Patents Examined by Mark L Greene
  • Patent number: 11867117
    Abstract: Use of an additive selected from nitrate compounds, peroxide compounds, nitrite compounds and polyether compounds, and mixtures thereof in a diesel fuel composition for reducing the build-up of deposits in an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system of a compression ignition internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SHELL USA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher William Clayton, Michael Gee, Rodney Glyn Williams, Emma Wyatt, Alan Norman Ross, Keith Woodall, Jacqueline Glen Reid, Simon Christopher Mulqueen, Stephen Leonard Cook
  • Patent number: 11852093
    Abstract: Low noise control of a high-pressure fuel pump is performed by reducing noise generated by an anchor colliding with a fixing core. A control device 800 for a high-pressure fuel pump controls a suction valve that opens and closes an inflow port through which fuel flows to a pressurizing chamber by performing energization to a solenoid 205 in synchronization with a reciprocating motion of a plunger. A current energized to the solenoid 205 includes a peak current for giving a force to start closing a valve to the suction valve in a stationary state and a holding current for performing switching in a range smaller a maximum value of the peak current in order to hold the suction valve in a valve closing state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Aono, Osamu Mukaihara, Kenichiro Tokuo, Hirotaka Nakai, Kotaro Oki, Shunsuke Aritomi, Akiyasu Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 11852109
    Abstract: An intake system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle includes: an intake manifold configured to be fluidly coupled to a throttle valve and including intake runners for cylinders, respectively, of the internal combustion engine; and a plenum that includes a flange configured to receive gas from a valve of the vehicle, that is fixed to the intake manifold, and that includes apertures configured to flow gas from the plenum into the intake manifold one of: between ones of the intake runners; and directly into the intake runners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Drake Rundell, Christopher K. Clarke, Matthew Neil Gould
  • Patent number: 11852091
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for controlling operation of an engine of a vehicle during an idle mode of operation for the engine, the engine having a plurality of different types of fuel injectors and a combustion chamber, including: obtaining, via one or more first sensors of the vehicle, first sensor data as to a speed of the vehicle; obtaining, via one or more second sensors of the vehicle, second sensor data as to a measure of roughness of the engine; and adjusting, via instructions provided by a processor of the vehicle, a fuel injection ratio of respective amounts of fuel provided by the plurality of different types of fuel injectors to the combustion chamber, based on both the speed of the vehicle and the measure of roughness of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Matthew D. Defever
  • Patent number: 11846244
    Abstract: A method for operating an injection valve by ascertaining an opening time and/or closing time of the injection valve on the basis of a sensor signal. The method includes: providing an analysis point time series by sampling a sensor signal of a sensor of the injection valve; using a nonlinear, data-based first submodel in order to obtain a first model output on the basis of the analysis point time series; using a linear, data-based second submodel in order to obtain a second model output on the basis of the analysis point time series; ascertaining the opening time and/or closing time as a function of the first and second model outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Hopf, Erik Tonner, Frank Kowol, Jens-Holger Barth, Konrad Groh, Matthias Woehrle, Mona Meister, Roland Norden
  • Patent number: 11840974
    Abstract: The Method and Apparatus of Predicting MAF Sensor Information includes training multiple candidate Artificial Neural Network (ANN) architectures using training data, and then selecting an ANN architecture from the candidates using an automated ANN architecture selection algorithm and testing data. An intelligent engine intake MAF prediction or estimation system using the selected ANN architecture then provides an engine intake Mass Air Flow (MAF) output variable, which is used along with the output of a hot-wire type engine intake MAF sensor. The system is deployed into the engine controller. The training and testing sets of data include input variables from engine sensors and/or actuators that relate to engine intake MAF, and may be acquired by testing a target engine. Selecting the optimal ANN architecture may be based on Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) analysis using the automated ANN architecture algorithm and the training set of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Askin Minaz, Ravi Rayala, Jungme Park, Rahul Rajampeta Rahul Rajampeta, Manoj Vemuri, Sriram Jayachandran Raguraman
  • Patent number: 11835008
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes an engine, a transmission, an exhaust system, an adjustable valve, a sensor, and a controller. The engine is configured to propel a vehicle. The transmission is configured to transfer power from the engine to at least one drive wheel. The exhaust system is configured to route exhaust away from the engine. The exhaust system has a catalyst and an outlet. The adjustable valve is disposed within the exhaust system proximate to the outlet. The sensor is configured to observe human gestures. The controller is programmed to receive signals from the sensor indicative of the human gestures while the transmission is in a parked gear. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the sensor observing a first human gesture, increase an operating speed of the engine or adjust the valve to increase a noise output from the outlet of the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Brendan F. Diamond, Michael Alan McNees, Victor Martinez
  • Patent number: 11828245
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for discharging the pressure in a fuel supply rail of an injection system of an engine, the fuel injection rail connected to a fuel tank by piezo-electric injectors, each including a needle and a piezo-electric actuator pressing on a servo valve of the injector. The injection system includes a fuel pressure sensor and an electrical generator transmitting electric current pulses to each actuator. When the accelerator is released, a first electrical command allows determination of a moment of opening of the respective servo valve without triggering an injection. A second electrical command triggers a discharge of fuel from the fuel supply rail to the tank and therefore to discharge the pressure of the supply rail without triggering an injection. The second electrical command charges the piezo-electric actuator between a first voltage level that opens the servo valve, and a second voltage level triggering an injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Morgan Drouyer, Quentin Dussardier
  • Patent number: 11808228
    Abstract: An injection control device includes: a boost controller charging a boost capacitor by performing a boost switching control of a boost switch, and supplying a boost power from a battery power source; and a boost voltage monitor monitors a boost voltage. The boost controller measures a number of times of when the boost voltage becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value due to a boost current flowing into the boost capacitor, causing a jump of the boost voltage during a time between a start and stop of boosting, and determines deterioration of the boost capacitor by comparing the measured number of times (i.e., the number of jumps) with a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masashi Inaba
  • Patent number: 11788484
    Abstract: A method for a model-based open-loop and closed-loop control of an internal combustion engine includes the steps of: calculating, by an optimizer, a pre-optimized quality measure based on an operating situation, wherein, in calculating the pre-optimized quality measure, a plurality of discrete manipulated variables having a plurality of discrete settings are interpreted as a plurality of continuous manipulated variables having a continuous settings range; quantizing the plurality of continuous manipulated variables, and the plurality of continuous manipulated variables are set as a plurality of new discrete manipulated variables (SG(new)) having a plurality of discrete settings; and calculating, by the optimizer, a post-optimized quality measure based on the plurality of new discrete manipulated variables and the operating situation of the internal combustion engine, and the post-optimized quality measure is set as critical for an operating point of the internal combustion engine by the optimizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Niemeyer, Roman Geiselhart, Knut Graichen, Daniel Bergmann
  • Patent number: 11788486
    Abstract: A module (14) for detecting a leakage, comprising a pressure sensor (8) and a pump (2) for generating pressure, is characterized in that, regarding the object of detecting and/or quantifying a leakage of an arrangement which has a large sealed volume, in a reliable manner with a compact device, the module (14) has a sealable reference volume (11) which can be connected in terms of flow by means of a valve (9) to a tank connection (10) and which can be disconnected therefrom in a flow-tight manner, wherein the pressure inside the reference volume (11) can be detected by the pressure sensor (8), wherein pressure can be generated inside the reference volume (11) by means of the pump (2) and wherein the reference volume (11) can be connected in a flow-conducting manner by means of a shut-off valve (4) via a reference aperture (5) with a defined flow cross section to an atmosphere outlet (1) and can be disconnected therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Eagle Actuator Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Heinrich, David Daenhardt, Christiane Spilger, Peter Lexa, Klaus Bickel
  • Patent number: 11781493
    Abstract: A throttle body may have a main bore for supplying a fuel and air mixture to an engine. A throttle valve head may be received in the main bore and movable between idle and wide open positions to control fluid flow through the main bore. A main fuel outlet and a boost venturi may open to the main bore and a flow directing feature may alter the velocity and/or direction of fluid flow in the main bore relative to the fuel outlet or boost venturi. The flow directing feature may be carried by the body, the throttle valve head, or the boost venturi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Gary J. Burns, William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, Albert L. Sayers, David L. Speirs
  • Patent number: 11754012
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for executing a leak test diagnostic of a variable volume fuel tank. In one example, a method includes diagnosing a presence of an absence of a leak in a bellows via actuating a bellows valve fluidly coupling the bellows to a vapor canister during a key-off event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed Dudar
  • Patent number: 11746503
    Abstract: A state determination method for a work vehicle includes detecting a rotation speed of an engine of the work vehicle during a first predetermined time period. A maximum rotation speed and a minimum rotation speed during the first predetermined time period are obtained. A parameter representing a fuel injection amount of the engine during the first predetermined time period is obtained. A variation amount that is a difference between a maximum value of the parameter during the first predetermined time period and a minimum value of the parameter during the first predetermined time period is obtained. It is determined that the work vehicle is in an operating state when a difference between the maximum rotation speed and the minimum rotation speed exceeds a rotation speed threshold value, or the variation amount exceeds a variation amount threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Tomita, Tsutomu Aizawa
  • Patent number: 11739709
    Abstract: A port and direct fuel injection (PDI) fuel delivery system for a vehicle having an engine configured to selectively operate between a port fuel injection (PFI) mode, a gasoline direct injection (GDI) mode, and a PDI mode includes a PFI system including plurality of PFI injectors, and a GDI system including a plurality of GDI injectors. The PFI and GDI systems are configured to provide various split-ratios of fuel mass injection to the engine based on a particular engine operating condition. A controller is programmed to identify a known first long term fuel trim (LTFT) for a first split-ratio, identify a known second LTFT for a second split-ratio, generate a linear equation based on the known first and second LTFTs, and determine an unknown third LTFT for a third split-ratio by utilizing the linear equation to facilitate reducing fueling errors and emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Firsich, Alex Eskenazi-Gold, David R Pedro, William P Attard, Joseph D Falcon
  • Patent number: 11732669
    Abstract: An injector diagnosis device 1 includes: an engine sound model generator 14 configured to generate a normal engine sound model and an abnormal engine sound model based on the number of cylinders of the engine and a combustion pattern of the engine; an operating sound obtainment unit 12 configured to obtain the operating sound of the engine operating with the combustion pattern; a frequency characteristics calculation unit 13 configured to calculate the frequency characteristics of the operating sound obtained by the operating sound obtainment unit 12; and an injector diagnosis unit 15 configured to diagnose whether or not the injectors have a failure based on the frequency characteristics of the operating sound which is calculated by the frequency characteristics calculation unit 13, and the normal engine sound model and the abnormal engine sound model which is generated by the engine sound model generator 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien Trien Le, Hisashi Yokoyama, Satoshi Inose, Shogo Kunioka
  • Patent number: 11713712
    Abstract: A vehicle and a control method are capable of generating compressed air using a motor of a hybrid vehicle so as to perform cleaning/care of the hybrid vehicle, without an additional or separate device. The vehicle includes an engine including an intake pipe provided to suck outside air and an exhaust pipe provided to discharge inside air, an opening degree control valve provided at a rear end of the exhaust pipe, and a motor configured to generate power for driving a wheel and configured to drive a piston of the engine by using a portion of the power. In response to the opening degree control valve being in a closed state, and in response to the engine being in a non-combustion state, compressed air is generated in the exhaust pipe by driving the piston of the engine with the power of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Dongwoo Hong, Chae Mo Yang
  • Patent number: 11708801
    Abstract: Provided is a load drive device capable of diagnosing a failure of an output terminal of the load drive device before a charging voltage stabilizes in a configuration in which a capacitor is connected to an output terminal of the load drive device that drives an inductive load. In the load drive device according to the present invention, a capacitor is connected between a load terminal and a ground terminal, and the presence or absence of a failure of the load terminal is diagnosed on the basis of a current flowing between an internal power supply included in a diagnosis circuit and the load terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Arafune, Takahiro Kawata, Takumi Masubuchi
  • Patent number: 11708802
    Abstract: A fuel management system to improve accuracy of calibration data to convert an output value of a fuel gauge into a remaining amount of fuel in a fuel tank includes a fuel tank mounted on a hull of a marine vessel, a fuel gauge to measure a liquid level position of fuel in the fuel tank, and a controller configured or programmed so that in a range where an output value of the fuel gauge changes, measurement reference points are set based on the output value of the fuel gauge. When supplying fuel to the fuel tank, the controller is configured or programmed to obtain calibration data showing a relationship between the output value of the fuel gauge and a remaining amount of the fuel in the fuel tank by comparing an amount of fuel supplied to the fuel tank at each of the measurement reference points and the output value of the fuel gauge at each of the measurement reference points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 11703008
    Abstract: An injection control device includes: a boost controller charging a boost capacitor by performing a boost switching control of a boost switch, and supplying a boost power from a battery power source; and a boost voltage monitor monitors a boost voltage. The boost controller measures a number of times of when the boost voltage becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value due to a boost current flowing into the boost capacitor, causing a jump of the boost voltage during a time between a start and stop of boosting, and determines deterioration of the boost capacitor by comparing the measured number of times (i.e., the number of jumps) with a predetermined number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masashi Inaba