Patent US5540201A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5540201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine compression braking apparatus and method
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-06
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Granted: 1996-07-30
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Expires: 2015-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A braking control for an engine permits the timing and duration of exhaust valve opening to be accurately determined independent of engine events so that braking power can be precisely controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis D. Feucht
- 👤 Scott G. Sinn
- 👤 James J. Faletti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:23
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D13/00; F02D13/02; F02D13/04; F01; F01L; F01L1/00; F01L1/12; F01L1/18; F01L1/181; F01L13/00; F01L13/06; F01L13/065; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/025; F02B75/16; F02B75/18; F02B2075/1804; F02B2075/1824; F02B3/00; F02B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of variable engine-compression-braking control of an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and an exhaust port, with an exhaust valve movable within said exhaust port between open and closed positions wherein said engine is operable to undergo engine events each of which occurs at a timing point, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a desired magnitude of said engine-compression-braking; and (b) causing said exhaust valve to move to the open position at a time synchronized with respect to an engine event and selectable independent of said timing points and to remain open for a selectable duration to accomplish engine compression-braking at the desired magnitude.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of variable engine-compression-braking control of an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and an exhaust port, with an exhaust valve movable within said exhaust port between open and closed positions wherein said engine is operable to undergo engine events each of which occurs at a timing point, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a desired magnitude of said engine-compression-braking; and (b) causing said exhaust valve to move to the open position at a time synchronized with respect to an engine event and selectable independent of said timing points and to remain open for a selectable duration to accomplish engine compression-braking at the desired magnitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, including the further steps of providing an actuator for moving the exhaust valve and operating the actuator during the selectable duration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the actuator is controlled by a solenoid and wherein the step of operating includes the step of electrically actuating the solenoid such that hydraulic fluid is supplied to the actuator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the actuator includes a master fluid control device and a slave fluid control device both responsive to the hydraulic fluid.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for controlling engine-compression-braking of an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and an exhaust port, with an exhaust valve movable within said exhaust port between open and closed positions wherein said engine is operable to undergo engine events each of which occurs at a timing point, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for determining a desired magnitude of said engine-compression-braking; and (b) means synchronized to an engine event for causing said exhaust valve to move to the open position at a time selectable independent of said timing points and to remain open for a selectable duration to accomplish engine-compression-braking at the desired magnitude.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for controlling engine-compression-braking of an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and an exhaust port, with an exhaust valve movable within said exhaust port between open and closed positions wherein said engine is operable to undergo engine events each of which occurs at a timing point, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for determining a desired magnitude of said engine-compression-braking; and (b) means synchronized to an engine event for causing said exhaust valve to move to the open position at a time selectable independent of said timing points and to remain open for a selectable duration to accomplish engine-compression-braking at the desired magnitude.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the causing means comprises an actuator for moving the exhaust valve and means for operating the actuator during the selectable duration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further including a solenoid coupled to the actuator and means for actuating the solenoid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the solenoid controls the passage of hydraulic fluid to the actuator and wherein the actuator includes a master fluid control device and a slave fluid control device both responsive to the hydraulic fluid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
A variable engine-compression-braking control system for an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and an exhaust port, with an exhaust valve movable within said exhaust port between open and closed positions wherein the engine is operable to undergo engine events each of which occurs at a timing point, said system comprising: (a) an electrohydraulic means for engaging the exhaust valve; and (b) means coupled to the electrohydraulic means and synchronized to an engine event for timing a movement of said exhaust valve to said open position in a manner selectively independent of said timing points to thereby permit selection of an adjustable braking magnitude, said exhaust valve movement timing means further including means for maintaining the exhaust valve in the open position for a selectable time duration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
A variable engine-compression-braking control system for an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber and an exhaust port, with an exhaust valve movable within said exhaust port between open and closed positions wherein the engine is operable to undergo engine events each of which occurs at a timing point, said system comprising: (a) an electrohydraulic means for engaging the exhaust valve; and (b) means coupled to the electrohydraulic means and synchronized to an engine event for timing a movement of said exhaust valve to said open position in a manner selectively independent of said timing points to thereby permit selection of an adjustable braking magnitude, said exhaust valve movement timing means further including means for maintaining the exhaust valve in the open position for a selectable time duration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The braking control of claim 9, wherein the electrohydraulic means includes an actuator of the electrically-operated type.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The braking control of claim 10, wherein the timing means comprises an engine control module.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The braking control of claim 9, wherein the electrohydraulic means includes an actuator, a source of high pressure fluid and means for coupling the high pressure fluid source to the actuator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The braking control of claim 12, wherein the source of high pressure fluid comprises an accumulator and means for pumping engine oil at high pressure into the accumulator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The braking control of claim 13, wherein the engine includes a rocker arm driven by a camshaft and wherein the pumping means comprises a pump driven by the rocker arm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The braking control of claim 12, wherein the actuator includes a solenoid having an electrical winding coupled to the timing means and an armature, an actuator pin engageable with the exhaust valve and fluid controlled apparatus coupled between the armature and the actuator pin.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
The braking control of claim 15, wherein the fluid controlled apparatus includes a slave fluid control device coupled to the actuator pin, a master fluid control device coupled to the slave fluid control device and a ball valve disposed between a high pressure fluid passage and the master fluid control device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The braking control of claim 16, wherein the master fluid control device comprises a valve spool which is movable to apply high pressure fluid to the slave fluid control device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The braking control of claim 17, wherein the slave fluid control device comprises a piston surrounding the valve spool.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The braking control of claim 18, wherein the valve spool includes a high pressure annulus coupled to the high pressure fluid passage and a low pressure annulus coupled to a source of low fluid pressure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The braking control of claim 19, wherein the piston includes a passage and wherein the valve spool is movable relative to the piston to interconnect the passage with the high pressure annulus or the low pressure annulus.
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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) | 1999-07-30 | 2000-01-29 | 2000-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-30 | 2004-01-29 | 2004-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-30 | 2008-01-29 | 2008-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |