Patents Examined by Logan M Kraft
  • Patent number: 11118529
    Abstract: A drive system for driving a motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine and an operating mode coordination device for determining and controlling the operating mode of the internal combustion engine. The drive system has a function coordination device for coordinating secondary functions of the drive system, the function coordination device being designed for generating, based on the coordination of the secondary functions, an operating mode request for the operating mode coordination device for controlling the operating mode of the internal combustion engine, and transmitting it to the operating mode coordination device. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle having a drive system, and a method for operating a drive system of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Ulrich Schröder, Michael Tomforde, Christian Dierschke, Johannes Forst, Daniel Leineweber
  • Patent number: 11111868
    Abstract: A method of controlling exhaust gas recirculation in the internal combustion engine includes: sensing one or more sensing signals indicative of operating conditions of an internal combustion engine, producing, as a function of the sensing signal or signals sensed, an exhaust gas recirculation control signal for controlling exhaust gas recirculation in the internal combustion engine, producing, e.g., via a “virtual” sensor including a neural network, a particulate size distribution signal indicative of the particulate size distribution in the exhaust of the internal combustion engine, correcting the exhaust gas recirculation control signal as a function of the particulate size distribution control signal, thereby producing a corrected exhaust gas recirculation control signal, and controlling exhaust gas recirculation in the internal combustion engine as a function of the corrected exhaust gas recirculation control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventor: Ferdinando Taglialatela Scafati
  • Patent number: 11105290
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic control device capable of always achieving a desired injector injection amount by preventing a change in injector opening time regardless of a change (a decrease) of a power supply voltage for opening a valve of an injector. A precharge current amount at the time of precharge control is changed in a stepwise manner based on a voltage of the injector valve open power supply device 10 at the time of the precharge control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Koichi Tsukio
  • Patent number: 11098663
    Abstract: An illustrative fuel delivery system for an engine can include a fuel type indicator device and a flow management device. The flow management device can be configured to receive fuel from an auxiliary fuel tank and to direct it based on the type of fuel in the auxiliary fuel tank. If the type of fuel in the auxiliary fuel tank is a primary fuel type (such as diesel or gasoline), the flow management device can deliver the primary fuel to a piston cylinder of the engine. If the type of fuel in the auxiliary fuel tank is an auxiliary fuel (such as a mixture of ethanol and water the flow management device can deliver the auxiliary fuel to an air intake system of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Hydrolyze, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel W. Sonnek, Patrick E. Spethman
  • Patent number: 11085356
    Abstract: A thermal management device for use in a vehicular or other thermal management circuit utilizes a pump, one or more valves, and one or more pressure/temperature sensors to route coolant through different desired flow paths and maintain components within the thermal circuit at appropriate temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Armando Mendez Abrego, Joshua Smith, Rick Rajaie, Dewashish Kanta Prashad
  • Patent number: 11078827
    Abstract: An ignition system for a gaseous fuel engine includes an igniter and an actuator structured to apply an actuating force to a piston within the igniter, to autoignite an ignition charge of fuel and air within the igniter. A housing of the igniter includes a gas orifice having a flow area that is increased between a combustion pre-chamber in the igniter and a main combustion chamber in the engine, to limit velocity of outgoing combustion gases to below a threshold velocity for engine mis-fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Yu Zhang Chang
  • Patent number: 11072355
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for detecting surge of a turbocharger during engine operation. As one example, a system includes an engine coupled to a low pressure turbocharger and a high pressure turbocharger; and a controller with non-transitory instructions stored in memory that when executed during operation of the engine cause the controller to: indicate an occurrence of surge of the high pressure turbocharger in response to a deviation of a modeled speed of the high pressure turbocharger from a measured speed of the high pressure turbocharger by a threshold amount, where the modeled speed tracks the measured speed during non-surge conditions, as engine operating conditions change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Mangus, James Robert Mischler, Samuel Lyle Hazen
  • Patent number: 11067045
    Abstract: In a fuel injection device, a driving unit structure has a magnetic aperture, in which an inner diameter is gradually enlarged toward the mover side, provided in an inner peripheral surface of the magnetic core. It is possible to reduce magnetic delay time upon valve opening from the supply of the electric current to the coil to the rise of magnetic flux and magnetic delay time upon valve closing from the stoppage of the electric current to the coil to reduction of magnetic flux, by providing a magnetic aperture in the inner peripheral surface of the magnetic core. Thus it is possible to improve the dynamic responsiveness upon valve opening and valve closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Kusakabe, Motoyuki Abe, Tohru Ishikawa, Noriyuki Maekawa, Masahiro Soma, Takao Miyake, Yasuo Namaizawa
  • Patent number: 11060487
    Abstract: An improved evaporative emission mitigation system for a motor vehicle includes a canister filled with an adsorbent material connected to a membrane module. The membrane module contains a membrane that separates gaseous hydrocarbons from inert air components within fuel vapor generated by the evaporation of fuel due to the heating of the motor vehicle. The gaseous hydrocarbons separated by the membrane are returned to the canister, where they will again be adsorbed by the adsorbent material. The inert air components are vented from the membrane module into the open atmosphere outside of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Ehlert, Achim Gommel, John Jackson, Simon Streng, Melanie Volz
  • Patent number: 11028811
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, including at least one electric motor (8, 13, 16, 20) situated on the crankcase of the internal combustion engine, at least one control unit (1) for controlling the internal combustion engine and/or the electric motor and at least one high voltage converter (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Deutz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marco Brun, Wilhelm Feuser, Anton Kleinschmidt, Gerhard Knaps, Joachim Joisten-Pieritz, Peter Hoffmann, Marco Jung, Paul Schwabauer
  • Patent number: 11028813
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes: receiving a detection signal required to perform an idle stop and go (ISG) function; and controlling the vehicle to enter into an ISG state where a fuel supply to an engine is cut off and the engine stops when the vehicle decelerates or stops in response to the detection signal. The detection signal includes a fuel cut off signal in on state when the vehicle decelerates and in off state at a reference revolution number of the engine, a gear engagement signal, a clutch pedal signal indicating whether a clutch pedal operating a clutch is operated, and a brake pedal signal indicating whether a brake pedal is operated. A controller generates an ISG entry signal based on the fuel cut off signal, the gear engagement signal, the clutch pedal signal, and the brake pedal signal to enter the vehicle into the ISG state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jung Hwan Bang, Young Ho Jung, Tae Suk Lee
  • Patent number: 11015539
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying when an exhaust valve of an engine cylinder is not functioning as desired while the engine is being operated to raise a temperature of an exhaust system emissions control device, and in turn taking mitigating action. Thus, in one example a method comprises adjusting an amount of fuel that is provided to each of a plurality of cylinders of an engine during an exhaust stroke of the engine in response to an indication of degraded combustion stemming from a cylinder of the engine. In this way, the engine may continue to be operated to raise the temperature of the exhaust system emissions control device, while mitigating the issue of the degraded combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Frank M. Korpics, Aaron John Oakley, Kirk Andrew Parrish, Sanket Anil Gujarathi, Nicholas Sovis, Dayton Brenner, Joseph Goode, Nicholas John Vella
  • Patent number: 11015557
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for relieving pressure from a compression locked engine. The engine may be compression locked during an engine start attempt due to operator application of a manual transmission clutch at or around the time of a first combustion event of the engine start. A direct injector of the compression locked cylinder is commanded open to relieve the pressure into the fuel rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas, Ethan Sanborn, Paul Hollar, Daniel Dusa
  • Patent number: 11008954
    Abstract: A display device for an internal combustion engine includes a variable compression ratio mechanism structured to vary an engine compression ratio of the internal combustion engine. The display device includes an indicator structured to vary its indication depending on the engine compression ratio. The indicator is configured to maintain the indication constant or within a slight change with respect to a change in the engine compression ratio within each of at least one of first and second dead zones of the engine compression ratio. The first dead zone includes a vicinity of an upper limit of the engine compression ratio including the upper limit. The second dead zone includes a vicinity of a lower limit of the engine compression ratio including the lower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Okamoto, Takumi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10982618
    Abstract: A method and a system for controlling an air-fuel ratio for a gas engine are provided. Current outlet pressure of the nozzle is calculated based on current pressure in an intake pipe and a current rotational speed, without detecting the outlet pressure of the nozzle by a sensor. A fluid state of the gas can be determined based on a ratio of the current outlet pressure to the current inlet pressure of the nozzle collected by a sensor, such that a flow rate characteristic corresponding to the fluid state can be selected to calculate power-on duration for the nozzle, so as to set the air-fuel ratio based on the power-on duration. The power-on duration can be calculated based on flow rate characteristics of the gas in respective fluid states, thereby achieving an air-fuel ratio with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: WEICHAI POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xuguang Tan, Wang Li, Zhiqiang Yin
  • Patent number: 10934976
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel treatment device is provided with an electric-operated valve, a positive-pressure relief valve mechanism and a negative-pressure relief valve mechanism. The electric-operated valve has a valve body for opening/closing a vapor passage allowing a fuel tank and a canister, and adjusts the flow rate by electrical control. The positive-pressure relief valve mechanism opens when the pressure at the fuel tank side has a value greater than or equal to a predetermined positive pressure value. The negative-pressure relief valve mechanism opens when the pressure at the fuel tank side has a value less than or equal to a predetermined negative pressure value. The electric-operated valve is configured such that the valve body is moved in the valve opening direction by the pressure at the fuel tank side that is higher, by a predetermined value, than the valve opening pressure for the positive-pressure relief valve mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinji Murai
  • Patent number: 10914185
    Abstract: An engine or engine casing having an inner annular case and an outer annular case. The engine casing is formed using an additive manufacturing technique such that the inner annular case and outer annular case is formed surrounding a hollow inner annular cavity. The annular cavity includes a pin bank connecting the inner annular case and outer annular case. The pin bank improves heat transfer between the inner and outer annular case and provide structural support to the inner and outer annular case. By providing fluid flow through the annular cavity, the turbine casing can be cooled and the radius of the casing can be controlled through the regulation of fluid travelling within the annular cavity. By controlling the fluid flow though the annular cavity, the engine case may be cooled to regulate its temperature in a wide variety of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Robert Bonacum, Thomas D. Martyn, James R. Noel, Robert J. Parks
  • Patent number: 10907603
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for managing the charging and discharging of ultracapacitors without control wiring, connected in parallel to the electrical system of a combustion engine, or any other device or process that needs a battery to supply or absorb strong electrical currents. The device is advantageous in that, for the operation thereof, it is not necessary to modify the electrical wiring of the engine and it allows the operation of the engine even when the battery is partially charged, completely discharged, or when there is no battery. The invention relates to a portable embodiment, an embodiment for permanent use and another embodiment in which the device is connected to an electrochemical battery forming an assembly, which is used to supply the engine with electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Manuel Alonso Caballero Atienzar
  • Patent number: 10603979
    Abstract: An air-conditioning register includes an operation knob. The operation knob includes a knob body and a cap with its downstream end portion closed by a lens. The cap is made of a material softer than those of the knob body and the lens. The inner circumferential portion of the upstream end portion of the cap is pressed against the outer circumferential portion of the knob body with at least a part engaged with the outer circumferential portion of the knob body by a projection-recess relationship. The inner circumferential portion of the downstream end portion of the cap is pressed against the outer circumferential portion of the lens with at least a part engaged with the outer circumferential portion of the lens by a projection-recess relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Shibata, Kenji Asano, Etsuo Ozawa
  • Patent number: 10247106
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of reducing a flow of fluid and heat between a first space and a second space in a rotatable machine and an integral seal and heat shield device are provided. The device includes an annular flange configured to couple to the rotating member of the rotatable machine and a multi-walled seal shield member extending axially from the flange. The multi-walled seal shield member is formed integrally with the flange. The seal shield member includes a first wall including a plurality of surface features, a second wall spaced radially inwardly with respect to the first wall, and a cavity formed between the first and second walls. The integral seal and heat shield device also includes a cap end integrally formed and configured to seal the first and second walls. Each of the flange, the seal shield member, and the cap end are formed of a sintered metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Dansereau, Kyle Robert Snow