Patents Issued in April 6, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170096888
    Abstract: The system for operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing an operating fluid, such as natural gas, comprises a production column in which the operating fluid flows, a protective casing arranged around the production column, and a cement sheath interposed between the casing and a rock formation through which the well extends. The system further comprises, outside the casing, between the casing and the cement sheath, a series of electronic units distributed in predetermined positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing and spaced apart axially along the casing. Each electronic unit comprises communication means enabling the electronic unit to communicate with another electronic unit or with a surface terminal, a power supply unit of the electronic unit, and at least one of the following elements: a) a detector unit comprising at least one sensor for sensing a physical or chemical magnitude, and b) a signal processor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Emeline Drouet, Louis Gorintin
  • Publication number: 20170096889
    Abstract: Process control system and method using data-stream segmentation, segment modeling, and Bayesian belief networks for analyzing sensor data are used to determine equipment events, such as equipment failure and equipment stress conditions, that may lead to equipment failure. Other systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Thibault Blanckaert, Yves-Marie Clet Robert Subervie
  • Publication number: 20170096890
    Abstract: A system and methods for drilling a well in a field having an previously drilled well are provided. In accordance with one example, a method includes drilling a new well in a geological formation having an previously drilled well using a bottom hole assembly (BHA) having a transmitter. The method also includes transmitting a signal while drilling using the transmitter of the BHA. Further, the method includes measuring from the previously drilled well the signal from the transmitter received by at least one optical fiber disposed within the previously drilled well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Arthur H. Hartog, Karim Boudah, Miguel F. Pabon
  • Publication number: 20170096891
    Abstract: A downhole cement plug includes a casing collar locator (CCL) operable to generate signals indicative of casing collars on a downhole casing string of a wellbore system; a controller communicably coupled to the CCL to output a plurality of distinct frequency signals based on the signals from the casing collar locator; and a signal generator communicably coupled to the controller to receive the plurality of distinct frequency signals from the controller and transmit the plurality of distinct frequency signals to a terranean surface through a portion of a wellbore system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Li Gao, Krishna Ravi, Batakrishna Mandal
  • Publication number: 20170096892
    Abstract: Systems and methods regarding a reel, downhole tool, control system, and rotary joint. The reel is disposed at a wellsite surface and containing coiled tubing. A first optical conductor is carried with the coiled tubing. The downhole tool is connected to the coiled tubing for conveyance within the wellbore via the coiled tubing. The control system is disposed at the wellsite surface. The rotary joint is disposed in association with the reel and transmits optical communications between the control system and at least one of the downhole tool and the coiled tubing disposed within the wellbore, via at least the first optical conductor and a second optical conductor extending at least partially between the rotary joint and the control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Jordi Juan Segura Dominguez, Michael Hayes Kenison
  • Publication number: 20170096893
    Abstract: An example method for determining down-hole conditions in a subterranean formation during a drilling operation may include introducing non-formation gas into a flow of drilling fluid through a fluid conduit in fluid communication with a drill string disposed within a borehole in the subterranean operation. The non-formation gas may be received from the flow of drilling fluid through a return line in fluid communication with the borehole. A downhole condition may be determined based, at least in part, on the received non-formation gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: W. V. Andrew Graves, Mathew D. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20170096894
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a machine (100) for surface mining or road milling. The machine (100) is arranged to remove material from a ground region (102) while moving along the ground region (102) and comprises a ground engager for removing a portion of the material from the ground region (102). The machine (100) further comprises a detecting system (110) that has at least one detector element coupled to a component of the machine (100) to move with the machine (100) and arranged to detect at least one quantity associated with an electrical property of the ground region (102). The detecting system (110) is arranged to provide composition information concerning a composition of at least one material layer in the ground region (102) and thickness information concerning a thickness of at least one material layer (102a,b,c,d). The detected at least one quantity associated with the electrical property is used to provide at least one of the composition information and the thickness information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Winfried von Schönebeck, Klaus Vollmann, Stefan Wagner, Cyrus Barimani
  • Publication number: 20170096895
    Abstract: A device for connecting the structural elements, in particular elements of ribs used to support and to consolidate an excavation, reticular structures and similar, comprises at least a first housing (4; 44; 403; 411) having a cavity (14; 414; 144) and capable of being associated with a first structural element (2; 20; 200; 121), at least one connection body (5; 56; 511) having at least one insertion portion (119; 58; 591) for insertion in the said cavity (14; 414; 144) of the said first housing (4; 44; 403; 411) and capable of being associated with a second structural element (3; 30; 131), and locking means (11, 12, 13, 15, 17; 60, 61, 62, 63, 47; 621, 623, 653) for locking the said insertion portion (119; 58; 591) of the said connection body (5; 56; 511) inside the said cavity (14; 414; 144). The housing may be arranged in a cup-shaped element and may be linked in a revolving/hinging manner with the connection body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Cristiano BONOMI
  • Publication number: 20170096896
    Abstract: A rib for supporting and consolidating an excavation comprises at least a first structural element (5A) and at least one connection element (10) for connecting the said structural element (5A) of the said rib to a corresponding connection element (10?) of an adjacent rib (1?), the said connection element (10) being capable of engaging through translatory motion with the said corresponding connection element (10?) of the adjacent rib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: OFFICINE MACCAFERRI ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Cristiano BONOMI, Alfredo CULLACIATI
  • Publication number: 20170096897
    Abstract: A method for expanding a gas flow between an inlet for the supply of the gas flow at certain inlet conditions of inlet pressure and inlet temperature and an outlet for the delivery of expanded gas at certain desired outlet conditions of outlet pressure and outlet temperature, whereby this method at least comprises the step of at least partly expanding the gas flow between the inlet and the outlet through a pressure reducing valve and at least partly expanding it through a pressure reducing unit with a rotor driven by the gas for converting the energy contained in the gas into mechanical energy on this shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER, NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP
    Inventors: Kris VAN CAMPFORT, Kristof Pascal HUBIN
  • Publication number: 20170096898
    Abstract: A gas turbine disk includes a rotor and a tie-bolt. The rotor includes a plurality of blades and a plurality of disks. The plurality of blades are disposed on outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of disks. The tie-bolt is disposed along a center axis of the rotor and through a bore defined through hollow portions of the plurality of disks, so as to couple the plurality of disks to each other. A diameter of the bore is larger than a diameter of the tie-bolt. The plurality of disks respectively include a groove spaced from the bore in the circumferential direction of the bore, the groove being elongated in the axial direction of the bore such that cooling air flows through an internal space thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Sungchul JUNG
  • Publication number: 20170096899
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a plurality of disks, on which outer circumferential surfaces a plurality of blades are arranged, and has an objective to provide a gas turbine disk including a plurality of cooling channels penetrating the side surfaces of the disks and spaced from each other in a radial direction, and reinforcement parts coupled to partial arcs of exits of the cooling channels so as to reduce stress concentrated on the cooling channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Sungchul JUNG
  • Publication number: 20170096900
    Abstract: A structure for disrupting the flow of a fluid is provided, the structure comprising: a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall spaced apart from one another a distance across an X-axis; and a turbulator extending between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall, the turbulator extending away from the floor. The turbulator includes a first front surface extending between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall, a second front surface extending between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall, a first rear surface extending between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall, the first rear surface extending between the first front surface and the floor, and a second rear surface adjoining the first rear surface and extending between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall, the second rear surface extending between the second front surface and the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald Scott BUNKER, Robert David BRIGGS, Shawn Michael PEARSON
  • Publication number: 20170096901
    Abstract: A turbine blade for a gas turbine engine comprises a platform, a blade root, an airfoil portion defining pressure and suction sides, and a shroud provided at a tip of the airfoil portion opposite to the blade root. The shroud includes a body having a radially outer face opposite to the airfoil portion, upstream and downstream generally parallel fins extending outwardly from the outer face, and two ribs extending outwardly from the outer face. Each of the fins has an end disposed toward the pressure side and another end disposed toward the suction side. The ribs extend from and connecting the upstream fin to the downstream fin at locations other than the ends of the upstream and downstream fins. The ribs converge toward the downstream fin at an angle of between about 10 and about 45 degrees. A shroud for a blade is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Ghislain PLANTE, Remy SYNNOTT, Jaideep GAHLAWAT
  • Publication number: 20170096902
    Abstract: A method of applying a thermal barrier coating to a metallic article including ball nose milling the surface of the metallic article to produce a pattern in the surface of the metallic article and to produce a compressive residual stress in the subsurface layers of the metallic article. The pattern includes a plurality of pockets and projections on the surface of the metallic article. A thin adherent layer of oxide is created on the metallic article. A ceramic coating is applied to the oxide layer on the surface of the metallic article such that the ceramic coating deposits on the surface of the metallic article in the pockets and on and around the projections. The ceramic coating is applied as a plurality of columnar ceramic grains extending substantially perpendicularly away from the metallic article and the columnar ceramic grains extending from the oxide layer on the metallic article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Donka NOVOVIC, Kevin LONG
  • Publication number: 20170096903
    Abstract: A securing device with multiple securing segments for the axial retaining of at least one rotor blade at a disc wheel a rotor device of a continuous-flow machine. The securing device has at least one effective area that is arranged in a radially inner area and that in the mounted state is embodied for acting together with the disc wheel in the axial direction of the rotor device, and a further effective area that is arranged in a radially outer area at a securing segment and that in the mounted state is embodied for acting together with at least one rotor blade in the axial direction of the rotor device. At least one securing segment has an additional effective area, that in the mounted state is embodied for acting together with the disc wheel in the radial direction of the rotor device. What is further described is a rotor device with such a securing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas SCHIESSL, Markus WEINERT
  • Publication number: 20170096904
    Abstract: A rotary machine is provided. The rotary machine includes a turbine section with a casing and a ring coupled within the casing. The ring has a groove. The rotary machine also includes a nozzle coupled to the ring. The nozzle has a first end, a second end, and an airfoil extending between the first end and the second end along a longitudinal axis. The first end includes a first hook and a second hook. The first hook has a first radially outer surface, and the second hook has a second radially outer surface. The ring and the first end of the nozzle cooperate to form an anti-rotation feature that extends from at least one of the radially outer surfaces along the axis and between the hooks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Manish Mahasukhrai Joshi, David Orus Fitts, Robert Edward Deallenbach
  • Publication number: 20170096905
    Abstract: A non-contacting seal is provided, including a first sealing face formed on an end of a primary ring and a second sealing face formed on an end of a mating ring. Grooves may be formed in at least one of the first and second sealing faces, such that the grooves extend from one edge of the respective sealing face to an intermediate radius of the respective sealing face. At least one groove may include an entrance edge along the one edge of the respective sealing face and a dam wall opposite the entrance edge. The at least one groove may also include two symmetric side walls extending from the entrance edge to the dam wall. The two symmetric side walls may include a first convex curve extending from the entrance edge to a transition point and a second concave curve extending from the transition point to the dam wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Olivier Lebigre
  • Publication number: 20170096906
    Abstract: A method for coating a sealing fin (2) on a component of a turbomachine, in particular on a blade tip (6) of a blade (1) of a turbomachine, with armoring (3, 30, 300), and to a corresponding component, in which method a blade (1) having at least one sealing fin (2) and a slurry which comprises particles of MCrAlY or particles for forming an MCrAlY layer (31), where M is nickel and/or cobalt, are provided, the slurry is applied onto the sealing fin and dried, and the sealing fin with the applied slurry is subjected to an aluminizing process so that the MCrAlY layer comprises an Al-rich sublayer (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: André WERNER, Manuel PUSCH, Philipp UTZ, Heinrich WALTER
  • Publication number: 20170096907
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tip clearance control assembly of a gas turbine including a casing, a plurality of blades, a labyrinth seal, and a shroud. The casing guides a flow of combustion gas. The plurality of blades is located inside the casing in such a manner as to be coupled to a rotary shaft of the gas turbine. The labyrinth seal is located at the front end portion of each blade. The shroud surrounds the front end portion of each blade. The casing includes an outer casing having dove tail slots and an inner ring segment having dove tail coupling portions, so that the dove tail coupling portions moves in an axial direction and a radial direction with respect to the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Sungchul JUNG
  • Publication number: 20170096908
    Abstract: A pneumatic trip system for a turbine includes a valve member; a valve stem connected to the valve member; and an actuator assembly connected to the valve stem. The actuator assembly includes a cylinder; a piston connected to the valve stem, the piston dividing the cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber; a biasing element disposed in the second chamber of the cylinder; and a pneumatic circuit in communication with the second chamber of the cylinder. The pneumatic circuit is configured to pressurize the second chamber of the cylinder to actuate the piston to move the valve stem and the valve member to an exercised position between the open position and the closed position while the first chamber is pressurized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: William G. Pacelli, James F. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20170096909
    Abstract: There is disclosed a gas turbine engine comprising a bypass duct defined between a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall. A support radially extends across the bypass duct. The upstream end of the support acts as a source region. A sink region is provided adjacent to and upstream from the source region to at least partly compensate for aerodynamic effects caused by the source region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Anthony B. PARRY
  • Publication number: 20170096910
    Abstract: A turbine engine reservoir has an oil deaerating device. The oil deaerating device includes a deaeration chamber for an air-oil mixture; an inlet of the air-oil mixture with a tangential inlet channel to form a vortex in the air-oil mixture contained in the chamber; and a vent for the discharge of air as a result of the deaeration of the air-oil mixture. The vent includes a rotor driven in rotation by the circulation of the air-oil mixture in the region of the inlet. The rotor filters the degassed air loaded with oil droplets in suspension. By centrifugal force, the rotor returns the collected oil onto the internal surface of the conduit of the vent. The collected oil drops back down into the chamber as a result of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Nicloas Raimarckers, Bruno Servais, Albert Cornet, Stéphane Bougelet
  • Publication number: 20170096911
    Abstract: Compliant coupling systems and methods are provided for coupling a shroud to an engine casing. The complaint coupling system includes a retaining ring adapted to be positioned adjacent to the shroud and adapted to be coupled to the engine casing. The retaining ring defines a coupling channel about a circumference of the retaining ring and at least one notch that interrupts the coupling channel. The complaint coupling system also includes a first clip received within the coupling channel. The first clip has a biasing portion that extends into a space defined by the at least one notch, and the biasing portion is adapted to contact the shroud. The complaint coupling system includes a second clip received within the coupling channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ed Zurmehly, David R. Waldman, Deanna Pinar Chase, David K. Jan, Greg Ockenfels, Alonso Peralta-Duran
  • Publication number: 20170096912
    Abstract: A foreign substance removal apparatus for a gas turbine includes a combustor casing having a first cooling air passage formed in a tangential direction of a combustor in a gas turbine in order to move cooling air into the combustor, a first foreign substance collection unit disposed on a flow path in the first cooling air passage in order to primarily filter foreign substances contained in the cooling air, a second cooling air passage extending radially toward a turbine blade in a circumferential direction of a torque tube located in the combustor, and a second foreign substance collection unit disposed on a flow path in the second cooling air passage and communicating with the second cooling air passage to secondarily filter foreign substances contained in the cooling air introduced through the first cooling air passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Kyung Kook Kim
  • Publication number: 20170096913
    Abstract: A valve assembly for use to regulate a flow of steam in a flowpath of a turbine. The valve assembly can be configured with a body that circumscribes a rotor. The body is disposed upstream of the rotor blades. In one implementation, the body forms an annular ring with a plurality of arcuate segments, each being configured to move independently of the other segments in the ring to change the size of an annular gap between the arcuate segments and the rotor. The size of the annular gap corresponds with flow parameters for working fluid that flows across the rotor and that exits the turbine for use in pre-heaters and like collateral equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Marco Pieri
  • Publication number: 20170096914
    Abstract: A method for starting a steam turbine system having a steam generator, a steam turbine which is connected to the steam generator and includes at least two turbine stages that, at the time of starting the steam turbine system, have different outlet temperatures, a condenser connected to the steam turbine and a consumer driven by the steam turbine, in which the steam generated in the steam generator is used to start the steam turbine, wherein, until the steam generated in the steam generator reaches a predetermined temperature that at least corresponds to the temperature requirement of the turbine stage with the higher outlet temperature, only the turbine stage with the lower outlet temperature is operated, and in that the turbine stage with the higher outlet temperature is brought on-line only once the predetermined temperature has been reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Edwin Gobrecht, Jan Greis, Matthias Heue, Tobias Hogen
  • Publication number: 20170096915
    Abstract: A vane cell adjuster including—a central locking device for locking the rotor in a central locking position, wherein—the central locking device has at least two spring-loaded locking pins which can be locked in a stator-fixed locking slotted guide and which, during a rotation of the rotor from the direction of an “early” or “late” stop position, lock into the central locking position from different directions in the locking slotted guide, wherein—a locking pin forms a valve unit with the respective accommodation chamber, wherein—in a first switch position of the valve unit, at least one first pressure medium line is connected to allow free flow to a second pressure medium line, and—in a second switch position of the valve unit, the first pressure medium line is connected to allow flow via a check valve to the second pressure medium line, wherein—the check valve is provided in the rotor outside of the locking pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Torsten Zschieschang
  • Publication number: 20170096916
    Abstract: A hydraulic, vane-type camshaft adjuster (1) having a rotor (2) and a stator (3) mounted such as to be rotatable relative to each other and to form vanes, wherein, for the radial positioning of the rotor (2) relative to the stator (3), a return spring (5) is or can be secured at one end to the rotor (2) and at the other end to the stator (3), and a spring contact component (15), especially in the shape of a ring, for centering the return spring (5) and/or limiting the radial position thereof, is fixed to the rotor (2) in at least two points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Olaf Boese
  • Publication number: 20170096917
    Abstract: Tophead Rotary Valve is used in internal combustion engines. Each valve would replace the two or more reciprocating popet valves currently use in each cylinder, thereby saving energy now wasted by reciprocating parts and the compression of the heavy springs used with popet valves. The rotating valve is a self-sealing valve which incorporates the combustion pressure itself to seal in that pressure. Prior designs of rotating valves had inherent problems with the expansion and contraction of metal caused by the heating and cooling of the valve and is housing, which then caused leakage of combustion pressure past the minute clearances necessary to maintain both lubrication and combustion gasses. The Tophead Rotary Valve can expand and contract vertically and horizontally while maintaining the same contact clearances with the cylinder head, thus overcoming that inherent problem. The engine itself will run much quieter and should be capable of higher RPMs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Wayne Estell Snyder
  • Publication number: 20170096918
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling an electronic continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor disposed in a motor facing a reducer and an intelligent motor controller. The sensor determines a rotation speed of a first and second projection of a first and second rotation member and generates a sensing signal that corresponds to an output waveform of each rotation speed and inputs the signal to an intelligent motor controller coupled to the motor. The intelligent motor controller receives the signal and separates a crank shaft and cam shaft position signal. The signals are compared to detect an actual phase angle of the suction or exhaust valve. A phase deviation between the detected, actual and predetermined target phase angle is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Lae Kyeom Kim, Nam Kyu Kim
  • Publication number: 20170096919
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to gas turbines and to a damper assembly for a combustion chamber of a gas turbine. A damper assembly as disclosed herein may be adjusted to different frequencies during operation and/or deactivated for different operation regimes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Jost IMFELD, Roger ERNST, Laurent Fabien LAVILLE
  • Publication number: 20170096920
    Abstract: An engine includes a GPF disposed in an exhaust pipe, and the GPF removes, by burning, a captured PM to regenerate a capturing function. The GPF includes a catalyst layer for facilitating GPF regeneration. An ECU determines whether the catalyst layer in the GPF is deteriorated. If the catalyst layer is deteriorated, the ECU executes deterioration recovering control of raising a temperature of the GPF to a predetermined temperature or more and of making an atmosphere of the exhaust gas supplied to the GPF lean.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Hiroaki FUJII
  • Publication number: 20170096921
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the operation of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system in an exhaust tract of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system includes an SCR particle filter, a first reducing agent feed device for introducing the reducing agent into the exhaust tract upstream of the SCR particle filter, continuous regeneration of the SCR particle filter being possible using nitrogen dioxide as oxidizing agent, an SCR catalytic converter element arranged downstream of the SCR particle filter, and a second reducing agent feed device for introducing the reducing agent into the exhaust tract downstream of the SCR particle filter and upstream of the SCR catalytic converter element. A control unit regulates a quantity of reducing agent introduced into the exhaust tract by the first reducing agent feed device and/or by the second reducing agent feed device as a function of the temperature (TscR-PF) of the SCR particle filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Florian LUTZ, Dieter ROTHE
  • Publication number: 20170096922
    Abstract: An exhaust system for treating an exhaust gas produced by a lean burn engine comprising: (i) a NOx absorber catalyst comprising a molecular sieve catalyst disposed on a substrate, wherein the molecular sieve catalyst comprises a noble metal and a molecular sieve, wherein the molecular sieve contains the noble metal; (ii) means for introducing hydrocarbons into the exhaust gas; and (iii) a lean NOx trap; wherein the NOx absorber catalyst is upstream of both the means for introducing hydrocarbons into the exhaust gas and the lean NOx trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: David BERGEAL, Gavin BROWN, Andrew Francis CHIFFEY, Francois MOREAU, Matthew O'BRIEN
  • Publication number: 20170096923
    Abstract: A NOx absorber catalyst for treating an exhaust gas from a diesel engine. The NOx absorber catalyst comprises a first NOx absorber material comprising a molecular sieve catalyst, wherein the molecular sieve catalyst comprises a noble metal and a molecular sieve, and wherein the molecular sieve contains the noble metal; a second NOx absorber material comprising palladium (Pd) supported on an oxide of cerium; and a substrate having an inlet end and an outlet end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew Francis CHIFFEY, Jack CORPS, Laura MITCHELL-DOWNIE, Francois MOREAU, Matthew O'BRIEN
  • Publication number: 20170096924
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting urea deposits in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine is provided, where the urea is introduced into the exhaust pipe in an aqueous urea solution via a nozzle. The apparatus comprises at least one radiation receiver which, in use, is located within the exhaust pipe downstream of the nozzle. The apparatus further comprises an electronic control unit in communication with the receiver, wherein the receiver communicates radiation data to the control unit which allows the control unit to establish whether deposits have formed within the exhaust pipe. A control valve is also provided which controls flow of the solution to the nozzle in response to signals from the control unit. A method of detecting urea deposits in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine is also provided, as in an automotive vehicle incorporating the aforementioned apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicants: Caterpillar Inc., Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Ronald Silver, Benjamin Reid, Thomas Steffen
  • Publication number: 20170096925
    Abstract: A retaining material that can sufficiently maintain the function of retaining a pollution control element in a pollution control device at high temperature. In one aspect, the retaining material has a mat shape and contains inorganic fiber material, with the retaining material containing: a surface layer containing inorganic colloid particles; and an internal region positioned further to the inside than the surface layer, impregnated with inorganic colloid particles and organic binder; wherein the surface layer contains inorganic colloid particles at a higher concentration than the internal region; and the amount of inorganic colloid particles in the internal region is 1 mass % to 10 mass % based on the total mass of the retaining material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Kenji Sako
  • Publication number: 20170096926
    Abstract: The exhaust purification system comprises a control apparatus performing main feedback control controlling the amount of fed fuel so that the output air-fuel ratio of the upstream side sensor becomes a target value, sub feedback control setting the target air-fuel based on the output air-fuel ratio of the downstream side sensor, main learning control controlling the amount of fed fuel based on a main learning value, and sub learning control controlling the amount of fed fuel based on a sub learning value. The control apparatus performs sub learning promotion control so that the sub learning value easily changes to a suitable value when a sub learning promotion condition, which is satisfied when the absolute values of the main learning value and the sub learning value are respectively predetermined reference absolute values or more and these learning values are opposite in sign, is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kinji MORIHIRO
  • Publication number: 20170096927
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed to test for a proper functioning of a selective catalytic reduction system of an internal combustion engine. The engine is operated at idle speed and a functionality check of the pressure sensor is executed. The engine is operated to increase an exhaust gas temperature in the exhaust pipe upstream of the catalyst and a functionality check of the pump is executed. A functionality check of the injector is executed after the functionality check of the pump and once the exhaust gas temperature has reached a predetermined target value thereof. A functionality check of the supply conduit is executed after the functionality check of the injector. The selective catalytic reduction system is identified as functioning properly when all of the functionality checks yields a positive result or malfunctioning when any one of the functionality checks yields a negative result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alberto GIORDANO, Luis Daniel GUERRERO CRUZ, Mariano NOCERETO
  • Publication number: 20170096928
    Abstract: An Emergency Portable Adjustable Engine-fan Assembly (fan clutch) Lock-in device, for emergency use, when engine-fan assembly (fan clutch) fails, and vehicle, large semi-truck trailer(s) combinations are forced to stop because engine oil and coolant immediately stop being properly cooled, and cannot move on own power until repaired; this device when installed allows vehicle to drive with own engine power to nearest safe-haven or repair facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Gene Doyle Burt
  • Publication number: 20170096929
    Abstract: When both a position sensor and a motor malfunction, an ECU limits the engine rotation speed to such a speed range that the pressure inside a circulation route remains at or below a predetermined value even when the opening degree of a control valve is a minimum opening degree. When the position sensor is malfunction but the motor is not malfunction, the ECU relaxes the limits on the engine rotation speed, compared with when both the position sensor and the motor are malfunction, by driving the motor to an end of a motion range thereof and increasing the opening degree of the control valve to an opening degree larger than the minimum opening degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Rihito KANEKO, Noboru Takagi, Isao Takagi, Hidetoshi Onoda
  • Publication number: 20170096930
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling device and a control method therefor. This cooling device includes: a first cooling liquid line routed by way of a cylinder head and a radiator; a second cooling liquid line routed by way of a cylinder block while bypassing the radiator; a third cooling liquid line routed by way of the cylinder head and a heater core while bypassing the radiator; a flow rate control valve for distributing cooling water to the cooling liquid lines; and mechanical and electric water pumps. A control unit controls the flow rate control valve according to the temperatures of the cylinder head and block, during engine operation, and causes the electric water pump to operate while controlling the flow rate control valve according to the temperature of the cylinder head, and whether or not heat exchange in the heater core is requested, during temporary engine stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Atsushi MURAI, Tomoyuki MURAKAMI, Shigeyuki SAKAGUCHI, Yuichi TOYAMA, Masahiko WATANABE, Hideaki NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20170096931
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including a fluid cooling system for cooling a component onboard the agricultural vehicle. The fluid cooling system including a housing with an air screen, and a cooling unit arranged within the housing, the cooling unit having a cooling fan with a rotational speed, and an aspiration system. The aspiration system being configured to clean debris from the air screen, and includes a wand, a suck-off fan and a controller. The wand and the air screen are arranged to move such that the wand, over a period of time, covers a substantial portion of the air screen. The suck-off fan suck air from the wand and has a rotational speed. The controller is in communication with the suck-off fan and the cooling fan, and is configured to coordinate an increase in the speed of the suck-off fan when the speed of the cooling fan decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Joshua M. Beichner, Zachary Harmon, Raymond Samuel Davenport, III, Cameron J. Ivey
  • Publication number: 20170096932
    Abstract: An injector-igniter assembly includes a passive prechamber and a fuel injector. In an internal combustion engine, fuel is directly injected into a combustion chamber to mix with air in the combustion chamber. Embodiments enable filing the prechamber at different air-fuel-ratio than the main chamber without directly filling the prechamber with fuel. The prechamber has jet apertures in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. In operation, fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber though nozzles to form a cloud adjacent to openings into the prechamber. Subsequently, mixed fuel and air is ingested into the prechamber from the combustion chamber and ignited. The degree of mixing prior to ingestion into the prechamber can be controlled using different nozzles configurations. Ignited gaseous fuel and air is expelled from the prechamber through the jet apertures and into the combustion chamber as a flaming jet with a core of gaseous fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Domenico Chiera, Gregory James Hampson
  • Publication number: 20170096933
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a housing, a piston mounted in the housing for complex motion about a plurality of axes and coupled to a shaft, and wherein occur phases of compression, combustion, and expansion in the housing, and wherein, in the compression phase, air introduced through an intake port into the housing is compressed by reducing volume of a compression chamber in the housing from an initial volume to a second volume that is less than the initial volume, and in the expansion phase, byproducts of combustion expand from the second volume to a third volume that is greater than the initial volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander C. Shkolnik, Nikolay Shkolnik
  • Publication number: 20170096934
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reciprocating piston engine, comprising a combined structure with an optimized double-crankshaft and variable compression ratio pistons, characterized in that the variable compression ratio piston is a piston serving as a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, a control valve bush of a slide-valve type directional control valve is fixed in a central mounting hole of the inner piston, and a control valve core is mounted in a rotatory sliding or nut-ball screw manner in a central mounting hole in the inner surface of the piston top; and the double-crankshaft engine is formed by two reverse rotating crankshafts which are coupled by gears to be in synchronous reverse rotation motion together, each piston being connected to a connecting rod shaft of two crankshafts, and a piston control valve driving mechanism being mounted between the two crankshafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Minglong Tang
  • Publication number: 20170096935
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cleaning a surface within a gas engine, the method comprising: passing ozone through an inlet to the engine and over the surface, reacting the ozone with any organic contaminants on the surface, and removing the reacted contaminants and any residual ozone from an outlet from the engine as a gaseous exhaust. The method is particularly suited to cleaning sensitive or delicate apparatus such as pre-combustion portions of a gas engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Chinook End-Stage Recycling Limited
    Inventors: Rifat Al Chalabi, Ophneil Henry Perry, Ke Li
  • Publication number: 20170096936
    Abstract: A gas turbine assembly having a first shaft, a first compressor and a first turbine mounted on the first shaft, a combustor between the first compressor and the first turbine and a second shaft and a second turbine mounted on the second shaft, the second turbine having an inlet connected to an outlet of said first turbine. The gas turbine assembly further includes a third shaft on which an upstream compressor is mounted, the upstream compressor having an outlet which is connectable to an inlet of the first compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ulf Nilsson
  • Publication number: 20170096937
    Abstract: A fan drive gear system for a gas turbine engine includes a gear system that provides a speed reduction between a fan drive turbine and a fan and a mount flexibly supporting portions of the gear system. A lubrication system supporting the fan drive gear system provides lubricant to the gear system and removes thermal energy produced by the gear system. The lubrication system includes a capacity for removing thermal energy equal to less than about 2% of power input into the gear system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: William G. Sheridan