Patents by Inventor Dan Merritt
Dan Merritt 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).
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Patent number: 11914530Abstract: Memory having internal processors, and methods of data communication within such a memory are provided. In one embodiment, an internal processor may concurrently access one or more banks on a memory array on a memory device via one or more buffers. The internal processor may be coupled to a buffer capable of accessing more than one bank, or coupled to more than one buffer that may each access a bank, such that data may be retrieved from and stored in different banks concurrently. Further, the memory device may be configured for communication between one or more internal processors through couplings between memory components, such as buffers coupled to each of the internal processors. Therefore, a multi-operation instruction may be performed by different internal processors, and data (such as intermediate results) from one internal processor may be transferred to another internal processor of the memory, enabling parallel execution of an instruction(s).Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Inventors: Robert M. Walker, Dan Skinner, Todd A. Merritt, J. Thomas Pawlowski
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Publication number: 20190353089Abstract: A method of operating the stratified charge Merritt Engine described in WO2005/052335 and WO2007/0830366 enabling new benefits such as full compliance with NOx emission regulations, control over peak pressures, increased power density, and high fuel economy all enabled by preprogramming the timing of the gasoline direct fuel injection process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2016Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: Motodan LimitedInventor: Dan MERRITT
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Patent number: 8201540Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine. The present invention improves the spark ignition facility used by the engine inventions described in patent publications WO2005/052335 and WO2007/080366 by providing a device to ensure reliable spark ignition by protecting the spark plug from malfunction by sooting.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Inventor: Dan Merritt
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Publication number: 20100236519Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine. The present invention improves the spark ignition facility used by the engine inventions described in patent publications WO2005/052335 and WO2007/080366 by providing a device to ensure reliable spark ignition by protecting the spark plug from malfunction by sooting.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2008Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: MUSI ENGINES LIMITEDInventor: Dan Merritt
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Patent number: 7387103Abstract: A high thermal efficiency lean-burn spark- ignition two or four stroke engine operable unthrottled suitable for vehicles using gasoline. It uses an indirect combustion chamber and a transfer orifice with or without shaping of the combustion chamber to produce a jet of air moving in helical swirl motion around the chamber during the compression stroke. Fuel is injected into the chamber aimed into the air jet to assist rapid vaporization. The position and orientation of the fuel injector ensures that fuel arrives near the spark plug even under idling conditions and the helical swirl flow ensures the stratification of the ignitable mixture formed near the plug. The compression ratio of the engine can also be variable.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Inventor: Dan Merritt
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Publication number: 20070051338Abstract: A high thermal efficiency lean-bum spark- ignition two or four stroke engine operable unthrottled suitable for vehicles using gasoline. It uses an indirect combustion chamber and a transfer orifice with or without shaping of the combustion chamber to produce a jet of air moving in helical swirl motion around the chamber during the compression stroke. Fuel is injected into the chamber aimed into the air jet to assist rapid vaporisation. The position and orientation of the fuel injector ensures that fuel arrives near the spark plug even under idling conditions and the helical swirl flow ensures the stratification of the ignitable mixture formed near the plug. The compression ratio of the engine can also be variable.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2006Publication date: March 8, 2007Inventor: Dan Merritt
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Patent number: 7152572Abstract: A high thermal efficiency lean-burn spark-ignition two or four stroke engine operable unthrottled suitable for vehicles using gasoline. It uses an indirect combustion chamber and a transfer orifice aligned to produce a jet of air moving in helical swirl motion around the chamber during the compression stroke. Fuel is injected into the chamber aimed into the air jet to assist rapid vaporization. The position and orientation of the fuel injector ensures that fuel arrives near the spark plug even under idling conditions and the helical swirl flow ensures the stratification of the ignitable mixture formed near the plug.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Musi Engines LimitedInventor: Dan Merritt
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Publication number: 20060169241Abstract: A high thermal efficiency lean-burn spark-ignition two or four stroke engine operable unthrottled suitable for vehicles using gasoline. It uses an indirect combustion chamber and a transfer orifice aligned to produce a jet of air moving in helical swirl motion around the chamber during the compression stroke. Fuel is injected into the chamber aimed into the air jet to assist rapid vaporisation. The position and orientation of the fuel injector ensures that fuel arrives near the spark plug even under idling conditions and the helical swirl flow ensures the stratification of the ignitable mixture formed near the plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2004Publication date: August 3, 2006Inventor: Dan Merritt
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Patent number: 6302067Abstract: The present invention relates to an unthrottled internal combustion engine of segregating, spark ignited, form, i.e. in which the bulk of the fuel does not begin to mix with the bulk of the air until near the end of the compression stroke, shortly before spark ignition. The invention utilizes a second cylinder in communication with the main cylinder, fuel being delivered to vaporize within the second cylinder. Attached to the second cylinder is a cavity containing the spark ignition device, into which cavity is delivered a controlled quantity of fuel which mixes with air entering into the cavity during the compression stroke of the engine to provide a spark plug with substantially stoichiometric fuel/air mixture at the moment of ignition, irrespective of the output of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Inventor: Dan Merritt
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Patent number: 6003487Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises one or more pairs of first and second cylinders, the first cylinder having a larger swept volume than the second cylinder and respective first and second pistons reciprocable in the cylinders. The second piston has a drive stem and divides the second cylinder into a first volume containing the drive stem of the second piston and a second volume between the two pistons. An air inlet and an exhaust outlet are provided for the first cylinder. A common combustion space is formed between the pistons when the pistons are substantially at their inner dead center positions, the combustion space comprising the second volume. A transfer means enables gas flow between the first volume and the combustion space whilst an inhibiting means inhibits the movement of a substantial amount of fuel/air mixture from the first volume into the second volume until toward the end of the compression stroke of the second piston.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1998Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Inventor: Dan Merritt
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Patent number: 5803026Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one pair of first and second cylinders (12, 14) with the first (12) cylinder having a larger swept volume than the second cylinder (14) and respective first and second pistons (16, 18) reciprocable in the cylinders. The second piston (18) has a drive stem (234) and divides the second cylinder into a first volume (15a) containing the drive stem of the second piston and a second volume (15b) between the two pistons. The first cylinder (12) has an air inlet (25) and an exhaust outlet (12). A common combustion space (20) is formed between the pistons when the pistons are substantially at their inner dead center positions, the combustion space comprising the second volume (15b). The engine also has transfer means (38) enabling gas flow between the first and second volumes (15a, 15b) towards the end of the compression stroke of the second piston (18).Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1997Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Dan MerrittInventors: Dan Merritt, Clifford Williams
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Patent number: 5560326Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises one or more pairs of first and second cylinders, the first cylinder having a larger swept volume than the second cylinder and respective first and second pistons reciprocable in the cylinders. The second piston has a drive stem and divides the second cylinder into a first volume containing the drive stem of the second piston and a second volume between the two pistons. An air inlet and an exhaust outlet are provided for the first cylinder. A common combustion space is formed between the pistons when the pistons are substantially at their inner dead center positions, the combustion space comprising the second volume. A transfer means enables gas flow between the first volume and the combustion space towards the end of the compression stroke while an inhibiting means inhibits the movement of fuel/air mixture from the first volume into the second volume until towards the end of the compression stroke of the second piston.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1994Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Assignee: Coventry UniversityInventor: Dan Merritt
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Patent number: 5406912Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one set of first and second cylinders (12,14), the first cylinder (12) having a larger swept volume than the second cylinder (14), and respective first and second pistons (16,18) movable in the cylinders. The pistons are coupled together such that they are movable in the cylinders in a cyclic manner at the same frequency. An air inlet (24) and an exhaust outlet open into the first cylinder and a fuel injector (34) provides fuel to the second cylinder. A combustion space (20) is also provided which communicates with both cylinders during at least a portion of the expansion stroke. The second piston has a crown (35) and a body portion (19), with the crown being spaced from and connected to the body portion and having an edge (37) which is relatively small in the axial direction compared to the distance between the crown and the body portion in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1992Date of Patent: April 18, 1995Assignee: Coventry UniversityInventor: Dan Merritt
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Patent number: 5398653Abstract: An internal combustion engine has first and second cylinders (12, 14), the first cylinder (12) having a larger swept volume than the second cylinder (14) and the second cylinder being formed in the crown of the first cylinder. First and second pistons (16, 18) are reciprocable respectively in the first and second cylinders (12, 14), the second piston (18) being formed as a protrusion on the crown of the first piston (16). The first cylinder has an air inlet (25) and an exhaust outlet (27) whilst a first fuel source (34) provides fuel to the second cylinder (14). The second piston has a crown (35) which is spaced from and connected to the crown (36) of the first piston and which has an edge (37) which is relatively thin in the axial direction compared to the spacing of the first piston crown from the second piston crown. This defines a combustion space (20) between the piston crowns and a side wall (14a) of the second cylinder (14) when the pistons are substantially at the inner dead center position.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1993Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Assignee: Coventry UniversityInventor: Dan Merritt
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Patent number: 5117789Abstract: An internal combustion engine has first and second cylinders (12, 14), the first cylinder (12) having a larger swept volume than the second cylinder (14) and the second cylinder being formed in the crown of the first cylinder. First and second pistons (16, 18) are reciprocable respectively in the first and second cylinders (12, 14), the second piston (18) being formed as a protrusion on the crown of the first piston (16). The first cylinder has an air inlet (25) and an exhaust outlet (27) whilst a first fuel source (34) provides fuel to the second cylinder (14). The second piston has a crown (35) which is spaced from and connected to the crown (36) of the first piston and which has an edge (37) which is relatively thin in the axial direction compared to the spacing of the first piston crown from the second piston crown. This defines a combustion space (20) between the piston crowns and a side wall (14a) of the second cylinder (14) when the pistons are substantially at the inner dead center position.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1991Date of Patent: June 2, 1992Assignee: Coventry Polytechnic Higher EducationInventor: Dan Merritt
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Patent number: 5060609Abstract: An internal combustion engine has first and second cylinders (12, 14), the first cylinder (12) having a larger swept volume than the second cylinder (14) and the second cylinder being formed in the crown of the first cylinder. First and second pistons (16, 18) are reciprocable respectively in the first and second cylinders (12, 14), the second piston (18) being formed as a protrusion on the crown of the first piston (16). A combustion chamber (20) is formed in the second piston (18) with an air port (44) opening into the first cylinder (12) and a second port (40) opening into the second cylinder (14). A first inlet is provided (25) for supplying air or the like into the first cylinder (12) during an induction stroke of the first piston (16) together with a fuel inlet (36) for supplying fuel to said second cylinder (14).Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1990Date of Patent: October 29, 1991Inventor: Dan Merritt
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Patent number: 5009207Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a pair of first and second cylinders (12,14) communicating with a combustion chamber (20) the first cylinder having a larger swept volume than the second cylinder. First and second pistons (16,18) are provided in the cylinders. An inlet port is provided in the first cylinder for delivering a charge of unthrottled fuel while a fuel injector (36) is controlled by a control means (37) to deliver a charge of fuel into the second cylinder (14) as soon as possible after commencement of an induction stroke of the second piston. Movement of the fuel/air mixture from the second cylinder (14) into the combustion chamber (20) is prevented until the second piston (18) is at or near its inner dead center position. The second piston (18) may be formed as a protrusion on the crown of the first piston (16) with the second cylinder (14) being an extension of the first cylinder (12).Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1989Date of Patent: April 23, 1991Inventor: Dan Merritt
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Patent number: 4898126Abstract: A catalytic internal combustion engine has an air cylinder (12) and a fuel management cylinder (14) interconnected at their head ends by a combustion chamber (5) and having respective pistons (16, 18) reciprocating in phase. Petrol is injected into the fuel management cylinder where is vaporizes in air during the compression stroke to form a very high air/fuel vapor mixture which cannot be spontaneously ignited by the high compression pressures used in the engine. Low octane petrol is a suitable fuel even when compression ratios of 12-16:1 are used. Air from cylinder (12) is forced into the combustion chamber (5) during the compression stroke through a port (44) which imparts a vortex motion in the air in the chamber (5). This mixes with the fuel/air mixture entering the combustion chamber from cylinder (14). A thin platinum layer catalyst on the wall of the combustion chamber triggers compression ignition of the fuel/air mixture as it mixes with the air in the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1989Date of Patent: February 6, 1990Inventor: Dan Merritt
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Patent number: 4759319Abstract: An internal combustion engine has two cylinders (12, 14) interconnected at their head ends by a combustion chamber (20) which contains a catalyst (22). The cylinders have respective pistons (16, 18) reciprocable towards and way from the combustion chamber (20) and arranged to perform together the induction, compression, expansion and exhaust strokes. Air only or the like is freely inducted into one cylinder (12) while fuel or a fuel/air mixture is metered and inducted into the other cylinder (14) during the induction stroke. The catalyst is of a type which effects a chemical reaction to initiate combustion at a relatively low temperature so that when the fuel/air mix contacts the catalyst at the required temperature ignition takes place.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1987Date of Patent: July 26, 1988Assignee: Coventry City CouncilInventor: Dan Merritt