Abstract: An exhaust manifold is disclosed. The exhaust manifold includes a plurality of exhaust tubes connected to one another, such that a male connector portion of one exhaust tube is received into a female connector portion of an adjacent exhaust tube. The plurality of exhaust tubes define an exhaust passage therein. The exhaust manifold also includes an air shielding zone surrounding the plurality of exhaust tubes. The exhaust manifold further includes a cooling jacket. The cooling jacket surrounds the air shielding zone. A high temperature seal is disposed within the air shielding zone. The high temperature seal is positioned outside of an interface area of the male and female connector portions of the respective exhaust tubes. The high temperature seal is configured to separate the air shielding zone into regions. Also, the high temperature seal is configured to control fluid communication between the separated regions of the air shielding zone.

Abstract: A system for determining a health of bearing associated with a connecting rod is provided. The system includes an oil collector placed proximate to the connecting rod and configured to receive an oil cast off from side thrust surfaces of the connecting rod during movement of the connecting rod. The system includes a sensor associated with the oil collector and configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature of the oil cast off from the side thrust surface of the connecting rod. The system also includes a controller communicably coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the temperature of the oil cast off from the side thrust surface of the connecting rod. The controller further determines the health of the bearing as a function of the signal of temperature of oil cast off from side thrust surface of the connecting rod.

Abstract: A system for determining a health of bearing associated with a connecting rod is provided. The system includes an oil collector placed proximate to the connecting rod and configured to receive an oil cast off from side thrust surfaces of the connecting rod during movement of the connecting rod. The system includes a sensor associated with the oil collector and configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature of the oil cast off from the side thrust surface of the connecting rod. The system also includes a controller communicably coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the temperature of the oil cast off from the side thrust surface of the connecting rod. The controller further determines the health of the bearing as a function of the signal of temperature of oil cast off from side thrust surface of the connecting rod.

Abstract: An engine crankcase breather for oil segregation, from blow-by gases, in an engine. The engine crankcase breather includes a housing with an inlet located in a downstream direction of the blow-by gases and an outlet. The breather also includes a baffle within the housing which poses a tortuous path for the blow-by gases, in order to segregate oil particles from the blow-by gases. The baffle includes a hook-shaped portion, in which the oil segregation takes place. The engine crankcase breather further includes a trough extending within the housing. The trough is aligned with the hook-shaped portion of the baffle, to collect the segregated oil from the blow-by gases.

Abstract: A crankcase filter comprises a housing comprising an inlet for an oil-gas mixture, a first outlet for oil, and a second outlet for gas; a filter element within the housing with a first end and a second end and a passage between the two ends, wherein the inlet opens to the first end, and the first outlet opens to the second end; and a collector configured to collect oil to the first outlet. The oil may be captured from the passage of the filter element and from the filter element. Hereby some of the oil need not to pass through the filter. Further, the crankcase filter may include a valve between the second end and the first outlet, the valve being configured to allow only oil to exit to the first outlet. The valve may be a ball float valve.

Abstract: A machine air supply system includes a primary air circuit and a secondary air circuit and a single compressor for supplying compressed air to both circuits. In an embodiment, the compressor is a reciprocating piston compressor having a primary air circuit including a compression chamber of the compressor and a secondary air circuit including a crankcase chamber of the compressor. In an aspect, the compressor may be a multi-cylinder compressor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multi-mode fuel injection is disclosed. A sleeve is disposed about a fuel injector tip movable between a first and second position and wherein the sleeve is capable of impinging the fuel spray as it enters into the combustion chamber. By impinging the fuel spray, different spray profiles or plumes can be obtained allowing the fuel injector to inject in different modes, including homogenous charge compression ignition.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of homogenous charge compression ignition engines, in which fuel is injected when the cylinder piston is relatively close to the bottom dead center position for its compression stroke. The fuel mixes with air in the cylinder during the compression stroke to create a relatively lean homogeneous mixture that preferably ignites when the piston is relatively close to the top dead center position. However, if the ignition event occurs either earlier or later than desired, lowered performance, engine misfire, or even engine damage, can result. The present invention utilizes internal exhaust gas recirculation and/or compression ratio control to control the timing of ignition events and combustion duration in homogeneous charge compression ignition engines. Thus, at least one electro-hydraulic assist actuator is provided that is capable of mechanically engaging at least one cam actuated intake and/or exhaust valve.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a combustion cylinder, a cylinder head at an end of the combustion cylinder and a primary piston reciprocally disposed within the combustion cylinder. The cylinder head includes a secondary cylinder and a secondary piston reciprocally disposed within the secondary cylinder. An actuator is coupled with the secondary piston for controlling the position of the secondary piston dependent upon the position of the primary piston. A communication port establishes fluid flow communication between the combustion cylinder and the secondary cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of homogeneous charge compression engines. In these engines, fuel is injected upstream or directly into the cylinder when the power piston is relatively close to its bottom dead center position. The fuel mixes with air in the cylinder as the power piston advances to create a relatively lean homogeneous mixture that preferably ignites when the power piston is relatively close to the top dead center position. However, if the ignition event occurs either earlier or later than desired, lowered performance, engine misfire, or even engine damage, can result. Thus, the present invention divides the homogeneous charge between a controlled volume higher compression space and a lower compression space to better control the start of ignition.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing internal combustion engine valves is provided. The apparatus includes a housing with a bore for receiving a seat fixture. The seat fixture, in turn, receives a seat insert. A valve is inserted into the apparatus so the valve head is received at the seat insert and the valve stem extends through the seat fixture and through an axial bore in the housing. One end of the valve engages an actuating apparatus that provides a lifting action of the valve so that the valve head moves off of the seat insert as well as a rotating action to the valve. Another actuator is provided to move the valve from a lifted position to a seated position. A heater is employed to heat the valve to high temperatures to simulate extreme operating conditions. A cooling system is also provided to rapidly cool the valve and associated elements to simulate a rapid cooling condition. A method for testing internal combustion engine valves is also disclosed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a combustion cylinder, a cylinder head at an end of the combustion cylinder and a primary piston reciprocally disposed within the combustion cylinder. The cylinder head includes a secondary cylinder and a secondary piston reciprocally disposed within the secondary cylinder. An actuator is coupled with the secondary piston for controlling the position of the secondary piston dependent upon the position of the primary piston. A communication port establishes fluid flow communication between the combustion cylinder and the secondary cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of homogeneous charge compression engines. In these engines, fuel is injected upstream or directly into the cylinder when the power piston is relatively close to its bottom dead center position. The fuel mixes with air in the cylinder as the power piston advances to create a relatively lean homogeneous mixture that preferably ignites when the power piston is relatively close to the top dead center position. However, if the ignition event occurs either earlier or later than desired, lowered performance, engine misfire, or even engine damage, can result. Thus, the present invention divides the homogeneous charge between a controlled volume higher compression space and a lower compression space to better control the start of ignition.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of homogenous charge compression ignition engines, in which fuel is injected when the cylinder piston is relatively close to the bottom dead center position for its compression stroke. The fuel mixes with air in the cylinder during the compression stroke to create a relatively lean homogeneous mixture that preferably ignites when the piston is relatively close to the top dead center position. However, if the ignition event occurs either earlier or later than desired, lowered performance, engine misfire, or even engine damage, can result. The present invention utilizes internal exhaust gas recirculation and/or compression ratio control to control the timing of ignition events and combustion duration in homogeneous charge compression ignition engines. Thus, at least one electro-hydraulic assist actuator is provided that is capable of mechanically engaging at least one cam actuated intake and/or exhaust valve.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an impingement sleeve multi-mode fuel injection is provided for. A fuel injector has an orifice and a orifice axis and an impingement sleeve is disposed about a fuel injector, the sleeve being movable longitudinal to said tip between a first and second position and to impinge fuel spray from the fuel tip. A cavity at least partially disposed within the lower body of the fuel injector is open to a source of pressurized fluid flow capable of moving the sleeve in a first direction to change the impingement angle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an impingement sleeve disposed around a fuel injector to provide for multi-mode fuel injection is provided. The sleeve and tip are at least partially exposed to pressure, preferably combustion pressure within the engine cylinder. The impingement sleeve is biased to a rest position by a spring and is movable by changing the pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multi-mode fuel injection is disclosed. A sleeve is disposed about a fuel injector tip movable between a first and second position and wherein the sleeve is capable of impinging the fuel spray as it enters into the combustion chamber. By impinging the fuel spray, different spray profiles or plumes can be obtained allowing the fuel injector to inject in different modes, including homogenous charge compression ignition.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing internal combustion engine valves is provided. The apparatus includes a housing with a bore for receiving a seat fixture. The seat fixture, in turn, receives a seat insert. A valve is inserted into the apparatus so the valve head is received at the seat insert and the valve stem extends through the seat fixture and through an axial bore in the housing. One end of the valve engages an actuating apparatus that provides a lifting action of the valve so that the valve head moves off of the seat insert as well as a rotating action to the valve. Another actuator is provided to move the valve from a lifted position to a seated position. A heater is employed to heat the valve to high temperatures to simulate extreme operating conditions. A cooling system is also provided to rapidly cool the valve and associated elements to simulate a rapid cooling condition. A method for testing internal combustion engine valves is also disclosed.

Abstract: An engine including a crankshaft having a crankshaft pump portion including at least one cam lobe for operably engaging a pump integral to the engine block of the engine, such that the pump is actuated directly by the crankshaft pump portion, thereby eliminating the typical drive train so as to reduce weight of the pump and engine combination while enhancing the reliability thereof and improving pump efficiency.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel injector having a needle valve member and an injector body that defines a fuel pressurization chamber that opens to a nozzle outlet. The needle valve member is positioned in the injector body and is moveable between an inject position at which the nozzle outlet is open, and a blocked position at which the nozzle outlet is blocked. A portion of the injector body adjacent the nozzle outlet is a mono gas valve member. The movement of the gas valve member controls one or both of the intake and exhaust portions of the engine cycle. The gas valve member is also hydraulically-actuated and electronically-controlled by the same hydraulic actuator that operates the fuel injector.