Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Glen R MacFarlane

Richard Stephen Davis

Jordan R Lee

Ko-Jen Wu

Ronald J Cantrell

A catalytic converter for use in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine having a rigid outer canister with a catalyst support disposed therein for movement between a first position adjacent in inlet end of the canister and a second position located in spaced relationship with said inlet end. In its first position, the substrate seals the inlet thereby forcing the entire exhaust flow through the fluid flow passages within the catalyst support which are in axial alignment with the converter inlet. The effect of forcing the totality of flow reduced volume of the substrate to the entire thermal energy of the exhaust stream thereby assisting in a reduction in the catalyst light-off time. Following catalyst light-off, the catalyst support is moved to its second, spaced position in which the entire frontal area of the converter is exposed to the exhaust flow thereby lowering backpressure of the converter and preventing converter overtemperature problems.

Variable cross section catalytic converter

An intermittent bypass system comprises an intake conduit including an intake passage leading to a cylinder in an engine and an intake controller connected to the intake passage adjacent to the cylinder. The intake controller enables, during different portions of the engine cycle, fluid flow from the intake passage into the cylinder, fluid back-flow from the cylinder into the intake passage, and obstruction of fluid flow between the intake passage and the cylinder. A check valve is located in the intake passage upstream of the intake controller with the check valve allowing fluid flow toward the cylinder and obstructing fluid back-flow in the reverse direction. A bypass port is located on the intake passage to provide a flow path to a downstream portion defined by the portion of the intake passage between the check valve and intake controller. A control valve is connected between a secondary fluid source and the bypass port enabling communication between the secondary fluid source and downstream portion during a portion of the engine cycle when the check valve is open. The control valve obstructs the communication during a portion of the engine cycle when the check valve is closed.

Intermittent bypass system for a check valve

An internal combustion engine has a stator passage leading to a cylinder. An intake poppet valve is disposed between the cylinder and stator passage, and a rotary valve adjoins the opposite end of the stator passage. The rotary valve has a rotor with an elongated tapered rotor passage partially in registration with the stator passage. The rotor is driven by the crankshaft and is adjustable in phase to vary the time of opening and closing of the rotary valve, and is axially shiftable to vary the valve opening duration. A control system responsive to engine speed and load independently varies the rotary valve phase and duration for optimum engine operation.

Rotary valve and system for duration and phase control

A pressure relief system is for an engine having an intake passage leading to a cylinder, a check valve in the intake passage to allow fluid flow toward the cylinder and obstruct fluid back-flow in the reverse direction, and a bypass port located on the intake passage so that the bypass port communicates with a downstream portion defined by the portion of the intake passage between the cylinder and check valve. The pressure relief system comprises a pressure relief passage connected between the bypass port and a reservoir enabling communication between the reservoir and downstream portion. A pressure-sensitive valve is connected to the pressure relief passage. The pressure-sensitive valve allows the communication if the pressure in the downstream portion exceeds a reference pressure by a predetermined amount, and obstructs the communication if the pressure in the downstream portion does not exceed the reference pressure by the predetermined amount.

Pressure relief system for a check valve

An intake reservoir for an engine having an intake passage leading to a cylinder, and a check valve in the intake passage to allow fluid flow toward the cylinder and obstruct fluid back-flow in the reverse direction. An intake valve is seated in the intake passage between the check valve and cylinder. A bypass port is located on the intake passage so that the bypass port communicates with a trapped volume defined by the portion of the intake passage between the check valve and intake valve. The intake reservoir comprises a reservoir cavity having a single cavity port, and a port passage connected between the cavity port and the bypass port enabling fluid flow between the trapped volume and the reservoir cavity. The intake reservoir further comprises a control valve connected to the port passage enabling active adjustment of the flow area of the port passage throughout a range of engine operating conditions to regulate fluid flow between the trapped volume and reservoir cavity.

Intake reservoir for an engine having a check valve

An intake port pressure control system comprises an intake passage leading to a cylinder in an engine, and a check valve in the intake passage to allow fluid flow toward the cylinder and obstruct fluid back-flow in the reverse direction. A bypass port is located on the intake passage so that the bypass port communicates with a trapped volume defined by the portion of the intake passage between the check valve and intake valve. The intake port pressure control system further comprises a control valve having an outlet passage, a secondary passage, and an actuator enabling communication between the outlet passage and secondary passage. The actuator further enables active adjustment of the flow area of the flowpath between the secondary passage and outlet passage throughout a range of engine operating conditions. The outlet passage is connected to the bypass port, and the secondary passage is connected to a secondary air source. The control valve enables a controlled air flow therein between the secondary air source and the trapped volume when the intake valve is closed.

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Clarkston, MI, United States of America

Glen R MacFarlane