Patents Examined by John M Zaleskas
  • Patent number: 11339555
    Abstract: A process for determining a setpoint rotational speed of a work machine engine, having a continuously variable transmission, based on operation of power hydraulics. The setpoint rotational speed for highly productive operation is determined, without knowledge current operation of the power hydraulics, by a basic engine speed setting. With knowledge of the current operating state, the setpoint rotational speed is determined by the basic speed settings and low or high engine speed settings. The low speed setting alone determines setpoint rotational speeds that are lower than the basic speed setting or a combination of the low and basic speed settings. The high speed setting alone determines setpoint rotational speeds that are higher than the basic speed setting or a combination of the basic and high speed settings. The speed settings can comprise a setpoint rotational speed range of above a reciprocal transmission range of the variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jan-Frederik Kuhn, Stefan Traub, Stephan Schinacher, Marcus Hiemer, Robert Morrison, Jürgen Legner, Sven Bieber
  • Patent number: 11326547
    Abstract: A method of controlling an engine is provided, the method including the steps of injecting main fuel by a fuel injector during an intake stroke or a compression stroke, providing a mixture gas containing fuel and air inside a cylinder, applying by an ignition device a high voltage between electrodes of a spark plug at a timing when the mixture gas is not ignited, detecting a parameter related to a current value of an electric-discharge channel generated between the electrodes, determining whether the detected parameter is within a range between a first threshold and a second threshold to determine a flowing state of a vortex inside the cylinder, injecting supplemental fuel by the fuel injector after the main fuel injection when the parameter is determined to be outside the range, and igniting the mixture gas by the ignition device using the spark plug after the supplemental fuel injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Ota, Yoshihisa Nou
  • Patent number: 11312230
    Abstract: A work vehicle including: a drive device that has an internal combustion engine for driving a vehicle body; a first tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine; and a second tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine; wherein the first tank is disposed in front of or behind the drive device, and the second tank is disposed below the drive device so as to be separated from the first tank by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Kirita, Masamichi Tanaka, Yuuto Abe
  • Patent number: 11313291
    Abstract: An engine system includes: a first throttle valve; a turbocharger compressor disposed downstream of the first throttle valve; a charge air cooler disposed downstream of the turbocharger compressor; a second throttle valve located downstream of the turbocharger compressor; a purge inlet located downstream of the first throttle valve and configured to introduce fuel vapor from a fuel tank into intake air; and an engine control module configured to: maintain the first throttle valve in a fully open position; and selectively close the first throttle valve relative to the fully open position in response to receipt of a request to at least one of: purge fuel vapor from the fuel tank; and at least one of decrease and prevent icing of the charge air cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew A. Raftopoulos, Michael A. Smith, Christopher E. Whitney, Nathan M. Picot, Craig E. Slepicka, Robert Gallon, Darrell W. Burleigh, Vijay A. Ramappan
  • Patent number: 11306690
    Abstract: An EGR gas distributor for distributing EGR gas to branch pipes of an intake manifold includes a plurality of gas distribution passages arranged side by side for the branch pipes, a gas inflow passage and a gas chamber to deliver the EGR gas to each of the gas distribution passages. The gas inflow passage includes two, first and second, gas passage parts branched in a single stage. When the EGR gas distributor is mounted on the intake manifold, a passage cross-section of each gas passage part perpendicular to a central axis has an uppermost vertex and a lowermost vertex. The passage cross-sections of the gas passage parts are sized such that their lengths in a vertical direction are gradually longer from an upstream side of the first gas passage part to a downstream side of the second gas passage part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mamoru Yoshioka, Kaisho So
  • Patent number: 11293355
    Abstract: Provided is an electronically controlled throttle device for an engine driving to open and close a throttle valve (8) of a valve body (3) to which rotation of a motor (15) is transmitted from a driven gear (14) via a throttle shaft (6), and disposing a substrate (22) on which an excitation conductor (23) and a signal detection conductor (24) are arranged to face an exciting conductor (21) rotating together with the throttle shaft (6). The driven gear (14) comprises an embedded core metal (25), and has one side surface to which an exciting conductor (21) is exposed, the core metal (25) and the exciting conductor (21) being insert-Molded of a synthetic resin material and prepared, and a caulked portion (6a) of the throttle shaft (6) is inserted and fixed into a shaft hole (25a) extending through the core metal (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Komoto
  • Patent number: 11286869
    Abstract: When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a flow rate ratio of a first passage flow rate to a second passage flow rate is estimated based on a throttle post pressure being a pressure on a downstream side of an intake pipe with respect to a throttle valve and an ejector pressure being a pressure of a suction port of an ejector. The first passage flow rate is a flow rate of an evaporated fuel gas flowing in a first purge passage. The second passage flow rate is a flow rate of the evaporated fuel gas flowing in a second purge passage. The first passage flow rate and the second passage flow rate are estimated based on the flow rate ratio and a valve passing flow rate being a flow rate of the evaporated fuel gas that passes through a purge control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanao Idogawa, Takahiro Uchida, Masahiro Kachi, Reiko Goh, Hirokatsu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11279223
    Abstract: A valve module for an operating fluid container system. The valve module has a housing which has a first connection for fluidically connecting to an operating fluid container interior, a second connection for fluidically connecting to a filler tube, and a third connection for at least indirectly fluidically connecting to the atmosphere. The valve module comprises the following features: the first connection is connected to the second connection and the third connection within the housing in a fluidic manner in each case; the second connection is connected to the third connection within the housing in a fluidic manner; and the first connection, the second connection, and the third connection can each be adjusted independently of one another between an open position, in which fluid communication through the respective connection is allowed, and a closed position, in which fluid communication through the respective connection is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ibrahim Koukan, Stefan Wind, Gernot Weiss, Axel Barkow, Dirk Eulitz
  • Patent number: 11280280
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes dual throttles are disclosed. In one example, positions of the dual throttles may be adjusted to limit flow of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon trap during cold engine starting so that an amount of hydrocarbons that reach atmosphere may be reduced. Each of the dual throttles may be positioned in a separate engine air intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed Dudar, Keith Weston
  • Patent number: 11280281
    Abstract: An operating method for a driver assistance system, in particular a cruise control system of a motor vehicle. The operating method comprises determining at least one operationally relevant road property of a road on an impending route of the motor vehicle, wherein the operationally relevant road property affects operation of an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle. The operating method comprises determining a driving recommendation in accordance with the operationally relevant road property on the impending route of the motor vehicle. The operating method comprises setting the variable valve gear in accordance with the driving recommendation determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventors: Steffen Hirschmann, Dominic Hyna
  • Patent number: 11274645
    Abstract: A circuit configured to control a switching device to reduce a current in a charged coil is disclosed. The circuit is configured to monitor a kickback voltage generated by the decreasing current in the coil. The circuit is further configured to adjust a rate at which the current is reduced in order to limit the kickback voltage. Limiting the kickback voltage during shutdown can prevent a spark at a spark gap that is inductively coupled to the coil and can allow for greater flexibility in the time taken to shut down the coil without overheating components or generating an unwanted spark. Additional, limiting the kickback voltage during shutdown can allow for a pseudo ramp wave to control the circuit during the shutdown because voltage spikes cause by abrupt changes in the pseudo ramp wave are limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Mikio Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 11268467
    Abstract: A controller includes a memory device and an execution device, which executes an operation of an operated unit of an internal combustion engine. The execution device executes a first calculation process that uses adapted data sets in order to calculate an operated amount on the basis of a detected value of a state variable, a second calculation process that calculates, as the operated amount, a value that is determined by a relationship defining data set and the state variable, a reinforcement learning process that updates the relationship defining data set, first and operation processes that operate the operated unit in accordance with a calculated value of the operated amount, and a switching process that switches a process that operates the operated unit between the first operation process and the second operation process in accordance with the state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yosuke Hashimoto, Akihiro Katayama, Yuta Oshiro, Kazuki Sugie, Naoya Oka
  • Patent number: 11268480
    Abstract: A vapor impermeable solenoid for a fuel tank isolation valve assembly an outer housing defining an inner cavity, windings configured to generate a magnetic flux when energized, and a flux collector configured to direct the magnetic flux. An armature tube is disposed within the inner cavity inboard of the flux collector and formed of a magnetic and vapor impermeable material configured to prevent fuel vapor molecules from passing therethrough. A pole piece is disposed within the armature tube, and a magnetic armature is disposed within the armature tube and operably coupled to a seal configured to selectively seal a passage that allows fuel vapor to pass to a purge canister. The magnetic armature is configured to move from a first position to a second position when an electric current is applied to the windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Robert Andrew Dayton
  • Patent number: 11268469
    Abstract: A misfire detection device for an internal combustion engine including a crankshaft mechanically connected to a motor generator includes a storage device and processing circuitry. The storage device stores mapping data. The mapping data is data specifying a mapping that outputs a misfire variable using a rotation waveform variable and a damping variable as an input. The misfire variable is a variable related to a probability that a misfire has occurred. The rotation waveform variable is a variable including information on a difference between values of instantaneous speed corresponding to short angular intervals differing from each other. The damping variable is a variable related to a state of a damping process that controls a torque of the motor generator to reduce vibration of a power transmission system of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takumi Anzawa
  • Patent number: 11261829
    Abstract: A method for controlling a control valve, the control valve controlling a volume flow of a fluid along a line, the method including at least the following steps: (a) performing a closing operation of the control valve; (b) measuring a pressure profile upstream of the control valve; and (c) determining a density of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Michael Brand, Silke Weddig, Björn Fröhlich, Jens Wodausch, Christian Arenz
  • Patent number: 11261835
    Abstract: A damper device arranged in a housing space formed between a device main body and a cover member includes a pair of damper bodies each having a plate and a diaphragm and having an enclosed space sealed with gas. A biasing device is provided between the pair of damper bodies arranged facing each other and configured to bias the damper bodies from one side of the device main body and the cover member to the other side of the device main body and the cover member, stay members each extending from an outer peripheral edge portion of each of the damper bodies and brought into contact with other side, and a frame member arranged on one side of the device main body and the cover member and having a stopper portion configured to restrict movement of the damper bodies in the direction of the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: Toshiaki Iwa, Yoshihiro Ogawa, Yusuke Sato, Tatsumi Oguri, Yusuke Kondo, Keigo Ohata
  • Patent number: 11255288
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a variable displacement engine that includes a knock control system. Engine knock background noise levels determined during all cylinders operating mode may be determined via two filters that are constructed in parallel. Output of the two filters may be the basis for determining the presence or absence of engine knock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Arney Yogesh Karnik, James Kindree, Christopher Glugla, Robert Baskins
  • Patent number: 11248554
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing engine power via partial engine enrichment and exhaust gas recirculation. In one example, a method may include enriching a first set of engine cylinders and enleaning a second, remaining set of the engine cylinders, exhaust gas from the first set and the second set producing a stoichiometric mixture at a downstream emission control device, and providing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to an intake passage of the engine from the first set of cylinders and not from the second set. In this way, cooling effects from the partial enrichment and the EGR enable engine air flow, and thus engine power, to be increased while an efficiency of the emission control device is maintained, thereby decreasing vehicle emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aakash Puntambekar
  • Patent number: 11248542
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a hydrogen combustion engine. In one example, a method may include operating the hydrogen combustion engine at one of two combustion air ratios, wherein a combustion air ratio between the two is avoided via adjusting one or more operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Helmut Ruhland, Albert Breuer, Thomas Lorenz
  • Patent number: 11248570
    Abstract: An engine apparatus includes an engine, a supercharger, an evaporated fuel treatment device, a controller and the engine apparatus is configured to determine a purge classification whether the evaporated fuel is a first purge in which the evaporated fuel flows dominantly in a first purge passage or a second purge in which the evaporated fuel flows dominantly in a second purge passage based on a relative ejector pressure that is a pressure of a suction port of the ejector and a value obtained by adding an offset amount based on a cross-sectional area of the second purge passage with respect to a cross-sectional area of the first purge passage to a pressure behind a throttle valve that is the pressure on a downstream side of the throttle valve of the intake pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanao Idogawa, Takahiro Uchida, Masahiro Kachi, Reiko Goh, Hirokatsu Yamamoto