Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Nielsen

Douglas J. Nielsen 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: 20230235686
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second engine valves. The assembly includes a rocker arm and a valve bridge operably associated with the rocker arm and including a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body. The main body is configured to engage the first engine valve, and the lever is configured to engage the second engine valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Douglas J. Nielsen, Mark VanWingerden
  • Publication number: 20230167754
    Abstract: A rocker arm configured to perform a first event and a second event against a valve bridge assembly operably associated with first and second engine valves includes a rocker arm body configured to rotate about a rocker shaft. The rocker arm body includes a first event rocker arm assembly comprising a hydraulic capsule in a bore, and a second event rocker arm assembly. The first event rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage the valve bridge assembly to open the first and second engine valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Douglas J. Nielsen, Kshamta Bishnoi, Nicola Andrisani
  • Patent number: 11598228
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second engine valves. The assembly includes a rocker arm and a valve bridge operably associated with the rocker arm and including a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body. The main body is configured to engage the first engine valve, and the lever is configured to engage the second engine valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J. Nielsen, Mark VanWingerden
  • Patent number: 11578673
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle speed comprises selecting an engine speed profile for a vehicle. Road grade data is received and processed to determine a road grade for the vehicle. Vehicle speed data is received and processed to determine a vehicle speed for the vehicle. A cylinder deactivation mode for a valvetrain of a multi-cylinder engine of the vehicle is selected. The cylinder deactivation mode comprises deactivating one or more intake valve, exhaust valve, and fuel injection for one or more cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine. The selected cylinder deactivation mode provides a controlled deviation from the selected engine speed profile at the road grade and vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Mihai Dorobantu, Douglas J. Nielsen, Brian Franke
  • Patent number: 11578672
    Abstract: A friction loss management system for an engine, comprises a combustion engine comprising a crankshaft and a plurality of cylinders, a reciprocating piston assembly connected to the crankshaft, a fuel injector, an intake valve, and an exhaust valve. A control unit comprises at least one set of control algorithms configured to receive engine power demand data, and determine a number of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders for deactivation based on the received engine power demand data and further based on sensed or stored friction values for the plurality of cylinders. Determining the number of cylinders of for deactivation minimizes friction between the plurality of cylinders and their respective reciprocating piston assembly by selecting a cylinder combination of active cylinders and deactivated cylinders with the lowest total friction while meeting engine power demand. All cylinders can be deactivated for purposes of coasting or controlling speed during platooning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J. Nielsen, Brian Franke
  • Patent number: 11578625
    Abstract: A combined exhaust and engine brake rocker arm assembly configured to selectively open first and second exhaust valves, includes a rocker arm body, an exhaust rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body, and an engine brake rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body and configured to operate in a collapse mode and a rigid mode. The exhaust rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage a valve bridge to open the first and second exhaust valves, and the engine brake rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage the valve bridge to open only the first exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J. Nielsen, Kshamta Bishnoi
  • Patent number: 11566544
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly can comprise a cam side rocker arm portion configured to selectively rotate about a pivot location. The cam side rocker arm portion can comprise a first socket above the pivot location, and a cam end configured to receive a lift profile from a cam lobe. A valve side rocker arm portion can be configured to rotate about the pivot location relative to the cam side rocker arm portion. The valve side rocker arm portion can comprise a second socket above the pivot location. A lost motion spring can span between the first socket and the second socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Van Wingerden, Douglas J. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11459917
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling a cylinder deactivation mechanism can comprise executing a valve lift event configured to lift a valve via a rocker arm. The rocker arm can be configured with a controllable latch in a latched condition, wherein the controllable latch is configured with an edge that is clamped in a recess in the rocker arm during the valve lift event, a clamp force supplied in part by pressure from the valve lift event. A deactivation signal can be sent to select the unlatched condition to collapse the controllable latch from the recess while the controllable latch is configured in the valve lift event with the edge clamped in the recess. A subsequent valve lift event can have actuation deactivated by collapsing the controllable latch from the recess once the valve lift event is complete and the clamp force is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20220154653
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission of a vehicle during cylinder deactivation can comprise receiving and processing a zero or negative torque requirement for the vehicle. Receiving and processing vehicle speed data can be included to determine a vehicle speed for the vehicle. A cylinder deactivation mode can be implemented for a valvetrain of a multi-cylinder engine of the vehicle, wherein the cylinder deactivation mode comprises deactivating one or more intake valve, one or more exhaust valve, and fuel injection for one or more cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine. Selecting one of an in-gear mode and a neutral mode for a transmission of the vehicle can be included while implementing the cylinder deactivation mode and while maintaining the determined vehicle speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Mihai Dorobantu, Douglas J. Nielsen, Brian Franke
  • Patent number: 11319841
    Abstract: A valvetrain assembly comprises a valve bridge, a capsule, a first rocker arm, and a second rocker arm. The valve bridge comprises an upper surface comprising a central pressure point and an offset pressure point and a lower surface comprising a lower pivot point, a first valve interface, and a second valve interface. The capsule can be connected to the lower pivot point, the capsule configured to provide to the pair of engine valves one or both of a lash adjusting function and a deactivating mode. The first rocker arm is configured to actuate against the central pressure point to transfer a first valve lift mode to the valve bridge. The second rocker arm is configured to actuate against the offset pressure point to transfer a second valve lift mode to the valve bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Mark Van Wingerden, Douglas J. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11319840
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly comprises a valve side rocker arm portion, a cam side rocker arm portion configured to selectively rotate relative to the valve side rocker arm portion, and a latch pin assembly disposed in the valve side rocker arm portion and in the cam side rocker arm portion. Portions of the latch pin assembly are configured to move so that when the cam side rocker arm portion selectively rotates, the valve side rocker arm portion switches among a full lift mode, a partial lift mode, and a lost motion lift mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Mark Van Wingerden, Douglas J. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11286817
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly comprises a valve side rocker arm portion, a cam side rocker arm portion configured to selectively rotate relative to the valve side rocker arm portion, and a latch pin assembly disposed in the valve side rocker arm portion and in the cam side rocker arm portion. A latch pin assembly is disposed for selective switching in the valve side latch bore and in the cam side latch bore. At least a portion of the latch pin assembly is configured so that when the latch pin assembly is selected to switch from a latched condition to the unlatched condition, and when the cam side rocker arm portion selectively rotates, the latch pin assembly is configured to retract from the forces of the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Andrei D. Radulescu, Mark Van Wingerden, Douglas J. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11199162
    Abstract: A computer control network is connected to a multiple-cylinder engine and implements aftertreatment temperature management. Processors are configured to determine an aftertreatment temperature-efficient air to fuel ratio that satisfies the sensed power output request, determine an air to fuel ratio adjustment, select an in-cylinder exhaust gas recirculation technique, select at least one EGR cylinder of the multiple-cylinder engine to implement the in-cylinder exhaust gas recirculation technique, and control the intake valves to open and the exhaust valves to close for the selected at least one EGR cylinder to adjust the oxygen and particulate content of the exhaust gas by applying at least a second compression stroke of the respective reciprocating piston of the at least one EGR cylinder to the exhaust gas to push the exhaust gas through to the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J. Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20210372297
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second engine valves. The assembly includes a rocker arm and a valve bridge operably associated with the rocker arm and including a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body. The main body is configured to engage the first engine valve, and the lever is configured to engage the second engine valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Douglas J. Nielsen, Mark VanWingerden
  • Patent number: 11187162
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle speed comprises selecting an engine speed profile for a vehicle. Road grade data is received and processed to determine a road grade for the vehicle. Vehicle speed data is received and processed to determine a vehicle speed for the vehicle. A cylinder deactivation mode for a valvetrain of a multi-cylinder engine of the vehicle is selected. The cylinder deactivation mode comprises deactivating one or more intake valve, exhaust valve, and fuel injection for one or more cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine. The selected cylinder deactivation mode provides a controlled deviation from the selected engine speed profile at the road grade and vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Mihai Dorobantu, Douglas J. Nielsen, Brian Franke
  • Publication number: 20210324768
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly comprises a valve side rocker arm portion, a cam side rocker arm portion configured to selectively rotate relative to the valve side rocker arm portion, and a latch pin assembly disposed in the valve side rocker arm portion and in the cam side rocker arm portion. Portions of the latch pin assembly are configured to move so that when the cam side rocker arm portion selectively rotates, the valve side rocker arm portion switches among a full lift mode, a partial lift mode, and a lost motion lift mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Mark Van Wingerden, Douglas J. Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20210310380
    Abstract: A valvetrain assembly comprises a valve bridge, a capsule, a first rocker arm, and a second rocker arm. The valve bridge comprises an upper surface comprising a central pressure point and an offset pressure point and a lower surface comprising a lower pivot point, a first valve interface, and a second valve interface. The capsule can be connected to the lower pivot point, the capsule configured to provide to the pair of engine valves one or both of a lash adjusting function and a deactivating mode. The first rocker arm is configured to actuate against the central pressure point to transfer a first valve lift mode to the valve bridge. The second rocker arm is configured to actuate against the offset pressure point to transfer a second valve lift mode to the valve bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Mark Van Wingerden, Douglas J. Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20210262366
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly can comprise a cam side rocker arm portion configured to selectively rotate about a pivot location. The cam side rocker arm portion can comprise a first socket above the pivot location, and a cam end configured to receive a lift profile from a cam lobe. A valve side rocker arm portion can be configured to rotate about the pivot location relative to the cam side rocker arm portion. The valve side rocker arm portion can comprise a second socket above the pivot location. A lost motion spring can span between the first socket and the second socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Mark Van Wingerden, Douglas J. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11092042
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second engine valves. The assembly includes a rocker arm and a valve bridge operably associated with the rocker arm and including a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body. The main body is configured to engage the first engine valve, and the lever is configured to engage the second engine valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J. Nielsen, Mark VanWingerden
  • Patent number: 10927724
    Abstract: A valve train assembly includes a first exhaust valve, a second exhaust valve, and a valve bridge including a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body, the main body configured to engage the first exhaust valve, and the lever configured to engage the second exhaust valve. An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively open the first and second exhaust valves, the exhaust valve rocker arm assembly including an exhaust valve rocker arm with a hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) assembly coupled thereto, the HLA assembly in contact with the valve bridge main body. An engine brake rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively open the second exhaust valve and including an engine brake rocker arm with a combined HLA and added motion capsule coupled thereto. The combined HLA and added motion capsule is configured to selectively engage and rotate the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas J. Nielsen, James E. McCarthy, Jr., Kshamta Bishnoi, Kiran Bairy, Majo Cecur