Engine compression release brake system and method for operating the same
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorScott A. Leman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A compression release brake system for an internal combustion engine is selectively operable in different modes that provide lower levels of noise emissions at lower levels of vehicle retarding. Lower noise levels are achieved by advancing or otherwise modulating the timing of brake events, thereby reducing cylinder pressure during release and thus reducing noise levels. A system is provided on board the vehicle to determine when the vehicle is operating in a noise restricted region and automatically switch to a braking mode that produces lower, acceptable levels of noise emissions. GPS or other sensors may be used to determine when the vehicle is operating in a restricted region.
Claims26
A method of operating a vehicle in a geographic region mandating a maximum noise level comprising;
- operating the vehicle with a compression release brake system capable of automatically determining that the vehicle has entered the geographic region and automatically operating in a noise reduced mode.
A method of controlling vehicle noise emissions in a geographic region comprising:
- mandating a maximum noise level for a vehicle traveling in the geographic region, and
- requiring the vehicle that enters the geographic region to be equipped with a compression release brake system capable of automatically determining that the vehicle has entered the geographic region and automatically operating in a noise reduced mode.
A engine compression release brake system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- an engine compression release brake selectively operating an engine in compression release brake mode, said engine compression release brake being operable in a first mode that produces a first level of vehicle retarding and a first level of noise emission corresponding to said first level of vehicle retarding and further being operable in a second mode that produces a second level of vehicle retarding less than said first level of vehicles retarding and a second level of noise emission corresponding to said second level of vehicle retarding, said second level of noise emission being lower than said first level of noise emission;
- and
- a controller for automatically selectively operating said engine compression release brake in either said first mode or said second mode.
A method of operating a vehicle having an engine compression release brake, comprising:
- having an electronic control unit automatically operate engine compression brake in a first mode to produce a first level of vehicle retarding and a first level of noise emissions corresponding to said first level of vehicle retarding;
- and
- operating the engine compression brake in a second mode to produce a second level of vehicle retarding less than said first level of vehicle retarding and a second level of noise emissions corresponding to said second level of vehicle retarding, said second level of noise emissions being lower than said first level of noise emissions.
A method for operating a vehicle having an engine compression release brake, comprising:
- operating the engine compression release brake in a first mode producing a first level of noise emissions;
- determining that the vehicle is operating in a noise restricted geographic region;
- and
- in response to said determining step, automatically operating the engine compression release brake in a second mode producing a second level of noise emissions lower than said first level of noise emissions.
An engine compression release brake system for a vehicle, comprising:
- an engine compression release brake operable in a first mode producing a first level of noise emissions and a second mode producing a second level of noise emissions lower than said first level of noise emissions;
- a sensor for determining that the vehicle is operating in a noise restricted geographic region;
- and
- a controller operable in response to said sensor for selectively operating the engine compression release brake in said first mode or said second mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.