Cummins Engine Company, Inc.

Cummins Inc.

Steven W Reedy

David A Vittorio

Randal L Myers

Rand D Klopfer

Kristopher R Bare

Daniel Reed Dempsey

Jason A Owens

Christopher Michael Remington

Radhika Cherukuru

Apparatuses, methods, and systems comprising vehicle fleet management systems are disclosed. One embodiment is a method that provides a plurality of predetermined powertrain trim templates, where each of the plurality of predetermined powertrain trim templates specifies a plurality of powertrain trim parameters implementable by an electronic powertrain control system to control one or more operational response characteristics of the powertrain. The method includes selecting one of the plurality of predetermined powertrain trim templates and one of a plurality of vehicles of a vehicle fleet to receive the selected one of the plurality of predetermined powertrain trim templates. In response to the act of selecting one of the plurality of predetermined powertrain trim templates, the method transmits via a telematics network one or more modified powertrain trim parameters. Further, the method receives the modified powertrain trim parameters with a telematics system of the selected one of the plurality of vehicles of the vehicle fleet. Also, the method applies the modified trim parameters with the electronic powertrain control system to control the one or more operational response characteristics of the powertrain.

Dynamic powertrain trim template selection and vehicle fleet optimization

A high strength, lightweight camshaft for an internal combustion engine, comprising a shaft body having an axially oriented hollow interior extending a predetermined length from between a pair of spaced points, respectively, adjacent the ends of the shaft body. Plural camshaft journal bearings are spaced apart on the shaft body and include a pair of end camshaft journal bearings positioned adjacent the ends of the shaft body, respectively, with at least one inner camshaft journal bearing positioned intermediate the pair of end camshaft journal bearings. Each end camshaft journal bearing has a lubricant transfer means formed therein for receiving lubricant from an external supply and for transferring lubricant into the hollow interior of the camshaft. At least one radial hole is formed in the shaft body for providing lubricant from the hollow interior to an inner camshaft journal bearing wherein the lubricant transfer means associated with the pair of end camshaft journals provides at least two paths for lubricant to flow into the hollow interior of the camshaft for providing an even distribution of lubrication to each inner camshaft journal bearing during operation of the internal combustion engine. A supply of lubricant always remains in the camshaft to assist in lubricating the camshaft journal bearings during engine start-up.

Camshaft for internal combustion engines

A method and apparatus for providing an improved static timing between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an internal combustion engine. The crankshaft and camshaft are locked into predetermined rotational positions to set the desired timing between the crankshaft and camshaft. The camshaft is locked into its predetermined rotational position using a camshaft timing member positioned between a flat portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of camshaft and an adjacent portion of said engine, such as the cylinder head. This positioning of the camshaft timing member prevents the camshaft from rotating and locks the camshaft into the desired predetermined rotational position for setting the static timing with respect to the crankshaft. The crankshaft in locked into its predetermined position using a crankshaft timing pin inserted through the engine block and positioned into a slot formed in a counterweight on the crankshaft. The slot in the counterweight is shaped so as to fittingly receive the crankshaft timing pin. The crankshaft timing pin prevents the crankshaft from rotating and locks the crankshaft into the desired predetermined rotational position for setting the static timing with respect to the camshaft. Once the crankshaft and camshaft are locked into their desired predetermined positions, the static timing between the crankshaft and camshaft is precisely achieved and the engine is timed correctly.

Static timing method for heavy duty diesel engines

A dedicated compression braking system is provided having at least one engine piston reciprocally mounted within a cylinder for cyclical successive compression and expansion strokes and at least one exhaust valve operable to open in a variable timed relationship with an engine piston compression stroke when the engine is operated in a compression braking mode. The braking system includes an independent exhaust valve actuator assembly, including a braking mode rocker lever and a cam lobe for imparting reciprocable movement to the exhaust valve when the engine is operated in the braking mode. The second exhaust valve actuator assembly includes a braking fluid circuit formed in the braking mode rocker lever and a braking fluid valve and three-way solenoid valve mounted on the braking mode rocker lever for controlling the flow of braking fluid in the braking mode rocker lever during compression braking. The dedicated braking system minimizes the size and weight of the engine and also permits maximum freedom in designing and controlling the operation of the braking system independent of other engine components to maximize the efficiency of compression braking.

Dedicated rocker lever and cam assembly for a compression braking system

A solenoid valve for use with a solenoid as park of an engine retarder braking system includes a valve body arranged with a plurality of apertures and which receives an upper check valve pin, a lower check valve pin, and a biasing spring which acts on both check valve pins. The solenoid includes a coil and moveable armature and the braking system includes a high pressure circuit with a master piston and cylinder and a slave piston and cylinder. The two cylinders are connected by a flow passageway. The housing has a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an access port. The fluid inlet receives low pressure oil which acts upon one side of the lower check valve pin. The opposite side of the lower check valve pin is acted upon by the fluid in the high pressure circuit and by the biasing spring. When the pressure difference allows the lower check valve pin to move out of its sealed position against the fluid inlet, oil is introduced into the high pressure circuit. When the upper check valve pin is sealed against the access port and the lower check valve pin is sealed against the fluid inlet, the high pressure circuit is sealed closed, allowing upward movement of the master piston to pressurize the oil in the circuit and create downward movement in the slave piston, which causes the corresponding exhaust valves to open.

Solenoid valve for compression-type engine retarder

A compression braking system for an internal combustion engine having at least one working piston including a master piston operated by an engine component such as a fuel injector actuating mechanism and a slave piston fluidically connected with the master piston to open an engine exhaust valve wherein a pressure relief valve is provided to prevent excessively high pressure supply fluid from a low pressure supply circuit from reaching the high pressure circuit connecting the master and slave pistons thereby preventing inadvertent and excessive movement of the slave piston and possible damage to the engine. The pressure relief valve is fluidically connected to the low pressure supply circuit upstream of a control valve which separates the low and high fluid circuits and opens to vent fluid from the low pressure circuit while allowing continuous, uninterrupted operation of the engine in the braking mode. The pressure relief valve may include a spring biased check valve normally biased in a closed position and movable into the open position whenever the pressure in the low pressure circuit reaches a predetermined level to maintain the fluid in the low pressure circuit below a predetermined pressure level equivalent to a maximum high pressure level in the high pressure circuit capable of moving the slave piston.

Pressure relief valve for compression engine braking system

An improved master cylinder for use with an engine compression braking system includes a two-piece telescoping piston which traps a column of fluid therewithin to establish a solid column or piston for a limited length of travel of the piston. Upon achieving a particular predetermined displacement, the fluid column trapped within the two-piece piston is released, thus rapid piston movement is achieved without overtravel which may open exhaust valves of the engine to a distance wherein interference with the piston occurs. The two-piece telescoping piston is actuated in accordance with an injector pushtube or other combinations such as exhaust or intake valve cam/pushtubes.

Growing community of inventors

Nashville, IN, United States of America

Steven W Reedy