Patents Examined by Brian R Kirby
  • Patent number: 11629656
    Abstract: A method for detecting a cylinder-specific combustion profile parameter value for an internal combustion engine is described. The method includes the following: (a) detecting a toothed encoder signal, (b) determining a cylinder-specific tooth time interval on the basis of the toothed encoder signal, (c) determining a cylinder-specific phase value on the basis of a Fourier transformation of a part of the toothed encoder signal corresponding to the cylinder-specific tooth time interval, (d) determining the combustion profile parameter value on the basis of the cylinder-specific phase value and a stored transfer function which represents a relationship between the combustion profile parameter and the phase value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Beer, Lamproula Charmpa, Bertrand Varoquie
  • Patent number: 11629633
    Abstract: An intake system of an engine mounted on a vehicle where a cabin is air-conditioned by an air conditioner, is provided. A heat exchanger of an evaporator of the air conditioner is divided into a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger that are mutually independent, and an air passage includes a first division passage and a second division passage. The intake system cools intake air utilizing a part of the air conditioner, and includes a connecting passage that guides first air cooled by passing through the first heat exchanger, a passage switch, and a controller. When the controller determines that a cooling demand for the intake air exists, it controls the first air to flow into an intake passage through the connecting passage, and when the controller determines that there is no cooling demand, it controls the first air to flow into the first division passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Marumoto, Kazuaki Narahara, Chinami Morishima, Tohru Hokazono
  • Patent number: 11624330
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine having multiple cylinders. A warm-up operation is carried out after the internal combustion engine has been started, during which a speed of the internal combustion engine is limited to a limit value. The limit value is selected during the warm-up operation at least temporarily as a function of a starting temperature of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Philipp Prochazka, Florian Zink, Bernhard Maderer, Christoph Schweitzer, Michael Leihenseder, Florian Freund
  • Patent number: 11623634
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a multi-cylinder engine, an exhaust gas control apparatus including a catalyst for removing exhaust gas from the multi-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a control device configured to execute catalyst temperature increase control for stopping fuel supply to at least one cylinder and making an air-fuel ratio in each of remaining cylinders rich in a case where a temperature increase of a catalyst is requested during a load operation of the multi-cylinder engine, execute control such that an electric motor supplements insufficient drive power due to the execution of the catalyst temperature increase control, and change the air-fuel ratio in at least one of the remaining cylinders to a lean side after a temperature of the exhaust gas control apparatus becomes equal to or higher than a determination threshold value during the execution of the catalyst temperature increase control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Nose, Masaaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11608803
    Abstract: An insert device includes a first coupling body inserted into an engine cylinder head. The first coupling body extends around a center axis to define a first interior volume of the first coupling body that is shaped to receive a distal tip of a fuel injector. The insert device includes a second mixing body coupled with the first coupling body and extending around the center axis. The second mixing body includes conduits that receive fuel from the fuel injector and air from a combustion chamber, combine the fuel with the air, and direct the fuel-air mixture into the combustion chamber. The first coupling body has a first end surface positioned to face the cylinder head and the first coupling body is tapered such that an outer diameter of the first coupling body is larger toward the first end surface than toward the second mixing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Brett Heher, Kevin Paul Bailey, Manuel Licon Flores, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, John Patrick Dowell
  • Patent number: 11598230
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid circuit (3) comprising: —a supply line (5) for carrying a fluid from a pump (4) connected to a fluid tank (2) to an equipment (8), the supply line having a portion which is divided into a main line (10) including a heat exchanger (13), and a by-pass line (15) for by-passing said heat exchanger; —a first valve (31) for controlling the respective fluid flows in the main line (10) and in the by-pass line (15), and a first control device (33) for controlling the first valve (31) depending on a first parameter (T) of the fluid; —a pressure regulation circuit for carrying fluid from the supply line (5) towards the fluid tank (2), said pressure regulation circuit comprising a pressure regulation valve (23) for controlling the flow of fluid directed back to the fluid tank (2); wherein the pressure regulation circuit comprises: —a first recirculation line (21) branching from the supply line (5) downstream from the by-pass line outlet (17); —a second recirculation line (22) branching fr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guillaume Malsot, Nicolas Granottier
  • Patent number: 11597374
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a hybrid vehicle that includes an integrated starter/generator and a driveline disconnect clutch is described. In one example, the method determines whether or not to rotate an engine via an electric machine while propelling a vehicle via the electric machine according to vehicle efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alec Bolthouse, Andrew Burt, Justin Panhans
  • Patent number: 11577602
    Abstract: A tank device for a motor vehicle includes a tank container defined by a tank wall having at least one stop region, and at least one lever sensor arranged in the interior of the tank container. The at least one stop region is an end stop for the lever sensor to prevent adhesion of the lever sensor to the tank wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA Energy Storage Systems GesmbH
    Inventors: Christian Urdl, Florian Wimmer
  • Patent number: 11560860
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a processing method for a camshaft sensor (1) of the type comprising a toothed camshaft wheel (2) and an opposite sensing element (3) able to detect a tooth front, comprising the following steps: detection of a new tooth front (k) by said sensing element; calculation of a rotational speed (Wk) of the camshaft wheel (2) for the new tooth front (k); comparison with the rotational speed (Wk?1) of the camshaft wheel for the preceding tooth front (k?1) detected by said sensing element; if the variation in the rotational speed (Wk) of the camshaft wheel (2) between the new tooth front (k) and the preceding tooth front (k?1) is low, the new tooth front (k) is validated, otherwise the new tooth front (k) is rejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Pierre Zouboff
  • Patent number: 11548496
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a main drive unit, a sub drive unit, and a control unit. The control unit includes a driving force distribution ratio setting unit and is configured to control the main drive unit and the sub drive unit. A drive mode of the main drive unit includes an electric power drive mode and an engine drive mode. The driving force distribution ratio setting unit is configured to set the driving force distribution ratio based on a vehicle speed, a required driving force, and the drive mode. When the drive mode is the engine drive mode, the driving force distribution ratio setting unit is configured to set the driving force distribution ratio so that a distribution ratio of the main driving force is 90% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuto Otsuki, Satoshi Ando, Keiichi Ohiso
  • Patent number: 11549840
    Abstract: Vehicle fuel volume estimation systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining a fuel level percentage value for a vehicle, determining a vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle, determining a fuel tank part number using the VIN, converting the fuel level percentage value into a fuel volume value based on the fuel tank part number, and transmitting a message to a recipient, the message that includes the fuel volume value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ben Bulat, Hyongju Park, Richard Gordon, Arnold Babila
  • Patent number: 11536628
    Abstract: Time required by a crankshaft to rotate 30° CA from a compression top dead center is defined as time T30. A CPU calculates a rotation fluctuation amount ?T30 related to a cylinder subject to determination of a misfire by subtracting a value related to a cylinder in which a compression top dead center occurred immediately before the cylinder subject to the determination from a value related to the subject to the determination. The rotation fluctuation amount ?T30 that corresponds to a cylinder in which a combustion operation is stopped is used as a reference value ?T30ref. When a combustion operation is performed, it is determined that there is a misfire if the absolute value of the difference between the rotation fluctuation amount ?T30 and the reference value ?T30ref is less than or equal to a determination value ?th.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihiro Katayama, Takumi Anzawa, Yuki Ikejiri
  • Patent number: 11525421
    Abstract: A high-pressure pump includes a pressurizing chamber forming portion, a suction passage forming portion, a seat member, a valve member, a cylindrical member, a needle, a movable core, a biasing member, a fixed core, and a coil including a winding portion. The coil generates an attractive force between the fixed core and the movable core when the winding portion is energized. The coil includes an outer cylindrical surface and multiple inner cylindrical surfaces that have different diameters. The multiple inner cylindrical surfaces are arranged in order of increasing diameter in a direction toward a pressurizing chamber. The movable core has an end surface that faces the fixed core, and the end surface of the movable core is located between a center, in an axial direction, of a smallest diameter one of the plurality of inner cylindrical surfaces and a center, in an axial direction, of the outer cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keita Kurigami, Shinichiro Koshimoto, Yoshihito Suzuki, Hiroshi Inoue, Tatsumi Oguri, Keigo Ohata, Takayuki Makihara, Taiki Kukita
  • Patent number: 11512652
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system includes an internal combustion engine, a controller, and an increased brake load event communicator. The internal combustion engine includes a first cylinder and a first cylinder deactivation prevention mechanism. The first cylinder is configured to be selectively activated and deactivated. The first cylinder deactivation prevention mechanism is configured to selectively prevent the first cylinder from being deactivated. The controller is communicable with the first cylinder deactivation prevention mechanism. The controller includes an increased brake load event detection module that is configured to selectively control the first cylinder deactivation prevention mechanism to prevent the first cylinder from being deactivated. The increased brake load event communicator is communicable with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: Jennifer Kay Light-Holets
  • Patent number: 11499511
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an internal combustion engine system (2), wherein the internal combustion engine system (2) is provided with an air intake duct (3), an exhaust gas duct (4) and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system (5), wherein the EGR system (5) comprises an EGR conduit (6) that fluidly connects the exhaust duct (4) and the intake duct (3), and wherein a gas feeding device (7) is arranged in the EGR conduit (6), said gas feeding device (7) being configured to feed exhaust gas from the exhaust duct (4) to the intake duct (3) during operation of the engine system (2). The method is characterized in that it comprises the step of: detecting a risk of freezing of condensed water in the EGR conduit (6), and, in case such a risk is detected and in case the gas feeding device (7) is not in operation, operating the gas feeding device (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fredrik Rahm, Johan Carlén Andersson
  • Patent number: 11493014
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reluctor plate controller that detects vacuum and pressures in the engine which are used to create digital motor control signals for controlling a reluctor plate actuator using a digital stepper motor, servo motor or a voice-coil actuator. The system can be programmed to create various desired responses that function to create better efficiency of an internal combustion engine, less pollution and/or greater engine output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: John C. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 11480143
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a ducted fuel injector. In one example, the ducted fuel injector comprises a plurality of passages, with at least one of the passages configured to receive an oxygen poor gas from a reservoir or an adjacent cylinder to decrease a likelihood of pre-ignition in the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Polonowski
  • Patent number: 11480123
    Abstract: Systems and methods for starting an engine of a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, the method uses the engine to generate larger amounts of thermal energy while the engine is rotated under power of an electric machine. The systems and methods described herein may be applied to series and parallel hybrid vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Chris Glugla, Chad Archer
  • Patent number: 11473538
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for removing condensate form a charge air cooler coupled to an engine intake system. In one example, a method may include flowing heated air from a fuel vapor canister of an evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system through the charge air cooler to vaporize condensate in the CAC. The air is drawn in from atmosphere by operating an electric booster in a reverse direction and the air is heated at the canister by operating a canister heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed Dudar
  • Patent number: 11459965
    Abstract: Managing firing fraction transitions of a variable displacement internal combustion engines by (a) avoiding transport delays in an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) feed by starting movement of an EGR valve position after a decision to transition to a new firing fraction has been made, but prior to the start of the transition and (b) adjusting the EGR valve as needed during the transition so as to maintain an EGR fraction within a predetermined range during the transition. By performing both (a) and (b), spikes of nitrous oxide (NOx) and/or hydrocarbon emissions are reduced or altogether eliminated during the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: Tula Technology, Inc., Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Louis J. Serrano, Xiaoping Cai, J. Steven Kolhouse, Avra Brahma, Adrian P. Dale