Caterpillar Inc.

Matthew G Mickiewicz

Steven J Funke

Scott Alan Leman

Joshua C Ruedin

David Mork

Paul R English

Michael Patrick Harmon

Justin Douglas Speichinger

Paul Alan Rousseau

Sameer Bhargava

Darren Joseph Hopf

Stive Ramalho

Brice Mallein

A pump and purge valve configuration may include an inlet, an outlet arranged downstream of the inlet and defining a portion of an operational fluid pathway, and a pump mechanism arranged along the operational fluid pathway between the inlet and the outlet. The pump and purge valve configuration may also include a purging fluid pathway having a purge inlet in fluid communication with the operational fluid pathway at a point downstream of the pump. The purging fluid pathway may extend from the purge inlet to a relief point. The pump and purge valve configuration may also include a purge valve arranged along the purging fluid pathway. The purge valve may be configured to remain open unless a triggering fluid pressure develops in the pump mechanism.

Pump configuration including a purge valve for removing airlocks

A hydraulic pump or motor includes a mounting flange that is disposed at the first end of the housing. The mounting flange defines a pair of fastener receiving apertures that are disposed along the X-axis on either side of the shaft. The pair of fastener receiving apertures each define a radius center that are spaced away from each other a X dimension, and a pilot projection extends longitudinally away from the mounting flange, defining a pilot projection diameter. A ratio of the X dimension to the pilot projection diameter ranges from 1.07 to 1.11.

Axial piston pump mounting flange configuration

Engine compression release brakes include some degree of lash between the brake actuation portion and the engine exhaust valve portion. The disclosed apparatus and method provides an integral lash adjuster that includes an adjusting screw that is threadably received by a slidable plunger. Rotation of the adjusting screw causes the plunger to slide relative to a plunger cavity and responsively modify the amount of lash.

Integral lash adjustor for hydraulic compression engine brake

A number of engine operating strategies have been developed that allow for engine braking when combustion is not needed. In these strategies, air within the engine cylinder is compressed by the cylinder piston; however, rather than introducing fuel into the cylinder to facilitate a combustion event, the cylinder is opened to an exhaust manifold and the compressed air is vented, and the energy is released by the engine. However, it has been learned that the venting of this compressed air from the engine can produce undesirable noise emissions. Thus, the present invention employs a dual exhaust valve lift strategy to reduce noise produced during engine braking while still allowing relatively high engine braking horsepowers to be achieved.

Reduced noise engine compression release braking

Exhaust gas re-circulation is achieved internally in an internal combustion engine having intake and exhaust valves actuated by a camshaft. A controller monitors at least one engine parameter and automatically actuates an electrically actuated fluid operated brake actuator at a predetermined timing of movement of an engine piston to cause the actuator to maintain the exhaust valve at an intermediate position between a full open position and a closed position of the exhaust valve and cause exhaust gasses to be delivered from the exhaust manifold to the combustion chamber of the engine.

Exhaust gas re-circulation with a compression release brake actuator

A system and method for controlling combustion engine compression braking having the variable timing of the dwell period of at least one exhaust valve by an electronic control module within each one of the engine cylinders during a braking event as well as the variable timing of the commencement or onset of the braking event. The system and method thus facilitate the proper performance of the braking event as a function of engine speed and prevents interference or physical impact with the cam driving elements used for achieving the normal or regular exhaust valve event.

Electro-hydraulic compression release brake

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling an actuation of a compression brake associated with a combustion engine. The engine includes a fluid circuit for delivering a fluid to the compression brake. The engine also includes a cylinder having an associated exhaust valve. The method includes the steps of establishing a desired timing of an actuation of the brake, determining an air pressure of the engine, and determining a desired fluid pressure in response to the timing and the air pressure.

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Clayton, NC, United States of America

Matthew G Mickiewicz