Combustible Mixture Stratification Means Patents (Class 123/295)
  • Patent number: 8826868
    Abstract: A compression-ignition constant-volume constant-temperature combustion reciprocating internal combustion engine can operate with a first combustion stage and a second combustion stage. The first combustion stage can be configured to occur at about constant-volume, where a quantity of a first heat addition can be selected to ensure that a first combustion temperature during the first combustion stage does not exceed a threshold temperature at which NOx formation occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventors: Pao Chi Pien, Paul Shih-Hsi Pien
  • Patent number: 8820292
    Abstract: Provided is a spark-ignition internal combustion engine capable of ensuring engine output power while setting a geometric compression ratio of an engine body to a high value. In the spark-ignition internal combustion engine, each of a clearance between a top surface (3a) of a piston (3) located at a top dead center position and a lower surface (8a) of each of two intake valves (8) in a full-closed state, and a clearance between the top surface (3a) of the piston (3) located at the top dead center position and a lower surface (9a) of each of two exhaust valves (9) in a full-closed state, is set to 5 mm or more, and a stroke length S of the piston (3) is set to satisfy the following relation: S?0.977×B+18.2, where B is a bore diameter of a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Goto, Hidetoshi Kudou, Yasushi Nakahara, Masami Nishida
  • Publication number: 20140238339
    Abstract: An engine includes a catalyst disposed inside an exhaust passage that guides exhaust discharged from a combustion chamber and a controller programmed to control a throttle valve and a fuel injector. If the engine is overheating, the controller is programmed to control the opening degree of the throttle valve or the injection amount of fuel from the fuel injector to decrease the rotational speed of the crankshaft and to control the injection amount of fuel from the fuel injector to set a target air-fuel ratio to a value richer than a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoaki SATO, Takuya KADO
  • Publication number: 20140216395
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency or the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, John B. Heywood, Leslie Bromberg
  • Publication number: 20140216394
    Abstract: When an alcohol mixed fuel is supplied to an internal combustion engine, the magnitude of the alcohol concentration (more specifically, ethanol concentration Cetha) is determined (step 1005), and the magnitude of an operation state temperature (more specifically, cooling water temperature THW) is determined on the basis of said determination (step 1015). When the alcohol concentration is high and the operation state temperature is low, the generation of intermediate products (more specifically, aldehydes), which are alcohol oxides contained in unburned alcohol mixed fuel, is promoted, and the intermediate products generated are trapped in an intake passage by opening an intake valve in the expansion stroke of the internal combustion engine (step 1055).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Matsuda, Koji Morita, Takahiro Tsukagoshi
  • Publication number: 20140196685
    Abstract: The methods described allow for reducing particulate emissions from a direction injection engine during a starting phase, while also maintaining the engine start phase within a predetermined threshold. In one particular example, the methods comprise adjusting at least one of a fuel release pressure threshold and enrichment factor based on an engine condition; activating a starting device to rotate a crankshaft coupled to an engine cylinder without injecting any fuel; supplying fuel to the cylinder based on the enrichment factor only when a fuel pressure exceeds the fuel release pressure threshold; and stratifying a cylinder charge while adjusting a fuel injection within a compression phase and/or expansion phase of the engine. In this way, an amount of fuel injected may be evaporated in the combustion chamber while preventing a combustion wall wetting, which allows for reduced particulate emissions, particularly at reduced temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Helmut Hans Ruhland, Georg Louven
  • Patent number: 8776762
    Abstract: A control system and method for operating an engine includes a threshold determination module that determines a plurality of combustion mode thresholds based on the engine speed and engine temperature. The control module also includes a transition module that compares the engine load and the plurality of combustion mode thresholds and changes a combustion mode of the engine in response to comparing the engine load and the plurality of combustion mode thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Allen B. Rayl, Vijay Ramappan, Peter Kafarnik, Jun-Mo Kang, Hanho Yun
  • Patent number: 8776737
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a mode control module and a valve control module. The mode control module selectively sets an ignition mode for an engine to one of a spark ignition (SI) mode and a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode. In response to the ignition mode transitioning from the SI mode to the HCCI mode during a first engine cycle, the valve control module operates an exhaust valve in a high lift mode during a second engine cycle, operates an intake valve in a low lift mode during the second engine cycle, and operates the exhaust and intake valves in the low lift mode during a third engine cycle. The first engine cycle is before the second engine cycle, and the second engine cycle is before the third engine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Ethan E. Bayer, Sai S. V. Rajagopalan, Orgun A. Guralp, Hanho Kang, Jun-Mo Kang, Paul M. Najt
  • Patent number: 8775049
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the state of a fuel-air mixture and/or the combustion in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, with sample signals of flame light signals being stored in a database, and with flame light signals of the combustion in the combustion chamber being detected and compared with the stored sample signals, and with an evaluation of the state being output in the case of coincidence between the measured and stored signal patterns. In order to enable the monitoring of the combustion in the simplest possible way the sample signals in the database are stored with the assigned emission values and an evaluation of the state of the combustion is performed with respect to the obtained emissions in the case of coincidence between the measured and stored signal patterns for the combustion chamber of the respective cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Winklhofer, Heribert Fuchs, Alois Hirsch, Harald Philipp
  • Publication number: 20140158087
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine operates on a six-stroke combustion cycle including a first compression stroke, a first power stroke, a second compression stroke, and a second power stroke. A first fuel charge is introduced to a combustion chamber of the engine at a first fuel rate during the first compression and/or first power stroke to produce lean exhaust gasses. A second fuel charge is also introduced to the combustion chamber during the second compression and/or second power stroke to normally produce lean exhaust gasses. Periodically, the second fuel charge can be increased to a second fuel rate to produce stoichiometric rich exhaust gasses. A lean nitrogen oxide trap can be disposed in an exhaust system associated with the engine to temporarily trap nitrogen oxides. Once saturated, the LNT can be periodically regenerated by production of the rich exhaust gasses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Silver, Scott B. Fiveland, D. Ryan Williams
  • Publication number: 20140123935
    Abstract: A fuel injection control device of an in-cylinder direct injection spark ignition-type internal combustion engine 1 in which fuel injection is carried out once or multiple times from an intake stroke to a compression stroke during homogeneous combustion, wherein a fuel injection timing at which a charging efficiency is improved in accordance with a pressure oscillation is calculated based on a frequency determined based on an in-cylinder volume of pressure oscillation generated in the cylinder in accordance with fuel injection, and one of the fuel injection(s) is carried out at the fuel injection timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Imaoka, Takao Inoue, Takuma Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140123934
    Abstract: A combustion chamber is provided within an internal combustion engine, the chamber bounded by a cylinder bore, a primary end, and a secondary end. The secondary end reciprocates between a TDC position nearest the primary end and a BDC position. Induction and exhaust ports are timed to open and close to transfer air into, and gasses from, the chamber. The chamber becomes fuel stratified when the secondary end is positioned within a stratified distance of the primary end. When stratified, the chamber is comprised of a central region, a perimeter region, and a transfer passageway between regions. A fuel injector at the primary end injects fuel only into the central region and only prior to ignition. The perimeter region pumps air into the central region prior to ignition, creating tumble turbulence. Combustion is initiated near TDC in the central region and concluded near TDC in the transfer passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: David J. Schouweiler, JR.
  • Patent number: 8718903
    Abstract: In a direct injection spark ignition internal combustion engine that includes a fuel injection valve, and closes an intake valve after gas in the combustion chamber begins to flow back into an intake passageway after the compression stroke begins. The required fuel injection amount is injected a first fuel injection and a second fuel injection in a single combustion cycle, and the first fuel injection is performed while the intake valve is open during the compression stroke, and the second fuel injection is performed after the intake valve closes. The timing of the first fuel injection is set such that the injected fuel is deflected upwards in the top of the combustion chamber by the gas flowing toward the intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sachio Mori
  • Publication number: 20140102405
    Abstract: The application describes a system for an engine comprising a direct injection nozzle for injecting gaseous fuel into a cylinder of an engine in a second operating mode; an intake injection nozzle for injecting liquid fuel into an intake port of the engine in a first operating mode; and a valve gear suitable to adjust timing of opening and closing of an inlet valve. Preferential injection of a gaseous fuel such as compressed natural gas directly into the cylinder increases efficiency and allows for reduced heat exposure to the lesser used liquid gas injectors mounted in the intake port, reducing coking of these injectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carsten Weber, Ulrich Kramer, Martin Wirth
  • Publication number: 20140102406
    Abstract: A compression ignition engine uses two or more fuel charges having two or more reactivities to control the timing and duration of combustion. In a preferred implementation, a lower-reactivity fuel charge is injected or otherwise introduced into the combustion chamber, preferably sufficiently early that it becomes at least substantially homogeneously dispersed within the chamber before a subsequent injection is made. One or more subsequent injections of higher-reactivity fuel charges are then made, and these preferably distribute the higher-reactivity matter within the lower-reactivity chamber space such that combustion begins in the higher-reactivity regions, and with the lower-reactivity regions following thereafter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rolf Deneys Reitz, Reed M. Hanson, Derek A. Splitter, Sage L. Kokjohn
  • Patent number: 8689767
    Abstract: A method for the operation of homogeneous charge compression ignition engines (HCCI) using gasoline or similar single-stage ignition fuels. Partial fuel stratification (PFS), intake pressure boosting and controlled BDC-intake temperatures, typically in the range of 95° C. to about 125° C., are used to reduce combustion pressure rise rates (PRR), and therefore, the knocking propensity of homogeneous charge compression ignition engines operating on gasoline or similar fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Dec, Yi Yang, Nicolas Dronniou
  • Patent number: 8655572
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a control device of a spark-ignition gasoline engine. When an operating state of an engine body is within a low engine speed range, a controller operates a fuel pressure variable mechanism so that a fuel pressure is higher within a high engine load range compared to a low engine load range, the controller operates, within the high engine load range, a fuel injection mechanism to perform at least a fuel injection into the cylinder by a cylinder internal injection valve at a timing during a retard period from a late stage of a compression stroke to an early stage of an expansion stroke, and the controller operates, within the high engine load range, an ignition plug to ignite at a timing during the retard period and after the fuel injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kouhei Iwai, Masahisa Yamakawa, Noriyuki Ota, Kazuhiro Nagatsu, Takashi Youso, Kazutoyo Watanabe, Hiroyuki Kurita, Naoya Watanabe, Takaaki Nagano, Shuji Oba
  • Publication number: 20140032084
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is configured to operate using a first fuel of a first reactivity and a second fuel of a second reactivity. The engine system measures an operating parameter of the internal combustion system. The engine system further introduces to a combustion chamber of the engine system and combusts therein the first fuel and the second fuel during high temperature/speed (HTS) conditions. The engine system also introduces to the combustion chamber and combusts primarily only one of the first fuel or second fuel during a low temperature/speed (LTS) condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Gehrke, George Donaldson
  • Publication number: 20140026847
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine uses fuels having different reactivities obtained from the same fuel source. A first fuel having a first reactivity is stored in a fuel reservoir. A portion of the first fuel is converted to a second fuel having a second reactivity. The first fuel is introduced into a combustion chamber having a piston moving in a cylinder at a first time when the piston is relatively closer to a bottom dead center (BDC) position and the second fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber at a second time when the piston is relatively further from the BDC position. In an aspect, the convertor may be adjustable to alter the reactivity of the second fuel. In an aspect, the convertor may use a processing fluid associated with the engine to convert the first fuel to the second fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Martin Willi, George Donaldson
  • Publication number: 20140014063
    Abstract: A combustion chamber construction for opposed-piston engines includes an elongated, bilaterally symmetrical shape referenced to a major axis and a pair of injection ports located on the major axis when the pistons are near respective top center positions. The combustion chamber is defined between a bowl in the end surface of a first piston of a pair of pistons and mirrored ridges protruding from the end surface of a second piston of the pair. Each ridge includes a central portion that curves toward a periphery of the end surface of the second piston and which transitions to flanking portions that curve away from the periphery. The ridge configuration imparts a substantially spherical configuration to a central portion of the combustion chamber where swirling motion of charge air is conserved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Fabien G. Redon
  • Publication number: 20140014062
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for a four-stroke internal combustion engine comprising: at least two cylinders; a fuel direct injection device; a variable valve timing system; an engine controller to control valve timing according to load; wherein, below a lower load threshold, a first cylinder is deactivated, an injection of fuel takes place into a combustion chamber of the first cylinder and an inlet valve of the first cylinder is open during a compression stroke. The opening of the inlet valve during a compression stroke of the first cylinder when deactivated allows the substantially homogenous air-fuel mixture therein to escape into the intake manifold and be made available to the second and active cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Yasser Mohamed sayed Yacoub
  • Patent number: 8627798
    Abstract: A direct fuel-injection engine includes a piston, a cavity recessed in a central part of a top face of the piston, and a fuel injector. At a main injection collision point of a fuel-injection axis when main injection is performed while the piston is near top dead center, a main injection collision angle formed between its tangent and the fuel-injection axis is set at an obtuse angle. Fuel colliding with the main injection collision point is deflected towards a cavity open end side. At a secondary injection collision point of the fuel-injection axis when performing secondary injection with the piston is further from top dead center, a secondary injection collision angle formed between its tangent and the fuel-injection axis is set at one of a right angle and an acute angle. Fuel colliding with the secondary injection collision point is deflected primarily in the circumferential direction of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yamaguchi, Yoshimasa Kaneko, Yukihisa Yamaya, Yutaka Tajima, Kenichiro Ikeya, Goichi Katayama, Nobuhiko Sasaki, Hiroshi Sono
  • Publication number: 20140000554
    Abstract: Provided is a control device for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, including: a supercharger to be driven by exhaust gas energy; and a fuel injection control unit, in which the fuel injection control unit sets a fuel injection amount for one cylinder so that an air/fuel ratio in the one cylinder is richer than a theoretical air/fuel ratio, and exhaust gas exhausted when the one cylinder is in an exhaust stroke and scavenging gas scavenged during a valve overlap period from another cylinder which is in an intake stroke when the one cylinder is in the exhaust stroke are mixed in an exhaust pipe so as to attain an air/fuel ratio facilitating combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Takeshi Tsuyuki, Naozumi Katou, Daisuke Takaki
  • Publication number: 20140000553
    Abstract: An operating mode of an internal combustion engine, in particular a directly injected internal combustion engine featuring a plurality of combustion chambers, in particular for a direct-injection gasoline engine for a motor vehicle, an operating mode having at least in part low-NOx combustion (NAV) and having a plurality of partial operating modes wherein it is switched between another partial operating mode and a NAV partial operating mode, wherein in the case of said NAV partial operating mode, at an ignition point (ZZP) a largely homogeneous, lean fuel/exhaust gas/air mixture having a combustion air ratio of ??1 is spark ignited in the respective combustion chamber by means of an ignition device, and where a flame front combustion (FFV) initiated by the spark-ignition transitions to a controlled auto-ignition (RZV). The operational stability of the respective partial operating mode can be improved by variation of the compression ratio ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Torsten DIELER, Dirk HAASE, Ruediger HERWEG
  • Publication number: 20140000552
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing late burn induced cylinder pre-ignition events. Forced entry of residuals from a late burning cylinder into a neighboring cylinder may be detected based on engine block vibrations sensed in a window during an open exhaust valve of the late burning cylinder. In response to the entry of residuals, a pre-ignition mitigating action, such as fuel enrichment or deactivation, is performed in the neighboring cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Garlan J. Huberts, Michael Damian Czekala
  • Publication number: 20130333661
    Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine with a plurality of combustion chambers, wherein a discrepancy between an actual operating performance and a target operating performance of at least one of the combustion chambers is detected, the ignition point is shifted in only the combustion chamber that has the discrepancy in order to influence combustion so as to compensate for the discrepancy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventor: Juergen Fischer
  • Patent number: 8602002
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a knock control module and a valve control module. The knock control module adjusts a period that one or more of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of a cylinder are open based on engine knock corresponding to the cylinder. The valve control module, based on the adjusted period, controls the one or more of the intake valve and the exhaust valve using one or more hydraulic actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel G. Brennan
  • Publication number: 20130312700
    Abstract: A rich-lean burner includes an inner cylinder to which lean gas, which is a mixture of gas and combustion air, is supplied, and an outer cylinder that is coaxially disposed around the inner cylinder such that rich gas, which is a mixture of gas and combustion air, is supplied between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. A burner head, which has small holes and whose diameter decreases toward the leading end, is provided on an opening of the inner cylinder. The burner head is obtained by forming a perforated metal, in which the small holes are arranged in a zigzag manner, into a conical shape. An interval between each of the small holes is two to three times the diameter of the small holes. The total area of the small holes is larger than the area of an upper end opening of an upper inner cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Paloma Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi ODA
  • Publication number: 20130312699
    Abstract: Many IC engine inefficiencies are linked to the relatively low mixture formation rates of current injection methods. Process intensification (PI) is excellent at high mixture formation rates, high mass transfer rates, and short residence times, therefore a wall integrated injection method and device featuring PI has been provided. It allows increased number of injection sites and interfacial surface area between fluid jets and the volume of the squash area, hence high mixture formation rates shorter Liquid Lengths and the use of micro nozzles to further intensify the mixing process by locally mixing fuel and oxidant. This allows high EGR and low compression ratios and better control of HCCI start of ignition. PI effectively achieves thermo and species stratification for extending the load range of the HCCI engine while permitting effective water addition for reciprocating and turbine for lower exhaust heat and less fuel burned hence less CO2 emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Enock N Segawa
  • Publication number: 20130312701
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, John B. Heywood, Leslie Bromberg
  • Publication number: 20130263820
    Abstract: An integrated lean burn stabilizer (ILBS) for initiating combustion in an internal combustion engine by generating and introducing active free radicals into a combustion chamber is provided. Engines equipped with the ILBS can achieve a fuel efficient clean combustion processes with a lean and/or diluted mixture otherwise incapable of auto ignition and provide a controlled start of combustion, in conjunction with early in-cylinder direct injection, late diesel-like in-cylinder direct injection, and mixed fuel functions allowing control of the composition and stratification of the mixture. Controlled aspects of the fuel mixture include the equivalent ratio and fuel reactivity combinations inside the main combustion chamber, thereby allowing the start of combustion and duration of combustion inside the main combustion chamber be optimized for maximum cycle efficiency and specific power output while minimizing emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Robert C. Yu, Ming-Li Hsu Yu, Robert C. Yu, JR.
  • Patent number: 8550058
    Abstract: As one example, a fuel rail assembly for supplying pressurized fuel to a plurality of cylinders of an engine is provided. The fuel rail assembly includes a fuel rail housing defining an internal fuel rail volume having at least a first region and a second region; a fuel separation membrane element disposed within the fuel rail housing that segregates the first region from the second region. The membrane element can be configured to pass a first component of a fuel mixture such as an alcohol through the membrane element from the first region to the second region at a higher rate than a second component of the fuel mixture such as a hydrocarbon. The separated alcohol and hydrocarbon components can be provided to the engine in varying relative amounts based on operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark Allen Dearth, Tom G. Leone
  • Patent number: 8544445
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for fabricating and running an engine in two modes. The first mode is an efficiency mode having a high compression ratio and efficiency for low to medium loads. The second mode is a power mode having high power density for higher loads. The system may use a lean mixture in the efficiency mode, which mixture is made richer for more power in the power mode. The system may also use ignition timing to allow the efficiency mode and the high power mode to be at the same mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Pinnacle Engines, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Cleeves, Nicholas Manov, Michael A. Willcox, Simon David Jackson
  • Patent number: 8539932
    Abstract: A system for controlling intake airflow of an engine includes a mode determination module, a throttle valve control module, and a valve actuation module. The mode determination module generates a mode signal based on an engine speed signal and an engine load signal. The mode signal indicates one of a spark ignition mode and a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode. The throttle valve control module generates a valve control signal based on the mode signal, a temperature signal, and a plurality of valve position signals that indicate positions of first and second throttle valves. The throttle valve control module controls the positions of the first and second throttle valves to regulate flow rates of intake air into an intake manifold of the engine via a heat exchanger based on the valve control signal. The valve actuation module actuates the first and second throttle valves based on the valve control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventors: Vijay Ramappan, Jonathan T. Shibata, Amanpal S. Grewal
  • Patent number: 8543321
    Abstract: The magnitude (Y) of a data associated to a journey of an automotive vehicle is expressed by a function (f) of at least one input parameter (x). This method includes at least the steps of: a) defining a first model (ft=0) of the function; b) running the vehicle on a reference trip, the input parameter (x, m, p) and the magnitude (Y) being measured (YM, xM) during or at the end of the reference trip; c) computing a value (YC) of the magnitude by using the first model (ft=0) of the function (f) and the value of the parameter (xM) measured at step b); d) comparing the values (YM, YC) of the magnitude at said time; and e) adjusting the function (ft=1) in a way corresponding to the reduction of the difference between the measured value (YM) and the computed value (YC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Renault Trucks
    Inventor: Romain Montelimard
  • Publication number: 20130233275
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing coking residues on an injection device of an applied-ignition, direct injection engine. An example system comprises an injection device; an electric heating device integrated with the injection device; a catalytic coating on a surface of the injection device; and a controller suitable to initiate a cleaning mode of the injection device wherein the electric heating device raises the temperature of the injection device. Heating the injection device allows coking residues on the injection device to oxidize in the presence of the catalytic coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Oliver Berkemeier, Klemens Grieser, Kay Hohenboeken, Jens Wojahn
  • Patent number: 8532909
    Abstract: Suggested is a procedure for operating a self-igniting Otto engine (OM) with at least one inlet valve (14), with one or several variably controllable outlet valves (15), with a sensor (21) for a continuous detection of an air-fuel-ratio (?) of the Otto engine (OM) and with a sensor (22) for detecting an engine speed n of the Otto engine (OM), whereby the fuel is directly injected into at least one combustion chamber (10) and whereby the Otto engine (OM) is operated in such a way, that a desired combustion focus (MFB50%set) is adjusted. The procedure is thereby characterized, in that the self-igniting moment of the fuel is influenced by an injection moment depending on a combustion focus (MFB50%set). An independent claim relates to a control unit that is customized for controlling the process of the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andre F Casal Kulzer, Roland Karrelmeyer, Christina Sauer
  • Patent number: 8522730
    Abstract: A controller sets a negative valve overlap period, during which both of an intake valve and an exhaust valve are closed, such that not all the burned gas is discharged from the combustion chamber. When switching the combustion mode from the spark ignition combustion to the HCCI combustion, the controller executes following operations a), b), and c): a): switching the intake lift amount from a first intake lift amount to a second intake lift amount, such that intake opening timing is delayed relative to an exhaust top dead center; b): switching the exhaust lift amount from a first exhaust lift amount to a second exhaust lift amount after the operation a); and c) delaying the exhaust closing timing relative to a reference exhaust closing timing, such that the internal EGR amount is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kuzuyama
  • Publication number: 20130213349
    Abstract: An engine system and a method of controlling a combustion process in an internal combustion engine are disclosed. The combustion process is based on compression ignition of a stratified air-fuel mixture using a high octane fuel such as gasoline. Multiple fuel injections may be used in a given combustion cycle. Fuel injection timing, EGR, exhaust rebreathing, late intake valve closing, and intake boost are controlled to enable autoignition over essentially the entire speed and load operating range of the engine, while providing reduced emissions, low noise, and low fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: Mark C. Sellnau, Kevin S. Hoyer, James F. Sinnamon
  • Publication number: 20130199494
    Abstract: A high-pressure spark-ignition and stratification device (2) for internal combustion engine (1) includes: a stratification valve (20) closing a stratification conduit (23) which opens into a stratification prechamber (79), the conduit also opening into a stratification chamber (24) connected by a stratification injection conduit (39) to the combustion chamber (9) of the internal combustion engine (1), the conduit opening near protruding electrodes (26) of a spark plug (25), the electrodes being positioned in the combustion chamber; a stratification actuator (27) responsible for lifting the stratification valve (20); a stratification line (28) connecting the stratification prechamber (79) to the outlet of a stratification compressor (29); a stratification fuel injector (33); elements for recirculating previously cooled exhaust gases (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Vianney RABHI
  • Patent number: 8494711
    Abstract: An automated start/stop system for a vehicle comprises an auto-stop module, a diagnostic module, and an auto-start module. The auto-stop module selectively initiates an auto-stop event and shuts down an engine while the vehicle is running. The diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in a clutch pedal position sensor of the vehicle. The auto-start module, while the vehicle is running and the engine is shut down, selectively initiates an auto-start event after the fault has been diagnosed when current drawn by a starter motor is less than a predetermined maximum starting current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventors: Awadesh Tiwari, Vijay Shettigar, Amit Kumar, Srinivas B. Chande
  • Publication number: 20130180498
    Abstract: The high-pressure spark and stratification ignition device (2) for an internal combustion engine (1) includes: a stratification valve (20) closing the end of a stratification conduit (23), opening into the combustion chamber (9) of the internal combustion engine (1), and connecting the latter to a stratification chamber (24); a spark plug (25) housed in the stratification valve (20); a stratification actuator (27) responsible for lifting the stratification valve (20); a stratification line (28) connecting the stratification chamber (24) to the outlet of a stratification compressor (29); a stratification fuel injector (33); and elements for recirculating previously cooled exhaust gases (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventor: Vianney RABHI
  • Publication number: 20130174805
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a mode control module and a valve control module. The mode control module selectively sets an ignition mode for an engine to one of a spark ignition (SI) mode and a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode. In response to the ignition mode transitioning from the SI mode to the HCCI mode during a first engine cycle, the valve control module operates an exhaust valve in a high lift mode during a second engine cycle, operates an intake valve in a low lift mode during the second engine cycle, and operates the exhaust and intake valves in the low lift mode during a third engine cycle. The first engine cycle is before the second engine cycle, and the second engine cycle is before the third engine cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ethan E. Bayer, Sai S.V. Rajagopalan, Orgun A. Guralp, Hanho Yun, Jun-Mo Kang, Paul M. Najt
  • Patent number: 8479705
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, on a cylinder head side, a tumble flow is formed that is directed from an intake vent opened on the cylinder head to an exhaust vent opened on the cylinder head. A direct injection valve injects fuel directly into a combustion space. The direct injection valve injects the fuel toward a section where a piston top surface intersects with a cylinder inner surface, at a point closer to an intake top dead center than a middle between the intake top dead center and an intake bottom dead center, and thereafter injects the fuel into the combustion space again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichiro Nogawa, Hisao Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8454353
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating the state of a fuel/air mixture and/or the combustion in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, with sample signals of flame light signals, preferably the flame intensity (FI), with associated mixture states being saved to a database, with flame light signals, preferably the flame light intensity (FI), of the combustion in the combustion chamber being detected and thus being compared with the saved sample signals, and with conclusions being drawn on the state of the mixture in the combustion chamber in the case of coincidence between measured and saved signal patterns. In order to enable a simple and precise monitoring of the mixture state and the combustion it is provided that a pressure measurement is also performed in the cylinder simultaneously with the detection of the flame light signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventor: Ernst Winklhofer
  • Patent number: 8452510
    Abstract: A device includes: actual-intake-pipe-pressure detection unit (11); estimated-intake-pipe-pressure detection unit (12) for calculating an estimated intake pipe pressure based on a rotation speed of the engine and an opening degree of a throttle valve; pressure difference calculation unit (13) for calculating a pressure difference between the actual and estimated intake pipe pressures; pressure difference integration unit (14) for integrating the pressure difference with respect to time; pumping brake detection unit (15) for determining that a pumping brake operation is performed when a integral value is equal to or more than a first determination value; and throttle valve control unit (16) for carrying out control for the pumping brake during the pumping brake operation based on a result of the determination by the pumping brake detection unit (15), and carrying out ordinary control otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Katayama, Takashi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8434450
    Abstract: A compression-ignition internal combustion engine includes a plurality of combustion chambers operating in a four-stroke combustion cycle and is configured to operate at a geometric compression ratio greater than 10:1. A method for operating a the engine includes forming a fuel/air charge by injecting fuel into each combustion chamber during a compression stroke, wherein the injection is completed prior to any combustion within the combustion chamber. The method further includes operating the engine to manage temperature of the fuel/air charge in the combustion chamber below an auto-ignition point of the fuel/air charge, and providing a spark discharge in the combustion chamber subsequent to injecting the fuel and in advance of the fuel/air charge achieving an auto-ignition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Russell P. Durrett
  • Patent number: 8433500
    Abstract: A control system for a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine includes a timing adjustment module and a combustion control module. The timing adjustment module, per combustion event, advances timings of N fuel injections and retards timings of M fuel injections and spark during a transition from HCCI combustion to mixed-mode combustion. The combustion control module subsequently retards the timings of the N fuel injections and advances the timings of the M fuel injections and the spark to desired timings, respectively, wherein the N fuel injections and the M fuel injections occur sequentially during each combustion event of the HCCI engine, and wherein N and M are integers greater than or equal to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Vijay Ramappan, Jun-Mo Kang, Hanho Yun
  • Patent number: 8430078
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve is characterized in that a multi-fan stream nozzle is shaped, downstream from a fixed valve seat that is provided on the inner wall of a valve sleeve, directly into the valve sleeve itself. The multi-fan stream nozzle is integrated directly in the region of a bulge formed at the downstream end of the valve sleeve. The multi-fan stream nozzle, serving as an atomization device, possesses a plurality of slit-shaped spray openings, so that from the sheets of liquid emerging from the spray openings, sheet packets are formed in which individual sheets of liquid extend divergently from one another. Introduction of the spray openings into the deep-drawn valve sleeve is effected using ultrashort-pulse laser technology. The fuel injection valve is suitable in particular for use in fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing spark-ignited internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Heyse, Wilhelm Hopf, Juergen Lander, Dieter Holz
  • Publication number: 20130074800
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for controlling the combustion of an internal combustion engine with controlled ignition and liquid fuel direct injection in which the engine comprises at least one cylinder (12) with a combustion chamber (14), at least one intake means (16), at least one exhaust means (22) and at least one direct injection means (34) for liquid fuel in order to obtain a fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber. In accordance with the invention, the process comprises: determining the operational zone of the engine in which particulates are emitted during combustion of the fuel/air mixture; for operation of the engine in this determined zone, introducing into the combustion chamber another fuel/air mixture resulting from indirect injection of a gaseous fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Jérôme OBIOLS