Caterpillar Inc.

Dennis R Walling

John Jay Bernardi

James C Smith

Min Wu

Richard P Staab

Morgen Benner

A control system for a spark-ignited gaseous fuel engine includes a fuel quality sensing mechanism, and a control device structured to receive data produced by the fuel quality sensing mechanism indicative of a change in energy content of a stream of gaseous fuel and air, and to vary an amount of an augmenting fuel that is injected into the stream of gaseous fuel and air based on the data. The strategy has application to low energy gaseous fuel and air mixtures such as are produced in mine ventilation.

Engine and control strategy for injecting augmenting fuel to stream of gaseous fuel and air

A method of controlling a internal combustion engine assembly is disclosed. The internal combustion engine assembly includes (i) a internal combustion engine having an engine inlet and an engine outlet, (ii) a mixing chamber having an air inlet, a gaseous fuel inlet, and a fuel-air mixture outlet, (iii) a fuel valve which controls a ratio of air-to-gaseous fuel in a fuel-air mixture advanced through the fuel-air mixture outlet of the mixing chamber, and (iv) a throttle operable to control flow rate of the fuel-air mixture which is advanced from the fuel-air mixture outlet to the engine inlet. The method includes the step of determining oxygen content of exhaust gases advanced through the engine outlet and generating a oxygen content signal in response thereto. The method further includes the step of determining a load on the internal combustion engine and generating a load signal in response thereto. The method still further includes the step of adjusting the fuel valve to alter the ratio of air-to-gaseous fuel in the fuel-air mixture advanced through the fuel-air mixture outlet of the mixing chamber based on the oxygen content signal and the load signal. The internal combustion engine assembly further includes an exhaust conduit positioned in fluid communication with the engine outlet, and an oxygen sensor positioned in the exhaust conduit for generating the oxygen content signal. The internal combustion engine assembly further includes a pressure sensor positioned in a fuel-air mixture conduit for generating the load signal. An internal combustion engine assembly is also disclosed.

Method of operating an internal combustion engine which uses a low energy gaseous fuel

A wastegate valve for use with turbocharged engines. The wastegate valve vents exhaust gasses upstream of the turbocharger high pressure turbine to reduce turbocharger speed and associated boost pressure. The wastegate valve includes a piston attached to a poppet valve and movable within a housing. The housing receives pressurized intake gasses at a side of the piston to actuate the popper valve between open and closed positions. A diaphragm is sealingly disposed between the piston and housing. The housing includes mechanical stop means to limit the piston travel, thereby reducing flexure of the diaphragm. Additionally, the diaphragm is disposed in the housing in such a way that the diaphragm flexes between reduced peak compressive and tensile stresses.

Boost device bypass valve

A coupling assembly is disclosed for connecting a tube to a housing member. Preferably, the coupling assembly includes a tube end having a pair of spaced apart annular beads defining a groove for receiving a resilient seal ring seated therein and a housing member defining a bore for receiving the tube end. Also, a guide ring preferably centers the tube end in the bore. A clamping assembly is provided according to the present invention which includes symmetric clamping members, each defining a tube engaging portion between a seat portion and a seat engaging portion. The clamping members assemble axially and resiliently flex relative one another to clamp onto the tube as the seat portions axially engage the seat engaging portions.

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Lafayette, IN, United States of America

Dennis R Walling