Patents Examined by J. Richter
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Patent number: 7000392Abstract: An exemplary controller includes a control valve that includes an electric actuator operatively coupled to a valve stem, a piston operatively coupled to one or more hydraulic fluid paths controlled by the control valve and including a piston shaft, a rotatable shaft operatively coupled to the piston shaft and mechanically isolated from the valve stem and capable of adjusting geometry of the variable geometry turbine, and an electronic sensor capable of sensing an angular position of the rotatable shaft. Various other exemplary systems, methods, devices, etc., are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Greentree
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Patent number: 7000393Abstract: A valve (50) selectively shunts exhaust gas around a stage (20T) of a turbocharger turbine (20) under control of a control system that selectively renders an EGR system (38) active and inactive and that develops a value for a set-point of operation for the valve. The control system comprises a first map set (60, 142) containing data that the control system uses to the exclusion of data in a second map set (80, 148) to develop the set-point value when the EGR system is active. When the EGR system is inactive, the control system uses the data in the second map set to the exclusion of the data in the first map set to develop the set-point value.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2005Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventors: Terry G. Wood, Grzegorz Siuchta, Wesley J. Terry
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Patent number: 7000390Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine heat exchanger and a method for making the heat exchanger including, forming an annular ring of a solid heat conductive mass, the annular ring having a central axis and having axially opposite faces. A plurality of passages are drilled through the annular ring and through the opposite faces to provide passages for the flow of a fluid through the passages and transfer of heat energy between the mass and the fluid. The passages are preferably parallel to the axis and have a circular cross section and are arranged in a plurality of circumferentially spaced sets of passages, each set having a plurality of radially spaced passages.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Sunpower, Inc.Inventor: James Gary Wood
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Patent number: 7000395Abstract: A hybrid clean-energy power-supply framework integrates a fuel cell, solar cell, and wind energy, applies a max power tracking rule, raises the output power of a solar cell and wind energy to supply a power load and transfer the surplus electrical energy to a water-electrolyzing apparatus for producing hydrogen and oxygen, and provides a fuel for a fuel cell power generating system. Furthermore, the present invention utilizes features of each clean-energy power generating system, depends on the powerful calculation capacity of a central processing unit to monitor and dispatch each power generation and supply system, and thus ensures the reliability of supply power and reduces the power generation cost. Such a framework can selectively grid-connect with the utility power or run as a stand-alone power supply system and has a mechanism for preventing the island effect.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Yuan Ze UniversityInventors: Rong-Jong Wai, Rou-Yong Duan
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Patent number: 6994071Abstract: A counter-rotating 2 cycle piston engine with a combustion chamber and an output shaft rotatably mounted to rotate independently about the same propeller centerline of an aircraft. The Internal combustion power is transmitted to the output shaft by means of a conventional piston, rod, crankshaft configuration journaled to the combustion chamber or engine block in the traditional manner thereby producing concurrent rotation of the shaft and counter-rotation of the engine block. Interior surfaces of the combustion chamber and pistons are angled to control the oil flow inside the crankcase and eliminate unwanted ponding. The pistons are modified to transfer fluid accumulations to the combustion chamber. A throttle is located at the axis of rotation to function normally without the effects of centrifical force.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Inventor: Paul A. Schwam
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Patent number: 6990813Abstract: A negative feedback control operation is performed in the electronic control actuator. Thus, a motor and a gear rotate the output shaft until the actual angle signal becomes nearly equal to the target angle signal. The turn of the output shaft of the electronic control actuator is transmitted to nozzle vanes of a turbocharger through a lever and a rod, so that the opening of the nozzle vane is controlled.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Jidosha Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyuki Ando, Haruo Saito, Takaaki Sekine
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Patent number: 6990810Abstract: A pressure vessel for containing a mechanical device operable to convert heat to mechanical or electrical power, comprising: a high temperature section, the high temperature section having a first end and an open second end, a sealing flange, the sealing flange having a first end and a second threaded end, the first end bonded to the open second end of the high temperature section, and a low temperature section having an open threaded first end, the open first end in sealing engagement with the second threaded end of the sealing flange. Also provided are a Stirling engine and a method of hermetically sealing a pressure vessel of a Stirling engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Inventors: Roberto O. Pellizzari, Laurence B. Penswick
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Patent number: 6988493Abstract: The method for the control of an internal combustion engine combined with a gas-dynamic pressure wave machine comprising a rotatable housing in order to control the process tuning over the entire performance field of the internal combustion engine as well as a variable width adjustment of the high pressure exhaust gas channel includes a certain control sequence of steps in a positive load variation and a certain control sequence of steps in a negative load variation.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Swissauto Engineering S.A.Inventors: Urs Wenger, Roger Martin
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Patent number: 6988482Abstract: An engine including a housing formed with a pair of side-by-side intersecting substantially cylindrical cavities, and a pair of counter-rotating power rotors rotatably mounted within the cavities. The pair of power rotors include intermeshing lobes that each define open ended combustion chambers.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Inventor: Neal Lockett
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Patent number: 6986251Abstract: In a waste heat recovery system wherein an organic rankine cycle system uses waste heat from the fluids of a reciprocating engine, provision is made to continue operation of the engine even during periods when the organic rankine cycle system is inoperative, by providing an auxiliary pump and a bypass for the refrigerant flow around the turbine. Provision is also made to divert the engine exhaust gases from the evaporator during such periods of operation. In one embodiment, the auxiliary pump is made to operate simultaneously with the primary pump during normal operations, thereby allowing the primary pump to operate at lower speeds with less likelihood of cavitation.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: UTC Power, LLCInventors: Thomas D. Radcliff, Duane McCormick, Joost J. Brasz
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Patent number: 6986342Abstract: A homogenous charge compression ignition barrel engine includes an engine housing with a first and second end. An elongated power shaft is longitudinally disposed in the engine housing and defines a longitudinal axis of the engine. A plurality of cylinders surround the longitudinal axis with each cylinder having a closed end and an open end. Each cylinder has a central axis. The open ends of the cylinders are each generally directed toward the first end of the housing. An intake system is operable to introduce a combustible mixture of air and fuel into each of the cylinders. A track is disposed between the first end of the housing and the open ends of the cylinders such that a portion of the track is disposed generally in alignment with the central axis of each of the cylinders. The track has a cam surface that longitudinally undulates with respect to the open ends of the cylinders. A portion of the cam surface is disposed generally in alignment with the central axis of each of the cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Thomas Engine CopanyInventor: Charles Russell Thomas
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Patent number: 6983595Abstract: A device is formed from an integrated circuit which comprises a substrate; drive circuitry arranged on the substrate; and a plurality of micro-electromechanical devices positioned on the substrate. The micro-electromechanical devices have an elongate actuator having a fixed end that is fast with the substrate so that the actuator is connected to the drive circuitry and a free end that is displaceable along a path relative to the substrate to perform work. The actuator includes a pair of elongate arms that are spaced relative to each other along the path and are connected to each other at each end, with one of the arms being connected to the drive circuitry to define a heating circuit and being of a material that is capable of expansion when heated, such that, when the heating circuit receives an electrical signal from the drive circuitry, that arm expands relative to the other to deform the actuator and thus displace said free end along said path.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 6981375Abstract: A turbocharged internal combustion engine is operated such that the intake manifold pressure generally exceeds the exhaust manifold pressure. A low pressure turbocharger and a high pressure turbocharger are provided in series. An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system passively routes a portion of the exhaust gases to the high pressure turbocharger compressor inlet.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Detroit Diesel CorporationInventors: Kevin Dean Sisken, Brian Kenneth Bolton
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Patent number: 6978617Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell is combined with a combustion engine such as a Pulse Detonation Engine (PDE) to create a closed-loop power generation system. Stored hydrogen and oxygen are used by the regenerative fuel cell, and by the combustion engine, in which the reaction of the hydrogen and oxygen produces water in the gas phase (steam). The steam is used to generate work from a turbine shaft, which is used to drive a propulsion system for the marine vessel. After the steam passes through the turbine, the steam is cooled back to liquid water by a condenser, and stored with the water produced by the regenerative fuel cell. The stored water can be converted back into hydrogen and oxygen by using electrical power external to the closed-loop system. After regeneration of the water into hydrogen and oxygen, the closed-loop power system would be ready for operation again.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Goldmeer, Michael Kent Cueman, Michael Durling
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Patent number: 6978615Abstract: A turbocharger is provided having a wastegate valve and a first volute for conducting the primary turbine discharge flow stream. The first volute includes a discharge duct causing the primary turbine discharge flow stream to flow in a generally circular pattern as it is exhausted. A secondary volute is provided for conducting wastegate gases, the secondary volute having vanes causing the wastegate gases to flow in a generally circular pattern, matching the pattern of the primary turbine discharge flow stream. When the wastegate gas flow stream combines with the primary turbine discharge flow stream, the flow streams are moving in generally parallel circular pathways so that, when they combine, little or no turbulence is caused, thereby increasing the efficiency of the turbocharger. Increased efficiency translates into fuel economy and power and also improves the flow distribution of exhaust gases to the catalytic converter.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Inventors: Gregg A. Jones, Ryan R. Jones
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Patent number: 6976479Abstract: An optimized engine charge air-cooling system for an internal combustion engine includes a charge air cooler side mounted along an outboard side of each engine cylinder bank of the engine. The charge air coolers extend the full length of the cylinder banks. The charge air coolers each include a housing, a core, an air inlet and an air outlet. The charge air cooler inlets are connected to an outlet of a compressed air source, such as a turbocharger, through cooler intake headers. The charge air cooler outlets are connected through cooler outlet headers to cylinder intake ports of cylinders in the cylinder banks. The design of the charge air-cooling system allows for highly effective cooling of charge air with a corresponding small drop in charge air pressure. These features combine to achieve the result of decreased engine nitrogen oxides (NOx) production and increased engine fuel economy.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.Inventors: Paul Gottemoller, Michael B. Goetzke, Gary R. Svihla
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Patent number: 6973786Abstract: A compression ignition engine (10) has an EGR system operable to provide a first EGR loop (46, 52, 54) when the engine is lightly loaded and a second EGR loop (46, 52, 56) when the engine is more heavily loaded. When the first EGR loop is selected, exhaust gas is recirculated from a location upstream of a turbine (20) of a turbocharger (18) to a location downstream of the turbocharger compressor (22). When the second EGR loop is selected, exhaust gas is recirculated from a location downstream of the turbine to a location upstream of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventors: Zhengbai Liu, Xinqun Gui
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Patent number: 6973785Abstract: An engine including a recirculation passage, which connects an exhaust passage to an intake passage, and an EGR valve arranged in the recirculation passage. An electronic control unit (ECU) obtains a target opening degree of the EGR valve in accordance with an operating state of the engine and controls the EGR valve so that the opening degree of the EGR valve becomes equal to the obtained target opening degree. When opening the EGR valve from a fully closed state, the ECU restricts the opening degree of the EGR valve to a restricted opening degree that is smaller than the target opening degree during a predetermined delay time before actuating the EGR valve to the target opening degree. This prevent exhaust gas from being excessively recirculated to the intake passage even if the difference between the exhaust pressure and the intake pressure is too large when starting EGR.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota JidoshokkiInventors: Tsutomu Umehara, Masaaki Yamaguchi, Hiroki Kinuhata
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Patent number: 6971235Abstract: An evaporative burner that includes an igniter assembly, a swirler, an evaporation chamber, and a reverse throat. The reverse throat has raised ends that protrude into the evaporation chamber. The reverse throat in combination with the evaporation chamber and the swirler, facilitate the recirculation of air in the evaporation chamber such that a flame is stabilized near the evaporation chamber walls. This flame gradually evaporates the fuel in the lining of the evaporation chamber. The fuel-air mixture results in a steady and uniformly distributed flame in the combustion chamber. This flame can heat uniformly the walls of the combustion chamber, and thus be applicable for high efficiency and low emissions applications. Furthermore, this burner can start and reach full burner power rapidly.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Ryan Keith LaRocque, Angus A. MacEachern, Michael G. Norris
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Patent number: 6966183Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine is provided having a common exhaust manifold and a common combustion air manifold for all engine cylinders. The engine has a plurality of exhaust-driven superchargers that are staggered as a function of the engine output. Each supercharger is engageable or disengageable with the exhaust manifold via its exhaust-driven turbine. Each supercharger, at an input side of its compressor, has a line connection, via a respective valve mechanism, to the output of a charging fan disposed upstream and in series with the compressor. For an oppositely directed changeover between supply air compressed by the charging fan, and ambient air, all of the valve mechanisms are adjusted as a function of the speed of an associated supercharger and a combustion air operating pressure. A processor having a stored requirements profile is provided for the sole release of the valve mechanism of a given supercharger.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Udo Mailänder GmbHInventor: Udo Mailänder