Patents by Inventor Ian P. Gilbert

Ian P. Gilbert 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: 11739681
    Abstract: A far square or diamond architecture engine with tumble flow to support spark-ignited fuel usage. The engine may be provided in a configuration generally suited for swirl flow, compression combustion fuel usage. However, the introduction of a unique, replaceable valve head assembly may be utilized to induce tumble flow within a combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, spark-ignited fuel may be utilized without requiring vast overhaul of the engine to accommodate such fuels. Notably, with the addition of such an assembly, diesel fuel may be replaced with natural gas on large scale equipment without the requirement of impractically burdensome or expensive measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Christopher L. Wray, Marc C Megel, Zainal Abidin
  • Patent number: 11655777
    Abstract: An engine with a vertically oriented parallel valve and stem arrangement accommodating tumble flow to support spark-ignited fuel usage. The engine may be provided in a configuration generally suited for swirl flow, compression combustion fuel usage. However, the introduction of a unique, replaceable valve head assembly may be utilized to induce tumble flow within a combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, spark-ignited fuel may be utilized without requiring vast overhaul of the engine to accommodate such fuels. Notably, with the addition of such an assembly, diesel fuel may be replaced with natural gas on large scale equipment without the requirement of impractically burdensome or expensive measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher L. Wray, Zainal Abidin, Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Marc C. Megel
  • Publication number: 20230073196
    Abstract: A far square or diamond architecture engine with tumble flow to support spark-ignited fuel usage. The engine may be provided in a configuration generally suited for swirl flow, compression combustion fuel usage. However, the introduction of a unique, replaceable valve head assembly may be utilized to induce tumble flow within a combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, spark-ignited fuel may be utilized without requiring vast overhaul of the engine to accommodate such fuels. Notably, with the addition of such an assembly, diesel fuel may be replaced with natural gas on large scale equipment without the requirement of impractically burdensome or expensive measures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Christopher L. Wray, Marc C. Megel, Zainal Abidin
  • Publication number: 20230077310
    Abstract: An engine with a vertically oriented parallel valve and stem arrangement accommodating tumble flow to support spark-ignited fuel usage. The engine may be provided in a configuration generally suited for swirl flow, compression combustion fuel usage. However, the introduction of a unique, replaceable valve head assembly may be utilized to induce tumble flow within a combustion chamber of the engine. Thus, spark-ignited fuel may be utilized without requiring vast overhaul of the engine to accommodate such fuels. Notably, with the addition of such an assembly, diesel fuel may be replaced with natural gas on large scale equipment without the requirement of impractically burdensome or expensive measures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Christopher L. Wray, Zainal Abidin, Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Marc C. Megel
  • Patent number: 9109468
    Abstract: Valve actuation systems are disclosed herein that allow valve opening timing to be varied using a cam phaser and that allow valve closing timing to be varied using a lost-motion system. In one embodiment, an actuation system is provided that has a locked configuration in which a bearing element is held in place between a cam and a rocker to transmit cam motion to an engine valve. The actuation system also has an unlocked configuration in which the bearing element is permitted to be at least partially ejected from between the cam and rocker, such that cam motion is not transmitted to the engine valve. The actuation system is switched to the unlocked configuration by draining fluid therefrom through a main valve which is piloted by a trigger valve. The actuation system also includes integrated autolash and seating control functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Scuderi Group, LLC
    Inventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, John A. Schwoerer, Ian P. Gilbert, Clive Lacy, Glenn Wendel
  • Patent number: 8763571
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to providing an air supply for components associated with an engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for using compressed air generated by a split-cycle engine to power components such as valves or air springs associated with the split-cycle engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Scuderi Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian P. Gilbert, Anthony S. Perkins, Jean-Pierre Pirault, Riccardo Meldolesi
  • Publication number: 20120255296
    Abstract: Systems and related methods are disclosed that generally involve adjusting the temperature of an air mass to improve the efficiency of an air hybrid engine. In one embodiment, an air management system is provided that includes a heat exchanger, a recuperator, and associated control valves that connect between the air hybrid engine, its exhaust system, and its air tank. The air management system improves the efficiency of the energy transfer to the air tank by compressed air during AC and FC modes and improves the efficiency of the energy transfer from the air tank by compressed air during AE and AEF modes. The improvement in efficiency from the system results in reduced engine and vehicle fuel consumption during driving cycles comprising accelerations, decelerations, and steady-state cruising.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: SCUDERI GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Ford A. Phillips, Riccardo Meldolesi, Nicholas Badain, Ian P. Gilbert, Jean-Pierre Pirault
  • Publication number: 20100282225
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to providing an air supply for components associated with an engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for using compressed air generated by a split-cycle engine to power components such as valves or air springs associated with the split-cycle engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Ian P. Gilbert, Anthony S. Perkins, Jean-Pierre Pirault, Riccardo Meldolesi
  • Patent number: 7690337
    Abstract: A split-cycle engine includes separate compression and expansion cylinders connected by a crossover passage. Crossover compression and expansion valves define a pressure chamber between them in the crossover passage for storing pressurized gas prior to timed delivery into the expansion cylinder. A fuel-air mixture is delivered into the expansion cylinder for ignition and expansion, developing power. One or more ignition sources, such as spark plugs, are positioned to encourage rapid combustion after ignition in the expansion cylinder but far enough from the crossover expansion valve(s) to prevent burning gases from reaching the crossover expansion valves before they are substantially closed to avoid entry of burning gas therein. A “safe distance” (“S”) between the ignition source and an opening of the crossover expansion valve is expressed by the function: S (mm)=combustion speed (mm/crank angle degree)×crank angle degrees from ignition to crossover expansion valve closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Scuderi Group, LLC
    Inventors: Jean Pierre Pirault, Ian P. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20090038596
    Abstract: A split-cycle engine includes separate compression and expansion cylinders connected by a crossover passage. Crossover compression and expansion valves define a pressure chamber between them in the crossover passage for storing pressurized gas prior to timed delivery into the expansion cylinder. A fuel-air mixture is delivered into the expansion cylinder for ignition and expansion, developing power. One or more ignition sources, such as spark plugs, are positioned to encourage rapid combustion after ignition in the expansion cylinder but far enough from the crossover expansion valve(s) to prevent burning gases from reaching the crossover expansion valves before they are substantially closed to avoid entry of burning gas therein. A “safe distance” (“S”) between the ignition source and an opening of the crossover expansion valve is expressed by the function: S (mm)=combustion speed (mm/crank angle degree)×crank angle degrees from ignition to crossover expansion valve closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Jean Pierre Pirault, Ian P. Gilbert