Patents Examined by Kurt Philip Liethen
  • Patent number: 11692473
    Abstract: An engine apparatus is provided that includes an internal combustion engine and a cooling airflow control subsystem The cooling airflow control subsystem includes an airflow regulator having a first component comprising one or more passageways extending through the first component, and a second component comprising one or more passageways extending through the second component, the second component mounted adjacent the first component; and an actuator operably coupled to the airflow regulator to cause relative rotation between the first and second components when actuated so that the airflow regulator can be altered between: (1) a first state in which the first and second passageways are aligned a first extent to allow a first amount of cooling airflow to reach the engine; and (2) a second state in which the first and second passageways are aligned a second extent to allow a second amount of cooling airflow to reach the engine, the first amount being greater than the second amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventors: Erich Vierkant, William D. Koenigs, Brian Philipps, Michael J. Tursky
  • Patent number: 11692504
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a cylinder head. In one example, a system comprises cylinder head having a bore arranged therein. The bore comprises a coupling element therein configured to selectively receive an ignition plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Oliver Berkemeier, Maziar Khosravi
  • Patent number: 11680540
    Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine may include a piston crown, a piston body, and a ring portion. The piston body may have a radially outermost piston outer surface, which may emanate from the piston crown and extend axially and in a circumferential direction. The ring portion may be disposed axially spaced apart from the piston crown. The ring portion may extend axially and in the circumferential direction. The ring portion may include a ring carrier with a ring groove configured to receive a piston ring. The ring portion may further include a radially outer ring portion outer surface that extends in the circumferential direction. The ring portion outer surface may be disposed radially to an inside relative to the piston outer surface. The piston outer surface may extend elliptically in the circumferential direction. The ring portion outer surface may extend rotation-symmetrically in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Bechtold, Michael Biswurm
  • Patent number: 11680501
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a block containing a crankshaft and a crankcase surrounding the crankshaft, a plurality of combustion chambers configured to receive an intake fluid and generate exhaust fluid, an exhaust circuit configured to direct the exhaust fluid away from the plurality of combustion chambers, an intake circuit configured to supply the intake fluid to the plurality of combustion chambers, a turbine disposed in the exhaust circuit and having a turbine shaft configured to be driven by the exhaust fluid, a crankcase ventilation circuit configured to direct crankcase fluid away from the crankcase, and a pump disposed in the crankcase ventilation circuit and having a rotor configured to be driven by the turbine shaft to propel the crankcase fluid through the crankcase ventilation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Randy R. Scarf
  • Patent number: 11660953
    Abstract: An airflow adjusting apparatus includes a duct, a duct opening-closing unit for the duct, first and second airflow generators, and an airflow adjustment processor. The duct has an inlet open toward a front of a movable body and an outlet that guides an airflow to an air-blowing target inside the movable body. The first and second airflow generators are provided respectively on first and second faces, opposed to each other, of an inner surface of the duct. The airflow adjustment processor performs, if the duct opening-closing unit is closed, vortex flow formation control of causing the first airflow generator to generate a first airflow that directs to the outlet side with respect to the duct and causing the second airflow generator to generate a second airflow that directs to the inlet side with respect to the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoto Watanabe, Yusaku Dogahira
  • Patent number: 11654767
    Abstract: A cooling air flap device is for a motor vehicle. The cooling air flap device has a cooling air opening through which cooling air can flow. The cooling air flap device has: a cooling air flap, which is arranged in or on the cooling air opening so as to be adjustable in order to change an opening cross section of the cooling air opening through which the cooling air can flow; and a sensor configured to sense surroundings in a region of the cooling air flap device. The sensor is secured to the cooling air flap so that the sensor is adjustable together with the cooling air flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Sebastian Harter
  • Patent number: 11655739
    Abstract: A device separates particles such as oil particles from a gas flow, from a blow-by gas of a crankcase ventilation, in an internal combustion engine. The device includes a valve seat that defines a flow passage opening and a movable valve element that can be displaced between a closed position, in which the valve element is in abutting contact with the valve seat and the abutting contact defines an axial abutting point, and at least one open position, in which the valve element is moved from the axial abutting point in an axial actuating direction, wherein at least one abutting contact surface of the valve element and/or the valve seat is contoured in such a way that a fluid passage is allowed in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: WOCO Industrietechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Fenske, Marcus Rüttger, Martin Klingelhöfer
  • Patent number: 11649775
    Abstract: A throttle assembly for an engine may include a remote throttle lever, a sensor, and a terminal. The remote throttle lever may be coupled physically to a user input device and operable to be moved under control of the user input device. The sensor is configured to detect a position of the remote throttle lever and generate an output signal indicative of the position of the remote throttle lever. The terminal configured to provide the output signal to a controller of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Bykowski, Terence M. Rotter, William D. Koenigs
  • Patent number: 11648835
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a engine compartment ventilation system. The engine compartment ventilation system includes a grille cover. The grille cover is configured to cover an engine compartment of the vehicle. The grille cover has one or more grille shutters. The engine compartment ventilation system includes a sensor. The sensor is configured to measure an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the vehicle. The engine compartment ventilation system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is coupled to the one or more grille shutters and the sensor. The electronic control unit is configured to control the one or more grille shutters based on the ambient temperature of the environment surrounding the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Abhishek Srivastava, David W. Cosgrove
  • Patent number: 11639697
    Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine controlled as a function of an operating-point setpoint, the method includes: determining whether a new operating-point setpoint is received, and if so determining the maximum capacity of the pump based on determined values of rotational speed of the engine, quantity of fuel injected, and fuel pressure in the common injection rail; determining fuel consumption flow rate; subtracting fuel consumption flow rate of the vehicle from the maximum capacity of the pump to obtain the remaining capacity of the fuel pump; determining the difference in fuel flow rate between the current operating point and the operating point of the new operating-point setpoint; and if the remaining capacity of the fuel pump is less than the difference in fuel flow rate, a reduced fuel flow rate gradient setpoint is emitted with the new operating-point setpoint or the quantity of fuel injected is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Yves Agnus, Henri Mouisse, Nicolas Loubet
  • Patent number: 11635050
    Abstract: An intake manifold which can ensure a pressure resistance strength, a mechanical strength, and the like and also reduce a passage resistance and an outboard motor which can be made smaller and thinner in a width direction. A resinous intake manifold made of a resin and configured to be applied to an engine of an outboard motor includes: a surge tank which forms a flat contour and includes an intake inlet; and a plurality of branch pipes which defines intake passages communicating with an internal space of the surge tank, wherein a contour wall of the surge tank includes a plurality of ridge portions which protrudes toward the internal space and is oriented toward the intake passage side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirobumi Oosawa
  • Patent number: 11637410
    Abstract: A vehicle component, and a method and tool for forming the component are provided. First and second tools with first and second surfaces, respectively, are provided. The first tool is translated along a first axis towards the second tool such that the first and second surfaces cooperate to define a mold cavity configured to form an accessory mount feature with an aperture. The second surface is configured to form an integrated rib extending outwardly from an upper surface of the mount feature to a planar bearing surface surrounding the aperture with the planar bearing surface oriented at an acute angle relative to the upper surface. The first axis is substantially parallel to the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Stancavage, Sandra Davidson Osip
  • Patent number: 11619152
    Abstract: A crankcase ventilation system comprises a housing defining an internal volume structured to receive a. rotating air/oil separator element. The housing has a housing inlet structured to receive a fluid and a housing outlet defined tangentially in a sidewall of the housing which is structured to allow the fluid to exit the housing. An outlet conduit is fluidly coupled to housing outlet. The outlet conduit comprises an outlet conduit first portion axially aligned with the housing outlet, and an outlet conduit second portion positioned downstream of the outlet, conduit first, portion. A swirl breaking structure is positioned in at least one of an outlet conduit inlet and the outlet conduit second portion. The swirl breaking structure is configured to disrupt swirling flow of the fluid into the outlet conduit so as to reduce a pressure drop experienced by the fluid as the fluid flows from the housing into the outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Navin Surana, Vijay Dinkar Kolhe, Anthony Barreteau, Peter K. Herman, Daniel Potratz
  • Patent number: 11619153
    Abstract: An oil mist separator includes a case. The case includes an inlet, an outlet, a gas passage, and an oil discharge portion. The case includes a first member located in an upper portion of the case, a second member located in a lower portion of the case, and a third member partitioning the first member and the second member. The first member, the second member, and the third member are welded to each other in a stacked state. The gas passage includes an upper passage defined by the first member and the third member, a lower passage defined by the second member and the third member, and a connection passage. The connection passage connects the upper passage to the lower passage at a portion in the case corresponding to an end of the case on one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiaki Hiramatsu, Naritsune Miyanaga, Yoji Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 11614044
    Abstract: Multiple rotational irregularities in an internal combustion engine are determined. An uneven running value of a currently-ignited combustion chamber in a logical ignition sequence of a plurality of combustion chambers immediately after a logically-preceding ignited combustion chamber is determined. The uneven running value determined for the logically-preceding ignited combustion chamber exceeds a specified threshold value and indicates a fault in the logically-preceding ignited combustion chamber. A compensation factor is determined that. A compensated uneven running value of the currently-ignited combustion chamber from the uneven running value of the currently-ignited combustion chamber and the compensation factor is determined. The compensated uneven running value of the currently-ignited combustion chamber is compared with the specified threshold value to determine whether the currently-ignited combustion chamber has a fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sebastian Grasreiner
  • Patent number: 11598280
    Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating an amount of torque that is transferred via a differential ring gear assembly are described. In one example, axial displacement of the differential ring gear assembly is determined and converted into a torque estimate. The torque estimate may be used to verify other powertrain torque estimates or for closed loop torque control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Perry M. Paielli, Michael Z. Creech, Jeremy M. Frenznick
  • Patent number: 11598232
    Abstract: A PCV valve coupling structure that couples a PCV valve to an internal combustion engine is employed in the PCV valve used to adjust a gas flow area of a blow-by gas passage. Blow-by gas in the internal combustion engine flows to an intake system of the internal combustion engine. In the PCV valve coupling structure, the PCV valve is coupled to the internal combustion engine in a non-removable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naritsune Miyanaga, Yoji Horiuchi, Hideto Morishita, Masami Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11598295
    Abstract: Engines and engine systems for managing blow-by gas and/or moisture therein, and methods of operating the same are disclosed. The engine systems may include an air intake system including a compressor such as a turbocharge and a charge air cooler. The engine system may also include an engine such as combustion engine have a crankcase. During combustion blow-by gas may be captured in the crankcase and recirculated back to the air intake system. The blow-by gas may be diluted by additional air such as fresh air prior to being recirculated. The system may also include a pump to facilitate recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shuya Shark Yamada, Shawn Spannbauer
  • Patent number: 11591937
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a remote mount for an idler gear assembly, comprising: a gear mounting plate including a plurality of bores configured to receive a corresponding plurality of fasteners to mount a gear assembly to the gear mounting plate; and an attachment bracket including a plurality of mounting openings configured to receive a corresponding plurality of bolts to mount the remote mount to a cylinder head. The gear mounting plate supports the gear assembly such that a gear of the gear assembly rotates about an axis that is parallel to an axis of a crankshaft of an engine and the attachment bracket mounts to an upper surface of the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: David M. Barnes, Kevin C. Augustin, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11585288
    Abstract: A cylinder head assembly includes a cylinder head having a top deck, a fire deck, and an igniter post extending upward from the fire deck. An igniter sleeve is within an igniter bore in the cylinder head and includes a locating surface clamped against an upward facing stop surface of the cylinder head. A tip coolant clearance is defined axially between a sleeve tip and the fire deck, and a body coolant clearance is defined peripherally between the igniter sleeve and the cylinder head and is continuously circumferential of the igniter sleeve axially between the sleeve tip and a coolant cavity formed in the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan R Chittenden, Viorel Petrariu, Curtis John Graham