Patents by Inventor Rafal A. Sobotowski

Rafal A. Sobotowski 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).

  • Method for selecting fuel to both optimize the operating range and minimize the exhaust emissions of HCCI engines
    Patent number: 7487663
    Abstract: Operation of a DI HCCI engine is optimized for maximizing load capability and load ranges via matching fuel ignitability with the compression ratio of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co., Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rafal A. Sobotowski, Charles H. Schleyer, Kevin P. Duffy, Michael P. Liechty
  • Method for selecting fuel to both optimize the operating range and minimize the exhaust emissions of HCCI engines
    Publication number: 20070246005
    Abstract: Operation of a DI HCCI engine is optimized for maximizing load capability and load ranges via matching fuel ignitability with the compression ratio of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Rafal Sobotowski, Charles Schleyer, Kevin Duffy, Michael Liechty
  • Method for controlling exhaust emissions from direct injection homogeneous charge compression ignition engines
    Patent number: 7131402
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling exhaust emissions from direct injected homogeneous charge compression ignition engines by combusting therein a fuel having a cetane number equal to or less than 50, and aromatic content equal to or greater than 15 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Rafal A. Sobotowski, Charles Hall Schleyer, Kenneth D. Erdman, Kevin P. Duffy
  • Method for controlling exhaust emissions from direct injection homogeneous charge compression ignition engines
    Publication number: 20050268883
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling exhaust emissions from direct injected homogeneous charge compression ignition engines by combusting therein a fuel having a cetane number equal to or less than 50, and aromatic content equal to or greater than 15 wt %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Rafal Sobotowski, Charles Schleyer, Kenneth Erdman, Kevin Duffy
  • Leading piston engine with two cylinders interconnected through a transfer port
    Patent number: 4955328
    Abstract: A compression ignition, internal combustion engine has at least one pair of pistons operating in separate cylinders interconnected through a transfer port. Said at least one pair of pistons includes a leading piston linked to a leading crankshaft and operating in a leading cylinder, and a trailing piston linked to a trailing crankshaft and operating in a trailing cylinder. For the purpose of varying the compression ratio, the phase relation between said leading and trailing pistons is varied by means of a phase adjustment mechanism which operatively couples the leading and trailing crankshafts of the engine. The fuel is injected into the leading cylinder by means of a centrally situated multi-hole fuel injector. The clearance volume of the trailing cylinder is at a practical minimum in order to maximize the amount of air available for combustion in the leading cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company
    Inventor: Rafal A. Sobotowski
  • Crankshaft phasing mechanism
    Patent number: 4876992
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio engine has a pair of crankshafts connected by a phase adjuster mechanism operative to change the phase angle between the crankshafts so as to vary the compression ratio of the engine. The phase adjuster mechanism includes two pairs of helical phasing gears. Each of those pairs consists of a gear fixedly mounted on a crankshaft and, operatively engaged therewith, a wider gear fixedly mounted on an axially movable adjuster member. The crankshafts can be arranged in-line or side-by-side in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company
    Inventor: Rafal A. Sobotowski