Patents by Inventor Steven N Ernest

Steven N Ernest 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: 10851717
    Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves for positive power operation and engine braking operation is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an exhaust valve bridge and intake valve bridge each receive valve actuations from two sets of rocker arms. Each valve bridge includes a sliding pin for actuating a single engine valve and an outer plunger disposed in the center of the valve bridge to actuate two engine valves through the bridge. The outer plunger of each valve bridge may be selectively locked to its valve bridge to provide positive power valve actuation. During engine braking, application of hydraulic pressure to the outer plungers may cause the respective valve bridges and outer plungers to unlock so that all engine braking valve actuations are provided from a rocker arm acting on one engine valve through the sliding pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: JACOBS VEHICLE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Groth, Brian L. Ruggiero, Shengqiang Huang, Neil E. Fuchs, John J. Lester, Steven N. Ernest, Joseph Paturzo
  • Publication number: 20200141335
    Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves for positive power operation and engine braking operation is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an exhaust valve bridge and intake valve bridge each receive valve actuations from two sets of rocker arms. Each valve bridge includes a sliding pin for actuating a single engine valve and an outer plunger disposed in the center of the valve bridge to actuate two engine valves through the bridge. The outer plunger of each valve bridge may be selectively locked to its valve bridge to provide positive power valve actuation. During engine braking, application of hydraulic pressure to the outer plungers may cause the respective valve bridges and outer plungers to unlock so that all engine braking valve actuations are provided from a rocker arm acting on one engine valve through the sliding pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin P. GROTH, Brian L. RUGGIERO, Shengqiang HUANG, Neil E. FUCHS, John J. LESTER, Steven N. ERNEST, Joseph PATURZO
  • Patent number: 9845713
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has a first set of cylinders having a first set of exhaust valves and a second set of cylinders having a second set of exhaust valves. The valve actuation system for the exhaust valves includes one or more first cams having a compression-release lobe and a main exhaust lobe adapted to transfer valve actuation motion to the first set of exhaust valves, and one or more second cams having an early exhaust valve opening (EEVO) lobe and a main exhaust lobe adapted to transfer valve actuation motion to the second set of exhaust valves. The valve actuation system may provide any combination of (i) main exhaust valve actuation with or without compression release actuation with (ii) main exhaust valve actuation with or without EEVO for the two sets of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven N. Ernest, Darius Mehta
  • Publication number: 20160146072
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has a first set of cylinders having a first set of exhaust valves and a second set of cylinders having a second set of exhaust valves. The valve actuation system for the exhaust valves includes one or more first cams having a compression-release lobe and a main exhaust lobe adapted to transfer valve actuation motion to the first set of exhaust valves, and one or more second cams having an early exhaust valve opening (EEVO) lobe and a main exhaust lobe adapted to transfer valve actuation motion to the second set of exhaust valves. The valve actuation system may provide any combination of (i) main exhaust valve actuation with or without compression release actuation with (ii) main exhaust valve actuation with or without EEVO for the two sets of cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Steven N. ERNEST, Darius Mehta
  • Patent number: 9234467
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has a first set of cylinders having a first set of exhaust valves and a second set of cylinders having a second set of exhaust valves. The valve actuation system for the exhaust valves includes one or more first cams having a compression-release lobe and a main exhaust lobe adapted to transfer valve actuation motion to the first set of exhaust valves, and one or more second cams having an early exhaust valve opening (EEVO) lobe and a main exhaust lobe adapted to transfer valve actuation motion to the second set of exhaust valves. The valve actuation system may provide any combination of (i) main exhaust valve actuation with or without compression release actuation with (ii) main exhaust valve actuation with or without EEVO for the two sets of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: JACOBS VEHICLE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven N. Ernest, Darius Metha
  • Patent number: 8936006
    Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves for positive power operation and engine braking operation is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an exhaust valve bridge and intake valve bridge each receive valve actuations from two sets of rocker arms. Each valve bridge includes a sliding pin for actuating a single engine valve and an outer plunger disposed in the center of the valve bridge to actuate two engine valves through the bridge. The outer plunger of each valve bridge may be selectively locked to its valve bridge to provide positive power valve actuation. During engine braking, application of hydraulic pressure to the outer plungers may cause the respective valve bridges and outer plungers to unlock so that all engine braking valve actuations are provided from a rocker arm acting on one engine valve through the sliding pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Groth, Brian L. Ruggiero, Shengqiang Huang, Neil E. Fuchs, John J. Lester, Steven N. Ernest, Joseph Paturzo, III
  • Publication number: 20140373808
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has a first set of cylinders having a first set of exhaust valves and a second set of cylinders having a second set of exhaust valves. The valve actuation system for the exhaust valves includes one or more first cams having a compression-release lobe and a main exhaust lobe adapted to transfer valve actuation motion to the first set of exhaust valves, and one or more second cams having an early exhaust valve opening (EEVO) lobe and a main exhaust lobe adapted to transfer valve actuation motion to the second set of exhaust valves. The valve actuation system may provide any combination of (i) main exhaust valve actuation with or without compression release actuation with (ii) main exhaust valve actuation with or without EEVO for the two sets of cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven N. Ernest, Darius Metha
  • Patent number: 8863726
    Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve to decompress an engine cylinder for engine start up and/or engine braking is disclosed. The system may include a first member, such as an outer piston, disposed above an engine valve, which receives an inner piston extending into a bore provided in the first member. One or more springs may bias the inner piston into a predefined position in the first member. The inner piston may include a lower surface that directly, or through an intervening sliding pin, actuates an engine valve in response to the application of fluid pressure on the inner piston. The inner piston may be used to decompress an engine cylinder for engine start up and/or to provide engine braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ruggiero, Steven N. Ernest, Neil E. Fuchs, Jin Xu, Eric Day, Joseph Paturzo, Johnathan W. Prusak, Jeffrey E. Mossberg
  • Publication number: 20140251266
    Abstract: In controlling valve motions of an internal combustion engine, after determining that engine braking operation has been initiated, a deactivation mechanism disposed within a main valve train is activated thereby disabling conveyance of main valve events from a main valve motion source to a valve via the main valve train. Engine braking valve events are enabled for the valve, which may include two-stroke engine braking. Coupling mechanisms, including one-way coupling mechanisms, between adjacent rocker arms may be used in this manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristin V. EMMONS, Joseph M. VORIH, Kevin P. GROTH, Brian L. RUGGIERO, Shengqiang HUANG, Neil E. FUCHS, John J. LESTER, Steven N. ERNEST, Joseph PATURZO
  • Publication number: 20140245992
    Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves for positive power operation and engine braking operation is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an exhaust valve bridge and intake valve bridge each receive valve actuations from two sets of rocker arms. Each valve bridge includes a sliding pin for actuating a single engine valve and an outer plunger disposed in the center of the valve bridge to actuate two engine valves through the bridge. The outer plunger of each valve bridge may be selectively locked to its valve bridge to provide positive power valve actuation. During engine braking, application of hydraulic pressure to the outer plungers may cause the respective valve bridges and outer plungers to unlock so that all engine braking valve actuations are provided from a rocker arm acting on one engine valve through the sliding pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. GROTH, Brian L. RUGGIERO, Shengqiang HUANG, Neil E. FUCHS, John J. LESTER, Steven N. ERNEST, Joseph PATURZO
  • Publication number: 20130068195
    Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve to decompress an engine cylinder for engine start up and/or engine braking is disclosed. The system may include a first member, such as an outer piston, disposed above an engine valve, which receives an inner piston extending into a bore provided in the first member. One or more springs may bias the inner piston into a predefined position in the first member. The inner piston may include a lower surface that directly, or through an intervening sliding pin, actuates an engine valve in response to the application of fluid pressure on the inner piston. The inner piston may be used to decompress an engine cylinder for engine start up and/or to provide engine braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ruggiero, Steven N. Ernest, Neil E. Fuchs, Jin Xu, Eric Day, Joseph Paturzo, III, Johnathan W. Prusak, Jeffrey M. Mossberg
  • Publication number: 20120024260
    Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves for positive power operation and engine braking operation is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an exhaust valve bridge and intake valve bridge each receive valve actuations from two sets of rocker arms. Each valve bridge includes a sliding pin for actuating a single engine valve and an outer plunger disposed in the center of the valve bridge to actuate two engine valves through the bridge. The outer plunger of each valve bridge may be selectively locked to its valve bridge to provide positive power valve actuation. During engine braking, application of hydraulic pressure to the outer plungers may cause the respective valve bridges and outer plungers to unlock so that all engine braking valve actuations are provided from a rocker arm acting on one engine valve through the sliding pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Groth, Brian L. Ruggiero, Shengqiang Huang, Neil E. Fuchs, John J. Lester, Steven N. Ernest, Joseph Paturzo
  • Patent number: 7276833
    Abstract: An electromagnetic retarder system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the retarder system comprises: a shaft; a coil statically disposed on the shaft and having a hollow cylindrical shape; a yoke statically disposed on the shaft, the yoke having a first cylindrical surface and a second cylindrical surface, the second cylindrical surface disposed coaxial with said coil; at least one claw pole rotor mounted on the shaft, the at least one claw pole rotor formed of magnetic half wheels that taper into claws; and an induction drum disposed coaxial with the shaft and mounted so as to encompass the coil, the yoke and the at least one rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven N. Ernest, Bai Hua, John Lester
  • Patent number: 7152576
    Abstract: Lost motion systems and methods for providing engine valves with variable valve actuation for engine valve events are disclosed. The system may include a master piston hydraulically linked to a slave piston, and a dedicated cam operatively connected to the master piston. The slave piston may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the master piston in a common housing. The slave piston is adapted to actuate one or more engine valves. The slave piston may incorporate an optional valve seating assembly into its upper end. A trigger valve may be operatively connected to the master-slave hydraulic circuit to selectively release and add hydraulic fluid to the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Vanderpoel, Zhou Yang, Andrew Brzoska, Brian L Ruggiero, David B Smith, James Judd, Neil E Fuchs, Michael P. Dailey, Steven N Ernest