Patents by Inventor Robert J. Kobayashi

Robert J. Kobayashi 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: 5113658
    Abstract: An improved hydraulic assist turbocharger system is provided for supplying charge air to a combustion engine. The system includes at least one turbocharger having an hydraulic assist turbine adapted to be driven by a pressurized hydraulic fluid to supplementally drive the turbocharger during selected engine operating conditions when supplemental charge air flow is required. Hydraulic fluid flow is regulated by an electrohydraulic control valve responsive to control signals from a main controller, wherein the control signals and corresponding control valve operation may be independent of engine speed and load. In addition, the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic assist turbine via a dual segment nozzle, with appropriate selector valves coupling the fluid for passage through one or both nozzle segments in accordance with engine charge air requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Allied-Signal, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4622817
    Abstract: An improved hydraulic assist turbocharger system is provided of the type having an hydraulic turbine for supplementally driving a turbocharger during selected engine operating conditions when supplemental air flow to the engine is required. The improved system is adapted for improved engine starting during cold weather conditions by increasing the pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied to the hydraulic turbine during engine cranking and/or decreasing the viscosity of said hydraulic fluid, thereby accelerating the turbocharger rapidly to a rotational speed for supplying sufficient air flow to the engine for starting purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4517802
    Abstract: A combustor system for use with a turbocharged combustion engine comprises a combustor connected for continuous passage of engine exhaust gases. The combustor includes a relatively low pressure fuel injection system for atomizing fuel for combustion in a substantially vitiated atmosphere, and a fuel control system for supplying fuel to the combustor in response to engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Kobayashi, James H. Nancarrow, Jeffrey L. Alger
  • Patent number: 4464901
    Abstract: A combustor system for use with a turbocharged combustion engine comprises a combustor connected for continuous passage of engine exhaust gases. The combustor includes a relatively low pressure fuel injection system for atomizing fuel for combustion in a substantially vitiated atmosphere, and a fuel control system for supplying fuel to the combustor in response to engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Kobayashi, James H. Nancarrow, Jeffrey L. Alger
  • Patent number: 4444014
    Abstract: A control arrangement is provided for controlling the operation of an hydraulic assist turbocharger of the type including an hydraulic turbine driven by an hydraulic fluid under pressure to supplementally drive a turbocharger during engine operating conditions when supplemental air flow is required. The control arrangement includes a dual function control valve responsive to engine speed and load to regulate the supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic turbine in accordance with engine air flow requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Kobayashi, Joe L. Byrne
  • Patent number: 4322949
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for supplying charge air to a combustion engine includes a nonventilated hydraulic turbine mounted directly on the turbocharger shaft, and an auxiliary combustor mounted in-line between the engine and the turbocharger. The nonventilated hydraulic turbine is selectively driven by a high pressure hydraulic fluid to drive the turbocharger for supplying air to the auxiliary combustor, which in turn supplementally drives the turbocharger throughout a broad range of engine operation to provide additional air flow to the engine when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Joe L. Byrne, Robert J. Kobayashi, James H. Nancarrow
  • Patent number: 4285200
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for supplying charge air to a combustion engine includes a nonventilated hydraulic turbine mounted directly on the turbocharger shaft. The nonventilated hydraulic turbine is selectively driven by a high pressure hydraulic fluid to drive supplementally the turbocharger during engine operating conditions when additional air flow to the engine is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Joe L. Byrne, Robert J. Kobayashi, James H. Nancarrow