Patents Examined by Arnold Castro
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Patent number: 11835014Abstract: An internal combustion engine cylinder head has a water jacket, a plurality of female threaded portions for attaching an exhaust component, and a plurality of bulging portions protruding into the water jacket. The water jacket has inlet portions for receiving cooling water and outlet portions for discharging the cooling water. The inlet portions are disposed in a central position of the water jacket in a cylinder row direction. The outlet portions are disposed on a lateral side of the cylinder head to which the exhaust component is attached. A spacing between the outlet portions is wider than a spacing between the inlet portions. The female threaded portions protrude into the water jacket so that the cooling water crosses an area around the female threaded portions in the cylinder row direction. The bulging portions extend from ends of the female threaded portions towards where the inlet portions are located.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Ota, Hironao Netsu
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Patent number: 11820221Abstract: Estimating a fuel consumption includes receiving a request for estimating the fuel consumption between a first time and a second time; estimating a first fuel consumption value in a first time interval using fuel-sender resistance data; estimating a second fuel consumption value in a second time interval using fuel-injected mass data, where the first time interval and the second time interval are consecutive, non-overlapping intervals; and combining at least the first fuel consumption value and the second fuel consumption value to obtain a fuel consumption value.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Vikram Krishnamurthy, Timothy O'Donnell, Lawrence Rosinski
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Patent number: 11821399Abstract: In a case where an engine is started based on a remote operation, a limitation condition for limiting an engine start is tightened or a stop condition after the engine is started is relaxed, as compared to a case where the engine is started based on a switch operation in an occupant cabin. That is, it is difficult to start the engine when the engine is started based on the remote operation, and it is easy to stop the engine when the engine is started based on the remote operation. As a result, it is possible to take more appropriate measures when the engine is started based on the remote operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takaaki Inokuchi, Tatsunori Katoh, Tsutomu Miyazaki
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Patent number: 11807300Abstract: A cross member structure of a vehicle body includes a floor panel (2) provided below a vehicle interior in the vehicle body (10); side sills (3) that are provided on both sides of the floor panel (2) in a vehicle width direction and extend in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body (10); a cross member (4) that extends in the vehicle width direction and connects the side sills (3) to each other; and a reinforcement (5) that is provided between the cross member (4) and the floor panel (2) and extends in the vehicle width direction, wherein the cross member (4) includes a curved portion (41) that is curved to at least one side in a vertical direction of the vehicle body (10) outward from the reinforcement (5) in the vehicle width direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoya Takeda
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Patent number: 11808244Abstract: An internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes an output shaft and a spring element which can rotate with the output shaft which is to be tensioned as a result of a deactivation of the internal combustion engine by a rotation of the output shaft, where a spring force can be provided by the spring element and where by the spring force the output shaft can be set into rotation in the event of a start following the deactivation. Via a locking device the output shaft is to be secured against a rotation after tensioning the spring element and while the spring element is tensioned. A blocking device can be shifted between a blocking state securing a first part of the spring element, which has a second part non-rotationally connected to the output shaft, against a rotation and a release state releasing the first part for a rotation.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Mercedes-Benz Group AGInventors: Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg, Thomas Stolk
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Patent number: 11801841Abstract: An engine start controller for a hybrid vehicle and a method thereof are provided. The engine start controller includes a hybrid starter generator (HSG) that is connected to an engine by a belt, a sensor that is configured to measure an HSG speed, and a processor that applies a starting torque to the HSG. When starting the engine, the processor calculates an HSG speed estimated based on the applied starting torque and calculates an amount of slip of the belt using the HSG speed. In addition, the processor calculates a torque change rate correction value based on the calculated amount of slip, and corrects a rate of change rate in the starting torque based on the torque change rate correction value.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Sang Joon Kim, Lee Hyoung Cho
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Patent number: 11795897Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 4, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: GREAT WALL MOTOR COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Yunfei Li, Qilin Chen
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Patent number: 11761398Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating an engine event location are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a control system is configured to receive feedback from at least one vibration sensor coupled to a reciprocating engine, estimate an engine parameter based at least on the feedback and an Empirical Transform Function (ETF), estimate a location of an engine event based on the engine parameter, and adjust operation of the reciprocating engine based at least on the location of the engine event.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: AI Alpine US Bidco Inc.Inventors: Marco Guerriero, Jeffrey Jacob Bizub, Brett Alexander Matthews
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Patent number: 11754029Abstract: A recoil starter includes: a starter case provided with a reel support shaft; and a ratchet guide rotatably attached to the reel support shaft in a state in which a frictional resistance is applied. The ratchet guide includes: a through hole into which the reel support shaft is insertable; and a locking portion configured to be engaged with the reel support shaft on an inner periphery of the through hole. A movement of the ratchet guide in an axial direction of the reel support shaft is restricted in a state in which the locking portion is engaged with the reel support shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: STARTING INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshinori Horikoshi, Shigemitsu Chigira, Hideki Hashiba
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Patent number: 11754030Abstract: Methods and systems are described for optimizing engine restarts. In one aspect, the system includes an engine, a brake pedal sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to shut off the engine when a vehicle stops during an Idle Stop and Go (ISG) operation. The controller operates the engine to shut off during the ISG operation in response to detecting the vehicle being stopped. The controller detects a driving condition indicating that the engine is required to be on. The controller operates the engine to turn on based on the driving condition. The controller detects force satisfying a second threshold at the brake pedal based on the brake pedal sensor. The controller operates the engine to maintain an engine-off state in response to detecting force satisfying the second threshold at the brake pedal based on the brake pedal sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Jason Hoon Lee, Jinho Ha, Justin Holmer, Yong Sun
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Patent number: 11725619Abstract: An alignment system includes an optical sensor device that may be inserted into a passage of a body that is located between a fuel injector and a combustion chamber of an engine cylinder. The body is shaped to transmit fuel ejected from a spray hole in a fuel injector into the combustion chamber of the engine cylinder. The system also includes a controller that may examine output of the optical sensor device and determine whether the passage of the body is aligned with the spray hole of the fuel injector based on the output from the optical sensor device. The controller may change a position of one or more of the body or the fuel injector responsive to determining that the passage of the body is not aligned with the spray hole of the fuel injector.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Jay Richerson, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Eric Dillen, Kevin Bailey, Kent Jeffries, Brett Heher, Manuel Licon Flores
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Patent number: 11719210Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller for a starter motor operable to receive a first input indicative of an engine shutdown being required, a second input indicative of a change-of-mind event having occurred after initiation of engine shutdown and a third input indicative of the engine position. After receipt of the first input the controller is operable to monitor the third input and to determine an expected engine rotation direction indicative of the expected rotation direction of the engine after a predetermined delay. If the expected engine rotation direction is positive and the second input is received then the controller is configured to control the output means to cause the starter motor of the engine to be actuated upon receipt of the second input.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITEDInventors: Adam Moorcroft, Stephen Stacey, Ian Cooper
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Patent number: 11719213Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing activation of a starter when engine speed is above a threshold engine speed value are disclosed. In examples, an engine driven power system includes an engine and a current transformer to generate an induced current in response to an excitation current from an excitation circuit. As the excitation current is induced in response to rotational movement of the engine, the excitation current and the induced current exhibits characteristics corresponding to engine speed. A control circuit receives a signal from the current transformer representing characteristics representative of engine speed and determines the engine speed, compares the characteristics to a list of values that correlates current characteristics to engine speed, compare a list of threshold engine speed values to the calculated engine speed value, and prevents activation of an engine starter if the control circuitry determines that the engine speed exceeds the threshold engine speed value.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Travis Orvedahl, John Steffens
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Patent number: 11712959Abstract: A system for controlling a lock-up of engine clutch may include an engine and a motor; the engine clutch mounted between the engine and the motor and configured to selectively transmit power of the engine between the engine and the motor; a hybrid starter generator (HSG) connected to a crank pulley of the engine and driven to start the engine; and a controller connected to the HSG and configured to determine a virtual engine speed in an engine firing process and a torque reduction ratio of the HSG according to the virtual engine speed after an engine cranking process and determine a correction reduction ratio with respect to the torque reduction ratio of the HSG using a difference value between the virtual engine speed and an actual engine speed, and adjust an increase or a decrease of the torque reduction ratio of the HSG to synchronize an engine speed with a motor speed for the lock-up of the engine clutch.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Hong Chul Shin
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Patent number: 11685363Abstract: An apparatus for controlling engine idling of a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine, an electric motor and a driving motor includes: an engine target speed determination part to determine an engine target speed when an engine idle speed control is requested; an engine target torque determination part to determine an engine target torque when the engine idle speed control is requested; a speed control part to determine a control torque for maintaining an engine speed at a predetermined speed based on a difference value between the engine target speed and an engine actual speed; a power split part to determine an output torque of the electric motor and an engine compensation torque of the engine based the control torque; and a final engine torque determination part to sum the engine compensation torque and the engine target torque to determine a final engine torque.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Sang Joon Kim, Hui Un Son, Sung Deok Kim, Sung Hoon Yu, Joo Young Kim, Kyu Hwan Jo
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Patent number: 11680550Abstract: An electronic engine timing system that includes at least (1) an engine position sensor that includes a diametric magnet and two or more hall effect sensors configured and positioned to sense diametric magnet position, (2) sensor data receiving circuitry configured for receiving sensory input, including at least input from the engine position sensor; and (3) control circuitry configured to control firing of one or more cylinders of the engine at least in part by calculating one or more timing advance positions for one or more cylinders of the engine and by causing the one or more cylinders to fire according to the one or more calculated timing advance positions, the control circuitry further configured to calculate the one or more timing advance positions for the one or more cylinders separately from one another based at least in part on input from the engine position sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2022Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Inventor: Duram Plummer
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Patent number: 11649779Abstract: Provided is a technology of accurately classifying abnormality in response characteristics of an air-fuel ratio sensors into six deterioration modes. In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides a control device including a microprocessor that detects a response delay of an air-fuel ratio sensor attached to an internal combustion engine, in which the microprocessor includes a target air-fuel ratio change unit configured to change a target air-fuel ratio between lean and rich, and a response delay detection unit configured to detect a respond delay of the air-fuel ratio sensor that occurs in a real air-fuel ratio sensor signal output from the air-fuel ratio sensor when the target air-fuel ratio is changed between the lean and the rich by the target air-fuel ratio change unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.Inventor: Eisaku Fukuchi
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Patent number: 11639684Abstract: A system and method of operating the same includes an engine speed sensor determining an engine speed, an exhaust gas bypass valve, an exhaust gas bypass valve actuator coupled to the exhaust gas bypass valve and a controller. The controller partially opens the exhaust gas bypass valve with a first predetermined effective area greater than fully closed when the engine speed is at idle. The controller determines an acceleration event, holding the exhaust gas bypass valve open at least a second predetermined effective area greater than fully closed in response to the acceleration event.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: James H. Buchwitz, Darren J. Hedlund, Derek Zimney, Lucas R. Salfer, Reed A. Hanson, Dallas J. Blake
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Patent number: 11635052Abstract: An electro-pneumatic starter for use with a natural gas powered, reciprocating internal combustion engine in oil and gas industrial applications, and a method of starting an internal combustion engine, are provided. A novel combination of an electric motor and a pneumatically actuated transmission are provided for the innovation as claimed, wherein power is translated from an output shaft and motor gear, through a transmission gear and transmission shaft, and to an output gear mated with a ring gear of a host engine, the transmission shaft being extendable by means of a pneumatically controlled piston. When the transmission shaft is extended it is in the engaged position, capable of providing torque to the ring gear of the host engine; when retracted, the same is disengaged from the host engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2022Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Inventor: Charles DiPasquale, Jr.
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Patent number: 11619201Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, a torque reserve for starting an engine via an electric machine is adjusted responsive to vehicle operating conditions. The torque reserve may set aside a portion of torque that an electric machine may produce for cranking and starting an engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Maruthi Ravichandran, Ravikumar Tumu, Jason Meyer, Rajit Johri, Jeffrey Allen Doering