Patents Examined by Michael Carton
  • Patent number: 8056325
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent, in connection with an exhaust gas purification apparatus regeneration system of an internal combustion engine, the possible travel distance of a vehicle after warning by a warning apparatus for warning excessive smallness of the fuel quantity is started from being unduly shortened even if regeneration control is executed while the warning is given by a warning apparatus. The system according to the invention has a warning apparatus that gives warning when the remaining fuel quantity is equal to or smaller than a first specified fuel quantity. When it is predicted that the regeneration control in which fuel is supplied to the exhaust gas purification apparatus will be executed when the remaining fuel quantity is equal to or smaller than the first specified remaining quantity, warning by the warning apparatus is started before the remaining fuel quantity becomes equal to the first specified remaining quantity (S104, S105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kogo
  • Patent number: 8056327
    Abstract: An exhaust gas-cooling device for use on an exhaust gas conveyance system of a vehicle having an exhaust gas passageway to emit exhaust gases from an engine to an outlet includes an exhaust passageway pipe in fluid communication with the engine, and a micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe in fluid communication with and located downstream of the exhaust passageway pipe. The micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe defines the outlet of the exhaust gas-cooling device and has at least one aperture disposed on a pipe body of the micro-venturi mixing chamber for introducing ambient air into the micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Andrea C. Brown, Jeffrey R. Kelso, Michael J. Eifert, Timothy Juan, Mark A. Schmale, Daniel C. Dew, Roger W. Byers, Ronald E. Schoon, Brent Koontz
  • Patent number: 8051648
    Abstract: An engine includes exhaust manifold integrally formed with a cylinder head. The engine may include an exhaust manifold having at least one single exhaust outlet for exhausting exhaust gas that is exhausted from at least two cylinders that are not adjacent with each other, wherein periods during which exhaust valves are open are not overlapped with each other between the at least two cylinders. The exhaust manifold is integrally formed with the cylinder head such that costs can be reduced. Also, the water jacket is formed between the exhaust passages of the exhaust manifold such that the durability of the turbocharger that is affected by a heat load can be improved. Also, the twin scroll turbocharger is directly connected to the exhaust outlet of the manifold such that the compression ratio of the intake air can be effectively improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Wook Son, Jin Kook Kong, Soung Jin Lee, Young Jin Won
  • Patent number: 8051646
    Abstract: Disclosed is a particulate filter regenerating system which comprises a fuel injection device (7) adapted to inject fuel into a combustion chamber of an engine body (1), and an exhaust gas temperature-adjusting device (33) adapted, when a PM deposit amount which is an amount of particulate matter (PM) deposited in a DPF (particulate filter) 13 provided in an exhaust passage of an engine, reaches a predetermined value X, to cause the fuel injection device (7) to perform a post-injection for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber during an expansion stroke of the engine, so as to execute a filter regeneration process of raising a temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the DPF 13 to burn the deposited PM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Harada, Hiroshi Yamada, Akihide Takami
  • Patent number: 8042350
    Abstract: A cooling device controller for controlling a cooling device is provided. The cooling device controller includes: a capacitor for supplying an output voltage through a first terminal; a first switch between a first input terminal and the first terminal of the capacitor; a predetermined reference voltage applied to the first input terminal; a second switch between a second input terminal and the first terminal of the capacitor, wherein a temperature-sensing voltage is applied to the second input terminal, the temperature-sensing voltage varying according to a first sensed temperature; and a switch controller to receive a first voltage waveform having a duty ratio, the duty ratio dependent on a second sensed temperature, wherein the switch controller is operable to turn on and off the first switch and the second switch according to the duty ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Bae Park, Hyun-Min Cho
  • Patent number: 8042328
    Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust gas purifier capable of appropriately purifying harmful components discharged even from an internal combustion engine or a combustion instrument operated mainly in excess-air conditions. Particularly, the exhaust gas purifier is capable of appropriately removing nitrogen oxides, particulate matters including soot, etc. and in addition, capable of maintaining its purification capability without reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taisuke Ono
  • Patent number: 8011179
    Abstract: A method is provided for compensating for factors affecting particulate matter accumulation within an aftertreatment element of an engine exhaust system. The method comprises determining rate of change of flow resistance through the aftertreatment element with time. Regeneration is periodically initiated to reduce particulate matter accumulation within the aftertreatment element. Rate of change of flow resistance through the aftertreatment element over time is correlated with at least a model of particulate matter accumulation within the aftertreatment element and a model of regeneration frequency of the aftertreatment element, based on predetermined values for particulate matter accumulation and regeneration frequency. Action, at least including increasing regeneration frequency, is initiated to compensate for an increased rate of particulate matter accumulation in the aftertreatment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Scaife, Trent Cleveland, Michael Lowe, Cornelius Opris, Evan Jacobson, Matthew R. Roth
  • Patent number: 8006489
    Abstract: An exhaust diffuser for a truck includes a chamber mountable on a truck exhaust stack pipe. The chamber has a cross sectional area much greater than the cross sectional area of the exhaust pipe, and has a dispersing element disposed in the line of exhaust flow to divert exhaust gases laterally into the chamber volume. One or both of the top and front side walls are formed as a mesh or screen to allow the dispersed exhaust gases to flow outward away from the truck cab in a diffused area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Group North America, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Thomas Dickinson, Clinton Lane Lafferty, Rayvonn Donnell Core
  • Patent number: 7992377
    Abstract: A method of extending emissions performance of an exhaust after-treatment system of a vehicle that includes a dosing agent includes determining a level of a dosing agent source, selectively entering a limp-home mode based on the level and monitoring a catalyst temperature during said limp-home mode. Operation of an engine is regulated to increase the catalyst temperature when the catalyst temperature is less than a threshold catalyst temperature during the limp-home mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: David B. Brown
  • Patent number: 7992383
    Abstract: In regeneration control, when the catalyst temperature index temperature (Tg2) using the temperature of the oxidation catalyst (12a) as an index is below a predetermined first determination temperature (Tc1), the engine speed of idling is brought to a predetermined first target engine speed (Nei1) which is higher than the engine speed of idling (Nei0) in the ordinary operation, and, further, multi-injection is carried out. On the other hand, when the catalyst temperature index temperature (Tg2) is the predetermined first determination temperature (Tc1) or above, the engine speed of idling is brought to a predetermined second target engine speed (Nei2), which is lower than the predetermined first target engine speed (Nei1) and is higher than the engine speed of idling (Nei0) in ordinary operation, and, further, post injection is carried out, followed by raising of the temperature of an exhaust gas flown into a DPF apparatus (12b) to a predetermined second determination temperature (Tc2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Takao Onodera, Takashi Haseyama, Yoshinobu Watanabe, Takuro Iwashita, Kenji Hagio, Tatsuo Mashiko
  • Patent number: 7975471
    Abstract: An engine has a first cylinder group and a second cylinder group. The first cylinder group and the second cylinder group are connected to a common NOx storage reduction catalyst via their corresponding exhaust passageways and their corresponding three-way catalysts, respectively. When the temperature of the NOx storage reduction catalyst is to be raised, the average air-fuel ratio of the first cylinder group is made rich, and the average air-fuel ration of the second cylinder group is made lean. At this time, in the first cylinder group, the air-fuel of two cylinders is made rich and the air-fuel ration of one cylinder is made lean, and in the second cylinder group, the air-fuel ratio of two cylinders is made lean and the air-fuel ratio of one cylinder is made rich, in accordance with an embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeki Miyashita
  • Patent number: 7975502
    Abstract: In a heat pump apparatus of the invention, a refrigerant is circulated through a compressor 31, a radiator 32, a first throttle apparatus 33, a heat exchanger 34, a second throttle apparatus 35 and an evaporator 36 in this order. The heat exchanger 34 can be utilized as both a radiator and an evaporator by operating the first throttle apparatus 33 and the second throttle apparatus 35. Therefore, even if the outside air temperature is high, discharge pressure and suction pressure of the compressor do not rise, the heat pump apparatus can be operated in a stable refrigeration cycle, and energy can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoichiro Tamura, Yuuichi Yakumaru, Masaya Honma, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 7975469
    Abstract: A control system that controls regeneration of a particulate filter is provided. The system generally includes a propagation module that estimates a propagation status of combustion of particulate matter in the particulate filter. A regeneration module controls current to the particulate filter to re-initiate regeneration based on the propagation status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Frank Ament
  • Patent number: 7971432
    Abstract: A flow diffuser for vehicles of the type having an engine and an exhaust pipe generally includes a substantially tubular body having an outer surface and a first end configured for attachment to an exhaust pipe. The flow diffuser further includes a diffusion portion including at least one channel having a root end located near the outer surface, an exit port, and a channel axis extending between the root end and the exit port, the channel increasing in flow area along the channel axis to reduce exhaust gas velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Paul J. Troxler
  • Patent number: 7966810
    Abstract: It is suppressed that nanoparticles generated in an internal combustion engine are discharged into the atmosphere. In a cylinder or an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, microparticles having a particle diameter larger than that of the nanoparticles are generated, and the nanoparticles generated in the internal combustion engine are adsorbed by the microparticles, thereby increasing the diameter of the nanoparticles. The microparticles can be generated in the cylinder as the soot, for example. Additionally, by providing a carbon microparticle generation device in the exhaust system, the microparticles can be generated, too. By making the nanoparticles adsorbed by the microparticles and increasing the diameter of the nanoparticles, discharging of the nanoparticles can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ito, Kotaro Hayashi, Tetsuya Yamashita, Shinichi Takeshima
  • Patent number: 7963117
    Abstract: An HVAC system for a motorized vehicle or vessel is provided that includes a variable-speed compressor, a variable-speed condenser fan and a variable-speed evaporator fan. The HVAC system further includes a DC-power system for supplying DC power to the variable-speed compressor, the variable-speed condenser fan and the variable-speed evaporator fan regardless if the mobile unit's engine is operating or not operating. A controller and an operator interface are also provided for controlling the operation of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Dometic Corporation
    Inventors: Kendall Allen, Ralph G. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7963103
    Abstract: In regeneration control of an exhaust gas purification system (1) equipped with NOx occlusion reduction catalyst (11), a decision is made whether operating state of an engine is in a first engine operating range where the exhaust gas temperature is lower than a predetermined mode judgment temperature. If yes, EGR rich control is performed. Otherwise, injection rich control in exhaust pipe is performed. When EGR rich control is performed, a decision is made whether a vehicle is under acceleration or not. If a decision is made that the vehicle is under acceleration, regeneration control is postponed until that decision ends. This enables rich control for regeneration the NOx occlusion reduction catalyst (11), while avoiding deterioration in drivability (comfortableness) during acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Daiji Nagaoka, Masashi Gabe
  • Patent number: 7963102
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technology enabling regeneration of the purification performance of an exhaust purification device more reliably and more efficiently in an exhaust purification system combining a plurality of branch passages bifurcating from an exhaust passage and an exhaust purification device provided in each branch passage. When regenerating the purification performance of a first exhaust purification device provided in a first branch passage, a second valve provided in a second branch passage is set at a predetermined first intermediate opening and a first valve provided in the first branch passage is fully closed. Fuel is then added from a first fuel addition valve provided in the first branch passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kuniaki Niimi, Tomihisa Oda, Takanori Ueda
  • Patent number: 7958905
    Abstract: A breather device A1 for pressure relief includes a breather pipe 121 serving as a fixing part, and an inner pipe 122 serving as a communication part and is provided by the breather pipe 121 with fixation strength enough for securing the breather device A1 to a liquid tank 101. The inner pipe 122 has a vent hole P formed therein for provide fluid-communication between the inside of the liquid tank 101 and the outside thereof in a manner such that an inner surface forming the vent hole P is made of a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Osaku, Kiyoshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7958740
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioner provided with an inside air-conditioning unit introducing at least one of inside air and outside air, adjusting the state of the introduced air, and blowing it out into the vehicle compartment, where an air-conditioning electronic control device judges if window glass is liable to fog up based on a window glass surface relative humidity near the window glass in the compartment (degree of ease of fogging). When it is judged that the window glass is liable to fog up, the inside air-conditioning unit is controlled to prevent the window glass from fogging up in defrost control, while when it is judged that the window glass is resistant to fogging, the inside air-conditioning unit is controlled to introduce at least inside air into the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Hirai, Takuya Kataoka