Patents Examined by Thomas Denion
  • Patent number: 9494141
    Abstract: A solar thermal power system includes a solar receiver and a thermal energy storage arrangement including thermal energy storage fluid to be circulated through the solar receiver to store thermal energy. The system includes a multistage steam turbine operable on variable pressure steam generated by primary and secondary arrangements, by utilizing the fluid. The primary arrangement generates and supplies a high pressure steam to a high pressure turbine inlet, and exits from a high pressure turbine outlet. The secondary arrangement having a reheat assembly, to generate an intermediate pressure steam from the fluid, received from the storage arrangement through the reheat assembly. The intermediate pressure steam and released steam from a high pressure turbine outlet are mixed and reheated in the reheat assembly to be supplied to an intermediate pressure turbine inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Enrico Conte, Nicolas Marchal
  • Patent number: 9494069
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for metering a liquid reducing agent into an exhaust gas system. The device can be used, in particular, for reducing nitrogen oxides in an exhaust gas. The device includes at least one working container for holding a working quantity of the liquid reducing agent. In addition, the device is provided with at least one metering module, at least one delivery line, and at least one delivery pump. The device also has at least one storage container for holding a storage quantity of the liquid reducing age, preferably a storage quantity that exceeds the working quantity. The storage container is connected to the working container via at least one storage line. The storage line has at least one storage pump disposed therein for circulating liquid reducing agent from the storage container to the working container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Haeberer, Matthias Horn, Michael Krause
  • Patent number: 9488082
    Abstract: A reducing agent supplying device includes a reaction container, an ozone generator, an air pump, an ozone-containing air pipe, a compressed air pipe, a switching device, and a switching controller. The reaction container defines a reaction chamber therein in which a reducing agent is reformed. The ozone generator generates ozone from oxygen in air. The air pump supplies air into the ozone generator. An ozone-containing air flows through the ozone-containing air pipe toward the reaction chamber. A portion of a compressed air flows through the compressed air pipe toward the reaction chamber. The switching device switches between an air pump mode, in which the ozone-containing air is supplied into the reaction chamber, and a supercharging mode, in which the compressed air is supplied into the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeto Yahata, Masumi Kinugawa, Yuuki Tarusawa, Mao Hosoda, Yusuke Majima
  • Patent number: 9488083
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, wherein an exhaust purification catalyst (13) and a hydrocarbon supply valve (15) are arranged in an engine exhaust passage, the internal combustion engine being provided with a low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation device (LPL) for recirculating exhaust gas downstream of the exhaust air purification catalyst (13). When a lock up clutch (66) in a torque converter (27) should engage, non-sliding engagement of the lock up clutch (66) is prohibited in a case where an exhaust gas recirculation action is performed by the low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation device (LPL) and hydrocarbons are sprayed from the hydrocarbon supply valve (15) at predetermined cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Nozaki
  • Patent number: 9488145
    Abstract: A vehicular liquid containment system including a tank, a pump arranged to pump a liquid from the tank to a vehicular system via a feed line, a pressure sensor arranged to detect a pressure in a vapor dome inside the tank, and a sprayer arranged within a branch of the feed line, the outlet of the sprayer being arranged inside the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Josh Butler, David Hill, Bjorn Criel
  • Patent number: 9488134
    Abstract: An engine system having a turbocharger, in which an intake manifold is integrally formed, may include an intercooler that cools intake air supplied from the turbocharger, an EGR cooler that cools EGR gas supplied from an exhaust manifold, the intake manifold in which the intake air and the EGR gas supplied from the intercooler and the EGR cooler are mixed and that supplies a combustion chamber with the mixed gas, and a distribution unit that is mounted in the intake manifold and includes distribution pipes. One or each of the distribution pipes may receive the EGR gas from a connection hole through which the EGR gas is supplied and exhaust the EGR gas through an outlet towards an intake port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jong Man Jun, Hyoung Hyoun Kim
  • Patent number: 9488097
    Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a housing defining an interior cavity and at least a first and second port coupled to the housing and having associated passages configured to be in fluid communication with the interior cavity. The solenoid valve further includes a valve seat disposed about an opening between the first and second ports and interior cavity. The valve seat is integrally formed with the housing, such that the housing and valve seat are a single unitary structure. The solenoid valve further includes a bobbin supporting a coil and an armature and seal movably disposed within the bobbin and relative to the coil. The armature and seal are moveable between an open position and a closed position relative to the valve seat, wherein, in the closed position, the seal sealingly engages with the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: STONERIDGE, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Steinman
  • Patent number: 9488368
    Abstract: Systems and methods for defrosting sensing components in fluid sensing system. In one embodiment, the invention provides a defrosting system that includes a sensing system. The sensing system includes a sensor operable to sense a characteristic of the fluid in a tank. The defrosting system includes a fluid pickup line spaced apart from the sensor, and a fluid return line. The fluid return line includes an output. The output is positioned to direct fluid onto the sensing system. In one embodiment, the defrosting system further comprises a pipe configured to provide the fluid to a system external to the tank. The fluid is heated by heat generated by the external system and directed onto the sensing system at least partially defrosts fluid contained within the sensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: SSI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David T. Schlenke
  • Patent number: 9488080
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to suppress a reduction in an NOX purification ratio when an addition is implemented to prevent a blockage from occurring in a reducing agent addition valve. A fuel addition valve, a catalyst having an oxidation capacity, and a selective reduction type NOX catalyst are provided in sequence in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine, and when a temperature of the selective reduction type NOX catalyst is within a predetermined temperature range while a predetermined condition for injecting fuel from the fuel addition valve is established, an amount of fuel injected from the fuel addition valve is reduced below an amount of fuel injected when the temperature of the selective reduction type NOX catalyst is outside the predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuki Iwatani
  • Patent number: 9488089
    Abstract: In an engine unit including a combustion unit and an exhaust fluid recirculation apparatus where unburnt fuel is provided to an exhaust flow treatment apparatus for combustion, it may be desirable to prevent unburnt fuel from entering the exhaust fluid recirculation apparatus. A method of controlling operation of an engine unit includes confirming that a valve of the exhaust flow recirculation apparatus is closed, and overriding a control signal for controlling the valve in order to ensure that the valve remains closed before injecting fuel upstream of the valve for combustion in the exhaust fluid treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Antony Eager
  • Patent number: 9488074
    Abstract: A desmodromic valve system which provides direct bidirectional displacement of a valve stem of an internal combustion engine without the aid of a rocker arm, utilizing a semirigid basket operating in conjunction with a plurality of cams for each valve. The basket is disposed about the camshaft of the engine and secured to the valve stem by an integral retainer on a bottom portion of the basket, and is constrained to motion along the valve stem axis. The basket has a pair of downwardly oriented cam followers in the upper portion thereof, spaced apart from the valve stem axis. A central cam and a parallel pair of side cams are fixedly mounted on the camshaft so as to rotate therewith, the cams substantially surrounded by the basket and cooperating therewith to provide reciprocating valve action with positive bidirectional drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: James T. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9488128
    Abstract: A thermal torque engine comprising a hot box heated by a thermal agent and a wheel having a plurality of peripherally mounted canisters with diametrically opposed canisters connected by a conduit. One of the pair of canisters having a quantity of refrigerant that is pressurized when within the hot box. The pressurized refrigerant moves to the cooler canister with the process continuing for subsequent paired canisters as long as there is a predetermined thermal difference between the interior and exterior of the hot box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Scott Sparkman
  • Patent number: 9482131
    Abstract: An after-treatment system for treating exhaust gas discharged from a combustion engine, the after-treatment system comprising an exhaust after-treatment component including an exhaust after-treatment substrate, the exhaust after-treatment substrate including an inlet face including a first zone having a first catalyst located at a center of the inlet face, and a second zone having a second catalyst located radially outward from the center of the inlet face, wherein an amount of the exhaust gas that travels through the first zone is greater than an amount of the exhaust gas that passes through the second zone, and a catalyst loading of the first catalyst in the first zone is less than a catalyst loading of the second catalyst in the second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Padmanabha Reddy Ettireddy, Adam J. Kotrba, Michael Golin
  • Patent number: 9482209
    Abstract: A solar water heater has a main panel having a boiler panel and a reservoir panel. The reservoir panel feeds the boiler panel. A tubular reservoir is installed in the reservoir panel. An evacuated tube is installed in the boiler panel. The evacuated tube has an inner vacuum wall and an outer vacuum wall for insulating the evacuated tube. A boiler line receives heated water from the reservoir panel. The boiler line passes through the evacuated tube. An electrical production module is connected to the boiler panel. The electrical production module generates electricity from steam power taken from the boiler panel. A feed line connects to the reservoir panel. The feed line ends at an intake filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Lai Fan Huang
  • Patent number: 9482166
    Abstract: A method controls a direct-injection gaseous-fuelled internal combustion engine system to improve the conversion efficiency of an SCR converter that is operative to reduce levels of NOx. The method comprises detecting when the internal combustion engine is idling and timing the injection of a first quantity of fuel to begin injection when the engine's piston is near top dead center; and controlling the temperature of exhaust gas to be above a predetermined temperature that is defined by an operating temperature range that achieves a desired conversion efficiency for the selective catalytic reduction converter, by: (a) timing injection of the gaseous fuel to begin after timing for injection the first quantity of fuel, and (b) increasing exhaust gas temperature by increasing a delay in timing for injecting the gaseous fuel, while limiting the delay to keep concentration of unburned fuel exiting the combustion chamber below a predetermined concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: WESTPORT POWER INC.
    Inventors: Sean D. Richardson, Olivier P. M. Lebastard
  • Patent number: 9482132
    Abstract: Systems and devices for delivering a fluid to an exhaust system. An inlet is configured for receiving the fluid, and a conduit includes openings for expelling the fluid into the exhaust system. A compact gaseous delivery system may include a first conduit in fluid communication with a fluid source, a second conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit, and a plurality of additional conduits in fluid communication with the second conduit and including a plurality of openings for expelling the fluid into the exhaust system. The first conduit, second conduit, and plurality of additional conduits may have axes that are substantially coplanar to form the compact gaseous delivery system that may be disposed within the exhaust system. Implementations may include openings with varying diameters. Other implementations may include a volute conduit with openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Achuth Munnannur, Vinay Kumar Joshi, Douglas A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9482149
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for operating a supercharger for an automotive engine is disclosed. The supercharger has: an input shaft for coupling to an engine crankshaft, and coupled to the rotor of a first electrical machine and a first component of an epicyclic gear train; and an output shaft connected to a compressor and a second component of the epicyclic gear train; wherein the third component of the epicyclic gear train is connected to the rotor of a second electrical machine. The first electrical machine is selectively operable to supply electrical energy to the second electrical machine. The method includes the steps of: (a) calculating a required speed of the second electrical machine that would give rise to a required pressure at an outlet of the compressor; and (b) setting the speed of the second electrical machine to the calculated required speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignees: NexxtDrive Limited, Integral Powertrain Ltd
    Inventor: Luke Barker
  • Patent number: 9482146
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for maintaining power in an internal combustion typically turbocharged aircraft engine is disclosed. During descent, air pressure and temperature in the manifold can fall to dangerous levels. This is because engine power is low and likewise turbocharger output is also low. The system and method provide for a bypass of the heat radiator during low power periods, or with low ambient temperature or both. A parameter is measured, often manifold pressure or temperature and the degree of bypass is adjusted commensurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Ray, Michael T Schaner
  • Patent number: 9476340
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a Stirling engine is integrated into an exhaust system of a vehicle. The system comprises an engine coupled to a cooling system and an exhaust system. An emission control system is coupled to the exhaust system. A Stirling engine has one end coupled to the cooling system and another end selectively coupled to the exhaust system between the engine and the emission control system, and configured be driven from heat extracted from exhaust gas flow. The Stirling engine drives an electrical energy generator that provides electrical energy for storage in an energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mychajlo S. Kobylecky, Harry E. Eustice, Raymond C. Majcher
  • Patent number: 9476329
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes an input member; an output member defining a phasing advance chamber and a phasing retard chamber with the input member; and a rotary valve spool coaxially disposed within the output member such that the rotary valve spool is rotatable relative to the output member and the input member, the valve spool defining a rotary valve spool advance chamber and a rotary valve spool retard chamber. Oil supplied to the rotary valve spool advance chamber causes the rotary valve spool to rotate relative to the output member and relative to the input member in a retard direction and oil supplied to the rotary valve spool retard chamber causes the rotary valve spool to rotate relative to the output member and relative to the input member in an advance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Fischer, Karl J. Haltiner, Jr.