Patents Examined by James J Kim
  • Patent number: 11067556
    Abstract: A generator includes an internal combustion engine and a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor unit. The CO sensor unit includes a CO sensor controller including a CO sensing circuit configured to detect a level of CO and a shutdown circuit. The shutdown circuit is configured to receive a detected level of CO and calculate a trailing window average of the detected level of CO. The trailing window average includes an average of the detected level of CO over a predetermined sampling window. The shutdown circuit is further configured to determine whether to initiate a shutdown of the generator based on at least the calculated trailing window average and a predetermined trailing window average threshold and initiate the shutdown of the generator based on determining that the trailing window average exceeds the predetermined trailing window average threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Janscha, Austin Baeten
  • Patent number: 11066967
    Abstract: An adjustable lubrication oil conveying system for a combustion engine is proposed which comprises a screw pump for conveying lubrication oil with at least one screw rotatably accommodated in a screw chamber, wherein the screw pump is arranged such that a suction side of the screw chamber is connected with an intake path from an oil sump of the combustion engine, and a pressure side of the screw chamber is connected with a feed path to moving parts of the combustion engine. The lubrication oil conveying system is characterised in particular in that the screw pump is driven by the combustion engine; and towards the suction side of the screw chamber, an adjustable throttle valve is provided by means of which a flow cross-section of the intake path is gradually limitable between an opened position and a closed position. Therefore, the oil pressure in a combustion engine is, for the first time, adjusted by suction throttling in connection with a screw pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC GPM GMBH
    Inventor: Franz Pawellek
  • Patent number: 11067038
    Abstract: A device for adding a fluid to combustion air of an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle includes a first fluid container from which the fluid can be removed and supplied to the combustion air. A second fluid container is provided, which is connected to the first fluid container via a line so as to carry fluid. A fluid pump is arranged in the line. As a result of the configuration, the fluid in the first fluid container can quickly be warmed and decontaminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bjoern Hussmann
  • Patent number: 11053837
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system valve (24) for an internal combustion engine cooling system (12), the internal combustion engine cooling system (12) comprising a radiator (14) and a coolant passage (16) adapted to cool at least a portion of an internal combustion engine (18), the cooling system valve (24) being adapted to be located between the radiator (14) and the coolant passage (16), as seen in an intended direction of flow from the radiator (14) to the coolant passage (16). The cooling system valve (24) is adapted to automatically assume each one of at least the following conditions: —an open condition, allowing coolant transport from the radiator (14) towards the coolant passage (16) via the cooling system valve (24), and —a closed condition, preventing coolant transport in a direction from the coolant passage (16) towards the radiator (14) via the cooling system valve (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Rajasekar Jonnalagadda Balu
  • Patent number: 11047449
    Abstract: An unbalanced crankshaft mounted accessory is configured to externally balance the rotating assembly of a particular engine model. In one embodiment, the unbalanced crankshaft mounted accessory is attached to the crankshaft at the output of the crankshaft (i.e., the connection to a load driven by the engine). The accessory is unbalanced at an angle and weight configured to reduce deflection of the crankshaft at the output of the crankshaft (when the unbalanced crankshaft mounted accessory is attached). The weight and angle are determined by measuring crankshaft deflection at various speeds (rpm) throughout the recommended operating range of the engine. The angle and deflection distance are then averaged and multiplied against a rotating mass of the engine and a constant to determine an angle and weight for the unbalanced crankshaft mounted accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: Kevin Blane
  • Patent number: 11041453
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method (100) for cold start optimization of an internal combustion engine (10) comprising: determining (110) a start of an engine preheating device (12); transmitting (115) a selected coolant temperature Tcool_trans to an engine control unit (14); and adapting (140) the selected coolant temperature Tcool_trans transmitted to the engine control unit (14) to a current coolant temperature Tcoll_current during a time interval ?t following the start of the internal combustion engine (10). The present invention further relates to an auxiliary control unit (22) which is configured to execute the method (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Christian Kirsch, Jörg Ruthenberg
  • Patent number: 11035287
    Abstract: Provided is an engine cooling structure for an engine where the engine is cooled by a cooling fluid supplied from a radiator, and the cooling fluid discharged from the engine is cooled by the radiator. The cooling structure includes: an inlet hose having one end coupled to the engine, and having the other end coupled to the radiator, the inlet hose including two or more hose members, and a connecting pipe configured to connect the two or more hose members, to each other; and a clamp including a pipe-side connection portion connected to the connecting pipe, and an engine-side connection portion directly or indirectly connected to the engine. The clamp has a gap between the clamp and the connecting pipe, and the gap functions as a transmission suppressing portion which suppresses transmission of vibrations from the engine-side connection portion to the connecting pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsubasa Kobayashi, Yuji Iwase, Hiroyuki Okuno, Tadasu Tomohiro
  • Patent number: 11035333
    Abstract: A duct assembly for a fuel injector of an engine includes a base and multiple duct bodies. The base includes a number of spaced apart receptacles. Each receptacle defines a cavity with a receptacle axis, a rotational engagement surface, and an axial engagement surface. The duct bodies are correspondingly secured within the cavities. Each duct body defines an axis and a duct extending along the axis to provide a passage for a fuel jet from the fuel injector. Each duct body defines an axial alignment surface engaging the axial engagement surface of the receptacle in which it is disposed to axially align the duct body along the receptacle axis of the corresponding receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Wiebrecht, Kenth I Svensson, Marchione T. Andre
  • Patent number: 11028811
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, including at least one electric motor (8, 13, 16, 20) situated on the crankcase of the internal combustion engine, at least one control unit (1) for controlling the internal combustion engine and/or the electric motor and at least one high voltage converter (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Deutz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marco Brun, Wilhelm Feuser, Anton Kleinschmidt, Gerhard Knaps, Joachim Joisten-Pieritz, Peter Hoffmann, Marco Jung, Paul Schwabauer
  • Patent number: 11022023
    Abstract: A flow control valve is provided to adjust the flow rate of coolant and a variable-separation-cooling process at the same time by adjusting the opening degree of the flow control valve. The ports are controlled simultaneously in a variable manner merely by the operation of the flow control valve and thus, a variable temperature control process for increasing the temperature of the entire engine, rapid engine warm-up, and a separated cooling process at the same time is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jea Woong Yi, Cheol Soo Park
  • Patent number: 11015549
    Abstract: A cylinder block includes a body part where a cylinder is formed, an outer wall part made of fiber reinforced resin and surrounding an outer circumference of the body part, and a metal member attached to the outer wall part. The outer wall part is comprised of an inner layer surrounding the outer circumference of the body part, and an outer layer surrounding an outer circumference of the inner layer. A density of reinforcing fiber contained in the outer layer is higher than a density of reinforcing fiber contained in the inner layer. The metal member is attached to the outer wall part so as to contact the outer layer. The reinforcing fiber contained in the outer layer has an electric insulating property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Ichikawa, Tsuguhisa Miyamoto, Yoshihisa Nou, Yuma Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 11015498
    Abstract: Flow control devices herein have a housing defining a plurality of parallel conduits. The first conduit has a normally closed check valve defined to open under a first preselected pressure differential controlling flow through the first conduit in a first direction of flow. The second conduit has a normally neutral check valve defined to open under a second preselected pressure differential in a second direction of flow that is opposite the first direction of flow. The third conduit defines a restriction profile, i.e., has a restrictor, having a third preselected pressure differential. The flow control devices are included as part of an engine system, more specifically a crankcase ventilation breach detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Scott E. Martin, Matthew C. Gilmer, David E. Fletcher, Mitchell Emond, Chester E. Duffield, III, David Snow, Joseph Dennis
  • Patent number: 11015494
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine assembly includes a crankcase and a cam housing. The crankcase includes a crankcase cavity configured to receive a counterweight. The cam housing includes a cam housing cavity configured to receive a camshaft. A pump is positioned within the cam housing. The pump is configured to draw oil from an oil reservoir defined by the cam housing cavity. A crankshaft supports the counterweight for rotation therewith. The crankshaft is rotatably supported within the cam housing and is coupled to drive the pump. A bearing supports the crankshaft between the crankcase cavity and the cam housing cavity. The bearing includes an outer race. A seal is positioned between the pump and the bearing. The seal is positioned against the outer race to block the transmission of pressure fluctuations between the crankcase cavity and the oil reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Monaco, Philip Pierce, Bernard Enright, Daniel Strain, William Pari
  • Patent number: 11002220
    Abstract: A cylinder block includes a metal body part having a cylinder, and an outer wall part made of fiber reinforced resin, surrounding an outer circumference of the body part. A part of the outer wall part at BDC side in a cylinder axis direction contacts a bottom wall forming part. The outer wall part is comprised of an inner layer surrounding the outer circumference of the body part, and an outer layer surrounding an outer circumference of the inner layer. A density of reinforcing fiber contained in the outer layer is higher than that in the inner layer. A thickness of a part of the inner layer at BDC side in the cylinder axis direction is greater than that of the TDC-side inner layer. A thickness of a part of the outer layer at TDC side in the cylinder axis direction is greater than that of the BDC-side outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Ichikawa, Tsuguhisa Miyamoto, Yoshihisa Nou, Yuma Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 10995707
    Abstract: An internal combustion gasoline engine includes an air heater coupled to an intake duct of the engine in a heat transfer relationship with air in the intake duct. A combustion pre-chamber is also formed in the head of the engine. The pre-chamber is at least partially separated from the combustion chamber by a wall. One or more apertures are formed through the wall and provide fluid communication paths from the combustion chamber to the pre-chamber, feeding a mixture of air and fuel from the combustion chamber to the pre-chamber. The apertures further define a plurality of combustion paths allowing ignited fuel and air from the pre-chamber to efficiently enter and combust the fuel and air mixture within the combustion chamber. The air heater and the combustion pre-chamber increase combustion efficiency from a first efficiency level to a second efficiency level greater than the first efficiency level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Edward J Keating
  • Patent number: 10995685
    Abstract: An electricity generator includes a generator section which is a complete standalone electricity generator designed to operate on a hydrocarbon fuel and a fuel conversion section which adapts the generator section to operate on alternative fuels that are different than the designed fuel of generator section. The generator section includes a RPM control unit, an internal combustion engine which has a crankshaft, an electromagnetic conversion component which converts the rotational motion of the crankshaft into electricity and a crankshaft sensor which senses the rotational speed of the crankshaft thereby creating a RPM control signal. The control signal is provided to the RPM control unit which controls the rotational speed of the crankshaft. The fuel conversion section includes a first fuel source and a second fuel source. Characteristically, the first fuel source provides a methanol-containing fuel and the second fuel source provides LPG or flare gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignees: GAS TECHNOLOGIES LLC, FUEL INJECTION TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Walter Breidenstein, Harold Sun, Yi Wang, Zengyu Shan
  • Patent number: 10989100
    Abstract: A two-stage piston in a thermostat's thermal actuator is configured for degassing entrained air from a coolant system. The first-stage part has a cylindrical shape and is terminated at one end with a rounded-conical shape and having a cylindrical cavity at an opposite end. A second-stage part has a cylindrical shape with a diameter sufficient to fit within the cylindrical cavity. A sacrificial plug is formed of a wax-like substance with a melting temperature such that the entrained air escapes from the coolant system through the thermostat. The diameter of the sacrificial plug allows placement of the sacrificial plug in a bottom of the cylindrical cavity and a length of the two-stage piston with the sacrificial plug in place forces the valve to remain open. After the sacrificial plug has melted, the length of the two-stage piston will open and close the valve with a change in coolant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Kubsch
  • Patent number: 10989109
    Abstract: Fuel is ignited in an opposed-piston engine by the mating of unique protruding and recessed portions of opposed pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventors: James Warren, William Vincent Meyers, Jr., Steven Niswander
  • Patent number: 10982577
    Abstract: A device separates particles such as oil particles from a gas flow, from a blow-by gas of a crankcase ventilation, in an internal combustion engine. The device includes a valve seat that defines a flow passage opening and a movable valve element that can be displaced between a closed position, in which the valve element is in abutting contact with the valve seat and the abutting contact defines an axial abutting point, and at least one open position, in which the valve element is moved from the axial abutting point in an axial actuating direction. The movable valve element has a rotationally symmetrical bowl upstream of the gas flow, and a base of the bowl axially protrudes past the abutting point opposite to the axial actuating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventors: Sebastian Fenske, Marcus Rüttger, Martin Klingelhöfer
  • Patent number: 10982573
    Abstract: A method for mounting a valve seat ring on a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine includes providing a valve seat ring, which has a ring height, and which is measured along an axial direction. The valve seat ring includes a support portion made of a support material and a functional portion made of a functional material. The valve seat ring is arranged on the cylinder head and the support portion of the support material is at least partially removed, so that the ring height of the valve seat ring is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Beerens, Heiko Heckendorn