Patents Issued in March 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9598952
    Abstract: A sensing system comprises at least one gauge disposed in a wellbore, a sensing link coupled to the at least one gauge, and a debris barrier coupled to the sensing link. The debris barrier comprises a housing coupled to the sensing link, and a barrier element configured to reduce the transport of particulates from the wellbore into the sensing link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Thomas Jules Frosell
  • Patent number: 9598953
    Abstract: A system and method to eliminate the need for a dummy run comprises a logging assembly to detect the position of one or more blow-out preventer (“BOP”) rams and a hang off location. During a logging operation, the logging assembly logs the positions of the BOP rams and wear bushing. The logged positions are then used to determine the correct placement of the subsea test tree (“SSTT”) in relation to its hanger. Thus, the need to perform a dummy run is eliminated because correct placement of the SSTT can be determined during routine logging operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David Ringgenerg, Daniel Dorffer, Dalmo Massaru Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 9598954
    Abstract: Provided herein are various embodiments of casing collar locator (CCL) tools, circuits and methods, which enable a CCL tool to selectively operate in passive or active mode. More specifically, a dual-mode CCL tool is provided herein with a mode selection circuit, which may be coupled between a coil of the CCL tool and a wireline of a well survey system. The mode selection circuit may be generally configured to detect a voltage on the wireline, connect the coil of the CCL tool to the wireline if the detected voltage is less than a threshold voltage, and connect the coil of the CCL tool to an amplifier circuit if the detected voltage is greater than or equal to the threshold voltage. The mode selection circuit described herein therefore enables a single CCL tool to be used for a variety of different downhole operations, including but not limited to wireline logging and well perforation jobs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Penny Technologies c/o Vistra
    Inventors: Dalong Zhang, Bulent Finci, George Innes, III
  • Patent number: 9598955
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for obtaining distance related wellbore parameters using pulse-echo measurements. For example, the depth of a wellbore may be computed and/or the length of a tubular string positioned in a wellbore may be determined. In an embodiment, a pulsar is deployed into a wellbore along a length of tubular. Once deployed, a fluid pulse is sent form a surface pulse generator and the transmission time is recorded. The downhole pulsar receives the fluid pulse and, in response, returns a second fluid pulse back to the surface. Surface processing circuitry receives the second fluid pulse and records the reception time. The processing circuitry then process the data to determine the total time for travel, thereby determining the length of the downhole pipe or other tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhargav Gajji, Ankit Purohit, Ganesh Shriniwas Pangu, Keshav Parashuram Pujeri
  • Patent number: 9598956
    Abstract: A method and apparatus according to which a sample bottle drill collar section is assembled. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a drill collar that includes an outer surface; a pocket accessible through an aperture in the outer surface, the pocket defining a first side wall and a second side wall; a bottle assembly disposed within the pocket, the bottle assembly comprising a sample bottle having an axial length; one or more clamps coupled to the outer surface and abutting or overlapping the bottle assembly, the one or more clamps at least partially retaining the bottle assembly in the pocket; and one or more spacers disposed within the pocket, the one or more spacers abutting the bottle assembly and at least one of the first and second side walls of the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Kristopher V. Sherrill, Clive D. Menezes, David Welshans
  • Patent number: 9598957
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for evaluating a downhole fluid from a borehole intersecting an earth formation. The method may include filtering magnetic particles in the downhole fluid by activating a switchable magnetic filter when the downhole fluid enters a sample chamber in the borehole. The filter may include a wire mesh comprising strands of conductor oriented in a first direction; and strands of soft magnetic material oriented in a second direction. The method may also include cleaning the switchable magnetic filter by deactivating the switchable magnetic filter. Cleaning the switchable magnetic filter may include removing filtered particles using a fluid. The method may further include estimating a parameter of interest of the downhole fluid in the sample chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Thomas Kruspe
  • Patent number: 9598958
    Abstract: An air motor (10) that receives compressed air in order to be driven. The air motor (10) includes a valve assembly (11) with a base (12) of a unitary construction. The base (12) has opposite side faces (13) to which there is sealingly attached caps (14) that in cooperation with flexible diaphragms (15) provide working chambers (15, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Joe Santa & Associates Pty Limited
    Inventor: David Luiz Santa
  • Patent number: 9598959
    Abstract: A hot fluid expansion engine has a plurality of actuator modules arranged in a star configuration around a central shaft. Each module includes a drive piston defining a working chamber of variable volume in the first enclosure; a movable displacement piston subdividing a second enclosure into a low temperature chamber of variable volume and a high temperature chamber of variable volume with the high temperature chamber communicating with a unit of a fluid heater device and the low temperature chamber communicating with the working chamber; and a fluid circulation circuit extending between the fluid heater device and the working chamber. The drive piston and the displacement piston of each actuator module are connected to the central shaft via respective first and second eccentric transmission devices suitable for imparting reciprocating motion in translation to each of the pistons with a phase lag of 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Neemat Frem
  • Patent number: 9598960
    Abstract: A scroll compressor orbiting scroll bearing lubrication system includes a scroll compressor crankshaft having a lubricating fluid gallery extending therethrough between a first stage orbiting scroll and a second stage orbiting scroll. The first stage employs an orbiting scroll radial bearing and an orbiting scroll hydrodynamic thrust bearing, while the second stage employs an orbiting scroll radial bearing and an orbiting scroll hydrostatic thrust bearing. Lubricating fluid is supplied to the second stage orbiting scroll radial bearing via the lubricating fluid gallery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jerry Allen Rood, Scott Joseph Smerud, Keith Adam Novak, Joseph M. Heger, Derrick Lepak, Michael Gerard Benco
  • Patent number: 9598961
    Abstract: A spindle bolt structure is provided in a gas turbine engine, and includes a pilot region located within a bolt hole extending through a seal disk. The pilot region includes a circumferential pilot ridge located adjacent to a downstream axial face of the seal disk and a circumferential trough portion located between a bolt shoulder and the pilot ridge. The trough portion defines a trough diameter that is less than a diameter of the bolt shoulder and less than a diameter of the pilot ridge. The bolt shoulder and pilot ridge are formed with an applied compressive residual stress and are positioned for engagement with the seal disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Manish S. Gurao, Kevin M. Light, Zafir A. M. Abdo, Kazim Ozbaysal
  • Patent number: 9598962
    Abstract: A turbine rotor includes a high- and low-temperature side rotor base materials. The high- and low-temperature materials include concavities and grooves. The turbine rotor has an enclosed space formed by the concavity of the high- and low-temperature materials being disposed opposingly, and a gap formed by the grooves of the high- and low-temperature materials being disposed opposingly. The turbine rotor contains a buildup welding section formed between the high- and low-temperature materials, which has the same composition as that of the high- or low-temperature material, and has a penetration bead on the enclosed space side, and the gap contains a weld metal filled therein. Thus, a stable penetration bead can be formed in a dissimilar material welded rotor combining two kinds of alloy materials with different thermal properties, and then generation of a non-welded portion of a butting section that becomes a start point of fracture can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Nishioka, Kenichi Murata, Kazuhiko Endo, Jun Sato, Toshio Namatame, Shinya Imano
  • Patent number: 9598963
    Abstract: A component includes a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface, where the inner surface defines at least one hollow, interior space. The outer surface of the substrate defines a pressure side wall and a suction side wall. The pressure and suction side walls are joined together at a leading edge and at a trailing edge of the component. The outer surface defines one or more grooves that extend at least partially along the pressure or suction side walls in a vicinity of the trailing edge of the component. Each groove is in fluid communication with a respective hollow, interior space. The component further includes a coating disposed over at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate. The coating comprises at least a structural coating, where the structural coating extends over the groove(s), such that the groove(s) and the structural coating together define one or more channels for cooling the trailing edge of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ronald Scott Bunker
  • Patent number: 9598964
    Abstract: A plurality of slots with different widths are provided in a plurality of line on a stationary blade surface. More specifically, the steam turbine stationary blade has a hollow nozzle with a penetrating space, which is connected with a diaphragm outer ring or inner ring, and a plurality of suction slots extending radially which are arranged on the blade surface. At a position where a water film deposited to the blade surface is thick, the width of a slot is smaller and at a position where the water film is thin, the width of a slot is larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Ishibashi, Susumu Nakano, Shunsuke Mizumi, Takeshi Kudo
  • Patent number: 9598965
    Abstract: A blade for a thermal turbomachine is provided. The blade has a blade airfoil having a first extent in a substantially radial orientation in relation to a rotational axis of the turbomachine and a second extent which is configured transversely with respect to the first extent, and comprising a blade root which adjoins the rotor blade and rounds off the rotor blade in the first extent. The blade has graphene at least in regions. A method for producing a blade of this type is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Detlef Haje
  • Patent number: 9598966
    Abstract: In structural reinforcement for a composite blade of a turbine engine, the reinforcement being for adhesively bonding to a leading edge of the blade and presenting over its full height a section that is substantially V-shaped, having a base that is extended by two lateral flanks, there is provided an assembly of a plurality of fiber bundles that is mounted in at least one housing in the base, which assembly defines fiber content that varies along the full height of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Gilles Charles Casimir Klein, Jean-Michel Patrick Maurice Franchet, Dominique Magnaudeix, Gilbert Michel Marin Leconte
  • Patent number: 9598967
    Abstract: An airfoil member and platform assembly for a gas turbine engine is provided. The platform to which the airfoil member is anchored is made of a composite material and includes an endwall defining a contoured region for improved aerodynamics. The contoured region influences the flow of gases through the flow passages between the airfoil members, thereby reducing endwall losses due to horseshoe vortexing. The composite material may be woven ceramic matrix composite fibers infiltrated with a ceramic matrix material or woven organic matrix composite fibers infiltrated with an organic matrix material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: JinQuan Xu
  • Patent number: 9598968
    Abstract: The invention relates to the design of rotor blades of an axial turbomachine compressor, especially the method of attaching the blades to the rotor. The blades comprise an aerofoil portion and a platform for attaching them to the rotor. The platform comprises, along the main axis of the blade, a first layer forming a surface bounding the fluid stream and skirting the aerodynamic surfaces and a second layer, underneath the first layer with respect to the aerodynamic surfaces, designed to be able to mate with the inner face of a wall of the rotor around an aperture in the rotor for the purpose of attaching it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Safran Aero Boosters SA
    Inventor: Eric Englebert
  • Patent number: 9598969
    Abstract: A turbine according to an embodiment includes: a formation object member; a facing member; and a seal part. A formation object member is one of a static part and a rotation part. A facing member is the other of the static part and the rotation part. A seal part at the formation object member is configured to reduce combustion gas leaking between the formation object member and the facing member. The seal part including a ceramics layer. The ceramics layer has a heat conductivity lower than that of the formation object member, and has a concave and convex shape at a surface thereof. The ceramics layer is not in contact with the facing member, or has hardness higher than that of the facing member so that the facing member is preferentially abraded when the facing member and the ceramics layer are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kunihiko Wada, Satoru Kuboya, Daizo Saito, Hideyuki Maeda, Nobuhiro Okizono, Iwataro Sato, Kazutaka Tsuruta, Naoyuki Okamura
  • Patent number: 9598970
    Abstract: A brush seal includes a bristle part formed by multiple bristles attached to a stationary part between the stationary part and a rotational part that undergo relative motion by maintaining a space in between; and a back plate attached adjacent to the bristle part on its low-pressure side to restrict the movement of the bristle part. The brush seal for sealing a fluid between the stationary part and rotational part is characterized in that the bristle part is formed by the multiple bristles such that the multiple bristles arranged in a direction of fluid are mutually fixed between a base end and a free end to form planar bristles arranged continuously in layers in a circumferential direction to form the bristle part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 9598971
    Abstract: A segmented retractable seal is provided in a stator of a turbine by which a rotor seal is arranged radially and axially movably in a groove formed in the stator of the turbine and is connected with a mechanism which retracts it away from the rotor of the turbine in a radial direction. The groove formed in the stator of the turbine contains an outer partial groove formed on the inner surface of the stator and an inner partial groove formed in the body of the stator and connected with it, its width being smaller than or equal to that of the outer partial groove. A head of the seal is arranged in the inner partial groove, and a comb of the seal is arranged in the outer partial groove. The head of the seal and the comb of the seal are connected by a neck of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DOOSAN SKODA POWER s.r.o.
    Inventors: Dan Hasnedl, Lubos Prchlik
  • Patent number: 9598972
    Abstract: An abradable seal for a gas turbine engine includes a metal alloy and a plurality of pores in the metal alloy. The plurality of pores have a diameter of approximately 1 to 10 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher W. Strock
  • Patent number: 9598973
    Abstract: A seal system, for an apparatus that includes a rotatable portion with airfoils coupled thereto and a stationary portion with an inner surface, includes an abradable portion including at least one abradable layer of an abradable material formed over the inner surface. The seal system also includes an abrading portion disposed over at least a portion of a substrate of the airfoil. The abrading portion includes at least one abrading layer formed on at least a portion of the substrate and a plurality of abrasive particles embedded within the abrading layer. The plurality of abrasive particles includes at least one of substantially all of one of tantalum carbide (TaC), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and ziconia (ZrO2), cubic boron nitride (cBN) and Al2O3 in predetermined ratios, cBN, Al2O3 and ZrO2 in predetermined ratios, Al2O3 and ZrO2 fused together in predetermined ratios, and TaC and Al2O3 in predetermined ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Farshad Ghasripoor, Iacopo Giovannetti, Massimo Giannozzi, Krishnamurthy Anand, Nuo Sheng, Nicole Barbara Piche, Luc Stephane LeBlanc, Wayne Charles Hasz, Warren Arthur Nelson, Paul Matthew Thomas, Dennis Michael Gray
  • Patent number: 9598974
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an annular plenum defined with an outer skin and a perforated inner skin for receiving selective air flow to impinge a support case which supports shrouds of the rotor assemblies of the engine therein for active tip clearance control of the rotor assemblies. In one embodiment a bobbin-type transfer tube for supplying cooling air into the plenum, is provided between an outer case of the engine an the plenum such that the thermally induced relative movement of the outer case and the plenum is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Eugene Gekht, Terrence Lucas, Thomas Francis Haslam-Jones, Danny Mills, Guy Bouchard
  • Patent number: 9598975
    Abstract: A turbine shroud or blade track assembly adapted to extend around a turbine wheel assembly is disclosed. The turbine shroud includes a carrier and a blade track coupled to the carrier. The blade track is movable between a radially-inward position having a first inner diameter and a radially-outward position having a second inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C Uskert, Joseph P Lamusga, Aaron D Sippel
  • Patent number: 9598976
    Abstract: A mounting stand for a temperature sensor is disclosed. The mounting stand includes a base, a pedestal, and a shield. The pedestal extends from the base to a pedestal end distal to the base. The pedestal includes a first hollow cylinder shape forming a bore there through. The shield includes a second hollow cylinder shape extending from the base about the pedestal and extending beyond the pedestal to a shield end distal to the base forming a flow region between the pedestal and the shield. The shield also includes a first aspiration hole extending through the second hollow cylinder shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Michal Peter Siorek, Kevin Liu, Hassan Nehari
  • Patent number: 9598977
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems and methods for boundary control during steam turbine acceleration. According to an example embodiment, the method can include receiving an indication the turbine is in an initial acceleration phase; receiving speed control parameter data from a plurality of sensors; receiving boundary control parameter data from a plurality of sensors; providing a control valve configured for controlling steam flow entering the turbine; determining the control valve position based on received speed control parameter data; determining the control valve position based on received boundary control parameter data; adjusting at least one boundary control parameter to the at least one boundary control parameter limit during turbine startup, wherein the value of a speed control parameter is simultaneously adjusted based on the adjusted at least one boundary control parameter; and adjusting the control valve position based at least on determined parameter data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Lawrence Meyer, Carl R. Toth, Dean Alexander Baker
  • Patent number: 9598978
    Abstract: A fan containment system having a generally cylindrical fan case including a hook projecting in a generally radially inward direction and positioned axially forward of a radial array of fan blades; a fan track liner disposed on the radially inner surface of the fan case; and a panel which is positioned axially rearward of the hook and positioned axially forward of the radial array of fan blades and forms a substantially continuous air washed surface with the fan track liner. The panel is temporarily deformable so as to absorb the impacts of any foreign bodies, which enter the gas turbine engine, without compromising the structural integrity of the panel while being weak enough so that in the event that one of the fan blades is released from the hub, the fan blade tip of the detached fan blade is not inhibited from moving radially outward of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Matthew Ashley Charles Hoyland, Dale Edward Evans
  • Patent number: 9598979
    Abstract: A method for producing a diffusion cooling hole extending between a wall having a first wall surface and a second wall surface includes forming a cooling hole inlet at the first wall surface, forming a cooling hole outlet at the second wall surface, forming a metering section downstream from the inlet and forming a multi-lobed diffusing section between the metering section and the outlet. The inlet, outlet, metering section and multi-lobed diffusing section are formed by laser drilling, particle beam machining, fluid jet guided laser machining, mechanical machining, masking and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon Miller Reed, Paul R. Faughnan, Jr., John Quitter
  • Patent number: 9598980
    Abstract: A ram air turbine assembly includes a governor shaft rotatable about an axis and a stop shaft coupled for rotation with the governor shaft. A rotatable housing portion surrounds at least a portion of the stop shaft. A lock plunger extends through an opening in the rotatable housing portion to prevent rotation of the rotatable housing portion and minimize vibration impact loading when stowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Bannon, David E. Russ
  • Patent number: 9598981
    Abstract: An integrated single-piece exhaust system (SPEX) with modular construction that facilitates design changes for enhanced aerodynamics, structural integrity or serviceability. The SPEX defines splined or curved exhaust path surfaces, such as a series of cylindrical and frusto-conical sections that mimic curves. The constructed sections may include: (i) a tail cone assembly fabricated from conical sections that taper downstream to a reduced diameter; or (ii) an area-ruled cross section axially aligned with one or more rows of turbine struts; or both features. Modular inner and outer diameter inlet lips enhance transitional flow between the last row blades and the SPEX, as well as enhance structural integrity. Modular strut collars have large radius profiles between the SPEX annular inner diameter and outer diameter flow surfaces, for enhanced airflow and constant thickness walls for uniform heat transfer and thermal expansion. Scalloped mounting flanges enhance structural integrity and longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil L. Salunkhe, John A. Orosa, Yevgeniy Shteyman, Lijuan Han, Matthew J. Delisa, III, Daniel F. Riveros
  • Patent number: 9598982
    Abstract: In a valve timing adjusting device, a second rotation body includes a second sun gear part provided inside of a first rotation body, and is connected to a drive shaft or a driven shaft through inside of the sprocket part to be rotated corresponding to the drive shaft or the driven shaft. When the second rotation body is brought into contact with the sprocket part, rotation of the second rotation body relative to the first rotation body is restricted. A planetary rotation body includes a first planetary gear part engaged with the first sun gear part, and a second planetary gear part engaged with the second sun gear part. The planetary rotation body makes a sun-and-planet motion inward of the first sun gear part and the second sun gear part to change a phase of the relative rotation between the first rotation body and the second rotation body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masao Kurisu
  • Patent number: 9598983
    Abstract: A cam of a variable valve device is provided with a change region, which is a region with which a roller abuts when a control shaft is displaced in an axial direction to change a maximum lift amount and in which a cam surface is inclined such that a diameter of the cam gradually increases toward one side in a rotation direction. The cam is provided with a retainer region with which the roller abuts when a position of the control shaft in the axial direction is retained to retain the maximum lift amount. An inclination angle of the cam surface in the retainer region is smaller as the maximum lift amount when the action member abuts with the retainer region is larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takamasa Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9598984
    Abstract: A camshaft adjusting device for an internal combustion engine including: a vane-type adjuster actuable by a pressure medium and which is rotationally fixed to a camshaft by a rotor and rotationally fixed to a crankshaft by a stator; a central valve has a displaceable valve body, by which a pressure medium is fed to the vane-type adjuster via a pump from a reservoir, the medium being selectively introduced into different working chambers and fed back from other working chambers to the reservoir, depending on the position of the valve body. The device includes a rolling bearing, by which the end section of the camshaft facing the vane-type adjuster is mounted in relation to a fixed housing wall. An axially oriented through-flow opening extends through the rolling bearing through which the pressure medium delivered by the pressure flows in an axial direction to the central valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ali Bayrakdar, Joachim Dietz
  • Patent number: 9598985
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Pietrzyk, Ed Badillo, John Eric Rollinger
  • Patent number: 9598986
    Abstract: A fluid flow control valve (10) having an elongated valve body (14) with a longitudinally extending aperture (14a) and a plurality of longitudinally spaced, radially extending ports (14b) formed therein. The valve body (14) includes an undercut portion (14c) located between two adjacent radially extending ports (14b). A valve spool (12) within the longitudinally extending aperture (14a) of the valve body (14) can be moved between first and second end limits of travel. The valve spool (12) has a plurality of lands (12a) and reduced diameter portions (12b) defining fluid passages (18) for fluid communication with selective radially extending ports (14b) of the valve body (14) depending on a longitudinal position of the valve spool (12) within the valve body (14). A longitudinally extending passage (12c) and a radially extending passage (12d) are formed in the valve spool (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Berezny, Garrett R. Holmes
  • Patent number: 9598987
    Abstract: A camshaft adjusting device for an internal combustion engine including: a rotor that can be rotationally fixed to a camshaft of the internal combustion engine; a pot-shaped stator that encompasses the rotor and can be driven by a crankshaft; and an annular chamber situated between the stator and the rotor and subdivided into multiple pressure chambers by stator ribs that are located on the stator and that extend up to the rotor. Each pressure chamber is subdivided into two working chambers (A,B) by vanes provided on the rotor. The device also includes a central valve (1) which has a displaceable valve body (2), by which a pressure medium that is fed via a pressure medium pump (P) from a pressure medium reservoir (T) can be selectively introduced into the working chambers (A,B) on one side of the vanes and can be fed back from the working chambers (A,B) on the other side of the vanes to the pressure medium reservoir (T), depending on a position of the valve body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ali Bayrakdar
  • Patent number: 9598988
    Abstract: An engine includes an oil pan used for storing lubricating oil, a crankcase, a cam box, a rocker, and a distribution chamber used for separating oil & gas mixture into oil mist and liquid oil. A lubricating system comprises: the oil pan and the crankcase are communicated through an oil supply passage, and a one-way valve is disposed in the oil supply passage; the crankcase and the distribution chamber are communicated through a first oil conveying passage, and a one-way valve is disposed in the first oil conveying passage; the distribution chamber and the cam box are communicated through a second oil conveying passage; the cam box and the rocker chamber are communicated through a third oil conveying passage; the rocker chamber and the crankcase are communicated through at least one oil return passage, and a one-way valve is disposed in the oil return passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SUZHOU CLEVA PRECISION MACHINERY & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhao Kong, Ning Guo, Gan Chen, Keya Feng
  • Patent number: 9598990
    Abstract: An ejector includes: a decompression chamber in an outer pipe on an air entrance side; a throat in the outer pipe on an air exit side; a nozzle in the outer pipe on the air entrance side, the nozzle having a leading end portion placed in a decompression chamber to inject air; and a suction port in the decompression chamber to suck blow-by gas into the decompression chamber. The air injected from the nozzle generates negative pressure in the decompression chamber to suck in blow-by gas through the suction port, and the sucked gas is discharged together with air through a throat. The valve in the nozzle includes a valve seat, a valve element, and a spring to press the valve element in a direction to separate from the valve seat. The valve element is formed with a bottom-closed cavity opening toward an upstream side of an air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukihiro Doko, Jun Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9598991
    Abstract: An oil separator is provided that efficiently recovers oil mist in blow-by gas regardless of differences in particle diameter. The oil separator includes a supply space to which blow-by gas from an internal combustion engine is supplied, and multiple cyclone-type oil separation units arranged along the gas supply direction, each having a cylindrical cylinder case part to which the blow-by gas from the supply space is supplied. An inner diameter of the cylinder case part of the oil separation unit is set larger with the oil separation unit arranged more upstream in the gas supply direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Kira, Atsushi Nishigaki, Jun Ikeda, Shin Satsumabayashi
  • Patent number: 9598992
    Abstract: A separation device for separating contaminates from a gas flow may include a raw chamber receiving a contaminated gas and a clean chamber out of which a treated gas exits. A dividing wall may separate the raw chamber from the clean chamber. The dividing wall may include a perforated region defining a plurality of passage openings. The gas flow may be communicated from the raw chamber to the clean chamber via the plurality of passage openings. A gas-permeable separation structure may be arranged on a wall outlet side of the dividing wall facing the clean chamber. The separation structure may separate contaminates from the gas flow when subjected to a through flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Ruppel, Julius Aktas, Yakup Oezkaya, Leszek Goerlich, Ulrich Wiesner, Jan Scheffel
  • Patent number: 9598993
    Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere with the exhaust gas stream produced by the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel in an internal combustion engine (ICE) used to power a vehicle by capturing at least a portion of the CO2 in a liquid sorbent on board the vehicle, recovering the CO2 from the sorbent and compressing the CO2 for temporary storage on board the vehicle, where the process is operated as a semi-closed system in which the liquid sorbent that captures the CO2 serves as a working fluid and retains the CO2 during the power generation cycle to produce mechanical energy or work, after which the CO2 is desorbed for densification and recovery as an essentially pure gas stream and the working fluid is recycled for use in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mourad Victor Younes, Wajdi Issam Al-Sadat, Esam Zaki Hamad
  • Patent number: 9598994
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metering module (10) for metering a reduction means in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The metering module (10) comprises at least one cooling element (22, 24) through which cooling fluid flows. The metering module (10) has a cooled connection piece (44) that is actively cooled by the cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Winkler, Achim Knittel, Stephan Pohl, Martin Kiontke
  • Patent number: 9598995
    Abstract: A method for managing operation of a component of a system for storing and injecting an additive into exhaust gases of a combustion engine. The system includes a container for storing the additive and the method includes: obtaining an instantaneous measurement of concentration of additive and/or an instantaneous measurement of alkalinity of the additive and/or an instantaneous measurement of the temperature inside the container, by one or a plurality of measurement sensors mounted inside the container; determining reducing power of the additive based on the instantaneous measurement of concentration of additive and/or an instantaneous measurement of the alkalinity of the additive and/or temperature inside the container; generating a control signal, based on the defined reducing power; transmitting the generated control signal to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Paul Wouters, Stephane Leonard, Frederic Jannot, Francois Dougnier, Romain Herdier
  • Patent number: 9598996
    Abstract: A method for feeding reducing agent to an exhaust gas mass flow in an exhaust gas treatment device provides a reducing agent feed port, a storage catalytic converter storing reducing agent and an SCR catalytic converter for selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxygen compounds in exhaust gas. A first dosing strategy is followed, loading of the storage catalytic converter with reducing agent is monitored and a first target conversion rate is determined based on current loading. Reducing agent is fed according to the first target conversion rate. A current conversion rate obtained with the SCR catalytic converter is determined. The current conversion rate is compared to the first target conversion rate and any deviation is registered. A further dosing strategy, not considering the loading of the storage catalytic converter, is used if the deviation exceeds a first threshold value. A motor vehicle and a stationary installation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventor: Peter Bauer
  • Patent number: 9598997
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes: a reducing agent passage that connects a tank and an injection valve; a heater that heats up a hydrolysis catalyst that is provided in the reducing agent passage; and a controller comprising at least one processor configured to control a pump so that a reducing agent located further toward a side of the injection valve than the hydrolysis catalyst flows toward a side of the hydrolysis catalyst after completion of injection of a reducing agent in a state where the hydrolysis catalyst is at a temperature lower than the hydrolysis temperature and before start of injection of a reducing agent in a state where the hydrolysis catalyst is at a temperature equal to or higher than the hydrolysis temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Itoh, Hiromasa Nishioka, Yoshihisa Tsukamoto, Hiroshi Ohtsuki, Yasumasa Notake, Hiroki Murata
  • Patent number: 9598998
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to the invention is applied to an internal combustion engine that is equipped with an exhaust gas treatment device that is provided in an exhaust passage, and a burner device that is provided in the exhaust passage upstream of the exhaust gas treatment device so as to raise a temperature of exhaust gas supplied to the exhaust gas treatment device. The control apparatus performs an increase control for increasing a concentration of oxygen in exhaust gas supplied to the burner device if the concentration of oxygen is not higher than a predetermined required concentration of oxygen when there is a request to operate the burner device. The combustion performance of the burner device is stably ensured by securing or compensating for an insufficient concentration of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinori Morishima, Kenichi Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 9598999
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The exhaust treatment device has a compact configuration that includes integrated reactant dosing, reactant mixing and contaminant removal/treatment. The mixing can be achieved at least in part by a swirl structure and contaminant removal can include NOx reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Korneel De Rudder, Stephane Le Merdy, Bart Schellens, Nic Degelin, Corine Chauvin, Jeffrey Curtis Gillen
  • Patent number: 9599000
    Abstract: A reductant container having: a tank main body that accommodates a reductant; a heating member disposed in the tank main body and configured to generate heat so as to increase a temperature of the reductant; a covering member covering the heating member and having an inflow portion, the inflow portion allowing some of the reductant to flow into the covering member; a reductant supply pipe through which the reductant in the covering member is supplied to the outside of the tank main body; and a temperature measuring unit having a temperature sensor disposed in the covering member to sense a temperature of the reductant, the temperature measuring unit determining the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, wherein the covering member has an upper wall covering the heating member from above, the upper wall having a lower surface that is inclined so as to be raised toward the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michio Hirayama, Yu Yoshida, Atsushi Omori, Hiroaki Sunada, Shinji Kiyomihara, Shinkichi Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 9599001
    Abstract: An exhaust purification system for an internal combustion engine is provided that can maintain the NOx purification rate of a selective reduction catalyst at near the maximum thereof. The exhaust purification system is provided with an oxidation catalyst and CSF provided in the exhaust plumbing of the engine, a selective reduction catalyst that is provided in the exhaust plumbing on the downstream side of oxidation catalyst and CSF, and selectively reduces NOx in the exhaust, and a NO2 sensor that detects NO2 in the exhaust inside of the exhaust plumbing on the downstream side of the selective reduction catalyst. An ECU executes NO2-NOx ratio decrease processing to cause the NO2-NOx ratio corresponding to the ratio of NO2 to NOx in the exhaust flowing into the selective reduction catalyst to decrease, in a case of a detection value Vno2 from the NO2 sensor being greater than a predetermined value Vno2_th.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Eiji Hashimoto, Hideki Matsunaga, Hisao Haga, Masafumi Sakota
  • Patent number: 9599002
    Abstract: In an engine control method for maintaining performance of oxidation catalyst, fuel of a compressed natural gas engine under a lean-burn condition with an air-fuel equivalence ratio less than or equal to 1 is burned. Activation of the oxidation catalyst for purifying an exhaust gas of the engine is determined. Necessity of a regeneration mode for recovering catalytic activation of the oxidation catalyst according to an activation state of the oxidation catalyst and an operating condition of the engine is determined. And, the air-fuel equivalence ratio is increased to a range of from 1.10 to 1.20 when the oxidation catalyst is inactive and an engine speed is lower than a predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: In-hyuk Im, Nam-il Choi, Jun-hee Won, Tae-hyung Kim