Patents Examined by Thomas N. Moulis
  • Airfoil edge cooling channels
    Patent number: 10450873
    Abstract: An airfoil cooling system may be provided. An airfoil may have a pressure side and a suction side that are separated by a leading edge. The leading edge may pass through a stagnation point of the airfoil. A spar may have an outer surface comprising standoffs. The standoffs may define a cooling channel that extends across the leading edge on the outer surface of the spar, from the pressure side to the suction side. The cooling channel may have a first portion and a second portion defined by the standoffs. The first portion may be located closer to a base or a tip of the airfoil than the second portion. The spar may further comprise an inlet on the pressure side or the suction side. The inlet may be configured to convey a cooling fluid from a passageway located inside of the spar to the cooling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Brett Barker, Bruce Varney, Brian Shoemaker, Charles Bulgrin
  • Igniter
    Patent number: 10443557
    Abstract: An igniter includes a switching element, a control circuit section, and a protection element. The switching element is connected to a primary winding of an ignition coil. The control circuit section is configured to control operation of the switching element. The protection element is configured to electrically protect the control circuit section. The switching element and the protection element are formed in the same semiconductor chip, and are mounted on the same lead frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motoo Yamaguchi, Fujiyuki Iwamoto, Shunichi Takeda
  • Opposed piston engine with serial combustion chambers
    Patent number: 10443491
    Abstract: An opposed piston engine has a driveshaft with at least two combustion cylinders serially aligned along a center cylinder axis so as to be coaxial, where the center cylinder axis is parallel with but spaced apart from the driveshaft axis. A cam is disposed between adjacent combustion cylinders, as well as adjacent the outermost end of each combustion cylinder in order to reciprocatingly drive piston pairs disposed in each combustion cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HTS LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Marcelo Hilgert, Gustavo Ludwig Schneider
  • Fuel control device for internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 10428759
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel control device for an internal combustion engine that is able to detect the correct boost voltage regardless of the temperature condition, and stabilize the boost voltage value, and is able to inject an accurate amount of fuel from a fuel injection valve. The boost voltage value detected when current is not flowing in a boosting capacitor at least during a boosting operation is taken as a legitimate boost voltage value, and this legitimate boost voltage value is compared with a prescribed boost voltage value to control the boosting operation. Thus, it is possible to stabilize the boost voltage at a legitimate boost voltage value regardless of the temperature condition, and it is possible to inject an accurate amount of fuel from a fuel injection valve, thereby improving fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuki Kiuchi
  • Pressure sensor cleaning device
    Patent number: 10422278
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a pressure sensor associated with an engine system includes a one-way valve having an inlet side and an outlet side. The outlet side is in selective fluid communication with an inlet of the pressure sensor. The cleaning device also includes a compressed air source in selective fluid communication with the one-way valve. The cleaning device further includes a control module communicably coupled to each of the pressure sensor, the one-way valve, and the compressed air source. The control module is configured to control an operation of the one-way valve and the compressed air source to impart at least one of a long burst of modulated air and a short burst of modulated air on the inlet of the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Marroquin, Jaldeep Niranjan Kansara, Arvindkumar Makasana
  • Turbine nozzle with stress-relieving pocket
    Patent number: 10422236
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle segment includes a radially-inner endwall, a radially-outer endwall, and a pair of airfoil-shaped vanes extending between the radially-inner endwall and the radially-outer endwall. The back face of the radially-inner endwall and/or the back face of the radially-outer endwall has a pocket formed therein in an area between the pressure sidewall of the first vane and the suction sidewall of the second vane to enhance stiffness distribution between the second vane and the radially-inner endwall and/or radially-outer endwall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William Scott Zemitis, Martin Jasper, Brad Van Tassel, John Wesley Harris, Jr., Thomas James Brunt
  • Exhaust scavenging system for an engine system
    Patent number: 10415517
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an exhaust scavenging system for an engine system including an engine enclosed in an engine enclosure and an air intake system including an air filter having a filter element for filtering air. The exhaust scavenging system includes an exhaust conduit, a venturi, and a valve system. The exhaust conduit is coupled to the engine and is configured to receive exhaust gas discharged by the engine. The venturi is associated with the exhaust conduit and operates to generate a suction to draw air from the air filter and the engine enclosure. The valve system is configured to selectively fluidly connect the venturi with the engine enclosure or the air filter. The valve system fluidly connects the venturi with the air filter for facilitating purging of the filter element of the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Hoff
  • Grounding structure for internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 10415441
    Abstract: Provided is a grounding structure for an internal combustion engine, including a resinous body 2 configured to be fastened to an engine body 7 via a bolt 8, an electric component 5 attached to the body 2, and a conductive member 16 provided to electrically connect the electric component 5 to the bolt 8 in order to ground the electric component 5 to the engine body 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Daisuke Sueoka, Naoki Mizukami, Takaya Maeda, Tsutomu Matsunaga
  • Estimation of cylinder conditions using a knock sensor
    Patent number: 10393050
    Abstract: A reciprocating engine system includes a cylinder, a piston disposed within the cylinder, a knock sensor disposed proximate to the cylinder and configured to detect vibrations of the cylinder, piston, or both, a crankshaft sensor configured to sense a crank angle of a crankshaft, and a controller communicatively coupled to the knock sensor and the crankshaft sensor. The controller is configured to receive a raw knock signal from the knock sensor and a crank angle signal from the crankshaft sensor corresponding to vibrations of the cylinder, piston, or both relative to the crank angle of the crankshaft, convert the raw knock signal into a digital value signal, and at least one of a crank angle for a start of combustion, a peak firing pressure, a percentage of fuel mass fraction burn, or a combination thereof, based on the digital value signal and the crank angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: AI ALPINE US BIDCO INC.
    Inventors: Sharad Nagappa, Rahul Srinivas Prabhu, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Prashanth D'Souza
  • Polymeric compressor wheel with metal sleeve
    Patent number: 10393134
    Abstract: A compressor wheel that can be employed in devices such as turbochargers. The compressor wheel includes an axially extending hub having an inlet end, a shaft bore extending from the inlet end and an arcuate outer surface opposed to the shaft bore. The axially extending hub is composed of a metal and has a porous region located proximate to the arcuate outer surface of the axially extending hub. The compressor wheel also includes a blade array disposed on the arcuate outer surface of the axially extending hub. The blade array has an outer surface and an inner region. The blade array comprises a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, radially and axially extending blades disposed thereon and is composed, at least in part of a polymeric material. Polymeric material located in the inner region of the blade array extends into the porous region defined in the axially extending hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Carter, John Allport
  • Cooling circuit for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10385760
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling circuit (1) which comprises a first cooling loop I designed to provide thermal control of a first member and at least one second cooling loop II, III designed to provide thermal control of a second member; moreover, the cooling circuit (1) comprises a single degassing tank (6) in fluid connection with the first loop and with the at least one second cooling loop II, III and an isolating valve (70, 700) inserted between the degassing tank (6) and the at least one second cooling loop II, III designed for selectively blocking the flow between the degassing tank 6 and the at least one second cooling loop II, III.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: NOVARES FRANCE
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Quevallier, Steeve Lariviere
  • Engine speed control strategy with feedback and feedforward throttle control
    Patent number: 10378457
    Abstract: An engine speed control system for an internal combustion engine includes a throttle, and a sensor that monitors a parameter indicative of pressure or density of fuel and air in an inlet manifold of the engine. The electronic control unit is coupled with the throttle and the sensor and structured to calculate a target mass flow through the throttle, a feedforward control term based on the target mass flow, and a feedforward control term based on data produced by the sensor. The electronic control unit is further structured to vary a position of the throttle based on the feedforward and feedback control terms to adjust a mass flow through the throttle toward the target mass flow. The control system is applicable in throttle governed as well as fuel governed systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Karthik Jayasankaran, Arvind Sivasubramanian
  • Evaporated fuel treating device and vehicle
    Patent number: 10378469
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel treating device includes a canister, a first purge passage connected to the canister, a second purge passage connected to a second end of the first purge passage and an intake passage, a purge control valve disposed in the first purge passage, a pulsation detection sensor disposed in the second purge passage, and an electronic control unit configured to execute abnormality detection control that detects abnormality of the second purge passage. The electronic control unit is configured to detect pulsation of a purge gas flowing through the second purge passage, based on an output signal from the pulsation detection sensor when the electronic control unit execute a control that opens and closes the purge control valve, and determine abnormality of the second purge passage, based on the detected pulsation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Leuth Insixiengmai
  • Blow-by gas return structure
    Patent number: 10371026
    Abstract: An improved blow-by gas return structure minimizes the occurrence of a drawback caused by freezing at a low temperature by bringing a state where freezing minimally occurs in a blow-bay gas passage such as a pipe disposed outside an engine. The blow-by gas return structure is configured such that a blow-by gas is introduced into an intake manifold through an inner passage formed in a head cover. The blow-by gas return structure includes an outer pipe which connects a blow-by gas outlet of the head cover and a blow-by gas inlet of a main pipe of the intake manifold in a communicable manner, and a temperature elevating mechanism configured to elevate a temperature of the blow-by gas inlet. The temperature elevating mechanism is configured such that a cooling water transfer passage is formed in a portion of the blow-by gas inlet of the main pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: KUBOTA Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Tokunaga, Yusuke Tanimoto, Kazuya Hamada, Shinji Kishi, Yuzo Umeda
  • Movable fulcrum for differential and variable-stroke cycle engines
    Patent number: 10371046
    Abstract: An engine includes an engine shaft configured to rotate and cause one or more pistons to reciprocate within a cylinder chamber along an axis, each piston having a first piston part and piston stem to move in unison with or separately from a second piston part to define piston strokes for different thermal functions of the engine. The engine further includes a piston lever having a first end coupled to a movable fulcrum point and a second end coupled at a copy point to the piston stem, an actuation mechanism configured to move the piston lever and thereby the copy point, and a guide apparatus configured to dictate movement of the copy point in a direction substantially parallel to the cylinder axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Yan Engines, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hailuat D. Yan, Ming Jeng Yan
  • Endwall cooling system
    Patent number: 10370983
    Abstract: An air distribution system for cooling a component in a heated gas environment may be provided, where the air distribution system includes a wall and a plate. The wall includes an inner surface, an outer surface configured to be exposed to the heated gas environment, and a protrusion extending from the inner surface of the wall. The plate is fixedly coupled to the protrusion and is space apart from the inner surface of the wall. The plate includes an outer edge. A passage is defined between the plate and the inner surface of the wall. The inlet of the passage is defined by the outer edge of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Weaver, Tony A. Lambert
  • Pump assembly for a dishwashing appliance
    Patent number: 10349810
    Abstract: A pump assembly for a dishwashing appliance includes an inner diffuser shell defining a motor housing and an outer diffuser shell spaced apart from the inner diffuser shell to define a diffusing plenum. A motor positioned within the motor housing rotates a wash pump impeller and urges a flow of wash fluid through the diffusing plenum. Within the diffusing plenum, guide vanes extend between the inner diffuser shell and the outer diffuser shell to diffuse and direct the flow of wash fluid. The motor is powered by electrical wires that pass through a hole defined through the outer diffuser shell, through one of the plurality of guide vanes, and through the inner diffuser shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edward Dries, Joel Charles Boyer
  • Air cooled component for a gas turbine engine
    Patent number: 10344620
    Abstract: An air cooled component for a turbine stage of a gas turbine engine, comprising: a main body having radially inner main gas path wall and a cooling chamber, the main gas path wall separating the main gas path of the turbine stage and the cooling chamber; at least one flange extending from the main body; a cooling cavity enclosed within the flange; and, an inlet conduit extending between and fluidically connecting the cavity and cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Mark J Simms, Edward J Smith
  • Exhaust gas sensor controls adaptation for asymmetric type sensor degradation
    Patent number: 10337436
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting an asymmetric sensor response of an exhaust gas sensor to a symmetric response. In one example, a method includes adjusting fuel injection responsive to a modified exhaust oxygen feedback signal from an exhaust gas sensor, where the modified exhaust oxygen feedback signal is modified by transforming an asymmetric response of the exhaust gas sensor to a symmetric response. Further, the method may include adapting parameters of an anticipatory controller of the exhaust gas sensor based on the modified symmetric response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassene Jammoussi, Imad Hassan Makki, Gladys G. Galicia, Kenneth John Behr, Zena Yanqing Yee
  • Turbine
    Patent number: 10316680
    Abstract: A turbine is provided with a seal device. The seal device includes: at least one step surface disposed in a region of an outer peripheral surface of a rotor facing a shroud of a stationary vane in the radial direction of the rotor, the at least one step surface facing upstream in a flow direction of the fluid and dividing the region of the outer peripheral surface into at least two sections in an axial direction of the rotor: at least two seal fins protruding toward the at least two sections from the stationary vane and facing the at least two sections via a seal gap; and a swirling-component application portion disposed on an end side of the shroud of the stationary vane with respect to the axial direction of the rotor and configured to be capable of applying a swirling component to the fluid flowing toward the seal gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kuwamura, Hiroharu Oyama, Yoshinori Tanaka, Hideaki Sugishita