Patents by Inventor Eric Fluga

Eric Fluga 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: 8024919
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine system includes passing exhaust gases from an engine to an aftertreatment device such as a particulate filter at an exhaust temperature less than a target temperature, and increasing a temperature of exhaust gases passing through the aftertreatment device to the target temperature by controllably restricting exhaust flow upstream the filter. The method still further includes generating a signal indicative of exhaust back pressure and reducing exhaust pressure by selectively reducing airflow to the engine responsive to the signal. An internal combustion engine system and associated control system includes an electronic control unit configured to selectively increase a temperature of exhaust gases passing through a particulate filter to a regeneration temperature via a variable flow restriction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Fluga, Donald W. Heston, Richard Kruiswyk, Daniel W. Crosby, Brian Hoff
  • Publication number: 20090031715
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine system includes passing exhaust gases from an engine to an aftertreatment device such as a particulate filter at an exhaust temperature less than a target temperature, and increasing a temperature of exhaust gases passing through the aftertreatment device to the target temperature by controllably restricting exhaust flow upstream the filter. The method still further includes generating a signal indicative of exhaust back pressure and reducing exhaust pressure by selectively reducing airflow to the engine responsive to the signal. An internal combustion engine system and associated control system includes an electronic control unit configured to selectively increase a temperature of exhaust gases passing through a particulate filter to a regeneration temperature via a variable flow restriction device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Eric Fluga, Donald W. Heston, Richard Kruiswyk, Daniel W. Crosby, Brian Hoff
  • Publication number: 20070235010
    Abstract: An exhaust system for receiving exhaust gas of an engine is provided. The exhaust system comprises a cooler configured to cool at least a portion of exhaust gas, a pressure sensor configured to measure an exhaust pressure drop across the cooler, and a controller configured to determine exhaust flowrate as a function the measured pressure drop across the cooler. Also provided is a method for operating an engine. The method comprises the steps of combusting a fuel and air mixture, exhausting at least some of the combusted fuel and air mixture as exhaust gas to an exhaust system of an engine, cooling at least some of the combusted exhaust gas in a cooler, measuring pressure drop of the exhaust gas across the cooler, and determining a flowrate of the exhaust gas across the cooler as a function of pressure drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Fluga, Patrick Savage, James Weber
  • Publication number: 20070089707
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder is provided. In at least one embodiment, the method includes: supplying a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder; operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow the pressurized air and exhaust gas mixture to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold during a portion of a compression stroke of the piston; and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber via a common rail fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Steven Tien
  • Publication number: 20070089416
    Abstract: Engines and methods of controlling an engine may involve at least one fluid actuators associated with one or more engine intake and/or exhaust valves. Timing of valve closing/opening and use of an air supply system may enable engine operation according to a Miller cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Sean Cornell
  • Publication number: 20070089706
    Abstract: An engine and a method of operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises supplying a pressurized air from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow the pressurized air and exhaust gas mixture to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold during a portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operating the engine in an HCCI combustion mode. In at least some embodiments, a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas is supplied from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder. In some embodiments, the method further comprises causing an exhaust stream of an engine to contact a NOx adsorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Lehman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Maarten Verkiel
  • Publication number: 20070079805
    Abstract: An engine and method of operating an internal combustion engine with either a continuously variable speed transmission or electric drive is provided. The engine and method comprises operating the engine at its optimum engine speed throughout a range of vehicle speeds through, supplying pressurized air from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, and operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow the pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold during a portion of a compression stroke of the piston. In at least one embodiment, the engine and method further comprises using a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny
  • Publication number: 20070068149
    Abstract: An engine and method of operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises supplying pressurized air from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow the pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold during a portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and filtering particulate matter from an exhaust stream of the engine with a particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Cornelius Opris
  • Publication number: 20060112928
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a compression ignition engine having a cylinder wall, a piston, and a head defining a combustion chamber. The method and apparatus includes delivering fuel substantially uniformly into the combustion chamber, the fuel being dispersed throughout the combustion chamber and spaced from the cylinder wall, delivering an oxidant into the combustion chamber sufficient to support combustion at a first predetermined combustion duration, and delivering a diluent into the combustion chamber sufficient to change the first predetermined combustion duration to a second predetermined combustion duration different from the first predetermined combustion duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Gerald Coleman, Jonathan Kilkenny, Eric Fluga, Kevin Duffy
  • Publication number: 20060086090
    Abstract: A compound turbocharger is provided, including at least one housing. A first turbocharger having an outer shaft is disposed within the housing, and a second turbocharger is provided having an inner shaft co-axial with and extending within the outer shaft. At least one displacement limiter is disposed at a selected position along the length of the outer shaft. A method of reducing vibrational amplitude in an inner shaft of a coaxial shaft assembly is further provided, including the step of operably positioning at least one displacement limiter at a selected position along a length of the outer shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Jonathan Kilkenny, Paul Reisdorf, Eric Fluga, Matthew Rampenthal
  • Publication number: 20060070361
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for removing matter from a filtering device of a work machine includes a gas pressurization assembly. An element of the gas pressurization assembly is removably attachable to a first orifice of the filtering device without removing the filtering device from a work machine to which the filtering device is connected. The system also includes a heat source fluidly connected to the gas pressurization assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Cheryl Sellers, David Thaler, Mark Grimm, Jeremy Trethewey, Natalie Vanderspiegel, Richard Crandell, Dong Fei, Roger Hudson, Mark Gasper, Herbert DaCosta, Eric Fluga, Hemant Mallampalli, Bruce Frazier, Matthew Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20050284139
    Abstract: A filter system includes a plurality of filter sections, each of the plurality of filter sections receiving a portion of flow. Each filter section includes a first filter, a second filter, an absorbing material disposed between the first and second filter, and at least one dispersion mechanism disposed between the first and second filter. The at least one dispersion mechanism assists in providing a fluid to the filter system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Maarten Verkiel, Jo Williams, Eric Fluga
  • Publication number: 20050247286
    Abstract: Engines and methods of controlling an engine may involve one or more fluidically controlled actuators associated with engine intake and/or exhaust valves. In some examples, the actuators may be used to hold valves open. Timing of valve closing/opening and possible use of an air supply system may enable engine operation according to a Miller cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny
  • Publication number: 20050247284
    Abstract: An engine and method of operating an internal combustion engine with either a continuously variable speed transmission or electric drive is provided. The engine and method comprises operating the engine at its optimum engine speed throughout a range of vehicle speeds through, supplying pressurized air from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, and operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow the pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold during a portion of a compression stroke of the piston. In at least one embodiment, the engine and method further comprises using a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny
  • Publication number: 20050241613
    Abstract: Engines and methods of controlling an engine may involve one or more cams associated with engine intake and/or exhaust valves. In some examples, shifting the rotational phase of one or more cams advances and/or delays timing of the opening and/or closing of valves. Timing of valve closing/opening and possible use of an air supply system may enable engine operation according to a Miller cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny
  • Publication number: 20050241611
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an internal combustion engine having an engine block defining at least one cylinder and a head connected with said engine block. The head has an air intake port and an exhaust port. The internal combustion engine also has a piston and a combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine further has an air intake valve movable to open and close the air intake port and an air supply system having at least one turbocharger fluidly connected to the air intake port. The internal combustion engine additionally has a fuel supply system operable to inject fuel into the combustion chamber, a cam assembly selectively mechanically linked to the air intake valve to move the air intake valve, and an electromagnetic actuator configured to decouple the cam assembly from the air intake valve and control movement of the air intake valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Homa Afjeh
  • Publication number: 20050241302
    Abstract: An engine and method of operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises supplying pressurized air from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow the pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold during a portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and filtering particulate matter from an exhaust stream of the engine with a particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Cornelius Opris
  • Publication number: 20050241597
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an engine block defining at least one cylinder, a head, a piston, an air intake valve, and a valve actuator. The valve actuator has an actuator housing defining a tank and a bore, and a piston adapted to engages the air intake valve. The valve actuator further has a control valve disposed between the tank and the bore in the actuator housing. The control valve selectively moves between a first position where fluid is allowed to flow between the tank and the bore and a second position where the fluid is prevented from flowing to trap fluid in the bore, thereby preventing the engine valve from returning to a closed position. The internal combustion engine also has at least one turbocharger fluidly connected to the air intake port, and a fuel supply system operable to controllably inject fuel into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Wade Robel, Sean Cornell
  • Publication number: 20050235950
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder is provided. In at least one embodiment, the method includes: supplying a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder; operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow the pressurized air and exhaust gas mixture to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold during a portion of a compression stroke of the piston; and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber via a common rail fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Steven Tien
  • Publication number: 20050235953
    Abstract: Engines and methods of controlling an engine may involve at least one fluid actuators associated with one or more engine intake and/or exhaust valves. Timing of valve closing/opening and use of an air supply system may enable engine operation according to a Miller cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Sean Cornell