IP Library Granted Patent US 8,443,784
Granted Patent B2
US 8,443,784 · App. 13/267,484 · Granted May 21, 2013

Internal combustion engine and method for control

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,443,784
App. No.
13/267,484
Granted
May 21, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention an internal combustion engine includes a piston disposed in a cylinder, a valve configured to control flow of air into the cylinder and an actuator coupled to the valve to control a position of the valve. The internal combustion engine also includes a controller coupled to the actuator, wherein the controller is configured to close the valve when an uncontrolled condition for the internal engine is determined.

Claims (28)

1. An internal combustion engine comprising:

a piston disposed in a cylinder;

a crankcase in fluid communication with the cylinder;

a valve configured to control flow of air into the cylinder;

an actuator coupled to the valve to control a position of the valve; and

a controller in communication with the actuator, wherein the controller is configured to close the valve when an uncontrolled condition for the internal engine is determined, the uncontrolled condition comprising a runaway condition caused by fluid flow between the crankcase and the cylinder and combustion due to the fluid flow into the cylinder.

2. The engine of claim 1 , comprising a sensor configured to determine a pressure in the cylinder.

3. The engine of claim 2 , wherein the uncontrolled condition corresponds to a cylinder pressure greater than a limit.

4. The engine of claim 1 , wherein the valve is positioned on the cylinder.

5. The engine of claim 1 , wherein the valve in a closed position reduces circulation of air between the cylinder and the crankcase.

6. The engine of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic actuator.

7. The engine of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of cylinders wherein each cylinder has a corresponding valve and actuator configured to control a position of the valve to control air flow into each cylinder.

8. A method for arresting an uncontrolled condition for an engine, the method comprising:

monitoring a pressure of a cylinder in the engine;

comparing the pressure to a pressure limit;

determining the cylinder has a runaway condition based on the pressure exceeding the pressure limit, the runaway condition caused by combustion of a fluid from a crankcase; and

closing an air intake valve disposed on the cylinder based on the determined runaway condition, wherein closing the air intake valve reduces air circulation between a crankcase and the cylinder.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein closing the air intake comprises actuating the air intake valve.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the actuating is performed by a hydraulic actuator.

11. The method of claim 8 , comprising closing a plurality of air intake valves disposed on cylinders of the engine.

12. A method for arresting a runaway condition for a diesel engine having a

piston disposed in a cylinder, an air intake valve disposed on the cylinder, an actuator coupled to the air intake valve, a controller coupled to the actuator and a crankcase in fluid communication with the cylinder; the method comprising:

determining an occurrence of an uncontrolled condition for the diesel engine, the uncontrolled condition comprising a runaway condition caused by fluid flow between the crankcase and the cylinder and combustion due to the fluid flow into the cylinder; and

closing the air intake valve via the actuator when the uncontrolled condition occurs, wherein closing the air intake valve reduces air circulation between the crankcase and the cylinder.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein determining the occurrence of the uncontrolled condition for the diesel engine comprises determining a cylinder pressure via a sensor disposed in the cylinder.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the uncontrolled condition corresponds to a cylinder pressure greater than a limit.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic actuator.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the diesel engine comprises a plurality of cylinders wherein each cylinder has a corresponding air intake valve and actuator configured to control a position of the air intake valve and wherein closing the air intake valve via the actuator comprises closing the air intake valves for each of the plurality of cylinders.

Assignments (2)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034186/0776 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 28, 2012
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 028458/0184 →