Patents Examined by Hai Huynh
  • Patent number: 9758017
    Abstract: In order to shift a rotation angle of a rotor to a region of a normal mode (for example, a region c) from a region of a heater cut mode (for example, a region e), the rotation angle needs to pass through a region where a flow rate of a refrigerant which is caused to flow through all branch channels becomes zero (a region d). When the refrigerant has a high temperature, there is a possibility of the refrigerant being not cooled, and boiling. Therefore, when a request to switch a normal mode and a heater cut mode is issued, permission/non-permission of switch of the mode is determined by comparison of a temperature of the refrigerant detected by the temperature sensor 26 and an upper limit temperature of the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryo Michikawauchi
  • Patent number: 9752528
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for operating an internal combustion engine. In the method, an injection start is calculated by a filter, starting from a standard injection start and at least one of the filter parameters is selected in accordance with the operating mode of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventor: Armin Dölker
  • Patent number: 9752516
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle may include an engine, a fuel tank, a feed pump, a pressure sensor, a motor and an electric storage apparatus. The feed pump feeds the fuel to a port injection valve. The pressure sensor detects a fuel pressure that is fed to the port injection valve. The motor performs cranking of the engine at start time of the engine. The control apparatus includes an ECU. The ECU controls the feed pump based on a detection value of the pressure sensor and controls the motor in order to start the engine. The ECU controls the feed pump and the motor such that the electric storage apparatus feeds electric power to the motor in preference to the feed pump, when an electric power that the electric storage apparatus is able to output at the start time of the engine is less than a determination threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9752539
    Abstract: A vapor purge system for an engine, includes a purge valve having a housing including an input port in communication with a purge canister and including an output port in communication with an intake system component defining a first bore portion receiving the output port with a first seal member disposed therebetween. The intake system component includes a second bore portion receiving a housing portion of the purge valve with a second seal member disposed therebetween. The first and second seal members are spaced such that when the housing is pulled away from the intake system component and the first seal member is out of engagement between the first bore and the output port, the second seal member can remain in engagement so that a diagnostic module can diagnose detachment of the purge valve from the intake system before any hydrocarbon vapor can be released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Darrell W. Burleigh, Sergio Quelhas, Lawrence A. Staat, Kenneth C. Swartz
  • Patent number: 9752529
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine includes a fuel injection valve injecting fuel directly into a cylinder. The control apparatus includes an ECU. The ECU is configured to execute a divided injection control to inject fuel from the fuel injection valve by a plurality of partial lift injections. The ECU is configured to execute a division number reduction control when the value of a spray shape parameter representing spray shape fluctuation is greater than a division number reduction determination value. The division number reduction control is control to reduce the number of partial lift injections in one engine cycle and to lengthen an injection time of each of the partial lift injections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichi Mitani, Daisuke Uchida, Naoya Kaneko, Kenji Hoshi, Hiroaki Adachi, Susumu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9745893
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for varying a compression ratio in an engine having a pressure reactive piston. The pressure reactive piston may include a piston crown, and a spring positioned within the piston crown, wherein the spring includes a first ring, a second ring comprising a plurality of apertures, a rolling element positioned within each of the plurality of apertures, and a third ring. The first ring, the second ring, and the third ring of the spring may be arranged concentrically and the second ring may be positioned between the first ring and the third ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Edward Brevick
  • Patent number: 9745917
    Abstract: Described is a crankcase and a method for assembling a multi-part crankcase. The method can include providing a cylinder block and a bearing tunnel upper part. The cylinder block has a plurality of threaded holes into each of which a stud screw is screwed, where the stud screws protrude from the cylinder block. The bearing tunnel upper part has a plurality of through-holes, where each of the through-holes is arranged coaxially to a corresponding stud screw. On a side facing the cylinder head, each of the through-holes has an internal thread having a first direction of rotation. A plurality of threaded sleeves, each threaded sleeve has an internal thread that has a second direction of rotation, an external thread that has a first direction of rotation, and a driver profile for inserting a screwdriver tool in a positive-locking manner, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Steyr Motors GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Poxhofer
  • Patent number: 9744831
    Abstract: A compressor is disclosed. In one aspect, the compressor includes a pressure chamber which is delimited by at least two housing parts, the housing parts including sealing surfaces that are connected by a connection device which applies a contact pressing force between the sealing surfaces. At least one groove extending in a circumferential direction is arranged on at least one sealing surface. At least one relief opening is arranged on at least one of the housing parts. The relief opening connects the groove to the surroundings of the compressor and emanates from the groove. The groove is arranged such that when a predetermined maximum pressure is exceeded in the pressure chamber, a pressure-building medium can gather in the groove and at least partially escape through the relief opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain Bad Homburg GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Krug, Jan Hinrichs
  • Patent number: 9745891
    Abstract: An engine is provided. In one embodiment, the engine includes a precombustion chamber having a body, a secondary combustion chamber disposed at least partially in the body, and a plurality of passages configured to place the precombustion chamber in fluid communication with a main combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Compression Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gene McClendon, Randall A. Coleman
  • Patent number: 9745901
    Abstract: The invention relates to an engine control valve (1) which comprises a rotatable actuator (7), a valve (5), and a movement transformation device (9) suitable for transforming the rotation of the actuator (7) into translation of the valve (5). The movement transmission device (9) comprises a helical link with uniform pitch for translating the valve (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Laurent Albert, Gabriel Ridolfi
  • Patent number: 9745913
    Abstract: A fuel injection controller includes an oxygen sensor that responds to an oxygen concentration inside an exhaust passage, and an injection amount control unit programmed to control a fuel injection amount based on the output of the oxygen sensor. The injection amount control unit includes an injection amount correction value computing unit that determines an injection amount correction value based on the output of the oxygen sensor, a short-time learning value computing unit that determines a short-time learning value based on the injection amount correction value, a long-time learning value computing unit that determines a long-time learning value based on the short-time learning value; a feedback correction amount computing unit that computes a feedback correction amount, an injection amount control value computing unit that computes a control value of the fuel injection amount, and a long-time learning value holding unit that holds the long-time learning value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoko Fujime
  • Patent number: 9744980
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems are provided for enhancing engine operation through data-sharing among vehicles. In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether a first value of a first operating parameter produced by a first vehicle is corrupted or unavailable; receiving a second value of the first operating parameter produced by a second vehicle that is proximate to the first vehicle; adjusting the second value by a first adjustment factor, the first adjustment factor based on a first value of a global positioning system (GPS) position of the first vehicle produced by the first vehicle and a second value of a GPS position of the second vehicle produced by the second vehicle; and in response to determining that the first value is corrupted or unavailable, controlling operation of an engine of the first vehicle based on the adjusted second value of the first operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Luke Henry, Patricia Lacy
  • Patent number: 9745890
    Abstract: A process for operating a heater that can be operated with hydrocarbon fuel, especially for a vehicle includes providing a substoichiometric air/fuel mixture in a precombustion chamber (18) for a combustion operation and performing a cold flame combustion in the precombustion chamber (18). The precombustion products forming in the precombustion chamber (18) during the cold flame combustion are supplied to a catalyst arrangement (32) and a partial catalytic oxidation is performed for producing a gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The gas produced during the partial catalytic oxidation is supplied to a main combustion chamber (34) for producing a hydrogen/carbon monoxide/air mixture. The hydrogen/carbon monoxide/air mixture is burned in the main combustion chamber (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Eberspaecher Climate Control Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Günter Eberspach
  • Patent number: 9745906
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving compressor recirculation valve operation of an engine that includes a compressor are presented. The systems and methods adjust a position of a waste gate while the compressor recirculation valve is operated in a closed loop mode to maintain engine intake manifold throttle inlet pressure during a diagnostic mode to adapt operation of the compressor recirculation valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Baitao Xiao, Adam Nathan Banker, Hamid-Reza Ossareh
  • Patent number: 9739252
    Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple commands to an ignition coil driver circuit to provide spark, ion signal integration, and ignition coil shunting during a cycle of a cylinder is presented. In one example, multiple voltage pulses are provided over a single conductor communication link. The voltage pulses provide encoded instructions for ignition timing, ignition coil shunting, and ion signal integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • Patent number: 9739251
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting and combusting an amount of gaseous fuel during an exhaust stroke of a cylinder combustion event in order to reduce turbo lag and reduce a duration of time required for an exhaust catalyst to light-off during transient events. In one example, when an increase in torque demand is greater than a threshold, a first amount of gaseous fuel may be combusted during a compression stroke of a cylinder combustion event and a second amount of gaseous fuel may be combusted during an exhaust stroke of the combustion event. The second amount may be adjusted based on the increase in torque demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, John Hedges
  • Patent number: 9739209
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel injection system comprises a high pressure accumulator (rail) and a high-pressure fuel pump with a digital inlet valve and which guides fuel into the high pressure accumulator. The number of the control pulses for the digital inlet valve and thus the number of the pump delivery strokes is reduced with respect to the number of the injection steps of an injector of the injection system, in order to thereby reduce the noise and the energy consumption of the high-pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Hans Riepl, Tobias Ritsch
  • Patent number: 9739223
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an emission control device for an engine system including a gasoline particulate filter (GPF) and bypass passage for the GPF. In one example, the system may include a converging cone to direct exhaust flow through a central bypass passage, housing a valve, which originates upstream of the GPF and eventually passes through the center of it (thereby bypassing the GPF). In another example exhaust flow may travel through outer passages, coupled between the converging cone and GPF and spaced around the central bypass passage, to travel to the GPF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James David Pakko, Mark Kreger, Jimmy Theis
  • Patent number: 9739246
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided that creates variable spray characteristics to effectively reduce emissions, such as NOx emissions and particulate matter. The injector includes a nozzle valve element of the outwardly opening type including a fuel delivery passage and spray holes. The nozzle valve element is operable to move to a low lift position to cause fuel flowing from the spray holes to impinge on the injector body and to deflect toward the combustion chamber, and to move to a high lift position to cause fuel flowing from the spray holes to avoid impingement on injector body and flow in an obstructed manner directly into the combustion chamber. An annular chamber may be formed in the nozzle valve element adjacent the spray holes to receive fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Lester Peters, David L. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 9739212
    Abstract: In one aspect, a skip fire engine controller is described. The skip fire engine controller includes a skip fire module arranged to determine an operational firing fraction and associated cylinder load for delivering a desired engine output. The skip fire engine controller also includes a firing controller arranged to direct firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. Various methods, modules, lookup tables and arrangements related to the selection of a suitable operational firing fraction are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Louis J. Serrano