Patents Issued in April 11, 2017
  • Patent number: 9617926
    Abstract: In a vehicle with an automatic transmission, an internal combustion engine is provided with a variable compression ratio mechanism. A target compression ratio of the variable compression ratio mechanism is determined based on a demand load and an engine rotation speed with reference to a compression ratio map. A reverse-drive compression ratio map is selected when the automatic transmission is in a reverse drive position; a first compression ratio map is selected when an actual speed reduction ratio of the transmission is low; and a second compression ratio map is selected when the actual speed reduction ratio of the transmission is high. A variable control range of the compression ratio is narrower in the second compression ratio map than in the first compression ratio map and is narrower in the reverse-drive compression ratio map than in the first and second compression ratio maps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eiji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9617927
    Abstract: A method for supplying fuel to a direct injection fuel pump of an internal combustion engine is described. In one example, pressure and/or temperature of a fuel supplied to the direct injection fuel pump may be adjusted to ensure liquid fuel is supplied to the direct injection fuel pump so that the possibility of engine air-fuel ratio errors may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9617928
    Abstract: Systems are provided for EGR mass and air mass estimation during steady state and transient operations. By utilizing a combination sensor comprising of a manifold absolute pressure sensing element and a differential pressure sensing element sharing a common pressure chamber with connections to the intake manifold, errors in EGR mass estimation may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Freeman Carter Gates, Dennis Vroman, Fadi Maroun Naddaf, Gitanjli McRoy
  • Patent number: 9617929
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the rotational speed of an internal combustion engine of a road-building machine which, in addition to a traction drive, has hydraulic motors which are connected to the internal combustion engine and which serve for driving working assemblies, in which method the rotational speed is adjusted as a function of the present power demand of the working assemblies, characterized in that the hydraulic motors are operated using fixed-displacement pumps, and residual volume flows presently to be discharged are reduced by flow valves for hydraulic motors of active working assemblies, for which purpose the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is automatically adapted during working operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ABG Allgemeine Baumaschinen-Gesellschaft MBH
    Inventor: Heinz Tiedemann
  • Patent number: 9617930
    Abstract: The method can control a powertrain in order to maintain the charge temperature at a desired value regardless of exhaust manifold pressure or altitude. The method includes the following steps: (a) receiving a torque request; (b) determining a desired air charge based, a least in part, on the torque request; (c) determining an actual air charge based, at least in part, on input signals from a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor and a mass airflow (MAF) sensor; (d) adjusting an intake valve timing of the intake valve such that the actual air charge is equal to a desired air charge, and (e) adjusting throttle position and actuator positions of boosting devices such that the actual intake manifold pressure is equal to the desired intake manifold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jun-Mo Kang, Orgun A. Guralp, Hanho Yun, Sai S. V. Rajagopalan, Chen-Fang Chang, Paul M. Najt
  • Patent number: 9617931
    Abstract: A method to control a supercharged internal combustion engine by means of a turbocharger provided with a turbine and a compressor which compresses the air taken in; the control method includes the steps of determining the instantaneous rotation speed of the turbocharger; and calculating the average power delivered by the turbine as a function of the absolute value of the j-th harmonic component of the instantaneous rotation speed of the turbocharger and of the instantaneous rotation speed of the turbocharger; and controlling the supercharged internal combustion engine as a function of the average power delivered by the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo de Cesare, Federico Covassin, Fabrizio Ponti, Vittorio Ravaglioli
  • Patent number: 9617932
    Abstract: A transpiration fuel treatment apparatus, which can lower the internal pressure of a fuel tank in a relatively short time at the time of refueling, is provided. The transpiration fuel treatment apparatus comprises a fuel tank, a first sealing valve for sealing up a transpiration fuel within the fuel tank, and a second sealing valve for sealing up the transpiration fuel within the fuel tank at a position different from the position of the first sealing valve. The first sealing valve and the second sealing valve are opened before refueling of the fuel tank is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Norifumi Iwaya
  • Patent number: 9617933
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a method including controlling low pressure EGR flow rates using air intake throttle with a variable swirl device or throttle valve, or using exhaust throttling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaobing Liu, John Shutty, B. Jerry Song, Houcine Benali
  • Patent number: 9617934
    Abstract: A method for torque control of an internal combustion engine includes a pressure sensor that is associated with at least one, but at the most two cylinders of the internal combustion engine, whereby an cylinder internal pressure for the cylinder associated with the pressure sensor is detected. The method carries out an adjustment of injection characteristics for the injectors allocated to the individual cylinders of the internal combustion engine by way of a method which is independent from the detected cylinder pressure. A torque control for the internal combustion engine is performed based on the detected cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Remele, Aron Toth
  • Patent number: 9617935
    Abstract: An engine ignition control method and system for controlling ignition timing that computes a predicted crankshaft angular velocity based on prior computed and verified crankshaft angular velocity and acceleration and determines a capture window of the next crankshaft position sensor pickup signal for the verification of the predicted crankshaft angular velocity. The ignition control system also utilizes both crankshaft position pickup signals and the intake manifold air pressure measurements for determining the stroke of the combustion cycle in turn providing more accurately timed signals for the fuel injection and ignition systems. During engine starts, the engine ignition control system performs a series of continuous spark-triggering, determines if each spark-triggering being at the correct or incorrect point in the combustion cycle by detecting if there is any engine acceleration and adjusts the generation of the signal for the next spark-triggering accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Startec Ltd.
    Inventors: Wai Cheung Ting, Chun Wang, Shi Jun Lei, TianDe Mo
  • Patent number: 9617936
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a hydrocarbon feed valve and an exhaust purification catalyst are arranged in an engine exhaust passage. A first NOX removal method which injects hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon feed valve within a predetermined range of period so that the reducing intermediate generated thereby reduces the NOX contained in the exhaust gas and a second NOX removal method which makes the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst a first target rich air-fuel ratio by a period which is longer than this predetermined range are used. When the NOX removal method is switched from the second NOX removal method to the first NOX removal method, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst is made a second target air-fuel ratio which is smaller than the first target rich air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Haba, Kohei Yoshida, Yusuke Nozaki
  • Patent number: 9617937
    Abstract: An engine control device for a vehicle is provided, which comprises a control unit configured to be connected to the engine of a vehicle and to control the switching of the engine from a first idle rotation speed to a second idle rotation speed in which the number of engine revolutions is lower compared to the number of revolutions of the first idle speed. The control device also includes a first sensor, configured to be connected to the engine and to instantaneously sense and transmit to the control unit the number of revolutions completed by the engine in the unit of time. The control device further includes a second sensor for detecting the presence of an operator at the vehicle controls, and the second sensor is configured to transmit to the control unit a signal indicating the presence of an operator at the vehicle controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Massimo Baroni, Eugenio Sereni, Francesco Mancarella
  • Patent number: 9617938
    Abstract: An abnormality diagnosis apparatus includes: an exhaust gas purification apparatus arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine and including a selective catalytic reduction catalyst; a supply apparatus supplying an additive such as ammonia to the exhaust gas purification apparatus; an EGR apparatus recirculating a part of exhaust gas from the exhaust passage at a downstream side of a position of supplying the additive to an intake passage; calculating means for calculating a NOx inflow amount into the exhaust gas purification apparatus using a parameter indicating an operating state of the internal combustion engine; diagnosing means for diagnosing an abnormality in the exhaust gas purification apparatus using the calculated NOx inflow amount as a parameter; and correcting means for, when a part of the exhaust gas is recirculated, increasingly correcting the calculated NOx inflow amount in accordance with an amount of the additive to be recirculated together with exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kogo, Makoto Ogiso, Kazuya Takaoka, Taiga Hagimoto, Arifumi Matsumoto, Hirokazu Nishijima, Kenji Furui
  • Patent number: 9617939
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the velocity of a pintle assembly in a solenoid fuel injector during a closing stroke of the pintle assembly, such that a braking step is performed during the closing stroke, which includes operating an injector driver with a current regulator to establish a braking current in the solenoid coil. The velocity of the pintle assembly is derived from the duty-cycle of the current regulator during the braking step. A method of operating a solenoid fuel injector, in particular for gaseous fuel, using the so-determined pintle velocity is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Delphi Automotive Systems Luxembourg SA
    Inventor: Francois Ravenda
  • Patent number: 9617940
    Abstract: A method involves controlling a fuel injector to inject a first quantity of a fuel into a cylinder from a plurality of cylinders, of an engine and detecting a first value of a parameter associated with the engine. The method further involves controlling the fuel injector to inject a second quantity of the fuel different from the first quantity of the fuel, into the cylinder of the engine and detecting a second value of the parameter associated with the engine. The method also involves comparing the first value with the second value and detecting a hardware anomaly associated with the engine based on the comparison of the first value with the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Eric Richard Dillen
  • Patent number: 9617941
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cooling system in a vehicle, may include an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) use determination step of determining whether to use EGR, a first coolant temperature management step of controlling a coolant temperature using a first coolant temperature map based on an output value reflecting engine operating conditions when driving the vehicle using the EGR, and a second coolant temperature management step of controlling the coolant temperature using a second coolant temperature map in which a coolant temperature of the second coolant temperature map may be set to be higher than a coolant temperature of the first coolant temperature map in a same engine operation region when driving the vehicle not using the EGR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jun Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 9617942
    Abstract: A control device 100 for an internal combustion engine includes an in-cylinder oxygen concentration acquisition unit configured to acquire an in-cylinder oxygen concentration, an in-cylinder temperature acquisition unit configured to acquire an in-cylinder temperature, a target in-cylinder temperature acquisition unit configured to acquire a target in-cylinder temperature during main injection based on the in-cylinder oxygen concentration acquired by the in-cylinder oxygen concentration acquisition unit, and an in-cylinder oxygen concentration control unit configured to execute in-cylinder oxygen concentration control for controlling an in-cylinder oxygen concentration during pilot injection performed prior to the main injection based on the difference between the target in-cylinder temperature during the main injection acquired by the target in-cylinder temperature acquisition unit and the in-cylinder temperature acquired by the in-cylinder temperature acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiya Nakajima, Koji Kitano, Isamu Gotou, Naoki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9617943
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an engine introduces purge gas containing fuel gas evaporated from a fuel tank into an intake system includes an air-fuel ratio calculation unit that calculates an air-fuel ratio (AF) of the engine, and a purge rate calculation unit that calculates a purge rate (RPRG) corresponding to an introduction rate of the purge gas. The control apparatus further includes a concentration calculation unit that calculates a concentration (KAF_PRG) of the purge gas based on the air-fuel ratio (AF) calculated by the air-fuel ratio calculation unit and the purge rate (RPRG) calculated by the purge rate calculation unit. A decision unit permits or inhibits the concentration calculation unit to calculate the concentration (KAF_PRG) based on the purge rate (RPRG) calculated by the purge rate calculation unit. The estimation accuracy of the concentration (KAF_PRG) of purge gas is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideto Ide, Katsunori Ueda, Toshiyuki Miyata
  • Patent number: 9617944
    Abstract: A method of controlling a concentration of hydrocarbons in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine includes sensing an oxygen percentage of the flow of exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine and determining a concentration of hydrocarbons in the flow of exhaust gas. An engine control module may then adjust the sensed oxygen percentage of the exhaust gas based on the determined concentration of hydrocarbons in the flow of exhaust gas to define a corrected oxygen percentage. The control module may then control at least one of a hydrocarbon injection rate for in-cylinder combustion of the internal combustion engine, and a hydrocarbon injection rate for a post combustion exhaust gas treatment process, based on the corrected oxygen percentage, to control the concentration of hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Charles Dean
  • Patent number: 9617945
    Abstract: A control device of a spark-ignition engine is provided. The control device includes a main body of the engine, a fuel injection valve, an ignition plug, and a controller. According to an engine operating state, the controller switches between a compression-ignition mode in which compression-ignition combustion is performed, and a spark-ignition mode in which spark-ignition combustion is performed. The controller switches from the spark-ignition mode to the compression-ignition mode by performing in order, a first stage where an air-fuel ratio of mixture gas is set to a predetermined value and the spark-ignition combustion is performed, a second stage where the air-fuel ratio of the mixture gas is set leaner than the first stage and the compression-ignition combustion is performed, and a third stage where the air-fuel ratio of the mixture gas is set richer than the second stage and the compression-ignition combustion is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takahashi, Junichi Taga, Kouhei Iwai
  • Patent number: 9617946
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an internal combustion engine, during a standard operating mode a specified first fuel quantity is injected by actuating a first fuel injector during a first actuation period and by an accompanying opening of a first valve needle, and a specified second fuel quantity is injected by actuating a second fuel injector during a second actuation period and by an accompanying opening of a second valve needle, and (i) during a first calibration operating mode, a calibration actuation of the first fuel injector is performed while an actuation of the second fuel injector is carried out, or (ii) during a second calibration operating mode, a calibration actuation of the second fuel injector is carried out while an actuation of the first fuel injector is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Gutscher, Andreas Posselt, Marko Lorenz
  • Patent number: 9617947
    Abstract: A waveform detector detects a variation in fuel pressure based on a detection value of a fuel pressure sensor as a fuel pressure waveform. A determining portion determines whether an interval between injections is zero or smaller than a predetermined value based on the detected fuel pressure waveform when multi-step-injection is performed. A correcting portion corrects an injection command signal indicative of an injection start timing and an injection end timing corresponding to a target injection state in a manner that the interval is increased when the interval is determined to be zero or smaller than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 9617948
    Abstract: Internal combustion engine optimization in which individual adjustment processes to be carried out to achieve optimal cooperation between the sensors, actuators, control device and internal combustion engine are started and carried out on the basis of the quality achieved for each of the individual adjustment processes in relation to one another, the ambient conditions of the internal combustion engine and the system states of the internal combustion engine in connection with a control program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: IAV GMBH INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT AUTO UND VERKEHR
    Inventor: Sven Meyer
  • Patent number: 9617949
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an engine may include an adiabatic coating layer having a polyamideimide resin and an aerogel dispersed in the polyamideimide resin with thermal conductivity of 0.60 W/m or less formed on a surface of a combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hongkil Baek, Jiyoun Seo, Bokyung Kim, Seungwoo Lee, Minkyu Park, Inwoong Lyo, Dongkyu Lee
  • Patent number: 9617950
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine is configured to be operated with fuel, such as gaseous or liquid fuel, to provide a more complete combustion of the fuel/air mixture. The cylinder head has at least one fuel guiding section, which includes a fuel inlet valve casing for accommodating a fuel inlet valve configured to control a fuel flow rate, a fuel/air mixing chamber for mixing the fuel with air, and a fuel guiding portion connecting the fuel inlet valve casing to the fuel/air mixture chamber. The fuel guiding portion is integrally formed with the cylinder head and defines at least a first fuel feeding passage and at least a second fuel feeding passage. The first fuel feeding passage and the second fuel feeding passage extend from the fuel inlet valve casing to the fuel/air mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Benjamin Bleyer
  • Patent number: 9617951
    Abstract: An air flow guide/diverter is disclosed for mounting to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The air diverter directs cooling air to multiple locations on the cylinder head. The air diverter includes a main diverter shield having a proximal end extending from a cooling source to a distal end extending to the rear of the internal combustion engine. The air diverter includes a first arcuate member attached to the main diverter shield between the proximal end and the distal end of the main diverter shield, and a second arcuate member connected to the main diverter shield near the distal end of the main diverter shield. The air flow guide creates multiple channels of air to provide more efficient cooling with little added cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Champion Engine Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Aleko D. Sotiriades, Russell J. Dopke
  • Patent number: 9617952
    Abstract: To provide a price-competitive compression ring having excellent thermal conductivity and thermal sag resistance, which can be used in a high-thermal-load environment of high-compression-ratio engines, steel identified by the material number of SUP10 in JIS G 4801, which contains small amounts of alloying elements, is used, and a piston ring wire is annealed before an oil-tempering treatment such that spheroidal cementite having an average particle size of 0.1-1.5 ?m is dispersed in a tempered martensite matrix, thereby suppressing the movement of dislocation and creep even at 300° C., and improving thermal sag resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA RIKEN, TOKUSEN KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Shima, Junya Takahashi, Ryouichi Kamon
  • Patent number: 9617953
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine variable area exhaust nozzle has a plurality of first and second movable members arranged circumferentially around a fan casing extending in downstream. The first and second movable members alternate around the variable area nozzle. During cruise conditions the first and second movable members are in un-actuated positions. At take off conditions the first movable members are in an actuated position and the second movable members are in the un-actuated position. At top of climb conditions the first movable members are in the un-actuated position and the second movable members are in an actuated position. The first movable members move radially outwardly from the un-actuated position to the actuated position and the second movable members move radially inwardly from the un-actuated position to the actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ROOLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: John Richard Webster
  • Patent number: 9617954
    Abstract: The invention relates to a primary cowl for a turbofan comprising a primary body generating a primary stream to be ejected through a primary nozzle, and a secondary body generating a secondary stream to be ejected through a secondary nozzle, the primary cowl being shaped so as to be positioned downstream from the primary body and to define, on the inside of the turbofan, the path followed by the primary stream downstream from the primary nozzle and, on the outside, the path followed by the secondary stream downstream from the secondary nozzle. The primary cowl comprises a coupling to a system for supplying a pressurized gas and at least one perforation for injecting the pressurized gas, through the perforation, into the secondary stream. The primary cowl preferably comprises a ring which has perforations and which is rotated about the axis of rotation of the turbofan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Alexandre Alfred Gaston Vuillemin, Guillaume Bodard, Sebastien Jean-Paul Aeberli
  • Patent number: 9617955
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cascade thrust reverser providing that when a sliding cowl and a flap are in a direct jet position, a hook is held in engagement with another hook and the flap is immobilized inside of a housing of the sliding cowl by a stem of a telescopic connecting rod subjected to pre-stress generated by a compressed spring located in the body of the connecting rod. When the sliding cowl starts to slide from the direct jet position toward the reverse jet position, the hooks disengage each other and the stem engages with an extension in the body of the connecting rod, so that the flap is rotated from the direct jet position toward the reverse jet position due to the tensile force exerted by the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Vincent Peyron, Laurent Georges Valleroy, Franck Depoortere
  • Patent number: 9617956
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the ingress of intake gases to an engine, notably an internal combustion vehicle engine comprising cylinders, said device taking the form of a compartmentalized guide piece (6), each compartment (9) comprising a main duct (4) and a secondary duct (5) for gas, characterized in that the control device comprises a multitude of modules (8) each one delimiting a main duct (4) and a secondary duct (5), and in that the modules (8) constitute separate components designed to be fitted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Samuel Leroux, Stéphane Lestienne, Stéphane Sorin
  • Patent number: 9617957
    Abstract: Provided are a resin molding mold enabling an intake manifold made of a resin to be manufactured at low cost, an intake manifold, and a method for molding a resin for an intake manifold. The resin molding mold for an intake manifold includes a slide mold provided at an end of a surge tank and a plurality of combination-type core molds molding an inner surface of the surge tank. The core molds include a first core member capable of a relative movement in advance of another core member after resin molding, and a second core member capable of moving with utilizing an inner space formed by the relative movement of the first core member. The first core member and the second core member are configured to be extractable through a space inwardly of a resin-molded flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumihiro Shinkai, Atsushi Ito, Futaba Kanehira, Tetsuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9617958
    Abstract: Noise attenuation units are disclosed that are connectable in a system as part of a fluid flow path. Such units include a housing defining an internal cavity and having a first port and a second port each connectable to a fluid flow path and in fluid communication with one another through the internal cavity, and a noise attenuating member seated in the internal cavity of the housing within the flow of the fluid communication between the first port and the second port. The noise attenuating member enables the fluid communication between the first port and the second port to flow through the noise attenuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Hampton, David Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Rex Bravo
  • Patent number: 9617959
    Abstract: A portable engine includes: an internal combustion engine to burn fuel so as to output power; a fuel tank to store the fuel; a fuel pump to transfer the fuel from the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine; a U-shaped fuel pipe to transfer the fuel is disposed, and at a lowest portion of a fuel passage of the fuel pipe; and a fuel drainer capable of discharging the fuel in the fuel pipe to outside. The U-shaped fuel pipe is disposed between the fuel tank and the fuel pump, and the fuel drainer is disposed at a lowest site of a fuel passage of the fuel pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Kuwato, Kentaro Hirota
  • Patent number: 9617960
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: a feed pump capable of feeding a fuel of the internal combustion engine; a high pressure fuel pump that pressurizes the fuel fed from the feed pump; and a second injector that supplies the pressurized high-pressure fuel to the internal combustion engine selectively. An ECU of the fuel supply apparatus includes: a pulsation width detection unit that detects a pulsation width in a pressure of the fuel fed from the feed pump to the high pressure fuel pump; and a feeding condition determination unit that determines that a condition variation causing fuel vapor to form in the fuel fed to the high pressure fuel pump has occurred when the pulsation width detected by the pulsation width detection unit falls rapidly to a preset threshold variation width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichi Saito
  • Patent number: 9617961
    Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine having an elongated body with a fuel inlet end and a fuel discharge end. The injector body includes an outwardly extending plate attached at a position between its ends and this plate includes at least one radially outwardly extending tab so that the cross-sectional shape of the plate is noncircular. A fuel cup receives the fuel inlet end of the fuel injector and includes a radially inwardly extending ledge at a mid position of the cavity. This ledge includes a through bore complementary in shape to the shape of the plate so that, with the fuel injector and plate aligned at a predetermined angular assembly position, the plate passes through the ledge upon insertion of the fuel injector into the cavity. Thereafter, rotation of the fuel injector and attached plate to a locking position positions the tabs above the ledge thus locking the fuel injector to the fuel cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICAS, INC.
    Inventors: William T. Harvey, Steven J. Miller, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Patent number: 9617962
    Abstract: Exemplary illustrations are provided of a common rail system for an internal combustion engine, having a rail for fuel and an injector for the purpose of injecting the fuel into a working space of the internal combustion engine, said injector having a fluid connection to said rail via a high-pressure conduit. The high-pressure conduit may have a high-pressure component with an individual reservoir, and the high-pressure conduit and/or the rail may have a pressure measurement device. The pressure measurement device may be coupled to a local logic and storage device of a decentralized, local electronic device which is designed for the purpose of locally analyzing and storing measurement data of the pressure measurement device, e.g., injector data and/or rail data, and the pressure measurement device is connected to the central electronic device via a bus, with the local logic and storage device connected between the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichschafen GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Boog, Gerald Fast, Robby Gerbeth, Michael Walder, Ralf Speetzen, Jörg Remele
  • Patent number: 9617963
    Abstract: In a fuel injection valve, it is possible to obtain spray in which the penetrating force of injected fuel is suppressed. The fuel injection valve includes a valve seat that forms a gap with a valve body, the gap allowing fuel to pass therethrough, and multiple injection holes that are located further downstream from the gap. The fuel to which pressure is applied flows out from the injection holes. When the flow velocity of the fuel in the gap formed between the valve body and the valve seat is indicated by meters per second, the flow velocity is set to be greater than a value obtained by multiplying the square root of the pressure applied to the fuel by 28. In this manner, the flow velocity in the gap increases, and flow velocity distribution inside the injection hole is uniformized, thereby suppressing an increase in penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoyuki Abe, Kiyotaka Ogura, Eiji Ishii, Tohru Ishikawa, Masahiro Soma, Hideharu Ehara
  • Patent number: 9617964
    Abstract: A starting device for an internal combustion engine has a starter pinion which can be adjusted axially between an out-of-function position and an advanced drive position and is seated on a shaft, on which a securing ring is arranged in order to limit the axial movement of the starter pinion. A securing recess is made in the end side of the starter pinion, into which securing recess the securing ring protrudes and which fixes the securing ring radially in its position on the shaft. The starter pinion can be displaced axially into a removal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Stoeckl, Patrick Hallas
  • Patent number: 9617965
    Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple fast rising pulses to improve performance efficiency. In one approach, multiple fast rising pulse power is employed to improve fuel efficiency and power of an engine. The system and method can involve a transient plasma plug assembly intended to replace a traditional spark plug. Alternatively, an approach involving a pulse generator and a high voltage pulse carrying ignition cable is contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Transient Plasma Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Sanders, Daniel Singleton, Andras Kuthi, Martin A. Gundersen
  • Patent number: 9617966
    Abstract: A high frequency plasma ignition device for the ignition of a fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, having a series resonant circuit of an electric inductor and an electric capacitor connected in series, and a high frequency generator with a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal for the resonant excitation of the series resonant circuit, a first electrical contact point being provided in which one end of the capacitor and one end of the inductor are connected to one another electrically. An electrical connecting device connects the high-frequency generator to the inductor and to the capacitor such that an output signal of the high-frequency generator is applied to the series resonant circuit. An electric voltage is applied across the capacitor for igniting a plasma between free ends of a first and second electrode. An electric voltage is further applied to maintain the plasma after ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunnar Armbrecht, Michael Wollitzer, Thomas Schmid
  • Patent number: 9617967
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for closed-loop adjusting a laser intensity of a laser ignition device of a hybrid vehicle. The laser intensity applied over consecutive laser ignition events is decreased until a flame quality is degraded for a threshold number of cylinder combustion events. The laser intensity is then increased to improve flame quality and the closed-loop adjustment is reiterated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 9617968
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic machine having an impeller wheel that comprises a plurality of impeller blades; having a spiral housing that encloses the impeller wheel and that is open toward said impeller wheel by a circumferential slit formed by two circumferential edges; having a traverse ring, comprising two traverse ring decks that are connected to one another by tension anchors; wherein the spiral housing is composed of segments that meet in the flow direction and that are welded to each other, the ends of which segments stand on the respective traverse ring deck and are welded to said deck; wherein at the meeting point between two segments that are adjacent to one another and one traverse ring deck a stiffening element is provided that protrudes into the inner space of the spiral housing; and wherein the extension of the stiffening element into the inner space of the spiral housing is so small that the flow is not affected in a significant manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Hyneck, Gerhard Wengert
  • Patent number: 9617969
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic energy store (1) having a first (2) and a second fluid reservoir (6), the fluid levels (4, 12) of which extend at different heights, which are connected to one another via a turbine/pump arrangement (10) and during the operation of which a fluid (3) can be moved to and fro between the first (2) and second fluid reservoir (6) and energy can be converted in the process. The second fluid reservoir (6) is configured as a container which is arranged within the fluid (3) in the first fluid reservoir (2), wherein, during operation, the fluid level (12) in the second fluid reservoir (6) can be changed in such a way that, as a result, the immersion depth (ht) of said second fluid reservoir (6) in the first fluid reservoir (2) can be changed owing to buoyancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Universität Innsbruck
    Inventors: Robert Klar, Markus Aufleger
  • Patent number: 9617970
    Abstract: A pumped storage power plant for a temporary reversible storage of energy, such as the energy available from wind power stations and/or photovoltaic systems that is fluctuating over time. The pumped storage power plant is designed as an underwater pumped storage power plant, wherein the ocean assumes the function of an upper storage basin and a pressure tank placed on the ocean floor serves as a lower storage basin. The storage of the electric energy takes place through pumping water out of the inside of the pressure tank against the hydrostatic water pressure on the ocean floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ROENTDEK-HANDELS GMBH
    Inventors: Horst Schmidt-Böcking, Gerhard Luther
  • Patent number: 9617971
    Abstract: An absorber unit for absorption of wave energy from a body of water comprises a pivoting absorber element with a front end around which the absorber element reciprocates between turning positions. The absorber unit has a frame structure defining an absorber chamber and is at rest with respect to the body of water. The frame structure pivotally supports the absorber element within the absorber chamber from a horizontal front pivot axis above an average surface level of the body of water, wherein the absorber element in an idle position under still water conditions is partially submerged, with an idle draft of the absorber element being determined by the depth of submersion of the lower rear edge below the average surface level. A bottom plate attached to the frame structure has a front portion arranged underneath the absorber element and an upwardly projecting rear portion aft of the absorber element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Floating Power Plant A/S
    Inventor: Anders Køhler
  • Patent number: 9617972
    Abstract: Apparatus for converting wave motion on a body of water into electrical power, includes a floatable housing in which an electrical power generating unit is disposed. The electrical power generating unit includes a rotatable axle to which at least one electrical generator is connected. A weight is connected to the rotatable axle by an arm, so that when the weight rotates due to wave motion the electrical generator generates electrical power. In one embodiment gearing connects the electrical generator to the axle. In another embodiment the weight rolls on the floor of the housing. And in another embodiment the weight includes at least one battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Georges Skaf
  • Patent number: 9617973
    Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The wind turbine rotor blade includes at least two blade sections and a connector for connecting adjacent blade sections, which connector has an inner connecting part of a first blade section and an outer connecting part of a second blade section, wherein the outer connecting part is adapted to enclose the inner connecting part; and a first seal arranged about a connecting part such that an outer surface of the inner connecting part, an inner surface of the outer connecting part, and the first seal form a mold; and an adhesive layer introduced to fill the mold. A wind turbine having a number of such rotor blades as well as a method of constructing such a wind turbine rotor blade are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Jason Stege
  • Patent number: 9617974
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade is described having noise reduction features. The blade has a plurality of projecting serrations provided at the blade trailing edge to reduce the scattering noise produced during operation of the blade, wherein the serrations have a plurality of through-going apertures defined in the serration body. The apertures act to provide a pressure equalization effect at the serrations between the suction and pressure sides. This pressure equalization provides for improved noise reduction performance, as well as a reduction in mechanical stresses and strains which may be experienced by the serrations, increasing serration lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: LM WP Patent Holding A/S
    Inventor: Ashish Singh
  • Patent number: 9617975
    Abstract: A method for operating a wind farm is provided. The method includes determining a wind condition, determining a wake-effect between at least two wind turbines forming at least a sub-set of the wind farm, each of the at least two wind turbines having a yaw system, and determining a desired yaw angle setpoint for each of the at least two wind turbines so that a total power production of at least the sub-set is expected to be increased compared to independently operating the yaw systems of each of the at least two wind turbines. Furthermore, a wind farm is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Sid Ahmed Attia