Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Navistar International Corporation

Michael E Moncelle

Walter Earle Earleson

David C Mack

Edward E Londt

Dennis M King

Robert T Schaar

Robert E Samuelson

Waldema A Staniak

An intake air separation system suitable for combustion air of an internal combustion engine. An air separation device of the system includes a plurality of fibers, each fiber having a tube with a permeation barrier layer on the outer surface thereof and a coalescing layer on the inner surface thereof, to restrict fluid droplets from contacting the permeation barrier layer.

Integration of air separation membrane and coalescing filter for use on an inlet air system of an engine

A fuel injector having a housing with a bore, a tip, and an orifice through the tip and a check having a first end, a second end, and a check guide portion reciprocatable in the bore between first and second positions which, respectively, obstruct and provide fluid communication through the orifice. The check and housing respectively have a primary check seat disposed between the first and second ends and a primary nozzle seat disposed nearer said check guide portion than said tip. The primary check seat being engageable with the primary nozzle seat with a first engagement force when the check is in its first position. The check and housing respectively preferably also include a secondary check seat and a secondary nozzle seat which are engageable with a second engagement force, less than the first engagement force, when the check is in its first position. Having primary obstruction of fuel through the orifice by cooperating check seat and nozzle seat structures which are distally disposed relative to the tip provides a more reliable fuel injector and enables improved utilizing engine performance.

Fuel injector having non contacting valve closing orifice structure

An electronically-controlled heavy fuel oil injection system comprises a pumping chamber for pressurizing fuel and a direct-operated check for controlling fuel injection. A control fluid different from the fuel is used to operate regulating apparatus for controlling the fuel injection pressure and fuel injection timing. The regulating apparatus are isolated from the high viscosity, heavy fuel oil. Pressurization of fuel begins before the start of fuel injection. Fuel injection is initiated by exposing one end of the check to low pressure control fluid while the other end is exposed to high pressure fuel. Fuel injection is terminated by exposing the one check end to high pressure control fluid to hydraulically balance the check and allow a biasing device to close the check. The present invention provides improved control of several fuel injection parameters, including higher peak fuel injection capability and less fuel injection pressure drop at the end of injection, resulting in improved engine performance and reduced emissions, noise, and wear.

Method and apparatus for injecting fuel using control fluid to control

The present invention provides direct control over the opening and closing of a fuel injector nozzle valve independent of fuel injection pressure or engine operating condition and allows for initial fuel injection rate shaping by controlling the opening velocity of the nozzle valve. The present invention further allows for control over the closing velocity of the nozzle valve thereby reducing stresses on the nozzle tip as the check engages the check seat while not adversely affecting the performance of the fuel injector. This results in lower tip wear and improved life of the fuel injector.

Direct operated velocity controlled nozzle valve for a fluid injector

An improved electronically-controlled heavy fuel oil (HFO) injection system comprises a pumping chamber for pressurizing fuel and a direct-operated check for controlling fuel injection. A control fluid different from the fuel is used to operate regulating apparatus for controlling the fuel injection pressure and fuel injection timing. The regulating apparatus isolate the HFO from sensitive mechanisms by appropriate exposure of the control fluid to flush intruding HFO from those mechanisms. Pressurization of fuel begins before the start of fuel injection. Fuel injection is initiated by exposing one end of the check to low pressure control fluid while the other end is exposed to high pressure fuel. Fuel injection is terminated by exposing the one end to high pressure control fluid to hydraulically balance the check and allow a biasing device to close the check. The present invention provides improved control of several fuel injection parameters, including higher peak fuel injection capability and faster fuel injection pressure drop at the end of injection, resulting in improved engine performance and reduced emissions, noise, and wear.

A control for and method of operating a vehicle engine (12) equipped with a cruise control (44) includes apparatus for and the steps of providing a memory (86) having stored therein first and second sets of data which control the position of a fuel rack (20) as a function of engine speed, determining when the cruise control (44) is engaged, retrieving the first set of data from the memory (86) when the cruise control (44) is engaged, retrieving the second set of data from the memory (86) when the cruise control (44) is not engaged and using the retrieved set of data to control the rate of fuel delivery to the engine (12) whereby extra power is available when the cruise control (44) is engaged to minimize downshifting. Also, fuel economy is improved and the set cruise control speed is better maintained.

Engine cruise control with variable power limits

A fuel control system (10 or 70) includes a hydraulic servo system (17) for moving a fuel rack (15) in response to movement of a rack control member (16). A brushless direct current torque motor (50), having a rotor (51) and a control lever (53) fixed thereto, is arranged with its lever end (54) confined between opposed shoulders (41, 42) on the rack control member (16). Electronically energized movement of the rotor (51) and its control lever (53) in one direction, or spring (56) biased movement in the other, causes corresponding movement of the control member (16) and fuel rack (15). A second control lever (99), movable by a mechanical governor control (80), is engageable with another shoulder (104) on the rack control member (16) to move it in a fuel-decreasing direction. The present fuel control systems (10 and 70) are particularly useful in conjunction with a fuel injection pump (11) for a diesel engine (13) with the fuel flow rate being controlled in sole response (10) to an electronic engine control (60) or in dual response (70) to an electronic engine control (60) and a mechanical governor control (80).

Fuel control system

A digital processor implemented electronic governor for engine-generator units including a first control loop for producing a speed error and controlling fuel delivery setting as a function thereof and a second control loop for detecting rack error and producing a field excitation current control signal as a function thereof. Power dips and overruns are voided by modifying rack error as a function of engine acceleration. Means are provided for developing speed errors and rack control signals despite a breakdown in the rack position indicator. Open loop lower power setting controls are provided. Wheel-slip control, power limiting and variable acceleration functions are provided.

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Bloomington, IL, United States of America

Michael E Moncelle