Cummins Engine Company, Inc.

Cummins Inc.

Patrick F Flynn

Axel Otto Zur Loye

John Franklin Wright

Greg A Moore

Gary L Hunter

Russ P Durrett

Julie A Wagner

George G Muntean

Jackie M Mudd

John M Mulloy

Harold G Weber

Omowoleola C Akinyemi

Lester L Peters

Patrick M Pierz

David L Reid

Walter Wayne Eberhard

Jackie M Yeager

Omowoleoia C Akinyemi

Omowoleoa C Akinyemi

A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low nitrous oxide emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g. the start of combustion, and generating an associated engine operating condition signal. A processor receives the signal and generates control signals based on the engine operating condition signal for controlling various engine components to control the temperature, pressure, equivalence ratio and/or autoignition properties so as to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events to achieve stable, low emission combustion in each cylinder and combustion balancing between the cylinders.

Premixed charge compression ignition engine with optimal combustion control

A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low oxides of nitrogen emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g. the start of combustion, and generating an associated engine operating condition signal. A processor receives the signal and generates control signals based on the engine operating condition signal for controlling various engine components to control the temperature, pressure, equivalence ratio and&bsol;or autoignition properties so as to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events to achieve stable, low emission combustion in each cylinder and combustion balancing between the cylinders.

A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low oxides of nitrogen emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g. the start of combustion, and generating an associated engine operating condition signal. A processor receives the signal and generates control signals based on the engine operating condition signal for controlling various engine components to control the temperature, pressure, equivalence ratio and/or autoignition properties so as to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events to achieve stable, low emission combustion in each cylinder and combustion balancing between the cylinders.

A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low nitrous oxide emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g. the start of combustion, and generating an associated engine operating condition signal. A processor receives the signal and generates control signals based on the engine operating condition signal for controlling various engine components to control the temperature, pressure, equivalence ratio and&bsol;or autoignition properties so as to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events to achieve stable, low emission combustion in each cylinder and combustion balancing between the cylinders.

A turbomachine, operable as a compressor or a turbine, for a compressible fluid is provided which includes a wheel having a plurality of vanes extending from a generally axial flow section to a generally radial flow section. Adjacent vanes define fluid passageways having a generally axially oriented section and a generally radially oriented section. Located substantially within the generally radially oriented sections of a predetermined number of passageways is a reference station which has a configuration such that the mean tangential dimension of said passageway at said reference station is no more than about 60% of the circumference of the rotor at that mean radius divided by the number of vanes at that radius. Each reference station serves to effect substantial attachment of the flowing fluid to the surfaces defining said passageway, particularly at low mass flow, and, thus, broaden the usable flow range of the turbomachine. A rounded vane end at the wheel periphery further serves to enhance said attachment.

Turbomachine

A turbomachine for a compressible fluid is provided which includes a compressor wheel having a plurality of vanes extending from a generally axial flow inlet to a generally radial flow outlet. Adjacent vanes define fluid passageways having a generally axially oriented section near the inlet and a generally radially oriented section near the outlet. Located substantially within the generally radially oriented sections of a predetermined number of passageways is a reference station which has a configuration such that the mean tangential dimension of said passageway at said reference station is no more than about 60% of the circumference of the rotor at that mean radius divided by the number of vanes at that radius. Each reference station serves to effect substantial attachment of the flowing fluid to the surfaces defining said passageway, particularly at low mass flow, and, thus, broaden the usable flow range of the compressor.

A metering and control system is described for supplying fuel to a burner nozzle of a burner assembly which preheats intake air in a diesel engine. Fuel for the control system is derived from the regulated pressure output of a fuel pump in the engine fuel supply system. The fuel metering and control system includes a series of parallel flow lines connected between the fuel pump and the burner nozzle. Each line has a metering orifice and check valve set to pass flow above a given pressure level. For intermediate rpm flow is through one line and at high rpm flow is through both. As a result, the fuel flow rate into the burner nozzle is directly proportional to engine rpm to provide a uniform nozzle preheat temperature over the full range of engine rpm. Suitable control inputs are provided to initiate or terminate flow to the burner in response to selected engine operating parameters. In addition, supplemental fuel flow may be provided during start up and/or cold operating conditions, again initiated or terminated by selected engine operating parameters.

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Columbus, IN, United States of America

Patrick F Flynn