Patent US6286482B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6286482B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Premixed charge compression ignition engine with optimal combustion control
Assignee: Cummins Inc
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Filing: 1997-08-22
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Granted: 2001-09-11
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Expires: 2017-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low oxides of nitrogen emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g. the start of combustion, and generating an associated engine operating condition signal. A processor receives the signal and generates control signals based on the engine operating condition signal for controlling various engine components to control the temperature, pressure, equivalence ratio and\or autoignition properties so as to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events to achieve stable, low emission combustion in each cylinder and combustion balancing between the cylinders.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick F. Flynn
- 👤 Gary L. Hunter
- 👤 Axel O. zur Loye
- 👤 Omowoleoia C. Akinyemi
- 👤 Russ P. Durrett
- 👤 Greg A. Moore
- 👤 Jackie M. Mudd
- 👤 George G. Muntean
- 👤 Julie A. Wagner
- 👤 John F. Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:54
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/30; F02D41/3011; F02D41/3017; F02D41/3023; F02D41/3029; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/12; F02B19/00; F02B19/14; F02D13/00; F02D13/02; F02D13/0203; F02D13/0215; F02D13/0261; F02D13/0269; F02D15/00; F02D15/04; F02D19/00; F02D19/06; F02D19/0639; F02D19/0649; F02D35/00; F02D35/02; F02D35/023; F02D41/0025; F02D41/3035; F02D41/3041; F02D41/38; F02M; F02M26/00; F02M26/01; F02M26/13; F02M26/22; F02M26/23; F02M26/28; F02M26/33; F02M26/42; F02M26/43; F02M31/00; F02M31/02; F02M31/20; F02P; F02P19/00; F02B75/00; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/025; F02B2275/00; F02B2275/32; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; F02D2013/0292; F02M26/02; F02M26/04; F02M26/07; F02M26/08; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y02T10/30; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 161
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
An internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode, comprising: an engine body; a combustion chamber formed in the engine body for containing a mixture of fuel and air; combustion history control means for controlling a combustion history of future combustion events to optimize engine operation, said combustion history control means including at least one of a temperature control means for varying the temperature of the mixture of fuel and air, a pressure control means for ultimately varying the pressure of the mixture, an equivalence ratio control means for varying an equivalence ratio of the mixture and a mixture autoignition property control means for varying an autoignition property of the mixture; engine operating condition detecting means for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history and generating an engine operating condition signal indicative of said engine operating condition; and processing means for receiving said engine operating condition signal, determining a combustion history value based on said engine operating condition signal, and generating one or more control signals based on said combustion history value, said one or more control signals controlling at least one of said temperature control means, said pressure control means, said equivalence ratio control means and said mixture autoignition property control means to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
An internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode, comprising: an engine body; a combustion chamber formed in the engine body for containing a mixture of fuel and air; combustion history control means for controlling a combustion history of future combustion events to optimize engine operation, said combustion history control means including at least one of a temperature control means for varying the temperature of the mixture of fuel and air, a pressure control means for ultimately varying the pressure of the mixture, an equivalence ratio control means for varying an equivalence ratio of the mixture and a mixture autoignition property control means for varying an autoignition property of the mixture; engine operating condition detecting means for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history and generating an engine operating condition signal indicative of said engine operating condition; and processing means for receiving said engine operating condition signal, determining a combustion history value based on said engine operating condition signal, and generating one or more control signals based on said combustion history value, said one or more control signals controlling at least one of said temperature control means, said pressure control means, said equivalence ratio control means and said mixture autoignition property control means to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
The engine of claim 1 , wherein said processing means compares said combustion history value to a predetermined desired combustion history value and generates said one or more control signals based on the comparison of said combustion history value to said predetermined desired combustion history value, said at least one control signal controlling said at least one of said temperature control system, said pressure control system, said equivalence ratio control system and said mixture autoignition property control system to cause said combustion history value to approach said predetermined desired combustion history value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The engine of claim 1 , wherein said engine operating condition detecting means includes a start of combustion sensor for sensing the start of combustion and generating a start of combustion signal, said combustion history value being determined based on said start of combustion signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
The engine of claim 3 , wherein said processing means compares said combustion history value to a predetermined desired combustion history value and generates said one or more control signals based on the comparison of said combustion history value to said predetermined desired combustion history value, said at least one control signal controlling said at least one of said temperature control system, said pressure control system, said equivalence ratio control system and said mixture autoignition property control system to cause said combustion history value to approach said predetermined desired combustion history value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The engine of claim 3 , wherein said start of combustion sensor is a cylinder pressure sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The engine of claim 3 , wherein said combustion history control means includes said temperature control means and said pressure control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The engine of claim 6 , wherein said pressure control means includes a compression ration varying means for varying at least one of an effective compression ratio varying means for varying at least one of an effective compression ratio and a geometric compression ration so as to selectively vary the pressure in said combustion chamber to control a timing of the start of combustion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The engine of claim 7 , wherein said compression ration varying means includes a plunger movabley counted on said engine body adjacent said combustion chamber, said plunger movable from a retracted position into an extended position toward said combustion chamber to decrease the size of said combustion chamber and increase the geometric compression ratio.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The engine of claim 8 , wherein said plunger is hydraulically actuated into the extended position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The engine of claim 7 , wherein said engine is an opposed piston engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The engine of claim 10 , wherein said opposed piston engine includes a first piston mounted on a first crankshaft and a second piston mounted on a second crankshaft opposite said first piston, said combustion chamber being formed between said first and said second pistons, said compression ratio varying device including a phase shifting mechanism for varying a relative phase of rotation between said first and said second crankshafts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The engine of claim 1 , wherein said engine operating condition detecting means is a cylinder pressure sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The engine of claim 1 , wherein said combustion history control means includes said temperature control means and said equivalence ratio control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The engine of claim 1 , wherein said combustion history control means includes said temperature control means and said mixture autoignition property control means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
The engine of claim 14 , further including an intake air system for delivering intake air to said combustion chamber, wherein said mixture autoignition property control means includes a delivery device mounted on said engine body for delivery a reactive fluid into at least one of said intake system and said combustion chamber to control at least one of a timing of a start of combustion and a duration of combustion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The engine of claim 15 , wherein said delivery device delivers ozone to advance the timing of the start of combustion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The engine of claim 15 , wherein said delivery device delivers ozone to advance the timing of the start of combustion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
76 words
The engine of claim 14 , further including an intake air system for delivery intake air to said combustion chamber and an exhaust gas system for directing exhaust gas from said combustion chamber, wherein said mixture autoignition property control means includes an exhaust gas recirculation system for delivering exhaust gas from said exhaust gas system to said intake air system to dilute said intake air so as to control a timing of a start of combustion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
77 words
The engine of claim 14 , further including an intake air system for delivery intake air to said combustion chamber and a fuel supply system connected to said intake air system for directing fuel into one of said intake air system and said combustion chamber, said mixture autoignition property control means including a first fuel supply having a first autoignition property and a second fuel supply having a second autoignition property different from said first auotignition property.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The engine of claim 1 , wherein said combustion history control means includes said pressure control means and said equivalence ratio control means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The engine of claim 1 , wherein said combustion history control means includes said pressure control means and said mixture autoignition property control means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The engine of claim 1 , wherein said combustion history control means includes said equivalence ratio control means and said mixture autoignition property control means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
82 words
The engine of claim 1 , further including an intake air system for delivering intake air to said combustion chamber, wherein said combustion history control means includes said temperature control means, said temperature control means including at least one of an intake air temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the intake air or the mixture of air and fuel in the intake system and an in-cylinder temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the mixture in said combustion chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The engine of claim 23 , wherein said temperature control means includes said intake air temperature control means, said intake air temperature control means including an air heater means positioned in said intake air system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
58 words
The engine of claim 24 , wherein the engine includes a plurality of combustion chambers, said intake air system including a respective intake port associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers for directing intake air to the respective combustion chamber, said air heater means including a respective intake air heater positioned in each respective intake duct.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The engine of claim 23 , wherein said intake air temperature control means further includes an air cooler positioned in said intake air system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
63 words
The engine of claim 23 , further including an exhaust gas system for directing exhaust gas from said combustion chamber, wherein said temperature control means includes said intake air temperature control means, said intake air temperature control means including an exhaust gas recirculation system for delivering exhaust gas from said exhaust gas system to said intake air system to control intake air temperature.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
The engine of claim 27 , further including an air compressor positioned in said intake air system for compressing the intake air, said exhaust gas recirculation system delivering exhaust to said intake air system upstream of said air compressor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The engine of claim 23 , wherein said temperature control means includes said intake air temperature control means, said intake air temperature control means including a water injection device for injecting water into said intake air system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
63 words
The engine of claim 23 , wherein the engine includes a plurality of combustion chambers, said intake air system including one or more air manifolds for delivering intake air to said plurality of combustion chambers, further including a fuel supply system connected to said intake air system upstream of said one or more air manifolds for directing fuel into said intake air system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
The engine of claim 30 , wherein said fuel supply system includes a first fuel supply and a second fuel supply, said first and said second fuel supplies having different autoignition properties.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
52 words
The engine of claim 23 , wherein said temperature control means includes said in-cylinder temperature control means, said in-cylinder temperature control means including a residual mass fraction control means for varying a residual mass fraction of combustion products remaining in said combustion chamber from one combustion event to a subsequent combustion event.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
The engine of claim 32 , further including an exhaust port formed in said engine body and an exhaust valve operable to open and close said exhaust port, wherein said residual mass fraction control means varies a timing of closing of said exhaust port by said exhaust valve to vary the amount of said residual mass fraction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
The engine of claim 23 , wherein said engine body includes combustion chamber walls forming said combustion chamber, said temperature control means including said in-cylinder temperature control means, said in-cylinder temperature control means including a combustion chamber wall temperature control means for varying the temperature of said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
The engine of claim 34 , wherein said combustion chamber wall temperature control means includes a coolant temperature control system for varying the temperature of engine coolant to vary the temperature of said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The engine of claim 34 , wherein said combustion chamber wall temperature control means includes an electric heater mounted on said engine body adjacent said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
61 words
The engine of claim 23 , wherein said engine body includes an engine block, a cylinder formed in said engine block and a cylinder head, said temperature control means includes said in-cylinder temperature control means, said in-cylinder temperature control means including a glow plug mounted in said cylinder head for heating the mixture of air and fuel in said combustion chamber.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
77 words
The engine of claim 23 , further including a rotatable crankshaft mounted on said engine body, a cylinder formed in said engine body and a piston operatively connected to said crankshaft for reciprocal movement in said cylinder, wherein said temperature control means includes said in-cylinder temperature control means, said in-cylinder temperature control means including a compression ratio varying means for varying at least one of an effective compression ratio and a geometric compression ratio of said cylinder.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
57 words
The engine of claim 38 , wherein said compression ratio varying means includes a plunger movably mounted on said engine body adjacent said combustion chamber, said plunger movable from a retracted position into an extended position toward said combustion chamber to decrease the size of said combustion chamber and increase the geometric compression ratio of said cylinder.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The engine of claim 39 , wherein said plunger is hydraulically actuated into the extended position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The engine of claim 38 , wherein said engine is an opposed piston engine.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
69 words
The engine of claim 41 , wherein said opposed piston engine includes a first piston mounted on a first crankshaft and a second piston mounted on a second crankshaft opposite said first piston, said combustion chamber being formed between said first and said second pistons, said compression ratio varying device including a phase shifting mechanism for varying a relative phase of rotation between said first and said second crankshafts.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
53 words
The engine of claim 38 , further including an intake port formed in said engine body and an intake valve operable to open and close said intake port, wherein said compression ratio varying means varies the timing of closing of said intake port by said intake valve to vary the effective compression ratio.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
44 words
The engine of claim 23 , wherein said temperature control means includes said in-cylinder temperature control means, said in-cylinder temperature control means including an injector for injecting a fluid into said combustion chamber to vary the temperature of the mixture of air and fuel.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
56 words
The engine of claim 6 , further including an intake air system for delivery intake air to said combustion chamber, wherein said pressure control means includes an intake air pressure control means for varying the pressure of the intake air in said intake air system to vary the pressure of the mixture in the combustion chamber.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The engine of claim 45 , wherein said intake air pressure control means includes a turbocharger mounted in said intake air system.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
The engine of claim 46 , wherein said intake air pressure control means further includes a bypass circuit for bypassing exhaust gas around said turbocharger and a waste gate valve positioned in said bypass circuit for varying exhaust flow through said bypass circuit.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The engine of claim 45 , wherein said intake air pressure control means includes a throttle valve positioned in said intake air system.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
83 words
The engine of claim 1 , further including an intake air system for delivering intake air to said combustion chamber, wherein said combustion history control means includes said mixture autoignition property control means, said mixture autoignition property control means including a delivery device mounted on said engine body for delivering a reactive fluid into at least one of said intake system and said combustion chamber to control at least one of a timing of a start of combustion and a duration of combustion.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
88 words
The engine of claim 1 , further including an intake air system for delivering intake air to said combustion chamber and an exhaust gas system for directing exhaust gas from said combustion chamber, wherein said combustion history control means includes said mixture autoignition property control means, said mixture autoignition property control means including an exhaust gas recirculation system for delivering exhaust gas from said exhaust gas system to said intake air system to dilute said intake air so as to control a timing of a start of combustion.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
91 words
The engine of claim 1 , further including an intake air system for delivering intake air to said combustion chamber and a fuel supply system connected to said intake air system for directing fuel into one of said intake air system and said combustion chamber, wherein said combustion history control means includes said mixture autoignition property control means, said mixture autoignition property control means including a first fuel supply having a first autoignition property and a second fuel supply having a second autoignition property different from said first auto ignition property.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
The engine of claim 1 , further including a combustion chamber crevice minimizing means for minimizing the formation of unburned hydrocarbons in combustion chamber crevices during combustion.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
55 words
The engine of claim 52 , wherein said engine body includes a cylinder block including a cylinder and a cylinder head, further including a piston reciprocally mounted in said cylinder to form said combustion chamber, said crevice minimizing means including a cutback formed in said piston adjacent said combustion chamber for enlarging a crevice volume.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
41 words
The engine of claim 52 , wherein said engine body includes a cylinder block including a cylinder and a cylinder head, said crevice volume minimizing means including a combustion cup formed in said cylinder head in communication with said combustion chamber.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
55 words
The engine of claim 52 , wherein said engine body includes a cylinder block including a cylinder and a cylinder head, further including a piston reciprocally mounted in said cylinder to form said combustion chamber, said crevice minimizing means including a heater means positioned adjacent said combustion chamber for heating the mixture in the crevices.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
100 words
The engine of claim 1 , further including a rotatable crankshaft and a piston operatively connected to said crankshaft for reciprocal movement through a top dead center position, wherein said one or more control signals controls at least one of said temperature control means, said pressure control means, said equivalence ratio control means and said mixture autoignition property control means to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events to cause the start of combustion to occur between 20 crank angle degrees before said top dead center position and 10 crank angle degrees after said top dead center position.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
61 words
The engine of claim 56 , wherein said one or more control signals controls at least one of said temperature control means, said pressure control means, said equivalence ratio control means and said mixture autoignition property control means to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events to cause combustion to occur over a range of 5-30 crank angle degrees.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
40 words
The engine of claim 1 , further including a plurality of combustion chambers, at least one of said plurality of combustion chambers operating in a premixed charge compression ignition mode and the remaining combustion chambers operating in a diesel mode.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
The engine of claim 58 , further including an exhaust gas recirculation system connected to said at least one cylinder operating in a premixed charge compression ignition mode.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
65 words
The engine of claim 1 , wherein said engine body includes an engine block and a plurality of cylinders formed in said engine block, each of said plurality of cylinders including a combustion chamber, said temperature control means including a cylinder temperature compensating means for heating the mixture of air and fuel in at least two of said combustion chambers to compensate for heat loss.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
54 words
The engine of claim 60 , further including an engine coolant system formed in said engine body for circulating engine coolant, wherein said cylinder temperature compensating means includes an engine coolant control system for controlling at least one of a coolant temperature and a coolant flow rate of the coolant in said coolant system.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
116 words
The engine of claim 1 , wherein said engine includes a plurality of combustion chambers formed in the engine body, an intake air system for supplying intake air to said plurality of combustion chambers, and an exhaust system for directing exhaust gas from said plurality of combustion chambers, said combustion history control means controlling a combustion history of future combustion events in each of said plurality of combustion chambers to optimize engine operation, further including a combustion balancing means for variably adjusting operating conditions in each of said plurality of combustion chambers to achieve a similar combustion history for combustion events of said plurality of combustion chambers to balance combustion between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
128 words
The engine of claim 62 , wherein said exhaust system includes a respective exhaust port associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers and formed in said engine body, and a respective exhaust valve operable to open and close said exhaust port at predetermined times during operation of the engine, wherein said combustion balancing means includes a variable exhaust valve timing control means associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers for receiving a variable valve timing control signal from said processor and varying the timing of closing of said exhaust port by said respective exhaust valve to vary an amount of residual exhaust gas remaining in said combustion chamber after a combustion event so as to balance combustion events between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
113 words
The engine of claim 62 , wherein said intake system includes a respective intake port associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers and formed in said engine body, and a respective intake valve operable to open and close said respective intake port at predetermined times during operation of the engine, wherein said combustion balancing means includes a variable intake valve timing control means associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers for receiving a variable valve timing control signal from said processor and varying the timing of closing of said respective intake port by said respective intake valve so as to balance combustion events between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
47 words
The engine of claim 62 , wherein said combustion balancing means includes an injector mounted on said engine body for injecting a balancing fluid into one of said intake system and said plurality of combustion chambers, said balancing fluid chancing t he autoignition property of the mixture.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
22 words
The engine of claim 65 , wherein said balancing fluid is at least one of a fuel, water, oil, oxygen and ozone.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
60 words
The engine of claim 62 , wherein said intake system includes a respective intake port associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers and form ed in said engine body, said combustion balancing means including a respective heater mounted in each of said respective intake ports for receiving heater signals for variably controlling the temperature of the intake air.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
50 words
The engine of claim 62 , wherein said combustion balancing means includes a variable compression ratio means associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers for varying a compress ion ratio of each of said plurality of combustion chambers to maintain combustion balance between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
56 words
The engine of claim 62 , wherein said combustion balancing means includes a fuel supply system connected to said intake air system for directing fuel into said intake air system, wherein said fuel supply system includes a first fuel supply and a second fuel supply, said first and said second fuel supplies having different autoignition properties.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
43 words
The engine of claim 62 , wherein said engine body includes combustion chamber walls forming each of said plurality of combustion chambers, said combustion balancing means including a combustion chamber wall temperature control means for varying the temperature of said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
56 words
The engine of claim 70 , further including an engine coolant system formed in said engine body for circulating engine coolant, wherein said combustion chamber wall temperature control means includes a coolant temperature control system for varying the temperature of engine coolant in said engine coolant system to vary the temperature of said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
33 words
The engine of claim 70 , wherein said combustion chamber wall temperature control means includes an electric heater mounted on said engine body adjacent said combustion chamber for heating said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
36 words
The engine of claim 62 , wherein said combustion balancing means includes a glow plug mounted on said engine body adjacent said combustion chamber for heating the mixture of air and fuel in said combustion chamber.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
49 words
The engine of claim 62 , wherein said combustion balancing means includes an equivalence ratio varying means associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers for varying an equivalence ratio in each of said plurality of combustion chambers to maintain combustion balance between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
84 words
The engine of claim 62 , wherein said combustion balancing means includes a combustion chamber temperature control means associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers for controlling the temperature of the mixture in each combustion chamber, said combustion chamber temperature control means including a residual mass fraction control means for varying a residual mass fraction of combustion products remaining in each combustion chamber from one combustion event to a subsequent combustion event to maintain combustion balance between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
284 words
A premixed charge compression ignition internal combustion engine, comprising: an engine body; a plurality of cylinders formed in the engine body; a respective piston mounted in each of said plurality of cylinders for reciprocal movement, each respective piston defining a combustion chamber for containing a mixture of fuel and air; an intake air system for supplying intake air to said plurality of cylinders; an exhaust system for directing exhaust gas from said plurality of cylinders; combustion history control system for controlling a combustion history of future combustion events in said combustion chamber of each of said plurality of cylinders to optimize engine operation, said combustion history control system including to optimize engine operation, said combustion history control system including at least two of a temperature control system for ultimately varying the temperature of the mixture of fuel and air, a pressure control system for ultimately varying the pressure of the mixture, and equivalence ration control system for varying an equivalence ratio of the mixture and a mixture autoignition property control system for varying an autoignition property of the mixture; engine operating condition detecting device for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history and generating an engine operating condition signal indicative of said engine operating condition; and a processor for receiving said engine operating condition signal, determining a combustion history value based on said engine operating condition signal, and generating one or more control signals based on said combustion history value, said one or more control signals controlling at least one of said temperature control system, said pressure control system, said equivalence ratio control system and said mixture autoignition property control system to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
284 words
A premixed charge compression ignition internal combustion engine, comprising: an engine body; a plurality of cylinders formed in the engine body; a respective piston mounted in each of said plurality of cylinders for reciprocal movement, each respective piston defining a combustion chamber for containing a mixture of fuel and air; an intake air system for supplying intake air to said plurality of cylinders; an exhaust system for directing exhaust gas from said plurality of cylinders; combustion history control system for controlling a combustion history of future combustion events in said combustion chamber of each of said plurality of cylinders to optimize engine operation, said combustion history control system including to optimize engine operation, said combustion history control system including at least two of a temperature control system for ultimately varying the temperature of the mixture of fuel and air, a pressure control system for ultimately varying the pressure of the mixture, and equivalence ration control system for varying an equivalence ratio of the mixture and a mixture autoignition property control system for varying an autoignition property of the mixture; engine operating condition detecting device for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history and generating an engine operating condition signal indicative of said engine operating condition; and a processor for receiving said engine operating condition signal, determining a combustion history value based on said engine operating condition signal, and generating one or more control signals based on said combustion history value, said one or more control signals controlling at least one of said temperature control system, said pressure control system, said equivalence ratio control system and said mixture autoignition property control system to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
60 words
The engine of claim 76 , wherein said engine operating condition detecting means including a respective combustion sensor mounted in each of said plurality of cylinders for sensing at least one of a start of combustion and a duration of combustion and generating a combustion signal, said combustion history value being determined for each combustion based on said combustion signal.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
51 words
The engine of claim 77 , further including a cylinder combustion balancing means for variably adjusting operating conditions in said combustion chamber of each of said plurality of cylinders to achieve a similar combustion history for combustion events of said plurality of cylinders to balance combustion between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
125 words
The engine of claim 78 , wherein said exhaust system includes a respective exhaust port associated with each of said plurality of cylinders and formed in said engine body, and and exhaust value operable to open and close said exhaust port at predetermined times during operation of the engine, wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes a variable exhaust valve timing control means associated with each of said plurality of cylinders for receiving a variable valve timing control signal from said processor and varying the timing of closing of said exhaust port by said respective exhaust valve to vary an amount of residual exhaust gas remaining in said combustion chamber after a combustion event so as to balance combustion events between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
98 words
The engine of claim 78 , wherein said intake system includes a respective intake port associated with each of said plurality of cylinders and formed in said engine body, and a respective intake valve operable to open and close said respective intake port at predetermined times during operation of the engine, wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes a variable intake valve timing control valve timing control signal from said processor and varying the timing of closing of said respective intake port by said respective intake valve so as to balance combustion events between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
45 words
The engine of claim 78 , wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes an injector mounted on said engine body for injecting a balancing fluid into one of said intake system and said combustion chamber, said balancing fluid changing the autoignition property of the mixture.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
22 words
The engine of claim 81 , wherein said balancing fluid is at least one of a fuel, water, oil, oxygen and ozone.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
59 words
The engine of claim 78 , wherein said intake system includes a respective intake port associated with each of said plurality of cylinders and formed in said engine body, said cylinder combustion balancing means including a respective heater mounted in each of said respective intake ports for receiving heater signals for variably controlling the temperature of the intake air.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
47 words
The engine of claim 78 , wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes a variable compression ratio means associated with each of said plurality of cylinders for varying a compression ratio of each of said plurality of cylinders to maintain combustion balance between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
57 words
The engine of claim 78 , wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes a fuel supply system connected to said intake air system for directing fuel into said intake air system, wherein said fuel supply system includes a first fuel supply and a second fuel supply, said first and said second fuel supplies having different autoignition properties.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
37 words
The engine of claim 78 , wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes a glow plug mounted on said engine body adjacent said combustion chamber for heating the mixture of air and fuel in said combustion chamber.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
47 words
The engine of claim 78 , wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes an equivalence ratio varying means associated with each of said plurality of cylinders for varying an equivalence ratio in each of said plurality of cylinders to maintain combustion balance between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
81 words
The engine of claim 78 , wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes an in-cylinder temperature control means associated with each of said plurality of cylinders for controlling the temperature of the mixture in each combustion chamber, said in-cylinder temperature control means including a residual mass fraction control means for varying a residual mass fraction of combustion products remaining in each combustion chamber from one combustion event to a subsequent combustion event to maintain combustion balance between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
40 words
The engine of claim 77 , wherein said engine body includes combustion chamber walls forming said combustion chamber, said cylinder combustion balancing means including a combustion chamber wall temperature control means for varying the temperature of said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
56 words
The engine of claim 89 , further including an engine coolant system formed is said engine body for circulating engine coolant, wherein said combustion chamber wall temperature control means includes a coolant temperature control system for varying the temperature of engine coolant is said engine coolant system to vary the temperature of said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
33 words
The engine of claim 89 , wherein said combustion chamber wall temperature control means includes an electric heater mounted on said engine body adjacent said combustion chamber for heating said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
68 words
The engine of claim 77 , wherein said combustion history control system includes said temperature control system, said temperature control system including at least one of an intake air temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the intake air or the mixture of air and fuel in the intake system and an in-cylinder temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the mixture in the combustion chamber.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
48 words
The engine of claim 92 , wherein said temperature control system includes said intake air temperature control means, said intake air temperature control means including at least one of an air heater positioned in said intake air system and an air cooler positioned in said intake air system.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
49 words
The engine of claim 92 , wherein said temperature control system includes said intake air temperature control means, said intake air temperature control means including an exhaust gas recirculation system for delivering exhaust gas from said exhaust gas system to said intake air system to control intake air temperature.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
37 words
The engine of claim 92 , wherein said temperature control system includes said intake air temperature control means, said intake air temperature control means including a water injection device for injecting water into said intake air system.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
52 words
The engine of claim 92 , wherein said temperature control system includes said in-cylinder temperature control means, said in-cylinder temperature control means including a residual mass fraction control means for varying a residual mass fraction of combustion products remaining in said combustion chamber from one combustion event to a subsequent combustion event.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
64 words
The engine of claim 96 , further including an exhaust port formed in said engine body and an exhaust valve operable to open and close said exhaust port in timed relation to a combustion event, wherein said residual mass fraction control means varies the timing of closing of said exhaust port by said exhaust valve to vary the amount of said residual mass fraction.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
103 words
The engine of claim 92 , wherein said engine body includes combustion chamber walls forming said combustion chamber, said temperature control system including said in-cylinder temperature control means, said in-cylinder temperature control means including a combustion chamber wall temperature control means for varying the temperature of said combustion chamber walls, said combustion chamber wall temperature control means including at least one of a coolant temperature control system for varying the temperature of an engine coolant to vary the temperature of said combustion chamber walls and an electric heater mounted on said engine body adjacent said combustion chamber for heating said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
43 words
The engine of claim 92 , wherein said temperature control system includes said in-cylinder temperature control means, said in-cylinder temperature control means including a glow plug mounted on said engine body for heating the mixture of air and fuel in said combustion chamber.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
44 words
The engine of claim 92 , wherein said temperature control system includes said in-cylinder temperature control means, said in-cylinder temperature control means including an injector for injecting a fluid into said combustion chamber to vary the temperature of the mixture of air and fuel.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
52 words
The engine of claim 77 , wherein said pressure control system includes a compression ratio varying means for varying at least one of an effective compression ratio and a geometric compression ratio so as to selectively vary the pressure in said combustion chamber to control a timing of the start of combustion.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
54 words
The engine of claim 101 , wherein said compression ratio varying means includes a plunger movably mounted on said engine body adjacent said combustion chamber, said plunger movable from a retracted position into an extended position toward said combustion chamber to decrease the size of said combustion chamber and increase the geometric compression ratio.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
72 words
The engine of claim 101 , wherein the engine is an opposed piston engine including a first piston mounted on a first crankshaft and a second piston mounted on a second crankshaft opposite said first piston, said combustion chamber being formed between said first and said second pistons, said compression ratio varying device including a phase shifting mechanism for varying a relative phase of rotation between said first and said second crankshafts.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
42 words
The engine of claim 77 , wherein said pressure control system includes an intake air pressure control means for varying the pressure of the intake air in said intake air system to vary the pressure of the mixture in said combustion chamber.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
22 words
The engine of claim 104 , wherein said intake air pressure control means includes a turbocharger mounted in said intake air system.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
57 words
The engine of claim 77 , wherein said mixture autoignition property control system includes a delivery device mounted on said engine body for delivering a reactive fluid into at least one of said intake system and said combustion chamber to control at least one of a timing of the start of combustion and a duration of combustion.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
58 words
The engine of claim 77 , further including a fuel supply system connected to said intake air system for directing fuel into said intake air system, said mixture autoignition property control system including a first fuel supply having a first autoignition property and a second fuel supply having a second autoignition property different from said first autoignition property.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
27 words
The engine of claim 77 , further including a combustion chamber crevice minimizing means for minimizing the formation of unburned hydrocarbons in combustion chamber crevices during combustion.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
27 words
The engine of claim 108 , wherein said crevice minimizing means includes a cutback formed in said piston adjacent said combustion chamber for enlarging a crevice volume.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
38 words
The engine of claim 108 , wherein said engine body includes a cylinder block and a cylinder head, said crevice volume minimizing means including a combustion cup formed in said cylinder head in communication with said combustion chamber.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
40 words
The engine of claim 108 , wherein said engine body includes a cylinder block and a cylinder head, said crevice volume minimizing means including a heater positioned adjacent said combustion chamber for heating the mixture positioned in combustion chamber crevices.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
105 words
The engine of claim 77 , further including a rotatable crank shaft mounted on said engine body, said piston being operatively connected to said crankshaft for reciprocal movement through a top dead center position, wherein said one or more control signals controls at least one of said temperature control system, said pressure control system, said equivalence ratio control system and said mixture autoignition property control system to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events to cause the start of combustion to occur between 20 crank angle degrees before said top dead center and 10 crank angle degrees after said top dead center position.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
61 words
The engine of claim 112 , wherein said one or more control signals controls at least one of said temperature control system, said pressure control system, said equivalence ratio control system and said mixture autoignition property control system to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events to cause combustion to occur over a range of 5-30 crank angle degrees.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
32 words
The engine of claim 77 , wherein at least one of said plurality of cylinders operates in a premixed charge compression ignition mode and the remaining cylinders operate in a diesel mode.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
50 words
The engine of claim 114 , further including an exhaust gas recirculation system for receiving exhaust gas flow from said at least one cylinder operating in a premixed charge compression ignition mode and directing the exhaust gas into intake air flowing into said remaining cylinders operating in a diesel mode.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
359 words
A multi-mode internal combustion engine capable of operating in a plurality of modes for initiating combustion, comprising: an engine body; a combustion chamber formed in the engine body; an intake air system for delivery intake air to said combustion chamber; at least one of a fuel injection means mounted on said engine body for injecting fuel into one of said combustion chamber and said intake system while the engine operates in a diesel mode and a spark-ignition means mounted on said engine body for providing a spark for initiating combustion in said combustion chamber while the engine operates in a spark-ignition mode; a premixed charge compression ignition mode control means for operating the engine in a premixed charge compression mode, said premixed charge compression ignition mode control means including combustion history control means for controlling a combustion history of future combustion events to optimize engine operation, said combustion history control means including at least one of a temperature control means for ultimately varying the temperature of the mixture of fuel and air, a pressure control means for ultimately varying the pressure of the mixture, an equivalence ratio control means for varying an equivalence ratio of the mixture and a mixture autoignition property control means for varying an autoignition property of the mixture, said premixed charge compression ignition mode control means including an engine operating condition detecting means for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history and generating an engine operating condition signal indicative of said engine operating condition, and a premixed charge compression ignition processing means for receiving said engine operating condition signal, determining a combustion history value based on said engine operating condition signal, and generating one or more control signals based on said combustion history value, said one or more control signals controlling at least one of said temperature control means, said pressure control means, said equivalence ratio control means and said mixture autoignition property control means to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events; and a mode processing means for transferring engine operation between said premixed charge compression ignition mode and at least one of said diesel and said spark-ignition modes.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
359 words
A multi-mode internal combustion engine capable of operating in a plurality of modes for initiating combustion, comprising: an engine body; a combustion chamber formed in the engine body; an intake air system for delivery intake air to said combustion chamber; at least one of a fuel injection means mounted on said engine body for injecting fuel into one of said combustion chamber and said intake system while the engine operates in a diesel mode and a spark-ignition means mounted on said engine body for providing a spark for initiating combustion in said combustion chamber while the engine operates in a spark-ignition mode; a premixed charge compression ignition mode control means for operating the engine in a premixed charge compression mode, said premixed charge compression ignition mode control means including combustion history control means for controlling a combustion history of future combustion events to optimize engine operation, said combustion history control means including at least one of a temperature control means for ultimately varying the temperature of the mixture of fuel and air, a pressure control means for ultimately varying the pressure of the mixture, an equivalence ratio control means for varying an equivalence ratio of the mixture and a mixture autoignition property control means for varying an autoignition property of the mixture, said premixed charge compression ignition mode control means including an engine operating condition detecting means for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history and generating an engine operating condition signal indicative of said engine operating condition, and a premixed charge compression ignition processing means for receiving said engine operating condition signal, determining a combustion history value based on said engine operating condition signal, and generating one or more control signals based on said combustion history value, said one or more control signals controlling at least one of said temperature control means, said pressure control means, said equivalence ratio control means and said mixture autoignition property control means to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events; and a mode processing means for transferring engine operation between said premixed charge compression ignition mode and at least one of said diesel and said spark-ignition modes.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
116 words
The engine of claim 116 , further including a cylinder formed in said engine body, a rotatable crankshaft mounted on the engine body and a piston operatively connected to said crankshaft for reciprocal movement, said pressure control means including a variable compression ratio means for varying one of an effective compression ratio and a geometric compression ratio of said cylinder between a first compression ratio and a second compression ratio, said mode processing means causing said cylinder to operate in said spark-ignited mode when said cylinder is operated at said first compression ratio and transferring operation of said cylinder to said premixed charge compression ignition mode when said cylinder is operating at said second compression ratio.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
45 words
The engine of claim 116 , wherein said engine operating condition detecting means includes a start of combustion sensor for sensing the start of combustion and generating a start of combustion signal, said combustion history value being determined based on said start of combustion signal.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
49 words
The engine of claim 118 , wherein said premixed charge compression ignition processing means compares said combustion history value to a predetermined desired combustion history value and generates said at least one control signal based on the comparison of said combustion history value to said desired combustion history value.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
317 words
A premixed charge compression ignition internal combustion engine, comprising: an engine body; a plurality of cylinders formed in the engine body; a respective piston mounted in each of said plurality of cylinders for reciprocal movement, each respective piston defining a combustion chamber for containing a mixture of fuel and air; an intake air system for supplying intake air to said plurality of cylinders; an exhaust system for directing exhaust gas from said plurality of cylinders; combustion history control system for controlling a combustion history of future combustion events in said combustion chamber of each of said plurality of cylinders to optimize engine operation, said combustion history control system including at least one of a temperature control system for ultimately varying the temperature of the mixture of fuel and air, a pressure control system for ultimately varying the pressure of the mixture, an equivalence ratio control system for varying an equivalence ratio of the mixture and a mixture autoignition property control system for varying an autoignition property of the mixture; engine operating condition detecting device for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history and generating an engine operating condition signal indicative of said engine operating condition; a processor for receiving said engine operating condition signal, determining a combustion history value based on said engine operating condition signal, and generating one or more control signals based on said combustion history value, said one or more control signals controlling at least one of said temperature control system, said pressure control system, said equivalence ratio control system and said mixture autoignition property control system to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events; and a cylinder combustion balancing means for variably adjusting operating conditions in said combustion chamber of each of said plurality of cylinders to achieve a similar combustion history for combustion events of said plurality of cylinders to balance combustion between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
317 words
A premixed charge compression ignition internal combustion engine, comprising: an engine body; a plurality of cylinders formed in the engine body; a respective piston mounted in each of said plurality of cylinders for reciprocal movement, each respective piston defining a combustion chamber for containing a mixture of fuel and air; an intake air system for supplying intake air to said plurality of cylinders; an exhaust system for directing exhaust gas from said plurality of cylinders; combustion history control system for controlling a combustion history of future combustion events in said combustion chamber of each of said plurality of cylinders to optimize engine operation, said combustion history control system including at least one of a temperature control system for ultimately varying the temperature of the mixture of fuel and air, a pressure control system for ultimately varying the pressure of the mixture, an equivalence ratio control system for varying an equivalence ratio of the mixture and a mixture autoignition property control system for varying an autoignition property of the mixture; engine operating condition detecting device for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history and generating an engine operating condition signal indicative of said engine operating condition; a processor for receiving said engine operating condition signal, determining a combustion history value based on said engine operating condition signal, and generating one or more control signals based on said combustion history value, said one or more control signals controlling at least one of said temperature control system, said pressure control system, said equivalence ratio control system and said mixture autoignition property control system to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events; and a cylinder combustion balancing means for variably adjusting operating conditions in said combustion chamber of each of said plurality of cylinders to achieve a similar combustion history for combustion events of said plurality of cylinders to balance combustion between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
125 words
The engine of claim 120 , wherein said exhaust system includes a respective exhaust port associated with each of said plurality of cylinders and formed in said engine body, and an exhaust valve operable to open and close said exhaust port at predetermined times during operation of the engine, wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes a variable exhaust valve timing control means associated with each of said plurality of cylinders for receiving a variable valve timing control signal from said processor and varying the timing of closing of said exhaust port by said respective exhaust valve to vary an amount of residual exhaust gas remaining in said combustion chamber after a combustion event so as to balance combustion events between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
111 words
The engine of claim 120 , wherein said intake system includes a respective intake port associated with each of said plurality of cylinders and formed in said engine body, and a respective intake valve operable to open and close said respective intake port at predetermined times during operation of the engine, wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes a variable intake valve timing control means associated with each of said plurality of cylinders for receiving a variable valve timing control signal from said processor and varying the timing of closing of said respective intake port by said respective intake valve so as to balance combustion events between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
45 words
The engine of claim 120 , wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes an injector mounted on said engine body for injecting a balancing fluid into one of said intake system and said combustion chamber, said balancing fluid changing the autoignition property of the mixture.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
22 words
The engine of claim 123 , wherein said balancing fluid is at least one of a fuel, water, oil, oxygen and ozone.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
59 words
The engine of claim 120 , wherein said intake system includes a respective intake port associated with each of said plurality of cylinders and formed in said engine body, said cylinder combustion balancing means including a respective heater mounted in each of said respective intake ports for receiving heater signals for variably controlling the temperature of the intake air.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
47 words
The engine of claim 120 , wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes a variable compression ratio means associated with each of said plurality of cylinders for varying a compression ratio of each of said plurality of cylinders to maintain combustion balance between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
57 words
The engine of claim 120 , wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes a fuel supply system connected to said intake air system for directing fuel into said intake air system, wherein said fuel supply system includes a first fuel supply and a second fuel supply, said first and said second fuel supplies having different autoignition properties.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
40 words
The engine of claim 120 , wherein said engine body includes combustion chamber walls forming said combustion chamber, said cylinder combustion balancing means including a combustion chamber wall temperature control means for varying the temperature of said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
56 words
The engine of claim 128 , further including an engine coolant system formed in said engine body for circulating engine coolant, wherein said combustion chamber wall temperature control means includes a coolant temperature control system for varying the temperature of engine coolant in said engine coolant system to vary the temperature of said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
33 words
The engine of claim 128 , wherein said combustion chamber wall temperature control means includes an electric heater mounted on said engine body adjacent said combustion chamber for heating said combustion chamber walls.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
37 words
The engine of claim 120 , wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes a glow plug mounted on said engine body adjacent said combustion chamber for heating the mixture of air and fuel in said combustion chamber.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
47 words
The engine of claim 120 , wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes an equivalence ratio varying means associated with each of said plurality of cylinders for varying an equivalence ratio in each of said plurality of cylinders to maintain combustion balance between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
81 words
The engine of claim 120 , wherein said cylinder combustion balancing means includes an in-cylinder temperature control means associated with each of said plurality of cylinders for controlling the temperature of the mixture in each combustion chamber, said in-cylinder temperature control means including a residual mass fraction control means for varying a residual mass fraction of combustion products remaining in each combustion chamber from one combustion event to a subsequent combustion event to maintain combustion balance between said plurality of cylinders.
Claim 138
Independent Claim
226 words
A method for controlling a combustion history of future combustion events in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode, comprising: detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history; generating an engine operating condition signal indicative of said engine operating condition; processing said engine operating condition signal and determining an actual combustion history value based on said engine operating condition signal; generating at least one control signal based on said actual combustion history value; providing a combustion history control system for controlling a combustion history of future combustion events in the combustion chamber to optimize engine operation, said combustion history control system including at least one of a temperature control system for ultimately varying the temperature of a mixture of fuel and air for combustion in the combustion chamber, a pressure control system for ultimately varying the pressure of the mixture, an equivalence ratio control system for varying an equivalence ratio of the mixture and a mixture autoignition property control system for varying an autoignition property of the mixture; and providing said at least one control signal to at least one of said temperature control system, said pressure control system, said equivalence ratio control system and said mixture autoignition property control system to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events to optimize engine operation.
Claim 139
Independent Claim
226 words
A method for controlling a combustion history of future combustion events in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine operable in a premixed charge compression ignition mode, comprising: detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history; generating an engine operating condition signal indicative of said engine operating condition; processing said engine operating condition signal and determining an actual combustion history value based on said engine operating condition signal; generating at least one control signal based on said actual combustion history value; providing a combustion history control system for controlling a combustion history of future combustion events in the combustion chamber to optimize engine operation, said combustion history control system including at least one of a temperature control system for ultimately varying the temperature of a mixture of fuel and air for combustion in the combustion chamber, a pressure control system for ultimately varying the pressure of the mixture, an equivalence ratio control system for varying an equivalence ratio of the mixture and a mixture autoignition property control system for varying an autoignition property of the mixture; and providing said at least one control signal to at least one of said temperature control system, said pressure control system, said equivalence ratio control system and said mixture autoignition property control system to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events to optimize engine operation.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 134 , further including the steps of comparing said actual combustion history value to a predetermined desired combustion history value and generating said at least one control signal based on the comparison of said actual combustion history value to said desired combustion history value, said at least one control signal controlling said at least one of said temperature control system, said pressure control system, said equivalence ratio control system and said mixture autoignition property control system to cause said actual combustion history value to approach said predetermined desired combustion history value.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 134 , further including a start of combustion sensor for sensing the start of combustion and generating a start of combustion signal, said actual combustion history value being determined based on said start of combustion signal.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 136 , further including the step of controlling said temperature control system to cause the start of combustion to occur earlier by increasing the temperature of the mixture.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 137 , further including the steps of providing a rotatable crankshaft and a piston operatively connected to said crankshaft for reciprocal movement through a top dead center position and controlling said temperature control system to cause the start of combustion to occur between 20 crank angle degrees before said top dead center position and 10 crank angle degrees after said top dead center position by varying the temperature of the mixture.
Claim 144
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 136 , further including the step of controlling said pressure control system to cause the start of combustion to occur earlier by increasing the pressure of the mixture.
Claim 145
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 139 , further including the steps of providing a rotatable crankshaft and a piston operatively connected to said crankshaft for reciprocal movement through a top dead center position and controlling said pressure control system to vary the pressure of the mixture to cause the start of combustion to occur between 20 crank angle degrees before said top dead center position and 10 crank angle degrees after said top dead center position.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 136 , further including the step of controlling said equivalence ratio control system to cause the start of combustion to occur earlier by increasing the equivalence ratio of the mixture.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 141 , further including the steps of providing a rotatable crankshaft and a piston operatively connected to said crankshaft for reciprocal movement through a top dead center position and controlling said equivalence ratio control system to vary the equivalence ratio of the mixture to cause the start of combustion to occur between 20 crank angle degrees before said top dead center position and 10 crank angle degrees after said top dead center position.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 136 , further including the step of controlling said mixture autoignition property control system to increase the autoignition property of the mixture in the combustion chamber to cause the start of combustion to occur earlier.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 143 , further including the steps of providing a rotatable crankshaft and a piston operatively connected to said crankshaft for reciprocal movement through a top dead center position and controlling said mixture autoignition property control system to vary the autoignition property of the mixture in the combustion chamber to cause the start of combustion to occur between 20 crank angle degrees before said top dead center position and 10 crank angle degrees after said top dead center position.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 136 , further including the step of controlling said equivalence ratio control system to decrease the equivalence ratio of the mixture to cause a duration of combustion to increase.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 145 , further including the steps of providing a rotatable crankshaft and a piston operatively connected to said crankshaft for reciprocal movement, and controlling said equivalence ratio control system to vary the equivalence ratio of the mixture to cause a duration of combustion to occur over a range of 5-30 crank angle degrees.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 134 , further including the steps of providing an engine body containing a plurality of combustion chambers, and variably adjusting operating conditions in one or more of said plurality of combustion chambers to cause said actual combustion history value associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers to approach a desired combustion history value for balancing combustion between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 153
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 147 , further including the step of providing a fuel supply system for directing fuel into air for combustion in said plurality of combustion chambers and controlling said equivalence ratio control system to vary the quantity of fuel delivered to one or more of said plurality of combustion chambers to cause said actual combustion value associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers to approach a desired combustion history value for balancing combustion between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 154
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 147 , further including an intake air system for supplying intake air to said plurality of combustion chambers, wherein the step of variably adjusting operating conditions includes a step of supplying a balancing fluid into one of said intake system and at least one of said plurality of combustion chambers to change the autoignition property of the mixture for said at least one of said plurality of combustion chambers to balance combustion between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 155
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 149 , wherein said balancing fluid includes ozone.
Claim 156
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 147 , wherein said temperature control system includes a respective heater associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers, wherein the step of variably adjusting operating conditions includes the step of controlling said heaters to vary the temperature of the mixture in the combustion chamber to balance combustion between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 157
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 151 , further including an intake air system for supplying intake air to said plurality of combustion chambers, said intake air system including a respective intake port associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers, each of said heaters being positioned along a respective intake port for heating one of the mixture and a supply of intake air.
Claim 158
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 147 , wherein said pressure control system includes a respective variable compression ratio control system associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers, said step of variably adjusting operating conditions including variably controlling a compression ratio of each combustion chamber for balancing combustion between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 159
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 147 , wherein said temperature control system includes a respective glow plug associated with each of said plurality of combustion chambers, said step of variably adjusting operating conditions including variably controlling said respective glow plug to vary the temperature of the mixture in the respective combustion chamber for balancing combustion between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 160
Dependent Claim
133 words
The method of claim 147 , further including an engine body, an exhaust port formed in said engine body and an exhaust valve means for controlling the flow through said exhaust port in timed relation to a combustion event, wherein said temperature control system includes a residual mass fraction control means for varying a residual mass fraction of combustion products remaining in at least one of said plurality of combustion chambers from one combustion event to a subsequent combustion event, said step of variably adjusting operating conditions including controlling said residual mass fraction control means to vary the flow through said exhaust port by operating said exhaust valve means to vary the amount of said residual mass fraction in a respective combustion chamber to balance combustion events between said plurality of combustion chambers.
Claim 161
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 155 , wherein said exhaust valve means includes an exhaust valve operable to open and close said exhaust port in timed relation to a combustion event, said step of variably adjusting operating conditions including controlling said residual mass fraction control means to vary the timing of closing of said exhaust port by said exhaust valve to vary the amount of said residual mass fraction in a respective combustion chamber to balance combustion events between said plurality of combustion chambers.
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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) | 2004-09-10 | 2005-03-12 | 2005-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-10 | 2009-03-12 | 2009-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-10 | 2013-03-12 | 2013-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |