US5228422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internal combustion engine and a method of operating same
Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
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Filing: 1991-06-20
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Granted: 1993-07-20
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Expires: 2011-06-20
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising an inlet manifold, at least one combustion chamber with at least two inlet valves and at least one outlet valve, a piston reciprocable in the or each chamber to define a variable volume space therein, and means for controlling the timing of the opening and closing of each of two of the inlet valves of the or each chamber independently so that opening of one of the independently controlled inlet valves of the or each chamber occurs during the exhaust stroke of the engine, opening of the other of the independently controlled inlet valves of the or each chamber, at a time when said one of the independently controlled inlet valves is closed, and when pressure in the or each chamber is lower than pressure in said inlet manifold, producing a predetermined pressure differential across said other of the independently controlled inlet valves, creating an in-flow to the or each chamber generating turbulence, at least some of which is present when combustion occurs in the or each chamber. Preferably for light load said one inlet valve closes during the induction stroke and the other inlet valve opens and closes during the compression stroke. For full load said one inlet valve closes during the compression stroke, whilst the other inlet valve opens and closes during the induction stroke, so that both inlet valves are open together during induction.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony C. Wakeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:50
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D13/00; F02D13/02; F02D13/0203; F02D13/0215; F01; F01L; F01L13/00; F01L1/00; F01L1/26; F02D13/0223; F02D13/0234; F02D13/0257; F02D13/0261; F02D13/0273; F02F; F02F1/00; F02F1/24; F02F1/42; F02F1/4214; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of operating an internal combustion engine having an inlet manifold, at least one combustion chamber with at least two inlet valves and at least one outlet valve, a piston reciprocable in said at least one chamber to define a variable volume space therein, and means for controlling the timing of the opening and closing of each of said at least two inlet valves of said at least one combustion chamber independently, the method, at partial load, comprising the steps of: opening one of the independently controlled inlet valves of said at least one chamber during the exhaust stroke of the engine; producing first and second pressures in the inlet manifold and said at least one chamber, respectively, said first pressure being greater than said second pressure; and opening the other of the independently controlled inlet valves of said at least one chamber, at a time when said one of the independently controlled inlet valves is closed and while a pressure differential exists between said first and second pressures creating an in-flow into said at least one chamber generating turbulence, at least some of which turbulence is present when combustion occurs in said at least one chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of operating an internal combustion engine having an inlet manifold, at least one combustion chamber with at least two inlet valves and at least one outlet valve, a piston reciprocable in said at least one chamber to define a variable volume space therein, and means for controlling the timing of the opening and closing of each of said at least two inlet valves of said at least one combustion chamber independently, the method, at partial load, comprising the steps of: opening one of the independently controlled inlet valves of said at least one chamber during the exhaust stroke of the engine; producing first and second pressures in the inlet manifold and said at least one chamber, respectively, said first pressure being greater than said second pressure; and opening the other of the independently controlled inlet valves of said at least one chamber, at a time when said one of the independently controlled inlet valves is closed and while a pressure differential exists between said first and second pressures creating an in-flow into said at least one chamber generating turbulence, at least some of which turbulence is present when combustion occurs in said at least one chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said method includes the step of closing said one of the independently controlled inlet valves during the induction stroke.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said method includes the step of closing the other of the independently controlled inlet valves during the compression stroke.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second opening step includes opening the other of the independently controlled inlet valves during the compression stroke.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second opening step includes opening the other of the independently controlled inlet valves during the induction stroke.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein respective periods of opening of the two independently controlled inlet valves are equal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one outlet valve closes after the start of the induction stroke and the other of the independently controlled inlet valves opens after closure of said at least one outlet valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, in which said at least one outlet valve closes before the end of the exhaust stroke to trap exhaust gas, which is expanded as the piston moves through the induction stroke.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein with increasing load, timing of the operation of said one of the independently controlled inlet valves is retarded and timing of the operation of the other of the independently controlled inlet valves is advanced.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the other of the independently controlled inlet valves is opened at a time before said one of said independently controlled inlet valves has closed, without any of said in-flow generating turbulence being created thereby.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein at full load said one of the independently controlled inlet valves closes during the compression stroke and the other of said independently controlled inlet valves opens and closes during the induction stroke.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, in which fuel is injected for combustion in said at least one combustion chamber, said injection occurring prior to any opening of the other independently controlled inlet valve which creates said in-flow, which in-flow is of air so that the fuel is atomised by said induced air.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fuel is injected into a port of said other independently controlled inlet valve only, and after said other independently controlled inlet valve has closed on its previous cycle and before it opens on its current cycle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
188 words
An internal combustion engine comprising: an inlet manifold, at least one combustion chamber with at least two inlet valves and at least one outlet valve, a piston reciprocable in said at least one combustion chamber for defining a variable volume space therein, and means for controlling the timing of the opening and closing of each of said two inlet valves of said at least one chamber independently so that opening of one of the independently controlled inlet valves of said at least one chamber occurs during the exhaust stroke of the engine, said controlling means opening the other of the independently controlled inlet valves of said at least one chamber, at a time when said one of the independently controlled inlet valves is closed, and when pressure in said at least one chamber is lower than pressure in said inlet manifold, and said controlling means producing a predetermined pressure differential across said other of said independently controlled inlet valves, thereby creating an in-flow to said at least one chamber generating turbulence, at least some of said turbulence is present when combustion occurs in said at least one chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
188 words
An internal combustion engine comprising: an inlet manifold, at least one combustion chamber with at least two inlet valves and at least one outlet valve, a piston reciprocable in said at least one combustion chamber for defining a variable volume space therein, and means for controlling the timing of the opening and closing of each of said two inlet valves of said at least one chamber independently so that opening of one of the independently controlled inlet valves of said at least one chamber occurs during the exhaust stroke of the engine, said controlling means opening the other of the independently controlled inlet valves of said at least one chamber, at a time when said one of the independently controlled inlet valves is closed, and when pressure in said at least one chamber is lower than pressure in said inlet manifold, and said controlling means producing a predetermined pressure differential across said other of said independently controlled inlet valves, thereby creating an in-flow to said at least one chamber generating turbulence, at least some of said turbulence is present when combustion occurs in said at least one chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
An engine as claimed in claim 14, wherein a non-return valve is disposed upstream of said one of the independently controlled inlet valves to prevent backflow of exhaust gases into the inlet manifold when said one inlet valve is open during the exhaust stroke.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
An engine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the non-return valve is a reed valve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
An engine as claimed in claim 14, including means for controlling the timing of the opening and closing of said at least one outlet valve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
An engine as claimed in claim 14, including fuel injection means for injecting fuel for combustion in said at least one combustion chamber, said combustion at least at low load including air induced at said in-flow when said other one of the independently controlled inlet valves opens.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
An engine as claimed in claim 14, including a catalytic converter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
An engine as claimed in claim 19, including means generating a signal related to the temperature of said catalytic converter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
An engine as claimed in claim 17, including a catalytic converter, and wherein said means for controlling the timing of said at least one outlet valve are responsive to a signal related to the temperature of the catalytic converter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |