Engine Stop, Fuel Shutoff Patents (Class 701/112)
  • Patent number: 11913397
    Abstract: An engine includes an engine stop switch for stopping the engine, and a cooling part included in a holding portion or passage of a cooling liquid. The engine stop switch is placed at the cooling part or at a peripheral part of the cooling part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: YANMAR HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Hirao, Yuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11898506
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is described herein. The internal combustion engine system uses one or more fuels that may be hydrophilic. The system uses a water measuring sensor to determine the concentration of water in the hydrophilic fuel. To meet power demands, the system uses the measured water concentration to modify data stored in a fuel map. The fuel map provides a controller the pump speeds and mixing ratio of the fuels for a given power level. The system receives that data and modifies it based on the measured concentration of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael David Gerstner, Daniel Raymond Baldwin, Robert Graumüller
  • Patent number: 11846215
    Abstract: Heat energy retainment systems and methods involve a set of devices configured to restrict or stop an upstream flow and release of heat energy from exhaust gas upstream from an exhaust burner upstream from a catalyst in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine and a controller configured to proximate to cold starts of the engine, control the exhaust burner to increase a temperature of the catalyst to a desired operating temperature and, during engine off periods, control the set of devices to retain the heat energy in the exhaust system proximate to the exhaust burner and the catalyst, wherein the retainment of the heat energy in the exhaust system during engine off periods decreases a duration of engine cold starts by decreasing catalyst light-off time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Reese, II
  • Patent number: 11795897
    Abstract: The present application disclosed a a method and a device for controlling start-stop of a vehicle, a vehicle and an electronic apparatus. The method includes steps of: acquiring a first start-stop instruction, and determining a first start-stop type of the vehicle according to the first start-stop instruction; acquiring a second start-stop instruction, and determining a second start-stop type of the vehicle according to the second start-stop instruction; and performing start-stop controlling on an engine according to priorities of the first start-stop type and the second start-stop type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GREAT WALL MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yunfei Li, Qilin Chen
  • Patent number: 11711906
    Abstract: Techniques are described for managing temperature in an autonomous vehicle. An exemplary method comprises performing autonomous driving operations that operate the autonomous vehicle in an autonomous mode, receiving one or more messages from a temperature sensor associated with an electrical device located on or in the autonomous vehicle while the autonomous vehicle is operated in the autonomous mode, determining a cooling technique to reduce the temperature of electrical device, and performing the cooling technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TUSIMPLE, INC.
    Inventors: Kaixin Zheng, Xiaoling Han, Zehua Huang, Todd Skinner
  • Patent number: 11654879
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle using a driving tendency are provided. The method includes determining a driving tendency level based on data to determine a driving tendency of a driver and determining a target engine torque using an engine torque map based on a vehicle speed and a required torque. Whether the driving tendency level corresponds to a predetermined level is determined as well as whether the required torque is equal to or greater than a torque that corresponds to an optimal operating point of an engine when the driving tendency level corresponds to the predetermined level. The target engine torque is then adjusted when the required torque is equal to or greater than the torque that corresponds to the optimal operating point of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Yongkak Choi, Hoon Han, Ilkwon Park
  • Patent number: 11618398
    Abstract: A system and/or method include receiving vehicle function sequence schemas, which specify a sequence of vehicle functions in the presence of a triggering event linked to the particular vehicle function sequence schema, checking the received vehicle function sequence schemas, storing the checked vehicle function sequence schemas, and checking the presence of a triggering event, selecting a stored vehicle function sequence schema linked to the present triggering event, generating control signals for controlling vehicle function devices according to the selected vehicle function sequence schema, and outputting the generated control signals to the vehicle function devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Philipp Carlhoff, Roman Atilla Koch, Yuliya Aksyutina, Monika Angst, Rainer Busch, Cem Mengi, Kai Skolik
  • Patent number: 11615652
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing failure of a cold start E/M reduction system confirms the change in the torque reserve compared to the torque reserve confirmed for the ignition timing upon cold start by any one of an operation of an electric load device, an operation of an alternator, an operation of a purge valve, an operation of an air conditioner, a shift state of a transmission, and a coolant temperature state of an engine, and confirms the failure or normality of any one of the electric load device, the alternator, the purge valve, and the air conditioner is normal or failed using the change in the torque reserve to apply the confirmed result to determine whether the cold start E/M reduction system is abnormal, securing failure diagnosis accuracy for the components for the cold start E/M reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Bon-Chang Koo
  • Patent number: 11608807
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for starting operation of an internal combustion engine, wherein the method comprises the steps of: when the internal combustion engine is not operating, providing pressurized gas in the air intake duct; opening the intake valve in a first cylinder while keeping the exhaust valve of the first cylinder closed so as to allow the pressurized gas to enter the first cylinder, press onto the corresponding piston and thereby move the corresponding piston and rotate the crank shaft; supplying fuel to at least one of the cylinders where the corresponding piston has performed or is performing a compression step so as to ignite the fuel and start operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Johan Carlén Andersson, Fredrik Rahm
  • Patent number: 11591980
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling braking of a vehicle (1), comprising a diesel engine (100) and an exhaust after treatment (EAT) system (200) for treating exhaust from said diesel engine (100), a set of ground engaging members (300), and a transmission (400) between said set of ground engaging members (300) and said diesel engine (100). The method comprises: —In response to a determined present engine speed being equal to or less than a current engine braking minimum limit speed: changing the gear ratio of said transmission (400) such that an updated engine speed is obtained, whereby a determined present engine speed is above said current engine braking minimum limit speed (S60), and—In response to the determined present engine speed being above said current engine braking minimum limit speed: engine braking so as to decrease said present engine speed (S70). The invention also relates to a computer program, a computer readable medium, a control unit, and a vehicle comprising a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mikael Forsberg, Anders Eriksson
  • Patent number: 11578642
    Abstract: Models that employ both measurable engine parameters as well as predictable engine parameters may be used to determine when a thermostat is malfunctioning before the thermostat malfunction results in an engine breakdown. Particular models may be used to provide an estimated coolant temperature and an estimated thermostat position. The estimated coolant temperature can be compared to an actual measured engine coolant temperature. The estimated thermostat position can be evaluated with respect to what the thermostat position should be given a particular engine coolant temperature. In some cases, comparison between a healthy model and a faulty model may be used to ascertain thermostat health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Garrett Transportation I Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Herceg, Lubomir Baramov
  • Patent number: 11549477
    Abstract: An electrical system of a vehicle includes a first battery, a second battery, a first switch electrically connected in series between the first battery and the second battery, an external connection point, and a second switch electrically connected in series between the second battery and the external connection point. The system and a method of operating the system include determining that the first battery will need assistance to start an engine of the vehicle, opening the second switch in response to a state of charge of the second battery decreasing below a charge threshold, and closing the first switch for the second battery to assist the first battery to crank the engine for starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Alasdair Collins, David Celinske, Anthony Thomas Spoto, Todd Ansbacher
  • Patent number: 11542907
    Abstract: An intake variable valve timing mechanism (VVT) that collectively changes an intake valve close timing as a close timing of a plurality of intake valves and a control device that controls an engine including a plurality of injectors and the intake VVT are provided. When a specified engine stop condition is satisfied, a fuel cut is performed to stop a fuel supply into a plurality of cylinders by the injector. After the fuel cut, the intake VVT is controlled such that a retarded amount of the intake valve close timing immediately before a stop of a stop-time compression stroke cylinder as a cylinder stopped in a compression stroke from intake bottom dead center is larger than a retarded amount of the intake valve close timing immediately before a stop of a stop-time expansion stroke cylinder as a cylinder stopped in an expansion stroke from the intake bottom dead center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Yamakawa, Hiromu Sugano, Kenji Tanimura, Toru Kobayashi, Daisuke Shimo
  • Patent number: 11535085
    Abstract: An exhaust intrusion mitigation system for a vehicle includes one or more processors and a memory communicably coupled to the one or more processors. The memory stores an enclosure detection module which determines if a vehicle is parked within an enclosure with the engine running. An exhaust module determines a point in time at which one or more vehicle vents should be closed if the vehicle remains in the enclosure and the engine remains on. A mitigation module controls operation of the vehicle to close the one or more vents at the point in time when the vent(s) should be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John-Michael McNew
  • Patent number: 11498433
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motor system control apparatus for vehicles including a communication unit communicatively connected to a plurality of motor systems and a controller configured to, upon recognizing that one of the motor systems is broken, control the motor system such that a battery is charged using counter-electromotive force of a motor, wherein the controller confirms whether, upon recognizing breakdown of the motor system, the broken motor system is capable of generating counter-electromotive force, decides whether to generate the counter-electromotive force based on a state of charge (SOC) and a traveling state of a vehicle upon confirming that the broken motor system is capable of generating the counter-electromotive force, controls the broken motor system such that the counter-electromotive force is generated upon deciding to generate the counter-electromotive force, and charges the battery with electrical energy generated by the counter-electromotive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yong Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 11475765
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a driver assistance system for determining the position of a stopping point of a vehicle at an infrastructure device comprising: a control unit; a communication device for receiving data from a server or from the infrastructure device; and a sensor arrangement for capturing vehicle data or environmental data. The control unit determines the location of the stopping point at the infrastructure device based at least in part on the data and the vehicle data or environmental data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Stefan Grubwinkier
  • Patent number: 11462783
    Abstract: Provided is an electric vehicle equipped with a battery mounted on a vehicle and capable of being charged by supplying electric power from outside of the vehicle; a temperature adjuster configured to adjust a temperature of the battery; and an air conditioner configured to control air-conditioning in a passenger compartment by a predetermined schedule, in which, if both an operating condition of the temperature adjuster and an operating condition of the air conditioner are established, the air conditioner operates after the temperature adjuster operates for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Takizawa, Yoshikazu Onuma, Noriyasu Hakuta, Kodai Kasai, Toru Ogaki
  • Patent number: 11408387
    Abstract: An auto-stop start system for a vehicle. The auto-stop start system has a control unit with an auto-stop start function controlling stop and start of an engine of the vehicle, and a control device by which control device the auto-stop start function can be temporarily deactivated by an operator of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to reactivate the auto-stop start function after a predetermined duration of a temporary deactivation. The predetermined duration of the temporary deactivation of the auto-stop start function is selectable by means of the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO.
    Inventors: Johan Ekelund, Di Ding
  • Patent number: 11401877
    Abstract: A control device selectively executes first and second energization control for controlling an energization amount to the heater. The first energization control is executed to keep temperature of a sensor element within an active temperature region. The first energization control is PWM control in which the energization amount is controlled with closed loop control such that an impedance of the sensor element matches a target value. The second energization control is PWM control in which the energization amount is controlled with open loop control so as to keep the temperature of the sensor element within a preset temperature region that is lower than the active temperature region. The control device executes the second energization control during an internal combustion engine is stopped while executing the first energization control during the internal combustion engine is not stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keiichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 11401904
    Abstract: A method for controlling an auto-stop start system of a vehicle includes sending a message to an operator of the vehicle requesting the operator to perform an action for enabling activation of an auto-stop start function of the auto-stop start system, and provided that such a requested action is identified to have been performed, enabling activation of the auto-stop start function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO.
    Inventor: Johan Ekelund
  • Patent number: 11383692
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an engine start during refueling of a hybrid vehicle includes a controller configured to: stop an engine to block the engine start by sensing whether the vehicle enters into a refueling state in accordance with a fuel injection port open or closed state, a vehicle speed, and brake pedal state (BPS) information, and start the engine to release blocking of the engine start in accordance with a switchover to a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) mode by sensing whether the refueling state has been released in accordance with the fuel injection port open or closed state, the vehicle speed, and acceleration pedal state APS) information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hui-Un Son, Seok-Min Jeong
  • Patent number: 11371454
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stopping and starting a direct injection engine are described. In one example, the air is injected into one or more pre-chambers of engine cylinders to adjust engine pumping torque during an engine stop so that the engine may stop at a crankshaft position that facilitates direct engine starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Glugla, Brad A. VanDerWege
  • Patent number: 11268466
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling deceleration fuel shut off (DFSO) in response to an external object or location, such as a target vehicle. In one example, a method may include, while operating an engine in DFSO, determining a rate of change of a range to the target vehicle, and commanding an exit from the DFSO based on the range rate of change. By exiting the DFSO based on the range rate of change, torque lash experienced by a driver may be correspondingly reduced as compared to exiting the DFSO based upon, for example, one or more powertrain operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Makled, Michael McQuillen, Matthew Affeldt, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 11254287
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted device includes vehicle information detecting unit for detecting an on/off state of vehicle power, relay input/output unit for controlling an external relay configured to make a switch between a starting-disabled state and a starting-enabled state of a vehicle, and vehicle information-associated control unit for controlling the external relay based on a relay control command. The vehicle information-associated control unit controls the external relay based on an elapsed time since a change in the on/off state of vehicle power detected by the vehicle information detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: GLOBAL MOBILITY SERVICE INC.
    Inventors: Hiraku Toyooka, Keita Danjyo, Katsuyoshi Kurahashi
  • Patent number: 11248549
    Abstract: A vehicle which can improve fuel consumption without a driver feeling uncomfortable is provided. The vehicle includes: a hydraulic pressure sensor for acquiring a brake torque value which increases in accordance with a stepping-in amount of a brake pedal by the driver, and an ECU which automatically stops an engine after a basic time has elapsed since a basic condition is satisfied and then automatically restarts the engine. The ECU automatically stops the engine before the basic time elapses, when an increment of the brake torque value from a reference value after the basic condition is satisfied is equal to or greater than an additional stepping judgment value, and a shortened time shorter than the basic time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kosuke Moro, Kohei Hanada, Hiroaki Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 11236689
    Abstract: In various aspects, internal combustion engines, engine controllers and methods of controlling engines are described. The engine includes a camshaft and a two cylinder sets. Cylinders in the first are deactivatable and cylinders in the second set may be fired at high or low output levels. The air charge for each fired working cycle is set based on whether a high or low torque output is selected. In some implementations, the camshaft is axially shiftable between first and second positions. First cam lobes are configured to cause their associated cylinders to intake a large air charge during intake strokes that occur when the camshaft is in the first position. Second cam lobes for cylinders in the second set cause their associated cylinders to intake a smaller air charge when the camshaft is in the second position. Second cam lobes for cylinders in the first set deactivate their associated cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Yuan, Matthew A. Younkins
  • Patent number: 11180134
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media are provided for implementing a preemptive suspension control for an autonomous vehicle to improve ride quality. Data from one or more sensors onboard the autonomous vehicle can be acquired. A surface imperfection of a road can be identified from the data. A next action for the autonomous vehicle can be determined based on the road condition. A signal can be outputted that causes the autonomous vehicle to act in accordance with the next action after adjusting the suspension preemptively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Pony AI Inc.
    Inventors: Xiang Yu, Tiancheng Lou, Jun Peng
  • Patent number: 11181086
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus for a vehicle provided with an engine and an electric motor includes a vehicle state evaluator, an exit evaluator, a shutdown evaluator, and a request output unit. The vehicle state evaluator conducts a vehicle stop evaluation and a driving state evaluation on the engine. The vehicle state evaluator evaluates whether the vehicle is stopped in a ready-on state in the vehicle stop evaluation. The exit evaluator conducts an exit evaluation as to whether an exit of an occupant from the vehicle is detected. The shutdown evaluator conducts a shutdown evaluation as to whether a vehicle drive system is to be shut down based on the results of the vehicle stop evaluation, the driving state evaluation, and the exit evaluation. The request output unit outputs a request for shutting down the vehicle drive system based on the result of the shutdown evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Doki
  • Patent number: 11162437
    Abstract: A system and associated methods for controlling valve motion in internal combustion engines provide a pulsing component for energizing a solenoid control valve in pulsatile fashion to cause a transient pressure change in a hydraulic network linking the control valve to a common, paired set of intake and exhaust main event deactivation mechanisms, which may be provided in respective valve bridges. The pressure change results in hydraulic deactivation of main event motion of the exhaust valve while avoiding deactivation of main intake event motion and thereby preserving intake main event valve motion, and supporting use of the intake main event motion for additional braking or other operations. The systems and methods are particularly suited for engine environments that employ cylinder deactivation (CDA) combined with high-power density (HPD) engine braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Michael Gron, Jr., Justin D. Baltrucki
  • Patent number: 11143292
    Abstract: A method for operating a hydraulic system for an automatic transmission includes determining a defined primary pressure value (p_PE) to be adjusted based on a measurement of an input current (I_22) of an electric motor and also includes adjusting a secondary flow rate (Q_SZ) to be adjusted based on calculation and adjustment of a target speed (n_Z) of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Dimitrios Mourousoglou
  • Patent number: 11128159
    Abstract: A multiple wired input/output device provides generated battery or regulated voltage outputs with adjustable turn-on and turn-off timing with sequence priority to engine running status. Separate aftermarket audio components, or a combination of aftermarket audio and non-audio related components are activated and deactivated in appropriate order for a variety of installation applications. One or more switched battery voltage inputs override the sequence priority of generated battery or regulated voltage output(s) in relation to engine running status, order or duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Wavtech, LLC
    Inventor: Jason Kemmerer
  • Patent number: 11077761
    Abstract: To provide a power supply system for a vehicle which can appropriate charge a capacitor on a step-down side, and suppress system failure. The power supply system for a vehicle includes: a high-voltage battery; a first inverter which connects with the high-voltage battery; a drive motor which connects with the first inverter; a high-voltage DCDC converter which steps down the voltage of the high-voltage battery; an accessory, etc. which connects with the high-voltage DCDC converter; a capacitor which connects in parallel with the accessory, etc.; a current sensor, etc. which acquires the charging state of the capacitor; and a VCUECU which controls the high-voltage DCDC converter based on the acquired values of the current sensor, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Takeda
  • Patent number: 11066976
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving catalyst function during an engine cold-start. In one example, at key-off, a duration elapsed till a subsequent key-on is predicted based on drive history and spatial awareness data. Then, based on the duration, an identity and order of operating one or more catalyst heating devices is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Kurtz, Sathish Atluri, Daniel Styles, Paul Tennison
  • Patent number: 11060464
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, an engine's position is adjusted during engine stopping so that the engine may be less likely to stop at a crankshaft angle where rotating a fuel pump may increase engine cranking torque due to work performed by the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: M. Scott Christensen, Michael Bastanipour, David Hancock, Alexander O'connor Gibson
  • Patent number: 10968838
    Abstract: An engine speed control device performing: a first PID gain calculation step of calculating a target engine speed to thereby calculate a first PID gain based on an engine speed deviation between the target engine speed and an engine speed; a target rack position calculation step of correcting the first PID gain based on a cooling water temperature to thereby calculate a target rack position of a fuel injection pump; a second PID gain calculation step of calculating a second PID gain based on a rack position deviation between the target rack position and a rack position; and a rack control signal producing step of correcting the second PID gain based on a lubricating oil temperature to thereby produce a rack control signal. The engine speed control device thus controls an engine speed by controlling the rack position based on the rack control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: YANMAR POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Shimomura, Ryota Iwano, Tomoaki Morita
  • Patent number: 10933876
    Abstract: A host vehicle includes a combustion engine configured to provide a propulsion torque to satisfy a propulsion demand. The vehicle also includes at least one sensor configured to detect a position of a reference vehicle. A vehicle controller is programmed to determine a path between a current host vehicle location and an upcoming intersection. The controller is also programmed to forecast a path clearance time at which the host vehicle is able to traverse the intersection in response to sensor data indicating the reference vehicle moving within the path ahead of the host vehicle. The controller is further programmed to deactivate the engine prior to a host vehicle stop based on the path clearance time being greater than a time threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Naserian, Allan K. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10920731
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes: receiving a detection signal to perform an idle stop and go (ISG) function; and controlling the vehicle to enter into an ISG state where a fuel supply to an engine is cut off and the engine stops when the vehicle decelerates or stops in response to the detection signal. The detection signal includes a fuel cut off signal that is in on state when the vehicle decelerates and in off state at a reference revolution per minute (RPM) of the engine, a gear engagement signal, and a brake pedal signal indicating whether the brake pedal of the vehicle is operated. A controller of the vehicle generates an ISG entry signal based on the fuel cut off signal, the gear engagement signal, and the brake pedal signal to enter the vehicle into the ISG state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jung Hwan Bang, Young Ho Jung, Tae Suk Lee
  • Patent number: 10906537
    Abstract: A method of determining a risk situation of a collision of an autonomous vehicle is provided. The method includes recognizing a preceding vehicle and measuring a variable factor including a distance or a relative speed between a traveling vehicle and the preceding vehicle. Whether a collision is capable of being avoided by turning or braking is determined based on the variable factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kyun Sang Park, Sang Hyup Lee, Joung Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 10832870
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for reducing vibration and noise from capacitor devices. The device includes a circuit board, and first and second capacitor structures. The second capacitor structure has substantially the same properties as the first and is coupled to the opposite face of a supporting structure substantially opposite of the first capacitor structure. The first and second capacitor structures can receive substantially the same excitation signals, can be electrically connected in parallel or in series. The first and second capacitor structures can be discrete capacitors, capacitor layers, stacks or arrays of multiple capacitor devices, or other capacitor structures. Stacks of multiple capacitor devices can be arranged symmetrically about the supporting structure. Arrays of multiple capacitor devices can be arranged with offsetting capacitors on the opposite face of the supporting structure substantially opposite one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
    Inventors: Steven D. Slagle, James D. Shaw, George C. Mimms, Kyle E. Erickson
  • Patent number: 10773720
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a start-stop feature on a vehicle powered at least in party by an internal combustion engine are described. The method includes receiving, at an electronic control unit (“ECU”) of the vehicle, an indication that the vehicle is in line at a drive-thru. The method further includes determining, by the ECU, a number of start-stop events anticipated during the drive-thru. The method includes determining, by the ECU, an approximate stop time for each of the number of start-stop events. The method further includes determining, by the ECU, that a battery of the vehicle has enough remaining charge to power a plurality of vehicle components during implementation of the start-stop feature. The method includes implementing, by the ECU, the start-stop feature in which the internal combustion engine is turned off for at least a portion of the time when the vehicle is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, John P. O'Brien, Praveen C. Muralidhar, Jaideep Prasad, Randal L. Bergstedt, Ian N. Alsman, Jagdeep I. Singh, Rajan S. Kalirai, Rima Salve, Jeffrey S. Rauch
  • Patent number: 10768075
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a frequency response of a power steering system is disclosed including a steering assist motor configured to generate an assist torque about an axis of a steering shaft when activated. The method includes monitoring, by a controller, a torque transducer that measures a steering output torque of the steering shaft experienced during a first frequency sweep and a second frequency sweep. The method also includes determining, by the controller, a transfer function based on the steering output torque monitored during the first frequency sweep and the second frequency sweep, where the transfer function indicates the response by the power steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bo Yu, Ian Y. Hwa
  • Patent number: 10738725
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle includes a controller and control method to control position of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine when the engine is stopped and the vehicle is moving to balance bearing wear associated with road-surface induced vibrations or oscillations imparted to the bearings while the crankshaft is not rotating. The controller is configured to store information relating to a cumulative time stopped at a plurality of angular positions of the crankshaft while the vehicle is in operation and/or moving, and to control stopping or repositioning of the crankshaft to balance or approximately evenly distribute the stopping positions among the plurality angular stopping positions to reduce or eliminate the possibility of excessive wear at any particular position relative to the others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donatus Andreas Josephine Kees, Baekhyun Cho
  • Patent number: 10730520
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes an engine, a refrigerant compressor, a lock up clutch, a throttle valve, and first, second, and third deceleration controllers. The second deceleration controller controls the lock up clutch to a slip state and controls the throttle valve openwise on the condition that the refrigerant compressor is in the stopped state on decelerated travel of a vehicle in a second speed region in which a vehicle speed is lower than a first vehicle speed and higher than a second vehicle speed lower than the first vehicle speed. The second deceleration controller controls the lock up clutch to a disengaged state and controls the throttle valve closewise on the condition that the refrigerant compressor is in the operative state on the decelerated travel of the vehicle in the second speed region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Kinoshita, Hirofumi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10718307
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are described. In one example, inhibiting of automatic engine stopping and starting may be withdrawn in response to a change in driver vehicle settings or when a temperature of an engine is less than a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Khafagy, Ahmed Awadi, Hussam Makkiya
  • Patent number: 10668817
    Abstract: A driving device includes a motor; a power storage device; a first boost converter configured to exchange power by voltage conversion between a power storage device side and a motor side; a second boost converter connected to the first boost converter in parallel and configured to exchange power by voltage conversion between the power storage device side and the motor side; and an electronic control unit configured to control the first boost converter and the second boost converter. The electronic control unit controls the first boost converter and the second boost converter such that the loss of each of the first boost converter and the second boost converter is not minimized during an excessive power input in which power to be input to the power storage device from the motor side is greater than an input limit of the power storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Andoh, Yohsuke Tagawa
  • Patent number: 10640114
    Abstract: A method for controlling a mild hybrid vehicle includes: controlling, by a controller, the mild hybrid vehicle to enter into an idle stop and go state in which fuel supply to an engine of the mild hybrid vehicle is interrupted and the engine is stopped when the mild hybrid vehicle is stopped, based on an idle stop and go entry condition; determining, by the controller, whether a road on which the mild hybrid vehicle travels is in a dangerous area based on a distance between the mild hybrid vehicle and a front vehicle that is in front of the mild hybrid vehicle; and releasing, by the controller, the idle stop and go state of the mild hybrid vehicle when it is determined that the road on which the mild hybrid vehicle travels is in the dangerous area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: YoungMin Kim
  • Patent number: 10532417
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a combustion engine power generation device, such as an engine driven welder, which utilizes a first battery for engine start and providing operational power when the system is off, and a second high storage battery to provide all operational power so long as the second battery has the stored energy to supply the needed power. In an embodiment, the first battery is a lead acid battery and the second battery is a lithium ion battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventor: Andreu P. Meckler
  • Patent number: 10486676
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, the vehicle system further including a hydraulically actuated transmission component. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, adjusting a hydraulic actuation of the transmission component to adjust drag torque on the engine to stop the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Peter John Grutter, Felix Nedorezov, Rodney Lewis Lopez
  • Patent number: 10465615
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cooling an engine by operating an electrically driven intake air compressor. In one example, in response to a determination, based on a measured or inferred engine temperature, that the engine temperature is greater than a threshold temperature, employing the vehicle's electrically driven intake air compressor to route air through a charge air cooler and engine cylinders, while engine spins unfueled. In this way the engine temperature may be reduced even under conditions not normally amenable to engine cooling, such as at idle-stops or when an engine coolant system is degraded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10450969
    Abstract: An electric exhaust gas valve device (1) controls a flow cross section (5) of an exhaust pipe (6) of an exhaust system (8) of an internal combustion engine. The valve device includes an electric drive (2) driving a driven shaft (9) rotatingly about an axis of rotation (10). An exhaust gas valve (3) has a drive shaft (12) aligned coaxially to and rotatable about the axis of rotation for controlling the cross section. A coupling device (4) transmits torques between the driven shaft and the drive shaft and includes a connection element connected to the drive shaft, a transmission element (16) connected to the driven shaft and the connection element with a prestressing spring (18) supported axially on the connection element and/or on the drive shaft as well as on the transmission element and axially driving the transmission element against the driven shaft to reduce thermal load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Annika Stark, Steffen Schmitt, Markus Birgler, Stefanos Varelis, Matthias Grün, Milijenko Novosel