Patents Examined by Jason Newton
  • Patent number: 10309296
    Abstract: Synergistic induction and turbocharging includes the use of one or more throttles in close proximity to each cylinder intake valve to control air flow in each intake port delivering air to combustion cylinders in an internal combustion engine system. A turbocharger may also be affixed in close proximity to each cylinder exhaust valve to enable a synergistic combination of hyper-filling cylinders with combustion air and immediate harvesting of exhaust gas by adjacent turbochargers. In some implementations the turbochargers may be low-inertia turbochargers. The combination of individual throttles per intake port and a turbocharger in close proximity to each cylinder enables faster ramp-up of an engine in the early stages of acceleration. Various implementations thus provide improved fuel economy and improved engine performance in tandem, instead of one at the expense of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLC
    Inventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
  • Patent number: 10253687
    Abstract: An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft includes a rotary intermittent internal combustion engine, a turbine having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine, the turbine compounded with the engine, a compressor having an inlet in fluid communication with an environment of the aircraft and an outlet in fluid communication with the aircraft, the compressor rotatable independently of the turbine, an electric motor drivingly engaged to the compressor, and a transfer generator drivingly engaged to the engine, the transfer generator and the electric motor being electrically connected to allow power transfer therebetween. The compressor or an additional compressor may be in fluid communication with the inlet of the engine. A method of operating an auxiliary power unit of an aircraft is also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Anthony Jones, Andre Julien, David Menheere, Jean Thomassin, Richard Ullyott, Daniel Van Den Ende
  • Patent number: 10247079
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas purification system applied to an internal combustion engine. The engine has a turbocharger including a turbine wheel and a housing for housing the turbine wheel. The housing defines a turbine outlet passage communicating with an exhaust gas discharging part of the turbine wheel. The engine further has an exhaust passage part communicating with an exhaust gas outlet of the turbine outlet passage. The system comprises an exhaust gas purification apparatus disposed in the exhaust passage part at a position adjacent to the exhaust gas outlet of the turbine outlet passage. Further, the apparatus includes an exhaust gas purification member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masakazu Tabata
  • Patent number: 10240469
    Abstract: A turbocharger (1) includes a compressor section and a cast turbine section. The turbine section includes a turbine wheel (4), and a turbine housing (11) that defines a gas inlet (13), a gas outlet (10), a volute (9) disposed between the gas inlet (13) and the gas outlet (10). The turbine housing (11) also includes vanes (20) that protrude integrally from, and have a fixed orientation relative to, an inner surface of the turbine housing (11). The turbine wheel (4) is disposed in the turbine housing (11) between the volute (9) and the gas outlet (10), and the vanes (20) are disposed in the turbine housing (11) between the turbine wheel (4) and the volute (9). A method of casting the turbine housing (11) and the vanes (20) together as a single piece is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Rylance, Nathan McArdle
  • Patent number: 10240522
    Abstract: An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft, including an internal combustion engine having a liquid coolant system, a generator drivingly engaged to the internal combustion engine and having a liquid coolant system distinct from the liquid coolant system of the internal combustion engine, a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the liquid coolant system of the internal combustion engine, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the liquid coolant system of the generator, an exhaust duct in fluid communication with air passages of the heat exchangers, and a fan received in the exhaust duct and rotatable by the internal combustion engine for driving a cooling air flow through the air passages. The liquid coolant system of the engine may be distinct from fuel and lubricating systems of the auxiliary power unit. A method of cooling a generator and an internal combustion engine is also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Anthony Jones, Andre Julien, David Menheere, Jean Thomassin, Richard Ullyott
  • Patent number: 10227912
    Abstract: A gas engine includes a mixing unit for mixing two gas components, which are fed to one or more combustion chambers of the gas engine, in particular for mixing fuel gas and charge air, as well as two compressors. By way of the compressors, the two gas components are separately compressed before the two gas components are fed to the mixing unit. Both compressors are driven by a turbine arranged in the exhaust gas system of the gas engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Liebherr-Machines Bulle SA
    Inventor: Thomas Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 10208657
    Abstract: Methods are provided for identifying degradation in components of a compressor recirculation valve (CRV). One method includes differentiating between degradation of a throttle of the CRV and a position sensor of the CRV based on each of a throttle inlet pressure and commanded position of the throttle of the CRV. The method also includes utilizing output from the position sensor of the CRV in response to the commanded position of the throttle of the CRV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Baitao Xiao, Hamid-Reza Ossareh
  • Patent number: 10197285
    Abstract: A wall assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine. This wall assembly includes a support shell with a contoured region; and a multiple of liner panels mounted to the support shell. At least one of the multiple of liner panels includes an end rail. The contoured region is deformable to selectively contact at least a portion of the end rail. A method of assembling a wall assembly within a gas turbine engine is also provided. This method includes locating a stud that extends from a cold side of a liner panel through a support shell; and attaching a fastener onto the stud to at least partially close a gap defined between the panel and shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Bangerter, Thomas R. Russo, Russell B. Hanson, Kevin J. Low
  • Patent number: 10196988
    Abstract: An improved system, apparatus and method may be configured for detecting coking in a gas turbine engine. The system may comprise one or more heatable collecting elements configured to be positioned in a fuel supply passage having an inlet and an outlet. The apparatus heatable collecting may be configured to generate heat at or over a fuel system temperature range to induce coking in at least one of the heatable collecting elements. The apparatus may also include a sensor configured to detect an indication of coking on the heatable collecting elements and, in response to the coking indication, communicate a coking condition signal to an engine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Farnum, Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Ben Moloney, Patrick C. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 10190483
    Abstract: A method of controlling an engine system, having both an electric driven compressor and an exhaust driven turbocharger for compressing a flow of combustion air for an internal combustion engine, includes defining a total pressure ratio target for the flow of combustion air, and defining a distribution factor to calculate a first portion of the total pressure ratio target and a second portion of the total pressure ratio target. The sum of the first portion of the total pressure ratio target and the second portion of the total pressure ratio target is equal to the total pressure ratio target. The electric driven compressor is controlled to provide the first portion of the total pressure ratio target, and the exhaust driven turbocharger is controlled to provide the second portion of the total pressure ratio target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rocco Fuso, Francesco Di Gennaro
  • Patent number: 10190485
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an engine is configured to control the engine provided with: an exhaust-driven supercharger, provided with an adjusting mechanism which can change supercharging efficiency according to an opening degree, in an exhaust passage, and having a first control mode and a second control mode as a control mode of the adjusting mechanism, the first control mode allowing the opening degree to be maintained at a maximum supercharging efficiency opening degree at which the exhaust-driven supercharger has maximum supercharging efficiency without using a deviation between a target supercharging pressure and an actual supercharging pressure, the second control mode allowing the deviation to be fed back to the opening degree; and an electrically-driven supercharger driven by electric power supplied from a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naruto Yamane
  • Patent number: 10190513
    Abstract: An engine system includes an intake passage, a non-deactivation exhaust passage, a second exhaust manifold, a first turbocharger including a first turbine rotated by exhaust gas flowing via the first exhaust manifold, a second turbocharger including a second turbine rotated by exhaust gas flowing via the second exhaust manifold, an exhaust outlet, a main intake circulation passage in communication with the intake passage via a compressor of the first turbocharger such that supercharging air is supplied to the intake passage, a sub intake circulation passage in communication with the main intake circulation passage via a compressor of the second turbocharger such that supercharging air is supplied to the main intake circulation passage, and a deactivation valve disposed on the sub intake circulation passage between the compressor of the second turbocharger and the main intake circulation passage so as to selectively open/close the sub intake circulation passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kyoungchan Han
  • Patent number: 10190445
    Abstract: A switchable roller finger follower includes an inner lever, an outer lever pivotably mounted to the inner lever by a pivot axle, and a coupling device. The coupling device includes a coupling pin configured to move between a locked position in which the inner lever and the outer lever are connected together for movement in at least one direction and an unlocked position in which the inner lever is movable relative to the outer lever in the at least one direction. The coupling device also includes a spring configured to bias the coupling pin in the locked or unlocked position. A de-aeration flow path is formed between an oil passage and an opening for allowing air to move out of the oil passage, past the coupling pin, and exit through the opening. The de-aeration flow path switches between being open and closed based on a position of the coupling pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Pradeep Mohan Mohan Das, Faheem Ahmed, David Chandler
  • Patent number: 10184351
    Abstract: A gas turbine with a burner, which gas turbine has at least one fuel feed line and at least one fuel outflow line, wherein a flushing water line is connected fluidically to the fuel feed line, and wherein a leakage oil tank is connected fluidically via a drainage line to the fuel outflow line and the connection of the fuel outflow line and the drainage line is provided at a point downstream of at least one closure valve in the fuel outflow line, wherein a bypass line is connected fluidically to the fuel outflow line upstream of the closure valve, which bypass line connects the fuel outflow line fluidically to the leakage oil tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jürgen Meisl, James Smith
  • Patent number: 10180106
    Abstract: A solenoid for a bleed valve includes a solenoid body with an actuation fluid passage, a bleed valve passage, and a drive fluid chamber. A main armature is disposed within the solenoid body and is movable between open and closed positions, the actuation fluid passage being in fluid communication with the control outlet in the open position, the actuation fluid passage being fluidly isolated from the bleed valve passage in the second position. A pilot armature is disposed within the solenoid body, is movable relative to the main armature, and is operably coupled to the main armature by the drive fluid chamber to move the main armature between the open and closed positions by controlling issue of a drive fluid into and out of the drive fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Lubomir A. Ribarov, Leo J. Veilleux, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10174684
    Abstract: A method of controlling a continuously variable valve timing system, may include determining whether there is an error of a position of a cam, performing a passive control based on a value learned about a position of the cam during previous driving when it is determined that there is an error of the position of the cam, determining whether a motion of the continuously variable valve timing system is stopped while the passive control is performed based on the value learned about the position of the cam during the previous driving, learning the stopping position of the continuously variable valve timing system when it is determined that the motion of the continuously variable valve timing system is stopped, and learning a position for limp-home of the continuously variable valve timing system and then controlling the continuously variable valve timing system to the learned position for the limp-home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sung Joo Kim
  • Patent number: 10161301
    Abstract: An exhaust device is configured to flow exhaust gas to be discharged from each of cylinders of an engine body. The engine body includes the cylinders arrayed in a row. The exhaust device includes an exhaust passage extending in the cylinder array direction; an exhaust outlet portion connected to an end of the exhaust passage in the cylinder array direction; a supercharger disposed at an end of the engine body in the cylinder array direction, and connected to the exhaust outlet portion; a lateral exhaust pipe connected to the supercharger, and disposed along a lateral surface of the engine body in the cylinder array direction; and an exhaust gas purification device disposed midway in the lateral exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manabu Sugimoto, Atsuhiro Hatabu, Hideya Horii
  • Patent number: 10156163
    Abstract: A system for variable actuation of an engine valve of an internal-combustion engine includes a master piston and a slave piston, driven by the master piston. A control valve controls a communication of a volume of a pressurized fluid with a lower pressure environment, which is connected to a fluid accumulator, and an electronic control unit controls the electrically operated control valve. A device for dampening pressure oscillations is connected to the volume of pressurized fluid and includes an additional volume adapted for receiving fluid from the volume of pressurized fluid only when, following upon oscillations of the pressure in the volume of pressurized fluid, the pressure exceeds a maximum threshold value, which is higher than a mean pressure value that is set up in the volume of pressurized fluid when the master piston drives the slave piston in normal operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Marcello Gargano, Onofrio De Michele, Carlo Mazzarella
  • Patent number: 10151261
    Abstract: A stop control system includes a direct-injection type internal combustion engine, a fuel injection valve, an accessory configured to be driven by the internal combustion engine, and a controller configured to operate the internal combustion engine. The controller is configured to control the accessory during a period from start of fuel cut to a moment immediately after the internal combustion engine stops, such that when the internal combustion engine stops completely, the output shaft comes, in a rotational direction, to a target stop position where an intake port is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yokoyama, Ryoji Kagawa
  • Patent number: 10145355
    Abstract: A turbine that has a plurality of compartments. Each compartment has associated thereto a respective opening. Each opening defining a fluid communication path between an outside of the turbine and a respective compartment. The turbine also has a plurality of conduits. Each conduit connects a respective compartment to an adjoining compartment. Each conduit defines a fluid communication passageway between the respective compartment and the adjoining compartment. The turbine is configured for immersion in liquid and for powering by gas displacing some of the liquid out of one or more than one compartment. The present disclosure also describes a method of driving such a turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Bioturbine Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Mayrand