Patents Examined by John Bailey
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Patent number: 9664130Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for determining a combustion control parameter for a working chamber in an engine are described. In one aspect, an engine controller includes a firing counter that stores a firing history for the working chamber. A combustion control module is used to determine a combustion control parameter, which is used to help manage combustion in the working chamber. The combustion control parameter is determined based at least in part on the firing history.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Wilcutts, Xin Yuan, Joshua P. Switkes, Li-Chun Chien, Steven E. Carlson, Christopher W. Chandler, Christopher C. Hand, Matthew A. Younkins, Adya S. Tripathi
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Patent number: 9664157Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a high pressure common rail system of a diesel engine includes an operation condition parameter acquiring module configured to acquire operation condition parameters associated with the high pressure common rail system; a control quantity determining module coupled with the operation condition parameter acquiring module and configured to determine a control quantity for controlling the high-pressure common rail system based on the operation condition parameters, a target value of the fuel pressure within a high pressure common rail tube cavity and a control model designed based on a system physical model, wherein the control quantity is an equivalent cross-section area of the electromagnetic valve of a flow metering unit; and a drive signal determining module coupled to the control quantity determining module and configured to determine a drive signal for driving the flow metering unit based on the determined control quantity.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Weichai Power Co., Ltd.Inventors: Guangdi Hu, Shaojun Sun, Dehui Tong
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Patent number: 9657673Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide an exhaust purification system that is capable of purifying exhaust gas during both lean and stoichiometric driving. The exhaust purification system is equipped with: a feedback-use identifier, which identifies parameter values such that the error between the output value from a LAF sensor and the estimated value for the LAF sensor output as obtained from a model equation is minimized; and a stoichiometric driving mode controller. The controller performs feedback control and thereby determines the fuel injection amount such that in the stoichiometric driving mode the equivalence ratio value as calculated from the parameters reaches a target value which is set such that a three-way purification reaction occurs in an under-engine catalyst. The identifier identifies the model parameters before feedback control is initiated by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2012Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., DELPHI INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L.Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Hideki Matsunaga, Hans Hardam, Toshiharu Takahashi, Masatoshi Yamada, Hiroshi Uike
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Patent number: 9650925Abstract: A system and method of providing supplementary oil flow to an oil circuit of an internal combustion engine is described. The primary oil supply is from a mechanical oil pump. The supplementary oil supply is provided using a control system, one or more sensors, and an electrical oil pump. The system is beneficial in circumstances where the mechanical oil pump provides insufficient oil flow, including during engine shutdown.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2012Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Paul Douglas Free, Kavana Rao, Michael F. Mattern
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Patent number: 9650978Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present invention includes a firing fraction module, an offset generation module, and a firing fraction module. The firing fraction module determines a firing fraction based on a driver torque request. The offset generation module randomly generates an offset. The firing control module adds the firing fraction to a running total each time that a crankshaft of an engine rotates through a predetermined angle, adds the offset to the running total, and executes a firing event in a cylinder of the engine when the running total is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Andrew W. Phillips
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Patent number: 9638155Abstract: A control device of a vehicle includes: a first gear connected to a crankshaft of an engine; a second gear capable of engaging the first gear; an actuator configure to move the second gear up to a position where the second gear engages the first gear; a motor configured to cause the second gear to rotate; and a controller configured to, when the engine is cranked by driving of the motor in response to elapsing of a predefined period after the actuator is actuated in response to a startup request signal of the engine, adjust a length of the predefined period on the basis of an operating state of a driver and a state of the vehicle at the time of reception of the startup request signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hirokazu Kato, Junpei Kakehi
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Patent number: 9638114Abstract: Provided is a boat engine idling revolution number control device, which includes a control unit (30) for performing control so that an engine revolution number converges to a target revolution number based on a result of detection of an engine state. The control unit includes: a decelerating running determining section (314); and a running-load correction calculating function section (315) for calculating a running-load correction signal for correcting a basic torque rate based on the result of determination by the decelerating running determining section and a shift position state detected by the neutral switch. The running-load correction calculating function section resets the running-load correction signal to zero when detecting, based on a behavior of the engine revolution number after the running-load correction, that the engine revolution number is larger than a threshold value calculated based on the target revolution number and the engine revolution number increases.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Yohei Yamaguchi, Yasuhiko Ishida
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Patent number: 9638121Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a cylinder activation module and a spark control module. The cylinder activation module selectively deactivates and reactivates a cylinder of an engine. The cylinder activation module deactivates the cylinder after intake air is drawn into the cylinder and before fuel is injected into the cylinder or spark is generated in the cylinder. When the cylinder is reactivated, the spark control module selectively controls a spark plug to generate spark in the cylinder before an intake valve or an exhaust valve of the cylinder is opened.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Allen B. Rayl
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Patent number: 9631547Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that has multiple coolant paths selected by control of a valve. A valve system is configured to direct coolant from an engine to a heat exchanger according to a difference between a temperature associated with the engine and a temperature associated with the heat exchanger. The valve system is also configured to direct coolant from the engine to an electric heater and to, in response to a heat demanded from the heat exchanger being greater than a heat capability of the electric heater, request the engine to run. A method is disclosed for controlling a valve to change from an isolation position in which the valve isolates coolant circulating through an electric heater and the valve from coolant circulating through an engine to a non-isolation position in which the valve directs coolant from the engine to the electric heater.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Angel Fernando Porras, William David Treharne, Paul Stephen Bryan, Scott James Thompson, Wesley Burkman
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Patent number: 9599082Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brad Alan VanDerWege, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
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Patent number: 9587612Abstract: An in-cylinder pressure detecting device of a direct injection type internal combustion engine is provided in which a ring-shaped pressure detection element (34) surrounding a fuel injection hole (33b) is provided in the vicinity of an extremity of an injector (20) that injects fuel into a combustion chamber. Since the pressure detection element is provided on the injector, not only is it unnecessary to change the shape or structure of the cylinder head or the combustion chamber in order to provide the pressure detection element, but it is also possible to cool the pressure detection element (34) by fuel passing through the inside of the injector to thus enhance the precision of pressure detection and the durability.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., KEIHIN CORPORATIONInventors: Shusuke Akazaki, Yuji Yamamoto, Toshitaka Hachiro, Gaku Sato
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Patent number: 9574509Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow based on outputs of two different intake oxygen sensors arranged in an engine intake system. In one example, a method may include, when the engine is boosted, adjusting exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) based on a first output of a first oxygen sensor positioned in an intake passage and exposed to EGR gases and a second output of a second oxygen sensor not exposed to EGR gases and exposed to positive crankcase ventilation and purge flow gases. For example, EGR flow may be estimated based on a difference between the first output and the second output.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael James Uhrich, Imtiaz Ali, Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla
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Patent number: 9574540Abstract: The invention relates to a corona ignition device for igniting fuel in a combustion chamber of an engine by means of a corona discharge, comprising an insulator, which has a continuous channel, a central electrode, which plugs into the channel of the insulator and leads to at least one ignition tip, a glass seal, which seals in the channel a gap between the central electrode and the insulator, and a housing, into which the insulator plugs. In accordance with the invention, the central electrode has a sealing face, which, together with a sealing face of the insulator, forms a seat, and an annular air gap that is open towards the ignition tip is provided in an end portion of the channel, facing the ignition tip, between the central electrode and the insulator.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: BORGWARNER BERU SYSTEMS GMBHInventor: Timo Stifel
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Patent number: 9545909Abstract: A spark control module, for an engine speed and an engine load: for a first predetermined period, supplies spark to each cylinder of the engine at a predetermined spark timing set for the engine speed and the engine load. For a second period following the first predetermined period, the spark control module: provides spark to a first one of the cylinders at a first spark timing that is retarded relative to the predetermined spark timing; and supplies spark to all of the other cylinders of the engine at the predetermined spark timing. The storage module selectively stores in memory: a first torque output of the engine measured during the first predetermined period; and a second torque output of the engine measured during the second period.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Karl T. Kiebel, Stefan E. Lindner, Jeffrey M. Kaiser
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Patent number: 9523333Abstract: An actuator unit for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes an electrically conductive excitation winding, a ferromagnetic circuit having a ferromagnetic return, and a moveable armature. The armature is held in an idle position by a holding force of a spring element. A current flowing through the excitation winding produces (a) a magnetic holding force acting on the armature in the same direction as the spring holding force provided by the spring element, and (b) a magnetic motive force acting on the armature in the opposite direction as the magnetic holding force and spring holding force. The armature can be moved to a working position in which the armature adjoins the ferromagnetic return by increasing the current through the excitation winding above a predetermined value that results in the magnetic motive force exceeding the magnetic holding force combined with the spring holding force.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Stephan Bolz, Martin Goetzenberger
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Patent number: 9518529Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for correcting an EGR rate determined based on an intake manifold oxygen sensor based on an air-fuel ratio of EGR. The output of the sensor is corrected to compensate for extra fuel in rich EGR or extra air in lean EGR and used to reliably estimate the EGR rate. One or more engine operating parameters are adjusted based on an uncorrected output of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Timothy Joseph Clark, James Alfred Hilditch, Matthew John Gerhart
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Patent number: 9512811Abstract: A fuel supply pump includes a low-pressure pump and a high-pressure pump. The low-pressure pump pumps up fuel from a fuel tank. The high-pressure pump includes a pressurizing chamber to which fuel pumped up by the low-pressure pump is supplied, and pressurizes fuel in the pressurizing chamber. The high-pressure pump further includes a cam shaft, a cam, a plunger, a housing, and a bush. The cam is provided eccentrically to a central axis of the cam shaft and is rotated integrally with the cam shaft. The plunger is driven by the cam to pressurize fuel in the pressurizing chamber. The housing accommodates the cam shaft. The bush is fixed to the housing to bearing-support the cam shaft. The housing includes a cooling passage, through which fuel discharged from the low-pressure pump flows on an outer peripheral side of the bush to serve as a medium for cooling the bush.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Naoto Oki
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Patent number: 9506408Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling fuel injection in a variable displacement engine. One method for a deactivatable cylinder comprises, before deactivating the cylinder responsive to operating conditions, disabling a port injector and fueling the cylinder only via the direct injector. The method further comprises, when reactivating the cylinder from deactivation, enabling both the port injector and the direct injector, and injecting a higher amount of fuel via the direct injector while simultaneously injecting a lower amount of fuel via the port injector.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla
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Patent number: 9488136Abstract: Systems and methods to control fuel tank pressure to reduce fuel oxidation in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are disclosed. A method comprises routing vapors from a fuel system canister to the fuel tank to maintain the fuel tank pressure at a desired pressure. In this way, the engine may be maintained off for greater durations while still retaining fuel quality of fuel stored on-board the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Kenneth J. Kuenzel
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Patent number: 9482195Abstract: A number of variations of the invention may include a fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine and/or method, wherein heat is exchanged from gaseous fuel in a gaseous fuel line and at least one of a liquid fuel in a liquid fuel feed line or a liquid fuel return line which are connected to an injection fuel rail of an internal combustion engine. In a number of variations, a regulator or throttling valve is provided in the gaseous fuel line to expand gas flowing therein and reduce the temperature of the gas to further cool the liquid fuel flowing in the liquid fuel feed line or the liquid fuel return line. Another variation may include a method comprising exchanging heat from gaseous fuel in a gaseous fuel line and a liquid fuel in a liquid fuel feed line or a liquid fuel return line which are connected to an injection fuel rail of an internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Mark D. Archer, Nicholas Carter, Richard W. Hurley, Jon D. Edsell