Patents Issued in January 24, 2017
  • Patent number: 9551249
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The aftertreatment system includes in a sequence along the exhaust pipe, a lean NOx trap and a particulate filter. An air/fuel ratio sensor is located upstream of the lean NOx trap and downstream of the turbine outlet to determine the air/fuel ratio during a regeneration process (DeNOx) in the lean NOx trap. A NOx sensor is located downstream of the lean NOx trap or downstream of the particulate filter, to determine NOx in the exhaust pipe. A turbine temperature is determined in accordance with a first means, and a temperature during a desulphation process (DeSOx) in the lean NOx trap is determined in accordance with a second means. At least one of the first and second means for determining a temperature may be a temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Roberto Argolini, Davide Mercuri
  • Patent number: 9551250
    Abstract: An operation control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: an exhaust emission purifier; a fuel supplying valve for supplying fuel to an exhaust passage; ignition means for igniting the fuel supplied; a warm up determining section for determining whether or not the purifier need be warmed; an exhaust heating determining section for determining whether or not the engine is in an operational state in which the fuel should be ignited and burned; an exhaust heating predicting section for predicting the transition from the operational state in which the fuel should not be ignited and burned to an operational state in which the fuel should be ignited and burned; and a heat generation temperature setting section for setting the temperature of a heating portion of the ignition means based on the result by the heating determining section and the predicting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinori Morishima, Kenichi Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 9551251
    Abstract: Systems and methods to selectively control plurality of dosing modules may include receiving data indicative of an exhaust flow rate. An amount of reductant to be dosed may be determined based, at least in part, on the data indicative of the exhaust flow rate. A decomposition delay time may also be determined and a first dosing module and a second dosing module may be selectively activated. The first dosing module may be selectively activated at a first time and the second dosing module is selectively activated at a second time. The second time is based on the first time and the determined decomposition delay time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Rafael Nunez, Atul Abhyankar, Ken Hummel, Justin Kruer, Tyler Lorenz, Farshad Farid, Arun Shori Sundaravel
  • Patent number: 9551252
    Abstract: A system for purifying an exhaust gas includes an engine, a lean NOx trap (LNT) mounted on the exhaust pipe, a dosing module mounted at the exhaust pipe downstream of the LNT, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst mounted at the exhaust pipe downstream of the dosing module, and a controller for performing a denitrification (DeNOx) share between the LNT and the SCR catalyst according to a driving condition of the engine, wherein the controller predicts a NOx purifying ratio of the SCR catalyst according to the driving condition of the engine and adjusts a regeneration efficiency of the LNT based on an actual NOx purifying ratio of the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, FEV GMBH
    Inventors: Jin Woo Park, Jin Ha Lee, Alexander Vovk, Joschka Schaub, Thomas Wittka
  • Patent number: 9551253
    Abstract: The accuracy of the coating concentration when applying a catalytically active coating to suitable carrier bodies can be increased if, following raw coating with a relatively wide fluctuation range in the coating concentration, excessive or insufficient coating applied is if appropriate corrected iteratively. Excessive coating suspension applied is removed, for example by subsequent suction, while the coating is still in the wet state, whereas insufficient coating suspension applied is topped up, for example by spraying on additional coating suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Fehnle, Dieter Detterbeck, Axel Wienand, Bernd Mergner
  • Patent number: 9551254
    Abstract: A silencer and catalytic converter apparatus includes a housing and a frame assembly arranged in the housing. The frame assembly may receive at least one catalyst panel and support the catalyst panel to occupy an area of a flow passage between upstream and downstream chamber sections of the housing. A blocking panel may be supported by the frame assembly to obstruct a remaining area of the flow passage so that fluid flowing between the upstream and downstream chamber sections is directed to flow through the catalyst panel. The blocking panel may be adjustable to accommodate catalyst panels of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DCL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Haiqing Liu, John P. Muter, Shazam S. Williams
  • Patent number: 9551255
    Abstract: A system for mixing ammonia (reductant) with engine exhaust includes an exhaust flow created by a vehicle engine, an ammonia feed line passing into the exhaust flow, an injector connected to the feed line and positioned within the exhaust flow, the injector having at least one port for discharging ammonia into the exhaust flow, and a mixing plate positioned within the exhaust flow downstream of the ammonia injector and stabilizing at least one of either the feed line and the injector. An aspect of the invention is to stabilize the injector by attaching the mixing plate to the feed line to provide such stability. Alternatively or additionally, the mixing plate is attached to the injector to stabilize. The feed line may even pass through the mixing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Kelso, Jason B. Arriaga, Gregory A. Griffin, Timothy Taekhoon Yoon, Adam C. Lack, Navtej Singh, Ryan Andrew Wacker, Prasanna Nagabushan-Venkatesh, Jorge Prieto
  • Patent number: 9551256
    Abstract: A heat exchange unit (214) arranged to be used to recover energy from exhaust gas, the heat exchange unit (214) comprising a gas inlet duct (222) to which a heat exchange duct (216) is connected, wherein a heat exchange array (752, 754) of a heat exchange system is situated within the heat exchange duct (216) surrounding a maintenance duct and wherein the maintenance duct (226) is arranged to allow access for inspection and/or maintenance of at least part of the heat exchange system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Heat Recovery Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Mark Wickham
  • Patent number: 9551257
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system may include an aftertreatment component and thermoelectric generators. The aftertreatment component is disposed in an exhaust gas passageway. The thermoelectric generators may be disposed in the exhaust gas passageway upstream or downstream of the aftertreatment component. Each of the thermoelectric generators may have a catalytic coating and may include a radially extending fin configured to absorb heat from exhaust gas in the exhaust gas passageway. The fin of at least one of the thermoelectric generators may overlap the fin of at least another one of the thermoelectric generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Padmanabha Reddy Ettireddy, Adam J. Kotrba, Timothy P. Gardner, Michael Golin
  • Patent number: 9551258
    Abstract: A control apparatus is disclosed for optimizing the regeneration of an aftertreatment device located in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The control apparatus includes an Electronic Control Unit configured to collect data from a GPS device associated to the vehicle, determine a time period for starting a regeneration of the aftertreatment device on the basis of data collected by the GPS device, and initiate the a regeneration of the aftertreatment device within the time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Roberto Argolini, Giovanni Montinaro, Lorenzo Pataccia, Davide Donna, Thomas Johnen
  • Patent number: 9551259
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining degradation of a particulate filter in an exhaust conduit. In one example, a method may include diverting exhaust gas to a secondary soot sensor assembly downstream of a first filter, comprising a filter and determining degradation based on time intervals between subsequent filter regenerations of the second filter in the secondary soot sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9551260
    Abstract: A deterioration diagnosis device for an oxidation catalyst includes: a multi-gas sensor disposed in an exhaust passage downstream of an oxidation catalyst, the multi-gas sensor including a NO2 sensor unit and a NOX sensor unit, the NO2 sensor unit directly detecting a NO2 concentration in exhaust gas after passing through the oxidation catalyst, and the NOX sensor unit directly detecting a NOX concentration in the exhaust gas; an NO concentration calculation unit configured to calculate an NO concentration in the exhaust gas after passing through the oxidation catalyst based on the NO2 concentration and the NOX concentration; and a deterioration judgment unit configured to determine a deterioration degree of the oxidation catalyst from an evaluation value based on the NO concentration calculated by the NO concentration calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shiro Kakimoto
  • Patent number: 9551261
    Abstract: An object is to suppress the occurrence of a failure in supply of urea water as much as possible in filling control of urea water in a pump share-type urea water supply system with two supply valves. In the pump share-type urea water supply system with a first supply valve and a second supply valve, a urea water tank is connected with the respective supply valves by a urea water supply path. The urea water supply path includes a first supply path for the first supply valve and a second supply path for the second supply valve. The second supply path has a larger capacity than the capacity of the first supply path by a predetermined volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Matsuo, Nobumoto Ohashi, Akira Mikami, Keishi Takada, Shigeki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9551262
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining degradation of a particulate filter in an exhaust conduit. In one example, a method may include diverting exhaust gas to a secondary soot sensor assembly downstream of a first filter, comprising a second filter and determining degradation based on time intervals between subsequent filter regenerations of the second filter in the secondary soot sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9551263
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with multiple cylinders and injection valves that are provided for the cylinders and that meter fuel also comprises an exhaust gas tract in which an exhaust gas catalytic converter is arranged. A characteristic value (OSC) of an oxygen storage capacity of the exhaust gas catalytic converter is determined. In accordance with the characteristic value (OSC), a heating measure (HM) for heating the exhaust gas catalytic converter is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Gerd Rösel, Norbert Sieber
  • Patent number: 9551264
    Abstract: A marine propulsion device and a method of making a marine propulsion device including an internal combustion engine that discharges exhaust gases. The internal combustion engine has first and second castings. A first exhaust flow passage is in the first casting and a second exhaust flow passage is in the second casting. The second exhaust flow passage has a first and second leg that are transversely oriented to each other. A catalyst is disposed in the second exhaust flow passage and configured to treat the exhaust gases. A flow control element is between the first and second flow passages. The flow control element forms a smooth transition that is devoid of edges such that the exhaust gases flow across and are dispersed by the flow control element before being treated by the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg D. Langenfeld, David J. Hilbert
  • Patent number: 9551265
    Abstract: A muffler (101) for a vehicle, the muffler (101) having at least one first crumple feature (105) and at least one second crumple feature (107), the first and the second crumple features (105, 107) being configured to absorb the energy of an impact load to the muffler (101). The first crumple feature (105) is configured to deform at a first level of impact loading and the second crumple feature (107) is configured to deform at a second level of impact loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Darrell
  • Patent number: 9551266
    Abstract: A converter housing including a primary housing portion for housing a first converter brick, an intermediate housing portion, and a secondary housing portion for housing a second converter brick. The intermediate housing portion includes an inlet having a first axis and an outlet having a second axis that is angled with respect to the first axis. The first converter brick is disposed within the primary housing portion while the intermediate housing portion defines flow channels that communicate with a downstream end of the first converter brick along an outer surface of the primary housing portion and toward the outlet. The intermediate housing portion includes indented attachment surfaces which engage and hold the primary housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jason C. Melecosky
  • Patent number: 9551267
    Abstract: A heat-resistant cast steel includes, based on a total weight of the heat-resistant cast steel, 0.2 to 0.4 wt % carbon; 0.5 to 1.0 wt % silicon; 0.3 to 0.8 wt % manganese; 0.7 to 1.0 wt % nickel; 17 to 23 wt % chromium; 0.5 to 1.0 wt % niobium; 1.5 to 2.0 wt % tungsten; 0.2 to 0.5 wt % vanadium; 0.05 to 0.1 wt % cerium; 0.05 to 0.1 wt % nitrogen; and a balance of iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Ho-Chul Shin
  • Patent number: 9551268
    Abstract: A cooling air intake device is mounted to a frame of a vehicle and includes a base plate and an intake box. The intake box is mounted on the base plate that includes a first admission section and a blocking section adjacent to the first admission section. The intake box includes a first intake compartment and a second intake compartment. The first intake compartment corresponds to the first admission section of the base plate. The first intake compartment includes a first baffle plate mounted therein. The first intake compartment has a side wall in which a first discharge section is formed. The second intake compartment is arranged above the first intake compartment in such a way that a second baffle plate is arranged between the first intake compartment and the second intake compartment. The second intake compartment includes a second admission section and a second discharge section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KWANG YANG MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun-Kai Wang, Wen-Ming Su, Chi-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 9551269
    Abstract: A cooling-fan control device for a vehicle that increases the cooling capacity of a cooling oil that cools a brake rapidly and inhibits a brake damage in a case where the brake is applied during traveling or, in addition to the above-described problem-to-be-resolved, suppresses engine horsepower consumption and avoids consumption increase, while increasing the cooling capacity of the brake cooling oil. The rotation speed of the cooling fan is controlled to obtain the higher target rotation speed of a first target rotation speed corresponding to a detected cooling oil temperature and a second target rotation speed corresponding to a detected brake operation amount. The present invention is applicable to a vehicle in which an engine power is distributed to a travel power train and a hydraulic pump, drive wheels are operated via the travel power train, and the cooling fan is actuated via the hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Norihide Mizoguchi, Satoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9551270
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine is a control device, applied to an internal combustion engine including an EGR cooler which includes a heat exchange body made of a material including SiC. The control device includes a control unit that controls a flow rate of coolant passing through an EGR cooler to be small in a case of a temperature of the coolant not less than a predetermined value in ending the coolant stop control of the coolant stop control unit, as compared with a case of a temperature of the coolant less than the predetermined value in ending the coolant stop control of the coolant stop control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 9551272
    Abstract: A power system including an engine, a first heat transfer circuit, and a second heat transfer circuit. The first heat transfer circuit includes a first heat exchanger that cools a first circuit fluid. The first circuit fluid cools a block and a head of the engine. The second heat transfer circuit includes a second heat exchanger that cools a second circuit fluid. The second circuit fluid cools a lube oil cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Alan D. Sheidler, Matthew R. Evers, Craig W. Lohmann
  • Patent number: 9551273
    Abstract: A charge air cooler includes a high temperature side heat exchanger and a low temperature side heat exchanger. The high temperature side heat exchanger is provided on a high temperature side cooling flow path through which a first refrigerant cooled by a first heat exchanger (radiator) flows. The low temperature side heat exchanger is provided on a low temperature side cooling flow path through which a second refrigerant cooled cooler than the first refrigerant by a second heat exchanger (sub-radiator) flows. The low temperature side heat exchanger cools, by the second refrigerant, intake air cooled by the high temperature side heat exchanger. According to the above charge air cooler, the second heat exchanger (sub-radiator) can be prevented from becoming big in size, and intake air temperature can be cooled to desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuru Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 9551274
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling of charge air for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is provided. The heat exchanger has a preliminary stage, a main stage, and a compensating component. The preliminary stage has at least one preliminary stage fixed bearing base and a preliminary stage floating bearing base. The main stage has at least one main stage fixed bearing base and a main stage floating bearing base. In a heat transfer region of the main stage, at least one main stage channel for a main stage coolant is disposed. The compensating component is configured to compensate a position difference between corresponding components of the preliminary stage and the main stage, whereby the position difference is based on a thermally induced elongation difference between the at least one preliminary stage channel and the at least one main stage channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eilemann, Matthias Fehrenbach, Ruediger Koelbin, Johann Ehrmanntraut
  • Patent number: 9551275
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided for an engine. The cooling system may have an air cooler configured to cool intake air being supplied to the engine. The cooling system may also have a sensor configured to generate a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the intake air and a fan in proximity to the air cooler. The cooling system may further have a controller in communication with the sensor and the fan. The controller may be configured to cause the fan to operate at a speed that is a function of the temperature signal when the temperature of the intake air is above a threshold temperature. The controller may further be configured to selectively cause the fan to pulse when the temperature of the intake air drops below the threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Douglas Hoff, Ryan Robert Stoffel, Mark Edward Rettig
  • Patent number: 9551276
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing surge in a boosted engine system. One method comprises adjusting an opening of a compressor recirculation valve to allow a compressor recirculation flow based on a combination of a nominal compressor recirculation flow and a filtered nominal compressor recirculation flow. The nominal compressor recirculation flow may be calculated as a difference between a desired compressor flow rate based on a surge limit of compressor and an estimated throttle mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hamid-Reza Ossareh, Paul Martin Niessen
  • Patent number: 9551277
    Abstract: A method and system for cost effectively converting a feedstock using thermal plasma, or other styles of gassifiers, into to a feedwater energy transfer system. The feedstock can be any organic material, or fossil fuel. The energy transferred in the feedwater is converted into steam which is then injected into the low turbine of a combined cycle power plant. Heat is extracted from gas product issued by a gassifier and delivered to a power plant via its feedwater system. The gassifier is a plasma gassifier and the gas product is syngas. In a further embodiment, prior to performing the step of extracting heat energy, there is provided the further step of combusting the syngas in an afterburner. An air flow, and/or EGR flow is provided to the afterburner at a rate that is varied in response to an operating characteristic of the afterburner. The air flow to the afterburner is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Plasma Tech Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: James C. Juranitch
  • Patent number: 9551278
    Abstract: Hydrogen production process and apparatus using a combined stream of gas turbine exhaust from a gas turbine and combustion air from forced draft fan as combustion oxidant in a steam reforming furnace. A valve assembly for providing draft air is included to quickly provide additional combustion air to the reformer furnace when the gas turbine unexpectedly shuts down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Craig Saloway, David George DeMaria, David Anthony Zagnoli, Russell Ira Snyder, III
  • Patent number: 9551279
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system. The system and method may include compressing a process gas with a compressor train to produce a compressed process gas. The compressed process gas may be directed to a compressed gas storage unit and stored therein. The compressed process gas from the compressed gas storage unit may be released to a heat recovery unit via a feed line. The heat recovery unit may heat the compressed process gas and direct the heated compressed process gas to an expansion assembly to generate a power output. Feed water from a feed water source may be heated in the heat recovery unit to produce steam for injection into a combustion turbine assembly. The combustion turbine assembly may heat the heat recovery unit via an exhaust line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Ian M. Page
  • Patent number: 9551280
    Abstract: A silencer panel includes an acoustic absorbing material; and an enclosure surrounding the acoustic absorbing material. The enclosure includes at least one plastic, perforated side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dinesh Venugopal Setty, Laxmikant Merchant, Javeed Iqbaluddin Mohammed, Valery Ivanovich Ponyavin, Hua Zhang
  • Patent number: 9551281
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a hot section module which includes at least one electric probe assembly surrounded by an immediate environment having a local ambient temperature. The at least one electric probe assembly includes an electric probe having a probe body, and a conduit surrounding at least a portion of the probe body. In operation, the conduit carries a fluid flowing at a temperature lower than the local ambient temperature. The at least portion of the probe body is embedded in the fluid inside the conduit. The fluid thermally insulates the probe body from the local ambient temperature of the immediate environment around the at least one electric probe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Guy Lefebvre, John Pietrobon
  • Patent number: 9551282
    Abstract: The present application provides a media pad for cooling an inlet air flow to a compressor of a gas turbine engine. The media pad may include a first media sheet with a chevron corrugated surface having a first mist eliminator and a second media sheet with a wavy corrugated surface having a second mist eliminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jianmin Zhang, Bradly Aaron Kippel
  • Patent number: 9551283
    Abstract: A system with a gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a first combustor comprising a first fuel nozzle, a second combustor comprising a second fuel nozzle, and a first fuel pressure oscillation system. The first fuel pressure oscillation system includes a first rotary device coupled to a first fuel circuit. The first fuel circuit is disposed along a first fuel passage leading to the first fuel nozzle. The first rotary device is configured to generate a first fuel pressure oscillation through the first fuel nozzle. The gas turbine engine also includes a second fuel pressure oscillation system having a second rotary device coupled to a second fuel circuit. The second fuel circuit is disposed along a second fuel passage leading to the second fuel nozzle, and the second rotary device is configured to generate a second fuel pressure oscillation through the second fuel nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sarah Lori Crothers, James Scott Flanagan, Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9551284
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for controlling an engine of construction equipment, the apparatus including: a lever for generating a first signal when a state of the construction equipment is switched to an operation state or a neutral state; and an auto idle switch for generating a second signal when an auto engine idle mode is on; in which when a state of the lever is switched to a neutral state in an on state of the second signal, an engine speed is reduced to a step engine speed, when a first speed reducing step is maintained for a predetermined time, the engine speed is further reduced to an idle engine speed, and when a state of the lever is switched to an operation state while the second speed reducing step is maintained, the engine speed returned to the step engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DOOSAN INFRACORE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Won Sun Sohn
  • Patent number: 9551285
    Abstract: An object is to provide an exhaust-gas control device for a gas engine whereby NOx is reduced and fuel consumption is improved by performing NOx restriction operation when an environmental or geographical condition in which the amount of NOx emission needs to be temporarily restricted is satisfied, and otherwise performing stable operation focusing on the fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9551286
    Abstract: Controlling turbocharger boost pressure using exhaust pressure estimated from engine cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: John Shutty, Wolfgang Wenzel
  • Patent number: 9551287
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to improve estimation accuracy of an air excess ratio within a fuel spray and quickly cause the air excess ratio to approximate to a target value when the engine load factor rises. An internal combustion engine control apparatus includes a parameter acquiring section to acquire an air intake parameter and a fuel parameter, a first estimation section to estimate an in-fuel-spray air excess ratio using the air intake parameter and fuel parameter, and a pressure calculation section to calculate, if the in-fuel-spray air excess ratio is less than a target in-fuel-spray air excess ratio, a necessary fuel injection pressure to match the in-fuel-spray air excess ratio with the target in-fuel-spray air excess ratio, in which if the necessary fuel injection pressure is equal to or less than a maximum injection pressure, fuel injection is to be performed at the necessary fuel injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 9551288
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing late burn induced cylinder pre-ignition events. Forced entry of residuals from a late burning cylinder into a neighboring cylinder may be detected based on engine block vibrations sensed in a window during an open exhaust valve of the late burning cylinder. In response to the entry of residuals, a pre-ignition mitigating action, such as fuel enrichment or deactivation, is performed in the neighboring cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Garlan J. Huberts, Michael Damian Czekala
  • Patent number: 9551289
    Abstract: A method for plausibilizing a rail pressure sensor value of a rail pressure sensor of an internal combustion engine having a common rail system that has a fuel high-pressure piston delivery pump includes acquisition of the beginning of conveying by the piston delivery pump, calculation of the rail pressure from the compression work performed by the piston, and plausibilization of the rail pressure outputted by the rail pressure sensor on the basis of the calculated rail pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Hillenbrand
  • Patent number: 9551290
    Abstract: A fluid injector for a combustion engine includes a central longitudinal axis, an injection valve housing with an injection valve cavity, a valve needle axially movable within the injection valve cavity, and an electromagnetic actuator unit that actuates the valve needle. The electromagnetic actuator unit includes a pole piece fixedly coupled to the injection valve housing and an armature axially movable within the injection valve cavity and operable to displace the valve needle. The pole piece has a first contact surface and the armature has a second contact surface which are directed opposite each other, wherein one of the two contact surfaces is designed to have a contact angle of less than 90° with a given fluid, and wherein the other of the two contact surfaces is designed to have a contact angle of at least 90° with the given fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Stefano Filippi, Mauro Grandi, Francesco Lenzi, Valerio Polidori
  • Patent number: 9551291
    Abstract: Steel pistons used in many internal combustion engines are generally composed of a skirt and a crown. The skirt's function is to reduce the lateral and rotational movement of the piston in the cylinder while the engine is in operation. Lateral and rotational frictional forces imparted to a piston during engine operation cause the piston to scrape off the lubricating oil film present on the cylinder wall. The reduced oil film thickness increases piston and cylinder wall wear due to metal to metal contact. The subsequent metal to metal contact produces a phenomenon called scuffing. This disclosure incorporates several design modifications to the piston and results in a significant reduction of the lateral and rotational motion of the piston during engine operation. The reduction of piston motion reduces the amount of oil film removed from the cylinder wall and increases lubrication efficiency. The Increased lubrication efficiency realized reduces frictional wear power loss and scuffing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Valerian Ioja, Michael T. Lapp
  • Patent number: 9551292
    Abstract: Engine systems and associated methods, including systems with semi-isothermal compression devices are disclosed. An engine system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a compressor having a compressor inlet and outlet, a combustor having a combustor inlet coupled to the compressor outlet and further having a combustor outlet, a positive displacement expander having an expander inlet coupled to the combustor outlet, and further having an expander outlet and a work output device. A valve is coupled between the combustor and the expander to regulate a flow of hot combustion products passing from the combustor to the expander, and an exhaust energy recovery device is coupled to the expander outlet to extract energy from the combustion products exiting the expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott R. Frazier, Alex Lau, Brian Von Herzen
  • Patent number: 9551293
    Abstract: A replaceable thrust generating structure for an air vehicle, which includes one or more mounts, which are attachable to the air vehicle, and a thrust generating structure attached to each of the one or more mounts, and wherein the thrust generating structure includes an NMSET element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: GAME CHANGERS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew D. Zonenberg, Jason Sanchez, Piotr A. Garbuz
  • Patent number: 9551294
    Abstract: Tracks (35), fastened to static structure of an aircraft engine nozzle, guide sliders (32) journaled in struts (27, 28) fastened to a flap (23) of the nozzle. Each slider and attached journal axle or bolt (33) is formed of cobalt, and each track slider surface (61) and journal bushings (43, 44) are formed of a nickel alloy to reduce wear from rubbing. Track slides (40, 41) are mounted to the static structure of the nozzle by blind bolts (68) having a tool recess (70) at its threaded tip to prevent the bolt (68) from turning as a nut is secured. Each slider has limited rotation due to a pin (102), thereon engaging a slot in a tab (100) of the bushing (43) to assist in inserting the slider (32) into the beveled ends of the tracks (35, 36), when mounting or replacing a flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J Czapski, Jr., David C Pimenta, Chung-Han Liou, Paul R Senofonte, Steven D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9551295
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are presented for detecting a misaligned or otherwise skewed variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) that is mounted on a thrust reverser sleeve of an aircraft engine. Rods project from different parts around the arcuate VAFN, the rods having patterns at their ends. In normal operation when the thrust reverser is stowed, the rods project over the thrust reverser into a fixed area of the engine. Sensors in the fixed area determine the position of the VAFN from the patterns on the rods. When the thrust reverser deploys, the rods are pulled aft with the VAFN, which is mounted on the thrust reverser sleeve, and separate from the sensors. When the thrust reverser stows, the rods move forward with the VAFN and re-engage with the sensors. Repeating patterns on the rods allow for simple, relatively low-cost sensors to read their relative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Gormley
  • Patent number: 9551296
    Abstract: A thrust vectoring system is created with a convergent-divergent nozzle having a total angle no greater than 150 degrees. A divergent portion of the nozzle has a wall at a predetermined angle of at least 12° from the freestream direction. A disturbance generator is located on the wall to induce flow separation from the wall with the predetermined wall angle sufficient for the induced flow separation to extend upstream from disturbance generator substantially to a throat of the nozzle pressurizing the wall and creating a net vector angle in jet flow through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Chad M. Winkler, Andrew J. Dorgan, Eric L. Werner
  • Patent number: 9551297
    Abstract: Reducing jet noise by weakening Mach cones in a jet exhaust gas streamtube. The Mach cones are weakened by modifying exhaust gas flow in a longitudinal axial core of the exhaust gas streamtube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Neal D. Domel, Daniel N. Miller
  • Patent number: 9551298
    Abstract: A nacelle assembly for a turbofan engine includes a forward nacelle portion having an aft edge and defining a bypass duct that transports bypass airflow of the turbofan engine, a translatable sleeve that is translatable aft of the forward nacelle portion, and a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) airfoil that is movable between a stowed position, a VAFN flow position, and a thrust reverse position. Blocker doors for the thrust position are integrated into the VAFN airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Binks, Michael J. Layland, Norman J. James
  • Patent number: 9551299
    Abstract: A combustion chamber includes an inner wall, an outer wall surrounding the inner wall, and a flow passage between the inner wall and outer wall that permits forward flow and restricts reverse flow. The inner wall has a plurality of effusion holes in fluid communication with the inside of the combustion chamber. The outer wall has a plurality of cooling side holes in fluid communication with a cooling source. The inner wall and the outer wall define a flow passage therebetween that fluidly connects one or more of the cooling side holes with one or more of the effusion holes. The flow passage has a geometric configuration to permit forward flow of gases through the flow passage from the cooling source to the inside of the combustion chamber and to restrict reverse flow of gases through the flow passage from the inside of the combustion chamber to the cooling source. The permitted flow rate is greater than the restricted flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Loebig, Christopher D. DeBruhl, John D. Holdcraft