Patents Examined by Marguerite J. McMahon
  • Patent number: 10371021
    Abstract: A method for cleaning an exhaust valve of a two-stroke internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises: requesting an exhaust valve cleaning cycle if at least one of a first condition or a second condition is satisfied; initiating the exhaust valve cleaning cycle if at least one of a third condition or a fourth condition is satisfied; and aborting the exhaust valve cleaning cycle if at least one of the at least one of the third or fourth conditions is no longer satisfied. The first condition is a time elapsed since a previous cleaning cycle has been completed being greater than a predetermined time. The second condition is a rate of opening of the exhaust valve being less than predetermined rate. The third condition is a throttle valve being closed. The fourth condition is an engine speed being less than a predetermined engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: BRP-ROTAX GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Matheis, Guenther Roland
  • Patent number: 10371085
    Abstract: A high strength cast iron material for application in heavy duty diesel engines with Pa peak cylinder pressure greater than 240 bar is disclosed, the material a ductile material austempered to get a ausferrite matrix structure with higher mechanical properties than conventional cast iron materials available by using a designed low cost alloying cast material with heat treatment. Furthermore, the cylinder liner may be formed using novel heat treatment and/or fine honing processes to improve the properties thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: ZYNP INTERNATIONAL CORP.
    Inventor: Xiaocai Qin
  • Patent number: 10371080
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting a malfunction of an oxygen sensor in the exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine having several cylinders. The cylinders are operated at the same air-fuel ratio and the resultant first output signal of the oxygen sensor is monitored. The cylinders are operated at varying air-fuel ratios and the resultant second output signal of the oxygen sensor is monitored. The first and second output signals are compared to determine whether the oxygen sensor has malfunctioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Manuel Franz
  • Patent number: 10371107
    Abstract: An air intake device for an internal combustion engine of the present invention includes a water discharge passage extending from a bottom surface of a control valve housing part recessed in a housing passage forming part of an air intake passage to an air intake port. The water discharge passage is formed independently from the air intake passage, and includes: a water collection groove recessed in the bottom surface; a water discharge hole formed penetrating a cover of a valve control housing; and a water discharge hole penetrating a flange part of an insert inserted into the air intake port. The downstream end of the water discharge hole is connected to a space defined between an air intake port inner wall surface and an insert cylindrical part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Ooki, Kazuki Iijima
  • Patent number: 10364779
    Abstract: An air cleaner for an internal combustion engine is arranged to reduce intake noise. The air cleaner includes an air cleaner element for cleaning an intake air, and an elastic member for reducing intake noise by utilizing an inside space of the air cleaner. An inside space of the elastic member is in communication with the inside space of the air cleaner through a communication passage. Preferably, a surrounding space formed between the elastic member and a case portion for receiving the elastic member is opened to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: MAHLE FILTER SYSTEMS JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Ohta, Yuichi Kato, Takafumi Shibata
  • Patent number: 10359008
    Abstract: A method for use with an internal combustion engine having both donor and non-donor cylinder groups includes: injecting a fuel in one, or both, of the groups; injecting a second fuel in both groups at a first substitution rate; recirculating an exhaust emission from the donor cylinder group to both groups; combusting a mixture of air, the first fuel, the second fuel and the exhaust emission in both cylinder groups; and lowering the substitution rate of the second fuel in one, or both, of the cylinder groups. Other methods of controlling an engine and a system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Lynn Jackson, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Thomas Michael Lavertu
  • Patent number: 10358987
    Abstract: A butterfly bypass valve includes a housing defining a bypass flow passage with a pivotable throttle plate therein. An outer edge of the throttle plate in a closed position is in sealing engagement with a sealing portion of the housing such that the throttle plate restricts fluid flow through the bypass flow passage. The throttle plate is pivotable to an open position to allow fluid flow through the bypass flow passage. A port in the housing allows a portion of fluid passing through the bypass flow passage to be removed when the throttle plate is pivoted to the open position. A predetermined amount of pivoting of the throttle plate toward the open position can occur so as to allow flow through the port, while maintaining the edge of the throttle plate in substantially sealing engagement with the sealing portion so as to substantially prevent flow through the bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Garrett Transportation I Inc.
    Inventors: James William Reyenga, Mike Guidry, Patrick Beresewicz
  • Patent number: 10358973
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft and at least one piston coupled to the crankshaft for executing strokes in a cylinder as a result of rotation of the crankshaft. An eccentric shaft is coupled to the crankshaft and to the piston in such a way that strokes of the piston are adjusted by the eccentric shaft. A phase adjuster adjusts a phase of the coupling of the eccentric shaft to the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Stefan Vogel
  • Patent number: 10352233
    Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine achieves high performance levels by using an innovatively timed sequence of injecting and igniting fuel and oxidant. The operating cycle of the engine does not utilize a compression process. This permits the injection of fuel and oxidant to be coordinated with the initiation of the combustion process in such a way that the engine achieves high efficiency and provides high torque, while at the same time producing low thermal loading of engine components and low levels of engine noise and vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: James T Ganley
  • Patent number: 10356943
    Abstract: A fan mount assembly is disclosed for an industrial fan assembly that has a motor with a motor shaft, a fan shaft, a transmission operatively connecting the motor shaft to the fan shaft to drive the fan shaft, and an impeller mounted on the fan shaft. A top plate has top plate slots proximate top plate lateral edges, and first and second side plates have side plate tabs extending upward from side plate top edges. The first side plate tabs and the second side plate tabs are each inserted through the corresponding top plate slots until the side plate top edges engage the top plate. The top plate slots and the side plate tabs may be dimensioned for a relatively close fit so that the side plates are at approximately their proper alignment relative to the top plate when the side plate top edges engage the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: DEKALB BLOWER INC.
    Inventor: Eric J. Johansen
  • Patent number: 10352306
    Abstract: A wind turbine nacelle configured for mounting on a wind turbine tower and for supporting a rotor assembly, the nacelle comprising at least a first and a second nacelle module. The first nacelle module comprises a first frame structure and a main bearing system for a main shaft of the rotor assembly, and the second nacelle module comprises a second frame structure and a drive train system for the wind turbine. When the nacelle is mounted on the wind turbine tower, the main bearing system is supported by the wind turbine tower, and the drive train system is attached to the main bearing such that the weight of the drive train system is transferred to the main bearing system and thereby to the wind turbine tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Torben Ladegaard Baun, Henrik Kudsk, Klaus Lynge Petersen, Jesper Lykkegaard Neubauer
  • Patent number: 10352268
    Abstract: A cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine may include an aluminum alloy material including a magnesium content of at least 0.3% by weight, a liner body having a circumferential face, and an adapter layer of silicon oxide disposed on the circumferential face. The adapter layer may include at least one of a potassium oxide content and a sodium oxide content of greater than or equal to 0% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Bischofberger, Stefan Gaiselmann
  • Patent number: 10352231
    Abstract: In an upstream portion from a valve connecting surface that is formed in an opening of an intake port to a combustion chamber, an upper wall surface of the intake port continues from an upstream side end of the valve connecting surface and extends substantially straight and diagonally with respect to a ceiling surface on the intake port side. In addition, a cross-sectional shape of the portion in the intake port in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the intake port is a flat shape with an axis in a transverse direction being a long axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Abe, Yasushi Yoshihara, Taketo Nagasaki, Nobuhiko Horie
  • Patent number: 10352202
    Abstract: A switch valve for controlling a hydraulic fluid flow of a connecting rod for an internal combustion engine with variable compression with an eccentrical element adjustment arrangement for adjusting an effective connecting rod length, the switch valve including a valve housing including a first operating connection and a second operating connection and a supply connection, wherein at least one filter element is arranged in a portion of the first operating connection or the second operating connection or the supply connection. The switch valve is advantageously used in a connecting rod for an internal combustion engine with variable compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: ECO Holding 1 GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Mudra, Dietmar Schulze
  • Patent number: 10352270
    Abstract: A piston galleryless piston capable achieving improved thermal efficiency, fuel consumption, and engine performance is provided. The piston includes an undercrown surface exposed from an underside of the piston, a ring belt, pin bosses, and a pair of skirt panels coupled to the pin bosses by struts. The piston includes an inner undercrown region extending along the undercrown surface and surrounded by the skirt panels, struts, and pin bosses. The piston also includes a pair of outer pockets extending along the undercrown surface and each being surrounded by a portion of the ring belt, one of the pin bosses, and the struts coupling the one pin boss to the skirt panels. Each pin boss includes an opening extending from the inner undercrown region to one of the outer pockets for conveying cooling oil. The opening is located between a pin bore of the associated pin boss and the undercrown surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Tenneco Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Weinenger, Jeffrey L. Riffe
  • Patent number: 10352266
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting fuel injections provided to a cylinder when a fuel rail pressure deviation from a threshold pressure is detected. In one example, a method may include reducing a total number of pilot and/or main fuel injections provided to a cylinder in a given cylinder cycle in response to a reduction of pressure in a fuel rail. In this way, the threshold rail pressure may be maintained, reducing the likelihood the engine will be derated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Kyle Pohlkamp
  • Patent number: 10344671
    Abstract: The present invention is helical follower internal combustion engine. The present invention has a smooth, cylindrical follower orthogonally attached to a piston rod. The follower fits into two connected half-cylindrical, helical grooves formed by a two-piece cylindrical sleeve. The two-piece cylindrical sleeve is attached to a rotating cylindrical hub. Reciprocal motion of the piston causes rotation of the rotating cylindrical hub. The present invention has a feature that prevents the piston from rotating. The present invention can create electricity by connecting a rotor coil to the rotating cylindrical hub and placing a stator coil in near proximity. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention has an external drive shaft attached to the rotating cylindrical hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Inventors: Evan John Collins, John Michael Richardson
  • Patent number: 10344669
    Abstract: The variable compression ratio mechanism 1, 1? comprises: a connecting rod 20 provided with a crank receiving opening 23; an eccentric member 30, 30? provided with a piston pin receiving opening 36 and attached to the connecting rod to be able to turn so as to change a length between a center axial line of the piston pin receiving opening and a center axial line of the crank receiving opening; a swing member 40, 50, 40? attached to the connecting rod to be able to swing and able to engage with the eccentric member; and an actuating member 60, 60? swinging the swing member from an initial position toward a stop position. The swing member engages with the eccentric member to turn the eccentric member when swinging from the initial position toward the stop position, and returns from the stop position to the initial position when disengaged form the eccentric member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiju Tomoda
  • Patent number: 10344707
    Abstract: A piston for a two stroke engine which operates with advanced scavenging has a piston base and a piston skirt. The center axis of the piston skirt forms a longitudinal center axis of the piston. The piston has two piston pin eyes, in which piston pin receptacles are configured. The center axis of the piston pin receptacles forms a transverse axis of the piston. The piston has at least one piston pocket. At least one piston pin eye is connected via at least one connecting rib to the piston skirt. Here, the connecting rib runs on that side of the piston pocket which faces away from the piston base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Birger Loew, Jonas Lank
  • Patent number: 10344670
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine; wherein at least two cylinders continuously communicate via the cylinder head; and wherein the connecting rod in one cylinder is offset from the connecting rod in the second cylinder by a first angle between 8 and 12 degrees as measured from the crankshaft, and a camshaft having a second offset of one-half of the first angle offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Wise Motor Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Allen Cocanougher, Robert Allen Cocanougher, Sr., Robert Allen Cocanougher, Jr.