Patents Issued in July 25, 2017
  • Patent number: 9714584
    Abstract: A damping treatment is applied to the ligaments of a squirrel cage type bearing support. The damping treatment reduces the vibrations transmitted to the engine casing as the engine passes through various resonance frequencies of the various parts of the gas turbine engine. A squeeze-film damper damps engine vibrations, but the oil in the squeeze-film damper can act as a stiffener during certain operational ranges, which increases the transmission of vibrations to the engine structure. Applying a damping treatment to the ligaments of the squirrel cage provides effective vibration damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Morris
  • Patent number: 9714585
    Abstract: An improved aircraft engine stand is disclosed, which comprises a cradle comprising a cradle frame having first and second frame load transfer openings, first and second arm assemblies secured to the cradle frame and having first and second arm load transfer openings, and first and second load transfer pins shaped to be received in the load transfer openings. The frame load transfer openings can be aligned with the arm load transfer openings such that when the each load transfer pin is inserted into both a frame load transfer opening and an arm load transfer opening, lateral and axial loads placed on the arm assembly are transferred to the cradle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Westmont Industries
    Inventors: Joel T. Morey, Keith Karis
  • Patent number: 9714586
    Abstract: A CHP system includes a combustor (heat source), a Rankine cycle apparatus, and a second heat exchanger. The Rankine cycle apparatus includes, as an evaporator, a first heat exchanger that absorbs thermal energy produced in the combustor. The second heat exchanger is located farther from the combustor than is the evaporator, is in direct contact with the evaporator or in indirect contact with the evaporator via a thermally-conductive member, absorbs thermal energy produced in the combustor, and transfers the thermal energy to a heat medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takumi Hikichi, Osao Kido, Atsuo Okaichi, Masaya Honma, Osamu Kosuda, Masanobu Wada
  • Patent number: 9714587
    Abstract: A bridge assembly is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine. The bridge assembly may have a valve bridge, a cylindrical housing disposed within the valve bridge, and a plunger disposed in the cylindrical housing and protruding from the valve bridge. The bridge assembly may also have a valve housing, a post located inside the valve housing, a plurality of obliquely angled ports passing through a straight annular wall portion of the valve housing, and a plurality of radially oriented ports passing through a tapered annular wall portion of the housing. The bridge assembly may further have a valve seat disposed at least partially inside the plunger, a ball disposed within the valve housing and movable between a distal end of the post and the valve seat, a first spring disposed over the post, and a second spring disposed within the cylindrical housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Andrew Cyborski, John Stephen Pipis, Jr., Edwin H. Langewisch, Sanjay Kumar
  • Patent number: 9714588
    Abstract: An oil recirculation system for an engine is disclosed. The oil recirculation system includes a first conduit coupled to the engine to receive an oil and a second conduit coupled to the engine to supply the oil to the engine. The oil recirculation system further includes a filtering device disposed between the first and second conduits. The filtering device includes a first housing member defining a first chamber therein. The first chamber is in fluid communication with the first conduit. The filtering device further includes a second housing member removably coupled to the first housing member and defines a second chamber therein. The second chamber is in fluid communication with the second conduit. The first and second chambers together define a passage to receive the oil therethrough. The filtering device further includes a filter member disposed in the passage to filter the oil flowing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Walter S. Isenberg, Kevin P. Storms
  • Patent number: 9714589
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a crankshaft (1) for an alternative compressor comprising a main shaft (21) connected to an eccentric pin (2) by means of a peripheral flange (3) containing a lubricating hole (24) extending through said eccentric pin (2) and through at least part of the body of main shaft (21), one of the edges of said hole (24) being on the cylindrical surface (2a) of said eccentric pin (2). With this type of hole, the present invention allows for the use of shafts having extremely low diameters (and, as result, with low viscous loss), even with high eccentricities, whereby an excellent capacity of oil pumping and mechanical strength is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool S.A.
    Inventors: Adilson Luiz Manke, Laerte Capestrini
  • Patent number: 9714590
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using a crankcase vent tube pressure or flow sensor for diagnosing a location and nature of crankcase system integrity breach. The same sensor can also be used for diagnosing air filter plugging and PCV valve degradation. Use of an existing sensor to diagnose multiple engine components provides cost reduction and sensor compaction benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9714591
    Abstract: A gas separator for removing contaminants from a crankcase gas which is produced during operation of an internal combustion engine includes a centrifugal rotor with a plurality of separation discs for separating the contaminants from the crankcase gas, the centrifugal rotor being arranged inside a stationary rotor housing having a gas inlet for conducting crankcase gas to the centrifugal rotor and a gas outlet for discharging the cleaned crankcase gas from the centrifugal rotor, and an electric motor which is arranged for rotation of the centrifugal rotor about a rotational axis, and A gear device is arranged between the electric motor and the centrifugal rotor, the gear device having a gear ratio arranged to increase the rotational speed of the centrifugal rotor in relation to the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Stefan Szepessy
  • Patent number: 9714592
    Abstract: A handheld four-stroke engine lubricating system comprises: an oil storage chamber formed by a bottom casing and a lower tank body, a crankshaft chamber formed by the lower tank body and an upper tank body, an air valve chamber formed by the upper tank body and a cylinder head cover, a cam chamber formed by the upper tank body and a cam chamber cover, and a tappet chamber connected between the air valve chamber and the cam chamber. The two sides of the upper and lower tank bodies are correspondingly provided with a first and a second oil inlet passages communicated with the oil storage chamber and the crankshaft chamber. The first and the second oil inlet passages are correspondingly provided with first and second check valves thereon. The first oil inlet passage is connected to a hose pressed against the bottom casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: XINGYUE GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jirong Hu
  • Patent number: 9714593
    Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment system for a vehicle operated by a combustion engine, in particular for a watercraft, includes a turbine of an exhaust turbocharger in an exhaust line, and at least one storage device, by which at least some of the sulphur pollutants contained in the exhaust gas can be stored and/or put into intermediate storage, at least for a defined period of time. According to the invention, particularly for storing the sulphur pollutants in the high-pressure region, the at least one storage device is arranged in the exhaust line upstream of the at least one turbine in a high pressure region of the exhaust line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventor: Andreas Döring
  • Patent number: 9714594
    Abstract: An exhaust gas assembly includes an exhaust gas tube configured to receive an exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, which includes at least one cylinder. An oxidation catalytic device may be operatively connected to the exhaust gas tube and includes a catalyst. A first temperature sensor is operatively connected to the oxidation catalytic device. A controller is operatively connected to the first temperature sensor. A hydrocarbon injector is operatively connected to the controller and configured to selectively inject an amount of hydrocarbon at a hydrocarbon injection rate. The controller includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method of controlling the hydrocarbon injection rate. The controller may be programmed to limit the hydrocarbon injection rate based at least partially on a combination of space velocity, temperature of the catalyst in the oxidation catalytic device and temperature of a particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Dean, Andrea Hidalgo, Michelangelo Ardanese
  • Patent number: 9714595
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage tank (12) of a metering system (10) for introducing a reducing agent (32) in an exhaust gas tract of an internal combustion engine. The storage tank (12) comprises at least one opening (50) for mounting components (20, 24) and openings (46, 48, 63) for filling and emptying as well as venting (62). All openings (46, 48, 50, 62) are arranged above a region of the storage tank (12) flooded by the reducing agent (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Krause, Rainer Haeberer, Matthias Horn
  • Patent number: 9714596
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an exhaust gas carrying device, in particular an exhaust gas purification device, and a tool provided therefor include segment-like jaws that are used to deforma an outer housing. The jaws have indentations or projections adjacent to each other, and which are complementary to form a continuously surrounding indentation/projection. The reshaped outer housing is provided with one or more surrounding projections or indentations by the deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Keller, Stefan Meischkoetter, Otto Steinhauser, Manfred Stiglmaier
  • Patent number: 9714597
    Abstract: A mixer includes a plurality of blades extending along a longitudinal axis. The blades are arranged in a single row, and are axially spaced from each other along a transverse axis. Each of the blades defines a window. Each of the blades includes an upstream portion, and a downstream portion. Each of the blades includes a bend at the window that forms an interior blade angle between its respective upstream portion and its respective downstream portion. The single row of the blades is arranged to include a first group of blades and a second group of blades. The interior blade angle of each of the blades in the first group faces in a first axial direction along the transverse axis. The interior blade angle of each of the blades in the second group faces in a second axial direction along the transverse axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rahul Mital, Anil Yadav, Jianwen Li, Amit Prabhakar, Claudio Ciaravino
  • Patent number: 9714598
    Abstract: A mixer for a vehicle exhaust system includes a mixer housing defining a mixer central axis and having an inlet at an upstream end and an outlet at a downstream end. An upstream baffle is in the housing at the upstream end and includes at least one inlet opening configured to receive engine exhaust gas. A downstream baffle is in the mixer housing at the downstream end such that the downstream baffle is axially spaced from the upstream baffle. The downstream baffle includes at least one outlet opening. A housing opening is formed within the mixer housing at a location between the upstream and downstream baffles, and which is configured to receive a doser. A cone has a cone outlet opening aligned with the housing opening, and an extension portion extends outwardly from a wide end of the cone to provide a wall that surrounds the cone outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLC
    Inventors: Eduardo Alano, Blake Lee McPeek
  • Patent number: 9714599
    Abstract: An engine-driven generator includes an exhaust muffler disposed adjacent to a lateral side of a cylinder block, a fan cover having an air outlet arranged to face the exhaust muffler and the cylinder block, the fan cover being configured to guide cooling air from a cooling fan directly to the air outlet, and an opening area-adjustment member provided on a muffler blow-off port of the air outlet for adjusting an opening area of the muffler blow-off port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Takuo Kase, Kazuki Shimozono, Kiyomi Yanai
  • Patent number: 9714600
    Abstract: A ship comprises: a hull; an engine for propelling the hull; a harmful substance reducing device for reducing harmful substances included in exhaust gas discharged from the engine; and a preheating device for the harmful substance reducing device, preliminarily heating the harmful substance reducing device when the hull is located at an emission control area (ECA) preliminary entry point close to an ECA in which the emission of the harmful substances is restricted. The ship comprises: the hull; the engine for propelling the hull; the harmful substance reducing device for reducing the harmful substances included in the exhaust gas discharged from the engine; and an engine output control device for controlling the output of the engine to be lowered so as to reduce the amount of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine when the hull is located in the ECA or at the ECA preliminary entry point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Woo Kwon, Ju Seog Han, Nam Gi Park, Jung Dae Yu
  • Patent number: 9714601
    Abstract: A radiator as a heat exchanger of the invention includes: an upper tank into which a cooling water flows; a core in which fluid from the upper tank is heat-exchanged; and a lower tank that collects the fluid from the core. A baffle plate is provided inside the upper tank, the baffle plate dividing an inner space into a lower space and an upper space and provided with a communication opening that communicates between the lower space and the upper space. A bent portion bent toward the lower space is provided at each a longitudinal end of the baffle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Masuda, Shuuhei Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9714602
    Abstract: A vehicle engine compartment airflow directing member for use with an airflow introducing and directing system includes a base portion and a bottom breather airflow directing portion. The base portion is configured to be secured to support rods provided in the vehicle engine compartment and to enclose a space disposed immediately rearward of the vehicle bumper beam. The bottom breather airflow directing portion extends from the base portion and narrows a bottom breather airflow path within the vehicle engine compartment while also preventing bottom breather airflow from recirculating to a position underneath the vehicle bumper beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael W. Maurer, Michael R. Missig, Jason A. Widmer, Sukwon Kim, Karl Forster
  • Patent number: 9714603
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a combustion system for an engine is disclosed. The system includes a cylinder block that defines a cylinder bore and opposing pre-chambers located along a circumference of the cylinder bore. The system also includes a fuel injector located equidistant from the circumference of the cylinder bore that injects fuel in a direction perpendicular to a diameter of the cylinder bore. The system further includes spark plugs located within the pre-chambers that ignite at least a portion of the fuel from the fuel injector to direct ignition flames into the cylinder bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc
    Inventor: Nayan Engineer
  • Patent number: 9714604
    Abstract: A method of feeding air to an internal combustion engine having at least first and second internal cavities, including: completing the intake phase of the first combustion chamber of the first internal cavity by feeding compressed air into the first combustion chamber until a maximum volume thereof is reached; during a beginning of the compression phase of the first combustion chamber and a simultaneous beginning of the intake phase of the second combustion chamber of the second internal cavity, feeding compressed air from the first combustion chamber into the second combustion chamber; closing a communication between the first and second combustion chambers and completing the intake phase of the second combustion chamber by feeding compressed air into the second combustion chamber until a maximum volume thereof is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Patrick Rousseau, Eric-Pierre Martel
  • Patent number: 9714605
    Abstract: A rotary machine is provided which includes a chamber. The chamber includes an island having an island outer surface. The outer surface is an elongated convex shape. The island includes a crankshaft port. The chamber includes a front-plate attached to a front surface of the island. A concave shaped contour is included, which is biased toward the island outer surface and which rotates with respect to the island. A working volume is defined between an inner surface of the contour and the outer island surface. At least one front-plate engaging bearing is provided, which extends from a front surface of the movable contour and over a guide edge of the front-plate. The front-plate engaging bearing engages the guide edge during a combustion cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Lumenium LLC
    Inventors: Joseph B. Wooldridge, William R. Anderson, Michael W. Roach
  • Patent number: 9714606
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle power generating apparatus which comprises: a generator; a rotary engine configured to serve as an engine for driving the generator, and installed in the vehicle in a posture where an output shaft thereof extends in an up-down direction; and an intake pipe and an exhaust pipe each connected to the rotary engine. The rotary engine comprises a pair of upper and lower side housings, and a rotor housing located between the upper and lower side housings. the rotor housing and the lower side housing are formed with an intake port and an exhaust port, respectively. The intake pipe is connected to a side surface of the rotor housing in such a manner as to be communicated with the intake port, and the exhaust pipe is connected to the lower side housing in such a manner as to be communicated with the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanao Yamada, Tatsuo Ito, Yoshinori Ogata, Hirotaka Tamari
  • Patent number: 9714607
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises an engine block defining a cylinder having a longitudinal axis A. A piston is arranged slidably within the cylinder and an impeller is arranged at one end of the cylinder. The impeller is rotatably mounted on a shaft, which extends out of the cylinder and which is driven in rotation by rotation of the impeller. The engine further comprises an anti-rotation formation to prevent the piston rotating about a longitudinal axis of the cylinder and a swirl-inducing vane arranged on the face of the piston which faces the end of the cylinder at which the impeller is arranged. Combustion gas generated by combustion of a fuel in the cylinder between the piston and the impeller is caused to swirl by reaction with the swirl-inducing vane and the swirling combustion gases, in turn, cause the impeller to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Khalil Abu Al-Rubb
  • Patent number: 9714608
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine system. Another embodiment is a unique exhaust nozzle system for a gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engine systems and exhaust nozzle systems for gas turbine engines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jagdish S. Sokhey, Anthony F. Pierluissi
  • Patent number: 9714609
    Abstract: An electric machine is disclosed integrated to rotate with a shaft of a gas turbine engine. In one form the electric machine is integrated with a fan of the gas turbine engine. A rotor of the electric machine can be disposed at the end of the fan blades and the stator integrated into a flow path forming surface of the gas turbine engine. In one form the windings of the electric machine can change configuration permitting some windings to be placed in parallel with one or more other windings, and then connected together in series with remaining windings, if any. The voltage of the electric machine can change as a result of a change in configuration of the windings. A moveable member can also be used to alter a magnetic field produced from the electric machine when operated such that a voltage can be changed as a result of altering the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mat French, William L. Siegel, Mark J. Blackwelder
  • Patent number: 9714610
    Abstract: An air-oil cooler (AOC) for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The AOC may comprise an oil inlet, an oil outlet, and heat exchange elements between the oil inlet and the oil outlet. The AOC may be longitudinally positioned between a fan and a V-groove of the engine and radially spaced between a low pressure compressor and a low pressure compressor panel. A gas turbine engine comprising an AOC is disclosed. The AOC of the engine may comprise an oil inlet, an oil outlet, and heat exchange elements between the oil inlet and the oil outlet. The AOC of the engine may be longitudinally positioned between a fan and a V-groove of the engine and radially spaced between a low pressure compressor and a low pressure compressor panel. A method of operating an AOC for use on a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Snape, Gabriel L. Suciu, Simon Pickford, Allan R. Penda
  • Patent number: 9714611
    Abstract: A heat shield manifold system for an inner casing between a compressor and turbine assembly is disclosed. The heat shield manifold system protects the outer case from high temperature compressor discharge air, thereby enabling the outer case extending between a compressor and a turbine assembly to be formed from less expensive materials than otherwise would be required. In addition, the heat shield manifold system may be configured such that compressor bleed air is passed from the compressor into the heat shield manifold system without passing through a conventional flange to flange joint that is susceptible to leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Clinton A. Mayer, Jesse Eng, Cheryl A. Schopf
  • Patent number: 9714612
    Abstract: A nacelle is disclosed. The nacelle may comprise, in various embodiments, a drag link fitting mounted to an Inner Fixed Structure (IFS) and pivotally attached to an end of a drag link, and a vent defining a passageway through the IFS to bring cooling air through the IFS. The drag link fitting may be aerodynamically associated with the vent such that the drag link fitting helps direct air into the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Lacko
  • Patent number: 9714613
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a throttle during deceleration fuel shut off (DFSO). In one example, a method may comprise controlling a position of a throttle in an air inlet of an engine propelling a vehicle, in relation to vehicle operator commands, and during a deceleration fuel shut off mode, increasing opening of said throttle independently of said operator commands when speed of said vehicle is or is expected to fall below a desired speed or desired speed trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Kevin Holub, Thomas G. Leone
  • Patent number: 9714614
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling an aspirator control valve in an engine. An example method comprises closing the aspirator control valve responsive to diagnosing a first engine degradation condition and opening the aspirator control valve in response to diagnosing a second engine degradation condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Luehrsen, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9714615
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electronically actuated valve is described. An ignition signal for a combustion engine is received. The ignition signal is filtered. A control pulse for controlling an electronically actuated valve is generated based at least on the filtered ignition signal. The electronically actuated valve may control the release of compressed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: R.J. Scheu
    Inventors: R J Scheu, Brad Richards
  • Patent number: 9714616
    Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle may include a sequence determination module that generates a first set of possible MPC target values and a second set of possible MPC target values. A cost module determines a first cost for the first set of possible MPC target values and a second cost for the second set of possible MPC target values. A selection module that selects MPC target values from one of the first and second sets of possible MPC target values based on the first and second costs. A transition module that receives the MPC target values, compares the MPC target values with a plurality of previous control requests, and selects a set of target values ranging from the previous control requests to the MPC target values that control a plurality of engine functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ning Jin, Christopher E. Whitney, Jyh-Shin Chen, Kevin C. Wong
  • Patent number: 9714617
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine cranking module and a throttle control module. The engine cranking module determines whether an engine is cranking based on at least one of an input received from an ignition system and engine speed, and generates a signal indicating whether the engine is cranking. The throttle control module selectively adjusts a throttle of the engine to a fully closed position when the signal indicates that the engine is cranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scot A. Douglas
  • Patent number: 9714618
    Abstract: A system and method for improving engine emissions is described. In one example, engine emissions may be improved via increasing rotational resistance of a turbocharger while a temperature of an exhaust after treatment device is less than a threshold temperature. The system and method may reduce an amount of time for the after treatment device to reach an operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens, William Charles Ruona
  • Patent number: 9714619
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indicating water at an oxygen sensor based on power consumption of a heating element of the oxygen sensor. In one example, water may be indicated at an oxygen sensor positioned in an intake of an engine responsive to power consumption of the heating element of the oxygen sensor increasing above a baseline level. Engine operating parameters may then be adjusted based on the water indication and the power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Dan A. Makled, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 9714620
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving boost response in a turbocharged engine. In one example, a method may include in response to a tip-out following a tip-in, when an exhaust catalyst temperature is within a threshold range, deactivating fuel injectors to the engine and increasing air flow to an exhaust turbine based on a desired increase in a turbine speed to maintain the turbine speed at or above a threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Kuechler, Dev Saberwal, Kevan Bates, Trevor Losch, Justin Lesniak, Michael M. S. Simon
  • Patent number: 9714621
    Abstract: An automatic engine control apparatus installed in a vehicle causes an engine of the vehicle to stop automatically when a predetermined stop condition is satisfied, and after the automatic stop of the engine, causes the engine to restart automatically when a predetermined restarting condition is satisfied. The apparatus includes an electronic control unit configured to inhibit or permit, while the vehicle is stopped, a second automatic stop of the engine in response to the predetermined stop condition being satisfied, depending on whether the predetermined restarting condition satisfied most recently to have caused the engine to restart automatically was a first restarting condition or a second restarting condition different from the first restarting condition. The first restarting condition represents an intention of a driver of the vehicle to start moving the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasutaka Oda, Hirokazu Kato
  • Patent number: 9714622
    Abstract: A vehicle speed limit apparatus includes a demand value calculation part configured to calculate a demand value according to an accelerator opening degree, a limit vehicle speed acquisition part configured to obtain a limit vehicle speed, an upper limit value calculation part configured to calculate an upper limit value based on a limit acceleration, a selection part configured to select the smaller of the demand value and the upper limit value, a control part configured to control a drive force generation apparatus, and an upper limit value correction part configured to correct the upper limit value based on a current acceleration and the limit acceleration when the selected value corresponds to the upper limit value, and to correct the upper limit value based on the current acceleration and the demand value when the selected value corresponds to the demand value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakade, Yoshihide Nakane, Kazuaki Sumi
  • Patent number: 9714623
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a regulating device for regulating an air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine (10), wherein an exhaust-gas composition of an exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine (10) is determined by virtue of an actual probe signal, which is dependent on the exhaust-gas composition, being detected by means of an exhaust-gas probe (22) and the exhaust-gas composition being determined as a function of the actual probe signal by means of a characteristic curve or a calculation rule, and wherein the determined exhaust-gas composition is compared with a setpoint value or a threshold value, the attainment or exceedance of which triggers a manipulation of the air-fuel ratio supplied to the internal combustion engine (10), wherein, in order to take into consideration at least one disturbance variable which affects the actual probe signal, a safety margin (?S) is defined which is applied to the characteristic curve or calculation rule, to the actual probe signal or to the set
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: VOLKSAWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Hermann Hahn
  • Patent number: 9714624
    Abstract: An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine including at least one cylinder. Further, the engine system may have a nozzle configured to selectively inject gaseous fuel into the at least one cylinder of the engine. The engine system may also have an intake port configured to direct air for combustion to the at least one cylinder. In addition, the engine system may have exhaust valves associated with the at least one cylinder. The exhaust valves may be configured to direct exhaust from the cylinder to an atmosphere. The exhaust valves may also be configured to close at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Deep Bandyopadhyay, John P. Timmons, David Todd Montgomery, Aaron Gamache Foege
  • Patent number: 9714625
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an air/fuel ratio determination module and an emission level determination module. The air/fuel ratio determination module determines an air/fuel ratio based on input from an air/fuel ratio sensor positioned downstream from a three-way catalyst that is positioned upstream from a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. The emission level determination module selects one of a predetermined value and an input based on the air/fuel ratio. The input is received from a nitrogen oxide sensor positioned downstream from the three-way catalyst. The emission level determination module determines an ammonia level based on the one of the predetermined value and the input received from the nitrogen oxide sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Min Sun, Kevin L. Perry, Donovan L. Dibble, Chang H. Kim, Mary Beth Furness
  • Patent number: 9714626
    Abstract: An object of this disclosure is to provide a fuel injection device that can reliably detect an operation timing of a valve body, that is, a valve opening timing with high accuracy. The current of an electromagnetic valve reaches I2 at time t3, an FET 201 and an FET 221 are turned on, and a battery voltage VB is applied to the electromagnetic valve until time t5 is reached. The amount of displacement of the valve body reaches a target amount of control lift at time t4 between time t3 and time t5, that is, a movable core 304 comes into contact with a fixed core 301. The detection of the valve opening timing is performed during the period from time t3 to time t5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayumu Hatanaka, Ryo Kusakabe, Motoyuki Abe, Toshihiro Aono, Teppei Hirotsu, Hideyuki Sakamoto, Takao Fukuda, Hideharu Ehara, Masahiro Toyohara, Akira Nishioka, Toshio Hori, Kiyoshi Aiki
  • Patent number: 9714627
    Abstract: A propulsion system of an aircraft may include an inner fixed structure (IFS) and an outer sleeve. The IFS and the outer sleeve may be separately coupled to the pylon. The inner fixed structure may be hingeably coupled directly to the pylon with a first set of hinges defining a first axis of rotation. The outer sleeve may be hingeably coupled directly to the pylon with a second set of hinges, wherein the second set of hinges are distinct from the first set of hinges and define a second axis of rotation. Thus, portions of the pylon are exposed to the fan duct air flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Lacko
  • Patent number: 9714628
    Abstract: An air cleaner includes an air cleaner case, a first filter element, a lid, at least one first engagement portion, and at least one second engagement portion. The air cleaner case includes an opening. The first filter element is preferably tubular and detachably disposed inside the air cleaner case. The lid is disposed on an extension line of an axis of the first filter element to cover the opening. The lid includes a rotatable handle. The first engagement portion rotates with rotation of the handle. The second engagement portion engages with the first engagement portion. When the first engagement portion is rotated along a first direction and engaged with the second engagement portion, the lid is fixed to the air cleaner case. When the first engagement portion is rotated along a second direction and disengaged from the second engagement portion, the lid is detached from the air cleaner case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Junji Uezu
  • Patent number: 9714629
    Abstract: Proposed is a throttle valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine, with a housing and an intake pipe comprising a through-flow cross section and a throttle valve that is pivotable relative to the through-flow cross section, which is actuatable by means of a throttle valve shaft and with an actuating device arranged on the housing, by means of which the throttle valve can be releasably fixed in a cold starting position in which the through-flow cross section is at least partially opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: KTM AG
    Inventor: Rudolf Prem
  • Patent number: 9714630
    Abstract: A baffle for an air intake section of a rotary machine includes a pair of oppositely disposed perforated walls that at least partially define an exterior of the baffle and an interior cavity of the baffle. The baffle also includes a pair of panels disposed within the interior cavity. Each of the panels is coupled proximate a respective one of the perforated walls, such that a chamber is defined between the panels. Each of the panels includes a first sound absorbing material that is substantially completely vaporizable at an operating temperature of the rotary machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hua Zhang, Bradly Aaron Kippel, Valery Ivanovich Ponyavin
  • Patent number: 9714631
    Abstract: An air cleaner is arranged below a fuel tank of a straddle type disposed above left and right main frames. The air cleaner includes a main chamber which is located between the main frames, and a sub-chamber which is located on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the main frames. A rear section of the sub-chamber and a rear section of the element within the sub-chamber are located in a space formed between each outside wall surface of the main frames and an inside wall surface of the fuel tank. A front section of the sub-chamber and a front section of the element project forwardly of the fuel tank in a side view of the vehicle. The front section of the sub-chamber is provided with the fastening means for fastening the side cover (the element lid) which covers the element from the outside in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Koyama, Satoru Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 9714632
    Abstract: In a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, fuel is delivered by a high-pressure pump into a fuel rail. The quantity of the delivered fuel is influenced by a quantity control valve (30) actuated by an electromagnetic actuating device. A limit-value retaining current is ascertained, at which the quantity control valve still remains in its closed state or is just opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Maess, Joerg Kuempel, Rainer Wilms, Uwe Richter
  • Patent number: 9714633
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control valve for a fuel injector. The control valve has a control valve body which defines a supply passage for high pressure fuel. A control chamber and a pressure compensating chamber are provided in the control valve. The control chamber and the pressure compensating chamber are both in fluid communication with the supply passage. A control valve member is provided for controlling fuel pressure in the control chamber. The pressure compensating chamber is spaced radially outwardly from the control chamber. The invention also relates to a control valve member having a pressure compensating cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: DELPHI INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Richard Denis Jacques Alain Enters, David Bonneau, Thierry Thibault, Jean-Christophe Oge, Philippe Legrand