Patents by Inventor Scott A. Leman

Scott A. Leman 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: 20070068149
    Abstract: An engine and method of operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises supplying pressurized air from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow the pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold during a portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and filtering particulate matter from an exhaust stream of the engine with a particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Cornelius Opris
  • Publication number: 20070062192
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder, may include supplying pressurized air from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, selectively operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold substantially during a majority portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber after the intake valve is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman
  • Publication number: 20070062193
    Abstract: Engines and methods of controlling an engine may involve one or more fluidically controlled actuators associated with engine intake and/or exhaust valves. In some examples, the actuators may be used to hold valves open. Timing of valve closing/opening and possible use of an air supply system may enable engine operation according to a Miller cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman
  • Publication number: 20070062180
    Abstract: Engines and methods of controlling an engine may include producing ammonia from exhaust gas and using the ammonia to reduce certain emission components of the exhaust. Timing of valve closing/opening and use of an air supply system may enable engine operation according to a Miller cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman
  • Patent number: 7191743
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an internal combustion engine having an engine block defining at least one cylinder and a head connected with said engine block. The head has an air intake port and an exhaust port. The internal combustion engine also has a piston and a combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine further has an air intake valve movable to open and close the air intake port and an air supply system having at least one turbocharger fluidly connected to the air intake port. The internal combustion engine additionally has a fuel supply system operable to inject fuel into the combustion chamber, a cam assembly selectively mechanically linked to the air intake valve to move the air intake valve, and an electromagnetic actuator configured to decouple the cam assembly from the air intake valve and control movement of the air intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James R. Weber, Scott A. Leman, Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Homa Afjeh
  • Patent number: 7178492
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder, may include supplying a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, selectively operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold substantially during a majority portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber after the intake valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Stephen A. Faulkner, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Scott A. Leman, Cornelius N. Opris, Maarten Verkiel, James R. Weber
  • Patent number: 7174881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to engines having multiple hydraulic devices. For instance a multi-cylinder diesel engine might include both an a fuel injector and an engine compression release brake. Traditionally, each of these hydraulic devices has been controlled by an individual actuator control valve. However, engineers have learned that decreasing the number of engine components can increase engine robustness. In addition, engineers have learned that de-coupling fluid pressure to the needle valve member hydraulic surface from fluid pressure lines to other injector components can result in greater control of the injector. Therefore, the present invention utilizes a single actuator control valve to control both hydraulic devices for an engine cylinder and to provide independent control of fluid pressure to the needle valve member closing hydraulic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ye Tian, Scott Leman, Xinshuang Nan, Lifeng Wang, Jianyuan Yang
  • Publication number: 20060096560
    Abstract: An engine valve actuation system may include an intake valve moveable between a first position that blocks a flow of fluid and a second position that allows a flow of fluid. The system may also include a cam assembly configured to move the intake valve between the first position and the second position. An electromagnetic actuator may be configured to selectively modify a timing of the intake valve in moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Homa Afjeh, Ronald Shinogle, Gregory Brock, Scott Leman
  • Publication number: 20060090717
    Abstract: An engine valve actuation system is provided. An intake valve is moveable between a first position to prevent a flow of fluid and a second position to allow a flow of fluid. A cam assembly is connected to move the intake valve between the first position and the second position. A fluid actuator is configured to selectively prevent the intake valve from moving to the first position. A source of fluid is in fluid communication with the fluid actuator. A directional control valve is configured to control a flow of fluid between the source of fluid and the fluid actuator. A control valve is disposed between the source of fluid and the directional control valve. The control valve is moveable between a first position to prevent the flow of fluid between the source of fluid and the directional control valve and a second position to allow the flow of fluid from the source of fluid to the directional control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Sean Cornell, Scott Leman
  • Publication number: 20060086329
    Abstract: An engine valve actuation system is provided. The engine valve actuation system includes an intake valve that is moveable between a first position to prevent a flow of fluid and a second position to allow a flow of fluid. A cam assembly is configured to move the intake valve between the first position and the second position. A fluid actuator is configured to selectively prevent the intake valve from moving to the first position. A source of fluid is in fluid communication with the fluid actuator. A directional control valve is configured to control a flow of fluid between the source of fluid and the fluid actuator. A fluid passageway connects the directional control valve with the fluid actuator. An accumulator is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway. A restricted orifice is disposed between the accumulator and the fluid passageway to restrict a flow of fluid between the accumulator and the fluid passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Sean Cornell, Scott Leman
  • Patent number: 7025047
    Abstract: It is known that performance of actual fuel injectors tends to deviate from performance of a nominal injector as a function of rail pressure and on-time, due to such factors as machining tolerances of fuel injector components. In addition, performance characteristics of fuel injectors tend to change after they have been broken in. These changes can lead to unexpected inconsistencies with other engine components. For example, for those engines which utilize smoke limiting maps, when the injectors are not performing as expected, the injection adjustments that result from use of the smoke limiting maps can sometimes become fruitless. Therefore, the present invention includes two in-chassis strategies for evaluating fuel injector performance, including a bare acceleration test and a loaded fuel injector performance test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Leman, Ronald Shinogle, William J. Rodier
  • Patent number: 7007643
    Abstract: An engine valve actuation system may include an intake valve moveable between a first position that blocks a flow of fluid and a second position that allows a flow of fluid. The system may also include a cam assembly configured to move the intake valve between the first position and the second position. An electromagnetic actuator may be configured to selectively modify a timing of the intake valve in moving from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Homa Afjeh, Ronald D. Shinogle, Gregory D. Brock, Scott A. Leman
  • Publication number: 20060011159
    Abstract: A method of controlling an engine is provided. At least one operating parameter of the engine is sensed. The engine is operated in a first mode in response to the sensed operating parameter being at one of a predetermined first set of conditions. In the first mode, a cam assembly moves an intake valve from a first position when a piston starts an intake stroke and the cam assembly returns the intake valve to the first position when the piston completes the intake stroke. The engine is operated in a second mode in response to the sensed operating parameter being at one of a predetermined second set of conditions. In the second mode, the cam assembly moves the intake valve from the first position when the piston starts an intake stroke and an actuator prevents the intake valve from returning to the first position in response to the cam assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Jason Bloms, James Faletti, Scott Leman, David Pierpont, James Weber
  • Patent number: 6971366
    Abstract: Engine compression release brakes include some degree of lash between the brake actuation portion and the engine exhaust valve portion. The disclosed apparatus and method provides an integral lash adjuster that includes an adjusting screw that is threadably received by a slidable plunger. Rotation of the adjusting screw causes the plunger to slide relative to a plunger cavity and responsively modify the amount of lash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Funke, Michael P. Harmon, Scott A. Leman, Matthew G. Mickiewicz
  • Publication number: 20050247286
    Abstract: Engines and methods of controlling an engine may involve one or more fluidically controlled actuators associated with engine intake and/or exhaust valves. In some examples, the actuators may be used to hold valves open. Timing of valve closing/opening and possible use of an air supply system may enable engine operation according to a Miller cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny
  • Publication number: 20050247284
    Abstract: An engine and method of operating an internal combustion engine with either a continuously variable speed transmission or electric drive is provided. The engine and method comprises operating the engine at its optimum engine speed throughout a range of vehicle speeds through, supplying pressurized air from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, and operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow the pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold during a portion of a compression stroke of the piston. In at least one embodiment, the engine and method further comprises using a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny
  • Publication number: 20050241613
    Abstract: Engines and methods of controlling an engine may involve one or more cams associated with engine intake and/or exhaust valves. In some examples, shifting the rotational phase of one or more cams advances and/or delays timing of the opening and/or closing of valves. Timing of valve closing/opening and possible use of an air supply system may enable engine operation according to a Miller cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny
  • Publication number: 20050241597
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an engine block defining at least one cylinder, a head, a piston, an air intake valve, and a valve actuator. The valve actuator has an actuator housing defining a tank and a bore, and a piston adapted to engages the air intake valve. The valve actuator further has a control valve disposed between the tank and the bore in the actuator housing. The control valve selectively moves between a first position where fluid is allowed to flow between the tank and the bore and a second position where the fluid is prevented from flowing to trap fluid in the bore, thereby preventing the engine valve from returning to a closed position. The internal combustion engine also has at least one turbocharger fluidly connected to the air intake port, and a fuel supply system operable to controllably inject fuel into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Wade Robel, Sean Cornell
  • Publication number: 20050241302
    Abstract: An engine and method of operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises supplying pressurized air from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow the pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold during a portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and filtering particulate matter from an exhaust stream of the engine with a particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Cornelius Opris
  • Publication number: 20050241611
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an internal combustion engine having an engine block defining at least one cylinder and a head connected with said engine block. The head has an air intake port and an exhaust port. The internal combustion engine also has a piston and a combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine further has an air intake valve movable to open and close the air intake port and an air supply system having at least one turbocharger fluidly connected to the air intake port. The internal combustion engine additionally has a fuel supply system operable to inject fuel into the combustion chamber, a cam assembly selectively mechanically linked to the air intake valve to move the air intake valve, and an electromagnetic actuator configured to decouple the cam assembly from the air intake valve and control movement of the air intake valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Homa Afjeh