Patents Issued in September 20, 2016
  • Patent number: 9447712
    Abstract: Hybrid internal detonation-gas turbine engines incorporating detonation or pulse engine technology (such as an internal detonation engine), and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The internal detonation engine includes a detonation chamber having a fuel igniter therein, a stator at one end of the detonation chamber having at least a first opening to receive fuel, a rotor adjacent to the stator, and an energy transfer mechanism configured to convert energy from igniting or detonating the fuel to mechanical energy. The detonation chamber and fuel igniter are configured to ignite or detonate a fuel in the detonation chamber. Either the stator or the detonation chamber has a second opening to exhaust detonation gas(es). The rotor has one or more third openings therein configured to overlap with at least the first opening as the rotor rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Brent Wei-Teh Lee
  • Patent number: 9447713
    Abstract: An engine brake apparatus may include an exhaust rocker arm having a chamber in which an actuator is slidably inserted, an oil line coupling part which has a central portion extrapolated with an oil line, a communication line communicating with the oil line, a distribution line branched from the communication line and having one portion extending toward a check ball and another portion extending toward a relief valve, a supply line including one portion connected to the check ball and another portion connected to the chamber, and a discharge line including one portion connected to the relief valve and another portion connected to the chamber, wherein the check ball is elastically supported by a check spring in a direction in which the distribution line is closed, and wherein the relief valve is elastically supported by a relief spring in a direction in which the discharge line is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seock Joong Yoon, Kyung Mo Kim, Min Hui Yu
  • Patent number: 9447714
    Abstract: A system includes at least one coalescer, a blow-by input module, and a boost air module. The at least one coalescer is configured to receive a blow-by mixture, to remove oil from the blow-by mixture to provide an oil drain supply, and to remove gas from the blow-by mixture to provide a gas vent supply. The coalescer is configured to receive an operational air supply. The blow-by input module is operably coupled to the at least one coalescer and configured to receive the blow-by mixture from a crankcase of an internal combustion engine and provide the blow-by mixture to the at least one coalescer. The boost air module is operably coupled to the at least one coalescer and configured to receive an air supply from an intake conduit of the internal combustion engine and to provide the air supply as the operational air supply to the at least one coalescer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Musarth Ali Khan, Ramprasad Maruti Shetti, Paul John Fontecchio, Paul Wadding
  • Patent number: 9447715
    Abstract: A valve device includes a butterfly valve and a first link member each supported by a stay so as to be rotationally movable about a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis, respectively, a second link member supported by the butterfly valve so as to be rotationally movable about a third rotation axis, and a spring to bias the butterfly valve in a valve closed direction. The first link member and the second link member are connected to each other so as to be mutually rotationally movable about a fourth rotation axis. An angle formed by a first link line connecting the second rotation axis and the fourth rotation axis to each other and a second link line connecting the third rotation axis and the fourth rotation axis to each other is formed to be the largest when the butterfly valve is in a valve closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyomichi Kobori
  • Patent number: 9447716
    Abstract: A honeycomb structure includes a honeycomb structure part having porous partition walls which form a plurality of cells having a hexagonal cross-sectional shape and extending through the honeycomb structure part from an inflow end surface to an outflow end surface to become through channels of a fluid, and having an outer peripheral wall which is positioned at an outermost periphery. A porosity of the partition walls is from 35 to 60%, an average pore diameter of the partition walls is from 1 to 5 ?m, and among the cells, incomplete cells which are the cells formed by the partition walls and the outer peripheral wall are plugged from the inflow end surface to the outflow end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiko Nakatani
  • Patent number: 9447717
    Abstract: A mixer for an exhaust gas treatment system includes a support body that defines a mixing chamber. A plurality of first blades is arranged in a row, and is disposed along a transverse axis. Each of the first blades extends from an upstream edge, toward a first lateral edge surface of the mixing chamber, to a downstream edge, at a first row angle relative to the transverse axis. A plurality of second blades is arranged in a row, and is disposed along the transverse axis. Each of the second blades extends from an upstream edge, toward a second lateral edge surface of the mixing chamber, to a downstream edge, at a second row angle relative to the transverse axis. The first row angle is less than the second row angle. The row of the first blades is axially spaced from the row of the second blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rahul Mital, Anil Yadav, Jianwen Li, Amit Prabhakar
  • Patent number: 9447718
    Abstract: There is provided a control device for a vehicle including: an engine; a water pump driven by the engine to circulate engine cooling water, and a transmission that changes a speed of rotation transmitted from the engine and transmits the rotation with a changed speed to drive wheels. A speed ratio of the transmission may be changed by a manual operation. The control device includes at least one electronic control unit configured to: i) execute output control of the engine in response to an accelerator pedal operation performed by a driver; and ii) control the engine such that an output of the engine When a condition that a cooling capacity for cooling the engine is determined to be insufficient with respect to a load on the engine is satisfied is lower than an output of the engine based on an accelerator operation amount when the condition is not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuneyoshi Nishida
  • Patent number: 9447719
    Abstract: A radiator shutter provided for the frontal arrangement at a motor vehicle shows two groups of lamellae, which are pivotally supported at opposite sides of a drive unit, each parallel in reference to a shutter frame. For a joint pivoting of the lamellae an entrainer tappet provided here at a distance from its bearing axis in the direction perpendicular in reference to the longitudinal direction of the lamellae, engages a common coupling element. For a simple production of the engagement of the bearing tappets of the lamellae in the shutter frame and its entrainer tappets in the coupling element they are latched in bearing recesses open perpendicular in reference to the bearing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KUNSTSTOFF SCHWANDEN AG
    Inventors: Albert Kiener, Josef Kuesperth
  • Patent number: 9447720
    Abstract: A device for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine with at least one injector includes an injector body equipped with a high-pressure accumulator, a nozzle needle axially displaceably guided in the injector and surrounded by a nozzle chamber, a high-pressure line connecting the high-pressure accumulator to the nozzle chamber, and a resonator line arranged in parallel with the high-pressure line and communicating with the nozzle chamber and opening into the high-pressure accumulator via a resonator throttle. The resonator line and the high-pressure line, at least in their sections adjacent the high-pressure accumulator, are formed in a retaining body which, on its end face, is screwed into the accumulator pipe forming the high-pressure accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Graspeuntner, Gerhard Unterberger, Franz Guggenbichler
  • Patent number: 9447721
    Abstract: When injecting fuel from a direct injector and a port injector such that a requested fuel injection amount is obtained in an internal combustion engine, the direct injector is driven in the following manner. That is, after a target fuel injection amount for the fuel injection with the higher priority among fuel injection in the late stage of an intake stroke and fuel injection in the early stage of the intake stroke in the direct injector has been set on the basis of the engine operating condition, the target fuel injection amount for the fuel injection with the lower priority is set on the basis of the engine operating condition. Moreover, the direction injector is driven in such a manner that the target fuel injection amount for each of the abovementioned fuel injections set in this manner is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 9447722
    Abstract: Various methods for controlling current supply to a wastegate actuator based on temperature are thus provided. In one example, a method for operating a wastegate comprises limiting a boost amount in response to a current limit based on a temperature of a wastegate actuator. The temperature may be an environmental temperature proximate the wastegate actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yan Wang, Gregory Patrick McConville
  • Patent number: 9447723
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle having an exhaust gas turbo-charger comprising a compressor arranged in an intake tract of the internal combustion engine and a turbine arranged in an exhaust gas tract of the internal combustion engine, with a turbine wheel disposed the turbine housing, an adjustment device is provided by means of which a spiral inlet cross section of a spiral turbine inlet channel and a nozzle cross section of the spiral inlet channel to the turbine wheel are jointly adjustable by a common adjustment device. The invention further relates to an exhaust gas turbocharger, a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a method for operating an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Torsten Hirth, Stephan Krätschmer, Michael Stiller, Siegfried Sumser
  • Patent number: 9447724
    Abstract: A process of powering a compression ignition engine using a main fuel comprising methanol and water, including: fumigating an intake air stream with a fumigant comprising an ignition enhancer; introducing the fumigated intake air into a combustion chamber in the engine and compressing the intake air; introducing the main fuel into the combustion chamber; and igniting the main fuel/air mixture to thereby drive the engine. Also provided a fuel for use in the process, a two-part fuel for use in the process, and associated power generation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Gane Energy & Resources Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Greg Morris, Michael John Brear, Ronald Andrew Slocombe
  • Patent number: 9447725
    Abstract: A compressor includes: a cylinder; a crankcase; a piston arranged within the cylinder and the crankcase; and an outer rotor type motor causing the piston to reciprocate, wherein the outer rotor type motor comprises: a stator; a coil wound around the stator; a rotational shaft; a yoke connected with the rotational shaft; and a permanent magnet secured to the yoke, and the yoke is formed with an air hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SHINANO KENSHI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Okada, Kazuhiro Ueda
  • Patent number: 9447726
    Abstract: An accessories drive system, including: a clutch assembly with a drive shaft; and at least one accessory device connected to the drive shaft. In a first position for the clutch assembly: the clutch assembly is arranged to transmit first torque from an output shaft for a transmission to the drive shaft to drive the at least one accessory device and rotation of the drive shaft is isolated from rotation of a launch device for the vehicle. In a second position for the clutch assembly: the clutch assembly is arranged to transmit second torque from the launch device to the drive shaft to drive the at least one accessory device and the rotation of the drive shaft is isolated from rotation of the output shaft for the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hemphill
  • Patent number: 9447727
    Abstract: A variable displacement engine includes sets of concentric gears with the crankshaft connected through gear trains to control the crankshaft radius and the piston rod length. One or more servos control the crankshaft concentric gears through gear trains to thus control the crankshaft radius and piston rod length, thereby controlling the engine displacement while maintaining compression ratio, and optionally controlling compression ratio independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Mark William Klarer
  • Patent number: 9447728
    Abstract: An anti-cogging apparatus includes a first support member, a second support member, a first set of magnets, and a second set of magnets. The first support member is configured to be connected to and rotate with a rotatable shaft. The second support member does not rotate and is configured not to move with the first support member. The first set of magnets is mounted on the first support member in an alternating polarity or a non-alternating polarity configuration. The second set of magnets is mounted on the second support member in an alternating polarity configuration or a non-alternating polarity configuration. The first set of magnets magnetically interacts with the second set of magnets to provide an anti-cogging torque on the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Raymond Towne
  • Patent number: 9447729
    Abstract: The present invention is an aero engine that is provided with compression combustion and weighs less than 725 lbs. The present invention is further a method of forming the aero engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Engineered Propulsion Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Weinzierl, Michael J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9447730
    Abstract: A purging method and a purge unit for a gas turbine combustor capable of effectively preventing deviation of an exhaust gas environmental regulation value from a regulation range in the case of using a dual-fuel type gas turbine combustor. The gas turbine combustor is provided with nozzles. Which communicate with an oil fuel line where oil fuel flows and a gas fuel line where gas fuel flows and are capable of switching injection fuel between the oil fuel and the gas fuel. A purging method for the gas turbine includes a first purge step of purging the oil fuel line by at least water immediately after the injection fuel is switched to the gas fuel from the oil fuel and a second purge step of purging the oil fuel line by at least water immediately before the injection fuel is switched to the oil fuel from the gas fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Ochiai
  • Patent number: 9447731
    Abstract: A supersonic inlet includes a supersonic section including a cowl which is at least partially elliptical, a ramp disposed within the cowl, and a flow inlet disposed between the cowl and the ramp. The ramp may also be at least partially elliptical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric E. Adamson, Lawrence E. Fink, Spencer R. Fugal
  • Patent number: 9447732
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a system that includes a recirculation system. The recirculation system includes a compressor discharge air line extending from a compressor to an air intake. The compressor discharge air line is configured to flow a compressor discharge air flow, and the air intake is configured to supply an air flow to the compressor. An ejector is disposed along the compressor discharge air line between the compressor and the air intake. The ejector is configured to receive and mix the compressor discharge air flow and a turbine exhaust flow to form a first mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Indrajit Mazumder, Rajarshi Saha, Seyfettin Can Gulen, Sabarinath Devarajan, Prashant Kumar
  • Patent number: 9447733
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel system has an ecology valve for withdrawing residual fuel from primary and secondary fuel manifolds upon engine shut-down. The ecology valve has primary and secondary reservoirs respectively connected in fluid flow communication with the primary and secondary fuel manifolds. The valve further has a reciprocating piston movable from a retracted position when engine start-up is initiated to an extended position which the piston assumes under normal engine running conditions. The movement of the reciprocating piston between the retracted and extended positions controls the flow of fuel from and to the primary and secondary reservoirs. A cross-bleed passage is defined in the reciprocating piston. The cross-bleed passage connects the primary and secondary reservoirs in fluid flow communication only when the piston is in its extended position. In this way, the cross-bleed flow between the primary and secondary fuel manifolds may be initiated only at the end of the engine start-up phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Francois Belleville
  • Patent number: 9447734
    Abstract: An aircraft (1) having at least one rotor (2) driven by a main gearbox (3), at least one fuel-burning engine (4), an on-board electricity network (7), and at least one electrical machine (10) corresponding to the engine (4) and capable of operating both in electric motor mode and also in electricity generator mode, each electrical machine (10) being mechanically connected to said main gearbox (3) by first connection means (20) and being electrically connected to said on-board electricity network (7). Second mechanical connection means (40) connect each electrical machine (10) mechanically to a gas generator (5) of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Damien Mariotto, Matthieu Connaulte
  • Patent number: 9447735
    Abstract: A method of controlling a turbine engine, including: measuring a first temperature by a first temperature sensor; measuring a second temperature by a second temperature sensor; estimating a third temperature modeling the first temperature; and determining at least one control setpoint for at least one piece of variable-geometry equipment of the engine, as a function of the measured first temperature. The first sensor presents a time constant longer than a time constant of the second sensor. The method further detects ingestion of water or hail as a function of a drop in the measured second temperature; and when water or hail ingestion is detected, determines the control setpoint as a function of the estimated third temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Bruno Robert Gaully, Cedrik Djelassi, Darragh McGrath, Jean-Michel Roux
  • Patent number: 9447736
    Abstract: In a method for switching over a gas turbine plant from gaseous fuel (16, 20) to liquid fuel (18, 22) and vice-versa, in which the gas turbine plant includes a first combustor and a second combustor fed with the flue gases of the first combustor, the first and second combustors are sequentially switched over while the other combustor maintains its operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Thiemo Meeuwissen, Stanka Kokanovic, Susanne Schell
  • Patent number: 9447737
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, an apparatus includes a throttle valve rotatable between an first position and a second position, a connection member coupled to the throttle valve and a wire retainer coupled to the connection member. The connection member is adapted to be coupled to a wire that controls rotation of the throttle valve, and the wire retainer is adapted to overlie the wire and inhibit unintended decoupling of the wire from the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: WALBRO LLC
    Inventors: Noriyu Nagata, Hiroki Ogasawara, Yoshio Asano, Yoshiaki Douyama
  • Patent number: 9447738
    Abstract: A method for controlling a variable valve lift apparatus includes: measuring an operation mode switching condition; determining whether the variable valve lift apparatus is in a normal operation condition; controlling the operation of the variable valve lift apparatus depending on a predetermined normal valve lift switching map; determining whether the variable valve lift apparatus is in a mode switching delay or switching disable condition from a high lift mode to a low lift mode or whether the variable valve lift apparatus is in the mode switching delay or switching disable condition from the low lift mode to the high lift mode; controlling the operation of the variable valve lift apparatus depending on a predetermined low oil temperature valve lift switching map; and controlling the operation of the variable valve lift apparatus depending on a predetermined high oil temperature valve lift switching map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jang Su Lee, Jun Yu, Keun Sang Kim, Hyeungwoo Lee
  • Patent number: 9447739
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio engine includes a variable chamber housing in fluidic communication with a combustion chamber of the engine, a chamber plunger slidably disposed within the variable chamber housing and forming a variable chamber together with the variable chamber housing, a hydraulic pressure cylinder connected with the variable chamber housing, a hydraulic piston slidably disposed within the hydraulic pressure cylinder, having a slider protruded to form first and second operation chambers with the hydraulic pressure cylinder and connected with the chamber plunger, a control plunger connected with the hydraulic piston, a control cylinder for receiving the control plunger and slidable with respect to the control plunger, a compression ratio control portion selectively moving the control cylinder along the length direction, and hydraulic pressure lines supplying control hydraulic pressure to the first or second operation chamber or releasing the control hydraulic pressure from the first or second op
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Won Gyu Kim, Eun Ho Lee, Young Hong Kwak, Myungsik Choi, Yoonsik Woo
  • Patent number: 9447740
    Abstract: A fuel injector is disclosed for use in an engine system. The fuel injector may have a body defining a gas inlet, an oil inlet, and an oil outlet. The fuel injector may also have a nozzle connected to the body and having a base end in fluid communication with the gas inlet, and an injection tip located opposite the base end. The fuel injector may also have a valve check disposed in the nozzle and movable to selectively block and unblock the injection tip of the nozzle, and a plunger disposed in the body between the oil inlet and the oil outlet. The plunger may be movable between a flow-passing position and a flow-blocking position to cause movement of the valve check through the injection tip. The injector may further have a solenoid actuator configured to selectively move the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Brown, David E. Hackett, Lifeng Wang, Scott F. Shafer, Alan R. Stockner, Martin A. Lehman
  • Patent number: 9447741
    Abstract: A vehicle system having at least one sensor configured to output a range signal and a range-rate signal. The range signal represents a distance from a host vehicle to the front vehicle and the range-rate signal represents range-rate information of the front vehicle relative to the host vehicle. A processing device is configured to output a control signal based on the range signal and the range-rate signal. The control signal commands an engine of the host vehicle to start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hsin-hsiang Yang, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Finn Tseng
  • Patent number: 9447742
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting EGR purging in a hybrid vehicle during transient operations, such as tip-out to lower load conditions. In response to decreasing engine torque demand, engine fueling is disabled and a motor is used to spin the engine unfueled until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved. Alternatively, engine operation is maintained with EGR disabled until the desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, and the excess engine torque generated is stored in a system battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Stanley Larue Bower, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 9447743
    Abstract: Exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is made to pass through an exhaust gas purification device after passing through a pre-oxidation catalyst. When a first temperature of the exhaust gas on an upstream side of the device is lower than a first set temperature, multistage temperature rise injection is performed. When the first temperature becomes the first set temperature or more, post injection is performed in addition to the multistage temperature rise injection, and feedback control of the post injection is executed so that a second temperature of the exhaust gas on a downstream side of the exhaust gas purification device becomes a second set temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Daiji Nagaoka, Teruo Nakada, Tomohiro Korenaga
  • Patent number: 9447744
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for evaluating presence of fuel shifts in an engine. In one example, a method comprises indicating a fuel shift based on a time delay of an exhaust gas sensor during an entry into and an exit out of deceleration fuel shut off (DFSO).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassene Jammoussi, Imad Hassan Makki, Michael James Uhrich, Michael Casedy, Kenneth John Behr
  • Patent number: 9447745
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a crankcase. A condition of the engine may be diagnosed based on frequency content of crankcase pressure. Different types of degradation may be distinguished based on a frequency content of multiple frequencies of the crankcase pressure. Thus, a degraded engine component may be identified in a manner that reduces service induced delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bret Dwayne Worden, Matthew Malone, Milan Karunaratne, Paul Lloyd Flynn
  • Patent number: 9447746
    Abstract: A control system of an engine is provided. The control system includes an inlet sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an engine inlet air temperature and an intake manifold sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an engine intake manifold air temperature. The control system includes a control module communicably coupled to the inlet sensor and the intake manifold sensor. The control module is configured to determine the engine inlet air temperature and the engine intake manifold air temperature. The control module is configured to determine an initial de-rate value based on a predetermined relationship between the engine inlet air temperature and the engine intake manifold air temperature. The control module is configured to determine a pre-stored de-rate modifier corresponding to an engine speed. The control module is configured to determine a final de-rate value based on the initial de-rate value and the pre-stored de-rate modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J. Boettcher, Mark C. Paul, Neal A. Leifheit, Joshua T. Annin, Kalaivani Vittalraj, Matthew L. McConville, Justin Peters
  • Patent number: 9447747
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a stop/start vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine throttle position is adjusted in response to whether or not a starter engages a flywheel during engine stopping. The throttle may be adjusted to a more open position if the starter engages the flywheel or to a more closed position if the starter does not engage the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, David Oshinsky, Richard John Hippley, Danny Zdravkovski, Craig Cabadas
  • Patent number: 9447748
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head including a region for covering a combustion cylinder, the region including one or more ports for communicating with the cylinder, and the cylinder head including a coolant channel that embraces at least one of the ports for cooling the zone of the cylinder head adjacent the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE LIMITED
    Inventor: Stuart Alexander
  • Patent number: 9447749
    Abstract: A thrust reverser includes a translating sleeve and a blocking door assembly that includes two, three, or four blocker door segments. The translating sleeve is movable axially with respect to a fan case and a core cowl between a cruise position and a thrust reversal position. The blocker door segments are positioned adjacent an inner wall of the translating sleeve in the cruise position, and are pivotable to a position in which the blocker door segments substantially block the bypass duct in the thrust reversal position. Each blocker door segment is connected to the translating sleeve at transverse ends by a pair of support bearings that establish a pivot axis along an arc chord of the blocker door segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman John James
  • Patent number: 9447750
    Abstract: A propulsion engine for an aircraft includes a first fan having a set of first blades and a second fan having a set of second blades. There is provided a first angular pitch adjustment mechanism coupled to the first set of blades, a second angular pitch adjustment mechanism coupled to the second set of blades and an actuation device coupled to the first angular pitch adjustment mechanism. The first and second angular pitch adjustment mechanisms are coupled together such that when the actuation device generates an output, the angular pitch of each of the first blades and each of the second blades changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: David A Edwards
  • Patent number: 9447751
    Abstract: A hybrid fuel supply system for an engine of a vessel is provided. The hybrid fuel supply system for the engine of the vessel includes: a compression device configured to compress boil-off gas (BOG) generated from liquefied natural gas (LNG) stored in an LNG cargo tank; a high pressure pump configured to compress LNG supplied from the LNG cargo tank; a vaporizer configured to vaporize the LNG compressed by the high pressure pump; and a dual fuel (DF) engine to which the BOG compressed through the compression device is supplied as fuel. The engine of the vessel uses high pressure gas compressed at 150 to 400 bar as fuel and is driven by at least one of the BOG compressed in the compression device and the LNG compressed in the high pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joon Chae Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Young Sik Moon, Seung Kyo Jung, Jeheon Jung, Nam Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9447752
    Abstract: [Subject] A low-cost and brief method to detect an airtight failure in a working-gas circulating type gas engine with sufficient accuracy and a working-gas circulating type gas engine using the method should be provided. [Means for Solution] In a working-gas circulating type gas engine, an extra predetermined quantity 1 of at least one of fuel gas, oxidizer gas, and working gas is supplied as surplus gas into a circulation passage. Based on the difference between this predetermined quantity 1 and increment of this predetermined quantity 1 and the increment of the quantity of the gas in the circulation passage separately detected by a gas quantity detecting means, the existence of an airtight failure in the engine is judged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Rentaro Kuroki, Daisaku Sawada, Akira Kato
  • Patent number: 9447753
    Abstract: A bypass passage connecting an upstream portion and a downstream portion of a compressor of a turbocharger is provided in an air intake passage of an internal combustion engine. An ejector, which utilizes the intake air flowing in the bypass passage as a drive gas and thereby venting the blow-by gas generated by the internal combustion engine, is installed in the bypass passage. When the internal combustion engine is at a low temperature at which the oil is easily degraded by the blow-by gas, the flow rate of the intake air flowing in the bypass passage, that is, the flow rate of the drive gas of the ejector, is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shujiro Kuribayashi, Teru Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9447754
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus provide improved turbocharging of an internal combustion engine. A single, discrete turbocharger is affixed to each engine combustion cylinder. Turbochargers can be mounted to their associated cylinders in close proximity, thus harvesting higher energy exhaust gases from each combustion cylinder. Tip in and spool up responses can be further improved using low rotational inertia turbochargers that can operate effectively across a wide range of engine operational speeds. Controlled balancing valves between cylinder exhaust lines can deliver exhaust gases from a single cylinder selectively to multiple turbochargers in appropriate operational conditions. Moreover, multiple turbochargers' compressors can be configured in series to achieve pressurization compounding of combustion air for low RPM operation. Nesting of turbochargers relative to one another permits improved mounting of each turbocharger in close proximity to its corresponding combustion cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLC
    Inventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch
  • Patent number: 9447755
    Abstract: In a method for operating a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, the fuel system has a fuel tank and a ventilation device, which has at least one vent valve, for ventilating the fuel tank. The magnitude of deformation caused by an internal pressure of the fuel tank of a deformation zone of the fuel tank is ascertained and the vent valve is opened when the magnitude of deformation exceeds a limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Harald Hagen
  • Patent number: 9447756
    Abstract: An ambient air intake duct of a static gas turbine is provided, having at least one filter, which is arranged in the intake duct, for cleaning the ambient air (A) that can flow through the intake duct. A method for operating a static gas turbine which is equipped with a filter for cleaning the ambient air (A) is also provided. To rapidly provide a higher level of gas turbine power to a generator, it is provided that, by means of a bypass or by means of flaps arranged downstream of the filter, partially to completely unfiltered ambient air (A) can temporarily flow into the compressor inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Oliver Schneider
  • Patent number: 9447757
    Abstract: A method for operating an air mass sensor arranged in the intake section of an internal combustion engine and configured to measure the mass of the air flowing through the intake section includes the air mass sensor detecting a stationary state of the internal combustion engine using an element for evaluating measurement signals generated by an air mass sensor element, and, in response to detection of a stationary state, switching the air mass sensor element into a second operating mode that reduces contamination of the air mass sensor element. The second operating mode permits at least one measurement of the air mass flowing in the intake section, as a result of which the air mass sensor itself detects a starting of the internal combustion engine using the element for evaluating the measurement signals generated by the air mass sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Thorsten Knittel
  • Patent number: 9447758
    Abstract: A filter for internal combustion engines of vehicles, comprising: an external casing (11) and an upper closing cover (12), which close an internal chamber (13) having an inlet for the liquid to be filtered and an outlet for filtered liquid; a filter cartridge (20) having a tubular filter means (21) located internally of the internal chamber (13) which separates the chamber (13) into a first zone communicating with the inlet and a second zone communicating with the outlet, and a lower plate (22) joined to a lower end of the filter means (21); the filter means being removably fixed to the casing (11) such as to remain internally of the casing when the casing is separated from the cover; the lower plate comprising hooking teeth (31), developing axially and having an elastic action in a radial direction; the base of the casing comprising a generally cylindrical surface sub-divided into a number of sectors which is equal to a number of hooking teeth (31), each sector defining a hooking zone (43) for axially constr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: UFI FILTERS S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Girondi
  • Patent number: 9447759
    Abstract: A filter element for fuel, oil or other engine fluids, with an endplate that is designed to create flow paths for both clean and dirty regions. The filter element is part of a spin-on filter that is attachable to a filter head in an engine and that filters fuel, oil or other engine fluids. A pre-fill cap can be integrally incorporated onto the endplate to permit pre-filling and installation without removing components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Ismail Bagci, Aaron Wells, Amos Samuel
  • Patent number: 9447760
    Abstract: A drive device for an injection valve may include an actuator configured for exerting a force along a first force action axis, a lever device coupled to the actuator, an output element coupled to the lever device and configured for absorbing a force from the lever device along a second force action axis, wherein the first and second force action axes are arranged offset with respect to one another, and a transmission element arranged between the actuator and the lever device. The transmission element may be coupled to the actuator in a first contact region and to the lever device in a second contact region. The first contact region of the transmission element may be arranged such that it is penetrated by the first force action axis. The second contact region of the transmission element may be arranged such that it is penetrated by the second force action axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Maximilian Kronberger, Hellmut Freudenberg, Jürgen Dick, Wolfgang Wechler
  • Patent number: 9447761
    Abstract: The invention discloses a dual-channel piezoelectric injector, including a dual-channel injector body, its bottom in turn is connected with an upper intermediate, a lower intermediate and a dual-channel needle valve body. At the top of the dual-channel injector body there are two tubing interfaces, and each tubing interface has a tubing fuel duct. There are two laminated piezoelectric actuators and two spray fuel ducts connected to two tubing fuel ducts respectively inside the dual-channel injector body. The upper intermediate and lower intermediate connected with each other to form the middle connection body. From top to bottom of the middle connection body, there is an external control fuel duct, an external spray fuel duct, an internal control fuel duct and internal fuel spray duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: TIANJIN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mingfa Yao, Yongzhi Li, Zunqing Zheng, Laihui Tong, Xiangyu Zhang