Patents Examined by Hai H. Huynh
  • Patent number: 11643982
    Abstract: To control a hybrid dynamical system, a predictive feedback controller formulates a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem including nonlinear functions of continuous optimization variables representing the continuous elements of the operation of the hybrid dynamical system and/or one or multiple linear functions of integer optimization variables representing the discrete elements of the operation of the hybrid dynamical system. The MINLP problem is formulated into a separable format ensuring that the discrete elements of the operation are present only in the linear functions of the MINLP problem. The MINLP problem is solved over multiple iterations using a partial convexification of a portion of a space of the solution including a current solution guess. The partial convexification produces a convex approximation of the nonlinear functions of the MINLP without approximating the linear functions of the MINLP to produce a partially convexified MINLP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Rien Quirynen, Stefano Di Cairano
  • Patent number: 11639683
    Abstract: A split cycle internal combustion engine includes a combustion cylinder accommodating a combustion piston and a compression cylinder accommodating a compression piston. The engine also includes a controller arranged to receive an indication of a parameter associated with the combustion cylinder and/or a fluid associated therewith and to control an exhaust valve of the combustion cylinder in dependence on the indicated parameter to cause the exhaust valve to close during the return stroke of the combustion piston, before the combustion piston has reached its top dead centre position (TDC), when the indicated parameter is less than a target value for the parameter; and close on completion of the return stroke of the combustion piston, as the combustion piston reaches its top dead centre position (TDC), when the indicated parameter is equal to or greater than the target value for the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Morgan, James Eatwell, Andrew Atkins, Adam Gurr
  • Patent number: 11634884
    Abstract: Water Reservoirs and wetlands are a major source of methane emissions contributing to greenhouse gases. The annual flood seasons contribute to movement and accumulation of sediments behind irrigation and hydropower dams. These sediments accumulate year after year, lead to loss of water storage capacity and ability to produce hydro-electricity. The invention being proposed to dredge deep sediments from reservoirs operates on the principle of using gaseous fuel from an external pipeline or collected methane emissions as fuel for a submersible internal combustion slurry system. The invention combines the features of an internal combustion liquid piston engine with a slurry turbine driving a dredging cutter. Slurry entering into the system forms a column that is set in oscillation through the explosion of air and fuel and is then pumped to shore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventor: Baha Elsayed Attia Abulnaga
  • Patent number: 11629671
    Abstract: An engine system includes a combustion chamber and an air supplier. The combustion chamber is formed in a cylinder. The air supplier is configured to supply air to a circumferential area of the combustion chamber. The circumferential area is near an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder. The air supplier is configured to supply air to the circumferential area before ignition to gather a rich air-fuel mixture that is present in the combustion chamber to a central area of the combustion chamber such that a stratified body consisting of a layer of the air-fuel mixture in the central area and a layer of the air in the circumferential area is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouhei Toma, Takeshi Tsuda, Ryo Adachi
  • Patent number: 11624316
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an adapter that is attachable to an engine vacuum source (e.g., insertable into an end of a vehicle-engine vacuum hose) to receive a cleaning fluid from a canister (e.g., aerosol can) and to meter the cleaning fluid into the vacuum source. The adapter may include a vacuum-source insert and a nozzle receiver. In addition, the adapter may include a fluid path between the vacuum-source insert and the nozzle receiver that meters a flow of cleaning fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: BG Intellectuals, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Probus, Bradley Robert Young, John Daniel Cheek, Lucas Mitchell Shaw, Michael Jason Erwin
  • Patent number: 11624335
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine is provided. An exhaust valve actuation fault is detected for a first exhaust valve associated with a first cylinder during a first working cycle. In response to the detection of the exhaust valve actuation fault, fueling to at least the first cylinder is cut off. Actuation of the first exhaust valve is attempted in second working cycles that follow the first working cycle, wherein the second working cycles are not fueled. Whether or not the first exhaust valve actuated properly during the second working cycles is determined. Operation of the first cylinder is resumed when it is determined that the first exhaust valve actuated properly. Operation of the first cylinder is not resumed when it is determined that the first exhaust valve did not actuate properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Wang, Louis J. Serrano, Shikui Kevin Chen
  • Patent number: 11624328
    Abstract: The present invention describes a fuel-management system for minimizing particulate emissions in turbocharged direct injection gasoline engines. The system optimizes the use of port fuel injection (PFI) in combination with direct injection (DI), particularly in cold start and other transient conditions. In the present invention, the use of these control systems together with other control systems for increasing the effectiveness of port fuel injector use and for reducing particulate emissions from turbocharged direct injection engines is described. Particular attention is given to reducing particulate emissions that occur during cold start and transient conditions since a substantial fraction of the particulate emissions during a drive cycle occur at these times. Further optimization of the fuel management system for these conditions is important for reducing drive cycle emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Ethanol Boosting Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, Leslie Bromberg
  • Patent number: 11619198
    Abstract: An engine apparatus includes a fuel supply system which may comprise a fuel reservoir, primary fuel supply path extending from a fuel inlet in fluid cooperation with the fuel reservoir to a fuel outlet, pressure pulse source, and first and second pressure-operated fuel pumps located along the primary fuel supply path; each of fuel pumps operably coupled to the pressure pulse source. The fuel pumps may be pulse type pumps arranged in series from a flow standpoint along the primary fuel supply path such that fuel discharged by the first fuel pump is supplied to the second fuel pump. The fuel pumps may be mounted and to the engine or appurtenance thereof in a stacked or side-by-side relationship. The pressure pulse source may be the engine crankcase in some designs. The flow and pressures delivered by the series flow fuel pumps are suitable for use with four stroke/cycle engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventors: James G. Leu, Joshua Bledsoe, Digambar Govardhan Patil
  • Patent number: 11619187
    Abstract: A system and method for transitioning a firing fraction of a variable displacement internal combustion engine when generating a desired torque output. During and following the transition to the second firing fraction, a combustion recipe is ascertained and used operating the cylinders of the variable displacement internal combustion engine to generate the desired torque output. The recipe is preferably optimized for the engine operating at the second firing fraction, at least relative to the previous charge of the previous combustion recipe used with the first firing fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: Tula Technology, Inc., Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Serrano, Xiaoping Cai, Shikui Kevin Chen, Benjamin M. Wolk, Avra Brahma, Justin R. Lee
  • Patent number: 11614048
    Abstract: An injection control device includes: an instruction output unit outputting an instruction energization time that is an instruction value of an energization time of a fuel injection valve corresponding to a target injection amount; an energization controller controlling energization of the fuel injection valve based on the instruction energization time; an area corrector correcting an area of an electric current flowing through the fuel injection valve when the fuel injection valve is driven by the electric current, calculating a correction time of the energization time, and correcting the instruction energization time; an abnormality determiner determining that an abnormality related to the area correction has occurred when the correction time reaches a predetermined upper limit value; and a normal-return determiner executing, after the abnormality determiner determines that the abnormality related to the area correction has occurred, a normal-return determination at an execution timing of when a degree of i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minori Kaneda, Yohei Suganuma, Akira Tachiki
  • Patent number: 11614060
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a carburetor bowl, a fuel supply pipe, a fuel drain pipe, and a valve. The carburetor bowl is configured to store fuel and provide the fuel to an air passage. The fuel supply pipe is connected a fuel tank and the carburetor bowl. The fuel drain pipe is connected to the carburetor bowl and the fuel supply line. The valve for the fuel drain pipe is configured to open and close in response to an orientation of the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Todd Baumann, Gary Stenz
  • Patent number: 11614040
    Abstract: Operating an internal combustion engine system includes combusting gaseous hydrogen fuel and gaseous hydrocarbon fuel at a first substitution ratio in a plurality of cylinders in an engine, inputting an emissions cost value and a hydrogen cost value to a fuel blending control system for the engine, and determining, by way of an electronic control unit of the fuel blending control system, a fuel blending control term based on the respective cost values. Operating the engine system further includes varying admission of at least one of the hydrogen fuel or the hydrocarbon fuel to an intake system for the engine based on the fuel blending control term, and combusting the hydrogen fuel and the hydrocarbon fuel at a second substitution ratio produced by the varied admission in the plurality of cylinders in the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven James Bickett, Mitchel R Deckard
  • Patent number: 11608064
    Abstract: A method for accelerating a vehicle from rest. The method includes receiving a mode indication indicating a launch control mode selected; receiving a brake-on indication; controlling the engine according to a launch control strategy; determining an accelerator position; for an accelerator position greater than zero, controlling the engine to: increase open a throttle valve and control the engine to limit engine torque output; receiving a brake-off indication; controlling the engine according to the standard control strategy, controlling the engine according to the standard control strategy with the braking system having been released causing the vehicle to accelerate from rest, a first rate of acceleration from rest of the vehicle being greater than a second rate of acceleration from rest of the vehicle for corresponding changes in accelerator position, the first rate corresponding to accelerating from rest after controlling the engine according to the standard and launch control strategies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Maxime Dulac, Donavan Asselin, Francois St-Laurent, Edouard Levesque, Frederic Rancourt
  • Patent number: 11608798
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a gas engine and a ship provided with the same, the gas engine making it is possible to ensure a distance that enables fuel and an oxidizing agent to mix, and to evenly mix the oxidizing agent and the fuel even if the flow rate of gas traveling towards intake pipes varies. A gas engine (1) comprises: an intake passage (10) through which a gas flows; a plurality of intake pipes (12A, 12B) where the intake passage (10) branches apart at a branching section (14) that is downstream in the gas flow direction, the intake pipes opening to a cylinder (16) at the downstream end; and a fuel injection means (31) that injects fuel into the intake passage (10). The fuel injection means (31) is provided upstream of the branching section (14) in the gas flow direction, and injects varying quantities of fuel into the plurality of intake pipes (12A, 12B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENGINE & TURBOCHARGER LTD
    Inventors: Shintaro Shuto, Satoshi Yamada, Kazuro Hotta, Tomohiro Noguchi, Kenichi Iizuka, Yuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11603815
    Abstract: Common component parts for an armature-needle assembly for aftermarket fuel injectors are described herein, where the common components include a needle, an armature, an upper stop flange, a lower stop flange, and one or more guide plates, the flanges and guide plates having apertures configured to accept the needle. The common components are capable of being assembled into at least three different armature-needle assemblies—de-coupled, floating, and fixed configurations. Further included are different sleeve configurations that allow for the adjustment to the induction and the ability to utilize a common solenoid in the different aftermarket fuel injector configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Standard Motor Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Lee Case, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11598272
    Abstract: An engine includes a cylinder internal pressure sensor, a torque sensor, and an engine control device. The cylinder internal pressure sensor detects a cylinder internal pressure. The torque sensor detects an engine load. The engine control device receives a detection result of the cylinder internal pressure sensor and a detection result of the torque sensor. If the load detected by the torque sensor is zero (no load) and the cylinder internal pressure obtained from the detection result of the cylinder internal pressure sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold, the engine control device determines that an abnormality occurs in detection by the torque sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Yanmar Power Technology Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Doui, Taishi Murakami
  • Patent number: 11598273
    Abstract: A system comprising engine driven pumps, control units, a rate control algorithm, and a trained algorithmic model. The control units store operation variables for the engine driven pumps. The rate control algorithm includes an instruction set to read the operation variables for the engine driven pumps. The instruction set comprises a trained algorithmic model with a parameter space based on historical operation variables. The trained algorithmic model determines an optimal distribution rate based on an objective. The instruction set generates rate control variables based on the determined optimal distribution rate. Each rate control variable comprises a selected control unit identifier and a rate value. The instruction set distributes each rate control variable based on the selected control unit identifier. The trained algorithmic model determine the optimal distribution rate using an objective that defines a desired mixture between a first fuel and a second fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Srividhya Sridhar, Jie Bai, Ubong Akpan Inyang
  • Patent number: 11591978
    Abstract: A mobile machine includes an internal combustion engine operatively connected to a plurality of propulsion devices for travel over a work surface. The mobile machine can include an electronic controller that receives condition data signals indicative of the operating state or condition of the mobile machine from a plurality of condition input sensors. The electronic controller compares the condition data signals with condition threshold to determine whether to operate the internal combustion engine in accordance with rated engine speed range or an adjusted engine speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Fulcher, Ethan M. Tevis, Matthew D. Dobsch
  • Patent number: 11591976
    Abstract: An example engine driven welder/generator system is disclosed that includes a turbo charged gasoline powered engine connected to an electric welder/generator. The welder/generator is configured to provide an output to an auxiliary welding system. The turbo charger system enhances operation of the gasoline engine by powering a turbine with engine exhaust to drive a compressor to increase intake of air, resulting in compressed air providing more powerful explosions in an engine combustion chamber once fuel is added and ignited. The resulting engine drives the welder/generator to provide a more consistent torque curve, while generating less noise per unit of power output in comparison to a diesel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery R. Ihde
  • Patent number: 11591997
    Abstract: The objective is to obtain an internal-combustion-engine ignition apparatus that raises the ignitability at a time when a smolder occurs. An internal-combustion-engine ignition apparatus having a main combustion chamber and a subsidiary combustion chamber includes an ignition plug, an ignition coil having a primary coil, a secondary coil, and a tertiary coil, a first switching circuit that turns on or off energization of the primary coil, a second switching circuit that turns on or off energization of the tertiary coil, and a control apparatus that estimates a combustion state, that performs on/off-control of the first switching circuit so that a spark discharge is produced in the ignition plug and that performs on/off-control of the second switching circuit so that magnetic flux in the tertiary coil is changed so as to increase a secondary current, when deterioration of a combustion state has been estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Kataoka