Mark S Cavanagh

US Patent:

6499467, Dec 31, 2002

Filed:

Mar 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/541669

Inventors:

C. Edward Morris - Columbus IN
Bjorn Westman - Ekero, SE
Mark S. Cavanagh - Bloomington IL

Assignee:

Cummins Inc. - Columbus IN

International Classification:

F02M 3704

US Classification:

123467, 123446, 2395333

Abstract:

A novel and improved closed nozzle injector is provided which effectively and accurately controls the timing and rate of fuel injection while minimizing parasitic losses and needle valve element wear. The closed nozzle injector includes a needle valve element movable between open and closed positions, an outer control volume, an injection control valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fuel from the outer control volume to affect opening and closing of the needle valve element and a needle valve biasing feature for optimizing the speed of needle valve opening and closing. The needle valve biasing feature includes an inner guide portion formed on the needle valve element with a larger diameter than an outer guide portion, an inner control volume, and an inner restriction orifice for restricting the flow of pressurized supply fuel to the inner control volume to create a fuel pressure bias closing force which advantageously slows down the opening of the needle valve element. The fuel pressure bias closing force increases as the needle valve element opens thereby causing the needle valve element to hover in an open position without contacting a hard stop. The inner control volume and inner restriction orifice also result in a hydraulic damper effect which slows the closing motion of the needle valve element toward the end of the closing event thereby permitting higher needle closing velocity earlier in the closing event.

US Patent:

6655349, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

Dec 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/331165

Inventors:

Mark S. Cavanagh - Bloomington IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02D 1304

US Classification:

123321, 123 9016

Abstract:

A method of controlling a valve actuation system is provided. An intake cam assembly is operated to move an intake valve between a first position and a second position. An exhaust cam assembly is operated to move an exhaust valve between a first position a second position. An engine brake is operated to selectively move the exhaust valve from the first position towards the second position when a piston is at or near a top-dead-center position of a compression stroke. At least one operating parameter of the engine is sensed. A desired intake valve actuation period is determined based on the at least one operating parameter. A valve actuator is engaged with the intake valve to prevent the intake valve from returning to the first position in response to operation of the intake cam assembly. The valve actuator is released to allow the intake valve to return to the first position at the end of the determined valve actuation period.

US Patent:

6895752, May 24, 2005

Filed:

Oct 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/699086

Inventors:

Richard H. Holtman - Dunlap IL, US
Mark S. Cavanagh - Bloomington IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02B033/44
F02M025/06

US Classification:

606052, 12356812

Abstract:

An engine includes an exhaust conduit, an intake conduit, and a vortex tube disposed between the exhaust conduit and the intake conduit. The vortex tube has an inlet in fluid communication with the exhaust conduit, a cold gas outlet in fluid communication with the intake conduit, and a hot gas outlet.

US Patent:

6955114, Oct 18, 2005

Filed:

Dec 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/729539

Inventors:

Alan R. Stockner - Metamora IL, US
Norval J. Wiemken - Dwight IL, US
Scott F. Shafer - Morton IL, US
Gene R. Slinkard - Pontiac IL, US
Mark S. Cavanagh - Bloomington IL, US
Ye Tian - Bloomington IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F15B013/044

US Classification:

91417R, 13762565

Abstract:

The present invention relates to high speed control valves which are especially applicable for use in fuel injection systems. Producing a valve with a quick response time within acceptable packaging constraints and with a structure that allows the valve to be mass produced with consistent performance between valves is extremely problematic. By moving flow restrictions within the valve away from the valve seats, flow forces on the valve member can be reduced, while possibly also permitting a reduction in the necessary travel distance of the valve member to improve response time and other performance characteristics. The valve is particularly applicable in controlling hydraulic pressure applied to the closing hydraulic surface of a direct control needle valve in a fuel injector.

US Patent:

6959699, Nov 1, 2005

Filed:

Nov 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/700182

Inventors:

Ronald D. Shinogle - Peoria IL, US
Berfan K. Kochgiri - W. Peoria IL, US
Mark S. Cavanagh - Bloomington IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02M023/00

US Classification:

123531, 123532, 2395331

Abstract:

One strategy for reducing undesirable emissions from internal combustion engines relates to finding ways to better mix fuel and air prior to combustion. One such method is commonly referred to as homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI); however, that strategy is problematic in both controlling ignition timing and avoiding overstressing the engine at higher speeds and loads. The present invention addresses these issues by mixing air and fuel vapor within an injector instead of within the engine cylinder. The air/fuel mixture is then injected into the engine cylinder at some desired timing and over some desired duration. Such a strategy permits for lower emissions due to better mixing of air and fuel, while also permitting control over some aspects of combustion timing and duration not apparently possible with a conventional HCCI strategy. The present invention is generally applicable to all internal combustion engines, but especially applicable to diesel engines.

US Patent:

7032566, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

May 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/448063

Inventors:

Mark S. Cavanagh - Bloomington IL, US
Keith E. Lawrence - Peoria IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02B 3/00

US Classification:

123299, 23953312

Abstract:

A direct injection fuel injector includes a nozzle tip having a plurality of passages allowing fluid communication between an inner nozzle tip surface portion and an outer nozzle tip surface portion and directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A first group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in a first common plane. A second group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in at least a second common plane substantially parallel to the first common plane. The second group has more passages than the first group.

US Patent:

7077381, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

Jul 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/631163

Inventors:

Norval J. Wiemken - Dwight IL, US
Alan R. Stockner - Metamora IL, US
Scott F. Shafer - Morton IL, US
Steven Tian - Bloomington IL, US
Mark S. Cavanagh - Bloomington IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria

International Classification:

B05B 1/30

US Classification:

25112916, 137 1518

Abstract:

Because of the relatively high pressures experienced within fuel injectors, several internal components can undergo substantial deformation each time fuel is pressurized to injection levels. In some instances, such as when a solenoid operated control valve is positioned near a distortion region, the internal distortion can cause a fuel injector to behave with less predictability, and can undermine consistency from one fuel injector to another, since distortion levels and affects therefrom are likely to vary substantially from one injector to another. In order to desensitize fuel injector performance to this internal distortion, a deflection cavity is disposed within the fuel injector between the distortion region and the needle valve of the fuel injector. This strategy finds particular applicability to needle control valves disposed deep within fuel injectors in order to control fluid pressure on a closing hydraulic surface of a direct control needle valve, which opens and closes the nozzle outlets.

US Patent:

7290520, Nov 6, 2007

Filed:

Feb 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/353998

Inventors:

Mark S. Cavanagh - Bloomington IL, US
Keith E. Lawrence - Peoria IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02B 3/08

US Classification:

123299

Abstract:

A direct injection fuel injector includes a nozzle tip having a plurality of passages allowing fluid communication between an inner nozzle tip surface portion and an outer nozzle tip surface portion and directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. A first group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in a first common plane. A second group of the passages have inner surface apertures located substantially in at least a second common plane substantially parallel to the first common plane. The second group has more passages than the first group.