Air Only Patents (Class 123/556)
  • Patent number: 11815294
    Abstract: Provided is an engine system. The engine system includes a mixer mixing air and vaporized fuel to form a mixture, an engine driving a cylinder with the mixture discharged from the mixer, a first storage tank supplying the vaporized fuel to the mixer, a second storage tank storing liquid fuel or supplying the stored liquid fuel to the first storage tank, and a heat exchanger performing heat exchange between the liquid fuel discharged from the first storage tank and gas flowing to the engine, thus vaporizing the liquid fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Heejoong Jang, Hojong Jeong
  • Patent number: 11148504
    Abstract: A method to operate a fuel-operated vehicle heater comprising the lowering of a combustion air ratio ? between supplied combustion air and supplied fuel to a combustion chamber of the fuel-operated vehicle heater from a starting value ?start>1 to a range ?<?start for a time period ?t.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Andreas Rutsche, Vitali Dell, Matthias Pfau
  • Patent number: 11149697
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system utilizes an intake air pre-heater to selectively heat the cool, dry intake air prior to the mixing point with the hot, humid EGR gases. This intake air pre-heater utilizes available heat from a high pressure (HP) EGR heat exchanger, circulating a cooling/heating fluid between the HP EGR heat exchanger and the intake air pre-heater. The intake air pre-heater is disposed in an intake air filter box, optionally on the dirty side of the air filter, and includes a heat exchanger conduit that is contacted with the intake air. The selective operation of the intake air pre-heater is controlled via an electronic control module (ECM) of the vehicle, based on the operating conditions of the vehicle and an appropriate temperature control model. Flow of the cooling/heating fluid is selectively enabled/disabled by a pump and/or valve assembly disposed along the associated high temperature (HT) cooling/heating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Kroon, Anders Petrén
  • Patent number: 11124047
    Abstract: A system for heating a cabin of a vehicle can include: a liquid-cooled charge air cooler configured to receive a liquid, to receive heated air from one of a turbocharger and a supercharger of the vehicle, to cool the heated air via the liquid, thereby heating the liquid, to output the cooled air to an intake manifold of an engine of the vehicle, and to output the heated liquid; and a multi-function heat exchanger connected to the liquid-cooled charge air cooler, the multi-function heat exchanger configured to receive the heated liquid outputted by the liquid-cooled charge air cooler, to generate heated air via the heated liquid, and to output the heated air into the cabin of the vehicle, thereby heating the cabin of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Vehige
  • Patent number: 11085364
    Abstract: An intercooler assembly includes: a cooler body having a heat exchanger; an upper tank formed at an intake air inlet connected to the heat exchanger and coupled to an upper portion of the cooler body; a lower tank coupled to the lower portion of the cooler body to form an intake air discharge part connected to the heat exchanger; a bypass unit connected to the intake discharge part separately from the intake inlet; and a valve unit connected to the intake air inlet and the bypass unit and selectively introducing intake air supplied through a turbocharger into the intake air inlet and the bypass unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seung Jae Kang, Won Rok Choi, Si Hyuk Ryu, Hyun Jin Park, Seung Yeon Lee
  • Patent number: 10673888
    Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method for managing illegitimate authentication attempts may include (i) detecting an authentication attempt performed by a user to gain access to a protected computing environment, (ii) determining that the authentication attempt to access the protected computing environment is illegitimate, and (iii) simulating, in response to the determination, a successful attempt to authenticate to the protected computing environment by presenting the user with access to a catch-all environment that poses as the protected computing environment and that isolates the protected computing environment from the user. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: CA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajey Dudhe, Rupesh Khetawat, Mahesh Pol, Sumit Jain
  • Patent number: 10544761
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes an air intake system that comprises an opening that, in operation, receives air, and an exhaust system that includes an exhaust stack positioned in the opening of the air intake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Eric Michael Jacobsthal, Frank Zsigmond Asztalos, David Melvin Wilkie, Dwayne St. George Jackson
  • Patent number: 10508629
    Abstract: An assembling structure for an intake manifold includes: a first downstream portion; a second downstream portion; an upstream portion; a connecting member that connects the first downstream portion and the second downstream portion with each other; and a plate-shaped stay. The connecting member is fixed to the first downstream portion and the second downstream portion by a bolt, and an other member that is a member other than the intake manifold is fixed to the intake manifold through the stay at least either between the connecting member and the first downstream portion, or between the connecting member and the second downstream portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Nakawatase, Hiroki Matsui, Yuki Amamoto, Takaaki Nakazono
  • Patent number: 10352230
    Abstract: Out of connection passages connecting the engine cooling circuit and the intercooler cooling circuit, a coolant inflow passage is connected between downstream of a mechanical pump and also upstream of a main radiator of the engine cooling circuit, and downstream of a sub radiator and also upstream of an electric pump of the intercooler cooling circuit, and a coolant outflow passage is connected between downstream of the electric pump and also upstream of the sub radiator of the intercooler cooling circuit, and downstream of the mechanical pump and also upstream of the main radiator of the engine cooling circuit. An inter-cooling circuit valve is provided in the coolant inflow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Noritaka Kimura, Kosuke Ihara, Yosuke Yamada, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Hajime Uto
  • Patent number: 10247140
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for water injection at an intake port of an engine toward or away from intake valves in response to engine operating conditions. In one example, a method may include port injecting water away from an intake valve in response to engine knock and port injecting water towards an intake valve in response to engine dilution demand. Further, the method may include adjusting an amount of water injected based on one or more of a change in manifold temperature and a change in exhaust oxygen level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Patent number: 10208719
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for the thermal management of the intake air of an internal combustion engine (3) equipped with a turbocharger (5), said device comprising: a first heat exchanger (7) placed in the air intake circuit (9), a second heat exchanger (10) placed on the main exhaust line (12) and connected to the first heat exchanger (7) to form a heating loop (A), said thermal management device (1) furthermore comprising a so-called low-pressure exhaust gas recuperation system (14), comprising a first take-off (141) placed downstream of the turbine (5b), an outlet (142) placed upstream of the compressor (5a), and a control valve (140), the second heat exchanger (10) being placed between the turbine (5b) and the first take-off (141), the main exhaust line (12) comprising a take-off branch (26) between a second take-off (201) placed on the main exhaust line (12) upstream of the second heat exchanger (10), a take-off device (200) able to manage the circulation of the exhaust gases, and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventors: Bertrand Gessier, José Borges-Alejo, Zoulika Soukeur
  • Patent number: 10174720
    Abstract: Provided is an engine that suppresses the occurrence of knocking or an accidental fire, which makes it possible to perform the operations of premixed compression self-ignition. Regarding the present invention, an engine includes a reforming cylinder, which is a fuel reforming device, and the reforming cylinder is connected to an intake pipe and an EGR pipe via a supply pipe and connected to the intake pipe via an exhaust pipe, and a primary fuel injection device is provided that injects fuel to the mixture of intake air and exhaust gas supplied to the reforming cylinder through the supply pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gou Asai
  • Patent number: 10125702
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for operating an internal combustion engine equipped with a turbocharger and an exhaust gas recirculation pipe fluidly connecting an exhaust gas line to an air intake duct upstream of a compressor of the turbocharger. A value of a parameter indicative of a temperature of a portion of the exhaust gas recirculation pipe is determined. Exhaust gas recirculation via the exhaust gas recirculation pipe is prevented when the determined value is lower than a predetermined threshold value thereof. The air intake duct portion of compressed air exiting from the compressor is recirculated via the portion of the exhaust gas recirculation pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Alberto Racca
  • Patent number: 10012184
    Abstract: An EGR device includes a housing and an inner pipe. The housing has an outer pipe. The inner pipe is accommodated in the outer pipe. The inner pipe defines an inner passage internally and defines an annular passage externally with the outer pipe. The inner pipe has through holes communicating the inner passage with the annular passage. At least one diffuser is equipped to the through holes. The diffuser is projected radially inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Paolo Guidi
  • Patent number: 9938868
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a crankcase for the transport of blow-by gases from the crankcase to the intake section of an internal combustion engine with supercharger. A ventilation line reaches from the crankcase to the segment of the intake section between the supercharger and the air inlet valve. An air-oil separator is arranged in the ventilation line, as well as a return line for the return of oil separated in the air-oil separator via a tank and a tank outlet valve into the crankcase. An actuating element is arranged in or at the tank. The actuating element is charged with the pressure in the intake line behind the supercharger as working pressure and which upon sufficiently high pressure transports the oil present in the tank via the tank outlet valve into the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Reinz-Dichtungs-GmbH
    Inventors: Kai-Uwe Lemke, Robert Baerreiter
  • Patent number: 9664151
    Abstract: An air admission device for combustion equipment includes a hollow tubular housing having two ends respectively provided with an air intake and an air outlet. The housing has its interior provided with a plurality of partition boards spaced apart and respectively bored with at least one air hole, the air holes of adjacent partition boards being staggered in arrangement. The air admission device is connected to combustion equipment. When operated, the combustion equipment will produce negative pressure to guide outside air to get into the housing to dash against the partition boards to increase collision probability between gas molecules for enhancing kinetic energy of gas molecules via collision and friction, thus attaining combustion-supporting effect, making combustion more complete and lowering waste gas emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: Kao-Shan Lin
  • Patent number: 9534560
    Abstract: A non-compression engine having two or three variable volume mechanisms, an induction-displacer (1) and a combustion-expander (2) or an induction-displacer (1) and a combustion-expander (2) and an atmospheric-cooler (3). A working volume of gas is drawn into the induction-displacer, then displaced into the combustion-expander (2) at substantially constant volume passing through the regenerator (5). The gas in the combustor-expander (2) is further heated by combustion of a fuel then expanded to extract work. The gas is then displaced through the regenerator (5) into the atmospheric-cooler (3) at substantially constant volume, or exhaust from the regenerator at constant pressure. The gas is contracted in the atmospheric-cooler doing atmospheric work. Once the gas has equilibrated with the pressure of the atmosphere it is exhaust from the atmospheric-cooler (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: 2020 POWER GENERATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Nicholas Richard Coates
  • Patent number: 9464605
    Abstract: A wing (1) including a vertical plate (2) and a horizontal plate (3) is placed in the throat of a carburetor (41) or throttle body (93). The wing (1) is located adjacent to and downstream from the throttle valve (46, 94). The edges (6, 7, 13, and 131) are held in a spaced apart relationship from the carburetor wall (44) by locating tabs (4, 14, 15 and 16) which abut the wall (44). Securing tabs (5, 24) extend from the edges and grip a gasket or boot associated with an existing intake manifold. The wing (1) causes the air/fuel mixture exiting a carburetor to follow channelized parallel paths (78, 81 and 84) into the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Lonn M. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9404401
    Abstract: In a method for operating a forced-induction internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle with variable compression, provision is made that the variable compression is pilot-controlled in such a way that a selected compression is established as a function of combustion efficiency and of the mechanical stress on components of the internal combustion engine, such that elevated compression is provided in the naturally aspirated range and/or decreased compression is provided in the forced-induction range. The variable compression is generated by phase shifting of a camshaft of the internal combustion engine, or by cam switching by way of a variable valve train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Carsten Ulrich, Stefan Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 9331560
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to heat engines that operate using low temperature differentials. A Stirling engine is modified to provide a new heat engine that has no contained working fluid. The new heat engine flexible cylinders and the pistons are moved vertically upward by cables and vertically downward by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventors: Joel Horton, Brian Perkins
  • Patent number: 9129533
    Abstract: A combination valve and valve extension allows an operator to open and close a hose bib. A ball valve attaches to the free end of a hose bib. An extension member includes a coupling end that slides over the handle of the ball valve. A handle is provided at an opposite end of the extension member to allow torque to be exerted on the ball valve handle to open and close it. In this manner, a simple and cost effective method of controlling a hose bib without incurring many of the problems associated with bushes planted in front of the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventor: Jamil Abu-Shaikha
  • Patent number: 9115658
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the temperature of intake air entering an engine. In response to condensate in a charge air cooler and engine operating conditions, the position of an induction valve is adjusted to draw in air from a warm or cool air duct. Induction valve operation is further controlled to reduce fuel economy losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Ken Jahr
  • Patent number: 9038608
    Abstract: Embodiments for an engine system are provided. One example internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder head and at least two cylinders, in which each cylinder has at least one inlet opening for the supply of combustion air into the cylinder, comprises an intake line leading to each inlet opening, an overall intake line where the intake lines of at least two cylinders merge, such that a distributor junction point is formed, and a heating device arranged in the overall intake line which has at least one strip-like heating element, a first narrow side of a cross section of which faces toward intake combustion air flow, wherein the heating device is arranged adjacent to the distributor junction point at which the intake lines merge to form the overall intake line, a spacing between the heating device and the distributor junction point being smaller than the diameter of a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Winge Vigild, Wilbert Hemink, Daniel Roettger, Andreas Kuske
  • Publication number: 20150083093
    Abstract: Starting an internal combustion engine may be difficult as a consequence of the operating conditions of the engine. Even after the engine has started, it may take a long period of time for the engine to reach operating temperatures. In the present disclosure, starting difficulty is expected for an engine with an exhaust gas recirculation system, before starting the engine an exhaust gas aftertreatment device is heated to warm residual air within the exhaust gas system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Paresh Rameshchandra Desai
  • Publication number: 20150083092
    Abstract: Starting an internal combustion engine may be difficult as a consequence of the operating conditions of the engine. Even after the engine has started, it may take a long period of time for the engine to reach operating temperatures. In the present disclosure, when engine start difficulty is expected, before starting the engine a forced induction compressor arranged with the engine may be turned on to increase the engine intake air pressure before the engine is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Paresh Rameshchandra Desai
  • Publication number: 20140318508
    Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling a turbocharged engine having an additional throttle located between an intake manifold of the engine and an outlet of a compressor. In one example approach a method comprises, during a cold start condition, diverting a portion of compressed air from downstream a compressor to a heat exchanger, and heating vehicle components with the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Laura Brzozowski
  • Patent number: 8833347
    Abstract: This invention relates to an automatically regulated gaseous mixer for small universal gas engine comprising a mixer body, a choker, an air inlet port, a main gas passage, a main metering jet, a mixture outlet port, a throttle valve, a gas connecting passage and an auxiliary gas passage, which is characterized in that an auxiliary gas passage is set parallel to the main gas passage and connected through a vertical gas passage. Its top end is linked to the main gas passage and the lower end is connected with the auxiliary gas passage, one end of the auxiliary passage is connected with the mixture outlet port. The shaft of throttle valve is in line with auxiliary gas passage and is extended into the auxiliary gas passage to form an automatically regulated valve. The advantages of this invention are simple and compact; practical and reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventors: Huachang Yang, Hao Wu
  • Patent number: 8813728
    Abstract: The intake system includes an integrated airflow cooler module comprising a lower manifold assembly and a throttle body fluidly connected to, and disposed within the lower manifold assembly to meter combustion air into a lower manifold volume of the lower manifold assembly. An upper manifold assembly is configured for assembly to the lower manifold assembly to define a manifold volume therebetween and a heat exchanger is disposed in the manifold volume, between the upper manifold assembly and the lower manifold assembly and between a combustion air inlet in the integrated airflow cooler module and the throttle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kevin C. Wong, Sameer Ogale, Christopher K. Clarke
  • Patent number: 8776761
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine that is structurally similar to a four-stroke engine. The engine comprises at least one cylinder unit, in turn, comprising a cylinder, a piston head that reciprocates within the cylinder, a combustion chamber defined between the cylinder and the front of the piston head, a fuel injector, an oxygen injector, and an exhaust port. The IC engine further comprises a piston rod, one end of which is connected to the piston head and the other end to the crankshaft. The combustion within the combustion chamber is initiated upon the injection of the fuel and the oxygen into the combustion chamber when the piston is at the top dead center. The spent gases are expelled through the exhaust port as the piston returns to the top dead center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Seyed Meisam Aledavood
  • 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: 8707923
    Abstract: Embodiments for operating an internal combustion engine are provided. One example method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder head and at least two cylinders, in which each cylinder has at least one inlet opening for the supply of combustion air into the cylinder, comprises activating a heating device for heating the combustion air when a fuel supply of the internal combustion engine is deactivated, the heating device arranged in an overall intake line coupled to the internal combustion engine, the overall intake line including at least two merged intake lines, each intake line leading to an inlet opening of a respective cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Winge Vigild, Andreas Kuske, Daniel Roettger
  • Patent number: 8683984
    Abstract: A thermocompression motor includes a piston dividing a cylinder into a first and a second chamber and includes a heat exchanger having at least one air channel and at least one exhaust gas channel. In a first cycle, the first and second chamber are connected via the air channel, whereby air from the first chamber is pushed into the heat exchanger and heated air is conveyed from the heat exchanger into the second chamber. In a second cycle, fuel is burned in the second chamber. In a third cycle, only the connection of the second chamber to the exhaust gas channel is open during a subsequent volume increase of the first chamber. In a fourth cycle, fresh air is sucked into the first chamber during a further volume increase of the first chamber, while the connection between the first and second chamber via the air channel is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Christian Daublebsky von Eichhain
  • Publication number: 20130312676
    Abstract: A thermocompression motor includes a piston dividing a cylinder into a first and a second chamber and includes a heat exchanger having at least one air channel and at least one exhaust gas channel. In a first cycle, the first and second chamber are connected via the air channel, whereby air from the first chamber is pushed into the heat exchanger and heated air is conveyed from the heat exchanger into the second chamber. In a second cycle, fuel is burned in the second chamber. In a third cycle, only the connection of the second chamber to the exhaust gas channel is open during a subsequent volume increase of the first chamber. In a fourth cycle, fresh air is sucked into the first chamber during a further volume increase of the first chamber, while the connection between the first and second chamber via the air channel is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Christian Daublebsky von Eichhain
  • Patent number: 8479714
    Abstract: A valve for a combustion engine air intake circuit, where the valve includes a main pipe and a bypass duct with upstream and downstream ends opening into the main pipe. The valve also includes a heating member that is positioned in the bypass duct and a shut-off member mounted such that it can move between a first position in which airflow can pass through the main pipe and a second position in which airflow can pass through the bypass duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systems de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Laurent Albert, Michael Maitre, Yohan Comorassamy
  • Patent number: 8371274
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle, having an internal combustion engine which is designed for combusting an ethanol-containing fuel, and an engine-independent air heating system. An exhaust passage of the engine-independent air heating system is disposed adjacent to a suction pipe of the internal combustion engine in order to heat the air in the suction pipe. Alternatively or additionally, the exhaust passage of the engine-independent air heating system is disposed adjacent to a fuel supply line of the internal combustion engine in order to heat the fuel in the fuel supply line. A connecting element or connecting openings are disposed between the exhaust passage of the engine-independent air heating system and the suction pipe in order to pass the exhaust gas of the engine-independent air heating system completely or partly into the suction pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: David Moessner
  • Publication number: 20120291762
    Abstract: Embodiments for operating an internal combustion engine are provided. One example method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder head and at least two cylinders, in which each cylinder has at least one inlet opening for the supply of combustion air into the cylinder, comprises activating a heating device for heating the combustion air when a fuel supply of the internal combustion engine is deactivated, the heating device arranged in an overall intake line coupled to the internal combustion engine, the overall intake line including at least two merged intake lines, each intake line leading to an inlet opening of a respective cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Winge Vigild, Andreas Kuske, Daniel Roettger
  • Patent number: 8240295
    Abstract: A particulate filter (PF) system for a vehicle is equipped with a bypass air line branching off from a throttle body so as to be able to smoothly regenerate a PF regardless of operation of an engine. The PF system includes an exhaust manifold into which exhaust gas flows from an engine, a bypass line connected to the exhaust manifold, an exhaust gas recirculation valve installed on the bypass line, and blocking or passing a flow of air of the bypass line, and a particulate filter installed on the exhaust manifold to collect and remove particulate matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Tae Joung Yang
  • Publication number: 20120152213
    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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Watanabe, Ryouji Saiki, Susumu Nakajima, Minoru Arai
  • Publication number: 20120132181
    Abstract: A motor driven implement having an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder and at least one carburettor, which is disposed in a carburettor chamber, which is separated by an intermediate wall from an engine compartment, wherein a fan wheel is further provided by which means air from the engine compartment can be introduced through an engine compartment opening in the intermediate wall into the carburettor chamber. A warm air opening is provided in the intermediate wall, through which the air heated over the cylinder can be introduced into the carburettor chamber and wherein an adjusting element is provided which can be brought into a summer position in which the engine compartment opening is open and the warm air opening is closed and which can be brought into a winter position in which the engine compartment opening is closed and the warm air opening is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jorg EWALD
  • Publication number: 20120123635
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling a flow regulator, such as a diverter valve, that is configured to guide air through a transmission housing before entering an engine intake manifold. In certain arrangements, the flow regulator operates according to predetermined conditions, e.g., meeting an engine intake manifold air temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: John Edward Brevick, Thomas G. Leone, Steven Anatole Frait, Norman Jerry Bird, James Thomas Gooden
  • Patent number: 8042326
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for enhancing diesel engine performance is provided. At low engine load and cold ambient temperatures, an intake air heater increases the engine load via an engine alternator, which in turn, enables the engine to burn more fuel by the process of combustion. The combusted fuel elevates exhaust gas temperatures, which thereby accommodates cold start, controls white smoke, and aids DPF regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tracy M. Farell, Julian C. Tan, Sean Whitaker
  • Patent number: 8037872
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine is disclosed. The thermal management system may have a first heat exchanger situated to cool air directed into the engine, a pump configured to pressurize a fluid directed through the engine, and a second heat exchanger situated to transfer heat absorbed by the fluid to air directed into the engine. The thermal management system may also have a heater configured to provide supplemental heat to air directed into the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Holler, Travis S. Johnson, Matthew R. Hulen, Randall J. Anliker, Michael W. Edwards, Larry L. Spurgeon, Victor L. Sheldon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8003922
    Abstract: An intake air heating system for an internal combustion engine includes an electric heater that heats the intake air, a control circuit that switches a voltage to the electric heater based on a control signal and an over-temperature signal, a temperature sensor that generates a temperature signal based on a temperature of the control circuit, and a temperature sensing circuit that generates the over-temperature signal based on the temperature signal and a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Neil Seger
  • Publication number: 20110146633
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle, having an internal combustion engine which is designed for combusting an ethanol-containing fuel, and an engine-independent air heating system. An exhaust passage of the engine-independent air heating system is disposed adjacent to a suction pipe of the internal combustion engine in order to heat the air in the suction pipe. Alternatively or additionally, the exhaust passage of the engine-independent air heating system is disposed adjacent to a fuel supply line of the internal combustion engine in order to heat fuel in the fuel supply line. A connecting element or connecting openings are disposed between the exhaust passage of the engine-independent air heating system and the suction pipe in order to pass the exhaust gas of the engine-independent air heating system completely or partly into the suction pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: David Moessner
  • Publication number: 20110138807
    Abstract: Various systems and method for heating an engine in a vehicle are described. In one example, intake air flowing in a first direction may be heated via a gas-to-gas heat exchange with exhaust gases. The heated intake air may then be used in a subsequent gas-to-liquid heat exchange to heat a fluid circulating through the engine. In another example, intake air flowing in a second direction may be heated via a heat exchange with exhaust gases in order to cool an exhaust catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Thomas G. Leone
  • Publication number: 20110138774
    Abstract: Intake air heating and exhaust cooling is provided by a double wall exhaust system serving as an exhaust-to-air heat exchanger, sourcing hot air to the intake manifold for intake stroke pumping benefit and cooling the exhaust system during high load operation by routing excess boost air through an interstitial space of the double wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Thomas G. Leone
  • Publication number: 20110132334
    Abstract: A method for providing intake air to an engine in a vehicle comprises delivering compressed fresh air and EGR to the engine via first and second throttle valves coupled to an intake manifold of the engine. During a higher engine-load condition, an EGR exhaust flow is cooled in a heat exchanger and the cooled EGR exhaust flow is admitting to the intake manifold. During a lower engine-load condition, fresh air is warmed in the heat exchanger, and the warmed fresh air is admitted to the intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Allan J. Lippa, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Allan J. Kotwicki
  • Publication number: 20110132317
    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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Vijay Ramappan, Jonathan T. Shibata, Amanpal S. Grewal
  • Publication number: 20110108010
    Abstract: A fuel vaporizing device has a body with a fuel inlet, air inlet, and vapor outlet. A spiral conduit is formed in the body with a length of 2-6 feet. The spiral conduit has a first end coupled to the air inlet and second end coupled to the vapor outlet. An injector assembly is disposed within the body and coupled to the fuel inlet. The injector assembly introduces atomized fuel into the first end of the spiral conduit. The fuel and air mixture is converted to vaporized fuel through a length of the spiral conduit. The vaporized fuel exits at the vapor outlet. The injector assembly has a compression spring disposed in a cavity of an injector body. An injector piston is disposed in the cavity of the injector body contacting the spring. An injector outlet introduces the atomized fuel into the spiral conduit when the injector piston is displaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: AEDC ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jerry J. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 7934491
    Abstract: Incorporates at least one thermal switch (5) in series with the heating resistor (4) of the module located on the frame (1) of said resistors (4) that cuts off current to the resistor (4) when the heater power control circuit fails. The thermal switch (5) can be between the heating resistor (4) and the earth connection of the support (6), or between the heating resistor (4) and the power supply (3) of the module. The module allows a closed-loop control using as variable the temperature of one of the resistors (4), whose resistivity can change with the temperature. Similarly, the electronic control circuit can also be integrated in the heater frame (1), allowing a closed-loop control of the dissipated power using as control variable the temperature of the frame (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Nagares, S.A.
    Inventor: Herminio Navalon Carretero