Patents Examined by Hai Huynh
  • Patent number: 9664147
    Abstract: Systems and methods for separating higher octane fuel from a fuel mixture are presented. In one example, higher octane fuel is separated from lower octane fuel and allowed to condense in a fuel tank holding higher octane fuel so that parasitic engine losses are not increased by having to separate higher octane fuel from lower octane fuel a second time. The approach may be applied to fuel systems that include multiple fuel tanks storing different types of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, James Eric Anderson
  • Patent number: 9664127
    Abstract: A method for a fuel system, comprising: during a first condition, directing gasses stripped of fuel vapor from a fuel vapor canister to an engine intake while maintaining a fuel tank isolation valve open. By directing the gasses stripped of fuel vapor the engine intake, a restricted vent line may be bypassed during a refueling event. In this way, premature shutoff events may be mitigated, allowing for a continuous refueling event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 9664103
    Abstract: A true two-stroke (power and exhaust) internal combustion piston engine combining direct injection of all combustion and working fluid elements with exhaust valve(s) that open early during the power stroke if cylinder pressure falls below exhaust manifold pressure, will operate efficiently from power levels produced by conventional four-stroke engines of a fraction of the displacement of the two-stroke engine to power levels attainable by conventional four-stroke engines of twice the two-stroke engine displacement. No additional external systems will be required to enhance performance or control emissions, as all such enhancements are equivalent to control of the combustion and working fluid components. The magnitude of the combustion charge determines the power, and the makeup of the combustion components determine exhaust emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: John E Wacholtz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9664156
    Abstract: A plurality of cylinders are disposed in parallel in a vehicle width direction, a clutch chamber is disposed in either one of the right and the left in the vehicle width direction, an intake manifold, a fuel injection device, a throttle body, and an intake pipe are disposed between a cylinder assembly and an air cleaner in an upper part of a crankcase assembly. The throttle body is disposed on an opposite side in the vehicle width direction of the clutch chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9664153
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an engine defines first and second exhaust runners fluidly coupled to an exhaust passage extending transversely in the head to an exhaust port on an exhaust side. The head defines an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage connected to the exhaust passage and extending longitudinally to an EGR port on the exhaust side. The head also defines a cooling jacket passage adjacent to and substantially surrounding the EGR passage to cool EGR gases prior to cooling by an EGR cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore Beyer, Charles Joseph Patanis, William Spence, Jody Michael Slike, John Christopher Riegger
  • Patent number: 9663096
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing mitigating actions in response to detecting a fuel injector leak. In one example, a method may include in response to detecting a fuel injector leak, performing first high pressure mitigating actions including increasing a fuel rail pressure, increasing a pulse width delivered to the leaking fuel injector, and commanding fuel injection during compression stroke; in response to the first mitigating actions not reducing the leak below a threshold rate, performing second high pressure mitigating actions including increasing the fuel rail pressure, increasing the pulse width delivered to the leaking injector, and commanding fuel injection during intake stroke for a cylinder receiving fuel from the leaking injector; and in response to the second mitigating actions not reducing the leak below the threshold rate, reducing the fuel rail pressure, and commanding intake stroke fuel injection to all cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas James McEwan, Chris Paul Glugla
  • Patent number: 9664129
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining changes in a flow area of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve for EGR flow estimates due to a change in temperature difference between a stem and body of the EGR valve. In one example, a method includes adjusting an EGR valve based on an estimate of EGR flow, the EGR flow estimated based on a pressure difference across the EGR valve and an adjusted valve flow area. The adjusted valve flow area may be based on the temperature difference between the stem and body of the EGR valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Imtiaz Ali, Yan Wang, Todd Anthony Rumpsa
  • Patent number: 9657676
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating powertrain output in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for a vehicle comprises displaying a multi-parameter powertrain calibration map on a display device, and, responsive to user input, selectively adjusting the displayed calibration map along at least one parameter and not adjusting the calibration map past one or more predetermined thresholds. In this way, a vehicle powertrain system may be optimized according to a user's needs and/or preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Melville Glauber, Robert Wilkinson, Jared Schimke, Scott Patrick Ries, Shawn Adam Holland
  • Patent number: 9657688
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly (1) comprising: an admission circuit (4) extending between an air inlet (11) and an outlet connected to the inlet of a heat engine (2); an exhaust circuit (6) extending between an inlet connected to the outlet of the heat engine (2) and an exhaust gas outlet (13); said heat engine (2); a return loop (22) enabling all or some of the exhaust gases in the exhaust circuit (6) to be reinjected upstream of the heat engine (2); and an electric compressor (30) arranged in the assembly (1) in such a way as to be able to receive gases recirculating in the return loop (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Philippe Lutz, Sébastien Potteau, Aurélien Ramseyer
  • Patent number: 9650974
    Abstract: A method for an engine is presented, comprising, following an engine-off event, positioning a first engine cylinder with an intake valve open, opening a canister purge valve; and purging contents of the first engine cylinder to a fuel vapor canister. In this way, uncombusted fuel that may otherwise be emitted from the engine during a prolonged diurnal soak may be stored within the fuel vapor canister, thus decreasing overall vehicle emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 9650951
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine can include a piston moving in a cylinder and a junk head disposed opposite the piston head in the cylinder. The junk head can optionally be moveable between a higher compression ratio position closer to a top dead center of the piston and a lower compression ratio position further from the top dead center position of the piston. At least one intake port can deliver a fluid comprising inlet air to a combustion chamber within the cylinder. Combustion gases can be directed out of the combustion volume through at least one exhaust port. One or both of the intake port and the exhaust port can be opened and closed by operation of a sleeve valve that at least partially encircles the piston. Related articles, systems, and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: PINNACLE ENGINES, INC.
    Inventors: James M. Cleeves, Simon David Jackson, Michael Hawkes, Michael A. Willcox
  • Patent number: 9644571
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes one main combustion chamber for the combustion of a first combustion mixture, one pre-combustion chamber for each respective main combustion chamber for the combustion of a second combustion mixture, a first fuel gas mixer for providing the first combustion mixture, a second fuel gas mixer for providing the second combustion mixture, an air feed line and a synthesis gas feed line, a first mixture line connected to the first fuel gas mixer and the main combustion chamber, and a second mixture line connected to the second fuel gas mixer and the pre-combustion chamber. The first fuel gas mixer is connected to the synthesis gas feed line for the admixing of synthesis gas, and an open or closed loop control device is provided for open or closed loop controlling mixing ratios of fuel, air and synthesis gas in the first combustion mixture and/or second combustion mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GE JENBACHER GMBH & CO OG
    Inventors: Friedrich Gruber, Gunther Wall, Michael Url, Sebastian Zauner
  • Patent number: 9644572
    Abstract: This invention relates to a control device for internal combustion engine for performing an exhaust recirculation control for controlling an operation condition of an exhaust recirculation device (50,52) according to a target exhaust gas recirculation amount (TRegr) set such that a detected air-fuel ratio (AFd) corresponds to an estimated air-fuel ratio (AFe).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroi Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 9644543
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an intake manifold and a manifold absolute pressure sensor configured to generate a current measured manifold absolute pressure (MAPM) signal for the intake manifold. The assembly includes a throttle valve adjustable to control airflow to the intake manifold and a throttle position sensor configured to generate a current measured throttle position (TPM) signal. A controller is operatively connected to the throttle valve and the manifold absolute pressure sensor and has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for determining a predicted manifold absolute pressure (MAPP). Execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to determine the predicted manifold absolute pressure (MAPP) based at least partially on a predicted throttle flow (TFP) and the current measured manifold absolute pressure (MAPM) signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yiran Hu, Ibrahim Haskara, Shifang Li, Sai S. V. Rajagopalan, Steven E Muldoon, Chen-Fang Chang
  • Patent number: 9638141
    Abstract: An exhaust gas valve device for an internal combustion engine includes, an actor, an actor housing, a valve housing connected to the actor housing, an exhaust gas inlet, an exhaust gas outlet, a valve comprising a movement transmission member and a control body, and a coolant channel comprising a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port. The valve is configured to control a flow cross-section between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet. The coolant channel is arranged to extend in the actor housing and in the valve housing. The coolant inlet port and the coolant outlet port are arranged on the actor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: PIERBURG GMBH
    Inventors: Guido Barabasch, Holger Paffrath, Osman Sari, Norbert Simons, Rafael Soglowek
  • Patent number: 9638112
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a vehicle, more particularly, the power train of a compacting machine for earth moving operations, comprising a hydraulic travel pump and a hydraulic travel motor. Control is effected according to a specified control profile when a specified driving operation is to be carried out in that an adjustment of the travel pump is carried out which is independent of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. This makes it possible to retain, on the one hand, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine in the case of abrupt stops of movement or changes in the direction of movement and, on the other hand, to adapt the rotational speed of the engine in the case of somewhat longer uninterrupted pauses between two changes in the traveling behavior, wherein comparatively large fluctuations in the rotational speed are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BOMAG GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Laux, Timo Loew, Manfred Hammes
  • Patent number: 9638348
    Abstract: System and methods for controlling a flow of fluid in a fuel system are disclosed. In an aspect, a gas admission system includes a gas admission valve assembly having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve configured to control a flow of fluid between the inlet and the outlet and a flow limiter assembly in fluid communication with the inlet of the gas admission valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sunil Bean, Andrew Neaville, Joshua Steffen
  • Patent number: 9638157
    Abstract: A quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator for producing corona discharge plasma from is presented. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator has a folded cavity made of opposing concentric cavity members that are nested together to form a continuous cavity ending in a aperture. A center conductor with a tip is positioned in the cavity. The folded cavity advantageously permits the coaxial cavity resonator to resonate at a lower operating frequency than an unfolded quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator of the same length. Embodiments of the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator use narrower apertures to reduce radiative losses, and include center conductors that are reactive load elements, such as helical coils. When a radio frequency (RF) oscillation is produced in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator, corona discharge plasma is formed at the tip of the center conductor. The corona discharge plasma can be used to ignite combustible materials in combustion chambers of combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James E. Smith, Franz A. Pertl
  • Patent number: 9638159
    Abstract: A laser spark plug configured to be installed into a plug shaft of an internal combustion engine, and to focus laser ignition energy into the combustion chamber via combustion chamber-side, and thus proximal end, of the laser spark plug has, at a distal end of the laser spark plug opposite to the proximal end, a connecting unit for detachable mechanical and thermal connection to a cooler, the connecting unit being designed to permit the connecting and the disconnecting of the cooler when the laser spark plug is installed in the plug shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Nuebel, Pascal Woerner, Juergen Raimann, Rene Hartke, Joerg Engelhardt, Martin Weinrotter
  • Patent number: 9630489
    Abstract: A valve member is provided to a vent pipe for communicating a fuel tank with a canister. A solenoid valve is provided to a canister side bypass passage between a back pressure chamber of the valve member and the canister side vent pipe. An extending member is provided to restrict the valve lift amount in accordance with the internal pressure of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinji Shimokawa