Patents by Inventor Vincent F. Dunsworth
Vincent F. Dunsworth 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).
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Patent number: 7155330Abstract: A method for controlling start of a compression ignition engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided without a cam sensor is provided. Each cylinder includes a respective piston reciprocally movable between respective top and bottom positions along a cylinder longitudinal axis. The method comprises providing a respective fuel delivery assembly for each cylinder. In one embodiment the method further comprises retrieving from memory a set of fuel delivery assembly firing rules and then processing the firing rules so that a firing signal is delivered to each fuel delivery assembly on every crank revolution during a cranking mode of operation. The fuel delivery assembly is arranged to be responsive to any firing signal received during an injection window leading to the top position along the longitudinal axis so as to supply fuel to each cylinder during that injection window.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vincent F. Dunsworth, Shawn M. Gallagher, James Robert Mischler
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Patent number: 6945047Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for detecting and responding to a surge event in a locomotive engine system including a turbocharger and a diesel engine. A sensor detects an operating parameter of the turbocharged engine and generates a signal indicative of the detected operatng parameter. An engine control system is responsive to the signal representative of a sensed operating parameter, or a determined changed in a sensed parameter, for controlling a plurality of operational controls of the diesel engine system. The engine control system modifies one or more operational controls of the diesel engine system when the signal indicates a surge event.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dennis Brian Shea, Eric Richard Dillen, Vincent F. Dunsworth, Shawn Michael Gallagher
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Patent number: 6892701Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the smoke emissions of a railroad locomotive during throttle notch changes. For certain throttle notch increases the present invention advances the engine timing angle and controls application of the load at the new throttle notch position, according to certain predetermined parameters. These strategies, when used together or separately, minimize visible smoke during transient operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric R. Dillen, Shawn M. Gallagher, Vincent F. Dunsworth, Joseph T. Orinko
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Patent number: 6889663Abstract: A method for controlling start of a compression ignition engine having a plurality of cylinders without a cam sensor is provided. Each cylinder includes a respective piston reciprocally movable between respective top and bottom positions along a cylinder longitudinal axis. The method comprises providing a respective fuel delivery assembly for each cylinder. In one embodiment the method further comprises retrieving from memory a set of fuel delivery assembly firing rules and then processing the firing rules so that a firing signal is delivered to each fuel delivery assembly on every crank revolution during a cranking mode of operation. The fuel delivery assembly is arranged to be responsive to any firing signal received during an injection window leading to the top position along the longitudinal axis so as to supply fuel to each cylinder during that injection window.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vincent F. Dunsworth, Shawn M. Gallagher, James Robert Mischler
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Patent number: 6823835Abstract: A diesel engine, having a plurality of individually controllable fuel injected cylinders, is operated in a skip firing mode to reduce smoke emissions during low power operation. The system senses certain identified engine operating parameters and when these parameters exceed predetermined thresholds for a predetermined time, then the skip firing is implemented. In another embodiment, it is possible to implement several different skip firing patterns dependent upon engine performance. Upon implementation of skip firing, the engine timing angle is reset by a fixed angle and a multiplication factor is included in the speed loop integrator to ensure that the appropriate fuel volume value is injected into each cylinder immediately upon initiation of skip firing. Skip firing is then disabled when another set of predetermined conditions is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vincent F. Dunsworth, Eric Richard Dillen, Shawn Michael Gallagher
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Publication number: 20040216457Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for detecting and responding to a surge event in a locomotive engine system including a turbocharger and a diesel engine. The apparatus includes a sensor for detecting an operating parameter of the turbocharger or the engine and generating a sensor signal indicative of the detected operating parameter. An engine control system is responsive to the sensor signal for controlling a plurality of operational controls of the diesel engine system. The engine control system modifies one or more operational controls of the diesel engine system when the sensor signal indicates a surge event. The invention also provides a method for detecting and controlling a surge event of a locomotive engine system including a turbocharger and a diesel engine operable at a plurality of discrete speeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2003Publication date: November 4, 2004Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dennis Brian Shea, Eric Richard Dillen, Vincent F. Dunsworth, Shawn Michael Gallagher
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Publication number: 20040145187Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the smoke emissions of a railroad locomotive during throttle notch changes. For certain throttle notch increases the present invention advances the engine timing angle and controls application of the load at the new throttle notch position, according to certain predetermined parameters. These strategies, when used together or separately, minimize visible smoke during transient operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: Eric R. Dillen, Shawn M. Gallagher, Vincent F. Dunsworth, Joseph T. Orinko
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Patent number: 6552439Abstract: An apparatus and method for limiting diesel engine overspeed conditions (and thereby prevent engine damage) caused by the ingestion of lubricating oil from the turbocharger, or other source, into the diesel engine cylinders. In response to the development of an overspeed condition, the dynamic brake grids are coupled to the output of the main alternator to absorb the excess energy caused by the overspeed condition. Alternatively, non-combustible gases can be injected into the combustion system to limit the overspeed condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vincent F. Dunsworth, Brian E. Celidonia, Bret D. Worden
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Publication number: 20020195087Abstract: A diesel engine, having a plurality of individually controllable fuel injected cylinders, is operated in a skip firing mode to reduce smoke emissions during low power operation. The system senses certain identified engine operating parameters and when these parameters exceed predetermined thresholds for a predetermined time, then the skip firing is implemented. In another embodiment, it is possible to implement several different skip firing patterns dependent upon engine performance. Upon implementation of skip firing, the engine timing angle is reset by a fixed angle and a multiplication factor is included in the speed loop integrator to ensure that the appropriate fuel volume value is injected into each cylinder immediately upon initiation of skip firing. Skip firing is then disabled when another set of predetermined conditions is satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Inventors: Vincent F. Dunsworth, Eric Richard Dillen, Shawn Michael Gallagher
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Patent number: 6493627Abstract: A diesel engine including a technique for limiting the fuel value injected into each cylinder so that overfueling does not occur. A fuel value limit is calculated based on ambient temperature and pressure, fuel temperature, fuel heating value and the conditions of the fuel pump and injector. This fuel value limit is compared to the actual fuel value commanded and if the limit is greater than the fuel value commanded, then the engine operation is derated. Alternatively, if the fuel value is below the calculated limit, then the engine can accept the fuel value without affecting its operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shawn M. Gallagher, Eric R. Dillen, Vincent F. Dunsworth
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Publication number: 20020175521Abstract: An apparatus and method for limiting diesel engine overspeed conditions (and thereby prevent engine damage) caused by the ingestion of lubricating oil from the turbocharger, or other source, into the diesel engine cylinders. In response to the development of an overspeed condition, the dynamic brake grids are coupled to the output of the main alternator to absorb the excess energy caused by the overspeed condition. Alternatively, non-combustible gases can be injected into the combustion system to limit the overspeed condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vincent F. Dunsworth, Brian E. Celidonia, Bret D. Worden
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Patent number: 6429540Abstract: An apparatus and method for limiting diesel engine overspeed conditions (and thereby prevent engine damage) caused by the ingestion of lubricating oil from the turbocharger, or other source, into the diesel engine cylinders. In response to the development of an overspeed condition, the dynamic brake grids are coupled to the output of the main alternator to absorb the excess energy caused by the overspeed condition. Alternatively, non-combustible gases can be injected into the combustion system to limit the overspeed condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vincent F. Dunsworth, Brian E. Celidonia, Bret D. Worden
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Patent number: 6405705Abstract: A diesel engine, having a plurality of individually controllable fuel injected cylinders, is operated in a skip firing mode to reduce smoke emissions during low power operation. The system senses certain identified engine operating parameters and when these parameters exceed predetermined thresholds for a predetermined time, then the skip firing is implemented. In another embodiment, it is possible to implement several different skip firing patterns dependent upon engine performance. Upon implementation of skip firing, the engine timing angle is reset by a fixed angle and a multiplication factor is included in the speed loop integrator to ensure that the appropriate fuel volume value is injected into each cylinder immediately upon initiation of skip firing. Skip firing is then disabled when another set of predetermined conditions is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Vincent F. Dunsworth, Eric R. Dillen, Shawn M. Gallagher
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Patent number: 6341596Abstract: An apparatus for reducing visible smoke in a railroad locomotive during throttle position changes. For key throttle position changes, the present invention introduces a temporary advance in injection timing and a delay in the application of additional current to the traction motors, thereby delaying the generation of additional horsepower requested by the new throttle position. These strategies of timing advance and load application delay are used together or separately to minimize transient visible smoke.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric R. Dillen, Shawn M. Gallagher, Vincent F. Dunsworth, Joseph T. Orinko