Patents Examined by Hieu T. Vo
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Patent number: 11512660Abstract: A system for detecting and controlling misfire and/or AFR imbalance conditions in cylinders of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Yongsoon Yoon, Avra Brahma
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Patent number: 11248540Abstract: An internal combustion engine-based system includes an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes an engine interrupt connected to the engine. The engine interrupt is configured to selectively stop the operation of the engine. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a controller in communication with the engine interrupt. The internal combustion engine-based system includes a carbon monoxide detector in communication with the controller. The controller uses the engine interrupt to stop the operation of the engine when the carbon monoxide detector provides the controller with signals that are representative of a carbon monoxide level proximate the internal combustion engine that together form a trend of building carbon monoxide amounts over a set time interval.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gregory A. Wischstadt, Adam M. Schroeder, Mitchell L. Horn, Brandon Schmidt, Kevin Cole, Tod R. Tesch
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Patent number: 11242812Abstract: An engine control method includes: a first fuel supply step of supplying fuel into the combustion chamber using an injector when a spark plug makes flame in the combustion chamber so that an air-fuel mixture is generated at least around the spark plug, the air-fuel mixture having an air-fuel mass ratio A/F or a gas-fuel mass ratio G/F, in which gas includes air, higher than a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio; after the first fuel supply step, an ignition step of making the flame in the combustion chamber in the compression stroke using the spark plug; and after the ignition step, a second fuel supply step of supplying the fuel into the combustion chamber in the compression stroke using the injector to increase a fuel concentration of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Hitomi, Eiji Nakai, Naohiro Yamaguchi, Hiroki Morimoto
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Patent number: 11235753Abstract: A control device for a vehicle includes a drive shaft, an engagement element, an engine coupled via the engagement element, an electric motor coupled without via the engagement element, and a control unit that instructs a reengagement of the engagement element when an accelerator pedal opening increases to equal to or more than a predetermined degree of opening during switching of driving sources in which an engagement capacity of the engagement element is decreased while a torque of the electric motor is increased, and increases the torque of the electric motor to more than the torque of the electric motor before the accelerator pedal opening increases to equal to or more than the predetermined degree of opening until the engagement capacity of the engagement element starts increasing.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshimasa Nishihiro, Masaharu Mochizuki, Takashi Enomoto
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Patent number: 11220968Abstract: A CPU calculates probability models by inputting input variables to a neural network. Next, the CPU determines whether a maximum value among the calculated probability models is larger than an upper limit value of a permissible range. When the maximum value is larger than the upper limit value of the permissible range, the CPU calculates a difference between the maximum value and a first reference value within the permissible range, and subtracts the difference from all the probability models. Then, the CPU calculates a probability of misfire in each cylinder by inputting each of the calculated probability models to a softmax function of mapping.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Satoshi Takamoto, Atsushi Nagai, Yohsuke Hashimoto, Masakazu Aoki, Tatsunobu Murai
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Patent number: 11208964Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Kian Eisazadeh-Far, Steven E. Carlson, Louis J. Serrano
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Patent number: 11193436Abstract: An evaporated fuel processing device is installed to a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a fuel tank and is configured to process evaporated fuel generated through evaporation of fuel in the fuel tank. A control device of the evaporated fuel processing device is configured to adjust an opening degree of a sealing valve based on a pressure of vapor-phase gas sensed with a pressure sensor and a concentration of evaporated fuel in the vapor-phase gas sensed with a concentration sensor and thereby adjust a supply amount of the evaporated fuel supplied to an air intake pipe at a time of executing a purge operation, in which the vapor-phase gas is purged from the fuel tank to the air intake pipe of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: HAMANAKODENSO CO., LTD.Inventor: Kimio Uchida
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Patent number: 11187167Abstract: An evaporated fuel treatment apparatus includes a canister, a purge passage, a purge pump, a purge valve, and a controller for executing purge control. The controller is configured to switch the purge valve to a closed state or an open state once, subsequently set a concentration sensing flag to ON, and then detect a purge concentration based on a pump downstream pressure or a pump differential pressure at a predetermined timing elapsed by a predetermined time from setting of the concentration sensing flag to ON.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yuki Fujita
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Patent number: 11168647Abstract: An engine device is provided with a fuel vapor processor comprising a first supply pipe configured to supply a vaporized fuel gas including fuel vapor generated in a fuel tank, to a downstream side of a compressor in an intake pipe; a first valve provided in the first supply pipe; a second supply pipe configured to supply the vaporized fuel gas to an upstream side of the compressor in the intake pipe; and a second valve provided in the second supply pipe. When a supercharger operates and the first valve is closed, the engine device performs abnormality diagnosis of the second valve, based on a control state of the second valve and a pressure in the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiromichi Yasuda
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Patent number: 11156182Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, in which, based on a rail pressure signal, a first characteristic variable is specified that indicates a misfire, a misfire being recognized when the rail pressure signal does not have the expected curve.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2020Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Florian Reiling, Eduard Moser, Joerg Maas
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Patent number: 11156193Abstract: In at least some implementations, a fuel pump assembly includes a fuel pump having an inlet through which fuel enters the fuel pump and a first outlet from which pressurized fuel is discharged for delivery to an engine, and a second outlet through which some of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump is routed wherein that fuel is not delivered to the engine, wherein the second outlet has a flow area that permits a flow of fuel through the second outlet that is sufficient to reduce the maximum pressure of fuel downstream of the first outlet for delivery to an engine to between 1/10th and 1/25th of the output pressure of the fuel pump without flow through the second outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Elton J. Fisch, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Edward J. Talaski
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Patent number: 11143124Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating an effective area associated with an exhaust gas recirculation valve and/or a variable orifice associated with the exhaust gas recirculation valve. In one example, a method may include attaining a first steady-state intake pressure with the exhaust gas recirculation valve closed, determining a second steady-state intake pressure and a differential pressure across the variable orifice with the exhaust gas recirculation valve open, and estimating the variable orifice effective area based on the second steady-state intake pressure and the differential pressure. In this way, a calibration table may be updated for an exhaust gas recirculation control apparatus that includes an exhaust gas recirculation valve and a variable orifice, such that an actual amount of recirculated exhaust gas reflects a commanded amount.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rani Kiwan, Imtiaz Ali, Gopichandra Surnilla
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Patent number: 11118524Abstract: System, method, and apparatus for controlling performance of an engine in response to a set of outputs from a device to an engine control unit. The engine control unit receives profile parameters that are related to outputs of the device. The engine control unit engages a high performance functionality in response to a first signal. The engine control unit engages a high idle functionality in response to a second signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: GDP Tuning, LLCInventors: Benjamin Tyler, Barry Pierce
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Patent number: 11118519Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid electric vehicle is provided. The method includes determining whether a condition for turning off an engine is satisfied and determining engine clutch disengaging time and residual purge gas consuming time from engine driving status information when the condition is satisfied. Engine clutch-engaged charging control time is determined from the engine clutch disengaging time and the residual purge gas consuming time. The method includes closing a purge control solenoid valve and starting to perform engine clutch-engaged charging control. The engine clutch-engaged charging control is maintained for the determined engine clutch-engaged charging control time and then engine clutch disengaging control is performed for the determined engine clutch disengaging time. The engine is stopped after the engine clutch disengaging control is performed.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Seung Han Lee, Il Kwon Park, Dae Heung Lee, In Eok Cho, Jeong Ho Seo
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Patent number: 11118526Abstract: The disclosure provides a combustion abnormality detecting device, a combustion abnormality detecting method, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a misfire detection accuracy is increased by increasing a piezoelectric detection accuracy. A charge amplifier (210) outputting a voltage signal corresponding to a charge generated by a piezoelectric element (35) in response to a received pressure, a drift component extracting part (230) extracting a drift component of the piezoelectric element (35), a drift correcting part (250) generating a correction signal for removing the drift component based on the extracted drift component and feeding back the correction signal to an input side of the charge amplifier (210), and a misfire detecting part (400) performing misfire detection based on the correction signal are included.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: MIKUNI CORPORATIONInventors: Satoru Fujisaki, Katsuhiko Fukui
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Patent number: 11085387Abstract: Methods and systems, using a controller (20), for performing de-rate operation of an engine (12) is disclosed. Controller (20) includes a de-rate condition detection unit (204), an operational parameter adjustment unit (206), and a de-rate condition monitoring unit (208). De-rate condition detection unit (204) detects a low fuel condition based on a current delivery pressure level of the engine (12) detected at least one of: in a fuel tank (24) and along an inlet fuel rail (38) connecting the fuel tank (24) to the engine (12). Operational parameter adjustment unit (206) performs the de-rate operation on the engine (12) by adjusting one or more operational parameters related to an engine (12) load based on the detected low fuel condition. De-rate condition monitoring unit (208) monitors the detected low fuel condition for a predetermined time period in response to the operational parameter adjustment performed by operational parameter adjustment unit (206).Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Gregory A. Weber, Todd F. Sloan, Eric Coupal-Sikes, Morgan M. Andreae, Jean-Patrick V. Rich
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Patent number: 11078863Abstract: An abnormality determination apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which an intake passage upstream of a supercharger and a crankcase are connected by a breather line includes: an intake flow rate detection unit that detects an intake flow rate in the intake passage; and an abnormality determination unit that determines abnormality of the breather line. The abnormality determination unit accumulates a value calculated from a rotation second-order component of a fluctuation waveform of the intake flow rate over a predetermined period of time and determines the abnormality of the breather line when the accumulated value is less than a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Toru Sekiguchi, Takashi Konomoto, Toshifumi Yoshida
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Patent number: 11073094Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring corking of a valve in a fuel vapor line during diagnostics of the fuel vapor system. In one example, a method may include, upon sealing the fuel vapor system during a diagnostic routine, estimating a threshold pressure of the fuel vapor system based on a fuel level in the fuel tank, and in response to an estimated pressure of the fuel system decreasing to the threshold pressure, opening a canister vent valve coupled to a vent line of the fuel vapor system.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Aed M. Dudar
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Patent number: 11072251Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for preparing an energy receiving apparatus of a vehicle for receiving an increase in a level of energy storage prior to a vehicle reaching an energy replenishment station for receiving the increase. In one example, a method comprises preparing an energy receiving apparatus for receiving an increase in a level of energy storage while the vehicle is traveling to the energy replenishment station, in response to a vehicle operator confirming at the controller an intent to stop at the energy replenishment station to increase the level of energy storage at the energy receiving apparatus. In this way, a time-frame for increasing the energy level increase may be reduced as compared to situations where such preparations are not undertaken.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Aed Dudar
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Patent number: 11067052Abstract: Provided is a control device of an internal combustion engine that reduces the number of times of discharge in multiple discharge by an ignition plug of the internal combustion engine and suppresses an error in fuel ignition by the ignition plug. The control device according to the present invention includes an ignition plug provided in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, and an ignition control unit which has an ignition control function of controlling discharge (ignition) of the ignition plug and an ignition detection function of detecting ignition of an air-fuel mixture through ignition by the ignition plug. The ignition control unit is configured to stop ignition by the ignition plug on the basis of detection of ignition of the air-fuel mixture by the ignition plug.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventor: Eiichirou Oohata