Patents Issued in September 13, 2016
  • Patent number: 9441476
    Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for detecting at least one downhole condition are disclosed. Pressures are measured at a plurality of locations along the drillstring. The drillstring includes a drillpipe. At least one of the pressures is measured along the drillpipe. At least one downhole condition is detected based, at least in part, on at least one measured pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel D. Gleitman
  • Patent number: 9441477
    Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and systems for detecting at least one downhole condition are disclosed. Pressures are measured at a plurality of locations along the drillstring. The drillstring includes a drillpipe. At least one of the pressures is measured along the drillpipe. At least one downhole condition is detected based, at least in part, on at least one measured pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel D. Gleitman
  • Patent number: 9441478
    Abstract: A well tool includes a housing, an electronic controller, and a drag assembly. The electronic controller is at least partially enclosed within the housing and adapted to determine a status of a downhole wellbore operation. The drag assembly is coupled to the electronic controller and, based on the determination of the electronic controller, adapted to engage with a downhole tubular to generate a drag force on the well tool during movement of the well tool through the tubular. The electronic controller is operable to selectively control the drag assembly to engage with the downhole tubular to generate a plurality of unique drag forces based on a status of the wellbore operation. The plurality of unique drag forces are generated in a substantially repeating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Wesley Neil Ludwig, Tony Forbes Grattan
  • Patent number: 9441479
    Abstract: A subsea installation kit is described. The kit is provided with a subsea tree, a plurality of tubing sections, a plurality of acoustic repeaters and a mechanical filter. The subsea tree is configured to be coupled to a subsea well having a wellbore. The tubing sections are configured to be connected together to form a tubing string extending from above the tree into the wellbore. The acoustic repeaters are configured to be attached to the tubing string in a spaced apart manner. One of the acoustic repeaters is a last acoustic repeater configured to be attached to the tubing string within or above the tree. The mechanical filter is configured to be connected into the tubing string and form a part of the tubing string above the last acoustic repeater, the mechanical filter configured to cause an attenuation to acoustic signals propagating in the tubing string above the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventors: Benoit Froelich, Stephane Vannuffelen, Christophe M. Rayssiguier
  • Patent number: 9441480
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of a downhole fluid includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the earth, a fluid extraction device disposed at the carrier and configured to extract a sample of the downhole fluid, and a probe cell having a window to receive the sample. The apparatus further includes a light source to illuminate the sample through the window with light photons, and a photodetector to receive light photons through the window that have interacted with the downhole fluid and generate a signal indicative of an amount of the received light photons. The generated signal is indicative of the property. The photodetector has an optical cavity having a semiconductor that has a difference between a valence energy band and a conduction energy band for electrons that is greater than the energy of each of the received light photons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Sebastian Csutak
  • Patent number: 9441481
    Abstract: A method for identifying the type of a sampled formation fluid, such as a hydrocarbon, is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes measuring absorbance by a sample of a formation fluid at multiple wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation with a spectrometer. The method also includes distinguishing between multiple fluid types to identify a fluid type of the sample most likely to match an actual fluid type of the sample based on the measured absorbance at two or more wavelengths of the multiple wavelengths. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentaro Indo, Julian Pop, Kai Hsu
  • Patent number: 9441482
    Abstract: A body of a degradation pick may comprise a substantially conical frustum. A hammer element may be integrally formed with the substantially conical frustum and extend there from in one radial direction. A shank may protrude from the body opposite a narrow end of the substantially conical frustum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: NOVATEK IP, LLC
    Inventor: David R. Hall
  • Patent number: 9441483
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a crank-slider linkage and a rocker link. The crank-slider linkage has a crank coupled to the slider by a jointed connecting rod. The jointed connecting rod has a first link and a second link. The first link is coupled to the second link by a first revolute joint. The first link is coupled to the crank and has a longitudinal axis. The rocker link has a rocker end and a ground end. The rocker end is coupled to the jointed connecting rod. The ground end is coupled to ground by a second revolute joint. The rocker link and the second link are disposed on a common side of the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: James D. Van de Ven, Shawn R. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 9441484
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy transforming unit adapted to convert reciprocating forces (Fl) into rotating axle movements on at least one force transmitting axle and/or into electrical power. The unit comprises at least one restriction device (3, 4, 5) which is directly connected to the force and which is arranged to forward the incoming reciprocating forces (Fl) into a movement over at least one conversion module (2a-d, 56, 64, 73, 80, 81, 87, Cm). The energy transforming unit is characterized in that the at least one restriction device (3, 4, 5) is delimiting one, by the energy transforming unit enclosed reciprocating volume which entirely or partly passes through the at least one conversion module (2a-d, 56, 64, 73, 80, 81, 87, Cm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CorPower Ocean AB
    Inventor: Stig Lundback
  • Patent number: 9441485
    Abstract: A piston assembly is disclosed. In one aspect, the piston assembly includes a rotary piston, wherein the rotary piston comprises a first axis of rotation, a central bore having bore axis and at least two curved first constraint surfaces, and wherein the bore axis substantially corresponds to the first axis of rotation. The piston assembly also includes a substantially hollow-cylindrical bearing ring configured to be at least partially inserted in the central bore. The piston assembly further includes at least one fuse body configured to connect the rotary piston and the bearing ring, and to transmit, at least temporarily, a force in the two opposite axial directions relating to the first axis of rotation between the rotary piston and bearing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Krobath, Michael Steinbauer
  • Patent number: 9441486
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor comprising an impeller having an input drive, the impeller having an impulse turbine positioned around the periphery of the impeller to be driven by the gas exiting the impeller, the output of the turbine being coupled to the drive of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: AMBER POWER PTY LTD
    Inventor: Garth Davey
  • Patent number: 9441487
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for welding rotors for power generation having a plurality of rotor discs arranged along a rotor axis. The method includes providing forged and NDT tested rotor discs and machining the discs for weld seam preparation. The weld seam preparation has an inner narrow TIG welding gap and an adjoining outer SAW welding gap. The method further includes stapling the discs on top of each other; and checking the run-out of the stapled discs relative to each other and as a whole and, if necessary, adjusting the staple. In addition the method includes melting the root of the weld without weld filler using TIG welding; increasing the weld height by narrow gap TIG welding with parent metal weld filler to allow tilting of the rotor in horizontal position; tilting the rotor in horizontal position; finalizing the welding by filling the outer SAW welding gap using SAW welding; and checking the welds of the rotor by NDT using ultrasonic testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Sorin Keller, Werner Martin Balbach, Gianni Giorgi, Holger Kiewel
  • Patent number: 9441488
    Abstract: A new configuration for film cooling holes for gas turbine airfoils, such as rotor blades and stator vanes, provides both improved performance and is easier to manufacture than prior art holes. The new configuration machines a shallow trench across a row of prior art shaped cooling holes. Unlike prior art holes cut through a trench, where shaped holes are difficult to machine through a trench, the shallow trench can be easily machined across a row of shaped cooling holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Jamie Jay Johnson
  • Patent number: 9441489
    Abstract: A device on a shroud which is provided on a turbine rotor blade tip has a cutting structure designed like a line of ribs, locally projecting over the shroud radially to the rotational axis around which the turbine rotor blade is rotatably arranged. The sealing structure has a longitudinal extent (S) oriented in the direction of rotation (U) of the turbine rotor blade, tapers with increasing radial distance from the shroud, and terminates with a flat end face (St) which radially faces away from the turbine rotor blade, and can be divided into five interrelated surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Andre Saxer, Igor Tsypkaykine, Ulrich Rathmann
  • Patent number: 9441490
    Abstract: A blade row for a turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine, is disclosed. The blade row has a number of first blade arrangements each having at least one first blade and a first shroud with a first extension in the circumferential and/or axial direction and at least a number of additional blade arrangements each having at least one additional blade and one additional shroud with an additional extension in the same direction, which is different from the first extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Joerg Frischbier
  • Patent number: 9441491
    Abstract: Disclosed are a shroud impeller of a centrifugal compressor and a method of manufacturing the same where the shroud impeller includes a rotary hub connected to a driving shaft, a plurality of blades radially provided about a rotational axis of the rotary hub, and an integral shroud bonded onto top ends of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: DOOSAN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung Kook Kim, Sang Eon Lee
  • Patent number: 9441492
    Abstract: An aircraft rotor blade having a root portion having a through seat and designed for connection to the rotor; and a main portion extending from the root portion. The blade is produced by polymerizing an assembly having a main structure of composite material, and a composite material covering defining the outer surface of the blade. At the root portion, the main structure has a contoured block; and a lamina member extending about at least part of the block, and having a first part adhering to a first peripheral portion of the block, and a second part spaced apart from and facing a second peripheral portion of the block to form the seat; the lamina member having a pre-preg of continuous unidirectional fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: AGUSTAWESTLAND S.P.A.
    Inventors: Fabio Nannoni, Francesco Scapinello, Giuseppe Manenti
  • Patent number: 9441493
    Abstract: A fixture having a foot clamp for clamping a foot of an aerofoil and a tip clamp for clamping a tip of the aerofoil is provided with an array of supports between the foot clamp and the tip clamp. Each support within the array is independently addressable to one of the aerofoil flanks when the aerofoil is secured to the fixture. The support is driven by pneumatics till it contacts the aerofoil when it is locked by an alternative mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Christopher Alan Simmons, Mark David Hancock, Andrew Mantle
  • Patent number: 9441494
    Abstract: A rotor of a turbomachine, such as a multi-flow turbojet engine fan, has a disc including, on the rim thereof, substantially axial slots with a dovetailed cross-section, and blades mounted individually in the slots, an axial wedge positioned between the root of the blades and the bottom of the slots, and a transverse lock providing upstream axial immobilization of the blades in the slot thereof. The lock is guided in radial notches formed in the flanks of the slots and radially supported against the wedge. The axial wedge is immobilised in the upstream direction, butting up against a transverse annular component secured to the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Francois Marie Paul Marlin, Frederic Imbourg, Didier Queant
  • Patent number: 9441495
    Abstract: A retaining assembly for a tail rotor system is provided including a washer having a plurality of splines. The washer is configured to couple to an adjacent pitch change shaft. A retaining nut includes a self-locking feature and a flange arranged at a first end. The retaining nut is configured to threadably couple to the pitch change shaft such that the flange is in contact with the washer. The flange includes a plurality of first holes configured to at least partially align between the splines of the washer. A lock plate includes a body and a plurality of tabs extending generally perpendicularly from the body. The lock plate is slidably positioned about the pitch change shaft adjacent the flange. The lock plate is operably coupled to the retaining nut and the washer to limit rotational movement thereof relative to the pitch change shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: David N. Schmaling, Richard Thomas Hood, Evan Sobel
  • Patent number: 9441496
    Abstract: A disclosed structural guide vane for a gas turbine engine includes a strut defining a plurality of channels and a cover attached over the plurality of channels. The strut includes a first side defining a first surface of an airfoil and a second side including a plurality of channels. At least one of the plurality of channels defines a wall thickness of a portion of the first side that varies in a chord wise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Hyatt, Carl Brian Klinetob, Jason Leroux
  • Patent number: 9441497
    Abstract: A segmented engine component has multiple segments which are connected to each other via a featherseal arrangement. Each of the components has a combined featherseal slot and lightening pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Russell J. Bergman, Scott A. Kovach
  • Patent number: 9441498
    Abstract: A process is provided for aligning a seal housing assembly with a casing of a gas turbine engine. The casing may comprise a plurality of connecting portions and the seal housing assembly may comprise a plurality of connecting sections. The process may comprise: providing an adjustment tool comprising: a main housing including a first bore and a threaded bore, a first bolt capable of extending through the first bore, and a second bolt capable of threadedly engaging the threaded bore. The process may further comprise mounting the adjustment tool to one of the seal housing assembly connecting sections via the first bolt and adjusting the position of the seal housing assembly relative to the casing by causing the second bolt to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: James B. Edwards, Derek A. Bird, Antje Greif, Scott W. Krause
  • Patent number: 9441499
    Abstract: A system for passively varying an axial position of an inner casing of a gas turbine pursuant to changing pressure in a flowpath during transient engine operation. The system may include: a connection assembly slidably connecting the inner casing to the outer casing for axial movement of the inner casing between a first position and a second position; means for pressurizing the annulus relative to a flowpath pressure; biasing means for axially preloading the inner casing toward the first position; and an inner casing receiving surface configured to receive a pressure in the annulus for axially loading the inner casing in opposition to the axial preload of the biasing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Stephen Casavant, David Martin Johnson
  • Patent number: 9441500
    Abstract: A steam turbine casing position adjusting apparatus capable of employing a compact low-resolution actuator is provided. A steam turbine casing position adjusting apparatus 40 includes turbine casings 21 and 37, a rotor 23, and actuators 14 and 15 that move the turbine casings 21 and 37 in the axial direction. The actuators 14 and 15 are disposed radially outside outer peripheries forming the turbine casings 21 and 37 .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takumi Hori, Megumu Tsuruta, Shin Asano, Tamiaki Nakazawa, Ryokichi Hombo
  • Patent number: 9441501
    Abstract: A turbine is provided and includes a turbine shell including shrouds at multiple stages thereof, and constraining elements, disposed at least at first through fourth substantially regularly spaced perimetrical locations around the turbine shell, which are configured to concentrically constrain the shrouds of the turbine shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry Grady Ballard, Jr., Fred Thomas Willett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9441502
    Abstract: Described is a gas turbine diffuser (300) comprising a strut (302) with a leading edge (304) extending between a first wall portion (308a) and a second wall portion (308b), wherein a first edge portion (304a) of the leading edge (304) is inclined towards a diffuser section outlet (326), i.e. in flow direction (328) of an exhaust stream, with regard to a normal direction (319a) perpendicular to the first wall portion (308a) at a first leading end point (320a) at which the leading edge (304) meets the first wall portion (308). Hence the leading edge (304) is partially inclined towards a diffuser section outlet (326).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Semiu Gbadebo, Yan Sheng Li
  • Patent number: 9441503
    Abstract: A waste heat utilization apparatus is provided with a Rankine cycle and a power transmission mechanism that transmits power regenerated by an expander to an engine. The power transmission mechanism includes an expander clutch that interrupts or permits the transmission of the power from the expander to the engine. The expander includes a rotational speed sensor that detects a rotational speed of the expander. An increase in friction of the expander is detected on the basis of an increase in the rotational speed of the expander detected by the rotational speed sensor when the expander clutch is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Ishikawa, Shinichiro Mizoguchi, Hiroyuki Nagai, Riyako Iwahashi, Satoshi Ogihara, Tomonori Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 9441504
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system that enables one to both: (i) address various thermal management issues (e.g., inlet air cooling) in gas turbines, gas turbine engines, industrial process equipment and/or internal combustion engines; and (ii) yield a supercritical fluid-based heat engine. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes at least one working fluid selected from ammonia, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other suitable working fluid medium. In another embodiment, the present invention utilizes carbon dioxide or ammonia as a working fluid to achieve a system that enables one to address inlet cooling issues in a gas turbine, internal combustion engine or other industrial application while also yielding a supercritical fluid based heat engine as a second cycle using the waste heat from the gas turbine and/or internal combustion engine to create a combined power cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Echogen Power Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy James Held
  • Patent number: 9441505
    Abstract: A roller lifter (1) having an improved oil injection port (12) and oil supply groove (8) that is separated from an oil supply band area (7) and the engine oil supply gallery where debris commonly travels, thereby preventing the introduction of debris into the oil injection port and possible clogging of the oil injection port. The oil supply groove is angled to allow for oil to be easily collected by the oil supply groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: David Charles Popp
  • Patent number: 9441506
    Abstract: Provided is a camshaft phaser (1) having a driving member (2), a driven member (3), and a spring (4). The spring (4) is axially preloaded in the spring cavity (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Josef Janitschek, Juergen Weber, Christinel-Viorel Rotaru
  • Patent number: 9441507
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus is provided with at least one of: an advance-angle control starting device configured to start to control a relative rotational phase of a camshaft with respect to a crankshaft to an advance side when an internal combustion engine starts and when a valve lift amount associated with an intake valve or an exhaust valve increases; and a delay-angle control starting device configured to start to control the relative rotational phase to a delay side when the internal combustion engine starts and when the valve lift amount associated with the intake valve or the exhaust valve decreases. It is possible to appropriately release engagement by a locking mechanism between a first rotating body configured to rotate synchronously with the camshaft and a second rotating body configured to rotate synchronously with the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kanai
  • Patent number: 9441508
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster having a stator drivable by a crankshaft, and a rotor which can be rotationally fixedly connected to a camshaft and having a plurality of vanes projecting radially outward from a radially inner ring, and a torsion spring acting between the rotor and the stator and having spiral turns, which is connected to the rotor by a first radially inner spring end, and to the stator by a second radially outer spring end, and arranged at an axial end of the rotor and of the stator and is secured by a securing part covering the turns laterally toward the outer side, wherein on the rotor, in a radially inner section of the vanes axially projecting pins are provided, arranged on a radially inner section of the rotor and, on the radially inner side of the innermost turn, projecting through the torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Weber, Dirk Heintzen
  • Patent number: 9441509
    Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a three-way, three-position solenoid valve, having an inlet communicating with a pressurized-fluid chamber and with a hydraulic actuator of an intake valve, and two outlets communicating with an actuator of another intake valve of a cylinder and the exhaust channel. The solenoid valve has a first position, in which the inlet communicates with both outlets, a second position, in which the inlet communicates only with the outlet connected to the actuator of the intake valve and a third position, in which the inlet does not communicate with any of the two outlets. During at least part of an active stroke of a tappet, the solenoid valve is kept in the third position to render the first intake valve active. During the active stroke of the tappet, the solenoid valve is never brought into the second position so that the second intake valve always remains closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societá Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Onofrio De Michele, Marcello Gargano, Chiara Altamura, Carlo Mazzarella
  • Patent number: 9441510
    Abstract: A valve system includes: a cam shaft including a shaft section and a plurality of cam element sections; and a plurality of operation members that moves the cam element sections in an axial direction. The plurality of operation members include a common operation member that is provided in common between end face cams opposed to each other of the cam element sections of two cylinders disposed adjacent to each other and continuous in ignition order and that engages with the respective end face cams when both the cam element sections are close to each other, and individual operation members that are individually provided for end face cams opposed to each other of the cam element sections of two cylinders disposed adjacent to each other and discontinuous in ignition order and end face cams located at opposite ends of a cylinder row and that engage with the respective end face cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Noda, Shigeki Komatsu, Yukio Misaki
  • Patent number: 9441511
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for adjusting temperature of oil for a vehicle, and a method for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus includes an EGR valve installed on a fluid channel branching off from an exhaust pipe, a complex heat exchanger structured to transfer exhaust gas having passed through the EGR valve to an engine intake pipe via an EGR cooling path in which the exhaust gas having passed through the EGR valve performs heat exchange with coolant, an oil heating path in which the exhaust gas having passed through the EGR valve performs heat exchange with oil, and a bypass path in which the exhaust gas having passed through the EGR valve does not perform heat exchange, an NOx sensor installed in the exhaust pipe, and a controller that controls the complex heat exchanger in response to a signal from the NOx sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jung Jae Han
  • Patent number: 9441512
    Abstract: A muffler shell is formed from a sheet metal blank. The shell comprises a tubular body section which is rolled into a tube so that a first edge of the blank can be welded to an intermediate seam line across the blank. An aerodynamic shield extension projects integrally from the tubular body section between the intermediate seam line and a second edge of the blank to cover a gap between the muffler and adjacent structures when installed on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Collareno, Erich James Nowka, Kerry Timothy Havener, Steven A. Hornby
  • Patent number: 9441513
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification device capable of enhancing handling operability such as maintenance of an engine includes two gas purification bodies which purify exhaust gas discharged from the engine, inner cases in which the gas purification bodies are incorporated, and outer cases in which the inner cases are incorporated. The outer cases are arranged side by side in a moving direction of exhaust gas and connected to each other. One of the adjoining inner cases is inserted into the other inner case to form a double-layer structure. A loosely-fitting gap is formed between an inner side surface of the one inner case and an outer side surface of the other inner case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Mitsuda, Hiroshi Uehara
  • Patent number: 9441514
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a diesel engine in which an engine body, a DPF case and an SCR catalyst case can be placed compactly. In the diesel engine including the engine body, the DPF case and the SCR catalyst case, a DPF is accommodated in the DPF case and an SCR catalyst is accommodated in the SCR catalyst case, the DPF case and the SCR catalyst case are mounted on the engine body, the DPF case is supported by the engine body through an exhaust gas introducing pipe, and the SCR catalyst case is supported by the DPF case through an exhaust gas relay pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Tamon Tanaka, Koichi Funaki, Hirozumi Kuwabara, Soichiro Watanabe, Yoshitaka Taira, Tetsuya Kosaka, Satoshi Inayama
  • Patent number: 9441515
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon feed valve and an exhaust purification catalyst are arranged in an engine exhaust passage. A first NOX purification method which injects hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon feed valve by a predetermined period to thereby remove NOX which is contained in the exhaust gas and a second NOX purification method which makes the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas which flows into the exhaust purification catalyst rich to make the exhaust purification catalyst release the stored NOX when the NOX which is stored in the exhaust purification catalyst exceeds a first allowable value are selectively used. Hydrocarbons are injected from the hydrocarbon feed valve by the predetermined period, and when the NOX which is stored in the exhaust purification catalyst exceeds a second allowable value which is smaller than the first allowable value, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas which flows into the exhaust purification catalyst is made rich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Haba, Kohei Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9441516
    Abstract: The present application relates to mitigating NOx emissions, and more particularly, to vehicles including a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system in the exhaust of a diesel or gasoline engine. In one example a method includes temporarily increasing a liquid reductant dosing value injected by an injector from a first dosing value to a second dosing value, the temporary increase in response to a change from injecting liquid reductant onto a first impact location on a disperser device to injecting onto a second impact location on the disperser device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bret Alan Zimmerman, Michael Levin, John Paul Bogema, Furqan Zafar Shaikh
  • Patent number: 9441517
    Abstract: A diesel engine exhaust treatment system is provided which includes a diesel oxidation catalyst and a diesel particulate filter, where a first SCR catalyst is positioned at the inlet of the diesel particulate filter, and a second SCR catalyst is coated on the filter. The first and second SCR catalysts each have a low loading, such that a lower backpressure is achieved over the use of a single SCR-coated diesel particulate filter at higher catalyst loadings. The exhaust treatment system also provides effective catalyst efficiency for removal of NOx and other gaseous emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yinyan Huang, Ed Badillo, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Patent number: 9441518
    Abstract: An example system includes a diaphragm pump having a suction port and a discharge port, a urea suction line fluidly coupling a urea supply to the suction port, and a urea discharge line fluidly coupled to the discharge port. A recirculation line fluidly couples the urea discharge line to the urea suction line, and has a flow regulator operationally coupled thereto. A controller is configured to interpret a prime loss condition of the diaphragm pump, and to provide a flow regulator command in response to the prime loss condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Srivardhan Chandrapati, Andrew Morgan Myer, Mugdha Naik, Shu Zhang, Xin Jin, Srinivasa Varadan Rajagopalan, John K. Heichelbech, Stephen M. Holl
  • Patent number: 9441519
    Abstract: Methods for adapting system variation for an engine system having an after-treatment system. Measured characteristics of the after-treatment system may be used to predict a model value(s) that is compared to a measured value(s) of the after-treatment system to provide a comparison value. Information relating to high frequency uncertainties in characteristics of the after-treatment system are removed from the comparison value to provide an estimated system variation value. The estimated system variation value may then be used to adapt a system command of a controller. Further, information relating to high frequency uncertainties in characteristics of the after-treatment system may be used by a feed-back controller to determine high frequency adaptation values that may also be used to adjust the system command. The inclusion of the estimated system variation may eliminate reliance on the feed-back controller to provide system adjustments for both high and low frequency uncertainties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Haas, Phanindra V. Garimella, Ming-Feng Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9441520
    Abstract: A system and method includes an internal combustion engine capable of producing an exhaust stream and an aftertreatment system operationally coupled to the exhaust stream. The aftertreatment system includes an upstream selective reduction catalyst (SCR) component and a downstream SCR component that are positioned in substantially different thermal environments. The upstream and downstream SCR components are sized to fully treat the entire exhaust stream at a low temperature highest NOx conversion condition, and the downstream SCR component is sized to fully treat the entire exhaust stream at a high temperature highest NOx conversion condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Cary A. Henry, Michael J. Ruth
  • Patent number: 9441521
    Abstract: A method and a selective-reduction catalyst system to remove foreign matter which may cause closure of a urea water path of a supply module and therearound. A urea water pressure is changed in the urea water path to remove the foreign matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasuo Okamoto, Yuuta Kageyama, Koji Sakumoto
  • Patent number: 9441522
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for an injector is located in a curved portion of an exhaust line having an exhaust flow from an upstream end to a downstream end. The mounting assembly includes an indent extending at least partially into the exhaust line curved portion and disposed in the exhaust flow. The downstream wall has an interior surface oriented to substantially face the exhaust line downstream end. A recess extends from the downstream wall in a direction away from the exhaust line downstream end, and a recess aperture is formed in the recess and configured to fluidly communicate with the injector. The recess reduces the amount of exhaust heat reaching the injector tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Anderson Crandell, Jinhui Sun, Yong Yi, Zhi Huang, Matthew Fahrenkrug, James E. Webster, Michael Max Blanco
  • Patent number: 9441523
    Abstract: A channel system is disclosed for optimizing the relation between pressure drop and heat, moisture and/or mass transfer of fluids flowing through the system. In at least one embodiment, the channel system includes at least one channel having at least one channel wall and at least one flow director having a height, the flow director extending in a fluid flow direction and transversely to the channel. It further includes an upstream portion, a downstream portion and an intermediate portion between the upstream and downstream portions, the upstream portion deviating, in the fluid flow direction, from the channel wall inwardly into the channel, and the downstream portion returning, in the fluid flow direction, towards the channel wall, wherein a transition between the intermediate portion and the downstream portion is curved with a radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Sven Melker Nilsson
  • Patent number: 9441524
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for an engine system with an exhaust gas treatment system including a particulate filter. In one example method, accumulated hydrocarbons are removed from the exhaust gas treatment system by increasing an exhaust gas temperature to a first temperature responsive to a particulate filter regeneration request during extended cold idle operation. After a predetermined duration, the exhaust gas temperature is increased to a second, higher temperature to regenerate the particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Kirk Andrew Parrish, Joseph Goode, Jeffrey Malcolm Travis, Norman Hiam Opolsky
  • Patent number: 9441525
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is fluidly coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system including a particulate filter. A method for operating the internal combustion engine includes determining an expected boost pressure of an intake air compressor system in response to an output torque request, determining a deviation between an actual boost pressure and the expected boost pressure, determining a engine-out soot generation rate correction based upon the deviation between the actual boost pressure and the expected boost pressure, adjusting a steady-state engine-out soot generation rate using the engine-out soot generation rate correction, time-integrating the adjusted steady-state engine-out soot generation rate, and commanding regeneration of the particulate filter when the time-integrated adjusted engine-out soot generation rate exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher C. Swoish, Douglas Christopher Sarsen, Christopher Whitt, Thomas Larose, Jr.