Having Condition Responsive Means To Control Supercharged Flow To Engine Patents (Class 60/611)
  • Patent number: 8109093
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement in connection with a piston engine provided with a turbocompressor. In the method, combustion air from the engine is pressurized by the compressor of the turbocompressor, pressurized combustion air is humidified, fuel is combusted in the cylinder of the engine by means of combustion air and the exhaust gases generated during the combustion are conveyed by means of combustion air to the turbine of the turbocompressor. A partial flow is separated from the pressurized combustion air flow, conveyed past the engine and combined with the exhaust gas flow going to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventors: Björn Hallbäck, Piia Takala
  • Publication number: 20120023938
    Abstract: A variable capacity supercharger for an internal combustion engine is provided with a turbine having an exhaust-side movable vane mechanism for changing the cross-sectional area of a flow path of exhaust gas introduced into a turbine wheel by open-close operation of a movable vane, a compressor having an intake-side movable vane mechanism for changing the cross-sectional area of a flow path of intake air delivered from a compressor wheel by open-close operation of a movable vane, and a drive mechanism having an actuator used in common by the exhaust-side movable vane mechanism and the intake-side movable vane mechanism to perform open-close operation of the movable vane of each movable vane mechanism as transmitting operation of the actuator to both of the movable vane mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Tsukiyama
  • Publication number: 20120017878
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a combination including a secondary air pump; and a first control valve constructed and arranged to control flow of air into the secondary air pump from one or more lines connected to the first control valve; and/or a second control valve constructed and arranged to control flow of air from the secondary air pump through one or more lines connected to the second control valve. The combination being particularly useful in a system including a combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Dirk Schliesche, Andreas Didion
  • Patent number: 8091359
    Abstract: Various systems and method for heating an engine in a vehicle are described. In one example, intake air flowing in a first direction may be heated via a gas-to-gas heat exchange with exhaust gases. The heated intake air may then be used in a subsequent gas-to-liquid heat exchange to heat a fluid circulating through the engine. In another example, intake air flowing in a second direction may be heated via a heat exchange with exhaust gases in order to cool an exhaust catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Thomas G. Leone
  • Publication number: 20110307127
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle including an engine comprising a turbocharger including a compressor and a turbine. The engine further includes a bypass path configured to selectively route gas from downstream of the compressor to upstream of the turbine. In one embodiment, the method comprises selectively increasing gas flow to the engine by adjusting gas flow through the bypass path from downstream of the compressor to upstream of the turbine. In this manner, the performance of the engine may be adjusted for various operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Kendall Roger Swenson, Roy Primus, Lukas Johnson, Mark Stablein, Kevin Paul Bailey, John Dowell, Frederick Thwaites, Jonathan Nagurney
  • Publication number: 20110296836
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an air intake section (2) which has an air intake line (3), having an exhaust section (4) which has an exhaust line (5), and having at least one exhaust-gas turbocharger (6) which has a compressor (7) in the air intake line (3) and a turbine (8) arranged in the exhaust line (5), characterized by a controllable bypass arrangement (9) which has an air supply line (10) which, as viewed in the flow direction (R) of the intake air, opens into the air intake line (3) down-stream of the compressor (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Hahn
  • Publication number: 20110296835
    Abstract: A variable capacity exhaust gas turbocharger having a small thermal capacity and enabling the structure to be simplified. A exhaust gas inlet hardware (13) having an exhaust gas inlet body (11) in which an inner side flow passage (U1) communicating with an inner scroll passage (T1) and an outer side flow passage (U2) communicating with an outer scroll flow passage (T2) are formed and a flap valve (12) for opening and closing the outer side flow passage (U2) are formed at the exhaust gas inlet part of a turbine housing body (14) in which the inner scroll passage (T1) and the outer scroll flow passage (T2) are formed. A valve recess (11a) for disposing the flap valve (12) along the outer side flow passage (U2) and a seat (11b) for the flap valve for closing the outer side flow passage (U2) are formed in the exhaust gas inlet body (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Motoki Ebisu
  • Patent number: 8069665
    Abstract: A method for providing air to a combustion chamber of an engine, the engine including a compressor and a boost tank selectably coupled to an intake manifold. The method includes varying a relative amount of engine exhaust in air pressurized in the boost tank based on engine operating conditions, and discharging the air pressurized in the boost tank to the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 8069651
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine system includes compressing intake air, restricting exhaust flow from the engine via a flow restriction device, and supplying compressor air to a compressed air subsystem of the engine during restricting exhaust flow. Supplying of compressor air may occur by selectively actuating a pressure control device to fluidly connect an inlet of a compressed air subsystem with the compressor. An associated machine and engine system include a compressor, a flow restriction device, a compressed air subsystem and a pressure control device to selectively fluidly connect the compressed air subsystem with the compressor when the flow restriction device is in a relatively more closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Crosby, Anil Raina
  • Patent number: 8069664
    Abstract: A supercharged engine has a charge air intake and an engine exhaust outlet, a positive displacement supercharger connected to the air intake, a charge air and bypass control valve comprising a rotary body throttle valve including a rotary valve body, a primary air passage and a separate bypass air passage each extending through the rotary body. The primary air passage is fully open in a first rotary position of the rotary body wherein the bypass air passage is closed, and the bypass air passage is fully open in a second rotary position wherein the primary air passage is closed. Airflow through the passages varies in an inverse manner as the rotary body is rotated between the first and second positions, whereby airflow through the control valve is controlled with a single actuator movable through the full range of positions and airflow through the primary and bypass passages is inversely varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: John R Bucknell
  • Patent number: 8056542
    Abstract: An intake system is provided for a barrel internal combustion engine. The intake system includes a main air inlet, an intake plenum for a plurality of combustion cylinders, a first throttle, a second throttle and a control unit. The first throttle is operative to control a flow of air from the main air inlet, through a charging unit, and to the intake plenum. The second throttle is operative to control a flow of air from the air inlet to the intake plenum. The control unit controls the operation of the first and second throttles in supercharged or normally aspirated modes, where the first throttle operates as a main throttle and the second throttle is closed in the supercharged mode, and where the first throttle is closed and the second throttle operates as the main throttle in the naturally aspirated mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas Engine Company, LLC
    Inventor: Randall R. Gaiser
  • Patent number: 8056340
    Abstract: An EGR mixer comprises an upstream conduit section having a contracting flow area in a direction of air flow through the mixer, a downstream conduit section having an expanding flow area in the direction of air flow through the mixer, a slot formed in the downstream conduit section for admitting exhaust to the air flow, and an abrupt flow-expanding ridge disposed between the upstream and downstream conduit sections. With the EGR mixer configured in this manner, recirculated exhaust may be effectively homogenized into an intake air flow with reduced drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: August Thomas Vaught, Furqan Zafar Shaikh, Lawrence Marshall, Wayne Paul Woodside, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Patent number: 8046997
    Abstract: A screw compressor type supercharger includes an improved supercharger bypass valve including a spring biasing the bypass valve towards an open position. The spring may be a compression spring integrated into a bypass valve diaphragm, an extension spring extending parallel to a diaphragm arm, or a torsion spring on a bypass valve butterfly shaft. The spring is selected and installed to hold the bypass valve open at all vacuum levels and at up to one PSI of boost, and then to allow the bypass to close between one PSI and six PSI boost, and to be closed at above six PSI boost. The resulting control of the bypass valve prevents damage to the supercharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventors: James E. Bell, Jodi L. Bell
  • Publication number: 20110252795
    Abstract: A two-stage turbocharger assembly for an internal combustion engine is provided. The assembly has a low pressure turbocharger, and more than two high pressure turbochargers arranged in parallel with each other. The compressor outlet of the low pressure turbocharger is operatively connected to the compressor inlets of the high pressure turbochargers. The turbine outlets of the high pressure turbochargers are operatively connected to the turbine inlet of the low pressure turbocharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: NAPIER TURBOCHARGERS LIMITED
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Geoffrey Heyes
  • Patent number: 8024919
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine system includes passing exhaust gases from an engine to an aftertreatment device such as a particulate filter at an exhaust temperature less than a target temperature, and increasing a temperature of exhaust gases passing through the aftertreatment device to the target temperature by controllably restricting exhaust flow upstream the filter. The method still further includes generating a signal indicative of exhaust back pressure and reducing exhaust pressure by selectively reducing airflow to the engine responsive to the signal. An internal combustion engine system and associated control system includes an electronic control unit configured to selectively increase a temperature of exhaust gases passing through a particulate filter to a regeneration temperature via a variable flow restriction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Fluga, Donald W. Heston, Richard Kruiswyk, Daniel W. Crosby, Brian Hoff
  • Publication number: 20110203272
    Abstract: A method of operating a turbocharged engine of a motor vehicle, the engine having a cylinder which undergoes a compression stroke. The method includes advancing an ignition spark in the cylinder by a first amount relative to top dead center of the compression stroke at a first barometric pressure for a given engine speed and load, and advancing the ignition spark by a second, lesser amount relative to top dead center of the compression stroke at a second, lower barometric pressure, for the given engine speed and load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Felix Nedorezov, Ken Jahr
  • Patent number: 8001778
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine having a turbocharger and a high pressure EGR system is provided. A recirculation valve of the turbocharger's compressor is adjusted along with the throttle at different airflow conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Harold Huimin Sun
  • Patent number: 8001780
    Abstract: An engine (1) has an exhaust manifold (12) provided with a communicating portion (25B) of a bypass line (25) from an air-supply side and a branch portion (31A) to an EGR line (31). When an exhaust gas outlet (13) is provided in an intermediary of the exhaust manifold (12) in a longitudinal direction along an engine cylinder line, the communicating portion (25B) of the bypass line (25) and the branch portion (31A) of the EGR line (31) that are provided on the exhaust manifold (12) are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction sandwiching the exhaust gas outlet (13) and spaced apart from each other so that a part of the exhaust gas is pushed by an air supply fed from the bypass line (25) is pushed to enter the EGR line (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Onodera
  • Publication number: 20110192160
    Abstract: An engine provided with a variable parallel supercharging system (9) comprising a first supercharger (10) which is driven by exhaust gas which flows in a first exhaust gas route (41) and which pressurizes intake air which flows in a first intake air route (3) and also comprising a second supercharger (20) which is driven by exhaust gas which flows in a second exhaust gas route (42) and which pressurizes intake air which flows in a second intake air route (4), a supercharging pressure sensor (63) for detecting the pressure of the pressurized intake air, a first supercharger rotation sensor (61) for detecting the rotational speed of the first supercharger (10), a second supercharger rotation sensor (62) for detecting the rotational speed of the second supercharger (20), a first variable actuator (14) for adjusting the capacity of the first supercharger (10), a second variable actuator (24) for adjusting the capacity of the second supercharger (20), and a control device for controlling each of the variable actua
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Takahashi, Hidenori Nomura, Kazuki Maetani, Terumitsu Takahata, Takao Kawabe, Kazuhiro Takenaka
  • Patent number: 7966815
    Abstract: Engine load for a supercharged engine is estimated by determining airflow upstream of a throttle valve that is upstream of a supercharger, subtracting a value representative of a change in air mass between the throttle valve and the supercharger based on a measured change in pressure between the throttle valve and the supercharger, and subtracting a modification value dependent upon a current engine speed and a signal representative of a pressure at the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Richard Kipping, Toyoji Yagi
  • Publication number: 20110146274
    Abstract: A particulate filter regeneration system regenerates a particulate filter provided in an exhaust line of an engine equipped with a turbocharger by burning matter trapped on the particulate filter by raising the temperature of exhaust gas at times that the particulate filter requires regeneration. The system has an electric motor functioning as an intake quantity regeneration portion capable of increasing the flow rate of compressed air without depending on the flow rate of exhaust gas flowing across a turbine of the turbocharger, a bypass line connecting an engine intake line upstream of the engine to a section of the exhaust line upstream of the particulate filter, a flow rate regulation valve regulating the flow rate in the bypass line, and a control portion controlling the electric motor and the flow rate regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Shimizu, Kazuhiko Shinagawa
  • Patent number: 7946117
    Abstract: A method of determining and regulating a mass flow rate exhaust gases recirculated into an engine is disclosed. The method may comprise directing the exhaust gases through a venturi and sensing a differential exhaust pressure across the venturi. The method may further include sensing an absolute exhaust pressure at the venturi, and sensing a temperature of the exhaust gases. The method may further include determining the mass flow rate of the exhaust based on the sensed differential fluid pressure, absolute fluid pressure, and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Atkinson, Christopher F. Gallmeyer, Ashutosh Katari, Brian V. Tranel
  • Patent number: 7934486
    Abstract: A method for controlling combustion in a combustion chamber of a turbocharged engine is described. The method includes admitting to the combustion chamber prior to ignition a first amount of exhaust from an intake manifold of the engine, the first amount changing at a first rate in response to a changing engine load. The method also includes retaining in the combustion chamber prior to the ignition a second amount of exhaust from the combustion chamber, the second amount changing at a second rate, greater than the first rate, in response to the changing engine load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, James Leiby
  • Patent number: 7918090
    Abstract: In a control device for an internal combustion engine having a turbocharger with a variable turbo flow rate, and an intake valve provided with a variable valve mechanism, mirror cycle operation is performed. The control device includes a device which calculates an intake air quantity per unit time and an intake air quantity per cycle on the basis of torque required to the internal combustion engine. The turbocharger is controlled so that, with the calculated intake air quantity per unit time, supercharging pressure is further increased in a range in which the ratio of exhaust pressure to supercharging pressure is equal to or less than a predetermined value. A further device, which controls the variable valve mechanism on the basis of the supercharging pressure and the calculated intake air quantity per cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Suzuki, Mamoru Nemoto
  • Patent number: 7905091
    Abstract: A method and a device for regulating the boost pressure of an internal combustion engine having a compressor, which set a setpoint boost pressure in a rapid manner and without overshooting. An actuator is provided by which the boost pressure of the compressor is set. An actuating variable for the actuator is determined as a function of a rotational speed of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Kassner
  • Publication number: 20110041496
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing compressed air and for injecting the same in an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel motor, comprising an exhaust turbocharger. The method has the following steps: determination of operating parameters of the internal combustion engine to identify operating states of the internal combustion engine; production of compressed air by the internal combustion engine using the determined operating parameter in an operating state without combustion and storage of the produced compressed air; and injection of the stored compressed air into the combustion engine using the determined operating parameter in an operating state with combustion of the internal combustion engine in order to increase the pressure in an induction cycle. The invention also relates to a corresponding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Mathias MAYR
  • Patent number: 7877996
    Abstract: A boost system for an engine is described. In one example, the boost system provides air to an engine cylinder via a converging-diverging valve seat. The system can reduce turbocharger lag during some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Al Berger, Thomas Leone
  • Patent number: 7865292
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a throttle opening degree of a diesel engine with a supercharger is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electronic control unit having functions of detecting section, a computing section, a correcting section, and a correction limiting/inhibiting section. The detecting section detects the atmospheric pressure, and the computing section computes an atmospheric pressure correction value with respect to the throttle opening degree based on the detected atmospheric pressure. The correcting section corrects the throttle opening degree in accordance with the atmospheric pressure correction value. When the degree of separation of an actual charging pressure from a target charging pressure in the supercharger is les than a predetermined value, the correction limiting/inhibiting section limits or inhibits correction of the throttle opening degree in accordance with the atmospheric pressure correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 7814752
    Abstract: A fluid control system for an engine is disclosed. The fluid control system may have a first fluid control component, a second fluid control component, and a controller in communication with the first and second fluid control components. The controller may be configured to determine an operational change associated with the first fluid control component to achieve desired operation of the engine. The controller may also be configured to determine an effect the operational change will have on performance of the second fluid control component, and adjust operation of the second fluid control component to accommodate the effect substantially simultaneously with implementation of the operational change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Guangdi Hu
  • Patent number: 7805940
    Abstract: There is described an exhaust gas turbocharger which comprises a compressor and a turbine having an adjusting drive for adjusting a turbine geometry. A performance characteristic is determined depending on a turbine output, a mass flow through the turbine and a gas temperature upstream of the turbine. A mass flow characteristic is determined depending on the mass flow through the turbine and the gas temperature upstream of the turbine and a gas pressure downstream of the turbine. Depending on the performance characteristic and the mass flow characteristic, an adjuster position of the adjusting drive for adjusting the turbine geometry is determined using a characteristic diagram. For control, an adjusting signal for controlling the adjusting drive is determined depending on the adjuster position for adjusting the turbine geometry. For diagnosis of the exhaust gas turbocharger, the exhaust gas turbocharger is diagnosed depending on the adjuster position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Markus Teiner
  • Patent number: 7793500
    Abstract: The air flow inhaled into the internal combustion engine is calculated based on the operation state of the electric motor, the operational state of the bypass valve and the signal of the intake air flow sensor. Immediately after the bypass valve is opened when the electric motor is running, the air flow inhaled into the internal combustion engine may be calculated by acquiring the bypass air flow through the bypass passage and using the acquired bypass air flow to correct the intake air flow measured from the signal of the intake air flow sensor. Based on the calculated air flow inhaled into the internal combustion engine, control parameters which concern the output power of the internal combustion engine are adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Igarashi
  • Patent number: 7762069
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the torque of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, is described. The method and device includes compressing air from a charge air line or from a second air inlet by using the charge air compressor, storing the air compressed by the charge air compressor in a storage device, and blowing, in a timed manner, blow air which is stored as compressed air in a storage device into the cylinder through an inlet valve of the cylinder, thereby increasing the torque of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Gerum
  • Publication number: 20100180591
    Abstract: A diesel engine comprises a plurality of cylinders (2), an inlet duct (4), an exhaust duct (6), a turbocharger (8, 10) and a supercharger (14), the turbocharger being of variable output type and including a turbine (8) in the exhaust duct (6) and a supercharger (14) being of variable output type and situated in the inlet duct (4) between the compressor wheel (10) and the cylinders and being electrically driven or mechanically driven by the engine. The engine also includes a first sensor (25) arranged to produce a signal indicative of the speed of the engine, a second sensor (27) arranged to produce a signal indicative of the load to which the engine is subjected and a third sensor (26) arranged to produce a signal indicative of the pressure in the inlet duct (4) downstream of the supercharger (14). The sensors (25, 27, 26) are connected to a controller (29) which is also connected to the turbocharger and the supercharger and is arranged to vary their output independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Charles Elliot Cornwell, Brian Gorman Cooper, Edward Thomas Bower
  • Patent number: 7752844
    Abstract: In an engine braking method and an internal combustion engine including an engine braking arrangement, wherein the engine has high pressure and low pressure exhaust gas turbochargers connected in series, with a bypass (12) around the high-pressure compressor allowing the air mass flow selectively to bypass the high pressure compressor which is arranged near the engine, and bypasses around both turbines permitting the exhaust gas mass flow selectively to bypass the high-pressure exhaust gas turbine which is near the engine and also the low pressure turbine the intake air and the exhaust gas flow are controlled so as to accurately provide for a desired engine braking power for example for maintaining a desired vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Martin Dietz, Peter Fledersbacher, Gernot Hertweck, Siegfried Sumser
  • Patent number: 7748218
    Abstract: A control system for operating vanes of a turbocharger turbine (16T) and for operating a turbine-shunting bypass valve (22) according to a strategy wherein a processor executes an algorithm for selectively unenabling the control system to operate the bypass valve when the control system is operating the vanes to adjust exhaust back-pressure on the engine within a range of effectiveness for the vanes to control the exhaust back-pressure and enabling the control system to operate the bypass valve when the control system has operated the mechanism to a limit of the range of effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. McNulty, Christopher R. Ciesla
  • Publication number: 20100126170
    Abstract: A method to control a gas engine system is disclosed, whereby the engine can be operated with an air-fuel-ratio controlled with high precision, even in using a low calorific fuel-gas that is prone to vary in calorific value; the engine system includes: a first gas line toward each cylinder via a first gas valve from a gas supply source line, the first gas valve regulating flow rates of the fuel-gas through a gas compressor on the line; a second gas line toward suction air, the line being branched from the gas supply source line and the line being provided with a gas air mixer and a second gas valve on the line. In the case when the fuel-gas is of a low calorific value or where the output of the engine is high, a part of the fuel-gas is supplied to the engine through the first and second lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd
    Inventors: Hideki Nishio, Hajime Suzuki, Yuuichi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7721542
    Abstract: An exemplary mixer includes a cylindrical wall having a center axis, a substantially tubular wall defining a volute oriented about the center axis, an inlet to the volute, an exit to the volute provided by one or more openings in the cylindrical wall wherein the volute imparts a tangential velocity component to gas exiting the volute and a mount to mount the mixer to an inlet to a compressor wherein the tangential velocity component imparted by the orientation of the volute is in the intended direction of rotation of a compressor wheel of the compressor. Such a mixer can improve compressor stability, especially where the gas is exhaust gas for exhaust gas recirculation. Other methods, device, systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7693645
    Abstract: A low pressure EGR valve is controlled by mixing EGR gas into an intake air. Steps of the method include detecting temperature and pressure of an intake air passing through an air cleaner, detecting temperature and pressure of the intake air at a downstream side of an intercooler, detecting temperature and pressure of an EGR gas at an upstream side of an EGR cooler, determining a control duty of the low pressure EGR valve on the basis of the detected temperature and pressure of the air passing through the air cleaner, the detected temperature and pressure at the downstream side of the intercooler, and the detected temperature and pressure at the upstream side of the EGR cooler, and controlling the low pressure EGR valve based on the determined control duty. An apparatus for executing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kihoon Nam
  • Publication number: 20100077998
    Abstract: A turbocharged engine includes an internal combustion engine and a turbocharger powered by engine exhaust flow from the internal combustion engine to supply the engine with compressed intake air. The turbocharged engine further includes a turbocharger booster system with a dry low emissions burner. The burner fluidly communicates with an exhaust manifold of the engine and is operable to inject a combustion gas flow into the engine exhaust flow. The hot combustion gas flow is operable to increase the exhaust energy available to the turbocharger and thereby increase the output of compressed intake air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Kansas State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kirby Chapman, Kyle Wolfram, Eric Figge
  • Patent number: 7685819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbocharged internal combustion engine (ICE) system having fast response to increased power demand and reduced response time lag. The system includes a vortex tube for delivering cold air into the turbocharger compressor where it may be used to cool the impeller, and/or accelerate the impeller rotational speed, and/or favorably shift the compressor surge line at low speeds and high loads. Cold air from the vortex tube may be also used to operate an ejector pump in the intake duct which further compresses intake air and increases engine charge weight during periods of high power demand. In addition to increasing engine output power, delivery of cold air into engine intake also reduces engine pre-ignition (knocking) thereby reducing emissions. The invention also relates to a method for operating a turbocharged internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Aqwest LLC
    Inventor: Jan Vetrovec
  • Patent number: 7677227
    Abstract: An opening of a waste gate vale is adjusted to control an actual supercharging pressure of intake air. Abnormality in a changing characteristic of the actual supercharging pressure relative to a change in a TCV control duty value can be detected. When an engine is in a steady operation condition, the TCV control duty value is forcibly changed repeatedly by a predetermined amount from 0% to 100%. A deviation between a target supercharging pressure corresponding to the TCV control duty value and an actual supercharging pressure is calculated each time the TCV control duty value is changed by the predetermined amount. This deviation is compared with an abnormality determination value to determine presence/absence of the abnormality in the changing characteristic of the actual supercharging pressure relative to the change in the TCV control duty value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Sagisaka, Yasuo Mukai, Masahiko Yamaguchi, Kuniaki Ueda
  • Publication number: 20100043428
    Abstract: An engine (21) having an engine exhaust temperature control arrangement includes an engine having an intake (23) and an exhaust (25), a compressor (27) having an inlet (29) and an outlet (31), a conduit (33) between the compressor outlet and the engine intake, a recirculation conduit (35) between the compressor outlet (31) and the compressor inlet (29), and a valve (37) for controlling flow through the recirculation conduit (35). A method for controlling engine temperature, a method for controlling engine exhaust gas temperature, and a method for controlling, engine intake gas temperature are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Stablein, Axel Radermacher
  • Patent number: 7665302
    Abstract: A device and method for supplying fresh air to a turbocharged piston internal combustion engine are described. According to the invention, a fresh gas line section of an intake manifold has an adjustable flap, and inlet and outlet ports. An adjustment device is coupled to the flap for adjusting the flap. A compressed air port having an opening leading into a chamber of the fresh gas line between the flap and the outlet is provided, and a quantity regulating device with a valve to control the compressed air is also provided. An electronic control unit controls the quantity regulating device and the adjustable flap, so that the fully opened position of the flap corresponds to a fully blocked position of the quantity regulating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Huba Nemeth, Eduard Gerum
  • Patent number: 7658069
    Abstract: A method for monitoring and diagnosing an air charger system for use in an engine assembly having pre-existing sensors, having the steps of providing an air charger having a turbine and a compressor operatively coupled to one another. Providing a control unit for monitoring a plurality of operating conditions of the engine assembly. The control unit calculates an expected value of a selected operating condition based upon at least another of the plurality of operating conditions. Comparing the expected value and at least another of the plurality of operating conditions. Diagnosing a fault condition, if present, based upon the expected value and said at least another of said plurality of operating conditions being outside a predetermined tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Olaf Weber, Timm Kiener, John Shutty
  • Patent number: 7654085
    Abstract: A system of an internal combustion engine which is induced by an air flow amplifier via a turbine and centrifugal compressor, one side of which is mechanically and pneumatically connected to the turbine and the other side with an air intake of the internal combustion engine. The operation of the engine induction system can be enhanced by using an intercooler that supplies a cooled primary flow of compressed air to the air amplifier. The use of the engine induction system without a turbocharger and, hence, without hot exhaust gases, makes it possible to utilize light magnesium alloys for parts of the turbine and compressor and thus to reduce the weight of the system as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventors: Elijah Dumas, Elisha Dumas, Howard Dumas
  • Patent number: 7654086
    Abstract: An air induction system for an engine is disclosed. The air induction system has a compressor operable to compress air directed into the engine, a bypass valve, and a throttle valve. The bypass valve may be disposed between the compressor and the engine and may have a valve element movable to selectively divert a portion of the compressed air away from the engine in response to a desired air-to-fuel ratio of the engine. The throttle valve may be disposed between the bypass valve and the engine and may have a valve element movable to selectively restrict the flow of compressed air into the engine in response to a desired air-to-fuel ratio of the engine. The movements of the valve elements of the bypass and throttle valves may be substantially sequential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Weidong Gong, John D. Goddard, Martin L. Willi, Scott B. Fiveland
  • Patent number: 7650218
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for preventing turbocharger overspeed in a combustion engine. The method includes determining a turbocharger error term as a difference between a nominal turbocharger maximum speed and a current turbocharger speed. The method further includes determining a turbocharger speed derivative with respect to time. The method includes calculating a turbocharger control response based on the turbocharger error term and the turbocharger speed derivative with respect to time. The turbocharger control response may be a modified turbocharger maximum speed calculated by determining a reference speed multiplier based on the turbocharger error term and the turbocharger speed derivative with respect to time, and multiplying the reference speed multiplier by the nominal turbocharger maximum speed. The method thereby smoothly anticipates turbocharger transient events, and prevents an overspeed condition of the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc
    Inventors: Morgan Andreae, Adrian Dale, Jeffrey A. Matthews, William A. Rankin, Vivek A. Sujan
  • Patent number: 7644584
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes compressing intake air using a compressor, supplying the compressed intake air to at least one combustion chamber of the engine, operating the at least one combustion chamber to output exhaust gas, and directing the exhaust gas to an inlet of a turbine configured to drive the compressor. The method also includes directing the exhaust gas from an outlet of the turbine to an exhaust system, bypassing at least a portion of the compressed intake air around the at least one combustion chamber, and adjusting a geometry of the turbine from a first configuration to a second configuration. The turbine is in the second configuration when the at least the portion of the compressed intake air is bypassed around the at least one combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Edward Leustek, Christopher Ronald Gehrke
  • Patent number: 7637107
    Abstract: A control system and method that compensates for changes in backpressure of an engine includes a pressure sensor that senses the backpressure. A boost compensation module that communicates with the pressure sensor, determines an averaged BC factor, and adjusts a variable geometry turbo based on the averaged BC factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Ravishankar Ramamurthy
  • Publication number: 20090301085
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine comprising: a turbine driven by exhaust gas from the engine; a compressor for supplying compressed air to the engine, the compressor including an impeller driven by the turbine; an arrangement upstream of the impeller suitable for directing air such that it is swirling in a rotational sense on reaching the impeller; and control means arranged to control said arrangement such that as the speed of the impeller approaches a predetermined maximum speed limit the arrangement directs air such that it is swirling in the opposite rotational sense to that in which the impeller is being driven by the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Francis Heyes