Patent US6443104B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6443104B1
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Engine and method for controlling homogenous charge compression ignition combustion in a diesel engine
Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
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Filing: 2000-12-15
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Granted: 2002-09-03
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Expires: 2020-12-15
Abstract
Abstract An operating characteristic representative of a first stage reaction in HCCI combustion is sensed and used as a control event for injecting water into the combustion chamber to delay the start of combustion of the primary HCCI reaction.
Inventors
- 👤 Stefan Simescu
- 👤 Thomas W. Ryan, III
- 👤 Daniel W. Dickey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:15
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D35/00; F02D35/02; F02D35/023; F02B; F02B47/00; F02B1/00; F02B1/12; F02B47/02; F02B77/00; F02B77/08; F02B77/085; F02D41/00; F02D41/30; F02D41/3011; F02D41/3017; F02D41/3035; F02D41/3041; F02M; F02M25/00; F02M25/022; F02M25/0227; F02M25/025; F02M25/03; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; F02D41/0025; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A method for controlling homogenous charge compression ignition combustion in a diesel engine having a crankshaft, at least one combustion chamber, a water injector in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, and a piston reciprocatively disposed in the combustion chamber and operatively connected to a crankshaft, said method comprising: sensing pressure in the combustion chamber, said pressure being represented by p; sensing the angular position of the crankshaft with respect to a top dead center position of the piston disposed in the combustion chamber, said angular position of the crankshaft being represented by α; calculating a combustion chamber pressure derivative with respect to the crankshaft angle (d p /d α ) after the crankshaft position angle (α) has a value within a preselected range before a top dead center position of the piston; comparing the calculated combustion chamber pressure derivative with respect to crankshaft angle (d p /d α ) at a first time (t), represented by the mathematical expression (d p /d α ) t with the calculated combustion chamber pressure derivative with respect to crankshaft angle at a subsequent second time (t+1), represented by the mathematical expression (d p /d α ) t+1 ; delivering a signal to a trigger circuit adapted for controlling the injection of water into the combustion chamber in response to the value of (dp/dα) t+ being less than the value of (dp/dα) t , and; injecting water into said combustion chamber in response to delivering a signal from said trigger circuit to the water injector.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
252 words
A method for controlling homogenous charge compression ignition combustion in a diesel engine having a crankshaft, at least one combustion chamber, a water injector in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, and a piston reciprocatively disposed in the combustion chamber and operatively connected to a crankshaft, said method comprising: sensing pressure in the combustion chamber, said pressure being represented by p; sensing the angular position of the crankshaft with respect to a top dead center position of the piston disposed in the combustion chamber, said angular position of the crankshaft being represented by α; calculating a combustion chamber pressure derivative with respect to the crankshaft angle (d p /d α ) after the crankshaft position angle (α) has a value within a preselected range before a top dead center position of the piston; comparing the calculated combustion chamber pressure derivative with respect to crankshaft angle (d p /d α ) at a first time (t), represented by the mathematical expression (d p /d α ) t with the calculated combustion chamber pressure derivative with respect to crankshaft angle at a subsequent second time (t+1), represented by the mathematical expression (d p /d α ) t+1 ; delivering a signal to a trigger circuit adapted for controlling the injection of water into the combustion chamber in response to the value of (dp/dα) t+ being less than the value of (dp/dα) t , and; injecting water into said combustion chamber in response to delivering a signal from said trigger circuit to the water injector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method for controlling homogenous charge compression ignition combustion in a diesel engine, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said method includes delaying said delivering a signal from said trigger circuit to the water injector for a selected period of time subsequent to delivering the signal to the trigger circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method for controlling homogenous charge compression ignition combustion in a diesel engine, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said injecting water into said combustion chamber includes selectively varying the period of time during which water is injected into the combustion chamber.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for controlling homogenous charge compression ignition combustion in a diesel engine having at least one combustion chamber in which homogenous charge compression ignition combustion occurs in separate first and second combustion stages, said method comprising: sensing an operating characteristic representative of said first combustion stage; and injecting water into said combustion chamber subsequent to sensing said operating characteristic representative of said first combustion stage at a time and for a length of time sufficient to delay the start of said second combustion stage until a piston disposed in said combustion chamber is at a preselected position, wherein said sensing an operating characteristic representative of said first combustion stage includes sensing combustion chamber pressure with respect to crankshaft angle.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for controlling homogenous charge compression ignition combustion in a diesel engine having at least one combustion chamber in which homogenous charge compression ignition combustion occurs in separate first and second combustion stages, said method comprising: sensing an operating characteristic representative of said first combustion stage; and injecting water into said combustion chamber subsequent to sensing said operating characteristic representative of said first combustion stage at a time and for a length of time sufficient to delay the start of said second combustion stage until a piston disposed in said combustion chamber is at a preselected position, wherein said sensing an operating characteristic representative of said first combustion stage includes sensing combustion chamber pressure with respect to crankshaft angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
133 words
A diesel engine adapted for at least partial operation in a homogenous charge compression ignition combustion mode and having at least one combustion chamber, and a piston reciprocatively disposed in said combustion chamber and operatively connected to a crankshaft, said engine comprising: a means for sensing pressure in said combustion chamber; a means for sensing crankshaft angle; a differentiator operatively connected to said means for sensing pressure in the combustion chamber and to said means for sensing crankshaft angle; a comparator adapted to receive a signal from said differentiator; a trigger circuit adapted to receive a signal from said second comparator; and an injector operatively connected to a source of water and adapted to inject water into said combustion chamber of the engine in response to receiving a signal from said trigger circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
133 words
A diesel engine adapted for at least partial operation in a homogenous charge compression ignition combustion mode and having at least one combustion chamber, and a piston reciprocatively disposed in said combustion chamber and operatively connected to a crankshaft, said engine comprising: a means for sensing pressure in said combustion chamber; a means for sensing crankshaft angle; a differentiator operatively connected to said means for sensing pressure in the combustion chamber and to said means for sensing crankshaft angle; a comparator adapted to receive a signal from said differentiator; a trigger circuit adapted to receive a signal from said second comparator; and an injector operatively connected to a source of water and adapted to inject water into said combustion chamber of the engine in response to receiving a signal from said trigger circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The diesel engine, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein said engine includes an additional comparator adapted to receive a signal from said means for sensing crankshaft angle and delivering a signal to said differentiator in response to the crankshaft angle having a value within a preselected range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The diesel engine, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein said trigger circuit includes a signal output delay circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The diesel engine, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein said trigger circuit includes an injection duration circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-09-02 | 2006-03-04 | 2006-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-02 | 2010-03-04 | 2010-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-02 | 2014-03-04 | 2014-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |