Patents Examined by M. McMahon
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Patent number: 10125679Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft rotatably supported by an engine block, and rotatable about a crank axis. A control shaft is rotatably supported by the engine block, and rotatable about a control axis. A link rod is rotatably connected to the crankshaft. A lower connecting rod includes a first end rotatably connected to the link rod, and a second end rotatably connected to the control shaft. An upper connecting rod is rotatably connected to the link rod and a piston. The second end of the lower connecting rod and the control shaft are rotatably connected at a location offset from the control axis to define an eccentric connection relative to the control axis. Rotation of the control shaft about the control axis rotates the second end of the lower connecting rod about the control axis to adjust a compression stroke length of the piston.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Akram R. Zahdeh
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Patent number: 9790854Abstract: When only smoke is generated, the sensor sensitivity is not substantially changed from the initial value. When both smoke and unburned HC are generated, the number of times the sensor sensitivity becomes lower than the initial value is increased. From these results, it can be understood that a deposit is formed in the presence of unburned HC and smoke existing simultaneously. The degree of reduction in sensor sensitivity becomes higher if the smoke concentration is increased when the unburned HC concentration condition is fixed. From this result, it can also be understood that while the coexistence of smoke and unburned HC is a prerequisite, unburned HC contributes largely to the formation of a deposit.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota JidoshokkiInventors: Kouseki Sugiyama, Sho Sakurai
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Patent number: 9010300Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an internal combustion engine includes a first set of cylinders in a first bank of the internal combustion engine and a second set of cylinders in a second bank of the internal combustion engine. The engine also includes a flat-plane crankshaft coupled to the first set of cylinders and the second set of cylinders. The pressure in the deactivated cylinders is controlled by gas injections and the bank angle between the first bank and second bank that is adjusted from a 90 degree bank angle by a selected angle to reduce an amplitude of second order torque variations when the internal combustion engine is operating in a fuel saving mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Hatem Zakaria Orban
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Patent number: 9010297Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a piston body made of an aluminum alloy material containing silicon and having a piston ring groove formed therein and an anodic oxide film formed on the piston ring groove, wherein a metal containing nickel and zinc is deposited around silicon particles in the anodic oxide film.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Takanori Sato, Masato Sasaki, Norikazu Takahashi
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Patent number: 9004020Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for expediting warm up of an internal combustion engine cylinder block and engine oil utilizing an existing oil coolant circuit. A method for warming up an internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder, a cylinder block which is formed by an upper crankcase half mounted to a lower crankcase half, said lower crankcase half containing an oil sump which is fed, via a supply line, by a coolant jacket, an inlet side of said coolant jacket supplied in turn with oil via the oil sump by an oil pump, the method comprising: releasing oil from the coolant jacket via gravity to reduce a cooling capacity of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jan Mehring, Moritz Klaus Springer, Bernd Steiner, Thomas Lorenz
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Patent number: 9004036Abstract: An intake manifold assembly includes an intake manifold body defining an interior manifold cavity. The intake manifold further includes a throttle mount coupled to the intake manifold body and defining a mount passage in fluid communication with the interior manifold cavity. The throttle mount is configured to be coupled to a throttle assembly. The intake manifold assembly further includes a supplemental gas conduit including a first supplemental gas conduit portion coupled to the intake manifold body. The supplemental gas conduit further includes a second supplemental gas conduit portion in fluid communication with the first supplemental gas conduit portion. The second supplemental gas conduit portion is coupled to the throttle mount and is configured to deliver supplemental gases into the mount passage to mix the supplemental gases with intake air flowing through the mount passage.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Christopher K. Clarke, John Norman Stockbridge, Dean G. Sorrell, Eric F. Grimminger, Mark J. Wrobel
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Patent number: 9004045Abstract: A deaeration and cooling system for a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine includes an absorption refrigerator configured to cool fuel in the fuel tank. The absorption refrigerator includes a burner, an evaporator and an exhaust-gas heat exchanger. Thermal energy for operating the absorption refrigerator is obtained from the combustion of evaporated fuel. The evaporated fuel is removed from the fuel tank and supplied to the burner of the absorption refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Iav GmbH Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und VerkehrInventors: Joachim Seydell, Markus Seemayer, Frank Stegemann, Olaf Magnor, Daniel Beese, Daniel Reitebuch, Matthias Schultalbers
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Patent number: 8991364Abstract: An apparatus improves the efficiency and emissions of a combustion process by producing sufficient amounts of oxygen and ozone in the air flow to the combustion chamber to enable more complete and cleaner combustion of the fuel. An oxygen generator is used in conjunction with an ozone cell. A plurality of cell elements are disposed within an ozone cell housing that is placed in the air intake to a combustion chamber such as a diesel engine. The plurality of cell elements create an electrical plasma field that produces ozone. Oxygen from the oxygen generator mixes with the ozone in the ozone cell to enhance the effects of the ozone in combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Clack Technologies LLCInventor: David M. Clack
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Patent number: 8991368Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for the preparation of an oxygenate compound or mixture of oxygenate compounds suitable for use in internal combustion engines are disclosed. An internal combustion engine system includes: a fuel system including an oxygenate compound synthesis device including a reactor including a catalyst, the oxygenate compound synthesis device being configured to convert at least a portion of a feedstock to an oxygenate compound or a mixture of oxygenate compounds; and an internal combustion engine configured to initiate combustion through compression or high energy discharge, the internal combustion engine including: a fuel injection system configured to provide fuel injection, and a cooling system configured to cool the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine being configured to heat the oxygenate compound synthesis device using heat from the cooling system of the internal combustion engine. Applications of the devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Inventor: David McCann
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Patent number: 8985066Abstract: A cooling circuit, in particular of a motor is provided that includes a drive unit with a cooling circuit, through which coolant heated in the drive unit flows, a first heat exchanger which emits heat from the coolant to the environment and a device for energy recovery with a second heat exchanger, which is switched into the cooling circuit. A line section of the cooling circuit is connectable in parallel to the second heat exchanger that includes a hydraulic element, which guides a defined coolant flow to the second heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Rainer Lutz, Richard Bruemmer
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Patent number: 8978602Abstract: An engine combustion cylinder is fluidly connectable to an intake system through an intake valve and to an exhaust system through an exhaust valve. A valve activation system is to activate the intake valve and the exhaust valve. The valve activation system is responsive to a controller providing command signals to the valve activation system such that, when the engine operates in a six-stroke combustion cycle, the intake valve is opened during a recompression stroke to allow a portion of the products from the first combustion stroke to exit the combustion cylinder and enter into the intake system. This may be done to match the power densities of the first and second power strokes of the piston.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: D. Ryan Williams, Scott B. Fiveland
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Patent number: 8978616Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a multi-joint crank drive which includes a plurality of coupling members rotatably mounted on a crankshaft and a plurality of articulated connecting rods rotatably mounted on an eccentric shaft, wherein each of the coupling members is pivotably connected to a piston connecting rod of a piston of the internal combustion engine and to one of the articulated connecting rods. In order that the second-order mass forces can be better compensated without a considerable increase in the friction losses, the required packaging space, the weight of the multi-joint crank drive, or the bearing forces in the bearings of the crankshaft, the articulated connecting rods are provided with additional masses and have a center of mass that lies outside the longitudinal center planes of the articulated connecting rods.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Audi AGInventor: Matthias Brendel
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Patent number: 8973551Abstract: An apparatus includes a connecting rod having a surface that defines an opening to receive a pin for coupling the connecting rod to a piston at a first end of the connecting rod. The surface includes a groove arrangement to collect, retain and distribute lubrication fluid in the space between the pin and the inner surface. The surface can be formed by the connecting rod or a bushing in an opening of the connecting rod.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventor: Guangrui Zhu
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Patent number: 8967112Abstract: A crankshaft includes first, second, third, and fourth main journals, each coaxially disposed along a crankshaft axis. A first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth crank pin are each parallel with the crankshaft axis, and radially offset from the crankshaft axis. A first crank arm includes a first counterweight, and connects the first main journal and the first crank pin. A third crank arm includes a second counterweight, and connects the second crank pin and the second main journal. A seventh crank arm includes a third counterweight, and connects the third main journal and the fifth crank pin. A ninth crank arm includes a fourth counterweight, and connects the sixth crank pin and the fourth main journal. The first, second, third, and fourth counterweights are the only counterweights of the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Dale Edward Murrish, Donald J. Perella, Keith Hart
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Patent number: 8960167Abstract: A ventilation control apparatus for a supercharged internal combustion engine that can perform crankcase ventilation favorably. A system includes a supercharging system, an EGR mechanism, and a blow-by gas reflux mechanism. The EGR mechanism includes an ejector between an EGR valve and an EGR cooler. A suction port is connected to a cylinder head cover via a PCV passage. A nozzle portion is connected to an EGR passage on the EGR cooler side. A diffuser portion is connected to the EGR passage on the EGR valve side. By making EGR gas flow through the EGR passage, gas in the crankcase can be drawn through the PCV passage to thereby be burned, together with the EGR gas or fresh air, in an engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shintaro Hotta
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Patent number: 8960164Abstract: A volumetric expansion assembly for increasing the volume of a gaseous fuel through electromagnetic means includes a housing that may be operationally coupled to an engine. A tubular fuel line is operationally coupled to the housing. The tubular fuel line is operationally coupled between a fuel supply and the engine. The tubular fuel line delivers the fuel to the engine. A magnetron is operationally coupled to the housing. The magnetron heats the tubular fuel line so a volume of the fuel in the tubular fuel line is increased. A tubular cooling line is operationally coupled to the tubular fuel line. The tubular cooling line is operationally coupled to a coolant supply. The tubular cooling line cools the tubular fuel line after the tubular fuel line is heated by the magnetron.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Inventor: Curtis E. Maxwell
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Patent number: 8955486Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine has a body including an upper combustion wall having an upper combustion surface; cylindrical outer wall with a ring belt region adjacent the upper combustion surface, and a closed annular cooling gallery located in radial alignment with the ring belt region. A cooling medium is contained in the cooling gallery. The cooling gallery has an inner surface including a radially outermost portion extending along the ring belt region. The outermost portion converges from the upper combustion wall toward a longitudinal central axis. During reciprocating motion of the piston, the cooling medium flows and remains in contact with the cooling gallery walls, thereby maximizing the capacity for heat to be transferred from the upper combustion wall to the contained cooling medium and from the cooling medium to the piston body, ring belt region and ultimately to the engine cooling system.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Federal Mogul CorporationInventors: Miguel Azevedo, Warran Boyd Lineton, Keith Hampton
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Patent number: 8955500Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine (ICE) includes an engine crankcase, an intake manifold disposed in downstream gas flow communication with the engine crankcase, an air induction system disposed in upstream gas flow communication with the engine crankcase, and a vacuum pump disposed in gas flow communication between the air induction system and the engine crankcase. Operation of the vacuum pump facilitates air flow from the air induction system to the engine crankcase, and from the engine crankcase to the intake manifold.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas A. Spix, Ronald J. Pierik
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Patent number: 8955497Abstract: An air intake device includes a cooler and a surge tank accommodating the cooler. The air intake device is to be connected to a cylinder head of an engine. The cylinder head includes an intake port that accommodates an intake valve. The cooler has a refrigerant passage through which refrigerant flows and an air passage through which intake air flows. The surge tank has a connector connected to the cylinder head. The cooler has a protrusion protruding from the connector toward the intake valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Masao Ino, Osamu Sato, Yoshiaki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 8950375Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine has a lower piston part and an upper piston part disposed on the lower piston part. The upper piston part has a top land that runs around its circumference, and a ring belt that runs around its circumference. At least the upper piston part consists of a sintered material.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2011Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Mahle International GmbHInventors: Peter Grahle, Wilfried Sander, Joachim Schulz, Andreas Seeger-Van Nie