Interrelated Or Group Control Operating Means For Plural Motors Or Outputs Patents (Class 60/719)
  • Patent number: 11162413
    Abstract: The two-stroke internal combustion engine has an engine crankcase including a sealing mechanism that, at all times and under all circumstances, confine the oil in the lower crankcase. The two-stroke engine uses a gaseous fuel based on dihydrogen and dioxygen, and releases only water vapor charged with unused gaseous fuel. A device for recycling the exhaust gases serves to recover the unused gaseous fuel and to reinject it at the intake opening, or the exhaust opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: THOM
    Inventor: Didier Lopez
  • Patent number: 9493248
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) only Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) for Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 aircraft which utilizes Engine Alert Processors from a previously certified CRT EICAS and minimizes changes in hardware and software design by simultaneously generating both cathode ray tube (CRT) drive commands and LCD drive commands while only using the LCD drive commands for display of EICAS information during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Kluker, Dean M. Galus, Charles E. Swafford, Jeffrey E. Fetta
  • Publication number: 20150128597
    Abstract: A floated condenser extracts water from the sky. The condenser is part of or supplemental to a typical buoyed wind turbine set, comprising lift element, wind turbine, retention cable, electrical output, and base. The cable is hollow or coextensive with a lumen, the inner diameter thereof is water impermeable. The hollow/lumen stacks water over an accumulator, effecting a static base pressure p=?gh. This pressure makes the water utilizable. After pressure multiplication—via a hydrostatic piston—or not, a first stream of water electrolyzes into liquid hydrogen and oxygen, one or both stored/sold directly. Another stream of water drives a turbine/motor or series hydroelectric turbines/motors, powering electrolysis and/or grid, the water then stored at moderate pressure for water utilities. Excess power from the wind turbine also supplements electrical output. A conductor runs along the cable. Gasified hydrogen is routed via the cable, lifting the condenser/turbine/kite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel Keith Schlak
  • Publication number: 20150075164
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for operating a plurality of independent, closed cycle power plant modules each having a vaporizer comprising the steps of: serially supplying a medium or low temperature source fluid to each corresponding vaporizer of one or more first plant modules, respectively, to a secondary preheater of a first module, and to a vaporizer of a terminal module, whereby to produce heat depleted source fluid; providing a primary preheater for each vaporizer; and supplying said heat depleted source fluid to all of said primary preheaters in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, Inc.
    Inventors: Dany BATSCHA, Rachel Huberman
  • Publication number: 20140033707
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power plant includes a solar heat collector which collects solar heat and then supplies the solar heat to a heat medium. The power plant includes a heat exchanger which changes a secondary medium into steam by heat exchange with the heat medium. The power plant includes a turbine. The power plant includes a temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the heat medium. The power plant includes and a controller which supplies the heat medium with heat obtained by the conversion of an output variation component having a period shorter than a predetermined value in electricity generated by a wind power generator when the temperature does not satisfy a predetermined condition associated with the driving of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Mikhail Rodionov, Nobuo Okita
  • Publication number: 20130312414
    Abstract: Work is produced from heat in a continuous cycle. The cycle involves communicating a first flow of a first working fluid to a low pressure boiler. The low pressure boiler forms a first flow of first working fluid vapor by using a low temperature thermal source. A second flow of the first working fluid is provided to a high pressure boiler to produce a second flow of first working fluid vapor at a pressure higher than the low pressure boiler. A second working fluid in vaporous form is compressed, after which a third working fluid is formed by mixing the first flow of first working fluid vapor, the second flow of second working fluid vapor, and the second working fluid. Thermal energy is transferred directly between one or more of the working fluids in the mixing chamber exclusive of any intervening structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: William R. Palmer
  • Patent number: 8561915
    Abstract: When an economy switch signal is ON to instruct that fuel economy should be given priority, a blower of an air conditioning device is operated using a blower characteristic map for fuel economy so that a blower level of the air conditioning device is changed with respect to the change in an engine coolant temperature at a low rate. Also, it is determined whether an engine needs to be operated or stopped using an engine operation map for fuel economy so that the engine is likely to be stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Ishida, Kunihiko Jinno, Keita Honda
  • Patent number: 8359863
    Abstract: A micro-hybrid system (27) is connected to an on-board electrical network (V+) of a first heat engine (28) of a vehicle, whereby the first heat engine having a first cubic capacity which is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value. The system (27) comprises a number equal to two or more of identical starter-alternator devices (1) which are mechanically coupled to the first heat engine (28). The torque and power characteristics of each of the starter-alternator devices (1, 16), while not being adapted to the first heat engine (28), are adapted to a second heat engine having a second cubic capacity which is less than or equal to a second predetermined value equal to a fraction of the first predetermined value. The system is adapted to an application to large heat engines and allows a certain degree of standardization of starter-alternator devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: Paul Armiroli, Jean-Claude Matt, Farouk Boudjemai, Julien Masfaraud
  • Publication number: 20130001948
    Abstract: A power generation system includes a compression unit which compresses a gas, a storage which stores the compressed gas output from the compression unit, a first expansion unit which generates first power and outputs a first exhaust gas, a heating unit which heats at least the stored gas output from the storage, a second expansion unit which generates second power and outputs a second exhaust gas, a first regenerator which performs a first heat exchange between the second exhaust gas and the stored gas output from the storage, to generate a first heat exchange gas used to generate the first power and a first regenerator gas, and a second regenerator which performs a second heat exchange between the first exhaust gas and the first regenerator gas to generate a second heat exchange gas used to generate the second power after heated at the heating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chan-Sun LIM, Myeong-Hyo KIM, Jong-Sub SHIN, Young-Chang SHON, Jeong-Hun LEE
  • Publication number: 20120111004
    Abstract: A modular energy harvesting system. The system preferably uses an organic Rankine cycle heat engine to recover energy from relatively low-temperature heat sources. The system is both modular and scalable. The components are preferably housed within shipping containers so that they may be easily transported by sea and over land. Two or more power harvesting modules may be assembled on a single site to increase the production capacity in a scalar fashion. Each of the integrated units preferably includes an oil-less turbine and motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald David Conry
  • Publication number: 20110302923
    Abstract: A liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport vessel for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) is disclosed which is capable of storing excess boil off gas BOG until needed for combustion in one or more combustion apparatus on the vessel. A method for managing the delivery of the BOG to the combustion apparatus is also described. The LNG vessel includes at least one insulated LNG storage tank which stores LNG. A first stage LNG receiver receives and stores BOG from the at least one LNG storage tank. A second stage or high pressure BOG storage tank receives compressed BOG from the receiver and stores the BOG as needed for combustion by one or more combustion apparatus of the vessel. A pressure regulator allows BOG gas to be delivered to the combustion apparatus if there is sufficient pressure in the high pressure storage tank to passively deliver the BOG at a predetermined delivery pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: John S. Hartono, Paul Martella
  • Publication number: 20110100010
    Abstract: An adiabatic compressed air energy storage (ACAES) system includes a compressor system, an air storage unit, and a turbine system. The ACAES system further includes a thermal energy storage (TES) system that includes a container, a plurality of heat exchangers, a liquid TES medium conduit system fluidly coupling the container to the plurality of heat exchangers, and a liquid TES medium stored within the container. The TES system also includes a plurality of pumps coupled to the liquid TES medium conduit system and configured to transport the liquid TES medium between the plurality of heat exchangers and the container, and a thermal separation system positioned within the container configured to thermally isolate a first portion of the liquid TES medium at a lower temperature from a second portion of the liquid TES medium at a higher temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Sebastian W. Freund, Matthias Finkenrath, Cristina Botero, Clarissa S.K. Belloni, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7793502
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier propulsion. In the apparatus and method, the propulsion of an LNG carrier is done by only a single main diesel engine and has construction to promptly cope with emergencies caused by malfunction of the main diesel engine. The propulsion apparatus for an LNG carrier comprising a boil-off gas re-liquefaction apparatus for re-liquefying boil-off gas generated in LNG storage tanks to return re-liquefied boil-off gas back to the LNG storage tank comprises a single main diesel engine, a propulsion shaft separably connected to the main diesel engine, and an electric motor for propulsion separably connected to the propulsion shaft and supplied with power intended for operation of the boil-off gas re-liquefaction apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Jin Kwang Lee, Kwan Won Son, Jeoung Sun Lee, Jin Hyo Kim
  • Publication number: 20100162707
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine apparatus provided with an internal combustion engine in which ignition timing can be adjusted and which has attached thereto an exhaust gas recirculation device that recirculates exhaust gas to an intake side, a control method for the internal combustion engine apparatus, and a hybrid vehicle are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ikuo Ando
  • Patent number: 7726130
    Abstract: The Stirling-Electric Hybrid automobile herein disclosed utilizes an electric drive motor which is powered by electric storage device. The electric storage device is kept at suitable charge by electric generator mechanically driven by external combustion of Stirling engine type, by thermoelectric generator thermally coupled to the exhaust of the Stirling engine and to kinetic energy recovery system which during deceleration of the automobile utilizes the electric drive motor as a generator and recovering the electrical energy generated by deceleration to the electric storage device. Almost any clean combusting liquid or gaseous fuel may be utilized by the Stirling engine with greater fuel economy and less atmospheric pollution than internal combustion engines presently used. The utilization of thermoelectric generator to recover heat from exhaust of the Stirling engine and utilization of kinetic energy recovery system provides even better fuel efficiency and reduced pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph Shea McDowell
  • Patent number: 7658070
    Abstract: An energy efficient electrical power generator has a primary energy conversion mechanism, such as an internal combustion engine, and a secondary energy conversion mechanism, such as a thermoelectric device. The secondary energy conversion mechanism increases the electrical power output and efficiency of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wootton, Asdrubal Garcia-Ortiz, Michael Duello
  • Publication number: 20090308036
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a first power unit having a first rated output. The first power unit is couplable with a first primary load, including a threshing system load. A second power unit has a second rated output. The second power unit is couplable with a second primary load, including a propulsion load. A first motor/generator is mechanically coupled with the first power unit, and a second motor/generator is mechanically coupled with the second power unit. The second motor/generator is configured to electrically drive at least one external load. The second motor/generator and the first motor/generator are electrically coupled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Alan Sheidler
  • Publication number: 20090271088
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine and method of operating such an engine are disclosed. In some embodiments, the engine includes a piston provided within a cylinder, wherein a combustion chamber is defined within the cylinder at least in part by a face of the piston, and an intake valve within the cylinder capable of allowing access to the combustion chamber. The engine further includes a source of compressed air, where the source is external of the cylinder and is coupled to the cylinder by way of the intake valve, and where the piston does not ever operate so as to compress therewithin an amount of uncombusted fuel/air mixture, whereby the engine is capable of operating without a starter. In further embodiments, the piston is rigidly coupled to another, oppositely-orientated second piston, and the two pistons move in unison in response to combustion events to drive hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: J. Michael Langham
  • Publication number: 20090260363
    Abstract: A method and device to optimize the cumulative beneficial effect of harvesting all available forms of lost energy, including energy that is lost while a vehicle is in motion (e.g., kinetic, inertia, friction, thermodynamic, and aerodynamic losses). The cumulative energy that is recovered is converted to electrical energy which powers the on-board electrolyzer to produce more hydrogen and oxygen while the system is in operation and stationary. Stationary, passive means of energy, solar, wind, hydro, etc. will also be available to power the electrolyzer. The system also contemplates utilizing passive means of energy to power a non-mobile system which incorporates an internal or external combustion engine in place of a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Donald Moriarty
  • Publication number: 20090229267
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steam power plant comprising at least one steam heater for preparing compressed steam, a main turbine, which is connected downstream of the steam heater, is arranged on a main drive shaft and is a high-pressure or medium-pressure turbine, and a secondary turbine, which is interposed between the steam heater and the main turbine and is arranged on a secondary drive shaft, characterized in that the secondary turbine has an at least 50% higher operating speed when compared with a nominal speed of the main turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Kai Wieghardt
  • Publication number: 20080083222
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive system. In a first embodiment the hydraulic drive system comprises a hydraulic circuit, at least one battery, an electric motor and an alternator. The hydraulic circuit includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and a hydraulic fluid reservoir containing hydraulic fluid. In a second embodiment the hydraulic drive system also includes a combustion engine, a fuel tank, and an electrical generator. In another embodiment, the hydraulic drive system includes primary and secondary hydraulic circuits with the secondary hydraulic circuit featuring throttle functionality. In another embodiment the hydraulic drive system provides power generation to a building such as a family home or dwelling. In a further embodiment the hydraulic drive system is adapted to function as a building power generator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: Donald Hubert
  • Patent number: 7207177
    Abstract: A method and a position control device for an electrical-fluid power drive comprising a fluid power and an electrical actuator for driving a force output point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: RĂĽdiger Neumann, Armin Hartmann
  • Patent number: 7047745
    Abstract: According to a prepared program and the signal from a crank angle sensor, a computer switches two operation modes A and B in which an electric motor operates, and the computer creates a pair or pairs of different operation mode phases during the period from an ignition time to the next ignition time. As a result, the sum of the second period BB of the generating phase B and the first period AA of the succeeding driving phase A is long as compared with a conventional engine. If an initial period in an intake stroke or an exhaust stroke is set within the long period sum, it is possible to reduce intake loss or exhaust loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Yasuhito Yaoita
  • Patent number: 7017348
    Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid vehicle including a motor, connected to an engine output shaft, to which an engine output is transmitted, and an automatic transmission, the automatic transmission including an input shaft, connected to the engine output shaft, and an output shaft, connected to a driving wheel, the control device including a request output detection unit that detects a driver's requested output; an engine control unit that controls the engine output; a motor control unit that controls motor output so that total output of the motor output and the engine output becomes the driver's requested output; and a limitation request output unit that, when the driver's request output is larger than input-available driving force to the input shaft of the automatic transmission, outputs a limitation request to limit the total output to limitation output, which is smaller than or equal to the input-available driving force, wherein the motor control unit, when the limitation request is output
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Tajima, Yoshitaka Murase, Takayuki Kubo, Takeshi Inuzuka, Yasuhiko Kobayashi, Shigeki Takami, Takahiro Kido
  • Patent number: 6895754
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is capable of precisely estimating an auxiliary machine motive power without increasing a processing load of an engine control means. An engine ECU 13 is provided with a first auxiliary machine motive power estimating section 16, and an auxiliary machine ECU 15 is provided with a second auxiliary machine motive power estimating section 17 having higher estimation precision than that of the first auxiliary machine motive power estimating section 16. Torque estimated values Tcomp1 and Tcomp2 for an auxiliary machine 14 are obtained respectively by the first auxiliary machine motive power estimating section 16 and the second auxiliary machine motive power estimating section 17, and control of an engine 11 is performed based on these torque estimated values Tcomp1 and Tcomp2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Junichiro Hara
  • Patent number: 6872106
    Abstract: A network system using a LAN to provide relative position data for a engine in a plurality of outboard motors attached to a watercraft and using that data to display engine condition information for each engine in the array of engines installed on the watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabuskiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Kanno
  • Patent number: 6840045
    Abstract: A first exhaust turbo rotary machine is able to assist turbo supercharging by operating as a motor on power generated in a second rotary machine connected to a power axis of an engine. Also, when exhaust energy is large, the first turbo rotary machine operates as a generator so as to make the second rotary machine connected to the engine motive power axis operate electrically, thereby making it possible to add exhaust energy to the engine motive power axis. Consequently, that which results is a compound engine dynamo-electric machine that improves total efficiency of the engine by adding exhaust energy, which is otherwise discarded, to the engine motive power axis. This arrangement increases engine torque in a speed region where exhaust pressure is low by utilizing part of the engine's motive power as a supercharging driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Shin Kusase
  • Patent number: 6810669
    Abstract: This invention provides a clutch engagement detecting apparatus, which can accurately detect the state of engagement of a clutch using a helical spline engagement structure, and a single-shaft combined plant having it, and is constructed as follows: If the difference between the detected value of the rotational speed of a gas turbine and the detected value of the rotational speed of a steam turbine is not more than a detection error by the time a predetermined time elapses after load is charged into the steam turbine, it is determined that the clutch is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanaka, Yoshiyuki Kita, Masaaki Yamasaki, Hiroya Komiyama
  • Patent number: 6651436
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle of the present invention determines whether a brake switch flag F_BKSW is “1” or not (step S101), and in the case where the brake is on (“yes”), obtains a deceleration regeneration computation value DECRGN by table retrieval from a #REGENBR table. In the case where the brake is off (“no”), it is determined whether a fuel supply cut delay time regeneration flag F_RGNFCD is “1” or not (step S104). In the case where regeneration is not performed in the fuel supply cut delay time (“no”), a deceleration regeneration computation value DECRGN is obtained by table retrieval from a #REGEN table (step S105). On the other hand, in the case where regeneration is performed in the fuel supply cut delay time (“yes”), a deceleration regeneration computation value DECRGN is obtained by table retrieval from a #RGNNFCD table (step S106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Izumiura, Asao Ukai, Shinichi Kitajima, Futoshi Nishioka, Fumihiko Konno
  • Patent number: 6349545
    Abstract: Hybrid propulsion system comprising an internal-combustion engine (1) rotatably connected to a reversible electrical machine (2), a rechargeable battery (3), an electric driving motor (7), control apparatus (8) commanding first switching device (4, 5) for selectively connecting the battery (3) to the electric driving motor (7) and/or the reversible electrical machine (2). When the electric driving motor (7) is supplied with the current flowing in from the battery (3), said control apparatus (8) monitor the voltage at the poles (3P, 3N) of the battery (3). When the motor (7) is at least partially supplied with the current generated by the reversible electrical machine (2), owing to the latter being driven rotatably by the internal-combustion engine (1), the same control apparatus (8) monitor the voltage at the poles (2P, 2N) of the reversible electrical machine (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Bassanini, Angelo Cremonesi, Alberto Gorra, Gino Mainardi
  • Patent number: 6233943
    Abstract: Computerized system and method for controlling a plurality of internal combustion engines are provided. The system includes a respective speed sensor coupled to a corresponding engine to supply a respective speed sensor signal indicative of each engine's speed. The system further includes an electronic control unit coupled to receive each respective speed sensor signal. The control unit in turn includes a comparator module configured to compare each speed sensor signal relative to one another and supply a comparator output signal based on the magnitude of any differences between the engine speed signals. A processor module is responsive to the comparator output signal to adjust one or more engine operational parameters of one or more of the plurality of engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: William Frederick Beacom, Arthur Gray Manchester
  • Patent number: 5628191
    Abstract: For expanding highly pressurized natural gas, use is made of a turbo generator (13) having a heat exchanger (12) connected at its upstream side. Heat supply to the heat exchanger (12) is performed by at least one block-type thermal power station (16) comprising a gas-fired internal combustion engine and a generator. The heat exchanger preheats the gas to be expanded before the gas is supplied to the turbo generator for expansion. Both the block-type thermal power station (16) and the turbo generator (13) generate electric energy which is fed into the power supply network (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignees: Energieversorgung Leverkusen GmbH, Piller GmbH
    Inventors: Elmar Kueck, Heinz Siefen, Wolf-Ruediger Canders
  • Patent number: 5176213
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle in which the front or rear set of wheels is driven by an engine (7) and the other set of wheels is driven by a motor (8), a traveling mode deciding unit (4) is provided with a table for deciding engine throttle opening and motor output, with driving force being distributed in accordance with the engine throttle opening and motor output decided by referring to the table. The table decides the traveling mode based on signals from a detector (2) which detects the remaining life of a battery, a vehicle velocity sensor (1) and an accelerator opening sensor (3). By deciding the traveling mode using such a table, it is possible to distribute driving efficiently in dependence upon the remaining life of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kawai, Yukihiro Minezawa, Yutaka Hotta
  • Patent number: 5165240
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of matching engine torques in a power management system having a digital engine control for each of multiple turbine engines. Input data is selected from one source such that each digital engine control utilizes the same set of input data to generate torque commands. As a result, engine torques can be matched to within one percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: George W. Page, Glen T. High, Larry C. Prevallet, Joseph W. Free
  • Patent number: 4926628
    Abstract: A first computer and a first servo with connecting apparatus are used to drive a first engine throttle. A second servo and a second computer together with second connecting means are used to drive a second engine throttle. In addition, a cross connection capstan, cable, pulley and electrically clutched capstan are used to selectively connect the two engine throttles, thereby allowing for the operation and regulation of both engine throttles by either the first servo/computer combination or the second servo/computer combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Dan S. Veerhusen, David C. Pattison
  • Patent number: 4850906
    Abstract: A control panel for a watercraft powered by a plurality of engines wherein the controls for each of the engines is mounted on the same panel. The controls comprise at least a first pair of control elements for controlling separate functions of the engine independently but positioned in juxtaposition to each other and a common control element for controlling the same functions of both engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Kanno
  • Patent number: 4805396
    Abstract: A first computer and a first servo with connecting apparatus are used to drive a first engine throttle. A second servo and a second computer together with second connecting means are used to drive a second engine throttle. In addition, a cross connection capstan, cable, pulley and electrically clutched capstan are used to selectively connect the two engine throttles, thereby allowing for the operation and regulation of both engine throttles by either the first servo/computer combination or the second servo/computer combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Dan S. Veerhusen, David C. Pattison
  • Patent number: 4649708
    Abstract: This invention relates to a modular mechanism and methods for synchronizing the speed of one engine with a reference speed such as another engine particularly as found in boats. A physically limited range of fine tuning is combined with the normal operation of existing manual control over its full range of course adjustment, without interference, by way of an adjustable link coupled non-resiliently in series with the throttle linkage and allowed to slide along a non-circular shaft or key that causes micrometer adjustments in length of the link between the manual control and the throttle when the key is turned. The key can be turned by a differential device or reversible motor responding to continuous or interruptable power related to the engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Inventor: Robert K. Fisher
  • Patent number: 4585042
    Abstract: A log debarker having a frame, a stator supported by the frame, a rotor journaled in the stator for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the rotor, a rotating mechanism for rotating the rotor about the longitudinal axis, a plurality of debarking tools attached to the rotor, and a feeding system for feeding logs axially through the rotor. The feeding system includes a plurality of log gripping rollers positioned for rolling contact with the log, and individual hydraulic motors are operatively connected to the log gripping roller for rotating the log gripping roller. Each of the hydraulic motors is adapted to rotate its log gripping roller at different and variable rotation speeds to accommodate logs of uneven surfaces. A hydraulic fluid supply system supplies each of the hydraulic motors with fluid so that the different and variable hydraulic fluid requirements of each of the hydraulic motors necessitated by uneven log surfaces are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Inventor: James H. Hutson
  • Patent number: 4537032
    Abstract: The turbine of a Rankine cycle power plant has a plurality of modular units constituting a turbine to which vaporized working fluid from a boiler is supplied in parallel through respective adjustable throttle valves. Exhaust vapor is removed from the modular units in parallel; and the load on the turbine is controlled by controlling the operation of each throttle valve such that, under any load condition, only one throttle valve at a time is adjusted and all of the others are either fully open or fully closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Ormat Turbines (1965) Ltd.
    Inventor: Uri Kaplan
  • Patent number: 4479357
    Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing the operation of one or more slave engines with that of a master engine in which a servomechanism automatically controls the operation of the slave engines to synchronize them with the master engine while each slave engine and master engine remains directly connected with a manually operable throttle to provide for concurrent operation and overcontrol of the engines so as to dominate the operation of the slave engines by the servomechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Inventor: Glenn D. Stewart
  • Patent number: 4442805
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a primary engine unit and an auxiliary engine unit, in which the auxiliary engine unit is connected to an output shaft of the primary engine unit under conditions both engine units are balanced in output torque and engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 4435961
    Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing the operation of one or more slave engines with that of a master engine in which a servomechanism automatically controls the operation of the slave engines to synchronize them with the master engine while each slave engine and master engine remains directly connected with a manually operable throttle to provide for concurrent operation and overcontrol of the engines so as to dominate the operation of the slave engines by the servomechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Inventor: Glenn D. Stewart
  • Patent number: 4412422
    Abstract: The invention is practiced by providing a plurality of turbine-driven systems each producing an output proportional to a respective control signal, means for generating a respective first output signal for each of the turbine-driven systems proportional to a respective first system-output indicating parameter, means for generating a respective error signal for each of the turbine-driven systems proportional to any deviation of a respective second system-output indicating parameter from a respective complementary portion of the combined second system-output parameters of the systems, and means for generating the respective control signal of each of said turbine-driven systems and proportional to any deviations of respective ones of the first output signal and the error signal from a respective predetermined reference value of said first parameter, whereby a predetermined relationship of the individual outputs of the turbine-driven systems is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Anthony J. Rossi
  • Patent number: 4271914
    Abstract: A needle valve placed in series with the hydraulic drill feed motor, and responsive to fluid flow in the hydrualic system subject to the operation of a pressure relief valve therein, causes the thrust to increase and the feed rate to decrease as the drill enters a difficult drilling material, a proportional flow divider interposed between the pressurized hydraulic fluid source and the hydraulic drill rotation motor and the hydraulic feed motor splits the flow and maintains a fixed proportion between the flows to the two motors to cause the rotational motor to slow down as the feed motor slows down. A pressure compensated flow control valve bypassing the proportional flow divider to the drill rotation motor insures a fixed amount of fluid flow to the rotational motor regardless of the difficulty of material being drilled to maintain a minimal rotational speed of the drill rotation motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventor: Michael O. Dressel
  • Patent number: 4257234
    Abstract: In a turboset having a high-pressure turbine stage and at least another turbine stage mounted on foundation supports and largely disposed above a machine floor, the high-pressure turbine stage being connectible to main steam lines, a valve arrangement includes emergency-stop main-steam governing valves through the high-pressure turbine stage is connectible to the main steam lines, the emergency-stop main-steam governing valves being disposed forward of the head of the high-pressure turbine stage and below the machine floor, and including an upper foundation ceiling disposed approximately at the level of the machine floor and formed with beams from which the emergency-stop main-steam governing valves are thermally displaceably suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Trassl, Gerhard Purr, Helmut Scheffczyk
  • Patent number: 4252205
    Abstract: A vehicle having at least two driven axles is powered by a gas turbine plant having two separate take-off shafts. One of these is connected to a first driven axle by a mechanical gearing, while the other take-off shaft is connected to a second driven axle by way of a hydraulic transmission including a constant volume pump and motor. The two turbine shafts are interconnected by a transmission, which preferably is of the infinitely variable type. Adjustable guide vanes are provided at the inlet to at least one of the turbine rotors for occasional distribution of the total load between the two rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Inventor: Sven-Olof Kronogard
  • Patent number: 4185710
    Abstract: A vehicle having at least two driven axles is powered by a gas turbine plant having two separate take-off shafts. One of these is connected to a first driven axle by a mechanical gearing, while the other take-off shaft is connected to a second driven axle by way of a transmission including a non-mechanical link.The non-mechanical link may include provision for electric power transfer and the transmission can be equipped with a current collector adapted to occasionally cooperate with a fixed electric main for transferring electric power into the transmission, to be used instead of, or together with the current generated by the gas turbine plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Inventor: Sven-Olof Kronogard
  • Patent number: 4173870
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for controlling parameters of fluid-driven systems. A control unit of the invention compares an input control signal to a tachometer signal from a fluid-driven turbine to produce a flow signal for controlling the turbine speed. The speeds of turbines in series are linked by the tachometer signal of the first turbine acting as the control signal for the following turbines. A critical speed interval is identified in relation to a range of values of the control signal. As the speed of a turbine is increased or decreased, its control unit holds the turbine speed at the limit of the critical speed interval, then rapidly accelerates the turbine through the interval to avoid prolonged operation at the turbine's critical speed. The individual critical speeds of separate turbines in series may be accommodated by critical speed intervals defined in separate control units for each of the turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1979
    Inventors: Judson S. Swearingen, Leendert A. Beeloo