Patents Examined by Jessica Kebea
  • Patent number: 9897022
    Abstract: An engine includes a turbocharger, an air bypass valve, a wastegate valve, and an EGR apparatus. The engine also includes an ISC passage that connects an upstream side and a downstream side of a throttle valve in an intake passage, and an ISC valve that adjusts an amount of air flowing through the ISC passage. A control apparatus for the engine performs valve opening control to set an opening of an ISC valve at a larger opening than a reference opening when a required torque required by the engine is smaller than an estimated torque that can be generated by the engine, and closes the air bypass valve and the wastegate valve for a fixed period following completion of the valve opening control when an EGR valve of a low pressure EGR apparatus is opened during execution of the valve opening control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kuze
  • Patent number: 9896962
    Abstract: A system includes a trip manifold assembly (TMA). The TMA includes a plurality of block valves configured to receive a flow of fluid from a hydraulic power unit (HPU), and a plurality of solenoid valves configured to admit the flow of fluid to actuate the plurality of block valves, a plurality of dump valves, and a plurality of relay valves of the TMA. The plurality of solenoid valves is configured to admit a respective portion of the flow of fluid. The plurality of dump valves is configured to depressurize a trip header of the TMA as an output to operate a plurality of stop valves coupled to a turbine system. The TMA is configured to regulate the flow of fluid to control the operation of the plurality of stop valves as a mechanism to interrupt an operation of the turbine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Troy Gilchrist Wojick, Ricardo Stack, Joe Lisowski, Chris Bradford
  • Patent number: 9890718
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine of this invention includes: a turbo-supercharger; an exhaust gas purifying catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage on the downstream side of a turbine; and a WGV capable of opening and closing an exhaust bypass passage that bypasses the turbine. At the time of a catalyst warm-up request, catalyst warm-up control that opens the WGV and retards the ignition timing is executed. If the sensitivity of control of an intake air amount by a throttle valve is high, the intake air amount is controlled using the throttle valve during execution of the catalyst warm-up control. If the control sensitivity is low, the intake air amount is controlled using the WGV during execution of the catalyst warm-up control. When the WGV degree of opening is controlled toward a closed side during execution of the intake air amount control using the WGV, a retard amount of the ignition timing is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Tsunooka
  • Patent number: 9885287
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel delivery system includes a mechanically-driven fuel pump, an electrically-driven fuel pump, and an engine control. The mechanically-driven fuel pump is adapted to receive a drive torque from a gas turbine engine draw fuel into its fuel inlet and discharge the fuel from its fuel outlet. The electrically-driven fuel pump has a first fuel inlet/outlet that is in fluid communication with the mechanically-driven fuel pump fuel inlet, and also has a second fuel inlet/outlet. The engine control is responsive to an engine start signal to cause the electrically-driven fuel pump to be temporarily energized to pump fuel from the first fuel inlet/outlet to the second fuel inlet/outlet, and is responsive to an engine shutdown signal to cause the electrically-driven pump to be temporarily energized to pump fuel from the second fuel inlet/outlet to the first fuel inlet/outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Don Striker, Michael McPherson, Elmer Greenbank, Paul W. Futa
  • Patent number: 9869236
    Abstract: An air intake control system for an engine, which is disposed in an intake line between a compressor of a turbocharger and an intake manifold and adjusts and controls air intake may include a motor for providing torque, a bypass line with a first end connected to the intake line and a second end connected to an external air line for delivering external air into the compressor, and a flow control valve assembly disposed at a divergent point from the intake line to the bypass line and selectively distributing air intake from the compressor to the intake manifold and the bypass line by adjusting a degree of opening of valve members in accordance with an amount of revolution of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Jae Pil Lim
  • Patent number: 9869237
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a two-stage serial compressor having first and second impellers, with a crossover duct for leading air from the first impeller into the second impeller for further compression. The compressor housing also defines a bypass duct from the crossover duct to the air discharge duct from the compressor, and a bypass valve disposed in the bypass duct. Under certain operating conditions (such as high-flow, low-pressure-ratio conditions) the bypass valve can be opened to bypass the second impeller, such that the compressor behaves like a single-stage compressor. At other operating conditions, the bypass valve is closed so that the compressor provides two-stage compression for higher pressure ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Vit Houst, Daniel Turecek, Vaclav Kares, Milan Nejedly, Ondrej Lednicky, Michal Mokos, Zbynek Oslejsek
  • Patent number: 9869276
    Abstract: A projecting part is formed on an inner circumferential wall surface of a nacelle so that the projecting part projects inward in a diametral direction and extends from a front edge of each of circumferentially-oriented side faces of a bottom pylon. The shape of the projecting part seen from an inner side of the diametral direction is a streamline shape extending in parallel with an engine shaft direction. An apex part at the center of the projecting part is positioned on a rear edge of the bottom pylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Kusuda, Yoshinori Ooba
  • Patent number: 9828873
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine housing, a compressor housing, and a bearing housing. Each of the housings includes a passage for cooling inside. The turbocharger further includes a switching valve and a controller that switches a valve position of the switching valve. The switching valve is adapted to switch the circulation state of coolant in each passage such that the coolant is supplied from the passage of the turbine housing to the passage of the bearing housing or such that the coolant is supplied from another passage to the passage of the bearing housing. The controller switches the valve position of the switching valve such that the coolant is supplied from the passage of the turbine housing to the passage of the bearing housing until a predetermined amount of time passes after starting of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Maeda
  • Patent number: 9810229
    Abstract: Methods are provided for identifying degradation in components of a compressor recirculation valve (CRV). One method may include inferring degradation of the CRV based on adaptation of a compressor surge line outside an expected range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Baitao Xiao, Hamid-Reza Ossareh
  • Patent number: 9784141
    Abstract: A vehicle has a vehicle system with a waste heat fluid. An expander, a condenser, a pump, and an evaporator are provided in sequential fluid communication in a thermodynamic cycle containing a working fluid. The evaporator is configured to transfer heat from the waste heat fluid to the working fluid. At least one valve adjacent to the pump is controlled to control fluid flow through at least one chamber to maintain a pressure of the fluid at a pump inlet at a threshold pressure above a saturated vapor pressure associated with a temperature at a condenser outlet when ambient temperature varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shiguang Zhou
  • Patent number: 9765712
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having intake and exhaust manifolds, a turbocharger with a compressor, and at least one of: an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve and a variable geometry turbine (VGT). The system further includes a control computer configured to determine at least one of torque demand, pressure across the compressor, and pressure gradient ratio between the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold relative to one of exhaust manifold pressure, intake manifold pressure, and 1. The control computer performs at least one of: closing the EGR valve in response to the determined at least one of torque demand, pressure across the compressor, and pressure gradient ratio, and lessening restriction provided by the variable geometry turbine responsive to the determined at least one of torque demand, pressure across the compressor, and pressure gradient between the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Emrah Arslanturk, Orcun Kurugol, Ohiorenuan J. Amu
  • Patent number: 9759165
    Abstract: An upper-limit threshold value and a lower-limit threshold value of a fore-and-aft differential pressure of an EGR control valve is calculated based on an intake-air quantity detected by an airflow meter. An actual fore-and-aft differential pressure of the EGR control valve is calculated from detected values of an upstream-side pressure sensor and a downstream-side pressure sensor. Then, these threshold values are compared with the actual fore-and-aft differential pressure, and when the actual fore-and-aft differential pressure exceeds the upper-limit threshold value or when the actual fore-and-aft differential pressure is less than the lower-limit threshold value, it is determined that the pressure loss of an intake and exhaust system has changed. If it is determined that the pressure loss of an intake and exhaust system has changed, EGR is inhibited, and if not so, EGR is permitted to be performed. These threshold values are varied depending on a target EGR rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Takaki, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Takeshi Tsuyuki
  • Patent number: 9759070
    Abstract: The present application provides a turbine bucket. The turbine bucket may include an airfoil and a tip shroud attached to the airfoil. The tip shroud may include a cooling core and an enhanced cooling surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiuzhang James Zhang, Melbourne James Myers, Robert Joseph Testa, Jr., Haiping Wang
  • Patent number: 9752518
    Abstract: A method for the load-dependent opening and closing of a blow-off valve flap of an internal combustion engine with a turbocharger is provided, in which by at least one detector on an internal combustion engine inlet side, at least one air pressure value, one air mass flow value and/or an opening position of a valve of the suction pipe are detected and transmitted to a control device. By the control device from the received values a current load of the internal combustion engine is determined, and by the control device based on the determined current load of the internal combustion engine and/or of the turbocharger, control inputs for an actuator of the blow-off valve flap are generated and transmitted to the actuator. The blow-off valve flap is completely opened, partially opened, minimally opened or closed and held in the respective position by the actuator dependent on the current load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gerhard Landsmann, Baris Camurtay, Joerg Bernards
  • Patent number: 9739219
    Abstract: A supercharger and a turbocharger are provided, as well as a load sensor detecting a traction load of a trailer towed by a semi-trailer and being arranged in a coupler. A combined supercharging and turbocharging is performed by the supercharger and the turbocharger when the traction load is heavier than a previously defined traction determination value. Only supercharging is performed by the turbocharger when the traction load is not more than the traction determination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Hikaru Itoh
  • Patent number: 9683481
    Abstract: The dual pass intercooled supercharger includes a supercharger and intercooler. The system is configured such that air leaving the supercharger traverses the intercooler from one side to an opposing side two or more times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Edelbrock, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Magana, Robert Simons
  • Patent number: 9677437
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine comprising a housing wherein the housing comprises one or more coolant passages for receiving a coolant to cool the turbocharger and one or more lubricant passages for receiving a lubricant to lubricate the bearings. The lubricant may be the lubricant for both the turbocharger bearings and the internal combustion engine. The coolant passages and lubricant passages in the turbocharger may be arranged in the housing to transfer heat from the lubricant to the coolant such that the transfer of heat between the coolant passages and lubricant passages is sufficient to cool the lubricant to a temperature that is suitable for subsequent use in the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris James Leck, Anthony Bernard Demots, Paul Andrew Jones, John Moffat
  • Patent number: 9677536
    Abstract: The WGLPP is a non-fluvial/dam, complete micro Hydroelectric Power Plant that can be an attached/integrated installation, a non-attached installation, or a portable installation (vehicle) that will continuously (24/7) power any residential, commercial, or military building. The WGLPP is driven by a water gravity energy loop (potential energy to kinetic energy to potential energy . . . ), which is clean (zero emissions and zero environmental impact) and renewable energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Oscar Edgardo Moncada Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9664102
    Abstract: A power system including an intake gas cooler and aftercooler positioned gaseously downstream thereof. The intake gas cooler is configured to receive a fresh intake gas for combusting in an engine and a recirculated exhaust gas expelled by the engine for re-combusting therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Matthew R. Evers, Craig W. Lohmann
  • Patent number: 9657634
    Abstract: A turbocharger controller includes a turbocharger compressor temperature module having a compressor inlet air temperature input, and a turbocharger compressor pressure module including a compressor inlet pressure input and a compressor outlet pressure input. A memory module includes a compressor outlet temperature calibration map and a compressor pressure ratio look-up table. A turbocharger boost pressure ratio control module is operatively connected to the turbocharger compressor temperature module, the turbocharger compressor pressure module, and the memory module. The turbocharger boost pressure ratio control module is configured to selectively compare compressor outlet pressure and compressor inlet pressure with values in the compressor ratio look-up table to determine a turbocharger boost pressure set point establishing a desired compressor outlet temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chad E. Marlett, Francesco Castorina, Joseph Zammit, Yun Xiao