Patents Issued in March 14, 2017
  • Patent number: 9593584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbine rotor blade of a gas turbine with a blade tip, said blade tip having at least on its suction side, extending from a stagnation point on the blade leading edge to an intersection point of the suction-side profile line of the blade with a trailing-edge circle, an overhang which is substantially zero at the stagnation point and at the intersection point and which has a maximum value at around 40% of the running length of the suction-side overhang.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce plc, Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Knut Lehmann, Manuel Herm
  • Patent number: 9593585
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a circumferential leakage gap between outlet portions of first and second adjacent transition ducts in a gas turbine engine includes a first seal member affixed to the outlet portion of the first transition duct and a second seal member movable with respect to the first seal member. The second seal member is positionable in a non-sealing first position and a sealing second position. While in the first position, the second seal member is circumferentially spaced from the outlet portion of the second transition duct. While in the second position, the second seal member extends across the leakage gap and creates a seal with the outlet portion of the second transition duct to substantially prevent leakage through the leakage gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Andrew G. Green, Miguel Bascones
  • Patent number: 9593586
    Abstract: A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine comprises at least one vane, a first platform and a second platform. The at least one vane has a first end and an opposite second end with the first end of the at least one vane being secured in a corresponding first aperture in the first platform, and the second end of the at least one vane being secured in a corresponding second aperture in the second platform. The at least one vane intersects the first platform at an acute angle, and the at least one vane intersects the second platform at an obtuse angle with the acute angle and the obtuse angle being supplementary to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Brynley Clark
  • Patent number: 9593587
    Abstract: Provided is a turbine in which seal fins (15) are provided to a hub shroud (41) to protrude toward a bottom surface (33a) of an annular groove (33), small gaps (H) are formed between the tip ends of the seal fins and the bottom surface of the annular groove, and assuming that the axial distance between a first seal fin (15a) disposed on the front edge side of the hub shroud among the seal fins and a front edge (41a) of the hub shroud is (L) and the axial distance between the front edge of the hub shroud and an inside surface (33b) of the annular groove is (Bu), the first seal fin is disposed to satisfy L/Bu<0.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Matsumoto, Yoshihiro Kuwamura, Hiroharu Oyama, Yoshinori Tanaka, Asaharu Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9593588
    Abstract: An inner wall surface of a low-pressure-side side plate opposite to a lateral surface of a thin plate is formed along a direction crossing an axial direction of a rotating shaft such that a gap between the inner wall surface and the thin plate gradually decreases from a radially inner side toward a radially outer side of the low-pressure-side side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Morimoto, Keizo Tsukagoshi, Junichiro Masada, Tatsuji Takahashi, Masato Araki, Tanehiro Shinohara, Hidekazu Uehara
  • Patent number: 9593589
    Abstract: An actuation system to control clearance in a turbomachine including a shaft bearing including at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing. The axially displaceable thrust bearing configured to axially displace a rotating component relative to a stationary component to control the clearance therebetween. The system further including a plurality of actuators coupled to the at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing and configured to actuate the at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing to control the clearance. The plurality of actuators is configured to deactivate a diametrically opposed actuator in the event of an actuator failure to maintain zero moment. In a topography network, each diametrically opposed actuator pair is coupled to a single control line. In an alternate topography network, alternating actuators are coupled to a single control line. In addition, a method of actuating a thrust bearing to control clearance in a turbomachine is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Deepak Trivedi, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Xiaoqing Zheng, Murat Inalpolat
  • Patent number: 9593590
    Abstract: An active bypass flow control system for controlling bypass compressed air based upon leakage flow of compressed air flowing past an outer balance seal between a stator and rotor of a first stage of a gas turbine in a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The active bypass flow control system is an adjustable system in which one or more metering devices may be used to control the flow of bypass compressed air as the flow of compressed air past the outer balance seal changes over time as the outer balance seal between the rim cavity and the cooling cavity wears In at least one embodiment, the metering device may include an annular ring having at least one metering orifice extending therethrough, whereby alignment of the metering orifice with the outlet may be adjustable to change a cross-sectional area of an opening of aligned portions of the outlet and the metering orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Todd A. Ebert, Keith D. Kimmel
  • Patent number: 9593591
    Abstract: A control for a turbine engine using electrical machines monitors engine health and allocates power extraction between the electrical machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Phillips, Tom M. Neuman, Michael Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9593592
    Abstract: A method of analyzing blade tip timing data obtained from an array (Pk) of stationary timing probes (3) that are spaced at integer multiples of a base angle. Replace one of the probes (3) with a virtual probe (Pv) to give a virtual probe set (42). Set an initial probe angle (?v) and an initial engine order (EOv) for the virtual probe (Pv). Calculate the condition number (CN) for the virtual probe set (42). If the condition number (CN) at least meets a threshold criterion, solve the virtual probe set (42) for blade tip displacement amplitude. Else increment the virtual probe angle (?v) and/or the virtual engine order and iterate from calculating the condition number. Else reinstate the replaced probe (3) and replace a different probe (3) from the array of probes (Pk) with the virtual probe (Pv); then iterate from setting the initial virtual probe angle and engine order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Olivier Y J P Jousselin
  • Patent number: 9593593
    Abstract: A composite normalized angle of attack indicating system provides a simultaneous display of both body angle of attack, such as in digital form, and normalized angle of attack for an aircraft. The display may be visually enhanced as stall is approached such as by zooming the body angle of attack digital display and/or by changing the color of the display. The normalized display also selectively displays an approach reference band when the flap setting is equal to or greater than 20 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey S. M. Hedrick, Shahram Askarpour
  • Patent number: 9593594
    Abstract: A decongealing channel for use in a heat exchanger apparatus, including a supersaturated solution contained therein and an actuation component in fluid communication with a lubricating fluid coupled to the decongealing channel. The actuation component is responsive to a change in pressure exerted thereon by the lubricating fluid so as to actuate an exothermic response in the supersaturated solution. The heat exchanger apparatus is disposed in a bypass fan duct of an aircraft engine. The heat exchanger apparatus including a manifold portion, one or more flow through openings extending therethrough the manifold portion to define one or more flow through channels having contained therein the lubricating fluid. In addition, the manifold portion including one or more additional openings extending therethrough to define one or more decongealing channels. Further disclosed is an engine including the heat exchanger apparatus and a method of decongealing a lubricating fluid in the heat exchanger apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carlos Enrique Diaz, William Dwight Gerstler, Michael Ralph Storage
  • Patent number: 9593595
    Abstract: A method is provided for remanufacturing a machine component having multiple holes. The holes are provided to match in alignment with corresponding holes of an adjacent component in a machine assembly. First and second sets of holes are selected from the holes of the machine component on the basis of being located within first and second limits of positional tolerance with respect to corresponding holes of the adjacent component. Each hole from the first set of holes is bored to define openings in axial alignment with holes of the adjacent component. Each hole from the second set of holes is bored to an enlarged diameter and then plugged with a deformable insert. Each of these inserts is then drilled to define openings in axial alignment with holes of the adjacent component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Irene Nava, Glenn R McClintic
  • Patent number: 9593596
    Abstract: One aspect of present application provides an intermediate structure in a gas turbine engine. The intermediate structure is positioned between a first component and another component. The first component may be a composite component. The components may be interlocking. The intermediate structure may be load bearing. Also disclosed is a method using the intermediate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Uskert, David J. Thomas, Adam L. Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 9593597
    Abstract: A novel Rankine cycle system configured to convert waste heat into mechanical and/or electrical energy is provided. The system provided by the present invention comprises a novel configuration of the components of a conventional Rankine cycle system; conduits, ducts, heaters, expanders, heat exchangers, condensers and pumps to provide more efficient energy recovery from a waste heat source. In one aspect, the Rankine cycle system is configured such that three distinct condensed working fluid streams are employed at various stages in the waste heat recovery cycle. A first condensed working fluid stream is vaporized by an expanded first vaporized working fluid stream, a second condensed working fluid stream absorbs heat from an expanded second vaporized working fluid stream, and a third condensed working fluid stream removes heat directly from a waste heat-containing stream. The Rankine cycle system is adapted for the use of supercritical carbon dioxide as the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Matthew Alexander Lehar
  • Patent number: 9593598
    Abstract: A steam conditioning system for discharging bypass steam into a condenser of a steam powered generating plant and other uses. The system includes a steam conditioning device comprising an inner evaporative core and an outer shell. The core may be formed of a tubular piping section disposed at least partially inside the outer shell forming an annular space therebetween. An inlet end of the core receives steam from a piping header fluidly connected to an upstream desuperheating pressure reducing station which injects liquid coolant into the steam stream. Steam discharges through the core outlet end into the outer shell, reverses direction, and flows into the condenser. In one embodiment, the steam conditioning device may be disposed inside the dome of the condenser except for the inlet end. The device intends to increase flow residence time to evaporate entrained carryover coolant droplets in the incoming steam before release to the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Akhilesh Vidyutkumar Bapat, Indresh Rampall, Vytautas Vincas Maciunas
  • Patent number: 9593599
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions of novel working fluids uniquely designed for higher cycle efficiencies leading to higher overall system efficiencies. In particular, these working fluids are useful in Organic Rankine Cycle systems for efficiently converting heat from any heat source into mechanical energy. The present invention also relates to novel processes for recovering heat from a heat source using ORC systems with a novel working fluid comprising at least about 20 weight percent cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (HFO-1336mzz-Z), trans-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (HFO-1336mzz-E), or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: THE CHEMOURS COMPANY FC, LLC
    Inventor: Konstantinos Kontomaris
  • Patent number: 9593600
    Abstract: Provided herein are geothermal power generating systems utilizing supercritical carbon dioxide as a working fluid and superheating the extracted the emitted carbon dioxide utilizing external combustion of the hydrocarbons concurrently extracted with the emitted carbon dioxide to increase enthalpy and thermodynamic cycle efficiency. Methods for producing power are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Michael H Gurin
  • Patent number: 9593601
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided herein. The valve assembly may include a valve stem coupled to a coil spring and an impact dampening tappet partially enclosing the spring and valve stem and in contact with a cam, the impact dampening tappet including an exterior metal layer having a cam contacting surface and an interior elastomeric layer traversing at least a portion of the interior surface of the exterior metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yitzong Chern, Chong Jack Chen, Stanley Berlinski
  • Patent number: 9593602
    Abstract: A device for a valve train for switching over the lift of gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine comprising a camshaft on which at least one cam carrier with at least three different cam profiles is mounted so as to be non-rotatable and axially movable. The device includes an adjustment shaft arranged parallel to the camshaft and on which a first transmission element is mounted so as to be non-rotatable and axially movable, the first transmission element having a guide unit, a housing-fixed first guide element operatively connected to the guide unit, a second guide element operatively connected, on the one hand, to the guide unit and, on the other hand, to the cam carrier via a second transmission element, the second transmission element being connected to the cam carrier so as to be axially unmovable, and a push element operatively connected to the first transmission element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: IAV GMBH INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT AUTO UND VERKEHR
    Inventors: Heiko Neukirchner, Andreas Werler, Uwe Richter
  • Patent number: 9593603
    Abstract: A camshaft phase adjuster assembly is provided that includes at least one helical groove for adjusting a phase position between a camshaft and a drive sprocket. The camshaft phase adjuster assembly includes a camshaft including at least one helical groove extending between a bore and a radially outer surface of a sprocket support portion, and the helical groove includes circumferentially offset first and second ends. A drive sprocket includes at least one axially extending drive sprocket groove on a radially inner surface of the drive sprocket arranged facing the at least one helical groove. An actuator selectively moves an actuator pin axially such that a radially extending rotation pin slides within the helical groove and the drive sprocket groove from a first phase position to a second phase position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 9593604
    Abstract: Lubricating oil system for a combustion engine, in particular for industrial or commercial vehicles, the system comprising a bypass connection suitable to bypass an oil pump associated to an engine oil circuit, a controllable valve suitable to adjust an amount of oil to be bypassed through the bypass connection, control means controlling the controllable valve, programmed to control said controllable valve as a function of the combustion engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FPT MOTORENFORSCHUNG AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Gstrein
  • Patent number: 9593605
    Abstract: Systems and methods for ventilating crankcase gases in a crankcase ventilation system via crankcase pressure pulsations are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises driving flow of crankcase ventilation gases through a crankcase of the engine from a fresh air inlet of the crankcase to an outlet of the crankcase via crankcase pressure pulsations while restricting backflow of crankcase ventilation gases from the outlet to the inlet, where the inlet and outlet are coupled upstream of an intake throttle of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9593606
    Abstract: A suppressor for a gaseous fuel system is disclosed. The suppressor may include a cylindrical body having a first end opposite a second end along an axis. A vent opening may be disposed at the second end. A conduit may pass through the first end and may have an inlet disposed outside the cylindrical body and an outlet disposed inside the cylindrical body. The suppressor may include an acoustic core between the outlet of the conduit and the vent opening and configured to reduce a sound level of fluids exiting the conduit. The suppressor may include a thermal mass between the outlet of the conduit and the vent opening, wherein the thermal mass includes fluid channels and is configured to transfer heat energy to fluids exiting the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: Ovidiu Petru Popadiuc
  • Patent number: 9593607
    Abstract: A muffler for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine comprises: a casing having an inner space, an inlet pipe for sound to enter the muffler, an outlet pipe for sound to exit the muffler, and a separation wall arranged to extend from the inlet pipe to the outlet pipe and being embodied in a manner such as to define first and second acoustical ducts extending through the casing to allow sound propagating along the first acoustical duct to enter the inner space of the casing and to thereafter exit the inner space of the casing again, and to allow sound propagating along the second acoustical duct to acoustically bypass the inner space of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bosal Emission Control Systems NV
    Inventors: Sven Das, Marc Mentens, Filip Dorge
  • Patent number: 9593608
    Abstract: Ceramic honeycomb structures and methods to make the same are disclosed. The structures may be comprised of at least two separate smaller ceramic honeycombs that have been coated with a polymer to create a polymeric barrier coating and adhered together with a cement comprised of inorganic fibers and a binding phase which is comprised of amorphous silicate, aluminite or alumino silicate glass and other inorganic particles. The polymer is selected such that it is penetratable into or covering the pores in the honeycomb structure to form a thin barrier layer thereon to mitigate migration of the inorganic fibers, binding phase and water into the pores. The polymer is adapted to be burned off or decomposed at or below cement and honeycomb skin firing temperatures, or at or below honeycomb operating temperatures during application to create a honeycomb structure that, when formed into an exhaust filter, does not have any undesired pressure drop increase due to cement migration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Jun Cai, Steven J. Martin
  • Patent number: 9593609
    Abstract: A method for reducing NOx emissions in the exhaust of a combined cycle gas turbine equipped with a heat recovery boiler and a catalyst effective for NOx reduction, wherein a slip stream of hot flowing exhaust gases is withdrawn from the primary gas flow after the catalyst at a temperature of 500° F. to 900° F. and directed through a fan to a continuous duct into which an aqueous based reagent is injected for decomposition to ammonia gas and the outlet of the continuous duct is connected to an injection grid positioned in the primary exhaust for injection of ammonia gas into the primary exhaust stream at a location upstream of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: PEERLESS MFG. CO.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Broderick, Kathryn V. O'Leary, R. Gifford Broderick, John N. Dale, James M. Valentine
  • Patent number: 9593610
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique with which an amount of reducing agent adsorbed to a selective reduction type NOx catalyst provided in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine can be controlled to a target adsorption amount. In an exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention, when a reducing agent adsorption amount adsorbed on a selective reduction type NOx catalyst is held at a target adsorption amount, a reducing agent supply amount supplied from a supply apparatus per unit time is controlled to an amount obtained by adding a predetermined amount to a reduction consumption amount, which is an amount of reducing agent consumed per unit time by the selective reduction type NOx catalyst for NOx reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsuke Toshioka, Keishi Takada, Shigeki Nakayama, Junya Nakajima, Ichiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9593611
    Abstract: It is possible to decrease the amount of NOx emitted into the air. The amount of ammonia adsorbed on an SCR catalyst is calculated by subtracting the amount of ammonium nitrate produced on the SCR catalyst from the amount of ammonia adsorbed on the SCR catalyst at the time of starting of an internal combustion engine, and the amount of NO2 flowing into the SCR catalyst is decreased when an NOx purification rate estimated from the amount of ammonia adsorbed on the SCR catalyst is less than a threshold value compared to when the NOx purification rate is equal to or greater than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Bungo Kawaguchi, Takeru Shirasawa, Tomihisa Oda
  • Patent number: 9593612
    Abstract: The phenomenon of resonance in a catalyst converter due to a flow of an exhaust gas is reduced without causing problems with vehicle layout, problems with manufacturing (higher manufacturing cost), or adverse influences on other facets of performance. An internal combustion engine includes an internal combustion engine main body having a fuel chamber formed in an interior, and a catalyst converter arranged in an exhaust flow channel of the internal combustion engine main body and provided with a catalyst for purifying the exhaust gas. The exhaust flow channel, which is upstream of the catalyst of the catalyst converter, is provided with a protuberance for disturbing the flow of the exhaust gas in the exhaust flow channel to reduce pressure pulsations of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Hidehisa Takatsu, Atsushi Yamamoto, Jun Nakano, Shigeki Murakami
  • Patent number: 9593613
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system comprises a housing defining an internal volume. The housing includes an inlet, an outlet and a first sidewall. A sleeve is positioned within the internal volume and protrudes through the first sidewall. An inner shell is positioned within an inner region defined by the sleeve and defines a recess therein. The inner shell spaced apart from the sleeve so as to define a channel therebetween. A base is positioned within the recess and includes an injection port which is in communication with the internal volume. An injector is disposed on the base and is disposed completely within the recess. The injector is in fluidic communication with the internal volume via the injection port. The injector is configured to inject an exhaust reductant into the internal volume via the opening. A cover plate can be disposed over the recess and structured to prevent objects from impacting the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Jason Meier, Vipin Iyer, Stephanie F. Severance, Gordon Loraas
  • Patent number: 9593614
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system includes a previous-stage oxidation catalyst device, an ammonia-based solution feeder, a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) device, a turbine of a turbocharger, and a NOx selective reduction catalyst device in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine in this order from an exhaust port side. The NH3 production rate is improved, thereby improving the NOx removal rate; the temperature of the DPF device is kept high to increase the time and frequency of continuous regeneration, thus decreasing the frequency of forced regeneration of the DPF device and the amount of discharge of CO2 produced during the forced regeneration; and also corrosion of the turbine of the turbocharger by SOx is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Kazuo Osumi
  • Patent number: 9593615
    Abstract: A device for exhaust gas treatment in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, includes an electrically heatable honeycomb body through which an exhaust gas can flow. The honeycomb body is disposed in a casing tube and has at least one current-conducting structure with electric insulation for voltages greater than 24 V. A current-generating pulsed voltage is applied to the structure to heat the honeycomb body. It is thus possible for heating elements in the exhaust-gas flow to be powered by an on-board electrical system voltage of for example 48 V. A method for operating the honeycomb body is provided with which, even at operating voltages greater than 24 V, the generation of heat in the electrically heatable honeycomb body can be kept in a desired range by adjustment of a pulse width and/or repetition frequency of the pulsed voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Jan Hodgson, Christian Vorsmann
  • Patent number: 9593616
    Abstract: An exhaust pipe fuel injector capable of preventing fuel from remaining in a fuel supply system and thus capable of preventing the fuel supply system from being blocked due to carbonization of the fuel, is provided. The exhaust pipe fuel injector includes: a fuel injection nozzle that injects the fuel into an exhaust pipe; a supply pipe through which a mixed fluid of the fuel and air is supplied into the fuel injection nozzle; and a control unit. The control unit has a function of continuing combustion until no fuel remains in the inside of the supply pipe during regeneration of a diesel particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Takafumi Amano
  • Patent number: 9593617
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing an exhaust-gas catalytic converter (28) arranged in an exhaust-gas system (20) of an internal combustion engine (12) for the catalytic conversion of at least one exhaust-gas component from the internal combustion engine (12), which has an exhaust-gas recirculation means with which a partial stream of the exhaust gas can be drawn off downstream of the catalytic converter (14) and fed into the combustion air of the internal combustion engine (12), involves determining the current raw emission (NOx—raw) of the internal combustion engine (12) in of the exhaust-gas component; measuring the current concentration of the exhaust-gas component (NOx—meas) in the exhaust gas upstream of the catalytic converter (28); and determining a diagnostic value for the catalytic converter (28) in terms of the conversion of the exhaust-gas component as a function of the modelled raw emission (NOx—raw) from the internal combustion engine (12) and the measured concentration of the exhaust-gas component (NOx—me
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Burkhard Veldten, Maciej Kulaszewski
  • Patent number: 9593618
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system includes an exhaust aftertreatment component housing and a sensor table coupled to an exterior surface of the exhaust aftertreatment component housing. The sensor table includes a base including footings and a first platform offset from the footings by first standoffs so to define a first air gap. The base also includes second standoffs extending from the first platform. The sensor table also includes a top plate including a second platform and third standoffs extending from the second platform. The second platform is fixedly coupled to the second standoffs so to define a second air gap between the first platform and the second platform. The sensor table further includes a first sensor module coupled to the third standoffs so to define a third air gap between the second platform and the first sensor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS IP, INC.
    Inventors: William J. Runde, Eric R. Butler, Shashidhar Srinivas, Robert W. Nowicki, Shane O'Connor, Harpreet Patpatia, Michael J. Welp
  • Patent number: 9593619
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for flowing exhaust gas in an exhaust system of an engine. In one example, a method may include flowing exhaust gas through a turbine, from the turbine to at least one aftertreatment device, and then from the at least one aftertreatment device to atmosphere, during a first condition. The method may also include, during a second condition, flowing exhaust gas through the at least one aftertreatment device, from the at least one aftertreatment device to the turbine, and then from the turbine to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9593620
    Abstract: A muffler hanger including: a displacement suppress member integrally provided with upper and lower support parts and a junction part that joins the support parts to each other at their lengthwise middle parts; and mounting rubbers that connect the support parts to each other at lengthwise both sides and each includes a pair of arch shaped parts having a mounting hole. The displacement suppress member is configured to attach to one of a vehicle body and a muffler. By inserting mounting parts provided to the other of the vehicle body and the muffler into the corresponding mounting hole, the mounting rubbers are configured to attach thereto. A displacement regulator that limits a relative displacement volume of the muffler in relation to the vehicle body is constituted by abutment of the mounting parts against the displacement suppress member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Makino, Fumihiro Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 9593621
    Abstract: Embodiments for a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine are provided. In one example, a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine comprises a lubricant circuit, a radiator for cooling the lubricant, a heat accumulator arranged upstream of the engine for warming up the lubricant, the heat accumulator connected in parallel to the radiator, and a valve for switching over the lubricant circuit between the radiator and the heat accumulator. In this way, the oil may be rapidly heated during cold engine start conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hans Guenter Quix, Jan Mehring
  • Patent number: 9593622
    Abstract: A nozzle for a prechamber assembly of an engine includes a hollow nozzle body having an outer surface, defining first and second outer openings, and an inner surface, defining an interior chamber and first and second inner openings. The nozzle body defines first and second orifices in communication with the interior chamber. The first orifice extends in a first orifice configuration between the first outer opening and inner opening and defines a first entry path projection extending from the first inner opening into the interior chamber. The second orifice extends in a second orifice configuration between the second outer opening and inner opening and defines a second entry path projection extending from the second inner opening into the interior chamber. The first and second entry path projections intersect at an impingement region in the interior chamber, which is radially offset from a central longitudinal axis of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Charlie Kim
  • Patent number: 9593623
    Abstract: The method involves receiving a plurality of current operating parameters of an engine during operation of engine and determining at least one of a current substitution ratio and a current peak cylinder pressure based on the plurality of current operating parameters. The method also involves determining at least one of a target substitution ratio and a predefined peak cylinder pressure based on the plurality of current operating parameters and comparing at least one of the current substitution ratio with the target substitution ratio and the current peak cylinder pressure with the predefined peak cylinder pressure. The method also involves controlling a first power output from a plurality of engine cylinders and a second power output from an electric turbo-compounding system, based on the comparison of at least one of the current substitution ratio with the target substitution ratio and the current peak cylinder pressure with the predefined peak cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Lavertu, Anthony Holmes Furman
  • Patent number: 9593624
    Abstract: In a waste gate valve, an annular spacer is provided between a washer and an attachment tongue in an axial direction of a valve shaft of a valve. The spacer is made of a graphite material. An annular guard wall is formed on a back surface of the washer in such a way as to surround the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Segawa
  • Patent number: 9593625
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a chamber that has a longitudinal centerline, inlet valving operable to admit constituents of a combustible mixture into the chamber for combustion in the chamber to provide a pressure increase in the chamber and outlet valving operable to release an outflow of liquid from the chamber under an influence of the pressure increase. An annular flow passage is defined in the chamber to conduct liquid towards the outlet valving and cause spiraling of the liquid in the flow passage by which a rotatable part exposed to the spiraling flow is caused to rotate. An electrical generator disposed externally of the chamber is driven by rotation of the rotatable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Nigel A. Buchanan, I. Kurt Rosen
  • Patent number: 9593626
    Abstract: Improved radial engine configurations where the pistons and their associated connecting rods interface with a center crankshaft by the use of slipper bearings, which only contact a portion of the center crankshaft throw. The improved radial engine crankshaft interface includes at least one connecting rod with a bearing that encircles the center crankshaft throw, and acts as a retaining ring for the slipper bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph B Crover, Stephen E Crover
  • Patent number: 9593627
    Abstract: A combustion chamber for an opposed-piston engine includes a squish zone defined between circumferential peripheral areas of opposing end surfaces of the pistons, a cavity defined by one or more bowls in the end surfaces, and at least one injection port that extends radially through the squish zone into the cavity. The cavity has a cross-sectional shape that imposes a tumbling motion on air flowing from the squish zone into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Fuqua, Fabien G. Redon, Huixian Shen, Michael H. Wahl, Brendan M. Lenski
  • Patent number: 9593628
    Abstract: A method of managing a gas turbine engine variable area fan nozzle includes the steps of evaluating an icing condition to determine the likelihood of ice presence. A variable area fan nozzle position is altered if ice is likely present or actually present. The gas turbine engine includes a fan nacelle including a flap configured to be moveable between first and second positions. An actuator is operatively coupled to the flap. A controller is configured to evaluate an icing condition to determine the likelihood of ice presence. The controller is configured to alter a variable area fan nozzle position schedule if ice is likely present by providing a command to the actuator to adjust the flap from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Geoffrey T. Blackwell, William G. Tempelman, William J. McVey
  • Patent number: 9593629
    Abstract: A method for controlling an air-fuel ratio (AFR) in an engine powered by a gaseous fuel having an unknown composition may comprise receiving an assumed gas species composition for the gaseous fuel, and determining an assumed lower heating value (LHV) for the assumed gas species composition. The method may further comprise determining a perceived lower heating value (LHV) for the gaseous fuel based on a perceived gas mass flow and a gas energy flow for the gaseous fuel, and updating the assumed gas species composition until the assumed LHV and the perceived LHV are aligned. The method may further comprise determining a desired AFR and an airflow necessary to provide the desired AFR using the aligned gas species composition and a desired lambda (?), and adjusting an air system controller of the engine to provide the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Jon Rasmussen, Arvind Sivasubramanian, Venkat Vijay Kishore Turlapati
  • Patent number: 9593630
    Abstract: During an operation, a control device (38) for performing output control of an engine (10) determines whether or not the engine (10) and/or an exhaust gas purifying device (18) has a malfunction. If it is determined that the engine (10) and/or the exhaust gas purifying device (18) has a malfunction, a highest rotational speed of the engine (10) is controlled to a second rotational speed (Nt) higher by a predetermined amount (?) than a first rotational speed (Ns) at which an engine maximum torque (Tm) before the malfunction can be outputted. In this case, a maximum fuel injection quantity of the engine (10) is limited so that a rated torque (Tr) before the malfunction can be outputted at the first rotational speed (Ns).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY TIERRA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Yoshida, Shuuhei Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9593631
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating an engine event location are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a controller is configured to receive a signal from at least one knock sensor coupled to a reciprocating engine, transform the signal, using a multivariate transformation algorithm, into a power spectral density, transform the power spectral density into a plurality of feature vectors using predictive frequency bands, predict the engine event location using at least the plurality of feature vectors and a predictive model, and adjust operation of the reciprocating engine based on the engine event location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Iyad Batal, Jeffrey Jacob Bizub, Brett Alexander Matthews
  • Patent number: 9593632
    Abstract: A method of operating an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve of an engine is provided. The method includes monitoring an operating condition of the engine based at least on a speed of the engine and a load of the engine. The method also includes determining an amount of Carbon Monoxide (CO) in an exhaust from the engine and comparing the amount of CO with a threshold CO value. The method further includes adjusting open loop parameters of the EGR valve based on the comparison during a predetermined operating condition for the engine. The EGR valve is controlled based on the open loop parameters during switching between a closed loop control and an open loop control of the EGR valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Xinyu Ge
  • Patent number: 9593633
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a pre-chamber assembly including a wall having an internal surface opposite an external surface, the internal surface of the wall defining a combustion pre-chamber and at least one orifice extending to an aperture through the external surface of the wall; a block having an internal surface defining a bore therein; a piston disposed within the bore and configured for reciprocal translation within the bore, the piston, the bore, and the external surface of the wall at least partly defining a main combustion chamber, and the combustion pre-chamber being in fluid communication with the main combustion chamber via the at least one orifice; an energy source operatively coupled to the combustion pre-chamber; and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve fluidly coupled to the combustion pre-chamber and an exhaust conduit of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Charlie Kim