Abstract: A method of removing or reducing the particulate buildup within the diesel particulate filter of an aftertreatment system includes the selective application of a blocking agent to a filter medium of the diesel particulate filter, displacement of the particulate from the filter medium using a fluid stream, and subsequent removal of the blocking agent.

Abstract: An ignition system includes an electrical energy delivery device having a first electrode terminating at a first end portion and a second electrode positioned in the ignition system separately from the electrical energy delivery device. The second electrode terminates at a second end portion disposed a first distance from the first end portion to form an air gap therebetween. The air gap forms an area including the shortest distance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation system is disclosed for providing exhaust to at least one component downstream of an engine. The system includes a supply of low pressure fluid, an engine fluid sump, and an exhaust valve disposed in an engine cylinder. The system also includes a hydraulic actuation system operably connected to the exhaust valve of the engine cylinder and a braking control valve operably connected to the hydraulic actuation system. The system further includes a device for accumulating fluid and a device for fluidly coupling the hydraulic actuation system to the accumulating device.

Abstract: A regeneration device for use with an exhaust treatment system is disclosed. The regeneration device may have a housing with a fuel passageway and a first air passageway. The regeneration device may also have an injector disposed in the housing in fluid communication with the fuel passageway and the first air passageway. The regeneration device may further have a combustion canister connected to receive a fuel/air mixture from the injector.

Abstract: An ignition system includes an electrical energy delivery device having a first electrode terminating at a first end portion and a second electrode positioned in the ignition system separately from the electrical energy delivery device. The second electrode terminates at a second end portion disposed a first distance from the first end portion to form an air gap therebetween. The air gap forms an area including the shortest distance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation system is disclosed for providing exhaust to at least one component downstream of an engine. The system includes an exhaust valve disposed in an engine cylinder and a hydraulic actuation system. The system also includes a braking control valve, a supply of hydraulic fluid operably connected to the hydraulic actuation system, and an exhaust valve actuating device operably connected to the valve actuation system. The exhaust valve actuating device is operable to affect the exhaust valve to open within the engine cylinder. The system further includes a device for controlling a position of the exhaust valve actuating device relative to a position of the exhaust valve. The controlling device is operably connected to the supply of hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation system is disclosed for providing exhaust to at least one component downstream of an engine. The system includes a supply of low pressure fluid, an engine fluid sump, and an exhaust valve disposed in an engine cylinder. The system also includes a hydraulic actuation system operably connected to the exhaust valve of the engine cylinder and a braking control valve operably connected to the hydraulic actuation system. The system further includes a device for accumulating fluid and a device for fluidly coupling the hydraulic actuation system to the accumulating device.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: An engine valve actuator is provided. The actuator includes an actuator housing that defines a tank adapted to store a supply of fluid and a bore in fluid communication with the tank. A piston is slidably disposed in the bore of the actuator housing. The piston is adapted to move between a first position and a second position where the piston selectively engages an engine valve. A mechanical biasing element acts on the piston to move the piston towards the second position. A control valve is disposed between the tank and the bore in the actuator housing. The control valve is moveable between a first position where fluid is allowed to flow between the tank and the bore and a second position where fluid is prevented from flowing between the bore and the tank to trap fluid in the bore. The trapped fluid prevents the piston from moving with respect to the actuator housing to thereby prevent the engine valve from moving to a closed position.

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.

Abstract: An engine valve actuator is provided. The actuator includes an actuator housing that defines a tank adapted to store a supply of fluid and a bore in fluid communication with the tank. A piston is slidably disposed in the bore of the actuator housing. The piston is adapted to move between a first position and a second position where the piston selectively engages an engine valve. A mechanical biasing element acts on the piston to move the piston towards the second position. A control valve is disposed between the tank and the bore in the actuator housing. The control valve is moveable between a first position where fluid is allowed to flow between the tank and the bore and a second position where fluid is prevented from flowing between the bore and the tank to trap fluid in the bore. The trapped fluid prevents the piston from moving with respect to the actuator housing to thereby prevent the engine valve from moving to a closed position.

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 check valve is disposed between the directional control valve and the source of fluid, only allowing fluid flow from the fluid source to the directional control valve. A bleed orifice may be disposed between the directional control valve and the source of fluid, in parallel with the check valve.

Abstract: It is becoming more common for diesel engine cylinders to include an engine compression release brake that can utilize energy built up in the cylinder to provide additional braking for the vehicle. The present invention utilizes a software diagnostic test that is stored in an electronic control module to detect defects in the engine compression release brakes. In particular, the present invention operates a first portion of the engine cylinders in a power mode and a second portion of the engine cylinders in a braking mode and compares a resulting fuel injector response or engine response to an expected value to determine if one or more of the engine compression release brakes are performing as expected.

Abstract: An engine valve actuator is provided. The actuator includes an actuator housing that defines a tank adapted to store a supply of fluid and a bore in fluid communication with the tank. A piston is slidably disposed in the bore of the actuator housing. The piston is adapted to move between a first position and a second position where the piston selectively engages an engine valve. A mechanical biasing element acts on the piston to move the piston towards the second position. A control valve is disposed between the tank and the bore in the actuator housing. The control valve is moveable between a first position where fluid is allowed to flow between the tank and the bore and a second position where fluid is prevented from flowing between the bore and the tank to trap fluid in the bore. The trapped fluid prevents the piston from moving with respect to the actuator housing to thereby prevent the engine valve from moving to a closed position.

Abstract: An engine with an efficient valve actuator is disclosed. The engine employs a first force to hold a valve of the engine open during a normal valve event and a second force to hold the exhaust valve open during an exhaust gas recirculation event. The valve actuator may be operated using pressurized fluid adapted to extend an actuator plunger through a cylinder. The first force may be derived by a mechanically driven actuator, while the second force may be derived from a high pressure rail of the engine. A control valve may be employed to direct either low pressure or high pressure oil to the valve actuator cylinder.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a variable valve actuation system is provided. An engine valve is moved from a first position where the engine valve blocks a flow of fluid to a second position where the engine valve passes a flow of fluid. A valve actuator is actuated to prevent the engine valve from returning to the first position. A signal is transmitted to cause the valve actuator and to allow the engine valve to return to the first position. The return of the engine valve to the first position is determined. A time parameter indicative of an elapsed time between the transmission of the signal and movement of the engine valve to the first position is determined.

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 check valve is disposed between the directional control valve and the source of fluid, only allowing fluid flow from the fluid source to the directional control valve. A bleed orifice may be disposed between the directional control valve and the source of fluid, in parallel with the check valve.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a variable valve actuation system is provided. An engine valve is moved from a first position where the engine valve blocks a flow of fluid to a second position where the engine valve passes a flow of fluid. A valve actuator is actuated to prevent the engine valve from returning to the first position. A signal is transmitted to cause the valve actuator and to allow the engine valve to return to the first position. The return of the engine valve to the first position is determined. A time parameter indicative of an elapsed time between the transmission of the signal and movement of the engine valve to the first position is determined.