Patents Examined by Jonathan Matthias
  • Patent number: 10385748
    Abstract: In a method for exhaust gas aftertreatment, in which an exhaust gas to be aftertreated, which is produced during combustion of a fuel, is treated with a reducing agent. A constituent of the fuel is hereby also used as a constituent of the reducing agent, with the constituent of the fuel which is also used as a constituent of the reducing agent being hydrogen. The hydrogen is produced from water, and the reducing agent is a mixture of hydrogen and ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erik Wolf, Ralf Sigling, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Patent number: 10294839
    Abstract: An engine system includes a compression ignition diesel engine connected with an aftertreatment system. A source of diesel fuel, which may have a high sulfur content, is fluidly connected to the engine. The aftertreatment system includes a particle trap fluidly positioned between the engine and the tailpipe, and an SCR catalyst fluidly positioned on the particle trap or between the particle trap and the engine. The SCR catalyst is a sulfur tolerant SCR catalyst. A non-thermal particle trap regeneration system includes a valve fluidly positioned between a particulate volume and an inlet to the particle trap. A reductant system has a doser positioned, possibly in the exhaust manifold, to deliver a reductant into the aftertreatment system upstream from the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Valley Holding Company
    Inventor: Brett Bailey
  • Patent number: 10294842
    Abstract: In an engine device having a urea mixing pipe which injects urea water into exhaust gas of an engine, and an SCR case which removes nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas of the engine, and structured such that an inlet side of the SCR case is connected to an outlet side of the urea mixing pipe, the urea mixing pipe is formed by an outer pipe and an inner pipe having a double pipe structure, the SCR case is formed by an inner case body and an outer case body having a double case structure, an exhaust gas outlet side end portion of the outer pipe is connected to an exhaust gas inlet of the inner case body, and an exhaust gas outlet side end portion of the inner pipe is provided in a protruding manner in an inner portion of the SCR case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Sandou
  • Patent number: 10288320
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and apparatus which is designed to use parabolic concentrator to focus sunlight onto a receiver which uses a coolant to carry the heat to the heat storage unit. The system comprises a primary loop comprising at least one solar array and at least one heat storage unit. The system further comprises a secondary loop operatively communicating with said primary loop. The solar array comprises plurality of reflector dish assemblies comprising reflector dish means whereby said dish means are arranged in close proximity to each other wherein said dish means being such that high sunlight concentration ratio is obtained for providing high conversion efficiency from heat to electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventor: Subodh Verma
  • Patent number: 10273943
    Abstract: A heat sensitive actuator utilizes a bilayer of shape memory material, each layer thermally stimulated to change shape at a different temperature, to generate two-way actuation functionality. The second layer—with higher phase-change temperature—brings up greater intrinsic force in its high temperature phase than the first, and in this way is able to be used to reset the actuator to its initial shape after being deformed by the first layer at a lower temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Karel Johannes Adrianus Van Den Aker, Daan Anton Van Den Ende
  • Patent number: 10273930
    Abstract: A power-take-off system for use in a wave energy converter buoy employs a meshing nut and screw shaft assembly for motion conversion. That is, the motion of the buoy float is coupled to drive the nut along the screw shaft on which it is mounted. The linear movement of the nut along the shaft causes the shaft to rotate and this rotational motion is then coupled to rotate an electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mojtaba Safabakhsh, Chandreshkumar Dubey, John Joseph Bordmann
  • Patent number: 10273847
    Abstract: A method for controlling a valve for directing an exhaust gas stream through an exhaust duct having an after treatment device and a bypass duct in an exhaust system of a vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving first sensor signals from a first sensor coupled downstream from the exhaust after treatment device, and processing the first sensor signals to determine a first temperature of an outlet exhaust gas stream. The method includes determining a bypass command based on whether the first temperature exceeds a first pre-defined threshold for the outlet exhaust gas stream. The method also includes outputting a control signal based on the determining of the bypass command to a valve coupled to the bypass duct and the exhaust pipe upstream of the after treatment device to move the valve between a first state and a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrea Pannuzzo, Luca Gatti
  • Patent number: 10267193
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a emission control system that includes a emission control substrate having a plurality of passages to facilitate at least one catalytic reaction in an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. A magnetic field generator responds to a control signal by generating a magnetic field to inductively heat the emission control substrate. A magnetic shield is configured to direct at least a portion of the magnetic field to the emission control substrate. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Crawford, John Douglas
  • Patent number: 10267202
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for catalyst control. In one example, a method may include controlling an air-fuel ratio downstream of a catalyst by adjusting fuel injection. The fuel injection is adjusted based on control parameters updated online through system identification at a point of feedback control instability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen William Magner, Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Mario Anthony Santillo
  • Patent number: 10247175
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a wax motor or the like provides an elastomeric seal, fitting against an actuator shaft that may slide through the elastomeric seal, where the elastomeric seal has mold flash regions that are displaced from the contact area between the shaft and the elastomeric seal significantly increasing elastomeric seal life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Randy S. McDonald, Brian A. Stelloh
  • Patent number: 10247073
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a combustion engine includes first and second catalytic converters arranged downstream of the combustion engine in a flow direction of exhaust gas. First and second exhaust pipes extend from the combustion engine to the first and second catalytic converters, respectively, with a first valve disposed in the first exhaust pipe, and a second valve disposed in the second exhaust pipe. The first and second valves operate such that in the presence of an exhaust temperature which is equal to or less than a limit value, at least the first valve opens to allow exhaust gas from the combustion engine to flow through the first catalytic converter, and that the first valve closes and the second valve opens, when the exhaust temperature is greater than the limit value to thereby allow exhaust gas from the combustion engine to flow through the second catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Viktor Schimik, Florian Hörr
  • Patent number: 10247044
    Abstract: A power plant with at least one steam cycle and with at least one high temperature thermal energy (heat) exchange system is provided. The high temperature thermal energy exchange system includes at least one heat exchange chamber with chamber boundaries which surround at least one heat exchange chamber interior of the heat exchange chamber. The chamber boundaries include at least one inlet opening for guiding in an inflow of at least one heat transfer fluid into the heat exchange chamber interior and at least one outlet opening for guiding out an outflow of the heat transfer fluid out of the heat exchange chamber interior; at least one heat storage material is arranged in the heat exchange chamber interior such that a heat exchange flow of the heat transfer fluid through the heat exchange chamber interior causes a heat exchange between the heat storage material and the heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Till Andreas Barmeier, Volker Seidel, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Patent number: 10240510
    Abstract: A structure for cooling an exhaust manifold may include a duct cooling the exhaust manifold by using traveling wind or fan wind, a duct opening and closing portion mounted at a rear end of the duct for cooling an exhaust manifold to open or close the duct for cooling an exhaust manifold, and an exhaust manifold protector disposed at a lower end of the duct for cooling an exhaust manifold and enclosing the exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jong-Wan Han, Yong-Beom Park, Dang-Hee Park
  • Patent number: 10240488
    Abstract: An exhaust gas system for a motor vehicle may include an exhaust gas aftertreatment device communicating fluidically with an exhaust gas evaporation device. The exhaust gas aftertreatment device and the exhaust gas evaporation device may be arranged in one or more housings. A connecting line may be provided to fluidically connect the exhaust gas aftertreatment device to the exhaust gas evaporation device. The connecting line may include a fluid inlet connected to the exhaust gas aftertreatment device and a fluid outlet connected to the exhaust gas evaporation device. An evaporation bypass line may branch off from the connection line at a branching-off point. A valve apparatus may be arranged in at least the connecting line and may be adjustable between a first position to fluidly connect the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and a second position to fluidly connect the fluid inlet to the evaporator bypass line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Mahle Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Irmler, Michael Schmidt, Peter Geskes, Eberhard Pantow, Andreas Kleber
  • Patent number: 10240505
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling nitrogen oxide emissions in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine by means of successive actuation of catalytic converters in the exhaust tract and of the internal combustion engine, wherein the catalytic converters or the internal combustion engine are actuated in succession if the actuation of a first device is not sufficient for reducing the nitrogen oxide emissions. An arrangement for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederik De Smet, Mario Balenovic, Vijay Krishnaswamy
  • Patent number: 10233786
    Abstract: The present application provides a method of evaluating fatigue damage in an actuator spring of a valve used in a turbine by a data acquisition system. The method may include the steps of receiving a number of operating parameters from a number of sensors including valve spindle position over time, determining cyclic loading on the actuator spring based upon the valve spindle position over time, generating an intended design lifetime for the actuator spring, determining a fatigue damage indicator based on the cyclic loading as compared to the intended design lifetime, and altering one or more of the operating parameters and/or initiating repair procedures based upon the fatigue damage indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Reigl, Soeren Lange
  • Patent number: 10233784
    Abstract: A liquid heating appliance for heating water or other liquids, suitably to a target temperature of from 55° C. to around boiling point, includes a primary heat chamber or body (heat source chamber) that is thermally insulated and which in use contains a high thermal density heat storing liquid or solid; and a secondary chamber alongside the primary chamber through which a liquid to be heated is passed in use. The appliance has a heat transfer feature to selectively transfer thermal energy from the heat-storing liquid or solid to the liquid to be heated in the secondary chamber. The secondary chamber is preferably a conduit through which the liquid to be heated is able to flow and the thus heated liquid can be delivered to a tap as hot water for a range of uses. Water may also be heated for a central heating system for space heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Piers St John Spencer Cave
  • Patent number: 10233812
    Abstract: In a method for diagnosing an SCR catalyst system of an internal combustion engine, the SCR catalyst system comprises at least one first SCR catalyst device (20) and at least one second SCR catalyst device (30). A first injection position upstream of the first SCR catalyst device (20) in the form of a first metering device (40) is provided for injecting liquid reducing agent for the SCR catalyst devices (20, 30). A second injection position between the two SCR catalyst devices (20, 30) in the form of a second metering device (50) is furthermore provided. Both SCR catalyst devices (20, 30) are monitored in a differentiated way by means of active and passive diagnostic methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Franz, Cornelia Nagel, Tobias Pfister
  • Patent number: 10215121
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating a lambda detector of mild hybrid electric vehicle may include determining whether a measured value of the lambda detector is equal to or greater than a first reference value or is equal to or less than a second reference value when an overrun condition is satisfied; determining a first difference value between the measured value of the lambda detector and the first reference value and a second difference value between the measured value and the second reference value when the measured value of the lambda detector is equal to or greater than the first reference value or is equal to or less than the second reference value; determining a heating temperature and time according to the first difference value and the second difference value; and heating the lambda detector according to the determined heating temperature and time when a coasting condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hwa Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 10208640
    Abstract: A method for controlling an exhaust gas purification apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to improve performance of a three-way catalyst (TWC) purifying exhaust gas exhausted from an engine and includes determining heat load of the three-way catalyst by use of a temperature sensor and an exhaust gas flow rate sensor; measuring oxygen storage capacity (OSC) stored in the three-way catalyst according to the heat load; determining an inflection point by use of change amount of the OSC; and controlling catalyst heating period differently around the inflection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Kefico Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Woo Choung, SooMin Lee, SungJae Kim