Patents Examined by John Bailey
  • Patent number: 10087863
    Abstract: To provide an internal combustion engine control device (100) in which a control unit (107b) controls an operating condition of an internal combustion engine (1) based on a difference ?TCC between a first temperature TCC corresponding to the temperature of a first portion in a wall defining a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine (1), and a second temperature TE corresponding to the temperature of a second portion on an outer wall surface side than the first portion in the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: KEIHIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Ichihashi, Tomomi Yonemaru, Takashi Takanohashi
  • Patent number: 10072602
    Abstract: A multicylinder engine includes a plurality of intake ports, a plurality of in-cylinder injectors, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to initially set a value of a control parameter of the multicylinder engine, individually for each of the cylinders, such that there is a common regularity between a distribution among the cylinders, of a difference of the value of the control parameter of each of the cylinders from the value of the control parameter of a reference cylinder, and a distribution among the cylinders, of a difference of the distance of a narrowed portion of each of the cylinders from the distance of the narrowed portion of a reference cylinder. The control parameter is a parameter that determines an air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture around an ignition plug at a time of ignition in stratified charge combustion operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sakai, Takeshi Ashizawa
  • Patent number: 10060371
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, in response to a request to shut down the split exhaust engine system, an intake throttle may be closed and a first valve disposed in a secondary flow passage coupled between the intake manifold, downstream of the intake throttle, and a first exhaust manifold coupled to a first set of exhaust valves, may be opened. As a result, unburned hydrocarbons may be routed to a catalyst disposed in the exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Patent number: 10036358
    Abstract: A fuel supply device of an engine is provided, which has high versatility irrespective of specifications of the engine, and thus easily achieves economies of mass production, and has high cost-effectiveness even in the engine of small-lot production. The fuel supply device of the engine comprises a high pressure fuel pump that raises pressure of fuel and discharges the fuel, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a fuel supply piping that distributes the fuel discharged from the high pressure fuel pump to the fuel injectors. The fuel supply piping includes a plurality of sockets that are connected to the fuel injectors respectively, a junction pipe that connects adjacent sockets among the plurality of sockets, and a stay that integrally connects the plurality of sockets and fixes the plurality of sockets to a main body of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Gen Akutsu
  • Patent number: 10024255
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, a method may include decreasing gas flow from the first exhaust manifold to the intake passage, upstream of a compressor, where a first set of exhaust valves are exclusively coupled to the first exhaust manifold, in response to a condition of the compressor. Further, the method may include increasing gas flow from the first exhaust manifold to an exhaust passage coupled to a second exhaust manifold coupled to a second set of exhaust valves, in response to the decreasing gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Daniel Paul Madison, Brad Alan Boyer, Chris John Piper
  • Patent number: 10018155
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an amount of friction brake effort and an air conditioning compressor load to collect water for water injection into an engine. In one example, a method may include adjusting the AC compressor load of a mechanical air conditioning system and an amount of friction brake effort based on a water level in a water storage tank of the water injection system. Further, the method may include adjusting a ratio of the AC compressor load to friction brake effort to deliver a driver demanded brake effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 10012134
    Abstract: Injection of the fuel by the injector 43 creates a gas flow in the combustion chamber. The gas expands in a radial fashion from an axis of a cylinder toward a radial outside of the cylinder, and then flows from the radial outside along the cylinder head bottom face 221 toward the axis of the cylinder. The spark plug 41 has a gap positioned away from the axis of the cylinder toward the radial outside of the cylinder at a predetermined distance, and placed radially inwardly from a position opposite a rim of an opening of the cavity 242. A side electrode extends to be oriented in a direction perpendicular to the flow of the gas along the cylinder head bottom face. The gap has a center positioned near the cylinder head bottom face, and closer to an interior of a combustion chamber than to the cylinder head bottom face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsunori Wasada, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Yasushi Nakahara, Takashi Youso, Hiroaki Abe, Takaaki Nagano, Atsushi Inoue, Kazuhiro Nagatsu, Takashi Kaminaga, Tatsuya Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 10006380
    Abstract: An object of this invention is, in an internal combustion engine having of in-cylinder direct injection and port injection, to enable the early elimination of a difference between fuel concentrations of fuel injected from different injection valves that can arise when a mixing ratio of different kinds of fuel contained in the fuel that is used changes significantly. To achieve this, the control device of this invention normally controls a fuel injection amount of each injection valve in accordance with the operating state of the internal combustion engine, while a change arose in the mixing ratio of different kinds of fuel contained in the fuel that is used or while there is a possibility for such a change, the control device controls a fuel injection amount of each injection valve so that fuel is temporarily injected from both the in-cylinder injection valve and the port injection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Wakao, Mie Kato, Takahiro Tsukagoshi, Kazuhisa Matsuda
  • Patent number: 10006426
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a direct injection fuel pump. The methods and system control pressure within a compression chamber so as to improve fuel pump lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Robin Ivo Lawther, Paul Zeng
  • Patent number: 10006409
    Abstract: A fuel deck for on-board storage and delivery of gaseous fuel for a locomotive. The fuel deck is formed between the engine deck and the trucks of the locomotive. The fuel deck includes a base for riding on the trucks, a ceiling configured to separate the fuel deck from the engine deck, and one or more support structures extending between the base and the ceiling. The support structures are configured to support the load from the engine deck, and separate the base from the ceiling to form a fuel storage compartment that is adapted to store one or more fuel tanks that contain the gaseous fuel. A fuel system including one or more fuel tanks is also provided, where each fuel tank may have more than one inlet/outlet port for enabling faster refilling or distribution of the gaseous fuel, among other considerations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Optifuel Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Myers, David Wilkerson, Brian McDonald
  • Patent number: 9989025
    Abstract: A distal end portion of an injector is fitted into a mounting member. A fuel joint having a connecting pipe portion is connected to a proximal portion of the injector. A joint pressing member which restricts the displacement of the fuel joint in the direction away from the mounting member is fixed by fastening to the mounting member. The injector is fixed to the mounting member by restricting the displacement of the fuel joint by the joint pressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yusaburo Tani
  • Patent number: 9988997
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to improve engine temperature control. Cylinders scheduled for deactivation may have their exhaust retained in the cylinder by holding an exhaust valve closed on the preceding firing cycle. In this way soot emissions on reactivation are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan VanDerWege, Chris Paul Glugla
  • Patent number: 9976502
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an amount of water injected upstream of a group of cylinders based on a determined maldistribution of water among cylinders during a water injection event. In one example, a method may include injecting a first amount of water upstream of a first group of cylinders and a different, second amount of water upstream of a second group of cylinders based on operating conditions of the respective cylinder groups. Further, the method may include adjusting water injection and engine operating parameters in response the evaporated and/or condensed portion of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Christopher House, Michael Howard Shelby, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Patent number: 9976472
    Abstract: A method of operating a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine is equipped with an engine head, and the cooling circuit includes a pump configured to deliver a variable flow of coolant through the cooling circuit. A coolant flow rate to be delivered by the pump is calculated as a function of an engine load, an engine speed and a desired engine head temperature, and the pump is operated to deliver the calculated coolant flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michele Bilancia, Simone Barbero, Simone Bambagioni, Salvatore Mafrici
  • Patent number: 9976495
    Abstract: In the present invention, an internal combustion engine is provided with a variable-compression-ratio mechanism with a variable mechanical compression ratio and the variable-compression-ratio mechanism comprises a drive device for changing the volume of a combustion chamber when a piston reaches top dead center. The drive device comprises a reverse input blocking clutch disposed in a drive power transmission path for transmitting the rotational force of a rotator. A control device estimates the reverse input torque applied to an output shaft of the reverse input blocking clutch and sets a gradient for torque output by the rotator and a continuation duration for continuing the torque increase on the basis of the reverse input torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Okawa, Kazuhito Sakai
  • Patent number: 9976511
    Abstract: A multicylinder engine includes a plurality of intake ports, a plurality of in-cylinder injectors, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to initially set a value of a control parameter of the multicylinder engine, individually for each of the cylinders, such that there is a common regularity between a distribution among the cylinders, of a difference of the value of the control parameter of each of the cylinders from the value of the control parameter of a reference cylinder, and a distribution among the cylinders, of a difference of the distance of a narrowed portion of each of the cylinders from the distance of the narrowed portion of a reference cylinder. The control parameter is a parameter that determines an air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture around an ignition plug at a time of ignition in stratified charge combustion operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sakai, Takeshi Ashizawa
  • Patent number: 9970374
    Abstract: An actuator/sensor device (1) includes: at least one actuator (3) controlled by a control signal and at least one sensor (5) transmitting an acquisition signal, the actuator (3) and the sensor (5) being integrated into the same component; an actuator/sensor pin (8) connecting a terminal of the actuator (3) and an output of the sensor (5) to the same single electrical wire (9) external to the actuator/sensor device (1); and switching elements adapted to cause either the control signal in a control phase (19) or the sensor information in an acquisition phase (21) to be sent on the electrical wire (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Thierry Collet, Jacques Rocher
  • Patent number: 9970400
    Abstract: A pre-chamber fuel admission valve includes a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, an actuated valve, and a check valve. The fuel inlet receives a supply of a fuel. The fuel outlet delivers the fuel to a pre-chamber. The actuated valve is between and in fluid communication with the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. The actuated valve controls a flow of the fuel from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet. The check valve is biased in a closed position and between and in fluid communication with the actuated valve and the fuel outlet. The check valve is configured to open and allow the fuel to exit the fuel outlet in response to a fuel pressure exceeding a pre-chamber pressure plus a bias pressure, and the check valve is configured to close in response to the pre-chamber pressure plus the bias pressure exceeding the fuel pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Xinyu Ge
  • Patent number: 9970351
    Abstract: A filter assembly including a filter media sized for positioning within an air induction system, the filter media possessing a first side and a second side substantially opposite the first side. The filter assembly includes a layer of sound absorbing foam positioned adjacent one of the first side of the filter media and the second side of the filter media, the sound absorbing foam including a plurality of perforations therein, the plurality of perforations permitting air to flow through the filter media and the layer of sound absorbing foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Zuroski, Paul A. Hayes
  • Patent number: 9964048
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive throttle filtering are disclosed. One method includes receiving vertical acceleration data indicative of a plurality of vertical accelerations of a machine, receiving first throttle pedal data indicative of a plurality of throttle pedal movements, determining a filter factor based at least on the vertical acceleration data, filtering the first throttle pedal data, based at least on the filter factor, to determine second throttle pedal data, and causing the second throttle pedal data to be transmitted to a controller to effectuate control of an operation of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Tipton, James Landes, Joshua Moon, Ryan Anderson