Patents Examined by Keith Coleman
  • Patent number: 7770562
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a multi-fuel internal combustion engine and an approach for operating the fuel delivery system are provided. The fuel delivery system can be operated in two or more different fuel delivery modes according to operating conditions of the engine or fuel delivery system. A first example mode can be performed to concurrently deliver two or more fuels to the engine. A second example mode can be performed to transfer fuel from a first fuel storage tank to a second fuel storage tank. A third example mode can be performed to supply a fuel from a first fuel storage tank to at least two fuel injectors of each cylinder of the engine. In some embodiments, the various modes of operation may be selected by varying a fuel pressure that is provided by the fuel delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Patent number: 7770554
    Abstract: A recoil starter includes a base plate that has a bearing portion formed therein and a rotary shaft that is supported by the bearing portion so as to pass through the base plate. A rope reel is rotatably supported at one side of the base plate, and a recoil rope is wound around the rope reel. A recoil spiral spring urges the rope reel to rewind the recoil rope. A damper spring has one end connected to the rotary shaft and the other end connected to the rope reel, and a clutch mechanism is disposed on an end of the rotary shaft at the other side of the base plate. The clutch mechanism transfers a rotational force to an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Starting Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Chigira, Tetsuya Kasamatsu, Kenta Shofuda, Hiroaki Saito, Yuki Hoshi
  • Patent number: 7770555
    Abstract: A method, a device utilizing the method, and a motorcycle equipped with the device are provided, of controlling combustion of an engine to have an engine beat different from an equally-intervalled combustion. The method of controlling combustions of an engine having three or more pistons of cylinders per crankshaft includes causing simultaneous combustions of two cylinders among the three or more cylinders, the two cylinders having the same crank phase angle, causing a combustion of at least one -other cylinder, and in the process of said combustion offsetting a crank phase angle by a first crank phase angle, and repeating from the combustions of the first two cylinders further offsetting the crank phase angle by a second crank phase angle from the first crank phase angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7765979
    Abstract: System for controlling the operation of a motor vehicle diesel engine in which the supply of fuel to the cylinders is controlled as a function of the pressure of a reference cylinder acquired and a predetermined desired fuel supply value for each cylinder, the supply of fuel to the reference cylinder is slaved to its desired supply value as a function of the pressure acquired, the drive shaft rotation speed generated by the displacement of the piston of the reference cylinder and the drive shaft rotation speed generated by the displacement of the piston of at least one other cylinder are acquired, and the supply of fuel to this at least one other cylinder is actuated as a function of the speeds acquired by slaving the drive shaft rotation speed related to the at least one other cylinder to the drive shaft rotation speed related to the reference cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignees: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA, Delphi Technologies Holdings Sarl
    Inventors: Claire Vermonet, Vincent Souchon, Benjamin Desmarquet, Guillaume Meissonnier
  • Patent number: 7765978
    Abstract: A differential pressure sensor apparatus for use in a fuel delivery system measures the differential pressure of the fuel between a point immediately upstream and a point immediately downstream of a fuel monitor element. The differential pressure sensor apparatus uses an electronic transducer to monitor differential pressure and may be used with interlocks to shutdown fuel delivery if the measured value of the differential pressure is above a predetermined threshold value and to notify an operator of the fuel delivery system of such an increase in the differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Liquid Controls Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Ruesch, Bryan P. Haynes
  • Patent number: 7765983
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with at least one modulator for adjusting an air mass in a cylinder. It is also provided with an injection valve for metering fuel to which fuel is supplied via a fuel supply device. A maximum fuel quantity which can be metered to the cylinder per working stroke is determined. Depending on the maximum meterable fuel quantity, a maximum producible torque is determined. An air mass flow is determined depending on an air/fuel ratio to be adjusted and the maximum meterable fuel quantity is adjusted by controlling the at least one modulator for adjusting the air mass. The injection valve is controlled in accordance with the maximum meterable fuel quantity when the required torque is greater or equal the maximum producible torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Eser, Hong Zhang
  • Patent number: 7762235
    Abstract: A fuel system for supplying CNG to an internal combustion engine. The system includes a fuel rail, a CNG fuel injector, and an engine manifold. The CNG fuel injector includes a fuel inlet in fluid communication with the fuel rail, and a fuel outlet disposed along a longitudinal axis and in fluid communication with the engine manifold. A member is disposed at the fuel outlet that dispersing the CNG in a direction skewed from the longitudinal axis as the CNG flows from the fuel outlet into the engine manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Perry Robert Czimmek
  • Patent number: 7757656
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a small planing boat for reducing the lateral width of an oil pan in conformity to the configuration of the bottom while securing the filtering surface area of an oil strainer. In addition, a vertical width of the oil pan is maintained to be small to thereby lower the total height of the internal combustion engine. In an internal combustion engine for a small planing boat, an oil pan is provided at the bottom portion of the internal combustion engine with an oil passage for communicating with an oil pump being formed inside the oil pan. A vertical wall of the oil passage is partially cut away to form communication openings each communicating between the inside and outside of the oil passage with the oil strainers being interposed in the communication openings substantially vertically to divide the oil passage into inside and outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Hoi, Hiroyuki Kaga, Michio Izumi, Hiroyuki Makita, Kazuhiko Tomoda
  • Patent number: 7757644
    Abstract: Constant pressure internal combustion engine having compression and expansion chambers of variable volume, an elongated combustion chamber of substantially constant volume between the compression and expansion chambers, and a fuel inlet for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber where it mixes with compressed air from the compression chamber to form a mixture of fuel and air that burns as it travels through the combustion chamber. In some embodiments, the combustion chamber is folded back upon itself and has a rough, twisting interior side wall, with long, sharp protrusions extending inwardly therefrom and forming hot spots which help to provide complete combustion of the fuel mixture throughout the combustion chamber. These protrusions, together with flow turbulators within the chamber, promote complete mixing and, hence, combustion of the fuel and air in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Zajac Optimum Output Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: John Zajac
  • Patent number: 7757668
    Abstract: A method of controlling a flow rate of fuel in a fuel supply unit of a fuel cell system is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel pump, a revolution per minute (RPM) measuring unit, a microcomputer, and a power converter. The method of controlling the flow rate controls the fuel supply unit so as to supply the fuel to a reformer reforming the fuel to generate hydrogen or a stack generating electric energy through a reaction of the fuel and oxygen. The method of controlling the flow rate includes measuring an actual RPM of the fuel pump; comparing the actual RPM to a reference RPM of the fuel pump; and adjusting a driving voltage of the fuel pump on the basis of the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-Hyouk Jang, Dong-Yun Lee, Sang-Hyeon Choi
  • Patent number: 7753020
    Abstract: In a gearwheel mechanism for driving a secondary unit such as a fuel pump driven via the gear wheel mechanism by a primary unit, a driven gear mounted on the secondary unit is provided with a positioning element including sections covering teeth areas of the driven gear so that those sections cannot be engaged with a driving gear of the primary unit during mounting of the secondary unit, and in a pump having a gear provided with such a positioning element as wells as an internal combustion engine including a pump with a gear provided with a positioning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Uuzzie, Harald Gieb, Lawrence Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7753022
    Abstract: A resin intake manifold is provided with a surge tank, an independent intake passage connected to the surge tank, and a plurality of pieces formed in a predetermined shape and welded along a weld line. A funnel portion is formed in a portion connected from the surge tank to the independent intake passage, and the weld line is formed so as to cross over a portion near the funnel portion. A funnel partition wall separating a plurality of independent intake passages is formed in the funnel portion so as to protrude from one piece to another piece. A funnel wall receiving portion receiving the funnel partition wall is formed in another piece, and the funnel partition wall and the funnel wall receiving portion are welded in bonded surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hironori Tanikawa, Kazuhiro Aiki
  • Patent number: 7753023
    Abstract: A cylinder liner has an outer circumferential surface on which a film is formed. The film functions to form gaps between the cylinder block and the cylinder liner. Alternatively, the film functions to reduce adhesion of the cylinder liner to the cylinder block. The cylinder liner suppresses excessive decreases in the temperature of a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takami, Kouhei Hori, Takeshi Tsukahara, Noritaka Miyamoto, Masaki Hirano, Yukinori Ohta, Satoshi Yamada, Kouhei Shibata, Nobuyuki Yamashita, Toshihiro Mihara, Giichiro Saito, Masami Horigome, Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 7753013
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio engine. The engine includes a piston disposed in a cylinder bore and constituting a combustion chamber, a variable compression ratio mechanism connected to the piston and causing a top dead center position of the piston to vary, an actuator connected to the variable compression ratio mechanism to actuate the variable compression ratio mechanism, and a controller connected to the actuator to control an engine state and the actuator. The controller performs operations including setting the compression ratio corresponding to a state of the engine, actuating the actuator so that the compression ratio is set, determining whether a state of the engine is either a state allowing actuation of the actuator, or a state limiting actuation of the actuator, and limiting actuation of the actuator in the state limiting actuation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Yoshiaki Tanaka, Shinichi Takemura
  • Patent number: 7753010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system capable of using kinetic/inertial and renewable energy to generate hydrogen for use as a fuel in vehicles and other applications. In certain embodiments, this invention relates to a system in which hydrogen is generated during vehicle braking and which is operable with an internal combustion engine, and which can be retrofitted to vehicles with such an engine as well as to stationary combustion devices. Methods for generating hydrogen to power vehicles and vehicles utilizing the inventive technology are also provided. The present invention also relates to stationary devices, such as space heaters and water heaters, capable of generating hydrogen for use as a fuel additive therewith, and methods of generating hydrogen using such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Keith Rutledge
  • Patent number: 7748352
    Abstract: Constant pressure internal combustion engine having compression and expansion chambers of variable volume, an elongated combustion chamber of substantially constant volume between the compression and expansion chambers, and a fuel inlet for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber where it mixes with compressed air from the compression chamber to form a mixture of fuel and air that burns as it travels through the combustion chamber. The pressure remains substantially constant within the combustion chamber over a wide range of operating and load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Zajac Optimum Output Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: John Zajac
  • Patent number: 7748403
    Abstract: A pressure-holding valve for a fuel injection system with a high-pressure region and a low-pressure region, the valve having with a valve housing having a first connection that can be connected to the low-pressure region and a second connection that can be connected to the return of a fuel injection valve device. The housing contains a reciprocating valve cup prestressed in opposition to the force of a first spring device and a through opening which can be closed by a closing element prestressed in opposition to the force of a second spring device to maintain a minimum pressure in the return. The valve housing, between the first connection and the valve cup includes with a pressure relief device that can be actuated from outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Brekle
  • Patent number: 7748351
    Abstract: Constant pressure internal combustion engine having compression and expansion chambers of variable volume, an elongated combustion chamber of substantially constant volume between the compression and expansion chambers, and a fuel inlet for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber where it mixes with compressed air from the compression chamber to form a mixture of fuel and air that burns as it travels through the combustion chamber. In some embodiments, the combustion chamber is folded back upon itself and has a rough, twisting interior side wall, with long, sharp protrusions extending inwardly therefrom and forming hot spots which help to provide complete combustion of the fuel mixture throughout the combustion chamber. These protrusions, together with flow turbulators within the chamber, promote complete mixing and, hence, combustion of the fuel and air in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Zajac Optimum Output Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: John Zajac, Ian F. Smith
  • Patent number: 7743757
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling EGR of an internal combustion engine is presented. The system is capable of controlling EGR over a wide range of flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Freeman Carter Gates, Sassan Farahmand, Songping Yu
  • Patent number: 7743738
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for delivering tungsten into a fuel combustion system or to the exhaust therefrom. By the present invention, tungsten from the lubricant or the fuel will interact with combustion products and, in particular, phosphorus, sulfur, and/or lead from the combustion products. In this manner, the tungsten scavenges or inactivates harmful materials which have migrated into the fuel or combustion products, and which can otherwise poison catalytic converters, sensors and/or automotive on-board diagnostic devices The present invention can also lead to improved durability of exhaust after treatment systems. A lubricant in accordance with the present invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Afton Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis H. Rainear, Allen A. Aradi, Joseph W. Roos