Patents by Inventor Gustav R. Johnson

Gustav R. Johnson 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: 10662903
    Abstract: A powertrain system is provided and may include a combustion engine, a crankshaft, and a turbo-compounding system. The combustion engine may include an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold. The crankshaft may be driven by the engine. The turbo-compounding system may be configured to drive the crankshaft and may include a first turbine and a drive system. The first turbine may include an inlet fluidly communicating with the exhaust manifold. The drive system may include an input shaft driven by the first turbine, and an output shaft engaged with the crankshaft. The drive system may be configured to drive the output shaft at more than one drive ratio relative to the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gustav R. Johnson, Gary L. Hunter, Julian Sherborne
  • Patent number: 10161270
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system for an engine is disclosed. In one example, the waste heat recovery system includes an expander, a first heat exchanger system, and a second heat exchanger system. The expander is configured to convert waste heat from a working fluid into mechanical energy. The first heat exchanger system is in fluid communication with the expander, the first heat exchanger system disposed upstream of the expander. The second heat exchanger system is in fluid communication with the expander and is disposed upstream of the expander and arranged in parallel with the first heat exchanger system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Gary L. Hunter, Gustav R. Johnson, Nicholas Michael Zayan
  • Patent number: 10161371
    Abstract: A piston may include an outer peripheral surface and a crown. The outer peripheral surface may include first and second openings spaced about and extending through the outer peripheral surface. The crown may include a recess at least partially defined by a first lobe in fluid communication with the first opening and a second lobe in fluid communication with the second opening. Each of the first and second lobes may be recessed relative to an adjacent portion of the recess of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Gustav R. Johnson, Gary L. Hunter, Darrell Sparks
  • Patent number: 10138850
    Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine block, a compression device, a cooling circuit, a first pump, and a fuel delivery device. The engine block at least partially defines a combustion chamber and a cooling passage. The cooling passage extends through the engine block. The compression device is received in the engine block to partially define the combustion chamber. The compression device is movable within and relative to the engine block. The cooling circuit is in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The first pump is in fluid communication with the cooling circuit and is configured to circulate a fuel through the cooling circuit and the cooling passage. The fuel delivery device is in fluid communication with the cooling circuit and is configured to deliver the fuel to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Gustav R. Johnson, Julian Sherborne
  • Patent number: 10072562
    Abstract: A turbo-compounding system may include a first turbine, a turbocharger, a bypass passageway and a valve. The first turbine may include an inlet in fluid communication with an exhaust manifold and an outlet in fluid communication with a fluid passageway. The first turbine may be drivingly coupled to an engine. The turbocharger includes a first compressor and a second turbine. The first compressor receives an intake fluid at a first pressure and discharges the intake fluid at a second pressure. The second turbine may drive the first compressor and receive exhaust gas from the fluid passageway downstream of the outlet of the first turbine. The bypass passageway may include a first end fluidly coupled with the engine exhaust manifold and a second end fluidly coupled with the fluid passageway downstream from the first turbine and upstream of the second turbine. The valve controls fluid-flow through the bypass passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Gary L. Hunter, Gustav R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10066590
    Abstract: An opposed piston engine may include a first housing, first and second pistons, and first, second, and third fuel injector nozzles. The first housing may define a first passage extending along a first longitudinal axis. The first and second pistons may be slidably disposed within the first passage. The first, second, and third fuel injector nozzles may be in fluid communication with the first passage. At least one of the first, second, and third fuel injector nozzles may be angularly offset from another one of the first, second, and third fuel injector nozzles by an oblique angle about the first longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Gustav R. Johnson, Gary L. Hunter
  • Patent number: 9840998
    Abstract: An engine control system includes first and second control modules. The first control module determines a fuel combustion parameter. The second control module determines a fuel delivery parameter based on the fuel combustion parameter. The fuel combustion parameter includes at least one of (i) a total amount of heat released by a volume of fuel during a combustion cycle and (ii) a rate at which heat is released during the combustion cycle. The fuel delivery parameter includes at least one of (i) a duration of time over which the volume of fuel is delivered to a cylinder, (ii) a time at which a fuel injector starts delivering the volume of fuel to the cylinder, and (iii) a fuel pressure in a fuel rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Gustav R. Johnson, Gary L. Hunter
  • Patent number: 9752496
    Abstract: A turbocharger apparatus of an internal combustion engine and method of controlling the same is provided with electrically coupled fully variable turbo-compound capability. The turbocharger includes an exhaust gas turbine and an intake air compressor. A first electric machine coupled to the engine generates electricity and adds power to an output shaft of the engine depending on electricity flow to and from the first electric machine. A second electric machine coupled to the turbine and/or the compressor generates electricity and drives the turbine and/or the compressor depending on electricity flow between the first and the second electric machines. A planetary gearset connects the turbine, the compressor, and the second electric machine, and varies rotational speeds of the turbine, the compressor, and the second electric machine depending on electricity flow between the first and second electric machines to maximize efficiency and power of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Gustav R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20170067371
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system for an engine is disclosed. In one example, the waste heat recovery system includes an expander, a first heat exchanger system, and a second heat exchanger system. The expander is configured to convert waste heat from a working fluid into mechanical energy. The first heat exchanger system is in fluid communication with the expander, the first heat exchanger system disposed upstream of the expander. The second heat exchanger system is in fluid communication with the expander and is disposed upstream of the expander and arranged in parallel with the first heat exchanger system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Gary L. HUNTER, Gustav R. JOHNSON, Nicholas Michael ZAYAN
  • Publication number: 20160252065
    Abstract: An opposed piston engine may include a first housing, first and second pistons, and first, second, and third fuel injector nozzles. The first housing may define a first passage extending along a first longitudinal axis. The first and second pistons may be slidably disposed within the first passage. The first, second, and third fuel injector nozzles may be in fluid communication with the first passage. At least one of the first, second, and third fuel injector nozzles may be angularly offset from another one of the first, second, and third fuel injector nozzles by an oblique angle about the first longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Gustav R. JOHNSON, Gary L. HUNTER
  • Publication number: 20160252053
    Abstract: A powertrain system is provided and may include a combustion engine, a crankshaft, and a turbo-compounding system. The combustion engine may include an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold. The crankshaft may be driven by the engine. The turbo-compounding system may be configured to drive the crankshaft and may include a first turbine and a drive system. The first turbine may include an inlet fluidly communicating with the exhaust manifold. The drive system may include an input shaft driven by the first turbine, and an output shaft engaged with the crankshaft. The drive system may be configured to drive the output shaft at more than one drive ratio relative to the input shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Gustav R. JOHNSON, Gary L. HUNTER, Julian SHERBORNE
  • Publication number: 20160252067
    Abstract: A piston may include an outer peripheral surface and a crown. The outer peripheral surface may include first and second openings spaced about and extending through the outer peripheral surface. The crown may include a recess at least partially defined by a first lobe in fluid communication with the first opening and a second lobe in fluid communication with the second opening. Each of the first and second lobes may be recessed relative to an adjacent portion of the recess of the crown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gustav R. JOHNSON, Gary L. HUNTER, Darrell SPARKS
  • Publication number: 20160252040
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure controls first and second fuel injectors to inject fuel into a cylinder of an engine based on a measured crankshaft position. The system controls the first and second fuel injectors based on a first target injection parameter once every N firing cycles of the cylinder, where N is equal to the number of fuel injectors that are operable to inject fuel into the cylinder. The first target injection parameter includes at least one of a first pulse width and a first start-of-injection (SOI) timing. The system controls the first and second fuel injectors based on a second target injection parameter once every N firing cycles of the cylinder. The second target injection parameter includes at least one of a second pulse width and a second SOI timing that are different than the first pulse width and the first SOI timing, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventor: Gustav R. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20160252066
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a nozzle, a needle, and a pressure control section. The nozzle has first and second ends and extends along a first longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end. The nozzle includes a nozzle body defining a first longitudinal passage that extends along the first longitudinal axis and through the second end of the nozzle. The needle is disposed within the first longitudinal passage and is movable between a first position in which the needle prevents fuel from flowing through the second end of the nozzle and a second position in which the needle allows fuel to flow through the second end. The pressure control section extends along a second longitudinal axis that is angularly offset relative to the first longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The pressure control section includes an electromechanical actuator that actuates the needle between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Gustav R. JOHNSON, Gary L. HUNTER
  • Publication number: 20160252009
    Abstract: A turbo-compounding system may include a first turbine, a turbocharger, a bypass passageway and a valve. The first turbine may include an inlet in fluid communication with an exhaust manifold and an outlet in fluid communication with a fluid passageway. The first turbine may be drivingly coupled to an engine. The turbocharger includes a first compressor and a second turbine. The first compressor receives an intake fluid at a first pressure and discharges the intake fluid at a second pressure. The second turbine may drive the first compressor and receive exhaust gas from the fluid passageway downstream of the outlet of the first turbine. The bypass passageway may include a first end fluidly coupled with the engine exhaust manifold and a second end fluidly coupled with the fluid passageway downstream from the first turbine and upstream of the second turbine. The valve controls fluid-flow through the bypass passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Gary L. HUNTER, Gustav R. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20160252056
    Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine block, a compression device, a cooling circuit, a first pump, and a fuel delivery device. The engine block at least partially defines a combustion chamber and a cooling passage. The cooling passage extends through the engine block. The compression device is received in the engine block to partially define the combustion chamber. The compression device is movable within and relative to the engine block. The cooling circuit is in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The first pump is in fluid communication with the cooling circuit and is configured to circulate a fuel through the cooling circuit and the cooling passage. The fuel delivery device is in fluid communication with the cooling circuit and is configured to deliver the fuel to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Gustav R. JOHNSON, Julian SHERBORNE
  • Publication number: 20160017793
    Abstract: A turbocharger apparatus of an internal combustion engine and method of controlling the same is provided with electrically coupled fully variable turbo-compound capability. The turbocharger includes an exhaust gas turbine and an intake air compressor. A first electric machine coupled to the engine generates electricity and adds power to an output shaft of the engine depending on electricity flow to and from the first electric machine. A second electric machine coupled to the turbine and/or the compressor generates electricity and drives the turbine and/or the compressor depending on electricity flow between the first and the second electric machines. A planetary gearset connects the turbine, the compressor, and the second electric machine, and varies rotational speeds of the turbine, the compressor, and the second electric machine depending on electricity flow between the first and second electric machines to maximize efficiency and power of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Gustav R. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20160017839
    Abstract: A design for a piston engine, cylinder block, and piston is provided. The cylinder block includes a cylinder wall defining at least one cylinder bore for receiving the piston disposed therein. A combustion chamber disposed within the cylinder bore is defined by the piston and the cylinder wall. The combustion chamber has a non-circular cross-section and the cylinder wall includes a first pair of opposing faces and a second pair of opposing faces that converge at rounded intersections. A pair of opposing fuel injectors extend through the cylinder block to the cylinder bore. The pair of opposing fuel injectors are positioned along the second pair of opposing faces of the cylinder wall such that the pair of opposing fuel injectors spray converging fuel plumes into the combustion chamber to reduce air/fuel stratification across the non-circular cross-section of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Gustav R. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20150354525
    Abstract: An engine control system includes first and second control modules. The first control module determines a fuel combustion parameter. The second control module determines a fuel delivery parameter based on the fuel combustion parameter. The fuel combustion parameter includes at least one of (i) a total amount of heat released by a volume of fuel during a combustion cycle and (ii) a rate at which heat is released during the combustion cycle. The fuel delivery parameter includes at least one of (i) a duration of time over which the volume of fuel is delivered to a cylinder, (ii) a time at which a fuel injector starts delivering the volume of fuel to the cylinder, and (iii) a fuel pressure in a fuel rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Gustav R. Johnson, Gary L. Hunter