Southwest Research Institute

Terrence Francis Alger, Ii

Barrett Wade Mangold

Darius Mehta

Jess Witman Gingrich

Charles Edward Roberts, Jr

Yilun Luo

Scott R Hotz

Manfred Amann

Cary A Henry

Thomas W Ryan, Iii

Christopher James Chadwell

Albert M Zwiener

Robert T Coppersmith, Iii

A system and method for generating microwaves for microwave enhanced combustion (MEC) input to an MEC antenna of an internal combustion engine. The system uses a microwave generator and a directional coupler, which delivers the MEC input signal to the MEC antenna and receives a reflected signal from the MEC antenna. A feedback path determines a desired frequency for the MEC input signal, based on the reflected signal, and also determines a power feedback correction value. An open loop path determines desired power and timing for the MEC input signal, based on various engine conditions. The desired power is corrected with the power feedback correction value.

Microwave enhanced combustion with dynamic frequency, power, and timing control and with transmission coefficient for power feedback

An adapter for delivering an atomized spray from a syringe. The adapter includes an adapter guide including a side wall, an interior surface of the side wall defining a through-bore and a shoulder in the through-bore. A pin guide is located in the through-bore. The pin guide includes a seat and a sleeve extending from the seat. A spring positioned around the pin guide sleeve and between the pin guide seat and the shoulder, wherein the spring and the sleeve provide a passageway there between. A pin extends from the pin guide seat and through the passageway. Affixing the adapter onto a syringe provides an atomizing delivery device. A method of dispensing an atomized spray from a syringe is provided by affixing the adapter to the syringe.

High precision, low dose atomizer

A system and method for generating microwaves for microwave enhanced combustion (MEC) input to an MEC antenna of an internal combustion engine. The system uses a directional coupler to deliver the MEC input signal to the MEC antenna and to receive a reflected power signal from the MEC antenna. A first feedback path determines a desired frequency, based on the reflected power and using an impedance-matching controller that matches the reflected power to a desired frequency value. A second feedback path determines a power correction term. An open loop path determines a feedforward power term, as well as timing, for the MEC input signal, based on various engine conditions. The feedforward power term is corrected with the power correction term.

Microwave enhanced combustion with dynamic frequency, power, and timing control and with power sensor for power feedback

An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for an internal combustion engine having dedicated EGR and operating at a net stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. In such engines, one or more cylinders is operable as a dedicated EGR cylinder, such that all of the exhaust produced by the dedicated EGR cylinder(s) may be directed back to the intake manifold. Because the engine's exhaust is net stoichiometric, its exhaust aftertreatment system has a three-way catalyst. An EGR loop is configured to recirculate EGR from the dedicated EGR cylinder(s) to the engine's intake manifold. A diversion line, modulated with a valve, connects the EGR loop to the exhaust aftertreatment system, thereby allowing adjustment of the relative amounts of EGR to be recirculated and to be provided to the exhaust system.

Internal combustion engine having dedicated cylinder(s) for generation of both EGR and exhaust aftertreatment reformate for three-way catalyst

Improved exhaust gas recirculation system and methods that use one or more of the engine's cylinders as dedicated EGR cylinders. All of the exhaust from the dedicated EGR cylinders is recirculated back to the engine intake. Thus, the EGR rate is constant, but the EGR mass flow may be controlled by adjusting the air-fuel ratio of the dedicated EGR cylinders or by using various variable valve timing techniques.

EGR system with dedicated EGR cylinders

The present disclosure relates to lubricant oil compositions formed from base stock oils to optimize internal combustion engine performance. Base stock oils are identified that have selected cetane number characteristics and relatively reduced reactivity to improve their associated combustion characteristics and reduce engine knock without the need to modify the engine fuel or engine parameters such as compression ratio and/or ignition timing. The base stocks may specifically include esters of dicarboxylic acids, esters of trimellitic anhydride and/or alklyated naphthalene compounds.

Lubricant oil compositions to optimize internal combustion engine performance

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method and system for reducing emissions and improving knock-tolerance in an engine. Air, including exhaust gas present at levels greater than 20% by total air mass, may be introduced into a combustion chamber having a volume including a piston and a cylinder head. A first amount of fuel and a second amount of fuel may be directly injected into the combustion chamber at various points during the cycle, wherein the ratio of the air, including the exhaust gas, to the first and second amounts of fuel is 14.0:1 to 15.0:1. The first and second amounts of fuel may then be ignited. An electronic control unit may be utilized to time the injections and control the introduction of exhaust gas.

Stratified charge gasoline direct injection systems using exhaust gas recirculation

A dual-electrode spark igniter (spark plug), which has two electrodes extending from the plug body. During a spark event, electricity flows across a first spark gap from a first electrode to a second electrode. Electricity also flows across a second spark gap from the second electrode to ground.

Dual-spark pre-chambered spark igniter

A method and system for evaluating the durability of spark plugs. A test system simulates the pressure, temperature, and exhaust flow of an internal combustion engine, and has a test chamber in which these simulated conditions exist. A number of spark plugs are installed in the test chamber and are cycled through a desired ignition cycle. The test chamber temperature and pressure may be precisely controlled, as well as the duty cycle of spark events.

Benchtop test system for testing spark plug durability

A method and system for use with flexible fuel engines capable of operating with arbitrary mixtures of gasoline and alternative fuel. The engine is equipped with an EGR loop and a control system, such that, as the relative amount of alternative fuel decreases, the amount of EGR provided to the engine increases.

Flexible fuel engines with exhaust gas recirculation for improved engine efficiency

A follow-on circuit for extending the duration of the spark provided by a spark plug. The circuit is connected between the coil secondary and the spark gap, and has a capacitor that discharges to the point of connection through a resistor and inductor. The resistor may be made variable to control the amount and duration of the follow-on current, and hence the energy and duration of the spark event. The circuit may also be used with other ignitors and non-coil ignition circuits.

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Terrence Francis Alger, Ii