Patents Issued in March 22, 2016
  • Patent number: 9291103
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a gas turbine generally includes a main body having an upstream end axially separated from a downstream end. The main body at least partially defines a fuel supply passage that extends through the upstream end and at least partially through the main body. A fuel distribution manifold is disposed at the downstream end of the main body. The fuel distribution manifold includes a plurality of axially extending passages that extend through the fuel distribution manifold. A plurality of fuel injection ports defines a flow path between the fuel supply passage and each of the plurality of axially extending passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Keith Cletus Belsom, Kevin Weston McMahan, Larry Lou Thomas
  • Patent number: 9291104
    Abstract: In a damping device according to the present invention, a damping device 63 is mounted on a bypass pipe 61 that supplies an amount of high-pressure air to a combustor transition piece 33. The damping device 63 includes a fluid introducing unit 71 that forms a fluid introduction space B by covering an outer peripheral portion of the bypass pipe 61, a plurality of acoustic boxes 73a and 73b that forms resonance spaces Da and Db with the base portions connected to the fluid introducing unit 71 and the end portions extending along the outer peripheral portion of the bypass pipe 61 in the circumferential direction, and partition plates 74a and 74b that form resonance ducts Ea and Eb of a predetermined length by partitioning the resonance spaces Da and Db.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori Ito, Keisuke Matsuyama, Kazufumi Ikeda, Satoshi Tanimura, Shinji Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 9291105
    Abstract: Disclosed are horsepower management systems and methods for use on power machines with an engine that powers a drive system. An engine speed control device controls the engine speed. A variable displacement drive pump controlled by a displacement control member provides pressurized fluid to a drive motor. A control system communicates with the engine speed control device and the pump displacement control member. The control system includes a user input device and a command lever rotatably coupled to the displacement control member and capable of receiving the user input. The command lever provides a signal to the engine speed control device in response to the user input. The command lever also commands a given displacement via the displacement control member subject to load forces on the hydrostatic pump transmitted to a limiting mechanism coupled to the command lever and the displacement control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Matthew J. Kaldor, Brian Dehnert
  • Patent number: 9291106
    Abstract: Arrangements for stabilizing valve timing adjustment mechanisms such as cam phasers during operation of an engine are described. The described approaches are particularly well suited for use during skip fire control, although they may be used advantageously in other applications as well. In general, the phase of an adjustable phase camshaft is controlled relative to a crankshaft of an engine. In one aspect, at least one of (i) firing events in a skip fire firing sequence, and (ii) dynamically determined valve actuation events are used in the control of the camshaft phase during operation of the engine. In some embodiments, hydraulic pressure within a cam phaser is varied in a manner that maintains the phase of the camshaft substantially more stable through transitory variations in torque applied to the camshaft by the actuation of the valves than would occur without the variations in hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TULA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua P. Switkes, Xin Yuan, Matthew A. Younkins
  • Patent number: 9291107
    Abstract: Approaches to control engine overspeed are provided. Engine overspeed is controlled by one or more mechanisms that operate the intake and/or exhaust valves of the engine to interrupt the combustion cycle. In use, the “combustion interrupter” mechanism(s) actuate the intake and/or exhaust valves according to, for example, one or more control strategies in order to interrupt the combustion cycle and/or cause the engine to expend energy to move the pistons through a complete cycle in an aim to retard engine speed. The engine's cam(s) can include one or more sets of variable valve timing lobes that operate the intake and/or exhaust valves of the engine in order to, for example, interrupt the combustion cycle. The combustion interrupter mechanism can additionally or alternatively include one or more computer controlled actuators that operate the intake and/or exhaust valves in order, for example, to interrupt the combustion cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Bryan Kelly Ross, James Castner
  • Patent number: 9291108
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device and a control method for an engine that includes a compression ratio variable mechanism for changing a top dead center position of a piston and a fuel injector for directly injecting a fuel into a cylinder. In the control device and the control method for the engine according to the invention, when a compression ratio is increased by the compression ratio variable mechanism, an injection timing, a fuel pressure, the number of times of split injections, and the like, in a fuel injection of the fuel injector are changed, to reduce a fuel adhering to a piston crown surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshikuni Kurashima
  • Patent number: 9291109
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel supply system (1) for injecting liquefied vapor under high pressure, such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG), into a combustion chamber (3-6) of an internal combustion engine (2). The fuel supply system (1) comprises a fuel supply for liquefied vapor connected to a high-pressure pump (11) via a duct. The high-pressure pump (11) has a high-pressure chamber (105) which is embodied thereby to increase the pressure of the liquefied vapor. A high-pressure discharge of the high-pressure pump (11) is connected to a high-pressure rail (7) which comprises one or several injectors for injecting liquefied vapor into a combustion chamber. According to the invention, the fuel supply system is provided with a discharge F unit (20) for purging fuel, in particular fuel vapor, between the high-pressure chamber and the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: VIALLE GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Servatius Alfons Maria Jaasma
  • Patent number: 9291110
    Abstract: When an alcohol mixed fuel is supplied to an internal combustion engine, the magnitude of the alcohol concentration is determined, and the magnitude of an operation state temperature is determined on the basis of the determination. When the alcohol concentration is high and the operation state temperature is low, the generation of intermediate products, which are alcohol oxides contained in unburned alcohol mixed fuel, is promoted, and the intermediate products generated are trapped in an intake passage by opening an intake valve in the expansion stroke of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Matsuda, Koji Morita, Takahiro Tsukagoshi
  • Patent number: 9291111
    Abstract: An engine control method includes: a step of determining whether or not a crank angle of the engine lies in a first section between a top dead center in a compression stroke and a first angle in a case where the engine speed of the engine is lower than the prescribed engine speed; a step of running the engine in a forward direction by driving a motor that applies a torque to a crank of the engine in the forward direction in a case where the crank angle of the engine does not lie in the first section; a step of determining whether or not the crank angle of the engine lies in the first section; a step of determining whether or not the crank angle of the engine lies in a second section between a top dead center in a combustion stroke and a second angle; a step of braking the motor in a case where it is determined in the sixth step that the crank angle of the engine lies in the second section; and a step of running the engine in the forward direction by driving the motor in the forward direction in a case where i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Shindengen Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Kawasumi
  • Patent number: 9291112
    Abstract: A method/control unit for detecting a voltage offset in a range of a voltage-lambda characteristic curve of a two-point lambda sensor in an engine exhaust gas duct as to a reference voltage-lambda characteristic curve of the two-point lambda sensor, which is part of a controlled system for adjusting an air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine, a characteristic curve deviation of voltage-lambda characteristic curve to the reference characteristic curve being corrected at ?=1, so that a change in the air-fuel mixture composition toward ?=1 occurs, starting from a value pair to be checked on the reference characteristic curve, with a lambda and a voltage to be checked, the actual value of lambda being inferred from the change in the mixture composition until reaching ?=1. The method/control unit permit determining and compensating a voltage offset of a two-point lambda sensor conditional upon aging or manufacturing tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Fey
  • Patent number: 9291113
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder, to which are connected an intake manifold having an air mass sensor, an exhaust pipe having a ?-sensor and an exhaust gas recirculation line having an exhaust gas recirculation valve. The air mass sensor generates an air mass sensor signal. The ?-sensor generates a ?-sensor signal. The exhaust gas recirculation valve is adjusted by a control signal. A setpoint injection quantity is formed and the control signal of the exhaust gas recirculation valve is formed as a function of the air mass sensor signal. An air mass replacement signal for the air mass sensor signal is formed as a function of the ?-sensor signal and the setpoint injection quantity. In the case of a faulty air mass sensor signal, the control signal is formed as a function of the air mass replacement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Michalske, Thomas Kirstaetter
  • Patent number: 9291114
    Abstract: A generator including an enclosure, an internal combustion engine provided within the enclosure, an alternator provided within the enclosure and driven by the internal combustion engine, a fuel supply line for providing fuel to the internal combustion engine, a valve for selectively closing the fuel supply line, the valve biased to a normally closed position, a controller configured to provide a signal to maintain the valve in an open position, and a temperature responsive device configured to interrupt the signal from the controller to the valve upon exposure to a threshold temperature, thereby resulting in the closing of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Heinz Jungmann
  • Patent number: 9291115
    Abstract: A vehicle idle-speed warning system and vehicle idle-speed detection method thereof are provided. It is non-invasive, that is, there is no need to change or modify any part of the constructing parts in the engine compartment. The present invention can be adopted stand-alone, or be applied to existing popular apparatuses, such as GPS, driving recorders, smart handheld devices, and vehicle electronic equipments. With the composing elements of a motion information module, an input module, an output module, a timer module and an information processing module, the present invention can accurately determine whether the vehicle under surveillance is in idle state and for how long it is in the idle state, and send an alarm signal automatically. With the implementation of the present invention, drivers can always be alarmed with the vehicle idling situations to prevent possible dangers or coming tickets due to the violation of traffic regulations in certain countries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: National Applied Research Laboratoies
    Inventors: Chun-Ming Huang, Chih-Chyau Yang, Chun-Yu Chen, Chien-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 9291116
    Abstract: A system is described for modeling various states of an operating engine and the adjustment of one or more operating characteristics of the engine based upon such modeling. A representative rate of change of a system mass for an engine is determined based upon, at least in part, a first state equation. A first representative mass flow approximating a mass flow across a throttle is determined based upon, at least in part, a second state equation. A second representative mass flow approximating a mass flow across an exhaust gas recirculation valve is determined based upon, at least in part, a third state equation. Determining the first representative mass flow includes specifying a throttle time constant modifier for the second state equation. Determining the second representative mass flow includes specifying an exhaust gas recirculation valve time constant modifier for the third state equation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: John L. Lahti, Michael J. Pipho
  • Patent number: 9291117
    Abstract: A method of controlling a low pressure fuel pump of a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine includes receiving failure related information of a high pressure fuel pump, boosting, if the high pressure fuel pump is failed based on the failure related information of the high pressure fuel pump, a fuel pressure of the low pressure fuel pump to a setting pressure and controlling, if the high pressure fuel pump is not failed, the fuel pressure of the low pressure fuel pump based on a measured fuel pressure with respect to a target fuel pressure of the high pressure fuel pump or a change of a control value of the GDI engine. A corresponding control system includes a fuel supply pressure controller, among other components, which is operated by a predetermined program for executing the method of controlling the low pressure fuel pump of the GDI engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bumky Lee, Heesup Kim
  • Patent number: 9291118
    Abstract: A vehicle can reverse immediately after setting a no idling state in accordance with a simple operational procedure. An idle reduction control unit set the engine into a no idling state if the key switch is on, the brake is operated, the vehicle speed is zero, and the shift position is in the drive range; and restarts the engine if the braking operation is released and the shift position is in the drive range when the engine is in the no idling state. The idle reduction control unit also restarts the engine if the shift position is shifted from the drive range to the neutral range while the brake is still being operated when the engine is in the no idling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Junya Kokon
  • Patent number: 9291119
    Abstract: A piston assembly is disclosed which includes a crown and a skirt. The crown and skirt may cooperate to form a cooling gallery. The crown may include an axial support extending away from the combustion bowl, and radially inner and outer support surfaces that are abutted against corresponding radially inner and outer support surfaces of the skirt. The axial support may have a first diameter and a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The skirt may define an aperture receiving the first diameter of the axial support such that the second diameter of the axial support is supported in the skirt on a side of the aperture opposite the crown. The corresponding radially inner and outer support surfaces of the crown and skirt may each be abutted with a radially inner preload, and a radially outer preload, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Martyn Hempston
  • Patent number: 9291120
    Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine is provided. The piston includes a piston body which is made of steel. The piston body has a crown portion with an upper combustion surface, a pair of skirts which depend from the crown surface, a pair of pin bosses for receiving a wrist pin and a plurality of pin boss bridges which extend from the pin bosses to the skirts. Each of the pin boss bridges extends axially to a lower end which is opposite of the crown portion and has a rib with an increased thickness at its lower end. At least one of the pin boss bridges has a generally flat counter-bore surface for providing a reference location for machining of the piston body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Eduardo Matsuo, Airton Martins
  • Patent number: 9291121
    Abstract: A cylinder head gasket includes a plurality of seal plates 1 to 4 so that a combustion gas that leaks through a gap between the respective seal plates is reliably sealed. The cylinder head gasket includes the plurality of seal plates 1 to 4, which are held between a cylinder head and a cylinder block having a cylinder bore. The plurality of seal plates 1 to 4 are adhered to each other in a circumferentially continuous manner around combustion chamber holes 1a to 4a, and the combustion gas that leaks through the gap between the respective seal plates is reliably sealed within an adhered portion 5 of the respective seal plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON GASKET CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Mori, Tomoaki Matsubara, Ryosuke Fujiki
  • Patent number: 9291122
    Abstract: A reversible hot air engine system having operating modes for both engine and heat pump operation features a piston located in a piston cylinder that is located on a frame. The system features a displacer located in a displacer chamber that is horizontally located at a frame bottom. A rod first end is pivotally located on a piston second end. A rod second end is pivotally located on a displacer middle via a hinge. A rod housing is fluidly connected to the displacer chamber and the piston cylinder. The system features a flywheel located at a frame top. The system features, a crank having a wheel eccentrically and pivotally connected to a crank rod first end. A crank rod second end is pivotally located to a piston first end. The system features a heat source applied to a chamber end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel L. Fountain
  • Patent number: 9291123
    Abstract: An exhaust duct for a gas turbine engine has an inner wall and an outer wall connected by a plurality of spaced ribs. The duct extends axially. The ribs extend circumferentially across an entire cross-section of the inner and outer walls. The plurality of ribs is spaced axially along the exhaust duct. The inner wall has an inner surface facing an inner chamber. The inner surface receives a coating. The coating is deposited on a metal wire fiber strain isolation pad which is connected to the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Patent number: 9291124
    Abstract: An engine that operates and produces the entire required vehicle thrust below Mach 4 is useful for a Hypersonic combined cycle vehicle by saving vehicle and engine development costs. One such engine is a combined cycle engine having both a booster and a dual mode ramjet (DMRJ). The booster and the DMRJ are integrated to provide effective thrust from Mach 0 to in excess of Mach 4. As the booster accelerates the vehicle from Mach 0 to in excess of Mach 4, from Mach 0 to about Mach 2 incoming air delivered to the DMRJ is accelerated by primary ejector thrusters that may receive oxidizer from either on-board oxidizer tanks or from turbine compressor discharge air. As the TBCC further accelerates the vehicle from about Mach 0 to in excess of Mach 4 exhaust from the turbine and exhaust from the DMRJ are combined in a common nozzle disposed downstream of a combustor portion of the DMRJ functioning as an aerodynamic choke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE, INC.
    Inventor: Melvin J. Bulman
  • Patent number: 9291125
    Abstract: A control system in a gas engine includes a water injection means which injects water toward an interior of a cylinder in the gas engine; a water injection control means which controls the water injection section; and a knocking occurrence ratio measuring means which measures a measurement value of a knocking occurrence ratio in the cylinder. The water injection control means controls the water injection means to set the amount of the water injected toward the interior of the cylinder, based on a deviation between the measurement value and a target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaro Yoshihara, Youhei Nakajima, Hidekazu Iwasaki, Kenji Yoshimura, Yoshishige Sakai, Yoshirou Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 9291126
    Abstract: A regeneration system includes a housing defining an exhaust flow path. An inlet of the housing is configured to receive an exhaust flow from the internal combustion engine and an outlet of the housing is configured to direct the exhaust flow toward an exhaust aftertreatment component. A combustion head is coupled with the housing and configured to direct air and fuel to a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the exhaust flow path. A fuel supply passage is defined by the combustion head and is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. The regeneration system also includes a valve and filter assembly disposed within the fuel supply passage. The valve and filter assembly includes an assembly housing defining a reduced fuel supply passage, a filter material coupled with the assembly housing, and a check valve at least partially disposed within the reduced fuel supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sridhar Thangaswamy, Eric Jon Blankenship, Iulian G. Ghiorghias
  • Patent number: 9291127
    Abstract: An engine arrangement includes an engine, a charge air cooler connected to an engine inlet side of the engine, an air bypass for bypassing the charge air cooler, and including an EGR system connected between engine outlet side and an engine inlet side of the engine via one or more EGR lines. The air bypass enters the EGR system at an air-bypass port of an EGR line for mixing air with exhaust gas at the engine outlet side of the EGR system and/or upstream of an EGR cooler. An engine arrangement can also comprise an engine, a charge air cooler connected via an air line to an engine inlet side of the engine, an air bypass for bypassing the charge air cooler, and including an EGR system connected between an engine outlet side and an engine inlet side of the engine via one or more EGR lines. A control device is provided for controlling an engine inlet temperature of an air/exhaust gas mixture by controlling a ratio of cooled/uncooled air and/or cooled/uncooled exhaust gas in the air/exhaust gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Aleksandar Kovac, Erik Dahl, Katarina Jemt
  • Patent number: 9291128
    Abstract: A method for detecting evaporative emissions system leaks, comprising: adjusting a leak detection threshold based on a vehicle geographical location including jurisdiction borders; and indicating a leak based on the adjusted threshold. In this way, a vehicle may perform OBD EVAP leak tests in accordance with local regulations. This method allows for a single PCM to be installed in all vehicles of a certain model during manufacturing regardless of the jurisdiction where the vehicle will be sold, thereby reducing part complexity and simplifying the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 9291129
    Abstract: A method and associated apparatus are described for addressing blow-back when a hydrogen generator is attached to a combustion engine to enhance performance. The method involves positioning a filter with a porous flame tolerant core upstream of the combustion engine on a supply line leading from the hydrogen generator to the combustion engine. The method also involves surrounding the porous flame tolerant core with a hydrophilic filter medium. The hydrophilic filter medium serves as a trap for water vapor passing through the filter in a first direction and the hydrophilic filter medium moistened by water vapor assists in retarding flames passing through the filter in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Empire Hydrogen Energy Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Wayne Robinson
  • Patent number: 9291130
    Abstract: A two-wheeled motor vehicle includes a seat frame supporting a seat. A metal collar incorporated in the seat frame has a cylindrical shape and is covered by a resin member. The seat frame is fastened at its lower and upper fastening portions to a vehicle body frame of the motor vehicle. The seat frame has a degradation indicating part for indicating degradation of the seat frame when the resin member located at an inner diameter side of the metal collar deforms under a predetermined load to allow the upper fastening portions on the lower fastening portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsushima, Takaaki Hashimoto, Hiroki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 9291131
    Abstract: A Helmholtz resonator communicates with an interior of an intake passage, which is configured to draw intake air to a combustion chamber of an engine. The Helmholtz resonator has a volume chamber and a communication pipe. The volume chamber forms a resonance chamber. The communication pipe communicates the volume chamber with the intake passage. The communication pipe includes an acoustic stack, which is configured to cause a temperature gradient by utilizing an acoustic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Nishio
  • Patent number: 9291132
    Abstract: A high-pressure fuel pump assembly for use in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel pump assembly comprises a pumping plunger for pressurizing fuel within a pump chamber during a plunger pumping stroke, and being slidably received in a plunger bore; a rider member co-operable with a drive; and an interface member for imparting drive from the rider member to the pumping plunger to perform the plunger pumping stroke, the interface member having an interface side co-operable with the rider member). The pumping plunger comprises fluid delivery means for delivering fuel from the pump chamber to one or more contact surfaces of the pumping plunger, thereby to lubricate the contact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Cristian A. Rosu, Rainer Werner Jorach
  • Patent number: 9291133
    Abstract: A shaft arrangement for an axial piston pump assembly to couple to a rotatable member such as a gear therewith. A shaft extends at least partially through a housing chamber of the pump about a longitudinal axis. Reciprocating pistons are disposed within the chamber radially about the shaft. A cam unit is fitted over the shaft and provides an angled camming surface to engage the pistons. Bearing assemblies are fitted over the cam unit. An adapter can be fitted over the proximal end of the cam unit. The adapter has a distal surface which may abut the bearing assembly and be axially spaced from the cam unit, and an outer radial surface to engage the rotatable member. A clamping device provides a desired clamp load path between the rotatable member, the adapter, the cam unit, the bearing assemblies and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Pickell, Bryan E. Nelson, Satyasai C. Avasarala, David E. Hackett
  • Patent number: 9291134
    Abstract: A needle type fuel injector has a needle control chamber at a pressure subject to a control valve in a control valve chamber which in an opening phase is lifted from its seat to expose the control valve chamber, connecting passage, and needle control chamber to a low pressure drain and in a closing phase is urged against the seat to isolate the control valve chamber, connecting passage, and needle control chamber from the drain. The potential for cavitation at high fuel injection pressure is reduced by throttling the flow of fuel past the control valve seat when the control valve opens, thereby maintaining sufficient back pressure in the control valve chamber and upstream connecting passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Stanadyne LLC
    Inventor: Mark S. Cavanagh
  • Patent number: 9291135
    Abstract: Provided is an electromagnetic fuel injection valve such that the collision faces of a chrome-coated movable element with respect to a stationary core and a valve body are flat, and change in the fuel injection quantity can be suppressed. The electromagnetic fuel injection valve is provided with a movable element having a cylindrical structure, and a valve body which is separated from the movable element and provided on the hollow portion side of the movable element so as to reciprocate. The movable element has a first collision face which collides with an end face of a stationary core, and a second collision face which collides with an end face of the valve body, said first collision face and second collision face coated with a chrome coating layer, and said chrome coating layer applied by disposing a positive electrode on the center axis of the movable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Ohwada, Tohru Ishikawa, Motoyuki Abe
  • Patent number: 9291136
    Abstract: A fuel injector wherein a cylindrical surface supports an electrical heating structure covering 360° or almost 360° of the surface for heating fuel. The structure comprises a first dielectric layer adhered to the surface; a thick film resistance heating element; a second dielectric layer; spaced-apart first and second conductor pads, wherein the first conductor pad is disposed in contact with a dielectric layer and a first end of the heating element, and wherein the second conductor pad is disposed in contact with a dielectric layer and a second end of the heating element. Another dielectric layer may be disposed over the preceding layers and the first and second conductor pads and having first and second windows formed therein for access to the first and second conductor pads. The resistance heating element may selectively be trimmed by overprinting in a pattern one or more times to improve the uniformity of heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Short, John K. Isenberg, Bradley H. Carter, Cynthia J. Baron, Scott A. Williams, Otto Muller-Girard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9291137
    Abstract: A device for holding down a valve for metering fuel in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine is provided. The valve is inserted for fuel supply, using a connection piece, into a sealing region which presses against the connection piece at an outlet opening of a manifold fixed to the cylinder head. Between a first support shoulder on the side of the valve and a second support shoulder on the side of the manifold, the device has a clamped spring element for transferring a holding-down force onto the valve. In order to achieve an inward deflection of the spring element required for the transfer of the holding-down force, the spring element is prestressed to a prestressing force that is reduced with respect to the holding-down force, and the prestressed spring element is fixed on the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Dietmar Schmieder, Tilo Landenfeld
  • Patent number: 9291138
    Abstract: A fuel injector control valve is provided that includes a drain circuit for directing the flow of fuel away from temperature sensitive components of a fuel injector in which the fuel injector control valve is positioned. The drain circuit includes at least one portion that directs drain fuel axially inward or toward a fuel injector orifice, and away from an actuator of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Corydon E. Morris, Paul D. Free
  • Patent number: 9291139
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a fuel injection nozzle. The fuel injection nozzle includes a nozzle body, with the nozzle body defining a central bore. A fuel atomizer is disposed in the central bore. The fuel atomizer defines a spill-return bore and a swirl chamber. The swirl chamber is in fluid communication with the central bore. The spill-return bore includes a return swirler approximate the swirl chamber. An air supply pump is coupled to the fuel atomizer and is in fluid communication with the spill-return bore. The air supply pump is configured to selectively inject air into the swirl chamber through the spill-return bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Hicks, Fei Philip Lee
  • Patent number: 9291140
    Abstract: A method and device for activating a starter, which is controllable by a driver unit, for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. A method for activating a starter, which is controllable by a driver unit, for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the driver unit being controllable by a control unit with the aid of at least one activation line, a switch, which is controllable by the control unit, being situated between the driver unit and a supply unit coupled to a supply voltage, the starter being activated with the aid of the control unit and the switch in the case of failure of the at least one activation line and/or at least one part of the driver unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Harald Schueler, Markus Roessle, Giuseppe Bisceglie
  • Patent number: 9291141
    Abstract: Provided is a control device for an internal combustion engine, which enables enlargement of an operation region in which homogenous-charge compression ignition combustion enabling the generation of NOx to be suppressed and fuel efficiency to be improved can be performed. An ignition-timing control section (23) continuously and repeatedly controls an ignition timing to a retard side when a first combustion-state index reaches a predefined predetermined upper limit value of the first combustion-state index and controls the ignition timing to an advance side when a second combustion-state index reaches a predefined predetermined upper limit value of the second combustion-state index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Teruaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 9291142
    Abstract: An ignition control device is applied to an engine configured to generate one or more discharges within an ignition period. Regarding the device, a discharge voltage within first period or an amount of fuel included in the gas is referred to as a first parameter, which first period is from a discharge start timing to an intermediate timing after and near the discharge start timing, a discharge voltage within second period or a flow rate of the gas near the discharge is referred to as a second parameter, which second period is from the intermediate timing to a discharge end timing, and it is determined whether to start another discharge following the discharge within the ignition period based on at least the second parameter among the first and second parameters. Furthermore, the another discharge is started with an ignition unit when being determined to start the another discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Sachio Mori
  • Patent number: 9291143
    Abstract: A spark ignition internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas reflux device capable of refluxing exhaust gas having passed through a catalyst for exhaust gas purification to an intake passage, an ignition timing control means for setting an ignition timing retard amount capable of preventing knocking according to a NOx concentration in the exhaust gas while the exhaust gas is refluxed, a NOx concentration estimation means for estimating the NOx concentration in the exhaust gas, and a purification performance reduction determination means for determining a reduction in purification performance of the catalyst. The ignition timing control means sets the ignition timing retard amount based on the NOx concentration in the exhaust gas before passage through the catalyst if the purification performance reduction determination means determines that the purification performance of the catalyst has been reduced to a state set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaki Koga
  • Patent number: 9291144
    Abstract: A heater of one embodiment of this invention has a resistor having a folded shape, a pair of leads joined to each end of the resistor, an insulating base in which the resistor is buried in the front side thereof and the pair of leads are buried in the rear side thereof, in which the resistor and the leads are overlapped in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the leads at junctions between the resistor and the leads and the rear end of the junction between one end of the resistor and one of the leads is located rearward relative to the rear end of the junction between the other end of the resistor and the other lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Yonetamari
  • Patent number: 9291145
    Abstract: A propeller for a hydraulic machine includes a hub extending along an axis of rotation of the propeller and vanes extending from the hub and wherein the propeller is formed of several sectors each including a body having a vane attached thereto and wherein the sectors are assembled together by at least one shrunk-on ring which is placed around the bodies. Each sector also includes a side wall and a projection attached to the side wall and which protrudes toward an inside of the hub perpendicularly to the axis (X-X) and wherein at least one washer is connected to the projections inside the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Michel Sabourin, Sébastien Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 9291146
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a turbine system described herein provide a turbine that rotates in response to off-axis fluid flow, such as water flowing in a generally horizontal direction that is generally perpendicular to a vertical axis of rotation. The rotation of the turbine can drive a generator to output electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Verterra Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore J. Christopher
  • Patent number: 9291147
    Abstract: An energy generating system includes a first pair of sails, configured for opposing reciprocal swinging motion in response to a flow of fluid therepast, and a first generator assembly, mechanically coupled to the first pair of sails, configured to generate electrical energy from the opposing reciprocal swinging motion of the first pair of sails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Johnathan M Jones
  • Patent number: 9291148
    Abstract: An intake assembly for a wind-energy conversion system has a substantially vertical converging nozzle, an object extending into the nozzle, and a converging flow passage between the object and the nozzle. For some embodiments, the object may be another nozzle. There may be vanes in one or both nozzles in further embodiments. The object may be configured to move in yet other embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SHEER WIND, INC.
    Inventor: Daryoush Allaei
  • Patent number: 9291149
    Abstract: A power generator system provides a wind or water powered wheel having pairs of radially positioned arms each having a shaft with independently rotating fins or paddles so the fins are oriented at different angles as the main shaft rotates to allow for increased power generation and reduced drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Lester Hostetler
  • Patent number: 9291150
    Abstract: A system to generate electricity using a flow of air of the present disclosure, the system comprises a turbine assembly comprising a cylindrical blade drum comprising a plurality of vertical blades, a cone positioned at least substantially within the cylindrical blade drum, the cone defining an upper cone aperture and a lower cone aperture having a larger diameter than the upper cone aperture, and a fan blade positioned at or below the lower cone aperture, the fan capable of rotation to force air in an upward vertical direction, an exterior housing assembly surrounding the turbine assembly, and a vertical shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned at or near the turbine assembly and the second end positioned within an alternator/generator in an interior portion of a building, wherein rotation of the cylindrical blade drum causes the alternator/generator to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Clifford Bassett
  • Patent number: 9291151
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wind turbine blade of hybrid material composition, wherein the blade comprises a structural box mainly made of a epoxy based prepreg and a shell manufactured by resin infusion technique using polyester or vinylester, and the box and the shell are bonded using an adhesive that is not a polyester, a vinylester and an epoxy. The present invention also provides a method for producing such a blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SUZHOU RED MAPLE WIND BLADE MOULD CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Gabriel Mironov
  • Patent number: 9291152
    Abstract: A method for operating a power generation system coupled to a power grid during a grid unbalance event, a method for determining an injection current to be supplied into a power grid by a power generation system, and a method for addressing an asymmetric grid fault in a power grid connected to a power generation system are provided. The methods may be carried out based on a reactive or an active power/current priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Amit Kumar Gupta, John Godsk Nielsen, Liang Yang