply the fuel electroinjector, in a fuel injection phase in an engine cylinder, with at least a first electrical command to perform a pilot fuel injection, and a second electrical command to perform a main fuel injection. The first and second electrical commands are separated in time by an electrical dwell time such that the main fuel injection starts without interruption with respect to the pilot fuel injection. The electrical dwell time between the first and second electrical commands belongs to an electrical dwell time range in which the total fuel amount injected in the pilot and main fuel injections in a fuel injection phase in an engine cylinder is substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Sergio Stucchi, Onofrio De Michele, Raffaele Ricco, Domenico Lepore, Chiara Altamura, Marcello Gargano
  • Publication number: 20130134337
    Abstract: A solenoid valve comprises a first mouth for an inlet of a working fluid and a second mouth and a third mouth for an outlet of the working fluid. The valve has a first operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second mouth and the third mouth is enabled, a second operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to only one of the second and third mouths is enabled, and a third operating position in which the passage of fluid from the first to the second mouth and the third mouth is disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Sergio STUCCHI, Onofrio De Michele, Raffaele Ricco, Marcello Gargano, Chiara Altamura, Carlo Mazzarella
  • Publication number: 20120035832
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine, comprising: at least one fuel electroinjector; and one electronic control unit designed to supply the fuel electroinjector, in a fuel injection phase in an engine cylinder, with at least a first electrical command to perform a pilot fuel injection, and a second electrical command to perform a main fuel injection. The first and second electrical commands are separated in time by an electrical dwell time such that the main fuel injection starts without interruption with respect to the pilot fuel injection. The electrical dwell time between the first and second electrical commands belongs to an electrical dwell time range in which the total fuel amount injected in the pilot and main fuel injections in a fuel injection phase in an engine cylinder is substantially constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Sergio Stucchi, Onofrio De Michele, Raffaele Ricco, Domenico Lepore, Chiara Altamura, Marcello Gargano
  • Patent number: 7954729
    Abstract: A metering servovalve for a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine has an electro-actuator and a fixed valve body, which defines a control chamber communicating with an inlet and with an outlet channel. The outlet channel has at least one calibrated restriction and exits through the lateral surface of an axial stem, on which a sleeve slides, in a substantially fluid-tight manner, to open/close the outlet channel and so vary the pressure in the control chamber. The outlet channel is closed by an end portion of the sleeve that is elastically deformable in a radially outward direction, under the thrust of the fuel pressure, to increase the diameter at which the seal against the valve body is formed, with respect to a non-deformed state, and to generate an axial unbalancing force on the sleeve upon opening when the outlet channel is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Aziono
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Raffaele Ricco, Sergio Stucchi, Antonio Gravina, Chiara Altamura, Marcello Gargano
  • Publication number: 20100186708
    Abstract: The fuel injection system comprises a fuel injector controlled by commands of a control unit. The fuel injector comprises a metering servo valve having a control chamber provided with an outlet passage that is opened/closed by an open/close element that is axially movable. The open/close element is carried by an axial guide element that is separate from an armature of an electromagnet. The open/close element is held in the closing position by a spring acting through an intermediate body. In some instances, the strokes of the open/close element and of the armature are chosen so as to eliminate, upon closing of the servo valve, the rebounds of the open/close element subsequent to the first rebound. The control unit controls a fuel injection comprising a pilot fuel injection and a main fuel injection, via two distinct electrical commands, which are spaced apart by a dwell time such as to occur in an area of reduced variation of the amount of injected fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Onofrio De Michele, Chiara Altamura, Domenico Lepore
  • Publication number: 20100162992
    Abstract: The system comprises an injector controlled by commands of a control unit. The injector comprises a dosing servo valve having a control chamber provided with an outlet passage that is opened/closed by an open/close element that is axially movable. The open/close element is carried by an axial guide element that is separate from an anchor of an electromagnet. The open/close element is held in the closing position by a spring acting through an intermediate body. Preferably, the strokes of the open/close element and of the anchor are chosen so as to eliminate, upon closing of the solenoid valve, the rebounds of the open/close element subsequent to the first rebound. The control unit controls an injection comprising a pre-injection and a main injection, via two distinct electrical commands, which are spaced apart by a dwell time such as to occur in an area of reduced variation of the amount of injected fuel; therefore, the stability of operation of the system increases as said dwell time varies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Onofrio De Michele, Chiara Altamura, Domenico Lepore