Steven J Funke, Age 577414 Thornridge Dr, Lake Camelot, IL 61547

6439210, Aug 27, 2002

Jul 12, 2000

09/615068

James J. Faletti - Spring Valley IL
Steven J. Funke - Princeville IL

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

F02M 2507

12356814

Apparatus and method, particularly suited for a work machine, provides EGR to an internal combustion engine without the addition of special EGR hardware. The invention provides a controlling of a timing of the closing of a first exhaust valve during the exhaust stroke of a first cylinder to trap exhaust gas in the first cylinder for mixing with combustion air in the first cylinder during the intake stroke.

6446598, Sep 10, 2002

Dec 11, 2000

09/734455

Steven J. Funke - Princeville IL
Scott A. Leman - Eureka IL

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

F02D 1304

123321

Compression brake systems using âback-fillâ between combustion cylinders or requiring an exhaust valve to be opened twice during a braking cycle require brake actuation systems able to maintain control over the exhaust valve during different loading conditions. In a first opening event where a piston is at or near bottom dead center, pressures in the combustion cylinder are low. During a second opening event near top dead center pressures are higher. Movement of the exhaust valve is controlled by delivery of fluid to a brake actuator piston. Fluid delivery is slowed as the brake actuator piston moves to cover a first cylinder port and uncover a second cylinder port.

6453873, Sep 24, 2002

Nov 2, 2000

09/705074

Steven J. Funke - Princeville IL
Scott A. Leman - Eureka IL
Joshua C. Ruedin - Peoria IL
Matthew G. Mickiewicz - Clayton NC
Sameer Bhargava - Canton MI

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

F02D 1304

123322, 477185

A system and method for controlling combustion engine compression braking having the variable timing of the dwell period of at least one exhaust valve by an electronic control module within each one of the engine cylinders during a braking event as well as the variable timing of the commencement or onset of the braking event. The system and method thus facilitate the proper performance of the braking event as a function of engine speed and prevents interference or physical impact with the cam driving elements used for achieving the normal or regular exhaust valve event.

6516775, Feb 11, 2003

Dec 20, 2000

09/742730

Sean O. Cornell - Pontiac IL
Steven J. Funke - Princeville IL
Scott A. Leman - Eureka IL

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

F02D 1304

123321

Compression brake systems using âback-fillâ between combustion cylinders or requiring an exhaust valve to be opened twice during a braking cycle require brake actuation systems able to maintain control over the exhaust valve during different loading conditions. In a first opening event where a piston is at or near bottom dead center, pressures in the combustion cylinder are low. During a second opening event near top dead center pressures are higher. Movement of the exhaust valve may be slowed during the first opening event by controlling fluid leaving a second actuator volume opposite a first actuator volume providing opening force on an exhaust valve.

6595189, Jul 22, 2003

Aug 10, 2001

09/927843

Dana R. Coldren - Fairbury IL
Steven J. Funke - Princeville IL
George E. Donaldson - Chillicothe IL

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

F02M 5500

123467, 123468, 123506, 123459

The present invention finds application in engines using mechanically actuated electronically controlled fuel injectors having direct control needle valves. In valves such as these, a spill control valve member controls fuel pressurization within the injector while a needle control valve member controls the timing and duration of the injection event. However, when the momentum of fuel exiting the fuel injector past the spill valve is greater than that of the tappet and plunger moving toward their downward positions, engine components upstream of the tappet can briefly separate and re-engage, which can result in increased mechanical noise levels. Therefore, the present invention is directed to maintaining sufficient contact force in the various engine components to reduce the mechanical noise levels by positioning a flow restriction between the fuel pressurization chamber of the fuel injector and a fuel source.

6601563, Aug 5, 2003

Dec 20, 2001

10/028848

Steven J. Funke - Princeville IL
Scott A. Leman - Eureka IL
Matthew G. Mickiewicz - Clayton NC
Joshua C. Ruedin - Peoria IL

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

F02D 1304

123321, 12356814

Exhaust gas re-circulation is achieved internally in an internal combustion engine having intake and exhaust valves actuated by a camshaft. A controller monitors at least one engine parameter and automatically actuates an electrically actuated fluid operated brake actuator at a predetermined timing of movement of an engine piston to cause the actuator to maintain the exhaust valve at an intermediate position between a full open position and a closed position of the exhaust valve and cause exhaust gasses to be delivered from the exhaust manifold to the combustion chamber of the engine.

6609495, Aug 26, 2003

Sep 14, 2001

09/952823

Sean O. Cornell - Gridley IL
Scott A. Leman - Eureka IL
Steven J. Funke - Princeville IL

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

F02D 1304

123321, 123322, 123323

A method of engine braking includes a initial step of determining whether fuel injector tip temperatures are at or above a pre-determined temperature. If the injector tip temperatures are below the pre-determined temperature, then the electronic control module commands performance of dual event engine braking. If the injector tip temperatures are at or above the pre-determined temperatures, then the electronic control module commands the performance of single event engine braking. Such a strategy can achieve higher overall engine braking horsepower without risking the potential catastrophic dangers associated with injector tip overheating.

6622694, Sep 23, 2003

Jul 30, 2001

09/917962

Matthew G. Mickiewicz - Clayton NC
Steven J. Funke - Princeville IL

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

F02D 1304

123322

A number of engine operating strategies have been developed that allow for engine braking when combustion is not needed. In these strategies, air within the engine cylinder is compressed by the cylinder piston; however, rather than introducing fuel into the cylinder to facilitate a combustion event, the cylinder is opened to an exhaust manifold and the compressed air is vented, and the energy is released by the engine. However, it has been learned that the venting of this compressed air from the engine can produce undesirable noise emissions. Thus, the present invention employs a dual exhaust valve lift strategy to reduce noise produced during engine braking while still allowing relatively high engine braking horsepowers to be achieved.