Patents Examined by Thai-Ba Trieu
  • Patent number: 10677178
    Abstract: An operating range boundary for switching a cam for driving an intake valve (drive cam) is changed in a direction of decreasing an engine load if a target EGR rate is predicted to increase across the contour line of the EGR rate. By changing the boundary, the drive cam is switched from a large cam to a small cam before an operating point is transferred from a partitioned range with a low target EGR rate to a partitioned range with a high target EGR rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Kato, Shinichi Mitani, Shintaro Hotta
  • Patent number: 10677147
    Abstract: A turbocharging system for an internal combustion engine includes a turbocharger having a shaft supported for rotation about an axis. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel mounted on the shaft and configured to be rotated about the axis by the exhaust gas, and a compressor assembly mounted on the shaft and configured to pressurize an airflow received from the ambient for delivery to the cylinder. The turbocharging system additionally includes an electric motor configured to generate electric motor torque. The turbocharging system further includes a one-way clutch configured to selectively connect the electric motor to the compressor assembly, such that the electric motor torque assists the turbocharger in generating boost pressure. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharging system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jim Liu, Bin Zhu, Jian Yao, Claus Juergen Glahn
  • Patent number: 10669966
    Abstract: The silence of a diesel engine is enhanced. A PCM detects an actual supercharging pressure of a gas, and controls an injection mode of a fuel through an injector, thereby executing main injection that is started near a compression top dead center or pilot injection that is executed prior to the main injection depending on an operating state of an engine. If the degree of opening of an accelerator pedal decreases during operation of a large turbocharger, and the actual supercharging pressure is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the PCM executes cylinder pressure control that allows an interval between a start timing of the pilot injection and a start timing of the main injection to be broader than if the actual supercharging pressure is less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuma Suesada, Hiroshi Minamoto, Yasunori Uesugi
  • Patent number: 10669957
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a combustion engine, the combustion engine including an inlet circuit and an exhaust circuit, the method including the steps: determining a temperature of the exhaust gases flowing through the exhaust circuit of the combustion engine; comparing the determined temperature with a maximum threshold; and if the determined temperature is less than the maximum threshold, controlling the engine by decrementing the richness of operation by a predetermined value and jointly incrementing by a predetermined value a level of exhaust gases recirculated between the exhaust circuit and the inlet circuit of the combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE S.A.S.
    Inventors: Florent David, Frédéric Cousin, Damien Fournigault
  • Patent number: 10669927
    Abstract: A rotor rotatably mounted within a turbocharger housing includes a turbine wheel and a shaft. The shaft connects the turbine wheel. The hub defines a turbine-wheel back-disk surface facing the portion of the housing containing the bearings, and the hub defines a blade-side surface. The turbine hub and the housing define a turbine-wheel back-disk cavity. The turbine hub forms a ring-shaped primary axial protrusion extending circularly around the turbine-wheel back-disk surface into a circular channel in the housing. The circular channel leads into a bypass that bypasses the turbine blades. A relief flow valve is placed in the bypass. The relief control valve is controlled to open when the bypass pressure is above a cutoff pressure, and close when it is below the cutoff pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Garrett Transportation I Inc.
    Inventors: Kiran.S Rao, Kiran Pithamber, Hasham Hamzamiyan Chougule
  • Patent number: 10669881
    Abstract: A unshrouded vane assembly for an unducted propulsion system includes a plurality of vanes which have non-uniform characteristics configured to generate a desired vane exit swirl angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Breeze-Stringfellow, Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Richard David Cedar
  • Patent number: 10662903
    Abstract: A powertrain system is provided and may include a combustion engine, a crankshaft, and a turbo-compounding system. The combustion engine may include an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold. The crankshaft may be driven by the engine. The turbo-compounding system may be configured to drive the crankshaft and may include a first turbine and a drive system. The first turbine may include an inlet fluidly communicating with the exhaust manifold. The drive system may include an input shaft driven by the first turbine, and an output shaft engaged with the crankshaft. The drive system may be configured to drive the output shaft at more than one drive ratio relative to the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gustav R. Johnson, Gary L. Hunter, Julian Sherborne
  • Patent number: 10662845
    Abstract: In various embodiments, an electromagnetic field generator generates one or more power signals applied to one or more coils to cause the induction heating of the pins of the emission control device, The pins can have a plurality of differing lengths, and the heating of the pins can cause a first region of the emission control device to heat faster than a second region of the emission control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Crawford, John Douglas
  • Patent number: 10663426
    Abstract: A sensor controller includes a signal reception determination section and a use suspension section. The signal reception determination section determines whether or not the sensor controller has received a specific state signal that indicates a specific state in which exhaust gas may contain a specific gas that differs from ammonia and reacts with an ammonia sensor. When the signal reception determination section determines that the sensor controller has received the specific state signal, the use suspension section suspends at least temporarily use of a detection result detected by the ammonia sensor after the determination. Specifically, upon reception of the specific state signal, the sensor controller suspends at least temporarily the use of the detection result detected by the ammonia sensor after the reception of the specific state signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 10662871
    Abstract: Provided is a nozzle drive mechanism, including: a bearing having a bearing hole; a drive shaft which is axially supported in the bearing hole so as to be rotatable; a drive lever including: an insertion portion into which another end portion (end portion) of the drive shaft protruding from the bearing hole is inserted; and a coupling portion, which is positioned on the bearing side with respect to a center of the drive shaft in an axial direction, and projects outward in a radial direction of the drive shaft from the insertion portion; a link pin coupled to the coupling portion; and a rod member, which is connected to the link pin, is positioned on a side opposite to the bearing with respect to the coupling portion, and is provided to an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Asakawa, Kenichi Segawa, Takahiro Kobayashi, Ryota Sakisaka, Kazuko Takeuchi, Kenji Bunno
  • Patent number: 10662894
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the temperature of a waste heat recovery system associated with a combustion engine, the waste heat recovery system comprising a working fluid circuit; at least one evaporator; an expander; a condenser and a pump arranged to pump the working fluid through the circuit, wherein the at least one evaporator is arranged for heat exchange between the working fluid and a heat source associated with the combustion engine, wherein the condenser of the waste heat recovery system is connected to a cooling system. The method comprises the steps of: determining if a combustion engine associated with the waste heat recovery system is about to be shut down; and controlling the temperature in the waste heat recovery system based on whether the combustion engine is about to be shut down or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Björn Johansson, Erik Höckerdal, Ola Blom
  • Patent number: 10663076
    Abstract: A rotation stop shape is visually recognizable through an exposing hole. A relative angle between an output shaft and an actuator lever can be freely set while the rotation stop shape, which is visually recognizable through the exposing hole, is used as the reference angle of the output shaft. Therefore, it is possible to limit disadvantageous variations in a fixation angle of the actuator lever. The fixation angle of the actuator lever relative to the output shaft can be freely changed by using the rotation stop shape, which is visually recognizable through the exposing hole, as a reference angle of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuji Yamanaka, Naoaki Kouno, Etsugo Yanagida, Hiroki Shimada
  • Patent number: 10662820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a waste heat recovery system associated with a combustion engine of a vehicle, the waste heat recovery system comprising a working fluid circuit; at least one evaporator; an expander; a condenser; a reservoir for a working fluid and a pump arranged to pump the working fluid through the circuit, wherein the at least one evaporator is arranged for heat exchange between the working fluid and a heat source, and wherein the waste heat recovery system further comprises a cooling circuit arranged in connection to the condenser. The method comprises the steps of: predicting a shutdown of a combustion engine associated with the system; determining if a predetermined requirement is fulfilled; and if so reducing the temperature in the waste heat recovery system prior to combustion engine shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Björn Johansson, Erik Höckerdal, Ola Blom
  • Patent number: 10662844
    Abstract: The present application relates to a system and method to determine a total flow rate Qtot of a washing liquid at a washing liquid inlet of an exhaust gas cleaning unit installed in a marine vessel, the exhaust gas cleaning unit comprising a scrubber pipe and two or more spraying nozzles mounted at different height levels in the scrubber pipe, being adapted to spray washing liquid into the exhaust gas present in the scrubber pipe and being operated by a valve adapted to open and to close the respective spraying nozzle. The system comprises at least one pressure sensor arranged to measure the pressure P outside the scrubber pipe before the valve operating the uppermost active spraying nozzle, and a process controller calculating the total flow rate Qtot of the washing liquid at the exhaust gas inlet of the exhaust gas cleaning unit by summing up the flow rate Qind of the washing liquid flowing through each of the individual active spraying nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: YARA MARINE TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventors: Shyam Bahadur Thapa, Christoffer Ahlström
  • Patent number: 10655519
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a filter disposed in an exhaust passage through which exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine passes, the filter being configured to collect PM that is particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas; a PM removal control device configured to start execution of PM removal control that heats the filter to remove the PM accumulated on the filter while the internal combustion engine is stopped; and a determination device configured to determine whether a user of the vehicle is away from the vehicle. The PM removal control device is configured to start the execution of the PM removal control only when the determination device determines that the user of the vehicle is away from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Edgar Yoshio Morales Teraoka, Katsuhiro Itou, Ryouhei Ohno, Akira Mikami, Keishi Takada, Masaaki Satou
  • Patent number: 10655576
    Abstract: A secondary air injection system may include an engine that includes a plurality of cylinders that generate a driving torque of a vehicle by combustion of a fuel; a main line connected to an exhaust manifold or an exhaust line which is connected to the plurality of cylinders; a recirculation line which is branched from the main line and then connected to an intake manifold; an air injection line which is branched from the main line and then connected to an intake line; and an electric supercharger which is provided in the intake line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Heechang Oh, Jong Il Park, Seungwoo Hong, Yeongseop Park, Dong Hee Han, Hyungbok Lee
  • Patent number: 10655534
    Abstract: A turbocharger system includes a valve assembly with an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The inlet is configured for receiving flow of an exhaust gas from an engine. The valve assembly includes a valve structure disposed within a housing. The valve structure is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation between a first position and a second position. The valve structure defines a nonlinear flow passage with an axial upstream end and radial downstream end. The valve structure, in a first position, directs exhaust gas from the inlet to the first outlet and closes off the second outlet. The valve structure, in the second position, directs exhaust gas from the inlet to the second outlet and closes off the first outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: GARRETT TRANSPORTATION I INC.
    Inventors: Miroslav Zatko, Jaroslav Krejci, Jakub Planka, Jan Klement
  • Patent number: 10655515
    Abstract: This blow-by gas recirculation device for an internal combustion engine is provided with a vacuum pump which supplies negative pressure to a brake booster and usable for recirculation of blow-by gas to an intake passage. This device includes: a PCV device for recirculating blow-by gas in a crankcase to the intake passage; a ventilation shortage region determination unit which determines whether or not an operational region of the engine is a PCV ventilation flow rate shortage region; and a brake negative pressure determination unit which determines whether or not the negative pressure of the brake booster is secured. The vacuum pump ventilates blow-by gas in the crankcase only when the determination units determines that the operational region is the PCV ventilation flow rate shortage region and that the negative pressure is secured. This reduces a contact risk of blow-by gas with engine oil, and inhibits the degradation of the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yaguchi, Takeshi Fukui
  • Patent number: 10655548
    Abstract: An electric supercharging system has an electric supercharger disposed on an intake air passage of an engine and a control unit in which a microcomputer is built. Then, control unit changes an actuation timing of the electric supercharger on the basis of change amounts of a rotational speed and an accelerator opening of the engine. At this time, the control unit changes the actuation timing of the electric supercharger by correcting the actuation timing of the electric supercharger according to the rotational speed of the engine with a coefficient according to the change amount of the accelerator opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunihiko Hikiri, Yasuo Asaumi, Kenichiro Imaoka
  • Patent number: 10655529
    Abstract: An engine system includes an internal combustion engine, a compressor, a high-temperature coolant circulation circuit, a low-temperature coolant circulation circuit, an intercooler, and an electronic control unit. The intercooler is configured to transfer heat of the high-temperature coolant to the low-temperature coolant via intake air. An in-compressor passage of the compressor is arranged in the low-temperature coolant circulation circuit at a location at which the low-temperature coolant that exits from an in-cooler low-temperature water passage during a predetermined period from beginning of cold start is introduced into the in-compressor passage without passing through a low-temperature radiator. The electronic control unit is configured to increase the flow rate of the low-temperature coolant that flows through the low-temperature coolant circulation circuit during the predetermined period as compared to the flow rate after the predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yushi Kakuta