Patents Assigned to Engineering
  • Patent number: 9249358
    Abstract: A method for producing synthesis gas, including: 1) pre-processing a biomass raw material; 2) pyrolyzing the biomass raw material to yield a pyrolysis gas and a carbon powder; 3) separating the pyrolysis gas from the carbon powder and a solid heat carrier; 4) separating the carbon powder away from the solid heat carrier via a solid-solid separator; 5) conveying the generated pyrolysis gas to a condensate tank for spray condensation, condensing a condensable part in the pyrolysis gas to generate biological fuel oil, pressurizing the generated biological fuel oil by a high pressure oil pump and feeding to a gasification furnace to be gasified; and 6) feeding one part of non-condensable pyrolysis gas to a combustion bed to combust with air, and conveying the other part of the non-condensable pyrolysis gas to the pyrolysis bed as a fluidizing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Wuhan Kaidi Engineering Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kan Song, Manyi Jiang, Qin Sun, Shirong Zhang, Haiqing Zhang, Jinqiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 9250315
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for assisting collision avoidance between a vehicle and an object include receiving an acoustic signal from the object using microphones supported by the vehicle, and determining a location of the object using the acoustic signal and an acoustic model of the environment, the environment including a structure that blocks a direct view of the object from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Serdar H. Yonak
  • Patent number: 9248842
    Abstract: A computing device and methods for restricting driver interactions with vehicle functions based on a challenging driving environment are disclosed. One example method for restricting driver interactions with vehicle functions based on a challenging driving environment includes identifying a challenging driving environment based at least in part on information regarding a driving condition; and preventing a driver from accessing one or more vehicle functions based on the challenging driving environment exists. Example implementations include identifying a challenging driving environment based on information received from on-vehicle sensors and/or external communication links; identifying a driver's skill level; and selectively blocking vehicle functionality, selectively presenting information to a driver, and selecting available driver interactions based on the driving environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Pujitha Gunaratne
  • Patent number: 9248527
    Abstract: A method of rebuilding a solenoid for use in automatic transmissions is disclosed. In one embodiment, an improvement over the original equipment design allows for increased durability of the solenoid. In another embodiment, a lower cost method is disclosed for reusing an expensive component. In either case, various components within the solenoid are reused, reconditioned or replaced. A preferred process for disassembling the solenoid is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced Powertrain Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Fathauer
  • Patent number: 9251024
    Abstract: A method for manipulating a memory operation of a control unit program on a memory of a virtual or real electronic control unit (ECU), such as is used in vehicles, for example. The manipulation of the memory operation is accomplished by a memory manipulation program component, via which a set of manipulation functions is provided, from which at least one manipulation function is selected, so that this function, by activating the memory manipulation program component, changes a memory access initiated by the control unit program in accordance with the selected manipulation function during execution of the control unit program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: dSPACE digital signal processing and control engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Kiffmeier, Tobias Sielhorst
  • Patent number: 9248387
    Abstract: A filter cleaning apparatus used in a reaction system including; a reaction tank having a filter, first feed line connected to the filter at one end, a recovery tank connected to the other end of the first feed line, and second feed line connected to the recovery tank at one end, is provided. The filter cleaning apparatus includes; first return line connected the second feed line at one end, first and second reverse cleaning solution tanks connected to the first return line, a first flow rate adjusting valve that can adjust filtered fluid to be supplied to the first reverse cleaning solution tank, a second flow rate adjusting valve that can adjust filtered fluid to be supplied to the second reverse cleaning solution tank, and a switching section that carries either one of the filtered fluids accommodated in these reverse cleaning solution tanks by switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignees: Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, INPEX CORPORATION, JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd., COSMO OIL CO., LTD., NIPPON STEEL & SUMIKIN ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Murata, Eiichi Yamada, Shinji Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 9252458
    Abstract: An electrochemical device is provided having a carboranyl magnesium electrolyte. Specifically the disclosure relates to an electrochemical device having a magnesium anode, a cathode, and a current collector made of non-noble metal, and a carboranyl magnesium electrolyte. In contact with the electrolyte, the non-noble metal cathode current collector has unusually high oxidative stability>3.0V vs. a magnesium reference. Processes for making the electrochemical device are additionally provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rana Mohtadi, Oscar Tutusaus, Timothy S. Arthur, Tyler J. Carter
  • Patent number: 9253376
    Abstract: This invention relates to the automatic pointing of a pointing device, such as a camera, without the assistance of a person who operates the camera. Systems and methods are disclosed wherein the system is substantially stationary during recording but is portable to the venue of recording. For the purpose of recording, the camera turns automatically to optically follow the person, animal, or object that is being recorded. The present invention provides for high quality video recording; the high quality video recording here refers to features of the inventive systems and methods that provide for smooth camera motion necessary to take enjoyable videos for personal or for commercial use. This invention provides a portable system that automatically records videos from the vantage point of a sports fan, of a spectator or of a competition judge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: H4 Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Boyle, Scott K. Taylor, Alexander G. Sammons, John T. O'Callaghan, Denes Marton
  • Patent number: 9248867
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a panel opening includes a plug body including an interior portion and an exterior portion. The exterior portion of the plug body includes a pair of opposed sealing surfaces forming an annular ring. The apparatus also includes a locking blade extending from the interior portion of the plug body across the exterior portion of the plug body. The locking blade is configured to rest in a first position disposed within the annular ring and a second position extending beyond the annular ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Vikram Chopra
  • Patent number: 9249644
    Abstract: A process of manufacturing a well closure apparatus and using it downhole by releasing components contained within the apparatus. The well closure apparatus is an internal bidirectional tubing plug that is adapted for insertion into a tubing string for sealing the tubing string internally while running the tubing into a fluid filled well. The tubing plug is comprised of a body having an inner surface with a recess or passage extending through the body from one end to the other. The recess holds petals and a keystone petal that are held within the recess by a cork and the cork is held in place by a nut. At depth, the tubing is filled with well fluid, the tubing plug is released at a predetermined hydraulic pressure, and the pieces of the releasing components are pumped to the bottom of the well or are circulated out of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: New Product Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: William Bundy Stone
  • Patent number: 9248976
    Abstract: Enhanced methods are disclosed for handling cylindrical tubulars, advantageously in association with cleaning, inspection and other operations on the tubular. The tubular is held stationary while it is rotated. During rotation of the tubular, internal and external cleaning systems, and data acquisition systems, pass up and down the length of the rotating tubular. In preferred embodiments, a first tubular is loaded onto the handling machine, whereupon it is indexed and then rotated. Cleaning, inspection and other operations may be performed during rotation. Once operations are complete, the handling system ejects the first tubular while queuing up a second tubular to be loaded. The handling machine comprises a plurality of user-positional pods. Each pod includes scissor mechanisms, index machines and a roller machine to perform the handling methods. Sensors on drive rollers in the handling machine generate vibrational response data of the tubular while it rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Thomas Engineering Solutions & Consulting, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Thomas, William J. Thomas, III, Perry J. DeCuir, Jr., Kenny Perry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9249909
    Abstract: A seal structure for a flow-path connection part is aligned easily. In a seal structure for a flow-path connection part including a pair of flanges arranged to face each other, the seal structure includes a gasket having protrusions provided symmetrically on front and back sides of the gasket at an outer periphery thereof or near the outer periphery, and flanges each having a receiving groove provided annularly in a connected surface thereof. The receiving groove is wider than the protrusion and it has an arc-shaped deepest portion against which a top portion of the protrusion abuts, and the top portion of the protrusion has a curved surface formed such that the curvature of the top portion is greater than or equal to the curvature of the deepest portion of the receiving groove. A liquid ejection device and a liquid storage container can include the seal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: MUSASHI ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
  • Patent number: 9248838
    Abstract: A method and a system for making a one-time change to a primary departure schedule of a battery-electric vehicle for charging or pre-climate operations without affecting the future departure times of the primary departure schedule. The system can be a vehicle including an ECU, a memory, a battery, a charger connected to an external power source, a BMS, an HVAC and a display. The method may include receiving an alternate departure date and time different from the primary departure schedule, deactivating the charging or pre-climate operations based on the primary departure schedule and activating charging or pre-climate operations based on the alternate departure date and time. The method and system may also include receiving an immediate charge mode designation, deactivating the charging or pre-climate operations based on the primary schedule and immediately activating the charging operations without affecting the primary departure schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kusumi, Hisanori Ito
  • Patent number: 9252034
    Abstract: A substrate processing system and substrate transferring method is capable of improving substrate-transferring efficiency by transferring a substrate bi-directionally through a substrate transferring device between two rows of processing chambers, and transferring the substrate to a precise position by rotating the substrate transferring device. The processing system includes a transfer chamber, a bi-directional substrate transferring device; and processing chambers which apply a semiconductor-manufacturing process to the substrate. The processing chambers are linearly arranged along two confronting rows, and the transfer chamber is between the two rows of processing chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Jusung Engineering Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyoo Hwan Lee, Deck Won Moon, Jae Hwan Jang
  • Patent number: 9248722
    Abstract: A housing assembly is provided. The housing assembly may be used in an automotive vehicle. The housing assembly includes a trim piece and a base. The trim piece is configured to engage the interior trim panel and attach to the base. The base is attached to the trim piece wherein the attachment to the trim piece is weaker than the attachment of the trim piece to the interior panel so as to allow the trim piece to separate from the base before the trim piece separates from the interior trim panel. The housing assembly may further include a pair of spacers configured to maintain a spatial relationship between a first side wall and a second side wall so as to prevent the first and second side walls from squeezing inwardly with respect to each other when the trim piece is displaced from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel F. Gillay, Que-Whang Rhee
  • Patent number: 9253887
    Abstract: An embedded chip substrate includes a first insulation layer, a core layer, a chip, a second insulation layer, a first circuit layer, and a second circuit layer. The core layer disposed on the first insulation layer has an opening that exposes a portion of the first insulation layer. The chip is adhered into a recess constructed by the opening and the first insulation layer. The second insulation layer is disposed on the core layer for covering the chip. The first circuit layer is disposed at the outer side of the first insulation layer located between the first circuit layer and the core layer. The second circuit layer is disposed at the outer side of the second insulation layer located between the second circuit layer and the core layer. The first circuit layer is electrically connected to the second circuit layer that is electrically connected to the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTOR ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Yung-Hui Wang, Ying-Te Ou
  • Patent number: 9248497
    Abstract: A metal transfer device (1) includes a cast trough body (2) for receiving liquid metal, a heater (4) for heating the trough body, and a filler layer (6) between the trough body and the heater. The filler layer (6) comprises a cast refractory material having a high thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Pyrotek Engineering Materials Limited
    Inventor: Mark Vincent
  • Patent number: 9248786
    Abstract: Provided is a board structure for a vehicle, which includes a durable hinge portion while light weight and high rigidity of the board structure are maintained. The board structure includes: hinge portion 11 formed by squashing a part of honeycomb structure 14 that is charged with thermosetting resin 16 the from back side surface member 15 side toward front side surface member 13, in which front side surface member 13 and back side surface member 15 are joined to each other, and flexible hinge sheet 12 provided on the outer side of front side surface member 13 across hinge portion 11. At least a part of hinge sheet 12 in a thickness direction thereof is embedded in front side surface member 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: HAYASHI ENGINEERING
    Inventors: Kiichiro Suzuki, Takaaki Sugita
  • Patent number: D748493
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: MAVERICK ENGINEERING (PTY) LTD
    Inventor: Derek Martin Fay
  • Patent number: D748830
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Gerardo