Patents Issued in August 16, 2016
  • Patent number: 9416715
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for monitoring an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. Temperature profiles upstream and downstream of an installation location of a catalytic converter are measured in order to determine whether or not a catalytic converter is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Niemeyer, Aron Toth, Tim Spaeder
  • Patent number: 9416716
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which an SCR catalyst is arranged in an exhaust passage, a dummy determination processing to determine whether the selective catalytic reduction catalyst is mounted at a location is carried out, based on a temperature difference between a temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the location where the selective catalytic reduction catalyst is to be arranged and a temperature of exhaust gas flowing out of the location, after starting of the internal combustion engine, wherein when a period of time for the temperature of the selective catalytic reduction catalyst to become equal to or less than a fixed temperature is equal to or more than a predetermined period of time, the dummy determination processing is carried out, whereas when the period of time is less than the predetermined period of time, the dummy determination processing is not carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kotaro Hayashi, Tsuyoshi Obuchi
  • Patent number: 9416717
    Abstract: A muffler comprises an outer shell, an outlet pipe, and a restraining mechanism. A restraining mechanism restrains a height of spout of a liquid that flows inside the outlet pipe through a designated vent hole, the designated vent hole is at least one vent hole facing against a bottom surface of the outer shell among the at least one vent hole that the outlet pipe comprises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: FUTABA INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Kondo, Masahiro Kajikawa, Masayuki Sudoh
  • Patent number: 9416718
    Abstract: An engine equipped with a secondary air supply device includes: a fuel tank disposed over a cylinder head for storing fuel of the engine; an exhaust muffler disposed beneath the fuel tank and below the exhaust port in a region lateral of the cylinder head; an exhaust pipe connecting the exhaust port to the exhaust muffler; a secondary air introduction pipe connected to the exhaust pipe for introducing air into the exhaust muffler; and a tailpipe for discharging exhaust gas of the exhaust muffler to the outside, the exhaust muffler and the fuel tank defining therebetween a space, the tailpipe being disposed to meander in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Ninomiya, Chisako Takahashi, Takanori Sato
  • Patent number: 9416719
    Abstract: An exhaust manifold for a combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes a two-shell construction comprised of an outer system and an inner system. A flange is positioned at a side proximal to a cylinder head of the combustion engine for installation to the combustion engine, and an insulation sleeve connects the inner system with the flange and the outer system. The insulation sleeve is sized to extend through an opening of the flange and to project beyond the flange into the cylinder head of the combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Elmar Grussmann
  • Patent number: 9416720
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an improved strategy for controlling a variable speed water pump in a vehicle. In some embodiments, more than one water pump speed function is calculated based on values obtained from vehicle sensors, and a controller chooses among the water pump speed function results to set a water pump speed. In some embodiments, the water pump speed is increased when driveline torque is greater than a threshold amount for an amount of time that varies based on the driveline torque. In some embodiments, ambient temperature is considered while determining whether the water pump should provide full coolant flow to an auxiliary coolant loop of a trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Tristan Pyle, René M. P. A. Nevels
  • Patent number: 9416721
    Abstract: A structure for separating condensate formed in a charge-air-cooler of a turbocharged engine system. The structure may include ribs that catch and direct condensate away from the outlet. The structure may also include a deflector and water dam that prevents condensation from exiting the charge-air-cooler outlet. The condensate maybe be collected and simply drained to outside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventors: Rajeev Sharma, Robert Brinker, Koichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9416722
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine of the present invention switches a steady-state characteristic that defines a relation between an engine load factor and a throttle opening degree between a high atmospheric pressure steady-state characteristic and a low atmospheric pressure steady-state characteristic in accordance with whether or not the atmospheric pressure is higher than a predetermined value. According to the low atmospheric pressure steady-state characteristic, a throttle opening degree corresponding to an identical engine load factor is set to a smaller value compared to the high atmospheric pressure steady-state characteristic in a medium load region, and the throttle opening degree is set so as to increase as the engine load factor increases towards a full load in a region on the side of a higher load factor than the medium load region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yukihiro Nakasaka
  • Patent number: 9416723
    Abstract: The air supply to internal combustion engines using variable compression ratio and variable fuel supply VCRC, is improved. The improvements involve increasing thermal efficiency and/or reducing production of pollutants by this engine. The improvements can also be used with other engines that are regulated by fuel supply such as two-stroke diesel engines. These improvements are directed to engines in two basic categories; those with mechanical blowers only and those with turbo charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Cowans
  • Patent number: 9416724
    Abstract: Embodiments for controlling boost pressure are provided. In one example, a method of controlling a turbocharger of an engine via a multi-staged wastegate comprises during a first condition, actuating a first stage of the wastegate based on boost pressure generated by the turbocharger, and actuating a second stage of the wastegate based on a temperature of a catalyst downstream of the turbocharger. In this way, catalyst heating and boost control may be provided by a common wastegate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens, William Charles Ruona
  • Patent number: 9416725
    Abstract: A turbocharging device of an engine for a vehicle is provided. The turbocharging device includes a turbocharger for turbocharging intake air, an introduction passage connected to an introducing section of a compressor of the turbocharger, a discharge passage connected to a discharging section of the compressor of the turbocharger, a bypass passage connecting the introduction passage to the discharge passage and bypassing the compressor, and a bypass valve for opening and closing the bypass passage. A throttle part throttling a flow passage area of the introduction passage is formed in an inner circumferential surface of a part of the introduction passage, upstream of a connection part of the introduction passage with the bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Uehane, Junji Umemura, Atsuhiro Hatabu
  • Patent number: 9416726
    Abstract: A method for producing a hydrogen gaseous fuel from kinetic and/or potential energy recovered from a vehicle powered by a four stroke Diesel engine fitted with a Jacobs engine brake during a deceleration stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Walderson Miami LLC
    Inventor: Carlos Manuel Bastos
  • Patent number: 9416727
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an internal combustion engine and a waste heat recovery system. The waste heat recovery system is configured to direct refrigerant around a loop. The loop includes a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from engine exhaust gases to the refrigerant such that the refrigerant is vaporized; a turbine configured to receive and be driven by the vaporized refrigerant; and a condenser configured to cool and condense the refrigerant for subsequent delivery in liquid form to the heat exchanger. The turbine includes a turbine wheel connected to a shaft which is held in a shaft housing, a bearing lubricated by liquid refrigerant being provided between the shaft and the shaft housing, and squeeze film dampers which utilize the liquid refrigerant are provided between the bearing and the shaft housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS LTD.
    Inventor: Craig Robert Arthur Lancaster
  • Patent number: 9416728
    Abstract: A combustor apparatus is provided, comprising a mixing arrangement for mixing a carbonaceous fuel with enriched oxygen and a working fluid to form a fuel mixture. A combustion chamber is at least partially defined by a transpiration member. The transpiration member is at least partially surrounded by a pressure containment member. The combustion chamber has opposed inlet and outlet portions. The inlet portion of the combustion chamber is configured to receive the fuel mixture for the fuel mixture to be combusted at a combustion temperature. The combustion chamber is further configured to direct the resulting combustion product toward the outlet portion. The transpiration member directs a transpiration substance therethrough toward the combustion chamber for buffering interaction between the combustion product and the transpiration member. Associated systems, apparatuses, and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignees: 8 Rivers Capital, LLC, Palmer Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Miles R. Palmer, Rodney John Allam, Glenn William Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9416729
    Abstract: An engine has an oil tank mounted to an engine wall with clevis ears formed on both the oil tank and a mount bracket. A link connects the mount bracket clevis ears to the oil tank clevis ears. The link has a spherical bearing which is mounted in the oil tank clevis ears. This provides a connection allowing movement between the link and the oil tank clevis ears. The link is a yoke having arms positioned outwardly of the mount bracket clevis ears securing the oil tank to the mount bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Waitkus, Nicholas Leonard, Sohail Ahmed
  • Patent number: 9416730
    Abstract: Bi-directional nacelle ventilation and cooling systems for use with aircraft and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a passageway to fluidly couple an opening formed in a nacelle of an aircraft engine and an engine compartment of the nacelle. The opening provides an inlet into the engine compartment when passive airflow is available to vent or cool the engine compartment and the opening to provide an outlet from the engine compartment when forced air is needed to vent or cool the engine compartment. A fan is positioned in the passageway to provide the forced air when the passive air is unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy L. Skilton
  • Patent number: 9416731
    Abstract: A thermocouple assembly includes a thermocouple probe fixedly contained within a probe insulation sheath. Also included is a protection tube having a first end, a second end, and a hollow portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the protection tube from the first end to the second end, the hollow portion configured to receive the thermocouple probe and the probe insulation sheath therein. Further included is a radiation shield integrally formed with the protection tube proximate the second end of the protection tube. Yet further included is a nut configured to threadingly engage a threaded portion of the protection tube proximate the first end of the protection tube, the nut configured to positionally fix the thermocouple probe and the probe insulation sheath upon engagement with the protection tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Douglas Berkland, Shaun Christopher Barrett, Michael Sean Markham, Sean Cornelius O'Meara
  • Patent number: 9416732
    Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine includes an engine fuel manifold, a hydraulic actuator, and a drain piston assembly. The hydraulic actuator actuates in response to a change in pressures within the hydraulic actuator. The drain piston assembly is fluidically connected to both the hydraulic actuator and the engine fuel manifold. The drain piston assembly receives fuel from the engine fuel manifold and sends fuel to the hydraulic actuator during engine shut down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Haugsjaahabink, Charles E. Reuter
  • Patent number: 9416733
    Abstract: A sealing device for passing a connecting rod of a system for controlling a pitch of fan blades of a turboprop through a partition. The device includes a tube for fastening to the partition that is to be sealed, and a frustoconical sheath through which the connecting rod is to pass, the sheath configured to slide axially inside the tube and including, at its wider end, a sealing mechanism co-operating with the tube, and, at its narrower end, a leaktight fastener fastening to a corresponding end of the connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Francois Gallet
  • Patent number: 9416734
    Abstract: Accessories are mounted to a gas turbine engine from a frame attached to a pylon which is used to mount the engine to an airframe. The frame independently mounts the accessories so that engine vibrations are not transmitted to the accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventors: Robert Thies, Carsten Buchholz, Andreas Staudte
  • Patent number: 9416735
    Abstract: A diagnostic routine momentarily forces an engine to an alternative operating condition, and at the same time adjust fuelling of the engine so as to be appropriate to the alternative operating condition (31). In one embodiment substantially unchanged exhaust constituents (32) indicate correct adoption of the alternative operating condition. In another embodiment a substantial change in a calculated measure is indicative of correct adoption of the alternative condition. The invention allows better control of undesired exhaust emissions during operation of the diagnostic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Brian Varney
  • Patent number: 9416736
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes increasing engine drag torque, transitioning from a cylinder deactivation state to an all-cylinder state, and decreasing engine drag torque immediately subsequent to transitioning to the all-cylinder state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brenton J. Bergkoetter, Christopher E. Whitney, Brian L. Spohn, Sean W. McGrogan
  • Patent number: 9416737
    Abstract: A boat propulsion device is configured to be attachable to a vessel body including an external tank. The boat propulsion device includes an engine, an exhaust pipe, a catalyst, an internal tank, a detection unit and a control unit. The exhaust pipe is connected to the engine. The catalyst is disposed in the exhaust pipe. The internal tank communicates with the external tank. The internal tank is configured to store a fuel to be supplied to the engine. The detection unit is configured to detect whether or not an amount of fuel remaining within the internal tank is less than or equal to a predetermined remaining amount. The control unit is configured or programmed to perform a rotation speed reduction control to reduce a rotation speed of the engine when the detection unit has detected that the amount of fuel remaining within the internal tank had become less than or equal to the predetermined remaining amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masashi Uenoyama, Ryotaro Yasumura
  • Patent number: 9416738
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine is provided, which can carry out favorable injection amount feedback control even when a fuel property changes. A cylinder internal pressure sensor (16) that detects a cylinder internal pressure is included. A cylinder internal fresh air amount is calculated based on the cylinder internal pressure detected by the cylinder internal pressure sensor (16) (100). Based on the cylinder internal pressure detected by the cylinder internal pressure sensor (16), an actual heating value is calculated (120). From the calculated cylinder internal fresh air amount, a target heating value in a predetermined excess air ratio is calculated (150). A comparison value of the actual heating value and the target heating value is fed back to a fuel injection amount so that the calculated actual heating value corresponds to the target heating value (160, 170).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Suzuki, Soichiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9416739
    Abstract: A method for learning an opening of an air control valve of a hybrid electric vehicle includes detecting data for controlling the opening of the air control valve during engine starting, detecting a change of a flap closing of the air control valve, controlling the opening of the air control valve to reduce a vibration based on the data when the engine is turned off, calculating the opening of the air control valve according to the flap closing of the air control valve, setting a reference value based on the change of the flap closing of the air control valve, comparing the calculated value with the reference value and when the calculated value is greater than the reference value, learning the opening of the air control valve as the calculated value after an ignition switch is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: HwaYong Jang
  • Patent number: 9416740
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating water storage in a charge air cooler (CAC). In one example, an amount of water accumulating in the CAC may be based on an output of an oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the CAC, ambient humidity, and EGR flow while EGR is flowing. Additionally, engine actuators may be adjusted to purge condensate from the CAC and/or reduce condensate formation based on the amount of water inside the CAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch
  • Patent number: 9416741
    Abstract: An output pressure module that sets an output pressure of a first component of an exhaust system of the vehicle equal to one of: an input pressure of a second component that is immediately downstream of the first component in the exhaust system; and ambient air pressure. A pressure drop module determines a pressure drop between an input of the first component and an output of the first component based a temperature of exhaust input to the first component. An input pressure module determines an input pressure of the first component based on a sum of the output pressure of the first component and the pressure drop between the input and the output of the first component. An actuator control module selectively controls at least one engine actuator based on at least one of the input and output pressures of the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James A. Goodall, Maher El-Jaroudi
  • Patent number: 9416742
    Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method controls a transition from split fuel injection timing during an engine start to single event fuel injection during idle speed or engine torque control modes. The method better manages vehicle launch performance when the engine is restarted while coupled to an automatic transmission that is in gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Joseph Norman Ulrey, John Eric Rollinger, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Patent number: 9416743
    Abstract: A target cylinder count module determines a target number of cylinders of an engine to be activated during a future period. The future period includes N sub-periods, and N is an integer greater than one. Based on the target number, a first sequence setting module generates a sequence indicating N target numbers of cylinders to be activated during the N sub-periods, respectively. A second sequence setting module retrieves N predetermined sequences for activating and deactivating cylinders during the N sub-periods, respectively, and generates a target sequence for activating and deactivating cylinders during the future period based on the N predetermined sequences. During the future period, a cylinder actuator module: activates opening of intake and exhaust valves of the cylinders that are to be activated based on the target sequence; and deactivates opening of intake and exhaust valves of the cylinders that are to be deactivated based on the target sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Randall S. Beikmann
  • Patent number: 9416744
    Abstract: An object is to prevent excessive temperature rise in a DPF during forced regeneration so that the DPF is prevented from being damaged by heat erosion or cracking and preventing a frequency of the forced regeneration from increasing so that degradation of fuel efficiency and oil dilution are reduced, in an exhaust gas purification device which removes PM in exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Nishizawa, Daisuke Sato, Tomohide Yamada
  • Patent number: 9416745
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) that has a variable-compression-ratio mechanism (2) has variable valve mechanisms (7, 8) for an intake valve (4) and an exhaust valve (5), respectively. If a malfunction in the variable-compression-ratio mechanism (2), which controls a mechanical compression ratio via an electric motor (31), is detected from the amplitude of variations in an actual compression ratio, then if the fuel supply to the engine is cut, a throttle valve (14) is opened wider than would be the case if the variable-compression-ratio mechanism (2) were not malfunctioning, thereby reducing in-cylinder negative pressure during the intake stroke. Also, the timing with which the intake valve is closed is advanced and the timing with which the exhaust valve is opened is retarded, increasing the in-cylinder positive pressure during the compression and power strokes. This prevents the variable-compression-ratio mechanism (2) from increasing the compression ratio when control is lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Shinobu Kamada, Sho Ohtsu
  • Patent number: 9416746
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine having a lean NOx trap connected downstream is provided. The method comprises in a normal operating mode, operating the internal combustion engine with a lean fuel/air mixture, and in a special operating mode, operating the internal combustion engine with a rich fuel/air mixture in order to bring about regeneration of the lean NOx trap, wherein a changeover from the normal operating mode to the special operating mode takes place when switching off of the internal combustion engine is expected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Harmsen, Matthew Allen Schneider, Alexey A. Dubkov, Monika Angst
  • Patent number: 9416747
    Abstract: In a dual-fuel injection operation, when a fuel injection time by a direct injector as determined on the basis of a direct fuel pressure is less than a minimum value, a dual-injection is performed with a duel injection rate such that the amount of fuel injected by the direct injector is greater than when the dual-injection is performed with a duel injection rate which is determined in accordance with an engine operation state. Thus, the amount of fuel injected by the direct injector is increased, so that the high-temperature fuel that has remained in a high-pressure fuel pipe connected to the injector is rapidly injected and consumed. As a result, the direct fuel pressure can be rapidly lowered, whereby the fuel injection time by the direct injector for implementing an amount of fuel injection in accordance with a direct injection command value can be rapidly increased to the minimum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Zenichiro Mashiki
  • Patent number: 9416748
    Abstract: A method of controlling a fuel injector is provided. Engine speed is monitored. Engine torque output is monitored. It is determined if the engine speed is within one of a plurality of predefined engine speed ranges. It is determined if the engine torque output is within one of a plurality of predefined engine torque output ranges. One of a plurality of injector coking factors is assigned based on the determined predefined engine speed range and the determined predefined engine torque output range. A total injector coking factor is calculated based upon total operating time within each of the plurality of injector coking factors. A duration of a fuel injection is increased based upon the calculated total injector coking factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC.
    Inventors: Michael James McNulty, James E. Korenchan
  • Patent number: 9416749
    Abstract: An engine is provided. The engine includes a thermo-molded composite cylinder block including a front engine cover attachment interface and a transmission attachment interface. The engine further includes a cylinder liner comprising a different material than a composite cylinder block and integrally molded with the composite cylinder block, the cylinder liner defining a portion of a boundary of a cylinder and including a top deck at least partially extending across a water jacket cavity surrounding the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford E. Maki, Rick L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9416750
    Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a piston head that has a piston crown, a top land, a ring part, and a combustion bowl with a bowl base, a bowl wall, and an insert which is made of an annular component and which is held in the piston head by means of an undercut section. According to the invention, the component has an inner wall on the bowl side, the inner wall continuously tapering off all the way to the bowl wall or the bowl base in a flush manner, thereby forming a circumferential edge that tapers into a point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Bischofberger
  • Patent number: 9416751
    Abstract: A system to provide differential movement between a first surface, a second surface and a fixed surface includes a first surface movable between a first position and a second position; a second surface movable with the first surface and further movable beyond the first surface; a shaft connected to the second surface to move the second surface; and a drive unit connected to the fixed surface to drive the shaft to move the second surface relative to the first surface and to allow the shaft to move through the drive unit when the second surface is being moved by the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Teddy L. Jones, Gregory T. Wallen, Kevin Gibbons, William E. Villano
  • Patent number: 9416752
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has an engine core and an annular by-pass duct, within a surrounding nacelle. An exhaust nozzle of the nacelle includes a selectively deployable noise-reduction section on an inner surface thereof. The noise-reduction section includes an inflatable envelope comprising a fixed outer wall and a displaceable inner wall. At least projections on the inner wall are inwardly displaced when the envelope is pressurized and retracted radially outwardly when the envelope is de-pressurized. When the envelope is pressurized, the inner wall includes portions that project to form a rough surface on the inner surface of the nacelle exhaust nozzle. This thickens the boundary layer and reduces the speed of the gas flow at the outer radius of the nozzle, thus reducing the differential velocity with the ambient air, which reduces the gradient throughout the shear layer thus reducing the noise level of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Ninad Joshi, Gaetan Girard
  • Patent number: 9416753
    Abstract: Delay tools, systems and methods for achieving a selection of alternative delay times, a tool of which including a body, a drill bit operable relative to the body and a knob operably connected to the drill bit, and operably disposed relative to the body for engagement of the body with a rocket motor bulkhead and the drill both relative to a delay to provide for achieving a selection of alternative delay times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Gary C. Rosenfield
  • Patent number: 9416754
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module (100) for supplying gas to a motor vehicle, comprising a double dispenser (108), a charge air cooler (107), and an intake box (119) connecting said double dispenser (108) to said cooler (107), the double dispenser (108) comprising a first outlet (136) intended to lead into the intake box (119) and a second outlet intended to lead toward the outside of said module (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Valco Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Samuel Leroux, Patrick Lebrasseur
  • Patent number: 9416755
    Abstract: A method is provided, comprising: during a first condition, opening a fuel tank isolation valve while maintaining a canister purge valve closed; and indicating degradation of the canister purge valve based on an output of a universal exhaust gas oxygen (UEGO) sensor. The UEGO sensor output will indicate whether any fuel vapor vented from the fuel tank reaches intake through the commanded closed canister purge valve. In this way, canister purge valve degradation may be diagnosed in vehicles that do not include a functional fuel tank pressure sensor or canister vent valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 9416756
    Abstract: A valve element in a valve chamber is movable between an OFF position and an ON position to switch a flow quantity of fluid between a large flow quantity and a small flow quantity. The valve chamber has a fluid passage including an outer passage defined between an inner periphery of the valve chamber and an outer periphery of the valve element. The valve chamber has a throttle shape to decrease in inner diameter gradually from upstream toward downstream to decrease a minimum passage area of the fluid passage in a non-linear form. The valve chamber increases a differential pressure across the valve element in a linear form relative to a stroke of the valve element when the valve element moves from the OFF position toward the ON position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryoyu Kishi
  • Patent number: 9416757
    Abstract: An air filter arrangement has a filter housing (10) for connection to a duct (80) for a combustion engine. The filter housing (10) has a cover (30) for closing a top aperture of the filter housing (10). An engine air outlet (40) is on the cover (30). A flexible pipe section (42) on the engine air outlet and for connection to the duct, the flexibility to allow the cover (30) to be removed from the top aperture and a filter unit to be introduced into or taken out from the filter housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventor: Emil Pettersson
  • Patent number: 9416758
    Abstract: Embodiments may provide a fuel filter that may include a plurality of return fuel conduits axially traversing a filter medium. Each conduit may include an inlet in fluidic communication with the fuel recirculation passage. Each conduit may have a return fuel line exit port adjacent to a distal end of the filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Myers, Paul Victor Budgen
  • Patent number: 9416759
    Abstract: A fuel feed device (1) for a fuel tank (3) is presented. The fuel feed device (1) has a filter (9) with a filter housing (11). The fuel feed device (1) furthermore has a second ejector pump (21) with a second nozzle (23) and a second mixing tube (25). The second mixing tube (25) is arranged perpendicularly to a base of the fuel tank (3). The second ejector pump (21) is at least partially integrated into the filter housing (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Braun, Paul Mason, David Toutant
  • Patent number: 9416760
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a fuel inlet, a drain outlet and a nozzle outlet, and has disposed therein a nozzle chamber, a needle control chamber and a valve chamber. The needle control chamber is fluidly connected to the drain outlet through a drain passage that includes the conical seat, is fluidly connected to the nozzle chamber through a Z orifice, and fluidly connected to the valve chamber through an A orifice. The nozzle chamber is fluidly connected to the valve chamber by a pressure passage that includes an F orifice that opens through a flat seat. A control valve member is trapped to move between contact with conical seat and contact with the flat seat. An electrical actuator is operable to push the control valve member away from the conical seat toward the flat seat when energized. A direct control needle valve has an opening hydraulic surface positioned in the nozzle chamber and a closing hydraulic surface positioned in the needle control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 9416761
    Abstract: An electrical induction motor may include nine terminals configured to receive nine current inputs from nine output phases of a nine phase inverter. The motor may include nine windings connected to the nine terminals, and a plurality of contactors, wherein each of the plurality of contactors may be selectively opened or closed in a circuit including the nine windings to selectively connect the windings together in one of a mesh configuration or a star configuration. Each of the windings may be selectively connected between two of the nine current inputs, with a phase angle difference between the two current inputs of 40 degrees. Each of the contactors may be selectively opened or closed to establish a span value for the mesh configuration of two, with two being the number of inverter output phases between a terminal of one of the nine windings and a terminal of another of the nine windings connected to the one of the nine windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Krishnakumar Ramamoorthy
  • Patent number: 9416762
    Abstract: A remote start control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending through the vehicle, an engine, a window motor associated with a window and operating the window based upon a move window command on the data communications bus, and a vehicle climate control system operable based upon a climate control command on the data communications bus. The remote start control system may include a remote start transmitter to generate a remote start signal, and a vehicle remote start controller at the vehicle that may include a receiver to receive the remote start signal, and at least one processor cooperating with the receiver. The at least one processor, in response to the remote start signal, may generate the move window command on the data communications bus, generate the climate control command on the data communications bus, and start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: OMEGA PATENTS, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick
  • Patent number: 9416763
    Abstract: An after-treatment apparatus for exhaust gas in a combustion chamber includes a discharge device with an electrode exposed to the combustion chamber and installed in at least one of members constituting the combustion chamber, an antenna installed in at least one of the members constituting the combustion chamber so as to radiate electromagnetic waves into the combustion chamber, an electromagnetic wave transmission line installed in at least one of the members constituting the combustion chamber and with one end connected to the antenna and the other end covered with an insulator or dielectric and extending to a portion, in at least one of the members constituting the combustion chamber, distant from the combustion chamber, and an electromagnetic wave generator for feeding electromagnetic waves to the electromagnetic wave transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: IMAGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9416764
    Abstract: A system is provided for converting flow through a pipe to electric power and then using this electric power productively, through lighting, or the powering of other electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Nikhil Dubbaka