Abstract:
An opposed-piston engine assembly is disclosed including a first cylinder liner containing a pair of first pistons that move toward one another in one mode of operation and away from one another in another mode of operation. The pistons are coupled to first and second crankshafts. Multiple block segments arranged in a side-by-side abutting relationship form the engine block including a first outboard segment, a first inboard segment, a second inboard segment, and a second outboard segment. Tensile members extend through the block segments tying them together as one structural unit. The first and second inboard segments abut one another at a seam and include bores that cooperate to receive the first cylinder liner. The first cylinder liner includes a liner support collar that is received in counter-bores defined by the first and second inboard segments at the seam between the first and second inboard segments.
Abstract:
An oil cooled cylinder liner, a method for cooling the same, and an opposed piston engine using the oil cooled cylinder liner are described. The cylinder liner includes a liner wall that has an inner face adjacent a piston bore and an outer face including an oil gallery surface. A plurality of grooves are disposed along the oil gallery surface. The grooves run parallel to each other and are spaced apart by bridging portions of the liner wall. At least some of the grooves have at least one fin disposed therein that runs parallel with the grooves. The grooves in combination with the fins increase surface area of the oil gallery to improve heat transfer from the liner wall to oil disposed along the oil gallery surface.
Abstract:
A system and method for determining the quality of natural gas is provided. The system includes a fuel line for communicating natural gas to an engine. An infrared light source is disposed along the fuel line and is configured to emit a beam of infrared light into the fuel line having a wavelength of 6 to 10 micrometers. An infrared light detector detects a transmission value of the natural gas as the beam of infrared light passes through the fuel line. A natural gas quality module receives the transmission value from the infrared light detector and determines a quality value of the natural gas based on an amount of infrared light absorbed by methane in the natural gas. An engine control module, including a feed-forward control loop, receives the quality value from the natural gas quality module and alters an operating parameter of the engine in response thereto.
Abstract:
An opposed-piston, two-stroke engine is provided and includes a first cylinder having a first longitudinal axis and a first pair of pistons slidably disposed within the first cylinder and movable toward one another in a first mode of operation and away from one another in a second mode of operation. The engine additionally includes a second cylinder having a second longitudinal axis and a second pair of pistons slidably disposed within the second cylinder and movable toward one another in the first mode of operation and away from one another in the second mode of operation. A crankshaft is connected to at least one of the first pair of pistons and at least one of the second pair of pistons and has an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is disposed between and is substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis.
Abstract:
An engine control system includes first and second control modules. The first control module determines a fuel combustion parameter. The second control module determines a fuel delivery parameter based on the fuel combustion parameter. The fuel combustion parameter includes at least one of (i) a total amount of heat released by a volume of fuel during a combustion cycle and (ii) a rate at which heat is released during the combustion cycle. The fuel delivery parameter includes at least one of (i) a duration of time over which the volume of fuel is delivered to a cylinder, (ii) a time at which a fuel injector starts delivering the volume of fuel to the cylinder, and (iii) a fuel pressure in a fuel rail.
Abstract:
A turbocharger apparatus of an internal combustion engine and method of controlling the same is provided with electrically coupled fully variable turbo-compound capability. The turbocharger includes an exhaust gas turbine and an intake air compressor. A first electric machine coupled to the engine generates electricity and adds power to an output shaft of the engine depending on electricity flow to and from the first electric machine. A second electric machine coupled to the turbine and/or the compressor generates electricity and drives the turbine and/or the compressor depending on electricity flow between the first and the second electric machines. A planetary gearset connects the turbine, the compressor, and the second electric machine, and varies rotational speeds of the turbine, the compressor, and the second electric machine depending on electricity flow between the first and second electric machines to maximize efficiency and power of the engine.
Abstract:
A two-speed transmission for a vehicle is provided including a planetary gear set selectively coupling an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear set is configured to provide two forward gear ratios and neutral. The planetary gear set includes at least one sun gear, at least one pinion in meshing engagement with the sun gear, at least one ring gear meshingly engaged with the pinion, and a carrier. The carrier supports the pinion and is connected to the output shaft such that rotation of the carrier drives the output shaft. The two-speed transmission also includes one or more elements that rotatably couple different combinations of the sun gear, the pinion, the ring gear, the input shaft, and the carrier with one another or a ground. Such elements may include combinations of clutches, brakes, and dog clutches.
Abstract:
A clutch assembly that is less prone to overheating is disclosed. The clutch assembly includes a clutch housing, a shaft, and a clutch pack. The clutch pack includes a first apply plate, a second apply plate, a plurality of friction plates, and a plurality of reaction plates. The clutch assembly further includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator applies pressure to the first apply plate in a first direction to move the first apply plate toward the second apply plate. The second actuator applies pressure to the second apply plate in a second direction to move the second apply plate toward the first apply plate. The first direction is opposite the second direction such that the first and second actuators apply pressure to the clutch pack in opposing directions. This reduces localized temperature spikes in the clutch pack.
Abstract:
A fuel injector includes a nozzle, a needle, and a pressure control section. The nozzle has first and second ends and extends along a first longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end. The nozzle includes a nozzle body defining a first longitudinal passage that extends along the first longitudinal axis and through the second end of the nozzle. The needle is disposed within the first longitudinal passage and is movable between a first position in which the needle prevents fuel from flowing through the second end of the nozzle and a second position in which the needle allows fuel to flow through the second end. The pressure control section extends along a second longitudinal axis that is angularly offset relative to the first longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The pressure control section includes an electromechanical actuator that actuates the needle between the first and second positions.
Abstract:
A powertrain system is provided and may include a combustion engine, a crankshaft, and a turbo-compounding system. The combustion engine may include an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold. The crankshaft may be driven by the engine. The turbo-compounding system may be configured to drive the crankshaft and may include a first turbine and a drive system. The first turbine may include an inlet fluidly communicating with the exhaust manifold. The drive system may include an input shaft driven by the first turbine, and an output shaft engaged with the crankshaft. The drive system may be configured to drive the output shaft at more than one drive ratio relative to the input shaft.