Patents Issued in February 13, 2014
  • Publication number: 20140041591
    Abstract: A milking cluster for a milking parlour for milking milk-giving animals, having at least one teat cup unit having a housing, a teat cup, a drive appliance, a pulling element arrangement connected to the teat cup, and the pulling element arrangement has a segment unit having at least two pulling elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Otto Krone
  • Publication number: 20140041592
    Abstract: A pet bed includes a base member, a wall connected to and extending from the base member, and an insert that rests on a support surface of the base member within an area bounded by the wall. A surface of the wall includes a first image and a surface of the insert includes a second image. A method for manufacturing the bed includes selecting a set of images, applying the images to respective fabric panels, attaching the fabric panels with the images to opposing fabric panels to create the wall and the insert, attaching the wall to a base member and arranging the insert on the support surface of the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Lyle C. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20140041593
    Abstract: A feed dispenser includes a housing and a piston assembly. The piston assembly includes a piston disposed within the housing, the piston and the housing configured to translate relative to each other, and a sheath. The sheath extends about the piston and spring and defines a feed volume with the housing. The feed volume configured to receive feed from a housing chamber of the housing in response to the relative translation of the piston and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Droll Yankees, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Podmaniczky, Scott A. Colwell
  • Publication number: 20140041594
    Abstract: An aquaponic system generally comprises an aquarium module, a garden module and a reservoir module. The aquarium module is generally configured to be installed on a supporting structure (e.g. a cabinet). The garden module is generally configured to be installed on the supporting structure near the aquarium module, in front, beside or even all around it. The garden module is generally configured to support terrestrial and/or semi-aquatic plants. The reservoir module is typically installed inside the supporting structure with the utilities (e.g. pumps). The system is generally designed such that the waste water from the aquarium module flows to the garden module where it irrigates the plants and where it is at least partially filtered by plants which consume at least some of the waste products contained in the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Robin Plante
  • Publication number: 20140041595
    Abstract: A farming feed for fish in freshwater, wherein, in addition to the content of starch as an ordinary binder, there has been added to the feed up to 25 g per kg of constituent feed ingredients of a faecal binder of a non-starch type, and methods of making and using the same. The feed may be of a pressed or extruded type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Trouw International B.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Brinker, Wolfgang M. Koppe, Andries Jan Roem
  • Publication number: 20140041596
    Abstract: An elongate rectangular cultivation box having an open top, is configured so as to allow an outer tank, which serves as a cultivating water storage part, and an inner tank, which serves as a receptacle for bivalves (benthic organisms) S that are to be cultivated, to be both combined and separated. A gap that serves as a water supply opening and a gap that serves as a space in which sediments can accumulate on the bottom of the outer tank are defined when the inner tank is accommodated in the outer tank. Water passage holes are provided in the bottom of the shellfish receptacle (inner tank) and a mesh filter such as netting is stretched across the top face of the bottom. The cultivation boxes are arranged in a vertically stacked manner, with the front portions and rear portions thereof staggered so that cultivation water W that overflows over a front ledge of a shellfish receptacle flows downward into the supply water storage part of a lower cultivation box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Fujiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20140041597
    Abstract: A rotatable livestock brush has a rotation axis and a brush surface configured to be brought into contact with a contact region of a body of a livestock animal. The brush surface includes at least a first region having first pressure-transfer properties, and a second region having second pressure-transfer properties which differ from the first pressure-transfer properties. A plane at a right angle to the rotation axis intersects both the first and second regions. The brush has a cylinder shape with a central cylinder axis. The rotation axis is eccentric and in a position which differs from a position of the central cylinder axis. Upon rotation, the brush massages the body of the livestock animal in the contact region thereof by transferring the varying pressures onto the body of the animal by successively bringing the first and second brush surface regions into contact with the body of the animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Hans VAN DER POEL
  • Publication number: 20140041598
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer program product includes instructions that when executed by a process dynamically controls a retractable tether to provide a mechanism by which a pet can be safely exercised on a bicycle or other vehicle. The pet avoids injury when running in front of the bicycle and stopping short, by having a detector detect the relative motion of the pet and the bicycle so as to automatically apply brakes to the bicycle prior to the pet being injured. Variations include a zone detection mechanism that detects a relative position of the pet relative to the bicycle, and uses a different set of braking parameters, depending on the zone in which the pet is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Bradley D. Lytle, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140041599
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a swimming vest for dogs comprising an outer covering, at least one swimming pad placed into an openable pocket portion, an inner covering, and a strap closing element enclosing the body of the dog, these together forming a blanket, close-fitting on the body of the dog like a diving suit, which allows the water training, rehabilitation treatment of dogs unable to swim due to bodily injury or breed characteristics, and can also be used as a life vest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Gyula SEBĂ•
  • Publication number: 20140041600
    Abstract: A thermal-energy storage tank (1) comprising a containing structure (2) designed to house a store of thermovector fluid in the liquid state, a regenerating circuit (6) designed to draw the thermovector fluid from a bottom of the containing structure (2) and, once heated outside the tank, to deposit it in a surface portion of the store of thermovector fluid, at least one steam generator (13) comprising a heat exchanger (14, 16b) with vertical extension housed within the containing structure (2) and having at least one top opening (18) designed for inlet of the thermovector fluid and a bottom opening designed for outlet of the thermovector fluid (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Luca Rinaldi, Fabrizio Fabrizi, Alessandro Alemberti, Walter Gaggioli, Salvatore Aliotta, Andrea Barbensi, Pietro Tarquini
  • Publication number: 20140041601
    Abstract: A steam generator is provided. The steam generator has a combustion chamber having a peripheral wall formed at least partially from gas-proof, welded steam generator pipes, at least two additional inner walls formed at least partially from additional steam generator pipes which are arranged inside the combustion chamber. The inner walls are connected one behind the other on the flow medium side by an intermediate collector. The steam generator has a high service life and is reliable. The flow medium on the inlet of the inner wall upstream of the intermediate collector has a lower temperature than that of the flow medium on an inlet of the peripheral wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Joachim Brodesser, Martin Effert
  • Publication number: 20140041602
    Abstract: An engine cooling fan (100) comprising a hub (102) and a plurality of blades (104) each of which extends away from the hub (102), wherein the hub (102) defines a rotation axis about which the hub (102) is adapted to rotate during operation; wherein each blade (104) defines an attachment part (108), an air moving part (106), and a center line extending in a longitudinal direction of the blade (104) between a tip end and a hub end of the blade; wherein at least a first zone of the center line extends in a direction transverse to a normal of the rotation axis of the hub (102). Moreover the present invention relates to a blade (104) for use in the fan (100) and a kit comprising the blade (104) and the fan (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: MULTIWING INTERNATIONAL A/S
    Inventor: Claus Christensen-Dalsgaard
  • Publication number: 20140041603
    Abstract: A thermostat apparatus may include a thermostat case formed of a first passage and a second passage, a valve body disposed in the thermostat case, wherein a first valve may be formed at one end side thereof to open or close the first passage, a retainer, one end portion of which may be mounted on the other end side of the valve body, wherein a second valve may be formed at the other end portion of the retainer to open or close the second passage, an elastic member that elastically biases the retainer in a direction to make the first valve close the first passage and make the second valve open the second passage, and a drive portion that may be configured to push the retainer in a direction that according to temperature, the first valve opens the first passage and the second valve closes the second passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Philgi LEE
  • Publication number: 20140041604
    Abstract: A device for securing an actuating lever of a valvetrain of an internal combustion engine to a support element. The actuating lever having a recess and protrusion, to accept a spherical end of the support element, the securing device seated on an upper portion of the protrusion and having side walls seated in an undercut of the support element, for securing the support element with the actuating lever. The securing device having a top bifurcated element, bottom perforated element and a connecting element connecting the top and bottom elements together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ljupco Trpcevski, Kevin Poole
  • Publication number: 20140041605
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic variable valve lift apparatus may include an hydraulic pump body installed in an engine, a piston provided to reciprocate within the hydraulic pump body and forming an hydraulic pump chamber together with the hydraulic pump body, an hydraulic pump cam disposed to be in contact with the piston and enabling the piston to reciprocate according to a rotation thereof, a retainer provided to be slidable along the piston between the piston and the engine and forming a retainer chamber with the engine, a retainer spring elastically supporting the retainer, an oil control valve allowing the hydraulic pump chamber and the retainer chamber to selectively communicate with each other, a valve opening and closing unit communicating with the hydraulic pump chamber and opened or closed according to oil pressure supplied from the hydraulic pump chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Soo Hyung Woo, Byong Young Choi, Young Hong Kwak, Jin Kook Kong, Wonjun Lee
  • Publication number: 20140041606
    Abstract: Provided is a valve timing control device, including: a drive side rotating member, a driven side rotating member, fluid pressure chambers, partition portions, advanced angle control oil passages, retarded angle control oil passages, an intermediate lock mechanism, and a retarded angle lock mechanism, in which the intermediate lock mechanism is configured to include a single intermediate lock member, a biasing mechanism which biases the intermediate lock member, and an intermediate fitting depression portion, and the retarded angle lock mechanism is configured to include a single retarded angle lock member, a biasing mechanism which biases the retarded angle lock member, and a retarded angle fitting depression portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki KOBAYASHI, Kazuo UEDA, Hiromitsu SHIGYO
  • Publication number: 20140041607
    Abstract: A control system is provided with a piston TDC (top dead center) position variable mechanism and a valve operational characteristics variable mechanism. An actual distance between the valve and the piston of closest approach is calculated based on the actual operation states of these mechanisms. In addition, a limit distance of closest approach necessary to avoid interference between the valve and the piston is set, and, the piston TDC position variable mechanism and the valve operational characteristics variable mechanism are controlled to be driven to increase the actual distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Shinobu Kamada, Eiji Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20140041608
    Abstract: A switching rocker arm assembly can include an outer arm, an inner arm and a latch assembly. The outer arm can have one or more high lift lobe contacting surfaces, where each of the high lift lobe contacting surfaces has an uppermost point that defines an outer arm tangent plane. The inner arm can be pivotably secured to the outer arm and have a low lift lobe contacting surface. The low lift lobe contacting surface can have an uppermost point that defines an inner arm tangent plane that is parallel to the outer arm tangent plane. The inner arm tangent plane can be spaced from the outer arm tangent plane by a minimum distance. The latch assembly can be movable between a first configuration in which the outer arm rotates with the inner arm, and a second configuration in which the outer arm rotates independently from the inner arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Austin Zurface
  • Publication number: 20140041609
    Abstract: A switch valve for a hydraulic unit, in particular a quick-acting valve for a hydraulic unit of a hydraulically variable valve gear of a reciprocating internal combustion engine, having a valve body, which is guided in an axially movable manner in a housing part and which is sealed with respect to the housing part by a seal, wherein the seal is designed as a flat seal element, which encloses the valve body in a sealing manner and which is operatively connected to an axial surface of the housing part in a sealing manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Calin Petru Itoafa
  • Publication number: 20140041610
    Abstract: A cylinder lubricant has a BN determined according to the standard ASTM D-2896 greater than or equal to 15 milligrams of potash per gram of lubricant, including: (a) one or more lubricant base oils for marine engines, (b) at least one detergent based on alkali or alkaline-earth metals, overbased with metallic carbonate salts, (c) at least one neutral detergent, (d) one or more oil-soluble alkoxylated fatty amines, having a BN determined according to the standard ASTM D-2896 comprised between 100 and 600 milligrams of potash per gram, where the percentage by mass of alkoxylated fatty amines with respect to the total weight of lubricant is chosen such that the BN provided by these compounds represents a contribution comprised between 2 and 8 milligrams of potash per gram of lubricant, and where the BN provided by the metallic carbonate salts represents a contribution of at the most 65%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: TOTAL MARKETING SERVICES
    Inventors: Denis Lancon, Valérie Doyen
  • Publication number: 20140041611
    Abstract: To suppress the reflection of an electromagnetic wave from a load in a plasma generation device 30 that generates electromagnetic wave plasma by emitting the electromagnetic wave to a combustion chamber 10 of an engine 20. The plasma generation device 30 includes an electromagnetic wave oscillator 33 that oscillates the electromagnetic wave, an antenna 15a for emitting the electromagnetic wave oscillated by the electromagnetic wave oscillator to the combustion chamber 10 of the engine 20, and a stub adjustment unit 52, 53. The stub 51 is provided on a transmission line 60 for electromagnetic wave from the electromagnetic wave oscillator 33 to the antenna 15a. While the engine 20 is operating, the stub adjustment unit 52, 53 adjusts a short circuit location on the stub 51 based on the intensity of a reflected wave of the electromagnetic wave reflected from the antenna 15a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: IMAGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Yuji Ikeda, Minoru Makita
  • Publication number: 20140041612
    Abstract: A laser ignition device 1 for igniting an air-fuel mixture in an auxiliary combustion chamber 85 comprises a target unit 20 arranged within the auxiliary combustion chamber 85 and a laser light source 11, arranged on the outside of the combustion chamber 85, for emitting laser light L for irradiating the target unit 20. The laser light source 11 is a microchip laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Hirohide Furutani, Akihiro Sone, Hiroshi Sakai
  • Publication number: 20140041613
    Abstract: An engine start system which may be employed in automotive idle stop systems. To start an engine, the system brings a pinion gear into engagement with a ring gear coupled to the engine and turns on an electric motor to rotate the ring gear through the pinion gear to crank the engine. When it is requested to start the engine during deceleration of the engine before stop thereof, the system thrusts the pinion into engagement with the ring gear and then turns on the motor to rotate the pinion gear, in other words, delays the activation of the motor until after the pinion gear has engaged the ring gear. This minimizes mechanical impact or noise arising from the engagement of the pinion gear with the ring gear and improves the reliability in engagement with the ring gear during the deceleration of the engine and durability of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro MURATA, Hideya NOTANI, Shinji USAMI, Mikio SAITO, Yasuyuki YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20140041614
    Abstract: An intake system includes an intake passage for leading intake air to an internal combustion engine; an air cleaner connected to the upstream side end portion of the intake passage. A pressure sensor measures pressure of intake air in the intake passage. An air cleaner case includes a case main body mounted to the upstream side end portion of the intake passage. A cover portion closes the case main body. The intake system includes a throttle body constituting part of the intake passage and having a throttle valve. The pressure sensor is mounted to a support portion extending outward from the case main body and is connected to the downstream side of the throttle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinya KOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140041615
    Abstract: A bottom inner wall of an air cleaner case is provided with a first and second bulging parts and roughly U-shaped in section which have projected surfaces on the inside of the air cleaner case and recessed surfaces on the outside of the air cleaner case. First and second resonators are formed by a structure wherein first and second compartments continuously surrounded by the first and second bulging parts as well as a pair of side inner walls, the bottom inner wall and a partition wall of the air cleaner case are closed with first and second lids provided with communication holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinya KOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140041616
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for maintaining an alignment of an internal combustion engine by utilizing an arrangement includes a number of fluid springs by means of which the engine is mounted on a foundation thereof, control valves arranged in communication with each fluid spring, at least three position sensors in communication with the engine, and an electronic control unit. The electric control unit is provided with preset engine position values. The method includes collecting engine position information to the electric control unit, comparing the position information to preset position values, determining, if the position information differs from the preset position values, such control valves that need to be operated, calculating the corrective measures, and giving corrective instructions to the control valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Tomas Sodo, Jan Holmberg
  • Publication number: 20140041617
    Abstract: A crankshaft is provided. The crankshaft includes an unsupported axially-aligned shaft section interposing an outer main bearing journal and an inner main bearing journal, the unsupported axially-aligned shaft section having a central axis aligned with a rotational axis of the crankshaft, and a pendulum absorber coupled to the unsupported axially-aligned shaft section, the pendulum absorber including a blade extending from the unsupported axially-aligned shaft section and a pendulous counterweight coupled to the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Rick L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20140041618
    Abstract: An inline engine is provided. The engine includes a cylinder block with four cylinders and only three main bearing saddles. The engine also includes a crankshaft with only three main bearing journals. The engine may exhibit less friction than other similar engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Rick L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20140041619
    Abstract: Each oil pump (32) is drivingly controlled in such a way that, in a low vehicle speed region lower than a set vehicle speed VSP1 at which a stirring resistance by oil within an in-wheel unit case (3) is not in excess of an allowance level, a suction and supply quantity denoted by a solid line characteristic is provided. In other words, the oil pump(s) is stopped until the vehicle speed reaches to a predetermined vehicle speed VSP0 at which a remaining oil within an oil passage is scattered in all directions and becomes disappeared after the start of vehicle in an oil pump stopped state including a vehicle stop at which the lubrication is not necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20140041620
    Abstract: A flexible connecting rod arrangement for engines, hermetic compressors, and any application that requires a connection between a piston and a crankcase or any application that requires a connection between a linear slider and a crankcase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Barnes Group Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Henriques, JR., Ricardo Paschoaneli, Jose Ubaldino Rosa
  • Publication number: 20140041621
    Abstract: A multilink-type internal combustion engine includes a power transmission structure capable of transmitting rotation of a crankshaft to a pivot shaft. The power transmission structure comprises: a planet gear mechanism having a sun gear mounted on the crankshaft; a drive gear provided on a ring gear section of the planet gear mechanism; a driven gear mounted on the pivot shaft and meshing with the drive gear; and an adjustment mechanism for switching a rotation direction of a carrier of the planet gear mechanism to thereby adjust a meshing phase of the driven gear relative to the drive gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140041622
    Abstract: An XY separate crank mechanism provided between a movable body reciprocating in a first direction and a rotatable crankshaft to mutually convert reciprocating motion of the movable body and rotational motion of the crankshaft, includes a support member provided freely reciprocatingly in the first direction, a crank connecting member mounted on the support member freely reciprocatingly in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and with which a crank of the crankshaft is rotatably engaged, and a connecting member configured to connect the piston and the support member and reciprocate in the first direction together with the piston and the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicants: NAKASHIN REISHOKU CO., LTD., TAC RESEARCH INC.
    Inventors: Yasuo Yoshizawa, Takumi Yoshizawa, Yutaka Yoshizawa, Satoshi Yoshizawa
  • Publication number: 20140041623
    Abstract: A flow-control assembly may include a fluid conduit and a flow-control valve in the fluid conduit. The flow-control assembly may further include a fluid expansion conduit with an inlet defined at least in part by the fluid conduit and configured to selectively receive flow of a fluid from the fluid conduit. The fluid expansion conduit may further include an outlet in fluid communication with the fluid conduit downstream of the flow-control valve. A rotating fluid expander in the fluid expansion conduit may be configured to expand the fluid and thereby rotate and in some embodiments generate electricity. In a first position flow is substantially blocked. In a second position flow is allowed through the fluid expansion conduit. In a third position flow through the fluid conduit is allowed without necessarily passing through the fluid expansion conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Beresewicz, James William Reyenga, Mike Guidry
  • Publication number: 20140041624
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a cylinder control module and a valve control module. The cylinder control module deactivates and reactivates a cylinder of an engine based on a driver torque request while an ignition system associated with the engine is in an on position. The valve control module selectively adjusts a period for which at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of the cylinder are opened based on a first time when the cylinder is reactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Allen B. Rayl, Daniel G. Brennan
  • Publication number: 20140041625
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to skip fire control of internal combustion engines and particularly to mechanisms for determining a desired operational firing fraction. In some embodiments, a firing fraction determining unit is arranged to determine a firing fraction suitable for delivering a requested engine output. The firing fraction determining unit may utilize data structures such as lookup tables in the determination of the desired firing fraction. In one aspect the desired engine output and one or more operational power train parameters such as current engine speed, are used as indices to a lookup table used to select a desired firing fraction. In other embodiments, additional indices to the data structure may include any one of: transmission gear; manifold absolute pressure (MAP); manifold air temperature; a parameter indicative of mass air charge (MAC); cam position; cylinder torque output; maximum permissible manifold pressure; vehicle speed; and barometric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, Li-Chun CHIEN
  • Publication number: 20140041626
    Abstract: A variety of methods and devices for mitigating power train vibration during skip fire operation of an engine are described. In one aspect, the slip of a drive train component (such as a torque converter clutch) is based at least in part upon a skip fire characteristic (such as firing fraction, selected firing sequence/pattern, etc.) during skip fire operation of an engine. The modulation of the drive train component slip can also be varied as a function of one or more engine operating parameters such as engine speed and/or a parameter indicative of the output of fired cylinders (such as mass air charge).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. WILCUTTS, Xin YUAN, Joshua P. SWITKES, Steven E. CARLSON, John F. IMPEDUGLIA, John W. PARSELS
  • Publication number: 20140041627
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (100), which serves as a control device for an internal combustion engine, executes feedback control for controlling the torque of an internal combustion engine (10) so as to coincide the rate of decrease in engine rotational speed with a target rate of decrease in the engine rotational speed. The electronic control unit (100) calculates a required torque that is a torque required to keep the engine rotational speed at a constant rotational speed, and increases a feedback gain in the feedback control as the calculated required torque increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiro Ito
  • Publication number: 20140041628
    Abstract: When a change amount of any one of a demanded torque, a demanded efficiency, and a demanded air-fuel ratio exceeds a predetermined threshold value, an internal combustion engine control apparatus provided by this invention makes a temporary adjustment to a value of any one of a demanded torque, a demanded efficiency and instructed efficiency, and a demanded air-fuel ratio in accordance with a type of demanded engine performance that is currently being given priority among various performances demanded of the internal combustion engine. In the present control apparatus, an actuator for air amount control is operated in accordance with a target air amount calculated based on a demanded torque and a demanded efficiency, an actuator for ignition timing control is operated in accordance with an instructed efficiency, and an actuator for fuel injection amount control is operated in accordance with a demanded air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Yoshizaki, Shuntaro Okazaki, Masashi Shibayama, Kaoru Shokatsu, Hajime Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20140041629
    Abstract: An engine control device 13 that cannot output a control signal to an electromagnetic wave emission device 30 is used to emit electromagnetic wave at an appropriate timing from the device 30 to a combustion chamber 10. A signal processing device 40 is connected to the engine control device 13 that outputs an ignition signal for instructing an ignition device 12 of the engine 20 to ignite fuel air mixture in the combustion chamber 10 of the engine 20. The signal processing device 40, upon receiving the ignition signal, outputs to the electromagnetic wave emission device 30 an electromagnetic wave drive signal that determines based on the ignition signal an emission period, which is a period for the electromagnetic wave emission device 30 to emit an electromagnetic wave to the combustion chamber 10, so that an ignition operation is performed during the emission period of the electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: IMAGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Yuji Ikeda, Minoru Makita
  • Publication number: 20140041630
    Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for operating a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect of the invention, a distinct firing sequence is determined for each bank of working chambers that is used to operate the bank in a skip fire manner. Each firing sequence uses a different firing fraction. In another aspect of the invention, a determination is made as to whether a firing sequence should be dynamically generated or selected from a set of predefined firing sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. CARLSON, Xin YUAN, Louis J. SERRANO, Joshua P. SWITKES, Biswa R. GHOSH, Norman C. LO
  • Publication number: 20140041631
    Abstract: Fuel injector-igniters with variable gap electrodes. A fuel injector-igniter comprises a housing, an actuator disposed in the housing, and a valve including a valve head operative to open and close against a valve seat in response to activation of the actuator. An electrode cage surrounds the valve head and includes at least one aperture. At least one reed electrode extends from the electrode cage to form a gap between the reed electrode and the housing. The valve head includes a magnet, such as a permanent magnet, wherein the magnet is operative to move the reed electrode toward the electrode cage when the valve head opens, thereby increasing the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20140041632
    Abstract: A fuel tank system includes an ECU receiving an open signal Sa of a fuel supply SW. The ECU has a main control unit controlling a power unit of a vehicle, a main relay control circuit turning off a main relay when IGSW for causing the power unit to start or stop is turned off, SOAK time measurement circuit measuring an input time and no input time, the input time being a time during which the open signal Sa is continuously inputted to the ECU while the IGSW is off, the no input time being a time during which the open signal Sa is not inputted to the ECU while the IGSW is off with the fuel supply SW on, and a failure determination unit determining that the fuel supply SW has an abnormality when SOAK time is longer than a failure determination time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventor: Tomonori Yokota
  • Publication number: 20140041633
    Abstract: A dual fuel compression ignition engine operates by injecting gaseous fuel and liquid diesel fuel from a common fuel injector directly into each engine cylinder. The gaseous fuel is ignited by compression igniting a small pilot injection quantity of the liquid diesel fuel. Evaporated natural gas from a cryogenic tank and/or a fuel conditioning module is dosed into an intake manifold of the engine with an electronically controlled supply valve. The electronically controlled supply valve may open to supply evaporated gas to the intake manifold contingent upon combustion conditions in the engine cylinder demonstrating a low risk of methane slip, and the dosing quantities are limited to reduce risk of ignition of an air/gas mixture in the intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Alan R. Stockner
  • Publication number: 20140041634
    Abstract: An apparatus (200) for controlling a high pressure common rail system of a diesel engine comprises an operation condition parameter acquiring module (201) configured to acquire operation condition parameters associated with the high pressure common rail system; a control quantity determining module (202) coupled with the operation condition parameter acquiring (201) module and configured to determine a control quantity for controlling the high-pressure common rail system based on the operation condition parameters, a target value of the fuel pressure within a high pressure common rail tube cavity and a control model designed based on a system physical model, wherein the control quantity is an equivalent cross-section area of the electromagnetic valve of a flow metering unit; and a drive signal determining module (203) coupled to the control quantity determining module (202) and configured to determine a drive signal for driving the flow metering unit based on the determined control quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: WEICHAI POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guangdi Hu, Shaojun Sun, Dehui Tong
  • Publication number: 20140041635
    Abstract: A connector for coupling a high pressure fuel line with a fuel rail, the connector including a connector body disposed along a longitudinal axis, and having a first end portion, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The connector body is configured to couple with a high pressure fuel line at the first end portion, and is configured to couple with a fuel rail at the second end portion. The connector body defines a fluid passage along the longitudinal axis between the first end portion and the second end portion. The fluid passage includes an orifice portion having a length along the longitudinal axis and a diameter, and the length of the orifice portion is more than 3 times greater than the diameter of the orifice portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John Edward Keller, James F. Reichenbach
  • Publication number: 20140041636
    Abstract: A coupling device is provided for hydraulically and mechanically coupling a fuel injector to a fuel rail of a combustion engine, the coupling device including a fuel injector cup configured to be coupled to the fuel rail and to engage a fuel inlet portion of the fuel injector, the fuel injector cup including a first part including a recess and a second part configured to be received in the recess of the first part and configured to engage the fuel inlet portion of the fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Gisella Di Domizio, Massimo Giovannetti, Andrea Puccini, Giandomenico Serra
  • Publication number: 20140041637
    Abstract: The method for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine comprises at least two operating modes. In a first operating mode, the intake valve is closed at a first predetermined crank angle, in accordance with the Miller cycle, before the piston reaches bottom dead center during the intake stroke for reducing pressure in the cylinder, and fuel is injected using first fuel injection means optimized for large amounts of fuel. In a second operating mode the intake valve is closed at a second predetermined crank angle, in accordance with conventional intake valve closing timing, after or slightly before the piston has passed bottom dead center, and fuel is injected using second fuel injection means optimized for small amounts of fuel. The invention also concerns an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Mikael Troberg, Luca Zuanigh, Anton Wintersteller, Christer Hattar, Gino Rizzetto, Diego Delneri
  • Publication number: 20140041638
    Abstract: In a hybrid type vehicle designed to use an engine and motor generators to drive the vehicle, the engine is provided with a variable compression ratio mechanism and a variable valve timing mechanism. When the requested output of the engine increases, minimum fuel consumption rate maintenance control maintaining a mechanical compression ratio at a maximum mechanical compression ratio and in that state increasing the engine speed so as to satisfy the requested output of the engine and torque increase control lowering the mechanical compression ratio and increasing the engine torque are selectively performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuyuki IRISAWA
  • Publication number: 20140041639
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a permanently magnetized valve mechanism and/or valve mechanism seat for a fuel injector are disclosed. In one example approach, a fuel injector comprises a valve mechanism and a valve mechanism seat, wherein at least one of the valve mechanism and the valve mechanism seat is permanently magnetized; an injector driver circuit for actuating the valve mechanism; and a spring biasing the valve mechanism in a closed position against the valve mechanism seat. For example, a first amount of current may be supplied in a first direction to the injector driver to lift a permanently magnetized injector valve mechanism from the injector valve mechanism seat, and a second amount of current may be supplied in a second direction to the injector driver to close the permanently magnetized injector valve mechanism onto the injector valve mechanism seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Basmaji, Gopichandra Surnilla, Anand Gandhi
  • Publication number: 20140041640
    Abstract: An intake system is provided. The intake system including an intake manifold coupled to an engine and a vacuum port located in said intake manifold and in an air flow path downstream of a throttle body, the vacuum port including a molded flow disruptor including a cross-beam traversing an outlet of the vacuum port. The intake system may further include a vacuum passage coupling the vacuum port to a vehicle subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Carl Lohr