Patents Examined by Anthony L. Bacon
  • Fuel injection control device
    Patent number: 10683826
    Abstract: A fuel injection control device includes a valve closing detection unit to detect a valve closing timing by using either of an electromotive force quantity detection mode and an timing detection mode and a selection unit to select either of the electromotive force quantity detection mode and the timing detection mode for detecting the valve closing timing, and the selection unit: selects the timing detection mode when a requested injection quantity is larger than a prescribed reference injection quantity in partial lift injection; and selects the electromotive force quantity detection mode when the requested injection quantity is smaller than the reference injection quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Satake, Eiji Murase, Tomohiro Nakano
  • Fuel vapor treatment system
    Patent number: 10683830
    Abstract: A tank passage has one end connected to a fuel tank. A purge passage has one end connected to a canister and the other end connected to an intake passage. An atmospheric passage has one end connected to the canister and the other end communicated with the atmosphere. A purge valve opens and closes the purge passage. An atmospheric valve opens and closes an atmospheric passage. A tank switch valve opens and closes the tank passage. A pressure sensor detects pressure in the purge passage and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected pressure. An abnormality detection portion executes an abnormality detection processing that detects a clog abnormality based on a signal from a pressure sensor when the tank switch valve is activated in a state in which the purge valve and the atmospheric valve are closed, after driving of an engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Ooiwa
  • Variable displacement engine including different cam lobe profiles
    Patent number: 10677111
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including cams having different lobe profiles. In one example, cams of a first cam group drive a plurality of deactivatable cylinder valves and cams of a second cam group drive a plurality of non-deactivatable cylinder valves. The cams of the first cam group include a different lobe profile relative to cams of the second cam group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Danny Nakhle, Kevin Shinners, Robert Stephen Furby
  • Method, apparatus, and system for launching engine start-stop function in vehicles
    Patent number: 10669980
    Abstract: The disclosure is related to methods, apparatuses, and systems for launching an engine start-stop function in vehicles. A vehicle terminal may transmit to a server a traffic information acquiring instruction which carries current location information for the vehicle; receive traffic information transmitted by the server; and launch the engine start-stop function for the vehicle when the traffic information satisfies a preset condition. The server may acquire the traffic information of a road at which the vehicle is located currently after receiving the traffic information acquiring instruction and transmit the acquired traffic information to the vehicle terminal. Whether to launch the engine start-stop function may be based on the traffic information such that, for example, the engine is not stopped when the vehicle is expected to be stopped for too brief a time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yueyue Chu, Yan Xie, Da Wang
  • Method for meshing a starting pinion with a toothed ring of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 10655589
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for actuating a starter device (10), wherein the starter device (10) comprises a starting pinion (22) which is to be meshed with a toothed ring (25) of an internal combustion engine (210), the internal combustion engine (210) having a drive shaft (222). The invention is characterized in that a) first a rotational speed (n, n1, n2, n3) of the drive shaft (222) is determined, b) said rotational speed (n, n1, n2, n3) is then compared to a predefined rotational speed value (nG), and c) in the case that the rotational speed (n, n1, n2, n3) is less than or equal to the predefined rotational speed value (nG), the starting pinion (22) is toed in the direction of the toothed ring (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SEG Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Cwik, Markus Roessle, Ewald Mauritz, Stefan Tumback
  • Method for controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine at start-up and a carburettor
    Patent number: 10648429
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling the fuel supply to an internal combustion engine at start-up. The fuel supply system can be set in at least two start modes, a lean mode and a rich mode, and the selection of mode is based on an evaluation of a previous start attempt or successful run. The invention also concerns a carburetor (10) having a fuel supply system including a main fuel path (13) with an actively controlled fuel valve (26) and an idling fuel path (14) branching off from the main fuel path (13) downstream of the valve (26). The fuel supply system further includes a start fuel line (23, 423) starting upstream (FIG. 1) or downstream (FIG. 4) of the fuel valve (26) and ending in at least one start fuel outlet near and downstream of a choke valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Mikael Larsson, Magnus Ottosson, Bo Carlsson
  • Electric power system
    Patent number: 10641227
    Abstract: Provided is an electric power system mounted on a vehicle having an engine, a battery, and a starter that starts the engine. The electric power system includes an SOC estimation part, estimating the SOC of the battery based on a first algorithm; an idling stop control part, permitting implementation of an idling stop control when an estimation result of the SOC estimation part satisfies a predetermined automatic stop condition; a full charge determination part, determining whether the battery is in a full charge state based on a second algorithm different from the first algorithm; and a malfunction determination part, determining that malfunction occurs in the SOC estimation part when the battery is estimated in the full charge state by the full charge determination part and the estimation result of the SOC estimation part does not satisfy the automatic stop condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Namiki, Yuki Koizumi
  • Method for engine laser ignition system
    Patent number: 10641234
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a laser ignition system of an engine. In one example, a controller may operate the laser in a sealed cylinder hours after key-off. Then, the cylinder may be unsealed and a change in exhaust temperature may be correlated with laser functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Ignition coil dwell control
    Patent number: 10641232
    Abstract: Approaches for controlling dwell time in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine are provided. In one example, a method may include adjusting dwell based on engine operating conditions and further adjusting dwell in a manner proportional to existent spark plug conditions. By constantly assessing spark plug condition during operating of the internal combustion engine, premature wear of the spark plug may be prevented leading to an extension in the service life of spark plug and other ignition system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nelson William Morrow, Jr., Robert Humphrey, Oliver Berkemeier
  • Method of improving engine startability using hardware wake-up period control and vehicle using the same
    Patent number: 10641194
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicle having improved engine startability using hardware wake-up period control by performing a vehicle state detection mode to which a battery voltage, an engine oil temperature, and an engine coolant temperature are applied by a controller in a key-off state of an engine, a wake-up fuel pressure control mode for determining whether a soaking time reaches a wake-up set time by the count of a key-off timer for 80 minutes, a pump operation control mode for operating a low-pressure fuel pump for approximately 1 second by the current supplied in response to a key-off output signal over the period of 80 minutes, and a wake-up repetition control mode for repeating a number of times the low-pressure fuel pump is operated to maximum 6 times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Bon-Chang Koo
  • Method and configuration for improved variable vane positioning
    Patent number: 10634000
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an apparatus for controlling a vane comprises an actuator, a vane control rod, a guide pin disposed on the vane control rod, a sleeve disposed about the vane control rod, and at least one sleeve track disposed along an extent of the sleeve. Further in accordance with this aspect, the guide pin couples the vane control rod and the sleeve, and the actuator linearly moves the vane control rod through the sleeve in order to manipulate a position of the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Skertic, Matthew J. Starr
  • Control apparatus and control method for diesel engine
    Patent number: 10626810
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a diesel engine includes a neighboring temperature estimating section which estimates a temperature of a neighborhood of a glow plug that heats an interior of a cylinder upon startup, and a supercharging pressure control section which controls a supercharging pressure in such a way that a rotation fluctuation of the engine does not increase, on the basis of the estimated temperature of the neighborhood of the glow plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Nishizawa, Shuichi Iio, Kiyoshi Ohga, Ryota Nakayama, Takashi Yamazaki, Yoshihiro Imaoka, Yasushi Ohmura, Isshou Uehara, Masahiko Nakano, Manabu Hasegawa
  • Arrangement of an impeller on a rotating part and method for producing the arrangement
    Patent number: 10619641
    Abstract: An arrangement of an impeller (3) on a rotating part, preferably on an electric motor (1), in particular on an external rotor motor, wherein the torque of the motor (1) is transmitted to the impeller (3) by a rotationally secure connection between the rotor (2) of the motor (1) and the impeller (3) or its impeller hub (4), and wherein the connection is created by means of a press fit between the impeller hub (4) and the rotor (2), with integration of a sleeve (6) which is preferably securely assigned to the impeller hub (4) and which takes up mechanical stresses, is characterized in that the sleeve (6) is polygonal and is pressed onto the surface of the rotor (2), with at least minor deformation, forming axial contact surfaces. Also specified is a method for producing such an arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ziehl-Abegg SE
    Inventors: Stefan Roessler, Michael Ruedenauer
  • Methods and systems for diagnosing engine internal exhaust gas recirculation
    Patent number: 10619603
    Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing operation of an internal exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine are presented. The system and method may be applied to conventional or hybrid powertrains having a capability to rotate an engine via an electric machine. The internal exhaust gas recirculation system may be diagnosed based on output of a differential pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Wind turbine
    Patent number: 10612516
    Abstract: A wind turbine, including a hub, a blade, a blade bearing which is connected to the hub and which enables a rotational movement of the blade relative to the hub, and an adjustment device for adjusting a pitch angle of the blade, wherein the adjustment device includes at least one actuator and wherein an effective direction of an adjustment force of the at least one actuator when adjusting the pitch angle of the blade is tilted in an angle relative to a bearing plane of the blade bearing. One advantage of the wind turbine is that the adjustment force for adjusting the pitch angle is transmitted directly into the blade bearing or the bearing plane. Further, an offset of the attacking point of the adjustment force can be reduced or completely avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventors: Henning Ebbesen, Christian Laursen
  • System and method for near wall cooling for turbine component
    Patent number: 10612393
    Abstract: A turbine airfoil includes a turbine component that includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side wall extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, a suction side wall extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, a near wall source cavity disposed within the turbine component, and the near wall source cavity receives cooling air, and a second near wall cooling cavity disposed within the turbine component. The turbine airfoil further includes a first circuit completion plate disposed on a first end of the turbine component, and the first circuit completion plate fluidly couples the near wall source cavity to the second near wall cooling cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zachary John Snider, Allison Christine Gose, Daniel Burnos, Gregory Thomas Foster
  • Evaporated fuel processing device
    Patent number: 10598107
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel processing device including a pump sending a purge gas from a canister to an intake passage, a control valve switching between a communication state and a cutoff state where the canister and the intake passage are cut off on the purge passage, a return flow passage having one end connected to the purge passage between the pump and the control valve, and other end connected to an upstream side of the pump, wherein the purge gas flows from the one end to the other end in a case where the pump is activated in the cutoff state of the control valve, and a detecting device specifying an evaporated fuel concentration in the return flow passage during the cutoff state of the control valve in a case where the control valve is controlled based on the duty ratio and the pump is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisaku Asanuma, Nobuhiro Kato
  • Ceramic matrix composite (CMC) blade and method of making a CMC blade
    Patent number: 10584600
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) turbine blade includes an airfoil, a hub extending from the airfoil, and a shank extending from the hub. The airfoil includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side, and a suction side. The shank includes a dovetail root having a dovetail path curved in a radial plane. In some embodiments, a leading shank length of the shank at the leading edge and a trailing shank length of the shank at the trailing edge are greater than an intermediate shank length at an intermediate location between the leading edge and the trailing edge. At least one of the airfoil, the hub, and the shank is formed from a CMC. A method of forming the CMC turbine blade includes forming the dovetail root to have a dovetail path curved in a radial plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Jacob John Kittleson
  • Turbomachine rotor blade
    Patent number: 10577945
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade for a turbomachine. The rotor blade includes an airfoil having a trailing edge surface and defining a cooling passage. The rotor blade also includes a tip shroud coupled to the airfoil. The tip shroud includes a radially inner surface. The tip shroud defines a cooling core fluidly coupled to the cooling passage. The cooling core includes at least one of a first outlet aperture having a first opening defined by the radially inner surface or a second outlet aperture having a second opening defined by the trailing edge surface of the airfoil. The first or second outlet apertures eject coolant from the cooling core in a direction of a local flow of combustion gases external to the tip shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Alan Brittingham, Mark Andrew Jones
  • Method for operating a power generating device and power generating device
    Patent number: 10570868
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a power generating device having a combustion engine, in particular a gas motor or a gas turbine, and an energy accumulator. The combustion engine and the energy accumulator are electrically coupled together. The combustion engine can be operated in accordance with a first estimated value and in accordance with a second estimated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: EKU Power Drives GmbH
    Inventors: Leonardo Uriona Sepulveda, Martin Ball