Patents Examined by Lindsay Low
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Patent number: 10197001Abstract: A method for correcting an injector characteristic defining a relationship between an injector injection time and a valve closing time for a cylinder of an internal combustion engine by sensing an injector closing time includes steps of: sensing the injector closing time; determining a compensation amount for compensating for a commanded injection time using a number of sensing failures or a result of a learning of a relationship between a required commanded injection time and the injector closing time in a relevant cylinder, in addition to the number of sensing failures when there is a failure to sense the injector closing time; and controlling a commanded injection time according to an amount of required fuel injection in the relevant cylinder, based on the determined compensation amount.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Kyung-Ho Ahn, Min-Kyu Han
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Patent number: 10196997Abstract: An automotive internal combustion engine combusts an air/fuel mixture to generate a drive torque. An engine control unit (ECU) determines a torque request to output a fuel request signal indicative of an amount of the fuel to inject into a cylinder of the engine. The ECU includes neural network controller installed with a neural network to generate a fuel setpoint signal based on the torque request and to define a combustion model of the engine. The neural network generates a start of injection (SOI) signal indicating a start time at which to inject the fuel based a crankshaft angle. The ECU further outputs the fuel request signal based on the fuel setpoint and the SOI. A fuel injector injects the fuel into the cylinder based on the fuel request signal to generate the drive torque indicated by the torque request.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2017Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Gennaro Merlino, Giuseppe Conte, Ezio Spessa, Roberto Finesso
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Patent number: 10190541Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting water injection at distinct locations of an engine based on a total water injection error determined from an output of an exhaust oxygen sensor. The method may include injecting water at distinct locations based on a cooling demand and a dilution demand. Further, the method may include distributing the total injection error to respective water injectors, as well as adjusting engine operating parameters, to provide desired engine cooling and dilution.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla
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Patent number: 10190514Abstract: A purge device includes a canister; a purge passage configured to extend from the canister and be connected to an upstream side of a compressor of a supercharger in an intake passage; a supply unit configured to supply purge gas to the upstream side of the compressor in the intake passage during supercharging; a throttle configured to be provided in a portion of the intake passage connected with the purge passage and limit an inflow of gas from the purge passage; a sensor configured to detect internal pressure downstream of the supply unit in the purge passage; and a control device configured to determine that a passage end of the purge passage deviates from the intake passage, in a case where a detection value obtained by the sensor during the operation of the supply unit is lower than a predetermined pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tatsuhiko Akita
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Patent number: 10189527Abstract: A fuel supply device for a motorcycle having a fuel pump disposed on the outside of a fuel tank for saving with respect to an installation space and for making a fuel pipe connecting the fuel tank and the fuel pump shorter. A fuel supply device for a motorcycle includes a single main frame extending rearwardly from a head pipe; a fuel tank supported on the main frame; an internal combustion engine; a fuel injection device attached to the internal combustion engine; and a fuel supply portion having a fuel pump by which the fuel is supplied to the fuel injection device via a fuel pipe. The fuel pump is provided on the outside of the fuel tank and attached to the main frame in such a manner that an axial line in a direction in which to connect the fuel pipe is aligned along the main frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroaki Oto, Yuki Mizukura, Takeshi Shimura, Toshifumi Goto
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Patent number: 10184613Abstract: A system for filling an LPG vehicle with LPG using an auxiliary bombe is provided. The system may be configured for easily filling a main bombe with LPG even in the hot season (summertime) or the like during which the outside temperature rapidly rises, by using an auxiliary bombe in addition to using the main bombe. The system may also be capable of always smoothly refilling the main bombe with LPG by moving a portion of the LPG in the main bombe to the auxiliary bombe, when the pressure in the main bombe is higher than the LPG filling pressure of a filling gun in the hot season during which the outside temperature rapidly rises, so that the pressure in the main bombe becomes lower than the filling pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Chang Han Kim, Jae Hwa Park, Jong Ki Kim, Jae Min Lee, Keun Soo Kim
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Patent number: 10184558Abstract: A control unit (10) includes a microcontroller (100) that sets a duty ratio corresponding to a target current value of a linear solenoid (7a) and an ASIC (200) that supplies electricity to the linear solenoid (7a) based on the duty ratio. The microcontroller (100) includes a correction unit (110) that corrects a driving current value detected by a current sensor (300). The ASIC (200) includes a correction unit (206) that corrects the driving current value detected by the current sensor (300). A feedback amount selection unit (112) selects either one of the driving current value corrected by the correction unit (110) or the driving current value corrected by the correction unit (206) as a feedback amount corresponding to the target current value. A dual correction system is provided in a feedback control system.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2015Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Takashi Nomura, Koji Yuasa
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Patent number: 10167790Abstract: To provide a controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine capable of reducing the calculation error of recirculation exhaust gas amount due to changes with time of the internal combustion engines, and humidity change of intake air, and also capable of reducing the calculation error of recirculation exhaust gas amount at transient operation. The controller and the control method for the internal combustion engine calculates humidity detecting EGR rate based on intake-air humidity and manifold humidity, calculates humidity detecting opening area which realizes humidity detecting recirculation flow rate calculated based on humidity detecting EGR rate, calculates learned opening area corresponding to present opening degree of EGR valve using learning value of opening area calculated based on humidity detecting opening area, and calculates flow rate of recirculation exhaust gas for control based on learned opening area.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Hideki Hagari, Michihisa Yokono
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Patent number: 10167807Abstract: Control device of an internal combustion engine, namely, for controlling injectors or gas valves of a fuel supply system of the internal combustion engine, wherein the control device controls each injector for opening the same such that the voltage present at the respective injector changes between different voltage levels in a boost phase of the control as well as in a hold phase of the control, and wherein the control device controls the respective injector in the boost phase such that after reaching a defined boost current level the voltage present at the respective injector changes between a relatively low boost voltage level which is greater than zero volts and a relatively high boost voltage level which is greater than a supply voltage of the control device.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: MAN Energy Solutions SEInventor: Ulrich Probst
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Patent number: 10167827Abstract: A modular intake manifold for a V-style motor cycle engine is configured to interface with manifold ports on cylinder heads of a first engine and with manifold ports on cylinder heads of a second engine. The first engine has cylinders of a first length, and the second engine has cylinders of a second length larger than the first length. The manifold port of each cylinder head of the first engine is offset from the centerline of the respective cylinder bore by a first offset distance. The manifold port of each cylinder head of the second engine is offset from the centerline of the respective cylinder bore by a second offset distance that is greater than the first offset distance. A method includes manufacturing the first cylinder and second cylinders, the first and second cylinder heads, and the intake manifold with the respective same considerations.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: MIDWEST MOTORCYCLE SUPPLY DISTRIBUTORS CORP.Inventor: John M. Garrison
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Patent number: 10161352Abstract: An engine block assembly includes an engine block casting including a plurality of cylinder bores disposed in series, each cylinder having a cylinder wall. Outer engine block walls are peripheral to the cylinder walls. A channel is formed between outer peripheral surfaces of the cylinder walls and the outer engine block walls. A coolant passage fluidly connects through the outer block walls to the channel. A water jacket insert includes an upper flange, a strut portion and a lower flange. A plurality of orifices are formed in the strut portion. A compressible seal attached to the lower flange of the water jacket insert, which is assembled into the channel and conforms to a bottom portion of the channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2014Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Glenn E. Clever, Patricia A. Stark
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Patent number: 10161290Abstract: An engine cooling system is provided with an internal combustion engine defining a head cooling jacket and a block cooling jacket in a split flow configuration. A first thermostat is positioned at an outlet of the block cooling jacket and configured to control coolant flow therethrough. A second thermostat is positioned to receive coolant flow from the first thermostat and the head cooling jacket. The first and second thermostats are in a thermostat assembly within a housing. In response to coolant temperature being below a first threshold, a first and a second thermostat downstream of the engine in a thermostat assembly are closed such that coolant flows through a head jacket and the thermostat assembly to a pump, and such that coolant in the head jacket entrains a trickle flow of coolant from a block jacket through an interbore cooling passage, thereby cooling an interbore region.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Clifford E. Maki, Sunil Katragadda, Ravi Gopal, Peter Kanefsky, Jeffrey A. Mullins, Lloyd E. Stanley, Jr.
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Patent number: 10161346Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling a direct injection fuel pump, wherein a solenoid spill valve is energized and de-energized according to certain conditions. A control strategy is needed to operate the direct injection fuel pump outside regions where pump operation may be variable and inaccurate, where the regions may be characterized by smaller pump commands as well as smaller displacement volumes. To maintain a suitable range of pump commands and displacements while operating outside the low accuracy regions, a method is proposed that involves clipping calculated pump commands when the calculated pump commands lie within the low accuracy regions.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
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Patent number: 10161361Abstract: A method for operating a liquid coolant circuit of an internal combustion engine is described in which the coolant circuit contains an integrated EGR cooler such that the cooling system has a single circuit with two operational modes. The method includes a controller that can switch between operational modes to enable delivery of coolant to the EGR cooler when the flow of coolant through the block cooling circuit is blocked. In the second operational mode, the method also includes using an auxiliary pump to pass coolant to the EGR cooler while bypassing the main coolant pump, which can occur by adjusting the flow of coolant through the circuit so the flow through a bypass line is reversed relative to the inherent forward direction of flow in the bypass line during the first operational mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2013Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hans Guenter Quix, Rainer Lach, Jan Mehring
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Patent number: 10161303Abstract: Systems and methods for generating auxiliary torque are provided. In one example, a method for controlling a supercharger comprises, responsive to requested torque exceeding spark authority of an engine, varying a current applied to a motor of the supercharger to provide an amount of torque to a crankshaft of the engine. In this way, a supercharger can be controlled to compensate for an engine torque shortfall.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Baitao Xiao, Adam Nathan Banker, Hamid-Reza Ossareh, Jonathan Edward Caine
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Heat-insulating structure of member facing engine combustion chamber, and process for producing same
Patent number: 10161297Abstract: A heat-insulating layer exhibiting high resistance to cracks, peeling, deformation, and gasoline and high heat insulation is obtained on the wall surface of an engine member (19). First, a heat insulator layer including a silicone-based resin and hollow particles containing a Si-based oxide is formed on a wall surface of the engine member (19). Then, Si-based oxide is produced through oxidation of a silicone-based resin in at least part of the surface of the heat insulator layer by heating the surface of the heat insulator layer. Thereafter, a catalytic metal is added to the silicone-based resin in the surface of the heat insulator layer and/or Si-based oxide derived from the hollow particles. Using the catalytic metal as nuclei, electroless plating is performed. In this manner, a heat-insulating layer (21) in which the surface of the heat-insulating film (27) is covered with a plating film (29) is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2013Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Satoshi Nanba, Shinji Kadoshima, Daiji Katsura, Nobuo Sakate, Takakazu Yamane, Akihide Takami -
Patent number: 10164410Abstract: The following invention relates to an ignition coil assembly for an ignition system comprising an ignition coil where said assembly has a main axis and is configured for insertion into and/or removal out of a well associated with an internal combustion engine, wherein the assembly comprises an elongated extension body made of flexible material, said extension body comprising an upper end portion and a lower end portion wherein the extension body is arranged to be transversally bendable in relation to the main axis so that the upper end portion and the lower end portion may assume an angle (?) in relation to each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: SEM ABInventors: Lars-Ake Andersson, Jorgen Bengtsson, Bert Gustafsson
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Patent number: 10161336Abstract: Systems and methods for determining operation of a cylinder deactivating/reactivating device are disclosed. In one example, degradation of the cylinder deactivating/reactivating device is based on intake manifold oxygen concentration.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Chris Paul Glugla, Michael James Uhrich
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Patent number: 10145291Abstract: A method of combusting fuel, e.g. heavy fuel, in a rotary engine, including injecting a main quantity of fuel directly into a combustion chamber to form a first fuel-air mixture having a first air-fuel equivalence ratio ? higher than 1, injecting a pilot quantity of fuel into a pilot subchamber to form a second fuel-air mixture having a second air-fuel equivalence ratio ? smaller than the first air-fuel equivalence ratio, igniting the second fuel-air mixture within the pilot subchamber, using the ignited second fuel-air mixture from the pilot subchamber to ignite the first fuel-air mixture, and injecting a supplemental quantity of fuel directly into the combustion chamber after igniting the first fuel-air mixture, upstream of an exhaust port of the rotary engine with respect to a direction of rotation of the rotor. A rotary engine with interburner fuel injector is also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Andre Julien, Serge Dussault
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Patent number: 10145277Abstract: An internal combustion engine for an automotive vehicle has an intake manifold receiving fresh air via an inlet duct. The engine includes a crankcase. A turbocharger is provided having a compressor with an inlet coupled to the inlet duct and an outlet coupled to the intake manifold. A first vent line couples the crankcase with the compressor inlet. A second vent line couples the crankcase with the compressor outlet and intake manifold. The second vent line has a valve blocking air flow into the crankcase and allowing air flow out from the crankcase. The first vent line comprises a dual-acting valve having a first flow capacity into the crankcase and a second flow capacity out from the crankcase which is greater than the first flow capacity. Thus, crankcase ventilation is optimized for both engine idle and high engine load conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Christopher W. Newman, Roy A. Ford