Patents by Inventor Martin L. Willi

Martin L. Willi 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: 11002177
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes low and high pressure turbochargers connected in series. An engine cylinder has an intake valve that fluidly connects a main chamber of the engine cylinder with an outlet of the high pressure compressor through an intake passage. An exhaust gas recirculation passage is fluidly interconnected between exhaust and intake conduits. A pre-chamber encloses a spark plug and is fluidly open with the main chamber of the engine cylinder. A first fluid path extends from the intake passage directly to the pre-chamber, and a second fluid path extends from the intermediate passage directly to the pre-chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Martin L. Willi, Patrick J. Seiler, Michael Bardell
  • Publication number: 20200158005
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes low and high pressure turbochargers connected in series. An engine cylinder has an intake valve that fluidly connects a main chamber of the engine cylinder with an outlet of the high pressure compressor through an intake passage. An exhaust gas recirculation passage is fluidly interconnected between exhaust and intake conduits. A pre-chamber encloses a spark plug and is fluidly open with the main chamber of the engine cylinder. A first fluid path extends from the intake passage directly to the pre-chamber, and a second fluid path extends from the intermediate passage directly to the pre-chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Martin L. Willi, Patrick J. Seiler, Michael Bardell
  • Patent number: 10260460
    Abstract: A system for reforming a fuel may include a first sensor configured to measure an operating parameter of an engine. The operating parameter may correlate to a NOx emission level of the engine. The system may also include a controller in communication with the sensor and a reformer. The controller may be configured to determine a target NOx emission level for the engine. The controller may be also configured to determine a target value of the operating parameter corresponding to the target NOx emission level. The controller may be further configured to control the reformer to reform at least a portion of the fuel based on a difference between the measured value and the target value of the operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, David Ginter, Martin L. Willi, Joel D. Hiltner
  • Patent number: 9976518
    Abstract: An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine including at least one cylinder. The engine system may also have a first source configured to supply fuel for combustion in the engine. The engine system may have a second source configured to supply ignition promoter material for combustion in the engine. The engine system may also have a droplet generator configured to generate droplets of the ignition promoter material. In addition, the engine system may have a controller. The controller may be configured to determine an engine parameter. The controller may also be configured to determine a number of the droplets based on the engine parameter. Further, the controller may be configured to determine droplet sizes of the droplets based on the engine parameter. In addition, the controller may be configured to adjust the droplet generator to generate the number of the droplets having the droplet sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Martin L. Willi
  • Patent number: 9869255
    Abstract: An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine including at least one cylinder. The engine system may also have a first source configured to supply fuel for combustion in the engine and a second source configured to supply an ignition promoter material for combustion in the engine. The engine system may have a droplet injector configured to generate at least one droplet of the ignition promoter material, apply an amount of charge on the at least one droplet, and deliver the at least one droplet to the at least one cylinder. The engine system may also have a controller. The controller may be configured to determine an engine parameter, and to determine the amount of charge based on the engine parameter. In addition, the controller may be configured to adjust the droplet injector to apply the determined amount of charge to the at least one droplet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Martin L. Willi
  • Publication number: 20170159583
    Abstract: An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine including at least one cylinder. The engine system may also have a first source configured to supply fuel for combustion in the engine and a second source configured to supply an ignition promoter material for combustion in the engine. The engine system may have a droplet injector configured to generate at least one droplet of the ignition promoter material, apply an amount of charge on the at least one droplet, and deliver the at least one droplet to the at least one cylinder. The engine system may also have a controller. The controller may be configured to determine an engine parameter, and to determine the amount of charge based on the engine parameter. In addition, the controller may be configured to adjust the droplet injector to apply the determined amount of charge to the at least one droplet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder SINGH, Martin L. WILLI
  • Publication number: 20170159615
    Abstract: An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine including at least one cylinder. The engine system may also have a first source configured to supply fuel for combustion in the engine. The engine system may have a second source configured to supply ignition promoter material for combustion in the engine. The engine system may also have a droplet generator configured to generate droplets of the ignition promoter material. In addition the engine system may have a controller. The controller may be configured to determine an engine parameter. The controller may also be configured to determine a number of the droplets based on the engine parameter. Further, the controller may be configured to determine droplet sizes of the droplets based on the engine parameter. In addition, the controller may be configured to adjust the droplet generator to generate the number of the droplets having the droplet sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder SINGH, Martin L. WILLI
  • Publication number: 20170145965
    Abstract: A system for reforming a fuel may include a first sensor configured to measure an operating parameter of an engine. The operating parameter may correlate to a NOx emission level of the engine. The system may also include a controller in communication with the sensor and a reformer. The controller may be configured to determine a target NOx emission level for the engine. The controller may be also configured to determine a target value of the operating parameter corresponding to the target NOx emission level. The controller may be further configured to control the reformer to reform at least a portion of the fuel based on a difference between the measured value and the target value of the operating parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder SINGH, David GINTER, Martin L. WILLI, Joel D. HILTNER
  • Publication number: 20160363041
    Abstract: A combustion pre-chamber assembly for a reciprocating internal combustion engine includes a body that defines a combustion pre-chamber, a plurality of orifices that extend through the body and effect fluid communication between the combustion pre-chamber and a main combustion chamber of the reciprocating internal combustion engine, a fuel inlet conduit, and a fluidic oscillator flow path with an oscillator inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the fuel inlet conduit, and an oscillator outlet in fluid communication with the combustion pre-chamber. An ignition device is operatively coupled to the combustion pre-chamber. The fluidic oscillator flow path includes a plurality of oscillator conduits fluidly coupled to one another in parallel. Each oscillator conduit effects fluid communication between the oscillator inlet and the oscillator outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Moffat, Martin L. Willi
  • Patent number: 9200560
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel engine combines the efficiencies associated with high compression ratio engines with the attractiveness of fueling with natural gas. Each engine cylinder has an associated fuel injector positioned for direct injection and supplied with gaseous fuel from a high pressure common rail. A separate ignition prechamber is also supplied with natural gas and includes an ignition device. Hot gas generated by igniting a mixture of gaseous fuel and air in the prechamber are used to ignite a much larger charge of gaseous fuel injected into the engine cylinder from the fuel injector. The engine has a compression ratio greater than 14: to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Cory A. Brown, Martin L. Willi
  • Publication number: 20140196686
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel engine combines the efficiencies associated with high compression ratio engines with the attractiveness of fueling with natural gas. Each engine cylinder has an associated fuel injector positioned for direct injection and supplied with gaseous fuel from a high pressure common rail. A separate ignition prechamber is also supplied with natural gas and includes an ignition device. Hot gas generated by igniting a mixture of gaseous fuel and air in the prechamber are used to ignite a much larger charge of gaseous fuel injected into the engine cylinder from the fuel injector. The engine has a compression ratio greater than 14: to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Cory A. Brown, Martin L. Willi
  • Publication number: 20120227397
    Abstract: An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine configured to receive air and a gaseous fuel, and combust a mixture of the air and gaseous fuel to generate a power output and a flow of exhaust. The engine system may also have at least one power turbine driven by the flow of exhaust to compound the power output of the engine. The engine may employ the Miller Cycle during compounding by the at least one power turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Martin L. WILLI, Shriram Vijayaraghavan, David T. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 8150603
    Abstract: A control system for an engine having a cylinder is disclosed having an engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the cylinder and an actuator associated with the engine valve. The control system also has a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of an air/fuel mixture remaining within the cylinder after completion of a first combustion event and a controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller may be configured to compare the amount with a desired amount, and to selectively regulate the actuator to adjust a timing of the engine valve associated with a subsequent combustion event based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin L. Willi, Scott B. Fiveland, David T. Montgomery, Weidong Gong
  • Patent number: 8113173
    Abstract: A control system for an engine having a cylinder is disclosed having an engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the cylinder and an actuator associated with the engine valve. The control system also has a controller in communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of engine speed and compare the engine speed signal with a desired engine speed. The controller is also configured to selectively regulate the actuator to adjust a timing of the engine valve to control an amount of air/fuel mixture delivered to the cylinder based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin L. Willi, Scott B. Fiveland, David T. Montgomery, Weidong Gong
  • Patent number: 8028679
    Abstract: A control system for an engine having a first cylinder and a second cylinder is disclosed having a first engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the first cylinder and a first actuator associated with the first engine valve. The control system also has a second engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the second cylinder and a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure within the first cylinder. The control system also has a controller that is in communication with the first actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to compare the pressure within the first cylinder with a desired pressure and selectively regulate the first actuator to adjust a timing of the first engine valve independently of the timing of the second engine valve based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin L. Willi, Scott B. Fiveland, David T. Montgomery, Weidong Gong
  • Patent number: 7905206
    Abstract: A control system for an engine having a cylinder is disclosed having an engine valve configured to affect a fluid flow of the cylinder, an actuator configured to move the engine valve, and an in-cylinder sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a characteristic of fuel entering the cylinder. The control system also has a controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine the characteristic of the fuel based on the signal and selectively regulate the actuator to adjust a timing of the engine valve based on the characteristic of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Martin L. Willi, Scott B. Fiveland, David T. Montgomery, Weidong Gong
  • Publication number: 20100131173
    Abstract: A control system for an engine having a cylinder is disclosed having an engine valve configured to affect a fluid flow of the cylinder, an actuator configured to move the engine valve, and an in-cylinder sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a characteristic of fuel entering the cylinder. The control system also has a controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine the characteristic of the fuel based on the signal and selectively regulate the actuator to adjust a timing of the engine valve based on the characteristic of the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Martin L. Willi, Scott B. Fiveland, David T. Montgomery, Weidong Gong
  • Publication number: 20100126465
    Abstract: A control system for an engine having a first cylinder and a second cylinder is disclosed having a first engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the first cylinder and a first actuator associated with the first engine valve. The control system also has a second engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the second cylinder and a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure within the first cylinder. The control system also has a controller that is in communication with the first actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to compare the pressure within the first cylinder with a desired pressure and selectively regulate the first actuator to adjust a timing of the first engine valve independently of the timing of the second engine valve based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Martin L. Willi, Scott B. Fiveland, David T. Montgomery, Weidong Gong
  • Publication number: 20100126463
    Abstract: A control system for an engine having a cylinder is disclosed having an engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the cylinder and an actuator associated with the engine valve. The control system also has a controller in communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of engine speed and compare the engine speed signal with a desired engine speed. The controller is also configured to selectively regulate the actuator to adjust a timing of the engine valve to control an amount of air/fuel mixture delivered to the cylinder based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Martin L. Willi, Scott B. Fiveland, David T. Montgomery, Weidong Gong
  • Publication number: 20100126481
    Abstract: A control system for an engine having a first cylinder and a second cylinder is disclosed including an air/fuel ratio control device configured to affect an air/fuel ratio within the first and second cylinders. The control system also has a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a combustion pressure within the first cylinder and a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a combustion pressure within the second cylinder. The control system further has a controller in communication with the air/fuel ratio control device and the first and second sensors. The controller is configured to determine a NOx production within the first cylinder based on the first signal and determine a NOx production within the second cylinder based on the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Martin L. Willi, Scott B. Fiveland, David T. Montgomery, Weidong Gong