Patents Examined by Lindsay Low
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Patent number: 9593630Abstract: During an operation, a control device (38) for performing output control of an engine (10) determines whether or not the engine (10) and/or an exhaust gas purifying device (18) has a malfunction. If it is determined that the engine (10) and/or the exhaust gas purifying device (18) has a malfunction, a highest rotational speed of the engine (10) is controlled to a second rotational speed (Nt) higher by a predetermined amount (?) than a first rotational speed (Ns) at which an engine maximum torque (Tm) before the malfunction can be outputted. In this case, a maximum fuel injection quantity of the engine (10) is limited so that a rated torque (Tr) before the malfunction can be outputted at the first rotational speed (Ns).Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY TIERRA CO., LTD.Inventors: Hajime Yoshida, Shuuhei Noguchi
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Patent number: 9587618Abstract: An spark ignition type internal combustion engine allows the spark discharge by the ignition plug to react with the electric field created in the combustion chamber and generates the plasma, thereby igniting the fuel air mixture to reduce the emission of the unburned fuel and to improve fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine in a spark ignition type internal combustion engine that allows an electric field created in a combustion chamber to react with a spark discharge by an ignition plug and generates plasma, thereby igniting fuel air mixture. The engine includes an electromagnetic wave emission device that emits an electromagnetic wave in the combustion chamber when the fuel air mixture is combusted, and a protruding member protruding from a partitioning surface that partitions the combustion chamber. At least a part of the protruding member is made of a conductor.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: IMAGINEERING, INC.Inventors: Yuji Ikeda, Atsushi Nishiyama, Takeshi Serizawa, Hiroaki Oi
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Patent number: 9587572Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a number of cylinders and a controller operably connected to interpret operating parameters related to the operation of the number of cylinders. A cylinder torque adjustment for each cylinder is determined from the operating parameters to provide a torque balancing response that reduces noise, vibration and/or harshness in engine operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventor: David J. Stroh
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Patent number: 9587614Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an auto stop feature of an engine of a vehicle. A sensor is configured to provide information pertaining to engine speed at first full compression of the engine and at predetermined times including and beyond the time to first full compression after commencement of engine crank. A processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to disable the auto stop feature if the engine speed is less than a predetermined speed threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Mark J. Rychlinski, David W. Walters, Michael G. Reynolds
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Patent number: 9581119Abstract: In an auxiliary chamber gas supplying device for a gas engine including an auxiliary chamber gas supply path (5, 14, 28, and 29) through which fuel gas is supplied to an auxiliary chamber (4), the auxiliary chamber gas supply path is connected to a fuel gas supply source (24) through a solenoid valve (23), and when the solenoid valve is opened, the fuel gas, in an amount corresponding to an opened period of the solenoid valve, is supplied from the fuel gas supply source to the auxiliary chamber through the auxiliary chamber gas supply path, and the opened period of the solenoid valve is set in such a manner that a predetermined amount of fuel gas is supplied to the auxiliary chamber, and a restriction unit (30) that extends the opened period of the solenoid valve is formed in the auxiliary chamber gas supply path (5, 14, 28, and 29).Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kiyoshi Terakado, Yuta Furukawa, Hiroshi Yoshizumi
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Patent number: 9581059Abstract: A combustion engine includes a supercharger which pressurizes intake air to be supplied to an engine body. A lubrication system for the combustion engine includes a main lubrication passage through which lubricating oil flows to lubricate the engine body, a supercharger lubrication passage through which lubricating oil flows to lubricate the supercharger, and an oil pump which supplies a shared lubricating oil to both of the main and supercharger lubrication passages.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiharu Matsuda, Shohei Naruoka, Hisatoyo Arima
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Patent number: 9574492Abstract: A portable on-demand hydrogen supplemental system is provided for producing hydrogen gas and injecting the hydrogen gas into the air intake of internal combustion engines for the purpose of increasing the combustion efficiency in the combustion chamber and lowering particulate emissions at idle. Hydrogen increases the laminar flame speed of diesel fuels, thus increasing combustion efficiency. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced by an electrolyzer from nonelectrolyte water in a nonelectrolyte water tank. The hydrogen gas is passed through a hydrogen gas collector. Nonelectrolyte water mixed with the hydrogen gas in the hydrogen gas collector is passed back thru the tank for distribution and water preservation. The system utilizes an an onboard diagnostic (OBD) interface in communication with the vehicle's OBD terminal, to regulate power to the system so that hydrogen production for the engine is adjusted based on the RPM level and operation conditions of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: HNO Green Fuels, Inc.Inventor: Donald W. Owens
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Patent number: 9574491Abstract: A single-shaft dual expansion internal combustion engine includes first and second power cylinders and an expander cylinder. The cylinder head fluidly couples the first and second power cylinders and the expander cylinder. First and second power pistons reciprocate in the first and second power cylinders and connect to a first crankpin of the crankshaft. A multi-link connecting rod assembly includes a rigid main arm supporting a first pivot pin, a second pivot pin and a third pivot pin. The first pivot pin connects to an expander piston reciprocating in the third cylinder. The third pivot pin couples to a first end of a swing arm, and a second end of the swing arm rotatably couples to a fourth pivot pin that couples to a distal end of a rotating arm that attaches to a rotating shaft coupled to rotation of the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Russell P. Durrett, Paul M. Najt, Peter Andruskiewicz, Steve Miller, Ian Whiteside, Steve Anstey
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Patent number: 9574510Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating an engine exhaust pressure based on outputs from an exhaust oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include estimating an exhaust pressure of exhaust gas flowing through an engine exhaust passage based on a difference between a first output of an oxygen sensor disposed in the exhaust passage and a second output of the oxygen sensor and then adjusting engine operation based on the estimated exhaust pressure. As one example, both the first and second outputs may be taken while operating the sensor in a variable voltage mode, after increasing a reference voltage of the oxygen sensor from a lower, first voltage to a higher, second voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel A. Makled, Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Michael McQuillen
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Patent number: 9567880Abstract: An oil pan assembly and an engine assembly having a vortex generating unit configured to de-aerate entrained oil before reaching the intake pipe is provided. The oil pan assembly includes an inner plate mounted to the oil pan so as to be disposed between the oil pan and a bottom surface of the engine block. The vortex generating unit is disposed on the inner plate and generates a vortex which de-aerates entrained oil.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Tenghua Tom Shieh, Bogdan Radu Kucinschi, Dong-Hyun Lee
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Patent number: 9567956Abstract: A fuel pump module for a fuel tank providing improved rigidity includes a first module and a second module. The first module includes a first tank having a first tank room, a direct injection (DI) fuel pump and filter, a port injection (PI) fuel pump and filter, a subtank, and a first flange supporting the filter, the pump, and the like. The second module includes a second tank having a second tank room where fuel is stored separately from the first tank room, a PI filter, a second jet pump, a second flange supporting the filter, the pump, and the like. As a result, a size of two flanges supporting two fuel pumps and two filters is reduced, thereby, reducing a size of two openings of the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Masaharu Oohashi
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Patent number: 9567953Abstract: A noise from a fuel pump module is reduced by housing a port injection (PI) fuel pump in a pump case of a fuel tank, in a structure in which the PI fuel pump is held with a bracket that is provided at a position between the PI fuel pump and a PI suction filter. The PI fuel pump and the bracket that engages with the pump case are interposed by an elastic member that abuts a base part of the bracket. In operation, when the PI fuel pump transmits its vibration to the pump case through the elastic member and the bracket, the elastic member dampens and reduces the vibration transmitted to the bracket, thereby reducing the noise by a reduction of transmitted vibration through the pump case to a subtank and the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Masaharu Oohashi
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Patent number: 9562482Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary that is driven by the output of an internal combustion engine and which is capable of obtaining drive force by transmitting the output of the internal combustion engine to driving wheels. If an air conditioning compressor is being driven during engine idling of the internal combustion engine, an electronic control apparatus implements output-increase control for increasing the output of the internal combustion engine in comparison to when the air conditioning compressor is not being driven. If the force applied to the accelerator pedal (Pac) is equal to or more than a prescribed value (Pth), output-reduction control for reducing the output of the internal combustion engine by initiating engine idling of the internal combustion engine, and prohibiting the drive of the air conditioning compressor, is implemented.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2011Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masashi Takagi, Motonari Ohbayashi, Yuki Minase, Shinya Kodama, Toshihiro Takagi
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Patent number: 9562470Abstract: Methods and systems are described for detecting valve actuation faults in internal combustion engines operating in a skip fire operational mode. In one aspect, a torque model is used to estimate an expected net torque during a selected operating window. The torque model considers an expected torque contribution from each of the cylinders and accounts for the effects of specific skip fire firing decisions that affect the expected torque contribution from each cylinder. A parameter indicative of the actual engine torque is also measured. Valve actuation faults can then be identified based at least in part on a comparison of the measured parameter to an expected parameter value that is based at least in part on the expected net torque. With the described approaches, the occurrence of the valve actuation fault can be made within one engine cycle of the initial occurrence of the fault.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Matthew A. Younkins, Shikui Kevin Chen, Li-Chun Chien, Masaki Nagashima, John W. Parsels, Geoff Routledge
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Patent number: 9562449Abstract: An oil drain structure for an oil mist separator including a drain pipe extending from the oil mist separator into the internal combustion engine, the drain pipe having an oil discharge hole extending through a lower end portion of the drain pipe along an axial direction of the drain pipe, and a check valve including a valve body disposed below the lower end portion of the drain pipe, the valve body acting to open and close the oil discharge hole from a side of a lower surface of the lower end portion of the drain pipe, a valve head portion fitted into the drain pipe with a fine clearance as an orifice and being moveable in the axial direction of the drain pipe, and a stem portion extending through the oil discharge hole to connect the valve body and the valve head portion with each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: MAHLE FILTER SYSTEMS JAPAN CORPORATIONInventors: Zhigang Gao, Terumoto Mochizuki
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Patent number: 9556811Abstract: A system includes a cylinder control module that determines target numbers of cylinders of an engine to be activated during a period, determines, based on the target numbers and an engine speed, N predetermined sequences for controlling the cylinders of the engine during the period, determines whether a transition parameter is associated with at least one of the N predetermined subsequences and selectively adjusts at least one of the N predetermined subsequences based on the determination of whether a transition parameter is associated with at least two of the N predetermined sequences. The system further includes a cylinder actuator module that, during the period, controls the cylinders of the engine based on the N predetermined sequence and based on the at least one selectively adjusted predetermined sequences.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Nitish J. Wagh, Randall S. Beikmann
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Patent number: 9556839Abstract: A method for operating a fuel injection system includes detecting the pressure prevailing in a pressure accumulator using a fuel injection valve piezo actuator that includes, in addition to the active piezo region used to actuate the closing element, a passive piezo region that acts as a pressure sensor. Using this pressure sensor, the closing element force acting on the passive piezo region, and therefore the pressure prevailing in the pressure accumulator, can be determined.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Hong Zhang, Detlev Schoeppe
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Patent number: 9556822Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an engine with an integrated mixing of fluids device and associated technology for improvement of the efficiency of the engine, and more specifically to an engine equipped with a fuel mixing device for improvement of the overall properties by inline oxygenation of the liquid, a change in property of the liquid such as cooling form improved combustion, or the use of re-circulation of exhaust from the engine to further improve engine efficiency and reduce unwanted emissions.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: TURBULENT ENERGY LLCInventors: David Livshits, Lester Teichner
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Patent number: 9556828Abstract: The tank ventilation system has an adsorption vessel, a regeneration duct and a pump. The adsorption vessel captures and temporarily stores fuel vapors emerging from a fuel tank. A purge air flow can flow through the adsorption vessel. The regeneration duct connects the adsorption vessel to an intake duct. In the regeneration duct there is arranged a pump designed to draw the purge air out of the adsorption vessel and admix the purge air to intake air in the intake duct. A density of the purge air that flows in the regeneration duct is determined. Furthermore, a purge air mass flow flowing in the regeneration duct is determined as a function of the density of the purge air and a predefined pump characteristic of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2011Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventor: Manfred Weigl
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Patent number: 9556823Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the injection of recirculated exhaust gases from a vehicle engine, in particular a diesel engine, the injection device comprising a plurality of injection ports (26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4), provided in a portion of the material of the injection device, each injection port (26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4) having a cross section and a height extending through the thickness of the material. According to the invention, the cross sections and/or the heights of at least two of the injection ports (26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4) are different.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUESInventors: Georges De Pelsemaeker, Jean-Pierre Galland, Laurent Odillard