Patents Examined by Jason Sheppard
  • Patent number: 10018098
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a particulate matter sensor positioned downstream of a diesel particulate filter in an exhaust system. In one example, a particulate matter sensor may include a spherical assembly including a hollow rod and a plurality of flow tubes connected to diametrically opposite ends of the assembly, and a sensor element positioned within the assembly, distal to the plurality of flow tubes, thus protecting the sensor element from contaminants and water droplets condensing at or near the plurality of flow tubes. In addition, the support rod may further include a drainage hole to flow larger particulates out the spherical assembly and out into the exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10006389
    Abstract: A supercharged engine includes an emission control device configured to add a reduction agent to exhaust gas from an engine main body to reduce nitrogen oxide in the exhaust gas by a catalyst, the supercharged engine including an air release valve configured to discharge a part of supplied air to be supplied from a supercharger to the engine main body through an air feed pipe to the outside of the air feed pipe, and a control device configured to control temperature of the exhaust gas by operating the air release valve and adjusting an amount of supply of the supplied air to be supplied from the supercharger to the engine main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Fukui, Fumihiro Nishiura, Shunji Hamaoka, Toshihisa Kanda
  • Patent number: 10001047
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for treating exhaust flow from an internal combustion engine, and associated method, allows for independent control of exhaust flow through plural exhaust legs of the exhaust aftertreatment system. The independent control of exhaust flow is carried out by adjusting a valve positioned in each the exhaust legs based on a value of a signal generated by a flow measurement device positioned along at least one of the exhaust legs. The valves can be adjusted to force a target flow in a exhaust leg, relative flow among exhaust legs, exhaust temperature in an exhaust leg, exhaust backpressure and/or imbalance within the exhaust legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Cumming Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin L. Norris, Richard J. Ancimer, Axel O. zur Loye, Randy W. Nelson, Gary Charles Salemme, Ousmane Gueye, John Franklin Wright
  • Patent number: 9995260
    Abstract: A bi-fuel vehicle has an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to provide motive power to the vehicle by combustion of a liquid fuel and gas-phase fuel. The vehicle has a dual fuel tank including a liquid fuel tank to receive liquid fuel, contain the liquid fuel, and supply the liquid fuel for combustion in the ICE. The vehicle has a pressurizable gas-phase fuel tank defined by a wall. A gas-phase fuel is permeable through the wall. The pressurizable gas-phase fuel tank is to receive the gas-phase fuel, contain the gas-phase fuel, and supply the gas-phase fuel for combustion in the ICE. A shell envelops the pressurizable gas-phase fuel tank and defines an interior space of the liquid fuel tank. The wall is in fluid communication with the interior space. The interior space is to receive the permeated gas-phase fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Anne M. Dailly, Mei Cai, Herman K. Phlegm, Ronald O. Grover, Jr., Kushal Narayanaswamy
  • Patent number: 9970341
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, an exhaust purification catalyst, hydrocarbon feed valve, and particulate filter are arranged in an exhaust passage. Hydrocarbons are injected from the hydrocarbon feed valve by a predetermined period so as to remove NOX which is contained in the exhaust gas in first NOX removal method. While doing this, the particulate matter which is trapped on the particulate filter is removed by raising the temperature of the particulate filter in temperature elevation control. At this time, the hydrocarbon injection for the first NOX removal method is performed by the predetermined period at the preset injection pressure. During the time period when the hydrocarbon injection for the first NOX removal method is not being performed, the hydrocarbon injection for the temperature elevation control is performed by an injection pressure which is set lower than the preset injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Itsuya Kurisaka
  • Patent number: 9970343
    Abstract: The production efficiency of ammonia is more raised while avoiding the necessity for a user to supply water for himself/herself in order to produce the ammonia. An exhaust gas purification apparatus comprises a catalyst which purifies an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine by using ammonia; and an ammonia supplier which supplies the ammonia to the catalyst; wherein the ammonia supplier includes an ammonia producer which produces the ammonia from nitrogen and water; a nitrogen supplier which separates the nitrogen from air and which supplies the nitrogen to the ammonia producer; and a water supplier which separates the water from the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine and which supplies the water to the ammonia producer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akira Kato
  • Patent number: 9951670
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine, includes an oxygen ion conductor which can conduct oxygen ions when a voltage is applied to the conductor and a NOx absorption/discharge device. The NOx absorption/discharge device is formed by a first electrode provided on a first surface of the oxygen ion conductor and a second electrode including silver and provided on a second surface of the oxygen ion conductor opposite to the first surface across the oxygen ion conductor. The apparatus applies a voltage between the first and second electrodes such that oxygen ions move through the oxygen ion conductor from the first electrode toward the second electrode when satisfied is a purification condition that nitrogen oxide discharged from the NOx absorption/discharge device can be purified in the exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Kato, Yoshiyuki Sakamoto, Yasutaka Nagai
  • Patent number: 9951702
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for an internal combustion engine having dedicated EGR and operating at a net stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. In such engines, one or more cylinders is operable as a dedicated EGR cylinder, such that all of the exhaust produced by the dedicated EGR cylinder(s) may be directed back to the intake manifold. Because the engine's exhaust is net stoichiometric, its exhaust aftertreatment system has a three-way catalyst. An EGR loop is configured to recirculate EGR from the dedicated EGR cylinder(s) to the engine's intake manifold. A diversion line, modulated with a valve, connects the EGR loop to the exhaust aftertreatment system, thereby allowing adjustment of the relative amounts of EGR to be recirculated and to be provided to the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Cary A. Henry, Terrence F. Alger, Jess W. Gingrich
  • Patent number: 9943805
    Abstract: A tractor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first exhaust gas treatment unit, a second exhaust gas treatment unit, a urea water tank, and a urea water pump. The first exhaust gas treatment unit is provided above an engine inside a hood. The second exhaust gas treatment unit is provided laterally outside one of right and left sides of the hood, and uses urea water to further treat exhaust gas purified by the first exhaust gas treatment unit. The urea water tank is provided laterally outside another of right and left sides of the hood, and stores therein the urea water. The urea water pump is provided behind the second exhaust gas treatment unit, and supplies the urea water stored in the urea water tank to the second exhaust gas treatment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: ISEKI & CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryota Nagano, Shinya Yoshiki, Tatsuzo Murakami, Yoshitaka Takechi, Erina Tamura
  • Patent number: 9945278
    Abstract: A power system including a selective reduction catalyst and an exhaust gas mixer positioned downstream thereof. The exhaust gas mixer includes an inlet opening a plurality of peripheral inlet openings and a plurality of swirler guides. The inlet opening is positioned to receive a first portion of exhaust gas exiting the SCR catalyst, while the plurality of peripheral inlet openings are positioned to receive a second portion of exhaust gas exiting the SCR catalyst. The swirler guides extend radially inwards from a respective peripheral inlet opening, so as to swirl the second portion of exhaust gas about and into the first portion of exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Cary L Wright, Nathan A Bovee, William F Gavin, III
  • Patent number: 9945280
    Abstract: An exhaust gas system is provided for an internal combustion engine having at least a first and a second cylinder. A first exhaust gas pipe is associated with the first cylinder and a second exhaust gas pipe is associated with the second cylinder. A first muffler is associated with the first exhaust gas pipe and a second muffler is associated with the second exhaust gas pipe. A first muffling pipe branches off from the first exhaust gas pipe upstream of a first shut-off element, and is fed through the first muffler and leads into the second exhaust gas pipe downstream of a second shut-off element. A second muffling pipe branches off from the second exhaust gas pipe upstream of the second shut-off element, and is fed through the second muffler and leads into the first exhaust gas pipe downstream of the first shut-off element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Eichmueller, Rainer Drees
  • Patent number: 9909421
    Abstract: A mixing system includes a pipe having a longitudinal axis, in which exhaust gases can flow in a flow direction, a nozzle designed to inject a fluid inside the pipe from an injection inlet arranged in the pipe wall, according to an injection direction, a first mixing device positioned inside the pipe upstream from the injection inlet, the first mixing device including a peripheral portion including blades capable of creating a peripheral swirl along the pipe wall, and a central portion designed to create substantially no turbulence, and a second mixing device positioned inside the pipe downstream from the injection inlet, the second mixing device including a central portion including blades capable of creating a swirl inside the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Staskowiak, Fabien Lacroix, Solinne Moretti
  • Patent number: 9909473
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a particulate filter located in an exhaust runner of an engine cylinder. In one example, a method may include flowing exhaust from a first cylinder through a first particulate filter in a first runner, and flowing exhaust from a second cylinder through a second particulate filter in a second runner. The method may further include adjusting engine operation in response to particulate filter degradation, the particulate filter degradation distinguishing between degradation of the first and second particulate filters based on an exhaust pressure pulsation timing relative to combustion events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 9909474
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive device having an internal combustion engine and an exhaust gas purification device for exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine includes performing an oxygen removal operation for removing oxygen from the exhaust gas purification device, wherein the oxygen removal operation includes at least one of operating the internal combustion engine sub-stoichiometrically and introducing additional fuel into the exhaust gas, wherein the oxygen removal operation is performed until a lambda value detected by a lambda probe arranged in the exhaust gas purification device reaches a defined lambda threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Michael Görgen, Markus Sonner, Felix Knackstedt
  • Patent number: 9869228
    Abstract: In an exhaust passage structure in a V-type four-stroke engine of an outboard motor, an exhaust passage is connected to the respective exhaust ports of a plurality of cylinders so that a first exhaust passage portion is provided on at least one lateral side of the cylinder block in a width direction and collects exhaust gas discharged from the respective exhaust ports of the plurality of cylinder assemblies, while a second exhaust passage portion connects the first exhaust passage portion with an exhaust muffler chamber installed outside the engine, and an exhaust guiding portion is provided so as to oppose to a joint surface between the cylinder block and the cylinder head in a manner to be located in the first exhaust passage portion to guide the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust ports to a connecting portion between the first exhaust passage portion and the second exhaust passage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsushi Achiwa, Keisuke Daikoku
  • Patent number: 9845748
    Abstract: The invention reduces exhaust emission by quickly supplying CO2 into a cylinder, and restraining a delay in EGR, when an EGR request occurs. An engine 10 includes an upstream EGR passage 34, a middle EGR passage 36, a downstream EGR passage 38, a bypass passage 40, an EGR valve 42, a changeover valve 44, an EGR cooler 46, a CO2 adsorbent 48. When an EGR request does not occur, the ECU 70 keeps a temperature of the CO2 adsorbent 48 in a release temperature region by the heater 50, and opens the EGR valve 42 by a valve opening set time period t so that a gas in the middle EGR passage 36 is replaced with CO2 released from the CO2 adsorbent. When an EGR request occurs, CO2 accumulated in the middle EGR passage 36 can be quickly supplied into a cylinder, without releasing CO2 from the CO2 adsorbent 48.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Hoki
  • Patent number: 9845893
    Abstract: An exhaust gate, in particular for a heavy-goods vehicle, has a housing, which has an inlet and first and second outlets, on which first and second valve seats are formed, and a valve flap, which can be pivoted between the two valve seats to close the first or second outlet. The housing is formed as a cast part, which connects the inlet and at least the first outlet integrally to each other. The valve flap has a larger cross section than the inlet and the first and second valve seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: BORGWARNER ESSLINGEN GMBH
    Inventors: Mathias Elsaesser, Bernd Bareis, Roland Dold, Martin Moeller, Nicolas Stanzel, Axel Zuschlag, Manuel Jung, Martin Schulz, Jean-Francois Gaudry, Helmut Scheffel
  • Patent number: 9845756
    Abstract: A three-way catalyst and an NOx adsorption catalyst are disposed in an engine exhaust passage. In a predetermined low-load engine operation area, combustion in a combustion chamber is carried out at a lean base air-fuel ratio and an air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber is changed to a rich range at the time of discharging NOx from the NOx adsorption catalyst. In a predetermined high-load engine operation area, the air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber is controlled to a theoretical air-fuel ratio in a feedback manner. In a predetermined middle-load engine operation area, the combustion in the combustion chamber is carried out at the base air-fuel ratio lower than the base air-fuel ratio in the low-load engine operation area and the air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber is changed to the rich range with a period shorter than a rich period of the air-fuel ratio for discharging NOx in the low-load engine operation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Bisaiji, Kohei Yoshida, Kenji Sakurai, Kohki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9821282
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a diesel engine, includes an exhaust passage adapted to be attached to the diesel engine. A diesel oxidation catalyst is provided in the exhaust passage along with a selective catalyst reduction device disposed downstream from the diesel oxidation catalyst. A diesel exhaust fluid mixing system includes a diesel exhaust fluid injection nozzle and a mixing device defining a single inlet opening and a single outlet opening connected to one another by a partial spiral flow passage. The diesel exhaust fluid injection nozzle injects diesel exhaust fluid directly into the inlet opening of the partial spiral flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jianwen Li, Chijou Wang, Rahul Mital, Luciano Nunziato Di Perna, James B. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 9822683
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine is provided with a filter including a selective catalytic reduction NOx catalyst carried thereon. Further, a post-catalyst is provided for an exhaust gas passage disposed on a downstream side from the filter. The post-catalyst has an oxidizing function, and the post-catalyst has such a function that the production of N2 based on the oxidation of ammonia is facilitated in a predetermined first temperature area. A filter regeneration process execution unit is programmed to control the temperature of the post-catalyst to be in the first temperature area while adjusting the temperature of the filter to be in a predetermined second temperature area lower than a filter regeneration temperature during a certain period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Tsukamoto, Nobumoto Ohashi, Shigeki Nakayama, Akira Mikami, Kenji Sakurai, Hiroshi Otsuki, Junichi Matsuo, Keishi Takada, Ichiro Yamamoto