Electrical Means Adapted To Alter Valve Timing Patents (Class 123/322)
  • Patent number: 11629679
    Abstract: A configuration is provided for a fuel injector for a common rail fuel system. In one example, the fuel injector may include a housing, an inner chamber enclosed by the housing, and a flow limiting valve. The flow limiting valve may be arranged at a downstream end of the inner chamber and also enclosed by the housing. This configuration may allow the fuel injector housing to have sufficient wall strength to withstand high pressure fuel injection and may allow effective fuel supply cut off when fuel cut off is demanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Pisey Leute, Justin Thomas Brumberg, Jesse Brigden
  • Patent number: 11339728
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for engine braking in a vehicle. In one example, a method may include, in response to an engine braking request: deactivating fueling to at least one engine cylinder, decreasing an effective flow area of a turbine inlet of a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), and adjusting an intake valve of the at least one engine cylinder based on a requested braking torque of the engine braking request and the effective flow area of the turbine inlet. In this way, increased exhaust backpressure may be generated to increase engine pumping losses while the intake valve adjustment increases in-cylinder pumping losses, thereby increasing an amount of engine braking torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Martin
  • Patent number: 11207964
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for controlling an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes a cylinder and a piston, which runs in the cylinder, together delimiting a working chamber. The working chamber is supplied with fresh air from an intake section via an inlet valve and is connected to an exhaust manifold via exhaust valves. The internal combustion engine includes a variable valve actuation system for the actuation of the inlet valves, controlling the opening time and/or the closing time and/or the lift. A strategy for shutting down the internal combustion engine includes controlling the inlet valves of individual or all working chambers in such a way that the transfer of fresh air from the intake section to the exhaust manifold is reduced or avoided and that the drag torque of the intake combustion engine is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Wolf, Piergiacomo Traversa
  • Patent number: 11168638
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for connecting multiple loads with a common return pin in engine control module application are disclosed. Only one of the multiple loads can be connected to a power source at a time. At the high side, each load is coupled to the power source through a respective pin at a connector. At the low side, the multiple loads share a common return pin at the connector that connects the loads to the ground. When a first load is connected to the power source at the high side, a first low side driver circuit is used to connect the first load to the ground at the low side. When a second load is connected to the power source at the high side, the second low side driver circuit is used to connect the second load to the ground at the low side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Abhik Giri, Ashish Raj Jain, Ming Feng, Mark Swain
  • Patent number: 11156135
    Abstract: A combined dedicated braking and EEVO lost motion valve actuation systems for internal combustion engines provide subsystems for braking events and EEVO events on one or more cylinders. Various control strategies may utilize braking and EEVO capabilities to module one or more engine parameters, including aftertreatment temperature and engine load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: JACOBS VEHICLE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Justin D. Baltrucki, David M. Ferreira
  • Patent number: 11156134
    Abstract: In order to ensure a simple, reliable and recuperative operation in a hydraulic drive (10) for accelerating and braking a gas exchange valve (20) of internal combustion engines or other reciprocating engines, it is proposed that a first pressure reservoir (41) for providing a first pressure p1 comprises a restoring energy accumulator, preferably configured as a spring (25), and at least one hydraulic base pressure reservoir (40), which has a lower pressure p0 than the first pressure reservoir (41). In a connecting line (48) between the first hydraulic pressure reservoir (41) and the working cylinder (22), a controllable opening (49) of a first valve (46) comprising at least one check valve (47) is arranged upstream or downstream in the flow path, which allows the pressure medium (30) to flow in the direction of working cylinder (22), but prevents a backflow towards the pressure reservoir (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schneider, Patrik Soltic, Andyn Omanovic
  • Patent number: 11125119
    Abstract: An engine system and valvetrain can comprise a rocker shaft combined with a first block, a first cylinder deactivation oil control valve in the first block, a second cylinder deactivation oil control valve in the first block. Also, a second block can be combined with the rocker shaft with a third cylinder deactivation oil control valve and an early exhaust valve opening oil control valve in the second block. The rocker shaft can comprise oil infeeds and oil outfeeds configured for supplying hydraulic pressure to the first and second blocks, the blocks can distribute the pressure to the control valves, and the blocks can return pressure to the rocker shaft. Intake and exhaust rocker arms can receive the returned pressure to actuate valves, and the rockers arms can be arranged line-to-line with no overlap during motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Ramy Rezkalla
  • Patent number: 10920680
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing noise and vibration that may be associated with engine braking are presented. In one example, intake and exhaust valve timings are adjusted to reduce engine noise and vibration at lower engine braking request levels. The engine intake and exhaust valve timings increase compression engine braking and decrease engine expansion braking for higher engine braking request levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Van Anrooy Money
  • Patent number: 10753289
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing excessive intake flow path pressure and counter flow are implemented to support enhanced engine braking applications, such as 2-stroke or 1.5-stroke engine braking implementations where the intake flow path may be exposed to excessive transient pressures in the combustion chamber during activation or deactivation of an engine brake. Intake throttle, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, intake manifold blow-off valve, compressor bypass valve, exhaust throttle, turbocharger geometry or turbocharger waste gate may be controlled to effectuate counter flow management separately or in combination. Excessive transient conditions may also be prevented or managed by sequential valve motion in which brake motion activation occurs first and then exhaust valve main event deactivation occurs second. Delay between brake activation and main event deactivation may be facilitated using mechanical and/or hydraulic implements as well as electronically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Lilly, Matei Alexandru, Gabriel S. Roberts
  • Patent number: 10648414
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel efficiency, monitor completion, and tailpipe emissions of a variable displacement engine. Fueling is initially disabled in cylinders selected to be deactivated while pumping air through the cylinders to an exhaust after-treatment catalyst and oxygen sensor. Once the sensor shows a lean response and catalyst monitoring is completed, cylinder valve operation is also disabled to reduce pumping losses and prevent further oxygen saturation of exhaust components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Uhrich, Imtiaz Ali, Mario Anthony Santillo, Joseph Thomas
  • Patent number: 10634068
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling the engine braking operation in internal combustion engines for motor vehicles, wherein the internal combustion engine is operated with direct injection of fuel and a controllable brake flap is provided in the exhaust gas system for retaining exhaust gases in the engine braking operation, and moreover has an exhaust gas recirculation device having an EGR valve that is arranged upstream of the brake flap and a recirculation line that connects the exhaust gas system to the intake system of the internal combustion engine and during the driving operation controls a defined quantity of recirculated exhaust gas with respect to the combustion air. To avoid critical excessive temperatures at the injection valves, in the engine braking operation (MB), the EGR valve (13) is more or less opened in dependence upon operating parameters (n, TE) of the internal combustion engine (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: MAN Truck & Bus Österreich AG
    Inventors: Rodrigo Chaves, Gottfried Raab, Markus Raup, Lukas Gohm
  • Patent number: 10385797
    Abstract: A linear motor actuated valve assembly in which a linear motor enables electrical actuation and control of intake and exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: SENTIMETAL JOURNEY LLC
    Inventor: Richard H. Hutchins
  • Patent number: 10326388
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lead angle controller including: a position sensor configured to detect a position of a rotor of a BLDC motor; a lead angle control unit configured to determine a lead angle based on a detection signal and to output time for compensation of the lead angle as a lead angle control signal; a phase current converter configured to output a phase current conversion signal based on the detection signal and the lead angle control signal, wherein the phase current conversion signal determines a phase current step of a stator of the BLDC motor; and a signal holder configured to, when one detection signal from the position sensor and the lead angle control signal is changed, hold the detection signal and the lead angle control signal and provide the detection signal and the lead angle control signal to the phase current converter at a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Myoung Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 10184363
    Abstract: In an engine comprising a cylinder having first and second engine valves of a same function type, a system for actuating the first and second engine valves comprises a first and second master pistons that receive first and second valve actuation motions from respective ones of a first and second valve actuation motion source, a first slave piston operatively connected to the first engine valve and configured to hydraulically receive the first valve actuation motions from at least the first master piston and a second slave piston operatively connected to the second engine valve and configured to hydraulically receive the second valve actuation motions from the second master piston. The system further comprises an accumulator and a mode selector valve in hydraulic communication with the first master piston, the first slave piston and the accumulator. The mode selector valve may selectively hydraulically connect the first master piston to the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc., BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Mark M. Wigsten, Thomas P. Howell
  • Patent number: 10167751
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having at least one outlet valve per cylinder, which can be actuated via a camshaft and a transmission device, a hydraulic valve clearance compensation element being arranged in the transmission device between the camshaft and the outlet valve, and having an engine braking device, having an engine backpressure brake for building up an exhaust gas backpressure and a compression release engine brake, by way of which at least one outlet valve can be held open at least in an engine braking phase, the compression release engine brake being formed by the hydraulic valve clearance compensation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventors: Christoph Ebert, Tobias Herrmann, Adrian Fink
  • Patent number: 10156162
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed that include an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and at least one camshaft for opening at least one valve associated with the at least one cylinder. The camshaft includes a cam with a cam lobe defining a cam lobe profile having a base circle portion on a base circle of the cam lobe, a main cam lobe portion, and a low lift dwell portion that extends a constant height from the base circle along a substantial portion of the base circle to increase valve opening overlap and cylinder scavenging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Marsh, Vaibhav J. Lawand, Brendan J. O'Grady
  • Patent number: 10060308
    Abstract: A modularized multifunctional variable valve actuation system for use in a six-cylinder internal combustion engine. The system includes two fuel supply modules that cooperate with two two-way two-position valves for implementing a continuously variable valve event, and that cooperate with two three-way two-position valves and one two-way two-position valve for implementing a fully variable valve event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jingchen Cui, Wuqiang Long, Jiangping Tian, Hua Tian, Tianhao Yang, Danting Wang
  • Patent number: 9752463
    Abstract: A decompression device for an internal combustion engine comprises a valve rocker shaft bracket and a valve rod. A valve spring is sleeved on the valve rod, and above the valve rod a valve rocker is arranged. The valve rocker shaft bracket is connected to a decompression bracket. The valve rocker is movably connected to a valve opening/closing device connected with a control device. When the internal combustion engine is started, the valve opening/closing device receives a control command from the control device to keep connecting with the valve rocker for a time, and then disconnect, so that the valve rod arrives at the valve closing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Gangxue Niu
  • Patent number: 9630622
    Abstract: An example method includes controlling a hybrid vehicle to maintain a set speed, and adjusting the set speed from a first value to a different, second value in response to a change in a road grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Michael Kava
  • Patent number: 9169926
    Abstract: A system and method involves a machine that powertrain including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a machine speed sensor to determine a measured machine speed. The machine also includes a controller in communication with the CVT and the speed sensor. The controller may include a table relating the measured machine speed to a plurality of virtual gear ratios associated with the CVT. The controller is configured to determine a calculated virtual gear ratio using the table and, if desired, may display the calculated virtual gear ratio on a visual display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Nackers, Kevin Davis
  • Patent number: 9157339
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a cylinder head mounted to an engine block that at least partially forms a plurality of cylinder combustion chambers. The cylinder head has multiple intake ports and multiple exhaust ports. Engine valves regulate the passage of gas into and out of the combustion chamber. Cam-operated engine valves are mechanically coupled to a rotating cam directly or through one or more of a variety of components that assist in transforming the rotational kinetic energy of the cam to linear motion of the engine valves. One of the exhaust valves and one of the intake valves are mechanically coupled to the cam. Electrohydraulic actuators actuate separate intake and exhaust valves of a particular cylinder. The electrohydraulic actuators are in fluid communication with a high pressure fluid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Arden Stretch, David Gerard Genise, Douglas John Nielsen, James Edward McCarthy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9109469
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating valves in vehicles in a variable valve control manner, may include an eccentric cam mounted on a cylinder head and rotating with power transmitted from a crank shaft, a high-pressure pump connected to an oil pump, wherein one end of the high-pressure pump may be pushed by the eccentric cam when the eccentric cam rotates, converting low-pressure oil supplied from the oil pump into high-pressure oil, a high-pressure rail connected with the high-pressure pump to accommodate the high-pressure oil from the high-pressure pump and store the high-pressure oil therein, and an operating cylinder connected with the high-pressure rail and having a plunger pushing an intake or exhaust valve with a pressure of oil received from the high-pressure rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jung Ho Kim, Gi Ra Lee
  • Patent number: 9068479
    Abstract: A valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine is operable to selectively open and close a gas exchange valve to accomplish an engine brake during an engine brake mode of an engine. The valve mechanism includes a cam follower in biased abutment against a gas exchange cam element for actuation of a rocker arm connected to the gas exchange valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Per Hansson, Alexander Ölén
  • Patent number: 9068477
    Abstract: A valve system for providing closing force to one or more valves of an engine is provided. In one example, the system comprises a first tappet bore in fluid communication with a second tappet bore via a bidirectional oil passage. The system may provide valve closing forces to assist in the closing of valves coupled to the tappet bores, lowering required valve spring forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Fabros
  • Patent number: 8763582
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine during a start is presented. In one example, the method includes direct starting an engine with a port fuel injector. The method can improve engine starting during some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Nate Trask, Vince Winstead
  • Patent number: 8726857
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a device for generating electrical energy using a thermal cycle of a working gas. The device comprises at least one piston movably mounted in a container to form a working chamber between the at least one piston and the container, the working chamber containing the working gas performing the thermal cycle. An electrical circuit is mounted stationary relative to the container, the electrical circuit being electromagnetically coupled to provide a motive force to the at least one piston. An electronic power converter is electrically connected to the electrical circuit and to an electrical bus, and an electrical storage device is electrically connected to the electrical bus. The at least one piston is movably mounted such that its motion electromagnetically induces current in the electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Altor Limited LC
    Inventor: Jonathan R. Wood
  • Patent number: 8689770
    Abstract: A control system and method for engine braking for a includes an engine braking control and at least one exhaust valve actuator responsive to demands from the braking control for causing the exhaust valve to open. The braking control is configured to command the exhaust valve actuator to substantially open and substantially close the exhaust valve at least twice during each engine cycle, a first event and a second event, when the pressure within the exhaust manifold is greater than the pressure in the cylinder. The braking control can also command the exhaust valve actuator to substantially open and substantially close during a third event between the first and second events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Qianfan Xin
  • Publication number: 20130319370
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for resetting a valve lift for use in an engine brake. A brake piston (160), and a hydraulic fluid passage (214) are arranged within a rocker arm (210) or a valve bridge (400) of an engine. A resetting valve arranged between the rocker arm (210) and the valve bridge (400) is driven by a change in the distance between the rocker arm (210) and the valve bridge (400). When the valve lift of an engine exhaust valve (300) reaches a maximum, a reset fluid passage (219) is opened, the hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic fluid passage is released, the brake piston (160) is reversed by one interval, the motion transmission between a cam (230) and the engine exhaust valve (300) is partially disengaged, and the valve lift of the engine exhaust valve (300) is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Yong XI
  • Patent number: 8590507
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation (VVA) system comprises a spark control module and a phaser control module. The spark control module maintains a spark timing of a cylinder at a maximum braking torque (MBT) spark timing during engine idling. The phaser control module, during the engine idling, adjusts an intake valve timing of the cylinder away from a predetermined intake valve timing. The predetermined intake valve timing corresponds to a maximum air per cylinder (APC) for the cylinder at a current engine speed. The adjustment of the intake valve timing produces an APC that is less than the maximum APC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventors: Craig D. Marriott, Matthew A. Wiles
  • Patent number: 8584653
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a fuel injector which injects fuel into an intake port and exhaust variable valve timing mechanism which changes a valve timing of an exhaust valve. A control device executes early exhaust valve closing control which advances a closing timing of an exhaust valve when conditions for executing early exhaust valve closing control stand. The control device detects an output torque output by an engine body. At the time of deceleration of the engine, even when the condition for executing early exhaust valve closing control stands, execution of early exhaust valve closing control is prohibited when it is predicted that the output torque will become smaller than the limit torque. Thus, due to execution of the early exhaust valve closing control, a large torque fluctuation is prevented from occurring at the time of deceleration of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Tomimatsu, Koichi Hoshi, Shogo Suda
  • Patent number: 8402936
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for a vehicle system automatically stops an internal combustion engine of a vehicle when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied and automatically starts the automatically stopped internal combustion engine when a predetermined start condition is satisfied. A stop point detection unit detects a stop point, at which the vehicle possibly stops, while the vehicle travels based on map information stored in a map information storage unit. A traveling information control unit stores traveling information, which includes a state of the vehicle stopping at a stop point and a state of the vehicle passing by the stop point, in the traveling information storage unit. A stop determination unit determines whether to stop the internal combustion engine when the vehicle stops at a stop point based on the traveling information of the stop point stored in the traveling information storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8397693
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a piston, a first valve and a first valve actuation assembly. The engine structure may define a combustion chamber and a first port in communication with the combustion chamber. The piston may be located within the combustion chamber and be reciprocally displaceable between a top dead center position and bottom dead center position. The first valve may selectively open and close the first port. The first valve actuation assembly may be engaged with the first valve and be operable in first and second modes. The first valve actuation assembly may be operated in the first mode when fuel is provided to the combustion chamber and operated in the second mode when fuel is cutoff from the combustion chamber. The first mode and second modes may provide different opening durations of the first valve in order to reduce vacuum in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Nelander
  • 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: 8281587
    Abstract: A control system for engine braking for a vehicle powered by a turbocharged engine uses a supercharger to assist a turbocharger compressor to boost turbocharger air flow into the engine cylinders. An engine driven air pumping device draws ambient air, or alternately exhaust gas through the pump inlet, compresses the air, and delivers the compressed air through the pump outlet to the turbocharger compressor inlet or alternately the turbocharger compressor outlet. The increased air flow into the cylinders and out of the cylinder exhaust valves increases retarding power of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Qianfan Xin, Martin R. Zielke, Michael D. Bartkowicz, Luis Carlos Cattani, Steve Gravante, Timothy Prochnau, Antoun Y. Calash, John L. Cagney
  • Patent number: 8091529
    Abstract: In a regulating method for controlling an electrical actuator, especially a valve for regulating a volume flow in an injection system for an internal combustion engine, a nominal value is set for an actuating variable of the actuator; the actuator is controlled by a pulse width-modulated electrical control signal with a pre-defined pulse duty factor and a pre-defined period for adjusting the desired nominal value of the actuating variable; a flow threshold value is determined according to the pre-defined nominal value for the actuating variable; the flow flowing through the actuator is continuously measured during the control by the control signal and before the end of the period; the measured flow is compared with the flow threshold value/and the flow flowing through the actuator is switched off before the end of the period of the control signal if the measured flow exceeds the current threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Förster, Matthias Wiese
  • Publication number: 20110203549
    Abstract: An internal combustion piston engine based on a four-stroke process, including a crankcase in which at least one cylinder/piston assembly is arranged, a piston is guided via a connecting rod connected to a crankshaft, at least one cylinder head for closing the cylinder, each of whose intake and exhaust channels are controlled by at least one intake valve and one exhaust valve (11, 11a). The intake and exhaust valves are actuable by a rocker arm (2, 3) or a finger lever driven by a camshaft, the rocker arms or finger levers are guided on at least one axle (4). A brake control device is provided including at least one hydraulic adjusting piston that engages a component that opens at least the one exhaust valve additionally and intermittently, a pressure source for a hydraulic fluid is associated to an adjusting piston, and the supply to the adjusting piston is controlled by at least one electrically operable switching valve (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Oliver Schnell
  • Publication number: 20110100324
    Abstract: A control system and method for engine braking for a includes an engine braking control and at least one exhaust valve actuator responsive to demands from the braking control for causing the exhaust valve to open. The braking control is configured to command the exhaust valve actuator to substantially open and substantially close the exhaust valve at least twice during each engine cycle, a first event and a second event, when the pressure within the exhaust manifold is greater than the pressure in the cylinder. The braking control can also command the exhaust valve actuator to substantially open and substantially close during a third event between the first and second events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Qianfan Xin
  • Patent number: 7930087
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine for a vehicle having at least a first cylinder, the method comprising of operating the first cylinder to provide at least one of compression braking and expansion braking by holding one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of the first cylinder closed while opening, closing, and opening the other of the intake valve and the exhaust valve during a cycle of the first cylinder and during a first vacuum level of an intake manifold upstream of the first cylinder; and operating the first cylinder to provide at least one of compression braking and expansion braking by operating both the intake valve and the exhaust valve of the first cylinder during a cycle of the first cylinder to allow at least some air to flow through the first cylinder during a second vacuum level of the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex Gibson, Nate Trask, Dennis Reed, Ilya V. Kolmanovsky
  • Patent number: 7909016
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a variable valve timing mechanism. The valve timing control apparatus sets target valve timing based on an operational state of the engine. The valve timing control apparatus detects actual valve timing. The valve timing control apparatus computes a control amount based on a deviation between the target valve timing and the actual valve timing, and based on a hold control amount. The valve timing control apparatus determines whether a learning execution condition for executing a learning operation of the hold control amount is satisfied based on a change direction of the detected actual valve timing. The valve timing control apparatus executes the learning operation when the learning execution condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7810468
    Abstract: A requested injection time InjT that is necessary for a fuel injector to inject a fuel per one combustion cycle is computed in response to variables of an accelerator manipulated by a driver. An injectable time InjMax per one combustion cycle is computed on the basis of an engine speed, and whether the requested injection time InjT is larger than the injectable time InjMax is determined. Then, when it is positively determined that the requested injection time InjT is larger than the injectable time InjMax, the fuel pump is subjected to load-up operation so as to increase a fuel feed pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Hirata
  • Patent number: 7753029
    Abstract: Internal combustion engine with variable actuation of the valves that provides electronic control means that considers the activation delays of the cylinders so that new operating conditions are assigned for the first time to a cylinder which firstly, following an engine operating variation request, is effectively able to satisfy such new operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Fabio Borean, Pasquale Ceres
  • Patent number: 7748363
    Abstract: Internal combustion engine with variable actuation of the valves providing electronic control means which, when the engine is subject to an operating variation request from a first operating condition to a second operating condition, are adapted to select a cylinder to which to assign said second operating condition based on a determined programming delay only as a function of the engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Fabio Borean, Pasquale Ceres
  • Publication number: 20100108027
    Abstract: In a variable valve actuation system of an internal combustion engine employing a variable valve actuator capable of variably adjusting at least intake valve closure timing depending on engine operating conditions, a processor of a control unit is programmed to phase-advance the intake valve closure timing to a predetermined timing value after a piston top dead center position and before a piston bottom dead center position on intake stroke during at least one of an engine starting period and an engine stopping period. The variable valve actuator includes a biasing device by which the intake valve closure timing is permanently biased toward the predetermined timing value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Makoto NAKAMURA, Seinosuke Hara
  • Patent number: 7549406
    Abstract: A method for discontinuing combustion in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold and an emission control device coupled downstream of thereof, where the cylinder has at least one valve, the method comprising during a shut-down and after a final combustion event in the cylinder, adjusting valve timing of the valve to reduce a flow of gasses from the engine to the emission control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7530343
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of cylinder with at least an intake and exhaust valve and a piston are described. In one aspect, the method comprises maintaining at least one of the intake and exhaust valves in a closed position during a period. Further, closing the other of the intake and exhaust valves with the piston at a first position from, and then opening the other of the intake and exhaust valves at a second position of the piston closer to bottom center than said first position, during said period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Megli, Alex Gibson, John O. Michelini, Nate Trask, Ilya V. Kolmanovsky, Davor Hrovat
  • Patent number: 7412963
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having cylinders connected by means of controllable brake valves to a common gas pressure container which is in communication, by way of an outflow line with an outflow valve, with the exhaust strand of the internal combustion engine, an inlet gas pressure container is connected to the intake tract of the internal combustion engine and is in communication with the common pressure container by means of a recirculation line having a controllable check valve arranged therein permitting the establishment of various engine operating and control features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Wolfram Schmid, Siegfried Sumser
  • Patent number: 7383820
    Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing to during the start of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are controlled in a manner to reduce hydrocarbon emissions during the start of an internal combustion engine. The method controls intake valves so that smaller adjustments are made to cylinder spark advance and air-fuel over a range of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Publication number: 20080041336
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine for a vehicle having at least a first cylinder, the method comprising of operating the first cylinder to provide at least one of compression braking and expansion braking by holding one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of the first cylinder closed while opening, closing, and opening the other of the intake valve and the exhaust valve during a cycle of the first cylinder and during a first vacuum level of an intake manifold upstream of the first cylinder; and operating the first cylinder to provide at least one of compression braking and expansion braking by operating both the intake valve and the exhaust valve of the first cylinder during a cycle of the first cylinder to allow at least some air to flow through the first cylinder during a second vacuum level of the intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Alex Gibson, Nate Trask, Dennis Reed, Ilya V. Kolmanovsky
  • Patent number: 7317984
    Abstract: A method for operating at least an intake and exhaust valve in a cylinder with a piston of an engine in a vehicle, comprising during conditions of an engine shut-down, maintaining at least one of the intake and exhaust valves in a closed position, and during conditions where said at least one valve is in said closed position operating with the other of the intake and exhaust valve open, then closing the other of the intake and exhaust valve, and then opening the other of the intake and exhaust valve to generate braking torque to slow the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7311083
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unite, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: John David Russell, Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Brian D. Rutkowski