Patents Examined by Hai Huynh
  • Patent number: 10240571
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a stop/start module in operative communication with an engine. The stop/start module structured to determine whether a stopping event has occurred, determine whether an inhibiting condition is activated, turn off the engine for at least a portion of time in response to determining that a stopping event has occurred, and determine an actual stop ratio for the engine based on a number of times the engine is turned off in response to determining the occurrences of stopping events. Turning off the engine is inhibited in response to determining that an inhibiting condition is activated. The inhibiting condition is activated based on the actual stop ratio for the engine being greater than a target stop ratio at a beginning of a driving event. The target stop ratio is based on an operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin T. Books
  • Patent number: 10240547
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel injection control device capable of accurately detecting a valve opening delay time of a fuel injection valve, and implementing high-precision minute injection control. A valve opening delay time of a fuel injection valve is estimated on the basis of a plurality of valve closing delay times obtained when the fuel injection valve is operated with injection pulse widths that are different injection pulse widths from each other and with which the fuel injection valve is in an intermediate lift state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Haoyun Shi, Yuuki Okuda, Masahiro Toyohara
  • Patent number: 10227944
    Abstract: A method for detecting defective injection nozzles that deliver fuel into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine includes determining the standard deviation values for the respective injection nozzles and of the total leakage flow via a computation. The computation involves solving an equation for a respective test step that describes the standard deviation values and the total leakage flow as a function of the mixture factors set in a respective test step, a lambda value that is valid for a respective test step and that is derived from the measurements of the lambda value, and an air mass flow that is valid for the respective test step and that is derived from the measurements of the air mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sebastian Grasreiner
  • Patent number: 10227946
    Abstract: A method for engine drivability robustness includes: dividing, by an engine controller, an engine state into a starting condition, a stop condition, and a deceleration condition; dividing an injection mode index of a fuel injection into a suction compression injection of the starting condition, a suction split injection of the stop condition, and a suction compression split injection of the deceleration condition, respectively, depending on a low volatile fuel condition; and performing a variable indexing mode to prevent an engine off by applying a lambda control factor for a rich lambda control by an increase in fuel amount to the deceleration condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hee-Sup Kim, Jong-Sung Park
  • Patent number: 10221813
    Abstract: An electronic control unit executes a deposit removal operation of removing a deposit accumulated in an intake port of an internal combustion engine. In the deposit removal operation, the temperature of an EGR gas that is recycled to an intake passage is measured or estimated. Then, a variable valve mechanism is operated such that an intake valve is opened in an expansion stroke or an exhaust stroke and the lift amount of the intake valve becomes larger as the measured or estimated temperature of the EGR gas becomes lower. Further, an external EGR device is operated such that the amount of the EGR gas that is recycled to the intake passage becomes larger as the measured or estimated temperature of the EGR gas becomes lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayoshi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10208690
    Abstract: A starting control method for a vehicle having an engine may include determining, by an ECU, whether engine RPM rises when the engine is started, determining whether combustion-related parts are normal, when the engine RPM does not rise over a starter RPM, determining whether a cam position sensor and a crank position sensor are normal, when it is determined that the combustion-related parts are normal, performing control to offset a recognized crank angle by 360 degrees, when it is determined that the cam position sensor and the crank position sensor are normal, and restarting the engine based on the offset crank angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Tae-Kwang Eom, Hyeok-Jun Kwon, Jung-Suk Han, Chang-Hyun Lim
  • Patent number: 10208726
    Abstract: An inside projection is formed in one piece with a second tubular member and projects in a tubular form toward a third tubular member, and an outside projection is formed in one piece with the third tubular member and projects in a tubular form toward the second tubular member, while an inner wall of the outside projection is engaged with an outer wall of the inside projection. Another inside projection is formed in one piece with the second tubular member and projects in a tubular form toward a first tubular member, and another outside projection is formed in one piece with the first tubular member and projects in a tubular form toward the second tubular member, while an inner wall of the outside projection is engaged with an outer wall of the inside projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinobu Oikawa, Eiji Mimura
  • Patent number: 10202928
    Abstract: A lift amount variable mechanism is configured to switch a cam for driving an intake valve (drive cam) between two types of intake cams in lift amount (i.e. a large lift cam and a small lift cam). In a first embodiment of this disclosure, the lift amount variable mechanism is controlled by an ECU so that the small lift cam is selected as the drive cam for control that promotes activation of an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst (catalyst warm-up control).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Hoshi
  • Patent number: 10202912
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a compression ratio of a variable compression ratio (VCR) engine during engine shutdown. In one example, a method (or system) may include actuating a VCR mechanism from a higher compression ratio setting to a lower compression ratio setting after a last combustion event and before the engine spins down to rest. In this way, engine shake, for example, due to piston bounce-back, may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Glugla, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Patent number: 10202954
    Abstract: Provided is an end seal structure of a fuel rail for a gasoline direct injection engine that has a simple structure and allows an end cap part to meet higher pressure requirements in a fuel rail having the structure in which one end or both ends of a rail body composed of a tubular member, such as a pipe, is/are closed by an end cap or end caps. The end seal structure employs a thread fastening method using the end cap and a collar brazed at the opening end of the fuel rail body and a gasket sealing method as a sealing method, wherein a gasket interposed between the end cap and the fuel rail body is tightened by an axial force generated due to tightening of the end cap that is screwed and fastened to the fuel rail body so as to be sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: USUI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shuji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10199803
    Abstract: A conductive ball stud fastener arrangement for providing energy to a removable electrified component having an electrified element when the component is attached to an electrified substrate is disclosed. The ball stud fastener includes an insulating body, an electrified conductor having a conductive tip that is continuous with a conductive, centrally formed conductive stem, and a conductive attachment portion for attachment to the electrified substrate. The electrified component includes grommets having conductive elements. The ball stud fasteners are easily removed from and attached to the grommets. The conductive elements of the grommets are part of a circuit to which the electrified element of the electrified component is attached. According to one embodiment, the conductive ball stud fastener arrangement and its associated circuit includes a photoelectric sensor that opens and closes the circuit. In another embodiment, the ball studs themselves act as switches to open and close the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Nola
  • Patent number: 10197036
    Abstract: An operation status value detection unit detects two or more operation status values indicating an operation status of an internal combustion engine. A filtering processing unit applies filtering processing to the detected operation status values, and an operation status value difference calculation unit calculates the difference between the filter-processed operation status value and the corresponding non-filter-processed operation status value so as to calculate two or more operation status value differences. An operation status value difference normalization unit normalizes the two or more operation status value differences, based on predetermined reference values for the two or more operation status values, so as to calculate two or more normalized operation status value differences; and a transient correction unit corrects a control amount for controlling output of the internal combustion engine, based thereon, when the engine is in a transient-operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Hagari, Yuhei Matsushima, Keitaro Ezumi, Tomokuni Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 10197032
    Abstract: A hydraulic connection via which a fuel injector is connectable to a fuel-conducting component and which includes a retaining bridge having a support surface. A connecting piece of a fuel injector is supportable on the support surface of the retaining bridge. A hydraulic connection being formed between the connecting piece of the fuel injector and a connection. A convexly curved bearing surface is provided on the connection, and a support surface is formed on the connecting piece of the fuel injector. A contact between the connecting piece of the fuel injector and the connection is implemented on the convexly curved bearing surface and the support surface for forming the hydraulic connection. The support surface is designed axially symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis. The support surface is designed in a widened manner in a direction from the connecting piece toward the connection along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Ralf Kromer
  • Patent number: 10190560
    Abstract: A stop-start control system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at the vehicle and having a field of view exterior and forward of the vehicle. A control includes an image processor operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive to image processing of captured image data, the control determines the presence of a stopping area ahead of the vehicle and being approached by the vehicle. Responsive to determination of the presence of the stopping area ahead of the vehicle and being approached by the vehicle, and responsive to determination that the driver of the vehicle releases the accelerator pedal of the vehicle so the vehicle is coasting toward the determined stopping area, the control causes the engine to at least partially shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. Tedesco, Sai Sunil Charugundla Gangadhar
  • Patent number: 10190519
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for an internal combustion engine that includes a turbocharger, and an actuator that changes a turbocharging pressure by regulating exhaust energy for use in drive of the turbocharger. When a target torque is increased during execution of a lean burn operation, the control device switches an operation mode of the internal combustion engine from the lean burn operation to a stoichiometric operation. When the operation mode switching is performed in a turbocharging state, the control device determines whether a target torque is within a range of a torque realizable under the lean air-fuel ratio. When the target torque is within the range, the control device operates the actuator so as to keep the turbocharging pressure at a magnitude equal to or larger than a magnitude at a time point at which the operation mode is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigehiro Sugihira, Naoto Kato, Satoshi Yoshizaki
  • Patent number: 10184428
    Abstract: A gas injector for injecting a gaseous fuel directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a valve-closing element for releasing and sealing a through opening at a sealing seat; a shielding element, which is situated at an end of the valve-closing element on a side of the combustion chamber and which shields the valve-closing element and the sealing seat with respect to the combustion chamber; and a cooling ring having a first contact area designed for direct contact with the shielding element and a second contact area designed for direct contact with a component of the internal combustion engine, in particular with a cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Guenther Hohl
  • Patent number: 10184417
    Abstract: In a fuel injection system a high-pressure fuel pump is arranged to deliver fuel into the fuel rail, a first valve is disposed at the inlet of the high-pressure fuel pump, and a second valve is disposed in a return line that fluidly connects the fuel rail to a fuel tank. An electronic control unit is configured to monitor a value of a parameter indicative of a fuel quantity injected into the engine, monitor a value of an engine speed, and operate the first valve to allow a first fuel flow to be delivered from the high-pressure fuel pump into the fuel rail and contemporaneously operate the second valve to discharge a second fuel flow from the fuel rail, if the monitored value of the parameter indicates that no fuel is injected into the engine and the monitored value of the engine speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Daniele Carboni, Ricardo Rossi
  • Patent number: 10180101
    Abstract: A fail-safe control method for a vehicle cooling system, in which an engine and a vehicle can be properly operated even when a water temperature sensor malfunctions. When only one of two water temperature sensors malfunctions, control may be performed so that an engine and a vehicle can properly operate. When both the two water temperature sensors malfunction, the fail-safe function of the flow rate control valve can be enabled to entirely prevent cooling water from being overheated, thereby improving the reliability of the operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTO COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheol Soo Park, Dong Suk Chae, Jun Sik Park, Seong Kyu Park, Jea Woong Yi
  • Patent number: 10174687
    Abstract: A method of controlling an engine which has a continuous variable valve duration (CVVD) device that controls an operation of opening or closing an intake valve, and an ETC device that controls an operation of opening or closing a throttle valve and adjusts the amount of air to be introduced into a combustion chamber, may include determining whether it is necessary to increase or decrease engine torque; changing a duration of the intake valve by using the CVVD device when it is necessary to increase or decrease the engine torque; and adjusting the amount of air introduced through the ETC device in a state in which the duration of the intake valve is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seung-Bum Kim
  • Patent number: 10167804
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing compressor bypass valve degradation. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of a compressor bypass valve coupled in a compressor bypass based on intake aircharge temperature measured upstream of a compressor inlet via an air charge temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hamid-Reza Ossareh, Baitao Xiao, Adam Nathan Banker