Patents Issued in March 14, 2017
  • Patent number: 9593634
    Abstract: In a diesel engine, an inside of a cylinder is divided into intra-cavity and extra-cavity regions. Ideal heat release rate waveform models, each formed of an isosceles triangle in which each oblique line gradient is a reaction rate, an area is a reaction amount and a base length is a reaction period with a reaction start temperature as a base point, are generated respectively for a vaporization reaction, low-temperature oxidation reaction, thermal decomposition reaction and high-temperature oxidation reaction of injected fuel for each region. An ideal heat release rate waveform of the reaction modes is generated by smoothing the ideal heat release rate waveform models through filtering and combining the ideal heat release rate waveforms, and is compared with an actual heat release rate waveform obtained from a detected in-cylinder pressure. A reaction mode having a deviation larger than or equal to a predetermined amount is diagnosed as being abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Nada
  • Patent number: 9593635
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine, equipped with: an exhaust purification catalyst capable of storing oxygen; a downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor arranged downstream in the direction of flow of exhaust from the exhaust purification catalyst; and an air-fuel ratio control device that controls the air-fuel ratio such that air-fuel ratio of the exhaust flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst reaches a target air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihisa Nakagawa, Shuntaro Okazaki, Yuji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9593636
    Abstract: There is obtained a throttle learning control apparatus that raises the reliability of throttle fully closed and opened learning even when a self-shutoff delay abnormality occurs and can suppress various defects that occur when a throttle fully closed learning value or a throttle fully opened learning value is not updated. After a self-shutoff delay abnormality occurs, an electronic control unit implements fully closed learning 1 and fully opened learning 1 while the engine is operated in a non-engine-stall period and implements fully closed learning 2 and fully opened learning 2 for compensating the fully closed learning 1 and fully opened learning 1. Fully closed learning is completed when the fully closed learning 1 or the fully closed learning 2 has once been implemented; similarly, fully opened learning is completed when the fully opened learning 1 or the fully opened learning 2 has once been implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hotani
  • Patent number: 9593637
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for diagnosing injector variability in a dual fuel, multi-injector system. In one example, a single injector in one cylinder is enabled while remaining cylinders are fueled with a first fuel and subsequently, a second fuel is injected via the enabled injector into the one cylinder in a predetermined sequence and fuel rail pressure drops are measured. Further, measured pressure drop after each injection event is corrected for an increase in injector closing delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Mark Meinhart
  • Patent number: 9593638
    Abstract: Various methods are provided for characterizing fuel injector operation. In one embodiment, a method of characterizing fuel injector operation comprises determining a flow error of a single fuel injector of two or more fuel injectors positioned in a first fuel rail by comparing a sum of each of a plurality of injector commands for the single injector to a fuel amount pumped into the first fuel rail, the fuel amount being predetermined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9593639
    Abstract: A cylinder liner is disclosed for use with an engine. The cylinder liner may have a hollow generally cylindrical body with a top end and a bottom end, and a flange extending radially outward at the top end of the hollow generally cylindrical body. The cylinder liner may also have a seal end stop formed on an outer annular surface of the hollow generally cylindrical body an axial distance away from the flange, and an annular groove formed within the outer annular surface of the hollow generally cylindrical body at a location between the end stop and the bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Lee Batta
  • Patent number: 9593640
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine block, a cylinder head coupled to the engine block with a cooling system running through both. The engine block defines a first cylinder bore and a first cylinder cooling jacket at an outer periphery of the first cylinder bore. The cylinder head defines a first port cooling jacket for a first set of ports in communication with the first cylinder bore. The coolant supply is in communication with the first cylinder cooling jacket and the first port cooling jacket. The first port cooling jacket defines a first head coolant flow path in a parallel flow arrangement with a coolant flow path defined by the first cylinder cooling jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Akram R. Zahdeh, Naser I. Hineiti
  • Patent number: 9593641
    Abstract: An exemplary piston may include a piston body having radially inner and outer body mating surfaces. The piston may further include a cooling gallery ring cooperating with the piston body to form a continuous upper combustion bowl surface and a cooling gallery. The cooling gallery ring may have radially inner and outer ring mating surfaces abutted along their corresponding radially inner and outer body mating surfaces, such that the cooling gallery is substantially enclosed. The piston body and cooling gallery ring may be joined together along the radially inner and radially outer interface regions to form a generally one-piece piston assembly. The radially outer interface region may be elongated in a direction parallel to the piston axis, e.g., facilitating a laser welding joining process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Gabriel, Wolfgang Rein, Steve Walker, Volker Weisse, Michael Ulrich
  • Patent number: 9593642
    Abstract: A cam carrier assembly includes a cylinder head having valves and a camshaft having lobes. A cam carrier has a first side coupled with the cylinder head engaging around the valves and a second side with bearing surfaces supporting the camshaft. A series of apertures extend between the first and second sides for the lobes to interface with the valves. The cam carrier is made of carbon fiber composite insulating the camshaft from the cylinder head and providing substantial weight reduction to an upper section of an associated engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Mark Michael Madin
  • Patent number: 9593643
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (3) for driving actuators (7-10) for a thrust reverser, comprising a motorized drive unit (15), a brake (16) and a manual drive unit (17) for rotatably driving a drive shaft, and a control part (44) which can be actuated by an operator, the control part (44) being mobile between a motorized drive position and a manual drive position, the movement of the control part (44) from the motorized drive position into the manual drive position causing the movement of a clutch part (40) into an engaged position in order to connect the manual drive unit (17) to the drive shaft (14), and the movement of the brake (16) into the loosened configuration in order to authorize the driving of the drive shaft (14) in rotation by the manual drive unit (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SAGEM DEFENSE SECURITE
    Inventor: Julien Tisseau
  • Patent number: 9593644
    Abstract: A control device for a thrust reverser of a turbojet engine nacelle, which includes movable portions actuated by actuators, includes: a first blocking control acting on a motor-actuated system; and a second blocking control acting, mechanically, on the movable portions. The second blocking control may inhibit, when activated, a deployment of the movable portions. The control device further includes a device inhibiting disengagement of the first blocking control when a mechanical control is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Joret, Pascal Soulier, Vincent Taddei
  • Patent number: 9593645
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel system is provided for a machine. The fuel system may have a pump having a body defining an inlet and an outlet. The pump may also have a compressor section in fluid communication with the inlet, a turbine section in fluid communication with the outlet, and a conduit formed between an outlet of the compressor section and an inlet of the turbine section. The fuel system may further have a heat exchanger integral to the conduit, a supply of a liquid fuel in communication with the inlet, and an accumulator in communication with the outlet configured to receive gaseous fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: AAron Gamache Foege
  • Patent number: 9593646
    Abstract: An exhaust gas distributor is disclosed. The distributor includes a distributor housing having a first exhaust gas path fluidically connecting a first inlet opening to a first outlet opening, a second exhaust gas path fluidically connecting a second inlet opening to a second outlet opening, and a third exhaust gas path fluidically connecting the second exhaust gas path to a third outlet opening, and an adjustable control element controlling the distribution of an exhaust gas flow from the second inlet opening to the second outlet opening and the third outlet opening. The control element in its end positions cooperates with stop contours. The control element is supported in a control housing that is manufactured separately from the distributor housing and which is installed in the distributor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Thomas Laufer
  • Patent number: 9593647
    Abstract: An intercooler for an internal combustion engine has a fin-and-tube block including a plurality of flat heat transfer units having internal fluid passages orientated transversely to the direction of air flow, and arranged parallel to one another to define gaps therebetween. Fin units are disposed in the gaps and contact adjacent heat transfer units. Each fin unit defines a longitudinally-oriented air flow passage, the air flow passages having a first air flow area at an air inlet end and a second air flow area at an air outlet end, the first air flow area greater than the second air flow area. The fins of the fin units converge in the direction of the air flow through the passage so that the pitch of the fins at the air inlet end of is greater than the pitch of the fins at the air outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Bernard Demots, Martin James Styles
  • Patent number: 9593648
    Abstract: The systems and methods herein relate the operation of a particle filter which is arranged in an exhaust-gas path of an internal combustion engine, to a device for exhaust-gas aftertreatment which can be operated in accordance with the method that comprises determining a mass flow rate of an exhaust-gas flow flowing in the exhaust-gas path; and supplying ambient air into the exhaust-gas path as a function of the determined mass flow rate. By this method, the spontaneous regeneration of a particle filter within the exhaust system may be abated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Yasser Mohamed sayed Yacoub
  • Patent number: 9593649
    Abstract: An air intake route leads air drawn in from outside into a diesel engine. The air intake route is provided with an air intake manifold and an EGR device is provided which supplies some of the exhaust to the air intake route. An introduction path for introducing exhaust supplied from the EGR device is provided inside of the air intake manifold, and an exhaust port of the introduction path is arranged downstream from and near the intake entrance in the air intake manifold. By this means, exhaust gas performance can be improved without increasing the engine size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: IHI Shibaura Machinery Corporation
    Inventors: Naohiro Hasegawa, Takeshi Sakai, Seigo Tanimoto, Yuichi Kawaai
  • Patent number: 9593650
    Abstract: A fuel supply device is provided with a fuel pump and a filter. The fuel pump supplies fuel from a fuel tank to an engine. The filter is disposed upstream from the fuel pump in a fuel supply channel. The filter includes a first filter portion and a second filter portion. The first filter portion and the second filter portion filter the fuel. The second filter portion is disposed above the first filter portion when the filter is disposed inside the fuel tank. A density of gaps in the second filter portion is larger than a density of gaps in the first filter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinsuke Okada, Takuya Uryu
  • Patent number: 9593651
    Abstract: A fuel-filter malfunction detection device detects a clogging of a fuel filter when specified conditions are satisfied. In a clogging detection, a command discharge quantity to a high-pressure pump is increased more than a total of a fuel injection quantity and a leakage of the fuel supply system while a pressure-reducing valve is closed. When the fuel filter is clogged, a discharge quantity of the high-pressure pump is decreased relative to the command discharge quantity and a differential pressure is generated between an estimated common-rail pressure and an actual common-rail pressure. When an integrated moving average of the averages of the differential pressure is greater than or equal to a specified value, an ECU determines that the fuel filter has a malfunction. Then, a malfunction flag is turned ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirofumi Take, Yoshio Toyoshima
  • Patent number: 9593652
    Abstract: A fluid injector has a longitudinal axis (L) and a valve needle (12), which is axially moveable and operable to prevent a fluid injection in a closing position and to permit the fluid injection in further positions. The fluid injector also has an armature (14) which is mechanically coupled to the valve needle (12). Furthermore, the fluid injector has a solenoid assembly (30) which has at least a first and second coil (34, 36) and which is operable to magnetically actuate the armature (14) via an electrical signal (V) applied to at least one predetermined assortment of the at least two coils (34, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Mauro Grandi
  • Patent number: 9593653
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a direct injection fuel pump. One example system comprises an accumulator positioned within a bore of the direct injection fuel pump in a coaxial manner wherein the accumulator is positioned downstream from a solenoid activated check valve. The accumulator may regulate pressure in a compression chamber of the direct injection fuel pump and a high pressure fuel rail when the direct injection fuel pump is operating in a default pressure mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Brad Alan VanDerWege
  • Patent number: 9593654
    Abstract: An injector sleeve adapted to be mounted in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, where the injector sleeve comprises a tapered inner surface which constitutes a sealing surface for an injector, where the hardness of the tapered inner surface is higher than the hardness of the outer surface of the injector sleeve. The injector sleeve is produced in a cold forming process. The advantage of the invention is that the injector sleeve is provided with a sealing surface for an injector which is harder than the outer surface of the injector sleeve. In this way, a sealing surface for an injector having small tolerances is obtained without further machining, where the outer surface may be turned to the desired dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Morgan Martinsson, Harald Karlsson
  • Patent number: 9593655
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a direct injection internal combustion engine having two fuel rails and a plurality of fuel injectors attached to and fluidly connected with each fuel rail. A first fuel pump has its output connected with the first fuel rail while a second fuel pump has its output connected with the second fuel rail. A crossover pipe fluidly connects the outlets of both the first and second pumps. Both the first pump and the second pump each have an intake stroke and a pumping stroke. Furthermore, the intake stroke of the first pump coincides with the pumping stroke of the second pump and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Donald J. McCune, Harsha Badarinarayan, Pilar Hernandez Mesa, George Saikalis
  • Patent number: 9593656
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a valve member for selectively preventing and permitting flow of fuel through a valve seat by selectively engaging and disengaging the valve seat, an actuator for selectively applying a force to the valve member in order to unseat the valve member from the valve seat, and a return spring which biases the valve member into contact with the valve seat when the actuator is not applying the force to the valve member. A calibration tube is positioned within the fuel tube and holds the return spring in compression so as to set a force on the return spring to achieve a desired dynamic flow of fuel through the fuel injector. The calibration tube includes at least one protrusion extending outward therefrom such that the protrusion engages the fuel tube, thereby creating a spring fit between the calibration tube and the fuel tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Mahoro M. Fujita
  • Patent number: 9593657
    Abstract: In a drive unit of a fuel injection device, an electric current is supplied to the fuel injection device by applying a high voltage to the fuel injection device from a high voltage source whose voltage is boosted to a voltage higher than a battery voltage at the time of opening a valve of the fuel injection device. Thereafter, the electric current supplied to the fuel injection device is lowered to a current value at which a valve element cannot be held in a valve open state by stopping the applying of the high voltage from the high voltage source. Thereafter, in a stage where a supply current is switched to a hold current, another high voltage is applied to the fuel injection device from the high voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Kusakabe, Motoyuki Abe, Hideharu Ehara, Tohru Ishikawa, Takuya Mayuzumi, Kenji Hiraku
  • Patent number: 9593658
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a pinion starter for an internal-combustion engine, which vehicle includes a low-voltage onboard power supply system and a high-voltage onboard power supply system. The pinion starter has an electric motor and a solenoid switch, wherein the electric motor is constructed as a polyphase machine. The polyphase machine can be supplied with electric power from the high-voltage onboard power supply system, and the solenoid switch can be electrically supplied by the low-voltage onboard power supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hartmut Proebstle, Sherif Mahmoud
  • Patent number: 9593659
    Abstract: A system and a method that control warm-up of clutch fluid in a hybrid electric vehicle. The hybrid electric vehicle includes a clutch that controls power delivery between an engine and a motor and an oil pump that is operated by the motor and generates hydraulic oil pressure operating the clutch. The method includes determining, by a controller, whether delivery of power from the engine and motor in a transmission is cut and detecting temperature of the fluid using an oil temperature detector. In addition, the motor is maintained by the controller at a predetermined target speed to operate the oil pump connected to the motor when the detected temperature of the fluid is equal to or less than a predetermined temperature, wherein the predetermined target speed is a motor speed at which sufficient pressure for flowing the fluid is generated in the oil pump operating with the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Tae Wook Park
  • Patent number: 9593660
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an ignition exciter with a rechargeable energy source supplying electricity to a solid-state switch is disclosed. The method includes charging the energy source at a first rate when the voltage of the energy source is less than a first voltage reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Unison Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Brian Wright
  • Patent number: 9593661
    Abstract: A preheater assembly of a glowplug and a hollow sheath extending longitudinally from a bottom external zone to a top external zone, the sheath extending radially from an inside surface defining a cavity towards an outside surface, the glowplug being inserted in the cavity, the tip projecting from the sheath through the bottom external zone, the inside surface of the sheath presenting a second thread meshing with a first thread of the glowplug, the inside surface of the sheath presenting a first conical seat bearing against the first conical bearing surface of the glowplug, the outside surface of the bottom external zone having a third thread screwed into a cylinder head and a second bearing surface that bears against the second seat of a cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Pierre-Julien Hubert, Romain Clair, Christian Mercier
  • Patent number: 9593662
    Abstract: The invention relates to a corona ignition device for igniting fuel in a combustion chamber of an engine by means of a corona discharge, comprising an insulator, a center electrode, which plugs into the insulator and carries an ignition head having a plurality of ignition tips, a coil, which is connected to the center electrode, and a housing, which surrounds the coil and into which the insulator plugs, wherein the ignition head has main body formed from sheet metal. In accordance with the invention, the ignition tips consist of a different material compared to the main body and are fastened to a side face of the main body. The invention also relates to an ignition head for such a corona ignition device and to a method for production thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Stifel, Werner Niessner, Helmut Müller
  • Patent number: 9593663
    Abstract: A photo-ignition torch is provided including a light source configured to generate at least one of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light. A photo-ignitable sub-micron particle mix is contained in capsule configured to receive the at least one of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light generated by the light source or alternatively the photo-ignitable sub-micron particle mix is in direct contact with the light source. The exposure of the photo-ignitable sub-micron particle mix to the at least one of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light initiates a photo-ignition process causing a release of burning byproducts of the photo-ignition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Alireza Badakhshan, Stephen A Danczyk
  • Patent number: 9593664
    Abstract: An electrical power generating system is connected to a sewer for conveying waste water to a sanitary treatment station. Waste water is propelled through the sewer line by pumping equipment which simultaneously pulverizes most large objects carried by the waste water. The waste water drives one or more water-operated turbines. The turbines are operatively connected to electrical power generators for producing electrical power and dispersing the power through an electrical power transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Cripps
  • Patent number: 9593665
    Abstract: A turbine wheel designed to exploit the head of watercourses that operates partially or totally submerge with means for a wheel mounting enclosure having a cavity equal to 50% of the height of the runner where the runner rest exposing the upper end into the bed of the flowing body of water and said cavity mask the runner from the water incident flow allowing the wheel to perform fully submerged gaining its power and momentum through water current acting upon an array of multifaceted cells attached to spokes radiating from a central circular body member to the outer perimeter of a wheel, distributed wall-to-wall occupying the peripheral annulus of the water stream always presenting a new facet as it rotate around it axis covering 180 degrees of the water incident flow. The outside surface of the runner attaches to a multiplicity of similar runners by means of mechanical devices and to the central circular body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Jose Ramon Santana
  • Patent number: 9593666
    Abstract: This wind turbine is enclosed in a housing structure with a bell shaped opening and a stack effect created on the roof. One side of the housing, facing the wind, opens up to receive air. The air that enters the housing is divided into multiple chambers. The chambers and turning vanes guide the air directly to the blades and help in minimizing air turbulence. The blades are angled to receive the maximum amount of the air. The air rotates the blades turning the rotor, converting mechanical rotation into electrical power. There is a horizontal rotor attached to vertical shaft which is used to generate electrical energy. The stack effect on the roof creates a negative air flow aiding in turning the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BX POWER, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Charnesky, Bridget Cantu
  • Patent number: 9593667
    Abstract: A wind turbine generator is disclosed herein. In a described embodiment, the wind turbine generator comprises an electrical generator 101 configured to generate AC signals, a plurality of power converters 110,112,111 operated by a gating signal with each power converter configured to convert the AC signals from the electrical generator 101 into fixed frequency AC signals. The wind turbine generator further comprises a controller configured to enter a fault mode when a grid voltage falls outside an acceptable threshold, and during the fault mode the controller is configured to provide a reactive current reference dependant on a grid voltage distant from the wind turbine generator. A method of controlling a wind turbine generator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Amit Kumar Gupta, Manoj Gupta
  • Patent number: 9593668
    Abstract: A wind turbine system is presented. The wind turbine system includes a rotor comprising a plurality of blades and a hub, and a turbine controller configured to reduce an abnormal amplitude modulation of the wind turbine by adjusting pitch angles of the plurality of blades during a rotation of the rotor based upon aerodynamic loads acting on the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sara Simonne L. Delport, Saskia Gerarda Honhoff
  • Patent number: 9593669
    Abstract: A hydraulic transmission for a wind turbine that includes a rotor, one or more blades mounted to the rotor, a hydraulic pump mechanically connected to the rotor, and a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor are connected to one another by a high pressure circuit. The hydraulic pump maybe a variable displacement hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor may include a variable displacement hydraulic motor. The wind turbine, including the rotor, the blades of the rotor, the hydraulic pump, and the hydraulic motor may be controlled according to different approaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Per Nielsen Lindholdt, Eik Herbsleb, Allan Holm Jørgensen, Christian Mark Nielsen, Hans Henrik Højsgaard, Peter Koldkjær, Kristian Gregerssen
  • Patent number: 9593670
    Abstract: A method for reducing noise generated by a wind turbine includes measuring a reference temperature of the wind turbine. The method also includes regulating a trailing edge surface temperature of a trailing edge portion of a rotor blade attached to the wind turbine. In addition, the method includes measuring the trailing edge surface temperature. Further, the method includes regulating the trailing edge surface temperature to maintain a predetermined temperature differential between the reference temperature and the trailing edge surface temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lorenz Edwin Drack, Benoit Philippe Petitjean, Jorge Alejandro Carretero Benignos, Akil Abbas Rangwalla, Pratish Patil
  • Patent number: 9593671
    Abstract: A system for transmitting signals, including a device for transmitting data between a movable and stationary portion of a windmill, to be installed on either portion, and including: connection elements for connecting at least one wireline to a plurality of groups to receive a plurality of respective data flows, each flow coming from a corresponding apparatus installed on the mobile portion or stationary portion; elements for processing the received streams, configured to assign a priority parameter value to each received stream, and in the event of concomitant reception of multiple streams, to compare the values of the priority parameter that are associated with the received streams and transmit by priority to a module for transceiving the radiofrequency signals, with a view to a radiofrequency transmission to the other of mobile or stationary portion, the stream associated with the value of the priority parameter corresponding to the highest degree of priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSITE DE PICARDIE JULES VERNE, MERSEN FRANCE AMIENS SAS
    Inventors: Remy Astier, Jerome Dubois, Thierry Capitaine, Aurelien Lorthois, Valery Bourny, Veronique Da Ros
  • Patent number: 9593672
    Abstract: A power generating device (2, 3) for supplying power to a power system (37). The power generating device includes a first component (87) for generating a first signal representing a frequency of a voltage on the power system, a power converter (90) for generating an output voltage, a second component (82) responsive to the first signal and to a second signal representing the output voltage, the second component producing an error signal representing a phase angle difference between the first and second signals, and the error signal being an input to the power converter for controlling the power converter to maintain the phase angle difference between the output voltage and the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert J. Nelson, Jesper Hammelsvang, Hongtao Ma, Jakob Skjoeth
  • Patent number: 9593673
    Abstract: A system comprising a first wind turbine structure and a second wind turbine structure, wherein the first wind turbine structure and the second wind turbine structure are rotatable with respect to each other is provided. A safety bearing element is mounted to the first wind turbine structure such that the second wind turbine structure is in slideable contact with a contact surface of the safety bearing element if a distance between the first wind turbine structure and the second wind turbine structure is reduced below a predetermined reference value. The safety bearing element comprises an electrical indicating circuitry with an indicating conductor, wherein the indicating circuitry is connectable to a wear controller system such that a signal is generatable by the indicating circuitry and transmitted to the wear controller system until the indicating conductor is damaged due to the slideable contact of the second wind turbine structure with the safety bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Jens Arne Mikkelsen
  • Patent number: 9593674
    Abstract: A planetary gear includes a central sun gear having external teeth, a ring gear having internal teeth, a planetary carrier having formed therein lubricant supply channels, and planet gears supported on the planetary carrier and having side cheeks engaging the internal teeth of the ring gear and the external teeth of the sun gear. A slide bush radially supports the planetary carrier and has radial outer and inner sliding surfaces, and an interposed shoulder surface, which bear flat upon a radial outer and inner bearing surfaces, and an interposed shoulder surface on an inner surface of the planetary carrier. An annular lubricant distribution channel is formed between the shoulder surfaces of the slide bush and the planetary carrier, with the lubricant supply channels feeding into the lubricant distribution channel on the inlet side and connected to the external lubricant supply via a lubricant supply channel formed in the slide bush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Klaus Boland, Dominikus Daners, Markus Degeling
  • Patent number: 9593675
    Abstract: A heat driven liquid close-loop automatic circulating system is provided. This system circulates the liquid in a close-loop by the collected heat in the loop. The system may operate without external power for the pump. The heat driven liquid close-loop automatic circulating system may employ a modified self-powered pump for heated liquid. The pump includes an airtight container for containing the heated liquid, a inlet and a outlet of the heated liquid, further more the modified self-powered pump has a breathing channel with a liquid vapor condensing and reflux structure. The heat driven liquid close-loop automatic circulating system may be a solar heated liquid close-loop automatic circulating system with a solar heat collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Huazi Lin
  • Patent number: 9593676
    Abstract: A portable and relocateable pump attachment interface provides a fixed link between a first line in communication with a fluid reservoir, and a second line in communication with a mobile storage tank via a pump of a pump truck. The interface includes an interface body that supports a fixed conduit entirely above ground. The front end of the conduit is for coupling to the first line, and the back end of the conduit is for coupling to the second line. The interface body has a fitting access space and a spill containment catch basin disposed under the fitting access space, and the second end of the conduit is located within the fitting access space and over the spill containment basin to catch any spillage from the second line when it is coupled to and uncoupled from the conduit. The interface body can be a concrete block, or be molded plastic filled with sand or water and is massive enough to substantially isolate line one from line 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Randal K. Vanconett
  • Patent number: 9593677
    Abstract: An electric hydraulic motor system for vehicles features an electric motor and an electric generator operatively connected to a battery of a vehicle and hydrogen fuel cell. The system features a fuel engine hydraulic pump operatively connected to a standard fuel engine of the vehicle. The system features a hydraulic reservoir operatively connected to the fuel engine hydraulic pump. The system features a first hydraulic pump operatively connected to each the electric motor and the hydraulic reservoir. The system features a first hydraulic motor operatively connected to each the hydraulic reservoir, and wheels of the vehicle. The system features a second hydraulic motor operatively connected to each the electric generator and the hydraulic reservoir. The system features a second hydraulic pump operatively connected to each the wheels of the vehicle and the hydraulic reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Mohammed Bouzmane
  • Patent number: 9593678
    Abstract: The present invention involves, in some embodiments, systems and methods for pumping fluid into or out of a patient via a cartridge. The cartridge may include a membrane defining a chamber and mechanisms to supply, measure and control pressure in the chamber. The system further includes a processor that can be configured to compare certain pressure measurements to each other to facilitate determining if an error condition exists in the medical system if the difference between measurements is greater than a threshold. In certain cases the error condition may indicate leakage of the membrane, for example due to a pinhole in the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Larry B. Gray, Robert J. Bryant, Jr., Geoffrey P. Spencer
  • Patent number: 9593679
    Abstract: The present invention involves, in some embodiments apparatus, such as dialysis apparatus, and methods for pumping fluid. Certain embodiments comprise a housing enclosing a pump drive assembly for actuating at least one pump on a removable fluid pumping cassette. The housing may comprise a door connected to the housing for enclosing an installed cassette in the housing upon closure of the door. The pump drive assembly may comprise a mating block configured for operative association with an installed cassette and may be configured to permit a sealing engagement with an installed cassette upon closure of the door. To facilitate sealing, certain embodiments of the door include a movable compression plate configured to exert a compressive force on an installed cassette against the mating block when the door is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Larry B. Gray, Richard J. Lanigan
  • Patent number: 9593680
    Abstract: An electric brake booster vacuum pump of a vehicle has a deactivation level determined according to a percentage of maximum available vacuum at the instant altitude of the vehicle. The activation level may be determined in the same way. The invention provides for earlier on-switching of a vacuum pump at altitude, while ensuring that the off-switching value is achievable at low atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Chris Liddington
  • Patent number: 9593681
    Abstract: A pump device having a vane-type pump has a check valve in a fluid duct which leads from a pressure region to an under-vane region. The check valve blocks in the direction of the pressure region, preventing pressure from escaping from the under-vane region into the pressure region during the start-up of the vane-type pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Contintental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Böhm
  • Patent number: 9593682
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a partial texturization applied on a contact interface of a scroll fluid compressor. The scroll fluid compressor may have an orbiting whorl, a non-orbiting whorl, and a block frame which holds the orbiting whorl in contact with the non-orbiting whorl. The partial texturization can be applied on the lower surface of the orbiting whorl, the upper surface of the block frame, or both, and can include at least two first regions separated by second regions. The first regions have surfaces including a plurality of micro-cavities and the second regions have substantially smooth surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL S.A.
    Inventors: Fernando Withers Torres, José Daniel Biasoli de Mello
  • Patent number: 9593683
    Abstract: A pollutant collecting pump for water surface comprises a power device (1) and a pollutant collecting barrel (6). The power device (1) is connected to the pollutant collecting barrel (6). A pollutant inlet (4) is provided on the upper portion of the pollutant collecting barrel (6), and a pollutant outlet (5) is provided on the lower portion of the pollutant collecting barrel (6). A blade (2) is provided outside the pollutant collecting barrel (6), and an axis of the pollutant collecting barrel (6) is perpendicular to a rotating surface of the blade (2). The pollutant inlet (4) is positioned above the blade (2). The pollutant collecting pump for water surface is adapted to collect pollutants distributed on water surface with low density and small thickness, and has the advantages in simple structure, low manufacturing cost, convenient operation and thorough collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SINO-GAS & OIL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ling Zhang