Patents Examined by Charles Brauch
  • Control device of internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 10428768
    Abstract: A control device of an internal combustion engine comprises a heater control part configured to set a target temperature of the electrochemical cell and control the heater so that a temperature of the electrochemical cell becomes the target temperature. The heater control part sets the target temperature to a first temperature when water injection by the water injection device is not being demanded after a predetermined time elapses from startup of the internal combustion engine, and sets the target temperature to a second temperature when an operating state of the internal combustion engine is in a water outflow state where water injected by the water injection device reaches the exhaust passage without going through combustion of air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. The second temperature is higher than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Go Hayashita
  • Apparatus and method for filling LPG vehicle with LPG
    Patent number: 10428766
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicle with LPG may include an auxiliary chamber disposed in an LPG bombe of the LPG vehicle, an auxiliary injection line branched from a fuelling line extending to the LPG bombe from a fuel inlet port for connection to the auxiliary chamber, a solenoid valve mounted in the auxiliary injection line to selectively allow or block a flow of LPG to the auxiliary chamber, a temperature sensor to detect a temperature in the bombe, and a controller to control the solenoid valve to be opened when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a critical temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chang Han Kim, Jae Hwa Park, Jong Ki Kim, Jae Min Lee, Keun Soo Kim
  • Exhaust side block insert, cylinder block assembly including the same, and heat management system of engine including the same
    Patent number: 10428719
    Abstract: A cylinder block assembly may include a cylinder block, a cylinder body disposed in the cylinder block, with a plurality of cylinder bores formed in the cylinder body, a fluid jacket, which is formed between an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder block and an outer circumferential surface of the cylinder body, and through which coolant flows, and a block insert disposed in the water jacket and configured to guide a flow of coolant, wherein the cylinder block may include a second block coolant outlet, which is formed at a second side in a surface of an exhaust side of the cylinder block, and through which the coolant in the water jacket is discharged, and wherein the exhaust side may include a side at which combustion gas is exhausted out of the cylinder body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Byung-Soo Lee, Bong-Sang Lee, Woo-Tae Kim
  • Twin shafts driving adjacent fans for aircraft propulsion
    Patent number: 10428740
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft has at least two fans with each fan having a fan drive shaft. A turboshaft gas turbine engine drives each of the at least two fans. The turboshaft engine drives an output shaft which drives a gear to, in turn, engage to drive a gear on a first intermediate shaft extending from the turboshaft gas turbine engine in a rearward direction toward an intermediate fan drive shaft. The intermediate fan drive shaft drives the fan drive shaft, and the at least two first intermediate drive shafts extending over a distance that is greater in an axial dimension defined between the turboshaft gas turbine engine and the fan than it is in a width dimension defined between the at least two fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Propeller fan and blower unit
    Patent number: 10422349
    Abstract: A propeller fan includes a rotary blade hub driven in rotation about a rotation axis, and a rotary blade installed at an outer periphery of the rotary blade hub. The rotary blade includes a rotary blade body protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the rotary blade hub, and a rib formed on an outer peripheral edge portion of a pressure surface of the rotary blade body so as to extend along an outer peripheral edge of the rotary blade body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyasu Matsui, Shimei Tei, Tooru Iwata, Shigeyuki Takaoka
  • Compact ported cylinder construction for an opposed-piston engine
    Patent number: 10422272
    Abstract: A compact construction for an opposed-piston engine includes a cylinder liner with longitudinally-spaced exhaust and intake ports in which the exhaust port has inner and outer edges presenting a port height that causes the exhaust port to be fully open before a piston associated with the exhaust port reaches bottom dead center during an expansion stroke and the end surface of the associated piston to be spaced outwardly of the outer edge when the piston is at bottom dead center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: John M. Kessler
  • Coolant outlet system
    Patent number: 10415498
    Abstract: A coolant outlet system for a cylinder head associated with an engine includes a core hole communicating with an upper surface thereof, wherein the core hole is in fluid communication with a coolant jacket of the cylinder head. The coolant outlet system includes an outlet tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the outlet tube is coupled to the core hole. The coolant outlet system also includes a jumper elbow coupled to the second end of the outlet tube, wherein the outlet tube and the jumper elbow provide fluid communication between the coolant jacket and an engine crankcase to introduce coolant discharged from the core hole into the engine crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
    Inventors: Louis Funk, Frank Kalemba, Patricia A. McWade
  • Internal combustion engine and method for manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 10408174
    Abstract: There is provided an internal combustion engine in which respective combustion states of cylinders can be uniformized with a simple configuration. A central axis (CL1) of a connecting part (7) of one of air supply ports (5) inclines with a predetermined inclination angle in a direction away from an air supply inlet (3) with respect to a y direction orthogonal to an x direction in which an air supply manifold 1 extends, and an inclination angle of the connecting part (7) of the one of the air supply ports (5) is larger than an inclination angle of the connecting part (7) of other air supply ports (5) located on a side closer to the air supply inlet (3) than the one of the air supply ports (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine & Turbocharger, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Koshiba, Yuji Oda, Satoshi Yamada, Hiromi Komatsu
  • Switching membrane for a pressure control valve and a pressure control valve
    Patent number: 10408099
    Abstract: A switching membrane for a pressure control valve has a plate-shaped flat body with a central area and a bending area surrounding the central area. The central area is provided with a closure area. For switching the switching membrane, the central area can be moved back and forth by a bending movement of the bending area in a direction transverse to an extension of the central area. At least the bending area is made of fluorocarbon rubber. A pressure control valve, especially for crankcase ventilation, is provided with a valve housing that has a housing cover and further is provided with a valve seat. A switching membrane as described above is disposed in the valve housing and switches at pressure differences of at most 500 mbar to release or shut off a flow of fluid at the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Lukas Bock, Jens Burkhardt, Volker Kuemmerling, Thomas Jessberger
  • Large two-stroke compression-ignited internal combustion engine with fuel injection system for low flashpoint fuel and a fuel valve therefore
    Patent number: 10400682
    Abstract: A large two-stroke turbocharged compression-ignited internal combustion crosshead engine with a plurality of cylinders has at least one pressure booster for each cylinder for boosting fuel pressure, two or more electronically controlled fuel valves for each cylinder with an inlet of the two or more electronically controlled fuel valves being connected to an outlet of the at least one pressure booster. An electronic control unit is connected to the at least one pressure booster and the two or more electronically controlled fuel valves. The electronic control unit is configured to determine a start time for a fuel injection event, activate the at least one pressure booster ahead of the determined start time and pen the two or more electronically controlled fuel valves at the determined start time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: MAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS, FILIAL AF MAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS SE, TYSKLAND
    Inventors: Niels Kjemtrup, Stefan Mayer, Peter Hagen
  • Large two-stroke compression-ignited internal combustion engine with fuel injection system for low flashpoint fuel and a fuel valve therefore
    Patent number: 10400683
    Abstract: A large two-stroke turbocharged compression-ignited internal combustion crosshead engine with a plurality of cylinders has at least one pressure booster for each cylinder for boosting fuel pressure, two or more electronically controlled fuel valves for each cylinder with an inlet of the two or more electronically controlled fuel valves being connected to an outlet of the at least one pressure booster. An electronic control unit is connected to the at least one pressure booster and the two or more electronically controlled fuel valves. The electronic control unit is configured to determine a start time for a fuel injection event, activate the at least one pressure booster ahead of the determined start time and pen the two or more electronically controlled fuel valves at the determined start time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: MAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS, FILIAL AFMAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS SE, TYSKLAND
    Inventors: Niels Kjemtrup, Stefan Mayer, Peter Hagen
  • Cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine and method of forming
    Patent number: 10393059
    Abstract: A method of forming an engine is provided. A liner is cast with an outer surface with a first texture extending circumferentially from a first end to a second end of the liner. A section of the outer surface of the liner is machined to provide a second texture extending circumferentially about the liner and spaced apart from the first end, wherein the second texture has a lower specific surface area than the first texture. An engine and a cylinder liner for the engine are provided. The liner has first and second ends with an outer surface extending therebetween. An outer surface of the liner has axial sections defining different textures to form material interfaces with the block with different thermal conductivities thereacross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Prasad Kamat, Jonathan Robert Burns, Daryl Gene Self, Bryan McKeough
  • Metal-to-metal sealing
    Patent number: 10393267
    Abstract: Methods and systems for metal-to-metal sealing and, in particular, to the use of sintered parts to create metal-to-metal sealing joints is disclosed. In one example, a metal-to-metal sealing joint may comprise: a first mating surface and a second mating surface; wherein the first mating surface is formed on a first assembly having an annular projection with one or more annular grooves and the second mating surface is formed on a second assembly; wherein the projection is configured such that when the first and second surfaces are brought into mating contact, the annular projection on the first mating surface deforms the second mating surface to form a sealing joint. In this way, the metal-to-metal sealing joint between the first and second mating surfaces may minimize oil leakage between two assemblies, thereby improving engine fuel economy while simplifying part manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xavier Demeulenaere, Mark Michel
  • Cylinder head cooling structure
    Patent number: 10393061
    Abstract: A cylinder head cooling structure includes: an intake-side cooling passage, inter-cylinder cooling passages, inter-port cooling passages, first cooling water supply passages that include an upstream end connected to a cooling water supply passage provided in a cylinder block of the engine and a downstream end which joins an upstream end of the inter-cylinder cooling passage; and blocking walls that are provided in the inter-cylinder cooling passages and extend obliquely in a direction from the exhaust ports of the cylinder on an upstream side to the intake ports of the cylinder on a downstream side to divide the inter-cylinder cooling passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Tsunaki Hayasaki
  • Bearing interface with recesses to reduce friction
    Patent number: 10385970
    Abstract: A bearing interface of an apparatus, the apparatus having a first element and a second element configured to move relative to each other during operation of the apparatus, the first element comprising a first bearing surface configured to engage at least a portion of a second bearing surface of the second element thereby defining a contact zone between the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface, the first bearing surface having at least one recess indented into the first bearing surface, wherein the dimension of the recess in the direction of movement of the second element relative to the first element is less than the dimension of the contact zone in the direction of movement of the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Graham Pegg, Sorin-Cristian Vladescu, Andrew Vernon Olver, Thomas Reddyhoff
  • Sealing system and exhaust gas recirculation valve
    Patent number: 10378489
    Abstract: A sealing system for an exhaust gas recirculation valve, the exhaust gas recirculation valve including a housing and a valve stem disposed in the housing, the sealing system being disposed between the housing and the valve stem in order to prevent exhaust gas from entering a valve body interior. The sealing system includes at least two sealing assemblies. An exhaust gas recirculation valve includes the sealing system, and the sealing system effectively prevents exhaust gas from leaking into the valve body interior, and effectively prevents carbon deposits from sticking to the valve stem or entering the valve body interior, so as to increase the lifespan and reliability of the exhaust gas recirculation valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Xiangguang Cao, Longsheng Zhao, Xiaolin Du, Jingjing Song
  • Valve for metering a fluid
    Patent number: 10378497
    Abstract: A fluid metering valve includes a housing, an electromagnetic actuator that includes an armature that is separated from an inner wall of the housing by an annular gap, a throttle element connected to the armature or the housing and arranged in the annular gap to dampen a movement of the armature that is opposite to an opening direction, a valve seat surface, a valve closing body that cooperates with the valve seat surface to form a sealing seat, and a valve needle that (a) is actuatable by the actuator, (b) is arranged for actuating the valve closing body (c) extends through a borehole in the armature so that the armature is movably guidable on the valve needle, and (d) includes a stop arranged such that, during an actuation, the armature strikes against the stop in the opening direction to thereby open the sealing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Schaad, Joerg Abel, Juergen Maier, Martin Buehner, Matthias Boee, Olaf Schoenrock, Philipp Rogler, Stefan Cerny
  • Outlet guide vane for aircraft turbine engine, presenting an improved lubricant cooling function
    Patent number: 10378556
    Abstract: A guide vane for a dual flow aircraft turbine engine includes an aerodynamic part. The aerodynamic part includes an inner duct for lubricant cooling extending in a main direction and being partly bounded by a pressure side wall and a suction side wall of the vane. The aerodynamic part is embodied as a single piece, and includes heat transfer fins arranged in the duct expanding substantially parallel to a direction of the duct. The fins are spaced from each other depending on the direction of the duct and a transversal direction of the vane, so that at least some of the fins are arranged substantially staggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Cedric Zaccardi, Mohamed-Lamine Boutaleb, Sebastien Christophe Chalaud, Eric Pierre Georges Lemarechal, Thierry Georges Paul Papin
  • Method for operating a power generating device and power generating device
    Patent number: 10371113
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a power generating device (2) comprising an internal combustion engine, in particular a gas motor or a gas turbine, and an energy accumulator. Said internal combustion engine and the energy accumulator are electrically coupled together. Said internal combustion engine (16) 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: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: EKU Power Drives GmbH
    Inventors: Leonardo Uriona Sepulveda, Martin Ball
  • Dual-fuel engine with liquid-gas separation unit
    Patent number: 10371101
    Abstract: A liquid-gas separation unit of a dual-fuel engine is provided. The liquid-gas separation unit includes an exhaust conduit and a separator mounted on the exhaust conduit. The exhaust conduit has a first end and a second end distal to the first end. The first end of the exhaust conduit is coupled to a gaseous fuel supply conduit of the dual-fuel engine for receiving a leaked liquid fuel and a gaseous fuel. The leaked liquid fuel is received from at least one injector of the dual-fuel engine. Further, the separator is adapted to separate the leaked liquid fuel from the gaseous fuel before ejecting the gaseous fuel through the second end of the exhaust conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
    Inventor: Rakesh R. Malhotra