Patents Issued in June 13, 2017
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Patent number: 9677494Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mitigating loss of engine torque due to cavitation in a fuel pump. One example approach is adjusting engine operation or fuel pump operation based on ambient conditions and a measured engine torque being lower than a desired engine torque after a pre-determined duration. The ambient conditions may include one or more of ambient temperature being higher than a temperature threshold, barometric pressure lower than a threshold pressure, and fuel volatility higher than a threshold volatility.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Anthony Rockwell, Jonathan Andrew Butcher, William David Treharne, Matthew D. Smith
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Patent number: 9677495Abstract: A fuel control system includes a target rail pressure module. The target rail pressure module determines a target fuel rail pressure of a fuel rail of a direct injection engine. An offset module determines an offset value based on an engine speed of the direct injection engine and at least one of an engine load and an air per cylinder. A modifier module determines a modifier value based on a temperature of the direct injection engine. A rail pressure control module adjusts a current fuel rail pressure of the fuel rail based on the target fuel rail pressure, the offset value and the modifier value.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua D. Cowgill, Daniel Sabathil, David P. Sczomak
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Patent number: 9677496Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for controlling a fuel injector using multipulse fuel injection. According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, the system includes a fuel sequence controller configured for use with a fuel injector having an injector configuration modeled by a body pressure characteristic that includes a rail pressure and an injection rate shape, where the fuel sequence controller is structured to determine an estimate of the injected fuel quantity delivered from the fuel injector at the determined body pressure characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: David M. Carey, Eric A. Benham
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Patent number: 9677497Abstract: A fuel injection control apparatus of a compression ignition type internal combustion engine includes a controller adapted to control an injector so that pre-stage injection and post-stage injection are performed as fuel injection during one cycle. The controller controls an interval between the timing of the pre-stage injection and the timing of the post-stage injection so that an interval ?t1 between the timing of the pre-stage peak and the timing of the post-stage peak approximately satisfies a condition. The condition is that the interval ?t1 is 0.5 times an inverse number of the frequency f0 at which a combustion noise level becomes the maximum.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Hiroshi Kuzuyama, Tsutomu Umehara, Takayuki Fuyuto, Masahiro Taki
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Patent number: 9677498Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an ignition energy provided to an engine cylinder upon reactivation from a VDE mode of operation. Ignition energy is increased by increasing an ignition coil dwell time and/or an ignition coil strike frequency. The increased ignition energy improves combustion stability during the transition out of the VDE mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Garlan J. Huberts, Michael Damian Czekala, Nelson William Morrow, Jr.
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Patent number: 9677499Abstract: There is provided a control device of an engine that includes a turbo-supercharger and a variable valve mechanism, the control device including: a valve timing change means; an ignition timing change means; a fuel injection amount change means; an acceleration request detection means; a supercharging pressure detection means; and an acceleration control means that corrects, when the acceleration request is detected, retarding of ignition timing in a low supercharging region where the supercharging pressure is lower than a predetermined value, that completes the correction of the retarding of the ignition timing in a high supercharging region where the supercharging pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined value to provide a valve overlap and that changes the fuel injection amount such that an air-fuel ratio at which a mixture air of a scavenging gas and an exhaust gas is easily burned within an exhaust passage is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Takeshi Tsuyuki
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Patent number: 9677500Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine is provided. The piston includes a piston body which is made of steel. The piston body has a crown portion with an upper combustion surface, a pair of skirts which depend from the crown surface, a pair of pin bosses for receiving a wrist pin and a plurality of pin boss bridges which extend from the pin bosses to the skirts. Each of the pin boss bridges extends axially to a lower end which is opposite of the crown portion and has a rib with an increased thickness at its lower end. At least one of the pin boss bridges has a generally flat counter-bore surface for providing a reference location for machining of the piston body.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Federal-Mogul LLCInventors: Eduardo Matsuo, Airton Martins
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Patent number: 9677501Abstract: An exemplary nozzle having a variable internal exhaust area for a gas turbine engine can have a plurality of flap trains extending around a periphery of the gas turbine engine. Each flap train can include a convergent flap pivotally attached to an engine body and a divergent flap pivotally attached to the engine body downstream of the convergent flap. The nozzle can further have a fluid circuit in communication with the convergent and divergent flaps and configured to pivot the convergent and divergent flaps between a radially inward position and a radially outward position.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Anthony F. Pierluissi, Kenneth M. Pesyna
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Patent number: 9677502Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a turbojet engine nacelle equipped with at least one thrust reverser. The thrust reverser includes: two half-cowls forming an outer cowl which is articulated on hinges and translates between closed and open positions, a first actuator to translationally actuate a downstream frame, a second actuator to rotationally actuate each half-cowl, and a lock capable of locking or unlocking the half-cowls relative to one another. In particular, the thrust reverser includes cascades vanes supported at their upstream end by an upstream frame and at their downstream end by the downstream frame, and a connector between the downstream frame and the external cowl. The cascade vanes are enclosed in a shroud formed by a fan casing and a fan cowl.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: AIRCELLEInventor: Pierre Caruel
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Patent number: 9677503Abstract: The present invention relates to improved rocket engine systems. In one embodiment, an improved rocket engine system includes a propellant source, at least one power source, at least one power source motor, a rocket engine, and at least one pump. The improved rocket engine system may further include at least one of the following: at least one controller, at least one propellant valve, and a propellant pressurizing source.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: TGV ROCKETS, INC.Inventor: Patrick R. E. Bahn
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Patent number: 9677504Abstract: Rockets, rocket motors, methods of controlling a rocket and methods of evaluating a rocket design are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of controlling a rocket may include measuring a combustion chamber pressure, calculating a logarithm of the measured combustion chamber pressure, and computing the difference between the logarithm of the measured combustion chamber pressure and the logarithm of a reference combustion chamber pressure value to generate an error signal. The method may further include filtering the error signal to generate a compensated signal in the logarithm domain, and exponentiating of the compensated signal in the logarithm domain to provide a compensated signal in the physical domain.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: ORBITAL ATK, INC.Inventors: Sean S. Stroud, Michael J. Piovoso
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Patent number: 9677505Abstract: An air/fuel mixer system of a combustion chamber of a gas turbine includes at least one compressed air intake swirler, the swirler having a central axis of symmetry, and a fuel injector including an injection head having an axis of symmetry. Each injector is mounted in the corresponding swirler with aid of a guide mechanism, so that the axis of symmetry of the injection head is off-center with respect to the central axis of symmetry of the swirler. The system can reduce, or even eliminate, combustion instabilities, by injecting the fuel along a particular axis which is off-center relative to the axis of the air/fuel mixer system, inducing a flow of fuel which is no longer perfectly axially symmetrical.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: TURBOMECAInventors: Nicolas Savary, Claude Berat, Hubert Hippolyte Vignau, Christophe Nicolas Henri Viguier
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Patent number: 9677506Abstract: A carburetor provides a supplemental fuel supply to an engine and includes a body, a fuel metering diaphragm and a fluid pump. The fuel metering diaphragm defines part of a fuel metering chamber and a reference chamber and has at least a portion that is movable relative to the body to increase and decrease the volume of the fuel metering chamber to control fuel flow in the fuel metering chamber. The fluid pump is carried by the carburetor or another component upstream of the carburetor and has an outlet in fluid communication with the metering reference chamber and an actuator arranged to discharge fluid through the outlet to increase the pressure within the metering reference chamber and thereby increase the fuel flow rate from the fuel metering chamber to the air-fuel passage to provide a supplemental fuel supply to the engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Scott D. Bostian, Matthew A. Braun, Gary J. Burns
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Patent number: 9677507Abstract: A purpose of the present invention is to improve the oil removal rate in an oil separator that separates and removes oil from gas including the oil as an impurity. The oil separator according to the present invention is characterized by including a first filter member (42) in a cylindrical shape made with a cylindrical filter material having an air permeability, and positioned such that the target gas flows in from a hollow part as well as a central axis is in an up-down direction, and a second filter member (43) made with a filter material having air permeability and wrapped around the first filter member (42) along an outer surface thereof with a predetermined spacing from the outer surface of the first filter member (42).Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignees: Tokyo Roki Co., Ltd., Nikki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takatsugu Kurosawa, Tadashi Ichikawa, Yoshinori Maehira, Takayuki Idehara, Tomoaki Fukuoka, Masashi Iwasaki, Koji Kawayoko, Takaya Kohara
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Patent number: 9677508Abstract: A system includes an emulsification device, a processed fuel tank, an emulsification recirculation line, and a control module. The emulsification device is configured to selectively receive a liquid mixture of water and hydrocarbon fuel and produce batches of emulsified fuel. The processed fuel tank is configured to selectively receive and store the emulsified fuel. The control module is configured to monitor one or more operating parameters and execute one or more operating modes. The operating modes include a bypass mode configured to provide the engine with the hydrocarbon fuel, an emulsification recirculation mode configured to continually recirculate emulsified fuel through the emulsification device and the processed fuel tank via the emulsification recirculation line, a run mode configured to operate the engine with emulsified fuel, and a suck back mode configured to return semi-stable emulsified fuel back to the processed fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: KCS678 LLCInventors: Louis George Conti, Calvin Robert Visser
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Patent number: 9677509Abstract: A power plant is provided and may include an engine configured to receive charge air and produce exhaust. A first turbo machine may be driven by the exhaust and may drive a compressor that receives air and produces the charge air. A second turbo machine may receive the exhaust and may rotationally drive a pump in response thereto. The pump may receive an EGR from the exhaust and may introduce the pumped EGR to the charge air.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: AVL POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, INC.Inventors: Ho Teng, Gerhard Regner, Gary Hunter
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Patent number: 9677510Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing torque transients experienced when a dedicated EGR cylinder is transitioned in to or out of dedicated EGR mode. During a transition, each of an intake throttle and a wastegate is adjusted in opposing directions. Throttle and wastegate adjustments are coordinated with adjustments to spark timing and intake cam timing to provide sufficient torque reserve for the transition.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Chris Paul Glugla, Thomas G. Leone, Gregory Patrick McConville, James Alfred Hilditch
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Patent number: 9677511Abstract: An exhaust gas cooler may include an outer housing and an inner housing having a heat exchanger insert arranged therein. The heat exchanger insert may include a plurality of pipes around which exhaust gas flows transversely in the inner housing and through at least some of which a coolant of a first cooling circuit flows. At least a portion of the outer housing may be cooled by a second cooling circuit. The second cooling circuit may be separate from the first cooling circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Mahle International GmbHInventors: Steffen Groezinger, Martin Paarmann, Henning Schroeder
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Patent number: 9677512Abstract: A method for a fuel system is provided. A vacuum is applied to a fuel vapor canister side of the fuel system, and hydrocarbon breakthrough is indicated responsive to a fuel vapor canister side pressure inflection point indicative of a decay in fuel vapor canister side vacuum. In this way, an evaporative leak check module may perform a leak check on a fuel vapor canister, while hydrocarbon breakthrough from the fuel vapor canister may be indicated without requiring a dedicated hydrocarbon sensor in the canister vent line.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce, Mohammad R. Aghili
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Patent number: 9677513Abstract: A mechanically induced vacuum driven delivery system for providing pre-vaporized fuel to an internal combustion engine, the major benefit being that fuel can be precisely controlled.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Inventors: David L. Wilson, Scott Machuta
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Patent number: 9677514Abstract: An air induction system for delivering equal quantities of combustion air to an internal combustion engine has an air box assembly comprising a housing that defines a filter chamber that is configured to receive an air filter assembly, an air inlet that admits the fresh air into the housing and the filter chamber and outlets extending from the housing. The air filter assembly further comprises a filter media disposed between the air inlet and the outlets to define a filtered air chamber on a flow side of the filter media and a partition extending across the filtered air chamber to divide filtered, fresh air passing through the filter media into two flow paths, the divided flows paths exiting the housing and the filtered air chamber through the outlets.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Eric R. Tucker, Steven A. Kornburger
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Patent number: 9677515Abstract: An air flow measuring device includes a sensor assembly, a thermistor, and an end terminal. The sensor assembly includes a sensor portion and a sensor circuit. The sensor portion and the sensor circuit are integrated with each other and configured to measure an air flow quantity. The thermistor is equipped independently from the sensor assembly. The thermistor is configured to measure an air temperature. The end terminal is electrically connected with the sensor assembly and the thermistor. An external connection terminal in the sensor assembly is electrically connected with the sensor portion and the sensor circuit to function as the end terminal.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Teruaki Kaifu
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Patent number: 9677516Abstract: A combustion engine of a motorcycle has an engine rotary shaft extending in a vehicle widthwise direction. Incoming wind taken in from a front of a steering handle that is positioned in front of the combustion engine, is introduced through an air intake duct to the combustion engine. The air intake duct extends from the front of the steering handle to a rearward of a cylinder block so as to pass above a radiator and pass laterally of one side of the cylinder block.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shohei Naruoka, Hisatoyo Arima, Satoaki Ichi, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Kozo Arai, Yoshinobu Tanaka
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Patent number: 9677517Abstract: An air intake assembly configured to direct air into a throttle body of an engine of an automotive vehicle includes an air cleaner enclosure, primary and secondary air intake ducts and a downstream air intake duct. In a first operating condition, inlet air is directed into the air cleaner enclosure unit from the secondary air intake duct and routed (i) through the downstream air intake duct and into the throttle body and (ii) through the primary air intake duct and out of a primary air inlet. In a second operating condition, inlet air is directed into the air cleaner enclosure unit from the primary air intake duct and routed (iii) through the downstream air intake duct and into the throttle body and (iv) through the secondary air intake duct and out of the secondary air inlet. A method of directing the intake air into the throttle body is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Marvin L Roten, Mark J Duty, Michael J Stempien, Gary L Baker, Abou B Rkie, Mark E Gleason
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Patent number: 9677518Abstract: An engine (E) of a saddle-riding type vehicle has an engine case that is substantially L-shaped by a cylinder block (42) being protruded upward from an upper face of a front portion of a crank case (40). An air cleaner (55) is disposed rearwardly of the cylinder block (42) and above the crank case (40). An outlet (72) through which blow-by gas (G) in the engine (E) is discharged is formed in the rear portion of the cylinder block (42). A case body (84) of the air cleaner (55) has a blow-by gas introduction port (86) through which the blow-by gas (G) is introduced into the air cleaner (55). The outlet (72) of the cylinder block (42) and the blow-by gas introduction port (86) of the case body (84) are connected by a connecting pipe (90). The blow-by gas introduction port (86) is disposed close to the cylinder block (42).Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hisatoyo Arima, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Takahiro Jyouzaki
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Patent number: 9677519Abstract: A device for decreasing fuel pulsation of an LPG vehicle may include a bombe storing LPG fuel therein, a regulator connected to the bombe and adjusting a temperature and pressure of the LPG fuel, an injector spraying the LPG fuel supplied from the regulator to an engine, a fuel line connecting the bombe, the regulator, and the injector to supply or collect the fuel, and a pulsation damper provided between the regulator and the injector in the fuel line and have a plurality of pistons slidably coupled each other for decreasing the fuel pulsation.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignees: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jin Oh Song
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Patent number: 9677520Abstract: A valve for metering fluid is reported which has a valve housing having a valve opening and a valve seat, a valve needle, which is provided for the alternating closing and opening of the valve using a closing member cooperating with the valve seat, a resetting element that acts on the valve needle for closing the valve and an electromagnet that is able to have current applied to it, having a magnet armature that is drivable to a lift motion, which sits axially displaceably on the valve needle and carries along the valve needle in the lift direction for opening the valve via a driving flange situated on it. To simplify production and the assembly of the valve while achieving the advantages characteristic in valves having a prestroke spring and an armature free path, the magnet armature is supported on the valve housing using a diaphragm spring.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Martin Buehner, Michael Mayer, Michael Knorpp
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Patent number: 9677521Abstract: In a component (1), in particular a housing of a high-pressure fuel pump, in which at least one first high-pressure channel (4) and one second high-pressure channel (5) are present, the longitudinal axis of the first channel (4) is at an acute or right angle to the longitudinal axis of the second channel (5), wherein the second channel (5) leads into the first channel (4), such that an intersection is formed. The first channel (4) is formed by a central bore (10) and at least one secondary bore (11) that enlarges the cross-section of the central bore (10), wherein the longitudinal axis of the secondary bore (11) and the longitudinal axis of the central bore (10) extend parallel to one another.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventor: Christian Graspeuntner
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Patent number: 9677522Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injector (1) for an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector (1) is comprised of an injector body (5) with an injector tip (6). The injector tip (6) is used for the injection of fuel into the combustion chamber (4) of the internal combustion engine. For this reason, the injector tip (6) is designed so as to be at least partially extended into the combustion chamber (4). If the injector tip (6) is designed to be flush with the surface of the combustion chamber (4), the injector tip (6) is arranged so that it directly faces toward the combustion chamber (4). Furthermore, the injector tip (6) is at least partially coated with a first oxide layer (9). According to the invention, a catalytic second oxide coating (10) composed of cerium oxide (CeO2), praseodymium oxide (PrO2), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), or any bi-component combination thereof is applied on top of the first oxide coating (9).Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Ukropec, Oliver Berkemeier, Clemens Maria Verpoort
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Patent number: 9677523Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injection control valve having a stator core that is electrically isolated from surrounding parts such as a stator housing. The stator core includes a first annulated wall having an inner surface, a second annulated wall having an outer surface, a radially extending wall connecting the first and second annulated wall, and a radially extending slot extending through the first annulated wall, the radially extending wall, and the second annulated wall. The stator core may include a limited number of contact points with the stator housing. Alternatively or additionally, an electrically insulating material may be placed between the stator core and the stator housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Edward B. Manring, Donald J. Benson, Martin W. Long, Michael W. Lucas
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Patent number: 9677524Abstract: A nozzle able to be arranged in a diesel injection system of the internal combustion engine of a vehicle comprises a fixed member provided with a nozzle seat at the center of which there opens a discharge orifice, the fixed member comprising a cylindrical tubular part defining an inner guide cylinder extending axially from an open first end as far as the seat that forms the closed end of the guide cylinder, and a shut-off member arranged and guided in the guide cylinder, the shut-off member being able to move between a closed state (EF) when the shut-off member is in abutment against the seat and an open state (EO) when the shut-off member opens the discharge orifice.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: DELPHI INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L.Inventors: Michel Marechal, Frederic Sauvage
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Patent number: 9677525Abstract: A method to determine the injection pattern in the compression stroke of the combustion cycle of the cylinders of a direct-injection internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of determining the initial quantity of fuel and an objective quantity of fuel to be injected for each partial injection of a maximum number of partial injections; determining an effective quantity of fuel to be injected for each partial injection as a function of the respective initial quantity of fuel and of the respective objective quantity of fuel; and determining an objective pattern of partial injections to be performed in the compression stroke as a function of the value of the end of injection angle and of the effective quantity of fuel to be injected for each partial injection of a maximum number of partial injections to be performed in the compression stroke.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Magneti Marelll S.p.AInventors: Filippo Cavanna, Riccardo Lanzoni, Marco Morelli, Alessandro Musi, Fabio Panini, Fabio Sensi
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Patent number: 9677526Abstract: A spark-ignition direct fuel injection valve includes, at least, a seat member provided with a fuel injection hole and a valve seat and a valve body which controls fuel injection from the injection hole by contacting and separating from the valve seat. In the spark-ignition direct fuel injection valve: the injection hole has an injection hole inlet which is open inwardly of the seat member and an injection hole outlet which is open outwardly of the seat member; an opening edge of the injection hole inlet has a first round-chamfered portion formed on an upstream side with respect to a fuel flow toward the injection hole inlet; and an extending length (L) of the injection hole does not exceed three times a hole diameter (D) of the injection hole.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihito Yasukawa, Kiyotaka Ogura, Takao Miyake, Eiji Ishii, Motoyuki Abe, Tohru Ishikawa
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Patent number: 9677527Abstract: A method for starting and operating an engine of a mild hybrid vehicle following start-up is disclosed for an engine having low and high voltage starting devices, and controlled by an electronic controller. The method comprises using the high voltage starting device as a motor to crank the engine whenever possible so as to partially discharge a high voltage battery. The method further comprises using the high voltage starting device as a generator after starting the engine if the exhaust gas temperature needs to be increased so as to assist with light-off of one or more exhaust gas after treatment devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donatus Andreas Josephine Kees, Anthemios Philemon Petridis
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Patent number: 9677528Abstract: A start control apparatus is provided with: a crank angle sensor configured to output a signal in association with rotation of an output shaft of an internal combustion engine; a resolver configured to detect a rotor angle, which is an angle position of a rotating shaft of a motor; and a controlling device configured to perform start control associated with the internal combustion engine on the basis of a temporary crank angle, from a start of the internal combustion engine until determination of a crank angle in starting of the internal combustion engine, wherein the temporary crank angle is an estimated value calculated by adding a value according to the outputted signal to a stop angle, which is an angle based on the rotor angle detected at a previous stop of the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Koji Miwa, Takashi Kawai
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Patent number: 9677529Abstract: A vehicle diagnosis system includes an abnormality determiner for determining whether a vehicle having an abnormality regarding a temporal engine stop function or a power regeneration function is caused in a mode that cancels a greenhouse gas reduction effect of the engine. When an abnormality that cancels, due to disablement of the temporal engine stop function or the power regeneration function, such an abnormality is quickly notified to a driver of the vehicle by the vehicle diagnosis system so that the abnormality is quickly fixed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Satoru Ohsaki
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Patent number: 9677530Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine include anticipating vehicle launch in response to vehicle position relative to a traffic stream and controlling automatic restart and shut down in response to an anticipated vehicle launch to prevent an automatic engine shut down or to initiate an automatic engine restart. Embodiments include determining vehicle position and traffic position using GPS coordinates. Automatic restart may be initiated in response to movement of a forward vehicle away from the vehicle or in response to a signal from a traffic control device, for example. Automatic shutdown may be inhibited in response to movement of a forward vehicle in cross traffic, in response to a turn indicator being active, or in response to wheel angle, for example.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Ilya Vladimir Kolmanovsky, Donald Lewis
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Patent number: 9677531Abstract: An electrical induction motor includes a plurality of windings, and a plurality of contactors. Each of the plurality of contactors is configured to be selectively opened or closed in a circuit including the plurality of windings to selectively connect the windings together in a star configuration wherein current flowing through the windings results in the generation of 2N magnetic poles, with N equal to the number of phases of the motor. Each of the plurality of contactors is also configured to be selectively opened or closed in the circuit including the plurality of windings to selectively connect the windings together in a mesh configuration wherein current flowing through the windings results in the generation of two magnetic poles.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Krishnakumar D. Ramamoorthy
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Patent number: 9677532Abstract: An ignition control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to, based on a pulse signal to be induced in an ignition coil in accordance with rotation of an internal combustion engine, cause a voltage to be supplied to an ignition plug included in the internal combustion engine, to be generated in the ignition coil. The ignition control device includes: a switching element configured to energize the ignition coil; a biasing unit configured to bias control terminals of the switching element so that the switching element is turned on when the pulse signal is induced; a state detecting unit configured to detect a biased state of the switching element; and a control unit configured to set a timing for controlling de-energization of the ignition coil in response to a result of detection performed by the state detecting unit, and to control the switching element to be turned off in accordance with the timing.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: SHINDENGEN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Tokuzo Tojo
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Patent number: 9677533Abstract: An apparatus operates at least one light-emitting diode in the form of a laser diode. The light-emitting diode is interconnected in series with the load section of a controllable semiconductor element and a current measuring resistor between a first supply voltage terminal and a second supply voltage terminal. The supply voltage terminals are the output connections of a voltage-regulating circuit in the form of a DC voltage boost converter which provides a supply voltage), and wherein a current-regulating circuit is provided for the current through the at least one light-emitting diode, whose actuator is the controllable semiconductor element.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventor: Stephan Bolz
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Patent number: 9677534Abstract: To reduce the amount of exhausted unburned fuel and further improve fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine 10 provided with an ignition device 12 that ignites fuel air mixture more forcefully than a spark discharge in a combustion chamber 20. The internal combustion engine 10 includes an internal combustion engine main body 11 formed with the combustion chamber 20 and the ignition device 12 that ignites the fuel air mixture more forcefully than the spark discharge in the combustion chamber 20. In addition, the internal combustion engine 10 includes an electromagnetic wave emission device 13 that emits an electromagnetic wave supplied from an electromagnetic wave oscillator 32 from an antenna 41. The electromagnetic wave emission device 13 emits the electromagnetic wave from the antenna 41, thereby creating an electric field for accelerating a propagation speed of a flame.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: IMAGINEERING, INC.Inventor: Yuji Ikeda
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Patent number: 9677535Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a pump turbine plant including a turbine with a turbine impeller and a turbine spiral casing having a first pressure pipe, and a pump with a pump impeller and a pump spiral casing having a second pressure pipe; an electrical machine dynamically in a drive connection with a shaft, the pump turbine plant further including a hydraulic short-circuit that can be created between the turbine and the pump, wherein the turbine has a greater rated power than the pump, and wherein the turbine and the pump operate under partial load at least temporarily in the hydraulic short-circuit. The method further includes operating the turbine or the pump in the hydraulic short-circuit when a degree of efficiency of the pump and of the turbine in the hydraulic short-circuit is greater than a degree of efficiency of the turbine on its own.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Voith Patent GmbHInventor: Manfred Stummer
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Patent number: 9677536Abstract: The WGLPP is a non-fluvial/dam, complete micro Hydroelectric Power Plant that can be an attached/integrated installation, a non-attached installation, or a portable installation (vehicle) that will continuously (24/7) power any residential, commercial, or military building. The WGLPP is driven by a water gravity energy loop (potential energy to kinetic energy to potential energy . . . ), which is clean (zero emissions and zero environmental impact) and renewable energy.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Inventor: Oscar Edgardo Moncada Rodriguez
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Patent number: 9677537Abstract: A wind blade is provided that includes a primary blade body defining a leading edge and a trailing edge and further defining a pressure side and a suction side joining along the trailing edge. The wind blade also includes a secondary blade having an aerodynamic contour defining a first surface and a second surface and coupled with the primary blade body for the purpose of shielding noise. The secondary blade body is disposed proximate to at least a portion of the trailing edge on at least one of the pressure side and the suction side of the primary blade body and may also improve overall performance of the wind blade.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lorenz Edwin Drack, Thierry Pascal Maeder, Gowri Jaganathan Sengundermudaliar, Karthickprabu Vijayakumar
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Patent number: 9677538Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade assembly and associated method include a rotor blade having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root. An edge extension panel is attached along either of the leading edge or trailing edge (or along both edges) in a generally span-wise direction from adjacent the root towards the tip. The edge extension panels include a cured and hardened viscous material continuous core formed onto the leading or trailing edge with a contoured generally aerodynamic outer surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Aaron John Mashue, Bruce Clark Busbey, Christian A. Carroll
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Patent number: 9677539Abstract: A stability of a vertical axis combined water/wind turbine motor composed of a drag type and a lift type is improved by releasing convex surface resistance produced by a drag-type blade going against a fluid and increasing rotation torque by the reduction in resistance; during high-speed rotation equal to or higher than a fluid speed, all wing surfaces of the drag type are naturally brought into a released state as a result of being pulled by the lift-type blade rotation speed; and a danger at the time of increasing a fluid speed can be avoided by producing a fully-released state by rolling in feathers of a drag-type wind surface configuration, by decreasing the entire volume by folding wing surfaces to the rotation axis side, or by decreasing the entire structure by drawing feathers on the wing surface toward the rotation center.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Inventor: Yoshiji Tamatsu
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Patent number: 9677540Abstract: A yaw backup system is provided. The yaw backup system includes an energy storage medium for storing auxiliary power. The yaw backup system also includes a yaw controller for coordinating delivery of power from the energy storage medium to a yaw motor for controlling a yaw angle of a wind turbine during grid loss conditions. The yaw controller executes the steps of receiving wind direction signals over time from a sensor, altering a tolerance level of a wind turbine based on changes in the wind direction signals over time and controlling delivery of power to the yaw motor from the auxiliary power of the energy storage medium based on the tolerance level to control the yaw angle for reducing a load on the wind turbine induced by wind.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Rajni Kant Burra, Govardhan Ganireddy, Victor Robert Abate, Keith Andrew Longtin, Herman Lucas Norbert Wiegman, Robert William Delmerico
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Patent number: 9677541Abstract: The invention is based on the problem of creating an additional device to act as a “secondary emergency device” in the case that one or more standard emergency devices fail to adjust the blade angle of one or multiple rotor blades into a position of power limitation. The method of braking a wind turbine in an emergency by adjusting the rotor blades for wind turbines with power control via the principle of pitch control or active stall control and of holding the position of a rotor blade for each rotor blade with at least one actuator and at least one holding brake is a redundant measure for an emergency. This enables one or more holding brakes to open depending on the rotor-blade direction that is required and to close or to be kept closed when an adjustment of a rotor-blade direction is not desired.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: SETEC GmbHInventor: Fritz Fahrner
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Patent number: 9677542Abstract: A method for operating a direct drive wind turbine including determining a temperature difference between at least two components of a bearing, comparing the temperature information with an upper threshold temperature difference between the at least two components of the bearing, limiting rotational speed of a rotor and/or an at least one rotatably supported wind turbine component coupled to the rotor to a value unlike zero yet, below a wind turbine specific nominal rotational speed of the rotor and/or below the wind turbine specific nominal rotational speed of the at least one rotatably supported wind turbine component coupled to the rotor and/or limiting electric power output of the generator to a value unlike zero yet, below a wind turbine specific nominal electric power output of the generator, if the temperature difference between the at least two components of the bearing increases above the upper threshold temperature difference, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Samuel H. Hawkins
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Patent number: 9677543Abstract: A structure for a nacelle cover connection portion of a wind turbine generator includes a lengthy first angled member fixed to an inside surface of a nacelle cover and forming an upper end portion of a side wall panel; and a lengthy second angled member fixed to the inside surface and forming a lower end portion of a roof panel. An upper surface of the first angled member and a lower surface of the second angled member are aligned with and fixed to each other. A covering portion covering the upper end portion from the outside of a nacelle is provided at a predetermined interval from the same and integral with the lower end portion so as to protrude to the outside of the nacelle cover farther than the lower end portion. A packing is interposed between the upper and lower surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2011Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Masakazu Kamibayashi, Haruhiko Hirano, Tomohiro Numajiri, Kenji Ito, Ikuo Honda, Yoshihiro Fujioka