Patents by Inventor Riccardo Meldolesi

Riccardo Meldolesi 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: 11953101
    Abstract: A spool valve for controlling the flow of a fluid into a reciprocating piston cylinder. A spool is slideably inserted into an outer casing, the spool valve having a first and a second non-waisted end portions and having a waisted middle portion. The casing has an intake port and output port for fluids entering and exiting the casing. A first non-waisted end portion covers the intake port during a first valve-closed event as the spool slides in one direction within the casing. The waisted middle portion is sufficiently wide to uncover both the intake port and the output port during a valve-open event as the spool slides in one direction within the casing. A second non-waisted end portion covers the output port during a second valve-closed event as the spool slides in the same one direction within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, Anthony Perkins, Clive Lacy, Dustin Kramer
  • Patent number: 11828256
    Abstract: An injector apparatus for injecting fluid under pressure into an associated chamber, the apparatus including a body, a first piston moveable in the body, the first piston defining a first working area facing an associated chamber, a high pressure piston defining a high pressure working area facing a high pressure chamber, the first working area being greater than the high pressure working area, the first piston being operable to compress fluid in the high pressure chamber using the high pressure piston, the first piston defining a first axis, the high pressure piston defining a second axis, wherein the second axis is offset from the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: RKLAB AG
    Inventors: Daniel Eastwood, Riccardo Meldolesi, Martin Selway, John Lutwyche
  • Patent number: 11828258
    Abstract: An injector apparatus (310) for injecting fluid under pressure into an associated chamber (332) is provided. The injector apparatus (310) includes a first piston (314) defining a first working area facing an associated chamber (332), a high pressure piston (318) defining a high pressure working area facing a high pressure chamber (319), and a control piston (317) defining a control piston working area facing a control chamber (315). The first piston (314) is moveable with a body of the injector apparatus (310) to compress fluid in the high pressure chamber (319) using the high pressure piston (318), while movement of the first piston (314) is selectively controllable by controlling the fluid in the control chamber (315). The first working area is larger than the control piston working area and the control piston (317) working area is larger than the high pressure working area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: RKLAB AG
    Inventors: Daniel Eastwood, Riccardo Meldolesi, Martin Selway, John Lutwyche
  • Patent number: 11828257
    Abstract: An injector apparatus (10) for injecting fluid under pressure into an associated chamber (32), the apparatus including a body (12), a first piston (14) moveable in the body, the first piston (14) defining a first working area facing an associated chamber (32), a high pressure piston (18, 118) defining a high pressure working area (182) facing a high pressure chamber (19, 119), the first working area being greater than the high pressure working area (182), the first piston (14) being operable to compress fluid in the high pressure chamber (19, 119), the first piston (14) further defining an injector orifice (76) through which the fluid can be injected into an associated chamber (32) from the high pressure chamber (19,119) and defining a valve seat (57), a valve member (92) selectively operable to engage the valve seat (57) to operably isolate the high pressure chamber (19, 119) from the injector orifice (76) and selectively operable to disengage the valve seat (57) to fluidly connect the high pressure chamber
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: RKLAB AG
    Inventors: Philip Dingle, Daniel Eastwood, Riccardo Meldolesi, Martin Selway, John Lutwyche
  • Patent number: 11614006
    Abstract: A valve system that includes a housing defining an intake port, a cylinder port and a valve bore; wherein the intake port defining a valve seat portion at an interface between the intake port and the cylinder port. The valve system also includes a valve to control fluid communication between the intake port and the cylinder port. The valve includes a valve stem disposed within the valve bore and extending into the cylinder port and extending out of the housing, the valve stem having an open face exposed to atmospheric pressure and a valve head coupled to the valve stem comprising a first face and an opposing second face. A diameter of the valve stem is selected to control a closing force on the first face of the valve head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Anthony Perkins, Riccardo Meldolesi, Clive Lacy, Dustin Kramer
  • Publication number: 20230054596
    Abstract: A spool valve for controlling the flow of a fluid into a reciprocating piston cylinder. A spool is slideably inserted into an outer casing, the spool valve having a first and a second non-waisted end portions and having a waisted middle portion. The casing has an intake port and output port for fluids entering and exiting the casing. A first non-waisted end portion covers the intake port during a first valve-closed event as the spool slides in one direction within the casing. The waisted middle portion is sufficiently wide to uncover both the intake port and the output port during a valve-open event as the spool slides in one direction within the casing. A second non-waisted end portion covers the output port during a second valve-closed event as the spool slides in the same one direction within the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, Anthony Perkins, Clive Lacy, Dustin Kramer
  • Publication number: 20230028686
    Abstract: An injector apparatus (110) for injecting fluid under pressure into an associated chamber (132), the apparatus including a body (112), a first piston (114) moveable in the body, the first piston defining a first working area facing an associated chamber (132), a high pressure piston (18,118) defining a high pressure working area facing a high pressure chamber (19), the first working area being greater than the high pressure working area, the first piston (114) being operable to compress fluid in the high pressure chamber using the high pressure piston (118), the injector apparatus (110) having a first configuration having a first ratio of the first working area to high pressure working area and having a second configuration having a second ratio of the first working area to the high pressure working area, wherein a first ratio is different from the second ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: RKLAB AG
    Inventors: Daniel EASTWOOD, Riccardo MELDOLESI, Martin SELWAY, John LUTWYCHE
  • Publication number: 20230024509
    Abstract: An injector apparatus (10) for injecting fluid under pressure into an associated chamber (32), the apparatus including a body (12), a first piston (14) moveable in the body, the first piston (14) defining a first working area facing an associated chamber (32), a high pressure piston (18, 118) defining a high pressure working area (182) facing a high pressure chamber (19, 119), the first working area being greater than the high pressure working area (182), the first piston (14) being operable to compress fluid in the high pressure chamber (19, 119), the first piston (14) further defining an injector orifice (76) through which the fluid can be injected into an associated chamber (32) from the high pressure chamber (19,119) and defining a valve seat (57), a valve member (92) selectively operable to engage the valve seat (57) to operably isolate the high pressure chamber (19, 119) from the injector orifice (76) and selectively operable to disengage the valve seat (57) to fluidly connect the high pressure chamber
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: RKLAB AG
    Inventors: Philip DINGLE, Daniel EASTWOOD, Riccardo MELDOLESI, Martin SELWAY, John LUTWYCHE
  • Publication number: 20230016854
    Abstract: An injector apparatus (310) for injecting fluid under pressure into an associated chamber (332) is provided. The injector apparatus (310) includes a first piston (314) defining a first working area facing an associated chamber (332), a high pressure piston (318) defining a high pressure working area facing a high pressure chamber (319), and a control piston (317) defining a control piston working area facing a control chamber (315). The first piston (314) is moveable with a body of the injector apparatus (310) to compress fluid in the high pressure chamber (319) using the high pressure piston (318), while movement of the first piston (314) is selectively controllable by controlling the fluid in the control chamber (315). The first working area is larger than the control piston working area and the control piston (317) working area is larger than the high pressure working area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: RKLAB AG
    Inventors: Daniel EASTWOOD, Riccardo MELDOLESI, Martin SELWAY, John LUTWYCHE
  • Publication number: 20230012407
    Abstract: An injector apparatus for injecting fluid under pressure into an associated chamber, the apparatus including a body, a first piston moveable in the body, the first piston defining a first working area facing an associated chamber, a high pressure piston defining a high pressure working area facing a high pressure chamber, the first working area being greater than the high pressure working area, the first piston being operable to compress fluid in the high pressure chamber using the high pressure piston, the first piston defining a first axis, the high pressure piston defining a second axis, wherein the second axis is offset from the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: RKLAB AG
    Inventors: Daniel EASTWOOD, Riccardo MELDOLESI, Martin SELWAY, John LUTWYCHE
  • Publication number: 20230007936
    Abstract: An injector apparatus (210) for injecting fluid under pressure into an associated chamber (232) is provided. The injector apparatus (210) includes a first piston (214) defining a first working area facing an associated chamber, and a high pressure piston (218) defining a high pressure working area facing a high pressure chamber. The first working area is greater than the high pressure working area and the first piston is moveable in a body of the injector apparatus (210) to compress fluid in the high pressure chamber using the high pressure piston. The injector apparatus (210) further includes an accumulator (270) operable to supply fluid under pressure through an injector orifice (276) into an associated chamber (232), the high pressure chamber being operable to pressurise the accumulator (270) with fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: RKLAB AG
    Inventors: Daniel EASTWOOD, Riccardo MELDOLESI, Martin SELWAY, John LUTWYCHE
  • Patent number: 11536165
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash assembly (HLA) for use in a valvetrain. The HLA preferably includes a first arm configured to transition a valve between a closed orientation and an open orientation. The first arm can include an engagement surface to receive a driving force from a timing member and to cause the valve to transition to the open orientation for a predetermined period. The HLA further preferably includes a second arm to receive a holding force from an actuator and a pivot section to couple to the first arm and displace the first arm based on the holding force from the actuator. Preferably, the first arm and the second arm form a lever arrangement whereby the pivot section of the second arm underlies and supports the first arm and allows for rotational movement of the first arm that is independent from the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Anthony Perkins, Riccardo Meldolesi, Clive Lacy, Dustin Kramer
  • Patent number: 11473453
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston engine, comprising an engine block having a piston cylinder; a piston disposed in the piston cylinder; an intake port to the piston cylinder, an intake valve to open and close the intake port to the piston cylinder; a rotatable crankshaft; a flywheel connected to the crankshaft which is rotatable with the crankshaft, the flywheel having a circumferential profile; and a cam lobe forming a portion of the circumferential profile of the flywheel wherein, during rotation of the crankshaft, the cam lobe acts on the intake valve to open the intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Anthony Perkins, Riccardo Meldolesi, Clive Lacy, Dustin Kramer
  • Patent number: 11459990
    Abstract: An injector nozzle having a first part having a stem and a flange, the flange having a flange surface, a body including a wall defining a hole, an annular nozzle ring having a first surface and a second surface wherein the first surface and/or the flange surface include a plurality of grooves, the stem being received in the hole, the first part being secured to the body to secure the nozzle ring in place such that the first surface engages the flange surface, the second surface engages the body, and the plurality of grooves define a plurality of injector holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: RKLAB AG
    Inventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, Ron Kuckler, Daniel Eastwood, Mike Cranfield, Mark Clements, Anthony Perkins
  • Publication number: 20220127998
    Abstract: The disclosure provides rotary machines that include, in one embodiment, a rotatable shaft defining a central axis A, the shaft having a first end and a second end. The shaft can have a first hub disposed thereon with a plurality of cavities. At least one contour is slidably received into an arcuate cavity in an exterior surface of the hub. The contour has a convex outer surface that cooperates with an inwardly facing curved surface of a housing to form a working volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: William Lukaczyk, William Anderson, Riccardo Meldolesi
  • Patent number: 11168608
    Abstract: The disclosure provides rotary machines that include, in one embodiment, a rotatable shaft defining a central axis A, the shaft having a first end and a second end. The shaft can have a first hub disposed thereon with a plurality of cavities. At least one contour is slidably received into an arcuate cavity in an exterior surface of the hub. The contour has a convex outer surface that cooperates with an inwardly facing curved surface of a housing to form a working volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lumenium LLC
    Inventors: William Lukaczyk, William Anderson, Riccardo Meldolesi
  • Publication number: 20210262427
    Abstract: An injector nozzle having a first part having a stem and a flange, the flange having a flange surface, a body including a wall defining a hole, an annular nozzle ring having a first surface and a second surface wherein the first surface and/or the flange surface include a plurality of grooves, the stem being received in the hole, the first part being secured to the body to secure the nozzle ring in place such that the first surface engages the flange surface, the second surface engages the body, and the plurality of grooves define a plurality of injector holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: RKLAB AG
    Inventors: Riccardo MELDOLESI, Ron KUCKLER, Daniel EASTWOOD, Mike CRANFIELD, Mark CLEMENTS, Anthony PERKINS
  • Publication number: 20190226395
    Abstract: The disclosure provides rotary machines that include, in one embodiment, a rotatable shaft defining a central axis A, the shaft having a first end and a second end. The shaft can have a first hub disposed thereon with a plurality of cavities. At least one contour is slidably received into an arcuate cavity in an exterior surface of the hub. The contour has a convex outer surface that cooperates with an inwardly facing curved surface of a housing to form a working volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: William Lukaczyk, William Anderson, Riccardo Meldolesi
  • Patent number: 10267224
    Abstract: A set of mechanisms, for use with an internal combustion test engine, for testing cylinder offset during operation of the engine. The test engine specifics may vary, but it is assumed to have a crankcase base that supports a cylinder barrel and cylinder head. During engine operation, a transit plate is secured to the top surface of the crankshaft base, and a pair of wedge plates is secured between the transit plate and the bottom of the cylinder barrel. When the engine is not in operation, the transit plate can be slid in a direction normal to the crankshaft axis (for cylinder offset adjustment), and the wedge plates can be moved relative to each other (for cylinder height adjustment).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, Roy Granville
  • Patent number: 10184392
    Abstract: The disclosure provides rotary machines that include, in one embodiment, a rotatable shaft defining a central axis A, the shaft having a first end and a second end. The shaft can have a first hub disposed thereon with a plurality of cavities. At least one contour is slidably received into an arcuate cavity in an exterior surface of the hub. The contour has a convex outer surface that cooperates with an inwardly facing curved surface of a housing to form a working volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Lumenium LLC
    Inventors: William Lukaczyk, William Anderson, Riccardo Meldolesi