Patents Examined by Erick R. Solis
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Patent number: 10731583Abstract: A method of controlling oxygen purge of a three-way catalyst may include: performing a fuel cut-off; determining whether a fuel cut-in condition is satisfied after the fuel cut-off; calculating an optimum valve overlap according to an intake amount, an engine rotation speed, and an ignition timing if the fuel cut-in condition is satisfied after the fuel cut-off; controlling a CVVD apparatus to be at the optimum valve overlap; and performing the oxygen purge at the optimum valve overlap.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Jin Woo Choung, Kiyoung Kwon
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Patent number: 10731584Abstract: A fuel injection control device has a conduction time calculation unit, a setting unit, a conduction control unit, a detection unit, an estimation unit, and a changing unit. The conduction time calculation unit calculates a conduction time of an electric actuator corresponding to a requested injection quantity during partial lift injection. The setting unit sets a command conduction time. The conduction control unit energizes an electric actuator on the basis of a command conduction time set by the setting unit. The detection unit detects a physical quantity having a correlation with an actual injection quantity during partial lift injection. The estimation unit estimates an actual injection quantity on the basis of a detection result of the detection unit. The changing unit changes a lower limit time on the basis of a deviation between an estimated actual injection quantity and a requested injection quantity.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nobuyuki Satake, Tomohiro Nakano
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Patent number: 10724454Abstract: Systems and methods for activating and deactivating cylinders of an engine that may activate and deactivate one cylinder independent of other cylinders are presented. In one example, an engine cylinder firing fraction and a remainder value that is based on the engine cylinder firing fraction are a basis for activating and deactivating engine cylinders. The systems and methods also provide for transitioning between different cylinder firing fractions.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Amey Y. Karnik, Stephen Lee Cooper, Adam Nathan Banker, Michael Howard Shelby, John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards
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Patent number: 10718306Abstract: A starter motor assist mechanism is provided. The starter motor assist mechanism may include a housing, a solenoid, and a hammer. The housing may be attachable to a starter motor. The solenoid may be disposed within the housing, and the hammer may be connected to the solenoid. The solenoid may move the hammer from a retracted position to an extended position for striking the starter motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Scott Saathoff, Ilco Eli Aksovski
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Patent number: 10718277Abstract: A method for manufacturing engine powered machinery having a fuel cut functionality to promote more rapid shutdown of the rotating parts of the engine powered machinery. In one aspect, the method is implemented by assembling a wiring harness disposed exclusively on the engine which are configured to simultaneously disable one or more ignition coils and prevent a fuel-air mixer from supplying a mixture of air and fuel to the engine upon activation of a safety switch. In alternate aspects, the method further comprises a stator brake which is activated by the safety switch to provide additional braking torque on the engine. These features bring the machinery to a rapid halt, further enhancing safety.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Jeffery D. Gruell, Timothy D. Harreld, Steven H. Dowdy
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Patent number: 10717428Abstract: A control system comprises a driving mode setting part 41 setting a driving mode, a fuel consumption rate calculating part 42 calculating a first fuel consumption rate when outputting power for driving use and a second fuel consumption rate when storing electric power in the battery, a fuel consumption rate correcting part 43 and a driving region judging part 44. The driving mode setting part sets the driving mode to the EV mode when the first fuel consumption rate is higher than the second fuel consumption rate and sets the driving mode to the engine operating mode when the first fuel consumption rate is lower than the second fuel consumption rate. The fuel consumption rate correcting part performs at least one of first correction raising the first fuel consumption rate and second correction lowering the second fuel consumption rate if the hybrid vehicle is driving through a residential neighborhood.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Eiji Maeda
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Patent number: 10718307Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hafiz Khafagy, Ahmed Awadi, Hussam Makkiya
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Patent number: 10711735Abstract: An arrangement is provided for use with an internal combustion engine. The arrangement includes an intake tract for the internal combustion engine and a valve that is fluidly connected to the intake tract. An activated carbon filter is located upstream from the intake tract and the valve. The valve is connected to the carbon filter by an intake line. When the valve is open, fluid can flow from the activated carbon filter into the intake tract. A pressure sensor measures upstream pressure (p1) in the intake line. A pump helps generate the pressure (p1) in the intake line. The valve is connected to the intake tract so they cooperate together to form a cavity that is connected to the intake line such that when the valve is closed, the pressure in the cavity is the pressure (p1).Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Eagle Actuator Components GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Marc Schwinn, Volker Daume, Lukas Göcke
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Patent number: 10711737Abstract: A device for mounting a conduit of a vapor canister on a vehicle includes a base having a first side and an opposing second side. The base includes fastener openings for receiving fasteners to attach the base to a frame. A connector extends from the first side of the base between the fastener openings for connecting the device to a conduit of a vapor canister. A pipe having an inlet extends from the second side of the base and forms an air passage from the inlet to the connector. The device may also include supports on the second side of the base for supporting the device on frame members with rounded or flat surfaces. The conduit mounting device can be installed by attaching the device on a frame member without the need for tools.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2017Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Christopher L. Reedy
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Patent number: 10704478Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for depressurizing a fuel tank of a vehicle by routing fuel tank vapors to an engine for combustion. In one example, a method may include reducing a pressure in the fuel tank by routing vapors from the fuel tank through a portion of a fuel vapor storage canister and, in response to an indication of a condition of degraded engine stability, re-routing the vapors from the fuel tank through an entirety of the fuel vapor storage canister. In this way, under conditions of degraded engine stability, a rate at which fuel tank vapors are directed to the engine may be reduced, which may thus mitigate the condition of degraded engine stability without aborting the operation to reduce the fuel tank pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Aed Dudar
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Patent number: 10704524Abstract: A control system of a compression-ignition engine which performs SPCCI combustion in which mixture gas is ignited with a spark plug to be partially combusted by SI combustion and the rest of mixture gas self-ignites to be combusted by CI combustion, is provided. When the engine is operated at least in a given first operating range, a controller of the device controls a variable intake mechanism so that an A/F lean environment where an air-fuel ratio in a cylinder becomes higher than a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio is formed, while causing the spark plug to perform spark ignition at a given timing so that the mixture gas combusts by SPCCI combustion, and controls so that, under the same engine load condition, an intake valve close timing is more retarded as the engine speed decreases, within a range where an amount of air inside the cylinder decreases by retarding the close timing.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Masanari Sueoka, Atsushi Inoue, Keiji Maruyama, Takuya Ohura, Tomohiro Nishida, Yusuke Kawai, Tetsuya Chikada, Tatsuhiro Tokunaga
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Patent number: 10704523Abstract: A control system of a compression-ignition engine includes an intake variable mechanism and a controller. In a second operating range, the controller controls the intake variable mechanism so that, while partial compression-ignition combustion is performed under an air-fuel ratio (A/F) lean environment, an intake valve open timing takes timing at an advanced side of an exhaust TDC. In a first operating range on a lower load side, the controller controls the intake variable mechanism so that, while the partial compression-ignition combustion is performed under the A/F lean environment, under the same engine speed condition, the intake valve close timing is more retarded within a range on a retarded side of an intake BDC as the engine load decreases, and an absolute value of a change rate of the intake valve close timing to the engine load becomes larger than in the second range.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Masanari Sueoka, Atsushi Inoue, Keiji Maruyama, Takuya Ohura, Tomohiro Nishida, Yusuke Kawai, Tetsuya Chikada, Tatsuhiro Tokunaga
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Patent number: 10697390Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes a first pump having an inlet for receiving fuel from a fuel reservoir and an outlet for providing pressurized fuel to a fuel feed line at a first pressure, a fuel feed line pressure sensor, a second pump having an inlet for receiving fuel from the fuel feed line and an outlet for providing pressurized fuel to an engine fuel rail at a second pressure, the second pressure being higher than the first pressure, a fuel temperature sensor, and a controller controlling the first pump to reduce the pressure of the fuel in the fuel feed line and determining whether the pressure of the fuel in the fuel feed line has reached a vaporization pressure of a component in the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Dale F. Klein, Andrew M. Shaw, Michael Gwidt
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Patent number: 10697332Abstract: A valve train assembly (16) includes a fuel injector (1), an intake rocker lever assembly (10), and an exhaust rocker lever assembly (14). The intake and exhaust rocker lever assemblies (10) can include an eccentric hydraulic lash adjuster (11) that is located in the nose (31) of the respective rocker lever assemblies (10). The rocker lever assemblies (10) are configured to allow a clearance area between a nose (31) of the intake rocker lever assembly (10) and the nose (31) of the exhaust rocker lever assembly (14). As such, the fuel injector (1) can be positioned in the clearance area, while still allowing the eccentric hydraulic lash adjusters to apply a load onto a corresponding valve bridge (2). For example, the eccentric hydraulic lash adjuster (11) can include an outer housing (20) and a pivot ball (21), wherein the pivot ball (21) is positioned at an offset (23) from a lateral centerline of the outer housing (20).Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Adam C. Cecil, David M. Barnes
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Patent number: 10697385Abstract: An engine control method for a vehicle may include a temperature securing determination step of determining, by a controller, whether an exhaust gas temperature before a turbine of a turbocharger is normally secured; a basic determination step of, when the exhaust gas temperature before the turbine is normally secured, obtaining, by the controller, a first compensation torque according to a current state of the vehicle from a first compensation torque map according to the exhaust gas temperature before the turbine, an engine operation mode, engine speed, and atmospheric pressure; and an engine control step of, when the exhaust gas temperature before the turbine is normally secured, determining, by the controller, a final compensation torque on the basis of the first compensation torque and controlling engine torque at a value which is obtained by subtracting the final compensation torque from engine full-load torque.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Hyun Wook Shin, Sang Moo Lee, Seung Suk Yoon
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Patent number: 10689987Abstract: A compressor rotor for a gas turbine engine has blades circumferentially distributed around and extending a span length from a central hub. The blades include alternating first and second blades having airfoils with corresponding geometric profiles. The airfoil of the first blade has a coating varying in thickness relative to the second blade to provide natural vibration frequencies different between the first and the second blades.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.Inventors: Thomas Veitch, Farid Abrari, Ernest Adique, Paul Aitchison, Daniel Fudge, Kari Heikurinen, Paul Stone, Tibor Urac
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Patent number: 10690066Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using a forced induction system of an engine on-board a vehicle as a source of compressed air to pressurize depressurized objects on-board and external to the vehicle. In one example, a method may include, in response to a pressure of the depressurized object being below a threshold pressure while the engine is off, fluidly coupling a discharge of a forced induction system to the depressurized object, wherein the engine includes the forced induction system, and pressurizing the depressurized object by supplying electrical power to the forced induction system.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aed M. Dudar, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
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Patent number: 10683845Abstract: Systems, methods, and kits for reducing structural vibrations on wind turbine blades are provided. The actual dynamic structural conditions of a wind turbine blade can be used as a feedback mechanism. A flow control device and a sensor can be installed on a wind turbine blade, and a closed loop control system in operable communication with the flow control device and the sensor can be used to provide closed loop control.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteInventors: Keith Taylor, Michael Amitay
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Patent number: 10677210Abstract: Disclosed is an air-assisted fuel injection system, comprising a cylindrical bore; a plunger and a barrel within the cylindrical bore, the plunger having a flat surface; and a securing means abutting against the flat surface to keep the plunger from rotating within the cylindrical bore.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: CFR ENGINES CANADA ULCInventors: Gary Webster, Luc Menard, David Gardiner
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Patent number: 10677122Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regenerating and purging a particulate filter of an exhaust treatment system for a combustion engine. In one example, a method may include flowing exhaust gas in a reverse direction through the particulate filter to purge particulate matter to an intake manifold of the engine for combusting. The duration of purging may be based on a regeneration achieved during a previous regeneration of the particulate filter during a deceleration fuel shut-off event.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Tyler Kelly, John Eric Rollinger