Patents Examined by T. M. Argenbright
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Patent number: 7520259Abstract: A power management system for a combustion engine is disclosed. The power management system has a fuel injector, a sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the fuel injector. The fuel injector is operable to inject multiple shots of fuel into the combustion engine during a single injection event. The sensor is configured to sense a speed of the combustion engine and generate a signal indicative of the sensed speed. The controller is configured to limit the number of shots per injection event in response to the signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Stephen R. Lewis, W. John Love, Timothy J. Matzke, Kevin L. Dea
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Patent number: 7467616Abstract: An internal combustion engine 10 has a cylinder head 11 slideably supporting one or more poppet valves 30. At least a portion of one of the poppet valves 30 in each combustion chamber of the engine 10 forms in combination with one or more secondary electrodes 35, 133, 233, 333, 433 a number of electrode pairs between each of which an electrical discharge is selectively caused to flow so as to initiate combustion in the respective combustion chamber. The electrode pairs may be formed at differing locations within each combustion chamber so as to improve combustion efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Don Andreas Josephine Kees, Stephan Daren Carroll
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Patent number: 7431005Abstract: Operation of a second or additional engine is initiated based on throttle position, vehicle speed and output level of the operating engine or engines. A second or additional engine is stopped based on throttle position and operation of the first engine when the second or additional engine has been idling for a predetermined period of time. Idling of an engine is started or stopped based on various conditions of the vehicle, such as battery voltage, ambient air temperature, brake cylinder pressure, operator input, battery charging current, and direction input.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: National Railway Equipment Co.Inventors: William Charles Hawkins, Sean James McManus
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Patent number: 7431013Abstract: An intake air control device is provided in which a valve shaft extends in the left and right direction of a vehicle body frame across an air intake path, and is rotatably supported by an air intake path forming body connected to an engine body, equalizing the distances from a center of the vehicle body frame in the left and right direction to both ends of the intake air control device when arranging the air intake path forming body at the center of the vehicle body frame in the left and right direction. An actuator, which applies a motive power to drive the valve shaft, is connected to one end of the valve shaft, and a throttle operating amount sensor for detecting the throttle operating amount by a vehicle operator is supported by the air intake path forming body and connected to the other end of the valve shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhito Hotta, Tomohiro Tsutsumi, Junya Sato, Takashi Udono, Takeru Abe
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Patent number: 7428893Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided that includes a high pressure feed line, and a plurality of fuel injectors fluidly connected to the high pressure feed line, each being operable to inject a fuel into the engine. The engine further includes an electronically controlled flow disabler disposed between the high pressure feed line and each one of the fuel injectors. Each of the flow disablers includes an actuator operable to move a valve member toward a closed position at which the flow disabler blocks a fuel flow to the respective fuel injector.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Ronald D. Shinogle, William J. Rodier, James D. Peltier, Udo Schlemmer-Kelling, Juergen Nagel
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Patent number: 7421836Abstract: A multi-cylinder group engine system operable in at least a first mode and a second mode, where in the first mode a first and second cylinder group combust air and fuel, and where in the second mode at least one of the first and second cylinder group combusts air and fuel and the other one of the first and second cylinder group pumps air without injected fuel, the engine system comprising of a first linear exhaust gas sensor disposed in a first exhaust passage to measure air fuel exhausted from the first cylinder group; a first switching type exhaust gas sensor disposed in a second exhaust passage to measure air-fuel exhausted from the second cylinder group; a second linear exhaust gas sensor disposed downstream of a junction between the first exhaust passage and the second exhaust passage; and a controller configured to validate a reading of the first linear exhaust gas sensor during the first mode of engine operation based on a reading of the second linear exhaust gas sensor when a lean air-fuel ratio is coType: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Tobias Pallett, Gopichandra Surnilla, James Kerns, Suzanne Wait
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Patent number: 7421982Abstract: The present invention is directed to an internal combustion engine for making suction, compression, explosion, expansion and exhaust strokes in an operating chamber of variable volume defined between a housing and a piston. The internal combustion engine includes: an independent combustion chamber of fixed volume, formed in the housing and provided with a fuel supply device, for independently producing combustion therein; at least one communication passage for communicating the independent combustion chamber with the operating chamber of variable volume; and a control valve for allowing introduction of compressed air from the operating chamber into the independent combustion chamber and providing injection of combustion gas from the independent combustion chamber into the operating chamber at specified timing. The internal combustion engine is configured to independently produce main combustion without communication with the operating chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Inventors: Ichiro Kamimura, Kazunari Kamimura, Masahiro Kamimura
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Patent number: 7418957Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus and methodology relate to an exhaust gas sensor and sensor heater associated with an exhaust passage of a vehicle engine. The exhaust gas sensor is selectively heated to an applicable activation temperature by the heater so that the sensor may output a normal and accurate sensing signal. The heating must take place, however, without causing damage to the sensor such as that resulting from condensation that may occur within the exhaust passage as a result of engine operation and environmental conditions.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Abe
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Patent number: 7415963Abstract: The invention relates to a direct-injection internal combustion engine that is operated in a first operating range associated with the low part load, with largely homogeneous combustion of the mixture and subsequent injection. Said internal combustion engine is operated in a second operating range associated with the middle part load, with low-temperature combustion of the mixture. In this way, minimum nitrogen oxide and soot emissions and a high degree of efficiency can be achieved both in the lower part load region and up to the full load region.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: AVL List GmbHInventors: Franz Chmela, Janos Csato, Helmut Eichlseder, Guenter Figer, Christian Fuchs, Michael Glensvig, Peter Herzog, Thomas Kammerdiener, Klemens Neunteufl, Gerhard Pirker, Theodor Sams, Michael Weissbaeck, Andreas Wimmer
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Patent number: 7412820Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a catalyst provided in an exhaust system of the engine for purifying exhaust gases and a first oxygen concentration sensor disposed upstream of the catalyst is disclosed. The air-fuel ratio control system controls an air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine. A degree of response deterioration of the first oxygen concentration sensor is detected. A response delay of the first oxygen concentration sensor is compensated according to the detected degree of deterioration to calculate a compensated sensor output. The air-fuel ratio is controlled so that a detected air-fuel ratio calculated from the compensated sensor output coincides with a target air-fuel ratio. A frequency characteristic of the compensation is adjusted according to the detected degree of deterioration.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2007Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Iida, Hidetaka Maki, Yukio Suehiro
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Patent number: 7412966Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder located in the engine; a first injector for injecting a first fuel into said cylinder; a second injector for injecting a second fuel into said cylinder; and a controller configured to vary an amount of said first and second fuel injection during engine operation based on operating conditions, where amounts of variation of said first and second fuels are set to maintain desired engine output and provide a substantially stoichiometric mixture.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald J. Lewis, Allan J. Lippa, John D. Russell
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Patent number: 7412965Abstract: An exhaust control system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of actuators wherein each actuator controls a predetermined engine parameter. A plurality of sensors are also associated with the engine and each sensor provides an output representative of an engine operating condition. The control system includes a PID controller associated with each actuator and in which each PID controller has an input, an output and a feedback between the input and the output. A distribution function circuit is operatively connected in series with the inputs of the PID controller. The distribution function circuit receives an error signal representative of the difference between a target value and an actual value of one or more engine operating conditions, previously determined control factor values and the feedback from each PID controller as input signals. The distribution function circuit varies the input to each PID controller as a function of the distribution function input signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: AM General LLCInventors: Martin Laermann, Dean Tomazic, Marek Tatur, Taylor W. Holland, Jeffrey T. Dowell
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Patent number: 7409949Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine including a molded ignition housing connected to the crankcase of the engine which protects the electric generator of two-stroke internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Günther Zauner, Ernst Mayringer, Johann Wickenhauser, Mario Schreiber, Thomas Weinzierl, Wolfgang Schrenk
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Patent number: 7409944Abstract: An intake structure for internal combustion engine includes an intake passage which is communicated with a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and through which air to be supplied to the combustion chamber flows; and a valve which is provided in the intake passage and which controls the airflow in the intake passage. The intake passage has a recess which is formed in the inner wall face of the intake passage and in which the valve is arranged; and a groove that is connected to the recess, at a substantially center position of the recess in a width direction of the recess, and that extends from the recess toward the downstream side of the intake passage.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomihisa Tsuchiya
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Patent number: 7409926Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine including at least a combustion chamber having a piston disposed therein, the method comprising during a first number of cycles after start-up of the engine, supplying at least a first fuel to the combustion chamber, and combusting said first fuel and during a second number of cycles after said first number of cycles, supplying said first fuel and a second fuel to the combustion chamber to form a substantially homogeneous mixture, and compressing said mixture with said piston to cause auto-ignition of said mixture.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Harold Sun, Zafar Shaikh
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Patent number: 7406943Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensor configured to be coupled to a throttle interface. The sensor is configured to output a sensor signal associated with a condition of the throttle interface. A first brake element has a first friction surface and a second brake element has a second friction surface. The second brake element is configured to be coupled to the throttle interface. The friction surface associated with the first brake element is positioned opposite the friction surface associated with the second brake element. The first brake element is configured to move relative to the second brake element. An actuator is coupled to the first brake element and is configured to output haptic feedback to the throttle interface via the first brake element based on the sensor signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Immersion CorporationInventor: Pedro Gregorio
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Patent number: 7406942Abstract: A direct-injection internal combustion engine includes a variable-exhaust-valve control device for controlling value timing of a variable exhaust valve through which the combustion chamber of an engine cylinder communicates with an exhaust path. The variable-exhaust-value control device retards the opening timing of the variable exhaust value to a retard side when the fuel is injected during a compression stroke or an expansion stroke while the direct-injection internal combustion engine is operating in a cold-start state.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Ashizawa, Hiroshi Nomura, Osamu Tomino
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Patent number: 7404396Abstract: In a multiple discharge ignition control apparatus, a battery, an energy storage coil and a first IGBT are connected in series. Further, the energy storage coil, a diode, a primary coil and a second IGBT are connected in series. The energy storage coil is connected with a capacitor through the diode, and a secondary coil is connected with a spark plug and a resistor for current detection. An ignition control circuit switches the IGBTs between ON and OFF each time the secondary current detected by the resistor reaches a positive or negative discharge holding current in multiple discharge operation. A booster circuit is provided in addition to the energy storage coil and its output is feedback-controlled.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2007Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Makoto Toriyama, Yuki Yamauchi
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Patent number: 7404397Abstract: A fuel injector control modification module is configured to modify primary fuel injector control signals provided by an engine control unit of an internal combustion engine. The module is particularly adapted to modifying fuel injector control signals based upon detected variations in fuel provided to the engine. Information indicative of fuel type is obtained by the module from an onboard diagnostic port associated with the engine control unit. The information may comprise fuel trim information which is generated, at least in part, from exhaust gas oxygen content information provided to the engine control unit. The module may modify or completely replace the primary fuel injector control signals at one or more times with secondary signal, such as to accommodate changes in fuel type. The module is particularly suited to addition to an existing engine to adapt the engine to run upon alternative fuels not contemplated by the original engine manufacturer.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Total Fuel Systems, LLCInventor: Michael V. Dobeck
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Patent number: 7404391Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine calculates the generated internal torque for each cylinder on the basis of the signal generated by an angle of rotation sensor for detecting the angle of rotation of the crankshaft, so that a rapid and precise regulation of the torque supplied by the internal combustion engine may be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Matthias Schueler, Mohamed Youssef, Vincent Dautel