Patents by Inventor John T. Carroll, III

John T. Carroll, III 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: 20090235997
    Abstract: A pump component is removed from a port of a suction-side fluid cavity of a high-pressure fluid pump. The pump component performs a pump function for the high-pressure fluid pump. A primary coupler connects to the port. The pump component connects to the primary coupler. A diverter fluid passage diverts a low-pressure fluid from the primary coupler to an auxiliary fluid delivery system. The primary coupler communicates the low-pressure fluid through the pump component and primary coupler to the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Laszlo D. Tikk
  • Publication number: 20090044526
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for delivering a dosant with engine exhaust. The apparatus includes a flow-rate regulator disposed downstream from an engine exhaust manifold that operates to control a fraction of exhaust from the engine exhaust manifold. The apparatus also includes a doser disposed downstream of the flow-rate regulator that provisions a supply of dosant to the path of the controlled fraction of exhaust, which atomizes, vaporizes, disperses, mixes with, and/or delivers the dosant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Laszlo D. Tikk
  • Patent number: 7334399
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for intermittently delivering fluid. An injector intermittently delivers a first quantity of fluid over a first time interval. In one embodiment, the injector is passively cooled. In a certain embodiment, the injector delivers the first quantity of fluid responsive to a fluid flow measurement of a flow meter. An orifice diverts the first quantity of fluid from a primary fluid supply system over a second time interval without decreasing the supply of fluid to a primary load within a flow rate range while the fluid pressure remains within a pressure range. An accumulator accumulates at the least the first quantity of fluid as a fluid charge with positive energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Laszlo D. Tikk
  • Patent number: 6990855
    Abstract: A system for estimating a quantity of parasitic leakage of a fluid from a fluid collection unit includes a pressure sensor and a control circuit. The pressure sensor is coupled to the fluid collection unit and configured to produce a pressure value indicative of the pressure of the fluid collection unit. The control circuit is operable to determine a change in pressure value of the fluid collection unit and estimate the quantity of parasitic leakage based on the change in pressure value. The control circuit may also be operable to determine a bulk modulus value of the fluid and estimate the quantity of parasitic leakage based on the change in pressure value and the bulk modulus value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Taner Tuken, Donald J. Benson, John T. Carroll, III, Yul J. Tarr, David M. Carey
  • Patent number: 6832748
    Abstract: The valve includes a valve element with an internal longitudinal bore and cross-drilled orifices which, in combination with other orifices and restrictions, force balance the valve in an open configuration when attached to a pump assembly in a spilling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Donald J. Benson
  • Patent number: 6823834
    Abstract: A system for estimating an auxiliary-injected fuel quantity includes a fuel injector for injecting fuel into an engine, a fuel pump supplying fuel to a fuel collection unit that then supplies fuel to the fuel injector, and a control circuit that generates an auxiliary-injected fuel quantity estimation model by disabling the fuel pump prior to fuel injection, and enabling the fuel pump to resume fuel pumping following fuel injection, by the fuel injector, determines a first pressure in the fuel collection unit after stabilization of the fuel pressure therein following disablement of the fuel pump and prior to the fuel injection, determines a second pressure in the fuel collection unit after the fuel injection and prior to resuming pumping of fuel by the fuel pump, and forms the model as a function of the first and second pressures and an injector on-time for a number of different engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Benson, Taner Tuken, David M. Carey, John T. Carroll, III, Yul J. Tarr
  • Patent number: 6705543
    Abstract: A variable pressure fuel injection system and multi-flow rate injector is provided which produces multiple fuel injection flow rates from a common source of pressurized fuel to enable reductions in emissions, combustion noise and particulates while improving fuel consumption. The present invention includes inner and outer needle valve elements biased into respective closed positions against respective valve seats for controlling the flow through corresponding sets of injection orifices. The movement of each valve is controlled by an injection control valve controlling the drain flow of control fuel from respective control volumes positioned at outer ends of the valve elements. Valve element bias spring preloads along with control flow orifices and needle valve element surface areas are selected to cause, for example, single valve operation at low fuel supply pressure and dual valve operation at high supply pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Donald J. Benson, Yul J. Tarr
  • Patent number: 6637675
    Abstract: A closed needle injector assembly is provided which effectively permits low fueling quantity control in short duration injections and pilot quantity control in longer duration events without compromising energy efficiency, maximum fuel delivery rates nor requiring increased operating pressures. The closed needle injector assembly includes first and second needle valve elements and a throttle passage formed in the second needle valve element to restrict fuel flow through an injector orifice. The second needle valve element is telescopingly received within the first needle valve element. Respective control volumes and one or more injection control valves are used to control the movement of the needle valve elements. Operation of the assembly results in movement of the first needle valve element to an open position for throttling fuel flow through the throttle passage followed by subsequent lifting of the second needle valve element for longer duration injections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John T Carroll, III, Donald J Benson
  • Patent number: 6637776
    Abstract: The high-pressure fluid manifold connection assembly includes a one-piece tube collar with an annular relief cavity that surrounds a high-pressure fluid tube. The tube includes a hole that passes through the tube and which is not aligned with an exit hole in an annular relief cavity of the tube collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Laszlo D. Tikk, Yul J. Tarr, Donald J. Benson, John T. Carroll, III, Ed Morris
  • Patent number: 6557776
    Abstract: A closed needle injector assembly and method are provided which effectively extending injection duration and improving fueling accuracy at part load conditions, providing a low quantity detached pilot injection at all operating conditions and controlling the duration of, and dwell time between, the pilot injection and one or more higher flow rate primary injections independent of fuel injection pressure. The closed needle injector assembly includes first and second needle valve elements, respective control volumes and a single injection control valve to control the movement of the needle valve elements. A sequencing device is mounted on the injector to permit movement of only the inner needle valve element to define a low fuel injection rate event and permit selectively, controlled movement of both the inner and outer needle valve elements to open positions to define a subsequent primary fuel injection event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Donald J. Benson, Yul J. Tarr
  • Patent number: 6557530
    Abstract: A fuel control system for an internal combustion engine including injected fuel quantity estimation includes a fuel pump responsive to a fuel pump command to supply fuel to a fuel collection unit. A pressure sensor is provided for producing a pressure signal indicative of the pressure of fuel within the collection unit throughout a fuel injection event, and an engine position sensor is provided for producing an engine position signal indicative of a crank angle of the engine relative to a reference crank angle. A control circuit includes means responsive to the pressure signal and a desired fueling value for producing an initial fueling command, and further includes a fuel quantity estimation block responsive to the pressure signal, the engine position signal and a final fueling command to produce a fuel quantity estimation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Benson, Taner Tuken, John T. Carroll, III
  • Patent number: 6557779
    Abstract: An improved closed nozzle injector assembly for injecting high pressure fuel into the combustion chamber of an engine is provided which includes a first needle valve element associated with a first set of injector orifices, a first needle valve control device for controlling the opening and closing of the first needle valve, a second needle valve associated with a second set of injector orifices and a second needle valve control device for controlling the opening and closing of the second needle valve. Each needle valve control device includes a control volume positioned at one end of the respective needle valve, a control volume charge circuit for supplying high pressure fuel to the respective control volume and the respective injection control valve for controlling the flow of high pressure fuel from the respective control volume to a low pressure drain thereby controlling the movement of the respective needle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Julius P. Perr, J. Victor Perr, Lester L. Peters, Donald J. Benson, John T. Carroll, III
  • Patent number: 6550455
    Abstract: A fuel injection system is disclosed for an internal combustion engine that has multiple combustion chambers and a camshaft which cyclically imparts pressurization energy to and recovers pressurization energy from fuel being supplied to the engine. The fuel injection system includes a plurality of unit injectors, a camshaft linkage which simultaneously reciprocates pressurizing plungers of a set of at least two unit injectors and an interconnecting line which allows selective fluid interconnection between fuel pressurization chambers formed within the unit injectors. The interconnection line allows fluid linkage of the volume of fuel which is simultaneously pressurized and depressurized within the interconnected fuel pressurization chambers of a first set of unit injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Donald J. Benson, Yul J. Tarr, Laszlo D. Tikk, Taner Tuken
  • Patent number: 6497223
    Abstract: A fuel injection pressure control system includes a control strategy operable to measure or estimate actual fuel injection pressure and control the operation of a fuel supply pump to thereby quickly and accurately control fuel injection pressure. The control strategy includes a closed-loop control strategy operable to compensate for instantaneous changes in system non-linearities, including fuel pump non-linearities and the like, and an open-loop control strategy operable to compensate for all system variations as well as system non-linearities, including between-engine variations in system operating parameters and other noise factors including deteriorating conditions, changes in environment and the like. Each strategy includes an adaptive controller operable to update one or more control parameters to thereby guarantee closed-loop stability, provide for fast and accurate system response during transient events, and minimize overshoots and undershoots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Taner Tuken, Donald J. Benson, John T. Carroll, III, Yul J. Tarr
  • Patent number: 6439202
    Abstract: An improved fuel injection system is provided which incorporates a common rail and a plurality of unit injectors which function together to efficiently produce various injection rate shapes and different combinations of discreet and blended pilot, main, post and after treatment fuel injection events during a single injection. The fuel injection system effectively permits flexible, responsively timed, square shaped, discreet low to mid pressure level injections utilizing the fuel pressure of the common rail while also allowing the unit injector portion to function independently to produce flexible and responsively timed and pressure controlled, triangular shaped high pressure fuel injection events and to recover excess energy. In one embodiment, a separate common rail pump is avoided by utilizing the unit injector plunger to replace fuel into the common rail which was previously injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Donald J Benson, Lester L Peters
  • Publication number: 20020108602
    Abstract: A fuel injection system is disclosed for an internal combustion engine that has multiple combustion chambers and a camshaft which cyclically imparts pressurization energy to and recovers pressurization energy from fuel being supplied to the engine. The fuel injection system includes a plurality of unit injectors, a camshaft linkage which simultaneously reciprocates pressurizing plungers of a set of at least two unit injectors and an interconnecting line which allows selective fluid interconnection between fuel pressurization chambers formed within the unit injectors. The interconnection line allows fluid linkage of the volume of fuel which is simultaneously pressurized and depressurized within the interconnected fuel pressurization chambers of a first set of unit injectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: CUMMINS ENGINE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Donald J. Benson, Yul J. Tarr, Laszlo D. Tikk, Taner Tuken
  • Patent number: 6405709
    Abstract: A fuel injection system is disclosed for an internal combustion engine that has multiple combustion chambers and a camshaft which cyclically imparts pressurization energy to and recovers pressurization energy from fuel being supplied to the engine. The fuel injection system includes a plurality of unit injectors, a camshaft linkage which simultaneously reciprocates pressurizing plungers of a set of at least two unit injectors and an interconnecting line which allows selective fluid interconnection between fuel pressurization chambers formed within the unit injectors. The interconnection line allows fluid linkage of the volume of fuel which is simultaneously pressurized and depressurized within the interconnected fuel pressurization chambers of a first set of unit injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Donald J. Benson, Yul J. Tarr, Laszlo D. Tikk, Taner Tuken
  • Patent number: 6353791
    Abstract: A strategy for quantifying and compensating for between-engine variations in engine static timing, fuel pump phasing and overall system bandwidth includes a control circuit operable to manage a fuel control system including a high pressure, cyclically operable fuel pump and at least one fuel injector operable to supply fuel to an internal combustion engine from a fuel collection unit. In one embodiment, the strategy of the present invention is operable to determine peak values of the fuel pressure within fuel collection unit and corresponding engine position values for a number of different engine speeds and solve a corresponding model-based system of equations to determine a combined engine static timing and fuel pump phasing error as well as a first overall system bandwidth value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Taner Tuken, Donald J. Benson, John T. Carroll, III
  • Patent number: 6149073
    Abstract: A wear and scuff-resistant plunger for use in high pressure fuel system components in internal combustion engines is provided. The plunger, which is formed of a high thermal expansion, high hardness ceramic with a thermal expansion coefficient preferably greater than 6.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. and a hardness preferably greater than 800 Kg/mM.sup.2, maintains a desired optimum minimal diametral clearance while avoiding excessive fuel leakage and efficient plunger function without scuffing or sticking under the high axial, side and pressure loads and variable quality fuels encountered in the fuel system operating environment. Preferred high thermal expansion, high hardness ceramics are zirconia, alumina-zirconia and alumina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan K. Hickey, J. Victor Perr, David M. Rix, Joseph C. Bentz, Thomas M. Yonushonis, Malcolm G. Naylor, Katsuhiro Shinosawa, John T. Carroll, III
  • Patent number: 5899136
    Abstract: An improved plunger and barrel assembly is provided which includes a plunger reciprocally mounted in a cavity formed in the barrel and a leakage flow reduction device positioned in the cavity for reducing fluid leakage flow around the plunger thus increasing system efficiency. The leakage flow reduction device includes a sealing sleeve removably mounted in the cavity between the plunger and the barrel, which includes a bore for slidably receiving the plunger to form an annular clearance gap between the plunger and the bore. The sealing sleeve is designed to resiliently flex in response to fluid pressure forces to reduce the annular clearance gap so as to minimize fluid leakage through the annular clearance gap. The sealing sleeve is formed as a separate piece from the barrel to permit simple, low cost replacement. The sealing sleeve is preferably applied to a fuel pump having a pump plunger for pressurizing fuel in a high pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Yul J. Tarr, John T. Carroll, III, Donald J. Benson