Patents Examined by Lindsay Low
  • Patent number: 9970381
    Abstract: A fuel-injection system comprises a control unit that controls the injection of a fuel cylinder of an engine such that an injection volume of the fuel is injected into one of the cylinders during each work cycle of the engine. To this end, the control unit actuates an inlet valve and/or outlet valve such that, during pump strokes of a high-pressure pump which follow one another, a different high-pressure volume of the fuel per pump stroke is delivered into a pressure accumulator during at least two consecutive work cycles. The high-pressure volume that is produced per work cycle corresponds to the injection volume that is removed from the pressure accumulator per work cycle and is constant during each of the consecutive work cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Schmidbauer
  • Patent number: 9969477
    Abstract: An engine control device is provided with a main operation unit, an auxiliary operation unit, a changeover switch, and an engine control unit. The main operation unit is capable of performing an operation of changing a rotation speed of a propulsion engine mounted on a ship. The auxiliary operation unit is capable of performing an operation of changing the rotation speed of the engine instead of the main operation unit. The changeover switch is capable of performing an operation of switching between a main ship handling state in which the rotation speed of the engine can be changed by operating the main operation unit and an auxiliary ship handling state in which the rotation speed of the engine can be changed by operating the auxiliary operation unit. The engine control unit stops the engine when the changeover operation unit is operated to switch from the auxiliary ship handling state to the main ship handling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Okuda
  • Patent number: 9964011
    Abstract: A power unit including an internal combustion engine has an electric power generator mounted on an end of a crankshaft, a power transmitting member mounted on the other end of the crankshaft, and a lubricant oil filter. The oil filter partly overlaps the electric power generator as viewed in the direction of a crankshaft axis, and is positioned between the electric power generator and a crank weight on the crankshaft with respect to the direction of the crankshaft axis. The oil filter has a filter mount axis forming an acute angle to the crankshaft axis. The engine crankcase is thus prevented from bulging outwardly, and the power unit is reduced in size in its entirety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hodaka Mukohara
  • Patent number: 9964053
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a combustion control device for an engine includes: a knocking determination unit to determine occurrence of knocking of each of the cylinders; a knocking reduction unit to halt or reduce supply of gas to a cylinder in which the knocking is occurring and reduce supply of the gas to other cylinders in which the knocking is not occurring; a first recovery unit configured to recover a state where the gas is at least reduced in the cylinder in which the knocking is occurring; and a second recovery unit configured to recover a state where the gas is reduced in other cylinders within which knocking is not occurring. In embodiments, a recovery time of the first recovery unit is shorter than a recovery time of the second recovery unit, and prioritizing recovery of the cylinder in which the knocking is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Suzuki, Hideki Nishio
  • Patent number: 9964048
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive throttle filtering are disclosed. One method includes receiving vertical acceleration data indicative of a plurality of vertical accelerations of a machine, receiving first throttle pedal data indicative of a plurality of throttle pedal movements, determining a filter factor based at least on the vertical acceleration data, filtering the first throttle pedal data, based at least on the filter factor, to determine second throttle pedal data, and causing the second throttle pedal data to be transmitted to a controller to effectuate control of an operation of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Tipton, James Landes, Joshua Moon, Ryan Anderson
  • Patent number: 9958041
    Abstract: In some aspects, reciprocating engines can include a drive mechanism for generating a rotational motion output from reciprocating piston assembly, where the drive mechanism includes an axially translating y-axis component to reciprocate along a y-axis with the piston assembly; an x-axis component: i) configured to reciprocate substantially perpendicularly to the y-axis, ii) having an internal ring gear, and iii) having an orbital engagement component substantially concentric with the internal ring gear; an output shaft assembly having an output pinion gear engaging tangentially with the internal ring gear; and a stationary engagement component substantially concentric with the output shaft assembly, the stationary engagement component interfacing with the orbital engagement component, the interfacing between the stationary engagement component and the orbital engagement component applying a force to the x-axis component to maintain contact between the internal ring gear and the output pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Enfield Engine Company, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Sanders, Ryan Thomas Kiley Sanders
  • Patent number: 9957886
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for varying a compression ratio in an engine having a pressure reactive piston. The pressure reactive piston may include a piston crown, and a spring positioned within the piston crown, wherein the spring includes a first ring, a second ring comprising a plurality of apertures, a rolling element positioned within each of the plurality of apertures, and a third ring. The first ring, the second ring, and the third ring of the spring may be arranged concentrically and the second ring may be positioned between the first ring and the third ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Edward Brevick
  • Patent number: 9957874
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cooling an engine. In one example, a method for an engine, includes, after an engine shutdown request is received, adjusting an engine cooling fan based on an engine temperature and an elevation of a fuel tank relative to the engine. In this way, fuel vapor generation may be prevented during an engine hot soak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 9957887
    Abstract: A machine may comprise a piston; a memory; and an electronic control module. The electronic control module may be configured to determine a temperature of a bowl rim of the piston; calculate a temperature of an oil gallery of the piston based on the temperature of the bowl rim; determine a carbon deposit growth rate of the piston based on the temperature of the oil gallery; determine an amount of time between a current time and the time when the previous carbon deposit growth was calculated; calculate a current carbon deposit growth on the piston; and take a remedial action based on the current carbon deposit growth. The current carbon deposit growth may be calculated based on: a previous carbon deposit growth on the piston, an amount of time between a current time and a time when the previous carbon deposit growth was calculated, and the carbon deposit growth rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Austin P. Roe, Scott A. Thompson, Anthony T. Petrou, Michael J. Campagna
  • Patent number: 9951665
    Abstract: A cover assembly unit includes a thin-walled cover pan with a sealing flange, at least two screw holes in the sealing flange, at least one fixing opening, a fastening screw captively arranged in each screw hole; and a carrier frame gasket with a carrier, a gasket, which bears against the sealing flange, a screw passage for each screw hole, a fixing element for each fixing opening, and a centering body for the fastening screw in each screw passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Salameh
  • Patent number: 9951732
    Abstract: An EFI-ECU determines an initial value of a correction value ekthwst for correcting an injection correction amount with reference to a non-heating initial value map if a heater is in operation, and determines the initial value of the correction value ekthwst for correcting the injection correction amount with reference to a heating initial value map if the heater is out of operation. It should be noted herein that the initial value of the correction value ekthwst is set lower under the same condition in the heating initial value map than in the non-heating initial value map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Seo, Tomoyuki Uchiyama, Takuya Takei, Tomohiko Satomi
  • Patent number: 9951697
    Abstract: A period from ignition timing to maximum heat release rate timing, at which a heat release rate is maximum, within a combustion period of air-fuel mixture is defined as a first combustion period that is one of characteristic values of a heat release rate waveform. The first combustion period is estimated based on a cylinder volume at the maximum heat release rate timing (maximum heat release rate cylinder volume) irrespective of any of an engine load factor, an EGR rate, an air-fuel ratio, an oil or coolant temperature and opening and closing timing of an exhaust valve through correction by the use of the exponential function of an engine rotation speed with an exponent of a value commensurate with a tumble ratio. The heat release rate waveform is calculated by using the estimated first combustion period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Munenori Imaeda
  • Patent number: 9945313
    Abstract: In one aspect, an engine controller for an engine including multiple working chambers is described. The engine controller includes a mass air charge determining unit that estimates a mass air charge or amount of air to be delivered to a working chamber. Firing decisions made for a firing window of one or more firing opportunities are used to help determine the mass air charge. The engine controller also includes a firing controller, which is arranged to direct firings to deliver a desired output. Fuel is delivered to a working chamber based on the estimated mass air charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan J. Kotwicki, Joel D. Van Ess
  • Patent number: 9938885
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes a turbocharger and a fluid conduit. The fluid conduit is thermally coupled to the turbocharger such that the coolant flowing through the fluid conduit can extract heat from the turbocharger. The engine assembly includes a surge tank and an engine head defining a coolant gallery. Further, the engine assembly includes an exhaust manifold integrated with the engine head. The coolant gallery is thermally coupled to the exhaust manifold such that the coolant can extract heat from the exhaust manifold. The engine assembly further includes a coolant manifold in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and the coolant gallery. The coolant manifold defines a venting orifice in fluid communication with the surge tank. Further, the coolant manifold defines a joint passageway in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. Moreover, the coolant manifold defines an interconnection passageway fluidly interconnecting the joint passageway and the coolant gallery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Akram R. Zahdeh, Steven M. Yocum
  • Patent number: 9938953
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine spark and torque control. In one example, adaptive spark control of an engine may include a modifier that adjusts the inferred fuel octane estimate and a spark adaptation based on ambient humidity. The method allows the speed-load dependent variation in octane effect of humidity to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Abdullah Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, William Charles Ruona
  • Patent number: 9931686
    Abstract: A box-shaped protective cover that covers an upper structural portion of a body of a vibrating compactor is manufactured by executing a cutting process for fashioning a single metal plate into a shape including a first planar portion, a second planar portion, an intermediate portion, and a plurality of side flaps, a bending process for bending or curving the side flaps and the intermediate portion, and a welding process for welding a side flap of the first planar portion to a side flap of the second planar portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: MIKASA SANGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisaharu Sunaga, Hideki Mochiki, Kenichi Nagasawa, Kenichi Muramoto, Yoshinori Miura, Yoshio Iguchi
  • Patent number: 9932881
    Abstract: A control method for a vehicle provided with a water-cooling intercooler apparatus, includes: detecting a coolant temperature of the water-cooling intercooler apparatus; detecting a rotation speed and a power consumption amount of an electric water pump (EWP) included in the water-cooling intercooler apparatus; calculating an efficiency value of the water-cooling intercooler apparatus based on the detected coolant temperature and air temperatures at an inlet and an outlet of an intercooler, respectively, included in the water-cooling intercooler apparatus; and determining whether the water-cooling intercooler apparatus is in a failure state based on the detected coolant temperature, the detected rotation speed and power consumption amount, and the calculated efficiency value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyungmin Kim
  • Patent number: 9932894
    Abstract: Variable compression ratio engines and methods for homogeneous charge, compression ignition operation. The engines effectively premix the fuel and air well before compression ignition. Various embodiments are disclosed including embodiments that include two stages of compression to obtain compression ratios well above the mechanical compression ratio of the engine cylinders for compression ignition of difficult to ignite fuels, and a controllable combustion chamber volume for limiting the maximum temperature during combustion. Energy storage with energy management are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Sturman Digital Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Oded Eddie Sturman
  • Patent number: 9932926
    Abstract: Disclosed is an injector controlling method using an opening duration. The injector controlling method using an opening duration converts a target fuel quantity into an opening duration and sets relationship between the opening duration and an injector actuation signal in order to control the fuel quantity of injectors more accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Autron Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yongha Kim, Youngjae Kim, Hyunjae Cho
  • Patent number: 9932536
    Abstract: A gasoline composition comprising, as an additive, one or more quaternary ammonium salt(s) (i) formed by the reaction of a compound of formula (A): and a compound formed by the reaction of a hydrocarbyl-substituted acylating agent and an amine of formula (B1) or (B2): wherein R is an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or alkylaryl group; R1 is an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group having up to 36 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are the same or different alkyl groups having from 1 to 36 carbon atoms; X is an alkylene group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; n is from 0 to 20; m is from 1 to 5; and R4 is hydrogen or a C1 to C36 alkyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: INNOSPEC LIMITED
    Inventors: Vincent Burgess, Jacqueline Reid, Simon Mulqueen