Abrégé

A crankshaft detection system includes a pickup element mounted to an end of a crankshaft and disposed within a rear portion of the aircraft engine's crankcase. The crankshaft detection system also includes pickup element sensor secured to a mounting location formed in the rear portion of the aircraft engine's crankcase and disposed in proximity to the pickup element. As the crankshaft rotates the pickup element relative to the pickup element sensor, the pickup element causes the pickup element sensor to generate a signal indicative of the angular velocity and rotational position of the crankshaft. In order to optimize engine performance, in response to the signal, the controller controls a spark event associated with each the cylinder assembly of the engine such that ignition of the fuel and air mixture occurs within each cylinder assembly at a time prior to each piston of each cylinder assembly reaching a top dead center position.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02P 7/067 - Capteurs électromagnétiques

Abrégé

An aircraft engine includes an aircraft engine controller configured to detect an actual peak exhaust gas temperature of a cylinder assembly. The aircraft engine controller detects an intersection between a first function representing a relationship between a set of rich exhaust gas temperature signals and a corresponding set of rich fuel-air ratio values and a second function representing a relationship between a set of lean exhaust gas temperature signals and a set of lean fuel-air ratio values. Based upon the intersection between the first and second functions, the engine controller detects an actual peak fuel-air ratio value for the cylinder assembly and can determine if a correction in the fuel-air ratio of a fuel-air mixture provided to the cylinder assembly is required.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02D 41/14 - Dispositions de circuits pour produire des signaux de commande introduisant des corrections à boucle fermée

Abrégé

An aircraft engine includes an aircraft engine controller configured to detect an actual peak exhaust gas temperature of a cylinder assembly. The aircraft engine controller detects an intersection between a first function representing a relationship between a set of rich exhaust gas temperature signals and a corresponding set of rich fuel-air ratio values and a second function representing a relationship between a set of lean exhaust gas temperature signals and a set of lean fuel-air ratio values. Based upon the intersection between the first and second functions, the engine controller detects an actual peak fuel-air ratio value for the cylinder assembly and can determine if a correction in the fuel-air ratio of a fuel-air mixture provided to the cylinder assembly is required. Accordingly, the engine controller provides each cylinder assembly of the aircraft engine with an accurate fuel-air mixture to allow for operation of the engine with optimal fuel economy.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02B 23/00 - Autres moteurs caractérisés par des chambres de combustion d'une forme ou d'une structure particulières pour améliorer le fonctionnement
• B60T 7/12 - Organes d'attaque de la mise en action des freins par déclenchement automatiqueOrganes d'attaque de la mise en action des freins par déclenchement non soumis à la volonté du conducteur ou du passager

Abrégé

An aircraft engine includes an aircraft engine controller configured to detect an actual peak exhaust gas temperature of a cylinder assembly. The aircraft engine controller detects an intersection between a first function representing a relationship between a set of rich exhaust gas temperature signals and a corresponding set of rich fuel-air ratio values and a second function representing a relationship between a set of lean exhaust gas temperature signals and a set of lean fuel-air ratio values. Based upon the intersection between the first and second functions, the engine controller detects an actual peak fuel-air ratio value for the cylinder assembly and can determine if a correction in the fuel-air ratio of a fuel-air mixture provided to the cylinder assembly is required.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02D 41/14 - Dispositions de circuits pour produire des signaux de commande introduisant des corrections à boucle fermée

Abrégé

One embodiment is directed to a method for testing an aircraft prior to flight. The method includes receiving a user signal from a pre-flight test input source, the user signal indicating that a pilot of the aircraft has directed engine control circuitry, which is arranged to electronically control operation of a set of piston engines of the aircraft during flight, to begin testing the aircraft in an automated manner. The method includes, in response to the user signal, conducting a pre-flight test of the aircraft from the engine control circuitry. The method includes, upon completion of the pre-flight test, outputting a result of the pre-flight test from the engine control circuitry.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01C 23/00 - Instruments combinés indiquant plus d’une valeur de navigation, p. ex. pour l’aviationDispositifs de mesure combinés pour mesurer plusieurs variables du mouvement, p. ex. la distance, la vitesse ou l’accélération

Abrégé

One embodiment is directed to a method for testing an aircraft prior to flight. The method includes receiving a user signal from a pre-flight test input source, the user signal indicating that a pilot of the aircraft has directed engine control circuitry, which is arranged to electronically control operation of a set of piston engines of the aircraft during flight, to begin testing the aircraft in an automated manner. The method includes, in response to the user signal, conducting a pre-flight test of the aircraft from the engine control circuitry. The method includes, upon completion of the pre-flight test, outputting a result of the pre-flight test from the engine control circuitry.

Classes IPC  ?

• G05B 23/02 - Test ou contrôle électrique

Abrégé

A crankshaft detection system includes a pickup element mounted to an end of a crankshaft and disposed within a rear portion of the aircraft engine's crankcase. The crankshaft detection system includes a pickup element sensor secured to a mounting location formed in the rear portion of the crankcase and disposed in proximity to the pickup element. As the crankshaft rotates the pickup element relative to the pickup element sensor, the pickup element causes the pickup element sensor to generate a signal indicative of the angular velocity and rotational position of the crankshaft. In order to optimize engine performance, in response to the signal, the controller controls a spark event associated with each cylinder assembly of the engine such that ignition of the fuel and air mixture occurs within each cylinder assembly at a time prior to each piston of each cylinder assembly reaching a top dead center position.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02D 41/34 - Commande de l'injection de combustible du type à basse pression avec des moyens pour commander la synchronisation ou la durée de l'injection
• F02P 7/067 - Capteurs électromagnétiques

Abrégé

A piston aircraft engine assembly includes a piston aircraft engine, a fuel source, and a control system adapted to deliver fuel from the fuel source to the piston aircraft engine. The control system includes a mass airflow sensing apparatus adapted provide a pressure signal, an electronic engine controller coupled to the mass airflow sensing apparatus, and a set of fuel injectors. The electronic engine controller is adapted to (i) receive the pressure signal from the mass airflow sensing apparatus and (ii) generate a set of fuel injector signals based on the pressure signal received from the mass airflow sensing apparatus. The set of fuel injectors is adapted to meter the fuel in response to the set of fuel injector signals generated by the electronic engine controller.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02D 41/18 - Dispositions de circuits pour produire des signaux de commande en mesurant le débit d'admission d'air
• G01F 1/88 - Débitmètres massiques indirects, p. ex. mesurant le débit volumétrique et la densité, la température ou la pression avec mesure de la différence de pression pour déterminer le débit volumétrique

Abrégé

A piston aircraft engine assembly includes a piston aircraft engine, a fuel source, and a control system adapted to deliver fuel from the fuel source to the piston aircraft engine. The control system includes a mass airflow sensing apparatus adapted provide a pressure signal, an electronic engine controller coupled to the mass airflow sensing apparatus, and a set of fuel injectors. The electronic engine controller is adapted to (i) receive the pressure signal from the mass airflow sensing apparatus and (ii) generate a set of fuel injector signals based on the pressure signal received from the mass airflow sensing apparatus. The set of fuel injectors is adapted to meter the fuel in response to the set of fuel injector signals generated by the electronic engine controller.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02M 7/24 - Commande du débit d'air d'aération
• F02M 51/00 - Appareils d'injection de combustible caractérisés par une commande électrique

Abrégé

An aircraft engine includes a cylinder assembly knock detection and control system having a set of knock detection sensors and an engine controller. Each cylinder assembly of the aircraft engine carries a knock detection sensor and each knock detection sensor is electrically coupled to the engine controller. During operation, each knock detection sensor transmits signals to the engine controller where the signals correspond to detected cylinder assembly vibrations. As the engine controller receives input signals from the sensors, the engine controller filters the input signals to distinguish the input signals as being associated with either knocking or as a non-knock event. In the case where the engine controller detects the occurrence of one or more knock events in a particular cylinder assembly, the engine controller automatically reduces the spark timing for that cylinder assembly and/or increases the volume of fuel delivered to that cylinder assembly.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02D 35/02 - Commande non électrique des moteurs en fonction des conditions extérieures ou intérieures aux moteurs, non prévue ailleurs des conditions intérieures
• F02P 5/152 - Traitement numérique des données fonction du cliquetis
• F02D 41/00 - Commande électrique de l'alimentation en mélange combustible ou en ses constituants
• G01L 23/22 - Dispositifs ou appareils pour la mesure ou l'indication ou l'enregistrement des changements, rapides, tels que des oscillations, de la pression des vapeurs, des gaz ou des liquidesIndicateurs pour déterminer le travail ou l'énergie des moteurs à vapeur, à combustion interne ou à autres pressions de fluides à partir de la condition du fluide moteur pour détecter ou indiquer les cognements dans les moteurs à combustion interneUnités comprenant des organes sensibles à la pression combinés avec des dispositifs d'allumage pour l'allumage des moteurs à combustion interne

Abrégé

An aircraft engine power distribution system (28) for an aircraft engine controller (26), such as a FADEC, is provided where the power source (22) is independent from the conventional airframe power system, without the need for a back-up battery. The aircraft engine power distribution system includes a magnetic generator (26) operated by an aircraft engine. The aircraft engine power distribution system also includes a power distributor (24) that rectifies the generator output and provides the rectified power to the engine controller as its primary source of power. In this configuration, as long as the aircraft engine is able to operate the magnetic generator, the engine controller receives power. Accordingly, the engine controller operates regardless of the operational status of the airframe power system.

Classes IPC  ?

• B64D 31/00 - Systèmes de commande des groupes moteursAménagement de systèmes de commande des groupes moteurs sur aéronefs
• H02J 9/00 - Circuits pour alimentation de puissance de secours ou de réserve, p. ex. pour éclairage de secours

Abrégé

An aircraft engine power distribution system for an aircraft engine controller, such as a FADEC, is provided where the power source is independent from the conventional airframe power system, without the need for a back-up battery. The aircraft engine power distribution system includes a magnetic generator operated by an aircraft engine. The aircraft engine power distribution system also includes a power distributor that rectifies the generator output and provides the rectified power to the engine controller as its primary source of power. In this configuration, as long as the aircraft engine is able to operate the magnetic generator, the engine controller receives power. Accordingly, the engine controller operates regardless of the operational status of the airframe power system.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02D 29/06 - Commande de moteurs, cette commande étant particulière aux dispositifs entraînés, ces dispositifs étant autres que des organes ou accessoires essentiels à la marche du moteur, p. ex. commande de moteur par des signaux extérieurs particulière aux moteurs entraînant des groupes électrogènes
• H02P 9/00 - Dispositions pour la commande de génératrices électriques de façon à obtenir les caractéristiques désirées à la sortie

Abrégé

A fuel injector mounting assembly is configured to limit or constrain movement of a fuel injector relative to a corresponding cylinder assembly. For example, the fuel injector mounting assembly includes a base that is secured to a cylinder assembly's housing and a fuel conduit. The fuel conduit includes a first fuel conduit portion which operates in conjunction with a cylinder assembly's fuel manifold to capture a fuel injector between the fuel injector mounting assembly and the cylinder assembly's fuel manifold. The fuel conduit also includes a second fuel conduit portion which is secured to a compliant fuel line. With such a configuration of the fuel injector mounting assembly, both ends of the fuel injector are secured to the cylinder assembly to minimize any relative motion in the fuel injector's seals relative to either the cylinder assembly's fuel manifold or to the compliant fuel line.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02M 61/14 - Disposition des injecteurs par rapport aux moteursMontage des injecteurs
• F02M 63/02 - Appareils d'injection de combustible comportant plusieurs injecteurs alimentés par un élément de pompage commun ou ayant plusieurs éléments de pompage alimentant un injecteur communAppareils d'injection de combustible comportant la mise hors circuit des pompes, des éléments de pompe ou injecteursAppareils d'injection de combustible avec possibilités de connecter de façon variable et alternativement les éléments de pompage et les injecteurs
• F02M 55/00 - Appareils d'injection caractérisés par leurs conduits de combustible ou évents
• B23P 11/00 - Assemblage ou désassemblage de pièces ou d'objets métalliques par des processus du travail du métal non prévus ailleurs

Abrégé

An engine (50) includes a fuel delivery system (56) having a fuel rail (80) and fuel delivery devices (59), such as fuel injectors, that deliver fuel to corresponding cylinder assemblies (60). The use of the fuel rail and fuel injectors allows unused fuel to be purged from the engine at the end of the engine's operating cycle, thereby minimizing the creation of fuel vapor within the engine. The fuel delivery system also includes fuel rail coupling members (84) that are constructed and arranged to secure each cylinder assembly to the fuel rail and to absorb load generated by the corresponding cylinder assembly on the fuel rail during operation. The fuel rail coupling members allow motion of the cylinder assemblies relative to the fuel rail during operation and minimize the application of potentially damaging forces on the fuel rail.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02M 63/02 - Appareils d'injection de combustible comportant plusieurs injecteurs alimentés par un élément de pompage commun ou ayant plusieurs éléments de pompage alimentant un injecteur communAppareils d'injection de combustible comportant la mise hors circuit des pompes, des éléments de pompe ou injecteursAppareils d'injection de combustible avec possibilités de connecter de façon variable et alternativement les éléments de pompage et les injecteurs
• F02M 55/02 - Conduits entre pompes d'injection et injecteurs
• F02M 61/14 - Disposition des injecteurs par rapport aux moteursMontage des injecteurs

Abrégé

An engine includes a fuel delivery system having a fuel rail and fuel delivery devices, such as fuel injectors, that deliver fuel to corresponding cylinder assemblies. The use of the fuel rail and fuel injectors allows unused fuel to be purged from the engine at the end of the engine's operating cycle, thereby minimizing the creation of fuel vapor within the engine. The fuel delivery system also includes fuel rail coupling members that are constructed and arranged to secure each cylinder assembly to the fuel rail and to absorb load generated by the corresponding cylinder assembly on the fuel rail during operation. The fuel rail coupling members allow motion of the cylinder assemblies relative to the fuel rail during operation and minimize the application of potentially damaging forces on the fuel rail.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02M 69/46 - Détails, parties constitutives ou accessoires non couverts par les groupes ou présentant un intérêt autre que celui visé par ces groupes

Abrégé

An engine test system includes a base constructed and arranged to reside at a fixed location. The system further includes an engine support member constructed and arranged to concurrently support an engine and move relative to the base. The system further includes a linear transducer having (i) a first portion supported by the base, (ii) a second portion supported by the engine support member, and (iii) a circuit adjacent the first and second portions. The circuit is constructed and arranged to provide a linear transducer signal identifying an amount of linear compression and/or tension between the engine support member and the base along a predefined direction. When the linear transducer resides at a break in station, such an embodiment provides a simple, low cost mechanism which is capable of providing a horsepower measurement for every engine passing through the break in station.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01L 3/14 - Dynamomètres de transmission rotatifs dans lesquels l'élément transmettant le couple est autre qu'un arbre élastique en torsion
• G01L 3/16 - Dynamomètres d'absorption rotatifs, p. ex. du type frein

Abrégé

An engine includes a fuel rail (79) and fuel delivery devices (59), such as fuel injectors, that deliver fuel to corresponding cylinder assemblies (60). The use of the fuel rail and fuel, injectors allows unused fuel to be purged from the engine at the end of the engine's operating cycle, thereby minimizing the creation of fuel vapor within the engine. The fuel rail is assembled from modular fluid conduit adaptors (80) and fluid conduits (82). With such modularity, a custom fuel rail can be assembled for any size engine. The use of the fluid conduit adaptors and fluid conduits allows motion of the cylinder assemblies relative to the fuel rail during operation to minimize the application of potentially damaging forces on the fuel rail.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02M 55/02 - Conduits entre pompes d'injection et injecteurs
• F02M 69/46 - Détails, parties constitutives ou accessoires non couverts par les groupes ou présentant un intérêt autre que celui visé par ces groupes

Abrégé

A fuel injector mounting assembly (100) is configured to limit or constrain movement of a fuel injector (102) relative to a corresponding cylinder assembly (60). For example, the fuel, injector mounting -assembly includes a base (110) that is secured to a cylinder assembly's housing and a fuel conduit (112). The-fuel conduit includes a first fuel conduit portion (116) which operates in conjunction with a cylinder assembly' s fuel manifold to capture a fuel injector between the fuel injector mounting assembly and the cylinder assembly's fuel manifold. The fuel conduit also includes a second fuel conduit portion (130) which is secured to a compliant fuel line (82). With such a configuration of the fuel injector mounting assembly, both ends of the fuel injector are secured to the cylinder assembly to minimize any relative motion in the fuel injector's seals relative to either the cylinder assembly's fuel manifold or to the compliant fuel line.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02M 61/14 - Disposition des injecteurs par rapport aux moteursMontage des injecteurs
• F02M 69/46 - Détails, parties constitutives ou accessoires non couverts par les groupes ou présentant un intérêt autre que celui visé par ces groupes

Abrégé

A fuel pump includes a bearing element disposed in proximity to an impeller. The bearing element is configured to form a fuel seal with the impeller and to drain fuel leaked from the pump chamber back into the pump chamber. The bearing element minimizes leakage of fuel from the pump chamber into an engine coupled to the impeller. The fuel pump also includes redundant lip seals configured to provide redundant sealing relative to a shaft of the impeller within the fuel pump in order to minimize engine oil from entering the pump chamber and to minimize fuel from entering the engine. Integration of both the bearing element and the redundant lip seals as part of the fuel pump results in the fuel pump having a relatively compact size

Classes IPC  ?

• F04C 2/10 - Machines ou pompes à piston rotatif du type à engrènement extérieur, c.-à-d. avec un engagement des organes coopérants semblable à celui d'engrenages dentés du type à axe interne, l'organe externe ayant plus de dents ou de parties équivalentes de prise, p. ex. de rouleaux, que l'organe interne
• F02M 37/04 - Alimentation au moyen de pompes entraînées
• F04C 14/26 - Commande, surveillance ou dispositions de sécurité pour "machines" ou pompes ou installations de pompage caractérisées par l'utilisation des soupapes pour commander la pression ou le débit, p. ex. soupapes de décharge en utilisant des canaux de dérivation

Abrégé

An engine includes a fuel rail and fuel delivery devices, such as fuel injectors, that deliver fuel to corresponding cylinder assemblies. The use of the fuel rail and fuel injectors allows unused fuel to be purged from the engine at the end of the engine's operating cycle, thereby minimizing the creation of fuel vapor within the engine. The fuel rail is assembled from modular fluid conduit adaptors and fluid conduits. With such modularity, a custom fuel rail can be assembled for any size engine. The use of the fluid conduit adaptors and fluid conduits allows motion of the cylinder assemblies relative to the fuel rail during operation to minimize the application of potentially damaging forces on the fuel rail.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02M 55/02 - Conduits entre pompes d'injection et injecteurs
• F02M 69/46 - Détails, parties constitutives ou accessoires non couverts par les groupes ou présentant un intérêt autre que celui visé par ces groupes

Abrégé

In one embodiment, a sensing apparatus senses rotation of an engine component (e.g., a crank shaft) relative to an engine body. The sensing apparatus includes a sensor, and a bracket configured to position the sensor in a fixed location relative to the engine body. The starter ring has (i) a support portion configured to rotate in tandem with the engine component, (ii) a starter interface mounted to the support portion, the starter interface being configured to receive drive from a starter motor during operation of the starter motor, and (iii) a trigger portion mounted to the support portion. The trigger portion is configured to provide a series of indicators during rotation of the engine component. The series of indicators (e.g., a series of magnetic field perturbations during rotation of the engine component) is readable by the sensor thus enabling identification of component positioning and speed.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01M 15/00 - Test des moteurs

Abrégé

A tappet for an internal combustion engine is formed from a high-carbon, bearing grade steel. The high-carbon, bearing grade steel has a relatively high surface fatigue strength that provides the tappet with the ability to absorb a relatively large contact stresses during operation, thereby minimizing the formation of cracks within the tappet. Additionally, the high-carbon steel tappet can be heat treated to provide a substantially uniform hardness, between about 58 Rockwell Hardness C (HRC) and 62 HRC, and a substantially consistent microstructure throughout the tappet, thereby minimizing wear of the tappet during use.

Classes IPC  ?

• F01L 1/14 - PoussoirsTiges-poussoirs

Abrégé

In one embodiment, a sensing apparatus senses rotation of an engine component (e.g., a crank shaft) relative to an engine body. The sensing apparatus includes a sensor, and a bracket configured to position the sensor in a fixed location relative to the engine body. The starter ring has (i) a support portion configured to rotate in tandem with the engine component, (ii) a starter interface mounted to the support portion, the starter interface being configured to receive drive from a starter motor during operation of the starter motor, and (iii) a trigger portion mounted to the support portion. The trigger portion is configured to provide a series of indicators during rotation of the engine component. The series of indicators (e.g., a series of magnetic field perturbations during rotation of the engine component) is readable by the sensor thus enabling identification of component positioning and speed.

Classes IPC  ?

• F02N 15/00 - Autres appareils de démarrage actionnés par une énergie non musculaireParties constitutives, détails ou accessoires non couverts dans les groupes ou présentant un intérêt autre que celui visé par ces groupes

Abrégé

A tappet for an internal combustion engine is formed from a high-carbon, bearing grade steel. The high-carbon, bearing grade steel has a relatively high surface fatigue strength that provides the tappet with the ability to absorb a relatively large contact stresses during operation, thereby minimizing the formation of cracks within the tappet. Additionally, the high-carbon steel tappet can be heat treated to provide a substantially uniform hardness, between about 58 Rockwell Hardness C (HRC) and 62 HRC, and a substantially consistent microstructure throughout the tappet, thereby minimizing wear of the tappet during use.

Classes IPC  ?

• F01L 1/14 - PoussoirsTiges-poussoirs