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).
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Patent number: 11739681Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Christopher L. Wray, Marc C Megel, Zainal Abidin
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Patent number: 11655777Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Inventors: Christopher L. Wray, Zainal Abidin, Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Marc C. Megel
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Publication number: 20230073196Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2021Publication date: March 9, 2023Applicant: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Christopher L. Wray, Marc C. Megel, Zainal Abidin
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Publication number: 20230077310Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2021Publication date: March 9, 2023Applicant: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Christopher L. Wray, Zainal Abidin, Kevin L. Hoag, Anthony S. Perkins, Ian P. Gilbert, Marc C. Megel
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Patent number: 9109468Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Scuderi Group, LLCInventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, John A. Schwoerer, Ian P. Gilbert, Clive Lacy, Glenn Wendel
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Patent number: 8763571Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Scuderi Group, Inc.Inventors: Ian P. Gilbert, Anthony S. Perkins, Jean-Pierre Pirault, Riccardo Meldolesi
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Publication number: 20120255296Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: SCUDERI GROUP, LLCInventors: Ford A. Phillips, Riccardo Meldolesi, Nicholas Badain, Ian P. Gilbert, Jean-Pierre Pirault
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Publication number: 20100282225Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventors: Ian P. Gilbert, Anthony S. Perkins, Jean-Pierre Pirault, Riccardo Meldolesi
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Patent number: 7690337Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Scuderi Group, LLCInventors: Jean Pierre Pirault, Ian P. Gilbert
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Publication number: 20090038596Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventors: Jean Pierre Pirault, Ian P. Gilbert