Multiple Exhaust Patents (Class 123/315)
  • Patent number: 10920656
    Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine comprises a fluid circuit having an intercooler, a main cooler and a precooler. The intercooler is configured for receiving coolant and configured for heat exchange relation between the coolant and engine compressed air. The main cooler is configured for receiving the coolant from the intercooler and the internal combustion engine and configured for selectively delivering a first portion of the coolant from the main cooler to the precooler. The precooler is configured to deliver a flow of the coolant to the intercooler. The main cooler and the precooler are configured for cooling the coolant by heat exchange with at least one cooling flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Andre Julien, Michael Lanktree, Serge Dussault
  • Patent number: 10533507
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed that include a divided exhaust engine with at least one primary exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cylinder and a plurality of non-primary EGR cylinders. The systems, apparatus and methods control the fueling to the at least one primary EGR cylinder in response to EGR fraction reduction conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Kyle Perfetto, Samuel C. Geckler
  • Patent number: 10513992
    Abstract: A method of operating a split intake D-EGR (dedicated exhaust gas recirculation) engine having at least one D-EGR cylinder and a number of non-EGR cylinders. If the engine is in a low load operating condition, either of two cylinder deactivation modes may be performed. In first cylinder deactivation mode, the D-EGR cylinder(s) are deactivated by disabling fuel delivery to the D-EGR cylinder(s), closing a D-EGR throttle, closing a D-EGR valve, and operating a three-way valve on the main exhaust line such that no exhaust from the D-EGR cylinder(s) is exhausted. In a second cylinder deactivation mode, the non-EGR cylinders are deactivated by disabling fuel delivery to the non-EGR cylinders, opening the D-EGR throttle, closing the D-EGR valve, and operating the three-way valve such that no exhaust from the main cylinders is exhausted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Raphael Gukelberger, Steven Almaraz, Forest C. Gibson
  • Patent number: 10316771
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, during a cold start, a method may include adjusting a position of a first valve disposed in an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage based on an engine operating condition, the EGR passage coupled between the first exhaust manifold coupled to a first set of exhaust valves and the intake passage, upstream of a compressor. As one example, the engine operating condition may include an engine temperature or a temperature of a catalyst disposed in the exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Michael Howard Shelby, Kim Hwe Ku, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Patent number: 10303169
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to techniques for improving fuel efficiency of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine capable of operating at various displacement levels. An autonomous driving unit or cruise controller selects when possible an engine torque output that corresponds to a fuel efficient displacement level. The resultant vehicle speed profile and NVH level is acceptable to vehicle occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ram Subramanian, Louis J. Serrano, Matthew A. Younkins
  • Patent number: 10151257
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a number of cylinders and a controller operably connected to interpret operating parameters related to the operation of the number of cylinders. A cylinder torque adjustment for each cylinder is determined from the operating parameters to provide a torque balancing response that reduces noise, vibration and/or harshness in engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Stroh
  • Patent number: 9945310
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for water injection into an engine and adjusting engine operation based on engine dilution demand and engine knock. In one example, a method may include injecting water into an intake manifold via a port water injector or a manifold water injector and adjusting engine operation. Further, the method may include adjusting engine operation based on a change in engine dilution or knock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 9683528
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling intake air temperature of a vehicle may include a vortex tube receiving high pressure air discharged from an intercooler of a vehicle and then separating the high pressure air using centrifugation into high temperature air and low temperature air; a first bypass line connecting the vortex tube with a compressor, allowing the low temperature air to move therethrough, and selectively opened/closed by a first check valve; a second bypass line connecting the vortex tube with an exhaust line of the vehicle and allowing the high temperature air to move therethrough as a second check valve is opened/closed; and a controller controlling to open or close the first and second check valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yoon Geun Cho
  • Patent number: 9599036
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine in a two-valve diagonal blow-through mode during which a majority of blow-through is directed via a first intake valve positioned diagonally across a first exhaust valve in order to increase a distance of flow path from the intake valve to the exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Patent number: 9587572
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a number of cylinders and a controller operably connected to interpret operating parameters related to the operation of the number of cylinders. A cylinder torque adjustment for each cylinder is determined from the operating parameters to provide a torque balancing response that reduces noise, vibration and/or harshness in engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Stroh
  • Patent number: 9261029
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder gasoline engine is provided. The engine includes an engine body having a plurality of cylinders, an exhaust manifold through which exhaust gas discharged from each of the cylinders of the engine body passes, and a controller for controlling various instruments provided to the engine body and the exhaust manifold. The engine body includes a switch mechanism. The exhaust manifold includes a plurality of independent exhaust passages, a gathering section, a negative pressure generating device, bypass passages, and openable-and-closable flow switch valves. The controller controls the injector, the ignition plug, the switch mechanism, and the flow switch valve so that a CI combustion is performed within a predetermined first operating range and an SI combustion is performed within a second operating range set on a higher engine load side than the first operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei Tsujita, Tatsuya Koga
  • Patent number: 9080531
    Abstract: A cylinder structure satisfies the following conditions: 12%?d/a?27%, where d is a distance between a cylinder inner surface 12a and an exhaust valve member 20b, and a is a diameter of the exhaust valve member; 40%?c/b?50%, where c is a length of a non-guided portion of the exhaust valve 20 located below a lower end of a sleeve 26 when the exhaust valve 20 is closed, and b is a diameter of a cylinder bore; and 0.5%?e/S?0.8%, where e is a gap between an exhaust valve rod 20a and the sleeve 26 and S is a diameter of the exhaust valve rod 20a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki Okumura, Kimihiko Maehata, Yuta Furukawa
  • Patent number: 9068483
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is provided with a variable valve actuating system. At a startup of the engine, a controller performs: causing an initial exhaust valve opening timing of a first combustion cylinder to approach bottom dead center; and setting a second valve overlap period greater than a first valve overlap period, wherein the first valve overlap period is a period from an initial intake valve opening timing of the first combustion cylinder to an initial exhaust valve closing timing of the first combustion cylinder, and wherein the second valve overlap period is a period from an initial intake valve opening timing of a second combustion cylinder to an initial exhaust valve closing timing of the second combustion cylinder immediately after an initial combustion event of the second combustion cylinder after an initial combustion event of the first combustion cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9010301
    Abstract: Two-stage exhaust apparatus for a reciprocating internal combustion engine having one or more cylinders each with at least one piston and at least one exhaust port, the apparatus including a first-stage jet port in each cylinder, the jet port configured to open to release high-pressure exhaust gas to a high-pressure motor prior to exhaust-port opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hotchkiss Super Deltic Ltd.
    Inventor: Justin Gudgeon
  • Patent number: 8944034
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatuses and systems to manage exhaust gas expelled from cylinders of an internal combustion engine. An exemplary system may comprise at least one cylinder of the engine configured to operate as a dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cylinder, and wherein substantially all exhaust gas expelled from the dedicated EGR cylinder is recirculated to an intake system of the engine. In one embodiment, the system may include a flow restrictor configured and arranged to restrict a flow of the recirculated exhaust gas to the dedicated EGR cylinder without restricting a flow of the recirculated exhaust gas to the remaining cylinders of the engine. In another embodiment, exhaust gas may be expelled from the dedicated EGR cylinder in pulsations, and the intake system may be configured to reduce an amplitude of the pulsations of the exhaust gas expelled from the dedicated EGR cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Jess W. Gingrich, Barrett W. Mangold, Steven H. Almaraz
  • Patent number: 8893687
    Abstract: A method using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in an internal combustion engine. The engine has at least one “dedicated EGR cylinder”, whose entire exhaust is recirculated back to all the engine cylinders. The dedicated EGR cylinder is operated at a rich air-fuel ratio, and the other cylinders are operated stoichiometrically so that a conventional three way catalyst may be used to treat the exhaust. A fuel injector is used to inject fuel into the combustion chamber of the dedicated EGR cylinder after initiation of the main combustion event. This post injection method overcomes flammability limits of a dedicated EGR cylinder, and increases the hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) in its exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Jess W. Gingrich, Terrence F. Alger, II, Raphael Gukelberger
  • Patent number: 8875675
    Abstract: A method for controlling valve actuation in an engine is provided. The method includes initiating combustion operation in a first cylinder, opening, via a first cam, a first exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a first opening duration. The method further includes opening, via a second cam, a second exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a second opening duration not equivalent to the first opening duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Helmut Hans Ruhland, Jens Dunstheimer, Albert Breuer, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • Patent number: 8671898
    Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder which includes a first exhaust valve and a second exhaust valve, the internal combustion engine is operated in a scavenging operating mode in that the closing times of the exhaust valves after an ejection stroke of a four-stroke operating cycle are situated after an opening time of an intake valve, and the second exhaust valve is opened with a time delay relative to the first exhaust valve in the scavenging operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Brandt, Perry Betzler
  • Patent number: 8539770
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine including an exhaust arrangement comprises a first exhaust duct and a second exhaust duct. A valve arrangement preferably comprising separate first and second exhaust valves associated with each cylinder, to selectively direct exhaust from engine to the first exhaust duct during a first exhaust period, and to the second exhaust duct during a subsequent second exhaust period. A turbine having an inlet is connected to the first exhaust duct; and a compressor drivingly connected to and driven by the turbine, has an inlet connected to second duct. The compressor, driven by the turbine extracting energy from the exhaust, reduces the back pressure in the exhaust system reducing pumping losses, with the second duct bypassing the turbine in the second exhaust period such that the turbine also does not increase the exhaust back pressure at least during the main second exhaust phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Loughborough University
    Inventor: Andrew Morgan Williams
  • Patent number: 8522548
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a twin flow supercharged engine are provided. The exhaust lines of engine cylinders are grouped into separate manifolds connected to respective inlet ducts of the twin-flow turbine. The inlet ducts of the twin-flow turbine are of different sizes, with different-sized cross sections and/or different-sized exhaust-gas volumes. The exhaust line of a manifold with a smaller exhaust-gas volume is connected to the larger inlet duct, and the exhaust line of a manifold with the larger exhaust-gas volume is connected to the smaller inlet duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vanco Smiljanovski, Norbert Schorn, Helmut Kindl, Uwe Spaeder, Rob Stalman, Franz Brinkmann
  • Patent number: 8360036
    Abstract: An engine having one of a plurality of exhaust valves in each cylinder that may be deactivated is disclosed. In one example, one exhaust valve of each cylinder is deactivated in response to engine speed. The engine may have improved engine torque at low engine speeds and reduced time to torque (e.g., turbo lag).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Christopher Riegger, Shuya Shark Yamada, Steven Paul Penkevich
  • Publication number: 20120279471
    Abstract: A second exhaust poppet valve 9 is provided in a portion of a combustion chamber expanded out of a main cylinder 1. A valve cover 7 reciprocates within a sub-cylinder 4 and covers a bottom surface of the second exhaust poppet valve 9. A first exhaust valve 10 and an intake poppet valve 11 are provided so as to face an upper surface of a piston 2. After the second exhaust poppet valve 9 is opened and hot high-pressure burned gas starts to flow away, the first exhaust poppet valve 10 is opened. As a result, the temperature of the first exhaust poppet valve 10 is reduced and the compression ratio can be increased. Then, a work amount of the piston is increased. The increased work amount compensates an amount of cooling loss due to increasing a surface area of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Yasuhito Yaoita
  • Patent number: 8291891
    Abstract: Improved exhaust gas recirculation system and methods that use one or more of the engine's cylinders as dedicated EGR cylinders. All of the exhaust from the dedicated EGR cylinders is recirculated back to the engine intake. Thus, the EGR rate is constant, but the EGR mass flow may be controlled by adjusting the air-fuel ratio of the dedicated EGR cylinders or by using various variable valve timing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Terrence Francis Alger, II, Barrett Wade Mangold, Jess Witman Gingrich, Darius Mehta
  • Patent number: 8100117
    Abstract: An engine having one of a plurality of exhaust valves in each cylinder that may be deactivated is disclosed. In one example, one exhaust valve of each cylinder is deactivated in response to engine speed. The engine may have improved engine torque at low engine speeds and reduced time to torque (e.g., turbo lag).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Christopher Riegger, Shuya Shark Yamada, Steven Paul Penkevich
  • Patent number: 8065878
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a reciprocating multi cylinder internal combustion engine with multiple valves. At least a pair of exhaust valves are provided and each supply a separate power extraction device. The first exhaust valves connect to a power turbine used to provide additional power to the engine either mechanically or electrically. The flow path from these exhaust valves is smaller in area and volume than a second flow path which is used to deliver products of combustion to a turbocharger turbine. The timing of the exhaust valve events is controlled to produce a higher grade of energy to the power turbine and enhance the ability to extract power from the combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Patent number: 7975661
    Abstract: A system and method for fuel tuned variable valve timing is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder being further associated with at least two exhaust valves. A first exhaust valve operates according to a first valve lift curve that is tuned for combustion of gasoline. A second exhaust valve operates according to at least two different valve lift curves that are tuned for E85 fuel. The second lift curve is associated with high engine speeds and the modified second lift curve is associated with low engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Marc Odell
  • Patent number: 7658171
    Abstract: A system and method for fuel tuned variable valve timing is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder being further associated with at least two exhaust valves. A first exhaust valve operates according to a first valve lift curve that is tuned for combustion of gasoline. A second exhaust valve operates according to at least two different valve lift curves that are tuned for E85 fuel. The second lift curve is associated with high engine speeds and the modified second lift curve is associated with low engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Marc Odell
  • Patent number: 7565897
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine includes an intake valve port that opens into a combustion chamber on one side of a plane containing the axis of a cylinder bore. An exhaust valve port opens into the combustion chamber on the other side of the plane. A spark plug has a tip end that fronts a substantially central portion of the combustion chamber. The spark plug is disposed between the intake valve and the exhaust valve. In order to restrain the blow-by of an unburned fuel-air mixture, and to suppress the bulging of the cylinder head to the intake system side, the operation axis of an intake valve is set to be substantially parallel to the axis of the cylinder bore. In addition, one side surface of a cylinder head is formed to be substantially parallel to the axis of the cylinder bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroatsu Inui
  • Patent number: 7328685
    Abstract: A multi-piece exhaust manifold includes a ring seal between separate portions. The separate portions have generally cylindrical sealing surfaces formed thereon to mate with the ring seal. The ring seal may include a metal sheath filled with graphite or other sealing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Mockenhaupt, Lance Heiser, Joseph Ulrich
  • Patent number: 7290524
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a four-stroke premixed compression ignition internal combustion engine opens an exhaust valve to discharge burned gas from a combustion chamber at a first exhaust-valve opening timing, and reopens the exhaust valve at a second exhaust-valve opening timing that is retarded with respect to the intake-valve opening timing. Thus, burned gas discharged from the combustion chamber flows back into the combustion chamber through the exhaust port. The control apparatus retards the second exhaust-valve opening timing as the load on the engine increases. This obviates the need to decrease the lift of the exhaust valve to decrease the amount of burned gas that is reintroduced into the combustion chamber and prevents increases in the resistance against the flow of burned gas into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuo Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20070251495
    Abstract: A piston engine (10), in particular in a motor vehicle, has a plurality of cylinders (3) whose combustion chambers (4) are connected to a fresh gas system (5). The fresh gas system (5) has two gas paths, namely a full-load path (9) and a partial-load path (10), for at least one of the cylinders (3), through which the fresh gas (6) can be supplied to the respective combustion chamber (4). To this end, a valve arrangement (11) at the intake end is provided for controlling the fresh gas stream through the gas paths (9, 10) into the respective combustion chamber (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Alfred Elsasser, Rainer Otto
  • Publication number: 20070215076
    Abstract: A V-engine (10) having two banks of cylinders (30) each comprising at least one cylinder (20) and a cylinder head (40) is envisaged, wherein the banks of cylinders (30) each comprise at least one inlet valve (12) and also at least one outlet valve (14) for each cylinder (20), while the at least one inlet valve (12) and the at least one outlet valve (14) are arranged in pairs opposite one another on opposite sides of the cylinder head (10), and each cylinder head (10) and its connections to the other engine components are constructed such that it can be mounted in a first position relative to the respective bank of cylinders (30) and in a position rotated through 180° relative to the first position on the same bank of cylinders (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventor: Christian Weber
  • Patent number: 7255066
    Abstract: A method to control valve patterns in a cylinder operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode. Valves are controlled to improve drivability and emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, John O. Michelini
  • Publication number: 20070181098
    Abstract: Otto cycle internal combustion engine, comprising a cylinder block including at least one cylinder having a longitudinal axis, a piston movable within said cylinder and having a recess open on a head surface of the piston, a head fastened to said cylinder block and having a surface facing said cylinder, a plurality of valves movable along respective rectilinear directions and co-operating with respective valve seats situated in said head, and a combustion chamber delimited at one side by a portion of the surface of the head facing the cylinder and, at the other side, by the surface of said recess of the piston. The engine comprises a single intake valve and two exhaust valves. The intake valve has significantly larger diameter than that of the two exhaust valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventor: Bruno De Prato
  • Patent number: 7079935
    Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are controlled to improve engine fuel economy. Further, the method can adjust valve operation to provide air-fuel charge motion and increase combustion stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John O. Michelini, Nate Trask, Gang Song
  • Patent number: 7063068
    Abstract: A variable valve timing controller includes an intake-valve and an exhaust-valve. When the engine is started, the intake-valve and the exhaust-valve are operated in a first mode in which the exhaust-valve is closed before top dead center and then the intake-valve is opened. When a first predetermined condition is met, the intake-valve and the exhaust-valve are operated in a second mode in which the opening time of the intake-valve in the first mode is advanced before top dead center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Nakai, Katsuhiko Miyamoto, Yoshiyuki Hoshiba, Katsuyuki Maeda, Seiji Shiota
  • Patent number: 7028650
    Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are controlled in a manner to increase fuel economy. Further, the method can adjust valve operation to regulate valve temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, John O. Michelini, Michael J. Cullen
  • Patent number: 6883319
    Abstract: A multicylinder internal combustion engine with an exhaust-driven turbocompressor and with a divided exhaust gas flow has at least two exhaust valves (2,3) and one intake valve per cylinder. A first exhaust valve (2) is connected to a first exhaust manifold which leads to the turbine of the compressor, while a second exhaust valve (3) is connected to a second exhaust manifold which opens downstream of the turbine. The charging pressure in the engine can be regulated by virtue of the opening periods of the exhaust valves (2,3) being varied in relation to one another in order to adapt the flow through the exhaust turbine to a value which provides the desired charging pressure in the engine. By opening the second exhaust valve (3) increasingly earlier, an increasingly lower charging pressure can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Saab Automobile AB
    Inventor: Martin Ekenberg
  • Patent number: 6807937
    Abstract: In a Diesel engine with variably actuated valves, the cam controlling each inlet valve is shaped to provoke the opening of the respective inlet valve during the engine's normal exhaust phase and thus realize exhaust gas recirculation within the engine, due to the fact that during the normal exhaust phase, part of the exhaust gas passes from the cylinder into the inlet port, from where it returns to the cylinder during the next induction phase, while part of the exhaust gas that had previously passed into the exhaust port returns to the cylinder during the induction phase due to the additional opening of the exhaust valve, in consequence of which the exhaust gas charges that return to the cylinder are subjected to further combustion in the next engine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Laura Gianolio, Lorentino Macor, Andrea Pecori, Costantino Vafidis, Francesco Vattaneo
  • Publication number: 20040187840
    Abstract: In a center injection type of direct engine, since it has an ignition plug and an injector arranged in proximity, there occurs the problem that a sprayed liquid fuel directly strikes the ignition plug and causes the plug to misfire. A notch is to be provided at a portion of the injector end so as to form a coarse-grained portion and a dense portion in sprays of fuel, and the injector is disposed so that the coarse-grained portion is directed towards the ignition plug. It is possible to avoid the misfiring of the ignition plug and thus prolong the life of the plug, by preventing a liquid fuel from directly striking the plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoko Nakayama, Toshiharu Nogi, Takuya Shiraishi, Yusuke Kihara, Tohru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6739308
    Abstract: The present invention provides a piston for a diesel engine that reduces emissions generated during the combustion of fuel in a combustion chamber and a head that allows more air to flow into and out of the combustion chamber. The piston includes an igniter that ignites fuel injected into the combustion chamber and a piston bowl. The piston bowl agitates air in the combustion chamber to quickly mix the fuel and air before the igniter ignites the fuel and to reduce carbon build-up from unburned fuel in the combustion chamber. By igniting the fuel shortly after it is injected into the combustion chamber, the igniter reduces the time between injection and combustion of the fuel in the combustion chamber. Thus, the amount of NOx produced during combustion is reduced. Furthermore, injection of the fuel can commence when the piston is closer to top dead center and thus more power can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Hatch & Kirk, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20040089278
    Abstract: A multicylinder internal combustion engine with an exhaust-driven turbocompressor and with a divided exhaust gas flow has at least two exhaust valves (2,3) and one intake valve per cylinder. A first exhaust valve (2) is connected to a first exhaust manifold which leads to the turbine of the compressor, while a second exhaust valve (3) is connected to a second exhaust manifold which opens downstream of the turbine. The charging pressure in the engine can be regulated by virtue of the opening periods of the exhaust valves (2,3) being varied in relation to one another in order to adapt the flow through the exhaust turbine to a value which provides the desired charging pressure in the engine. By opening the second exhaust valve (3) increasingly earlier, an increasingly lower charging pressure can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Martin Ekenberg
  • Publication number: 20040065278
    Abstract: A control device for a multicylinder spark-ignition engine includes a flow path switching unit for switching intake and exhaust flow paths between a two-cylinder interconnect configuration and an independent cylinder configuration and an air-fuel ratio control unit. In a low-load, low-speed operating range, the flow path switching unit switches the engine to the two-cylinder interconnect configuration, and the air-fuel ratio control unit produces a lean mixture having an air-fuel ratio larger than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio by a specific amount in preceding cylinders by injecting fuel thereinto and an air-fuel ratio approximately equal to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio in following cylinders by supplying fuel together with burned gas of a lean mixture state discharged from the preceding cylinders into the following cylinders to perform combustion in special operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nishimoto, Kouji Asanomi, Kouji Sumida, Takayoshi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20040065279
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve fuel economy by means of lean combustion, and in particular to improve fuel economy on a low load side and during idling. Burned gas discharged from an exhaust stroke side preceding cylinder of a pair of cylinders having an overlapping exhaust stroke and intake stroke is introduced as is into an intake stroke side following cylinder through an intercylinder gas channel, and only the gas which is discharged from the following cylinder is led into an exhaust passage. Particularly during low loads and idling, combustion is performed in the preceding cylinder at an ultra-lean air-fuel ratio of at least three times the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, and in the following cylinder, combustion is performed by spark ignition at a substantially stoichiometric air-fuel ratio by feeding fuel to the burned gas introduced from the preceding cylinder. In the following cylinder, combustion is performed through compression ignition in accordance with increases in the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo Hitomi, Kouji Sumida, Takayoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6708680
    Abstract: Self-ignition control in a four-stroke internal-combustion engine, comprising several intake means and several exhaust means per cylinder. In order to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions during part-load operation, the exhaust means of each cylinder open (1 and 2) respectively during the exhaust phase so as to discharge the burnt gases from the cylinder and during the intake phase so as to reintroduce burnt gases into the cylinder, the time of opening (3) of an intake means being deferred so to allow fresh gas to pass into the cylinder after partial filling thereof with the burnt gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Jacques Lavy, Jean-Charles Dabadie
  • Patent number: 6701887
    Abstract: A method of influencing the mixture formation and charge movement in the cylinders of a piston internal combustion engine, having at least one gas intake valve and at least one gas outlet valve per cylinder. Each of the valves is provided with a fully variable, preferably electrimagnetic, valve drive and is controllable via an electronic control device that is configured such that within predetermined speed ranges and/or for predetermined load conditions, at least some of the gas intake valves and/or the gas outlet valves can be moved, respectively in dependence on the piston stroke, with a stroke course that is variable, relative to the opening and closing moments and/or the opening time, the opening width and/or the opening duration and/or the movement speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Salber, Thomas Esch
  • Patent number: 6637385
    Abstract: In the present apparatus, a bypass exhaust pipe which communicates between the cylinder bore and the exhaust passage is disposed in the region of bottom dead center of the piston in an engine that comprises a piston that performs a reciprocating motion between top dead center and bottom dead center inside a cylinder bore, electromagnetic actuators which use an electromagnetic force to open and close an intake valve and an exhaust valve that open and close a combustion chamber, and an exhaust passage. As a result, in an engine in which the intake and exhaust valves are opened and closed by an electromagnetic driving mechanism, the opening and closing of the exhaust valve by an electromagnetic urging force can be securely and accurately performed at a specified timing without increasing the size or cost of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Mikuni Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Muraji
  • Patent number: 6615795
    Abstract: The present invention seeks to provide further methods to generate swirl and reduce cross flow in spark ignition internal combustion engines having two inlet and two exhaust valves per cylinder head, without the use of additional moving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: David James Martin, David Vizard
  • Patent number: 6595183
    Abstract: A multicylinder internal combustion engine with an exhaust-driven turbocompressor and with a divided exhaust flow has at least two exhaust valves and one intake valve per cylinder. A first exhaust valve is connected to a first exhaust manifold which leads to the turbine of the compressor, while a second exhaust valve is connected to a second exhaust manifold which opens downstream of the turbine. In the top dead center position of the piston, the second exhaust valve and the intake valve are open at the same time for a period. The synchronization between these valves is such that the length of the period during which they are open together increases with the engine speed when the engine is driven at high load. In this way, the possibilities are improved of the engine providing good torque over a wide engine speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: SAAB Automobile AB
    Inventor: Eric Olofsson
  • Patent number: 6588396
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel injector mounted on a side of a combustion chamber and delivers an ovalized fuel spray toward an oblong piston bowl of the chamber. The ovality of the spray is selected in relation to the oblong piston bowl and the motion of the combustion chamber air charge during the piston compression stroke to maintain the fuel charge within the piston bowl volume (including the space above the bowl) during compression and combustion of the fuel charge in the chamber. The shape of the oval spray may be adjusted as desired. In a specific embodiment, the ovality of the fuel spray indicated by the ratio of the major dimension to the minor dimension is in the range of about 2/1 to 4/1 for delivery into an oblong piston bowl with an ovality of about 1.2/1 to 1.5/1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Cleary, Tang-Wei Kuo, Paul M. Najt, Rodney Brewer Rask, Arun Sushilkumar Paulraj Solomon, Andreas M. Lippert, Gerald Andrew Szekely, Jr.