| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 7617761 |
Opposing pump/motors |
November 17, 2009 |
| Two motors are arranged on opposing sides of a common shaft, drive plates of the pump/motors being rigidly coupled to each other, for example by being in hard contact with opposing sides of the shaft. By providing hard contact between the pump/motor drive plates and a common shaft, the d |
| 7594802 |
Large angle sliding valve plate pump/motor |
September 29, 2009 |
| A pump/motor includes a back plate having first and second fluid ports configured to be differentially pressurized, first and second reaction plates rigidly coupled to the back plate, and a valve plate slideably coupled to the back plate and having first and second fluid feed channels |
| 7553085 |
Fluid bearing and method of operation |
June 30, 2009 |
| A fluid bearing includes hydrostatic pads formed in a surface and positioned to exert a separating force, and a land formed on the surface of the insert and configured to act as a bushing to allow rotation while the first and second pads are pressurized at less than a hydrostatic bal |
| 7527074 |
Hydraulic pressure accumulator |
May 5, 2009 |
| A bladder for a high pressure accumulator includes a metal foil layer adhered to the inside of a rubber bladder with a paint-on adhesive. A position contactor switch is further provided to signal position of the bladder within the accumulator and thereby prevent an undesired shut-off. |
| 7500424 |
Hydraulic machine having pressure equalization |
March 10, 2009 |
| A hydraulic machine includes a valve plate, with first and second fluid ports in a surface thereof. A cylinder barrel is rotatably coupled to the valve plate. A plurality of cylinders is formed in the cylinder barrel, such that, as the barrel rotates, each cylinder is coupled to the firs |
| 7464697 |
High-pressure fuel intensifier system |
December 16, 2008 |
| A fuel injection supply system includes an intensifier cylinder having an intensifier piston configured to pressurize fuel in an intensifier chamber of the cylinder during a pressurizing stroke, and further configured to draw fuel into the intensifier chamber during a recharge stroke |
| 7456509 |
Methods of operating a series hybrid vehicle |
November 25, 2008 |
| The invention is directed toward methods for operating a series hybrid vehicle in a manner that responds to the operator's demand for power output, while maximizing engine efficiency and minimizing disruptions in vehicle drivability. According to principles of the present invention, |
| 7374005 |
Opposing pump/motors |
May 20, 2008 |
| Two motors are arranged on opposing sides of a common shaft, drive plates of the pump/motors being rigidly coupled to each other, for example by being in hard contact with opposing sides of the shaft. By providing hard contact between the pump/motor drive plates and a common shaft, the d |
| 7337869 |
Hydraulic hybrid vehicle with integrated hydraulic drive module and four-wheel-drive, and method |
March 4, 2008 |
| A vehicle includes an integrated drive module coupled to an axle thereof. The module includes a hydraulic motor configured to provide motive power at an output shaft, and a differential for distributing the motive power to right and left portions of the axle. The hydraulic motor and the |
| 7305915 |
Efficient pump/motor with reduced energy loss |
December 11, 2007 |
| A bent axis pump/motor includes a back plate positioned within a casing, and a check valve positioned in the back-plate, the check valve configured to control passage of fluid from within the casing to an interior of the back plate. A yoke, coupled to the back plate, includes trunnio |
| 7305914 |
Hydraulic actuator control valve |
December 11, 2007 |
| An actuator includes a piston within a cylinder, the cylinder having a first fluid port in communication with an open side of the piston, and a second fluid port in communication with a shaft side of the piston. The piston travels in a first direction, toward the shaft side of the piston |
| 7252020 |
Vehicle drive-train including a clutchless transmission, and method of operation |
August 7, 2007 |
| A vehicle drive-train includes a drive-motor having an output shaft and a transmission having an input shaft, an output shaft, a plurality of discrete forward gear ratios and a corresponding plurality of synchronizers. Each of the synchronizers is configured to mechanically synchroni |
| 7237532 |
Methods of operation for controlled temperature combustion engines using gasoline-like fuel, par |
July 3, 2007 |
| A multicylinder homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine with a control system designed to maintain stable HCCI combustion during engine speed/load transitions by: (1) determining "combustion parameter" values such as the maximum rate of pressure rise for each cycle of each |
| 7121304 |
Low permeation hydraulic accumulator |
October 17, 2006 |
| A hydraulic accumulator includes a rigid tank containing a flexible but non-elastic bladder formed of a metal foil and separating the interior of the tank into a gas space and a liquid space. The gas and liquid spaces respectively communicate with exterior sources of gas and liquid throu |
| 7108016 |
Lightweight low permeation piston-in-sleeve accumulator |
September 19, 2006 |
| A lightweight, low permeation, piston-in-sleeve high pressure accumulator is provided. The accumulator includes a cylindrical composite pressure vessel with two integral rounded ends. A piston slidably disposed in a thin nonpermeable internal sleeve in the accumulator separates two c |
| 7104349 |
Hybrid powertrain motor vehicle with homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine, and m |
September 12, 2006 |
| A Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine is used in conjunction with a hybrid powertrain. Power production from the HCCI engine in operation may be decoupled from, or assisted in, responding to driver power demand. In this manner, the HCCI engine: (i) is relieved from t |
| 7047933 |
Low emission fuel for use with controlled temperature combustion, direct injection, compression |
May 23, 2006 |
| A low emission, direct injection, compression ignition, internal combustion engine operates with reduced charge-air oxygen concentration levels to control localized peak combustion temperatures and reduce NOx formation. Low cetane fuel, below 43 cetane, and most preferably with a cet |
| 7047741 |
Methods for low emission, controlled temperature combustion in engines which utilize late direct |
May 23, 2006 |
| A method is provided for close control and adjustment of in-cylinder oxygen concentration levels together with boost adjustments to minimize harmful emissions during transients in engines which utilize late direct cylinder injection of fuel. EGR flow rates are adjusted in a closed loop, |
| 7032385 |
Multi-crankshaft, variable-displacement engine |
April 25, 2006 |
| An internal combustion engine for a vehicle provides variable displacement by selectively driving one or more engine crankshafts mounted within a single unitary engine block. In several embodiments the crankshafts are connected to a common output shaft with a one-way clutch between the |
| 7025042 |
Methods of operation for controlled temperature combustion engines using gasoline-like fuel, par |
April 11, 2006 |
| A multicylinder homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine with a control system designed to maintain stable HCCI combustion during engine speed/load transitions by: (1) determining "combustion parameter" values such as the maximum rate of pressure rise for each cycle of each |
| 7024858 |
Multi-crankshaft, variable-displacement engine |
April 11, 2006 |
| An internal combustion engine for a vehicle provides variable displacement by selectively driving one or more engine crankshafts mounted within a single unitary engine block. In several embodiments the crankshafts are connected to a common output shaft with a one-way clutch between the |
| 7014429 |
High-efficiency, large angle, variable displacement hydraulic pump/motor |
March 21, 2006 |
| A variable displacement hydraulic/pump motor has a yoke with a pair of shafts aligned to define a yoke pivot axis and connected to a valve plate therebetween having intake and discharge apertures. A rotatable cylinder barrel has piston cylinders open at one end to receive a piston head a |
| 6998727 |
Methods of operating a parallel hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a second |
February 14, 2006 |
| The invention is directed toward methods for operating a parallel hybrid vehicle in a manner that responds to the operator's demand for power output, while maximizing engine efficiency and minimizing disruptions in vehicle drivability. According to principles of the present invention, |
| 6996982 |
Method and device for switching hydraulic fluid supplies, such as for a hydraulic pump/motor |
February 14, 2006 |
| A spool valve includes a first valve port coupled to a fluid source at a first pressure range, a second valve port coupled to a fluid source at a second, lower, pressure range, and first and second output ports coupled to a hydraulic device. The valve includes a valve spool configured to |
| 6876098 |
Methods of operating a series hybrid vehicle |
April 5, 2005 |
| The invention is directed toward methods for operating a series hybrid vehicle in a manner that responds to the operator's demand for power output, while maximizing engine efficiency and minimizing disruptions in vehicle drivability. According to principles of the present invention, |
| 6857263 |
Low emission diesel combustion system with low charge-air oxygen concentration levels and high f |
February 22, 2005 |
| This invention sets forth a commercially viable diesel combustion system that meets environmentally acceptable levels of NOx emissions (i.e. 0.2 g/bhp-hr or lower across a full map of engine speeds and loads) without the need for use of NOx aftertreatments, and simultaneously maintains |
| 6752105 |
Piston-in-piston variable compression ratio engine |
June 22, 2004 |
| An improved apparatus for generating a variable compression ratio within an ICE includes a piston-in-piston assembly having an inner piston that is slidably mounted within an outer piston and coupled to an actuator. The actuator is further coupled to a fluid source, and a volume of fluid |
| 6719080 |
Hydraulic hybrid vehicle |
April 13, 2004 |
| An automotive powertrain includes a hydraulic drive circuit including at least one of: (1) a hydraulic pump/motor having a shaft fixed to for rotation with the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and (2) a pair of pump/motors coaxially arranged to share a common shaft on which is |
| 6652247 |
Fully-controlled, free-piston engine |
November 25, 2003 |
| A free-piston engine includes at least one dual piston assembly, each of which has a pair of axially opposed combustion cylinders and free-floating combustion pistons respectively mounted in the combustion cylinders for reciprocating linear motion responsive to successive combustions. A |
| 6651432 |
Controlled temperature combustion engine |
November 25, 2003 |
| A method of operating an internal combustion engine wherein intake ambient air is boosted to a higher pressure by passage through at least one compressor and then introduced into the internal combustion engine. Fuel is also introduced into the internal combustion engine for providing |
| 6619325 |
Hydraulic hybrid accumulator shut-off valve |
September 16, 2003 |
| A hydraulic accumulator is equipped with a novel shut-off valve. The shut off-valve includes a valve body having a cylindrical hollow with a valve seat surrounding one end. The main piston including a piston head has a central opening and is slidably mounted within the cylindrical hollow |
| 6582204 |
Fully-controlled, free-piston engine |
June 24, 2003 |
| A free-piston engine includes at least one dual piston assembly, each of which has a pair of axially opposed combustion cylinders and free-floating combustion pistons respectively mounted in the combustion cylinders for reciprocating linear motion responsive to successive combustions. A |
| 6578533 |
Controlled homogeneous-charge, compression-ignition engine |
June 17, 2003 |
| An engine has a plurality of combustion cylinders with a first piston reciprocably mounted in each of the combustion cylinders in the conventional manner. The engine head has, in communication with each of the combustion cylinders, a cylindrical recess containing a reciprocably mount |
| 6470682 |
Low emission, diesel-cycle engine |
October 29, 2002 |
| A diesel-cycle engine with a unique exhaust gas recirculation system includes a plurality of cylinders with fuel feed for each of the cylinders and an intake manifold for distributing intake air to each of the cylinders for combustion of the fuel charges therein with generation of ex |
| 6415607 |
High efficiency, air bottoming engine |
July 9, 2002 |
| An air bottoming powertrain, suitable for use in automobiles includes an internal combustion engine, a compressor which receives gaseous working fluid and compresses it to an elevated pressure, a cooler for operating the compressor isothermally, an expander for deriving work from the |
| 6386154 |
Pumped EGR system |
May 14, 2002 |
| An exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust manifold and at least one exhaust flow control valve located between the engine and the exhaust manifold. The exhaust flow control valve diverts a portion of the exhaust gas from each cycle of one |
| 6301891 |
High efficiency, air bottoming engine |
October 16, 2001 |
| An air bottoming powertrain, suitable for use in automobiles includes an internal combustion engine, a compressor which receives gaseous working fluid and compresses it to an elevated pressure, a cooler for operating the compressor isothermally, an expander for deriving work from the |
| 6301888 |
Low emission, diesel-cycle engine |
October 16, 2001 |
| A diesel-cycle engine with a unique exhaust gas recirculation system includes a plurality of cylinders with fuel feed for each of the cylinders and an intake manifold for distributing intake air to each of the cylinders for combustion of the fuel charges therein with generation of ex |
| 6216462 |
High efficiency, air bottoming engine |
April 17, 2001 |
| An air bottoming powertrain, suitable for use in automobiles includes an internal combustion engine, a compressor which receives gaseous working fluid and compresses it to an elevated pressure, a cooler -For operating the compressor isothermally, an expander for deriving work from the |
| 6202416 |
Dual-cylinder expander engine and combustion method with two expansion strokes per cycle |
March 20, 2001 |
| An internal combustion engine is provided with an expansion cylinder and at least one combustion cylinder, preferably two or four combustion cylinders per expansion cylinder. An air-fuel mixture is ignited within the combustion cylinders to drive a combustion piston which, in turn, drive |
| 6189493 |
Torque balanced opposed-piston engine |
February 20, 2001 |
| An internal combustion engine having first and second synchronized subassemblies. The subassemblies are synchronized by a mechanical linkage of their crankshafts to provide identical timing between corresponding pistons in the two subassemblies. |
| 6186126 |
Phase change heat engine |
February 13, 2001 |
| An automotive power plant includes an internal combustion engine and a heat exchanger for vaporizing fuel to the internal combustion engine utilizing heat from the combustion exhaust gas. The vaporized fuel may be fed to a combustion cylinder containing the compressed gas produced by a |
| 5887674 |
Continuously smooth transmission |
March 30, 1999 |
| A drive train for a vehicle having front and rear wheels includes a fluidic motor and a pump interconnected in a continuous loop, with one conduit connected to the inlet of the fluidic motor to the outlet of the pump and a second conduit connecting the inlet of the pump to the outlet of |
| 5611300 |
Floating piston, piston-valve engine |
March 18, 1997 |
| The present invention is an improved drive train which includes an engine having at least one power cylinder with a power piston mounted for reciprocating motion therein. The power piston is connected to a crank shaft in the usual manner for translation of the reciprocating motion of |
| 5609131 |
Multi-stage combustion engine |
March 11, 1997 |
| The invention is a combustion method for operation of a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine in a cycle including intake, compression, expansion and exhaust strokes. A first amount of fuel is introduced into each of the cylinders with introduction initiated earlier than 45.degree |
| 5579640 |
Accumulator engine |
December 3, 1996 |
| A hydropneumatic powertrain includes a fluidic driver connected in parallel with first and second liquid tanks connected, respectively, with first and second gas vessels. The gas within each gas vessel is in fluid communication with the liquid within the corresponding liquid vessel. A |
| 5562079 |
Low-temperature, near-adiabatic engine |
October 8, 1996 |
| A novel, internal combustion engine includes a cylinder, a head closing one end of the cylinder and a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder for reciprocating motion, in the usual manner, which reciprocation is converted into rotary motion by, for example, a conventional crankshaft. |
| 5549087 |
Combined cycle engine |
August 27, 1996 |
| A method of operation of an internal combustion engine to minimize NOx emission in exhaust gas involves detection of load on the vehicle engine as either a low load or a high load. While a low load is detected unthrottled air and a quantity of fuel providing for lean combustion are m |
| 5507144 |
Lightweight, safe hydraulic power system and a method of operation thereof |
April 16, 1996 |
| A hydraulic accumulator system alternately stores energy in the form of gas pressure and converts the stored energy into work by gas expansion. The hydraulic accumulator system, by connection to drive wheels of a vehicle, can serve as a hydropneumatic powertrain for the vehicle. High-pre |
| 5505527 |
Anti-lock regenerative braking system |
April 9, 1996 |
| A vehicular powertrain with regenerative braking includes a plurality of wheels and a brake pedal which, upon engagement, is activated first into a first zone of operation and then into a second zone of operation. A braking detector detects either a released state or an engaged state for |
