Patents Issued in April 18, 2017
  • Patent number: 9624807
    Abstract: A method pertaining to a liquid supply system which supplies liquid to a feed device (230) via which liquid is supplied to at least one consumption point (250): Determining presence of air supplied upstream to the feed device (230), and, when presence of air is found, of reducing operating power of the feed device (230) compared with ordinary operation. Also a computer program product containing program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) for implementing the method. Also a device and a motor vehicle (100) which is equipped with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Lars Eriksson, Ulf Carlsson
  • Patent number: 9624808
    Abstract: An air-fuel ratio sensor is provided in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine which can perform fuel cut control, and detects an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas. The system calculates the response time of the air-fuel ratio sensor based on a changing output value of the air-fuel ratio sensor while performing or after fuel cut control, and compares the calculated response time and a threshold value to diagnose an abnormality. The abnormality diagnosis system is configured to correct the response time so that the response of the air-fuel ratio sensor is treated as becoming faster, the smaller the lean degree of the air-fuel ratio corresponding to the converged value of the air-fuel ratio sensor during fuel cut control; and diagnose an abnormality in the response of the air-fuel ratio sensor based on the corrected calculated response time and threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyamoto, Kenji Suzuki, Toru Kidokoro, Yasushi Iwazaki
  • Patent number: 9624809
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a single can oxidation catalyst (OC)/particulate filter (PF) member includes a controller including a first temperature sensor input configured to receive a first exhaust temperature upstream of an OC portion of the single can OC/PF member, a second temperature sensor input configured to receive a second exhaust temperature downstream of the first temperature. The controller is configured and disposed to calculate an exothermic capacity of the OC portion and determine washcoat deterioration of a PF portion of the single can OC/PF member based on the exothermic capacity of the OC portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Vincent J. Tylutki, David N. Belton, Janean E. Kowalkowski, Igor Anilovich
  • Patent number: 9624810
    Abstract: A delivery unit for delivering a liquid additive in a motor vehicle, includes at least one temperature sensor for contactlessly measuring a temperature at least at one measurement point in the delivery unit. The temperature sensor and the measurement point have a spacing therebetween and a radiation channel which is free from fixtures is provided between the temperature sensor and the measurement point. A method for checking the operating state of a delivery unit and a motor vehicle having a delivery unit are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Finn Frederiksen, Georges Maguin, Cheikh Diouf, Sven Schepers, Jan Hodgson
  • Patent number: 9624811
    Abstract: A control device of an internal combustion engine which is provided with an exhaust purification catalyst is provided with a downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor, a feed control means for controlling the fuel feed amount so that the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas becomes a target air-fuel ratio, and an excess/deficiency estimating means which estimates an oxygen excess/deficiency in the exhaust gas. The target air-fuel ratio is switched to a lean air-fuel ratio when the output air-fuel ratio of the downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor becomes a rich air-fuel ratio and is switched to the rich air-fuel ratio when the stored amount of oxygen of the exhaust purification catalyst after this becomes a switching reference amount or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuntaro Okazaki, Norihisa Nakagawa, Yuji Yamaguchi, Takahiko Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9624812
    Abstract: In an exhaust muffler using a double communicating tube as a communicating tube between expansion chambers, the exhaust muffler controls exhaust gas so as not to flow directly between intake and exhaust ports of an inner communicating tube and an outer communicating tube to thereby utilize the volume of the expansion chamber sufficiently. On one end side of the double communicating tube facing into a second expansion chamber, a distal end opening of the inner communicating tube functions as an intake port of an inside passage. A closing member for closing an end in the axial direction of an annular passage is provided in or in the vicinity of a distal end opening of the outer communicating tube. An exhaust port for opening the annular passage outwardly in the radial direction is provided between the closing member of the outer communicating tube and a first partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Hayama
  • Patent number: 9624813
    Abstract: An exhaust-gas aftertreatment system including an exhaust-gas module which has an inlet section and an outlet section. The exhaust-gas aftertreatment system has at least one sensor fastening device which comprises at least two, preferably at least three, sensor fastening means that are angularly spaced apart from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventors: Marc Winterhoff, Tobias Herrmann
  • Patent number: 9624814
    Abstract: An engine is disposed below an operator's seat in such a manner that a flywheel housing is located at the front of a traveling machine body. An exhaust gas purification device is disposed behind the engine and below a radiator. The engine is connected, on the left side thereof, to an air cleaner for taking in fresh air, and is connected, on the right side thereof, to an exhaust pipe which is connected to the air inlet side of the exhaust gas purification device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masataka Mitsuda
  • Patent number: 9624815
    Abstract: A support structure for mounting an emissions cleaning module to an engine is provided. The support structure includes a lower section adapted to be mounted to the engine and an upper section, coupled to the lower section, and adapted to carry the emissions cleaning module. The support structure may include anti-vibration mounts to reduce movement, in use, of the emissions cleaning module due to movement of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Paul Davison, Jon Snell, Simon Cotton, Richard Clark
  • Patent number: 9624816
    Abstract: A cylinder block (3) includes an inlet portion (36), a narrow portion (42), and an inclined portion (43). A cylinder head includes a head-side discharge portion. The inlet portion is formed on the first cylinder side of a cylinder array, and introduces coolant to a block-side water jacket (33). The narrow portion is formed in the vicinity of the inlet portion, and restricts the coolant introduced through the inlet portion from flowing to an intake-side channel (35) of the block-side water jacket. The inclined portion is formed in the vicinity of the inlet portion, and guides the coolant introduced through the inlet portion toward the head. The head-side discharge portion is formed on the fourth cylinder side of the cylinder array, and discharges the coolant from a head-side water jacket. A communication path for communicating between the water jackets is formed on the head side of the inclined portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Matsumoto, Daisuke Tabata, Masahiro Naito
  • Patent number: 9624817
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cooling fan module for an automotive cooling system, comprising: a cooling fan having a hub and a plurality of fan blades extending from the hub; a motor for driving the cooling fan, the motor having a rotor mounted or supported for rotation about an axis on a fixed shaft or axle of the motor; and an adapter device by means of which the cooling fan is attached to the rotor, wherein the adapter device comprises a connection member for rotationally fixed connection to a body of the rotor, and an attachment member for attachment with the hub of the cooling fan. The connection member may comprise a stub, which is desirably inserted into a central opening or aperture of the rotor body and the adapter device desirably accommodates at least one bearing upon which the rotor is supported for rotation about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Würzburg
    Inventors: Attila Simofi-Ilyes, Milenko Stamenic, Thomas Wissmueller
  • Patent number: 9624818
    Abstract: A cooling system for a bus may include a heat dissipating plate mounted on a roof panel of a top of a bus and cooling heated fluid with wind, and an actuator connected to an air tank, selectively actuating the heat dissipating plate and adjusting an inclination angle between the heat dissipating plate and the roof panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin-Seok Bang, Do-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 9624819
    Abstract: A radiator arrangement structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle places, in a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with a water-cooled internal combustion engine, a radiator to face a front portion of a rear fender and to incline rearward along the rear fender, and a cooling fan in front of the radiator in a forward inclined position. Alternatively or additionally, in the radiator arrangement structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle, in side view, the cooling fan and the radiator are housed in a V-shaped region defined by a main frame and the rear fender in such a manner as to increase a distance between the cooling fan and the radiator toward their top ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisashi Matsuo, Konomu Hoshi
  • Patent number: 9624820
    Abstract: A control device for direct injection gasoline engines includes a fuel injection control part (engine control device) composed to control a fuel injection aspect of an injector. The fuel injection control part changes an injection mode of the injector by changing the lift amount of the injector and the injection interval of the fuel respectively. The fuel injection control part switches between a first injection mode, which includes multiple times of the fuel injection with the small lift amount of the injector and the small interval of the fuel injection, and a second injection mode, which includes multiple times of the fuel injection with the bigger lift amount of the injector and the larger interval of the fuel injection than those of the first injection mode, according to an operating state of the engine body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Harada, Tatsuya Tanaka, Masatoshi Seto, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Tsugio Fukube
  • Patent number: 9624821
    Abstract: Problem In an air intake structure for an internal combustion engine 1 where a compressor impeller 22 of a turbocharger 20 is disposed in an air intake passage (4) of the internal combustion engine 1, not to prevent an ice clump 15 from appearing on an inner wall surface of the air intake passage (4), but prevents this ice clump 15 from colliding with the compressor impeller 22, especially, a vane 22a of the compressor impeller 22 when the ice clump 15 formed on the inner wall surface of the air intake passage (4) peels off. Solution A capture member 30 is provided upstream side with respect to the compressor impeller 22 in the air intake passage (4). The capture member 30 is configured to capture an ice clump 15 formed at an inner wall surface of the air intake passage (4) when the ice clump 15 peels off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Igarashi
  • Patent number: 9624822
    Abstract: A relief valve for turbines of exhaust turbochargers. Hot exhaust gas flows against this type of relief valves and the relief valves heat up significantly. Sensitive components such as the springs or the membrane can be damaged as a result. The relief valves are normally designed so that the membrane and a radiation panel are adjacent to a first chamber. Air is continuously guided through the first chamber in order to specifically cool the membrane and protect the membrane from excessive heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Dobrowolski
  • Patent number: 9624823
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for a turbocharged multi-cylinder internal combustion engine comprising a two-channel turbine and at least two groups of cylinders, wherein one group of cylinders is switchable responsive to an engine load over a threshold. Exhaust lines of each group of cylinders are arranged in a targeted manner to couple with the turbine such that the switchable group is attached to one channel and the active group is attached to the other channel to reduce the difference in distances that pressure pulses travel, wherein a shut-off element is provided in the channel attached to the switchable group and may be moved to block exhaust flow through the channel when the cylinders are deactivated, thus improving the partial deactivation and turbocharging characteristics of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Helmut Matthias Kindl, Werner Willems, Vanco Smiljanovski, Norbert Andreas Schorn, Franz Arnd Sommerhoff, Andreas Kuske, Joerg Kemmerling, Franz Brinkmann, Rob Stalman
  • Patent number: 9624824
    Abstract: In a case where EGR is started in a supercharging region, an opening degree of a waste gate valve (17) is changed at a timing T1 at which an EGR ratio in a first predetermined position changes by valve open of an EGR control valve (21). In a case where EGR is started in a non-supercharging region, a throttle valve (5) is changed at a timing T2 at which an EGR ratio in a second predetermined position changes by valve open of the EGR control valve (21). With these controls, it is possible to suppress an occurrence of torque step upon start of the EGR without distinction between the supercharging region and the non-supercharging region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ayumi Komiya, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Mitsuhiro Akagi
  • Patent number: 9624825
    Abstract: A combustible fluid-operated orbital engine having sets of cooperating cylinder and piston members with respective parallel axes of rotation. Respective cylinder and piston carrier wheels with respective axes of rotation parallel to the piston/cylinder axes of rotation carrying the pistons/cylinders orbitally and at all times in opposed relation on a common longitudinal axis along intersecting counter paths. Redundant belts/sprockets supported by the cylinder and piston carrier wheels rotate the pistons/cylinders counter to their circular motion direction to maintain their opposed relation for their periodic interfittment when their respective paths intersect. A combustible fluid supply is provided to the cylinder member for combustion coincident with the periodic interfittment. An air supply is provided to the cylinder member for purging exhaust gases and/or supercharging combustion gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventors: James Lockshaw, Joseph Gerondale
  • Patent number: 9624826
    Abstract: A variable compression cylinder head assembly usable with an internal combustion engine having at least one piston, the cylinder head assembly including a cylinder head housing having a combustion chamber formed therein, a compression control piston disposed within the combustion chamber, a compression head actuator coupled to the cylinder head housing, the compression head actuator including an actuator housing defining an actuator reservoir, a fluid port coupled to the actuator housing to receive a fluid, a movable force plate disposed within the actuator reservoir and coupled to the compression control piston, wherein the force plate and the compression control piston move between a first position and a second position when the fluid enters the actuator reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Freddie Ray Roberts
  • Patent number: 9624827
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a gas generator section for generating a gas stream flow with higher energy per unit mass flow than that contained in the ambient air and a power turbine that converts the gas stream flow into shaft power. The turbofan engine further includes a propulsor section including a fan driven by the power turbine through a geared architecture at a second speed lower than the first speed for generating propulsive thrust as a mass flow rate of air through a bypass flow path. An Engine Unit Thrust Parameter defined as net engine thrust divided by a product of the mass flow rate of air through the bypass flow path, a tip diameter of the fan and the first rotational speed of the power turbine is less than about 0.15 at a take-off condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Jayant Sabnis
  • Patent number: 9624828
    Abstract: A turbofan engine according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a gas generator section for generating a gas stream flow with higher energy per unit mass flow than that contained in ambient air. A power turbine converts the gas stream flow into shaft power. The power turbine rotates at a first rotational speed. A speed reduction device is driven by the power turbine. A propulsor section includes a fan driven by the power turbine through the speed reduction device at a second speed lower than the first speed for generating propulsive thrust as a mass flow rate of air through a bypass flow path. The fan includes a tip diameter greater than about fifty (50) inches and an Engine Unit Thrust Parameter (“EUTP”) defined as net engine thrust divided by a product of the mass flow rate of air through the bypass flow path, a tip diameter of the fan and the first rotational speed of the power turbine is less than about 0.30 at a take-off condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Jayant Sabnis
  • Patent number: 9624829
    Abstract: One example of a gas turbine engine may include a gas generator, a reheat combustor that is disposed downstream of the gas generator, and a power turbine that is disposed downstream of the reheat combustor and includes a plurality of nozzle guide vanes. The reheat combustor is configured to increase a fuel flow so as to increase a temperature of the reheat combustor and match a required exhaust temperature. The nozzle guide vanes are configured to increase a real capacity at a power turbine inlet in proportion with the required exhaust temperature. A constant apparent capacity at a gas generator exit upstream of the reheat combustor remains constant, in response to proportionately increasing the temperature and the real capacity with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TURBINE COMPANY (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Lebel, Carl Carson
  • Patent number: 9624830
    Abstract: In a method for the low-CO emissions part load operation of a gas turbine with sequential combustion, the opening of the row of variable compressor inlet guide vanes is controlled depending on the temperatures of the operative burners of the second combustor and simultaneously the number of operative burners is kept at a minimum. This leads to low CO emissions at partial load of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Theodoros Ferreira-Providakis, Ghislain Singla, Thiemo Meeuwissen, Sebastian Lipari, Ourania-Nektaria Margari
  • Patent number: 9624831
    Abstract: An aircraft engine includes a precooler disposed within a nacelle. The precooler defines an ambient air passage and a bleed air passage. Air passes through the precooler from an ambient air inlet to an ambient air outlet. Bleed air passes through the precooler from a bleed air inlet to a bleed air outlet. Heat is transferred between the air and the bleed air via heat exchange within the precooler. At least one pressure relief door disposed proximate to the air outlet of the engine. A controller is operatively connected to the pressure relief door. The controller at least opens the pressure relief door based on a demand for increased flow of air through the ambient air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Jean Brousseau, Sigit Afrianto, Remi Hamel, Valerie Desilets
  • Patent number: 9624832
    Abstract: A heat exchange arrangement for a gas turbine engine. The arrangement includes a first conduit for an engine component cooling fluid and a second conduit for a second fluid. The arrangement further includes a heat exchange portion in which fluids flowing through the first and second conduits are in a heat exchange relationship. A valve is provided, which is configured to moderate the mass flow rate of one of the fluids through the heat exchange portion. The arrangement includes divert valve in the first conduit which diverts flow to the second conduit as the flow in the second conduit is moderated to reduce thermal shock in the heat exchange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Paul Fletcher
  • Patent number: 9624833
    Abstract: A compressor having a stator vane assembly having an inner ring and a seal carrier secured thereto, the seal carrier having two opposite seal carrier end faces and the inner ring having two inner ring end faces which face said seal carrier end faces and are received between said seal carrier end faces with an axial gap therebetween, at least one clamping element bearing axially with a first clamping element end face against the inner ring and with a second clamping element end face against the seal carrier and being axially resiliently clamped between the inner ring and the seal carrier. A compressor with a clamping element for radial clamping is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Kraus, Felix Kern
  • Patent number: 9624834
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a fan and a turbine having a fan drive turbine rotor. The fan drive turbine rotor drives a compressor rotor. A gear reduction effects a reduction in the speed of the fan relative to an input speed from the fan drive turbine rotor that drives the compressor rotor. The compressor rotor has a number of compressor blades in at least one of a plurality of rows of the compressor rotor. The blades operate at least some of the time at a rotational speed. The number of compressor blades in at least one row and the rotational speed are such that the following formula holds true for at least one row of the compressor rotor turbine: (number of blades×rotational speed)/60 s?5500 Hz, and the rotational speed is in revolutions per minute. A method of designing a gas turbine engine and a compressor module are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Topol, Bruce L. Morin
  • Patent number: 9624835
    Abstract: A shut-off valve includes a float and a negative G control component. The float is configured to occlude a tank outlet at a first fluid level and 1 G and unocclude the tank outlet at a second fluid level and 1 G. The negative G control component is operatively connected to the float to limit fluid, e.g. liquid or gas, communication between a tank outlet and an ejector pump during negative G events. An ecology fuel return system includes a tank, an ejector pump, a float, and a negative G control component, as described above. The tank has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with components of an engine. The ejector pump is in fluid communication with the tank outlet and is configured to pump fuel from the tank to a fuel pump inlet of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Carpenter, Kevin Gibbons, Charles E. Reuter, Lubomir A. Ribarov, Leo J. Veilleux, Jr., Ethan Flow
  • Patent number: 9624836
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining both pressures and temperatures in a high temperature environment. The present invention also relates to a method of determining temperatures about a pressure-sensing element using a bi-functional heater. In addition, the present invention preferably relates to a pressure sensor with the pressure-sensing element and a heating element both integrated into the sensor's packaging, preferably onto the diaphragm of the pressure sensor, and particularly to such a pressure sensor capable of operating at high or elevated temperatures, and even more particularly to such a pressure sensor wherein the heating element is capable of both heating, at least in part, the pressure-sensing element and monitoring the temperature of the application area. Preferably, the pressure-sensing element is formed from shape memory alloy (SMA) materials that can be used at high or elevated temperatures as a pressure sensor with high sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Orbital Research Inc
    Inventors: Greg S Shaw, Troy Prince, Joseph Snyder, Michael C Willett, Frederick J Lisy
  • Patent number: 9624837
    Abstract: An adaptive valve assembly includes a pipe defining a passageway for conducting engine exhaust gases, a pivot shaft supported by the pipe, and a valve body coupled to the pivot shaft. The valve body is moveable between an open position where exhaust gas flow through the passageway is increased and a closed position where exhaust gas flow through the passageway is reduced. A resilient member biases the valve body toward the closed position. A retainer cooperates with the resilient member to define a valve stop for the valve body when in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLC
    Inventor: Kwin Abram
  • Patent number: 9624838
    Abstract: The present air intake control valve includes a valve body and a seal portion being elastically deformable to seal between an inner wall surface of an air intake port and the valve body. The seal portion is formed in a bending configuration including a first hinge portion and a second hinge portion each serving as a supporting point upon elastic deformation of the seal portion. One of the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion is arranged at an upstream side of the air intake port and the other of the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion is arranged at a downstream side in a state where the valve body is at a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Oiwa, Masato Ishii
  • Patent number: 9624839
    Abstract: A throttle body assembly includes a housing defining a throttle bore with a throttle plate in the bore and mounted on a shaft. An electric motor has a pinion gear. A gear assembly transfers rotational drive from the electric motor to the throttle plate. Biasing structure biases the gear assembly and thus the shaft to cause the throttle plate to close the throttle bore defining a closed position thereof. When the motor is energized, rotation of the gear assembly, against the bias biasing structure, thereby causing rotation of the shaft to move the throttle plate from the closed position to an open position. A position sensor assembly determines a position of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed Rizwan Khan, Donald Taylor, John Norman Stockbridge, Stefan Köhler, Nathan Cowan, Dean Sorell
  • Patent number: 9624840
    Abstract: In the intake air quantity control device, a ring-shaped convex portion having an outer diameter being smaller than an inner diameter of the wave washer for damping the drive motor is formed on the bottom surface of the cylinder-shaped hole of the throttle body, and tapered portions are provided at an outer-diameter corner of the ring-shaped convex portion and at an outer-diameter corner of the bottom surface of the cylinder-shaped hole of the throttle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Kurita, Chiaki Sugano, Naruhiko Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 9624841
    Abstract: A device for controlling the speed of an internal combustion engine comprising a control lever movably associated to a support element, which may be the engine casing or a portion thereof. The control lever is moveable at least between a first position, in which the engine is at a first rotation regime, and a second position, in which the engine is at a second rotation time. A selective locking mechanism is provided that prohibits the control lever from being stably positioned at any (and all) intermediate positions between the first and second positions. In one embodiment, a biasing force generated by the device automatically forces the control lever into one of the first or second positions when the control lever is located in any of the intermediate positions and an actuation force is ceased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: LOMBARDINI S.R.L.
    Inventors: Nicola Scinicariello, Valentino Scarpellini
  • Patent number: 9624842
    Abstract: A method and device for determining a value for a valve lift of a valve of an individual cylinder of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine are provided. The method includes determining a first exhaust-gas lambda value for fuel combustion in the individual cylinder in a first operating state of the engine by a cylinder-individual and time-resolved detection of lambda values without an artificial variation in an air/fuel ratio. The method also includes determining an air mass sucked in by all cylinders of the engine in the first operating state. The method also includes determining the value for the valve lift of the valve of the individual cylinder based on the first exhaust-gas lambda value, the determined air mass, and a correction value, wherein the correction value is based on a relationship between the valve lift and an associated air mass sucked in by all cylinders of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Gerhard Eser, Martin Reisinger, Ganizani Master
  • Patent number: 9624843
    Abstract: A control device of a multi-cylinder engine is provided. The control device includes an auxiliary component and a valve stopping device having a locking mechanism for stopping an operation of at least one of intake and exhaust valves of a specific cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine according to an engine operating state. The control device includes an angular speed variation detecting device for detecting an angular speed variation of a crankshaft, an auxiliary component control device for controlling a drive load of the auxiliary component. In an all-cylinder operation, when an engine load is lower than a predetermined value and the detected angular speed variation exceeds a predetermined threshold, the auxiliary component control device performs an auxiliary component drive load increase control in which the drive load of the auxiliary component is increased to reduce the angular speed variation to be lower than the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nishimoto, Hisashi Okazawa, Masanori Hashimoto, Junsou Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9624844
    Abstract: A system for method for emptying a gas storage tank of a vehicle is presented. In one example, engine valve timing is adjusted to facilitate reducing pressure within the gas storage tank. The system and method may extend the use of the gas stored in the gas storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9624845
    Abstract: A dual fuel injector may be used to inject both gas and liquid fuel into a cylinder of a compression ignition engine. An injector body defines a first set of nozzle outlets, a second set of nozzle outlets, a first fuel inlet and a second fuel inlet. A dual solenoid actuator includes a first armature, a first coil, a second armature and a second coil that share a common centerline. The dual solenoid actuator has a non-injection configuration at which the first armature is at an un-energized position and the second armature is at an un-energized position. The dual solenoid actuator has a first fuel injection configuration at which the first fuel inlet is fluidly connected to the first set of nozzle outlets, the first armature is at an energized position and the second armature is at the un-energized position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Mark F. Sommars, Xiangdong Ding
  • Patent number: 9624846
    Abstract: In a vehicle having a manual transmission, various sensors such as pedal and gearshift position sensors and accelerometers provide data to a control module such as an engine control module. The control module includes a microprocessor which calculates derivatives, i.e., the rate of change (first derivative) or the rate of change of the rate of change (second derivative) of the data from the sensors. Based on these derivatives, the microprocessor classifies the current driving activity into one of two, three or more modes, for example, track, sport and touring. During a shift, from the data from the gearshift sensor, the microprocessor determines whether an upshift or downshift is imminent or in progress and decreases or increases the engine speed to achieve zero or negligible cross clutch speed differential upon clutch engagement, rapidly if in the first (track) mode, less rapidly in the second (sport) mode and less rapidly still in the third (touring) mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William L. Cousins, Bradford W. Bur
  • Patent number: 9624847
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a multi-mode powertrain system includes periodically determining a power cost difference between a first power cost and a second power cost. This includes determining the first power cost associated with operating the powertrain system with the engine operating in a presently commanded engine state in response to an operator torque request and determining the second power cost associated with an expected powertrain operation with the engine operating in a non-commanded engine state in response to the operator torque request. The first power cost is compared with the second power cost, and successive iterations of the periodically determined power cost difference between the first power cost and the second power cost are integrated to determine an integrated power cost difference. A transition to the non-commanded engine state is commanded when the integrated power cost difference is greater than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kee Yong Kim, Anthony H. Heap, John Janczak, Samantha Victoria Lado, YaoYao Wei
  • Patent number: 9624848
    Abstract: A control device that controls a vehicle drive device in which a first engagement device, a rotary electric machine, and a second engagement device are arranged in this order from an internal combustion engine on a power transmission path that connects the internal combustion engine to wheels. The control device is configured to determine an operation stop of the internal combustion engine in a state in which torque is transmitted from the internal combustion engine to the wheels, the control device executes rotational speed control that controls output torque of the rotary electric machine such that a rotational speed of the rotary electric machine approaches a target rotational speed and executes torque-down control that causes output torque of the internal combustion engine to decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Takahashi, Kohei Tsuda, Masashi Kito, Yuichi Seki
  • Patent number: 9624849
    Abstract: In a method for stopping an internal combustion engine, a quantity of air supplied to the internal combustion engine via an air-metering device, e.g., a throttle valve, is reduced after a stop request has been determined, and the quantity of air supplied to the internal combustion engine via the air-metering device is increased again when a detected speed of the internal combustion engine falls below a predefinable speed threshold value. The predefinable speed threshold value is increased when, after the metered quantity of air is increased up to stopping of the internal combustion engine, an intake cylinder no longer passes through a bottom dead center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Karthik Rai, Norbert Mueller
  • Patent number: 9624850
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing exhaust energy delivered to a turbine of a turbine-generator coupled to a split exhaust engine system in order to reduce turbine over-speed conditions and/or to reduce a generator output. In one example, a method may include retarding a first timing of a first exhaust valve utilized to deliver a blowdown portion of exhaust energy to the turbine, and/or advancing a second timing of a second exhaust valve utilized to deliver a scavenging portion of exhaust energy to an exhaust catalyst in response to a turbine speed greater than a threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Thomas G. Leone, Daniel Joseph Styles, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Patent number: 9624851
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle powertrain includes determining a selected powertrain operational mode. A demand fraction is determined. An internal combustion engine (ICE) is to output a maximum power when a gaseous fuel is conveyed to an injector of the ICE at a source pressure greater than a cutoff pressure. The source pressure in a container in fluid connection with the injector is determined. The gaseous fuel is received at the source pressure by the injector to inject the gaseous fuel into the ICE for combustion in response to the source pressure, demand fraction, or selected powertrain operation mode meeting a first set of criteria. The injector is prevented from injecting the gaseous fuel into the ICE and the powertrain is driven from an alternative power source in response to the source pressure, demand fraction, or selected powertrain operation mode meeting a second set of criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anne M. Dailly, Jose Franca, Mei Cai, Arianna T. Morales, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Robert Lee Girdwood
  • Patent number: 9624852
    Abstract: A method for controlling fuel pressure in an internal combustion engine consuming a gaseous fuel and a liquid fuel comprises steps of determining a gaseous fuel pressure target value as a function of an engine operating condition, pressurizing the liquid fuel to a liquid fuel pressure based on the gaseous fuel pressure target value, and regulating gaseous fuel pressure from the liquid fuel pressure. The gaseous fuel pressure equals the gaseous fuel pressure target value to within a predetermined range of tolerance. A corresponding system controls fuel pressure in a gaseous fuelled internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: WESTPORT POWER INC.
    Inventors: Alain M. J. Touchette, Jamie Y. Wardlaw
  • Patent number: 9624853
    Abstract: A method for purging a fuel vapor canister, comprising: responsive to an indication of vapor slugs, reversing a direction of air flow through the fuel vapor canister while maintaining purge air intake at a vent line inlet. By reversing the direction of air flow through the fuel vapor canister, the vapor slugs may be adsorbed within the fuel vapor canister and may not affect engine operation. In this way, purge operation may be maintained and emissions may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Mark W. Peters, Richard Shimon
  • Patent number: 9624854
    Abstract: A method for fuel injection of an engine system may include detecting driving information, including a combustion pressure in a combustion chamber, a heat generation amount in the combustion chamber, a crank angle, and a pressure/temperature/air amount of an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, setting a fuel amount and injection timing with respect to a pilot injection as map data from an internal temperature, determining whether a maximum combustion pressure change rate is greater than a predetermined pressure change rate, determining generation timing of the maximum combustion pressure change rate, when the maximum combustion pressure change rate is greater than the predetermined pressure change rate, and decreasing a fuel amount of the pilot injection when the maximum combustion pressure change rate is generated during the pilot injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: JangSu Lee, Hyo Sang Cho, Hyoung Hyoun Kim
  • Patent number: 9624855
    Abstract: Embodiments for controlling an exhaust back-pressure valve are provided. In one example, a method for operating an engine comprises closing an exhaust back-pressure valve in response to a component temperature, adjusting intake and/or exhaust valve operation in response to closing the exhaust back-pressure valve to reduce cylinder internal exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and while the exhaust back-pressure valve is closing, indicating degradation of an exhaust back-pressure system if a designated engine operating parameter remains constant. In this way, degradation of the exhaust back-pressure system may be diagnosed while maintaining combustion stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Peter C. Moilanen
  • Patent number: 9624856
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system with a diesel particulate filter in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine. A surface filtration cake layer formation enhancement control or a particulate matter generation amount reduction control is temporarily performed immediately after a forced regeneration treatment on the diesel particulate filter. The system and a method are directed to a particulate matter slip-through phenomenon in which the particulate matter slip-through amount temporarily increases immediately after particulate matter re-combustion in a forced regeneration treatment on the diesel particulate filter. The diesel particulate filter is disposed in the exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine and reduces the total amount of particulate matter emitted to the atmosphere immediately after the particulate matter re-combustion in the forced regeneration treatment on the diesel particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Daiji Nagaoka, Takayuki Sakamoto