Starting Device Patents (Class 123/179.1)
  • Patent number: 11940338
    Abstract: An electric-carrier power-supply device for use in an electric carrier is provided. The electric-carrier power-supply device includes a piezoresistive sensor, a battery interface, and a power-management unit (PMU). The battery interface is connected to an on-board battery and receives power from the on-board battery. The PMU controls power to a motor of the electric carrier. A piezoresistive strain gage is disposed between a contact area between the battery interface and the on-board battery, and is used to detect a pressure value of the contact area. The piezoresistive sensor receives the pressure value detected by the piezoresistive strain gage, and converts the pressure value into a resistance value. The piezoresistive sensor determines whether the resistance value is within a safe resistance value range to generate a resistance-value-determination signal. The PMU determines whether to provide power to the motor is according to the resistance-value-determination signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: WISTRON CORP.
    Inventors: Chen Yi Liang, Yung Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 11377109
    Abstract: A method for changing between a multiplicity of discrete transmission ratio stages in a motorcycle gearbox is provided. In response to a shift demand, during the torque-transmitting connection of a drive shaft of the drive machine to a gearbox input shaft, a gear-selection drum of the transmission is rotatable from a first shifting position to an intermediate position which is situated between the first and a second shifting position, before shifting to the second shift position. In the intermediate position, no drive torque can be transmitted from the gearbox input shaft to a gearbox output shaft. During the gear selection drum movement from the first shifting position and the intermediate position, the drum may be rotated to a rest position in which drive torque can be transmitted from the gearbox input shaft to a gearbox output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: David Thomas, Peter Wolff
  • Patent number: 11085411
    Abstract: An electrical system for a vehicle having a chassis ground (G0) and an engine having an engine ground (G1), the system comprising a first electrical energy storage device (1), denoted EESD1, a second electrical energy storage device (2), denoted EESD2, a starter device (3) having a starter motor (30), a generator (4), a first cable (61) coupling a positive terminal (1+) of EESD1 to the positive terminal (3+) of the starter device, a second cable (62) coupling the positive terminal (4+) of the generator to a positive terminal (2+) of EESD2, a third cable (63) coupling a negative terminal (1?) of EESD1 to the negative terminal (3?) of the starter device, a control unit (5) for controlling the charge of EESD1, a fusible link (66,7) coupling a negative terminal (1?) of EESD1 to the chassis ground (G0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Grégoire Artur Du Plessis, Frédéric Leroy
  • Patent number: 11067047
    Abstract: An external starter motor for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a power supply; an electric motor for producing torque; a dog rotatable by the electric motor and adapted to be axially movable into and out of engagement with a starting mechanism to turn over the internal combustion engine; and a circuit for detecting the presence of an output signal from the internal combustion engine and energising the external starter motor by the power supply when detecting the presence of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Pierre Deguara
  • Patent number: 10889192
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing electrical energy in a vehicle, including a main energy store for storing electrical energy, an additional energy store, which can be switched over by the main energy store, a main switch for supplying the apparatus connection with a voltage provided by the main energy store, an additional switch for supplying the apparatus connection with a voltage provided by the additional energy store and a control device for switching the main switch and the additional switch over between a first switching state and a second switching state. In the first switching state, the apparatus connection is supplied with the voltage provided by the main energy store, while the additional energy store is disconnected from the apparatus connection. In the second switching state, is supplied with the voltage provided by the additional energy store, while the main energy store is disconnected from the apparatus connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Jenoptik Advanced Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Otto, Daniel Koenig
  • Patent number: 10890146
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus includes a fuel pump, a filter element, and a passage element. The fuel pump is transversely arranged inside a fuel tank to discharge fuel sucked from a suction port. The filter element defines an inner space communicated with the suction port inside the fuel tank to filter the fuel. The passage element defines an inner passage inside the fuel tank to introduce the fuel from the inner space into the suction port through the inner passage. The suction port is located to be deviated toward one end of the filter element in a specific lateral direction. The inner passage is communicated with the inner space, and extends from the suction port toward a center of the filter element in the specific lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: KYOSAN DENKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masakazu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10890254
    Abstract: A shift drum drive unit (230) rotatably includes a rotary drive body (231) and a power transmission mechanism (232) in a unit case (234) attached integrally with a crank case (111). The shift drum drive unit (230) further includes a shift actuator (233) on the outside of the unit case (234). The rotary drive body (231) includes a shaft fitting sleeve (231a) in which a shift shaft (225) configured to rotatably drive a shift drum (224) is fitted, and an indirect output gear (231b) having a fan-shaped gear partially projecting from an outer surface of the shaft fitting sleeve (231a). The power transmission mechanism (232) includes a gear configured to transmit rotary drive force of the shift actuator (233) to the indirect output gear (231b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Shouji Makita, Kazuyoshi Miyachi, Ryouhei Chiba, Kaoru Iida
  • Patent number: 10760498
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine structure and method for reducing or mitigating bowed rotor. The method includes coupling a rotor assembly to a mechanical energy storage device via a clutch mechanism when the rotor assembly is at or below a speed limit below an idle speed condition; storing mechanical energy at the mechanical energy storage device via rotation of the rotor assembly at or below the speed limit; releasing mechanical energy from the mechanical energy storage device to rotate the rotor assembly following shutdown of the gas turbine engine; and rotating the rotor assembly via the mechanical energy from the mechanical energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Bryan Cannella, Charles Stanley Orkiszewski, Milind Chandrakant Dhabade, Praveen Sharma, Brian Drummond, Shivam Mittal
  • Patent number: 10760509
    Abstract: A system includes a fuel tank, an internal combustion engine, a generator, a recoil starter, a control unit, an injector, a fuel pump, an igniter, and a detection unit that detects the crank angle of the internal combustion engine. The control unit, in a starting period of the internal combustion engine, which is started using the recoil starter, supplies electric power to the igniter, the injector, and the fuel pump such that a power supply period of the igniter will not overlap a power supply period of the injector and the fuel pump, using the crank angle as a reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoichi Yamamura
  • Patent number: 10707672
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for battery current monitoring. A current controller can prevent injury from a battery operated wearable device. An isolation switch can interrupt delivery of current of a battery to a load in response to an isolation switch control signal to prevent burn injury to a wearer of the battery operated wearable device. The battery operated wearable device can be wrist wearable or head wearable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Devin Cass, Jorge Zabaco, George D. Beckstein, III
  • Patent number: 10634063
    Abstract: An input drive shaft for use in an integrated drive generator has a body extending from an end to a clutch face. The clutch face includes a plurality of clutch teeth extending away from a nominal surface of the body. The clutch face defines an inner bore of a first diameter. The clutch face has an outer peripheral surface defining a second diameter and a ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is between 1.50 and 1.65. An integrated drive generator and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Derek R. Hochstetler, Ted A. Martin, Duane C. Johnson, Glenn C. Lemmers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10598124
    Abstract: An engine device including, a cylinder block having one side portion to which a flywheel that is rotated integrally with a crankshaft is disposed. The engine device is provided with a starter that transmits a rotational force to the flywheel at a time of engine start. A flywheel housing, which accommodates the flywheel and includes a starter attachment pedestal for attaching the starter, is attached to the one side portion of the cylinder block. The starter is disposed inner side of the engine than a portion of the flywheel housing , the portion being located outermost in the engine with respect to a direction that is perpendicular to a direction along a crankshaft center and that is parallel to the cylinder head joining surface of the cylinder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koki Kashiwa, Hiroaki Naganawa
  • Patent number: 10584661
    Abstract: A carburetor with a throttle valve is provided in which a linkage member is in communication with the throttle valve. An idle down handle can be moved from an unactuated position to an actuated position and is in communication with the throttle valve. Movement of the idle down handle to the actuated position causes the throttle valve to be placed into the closed position. When the idle down handle is in the unactuated position the throttle linkage member can cause the throttle valve to be moved back and forth between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: LIQUID COMBUSTION TECNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Lloyd Glass
  • Patent number: 10578070
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for starting a vehicle engine. In one example, an engine starter system for starting the vehicle engine may comprise a ring gear coupled to an engine crankshaft, and a pinion gear coupled to a starter motor, the pinion gear having rotatable rocker elements for engaging the ring gear. In this way, the pinion gear may be engaged with the ring gear to transmit torque from the starter motor to the engine crankshaft to quickly start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Michael Archer, Norm Jerry Bird, Xiaoyong Lu, Nicholas Niemiec
  • Patent number: 10548186
    Abstract: A control device controls a heating device for heating a component, in particular a lambda sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Hermann Hahn
  • Patent number: 10519918
    Abstract: A starter for starting an engine in a vehicle, which includes a motor and an output shaft that rotates by receiving torque from the motor. The starter also includes a pinion movable body that includes a pinion for transmitting the torque of the motor to a ring gear of the engine. The pinion movable body is provided on an outer circumference of the output shaft integrally with the pinion in a manner allowing movement along an axial direction. The solenoid assembly consist of two divisions, one for to pull up the drive in the solenoid and the other to activate the starter motor by energizing the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: COMSTAR AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES PVT LTD
    Inventors: Muruganandam Radhakrishnan, Thulsirajan Ganesan, Sathishkumar Manoharan, Sarankumar Ramakrishnan, Govindhan Krishnan
  • Patent number: 10458349
    Abstract: A method of start/stop engine control based on vehicle location and driving situation includes identifying the location and driving situation of a host vehicle, and classifying the location and the driving situation of the host vehicle based on the identified location and driving situation. The engine start/stop control is based on at least one of the location classification and driving situation classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yiran Hu, Chen-fang Chang, Scott J. Chynoweth, Douglas R Verner, Feilong Liu
  • Patent number: 10359018
    Abstract: An ignition interlock assembly (74), including an ignition interlock device (10) and a logic circuit controller (68), ensures that a vehicle equipped with assembly (74) and a start-stop functionality will maintain the normal operation of the vehicle even in the event that a failed rolling retest (50, 52b) occurs when the start-stop functionality is engaged. The controller (68) preferably includes a pair of normally-opened, interconnected relays which remain energized throughout the operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10293908
    Abstract: An outboard motor performs assist control of assisting rotation of a crankshaft and performs power running rotation speed range expansion control of expanding a power running rotation speed range of a rotary electric machine in a state in which the crankshaft is rotated at a rotation speed within a cranking rotation speed range due to rotation of a rope reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Noguchi, Shiro Fukuda, Yuki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10267240
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a variable displacement engine. In one example, a method may include flowing charge air from a deactivated cylinder to an adjacent firing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Franz Arnd Sommerhoff, Joerg Kemmerling, Vanco Smiljanovski, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Werner Willems, Andreas Kuske
  • Patent number: 10260598
    Abstract: A transmission for an opposed-piston engine with two crankshafts includes a crankshaft gear train that combines the torque inputs from the two crankshafts and a gear arrangement coupled to the gear train that is operable to obtain various speed ratios for an output torque drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Vadiraj Kulkarni, Balazs V. Palfai, Dnyandeo T. Sapkal, Fabien G. Redon, Sumanth Kashyap
  • Patent number: 10247123
    Abstract: A vehicle has an engine, a CVT and at least one ground engaging member. A method of controlling the engine includes the steps of: determining an idle speed set point based at least in part on a first speed proportional to a driven pulley speed, the idle speed set point being less than an engagement speed when the driven pulley speed is less than a predetermined driven pulley speed and being less than an actual engine speed when the driven pulley speed is greater than the predetermined driven pulley speed; and controlling the engine to operate under conditions corresponding to the idle speed set point when a desired engine speed is less than the idle speed set point. Controlling the engine to operate under conditions corresponding to the idle speed set point causes engine braking when the driven pulley speed is greater than the predetermined driven pulley speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Houle
  • Patent number: 10094306
    Abstract: Advanced combustion modes, such as PCCI, operate near the system stability limits. In PCCI, the combustion event begins without a direct combustion trigger in contrast to traditional spark-ignited gasoline engines and direct-injected diesel engines. The lack of a direct combustion trigger encourages the usage of model-based controls to provide robust control of the combustion phasing. The nonlinear relationships between the control inputs and the combustion system response often limit the effectiveness of traditional, non-model-based controllers. Accurate knowledge of the system states and inputs is helpful for implementation of an effective nonlinear controller. A nonlinear controller is developed and implemented to control the engine combustion timing during diesel PCCI operation by targeting desired values of the in-cylinder oxygen concentration, pressure, and temperature during early fuel injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gregory M. Shaver, Lyle E. Kocher, Carrie Hall, Daniel Van Alstine, Mark Magee
  • Patent number: 10059327
    Abstract: Briefly stated, technologies are generally described for harvesting energy for a vehicle having an engine and a torque converter. In various examples, an energy harvesting system is described, where the torque converter may be configured to have an input shaft driven by the engine, and an output shaft. Each of the input shaft and output shaft of the torque converter may be mechanically coupled to one of a first portion and a second portion of an electric generator. The electric generator may generate electrical energy using a rotational speed difference between the input shaft and the output shaft of the torque converter. As a result, the electric generator may store at least a portion of the electrical energy, which otherwise would be lost at the torque converter, in a charge storage device. The stored electrical energy may be transmitted to an assist motor configured to drive a rotation of wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Masaaki Mihara
  • Patent number: 10055658
    Abstract: A state monitoring device mounted in a vehicle includes: a light emitter to emit light to irradiate a predetermined area; an imaging unit to image an imaging area including the predetermined area; a state monitoring unit to monitor a state of the driver based on an image generated by the imaging unit; a state determination unit to determine whether the driver is ready to drive the vehicle or unready to drive the vehicle; and a light emission control unit to execute specific processing to lower a light emitting function of the light emitter when the state determination unit determines that the driver is unready to drive the vehicle, specific processing to lower a light emitting function of the light emitter and not to lower the light emitting function of the light emitter when the state determination unit determines that the driver is ready to drive the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fumiya Nagai
  • Patent number: 9931956
    Abstract: Vehicle battery management systems (BMS) and methods are described, in which the output of a vehicle battery is reduced by activating a shutdown mode. A BMS may be configured to start a timer when the vehicle is turned off, e.g. based on when the main power between the vehicle and the battery is interrupted or based on a signal from the vehicle control system. The BMS may further be configured to store BMS data (e.g. variable data related to operation and/or status of the battery) to an electronic storage device, and to switch the battery to a shutdown mode, when the timer reaches a predetermined value. The BMS may be further configured to load the BMS data from the electronic storage device and/or to deactivate the shutdown mode when the vehicle is turned back on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Ming-Chieh Cheng
  • Patent number: 9920732
    Abstract: An engine starting device is provided with a battery, a starter motor, an inrush current limit circuit and a control unit. The inrush current limit circuit has a resistor and a bypass relay connected in parallel. The inrush current limit circuit is interposed between the battery and the starter motor. The bypass relay has a normally open contact that is configured to be closed at a time of engine startup. The control unit is programmed to include a fault identification unit that identifies a location of fault occurrence in the inrush current limit circuit based on a minimum voltage of the battery existing while the starter motor is determined to be in operation and an amount of decrease in voltage of the battery existing while the normally open contact is determined to be actuated in a closing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromoto Shimizu, Takayuki Iwasaki, Ryo Sano, Motoyuki Hattori, Yuuichi Hosaka
  • Patent number: 9893661
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-jerk control apparatus and method for an Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). The anti-jerk control apparatus includes a model speed calculation unit for calculating a model speed of the motor in a state in which a vibration of a drive shaft is not considered. A vibration occurrence determination unit detects a speed vibration component while calculating a reference speed difference and an average speed difference from differences between the model speed and an actual speed of the motor, thus determining whether a vibration occurs on the drive shaft. A torque correction value calculation unit calculates a motor torque correction value for anti-jerk required to damp the vibration of the drive shaft, and controls torque of the motor if the vibration occurrence determination unit determines that the vibration occurs on the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Tae Wook Park, Joon Young Park, Tae Hoon Lee, Hyung Bin Ihm
  • Patent number: 9863369
    Abstract: A carburetor with a throttle valve is provided in which a linkage member is in communication with the throttle valve. An idle down handle can be moved from an unactuated position to an actuated position and is in communication with the throttle valve. Movement of the idle down handle to the actuated position causes the throttle valve to be placed into the closed position. When the idle down handle is in the unactuated position the throttle linkage member can cause the throttle valve to be moved back and forth between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: LIQUID COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Lloyd Glass
  • Patent number: 9856847
    Abstract: A vehicle power source device includes a first group that includes a first battery and a first load group which is connected with the first battery, a second group that includes a second battery or includes the second battery and a second load group which is connected with the second battery, a third group that includes a starting device which starts an internal combustion engine and a capacitor, a first switch that is provided between the first group and the second group, a second switch that is provided between the second group and the third group, a third switch that is provided between the first group and the third group, and a control unit that performs control to turn the first switch off, the second switch off, and the third switch on in a case where the internal combustion engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 9816475
    Abstract: A system for starting an internal combustion engine includes a battery system, a charger to receive DC battery power from the battery system and convert the power to a DC charging current, a supercapacitor array having a plurality of supercapacitor cells connected to the charger to receive the DC charging current therefrom, and a motor starter to start the internal combustion engine responsive to a DC input from the supercapacitor array. The charger modifies a voltage of the supercapacitor cells in an on-demand fashion, with the charger programmed to provide DC charging current to the supercapacitor array to hold the supercapacitor cells at a first voltage, receive a bump-up command indicative of an upcoming engine start and, responsive to receiving the bump-up command, provide DC charging current to the supercapacitor array to increase a voltage of the supercapacitor cells temporarily to a second voltage higher than the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Marlowe James Buchanan
  • Patent number: 9816474
    Abstract: A controller may be configured to respond to an engine start condition that occurs while an SOC of the battery is within a first predetermined range by running an engine until first occurrence of the start condition ceasing or the SOC achieving a target. The controller may further be configured to respond to an engine start condition that occurs while the SOC is within a second predetermined range less than the first by running the engine until the SOC achieves the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Hanyang Chen, Gjergji Shaska, Ahmed Awadi, John T. Bremmer, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9771913
    Abstract: In a method for actuating a starting device for an internal combustion engine, for the case in which the rotational speed of the toothed ring is below a limit value, first a stroke armature in a starter relay is moved and an electric starter motor is switched on after the starter pinion has engaged. If the rotational speed of the toothed ring exceeds the limit value, the starter motor is switched on before the starter pinion contacts the toothed ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Otto Schmidt, Josef Weigt, Stefan Tumback, Birgit Kuettner
  • Patent number: 9764732
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an engine stop of a hybrid electric vehicle provides an efficient torque in the operation of a hybrid starter generator, by applying a torque of a high efficiency point of the hybrid starter generator according to a drop of engine RPM when the engine is stopped, so as to improve fuel efficiency of a vehicle and damping vibration of the vehicle when the engine is stopped, by generating a negative torque on the hybrid starter generator side in accordance with the drop of the engine RPM when the engine is stopped, and by applying a torque of the point that gives the maximum charging power of the battery through the generated negative torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sang Joon Kim, Jong Bum Oh, Sung Deok Kim, Il Kwon Park, Seong Ik Park
  • Patent number: 9759139
    Abstract: A vehicle engine automatic control device has a brake operation amount detecting unit that detects an amount of brake operation by a driver, an engine stopping/re-starting unit that, during coast drive, stops an engine based on the amount of brake operation that is detected, and, after the engine stops, re-starts the engine when the amount of brake operation that is detected falls below a first threshold, and a first threshold setting unit that sets the first threshold smaller as vehicle speed becomes lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouichi Mori, Motoyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 9726136
    Abstract: Device (DMT) arranged to provide an additional voltage, when the heat engine starts up, for the electrical power supply of the rotating electrical machine (AD). This additional voltage is added to a rated voltage of the on-board electrical system (RB) provided by a battery (BAT). The device comprises a second voltage source (Ucap) and electronic switches (K1, K2), each comprising at least one MOSFET transistor. At least one MOSFET transistor (K2) of the switches, mounted in series with the second voltage source, is controlled in linear mode at the end of the startup of the heat engine. Advantageously, the device comprises current control loops for controlling the transistors in linear mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: Michaël Chemin, Pierre Sardat
  • Patent number: 9688268
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle, in which the vehicle includes an engine, a traction motor, and a clutch configured to selectively couple the engine to the motor, includes commanding the traction motor to provide an incremental torque. The motor is commanded to provide the incremental torque in response to the clutch being in a slipping condition. The magnitude of the commanded incremental torque is in response to the lesser of first and second torques. The first torque corresponds to an engine torque, and the second torque corresponds to a clutch torque capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Xiaoyong Wang, Wei Liang, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Patent number: 9650121
    Abstract: A watercraft includes a vessel body, a propulsion mechanism, an engine, a shift operating unit, a vessel body state determining unit, and an engine controlling unit. The propulsion mechanism is switched among a forward thrust state to forwardly move the vessel body, a rearward thrust state to rearwardly move the vessel body, and a neutral state to maintain the vessel body in a stationary state. The shift operating unit is configured to move to a forward thrust position, a rearward thrust position, and a neutral position. The vessel body state determining unit is programmed and configured to determine whether or not the vessel body is in the stationary state. The engine controlling unit is programmed and configured to stop the engine when the shift operating unit is located in the neutral position and the vessel body state determining unit determines that the vessel body is in the stationary state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kinoshita, Yukitaka Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9638155
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle includes: a first gear connected to a crankshaft of an engine; a second gear capable of engaging the first gear; an actuator configure to move the second gear up to a position where the second gear engages the first gear; a motor configured to cause the second gear to rotate; and a controller configured to, when the engine is cranked by driving of the motor in response to elapsing of a predefined period after the actuator is actuated in response to a startup request signal of the engine, adjust a length of the predefined period on the basis of an operating state of a driver and a state of the vehicle at the time of reception of the startup request signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kato, Junpei Kakehi
  • Patent number: 9586469
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control device is provided for controlling a drive system in a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle control device is provided with a hybrid control module that begins engagement of a clutch, and cranks a transverse engine using a motor/generator as a drive source, when a request is made to start an engine in an EV mode. The hybrid control module has a “normal start mode” and a “sound and vibration prioritizing startup mode” as engine startup modes. The “normal start mode” prioritizes drive force response performance. The “sound and vibration prioritizing startup mode” prioritizes sound and vibration reduction performance. If a drive range is selected and the vehicle is stopped when an engine startup request is made, then the “sound and vibration prioritizing startup mode” is selected, and the transverse engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuichi Orita
  • Patent number: 9583985
    Abstract: A DC commutator motor includes a yoke, a field magnet, and an armature. A shaft is positioned on a central axis of the armature. A plurality of commutator segments is positioned in a circumferential direction of the shaft. A plurality of armature slots is formed on an outer periphery of an armature core. An upper coil is wound the number of turns Na through two armature slots, which are located apart from each other with the predetermined number of armature slots therebetween, at their opening sides. A lower coil is connected in parallel with the upper coil and wound the number of turns Nb through the two armature slots at their bottom sides. The number of turns Na is smaller than the number of turns Nb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Taniguchi, Hidefumi Iwaki
  • Patent number: 9470156
    Abstract: A vehicle engine automatic control device has a brake operation amount detecting unit that detects an amount of brake operation by a driver, an engine stopping/re-starting unit that stops an engine when the amount of brake operation that is detected exceeds a first threshold during coast drive, and re-starts the engine when the amount of brake operation that is detected becomes equal to or lower than the first threshold after the engine stops, and a threshold setting unit that sets the first threshold smaller as a deceleration becomes lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Mori, Motoyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 9469196
    Abstract: A control board having an integrated structure of a steering wheel and an accelerator pedal may include a control board that may be disposed ahead of a driver's seat in a vehicle, an accelerator pedal lever that moves up/down on the control board, a steering wheel that may be turnably mounted by a coupling hole at an upper portion of the accelerator pedal lever, a shift button unit and a start button unit that may be formed in types of buttons on the control board, and a shock-absorbing member that may be disposed at a lower end of the control board, wherein the control board may be connected to a cylinder rod in a dashboard, so the control board pops up in use and returns not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Eun-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 9464615
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for using a device for starting a heat engine of a motor vehicle. The method comprises a step in which a theoretical hold time Tt is determined by a monitoring computer (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroën Automobile SA
    Inventors: Olivier Daunas, Philippe Bastiani
  • Patent number: 9334955
    Abstract: A drum type-variable speed drive wherein a spring bearing member, which is restricted from moving in the axial direction of departing from a shift fork by a locking member fixed to a shift fork shaft, is pivotally supported by the shift fork shaft. A lost motion spring is interposed between the spring bearing member and the shift fork. Movement of the shift fork shaft in the axial direction caused by rotation of a shift drum presses the spring bearing member through the locking member, whereby the spring load of the lost motion spring acts on the shift fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Norita, Hiromi Sumi, Toshimasa Mitsubori
  • Patent number: 9328696
    Abstract: A carburetor with a throttle valve is provided in which a linkage member is in communication with the throttle valve. An idle down handle can be moved from an unactuated position to an actuated position and is in communication with the throttle valve. Movement of the idle down handle to the actuated position causes the throttle valve to be placed into the closed position. When the idle down handle is in the unactuated position the throttle linkage member can cause the throttle valve to be moved back and forth between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: LIQUID COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Lloyd Glass
  • Patent number: 9234489
    Abstract: In a method for operating a temperature-limiting device of an electrical unit activatable for a limited time period by way of an activation signal, the temperature-limiting device permits activation of the electrical unit upon occurrence of the activation signal only if a counter value is greater than or less than a reference value, the counter value being incremented or decremented by a determined temperature equivalence value upon each activation of the electrical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Stefan Tumback
  • Patent number: 9188089
    Abstract: Provided is an engine apparatus that ensures highly accurate adjustment of the exhaust gas pressure of an exhaust manifold while providing an exhaust gas throttle device with a support structure of increased rigidity. The engine apparatus includes: an engine including the exhaust manifold; and the exhaust gas throttle device to adjust an exhaust gas pressure of the exhaust manifold. An exhaust gas intake side of a throttle valve easing of the exhaust gas throttle device is fastened to an exhaust gas exit of the exhaust manifold. An exhaust pipe is coupled to the exhaust manifold through the throttle valve casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Mitsuda, Kenta Saitou, Takayuki Onodera
  • Patent number: 9169819
    Abstract: A method is described for engaging a starting pinion of a starting device with a ring gear of an internal combustion engine, the starting pinion having a peripheral speed and the ring gear having a peripheral speed, the starting pinion being pushed forward axially along its axis of rotation, the starting pinion making contact with the ring gear at a peripheral speed which is lower than the peripheral speed of the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Sven Hartmann, Juergen Gross
  • Patent number: 9150298
    Abstract: A power supply system for a boat includes a generator, a rectifier circuit, a main electric system arranged to supply electric power to a control system that controls the boat propulsion system, the main electric system including a main battery, and an auxiliary electric system arranged to supply electric power to auxiliary equipment provided on the boat, the auxiliary electric system including an auxiliary battery. An operation signal supplied to an actuating device connected to the main electric system is detected, and in a case where it is decided, based on the detected signal, to prioritize the main electric system over the auxiliary electric system, current supply to the auxiliary electric system is restricted, to thereby attain a stable operation of the control system of the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Mizushima