Southwest Research Institute

Scuderi Group, Inc.

Douglas Arthur McKee

Marc C Megel

Barry E Westmoreland

Mark A Tussing

Riccardo Meldolesi

Yilun Luo

David Pratt Branyon

Stephen P Scuderi

Gareth Roberts

Graham Thomas Conway

Ford Allen Phillips

Ronnie E Randolph

Thomas E Reinhart

Keith E Denholm

The present invention is directed at a waveguide antenna for microwave enhanced combustion of a previously ignited fuel-air mixture. The waveguide antenna has a thermal conductivity of at least 150 W/m&#x2212;k and can be formed from a metallic shell with a ceramic core.

Waveguide antenna for microwave enhanced combustion

A hybrid ceramic/sand casting method of manufacturing a metal part. The method is especially suitable for manufacturing engine cylinder blocks or cylinder head, which have very small internal passages or other very small internal features. These parts are formed using a hybrid core having at least one ceramic section and at least one sand section, with the ceramic section being used to create the internal feature. A mold cavity is created for the part, and the hybrid core is positioned in the mold. Molten metal is introduced into the mold, and after the metal cools, the core is removed, thereby forming the part with the internal feature.

Hybrid ceramic/sand core for casting metal engine parts with passages or holes having a cross section too small for sand casting

A cylinder head for an engine is provided comprising a monolithic structure forming an upper deck, a fire deck, at least one coolant jacket and a cavity to accommodate a fuel injector or an ignitor therein, the cavity defined by a wall connecting the fire deck with the upper deck. The wall connecting the fire deck with the upper deck, as well as other features of the cylinder head, are preferably arranged to support the fire deck against a deflection thereof by transmitting a mechanical load introduced on a flame face of the fire deck to the upper deck. A method of increasing the stiffness of the cylinder head is also provided.

Cylinder head for an engine

A split-cycle air hybrid engine with improved efficiency is disclosed in which the centerline of a compression cylinder is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the centerline of an expansion cylinder such that the engine has a V-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the centerlines of the respective cylinders intersect an axis parallel to, but offset from, the axis of rotation of the crankshaft. Modular crossover passages, crossover passage manifolds, and associated air reservoir valve assemblies and thermal regulation systems are also disclosed.

Split-cycle air hybrid V-engine

A hybrid ceramic/sand casting method of manufacturing a metal part. The method is especially suitable for parts having one or more very small internal gaps, such as might occur with a linear passage or round opening. These parts are formed using a hybrid core having at least one ceramic section and at least one sand section, with the ceramic section being used to create the internal gap. A mold cavity is created for the part, and the hybrid core is positioned in the mold. Molten metal is introduced into the mold, and after the metal cools, the core is removed, thereby forming the part with the internal gap.

Hybrid ceramic/sand core for casting metal parts having small passages

Growing community of inventors

Helotes, TX, United States of America

Douglas Arthur McKee