Patents Examined by Thomas Denion
  • Patent number: 9382837
    Abstract: A supercharging system (6) for an internal combustion engine includes a turbo charging device with a turbine (7) and a compressor (8), the compressor having a compressor shaft (8a); a planetary gear (25) coupled to the compressor shaft (8a) and a drive shaft (32); a clutch unit (18); a power transmission for connecting a crank shaft (4) of the combustion engine (1) to the drive shaft (32) via the clutch unit (18); and an electric motor or electric generator (20) connected to the drive shaft (32). The compressor shaft (8a) is at least on one end movably arranged between the compressor (8) and the planetary gear (25) to allow relative movements between the compressor (8) and the planetary gear (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: KASI TECHNOLOGIES AB
    Inventor: Isak Lofgren
  • Patent number: 9382836
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either a combustion chamber of an engine or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, the method includes accumulating a portion of compressed air in an accumulator, and when an engine output is below a predetermined amount, coupling a part of the accumulated air with the condensate through a passage into the combustion chamber. Thereby, the methods described may be used to distribute condensate formed in the heat exchanger even at low engine loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Mark Michael Madin, Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 9382838
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing turbo lag in a boosted engine. A boost reservoir coupled to the engine may be charged with compressed intake air and/or combusted exhaust gas. The pressurized charge may then be discharged during a tip-in to either the intake or the exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards, Robert Andrew Wade, Alex O'Connor Gibson, David Bell
  • Patent number: 9382816
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for operating a steam cycle process performed in an apparatus having an evaporator or steam generator for the evaporation of a liquid working medium and an expander, which is lubricated by a lubricant, for the performance of mechanical work. The method comprises a) supplying the liquid working medium to the evaporator, in which it evaporates and is fed to the expander in the form of steam; b) supplying an ionic liquid, which at room temperature forms two liquid phases with the liquid working medium, to the expander as a lubricant; and c) separating the ionic liquid forming the lubricant for the expander from the working medium upstream of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: MAN Truck & Bus AG
    Inventors: Raimund Almbauer, Roland Kalb, Roland Kirchberger, Josef Klammer
  • Patent number: 9376951
    Abstract: A compact exhaust gas aftertreatment device for an internal combustion engine comprises a catalytic converter, wherein the catalytic converter comprises an encapsulating member, a pipe member, an exhaust gas guiding means and two catalytic converter substrates. The exhaust gas aftertreatment device provides very good exhaust gas mixing properties. Additionally, the exhaust gas guiding means is configured to withstand thermal stress due to exposure to hot exhaust gas emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mats Laurell, Jan Dahlgren, Marie Stenfeldt, Peter Sandberg
  • Patent number: 9376948
    Abstract: A method of treating an exhaust gas produced by a vehicle internal combustion engine includes conveying the gas through a first reactor including a non-thermal plasma. The gas includes nitric oxide and is transitionable between a first condition in which the gas has a cold-start temperature that is less than or equal to about 150° C., and a second condition in which the gas has an operating temperature that is greater than about 150° C. During the first condition, the method includes contacting the gas and plasma to oxidize the nitric oxide to nitrogen dioxide and form an effluent that includes nitrogen dioxide. The method includes concurrently conveying the effluent through a second reactor including a diesel oxidation catalyst, and storing the nitrogen dioxide within the second reactor during only the first condition. The method includes, after storing, releasing nitrogen dioxide from the second reactor during only the second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chang H. Kim, Steven J. Schmieg, Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9376937
    Abstract: A method and system for generating power from low- and mid-temperature heat sources using a zeotropic mixture as a working fluid. The zeotropic mixture working fluid is compressed to pressures above critical and heated to a supercritical state. The zeotropic mixture working fluid is then expanded to extract power. The zeotropic mixture working fluid is then condensed, subcooled, and collected for recirculation and recompression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: D. Yogi Goswami, Huijuan Chen, Elias Stefanakos
  • Patent number: 9371756
    Abstract: There is provided an exhaust purifying system for an internal combustion engine comprising a fuel supply valve for supplying fuel to an exhaust passage for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, an ignition device for igniting the fuel supplied from the fuel supply valve, and a controller for heating the ignition device to selectively realize at least an ignition temperature Ti in which the fuel can be ignited and a waiting temperature Ts in which the fuel cannot be ignited. The controller controls the waiting temperature Ts to be the lower as a predicted deceleration time tp that is the time for which a decelerating state of the vehicle lasts is larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshihiro Mori, Hidetaka Fuse
  • Patent number: 9371763
    Abstract: A method of controlling an exhaust gas treatment system of a vehicle includes detecting a request to regenerate a particulate filter, and injecting hydrocarbons at an injection rate into a flow of exhaust gas upstream of an oxidation catalyst to heat the oxidation catalyst. The injection rate is increased at a current acceleration rate, and the current acceleration rate is reduced to define a reduced acceleration rate when the oxidation catalyst is quenched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas LaRose, Jr., David Michael VanBuren, Patrick Barasa, Michael V. Taylor, Kari Jackson
  • Patent number: 9371755
    Abstract: A method and system are described for on-board treatment of an exhaust stream containing CO2 emitted by a hydrocarbon-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE) used to power a vehicle in order to reduce the amount of CO2 discharged into the atmosphere which include: a. a first waste heat recovery zone on board the vehicle for receiving the high temperature exhaust gas stream, at least one heat exchanger having an inlet for receiving the hot exhaust gas stream from the ICE for passage in heat exchange relation and a discharge outlet for discharging the exhaust stream at a lower temperature, the heat recovery zone further including at least one heat recovery device for converting the waste heat from the exhaust gas to electrical and/or mechanical energy; b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Esam Zaki Hamad
  • Patent number: 9366159
    Abstract: A variable cam timing assembly (10) and method for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes a cam phaser (22) connected between an inner camshaft (12a) and an outer camshaft (12b) of a concentric camshaft (12). A torsional drive mechanism (14) connects between the cam phaser (22) and the inner camshaft (12a) for transmitting rotational torque. The torsional drive mechanism (14) permits adjustment for perpendicularity and axial misalignment of the inner and outer camshafts (12a, 12b), while maintaining a torsionally stiff coupling between the cam phaser (22) and one of the inner and outer camshafts (12a, 12b) of the concentric camshaft (12). The torsional drive mechanism (14) can be formed from one of a flexible shaft coupling (40), a transversely split driven gear (140), a transversely split sprocket ring gear (240), a transverse face spline gear (340), and a pin and slot combination drive (440).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Wigsten, David C. White, James Sisson
  • Patent number: 9366187
    Abstract: A slinger combustor has an annular combustor shell defining a combustion chamber having a radially inner fuel inlet for receiving a spray of fuel centrifuged by a fuel slinger. The combustion chamber has a fuel atomization zone extending radially outwardly from the fuel inlet and merging into a radially outwardly flaring expansion zone leading to a combustion zone. A plurality of nozzle air inlets are defined in the fuel atomization zone of the combustor shell. The nozzle air inlets have a nozzle axis intersecting the stream of fuel and a tangential component in a direction of rotation of the fuel slinger. A plurality of dilution holes are defined in the combustor shell and have a dilution axis intersecting the combustion zone. The dilution axis of at least some of the dilution holes has a tangential component opposite to the direction of rotation of the fuel slinger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Bhawan B. Patel, Oleg Morenko
  • Patent number: 9366250
    Abstract: A hydraulic device includes a cover plate with a cylinder hole opposite an end surface of a rotating shaft of a gear which receives two thrust forces in the same direction. A piston extends through the cylinder hole. A working liquid in a high pressure side acts on a back surface of the piston to press the piston onto the end surface of the rotating shaft, thereby causing a drag that cancels the two thrust forces acting on the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO Precision Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takeda, Tetsuro Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 9359942
    Abstract: A method for operating turbocharger waste gate of a turbocharged engine is disclosed. In one example, the method operates the waste gate synchronous with engine operation via a mechanical coupling between the waste gate and a camshaft or a crankshaft. The approach may reduce turbocharger lag and improve turbocharger efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shuya S. Yamada, Keith D. Miazgowicz
  • Patent number: 9359940
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting intake airflow through two induction passages. In response to increased torque demand, intake airflow may be directed through a first induction passage including an exhaust-driven turbocharger compressor and through a second induction passage including an electric compressor. Further, after the turbocharger compressor increases speed, intake airflow may be directed again through the first induction passage to further increase boost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chris C. Ahrns
  • Patent number: 9359919
    Abstract: An improvement to Rankine type heat recovery power cycles by adding heat source heat exchanger(s) in parallel with the existing recuperator(s) and in series with the existing heat source exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: James E. Berry
  • Patent number: 9359976
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an intake assembly, a spark-ignited internal combustion engine, and an exhaust assembly. The intake assembly includes a charge air cooler disposed between an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) mixer and a backpressure valve. The charge air cooler has both an inlet and an outlet, and the back pressure valve is configured to maintain a minimum pressure difference between the inlet of the charge air cooler and an outlet of the backpressure valve. A dedicated exhaust gas recirculation system is provided in fluid communication with at least one cylinder and with the EGR mixer. The dedicated exhaust gas recirculation system is configured to route all of the exhaust gas from the at least one cylinder to the EGR mixer for recirculation back to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Keating, Rodney E. Baker
  • Patent number: 9353746
    Abstract: A scroll compressor may include a scroll pumping mechanism which includes an orbiting scroll having an orbiting scroll wall extending axially from an orbiting scroll plate towards a fixed scroll and a fixed scroll having a fixed scroll wall extending axially from a fixed scroll plate towards the orbiting scroll. An axial end portion of one of the scroll walls includes a first sealing arrangement and a second sealing arrangement arranged in series along the scroll wall from the inlet to the outlet for sealing between the axial end portion of the scroll wall and the scroll plate of the opposing scroll. The first sealing arrangement may have first sealing characteristics which are selected according to the sealing requirements local to the first sealing arrangement and the second sealing arrangement may have second, different sealing characteristics which are selected according to sealing requirements local to the second sealing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Miles Geoffery Hockliffe, Ian David Stones, Alan Ernest Kinnaird Holbrook
  • Patent number: 9353749
    Abstract: An orbiting plate scroll of a scroll pump includes an orbiting plate having a first side and a second side, an orbiting scroll blade projecting in an axial direction from the first side of the orbiting plate, and a flexure whose compliance is in the axial direction. The flexure is coupled to the orbiting plate at the second side of the orbiting plate, and couples the orbiting plate and orbiting scroll blade to bearings that allow for free rotation of the orbiting plate scroll about a longitudinal axis, while constraining motion of the orbiting plate scroll in the remaining degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Forni
  • Patent number: 9353754
    Abstract: A multi-stage axial compressor for counter rotation. A first series of rotor blade assemblies are mounted on and rotate with the driveshaft, each rotor blade assembly of the first series comprising a rotating stage of the multi-stage axial compressor. A second series of rotor blade assemblies provide a counter-rotating stage of the multi-stage axial compressor. An accessory drive links the second series of rotor blade assemblies to the driveshaft and causes counter-rotation of the second series of rotor blade assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinod Gehlot, Magdy S. Attia