Patents Examined by Jonathan Matthias
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Patent number: 10208644Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an exhaust oxygen sensor coupled to an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine in response to detecting water at the sensor. In one example, a method may include indicating water at an exhaust oxygen sensor positioned in an engine exhaust passage based on a sensor parameter of the exhaust oxygen sensor while operating the exhaust oxygen sensor in a variable voltage (VVs) mode where a reference voltage is adjusted from a lower, first voltage to a higher, second voltage; and adjusting one or more of sensor operation and engine operation based on the indicating water.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel A. Makled, Richard E. Soltis
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Patent number: 10208688Abstract: A method for controlling an exhaust gas purification apparatus as a catalyst oxygen purge control method during a cold engine period of an exhaust gas purification apparatus including a three way catalyst (TWC) converter purifying exhaust gas exhausted from the engine includes determining whether a fuel cut condition of an injector which injects the fuel to the combustion chamber is satisfied; performing a fuel cut of the injector when the fuel cut condition is satisfied; determining heat load of the three way catalyst by use of a temperature detector and an exhaust gas flow rate detector; measuring oxygen storage capacity (OSC) stored in the three way catalyst according to the heat load; determining an inflection point by use of variation amount of the OSC; and controlling oxygen purge period differently around the inflection point.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Kefico CorporationInventors: Jin Woo Choung, SooMin Lee, SungJae Kim
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Patent number: 10202884Abstract: Methods and systems are provided related to an emissions control system. The emissions control system has an exhaust after-treatment system defining a plurality of distinct exhaust flow passages through which at least a portion of an exhaust stream can flow, e.g., the exhaust stream is produced by an engine. The emissions control system also includes a controller for controlling injection of reductant into the exhaust stream flowing through each of the flow passages. In one example, the emissions control system is configured for use in a vehicle, such as a locomotive or other rail vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLCInventors: Jessica Lynn Plummer, Gail Leroy Detar, Shashi Kiran, Shridhar Shrikant Kulkarni, Lawrence Heverley, III
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Patent number: 10202882Abstract: A fault diagnosis device for an exhaust pipe fuel injector that diagnoses a normality or an abnormality of the exhaust pipe fuel injector which injects a fuel according to an instructed fuel injection amount, includes: a storage unit which stores a regeneration duration and an instructed fuel injection amount in the regeneration duration; a calculation unit which calculates an instructed fuel injection amount per unit time in the regeneration duration; and a fault diagnosis unit which diagnoses that the exhaust pipe fuel injector is abnormal when the instructed fuel injection amount per unit time in the regeneration duration exceeds a fault threshold, and diagnoses that the exhaust pipe fuel injector is normal when the instructed fuel injection amount per unit time in the regeneration duration does not exceed the fault threshold.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITEDInventors: Toshio Ichimasa, Yukihiro Kawashima, Tomoya Kaji, Kouji Sakumoto, Shunya Matsushita
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Patent number: 10202873Abstract: The present invention relates to a supercritical CO2 generation system applying plural heat sources. According to the present invention, each heat exchanger is effectively disposed according to conditions such as an inlet and outlet temperature, capacity, the number, etc. of the heat source, such that it is possible to use the same or smaller number of recuperators as compared to the number of heat sources, thereby simplifying the system configuration and implementing effective operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hak Soo Kim, Song Hun Cha, Sang Hyeun Kim, Jun Tae Jang
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Patent number: 10202874Abstract: The present invention relates to the supercritical CO2 generation system applying plural heat sources. The supercritical CO2 generation system applying plural heat sources includes a pump circulating a working fluid; a plurality of heat exchangers heating the working fluid using an external heat source and including a plurality of constrained heat sources having an emission regulation condition of an outlet end thereof and a plurality of general heat sources without the emission regulation condition; a plurality of turbines operated by the working fluid heated by passing through the heat exchangers; and a plurality of recuperators cooling the working fluid passing through the turbines by heat exchange between the working fluid passing through the turbines and the working fluid passing through the pump, wherein the working fluid passing through the turbine is branched into the recuperators, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hak Soo Kim, Song Hun Cha, Sang Hyeun Kim, Jun Tae Jang
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Patent number: 10190460Abstract: A device for releasing reactant (R) into the exhaust gas stream (A) of an internal combustion engine, includes a reactant injection unit (20), a reactant delivery unit (12) for delivering reactant (R) from a reactant reservoir (14) to the reactant injection unit (20), and a heating unit (18) for heating reactant (R) delivered by the reactant delivery unit (12) to the reactant injection unit (20). The reactant injection unit (20) is switchable as a function of a reactant pressure generated by the reactant delivery unit (12) between an open state for releasing reactant (R) and a locked state for preventing the release of reactant.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Gerd Gaiser
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Patent number: 10190568Abstract: A wave energy converter comprises a submerged buoyant vessel (10) that can react directly with the seabed using neutrally buoyant taut tethers (19) at depths that characterize the continental shelf. The vessel (10) is held by a taut vertical mooring line (12) of controllable length and a taut vertical upper line (17) of controllable length connected to a surface float (15). These lines (12, 17) have elastic sections, allowing the vessel (10) to follow an orbital path in response to swell from any direction. By varying the length of these lines (12, 17) the submersion of the vessel (10) can be varied dynamically according to wave height. By varying the tension of these lines (12, 17) the natural oscillation period of the vessel (10) can be varied dynamically in response to the swell period.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Inventor: Bruce Gregory
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Patent number: 10184378Abstract: A work vehicle includes an engine, a battery, an exhaust gas purification system or device, and a notification device. The exhaust gas purification system or device is capable of performing a purification process purifying exhaust gas of the engine, and operates with electric power from the battery and performs an end process. The notification device provides notification that the exhaust gas purification system or device is performing the end process or that the end process is completed.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroshi Miyake
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Patent number: 10174662Abstract: An arrangement for treating exhaust gases of an internal combustion piston engine in a marine vessel, includes an exhaust gas channel coupled at its first end to the engine and having its second end opening to the environment, and a scrubber unit arranged between the first end and the second end of the exhaust gas channel. The arrangement has an exhaust gas channel cleaning system arranged to apply cleaning liquid on inner surface of the exhaust gas channel to a portion of the exhaust gas channel between the scrubber unit and the second end of the exhaust gas channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: WÄRTSILÄ FINLAND OYInventors: Petteri Nurmi, Sami Parkkinen, Martti Raevaara, Jyrki Ristimäki, Valtteri Vainio
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Patent number: 10167842Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a submersible power plant (1) and a submersible power plant (1). The submersible power plant (1) comprises a structure (2) and a vehicle (3). The vehicle (3) comprises at least one wing (4). The vehicle (3) is arranged to be secured to the structure (2) by means of at least one tether (5). The vehicle (3) is arranged to move in a predetermined trajectory by means of a fluid stream passing the vehicle (3). The vehicle (3) is arranged to change the angle of attack of the at least one wing (4). The method comprises: I: determining if the speed of the fluid passing the vehicle (3) is higher than a predetermined value; or II: determining if the speed of the fluid passing the vehicle (3) is lower than the predetermined value. The vehicle (3) changes the angle of attack for different situations depending on if the speed is higher or lower than the predetermined trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: MINESTO ABInventors: Erik Dölerud, Arne Quappen, Christian Norinder, Mattias Andersson
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Patent number: 10167796Abstract: The method determines whether soot loading of a gas particulate filter (GPF) requires regeneration. If it does, the temperature of the GPF is read to determine whether it is sufficiently high to achieve particulate (soot) burning. If it is not, an engine control module is commanded to adjust variables such as spark timing, fuel injection timing and valve timing. If the temperature of the particulate filter is sufficiently high that regeneration can occur, other variables may be adjusted such as leaning the air/fuel mixture, retarding the spark timing, the fuel injection and valve timing. Because the latter adjustments may limit or reduce either engine speed or power, messages in a message center are provided indicating, first, that the driver should continue driving for GPF regeneration and, subsequently, under certain conditions, that the engine power has been reduced.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Rafat F. Hattar, Alexander Michel, Simon Schiesser, Nils Oth, Markus Kraft
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Patent number: 10161391Abstract: A haptic actuator and method for manufacturing the same. The haptic actuator may include a slider having first interlocking sliding features and a first engagement surface; and a base having second interlocking sliding features and a second engagement surface. The second interlocking sliding features may be configured to engage with the first interlocking sliding features. The haptic actuator may also include a shape memory alloy disposed between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface; and a pair of ohmic contacts disposed through the base and are in direct contact with the shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy may contract and causes displacement of the slider relative to the base from a first position to a second position in response to a current applied to the shape memory alloy through the pair of ohmic contacts.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventor: Douglas Krumpelman
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Patent number: 10161283Abstract: A method of detecting urea-derived deposits in the exhaust line of an internal combustion engine having an SCR (selective catalyst reduction) aftertreatment system. A radio frequency (RF) transmitter is placed upstream of the SCR system's urea injector, and an RF receiver is placed downstream of the mixer. The transmitter and receiver are used to acquire baseline RF data representing a clean condition exhaust line without deposits. During subsequent operation of the engine, the transmitter and receiver are used to acquire subsequent RF data, which is compared to the baseline data after being corrected for temperature differences. If the comparison indicates the presence of one or more deposits, an alert signal is generated.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Scott Eakle, Cary Henry, Phillip Weber
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Patent number: 10161280Abstract: A method for influencing a fluid flow in a fluid line is provided. The fluid line has a wall and a honeycomb body arranged in the fluid line with a fluid inlet side and a fluid outlet side. The honeycomb body has a honeycomb structure with a cross section area and with ducts through which the fluid flow can flow from the fluid inlet side to the fluid outlet side. The honeycomb body has an outer boundary. The honeycomb structure has a circumferential outer zone close to the boundary and a central zone arranged within the outer zone. The outer zone includes at most 70% of the cross section area. The method includes providing the fluid flow upstream of the honeycomb body, entry of the fluid flow into the honeycomb body, and at least partial redirection of the fluid flow outwards in a radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Peter Hirth, Thomas Haerig
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Patent number: 10156172Abstract: A device for releasing reactant (R) into the exhaust gas stream (A) of an internal combustion engine includes a reactant injection unit (20), a reactant delivery unit (12) for delivering reactant (R) from a reactant reservoir (14) to the reactant injection unit (20), a heating unit (18) for heating reactant (R) delivered by the reactant delivery unit (12) to the reactant injection unit (20). An actuating unit (32) actuates the reactant delivery unit (12), the heating unit (18) and the reactant injection unit (20). An overpressure valve (26) or/and a pressure storage unit (30) is provided downstream of the reactant delivery unit (12).Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Gerd Gaiser
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Patent number: 10151228Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting ammonia slip from a catalytic converter. In one example, a method may include recirculating exhaust gas containing ammonia and measuring only a NOx concentration of the recirculated exhaust gas following its combustion.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Monika Angst, Leonhard Bartsch, Frederik De Smet, Daniel Roettger, Christian Winge Vigild
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Patent number: 10151304Abstract: A self-folding machine comprises a laminate including a flexible layer with a first side and a second side; a first rigid layer including at least one gap laminated to the first side of the flexible layer; a second rigid layer including at least one gap laminated to the second side of the flexible layer, wherein the rigid layers are more rigid than the flexible layer; a first contractible layer laminated to the first rigid layer and extending across at least one gap in the first rigid layer; and a second contractible layer laminated to the second rigid layer and extending across at least one gap in the second rigid layer, wherein the first and second contractible layers retract to respectively create folds in the machine across gaps in the first and second rigid layers when activated.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Samuel M. Felton, Robert J. Wood, Michael T. Tolley, Erik D. Demaine, Daniela Rus
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Patent number: 10145334Abstract: A container-type compressed air storage power generation device (2) comprises compressors (5a-5c); a tank (8); power generators (9a-9c); a control device (12); and a container (4). The compressors (5a-5c) compress air. The tank (8) is driven by air supplied from the compressors (5a-5c). The power generators (9a-9c) are driven by air supplied from the tank (8). The control device drives and controls the compressors (5a-5c) and the power generators (9a-9c). The container (4) houses the compressors (5a-5c) and the power generators (9a-9c), and the tank (8) is disposed outside the container (4). Therefore, the container-type compressed air storage power generation device (2) is easy to transport and construct on-site.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.Inventors: Kanami Sakamoto, Hiroki Saruta, Masaki Matsukuma, Masatake Toshima
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Patent number: 10145365Abstract: Heat exchange apparatus (24, 80) includes first heat transfer tubes (50), contained within an enclosure (43) and coupled to receive a first fluid heated by an energy source (22, 36). Second heat transfer tubes (52) are interleaved with the first heat transfer tubes within the enclosure so as to heat a second fluid contained in the second heat transfer tubes by transfer of heat from the first fluid, and are coupled to output the heated second fluid to drive target equipment (30). A heat storage medium (48) fills the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2014Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: BRENMILLER ENERGY LTD.Inventors: Avi Brenmiller, Rami Ezer