Patents Examined by Thai-Ba Trieu
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Patent number: 9752536Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine, a compressor, and a bearing housing forming a bearing bore. A bearing arrangement is disposed between a shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor wheels, and the bearing housing. The bearing arrangement includes an outer bearing race element and an inner bearing race element rotatably disposed within the outer bearing race element. The inner bearing race element forms a hollow extension extending up to the compressor wheel, the extension having a hollow cylindrical shape that surrounds a portion of the shaft that is connected on one end to the compressor wheel and at another end is disposed adjacent to a seat formed on the extension portion around the shaft, and a nut engaged on the shaft and disposed within the extension at an offset distance from the seat.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Richard E. Annati, Gary W. Powers, Jeffrey W. McCormack, Thomas J. Williams
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Patent number: 9752496Abstract: A turbocharger apparatus of an internal combustion engine and method of controlling the same is provided with electrically coupled fully variable turbo-compound capability. The turbocharger includes an exhaust gas turbine and an intake air compressor. A first electric machine coupled to the engine generates electricity and adds power to an output shaft of the engine depending on electricity flow to and from the first electric machine. A second electric machine coupled to the turbine and/or the compressor generates electricity and drives the turbine and/or the compressor depending on electricity flow between the first and the second electric machines. A planetary gearset connects the turbine, the compressor, and the second electric machine, and varies rotational speeds of the turbine, the compressor, and the second electric machine depending on electricity flow between the first and second electric machines to maximize efficiency and power of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.Inventor: Gustav R. Johnson
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Patent number: 9752532Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine. The machine includes at least one rocking drive mechanism which includes: a rocking beam having a rocker pivot, at least one cylinder and at least one piston. The piston is housed within a respective cylinder and is capable of substantially linearly reciprocating within the respective cylinder. Also, the drive mechanism includes at least one coupling assembly having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is connected to the piston and the distal end is connected to the rocking beam by an end pivot. The linear motion of the piston is converted to rotary motion of the rocking beam. Also, a crankcase housing the rocking beam and housing a first portion of the coupling assembly is included. A crankshaft coupled to the rocking beam by way of a connecting rod is also included. The rotary motion of the rocking beam is transferred to the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: New Power Concepts LLCInventors: Dean Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Prashant Bhat, Stanley B. Smith, III
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Patent number: 9751411Abstract: A supercharger assembly includes a supercharger in series with an engine that has a crankshaft and has an air intake manifold defining a plenum through which air flow is provided to the engine. A supercharger is upstream of the plenum in air flow to the engine and has a first rotor rotatable with a first shaft and a second rotor rotatable with a second shaft. The supercharger assembly also includes an electric motor-generator that is selectively alternately operable as a motor and as a generator, and a planetary gearing arrangement having a first member operatively connected to the electric motor-generator, a second member connectable to be rotated by the engine crankshaft, and a third member operatively connected for rotation with the first shaft. The supercharger assembly has only two selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms and a control system configured to control the electric motor-generator and the torque-transmitting mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert P. Benjey, William N. Eybergen, Vasilios Tsourapas, Martin D. Pryor
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Patent number: 9745927Abstract: The present teachings provide for an air system for an internal combustion engine (“ICE”). The air system can include a compressor, separation device, first conduit, second conduit and a system for controlling a ratio of gasses that enter the combustion chamber during an intake stroke. The separation device can include a housing and membrane. The housing can be fluidly coupled to the compressor and configured to receive a first volume of intake air therefrom. The membrane can be disposed within the housing and configured to separate the first volume of intake air into a volume of nitrogen-rich air and a volume of oxygen-rich air. The first conduit can fluidly couple the compressor to the combustion chamber. The second conduit can fluidly couple the compressor to the separation device. The gasses can include the volume of nitrogen-rich air, the volume of oxygen-rich air, and a second volume of intake air.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Powell, Michael Bima
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Patent number: 9739278Abstract: A multi-stage vacuum pump may include a sealing arrangement for sealing between the stator components of the pump. The end seals of the arrangement comprise an annular portion for sealing between end stator components and shell components and axial portions which extend from the annular portion and together with separate axial seals seal between the shell components.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Edwards LimitedInventors: Alan Ernest Kinnaird Holbrook, Sivabalan Kailasam, Ross Gordon Eadie
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Patent number: 9739227Abstract: A system for controlling condensation of water within an intake manifold of an engine is disclosed. The system may have a humidity sensor. The humidity sensor may be configured to generate a signal indicative of a humidity of intake air. The system may also have a controller communicably coupled to the humidity sensor. The controller may be configured to receive the signal indicative of the humidity of the intake air. The controller may be also configured to control an operational parameter of at least one of the engine and an engine component to maintain the humidity of the intake air within the intake manifold below a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbHInventor: Karl Stellwagen
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Patent number: 9739238Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine, a compressor, and a bearing housing forming a bearing bore. A bearing arrangement is disposed between a shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor wheels, and the bearing housing. The bearing arrangement includes first and second bearings formed between an outer bearing race element disposed within the bearing bore an inner bearing race element disposed within the outer bearing race element and between the outer bearing race element and the shaft. The inner bearing race element includes a flared portion extending radially outwardly to provide torsional and bending rigidity to the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Richard E. Annati, Thomas J. Williams
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Patent number: 9739281Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the pressure Pavcm upstream of a mechanical compressor (3) equipped with a double supercharging circuit of a combustion engine. The pressure Pavcm is determined by a dynamic model based on a law of conservation of flow rate in the volume upstream of the mechanical compressor. The model links the pressure Pavcm upstream of the mechanical compressor (3) to a temperature Tavcm upstream of the mechanical compressor (3), to a boost pressure Psural and boost temperature Tsural on the intake side of the engine, and to an openness Bypass of the bypass valve (4).Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2013Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLESInventors: Thomas Leroy, Jonathan Chauvin, Alexandre Chasse
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Patent number: 9732633Abstract: A turbocharger including a turbine housing including a gas inlet passage and a turbine wheel arranged in the turbine housing. A bearing housing is connected to the turbine housing. A nozzle ring is disposed around the turbine wheel and a shroud is arranged in surrounding relation to at least a portion of the turbine wheel. The shroud is connected to the nozzle ring and the nozzle ring and shroud are connected to a heat shield. The heat shield is secured to the bearing housing by a plurality of cross key pins, each cross key pin being inserted in a radially extending first passage in the heat shield and a complementary radially extending second passage in the bearing housing. The first passages and second passages are symmetrically arranged in a circular pattern about a rotational axis of the turbine.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Richard E. Annati, Matthew J. Frick
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Patent number: 9726187Abstract: A turbocharger system comprises: a gas input for receiving exhaust gases from an engine; a first turbocharger comprising a first compressor driven by a first turbine, arranged to be driven by received exhaust gases and providing a compressed air output defining a boost pressure a second turbocharger, arranged to be driven by exhaust gases passing through the first turbocharger or exhaust gases received at the gas input and being coupled to an electrical generator operative to provide electrical power, the first turbine not being coupled to an electrical generator; and a controller. A diversion mechanism may be configured to affect the flow of exhaust gases between the gas input and the first turbocharger. The controller may be configured to adjust the operation of the electrical generator independently from the operating mode of the associated engine, to affect the boost pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Perkins Engines Company LimitedInventors: Aaron William Costall, Janette Nicholls
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Patent number: 9702296Abstract: An engine includes: a turbocharger including a turbine and a compressor; an EGR passage connecting an exhaust passage on an upstream side of the turbine and an air intake passage on a downstream side of the compressor; an EGR valve provided in the EGR passage; a bypass passage that bypasses the turbine; and a waste gate valve provided in the bypass passage. In the engine, when a boost pressure is increased to a limit pressure, a first boost pressure control is executed, in which the EGR valve is opened and the waste gate valve is closed. After the first boost pressure control starts, when an engine speed is increased to a prescribed value, a second boost pressure control is executed, in which the waste gate valve is opened in addition to the EGR valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2013Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Naoyuki Yamagata, Shuhei Tsujita
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Patent number: 9702298Abstract: Methods are provided for identifying degradation in components of a compressor bypass valve (CBV). One method comprises commanding a periodic signal to the CBV and indicating degradation of a throttle of the CBV based on changes in pressure at an inlet of an intake throttle in response to the periodic signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hamid-Reza Ossareh, Adam Nathan Banker, Baitao Xiao
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Patent number: 9695762Abstract: This internal combustion engine provided with a variable compression ratio mechanism is equipped with a turbocharger, the opening degree of a wastegate valve is controlled to a target opening degree for each engine operating state, and when the mechanical compression ratio is changed, the target opening degree of the wastegate valve for the current engine operating state is revised.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroyuki Tanaka
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Patent number: 9695786Abstract: An engine system includes an internal combustion engine having an intake duct and an exhaust duct; a flow control module fluidly coupled to the intake duct; a compressor in fluid communication with the intake duct via the flow control module; a heat exchanger having an exhaust flow path in fluid communication with the exhaust duct, and having an oxidizer flow path, an outlet of the compressor being in selective fluid communication with the intake duct via the flow control module and the oxidizer flow path of the heat exchanger; a first temperature sensor in fluid communication with the intake duct; and a controller operatively coupled to the flow control module and the first temperature sensor, the controller being configured to actuate the flow control module between a first configuration and a second configuration based at least in part on a signal from the first temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Xinyu Ge, Fei Wang, Joshua Thurman
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Patent number: 9689264Abstract: In one aspect, a flexible fan blade for use in a centrifugal fan impeller having at least one of a rear plate and a front plate with an air inlet is provided. The flexible fan blade comprises a fixed central portion fixedly coupled to at least one of the front plate and the rear plate of the centrifugal fan impeller. The flexible fan blade also includes a trailing edge extending from the fixed central portion and being moveable between a first position and a second position. The trailing edge is fabricated from a compliant material. Furthermore, the trailing edge is flexible in relation to the fixed central portion between a first position and a second position. The flexible fan blade also includes a leading edge extending from the fixed central portion in opposed relation to the trailing edge.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Rachele Barbara Cocks, Michael R. Hull, Norman C. Golm, Jr., Brian L. Beifus, Zachary Stauffer, Lisa M. Warriner
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Patent number: 9689365Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder for combusting a mixture of fuel and air therein, and a starting air system configured to provide pressurized starting air to the cylinder and to monitor operability of the starting air system. The starting air system may include a pressurized starting air source, a starting air manifold, a starting air venting valve, and a sensing device. The pressurized starting air source is configured to store pressurized starting air. The starting air manifold is fluidly connected to the pressurized starting air source. The starting air venting valve is fluidly connected to the starting air manifold and configured to vent the starting air system. The sensing device is configured to detect a parameter that measures a condition within the starting air system.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Benjamin Bleyer
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Patent number: 9689305Abstract: A method for operating an internal-combustion engine includes increasing a torque demand, controlling a throttle valve, opening an air injection valve and continuously measuring first and second gas pressures with an electronic control unit. The method also includes closing the throttle valve, measuring a first gas mass flow, retarding an ignition angle, and closing the air injection valve. In the method the throttle valve is opened with the control unit when the first gas pressure p1 equals the second gas pressure p2. The method also includes continuously controlling the fuel system with the electronic control unit to have a stoichiometric fuel/air ratio of the internal combustion engine being constantly combusting in the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Christian Doenitz, Christoph Voser, Norbert Zsiga, Christopher Onder, Lino Guzzella
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Patent number: 9683481Abstract: The dual pass intercooled supercharger includes a supercharger and intercooler. The system is configured such that air leaving the supercharger traverses the intercooler from one side to an opposing side two or more times.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Edelbrock, LLCInventors: Chad Magana, Robert Simons
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Patent number: 9683520Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine, a compressor, and a bearing housing forming a bearing bore. A bearing arrangement is disposed between a shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor wheels, and the bearing housing. The bearing arrangement includes first and second bearings formed between an outer bearing race element disposed within the bearing bore an inner bearing race element disposed within the outer bearing race element and between the outer bearing race element and the shaft. The inner bearing race element rotates with the shaft and forms an extension segment having an open channel that, together with an annular surface on an inner side of a back of the compressor wheel, forms a U-shaped channel into which a ring seal is disposed. The ring seal sealably engages the inner bearing race element and also slidably and sealably engages the inner bore of the bearing retainer.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Richard E. Annati, Gary W. Powers, Jeffrey W. McCormack, Gregg Williams, Thomas J. Williams