Responsive To Deceleration Mode (e.g., Engine Acting As A Brake) Patents (Class 123/320)
  • Patent number: 11384661
    Abstract: A valve train includes a camshaft which has a cam group having a firing cam and a braking cam. A first cam follower is assigned to the firing cam with the first cam follower being provided in a firing mode for actuating a gas exchange valve. A second cam follower is assigned to the braking cam which is provided in a braking mode for actuating the gas exchange valve. A changeover device is provided to changeover between the firing mode and the braking mode. The camshaft has a separate switching cam which, in at least one operating mode, is provided to act directly on a switching element of the changeover device and which is provided for a direct changeover between the firing mode and the braking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Matthias Lahr
  • Patent number: 11225886
    Abstract: A valve gear has a cam shaft with a firing cam and a braking cam. A first cam follower is allocated to the firing cam with the first cam follower being provided in a firing operation for actuating a gas exchange valve. A second cam follower is allocated to the braking cam with the second cam follower being provided in a braking operation for actuating the gas exchange valve. A changeover device switches between the operations and has a tilting lever mount having a pivotably mounted mounting element on which a tilting lever belonging to the first cam follower and a tilting lever belonging to the second cam follower are pivotably mounted. The tilting lever mount has two mounting screws respectively having a ball head and the ball heads each form a ball joint together with a ball head receiver of the allocated tilting lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Matthias Lahr
  • Patent number: 11098666
    Abstract: A system includes a three-way catalyst (TWC) sulfur load module, a cylinder/fuel cutoff module, a fuel control module, and a valve control module. The TWC sulfur load module is configured to determine an amount of sulfur deposited on a three-way catalyst of an engine in a vehicle. The cylinder/fuel cutoff module is configured to determine whether to enable deceleration cylinder cutoff (DCCO) based on the amount of sulfur deposited on the three-way catalyst. The fuel control module is configured to control a fuel injector to selectively stop fuel injection in the engine when DCCO is enabled. The valve control module is configured to selectively maintain intake and exhaust valves of the engine in a closed position when DCCO is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Vijay A. Ramappan, Michael J. Lucido, Jeffrey M. Hutmacher, Scott T. Feldmann, Randy L. Dufresne
  • Patent number: 11066058
    Abstract: A method of controlling vacuum pressure for vehicle braking may include checking whether a vehicle is idle or enters a deceleration state, comparing an engine vacuum pressure and a booster vacuum pressure of the vehicle with a preset reference value, checking whether a valve control system of the vehicle is operable when the engine vacuum pressure and the booster vacuum pressure are lower less than the preset reference value, controlling the valve control system when the valve control system is operable; and controlling an air conditioner (A/C) or an alternator of the vehicle when the valve control system is inoperable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kook-Jin Hwang, Hyun-Sung Park, Young-Kyo Chung, Ho-Chul Jee, Tae-Hun Jung, Tae-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 10989115
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes: a bearing; a bearing wall portion having a bearing hole in which the bearing is arranged; a separation wall portion, which is provided on a radially outer side of the bearing hole with respect to the bearing wall portion, and forms an internal space with the bearing wall portion; an oil discharge port, which is formed in the separation wall portion, and communicates with the internal space; and a guide portion, which is provided to the bearing wall portion facing the internal space, and separates away from the oil discharge port in a direction of a plane perpendicular to a center axis of the bearing as approaching the oil discharge port in a direction of the center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Nishii, Shinichi Kaneda
  • Patent number: 10830159
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve-actuating device (1) for actuating at least one first valve of a reciprocating piston machine, in particular an internal combustion engine, which valve-actuating device can be used in particular for engine braking and comprises a first rocker arm part (2), a second rocker arm part (3), and a first switching element (6) for changing the valve stroke (H) of the at least one first valve (5), wherein the first rocker arm part (2) and the second rocker arm part (3) are pivotably supported and are arranged in such a way that at least one first valve control motion of a first camshaft (4) can be transmitted to the at least one first valve (5) by means of the first rocker arm part (2) and the second rocker arm part (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: AVL LIST GMBH
    Inventors: Gyula Toth, Michael Groeger
  • Patent number: 10711663
    Abstract: A valve drive of an internal combustion engine may include a camshaft, at least one cam follower, and a hydraulic actuating element. The camshaft may include at least one first cam structured as a brake cam and a second cam structured as an exhaust cam. The at least one first cam may have a reduced cam lift relative to the second cam. The at least one cam follower may be connected to an exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine via a rocker. The hydraulic actuating element may include a plunger that is adjustable to an extended position and a retracted position. When the plunger is in the extended position, the hydraulic actuating element may be operatively connected to the brake cam providing a braking stroke. When the plunger is in the retracted position, the hydraulic actuating element may be operatively disconnected from the brake cam providing a cylinder cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Altherr, Thorsten Ihne
  • Patent number: 10590865
    Abstract: A machine includes an engine, one or more machine retarder systems, a grade sensor, a load sensor, and a controller. Each of the retarder systems has a retarding capability including an amount of energy the respective retarder system can dissipate in one or more systems of the machine powering or transmitting power to propel the machine. The grade sensor is configured to measure a grade at which the machine is disposed. The load sensor configured to measure a load on the machine. The controller is in electrical communication with the engine, the one or more retarder systems, the grade sensor, and the load sensor. The controller determines a machine speed limit based on the grade, the load and the retarding capability of each of the one or more retarder systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy T. Sharp
  • Patent number: 9879633
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving vacuum generation for a diesel powered vehicle that includes a mechanically engine driven vacuum pump are presented. In one non-limiting example, engine idle speed may be increased in response to a number of braking events and/or a request for vacuum based on an amount of stored vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell William Ferguson, Joel John Beltramo, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9850832
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing fuel vapor canister purging operations during engine off conditions. In one example, a method may include, responsive to an indication of breakthrough of vapors from a fuel vapor canister during engine-off conditions, configuring a first cylinder with both intake and exhaust valves open, opening a canister purge valve, and applying air pressure to the vapor canister such that desorbed canister vapors may be routed to an exhaust catalyst, the exhaust catalyst temperature maintained above a light off temperature. In this way, during engine-off conditions, including conditions wherein a vehicle is powered solely by battery, bleedthrough emissions may be reliably reduced by purging the vapor canister to the exhaust catalyst without requiring turning on the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 9790824
    Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves comprises a lost motion assembly including locking elements to selectively lock and unlock a locking mechanism disposed within a valve train such that motions may be likewise selectively applied to, or prevented from being applied to, one or more engine valves. In an embodiment, the locking elements comprise wedges having at least one wedge inclined surface defined according to a cone frustum and configured to engage an outer recess formed in a housing, the outer recess comprising an outer recess inclined surface also defined according to the cone frustum. The device may comprise a locking mechanism disposed within a housing bore in the housing and a snubber also disposed in the housing bore. Furthermore, the outer recess may be configured to permit movement of the locking element along a longitudinal axis of the housing bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: JACOBS VEHICLE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Baltrucki, G. Michael Gron, Jr., Kevin Audibert, Neil Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9739217
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for adjusting the operation of an internal combustion engine comprising: determining a gradient of an overrun-air line based on an ambient condition and a current operating point; determining a value for a cylinder air mass situated in a cylinder after closure of the gas exchange valves; and using the determined cylinder air mass to adjust one or more operating parameters of the internal combustion engine. The overrun-air line may correspond to an air mass situated in the respective cylinder after closure of the gas exchange valves at predefined operating temperature for the engine, when the engine is operated briefly without fuel metering and combustion. Determining a cylinder air mass may be based at least in part on the current operating point and the current ambient value of the at least one ambient variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Markus Roth, Joerg Mickeleit
  • Patent number: 9726086
    Abstract: On the basis of absolute values ? and ? of variations, before and after actuation of an exhaust brake, of fuel-injection and intake-air amounts, respectively, an exhaust brake is determined to normally operate when the absolute values ? and ? of the variations of the fuel-injection and intake-air amounts are not less than fuel-injection and intake-air variation thresholds, respectively; the exhaust brake is determined to have failure when the absolute values ? and ? of the variations of the fuel-injection and intake-air amounts are less than the fuel-injection and intake-air variation thresholds, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Munechika Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 9714620
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving boost response in a turbocharged engine. In one example, a method may include in response to a tip-out following a tip-in, when an exhaust catalyst temperature is within a threshold range, deactivating fuel injectors to the engine and increasing air flow to an exhaust turbine based on a desired increase in a turbine speed to maintain the turbine speed at or above a threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Kuechler, Dev Saberwal, Kevan Bates, Trevor Losch, Justin Lesniak, Michael M. S. Simon
  • Patent number: 9664121
    Abstract: An exhaust cam non connection engine brake includes a housing body having a high pressure storing chamber which converts a low pressure oil to a high pressure oil and stores therein in order to allow the high pressure oil to flow toward an exhaust rocker arm so that the exhaust rocker arm presses an exhaust valve by the high pressure oil when an engine brake signal is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hyung-Bin Park
  • Patent number: 9581097
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for determining whether a high pressure exhaust spring is present in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine are described. For spark ignition engines, the electrical properties of the spark plug spark gap may be used to determine whether a high pressure exhaust spring is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Younkins, John W. Parsels, Joel D. Van Ess, Siamak Hashemi
  • Patent number: 9546592
    Abstract: A method and a system are described for a compression release brake in an engine comprising an exhaust manifold connected to a turbine provided with a variable turbine geometry wherein said turbine is further connected to a back pressure valve for controlling the pressure drop over said turbine wherein the method comprises the steps of: controlling said back pressure valve on the basis of a measured engine speed and a desired braking power; calculating a desired exhaust manifold gas pressure on the basis of said measured engine speed and said desired braking power; and, controlling said variable turbine geometry such that the difference between a measured exhaust manifold gas pressure and said calculated desired exhaust manifold gas pressure is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: DAF Trucks N.V.
    Inventors: Andreas Lingens, Roel Peters
  • Patent number: 9447713
    Abstract: An engine brake apparatus may include an exhaust rocker arm having a chamber in which an actuator is slidably inserted, an oil line coupling part which has a central portion extrapolated with an oil line, a communication line communicating with the oil line, a distribution line branched from the communication line and having one portion extending toward a check ball and another portion extending toward a relief valve, a supply line including one portion connected to the check ball and another portion connected to the chamber, and a discharge line including one portion connected to the relief valve and another portion connected to the chamber, wherein the check ball is elastically supported by a check spring in a direction in which the distribution line is closed, and wherein the relief valve is elastically supported by a relief spring in a direction in which the discharge line is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seock Joong Yoon, Kyung Mo Kim, Min Hui Yu
  • Patent number: 9284894
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for active fuel management in an engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided, the method including stopping a fuel flow into a first set of the plurality of cylinders, the stopping causing a deactivation of the first set of cylinders and continuing injection of fuel into a second set of the plurality of cylinders to provide power while the first set of cylinders are deactivated. The method also includes injecting gas into the first set of the plurality of cylinders when each of the first set of cylinders are at bottom dead center, the injected gas increasing a cylinder pressure in each of the first set of cylinders that reduces an amplitude of first order torque variations during operation of the engine while the first set of cylinders are deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Hatem Zakaria Orban, Craig D. Marriott, Robert S. McAlpine, Dustin Loveland
  • Patent number: 9115654
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a piston in a cylinder, a cylinder head closing the cylinder, having intake and exhaust channels controlled by at least one intake and exhaust valve. The valves are actuable by a rocker arm or finger lever driven by a camshaft. A brake control device is provided having a hydraulic adjusting piston that opens the exhaust valve additionally and intermittently, a pressure source for hydraulic fluid is associated with the adjusting piston, and the supply to the adjusting piston is controlled by an electrically operable switching valve. A compression relief cam per cylinder/piston assembly is arranged on the camshaft, with the cam being operatively connected to a compression relief rocker arm or finger lever, and the adjusting piston is configured as a coupling pin for connecting the compression relief rocker arm or finger lever, to the rocker arm or finger lever of the exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 9068878
    Abstract: A vehicle weight sensor is based on wheel-rim stress measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Michael F Cash
  • Publication number: 20150136074
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting EGR purging in a hybrid vehicle during transient operations, such as tip-out to lower load conditions. In response to decreasing engine torque demand, engine fueling is disabled and a motor is used to spin the engine unfueled until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved. Alternatively, engine operation is maintained with EGR disabled until the desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, and the excess engine torque generated is stored in a system battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Stanley Larue Bower, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Publication number: 20150107553
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the quantity of compressed air that may enter into an engine cylinder during the intake stroke of a piston during an engine braking event. A control throttle may be positioned to restrict the quantity of compressed air that may enter into the cylinder during the intake stroke. The control throttle may also be positioned downstream of the engine and configured to adjustably restrict the quantity of exhaust gas that may be delivered to a turbine. By restricting the exhaust gas delivered to the turbine, the power generated by the turbine that is used by the compressor to compress intake air may also be reduced. Moreover, by controlling the power available to the compressor, the quantity of compressed intake air may be controlled, which allows for control of the quantity of compressed air that enters into the cylinder during the compression stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Bartkowicz, Paul Gottemoller, Luis Carlos Cattani
  • Patent number: 8997712
    Abstract: In a two-stroke opposed-piston engine, a ported cylinder with a pair of opposed pistons is equipped with an engine brake including an engine braking valve that can be opened to release air from the cylinder as the pistons cycle between BDC and TDC positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Fuqua, Iain J. Read
  • Publication number: 20150075490
    Abstract: A controlled engine shutdown method is disclosed that includes monitoring exhaust system temperature, monitoring operator shutdown commands, and delaying engine shutdown based on exhaust system temperature. The method can include inhibiting any process that affects exhaust temperatures, for example DPF regeneration. The method can use a shutdown timer, allow operator override of the shutdown delay, and display a delay notification message. The method can also include predicting when an engine shutdown is expected, and delaying or aborting any process that would affect exhaust temperatures when an engine shutdown is predicted. Predicting can include monitoring various machine states, determining an average activity interval for the machine, determining a geographic shutdown area, determining a shutdown time of day and/or monitoring a machine fluid level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Mark E. Hull, Steven R. Sass, John C. Lauper, Anthony K. Kraft, Thomas L. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8950378
    Abstract: A machine includes a power source, an engine retarder associated with the power source, and a traction device receiving power from the power source and configured to propel the machine. The machine also includes a brake mechanism associated with the traction device, and a controller in communication with the engine retarder and the brake mechanism. The controller is configured to activate the engine retarder, substantially simultaneously with the brake mechanism, based on a brake pressure associated with the brake mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpiller Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford Jay Holt, Thomas Lynn Grill, Steven Kohl Anderson
  • Patent number: 8911703
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for reducing and/or harvesting drag energy from transport vehicles. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a mobile transport platform, a donor substance source carried by the platform, and a thermochemical reactor carried by the platform and coupled to the donor substance. The reactor is configured to carry out a non-combustion dissociation process that dissociates the donor substance into a first constituent and a second constituent. An energy extraction system carried by the transport platform and positioned to extract energy from an airstream passing the transport platform is coupled to the reactor to provide energy for the dissociation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8909460
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is provided with a system for the variable actuation of the intake valves. At least one part of the engine cylinders is deactivated, cutting off fuel supply to said cylinders, under operating conditions that do not require the maximum power of the engine and in which one wants to reduce fuel consumption. The intake valves of the deactivated cylinders are kept at least partly open during at least one part of the discharge stages in the deactivated cylinders, hence, in the deactivated cylinders, part of the burnt gases generated during the operation prior to the deactivation flows into the respective intake conduits during the discharge stage of each cylinder. The intake valves are closed after the discharge stage. The intake valves of the deactivated cylinders are further kept closed during the compression and expansion stages in each deactivated cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: C.R.F. SocietĂ  Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Lucatello, Fabio Borean
  • Patent number: 8893479
    Abstract: In order to relief a sudden change of engine sound during the transition to recovery control of a particulate removing filter or during returning from the recovery control, a system of treating exhaust gas of an engine includes an exhaust-gas particulate removing filter in an exhaust path, closes down the opening of an inlet throttle valve or an exhaust throttle valve to a recovery opening smaller than a normal opening during recovery of the particulate removing filter, and returns the opening from the recovery opening to the normal opening after the recovery of the particulate removing filter. The opening of the inlet throttle valve or the exhaust throttle valve during the closing process from the normal opening to the recovery opening and during the returning process from the recovery opening to the normal opening is changed at a gradually decreasing or gradually increasing rate of change of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taichi Togashi, Atsushi Ohta
  • Patent number: 8843296
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conditioning a throttle command so that, on average, a difference between an actual airflow rate and a commanded airflow rate is substantially zero. A commanded throttle position is modified with a correction factor to also reduce a throttle angle error. By reducing engine air disturbances, engine performance is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20140261309
    Abstract: Methods and devices are described for performing engine diagnostics during skip fire operation of an engine while a vehicle is being driven. Knowledge of the firing sequence is used to determine appropriate times to conduct selected diagnostics and/or to help better interpret sensor inputs or diagnostic results. In one aspect, selected diagnostics are executed when a single cylinder is fired a plurality of times in isolation relative to a sensor used in the diagnosis. In another aspect, selected diagnostics are conducted while the engine is operated using a firing sequence that insures that no cylinders in a first cylinder bank are fired for a plurality of engine cycles while cylinders in a second bank are at least sometimes fired. The described tests can be conducted opportunistically, when conditions are appropriate, or specific firing sequences can be commanded to achieve the desired isolation or skipping of one or more selected cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin CHEN, Xin YUAN, Joshua P. SWITKES, Steven E. CARLSON, Mark A. SHOST
  • Publication number: 20140261308
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning control apparatus has: an air mix damper; an actuator for driving the air mix damper; a target opening degree determination device operable to determine a target opening degree of the air mix damper; a drive frequency reduction device operable, during automatic stop of an engine, to reduce a drive frequency of the actuator; a target opening degree correction device operable, during automatic stop of the engine and when a current target opening degree is greater than a previous target opening degree, to increase the current target opening degree, and, when the current target opening degree is less than the previous target opening degree, to reduce the current target opening degree; and a drive control device operable, during running of the engine, to control the actuator based on the target opening degree, and, during automatic stop of the engine, to control the actuator the corrected target opening degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiro MIYAGAWA
  • Patent number: 8831861
    Abstract: A method for engine braking of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine of a vehicle, which is preferably an engine operating on the diesel principle. The engine has at least one exhaust-gas turbocharger with an exhaust-gas turbine and a charge air compressor, and an exhaust manifold which supplies the exhaust-gas flow from outlet valves of the engine to the exhaust-gas turbocharger. A throttle device is connected between the outlet valves and the turbocharger for throttling the exhaust-gas flow and causing a pressure increase in the exhaust gas for engine braking upstream. An exhaust-gas counter-pressure and a charge air pressure are measured and, based on the measurement, a position of the throttle device can be determined to obtain a predetermined braking action. Then the exhaust-gas counter-pressure and the charge air pressure are closed-loop controlled by adjusting the throttle device corresponding to the previously determined position of the throttle device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: MAN Truck & Bus Oesterreich AG
    Inventors: Franz Rammer, Franz Leitenmayr, Gottfried Raab
  • Publication number: 20140216398
    Abstract: In response to activation of a compression release brake when a motor vehicle having a turbocharged internal combustion engine is operating at some elevation above sea level and a turbocharger compressor is operating in a region of an operating map which is creating boost air in an engine intake manifold which would cause the compression release brake to decelerate the vehicle more slowly at that elevation than it would at sea level for the same operating conditions of the vehicle and engine other than altitude, the compression release brake decelerates the vehicle less slowly by operating a valve mechanism to reduce flow through a charge air cooler and increase flow through a charge air cooler by-pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Luis Carlos Cattani, John Zagone, Bashar Y. Melhem, Paul Gottemoller, Michael D. Bartkowicz
  • Publication number: 20140209061
    Abstract: A system and method for improving the engine braking capacity for a vehicle is disclosed. The system and method include providing a compression release braking system, providing an energy drawing component for increasing power draw on the vehicle engine, and, increasing the engine braking capability by synchronizing operation of the energy drawing component with operation of the compression release braking system. The energy drawing component includes a hydraulic fan, which is part of the cooling system of the vehicle. Increasing the speed of the fan draws energy from the engine, which in turn, increases the braking capability of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: NAVISTAR DEFENSE ENGINEERING, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Marques Neto, William McCoy, Rodger Michael Miller, Brian William Petersen, Victor S. Bertl
  • Patent number: 8746208
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a combustion chamber, from which exhaust gas can be discharged by way of at least one exhaust valve. An engine braking device includes an hydraulic additional valve control unit is integrated into a connecting mechanism connecting the exhaust valve to a camshaft and holding the exhaust valve in a partially opened position when the engine brake is actuated. The connecting mechanism includes a rocker lever and an intermediate element between the rocker lever and the exhaust valve. The hydraulic additional valve control unit of the engine braking device has a first piston-cylinder unit for the temporary partial opening of one exhaust valve, and an hydraulic valve lash compensating mechanism has a second piston-cylinder unit for counteracting valve lash. The first piston-cylinder unit is arranged in or on the intermediate element. The second piston-cylinder unit is arranged in or on the rocker lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: MAN Truck & Bus AG
    Inventor: Heribert Möller
  • Patent number: 8616178
    Abstract: An engine braking system includes an exhaust control path between an engine cylinder and an exhaust discharge path. A relief valve has a valve element located within the path, the valve element operable between a closed position to close the exhaust control path, corresponding to an engine operating condition, and an open position to open the exhaust control path, corresponding to an engine-braking condition. A spring urges the valve element toward the closed position. A retainer is arranged to be positioned in two operating positions, a first operating position which prevents opening of the valve element and a second operating position which allows opening of the valve element. An actuator wedge is operable to move between a first position and a second position to move the retainer between the first and second operating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Christofer J. Palumbo
  • Publication number: 20130253801
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conditioning a throttle command so that, on average, a difference between an actual airflow rate and a commanded airflow rate is substantially zero. A commanded throttle position is modified with a correction factor to also reduce a throttle angle error. By reducing engine air disturbances, engine performance is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 8474433
    Abstract: During engine braking of a turbocharged internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas pressure increases and this is used to pressurize the seals between the turbocharger shaft and the bearing housing so as to prevent oil leakage into the compressor housing. Immediately after engine braking, stored exhaust gas pressure is used to pressurize the seals at the turbine end so as to prevent oil leakage into the turbine housing. In an alternative arrangement the exhaust gas is used to generate a reduced pressure in the bearing housing to increase the pressure gradient across the seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Pierre French
  • Publication number: 20130158828
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for reducing and/or harvesting drag energy from transport vehicles. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a mobile transport platform, a donor substance source carried by the platform, and a thermochemical reactor carried by the platform and coupled to the donor substance. The reactor is configured to carry out a non-combustion dissociation process that dissociates the donor substance into a first constituent and a second constituent. An energy extraction system carried by the transport platform and positioned to extract energy from an airstream passing the transport platform is coupled to the reactor to provide energy for the dissociation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Patent number: 8424507
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission associated with the engine, and an engine retarder having a deactivated state and an activated state. The engine retarder is configured to provide a retarding torque to the engine in the activated state. The vehicle also includes a fan associated with the engine. The fan is configured to be activated in response to a selection of a transmission gear ratio greater than or equal to a threshold gear ratio while the engine retarder is in the activated state. The fan assists in providing additional retarding torque to the engine while activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John Thomas Reedy
  • Patent number: 8423261
    Abstract: In a method and a system for controlling the Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) of a combustion engine during up-gear shift, the VTG is opened based on a prediction when exhaust gas pressure is stabilized. During up-gear shift the VTG is closed to a closed position (301) to build an exhaust gas pressure and reduce engine speed, and a parameter from which the engine acceleration can be deduced is recorded. The VTG is determined to be opened to an open positioning response to the recorded parameter and a target engine speed of the up-gear shift (303), and the VTG is opened at a time corresponding to said determination to reduce the exhaust gas pressure (305). Hereby the up-gear shift can be made in a short time and at smooth operational conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (Publ)
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Hanson
  • Publication number: 20130047955
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission associated with the engine, and an engine retarder having a deactivated state and an activated state. The engine retarder is configured to provide a retarding torque to the engine in the activated state. The vehicle also includes a fan associated with the engine. The fan is configured to be activated in response to a selection of a transmission gear ratio greater than or equal to a threshold gear ratio while the engine retarder is in the activated state. The fan assists in providing additional retarding torque to the engine while activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: John Thomas Reedy
  • Patent number: 8352165
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a combustion engine brake especially for a heavy vehicle like a truck or a bus is disclosed. By detecting a brake torque value which is delivered by the combustion engine brake for braking the vehicle, and, if the amount of the difference between a demanded brake torque value and the delivered brake torque value exceeds a predetermined first limit value, by operating the combustion engine brake by means of at least one additional or alternative second operating parameter which is selected in order to create a corrected brake torque value, a considerably improved accuracy, efficiency and/or reliability of the combustion engine brake can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Göran Olsson
  • Patent number: 8336520
    Abstract: Turbo lag is a known impediment of a turbocharged, small displacement engine providing the feel of a large displacement engine. A method of spinning up the exhaust turbine during an interval between the time that the operator moves his/her foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal to initiate a launch. A non-exhaustive list of actions that can be taken to increase exhaust enthalpy provided to the turbine include: opening the throttle, retarding the spark, and closing the wastegate. Additionally, a brake can be applied at one of the vehicle wheels to keep the engine from launching forward during this interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Sayid Miah
  • Patent number: 8335633
    Abstract: A driving control system includes a controller which is configured to, in response to a command for starting an auto-cruise mode generated by the operation of an input device, control an engine speed or a vehicle speed so that a value detected by a speed detector falls within a cruising speed range, when the value detected by the speed detector is outside the cruising speed range; and to then cause the watercraft to cruise at a constant engine speed or at a constant vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Araki, Atsufumi Ozaki, Satoru Watabe
  • Patent number: 8326499
    Abstract: A method for dissipating power through a machine may include directing power into a power system of the machine. The method may further include controlling a parasitic load of the power system to increase dissipation of the power system, the controlling of the parasitic load being a function of a power dissipation limit of the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Sopko, Jr., Michael J. Barngrover
  • Patent number: 8290689
    Abstract: A control system comprising a brake torque determination module that determines a desired brake torque and a vane position determination module that determines a vane position based on an engine speed and the desired brake torque, and that adjusts the vane position to a position between an open position and a closed position. A method comprising determining a desired brake torque, determining a vane position based on an engine speed and the desired brake torque, and adjusting the vane position to a position between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventors: Steven J. Andrasko, John P. Kresse, Kevin L. Kluemper, Brett R. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 8261716
    Abstract: A device is provided for producing and/or augmenting a partial vacuum in a motor vehicle, in particular for operating a partial vacuum brake servo-unit. The device includes, but is not limited to a throttle unit, which has at least one throttle valve housing and a throttle valve which is arranged so as to be rotatable in an angle range in a throttle channel in the throttle valve housing for controlling a fluid flow in the throttle channel. The device also includes, but is not limited to means for producing and/or augmenting partial vacuum, the means being configured as partial vacuum augmentation means integrated into the throttle valve housing, which partial vacuum augmentation means act according to Bernoulli's principle in the manner of a sucking jet pump to produce an augmented partial vacuum for at least one brake servo-unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dietmar Bergbauer, Oliver Kirmess, Bjorn Nordmann, Helmut Oswald, Uwe Steinmann
  • Patent number: 8225769
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine including at least one exhaust valve for withdrawal of exhaust gas from at least one combustion chamber, and an engine brake device having a hydraulic valve auxiliary control unit by means of which the exhaust valve can be held in a temporarily open position when the engine brake device is actuated. The engine also includes a hydraulic valve play compensation mechanism for the exhaust valve, and an oil channel that for supplying oil to the valve auxiliary control unit is formed between the latter and the valve play compensation mechanism. For compensation of valve play of the exhaust valve, the oil channel can be closed off via a closure unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Hans-Werner Dilly