Patents Issued in September 13, 2016
  • Patent number: 9441577
    Abstract: A pressure reducing system for fuel gas and a natural gas dewaxing vehicle are provided. The pressure reducing system includes fuel gas pipelines which consist of successively connected a high pressure pipeline, a medium pressure pipeline and a low pressure pipeline in the flow direction of fuel gas. The tail end of the low pressure pipeline connects with a combustion apparatus. A high pressure relief valve, a high pressure air feed valve, a heat exchanger and a primary pressure reducing valve subassembly are connected on the high pressure pipeline. The heat exchanger is provided with a hot fluid inlet and a hot fluid outlet, where the hot fluid inlet connects with a hot water apparatus, and the hot fluid outlet connects with a water storage apparatus. The medium pressure pipeline is equipped with a medium pressure relief valve and a secondary pressure reducing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ZYT PETROLEUM EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dequan Liang, Weizhong Wang, Xiangfu Dai, Nian Li, Xingpu Wang, Peng Li, Shucheng Lu, Yuqiong Luo, Zhangying Li, Jinsong Tan, Dan Wu, Sen Lin
  • Patent number: 9441578
    Abstract: A manifold distributes gases into intake ducts of a motor vehicle combustion engine. The intake ducts are distributed in at least two distant groups, each duct of one group supplying one and the same cylinder of the engine as a duct of the other group. The manifold includes a manifold casing through which a flow of intake gases can flow, and an injection duct for injecting a flow of recirculated exhaust gases into the flow of intake gases. The casing is capable of directing the flow of intake gases and the flow of recirculated exhaust gases toward the intake ducts of the engine, and the injection duct is arranged inside the manifold casing so as to be able to be positioned between the two groups of intake ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Carlos Martins, Jose Borges-Alejo
  • Patent number: 9441579
    Abstract: A first pressure sensor that detects pressure in a narrow pressure range with high accuracy is provided in a fuel tank, and a second pressure sensor that detects pressure in a wide pressure range with low accuracy with respect to the first pressure sensor is provided in vapor piping between the fuel tank and a tank blocking valve. Until internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes a second predetermined pressure, meter indication is performed on a display on the basis of a second tank internal pressure P2 calculated by the second pressure sensor and an atmospheric pressure sensor, and when internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes less than the second predetermined pressure, the meter indication is performed on the display on the basis of a first tank internal pressure P1 obtained by the first pressure sensor until internal pressure of the fuel tank becomes a fifth predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norifumi Iwaya, Atsushi Wakamatsu, Takayuki Sano
  • Patent number: 9441580
    Abstract: A fuel atomizer that includes a housing having a fuel inlet and at least one primary orifice positioned at the inlet, wherein the at least one orifice configured to disperse a stream of fuel into a plurality of fuel droplets. The plurality of fuel droplets contact a fuel impingement surface to break up the plurality of fuel droplets into a plurality of smaller secondary droplets and create a thin film of secondary droplets on the impingement surface. At least one pressurized air channel delivers an airflow into contact with the secondary droplets. The secondary droplets pass through a plurality of secondary outlet orifices to exit the housing. A size of the plurality of secondary droplets is reduced when passing out of the plurality of secondary orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ENGINETICS, LLC
    Inventors: John Amaya, Luke Cruff, Joseph Lull, Marcel Prado, Bradley J. Vieau
  • Patent number: 9441581
    Abstract: Fuel efficiency in a combustion engine is increased by treating the fuel in a reaction chamber prior to delivering the fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine. The method includes the step of entraining a stream of exhaust gas to travel upstream through the reactor chamber in a first flow pattern. The method also includes the step of entraining a stream of fuel to travel downstream through the reactor chamber in a second flow pattern, where at least one of the first and second flow patterns comprises a structured turbulent flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ThrivalTech, LLC
    Inventors: Garrett Hill, Scott Lazar, Dustin Stonehouse, Justin Tombe
  • Patent number: 9441582
    Abstract: A device for cooling fuel for an internal combustion engine, includes a heat pipe, which includes an evaporation zone and a condensation zone. To decrease the amount of gaseous hydrocarbons conducted into an activated carbon filter of a tank ventilation device of a tank of the internal combustion engine, and thereby avoid undesired bleed-emission or an enlargement of the activated carbon filer, the evaporation zone of the heat pipe is in thermal contact with fuel vapors, to condense part of the fuel vapors before the hydrocarbons contained therein can enter the activated carbon filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Harald Hagen
  • Patent number: 9441583
    Abstract: An air filter assembly for a machine is disclosed. The air filter may have a filter medium, and a side wall connected to the filter medium on a first side of the filter medium. The side wall may have a first engagement feature and a second engagement feature. At least one of the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature may project from the side wall. The first engagement feature and the second engagement feature may be configured to slidingly engage a filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Finn, Shawn M. Ryon
  • Patent number: 9441584
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensor chip, a circuit board, and a wire holding case. The wire holding case holds a bonding wire, which connects the sensor chip with the circuit board. The wire holding case is inserted in an insertion hole of a case. The wire holding case has a low rigidity portion and a high rigidity portion in an X direction. The low rigidity portion has a space accommodating the bonding wire. The high rigidity portion has a reference surface in contact with an inner periphery of the insertion hole to position the wire holding case in a Y direction. The high rigidity portion has a surface on the opposite side of the reference surface in the Y direction. The surface is biased from a projection, which is formed on the inner periphery of the insertion hole, in the Y direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tagawa, Akiyuki Sudou
  • Patent number: 9441585
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for fixing a reservoir body assembly of a fuel pump module into a fuel tank. The apparatus includes: a fixed retainer fixed into the fuel tank to be integrated with the fuel tank; and a moving coupled retainer coupled with the fixed retainer in a state in which a reservoir body assembly pumping fuel in the fuel tank is disposed at an assembling location with the fixed retainer to mount the reservoir body assembly so as to fix the reservoir body assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: COAVIS
    Inventors: Jong Keun Lim, Joon Sup Kim, Chan Heum Yoon, Tae Hoon Lee, Yong Hwan Choi
  • Patent number: 9441586
    Abstract: A fuel supply device is obtained in which joint strength can be maintained in a joint portion of plural filter members configuring a fuel filter. A fuel filter (16) with an overall bag shape is configured by welding together an upper face filter cloth (16U) a lower face filter cloth (16L) of the fuel filter (16) at a welded portion (16C). A sub tank upper side member (15U) and a sub tank lower side member (15L) nip the upper face filter cloth (16U) and the lower face filter cloth (16L) at a nipping position NP that is at a different position from the welded portion (16C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Akagi, Chiaki Kataoka, Koji Yoshida, Katsunori Kamiya
  • Patent number: 9441587
    Abstract: A pressure regulator for use in an engine is disclosed. The pressure regulator may include first and second flow paths formed in a body, wherein the first flow path is configured to pass a first fluid and the second flow path is configured to receive a second fluid. A diaphragm may be disposed within the first flow path and the diaphragm may be configured to move based on a pressure differential between the first and second fluids. The pressure regulator may further include a seat associated with the first flow path. A primary valve element may be connected to the diaphragm and configured to selectively engage the seat when a pressure of the fluid in the first flow path exceeds a pressure of the fluid in the second flow path by a first threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cory A Brown, David T Montgomery, Mark F Sommars
  • Patent number: 9441588
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for injecting a fuel using Lorentz forces. In one aspect, a method to inject a fuel includes distributing a fuel between electrodes configured at a port of a chamber, generating an ion current of ionized fuel particles by applying an electric field between the electrodes to ionize at least some of the fuel, and producing a Lorentz force to accelerate the ionized fuel particles into the chamber. In some implementations of the method, the accelerated ionized fuel particles into the chamber initiate a combustion process with oxidant compounds present in the chamber. In some implementations, the method further comprises applying an electric potential on an antenna electrode interfaced at the port to induce a corona discharge into the chamber, in which the corona discharge ignites the ionized fuel particles within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 9441589
    Abstract: In a fuel injector, a first surface 39 of a valve seat 38 and a second surface 31 of a valve 26 are facing each other. In the first surface or the second surface, a seal member 32 disposed between the valve seat and the valve is provided. One of the first surface and second surfaces includes a protruding portion 31a that protrudes toward the other surface, and the protruding portion contacts a contact portion 39a of the other surface. The surface hardness of the protruding portion 31a disposed on either of the first surface and second surface is lower than that of the contact portion 39a of the other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kawazoe
  • Patent number: 9441590
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, having a nozzle needle (1) which is guided, such that it can perform a stroke movement, in a central bore (2) of a nozzle body (3) in order to open up or close off at least one injection opening (4), wherein the nozzle needle (1) interacts, by means of an encircling sealing region (5) formed on the combustion-chamber-side end thereof, with a sealing seat (6) that runs conically and is formed on the combustion-chamber-side end of the nozzle body (3). According to the invention, the sealing seat (6) that runs conically has an opening angle (?1) of between 30° and 50°, preferably of between 40° and 50°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Christ, Gerhard Suenderhauf, Michael Leukart, Katja Grothe
  • Patent number: 9441591
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting a fuel injector to a fuel rail. The mounting assembly includes a mounting boss and a fuel cup. The mounting boss is configured to be mounted to the fuel rail and receive a bolt within the mounting boss to couple the fuel rail to a cylinder head. The fuel cup is coupled to the mounting boss and configured to receive the fuel injector therein, as well as be mounted to the fuel rail to direct fuel from the fuel rail to the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Dhyana Ramamurthy, Steven Roseborsky
  • Patent number: 9441592
    Abstract: An activation unit is disclosed having at least one actuator having a variable length disposed around at least one first axis. The activation unit operatively interacts with an activation element mounted so that it can be bi-directionally deflected along a second axis. The front side of the actuator is indirectly or directly engaged with a first piston, which can be deflected along the first axis in a mechanically positively driven manner. The first piston has a front side facing away from the actuator which axially borders at least regions of a transfer medium on one side. The transfer medium is radially surrounded relative to a first axis by a housing radially to the first axis, and axially borders at least regionally a front side of at least one second piston. The at least second piston can be deflected in a mechanically positively driven manner, and engages the activation element directly or indirectly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERLUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Tobias Melz, Thorsten Koch, Holger Hanselka
  • Patent number: 9441593
    Abstract: In a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, having a combustion chamber with at least one intake valve at an intake side and with at least one exhaust valve at an exhaust side of the combustion chamber and a central injection nozzle for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber, the injection nozzle has injection orifices which are designed and oriented in such a way that a first quantity of fuel is injected into the intake side, a second quantity of fuel injected is into the exhaust side, and a third quantity of fuel which is about equal to the first quantity and greater than the second quantity is injected into a boundary area between the intake and the exhaust sides, providing for a low-emission operation of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Arnold Kaden, Guenter Karl, Klaus Roessler
  • Patent number: 9441594
    Abstract: A valve actuator assembly includes a valve member movable between a first seat and a second seat. A spring member biases the valve member toward the first seat, and an actuator is positioned to move the valve member toward the second seat against the bias of the spring member when the actuator is energized. A controller is in control communication with the actuator and is configured to provide a first current to the actuator for an energizing period, identify a lack of return contact between the valve member and the first seat during a post-energizing period, and provide a second current to the actuator that is higher than the first current in response to the lack of return contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Sudhindra Keshav Ayanji
  • Patent number: 9441595
    Abstract: A CNG control ECU has a pulse signal determination device determining a pulse width and an output timing of a pulse signal, an electricity control device controlling a supply of electricity to a solenoid, and a current value sensing part sensing a current value of the solenoid. Further, the CNG control ECU has an estimation part estimating an injection start timing and an injection full opening timing on the basis of a differential value of the current value, a first calculation part calculating a first correction part, and a full opening time difference calculation part calculating a full opening time difference. Still further, the CNG control ECU has a correction injection quantity calculation part calculating a correction injection quantity and a second calculation part calculating a second correction value. A correction part makes a correction of adding the first correction value to the output timing and a correction of adding the second correction value to the pulse width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoki Fujino
  • Patent number: 9441596
    Abstract: A valve for a fuel supply of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The valve may have a valve housing that defines a channel in fluid communication with an inert gas supply line at a first end of the valve housing. The valve housing may also have a first flange disposed at a second end distal to the first end. The valve may have a valve body that selectively allow the channel of the valve housing to communicate with an inner bore of a double-walled connecting element of the fuel supply system. The valve housing may also have a second flange disposed adjacent to the first flange. The first flange and the second flange define a detection gap therebetween. The second flange may have a passage in fluid communication with a detection space of the double-walled connecting element and the detection gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Bleyer, Erik Sydow
  • Patent number: 9441597
    Abstract: Fuel systems for supplying fuel to an engine are described. In one example, fuel is evacuated from a fuel rail upon vehicle shut-off by directing fuel from a fuel pump to provide a motive flow for an ejector to pump fuel from the fuel rail to a fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9441598
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a fuel supply line, a fuel filter, a filter bypass line, a first differential pressure sensor, a second differential pressure sensor, and a filter bypass valve. The fuel filter is disposed in series in the fuel supply line to remove particulate from the fuel. The filter bypass line has a fuel inlet upstream of the fuel filter, and an outlet that is downstream of the fuel filter. The first differential pressure sensor continuously senses differential pressure across the fuel filter, and the second differential pressure sensor selectively senses differential pressure across the fuel filter. The filter bypass valve is movable between a first non-bypassing position and a second bypassing position and controls whether only the first differential pressure sensor or both the first and second differential pressure sensors sense the differential pressure across the fuel filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Futa, Gregory Kline, Eric Hechtl
  • Patent number: 9441599
    Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a tandem starter-generator construction that includes an induction motor-generator, a permanent magnet motor-generator and power transmission unit disposed adjacent to the motor-generators. The induction motor-generator is utilized predominantly as a motor to provide mechanical power at relatively high efficiency as a motor, and as a generator to provide electrical power during regenerative braking. The permanent magnet motor-generator is used predominantly as a generator for very high efficiency power conversion and to capture additional electrical power during regenerative braking to compensates for the regenerative energy captured at lower efficiency by the induction motor-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Altigreen Propulsion Labs Private Limited
    Inventors: John F. Bangura, Lasse Moklegaard, Amitabh Saran
  • Patent number: 9441600
    Abstract: A motor vehicle electrical system, wherein a control unit senses or detects a start-stop command for the internal combustion engine, wherein when a start-stop command is sensed or detected a switching element is switched into the first switching state and the voltage at the DC/DC output, which is connected to the switching element, is increased by a control unit by means of a control command, wherein a measuring unit senses and evaluates the voltage condition over the switching element, wherein depending upon the evaluation the start-stop command is or is not carried out by a control unit using a control command. Also disclosed is a method for operating a motor vehicle electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Klinkig, Rainer Fleischer
  • Patent number: 9441601
    Abstract: A vehicle starter motor arrangement comprises a battery, a first vehicle starter motor including a first pinion and a second vehicle starter motor including a second pinion. The first vehicle starter motor is connected in series to the battery and the second vehicle starter motor is connected in series to the first vehicle starter motor. Accordingly, the battery, the first vehicle starter motor, and the second vehicle starter motor are all connected in series. The first pinion gear and the second pinion gear are configured to engage an engine ring gear when electrical current flows through the first vehicle starter motor and the second vehicle starter motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Bradfield, Attila Nagy
  • Patent number: 9441602
    Abstract: A base in-cylinder volume is corrected by a learned value to calculate a corrected in-cylinder volume. A difference of a crank angle which gives the corrected in-cylinder volume and the base crank angle is calculated as a “crank angle correction value”, and a base ignition timing is corrected by the crank angle correction value and feedback correction value. An in-cylinder volume at a crank angle where a combustion ratio became a set ratio at the previous combustion is calculated as a “previous in-cylinder volume VFp”, a difference ?VFp of the previous in-cylinder volume VFp with respect to the base in-cylinder volume VBp at the previous combustion is calculated, and the learned value ?VL is updated based on the in-cylinder volume difference VFp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukihiro Nakasaka
  • Patent number: 9441603
    Abstract: An inductive charging coil assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly comprises a first base plate including at least one first coil thereon for receiving magnetic flux to charge a vehicle battery. The assembly further comprises a second base plate including at least one second coil having a top surface thereof that forms an elevated portion to focus the magnetic flux to the at least one first coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Aftab Ali Khan, Veda Prakash Galigekere, Madhur Bhattacharya
  • Patent number: 9441604
    Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes an igniter having at least two high voltage (HV) electrodes and a low voltage (LV) electrode. The at least two HV electrodes are electrically isolated one from the other and the at least two HV electrodes are electrically isolated from the LV electrode. The system includes a coil assembly having at least one primary winding and at least two secondary windings, each secondary winding having a terminal for providing a HV signal. A driver module is provided for energizing the coil assembly. A high-tension cable, comprising at least two resistive wires, connects the at least two HV electrodes to the terminals of respective ones of the at least two secondary windings. The high-tension cable further comprises a non-resistive wire connecting the LV electrode to the driver module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventors: Ming Zheng, Shui Yu, Kelvin Xie
  • Patent number: 9441605
    Abstract: A corona ignition system that can be operated with relatively low expenditure in the vicinity of its resonant frequency. For each ignition, impedance and frequency values are stored in a data structure and are allocated to a respective voltage value. The data structure is complemented by an adjustment variable whose value specifies whether the present frequency value of the present engine cycle has been classified as too high or too low. The value of the adjustment variable is determined anew in each engine cycle. To that end, a comparison is made between a present frequency value with an earlier frequency value and a present impedance value with an earlier impedance value. Based upon the comparison, a value can be assigned to the adjustment value to cause a lower or higher frequency value of the corona discharge in the next cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Schremmer
  • Patent number: 9441606
    Abstract: A synergic method for hydrodynamic energy generation includes providing a system and method utilization for producing electrical power or mechanical rotational pumping energy for pumping water to high level reservoir or to feeding a decorative water fall, providing a multi compartment housing, pumping water via the housing, providing a first vertically aligned compartment within or beside the housing, mechanically coupling a first water wheel, situated at the bottom of first compartment, to pump shaft, generating by the first wheel mechanical rotational power, providing a second vertically aligned compartment mechanically coupling a second water wheel to a generator, generating electrical or mechanical rotational power, by the generator, providing a third vertically aligned compartment providing a fourth compartment, a pump or external jet for removing water from the fourth compartment, utilizing energy and conductively coupling the hydrodynamic energy generation system with the external power source via a co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Ibrahim Hanna
  • Patent number: 9441607
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a marine current power generation device has rotary blades, rotating shaft, power generator, guide bearings, thrust collars and thrust bearings. The guide bearing has a second slide surface being slidable relative to the first slide surface of the rotating shaft. The thrust bearing has a fourth slide surface being slidable relative to the third slide surface of the rotary plate of the thrust collar. The materials of the first and third slide surfaces include ferrous materials, stainless materials, Ti, Ti alloy, Co, or Co alloy. The materials of the second and fourth slide surfaces include a resin material filled with a first fibrous member and a second fibrous member. The second fibrous member is smaller than the first fibrous member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Than Trong Long, Tatsuo Yamashita, Yasuo Kabata
  • Patent number: 9441608
    Abstract: A wind turbine device comprising a base frame which supports a vertical axis wind operated rotor, the axis being associated to a user device and being contained in a matchingly-dimensioned cylindrical casing exhibiting two openings, respectively an inlet and an outlet, aligned perpendicular to the rotor axis, the casing being driven to rotate about the axis by a member sensitive to the direction of the wind, such that the inlet opening is always facing into the wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: COMET—S.R.L.
    Inventor: Enzo Gamberini
  • Patent number: 9441609
    Abstract: In a torque limiter, wedge-shaped spaces are formed between inner and outer rings so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction. In each wedge-shaped space, there are arranged a first roller and a second roller that transmit torque between the inner and outer rings by being brought into wedge-engagement when the inner and outer rings rotate relative to each other in one direction and in the other direction, respectively. Between the first and second rollers, there is arranged an urging device that urges the first and second rollers in such directions that the first and second rollers are brought into wedge-engagement. Each wedge-shaped space is formed such that when the torque becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, a first wedge angle of the first roller or a second wedge angle of the second roller becomes such an angle that wedge-engagement of the roller is cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9441610
    Abstract: A blade mounted radar system comprises a wind turbine having a hub and blades extending therefrom; a radar antenna configured to transmit and/or receive a radio frequency (RF) signal; and a processor in electrical communication with the radar antenna and configured to generate the RF signal for transmission and/or to process the received RF signal. The radar antenna is affixed to one of the blades of the wind turbine such that relative motion is defined between the radar antenna and a target within a line of sight of the radar antenna. The problem of the ground based radar line of sight being obscured by the wind turbine is mitigated in this setup, as radar and turbine coexist in the same structure. Improved performance and additional capability are enabled by elevated installation and vertical SAR imaging capability. Doppler capabilities are extended using known motion of the antenna relative to stationary objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Svetlana M. Bachmann, Elliott Reitz
  • Patent number: 9441611
    Abstract: A turbine assembly is provided. The turbine assembly includes a plurality of sails and a generator assembly configured to convert rotation thereabout to power. A brake assembly may be provided. The brake assembly may include a magnet assembly that rotates with rotation of the plurality of sails, a conducting plate initially spaced-apart from the magnet assembly, and an actuator for translating the conducting plate relative to the magnet assembly during rotation thereof to thereby induce eddy currents that create a magnetic field acting on the conducting plate to impart a retarding force to control the rotational speed thereof. A control module is configured to control the actuator to adjust the spacing between the magnet assembly and the conducting plate in order to maintain the turbine assembly at a predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Windlabs, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg Farley
  • Patent number: 9441612
    Abstract: An energy unit capable of being configured in a transportation configuration and in an operational configuration. The unit comprises a container having first and second ends opposing a longitudinally-extending central section. In the transportation configuration, the container's central section is positioned generally parallel with a supporting ground surface. In the operational configuration the container is configured to be positioned with the first end on the supporting ground surface such that the second end is set apart in an upward direction from the supporting ground surface. The energy unit additionally comprises a wind turbine for generating electrical energy. In the operational configuration, the wind turbine is configured to be received within the interior space of the container, while in the transportation configuration the wind turbine is configured to extend from the exterior surface of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Jonathan Haar
  • Patent number: 9441613
    Abstract: A method of controlling a lubricator apparatus, according to one illustrative embodiment, comprises: receiving a signal representing rotation of a lubricant applicator in rotatable engagement with an object to be lubricated; and causing the lubricator apparatus to dispense lubricant through the lubricant applicator to the object to be lubricated in response to the signal. A method of communication, according to another illustrative embodiment, comprises: receiving, at a communication apparatus, a plurality of input operational property signals; transmitting an output operational property signal from the communication apparatus to a data collection apparatus, the output operational property signal representing at least one of the measurements; receiving, at the communication apparatus, an input control signal; and controlling at least one device of the system in response to the input control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: STEPHANIA HOLDINGS INC.
    Inventor: Stephan Karl Orlitzky
  • Patent number: 9441614
    Abstract: A wind energy power plant optical vibration sensor is described, using two light sources 15, 16 that emit light at different respective frequencies. The light from the first light source falls on a surface 44 of the wind energy power plant at a detection site. Movements in the surface result in changes to the phase of the light reflected back from the surface which can be detected by mixing the first light with the light emitted from the second light source. The difference in frequencies between the two light sources results in a beating of the resulting interference signal, whereas movements in the sensor surface result in changes in the phase timing and frequency of the beats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Ib Svend Olesen
  • Patent number: 9441615
    Abstract: A fluid power-generating system operatively disposed between a first support and a second support, the system characterized by an absence of a centrally disposed rotor member, and including a machine capable of acting as a motor and as a generator, the machine coupled to the first support; a flexible wing(s) having an arcuate shape, a distal end coupled to the machine and a proximal end coupled to the second support, for catching and passing a flowing fluid; a tensioned balancing system coupled to the supports for stabilizing operation of the power-generating system; and a rigid strut(s) disposed between each flexible wing and the balancing system for supporting each flexible wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: BitFury Group
    Inventor: Valerii Nebesnyi
  • Patent number: 9441616
    Abstract: Optical axis vectors indicating a direction of an optical axis of a mirror structure that directs the light from the sun at a plurality of times on a predetermined day to a condensed position are obtained for each of the plurality of times. Next, a cone having generatrices along which direction segments of the optical axis vectors for each of the plurality of times extend is determined, and a cone central axis vector indicating a direction of a central axis of the cone is obtained. A first rotational axis of an optical condenser is set to be parallel to the cone central axis vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Furutani
  • Patent number: 9441617
    Abstract: A liquid delivery method and apparatus which can suppress generation of turbulent flows and air bubbles, In the liquid delivery method and apparatus for delivering a liquid by reciprocally moving a plunger in a cylinder while a selector valve is shifted in a valve chamber to change over communication of the cylinder and the valve chamber with a channel leading to a liquid tank and communication of the cylinder and the valve chamber with a channel leading to a delivery port from one to the other, the cylinder and the valve chamber are communicated with the channel leading to the liquid tank and an opening/closing valve disposed between that channel and the liquid tank is opened when the plunger is retracted, and the cylinder and the valve chamber are communicated with the channel leading to the delivery port and the opening/closing valve is closed when the plunger is advanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MUSASHI ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Ikushima Kazumasa
  • Patent number: 9441618
    Abstract: Food dispenser for free-flowing food has a piston movable in a reciprocal manner in a cylinder by a drive and having a valve (2) having a valve body (5) which is rotatable about a rotational axis (7) between a first and a second switching position. In the first switching position, a first channel (14) of valve body (5) connects a suction opening (11) and a working opening of piston (12), such that a working stroke of the piston suctions food through suction opening (11) and working opening (12) into an intermediate space. In the second switching position, a second channel (15) of valve body (5) connects working opening (12) and a dispensing opening (13) such that a second working stroke of the piston conveys food from the cylinder through working opening (12) and dispensing opening (13). The suction opening (11), working opening (12) and dispensing opening (13) are offset, spaced from one another along rotational axis (7) of the valve body (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: UNIFILLER SYSTEMS UK LTD
    Inventors: Benno Bucher, Kuno Kurschner
  • Patent number: 9441619
    Abstract: A reciprocating compressor including a casing which has first and second cylinders, an electric motor which has a drive shaft mounted in the casing, first and second pistons fittingly inserted into the first and second cylinders respectively, so as to reciprocate therein, and first and second connecting rods attached to the first and second pistons, respectively, at ends thereof and which are situated in the crank chamber at the other ends thereof where first and second bearings are provided, respectively. A crank member is provided on the drive shaft within the crank chamber, and the crank member is fittingly inserted into the first bearing of the first connecting rod and the second bearing of the second connecting rod. The crank member has a positioning member which positions the first and second bearings with respect to an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ito, Teruaki Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9441620
    Abstract: A swash plate of a swash plate-type compressor is covered with a resin-based coating layer containing 5 to 60 mass % of spherical graphite particles having an average particle diameter of 5 to 50 ?m, the balance being one or more species selected from polyimide resin and polyamide-imide resin. The spherical graphite particles excepting minute particles having a particle diameter 0.5 times or smaller the average particle diameter, have an average shape coefficient (YAVE) falling within a range of 1 to 4, and 70% or more in number of the spherical graphite particles have a shape coefficient (Y) within a range of 1 to 1.5, YAVE=total[{PMi2/4?Ai}]/i Y=PM2/4?A wherein “total” indicates that a value in [ ] is totalized for number “i”, “PM” indicates the circumferential length of one particle, “A” indicates a cross sectional area of one particle, and “i” indicates the measurement number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TAIHO KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nomura, Masanori Akizuki, Hiroshi Kanemitsu
  • Patent number: 9441621
    Abstract: A machine includes at least two compressors that is controlled by a compressor controlling apparatus. By using an inverter for the at least two compressors, the use of elements is minimized and the compressor capacity may be increased, and the operation efficiency of the system may be enhanced. As an example, a plurality of operation modes may be used according to a load or cooling capacity of the two compressors. The two compressors are separately or simultaneously operated by using the inverter, thus simplifying the configuration of the system, and reducing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaeyoo Yoo, Taewoong Nah
  • Patent number: 9441622
    Abstract: A trigger-boosting pulling device includes an elongate shank, which receives a backward ram to slidably fit thereon, a suction cup, which is fixed to a rear end of the elongate shank, a hand-operating pump structure, which is fixed to a front end of the elongate shank and includes a T-shaped pull grip that is connected by a connection bar to a piston assembly. The connection bar includes a spring fit thereon for position restoration of the pull grip. The pump cylinder includes a handle mounted thereto. The handle has a trigger that is arranged to drive, via a connection lever, the connection bar. As such, the T-shaped pull grip can be first pulled to induce a suction force to reach an initial level and then the handle is held by a hand and the trigger is pulled to drive the connection lever for doubling the force so as to induce enhanced vacuum suction force in the suction cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: LIH YANN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Po Lin Liao
  • Patent number: 9441623
    Abstract: An electromagnetic vibrating diaphragm pump enabling improvement of working efficiency in fitting center plates to a diaphragm, reduction of production cost and stabilization of performance between products. The disk-like second plate includes the cruciform rising portion having the concave portions, and the second ring rib. The first ring rib is formed at the center of the surface of the disk-like first plate coming into contact with the diaphragm, and a fitting groove provided with convex portions to be press-fitted to the concave portions is formed by this first ring rib. The diaphragm has the protrusions for preventing the diaphragm from being pressed out on the periphery of the through-hole at its center, and the protrusions are engaged with the ring ribs from the circumference of the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TECHNO TAKATSUKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Ishii, Tsuyoshi Takamichi
  • Patent number: 9441624
    Abstract: A sensor system for sensing liquid level in a bilge, for use in automatic bilge pump actuation. First and second field effect sensors are potted or sealed within a container or the bilge wall and are aligned in a vertical array and each comprise a substantially planar pattern of “electrodes” or conductive traces disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) along with integrated circuits used to create a loop or arc-shaped electric field. As bilge liquid rises to the proximity or level of the field effect sensors, a change in the arc-shaped electric field is sensed and, in response, a bilge pump is automatically actuated to pump liquid out of the bilge. Optionally, the pump control can be programmed by use of a microprocessor to permit control of on-off timing and prevent undesirable effects of “sloshing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Burdi, Bruce L. Reniger
  • Patent number: 9441625
    Abstract: A system and method that provides an electronic controller module (ECM) that is bi-directionally communicable with a system monitor via a network to control and test pump components. Communication between the ECM and the system monitor may include receiving an operate command, receiving a report command, transmitting status, testing the pump components, monitoring sensors, and otherwise controlling the ECM via the system monitor. The ECM may communicate via the Internet, which may be facilitated by a router. The system monitor may provide advanced analytics, monitoring, maintenance, and reporting. The pump components may include one or more primary pumps and a backup pump, which may be battery operated. The sensor may include a float and sensor for a motor of the pump. The motor may be located in a sump. The ECM may perform timed tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Arthur Joseph Schoendorff
  • Patent number: 9441626
    Abstract: A rotary device for use with a fluid, having a housing, a rotor, and a vane having a respectively associated wiper. The housing has a tubular surface defining in part a tubular volume, the tubular volume segregated into at least a pumping zone and a working zone. The rotor is mounted for rotation and has a body mounted within the tubular volume and a plurality of slots. Each slot extends at least generally radially from the axis. Each vane is mounted at least partially within each slot. As the rotor rotates, each vane rotates within the tubular volume and extends and retracts within the tubular volume. The wiper contacts the tubular volume of the housing while the respectively associated vane rotates through the pumping zone, and wherein the wiper does not contact the tubular volume of the housing while the respectively associated vane rotates through the working zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: WindTrans Systems Ltd
    Inventors: Dan Patterson, Andrew Masse