The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 14, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 10, 2003
Steven J. Funke, Mapleton, IL (US);
Jason K. Bloms, Peoria, IL (US);
Troy A. Parker, Chillicothe, IL (US);
Mark J. Hilbert, Peoria, IL (US);
Steven J. Funke, Mapleton, IL (US);
Jason K. Bloms, Peoria, IL (US);
Troy A. Parker, Chillicothe, IL (US);
Mark J. Hilbert, Peoria, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
Having the ability to quickly and easily test whether a variable valve mechanism is operating properly can avoid unnecessary down time and the expense associated with potentially replacing a good component on an internal combustion engine. A test can include inducing a misfire in a cylinder of the engine at least in part by commanding a change to a state of a variable valve mechanism at a predetermined timing. For instance, in the case of a diesel engine, a variable valve mechanism can be tested by closing an intake valve late so as to reduce a cylinder compression ratio to a point that autoignition of fuel does not occur, resulting in a misfire. If a misfire is detected, either audibly by a person or possibly electronically via a sensor, then proper activation of the variable valve mechanism is confirmed.