Patents by Inventor Masaki Nagashima

Masaki Nagashima has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11359562
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Mark A. Wilcutts, Masaki Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20210396189
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, John W. PARSELS, Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Mark A. WILCUTTS, Masaki NAGASHIMA
  • Patent number: 11136928
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Mark A. Wilcutts, Masaki Nagashima
  • Patent number: 10954877
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a dynamic firing level modulation manner. A smoothing torque is determined by adaptive control that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Nagashima, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mark A. Wilcutts
  • Publication number: 20210071605
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, John W. PARSELS, Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Mark A. WILCUTTS, Masaki NAGASHIMA
  • Patent number: 10830166
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Mark A. Wilcutts, Masaki Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20200158044
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a dynamic firing level modulation manner. A smoothing torque is determined by adaptive control that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Masaki NAGASHIMA, Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, John W. PARSELS, Mark A. WILCUTTS
  • Patent number: 10578037
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a dynamic firing level modulation manner. A smoothing torque is determined by adaptive control that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Nagashima, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mark A. Wilcutts
  • Patent number: 10344692
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a dynamic firing level modulation manner. A smoothing torque is determined by adaptive control that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Nagashima, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels
  • Patent number: 10328488
    Abstract: A mold flux is used in continuous casting of Ti-containing hypo-peritectic steel so as to prevent longitudinal cracks from forming on a surface of a slab. The mold flux contains CaO, SiO2, an alkali metal oxide and a fluorine compound as major components. f(1), f(2) and f(3), which are calculated from the initial chemical composition, are (1.1?0.5×T) to (1.9?0.5×T), 0.05 to 0.40 and 0 to 0.40, respectively, if the Ti content of the molten steel (mass %) is T. The TiO2 content in the melting state during the casting is no more than 20 mass % and the ratio of the first peak height of perovskite to the first peak height of cuspidine in the mold flux film is no more than 1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahito Hanao, Masaki Nagashima, Masatsugu Ishibashi
  • Publication number: 20190145329
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, John W. PARSELS, Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Mark A. WILCUTTS, Masaki NAGASHIMA
  • Patent number: 10221786
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Mark A. Wilcutts, Masaki Nagashima
  • Patent number: 10138860
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements are described for controlling transitions between effective firing fractions during dynamic firing level modulation operation of an engine in order to help reduce undesirable NVH consequences and otherwise smooth the transitions. In general, both feed forward and feedback control are utilized in the determination of the effective firing fractions during transitions such that the resulting changes in the effective firing fraction better track cylinder air charge changing dynamics associated with the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Nagashima, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Louis J. Serrano
  • Patent number: 10088388
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for detecting misfire and other engine-related errors are described. In one aspect, a window is assigned to a target firing opportunity for a target working chamber. There is an attempt to fire a target working chamber during the target firing opportunity. A change in an engine parameter (e.g., crankshaft angular acceleration) is measured during the window. A model (e.g., a pressure model) is used to help determine an expected change in the engine parameter during the target firing opportunity. Based on a comparison of the expected change and the measured change in the engine parameter, a determination is made as to whether an engine error (e.g., misfire) has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Masaki Nagashima, Li-Chun Chien
  • Publication number: 20180230919
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a dynamic firing level modulation manner. A smoothing torque is determined by adaptive control that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Masaki NAGASHIMA, Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, John W. PARSELS
  • Publication number: 20180202379
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a dynamic firing level modulation manner. A smoothing torque is determined by adaptive control that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Masaki NAGASHIMA, Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, John W. PARSELS, Mark A. WILCUTTS
  • Publication number: 20170370804
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for detecting misfire and other engine-related errors are described. In one aspect, a window is assigned to a target firing opportunity for a target working chamber. There is an attempt to fire a target working chamber during the target firing opportunity. A change in an engine parameter (e.g., crankshaft angular acceleration) is measured during the window. A model (e.g., a pressure model) is used to help determine an expected change in the engine parameter during the target firing opportunity. Based on a comparison of the expected change and the measured change in the engine parameter, a determination is made as to whether an engine error (e.g., misfire) has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin CHEN, Masaki NAGASHIMA, Li-Chun CHIEN
  • Publication number: 20170370342
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements are described for controlling transitions between effective firing fractions during dynamic firing level modulation operation of an engine in order to help reduce undesirable NVH consequences and otherwise smooth the transitions. In general, both feed forward and feedback control are utilized in the determination of the effective firing fractions during transitions such that the resulting changes in the effective firing fraction better track cylinder air charge changing dynamics associated with the transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Masaki NAGASHIMA, Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Louis J. SERRANO
  • Patent number: 9784644
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for detecting misfire and other engine-related errors are described. In one aspect, a window is assigned to a target firing opportunity for a target working chamber. There is an attempt to fire a target working chamber during the target firing opportunity. A change in an engine parameter (e.g., crankshaft angular acceleration) is measured during the window. A model (e.g., a pressure model) is used to help determine an expected change in the engine parameter during the target firing opportunity. Based on a comparison of the expected change and the measured change in the engine parameter, a determination is made as to whether an engine error (e.g., misfire) has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Masaki Nagashima, Li-Chun Chien
  • Patent number: 9777658
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements are described for controlling transitions between firing fractions during skip fire operation of an engine in order to help reduce undesirable NVH consequences and otherwise smooth the transitions. In general, both feed forward and feedback control are utilized in the determination of the firing fractions during transitions such that the resulting changes in the firing fraction better track cylinder air charge changing dynamics associated with the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Nagashima, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Louis J. Serrano