Intake Air Control Patents (Class 123/179.18)
  • Patent number: 11859587
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine and a motor vehicle are provided. The internal combustion engine includes a plurality of cylinders. To start the internal combustion engine while deactivated, a predefined amount of working gas is introduced into the cylinder that fires first. A crankshaft of the internal combustion engine is driven by an electric motor and by the movement of a piston coupled to the crankshaft and associated with the cylinder that fires first to introduce the predefined amount of working gas. Subsequently, the internal combustion engine is started by the ignition of a mixture including the predefined amount of working gas and a predefined amount of fuel inside the cylinder that fires first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Kilian Ludwiczek
  • Patent number: 11767796
    Abstract: A spark ignition type engine enabling engine startability to be favorable is provided. The spark ignition type engine includes a main intake-air passage; a throttle valve of the main intake-air passage; a bypass intake-air passage bypassing the throttle valve; an ISC valve of the bypass intake-air passage; and an electronic control device that controls an engine speed by adjusting an opening degree of the ISC valve, in which when the engine is started, cranking is performed at a cranking opening degree at which the ISC valve is narrowed by a predetermined amount from a fully opened state by control of the electronic control device, so that an intake-air negative pressure is generated on an intake-air downstream side of the ISC valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michisuke Iga, Kazuhiro Tanaka, Masanori Hirochi, Yoshinori Oyama
  • Patent number: 11732663
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for engine starter control may include determining a current speed band associated with an engine start for a current time increment, determining a previous speed band associated with the engine start for a previous time increment within the engine start, receiving a measured current value, determining a target current value based on the current speed band, the previous speed band, whether an acceleration or deceleration occurred between the current speed band and the previous speed band, and a mode of a system for engine starter control, and adjusting a current for the engine start based on the target current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN POWER USA, LLC
    Inventors: Lev Sorkin, Cory Ackerman, Nathen Hutchison, Benjamin Lange
  • Patent number: 11073099
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating evaporative emissions from a fuel system. In one example, a method may comprise spinning an engine unfueled responsive to a hydrocarbon concentration at a fresh air end of a fuel vapor canister increasing above a first threshold. The method may comprise spinning the engine to pull hydrocarbons away until a hydrocarbon concentration at a purge end of the fuel vapor canister, opposite the fresh air end, increases above a second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Mark W. Peters
  • Patent number: 11022074
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a throttle and choke control linkage mechanism of carburetor including a choke shaft rotatably installed with a choke valve, a throttle shaft rotatably installed with a throttle, a choke handle fixed on the choke shaft and configured for rotating the choke valve from a fully opened position to a fully closed position, a throttle grip fixed on the throttle shaft and configured for rotating the throttle from an idling position to an opened position, and a fast idle handle rotatably around the choke shaft. The choke handle is further provided with a first surface which is able to link with the throttle grip. When the choke handle is linked with the throttle grip, the choke valve is at the fully closed position, and the throttle is opened with an angle larger than the idling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Meiying Xue
  • Patent number: 10975789
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting heating of an engine and an emissions device upon cold startup of the engine. In one example, a method may include prior to cold startup of an engine, operating an e-compressor and opening a recirculation valve of a recirculation passage coupled across the e-compressor to flow compressed intake air from an outlet of the e-compressor through the recirculation passage to an inlet of the e-compressor and starting the engine upon a temperature at the outlet of the e-compressor reaching a threshold and continuing to operate the e-compressor while the engine is on. The heated intake air resulting from the flow of compressed intake air through the recirculation passage raises a temperature of combustion and a temperature of exhaust gas, which may decrease catalyst light-off time of the emissions device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Martz, Eric Matthew Kurtz, David Hanna, Daniel Joseph Styles, Eric Curtis
  • Patent number: 10934954
    Abstract: In a control system for an internal combustion engine, a control unit controls a throttle valve provided in an intake pipe and/or an on-off valve provided in an exhaust gas recirculation pipe when an ignition switch is turned on, in such a manner that an opening degree of the throttle valve and/or an opening degree of the on-off valve is made to be larger than that of a condition before the ignition switch is turned on. In the above Ig-on control, in which the throttle valve and/or the on-off valve is largely opened, a piston is reciprocated in order that gas in a combustion chamber is discharged to an outside of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazushi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10598115
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for diagnosing degradation of a vacuum actuator in an engine system. An example method comprises indicating degradation of the vacuum actuator based on an estimate of flow of air into and out of a vacuum reservoir. The estimate is further based on flow of air generated via each of an aspirator in the intake system, an actuation of the vacuum actuator, and leakage during the actuation of the vacuum actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Gilbert Fournelle
  • Patent number: 10550784
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine with an electrically driven compressor are described. In one example, output of the electrically driven compressor is adjusted to increase a temperature of an engine so that the engine may be started without glow plugs or with glow plugs that have a lower heat capacity output. Additionally, a position of a recirculation valve may be adjusted to increase the temperature of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Fulton, Michiel Van Nieuwstadt, Claus Maerschank, Daniel Roettger
  • Patent number: 10495013
    Abstract: The present invention presents a method and a system for the control of preparatory measures during a road section, for at least one system. First, one or several parts of a road section are identified, during which parts one or several engines comprised in the vehicle may be shut down. Such identification is carried out when the road section is ahead of the vehicle, that is to say before the vehicle has entered the road section. The identification is based on available information about the road section. Subsequently it is determined whether at least one preparatory measure for at least one respective system in the vehicle needs to be carried out, in order to facilitate that one or several of the engines may be shut down. Subsequently, the preparatory measures are controlled based on the determination of the need to carry out the at least one preparatory measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Roos, Mikael Ögren, Olof Larsson
  • Patent number: 10393084
    Abstract: An engine automatic-stop/restart system includes a starting apparatus drive start setting unit that sets in an output comparison register a starting apparatus drive starting time instant obtained by adding a calculated starting apparatus drive start waiting time to a present time instant read from a free-running counter and that starts drive of a starting apparatus when the set starting apparatus drive starting time instant and the value of the free-running counter coincide with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Masami Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10358994
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for drying engine cylinders in situ responsive to engine flooding. In one example, a laser ignition device is operated in each engine cylinder, sequentially, while the cylinder is parked with an intake valve closed and an exhaust valve open. The heat generated by the laser operation vaporizes liquid fuel in the cylinder, which flows out of the cylinder via the open exhaust valve, expediting cylinder drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10260430
    Abstract: A GDCI engine control system includes a heated catalyst in an engine exhaust port that is in close proximity to a combustion chamber and is used to heat rebreathed exhaust gases. The engine more quickly reaches operating temperatures, and emissions are reduced during cold running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
    Inventor: Wayne R. Moore
  • Patent number: 10215131
    Abstract: A power tool has an internal combustion engine with a carburetor with choke element pivotably arranged therein. A starter device with an actuating element has an operating position, off position, and at least one start position. A coupling element connects the actuating element with a choke actuating lever. The actuating element, upon adjustment from operating position into the at least one start position, moves the choke element into its start position. The connection between actuating element and choke actuating lever has a relative movement device which, in one position of the choke element, enables movement of actuating element relative to choke actuating lever. A holding device with guide contour is secured on the carburetor housing. In a start position of the choke element, the guide contour prevents movement of the actuating element relative to choke actuating lever from its start position into the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Schulz, Przemyslaw Zurek, Tobias Bernhard
  • Patent number: 10156193
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating an internal combustion engine equipped with an aftertreatment device. The internal combustion engine is equipped with a cylinder having an exhaust gas port intercepted by an exhaust valve, the exhaust valve being actuated by means of a Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) system, An aftertreatment device regeneration is detected, and the exhaust valve closure is anticipated using the Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) system during the aftertreatment device regeneration to provide an exhaust valve actuation profile having an anticipated exhaust valve closure with respect to a baseline exhaust valve actuation profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Armando Mogavero, Alberto Racca, Joaquin De La Morena
  • Patent number: 10145323
    Abstract: A starting control device for an engine includes an ECU configured to: i) execute an autonomous starting control in which the ECU injects fuel into the cylinder from a fuel injection valve after a crank shaft rotates reversely before the crank shaft stops its rotation and then ignites an air-fuel mixture using an ignition plug to start the engine without using a starter motor; ii) determine whether a pressure in the cylinder increasing due to the reverse rotation is equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure at a time point of firing of the air-fuel mixture by the ignition; and iii) prohibit starting of the engine under the autonomous starting control when the ECU determines that the pressure in the cylinder is not equal to or greater than the predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO TEN Limited
    Inventors: Yusuke Suzuki, Kunihiko Usui, Kazuya Koyama
  • Patent number: 10138819
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises an engine including a plurality of combustion chambers; a plurality of throttle valves provided in the plurality of combustion chambers corresponding to the plurality of combustion chambers, respectively, to independently adjust flow rates of intake air flowing into the combustion chambers, respectively; two or more driving mechanisms for electrically driving the plurality of throttle valves divided into two or more groups in such a manner that each of the driving mechanisms drives the throttle valve in a corresponding group of the groups; and a throttle control device for controlling the driving mechanisms based on an amount of throttle operation information input by a rider and a predetermined vehicle state, wherein the throttle control device provides throttle opening rate commands which are made different between the groups, to the driving mechanisms, respectively, when a predetermined output adjustment condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 10132258
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes a plurality of cylinders. The internal combustion engine is configured such that when an intake valve of one cylinder on a compression stroke among the plurality of cylinders is open, an intake valve of each of the remainder of the plurality of cylinders is closed. The control device includes an electronic control unit configured to: (i) determine an open-closed state of the intake valve of each of the plurality of cylinders; and (ii) adjust an opening degree of a throttle valve to a first opening degree that is larger than a second opening degree corresponding to an idling operation, when the electronic control unit determines that the intake valve of any one of the plurality of cylinders is open at the time of startup of the internal combustion engine, to reduce compression torque and vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuta Tsukada
  • Patent number: 9951709
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine and an electric motor/generator connected via a first clutch. In response to a system stop request in a vehicle stop state, a rotation speed of the internal combustion engine is decreased to a predetermined rotation speed higher than a predetermined resonance frequency band by a negative torque applied to the internal combustion engine from the electric motor/generator via the first clutch. Then, the disengagement of the first clutch starts. The rotation speed of the engine falls below the predetermined resonance frequency band within a predetermined period from the start of the disengagement. As a consequence, the required period from a stopping operation of the internal combustion engine until actual operation stop thereof in a vehicle stationary state is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Murata, Hiroki Matsui, Jun Amemiya
  • Patent number: 9926859
    Abstract: A control device calculates an estimate of negative intake pressure based on the relationship between the rotation speed of a crankshaft and a throttle opening degree (Step S24). Then, the control device sets the estimate PE of the negative intake pressure, which is calculated in Step S24, to a greater value as combustion efficiency of CNG used in engine operation becomes higher (Step S25). When the corrected estimate PE of the negative intake pressure becomes smaller than or equal to a reference value PTh (Step S26: YES), the control device starts a negative pressure recovery procedure (Step S27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignees: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masakazu Sugishita, Kenji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9850825
    Abstract: In a vehicle control device with an automatic engine stop function, when the engine is in a non-operating state and the shift lever is operated to the parking range, the engine is controlled to start to supply operating oil to a valve timing changing means. The valve timing changing means is thereupon caused to change the intake valve close timing (IVC) to a predetermined advance angle position and subsequently locked thereat. The engine is then controlled to stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuichi Orita
  • Patent number: 9840959
    Abstract: The heat shield assembly includes an inner-most layer that is directly engagable with an exhaust component and is of a non-ceramic material with a first heat capacity and a first thermal conductivity. The heat shield assembly additionally includes an insulating layer that surrounds the inner-most layer and is of a material that has a second heat capacity which is lower than the first heat capacity and has a second thermal conductivity which is lower than the first thermal conductivity. The direct engagement of the inner-most layer with the exhaust component allows heat to be easily transferred between the exhaust component and the inner-most layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul LLC
    Inventor: Michael Davidson
  • Patent number: 9835103
    Abstract: An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, engine port throttles are adjusted differently during automatic and operator initiated engine starts. The system and method may improve engine torque control during an engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9803569
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine 2 is started by being cranked by an electric motor. An internal combustion engine start control device performs a feedback-control of an intake air amount of the internal combustion engine to a target idle intake air amount, learns a feedback correction amount applied in a feedback control, and performs a learning control using a learnt value in parallel with the feedback control. An engine rotation speed is converged to a target idle rotation speed in an early stage by setting an allowable correction range of a feedback correction amount applied before a start of learning of the intake air amount wider than the allowable correction range of the feedback correction amount applied after the start of the learning of the intake air amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ohmura, Hiroshi Arakawa
  • Patent number: 9797329
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for diagnosing degradation of a vacuum actuator in an engine system. An example method comprises indicating degradation of the vacuum actuator based on an estimate of flow of air into and out of a vacuum reservoir. The estimate is further based on flow of air generated via each of an aspirator in the intake system, an actuation of the vacuum actuator, and leakage during the actuation of the vacuum actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Gilbert Fournelle
  • Patent number: 9739184
    Abstract: Start-up of an internal combustion engine comprises maintaining one or more engine valves in an engine cylinder in a continuously open state for more than one engine cycle during engine cranking. When it is determined that an engine parameter or transmission oil pressure has reached a predetermined value, maintenance of the one or more engine valves in the continuously open state is discontinued and fuel is subsequently provided to the engine cylinder for engine start-up. In various embodiments, the engine parameter may comprise an engine temperature parameter, an engine pressure parameter or an engine electrical parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Michael Gron, Jr., Justin Damien Baltrucki, Neil Fuchs, John J. Lester
  • Patent number: 9604296
    Abstract: A chainsaw as a working machine, which switches among stop, drive, and choke operations of an internal combustion engine, includes an operation lever that is turnable, a turning member turnably combined with the operation lever, and a torsion coil spring holding abutting of the operation lever and the turning member. The turning member is coupled to a choke operating member via a choke rod and is regulated in turning from drive position to stop position. When the operation lever is turned from drive position to choke position, the turning member also turns to move the choke rod, by which the choke operating member closes the choke valve. Meanwhile, the operation lever is turned from drive position to stop position, against the turning force of the torsion coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshio Seki
  • Patent number: 9546636
    Abstract: A work apparatus has a work tool and a combustion engine which drives the work tool. The combustion engine has a rotatably mounted crankshaft. The work apparatus has a start enrichment device for the combustion engine. The start enrichment device includes an operating mode selector to be actuated by the operator. The start enrichment device has an operating position and at least one start position. The work apparatus has a reset unit which resets the start enrichment device from the start position into the operating position when the rotational speed of the crankshaft exceeds a reset rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Carel Karrar
  • Patent number: 9534546
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine includes determining an intake air temperature and an engine speed. The method includes selectively initiating one of a first operating mode, a second operating mode and a third operating mode based on at least the intake air temperature and the engine speed. The first operating mode includes increasing the engine speed progressively by an incremental speed value. The second operating mode includes deactivating at least one Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cylinder of the engine. The third operating mode includes shutting down the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Chad S. Nelson, Rino Marcon, Kirti C. Tamhane, Hariharan Ramachandran, Amina Naheed, Krishna R. Yejju, Kotaro Naruo, Mark Bright, Travis E. Barnes, Urvish B. Joshi, Ramya Gangishetty
  • Patent number: 9523295
    Abstract: A controller of a variable valve apparatus of an internal combustion engine has an engine start indication detecting circuit that detects an indication of an engine start. When the indication of the engine start is detected by the engine start indication detecting circuit in a state in which temperature of the engine is lower than a predetermined temperature, an electric motor provided in the variable valve apparatus is supplied with a current, and this current supply to the electric motor is maintained for a predetermined time from a time point of the detection of the indication of the engine start to an engine cranking start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kawada, Naoki Kokubo
  • Patent number: 9520736
    Abstract: A charging control apparatus for a secondary battery, including a current control apparatus for, upon charging for a secondary battery from an electric generator regenerating kinetic energy as regenerative energy, performing control so as to suppress charging current for the secondary battery at a start of charging to a predetermined suppression rate with respect to charging current at the start of charging in the case that the charging current is not suppressed, and decrease the suppression rate as time elapses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kenro Mitsuda, Daigo Takemura, Masaki Yamada
  • Patent number: 9512806
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a supply channel supplying combustion air. A throttle element is arranged in the supply channel and the position of the throttle element is adjustable by an operator-controlled element. The engine has a starter device which has an operating position and a starting position. In the starting position, the starter device opens up a defined flow cross section in the supply channel. The starter device locks in the starting position. The locking is released by actuation of the operator-controlled element. To achieve good starting performance of the engine, the engine has an intermediate stop which, upon the first actuation of the operator-controlled element after the release of the locking, is active and prevents the throttle element from opening fully, and which, during the subsequent closing movement of the throttle element, is deactivated such that the throttle element can be opened fully.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerhard Osburg
  • Patent number: 9394872
    Abstract: A method of controlling the stopping and starting of an engine is disclosed in which, during an engine shut-down period, if a signal indicative of a request for restarting the engine is generated, the engine 1000 is restarted if the engine speed (N) is within a predefined speed range and the absolute pressure (MAP) in a manifold of the engine is below a predefined limit MAPlim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Howell, Anthemios Philemon Petridis, Richard John Hippley
  • Patent number: 9353721
    Abstract: A work implement has an internal combustion engine that drives a tool of the work implement via a clutch. The clutch has at least one driving element which is operatively connected to the internal combustion engine and at least one output element which is operatively connected to the tool. The internal combustion engine has a starting device with a starting position and an operating position. To avoid unintentional rotation of the output element when starting the internal combustion engine, the work implement has a blocking device with a detent pawl. In an actuated position, the detent pawl projects into the movement path of the output element, limiting the rotation of the output element. In an unactuated position, the detent pawl releases the output element. The starting device has an actuating device which, in the starting position, keeps the detent pawl in the actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ANDREAS STIHL AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Eberle, Claus Naegele, Markus Weinig
  • Patent number: 9228513
    Abstract: When the engine is in a specified operation state in which the EGR valve is brought into the full-close condition, the holding force for holding the EGR valve at the full-close position is corrected by correcting the control duty signal of the EGR valve. The control duty signal is corrected according to the target valve overlap quantity or the target phase of the valve timing. Thus, even when a proper holding force of the EGR valve is varied due to a variation in differential pressure between the intake pressure and the exhaust pressure, the holding force of the EGR valve is corrected to be a proper holding force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideaki Ichihara
  • Patent number: 8978622
    Abstract: There is provided an automatic choke apparatus for an engine. A bimetal that is coupled to a choke valve of an intake system is provided in the vicinity of an outer wall face of a muffler. The muffler is divided into a first expansion chamber and a second expansion chamber across a partition plate. An exhaust hole that allows the expansion chambers to be communicated with each other is formed at the lower part of the partition plate. An exhaust gas is guided from the upstream first expansion chamber toward the downstream second expansion chamber through the exhaust hole. A bypass hole is formed at an upper part of the partition plate in such a manner that that the expansion chambers are communicated with each other as bypassing the exhaust hole. The bypass hole is open to the vicinity of the outer wall face opposite to the bimetal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Furuya
  • Patent number: 8899211
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is started by performing fuel supply into part of a plurality of cylinders included in the internal combustion engine. After the magnitude of the negative pressure produced in intake piping of the internal combustion engine exceeds a predetermined reference value, fuel supply into the remaining cylinder(s) is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Aso, Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140290614
    Abstract: An engine system includes a fuel supply unit configured to supply fuel into a combustion chamber. The engine system includes a fuel supply unit to regulate the supply of fuel into an inlet port via a fuel rail and an air supply unit configured to supply compressed air into the combustion chamber. A control system is configured to receive operating conditions of the engine system. Further, the control system includes a detector component configured to generate a control signal indicative of a start-up condition of an engine system. A switching component of the controller receives the control signal indicative of the start-up condition of the engine system from the detector component and further transmits a fuel supply control signal to the fuel valve based on an air-fuel ratio error signal, and transmit an air supply control signal to the choke valve based on an engine speed error signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Arvind Sivasubramanian, Christopher F. Gallmeyer, David J. Lin, Brett A. Zook
  • Publication number: 20140238343
    Abstract: A choke system for an internal combustion engine includes a carburetor having an air intake, a choke valve disposed in the air intake, and a choke lever coupled to the choke valve, wherein the choke valve is movable between a closed position and an open position, a mechanical linkage coupled to the choke lever, and a solenoid attached to the carburetor and coupled to the mechanical linkage so activation of the solenoid moves the choke valve, wherein the solenoid is activated in response to activation of a starter system of an internal combustion engine, thereby moving the choke valve via the mechanical linkage to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Casey E. Groh, Adam J. Hellman, Timothy J. Kwiatkowski, Andrew J. Perez, Jeff J. Steenbergen, Michael R. Visuri
  • Patent number: 8783664
    Abstract: An automatic choke apparatus for a carburetor includes an electric actuator, a choke valve opening/closing mechanism configured to open and close a choke valve by being driven by a power exerted by the electric actuator, and a controller configured to control operation of the electric actuator. The controller, to which a battery supplies electric power, operates the electric actuator and the choke valve opening/closing mechanism in order that, when the engine is stopped, the choke valve is set in a semi-opened position and, when the engine starts to be cranked, the choke valve is set in a fully-closed position. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the choke valve from freezing up in the fully-closed state in a case where the engine is stopped under an extremely low temperature environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Arai
  • Patent number: 8776754
    Abstract: An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, two engine cylinder port throttles are adjusted differently during engine starting. The system and method may improve engine torque control during an engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Thomas G. Leone, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8746207
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a muffler configured to reduce exhaust gas noise. The muffler has a housing defining an interior and an exterior. A choke valve is configured to control a flow of air in a carburetor and a thermally responsive element is coupled with the choke valve and configured to move the choke valve in response to a temperature change in the thermally responsive element. A thermally conductive member has a first portion positioned in the interior of the muffler and extending through the muffler housing to the exterior of the muffler, and a second portion positioned exteriorly of the muffler and coupled to the thermally responsive element. The thermally conductive member is configured to conduct heat from exhaust gases within the muffler to the thermally responsive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Briggs and Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Drew, David W. Branski, Chad J. Gartzke, William H. Mayer, Benjamin R. Miller, Dawn N. Traynor, Gene Zimmerman, Jean-Paul Benjamins
  • Patent number: 8739894
    Abstract: The invention relates to a handheld work apparatus having a handle. A throttle trigger and a throttle trigger lock are arranged on the handle. An operating-mode selector having an off position, an operating position and a starting position is provided. The selector, trigger lock and the trigger are pivotally mounted. A first latching element is provided on the selector and a second latching element is provided on the trigger element, which coact in the starting position of the selector and the starting position of the trigger and hold the trigger in its starting position. To ensure that the starting position of the selector can only be engaged when the trigger is actuated, the second latching element lies outside of the pivot path of the first latching element in the non-actuated position of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Schlauch, Roland Adam, Heiko Stöcker
  • Patent number: 8726890
    Abstract: An intake air heating apparatus may include an air pump, an intake chamber, an air heater, and a delivery pipe associated with an intake manifold. When intake air is heated, a throttle valve may be closed, the air pump may be started, and electrical power may be supplied to the air heater. The air flowing from the intake chamber may be heated by the air heater. Thereafter, the air may flow from the delivery pipe into branch pipes and circulate to the intake chamber. At that time, since the throttle valve may be closed, and an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an engine may be closed, the heated air may not flow out and the air temperature in the intake manifold and the intake air heating apparatus may increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Watanabe, Ryouji Saiki, Susumu Nakajima, Minoru Arai
  • Patent number: 8714137
    Abstract: In order to provide a carburettor unit for motorized equipment, in particular hand-operated motorized equipment such as a chain saw, a trimmer, a lawn-cutting appliance, a foliage clearing appliance or suchlike, having a housing , in which a throttle valve and a choke valve are held so as to be movable respectively between a closed position and an open position, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and in which an incorrect position between the throttle valve and the choke valve is avoided, it is proposed that a locking element is provided, which is adjustable through the movement of the throttle valve and cooperates with the choke valve such that a movement of the choke valve into the closed position is locked when the motorized equipment is set in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: DOLMAR GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Doering, Torsten Haussner
  • Patent number: 8677957
    Abstract: There is provided, in one aspect of the present description, an internal combustion engine system. In one example, the system comprises a controller configured to control an intake valve closing timing varying mechanism to vary a closing timing of the intake valve to regulate air charged in a combustion chamber in accordance with engine operating conditions and, in a first engine operating condition where a least volume of air is required to be charged into the combustion chamber, retard a closing timing of the intake valve to a most retarded crank angle which is after bottom dead center during a cylinder cycle and satisfies the following formulas: ???0.2685×?02+10.723×?0+15.815 and ?0?11.0, where ? is the most retarded crank angle and ?0 is a geometric compression ratio of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Goto, Hidetoshi Kudou, Masami Nishida
  • Patent number: 8677965
    Abstract: A valve timing control device comprises a drive rotation member driven by a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine; a driven rotation member fixed to a camshaft that actuates engine valves to open and close, the drive rotation member and driven rotation member being coaxially arranged to make a relative rotation therebetween; a phase varying mechanism that rotates the driven rotation member relative to the drive rotation member within a given angle, the phase varying mechanism being able to cause the driven rotation member to take the most-retarded phase position, the most-advanced phase position and a middle phase position defined between the most-retarded phase position and the most-advanced phase position; and a position keeping mechanism that is able to keep the driven rotation member at least the most-retarded phase position and the middle phase position at the time of starting the engine, and is able to select one of the most-retarded phase position and the middle phase position in accordance with
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kato, Seiji Tsuruta, Kotaro Watanabe, Yoshinori Ichinosawa
  • Patent number: 8589056
    Abstract: To provide a stop control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of accurately stopping a piston at a predetermined position while compensating for variation in the stop characteristic of the piston and aging thereof. The stop control system 1 for the engine 3 according the present invention controls a throttle valve 13a toward an open side when an engine speed NE becomes lower than a stop control start rotational speed NEIGOFTH after the engine 3 is stopped (step 42), whereby a final compression stroke rotational speed NEPRSFTGT is controlled to a predetermined reference value NENPFLMTO, to thereby control the stop position of the piston 3d to a predetermined position. Further, the correlation between the stop control start rotational speed NEIGOFTH and the final compression stroke rotational speed NEPRSFTGT is determined (step 5, FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoharu Hozumi, Hiroshi Yatani, Takeshi Aoki, Atsushi Mitsui, Masaaki Nagashima, Kazuhiko Imamura
  • Patent number: 8583351
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle including an engine is provided. The engine may include at least one cylinder, a boosting device to boost intake air to the at least one cylinder, a fuel tank, a fuel vapor canister to store fuel vapors vented from the fuel tank, and an emission control device to treat exhaust gas from the engine. The boosting device includes a compressor at least partially driven by an electric motor. The method includes during an engine cold start condition, operating the electric motor of the boost device to boost intake air, directing the boosted intake air through the fuel vapor canister to release a fuel vapor stored in the fuel vapor canister, directing the fuel vapor from the fuel vapor canister to the engine, and performing combustion in the at least one cylinder using the fuel vapor during the engine starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, James Michael Kerns, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 8539932
    Abstract: A system for controlling intake airflow of an engine includes a mode determination module, a throttle valve control module, and a valve actuation module. The mode determination module generates a mode signal based on an engine speed signal and an engine load signal. The mode signal indicates one of a spark ignition mode and a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode. The throttle valve control module generates a valve control signal based on the mode signal, a temperature signal, and a plurality of valve position signals that indicate positions of first and second throttle valves. The throttle valve control module controls the positions of the first and second throttle valves to regulate flow rates of intake air into an intake manifold of the engine via a heat exchanger based on the valve control signal. The valve actuation module actuates the first and second throttle valves based on the valve control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventors: Vijay Ramappan, Jonathan T. Shibata, Amanpal S. Grewal