Patent ID: 6092496
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: F01L,F02B,F02D,F02M,Y02T

Abstract:
A method of operating a diesel engine having (i) an engine block with a piston cylinder defined therein, (ii) an engine head secured to the engine block, (iii) a piston which translates within the piston cylinder wherein the engine block, the engine head, and the piston cooperate to define a combustion chamber, (iv) an intake conduit in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, and (v) an intake valve which is movable between an open position which places the combustion chamber in fluid communication with the intake conduit and a closed position which isolates the combustion chamber from fluid communication with the intake conduit, comprising the steps of:sensing a temperature level associated with the engine;positioning the intake valve in the open position during an exhaust stroke of the engine if the temperature level is below a predetermined threshold value, whereby heated exhaust gases advance into the intake conduit during the exhaust stroke so as to heat intake air located in the intake conduit prior to the intake air advancing into the combustion chamber during a subsequent intake stroke; andpositioning the intake valve in the closed position during the exhaust stroke if the temperature level is above the predetermined threshold value, whereby heated exhaust gases are prevented from advancing into the intake conduit during the exhaust stroke.