Patents Issued in November 7, 2017
  • Patent number: 9810118
    Abstract: This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NOx conversion by placing an NH3-SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3-SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap-enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3-SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Haren Sakarai Gandhi, John Vito Cavataio, Robert Henry Hammerle, Yisun Cheng
  • Patent number: 9810119
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer for a device for selective catalytic reduction of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. The mixer comprises a structure of mixer elements through which the mixture of exhaust gas and reducing agent is to flow. The mixer elements have an electric current flowing through them for electrical heating due to the electrical resistance thereof. The invention further relates to a device for selective catalytic reaction of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas pipe leading to a mixer according to the invention and having a reducing agent pipe which is connected to a reservoir for reducing agent and which opens into the exhaust gas pipe in the flow direction upstream of the mixer, and a catalyst in the flow direction downstream of the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Eberspacher catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Gschwind
  • Patent number: 9810120
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system includes: a NOx trapping agent (2) which adsorbs nitrogen oxide when an excess air ratio of exhaust gas is more than 1, and releases nitrogen oxide when the excess air ratio is 1 or less; a NOx purifying catalyst (13) which reduces nitrogen oxide to nitrogen; and an oxygen concentration controller which controls oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas. When the excess air ratio of the exhaust gas is more than 1, nitrogen oxide is adsorbed to the NOx trapping agent (2). When the excess air ratio of the exhaust gas is 1 or less, the oxygen concentration controller controls the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas at an inlet of the NOx purifying catalyst between 0.8 and 1.5% by volume, so that the NOx purifying catalyst reduces nitrogen oxide released from the NOx trapping agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akama, Hitoshi Onodera
  • Patent number: 9810121
    Abstract: A system for storing an internal combustion engine exhaust gas liquid additive, and including a tank for storing the additive, the tank including two halve shells manufactured as two separate parts that are assembled, at least one of the shells including an active component fixed inside of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen, Joel Op De Beeck, Jae Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 9810122
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving operation of an engine at higher speeds and loads are disclosed. In one example, fuel may be injected to an exhaust system of the engine so that temperatures of exhaust system components may be reduced when the engine is operated at higher speeds and loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, John Eric Rollinger
  • Patent number: 9810123
    Abstract: An exhaust system injection section (10) includes an exhaust gas flow channel (19), a laterally arranged injector connection (21), with a fluid introducing injector (22) and an injection chamber (24) formed in the channel, which is delimited by a perforated first separating wall (25), arranged in the channel upstream of the injector connection, and a perforated second separating wall (26) arranged in the channel downstream of the injector connection. To provides intensive mixing of the injected fluid with the exhaust gas flow a perforation (29) of the first separating wall (25) is configured so that exhaust gas largely flows eccentrically through the first separating wall (25) with respect to a longitudinal center axis (23) of the channel and a perforation (31) of the second separating wall (26) is configured so that exhaust gas largely flows concentrically through the second separating wall (26) with respect to the longitudinal center axis (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Kauderer, Tobias Wolf, Kirill Karelin
  • Patent number: 9810124
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas purification system having an oxidation catalyst and an exhaust gas purifying unit formed so as to include a filter and a selective reduction-type NOx catalyst, at least one of supply of the fuel component and supply of ammonia or an ammonia precursor in an amount that is increased when a prescribed condition under which a part of a fuel component supplied to exhaust gas passes through to a downstream side of the oxidation catalyst is satisfied as compared to a non-passing time supply amount that is a supply amount of ammonia or the ammonia precursor to be supplied when the prescribed condition is not satisfied is controlled such that ammonia for NOx selective reduction by the increased ammonia or ammonia precursor reaches the exhaust gas purifying unit before the passed fuel component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 9810125
    Abstract: Provided is a catalytic converter, having a first casing, a first honeycomb carrier disposed in the first casing, multiple second casings connected to the first casing, and multiple second honeycomb carriers each respectively disposed in the second casings. The first honeycomb carrier has multiple first metal sheets and a first catalyst layer formed on the first metal sheets. The first metal sheets are disposed in the first casing to form multiple first channels. Each of the second honeycomb carriers has a similar structure with that of the first honeycomb carrier. The materials of the first and the second catalyst layers include platinum, palladium, and rhodium. The exhaust gas is subjected to redox reaction by the first and the second catalyst layers and burned at high temperature, and thus the emission of the harmful components from the diesel engine is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: JUMBOMAW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsin-Chang Chang
  • Patent number: 9810126
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system includes an exhaust conduit for conveying exhaust gases from an engine of a vehicle. An aftertreatment device is disposed in the exhaust conduit. A flow device is disposed upstream of the aftertreatment device. The flow device includes a base having a first surface and an oppositely disposed second surface. The base defines a plurality of openings. A plurality of flow deflectors is engaged to the base at the plurality of openings. Each flow deflector includes a first deflector that extends outwardly from the first surface of the base and a second deflector that extends outwardly from the second surface of the base. The first and second deflectors define a passage. Flow of exhaust gases through the passage cause exhaust gases to swirl about a longitudinal axis of the exhaust conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: DONALDSON COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Jérôme Lebas, Stanislas Le Tallec, Antoine Provost, Stéphane Le Merdy, Phebe Helena Preethi, Paul Anthony Way
  • Patent number: 9810127
    Abstract: A device, in particular an exhaust gas post-treatment device, having a pipe, in particular an exhaust pipe, through which a gas flow, in particular exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, s is guided; having an injection device, associated with the pipe, for metered injection of a fluid medium, in particular exhaust gas post-treatment agent, into the gas flow; and having at least one mixing apparatus that is disposed in the pipe downstream from the injection device and has several air guidance elements disposed in one plane. Provision is made that the plane is oriented at least substantially perpendicularly to an injection direction of the injection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Siegurd Kloeckner, Christian Alt
  • Patent number: 9810128
    Abstract: A secondary air pump assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, a pump disposed within the housing, a position assembly and a valve assembly. The position assembly is disposed within the housing and configured to monitor a speed of the pump. The valve assembly is configured to facilitate preventing a backflow of air into the housing. A secondary air system including the secondary air pump assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Brocker, James J. Daley
  • Patent number: 9810129
    Abstract: A system for recovering waste heat energy for a motor assisted turbocharger, including a turbine, a first power transmission device connected on a first side to the turbine, a drive gear disposed about and connected on a first side to a second side of the first power transmission device, a second power transmission device connected on a first side to a second side of the drive gear, and a compressor connected to a second side of the second power transmission device. The system further includes a motor gear drivingly connected to the drive gear, a motor generator connected to the motor gear, a waste heat recovery circuit including an expander, an output gear connected to the expander and drivingly connected to the motor gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Feng Zhou, Ercan Mehmet Dede, Shailesh N. Joshi
  • Patent number: 9810130
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a generator for an internal combustion engine. The generator for an internal combustion engine includes: a heat protector configured to cover an exhaust manifold in which exhaust gas flows to absorb heat energy emitted from the exhaust manifold; and a thermoelectric module configured to be disposed on the heat protector to generate electric energy from heat energy absorbed by the heat protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jin Woo Kwak, In Woong Lyo, Kyong Hwa Song, Su Jung Noh, In Chang Chu, Gyung Bok Kim, Seung Woo Lee, Han Saem Lee
  • Patent number: 9810131
    Abstract: Regarding a work vehicle configured to include an engine mounted on a travelling machine body and an exhaust gas purification device arranged in an exhaust gas path of the engine, it is an object to prevent the regeneration control of the exhaust gas purification device from being executed against an operator's will. The work vehicle of the present invention includes a regeneration switch 329 configured to cause the regeneration control of an exhaust gas purification device 50 to be executed. First, when a cumulative drive time of an engine 5 has passed in a prescribed time or longer, a regeneration control request warning is displayed on a meter panel 246. Then, only when a regeneration switch 329 is manually operated by an operator after the display of the regeneration control request warning on the meter panel 246, the regeneration control of the exhaust gas purification device 50 is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akimichi Iwata, Kazuhisa Yokoyama, Yuusuke Koike
  • Patent number: 9810132
    Abstract: A catalyst deterioration diagnosis apparatus includes an upstream side air-fuel ratio detector, a downstream side air-fuel ratio detector, an air-fuel ratio variation integrator that integrates the output variations of the respective air-fuel ratio detectors when a diagnosis running condition is satisfied, and a determiner that determines catalyst deterioration when the output variation integrated value of the upstream side air-fuel ratio detector exceeds a predetermined integration ending threshold, and further when a ratio between the output variation integrated value of the two detectors exceeds a predetermined determination threshold. The air-fuel ratio variation integrator holds the integrated values when the diagnosis running condition becomes unsatisfied before the integrated value of the upstream side air-fuel ratio detector reaches the integration ending threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kano, Shinsuke Koike
  • Patent number: 9810133
    Abstract: A engine device for a work vehicle, in which an engine, a first case, and a second case can be constituted in the same vibration structure, and exhaust gas path structure between the engine and the second case can be constituted in such a manner as to reduce costs. The engine device for a work vehicle according to the present invention of the instant application includes the first case for removing particulate matter in exhaust gas of the engine and the second case for removing nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas of the engine, and configured to connect the first case to the second case via a urea mixing pipe. The engine, the first case, and the second case are integrally adhered, and the engine, the first case, and the second case are configured to be integrally vibrated in a swingable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Sandou
  • Patent number: 9810134
    Abstract: An engine has a cylinder block defining a cooling circuit with an inlet passage adjacent to a first end of the block and fluidly connected to a continuous open channel positioned between a side wall of the block and a plurality of in-line cylinders. The channel intersects a block deck face and extends alongside each cylinder of the plurality of cylinders. The channel is configured to direct coolant to a cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford E. Maki, Sunil Katragadda, Ravi Gopal, Jody Michael Slike
  • Patent number: 9810135
    Abstract: This cooling fan device for a vehicle comprises: a fan shroud which is shaped as a box accommodating a radiator and/or a condenser, and which has an opening in the front side in the travel direction of the vehicle and a fan coupling surface in the rear side in the travel direction; at least two cooling fans disposed in the fan coupling surface, the cooling fans having center axes vertically separated from each other by a predetermined distance; and a shield rib extending downward from the top of the fan coupling surface, protruding toward the radiator and/or the condenser, and having a top end and a bottom end, the shield rib being provided to the fan coupling surface between the adjacent cooling fans. The top end and/or the bottom end of the shield rib have a cutout section allowing air to pass between the adjacent cooling fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Ishikawa, Tsuyoshi Seike, Yusuke Hoshikawa, Sunao Hirota
  • Patent number: 9810136
    Abstract: A coolant-control valve that performs initialization learning using a stopper and provides an efficient structure by an initialization learning stopper within an actuator which drives a valve body. The coolant-control valve is equipped with a rotor driven to control a flow rate of coolant for cooling an engine, a casing that houses the rotor, and a rotary drive device that drives the rotor. Control means of the rotary drive device have an initialization learning function of an operating range of the rotor. The rotary drive device is equipped with a motor and a reduction gear. The operating range of the rotor is restricted by the operating range of an output gear among power transmission elements in the reduction gear. A groove of the output gear and a fixed-angle stopper inserted into the groove are restricting means for use during initialization learning by the control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Tsuchiya, Takumi Oikawa, Yoshiyuki Kanesaka, Satoshi Ando
  • Patent number: 9810137
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle cooling circuit for cooling a temperature-increasing device, in particular a battery, by means of a coolant conducted in a coolant circuit, wherein the coolant circuit has a heat exchanger configured as an evaporator via which the coolant circuit is coupled to a cooling medium circuit. In accordance with the present disclosure, the chiller is arranged downstream of the heat exchanger in the direction of flow of the coolant in the coolant circuit. Furthermore a bypass valve is arranged in the coolant line such that the coolant can be conducted fully or partially past the chiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Liebherr-Transportation Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Presetschnik, Klaus Hense
  • Patent number: 9810138
    Abstract: An air control system with an integrated diagnostic device for a motor vehicle includes: a carrier structure, an air output opening, a closing element arrangement with one or several closing elements adjustably placed on the carrier structure, a power unit which is constructed to adjust the closing element arrangement in an adjustment movement, a diagnostic device to acquire information about the condition of the closing element arrangement, an interface to convey data at least from the diagnostic device to another device, wherein for at least one closing element of the closing element arrangement the air control system also includes a resistance element associated with said closing element which is constructed to temporarily change the torque or force required in a predetermined phase of the adjustment movement for the adjustment of the closing element arrangement, wherein the diagnostic device acquires at least one operating parameter of the power unit as information about the status of the closing element
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: RÖCHLING AUTOMOTIVE SE & CO. KG
    Inventor: Domenico Solazzo
  • Patent number: 9810139
    Abstract: A method for operating a compression ignition engine includes forming a combustible mixture by mixing generally homogeneously a first fuel and air and introducing this mixture into the at least one cylinder, compressing the combustible mixture with the piston in a compression stroke, injecting a second fuel to the combustible mixture at an injection-time of the second fuel during the compression stroke but before start of combustion, and continuing the compression stroke until combustion starts at those locations in the at least one cylinder where concentration of the second fuel is highest and/or the temperature of the mixture is the highest. Emission of the cylinder and/or mechanical stress of the cylinder caused by the combustion are monitored, and if emissions and/or mechanical stress are above respective predetermined thresholds, individually for the cylinder, the amount and/or the timing of the second fuel injected, and/or temperature of the cylinder charge is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GE Jenbacher GMBH & CO OG
    Inventors: Friedrich Gruber, Nikolaus Spyra, Christian Trapp, Georg Tinschmann, Ettore Musu, Peter Christiner
  • Patent number: 9810140
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a combustion chamber of a diesel engine, which has a recessed combustion bowl to mix fuel injected from an injector with air, the combustion chamber including: a cylinder head which has the injector mounted thereto and is positioned at an upper side of the combustion bowl; a cylinder block which is positioned at a lower side of the cylinder head; and a piston which moves upward and downward in the cylinder block and faces the cylinder head, in which a plurality of radial inducers is provided on a bottom surface of the cylinder head around the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong Yoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9810141
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an internal combustion engine that suppresses a blow-by phenomenon in an overlap period, while allowing for formation of a favorable swirl flow in a combustion chamber. In the internal combustion engine, a housing space is formed in an opening of an exhaust port to the combustion chamber to be more recessed in a cylinder head than an exhaust port-side ceiling surface. A bevel portion of an exhaust valve is placed in the housing space in a valve closed state of the exhaust valve. A valve contact surface is formed on an inner wall surface of the housing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuo Omura, Kazuyoshi Abe
  • Patent number: 9810142
    Abstract: A uniflow-scavenging-type two-cycle engine includes: a cylinder; a piston that slides in the cylinder; an exhaust port that is provided at a first end of the cylinder; an exhaust valve that opens and closes the exhaust port; a scavenging port that is provided in an inner circumferential surface of a second end of the cylinder in the stroke direction of the piston and inhales an active gas into a combustion chamber in accordance with a sliding movement of the piston; a plurality of fuel injection valves that inject a fuel gas to the active gas, which has been drawn in from the scavenging port to the combustion chamber, to thereby generate a premixed gas; and a fuel injection control unit that varies injection directions of fuel gas injected from a part or all of the fuel injection valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Masuda, Takayuki Yamada, Takayuki Hirose, Takahiro Kuge, Takeshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9810143
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a branch communication and wastegate valve in a dual scroll turbocharger system are provided. In one example, a method may include adjusting the branch communication and wastegate valve in a passage connecting a first scroll, a second scroll, and a wastegate passage may control an amount of exhaust flow to a turbine during certain engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Daniel Joseph Styles, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Patent number: 9810144
    Abstract: A process for the crystallisation of a water-soluble compound is disclosed. The process comprises (a) providing, in a crystallisation vessel, a solution of the water-soluble compound in a mixture of water and a solvent in which the water-soluble compound has a lower solubility than in water; (b) passing vapor phase of the mixture through a sorption zone containing a water vapor sorbent to selectively adsorb water from the vapor phase; (c) recycling a part of the vapor phase to the crystallisation vessel or withdrawing vapor phase depleted in water from the process and adding solvent to the crystallisation vessel; (d) allowing solid crystals of the water-soluble compound to precipitate from the solution; and (e) discharging precipitated solid crystals of the water-soluble compound from the crystallisation vessel and discharging a solution of non-crystallised water-soluble compound in water-solvent mixture from the crystallisation vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Wageningen Universiteit
    Inventors: Johan Pieter Marinus Sanders, Marieke Elisabeth Bruins, Jeroen Johannes Cornelis Franciscus Van Bon
  • Patent number: 9810145
    Abstract: An engine assembly is configured to exceed Mach. The engine assembly has a casing mechanically coupled to a jet engine such that ducting exists between the casing and the jet engine. The jet engine further includes a low pressure compression stage configured to compress a gasses. A high pressure compression stage is connected to the low pressure compression stage and configured to further compress the gasses. A combustion stage is connected to the high pressure compression stage and configured to heat the gasses to three thousand degrees Fahrenheit by back pressure. A low pressure turbine is connected to the combustion stage and configured to utilize energy in the gasses so that there is very little emission from the low pressure turbine. A shaft is connected to the low pressure turbine and configured to turn as a result of the low pressure turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: Philip C. Bannon
  • Patent number: 9810146
    Abstract: A calcium looping combustion process for sour gas combustion comprising a system that includes several reaction zones. The system is configured to provide oxygen transfer media production, generation of a syngas product stream, and in-situ H2S removal from the sour gas. The system is also configured such that the calcium-based transfer media and the calcium-based oxygen carrier are reproduced via reactions in another reaction zone, and recirculated in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ali Hoteit, Mourad Younes
  • Patent number: 9810147
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a leading edge of an inlet. The leading edge of the inlet is positioned relative to a direction of air flow such that a total pressure of air along the leading edge of the inlet is equalized within selected tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul R. Tretow, Robert Henry Willie, Donald Edwin Robinson
  • Patent number: 9810148
    Abstract: A self-cooled orifice structure, that may be for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a hot side panel, a cold side panel spaced from the hot side panel, and a continuous first wall extending axially between the hot and cold side panels and spaced radially outward from a centerline. The structure may further include a first plurality of helical vanes projecting laterally, radially, inward from the first wall for flowing cooling air in a spiraling fashion through the cold side panel, then through the hot side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Dominic J. Mongillo, Jr., Mark F. Zelesky
  • Patent number: 9810149
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to obtain a compressed gas starting from a starting gas having a lower pressure by performing the following steps: (i) increasing the pressure and temperature of a gas having an intermediate pressure by means of indirect heat exchange against a fluid having a higher temperature to obtain a gas high in pressure and temperature, (ii) obtaining part of the gas high in temperature and pressure as the compressed gas, (iii) using another part of the gas high in temperature and pressure as a driving gas to increase the pressure of the starting gas in one or more stages to obtain the gas having an intermediate pressure for use in step (i). The invention is also directed to a configuration wherein the process can be performed and directed to a process to generate energy using the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ICE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES BV
    Inventors: Johannes Arjen Hoogland, George Johannes Kruijer
  • Patent number: 9810150
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly for a gas turbine engine including a frame, including a non-planar outer wall, a non-planar inner wall spaced radially inward from the non-planar outer wall to form a frame cavity therebetween, an inlet side extending between the non-planar outer wall and the non-planar inner wall, an inlet passage extending through the inlet side, an outlet side extending between the non-planar outer wall and the non-planar inner wall opposite the inlet side; an outlet passage extending through the outlet side, and a continuous non-planar core disposed within the frame cavity and in flow communication with the inlet passage and the outlet passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John T. Schmitz, Joe Ott, Lexia Kironn, Evan Butcher
  • Patent number: 9810151
    Abstract: A turbine of a gas turbine engine with a rotor and a stator forming a rim cavity, where the rotor includes a turbine rotor blade with a cooling air channel opening into the rim cavity, and a centrifugal impeller rotatably connected to the rotor in which the centrifugal impeller discharges pressurized cooling air into the rim cavity to improve the rim cavity seal and to supply pressurized cooling air to the rotor blade cooling air channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph D Brostmeyer
  • Patent number: 9810152
    Abstract: The invention concerns a gas turbine combustion system, including a gas turbine. The gas turbine includes at least one compressor, at least one combustion chamber for generating working gas, wherein the combustion chamber connected to receive compressed air from the compressor, at least one turbine connected to receive working gas from the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber consists of an individual can-combustor or comprising a number of can-combustors arranged in an annular can-architecture, wherein the can-combustor having at least one premixed burner. The ignition of the mixture starts at the premixed burner outlet and the flame is stabilized in the region of the premixed burner outlet by means of a backflow zone. The can-combustor comprising a number of premixed burners arranged uniformly or divided at least in two groups within the can-combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Franklin Marie Genin, Naresh Aluri, Jan Cerny, Adnan Eroglu, Ennio Pasqualotto
  • Patent number: 9810153
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an engine having two modes of operation—air breathing and rocket—that may be used in aerospace applications such as in an aircraft, flying machine, or aerospace vehicle. The engine's efficiency can be maximized by using a precooler arrangement to cool intake air in air breathing mode using cold fuel delivery systems used for the rocket mode. By introducing the precooler and certain other engine cycle components, and arranging and operating them as described, problems such as those associated with higher fuel and weight requirements and frost formation can be alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Reaction Engines Ltd
    Inventors: Alan Bond, Richard Varvill
  • Patent number: 9810154
    Abstract: A casing body for a hot gas flow includes an outer casing body having a hot gas side with a precisely prepared locating surface. A pin-type retainer is disposed on the locating surface, and an inner heat shield is disposed at a distance from the hot gas side of the outer casing body and fastened to the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Marc Rauch, Peter Oskar Baldischweiler
  • Patent number: 9810155
    Abstract: A method of starting an aircraft having at least a first starter/generator (S/G) and a second S/G using at least one inverter/converter and at least one of an AC power source and a first DC power source, the method includes selectively starting at least one of the first S/G or second S/G in an AC start mode and in a DC start mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 9810156
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling mode transfers of a turbine combustor are provided. According to one embodiment, a system may include a controller to control a combustor, and a processor communicatively coupled to the controller. The processor may be configured to receive current operating conditions, target operating limits, and combustor transfer functions. The combustor transfer functions may be evaluated to estimate operating limits associated with one or more combustion modes under the current operating conditions. The estimated operating limits associated with the one or more combustor modes may be compared to the target operating limits, and, based on the comparison, at least one of the combustion modes may be selected. The combustor may then be selectively transferred to the selected combustion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Charles Terry, Timothy Andrew Healy
  • Patent number: 9810157
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine compressor includes a rotor defining a central axis of rotation and a plurality of blades which project into an annular compressor gas flow passage, and a shroud circumferentially surrounding the rotor and having a radially inner surface adjacent to the blade tips. Bleed holes extend through the shroud adjacent the blade tips, each of the bleed holes having an inlet end disposed in the shroud radially inner surface and an outlet end disposed in a shroud radially outer surface. Bleed air removed from the annular gas flow passage flows through the bleed holes from the inlet to the outlet ends. The outlet end of each bleed hole is located circumferentially upstream of the inlet end relative to a direction of rotational flow in the annular gas flow passage driven by a direction of rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Jason Nichols, Peter Townsend, Hien Duong, Vijay Kandasamy
  • Patent number: 9810158
    Abstract: Bleed air systems for use with aircraft and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a compressor having a compressor inlet, a compressor outlet, and a first drive shaft. The compressor outlet is to be fluidly coupled to a system of an aircraft that receives pressurized air, and the compressor inlet is to receive bleed air from a low-pressure compressor of an engine of the aircraft. The example apparatus includes a gearbox operatively coupled to the first drive shaft to drive the compressor. The gearbox is to be operatively coupled to and powered by a second drive shaft extending from the engine. The example apparatus also includes a clutch disposed between the first drive shaft and the gearbox to selectively disconnect the first drive shaft from the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: David W. Foutch, Steve G. Mackin
  • Patent number: 9810159
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a gas turbine combustor having a diffusion combustion burner and a premix combustion burner comprising: a rotating speed detector for detecting a rotating speed of gas turbine, a recorder for recording the detected value of the rotating speed of gas turbine detected by the rotating speed detector, an arithmetic unit for calculating a change with time of the rotating speed of gas turbine in accordance with details of the detected value of the rotating speed of gas turbine recorded in the recorder, and a fuel control unit for judging a starting situation of reduction in the rotating speed of gas turbine on the basis of the change with time of the rotating speed of gas turbine calculated by the arithmetic unit and controlling respectively a fuel flow rate for the diffusion combustion burner to be fed to the diffusion combustion burner installed in the gas turbine combustor and a fuel flow rate for the premix combustion to be fed to the premix combustion burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Sekiguchi, Shouhei Yoshida, Yoshitaka Hirata, Akinori Hayashi, Nozomi Saitou, Kazuo Takahashi, Takeo Saitou
  • Patent number: 9810160
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for determining a temperature in a pressurized flow path of a gas turbine comprising the steps of sending an acoustic signal from an acoustic signal emitting transducer across a section of the pressurized flow path, detecting the acoustic signal with a receiving transducer, measuring the time needed by the acoustic signal to travel from the acoustic signal emitting transducer to the receiving transducer, calculating the speed of sound, and calculating the temperature as a function of the speed of sound, the heat capacity ratio (?) and a specific gas constant (Rspec) of the gas flowing in the pressurized flow path. Besides the method, a gas turbine with a processor and transducers arranged to carry out such a method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Lang, Jürgen Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9810161
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes a difference module, a Fourier module, and a fault module. The difference module determines pressure differences for a camshaft revolution based on differences between: first pressures within first chambers of a camshaft phaser measured during the camshaft revolution, wherein the first pressures within the first chamber control advancement of the camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an engine; and second pressures within second chambers of the camshaft phaser measured during the camshaft revolution, wherein the second pressures within the second chamber control retardation of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft of the engine. The Fourier module performs a Fourier Transform (FT) based on the pressure differences to produce FT data. The fault module, based on the FT data, selectively indicates that a fault is present in a variable valve lift mechanism that is actuated by the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Victor A. Fiorini, Turgay Bengisu, Pradheep C. Velusamy
  • Patent number: 9810162
    Abstract: An actuating device (11) is provided for changeover valves (10) of an internal combustion engine having an adjustable compression ratio. Each changeover valve (10) is used to control a hydraulic oil flow in hydraulic chambers of an eccentric adjusting device of a respective connecting rod (1) of the internal combustion engine. Each changeover valve (10) has a pick-off element (12) that can be actuated by the actuating device (11). The actuating device (11) has a selector fork (13) for each changeover valve (10) and hence for each pick-off element (12) to be actuated. The selector forks are secured on a support structure (14) and can be moved from a first selection position into a second selection position against the restoring force of a return element (22), and wherein the restoring force of the return element (22) moves the selector forks (13) automatically in the direction of the first selection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Paul
  • Patent number: 9810163
    Abstract: A pump has a plurality of pumping elements, each being independently responsive to an actuation signal from a controller. The controller is programmed to maintain a desired pressure at the pump discharge, monitor the fluid pressure at the pump discharge, compare the fluid pressure with the desired fluid pressure to determine a pressure error, provide commands to sequentially actuate the pumping elements when the pressure error is within a threshold range, and provide commands to actuate more than one of the plurality of pumping elements simultaneously, such that more than one pumped amounts of fluid are delivered simultaneously at the pump discharge, when the pressure error droops outside of the threshold range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua W. Steffen, Sunil J. Bean
  • Patent number: 9810164
    Abstract: A prime mover control device for a work vehicle, includes: a rotation speed control unit that controls a rotation speed of a prime mover in correspondence to an operation quantity of an accelerator operation member; a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of cooling oil used to cool a brake; and a speed limiting unit that limits a maximum rotation speed of the prime mover by setting a lower limit for the maximum rotation speed when the temperature of the cooling oil detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than a predetermined temperature, compared to a limit set when the temperature of the cooling oil detected by the temperature detection unit is lower than the predetermined temperature, wherein: a maximum vehicle speed is limited by limiting the maximum rotation speed of the prime mover by the speed limiting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: KCM Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Aoki, Koji Hyodo, Tetsuji Tanaka, Kentaro Oomae
  • Patent number: 9810165
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a control unit determining the occurrence or non-occurrence of dew condensation in a tip portion of a nozzle based on a nozzle heat receiving amount of an injector and a nozzle tip temperature of the injector at a point in time when ignition is turned OFF and performing nozzle corrosion prevention control when the dew condensation is determined to occur in the nozzle tip portion. The control unit calculates a nozzle tip temperature reduction rate based on the nozzle heat receiving amount, calculates a dew point arrival time based on the reduction rate, and determines the occurrence or non-occurrence of the dew condensation in the nozzle tip portion based on the dew point arrival time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Ikemoto, Masayoshi Nakagawa, Takashi Matsumoto, Yoshio Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9810166
    Abstract: Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency or the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cohn, John B. Heywood, Leslie Bromberg
  • Patent number: 9810167
    Abstract: When a catalytic converter in an exhaust passage is in an un-activated state, an intake air amount is increased, as compared to when the converter is in an activated state under the same engine operation condition, and an ignition timing is retarded beyond a TDC of a compression stroke. The ignition timing is set such that a retard amount thereof from the TDC becomes larger as an external load causing a rotational resistance of an engine becomes lower. A valve opening start timing of an exhaust valve is set such that, when the external load is lower than a given reference load, the valve starts opening, before an in-cylinder pressure reaches a peak, according to combustion of an air-fuel mixture ignited at the above ignition timing, in a subsequent expansion stroke, wherein the in-cylinder pressure is based on an assumption that the valve is maintained in a valve-closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomomi Watanabe, Shigeyuki Hirashita, Naoki Kishikawa, Keiji Araki