Patents by Inventor Clayton Naber

Clayton Naber 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: 20230044154
    Abstract: A novel two-stroke opposed piston engine with sleeve valves and T-scavenging breathing is provided. The two-stroke opposed piston engine has a unique uni-flow scavenging breathing that can deliver higher power density than the traditional uniflow-scavenging two-stroke opposed piston engine. Furthermore, a method of operating a two-stroke opposed piston engine is provided. The novel opposed piston engine can be a hybrid engine with one or more electric machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: Pinnacle Engines, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton NABER
  • Patent number: 11454166
    Abstract: An engine unit controller (EUC) in connection with a hybrid opposed piston engine can receive real-time movement data of a crankshaft via a crank position sensor. It can simultaneously receive current data of an electric motor that partially controls the crankshaft. With the known engine constants, the EUC can determine instantaneous combustion pressure data based on the movement data and the current data. Such combustion pressure data can be used to optimize the engine's performance in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Pinnacle Engines, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton Naber
  • Publication number: 20220010725
    Abstract: An engine unit controller (EUC) in connection with a hybrid opposed piston engine can receive real-time movement data of a crankshaft via a crank position sensor. It can simultaneously receive current data of an electric motor that partially controls the crankshaft. With the known engine constants, the EUC can determine instantaneous combustion pressure data based on the movement data and the current data. Such combustion pressure data can be used to optimize the engine's performance in real-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Pinnacle Engines, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton NABER
  • Publication number: 20210348553
    Abstract: A method and system for a hybrid opposed piston engine with dynamic controlling of the combustion volume and power output is provided. The method includes using a control system to control a phasing of opposed pistons for achieving a desired combustion volume during a combustion cycle. The control system can control an activation of an ignition of the hybrid opposed piston engine, such as to activate the ignition when a desired condition is present in the combustion chamber. Various embodiments of the hybrid opposed piston engine are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: PINNACLE ENGINES, INC.
    Inventors: Clayton NABER, Keith JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 11156249
    Abstract: A hybrid opposed piston engine is described that can include a cylindrical chamber and first and second pistons slidably disposed in the cylindrical chamber, surfaces of the first and second pistons and walls of the cylindrical chamber defining an internal combustion volume. The hybrid opposed piston engine can also include at least one port in the cylindrical chamber to allow air and fuel into and exhaust gas out of the internal combustion volume. In some embodiments, the hybrid opposed piston engine includes a drive shaft including a first mechanical linkage between the first piston and a crankshaft that is configured to move the first piston within the cylindrical chamber. In some embodiments, the hybrid opposed piston engine includes an electrical component adjacent to the second piston, the electrical component configured to move the second piston within the cylindrical chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Pinnacle Engines Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton Naber
  • Publication number: 20200132110
    Abstract: A hybrid opposed piston engine is described that can include a cylindrical chamber and first and second pistons slidably disposed in the cylindrical chamber, surfaces of the first and second pistons and walls of the cylindrical chamber defining an internal combustion volume. The hybrid opposed piston engine can also include at least one port in the cylindrical chamber to allow air and fuel into and exhaust gas out of the internal combustion volume. In some embodiments, the hybrid opposed piston engine includes a drive shaft including a first mechanical linkage between the first piston and a crankshaft that is configured to move the first piston within the cylindrical chamber. In some embodiments, the hybrid opposed piston engine includes an electrical component adjacent to the second piston, the electrical component configured to move the second piston within the cylindrical chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: Clayton Naber