Patents Examined by Hai Huynh
  • Patent number: 9810166
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency or the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, John B. Heywood, Leslie Bromberg
  • Patent number: 9810185
    Abstract: An improved vehicle fuel system enables mixing of natural gas and a liquid fuel upstream of a combustion cylinder. According to some embodiments the system includes: a gas pressure vessel and associated gas pressurization system to deliver natural gas at a desired pressure; a liquid fuel storage vessel and associated reservoir pump to deliver liquid fuel at a desired pressure; a mixing system configured to receive and mix the liquid fuel from the liquid fuel storage vessel and natural gas from the gas pressure vessel to produce a homogeneous fluid fuel mixture; and a common rail system connecting the mixing system to an engine that consumes the homogeneous fluid fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MOSAIC TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PTY LTD
    Inventors: Derek Shane Fekete, Paul Anthony Whiteman
  • Patent number: 9810161
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes a difference module, a Fourier module, and a fault module. The difference module determines pressure differences for a camshaft revolution based on differences between: first pressures within first chambers of a camshaft phaser measured during the camshaft revolution, wherein the first pressures within the first chamber control advancement of the camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an engine; and second pressures within second chambers of the camshaft phaser measured during the camshaft revolution, wherein the second pressures within the second chamber control retardation of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft of the engine. The Fourier module performs a Fourier Transform (FT) based on the pressure differences to produce FT data. The fault module, based on the FT data, selectively indicates that a fault is present in a variable valve lift mechanism that is actuated by the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Victor A. Fiorini, Turgay Bengisu, Pradheep C. Velusamy
  • Patent number: 9810164
    Abstract: A prime mover control device for a work vehicle, includes: a rotation speed control unit that controls a rotation speed of a prime mover in correspondence to an operation quantity of an accelerator operation member; a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of cooling oil used to cool a brake; and a speed limiting unit that limits a maximum rotation speed of the prime mover by setting a lower limit for the maximum rotation speed when the temperature of the cooling oil detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than a predetermined temperature, compared to a limit set when the temperature of the cooling oil detected by the temperature detection unit is lower than the predetermined temperature, wherein: a maximum vehicle speed is limited by limiting the maximum rotation speed of the prime mover by the speed limiting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: KCM Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Aoki, Koji Hyodo, Tetsuji Tanaka, Kentaro Oomae
  • Patent number: 9803612
    Abstract: A cylinder-inflow EGR gas amount is estimated, a misfire limit EGR gas amount is calculated on the basis of an engine operation state, and the misfire limit EGR gas amount is compared with the cylinder-inflow EGR gas amount to predict whether a misfire occurs. When the misfire is predicted, a misfire avoidance control is executed. Further, an actual misfire countermeasure effect amount in a case of the execution of the misfire avoidance control is calculated, and the actual misfire countermeasure effect amount is compared with a required misfire countermeasure effect amount to determine whether the misfire is avoidable when the misfire avoidance control is executed. If the misfire is unavoidable even if the misfire avoidance control is executed, a delay restriction value of an ignition timing to avoid the misfire is calculated, and the amount of a delay in the ignition timing is restricted using the delay restriction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keitarou Minami, Hideaki Ichihara, Hiroyuki Takezoe, Hiroshi Katsurahara
  • Patent number: 9803573
    Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a target torque module that determines a target torque output of an engine based on at least one driver input. A target air per cylinder (APC) module determines a target APC for the engine based on the target torque. A target mass airflow (MAF) module determines a target MAF through a throttle valve of the engine based on the target APC, a number of activated cylinders of the engine, and a total number of cylinders of the engine. A throttle control module determines a target throttle opening based on the target MAF and controls opening of the throttle valve based on the target throttle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sanjeev M. Naik, Kevin Andrew Gady
  • Patent number: 9803571
    Abstract: A method, used with dual-fuel engine, of controlling the amount of gaseous fuel delivered to the engine. At operating conditions that result in an equivalence ratio below a predetermined threshold (which typically occur at mid or part loads), it is determined whether better performance and/or lower emissions can be achieved by reducing gaseous fuel to some cylinders and increasing gaseous fuel to others. Typically, the gaseous fuel is reduced to zero to a number of cylinders and increased to others, with the increase resulting in an equivalence ratio that will provide improved emissions and efficiency and the desired engine output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: John C. Hedrick, David P. Branyon, Timothy J. Callahan, Jeremy D. Eubanks, Ryan C. Roecker, Garrett L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9803580
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is configured to operate in a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition combustion mode. Operation of the engine includes determining a combustion pressure parameter for each cylinder. Fueling for each cylinder is controlled responsive to a target state for the combustion pressure parameter for the corresponding cylinder. An end-of-injection timing and a corresponding spark ignition timing for each cylinder are controlled responsive to a target mass-burn-fraction point for an engine operating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Hanho Yun, Jun-Mo Kang, Orgun A. Guralp, Chen-Fang Chang, Paul M. Najt
  • Patent number: 9803773
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an oil-gas dual-purpose integrated switch. The oil-gas dual-purpose integrated switch comprises a valve and a knob switch for controlling an ignition coil and a carburetor solenoid valve; the valve cap is fixed on the valve body to form a valve cavity; the valve core is disposed in the valve body; the valve core passes through the valve cap to be fixed with the knob of the knob switch such that when the knob switch is rotated, the valve core is driven to rotate; the valve body is provided with an oil inlet pipe joint, an oil outlet pipe joint, a gas inlet pipe joint and a gas outlet pipe joint which are communicated with the valve cavity; the valve core is provided with an oil duct, and a gas duct. The oil-gas dual-purpose integrated switch can switch the oil path and the gas path randomly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CHONGQING RATO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo Zhang, Quan Yang, Wen-Bin Zhou, Jin-Hua Du
  • Patent number: 9803564
    Abstract: A dual-fuel fuel injector, having: a first nozzle needle for discharge of liquid fuel via a first nozzle arrangement; and a multiplicity of second nozzle needles, arranged around the first nozzle needle and controlled in terms of axial stroke, for discharge of gaseous fuel via a second nozzle arrangement. Each of the second nozzle needles has for controlling the stroke thereof, a respective control chamber in the injector which can be charged with and relieved of pressure by a control fluid. The dual-fuel fuel injector has an annular duct which can be charged with and relieved of pressure by the control fluid. The dual-fuel fuel injector is designed such that, for controlling the stroke of the second nozzle needles, the control chambers for the second nozzle needles are charged with and relieved of pressure by the control fluid proceeding from the annular duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: L'ORANGE GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Kalenborn
  • Patent number: 9797351
    Abstract: A ducted combustion system is disclosed. The ducted combustion system may include a combustion chamber and a fuel injector in fluid connection with the combustion chamber and including at least one orifice opening from an injector tip of the fuel injector, the at least one orifice injecting fuel into the combustion chamber as at least one fuel jet. The system may further include at least one duct disposed within the combustion chamber such that the at least one fuel jet, at least partially, enters the at least one duct upon being injected into the combustion chamber. The system may further include a duct cooling system configured to cool a mixture of fuel and air of the at least one fuel jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenth Svensson, Chad Koci, Christopher Gehrke
  • Patent number: 9797294
    Abstract: An intelligent sea water cooling system including a first fluid cooling loop coupled to a heat exchanger, a second fluid cooling loop coupled to the heat exchanger and including a fluid pump for circulating fluid through the second fluid cooling loop, and a controller operatively connected to the fluid pump. The controller may be configured to monitor an actual temperature in the first fluid cooling loop and to adjust a speed of the fluid pump based on the monitored temperature in order to achieve a desired temperature in the first fluid cooling loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: IMO Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Yin, Stefan Werner, David McKinstry, Edwin Braun, Christian Martin, Martin Hoffmann, Christian Hopf, Alistair Baird
  • Patent number: 9797364
    Abstract: A method for operating a combustion engine is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes: generating several sparks to ignite a fuel-air mixture in a combustion chamber by an ignition device of the combustion engine, determining a combustion duration of at least one of the sparks, detecting a deviation of an actual operation from a target operation of the combustion engine at least depending on the combustion duration, compensating for the deviation by implementing at least one measure which influences a combustion of the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber, determining the combustion duration of the chronological first of the sparks, allocating the first spark to a first spark type or to a second spark type depending on the combustion duration, and implementing the at least one measure if at least one value which characterizes a frequency of one of the spark types exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Bertsch, Harald Ott, Uwe Schaupp
  • Patent number: 9797387
    Abstract: A high-pressure fuel supply pump includes a plunger, a valve member, a valve seat, a pressurizing chamber, and a fuel passage. The fuel passage includes a gap passage portion formed in a gap between the valve seat and the valve member. The fuel passage also includes a bent passage portion extending in a bent direction with respect to the gap passage portion, on the downstream side of the gap passage portion. The inner surface of the valve member, on a side thereof that faces the valve seat, has a convex shape in an area of the valve member that is between the bent passage portion and the gap passage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Aritomi, Satoshi Usui, Atsuji Saito, Tatsuo Kawano, Masayuki Suganami, Kenichirou Tokuo
  • Patent number: 9797362
    Abstract: A starter control apparatus outputs a conduction command to a starter relay when an engine start request is generated and starts driving of a starter. After the engine is started, when a condition for executing the failure diagnosis processing is satisfied, the starter control apparatus outputs a non-conduction command to a starter cutoff relay and diagnoses the starter cutoff relay for failure. The starter control apparatus determines that the starter cutoff relay is normal when a voltage applied to the starter after notification of the non-conduction command to the starter cutoff relay does not exceed a predetermined voltage. The starter control apparatus determines that the starter cutoff relay is abnormal when the voltage applied to the starter exceeds the predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kouji Nagata
  • Patent number: 9797359
    Abstract: The invention relates to a starting device (10) for an internal combustion engine, the starting device (10) comprising a hub (12; 70) configured to drivingly engage an internal combustion engine when the hub (12; 70) is rotated in a first direction (A); a pulley (14; 47; 60) interconnected with the hub (12; 70) by a spring (23; 41); a shaft (21) on which the pulley (14; 47; 60) and hub (12; 70) are mounted independently rotatable; a flexible member (16) attached to and coiled about the pulley (14; 47; 60); and where the spring (23; 41) coupled at a first end (26; 53) to the hub (12; 70) and at a second end (28; 54) to the pulley (14; 47; 60). The pulley (14; 47; 60) comprises a recess (15) arranged to receive the flexible member (16), which recess has the shape of a conical helix having a first end (15A) with a first diameter and a second end (15B) with a second diameter, larger than the first diameter; and is attached to the pulley (14; 47; 60) at the second end (15B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Stefan Kullberg, Joakim Persson, Anders Hansson, HÃ¥kan Fransson
  • Patent number: 9790846
    Abstract: With reference to FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: OSP Engines Limited
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Pirault, Ali Veshagh
  • Patent number: 9790839
    Abstract: A combustion or hybrid powered motor vehicle including at least one internal combustion engine arranged in an engine compartment, a lower housing configured to enclose a lower portion of the engine compartment, a fan including a vertical axis and an electric motor supplying the fan with electrical energy, the fan arranged substantially horizontally in the lower housing under the internal combustion engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Ludovic Masset, Vincent Desfeux, Christophe Casen
  • Patent number: 9790897
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas distribution manifold (3) in the cylinder head of a heat engine of a motor vehicle, said manifold (3) comprising a manifold housing (31) provided with an inflow face for the inflow of an admission gas (G) and an outflow face (3B) entering the cylinder head of the engine, and an injection spout (6) for injecting a recirculated exhaust gas flow (H) of the engine into the admission gas flow (G), the manifold housing (31) and the injection spout (6) forming a single component. As the injection spout (6) comprises an open face, the manifold (3) is configured such that said open face is closed by an element outside the manifold (3), especially the cylinder head, in such a way as to form a tubular injection pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventors: Carlos Martins, Bertrand Gessier
  • Patent number: 9790845
    Abstract: With regard to an internal combustion engine having a tumble flow formed in a cylinder, an object of the invention is to intensify the tumble flow. There is provided an internal combustion engine having a pent-roof type combustion chamber. In a predetermined area in the vicinity of an opening of an intake port to a combustion chamber, an upper wall surface of the intake port is extended approximately linearly while being inclined to an intake port-side ceiling surface more downward than a normal direction of the intake port-side ceiling surface in a side view. In a partial area in the predetermined area of the intake port, a distance between lateral wall surfaces on a left side and on a right side of the intake port is gradually increased toward downstream in a top view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Abe, Yasushi Yoshihara