With Clutch Patents (Class 123/559.3)
  • Patent number: 11618428
    Abstract: An electric supercharger-equipped moving machine includes: an engine; a supercharger configured to increase intake pressure of the engine; an electric motor including a motor driving shaft; a power transmitting path including a power transmitting shaft through which driving power of the engine is transmitted to a propulsive power generating body; and a switching clutch configured to be able to block power transmission from the electric motor to the power transmitting shaft. The motor driving shaft is connected to the supercharger so as to be able to drive the supercharger when the switching clutch is in a disengaged state. The motor driving shaft is connected to the power transmitting shaft so as to be able to drive the propulsive power generating body when the switching clutch is in an engaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Masaki Nishiyabu
  • Patent number: 11560856
    Abstract: An engine system is provided, which includes a supercharger driven by a crankshaft of an engine, an electromagnetic clutch disconnectably connecting the crankshaft to the supercharger, and a controller configured to output a control signal to the electromagnetic clutch. The controller includes a processor configured to execute an uphill-angle detecting module to detect an uphill angle during traveling of a vehicle, an uphill determining module to determine whether the detected uphill angle is above a given first uphill angle, and a boost controlling module to, when the detected uphill angle is above the first uphill angle, control the electromagnetic clutch to connect the crankshaft to the supercharger even when a target torque of the engine is within a not-boosting range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hironori Kokubu, Kenji Sasaki, Atsushi Yagi, Tomokuni Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 11408499
    Abstract: A device (13) for transferring rotational power from a first shaft (14) to a second shaft (15), comprising an endless toothed belt (16) and a housing (17), wherein the belt (16) is arranged inside said housing (17) and is connectable to the first and second shafts (14, 15) for transferring rotational power from the first shaft (14) to the second shaft (15). The housing (17) comprises a first cavity (18) and a second cavity (19), wherein the second cavity (19) is separated from the first cavity (18) by means of a wall (20). The belt (16) is arranged in the first cavity (18) and the first cavity (18) is provided with a first liquid for contacting the belt (16). The second cavity (19) is provided with a second liquid, the second liquid being a cooling liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: OXE Marine AB
    Inventor: Andreas Blomdahl
  • Patent number: 11111865
    Abstract: A compression ignition engine with a supercharger is provided, which includes one or more valves configured to switch a state between a first state where intake air is boosted by the supercharger and a second state where it is not boosted, a fluid temperature adjuster configured to adjust a temperature of engine coolant to be supplied to a radiator from an engine body, and a controller. When the engine operates in a high-load range, the controller controls the combustion mode to be in a compression ignition combustion mode, and causes the valve(s) to be in the first state, and in a low-load range, the controller causes the valve(s) to be in the second state. In the high-load range, the controller outputs a control signal to the fluid temperature adjuster so that a target temperature of the engine coolant is lowered than that in the low-load range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Hikitani, Hajime Umehara, Naoki Nagano, Tomokuni Kusunoki, Tatsuya Takahata, Shinji Watanabe, Masanobu Koutoku, Toshinori Ueno, Katsuya Murakami, Nobuhiko Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10858988
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising at least one turbo charger, which comprises a compressor, at least one bypass valve, through which the compressor can be bypassed by at least a partial stream of air or an air-fuel mixture, and a control unit is provided. The control unit is configured to open or closed loop control the bypass valve. As such, the control unit is configured to at least partially open the at least one bypass valve and keep the at least one bypass valve open during a start of the internal combustion engine. The control unit is also configured to keep the at least one bypass valve open until an engine parameter of the internal combustion engine satisfies a predetermined startup criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: INNIO Jenbacher GmbH & Co OG
    Inventors: Josef Thalhauser, Nikolaus Spyra, Georg Arnold
  • Patent number: 10813347
    Abstract: A fishing machine includes a rotary drum for winding a fishing line, capable of rotating in a reeling direction and in a unreeling direction, a drive motor for rotating the rotary drum in the reeling direction and in the unreeling direction, and an electromagnetic clutch for transmitting the rotation of the drive motor to the rotary drum. The electromagnetic clutch is capable of variably setting a transmitting torque of rotation, and the transmitting torque is set to a value for cancelling a mechanical load in the unreeling direction of the fishing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: TOWA DENKI SEISAKUSYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi Hamade, Tomohiro Miki, Manabu Tamamori, Kohei Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10808701
    Abstract: A supercharger includes a main housing, a front cover coupled to the main housing and having an inner portion received within the main housing, a drive coupling assembly arranged between an input shaft and a rotor shaft, and a coupling sleeve disposed about the drive coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Coates, Brandon J. Elliott, Eric J. Locker
  • Patent number: 10704475
    Abstract: An engine control device controls an engine. The engine includes a turbocharger, a waste gate valve, and a throttle. In a predetermined low load region, the engine control device performs first control in which the waste gate valve is opened at a predetermined opening degree or more and output adjustment is performed by an opening degree of the throttle. In a predetermined high load region, the engine control device performs second control in which the throttle is opened at a predetermined opening degree or more and output adjustment is performed by an opening degree of the waste gate valve. When a torque limiting request is generated in the high load region, the engine control device performs third control in which the waste gate valve is substantially fully closed and output adjustment is performed by the opening degree of the throttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Konosuke Muramatsu, Tomoyuki Kaneda
  • Patent number: 10626810
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a diesel engine includes a neighboring temperature estimating section which estimates a temperature of a neighborhood of a glow plug that heats an interior of a cylinder upon startup, and a supercharging pressure control section which controls a supercharging pressure in such a way that a rotation fluctuation of the engine does not increase, on the basis of the estimated temperature of the neighborhood of the glow plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Nishizawa, Shuichi Iio, Kiyoshi Ohga, Ryota Nakayama, Takashi Yamazaki, Yoshihiro Imaoka, Yasushi Ohmura, Isshou Uehara, Masahiko Nakano, Manabu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 10526983
    Abstract: It is a challenge to reduce unburned hydrocarbon emissions for gaseous fuelled engines, especially at low engine load conditions, to meet demanding emission regulation targets. A method for reducing unburned hydrocarbon emissions in a lean-burn internal combustion engine that is fuelled with a gaseous fuel comprises adjusting the timing for closing of an intake valve as a function of engine operating conditions by one of advancing timing for closing of the intake valve and closing the intake valve earlier during an intake stroke; and retarding timing for closing of the intake valve and closing the intake valve later during a compression stroke. The volumetric efficiency of the internal combustion engine is reduced and unburned hydrocarbon emissions are maintained below a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: WESTPORT POWER INC.
    Inventors: Philip G. Hill, Bronson D. Patychuk, Gordon P. McTaggart-Cowan, Ning Wu
  • Patent number: 9948219
    Abstract: A rotating electrical machine control device where the changeover control circuit switches the source of electric power for the electronic control unit when the electric power that is supplied from the second DC power supply to the electronic control unit becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined first reference value and electric power that is output from the backup power supply is equal to or higher than a predetermined second reference value, and the electronic control unit uses the electric power supplied from the backup power supply to cause the inverter to perform the switching operation to perform fail-safe control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Subrata Saha, Yutaka Hotta, Yasushi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9856811
    Abstract: The internal combustion engine comprises a supercharger, a variable valve timing mechanism able to change a valve overlap amount, a catalyst arranged in an exhaust passage and able to store oxygen, a downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor arranged at a downstream side of the catalyst in an exhaust flow direction and able to detect an air-fuel ratio of outflowing exhaust gas flowing out from the catalyst, and a scavenging control device able to control a scavenging amount by controlling the valve overlap amount by the variable valve timing mechanism. The scavenging control device reduces the valve overlap amount when an air-fuel ratio detected by the downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor changes from less than a lean judged air-fuel ratio leaner than a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio to the lean judged air-fuel ratio or more during scavenging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Okubo, Norihisa Nakagawa, Koichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 9835205
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic clutch, a rotor includes a cover portion that covers a radially outer end of an armature from a radially outer side. The cover portion, the radially outer end of the armature, and a wall of the rotor define a discharge passage that is formed into a ring shape centered on a rotating shaft and is open on a first end side in an axis line direction for discharging abrasion powder generated by friction between walls. The cover portion includes a tapered surface that is shaped such that an area in a cross sectional plane of the discharge passage which is orthogonal to an axis of the rotating shaft becomes larger toward the first end side in the axis line direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiji Ishikawa, Takayuki Hirose, Yoshiki Tada
  • Patent number: 9790850
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for simultaneously improving a fuel efficiency and obtaining a satisfactory hill start performance due to a downsized engine. The system includes an electric assist turbocharger which includes a turbine disposed in an exhaust passage of an engine and driven by exhaust gas, a compressor disposed in an intake passage and driven by a rotational torque of the turbine, and an electric motor assisting a driving force of the compressor and an electric motor control unit which drives the electric motor when detecting a start operation at a sloping road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Isao Kitsukawa, Tomohiro Sugano, Yoshiyuki Abe, Haruyo Kimura, Akira Iijima, Naoki Ishibashi, Syougo Sakashita
  • Patent number: 9751411
    Abstract: A supercharger assembly includes a supercharger in series with an engine that has a crankshaft and has an air intake manifold defining a plenum through which air flow is provided to the engine. A supercharger is upstream of the plenum in air flow to the engine and has a first rotor rotatable with a first shaft and a second rotor rotatable with a second shaft. The supercharger assembly also includes an electric motor-generator that is selectively alternately operable as a motor and as a generator, and a planetary gearing arrangement having a first member operatively connected to the electric motor-generator, a second member connectable to be rotated by the engine crankshaft, and a third member operatively connected for rotation with the first shaft. The supercharger assembly has only two selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms and a control system configured to control the electric motor-generator and the torque-transmitting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, William N. Eybergen, Vasilios Tsourapas, Martin D. Pryor
  • Patent number: 9650973
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for airflow control in an engine system which includes a throttle turbine generator including a turbine and a turbine generator. In one example, a method may include adjusting an angle of a throttle positioned in an engine inlet passage based on a desired airflow by taking into account the effects on the throttle angle due to rotation motion of the turbine, thereby accurately controlling airflow to the engine system. The method may further include predicting an airflow to the engine system based on the position of the throttle, thereby accurately monitoring torque of the engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Erik Mikael Hellstrom, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Publication number: 20150047617
    Abstract: A supercharger assembly includes a supercharger in series with an engine that has a crankshaft and has an air intake manifold defining a plenum through which air flow is provided to the engine. A supercharger is upstream of the plenum in air flow to the engine and has a first rotor rotatable with a first shaft and a second rotor rotatable with a second shaft. The supercharger assembly also includes an electric motor-generator that is selectively alternately operable as a motor and as a generator, and a planetary gearing arrangement having a first member operatively connected to the electric motor-generator, a second member connectable to be rotated by the engine crankshaft, and a third member operatively connected for rotation with the first shaft. The supercharger assembly has only two selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms and a control system configured to control the electric motor-generator and the torque-transmitting mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, William N. Eybergen, Vasilios Tsourapas, Martin D. Pryor
  • Patent number: 8925528
    Abstract: An engine is provided. The engine includes a piston operable to reciprocate in a cylinder, a crankshaft rotatably coupled to the piston, and a supercharger rotatably coupled to the crankshaft. The supercharger has an unequal distribution of mass along a longitudinal plane of the supercharger to provide a rotational counterbalance to reduce engine imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ray Alan Kach, Michael Bruno Magnan, Robert Andrew Wade, Vince Paul Solferino, David E. Masser, Jeffrey Eliot Chottiner
  • Publication number: 20140260244
    Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger includes, a drive pulley connected to receive rotating power from an engine. an electronic blocking the rotating power to be supplied to the drive pulley or supplying the rotating power to the drive pulley. a speed increasing device increasing rotation speed of the drive pulley. a compressor including an impeller receiving rotation power having speed increased by the speed increasing device and flowing and compressing external air and an impeller housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Wook SON, Jin Kook KONG, Ju Hun LEE, Byeong Seok LEE, Young Nam KIM, Jeong Hwa CHA
  • Patent number: 8826892
    Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine having a compressor, the diagnosing of a clutch of the compressor is achieved without an additional sensor system. The compressor is turned on via the clutch, and a variable characterizing the air-mass flow to the internal combustion engine is ascertained. A first value of the variable characterizing the air mass flow before turning on the compressor is compared to a second value of the variable characterizing the air mass flow after turning on the compressor by closing the clutch, and an error is detected as a function of a deviation between the first value and the second value of the variable characterizing the air mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Heinkele, Patrick Menold, Michael Drung
  • Patent number: 8825251
    Abstract: A device for performing energy management in an electric vehicle which can be driven at least partially by an electric machine which can be supplied with electrical energy by a rechargeable battery, wherein the state of charge (SOC) of the rechargeable battery varies during charging and discharging, includes a driver-type recognition device for determining the driver-type (I, II). The driver-type recognition device monitors the discharge process of the rechargeable battery during driving and recognizes the driver-type (I, II) therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Jochen Ungermann
  • Publication number: 20140238361
    Abstract: An assembly for controlling air flow to an engine includes a first supercharger(20) and a second supercharger (22). The superchargers are arranged in parallel with one another and in series with the throttle (70) in the air flow to the engine cylinders, and are configured to be operatively connectable with the engine upstream in the air flow to the cylinders. The assembly includes a load device (38) selectively connectable to the first supercharger (20) and selectively alternately operable to provide energy to or receive energy from the first supercharger. The superchargers are configured to be separately selectively operatively connectable with the throttle and the crankshaft to enable different modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Vasilios Tsourapas, Robert Philip Benjey
  • Publication number: 20140224228
    Abstract: An engine assembly is provided that includes an engine throttle and a supercharger placed in series with one another in air flow to the engine. The throttle and supercharger can be controlled so that throttling losses are selectively distributed across the throttle and/or the supercharger. Throttling losses placed across the supercharger can create torque that can be converted to stored energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Philip Benjey, William Nicholas Eybergen, Roneesh Vashisht, Martin D. Pryor
  • Patent number: 8776767
    Abstract: A clutch assembly configured for use with a supercharger includes a first shaft supported for rotation within a clutch housing. A pulley is mounted on the first shaft. A clutch rotor is also mounted on the first shaft at a location that is axially spaced from the pulley. A clutch coil is supported within the clutch housing and positioned adjacent to a first face of the clutch rotor. A second shaft is supported for rotation relative to the first shaft and is coaxially aligned with the first shaft. A clutch armature is mounted on the second shaft and positioned adjacent to a second face of the clutch rotor. A supercharger system including the clutch assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Christopher W. Creager
  • Patent number: 8769949
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control system and method for controlling a superturbocharged engine system in various operation modes. Throttle control mode may idle the superturbocharger during low and medium engine loads, so that boost is not created in the intake manifold. During high engine load conditions (open throttle), boosting occurs in response to the driver, operator, or control system requesting increased engine loads. For transient control mode, the control system may respond to transient conditions in response to engine speed and load so that the engine does not bog down or overcome vehicle traction limits. The control system may also predict future operating points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Vandyne Superturbo, Inc.
    Inventors: Ed VanDyne, Jared William Brown, Volker Schumacher, Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20140090373
    Abstract: Artificial aspiration methods and systems for increasing engine efficiency and or power. The methods include determining an engine operation status, determining an artificial aspiration goal value based on the engine operating status, determining an artificial aspiration system configuration based on the artificial aspiration goal value and the engine operating status, and configuring the artificial aspiration system to obtain the determined artificial aspiration system configuration. The system includes a plurality of sensors for sensing characteristics of an operating engine, and an artificial aspiration control unit comprising a processor connected to receive the sensed characteristics of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Adam Timmons
  • Patent number: 8616185
    Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a supercharger operatively connected to the crankshaft via a clutch supported by an intermediate shaft such that torque variations are partially absorbed by the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johann Wilflinger, Markus Hochmayr, Karl Lagler, Karl Glinsner
  • Patent number: 8561403
    Abstract: A super-turbocharger utilizing a high speed, fixed ratio traction drive that is coupled to a continuously variable transmission to allow for high speed operation is provided. A high speed traction drive is utilized to provide speed reduction from the high speed turbine shaft. A second traction drive provides infinitely variable speed ratios through a continuously variable transmission. Gas recirculation in a super-turbocharger is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Vandyne Super Turbo, Inc.
    Inventors: Ed VanDyne, Barry T. Brinks, Michael B. Riley, Jared William Brown
  • Patent number: 8539936
    Abstract: A pressure equalization system reduces or eliminates a pressure differential across supercharger rotor shaft seals. Under high boost, rotor shaft seals often fail, allowing hot compressed air into an oil lubricated space containing rotor bearings and gears (and vented to ambient pressure), reducing oil lubricating effectiveness and resulting in increased wear and failure. Under low or non boost operation, the pressure differential is reversed causing the lubricating oil to leak into the supercharger interior and accelerated rotor seal wear. The pressure equalization system includes flow restrictive seals on both rotor shafts, separated from the rotor shaft seals by vented spaces, thereby isolating the rotor shaft seals from boost or vacuum in the supercharger interior and reducing or eliminating the pressure differential across the rotor shaft seals. Maintaining close to atmospheric pressure on both sides of the rotor shaft seals during boost and vacuum operation reduces wear and failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventors: James E. Bell, Jan Erik Oscarsson
  • Patent number: 8528330
    Abstract: The invention refers to a supercharging system (6) for an internal combustion engine (1) incorporating in combination, a turbine (7), a compressor (8) and an electrical driven system (20) that is connected by any power transmission system (16, 19) to the crankshaft (4) or any other vehicle drive shaft of an internal combustion engine, where the turbine inlet is subjected to exhaust gases, causing the turbine wheel to rotate and thereby via the drive shaft causing mechanical rotating power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: KASI Technologies AB
    Inventor: Isak Lofgren
  • Patent number: 8528331
    Abstract: The invention refers to a supercharging system (6) for an internal combustion engine (1) incorporating in combination, a turbine (7), a compressor (8) and an electrical driven system (20) that is connected by any power transmission system (16, 19) to the crankshaft (4) or any other vehicle drive shaft of an internal combustion engine, where the turbine inlet is subjected to exhaust gases, causing the turbine wheel to rotate and thereby via the drive shaft causing mechanical rotating power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: KASI Technologies AB
    Inventor: Isak Lofgren
  • Patent number: 8522550
    Abstract: The invention refers to a supercharging system for an internal combustion engine incorporating in combination, a turbine, a compressor and an electrical driven system that is connected by any power transmission system to the crankshaft or any other vehicle drive shaft of an internal combustion engine, where the turbine inlet is subjected to exhaust gases, causing the turbine wheel to rotate and thereby via the drive shaft causing mechanical rotating power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: KASI Technologies AB
    Inventor: Isak Lofgren
  • Patent number: 8505296
    Abstract: A method for controlling engine temperature of an engine with a wide dynamic range is disclosed. In one example, the derivative of an engine temperature is assessed by a controller. The controller may adjust engine actuators to limit engine temperature in response to the derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Carl Mukkala, Nathanael David Shaw, Jason Eugene Devries, Brian Michael O'Neil, Michael Joseph Giunta
  • Patent number: 8490394
    Abstract: The invention refers to a supercharging system (6) for an internal combustion engine (1) incorporating in combination, a turbine (7), a compressor (8) and an electrical driven system (20) that is connected by any power transmission system (16, 19) to the crankshaft (4) or any other vehicle drive shaft of an internal combustion engine, where the turbine inlet is subjected to exhaust gases, causing the turbine wheel to rotate and thereby via the drive shaft causing mechanical rotating power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: KASI Technologies AB
    Inventor: Isak Lofgren
  • Patent number: 8490393
    Abstract: The invention refers to a supercharging system (6) for an internal combustion engine (1) incorporating in combination, a turbine (7), a compressor (8) and an electrical driven system (20) that is connected by any power transmission system (16, 19) to the crankshaft (4) or any other vehicle drive shaft of an internal combustion engine, where the turbine inlet is subjected to exhaust gases, causing the turbine wheel to rotate and thereby via the drive shaft causing mechanical rotating power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: KASI Technologies AB
    Inventor: Isak Lofgren
  • Publication number: 20130160749
    Abstract: A rotational element coupling device in a supercharger includes a rotatable output shaft having tapered external splines and an output shaft axis of rotation. A coupling disk has a disk axis of rotation coaxial with the output shaft axis of rotation, a tapered internally splined bore coaxial with the disk axis of rotation to engage the tapered external splines, and a plurality of apertures defined in the coupling disk parallel to the disk axis of rotation. A plurality of pins each have a disk end and a timing gear end distal to the disk end. The plurality of pins matingly engages with the coupling disk at the disk end of the pins via the plurality of apertures. A timing gear is fixed to a supercharger rotor for rotation therewith. The timing gear has a plurality of apertures disposed therein to matingly engage with the timing gear end of the plurality of pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eaton Corporation
  • Patent number: 8464697
    Abstract: A clutch assembly configured for use with a supercharger having a first shaft having a longitudinal axis; a pulley connected to the first shaft; a clutch rotor mounted connected to the first shaft; a clutch armature mounted to a second shaft and unconnected to the first shaft; and a clutch coil spaced along the longitudinal axis from the pulley. The clutch rotor rotates around the longitudinal axis. The clutch armature also rotates around the longitudinal axis. The design diameter of the pulley is entirely independent of the diameters of the clutch rotor, the clutch armature, and the clutch coil. A supercharger including the clutch assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Christopher W. Creager
  • Patent number: 8439019
    Abstract: A compressed air delivery system in which power from a power supply is transmitted to a rotary air compressor through a dry running, continuous variable transmission (CVT) utilizing a belt coupled between two pulleys enclosed within a CVT housing. The air pressure differential created by the rotary air compressor is used to urge cooling air through the CVT to cool the CVT belt. The pressure differential may be utilized to push cooling air into the CVT housing or to draw cooling air through the CVT housing. In one embodiment, a portion of the compressed air discharged from a supercharger may be routed through a bleed line and into the CVT housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Accessible Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Carlson, Kenneth C. Jones
  • Patent number: 8439020
    Abstract: A supercharger assembly includes a dry-running CVT coupled to a speed multiplying gear set, which is in turn coupled to a centrifugal supercharger. The CVT includes a CVT housing which has an opening formed therein to provide access to a face of the driven pulley, and a plurality of equally spaced bolt receivers arranged in a circle around the opening. The gear assembly includes a gear housing formed separate from the CVT housing. The gear housing has a plurality of bolt holes formed in it which are arranged in a circle and alignable with respective ones of the bolt receivers. The gear housing is selectively rotatable relative to the CVT housing by moving each of the bolt holes from alignment with a first respective one of the bolt receivers and into alignment with a second respective one of the bolt receivers and then installing fasteners therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Accessible Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Carlson, Kenneth C. Jones
  • Patent number: 8397501
    Abstract: An automotive air blower includes an air pump (14) connected to the output shaft of a transmission system, whose input shaft is connected, in use, to the engine (16) of a motor vehicle. The input and output shafts are connected to the ring gear (10) and sun gear (13), respectively, of a three-branch epicyclic differential gearset. The planet carrier (12) of the gearset is connected to the rotor (2) of an electric motor/generator and the input shaft is connected to the rotor of an electrical machine (1), which constitutes at least a generator. The electrical connections of the stators of the two machines are connected together via a controller arranged to control the flow of electrical power between them. A selectively engageable mechanical connection (15) is provided between two of the branches of the gearset and arranged to connect the two branches together such that the gearset will rotate as a single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignees: Nexxtdrive Limited, Integral Powertrain Limited
    Inventor: Luke Barker
  • Publication number: 20120167811
    Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a supercharger operatively connected to the crankshaft via a clutch supported by an intermediate shaft such that torque variations are partially absorbed by the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: BRP-POWERTRAIN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Johann WILFLINGER, Markus HOCHMAYR, Karl LAGLER, Karl GLINSNER
  • Publication number: 20120143462
    Abstract: Featured is a method for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine having a supercharger, a bypass, a cylinder de-activation (CDA) system and a throttle body, where the supercharger is configured and arranged so as to be selectively operable. Such a method includes determining which of three operating modes is appropriate for a given set of operating conditions and controlling each of the supercharger, the bypass, the CDA system and the throttle body based on the determined operating mode. In the first and second operating modes, the supercharger is not operable and the bypass is opened. In the third mode, the supercharger is operable and the bypass is closed. In the first and third modes, the CDA system is configured so all cylinders are operational. In the second mode, the CDA system is configured so certain cylinders are in a deactivated state and so other cylinders remain operable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, HYUNDAI AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC., KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yong Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8151773
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine for an automotive vehicle includes a belt, alternator, supercharger (BASC) power system having a positive displacement supercharger with coacting rotors, a belt drive from the engine to the supercharger, an overrunning clutch allowing the supercharger to overrun the belt drive, and a motor-generator connected to charge a battery when the motor-generator is overrunning the belt drive. The system allows electric overrun of the supercharger to increase engine charge air and power at low engine speeds, to electrically offset some parasitic losses and increase power at high engine speeds, to use supercharger inertia to drive the motor-generator and charge the battery during engine decelerations, and to electrically reduce belt drive loads by supplementing supercharger drive power during transmission downshifts that increase engine speed, and thus minimize “chirping” sounds due to belt slipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Gregory P. Prior
  • Patent number: 8151772
    Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a supercharger operatively connected to the crankshaft via a clutch supported by an intermediate shaft such that torque variations are partially absorbed by the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johann Wilflinger, Markus Hochmayr, Karl Lagler, Karl Glinsner
  • Publication number: 20120037132
    Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine having a compressor, the diagnosing of a clutch of the compressor is achieved without an additional sensor system. The compressor is turned on via the clutch, and a variable characterizing the air-mass flow to the internal combustion engine is ascertained. A first value of the variable characterizing the air mass flow before turning on the compressor is compared to a second value of the variable characterizing the air mass flow after turning on the compressor by closing the clutch, and an error is detected as a function of a deviation between the first value and the second value of the variable characterizing the air mass flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Matthias Heinkele, Patrick Menold, Michael Drung
  • Publication number: 20120006305
    Abstract: A supercharging device for compressing charge air for an internal combustion engine having a scroll compressor is proposed, a displacement scroll (5) being connected to the supercharger shaft by way of an eccentric arrangement between a front bearing and rear bearing of the supercharger shaft (6), an externally driven drive element, such as a belt pulley or the like, being provided outside a housing (1) of the supercharging device, and the supercharger shaft (6) being connectable to the externally driven drive element by means of a controllable clutch member. The intended distinguishing features of the supercharging device according to the invention are a simpler bearing support and in particular a front bearing of smaller dimensions. This is achieved in that all connections of the drive and/or guide elements for the displacement scroll are arranged between the front bearing (2) and the rear bearing (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Handtmann Systemtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hubert Hagel, Juergen Licht, Stefan Coelsch, Joachim Nusser, Andreas Lechleiter
  • Patent number: 8091534
    Abstract: An engine is provided to facilitate installation of a compressor on an engine. The engine can include a crankshaft, a front end, and an installation structure, and can be disposed in an engine compartment having an opening for accessing the engine. The installation structure can comprise an installation mount that can be disposed at the front end of the engine. The installation mount can extend substantially parallel to the crankshaft of the engine. The installation mount can include a surface configured for mounting the compressor. Further, the installation mount can be configured with the surface thereof facing toward the opening of the engine compartment. Additionally, the installation structure can be configured to facilitate meshing engagement of the crankshaft with a drive shaft of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeharu Mineo
  • Patent number: 8087401
    Abstract: An electric motor-generator and an engine are linked using a first belt that is looped around a crank pulley that is mounted to a crank shaft and a one-way clutch pulley that is mounted to a rotating shaft. An electronic control unit drives the electric motor-generator as an electric motor and drives the compressor by the electric motor-generator if engine speed is less than or equal to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaya Inoue, Yoshihito Asao
  • Patent number: 7909026
    Abstract: The present invention provides a servo actuated operating mechanism for a coacting lobed rotor positive displacement supercharger combining a low cost and capacity electromagnetic clutch with a small oil pump internal to the supercharger unit. The oil pump supplies on demand oil pressure from oil in a hydraulic clutch housing or the supercharger timing gear case and acts as a servomechanism to actuate an internal hydraulic clutch. The hydraulic clutch can be engaged over a much wider range of speeds and loads than is possible with an electromagnetic clutch alone. The electro-hydraulic servomechanism provides improved highway fuel economy relative to an electromagnetic clutch as the engagement speed could be moved to a higher rotational speed (rpm). The internal hydraulic system makes higher supercharger engagement speeds possible with a hydraulic system, but without the assembly and leak issues associated with externally plumbed engine oil system actuated clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory P. Prior
  • Patent number: 7849840
    Abstract: This apparatus and method introduces to the internal combustion engine, with a centrifugal compressor or positive displacement air supercharger, a high speed electric motor/generator which is drivingly coupled to a drive shaft system for the purpose of acceleration and generation of pressurized air at low engine speeds and incorporation of one-way and/or magnetic clutches to provide maximum power to the engine operation at all times. The motor/generator when not driving the supercharger is putting energy back into the engine battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: David St. James