Patents Examined by Ngoc T Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11959429
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improvements in turbocharger efficiency and more particularly to a method and system for estimating the efficiency loss of a turbocharger. The method comprises the steps of monitoring a plurality of operating parameters and determining a compressor exit temperature according to a first calibration map based on these operating parameters. An estimate of instantaneous turbocharger efficiency loss according to a second calibration map is then determined, based on the compressor exit temperature. The instantaneous turbocharger efficiency loss is used to determine an estimate of cumulative turbocharger efficiency loss during engine service. The estimate of cumulative turbocharger efficiency loss is compared with a first predetermined efficiency loss threshold and a first signal is generated if the first predetermined efficiency loss threshold is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Paul Smith, Alistair James Dales, Ross Daniel Collins
  • Patent number: 11946393
    Abstract: A camshaft for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine with poppet valves, comprising a main body, which is rotatable with respect to a first rotation axis, a first disk and means of the hydraulic type for varying the timing of said first disk with respect to said main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Walter Mariotti
  • Patent number: 11946427
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an engine system in a vehicle is provided The engine system includes an engine configured to operate in at least a two-stroke combustion mode and a four-stroke combustion mode, and an exhaust aftertreatment system, EATS configured to reduce emissions from the engine exhausts. The method comprising estimating or predicting the temperature of the EATS; estimating or predicting the emissions out of the EATS; n response of that the temperature of the EATS is below a predetermined temperature threshold, and that the emissions out of the EATS is above a predetermined emission threshold, performing a primary NOx emission reducing activity by operating the engine in a two-stroke combustion mode; subsequently to initiating the operation of the engine in a two-stroke combustion mode, and in response of that the emissions out of the EATS is below the predetermined emission threshold, changing engine operation from the two-stroke combustion mode to a four-stroke combustion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Johan Dahl
  • Patent number: 11939908
    Abstract: A controller may identify a plurality of sets of potential parameters associated with operation of an engine, wherein each set of potential parameters includes a potential setting of a turbine of a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) of the engine and a potential setting of an intake throttle valve (ITV) of the engine. The controller may determine, based on the plurality of sets of potential parameters, a plurality of sets of predicted values, wherein each set of predicted values includes a predicted outlet pressure of a compressor of the VGT and a predicted temperature of an exhaust gas of the engine. The controller may determine respective scores of the plurality of sets of predicted values, and may select, based on the respective scores, a particular set of predicted values of the plurality of sets of predicted values. The controller may thereby control the turbine of the VGT and the ITV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Weiss, Timothy Adam Bazyn, Derek Tanis, Sylvain J. Charbonnel
  • Patent number: 11933207
    Abstract: Exhaust systems are described. In examples, an exhaust flow path couples exhaust ports with one or more turbochargers of an engine. The exhaust flow path may have a portion flowing through a cylinder head (e.g., couplable to the exhaust ports) and a portion flowing through an exhaust manifold (couplable to the cylinder head and the turbocharger(s)). The flow paths may be shaped to reduce the sharpness of turns between the exhaust ports and the turbocharger(s). For example, curves along the flow path may be less than 90 degrees or have a minimum curve radius, which may vary along the flow path. Additionally, at least two, independent flow paths may exist between the exhaust ports and the turbocharger(s). The cross-sectional shape of any part of the flow path may be elliptical, including at inlets and outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Greg Bonsen, Paul Hancock, Huateng Yang, Chang-Wook Lee, Olivier Lebastard
  • Patent number: 11933218
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes a compressor section, a turbine section, a first engine and a second engine. The compressor section includes a compressor rotor. The turbine section includes a turbine rotor configured to drive rotation of the compressor rotor. The first engine includes a first engine inlet, a first engine outlet and a first engine combustion zone fluidly coupled with and between the first engine inlet and the first engine outlet. The first engine inlet is fluidly coupled with and downstream of the compressor section. The first engine outlet is fluidly coupled with and upstream of the turbine section. The second engine includes a second engine inlet, a second engine outlet and a second engine combustion zone fluidly coupled with and between the second engine inlet and the second engine outlet. The second engine inlet is fluidly coupled with and downstream of the compressor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven W. Burd
  • Patent number: 11933235
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine to which a controller is applied includes a cylinder, a turbocharger, an intake passage, a throttle valve, and an exhaust passage. The turbocharger includes a turbine wheel, a compressor wheel, and a wastegate valve. The controller executes a loss estimating process that calculates an estimated value of a pumping loss of the internal combustion engine from an intake air pressure, which is air pressure at a downstream side of the throttle valve in the intake passage, an engine speed of the internal combustion engine, and a charging pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeta Kikuchi, Tatsuya Suzuki, Hiroaki Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 11933233
    Abstract: An engine includes multiple cylinders having at least one deactivated cylinder and at least one activated cylinder, multiple intake valves, wherein each intake valve is positioned in an intake port of each of the cylinders, multiple exhaust valves, wherein each exhaust valve is positioned in an exhaust port of each of the cylinders, and an exhaust pulse valve positioned along an exhaust main passage fluidly connected between a turbine inlet to a turbocharger and the exhaust valves. Methods are disclosed that include deactivating the deactivated cylinders and operating the activated cylinders, while the exhaust pulse valve is actuated by fully opening the exhaust pulse valve when at least one of the multiple exhaust valves to the at least one activated cylinder is open and fully closing the exhaust pulse valve when each of the multiple exhaust valves to the at least one activated cylinder is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Praveen Kumar
  • Patent number: 11920509
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing reduced engine start times for a fumigation type internal combustion engine. A bypass is provided that directly connects the air-fuel mixer upstream of the compressor to the intake manifold, providing the air-fuel mixture to the intake manifold during engine startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Vaughan Lewis, Jr., Yilun Liu, Jingxuan Liu, Trideep Singh, Carlos Alcides Lana, Stephen Cox
  • Patent number: 11913393
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel system includes a turbocharger having a compressor disposed on an intake line of an engine. The compressor selectively compresses intake air supplied to the engine. The fuel system has a canister configured to capture fuel vapor discharged from a fuel tank and a purge control valve configured to open or close the purge line depending on a pressure of the intake line. The fuel system has a check valve provided on the purge line that blocks movement of a fluid from the intake line to the canister. The fuel system has a controller performing control such that the purge control valve is operated in a closed mode to prevent intake air in the intake line from being introduced into the fuel tank when breakdown of the check valve is sensed during driving of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoo Jin Seo, Sun Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 11913390
    Abstract: A method for controlling a two-stroke engine operatively connected to a turbocharger, the turbocharger being in fluid communication with the engine to provide a boost pressure thereto, the method including: comparing one of (i) an actual power output of the engine; and (ii) an exhaust temperature representative of an actual temperature of exhaust gas being discharged by the engine, with a corresponding threshold value thereof; in response to the one of the actual power output of the engine and the exhaust temperature being less than the corresponding threshold value: determining a corrective amount of boost pressure to add to the boost pressure of the turbocharger; and controlling the turbocharger to increase the boost pressure of the turbocharger by the corrective amount. Another method for controlling a two-stroke engine operatively connected to a turbocharger is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Bruno Schuehmacher, Luc Champigny
  • Patent number: 11913375
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a biaxial supporting device for a rotary opposed piston engine, comprising a cylinder body, a fixing component, a thick axle and a thin axle; the interior of the cylinder body has a cavity; the fixing component is fixed on the outer side wall of the cylinder body; the thick axle is provided with a through hole coaxial with the first axle hole, and is rotatably connected with the through hole; the thin axle is in transition fit with the through hole of the thick axle, and is rotatably connected with the fixing component. The present invention has simple structure, can effectively reduce a diameter difference of two axles to ensure the relatively small diameter of the thick axle and the relatively high strength of the thin axle, and can effectively realize biaxial support of the rotary opposed piston engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Beijing Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jianbing Gao, Yufeng Wang, Yuyang Wang, Zhicheng Lei, Tianhao Liu, Jingcan Liu, Xinjie Wang, Chaochen Ma
  • Patent number: 11913389
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to control an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder, an air guide arranged to guide an airflow to the cylinder, an exhaust guide arranged to guide an exhaust flow from the cylinder. The method comprises the step to determine a value of at least one engine operation parameter. Further, the method comprises the step to determine a target value of an exhaust performance parameter depending on the determined engine operation parameter value. Lastly, the air flow through the air guide and the exhaust flow through the exhaust guide is controlled depending on the determined target exhaust performance parameter value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anders Mohlin, Malin Ehleskog
  • Patent number: 11913413
    Abstract: Disclosed is a new air intake system of an engine including a blow-by gas flow line configured to allow blow-by gas to flow into an intake manifold by recirculating the blow-by gas using a pressure difference according to load of the engine, an intake gas supply line configured to allow intake gas to flow therethrough, the intake gas supply line including a throttle valve configured to control an amount of the intake gas and a turbocharger configured to compress the intake gas, a new air supply line branched from the intake gas supply line and connected to the crankcase, the new air supply line allowing new air to selectively flow into the crankcase, and a new air bypass line configured to allow, when a part of the intake gas is selectively bypassed by the pressure difference, the part of the intake gas to flow into the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, FEV Europe GMBH
    Inventors: Tae Won Park, Duk Jin Park, Kyung Sin Lee, Alexander Reguschewski
  • Patent number: 11913401
    Abstract: An engine consumes fuel and air to generate an exhaust gas stream. An exhaust system channels the exhaust gas stream from the engine to a tailpipe. An aftertreatment system is included in the exhaust system and includes a catalyst. An exhaust throttle valve is disposed in the exhaust system downstream from the aftertreatment system. An actuator controls an amount of air pumped through the engine. A controller operates the exhaust throttle valve and/or the actuator to control emissions from the exhaust system during a cold start and following a deceleration fuel cutoff event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chengke Liu, Vijay A Ramappan, Rafat F Hattar, Jeffrey M Kaiser, Joseph Shelton
  • Patent number: 11905905
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes: a two-stroke internal combustion engine; a turbocharger operatively connected to the engine, the turbocharger having a compressor and an exhaust turbine; an intake pipe fluidly connected to the engine and to the compressor of the turbocharger; an exhaust tuned pipe fluidly connected to the engine and to the exhaust turbine of the turbocharger; a temperature sensor configured to generate a signal representative of a temperature of exhaust gas flowing within the exhaust tuned pipe; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine a boost target pressure of the turbocharger based in part on the signal generated by the temperature sensor; and control the turbocharger to provide the boost target pressure to the engine. Methods for controlling an engine are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Bruno Schuehmacher, Luc Champigny
  • Patent number: 11891948
    Abstract: A moving wall positive displacement turbine system, or moving wall engine, utilizes the relative rotation of a ring, a central body, and a housing with respect to each other to generate power, where the ring is concentrically positioned in a channel between the central body and the housing. The housing and central body remain stationary while the ring rotates within the channel. The channel has low friction walls on either side to reduce friction between rotating components. The ring has a series of vanes passing through it and pivotally attached on each side to the low friction walls in the housing to compress an air-fuel mixture prior to combustion. The system is able to compress and combust an air-fuel mixture to generate direct rotational energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventor: David Stiles
  • Patent number: 11885272
    Abstract: An engine control system according to the present disclosure includes an oil temperature sensor and a waste gate valve control unit. The oil temperature sensor detects a temperature of an engine oil. The waste gate valve control unit controls opening and closing of a waste gate valve based on the temperature of the engine oil detected by the oil temperature sensor. More specifically, when the temperature of the engine oil detected by the oil temperature sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the waste gate valve control unit controls the waste gate valve so that it opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeta Kikuchi, Tatsuya Suzuki, Hiroaki Mizoguchi, Toshiaki Otani
  • Patent number: 11852108
    Abstract: A gas compression system may include a gas compressor having a compressor rod, a piston, and an interior chamber. The gas compressor may receive a process gas at a first pressure, pressurize the process gas via the piston, and output the process gas at a second pressure higher than the first. Additionally, an internal combustion engine coupled to the gas compressor may, during operation, actuate the compressor rod and generate exhaust gas. The gas compression system may also include a packing case, disposed around the compressor rod and fluidly coupled to the interior chamber. The packing case may receive and direct the exhaust gas to counter a flow of the process gas through the packing case from the interior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Innio Waukesha Gas Engines Inc.
    Inventors: Lorne Eugene Nix, Nikolaus Spyra
  • Patent number: 11840943
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for integration of renewable and conventional energy to enhance electric reliability and reduce fuel consumption and emissions via thermal energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Pintail Power LLC
    Inventor: William M. Conlon