Patents Issued in December 19, 2017
  • Patent number: 9845757
    Abstract: A controller for a diesel engine has a fuel injector which injects a fuel into a cylinder. The controller has a middle-combustion time computing portion which computes a middle-combustion time period that has elapsed from the fuel is injected until a half of the fuel has combusted, based on a detection value of a cylinder pressure sensor. Further, the controller has a fuel component computing portion which computes a ratio of a carbon quantity relative to a hydrogen quantity contained in the fuel based on the middle-combustion time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideo Naruse
  • Patent number: 9845758
    Abstract: An air-fuel ratio region detection unit, including a first determination voltage higher than a target voltage value indicating the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, and a second determination voltage lower than the target voltage value, determines that an air-fuel ratio of an engine is within a first rich region when an oxygen sensor output equals or exceeds the first determination voltage, determines that the air-fuel ratio is within a second rich region when the oxygen sensor output equals or exceeds the target voltage value but is lower than the first determination voltage, determines that the air-fuel ratio is within a second lean region when the oxygen sensor output equals or exceeds the second determination voltage but is lower than the target voltage value, and determines that the air-fuel ratio is within a first lean region when the oxygen sensor output is lower than the second determination voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Tomomatsu, Shuichi Wada, Kenichi Yamagata
  • Patent number: 9845759
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a fault command module, a fuel control module, and a fault detection module. The fault command module selectively generates a command to induce a fuel system fault based on a user input. The fuel control module automatically adjusts a fuel correction factor to a target value outside of a first predetermined range in response to the command to induce a fuel system fault. The fuel control module actuates a fuel injector associated with a cylinder of an engine based on the fuel correction factor. The fault detection module detects a fuel system fault when the fuel correction factor is outside of the first predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eric Russell Clark, II, Wesley W. Wald, David E. Homyak, Ian J. MacEwen
  • Patent number: 9845760
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately estimating intake aircharge based on the output of an intake oxygen sensor while flowing EGR, purge, or PCV hydrocarbons to the engine. The unadjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine fuel control while the hydrocarbon adjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine torque control. A controller is configured to sample the oxygen sensor at even increments in a time domain, stamp the sampled data in a crank angle domain, store the sampled data in a buffer, and then select one or more data samples corresponding to a last firing period from the buffer for estimating the intake aircharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Justin Trzeciak, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 9845761
    Abstract: A fuel estimation apparatus includes a combustion characteristic acquisition portion and a mixing ratio estimation portion. The combustion characteristic acquisition portion acquiring a combustion characteristic value indicating a physical amount relating to a combustion of an internal combustion engine acquires the combustion characteristic values of the combustions executed in different combustion conditions. The mixing ratio estimation portion estimates the mixing ratios of various components included in a fuel, based on the combustion characteristic values acquired by the combustion characteristic acquisition portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya Hoshi, Atsunori Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 9845762
    Abstract: A control apparatus is disclosed for operating a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. The control apparatus includes an Electronic Control Unit configured to: perform a first calculation task in order to calculate a set of Start Of Injection values (SOIi) of a train of injections, calculate an angular position (DIAngPos) of the crankshaft defining the start of a second calculation task, and perform the second calculation task in order to calculate a set of values (ETi) of the energizing time of the injections of the train. The angular position (DIAngPos) is calculated as a function of the Start Of Injection value (FirstSOI) of the first injection of the train as calculated by the first calculation task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ivan Pelizzoni, Luca Lauritano
  • Patent number: 9845763
    Abstract: A fuel injection strategy and ignition timing for a spark-ignition direct fuel injection engine are selected in response to monitored engine load in relation to a plurality of load regions. This includes selecting a preferred ignition timing based upon the engine load, and selecting a first fuel injection event that is executed post-ignition, wherein the first fuel injection event delivers a set fuel mass at a preset timing relative to the preferred timing for the spark ignition event regardless of the engine load. A first pre-ignition fuel injection event is selected, and includes a second fuel mass being injected at a second fuel injection timing, wherein an end-of-injection timing of the first pre-ignition fuel injection event is at a preset timing relative to the preferred ignition timing regardless of the engine load, and wherein the second fuel mass is determined in relation to the engine load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Arun S. Solomon, Ronald M. Otto
  • Patent number: 9845764
    Abstract: A cylinder liner for an opposed-piston engine, and corresponding methods of extending engine durability and thermal management therewith, has opposite ends and a bore with a longitudinal axis for supporting reciprocating movement of a pair of opposed pistons. An intermediate portion of the liner extends between the opposite ends and includes an annular liner portion within which the pistons reach respective TC locations. A liner ring is seated in a portion of the bore in the annular liner portion, between the TC locations, for scraping carbon from top lands of the pistons and/or increasing the thermal resistance of the annular liner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventors: John J. Koszewnik, Bryant A. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9845765
    Abstract: A power cylinder system for a reciprocating engine includes a steel piston configured to move within a cylinder of the reciprocating engine. The system also includes a groove extending circumferentially about the piston beneath a top land of the piston and configured to support a ring having an inner circumferential face. One or more channels are formed in the top land and are configured to facilitate transfer of combustion gases to a space between a portion of the groove and the inner circumferential face of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard John Donahue, Daniel David Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9845766
    Abstract: A piston includes a crown having a deck, a spark recess, an exhaust valve recess, and an intake valve recess. The piston also includes a wedge disposed on the crown extending from the exhaust valve recess and the intake valve recess toward the spark recess above the deck. The wedge is a planar wedge disposed at an angle substantially parallel to an associated exhaust valve received by the exhaust valve recess. The crown is symmetrical about a piston center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Patrick Jeffries, Brian Denis Armstrong, Thomas Jeremy Kostrzewski
  • Patent number: 9845767
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a cylinder block having one or more bulkheads. The bulkheads provide a dual-wall structure that may enhance the stiffness of the cylinder block in bending and torsion. The bulkheads may also provide an oil drain to allow oil to directly drain through a hollow core of the bulkhead. An overflow outlet may be formed in an inner wall of a bulkhead. In some implementations, a cylinder block with bulkheads may increase an oil capacity of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron S. Quinton, John Jerl Purcell, Nathaniel Hassall, Derek Ferguson
  • Patent number: 9845768
    Abstract: An exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine may include a plurality of flap trains in the exhaust stream of the gas turbine engine. The flap trains are operable to selectively control three separate flow paths of gas that traverse the engine. A first stream of is the core airflow. The second stream of air is peeled off of the first stream to form a low pressure fan bypass air stream. The third stream of air traverses along the engine casing and is passed over a flap assembly to aid in cooling. The flaps are operable converge/diverge to control the multiple streams of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Pesyna, Anthony F. Pierluissi, Bryan H. Lerg, Justin N. Moore
  • Patent number: 9845769
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a blocker door for use in a thrust reverser portion of a nacelle. The blocker door includes a structural frame having a plurality of connected and crossing ribs. The blocker door also includes a front sheet positioned on an airflow side of and attached to the structural frame. The blocker door also includes at least one acoustic core positioned between the ribs of the structural frame and comprising a plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventor: Henry Hercock
  • Patent number: 9845770
    Abstract: An asymmetric double-entry turbine is provided with a turbine housing that includes a first volute, a second volute and a turbine receiving bore. The first volute has a first exhaust gas inlet and a first exhaust gas outlet. The second volute has a second exhaust gas inlet and a second exhaust gas outlet. The turbine receiving bore is in fluid communication with the first exhaust gas outlet and the second exhaust gas outlet for conducting a flow of exhaust gas from the first exhaust gas outlet and the second exhaust gas outlet out in an axial direction. The first exhaust gas outlet has an angular opening amount of more than 180 degrees around the turbine receiving bore. The second exhaust gas outlet has an angular opening amount of less than 180 degrees around the turbine receiving bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Imperial Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Ricardo Martinez-Botas, Masakazu Sakai
  • Patent number: 9845771
    Abstract: A method for determining the recycled air flow rate and oxygen quantity at the inlet of an internal combustion engine cylinder. The method involves measuring pressure in each cylinder during a compression phase and calculating the mass of gas in each cylinder based on the measured pressure, volume and temperature variation for an angular variation of the crankshaft, heat capacity, and heat losses. The method further involves determining the mass of gas in all cylinders over a full combustion cycle as well as in the recycled exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GmbH
    Inventor: Bertrand Varoquie
  • Patent number: 9845772
    Abstract: A system and method for condensation management in a low-pressure loop EGR system are provided. The system includes an EGR condensation temperature module configured to determine an EGR condensation temperature of recirculated exhaust gas upstream of an EGR cooler and an EGR coolant temperature controller communicably coupled to the EGR condensation temperature module. The EGR coolant temperature controller provides EGR coolant to the EGR cooler at or above the EGR condensation temperature. The system also includes a charge air condensation temperature module configured to determine a charge air condensation temperature of charge air upstream of a charge air cooler and a charge air coolant temperature controller communicably coupled to the charge air condensation temperature module. The charge air coolant temperature controller provides charge air coolant to the charge air cooler at or above the charge air condensation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon A. LaPointe, Daniel J. Mohr, Edward J. Lyford-Pike, Ashish Gupta
  • Patent number: 9845773
    Abstract: An engine system having a flowpath between a junction upstream of a turbocharger and an intake manifold that includes an ejector and an aspirator connected in parallel relative to one another within the flowpath is disclosed. The motive flow through the ejector is in the opposite direction relative to the direction of the motive flow through the aspirator, and both the ejector and the aspirator have a suction port fluidly coupled to a device requiring vacuum. The engine system also includes a first check valve disposed in control of the motive flow through the ejector and a second check valve disposed in control of the motive flow through the aspirator and may also include a control valve in fluid communication within the flowpath upstream or downstream of the ejector and the aspirator that controls the flow into and/or out of both thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Matt Gilmer, Andrew Niedert, Steve Long
  • Patent number: 9845774
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an intake manifold for an engine. In one example, an insert comprises an annular body having a top surface, bottom surface, inner surface, and outer surface. The insert further comprises a first groove for coupling an intake air port of an intake manifold to a cylinder head, a second groove for circulating gaseous fuel received from a gas runner of the intake manifold, and one or more openings to fluidically couple the second groove to an interior of the intake air port. The insert is configured to mix gaseous fuel and intake air at a coupling location between the intake manifold and the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexis Gruschow, Leslie Orin Trask, Eric Richard Dillen, John Stephen Roth, Matthew Joseph Felion
  • Patent number: 9845775
    Abstract: An intake assembly for an internal-combustion engine includes an intake duct for each cylinder, which communicates with an airbox that includes a filtering element. Each intake duct communicates with the airbox by a respective throttle body. A monitoring channel connects the intake ducts together and is configured for perturbing in a negligible way the dynamics of the fluid inside the intake ducts. Associated to said monitoring duct are sensors for monitoring the pressure inside the monitoring duct and designed to send signals indicating the value of pressure of the fluid taken in by the engine to an electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Marco Cuniberti, Francesco Vattaneo, Alessandro Gallone, Luigi Guzzi, Paolo Novella, Caterina Venezia, Rosario Nastro
  • Patent number: 9845776
    Abstract: An injection device for an internal combustion engine having a first injection system for injecting fuel having a first fuel composition, and a second injection system for the injection of fuel having a second fuel composition that has a lower ethanol component than the first fuel composition, the first injection system having at least one first fuel injector for injecting fuel having the first fuel composition both in the direction of a first intake orifice of a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, and in the direction of a second intake orifice of the combustion chamber, in which the second injection system has a second fuel injector for injecting fuel having the second fuel composition essentially only in the direction of the first intake orifice, and a separate third fuel injector for injecting fuel having the second fuel composition essentially only in the direction of the second intake orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Gutscher, Andreas Posselt, Marko Lorenz
  • Patent number: 9845777
    Abstract: A fuel system includes an electronic control module (ECM), at least one injector coupled to the ECM, and a configurable output driver circuit coupled to the at least one injector. The configurable output driver circuit includes a channel that enables adaptation of ECM outputs. The configurable output driver circuit is configurable based on a value stored in a register circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Meyer, Meenal R. Vaidya, Rishvanth Kora Venugopal
  • Patent number: 9845778
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a residual pressure holding valve provided downstream a feed pump of a fuel to hold a pressure in a fuel pipe leading to the port injection valve. Residual pressure holding valve is opened to return the fuel in the fuel pipe to the fuel tank when the pressure in the fuel pipe exceeds a valve opening pressure, and closed when the pressure in the fuel pipe is lower than the valve opening pressure. At the time of a request to reduce a target pressure of the fuel to be supplied to the electric feed pump, a control device refrains from causing the target pressure to decrease when a load of the engine is smaller than a prescribed value, and causes the target pressure to decrease when the load of the engine is greater than the prescribed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuhei Mitsuoka
  • Patent number: 9845779
    Abstract: A fuel injector has a seat and at least one seat passage. The seat includes an outer tip surface through which the seat passage extends. A non-thermally conducting coating is provided on at least a portion of the outer tip surface and not on surfaces defining the seat passage. The coating is constructed and arranged to be heated by combustion gases so that the outer tip surface reaches a temperature greater than a temperature that the outer tip surface would reach if the coating was not provided so as to cause evaporation of fuel that contacts the outer tip surface, The seat passage is constructed and arranged to not be substantially heated by conduction from the outer tip surface and to be cooled by fuel passing there-through so as to prevent deposits of combustion from accumulating on surfaces defining the seat passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William James Imoehl, Hong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9845780
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for direct fuel injection. In one example, a fuel injector system includes a needle, a plurality of tangential fins coupled to a nozzle end of the needle, an actuator coupled to the needle, and a controller storing non-transitory instructions that when executed cause the controller to, responsive to a command to inject fuel, activate the actuator to push the needle in a downward direction by an amount based on one or more operating parameters. In this way, the fuel injector may inject fuel with a cone shaped spray pattern, reducing the spray penetration of the injected fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9845781
    Abstract: An engine accessory drive (EAD) system for an engine includes a motor-generator (MGU) unit operably coupled to an accessory. The EAD system also includes a gearbox assembly, which includes a first gear train operably coupled to the MGU, and a second gear train operably coupled to an output of the engine. The gearbox assembly also includes a clutch selectively coupling the first gear train with a second gear train. The EAD system further includes a starter assembly, which includes a starter shaft operably coupled to the second gear train. The starter assembly also includes a starter pinion coupled to the starter shaft, and an actuator configured to selectively engage the starter pinion with a flywheel of the engine. Further yet, the EAD system includes an EAD controller configured to selectively operate the EAD system in one of a generator mode, an accessory drive mode, and a starter mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Marthaler, Jeffrey W. Rinker
  • Patent number: 9845782
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine has the steps of: oscillating a crankshaft of the engine using the electrical actuator; then injecting fuel in a combustion chamber and igniting the fuel in this combustion chamber to cause the crankshaft to turn in a reverse direction; then injecting fuel in another combustion chamber and igniting the fuel in the other combustion chamber to cause the crankshaft to turn in a forward direction; and then injecting fuel in the other combustion chamber and igniting fuel in the other combustion chamber to cause the crankshaft to turn in the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: Michel Bernier
  • Patent number: 9845783
    Abstract: A multi-mode powertrain system including an internal combustion engine, a high-voltage electric machine and a high-voltage electric power system is described. A method for controlling the multi-mode powertrain system includes, in response to an operator initiating a jumpstart, electrically connecting the high-voltage electric power system to a remote electric power source and energizing contactors between the high-voltage electric power system and the remote electric power source. Electric power flow through an auxiliary power module electrically connected to the high-voltage electric power system that supplies electric power to an accessory device is minimized. Engine starting parameters are modified, and the internal combustion engine is started by controlling, via a controller, the high-voltage electric machine to spin the internal combustion engine, and controlling operation of the internal combustion engine based upon the modified engine starting parameters to effect starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Russell K. Steele, James F Crawford, Stephen D Gurski
  • Patent number: 9845784
    Abstract: A motorcycle including a protection cover for a throttle body that is less likely to contribute to an increase in the vehicle weight to thus improve the attachability thereof. A motorcycle includes a throttle body provided with a throttle valve for controlling a flow rate of intake air into an internal combustion engine and an air cleaner for supplying air to the throttle body. The throttle body is arranged at a rear of the air cleaner with an intake port of the internal combustion engine being arranged at a rear of the throttle body. The air cleaner includes a throttle body protecting section for covering at least a lower surface of the throttle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Oto
  • Patent number: 9845785
    Abstract: A connection system for connecting a first connection point with a second connection point, the second connection point being arranged for rotation and translation with respect to the first connection point, the connection system includes a first connection point, a first support surface moveable linearly with respect to the first connection point, a second support surface moveable linearly and rotationally with respect to the first connection point, and a second connection point moveable linearly and rotationally with respect to the first connection point, moveable rotationally with respect to the first support surface, and fixed with respect to the second support surface, and a reverse bend radius cable chain located on the first and second support surfaces, and having a first end connected with the first connection point via a first connector cable, and a second end connected with the second connection point via a second connector cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Tidal Generation Limited
    Inventors: Paul Vigars, Christopher Germain, Daniel Haworth, Richard Goss
  • Patent number: 9845786
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to spar caps for wind turbine rotor blades and methods of manufacturing same. The spar cap includes a plurality of plies having varying lengths that are arranged in a tapered configuration. Further, the tapered configuration includes at least an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is configured for attachment to at least one of a pressure side or a suction side of the rotor blade. Further, one or more plies of the upper and lower portions tapers towards an intermediate ply configured between the upper and lower portions of the spar cap. In addition, the intermediate ply has a length that is shorter than the plies in the upper and lower portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron A. Yarbrough, Christopher Daniel Caruso
  • Patent number: 9845787
    Abstract: Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Myles L. Baker, Cory P. Arendt, Bernard G. Madrid, Sheldon Vilhauer
  • Patent number: 9845788
    Abstract: A wind farm comprises a plurality of wind turbines connected to a network internal to the wind farm, a network feed-in point in the network internal to the wind farm for feeding electrical power into a supply network, a control device associated with the network feed-in point designed to control the wind turbines feeding power into the supply network by the network feed-in point on the basis of measured values recorded at the network feed-in point, and at least one additional network feed-in point having an additional control device designed to control the wind turbines feeding power into the supply network by the additional network feed-in point on the basis of measured values recorded at the additional network feed-in point, wherein the network internal to the wind farm is designed to variably connect at least one wind turbine to one of the plurality of network feed-in points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SENVION SE
    Inventor: Matthias Schubert
  • Patent number: 9845789
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for monitoring and controlling the operation of wind turbines located within a wind farm may generally include first and second wind turbines. The first wind turbine may include a first turbine controller configured to monitor an operating parameter(s) associated with the first wind turbine and provide a first control interface for controlling the operation of the first wind turbine. The second wind turbine may include a second turbine controller configured to monitor an operating parameter(s) associated with the second wind turbine and provide a second control interface for controlling the operation of the second wind turbine. The system may also include a secondary computing device coupled to the second turbine controller. The second turbine controller may be configured to provide the secondary computing device access to the first control interface in order to allow the operation of the first wind turbine to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William Borea Noto, Paul Oliver Caffrey, Joerg Hagmann
  • Patent number: 9845790
    Abstract: A method of operating a wind power installation selectively in a first or second operating mode is disclosed. In the first operating mode, the installation generates as much electrical power as possible based on the prevailing wind and design of the wind power installation, and in the second operating mode generates less electrical power than in the first operating mode. The wind power installation is controlled in the first and second operating modes with first and second adjustment parameter sets, respectively. When the installation is operated in the second operating mode the maximum power which can be generated with the first adjustment parameter set or a differential power between the maximum power and a power currently generated in the second operating mode may be ascertained. The second adjustment parameter set may be selected based on a desired power reduction and the maximum power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang de Boer, Helge Giertz
  • Patent number: 9845791
    Abstract: A method for establishing access for mounting and dismounting of main shafts, gearbox, generator and other main parts located in the nacelle of a wind turbine, where the cabriolet remains localized on the nacelle, and guide transfer mechanisms are provided for mounting inside the nacelle. The basic idea is that the cabriolet is lifted upon rolls or roll sets which form the guide transfer mechanisms upward facing support surfaces, and that the cabriolet is stabilized by displaceable counter holds which are displaced and locked in position above the downwards positioned mounting flange, upon which the cabriolet can be displaced on the rollers or roll sets to a partly cantilevered position over the rear end of the nacelle. By the method, service on larger wind turbines can be performed without using mobile cranes, which saves resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: LIFTRA IP APS
    Inventor: Per Fenger
  • Patent number: 9845792
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved arrangement for a wind turbine system wherein the power generator unit is independently installed at ground level to minimize the vertical compressive load imposed on the poles. The wind turbine system is powered by an integrated hydraulic power unit comprising a hydraulic pump driving a hydraulic motor operationally coupled to the power generator at ground level. A lighter weight hydraulic pump replacing the old system generator is operationally coupled to the wind turbine rotor blades disposed atop the pole. An umbilical hose supplies high pressurized fluid from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor thereby causing the power generator to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: Huseyin Ozcan
  • Patent number: 9845793
    Abstract: A vehicle uses a plurality of momentum generators to accelerate. The momentum generator may comprise an arm bearing weights that may be mounted to a frame and arranged to pivot in circular motion. A power source rotates the arm which encounters a stop before rotating half of a full turn. The power source may act continually on the arm, with the arm being released to rotate by a detent mechanism. Momentum of the arm and weights is transferred by the stop to the frame. Direction of rotation is selected to move the frame in a predetermined direction. The vehicle may be wheeled or may be flight capable. If flight capable, the vehicle may have a primary power source such as a rocket motor, with the momentum generators being disposed to increase velocity beyond that produced by the rocket motor. Momentum generators are preferably provided in pairs arranged in mirror image opposition so that operation does not impose unbalanced forces on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: Jonathan Mangold
  • Patent number: 9845794
    Abstract: A diaphragm pump may comprise a housing defining a first pumping chamber, a second pumping chamber, and a hydraulic fluid chamber, a first flexible diaphragm separating the first pumping chamber from the hydraulic fluid chamber, a second flexible diaphragm separating the second pumping chamber from the hydraulic fluid chamber, a rod mechanically linking the first flexible diaphragm and the second flexible diaphragm such that an expansion of one of the first and second flexible diaphragms exerts a contraction force on the other of the first and second flexible diaphragms, and a piston disposed within the hydraulic fluid chamber and configured to reciprocate to cause a hydraulic fluid contained within the hydraulic fluid chamber to alternately exert an expansion force on the first and second flexible diaphragms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Warren A. Seith, Aaron M. Crescenti
  • Patent number: 9845795
    Abstract: A dampening apparatus includes a cylindrical container, and one or multiple compression devices positioned within the cylindrical container. The cylindrical container comprises multiple perforations on circumferential walls, and has an opening at one end. Each compression device comprises multiple compression cavities configured to receive the pulsating fluid through the opening. The dampening apparatus is attachable on a body of the pump such that the cylindrical container is in fluid communication with an fluid side of the pump to receive the pulsating fluid into the compression cavities, therefore dampening the pulsations via the compression cavities of the compression devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventors: Justin P. Manley, William Garfield
  • Patent number: 9845796
    Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of propelling a gas includes a first layer and a second layer arranged in a stack, mechanism for heating and/or cooling the first layer and the second layer to form a hot layer and a cold layer, and a through hole in the stack. A surface of both the hot layer and the cold layer is exposed in an interior of the through hole. The mechanism for heating and/or cooling the first and second layers controls the hot layer to be hotter than an ambient temperature of the gas, and the cold layer to be colder than the ambient temperature of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GAME CHANGERS, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Sanchez, Piotr A. Garbuz, Andrew D. Zonenberg
  • Patent number: 9845797
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reciprocating compressor. The present invention can prevent friction loss or abrasion between a cylinder and a piston, which is caused when a hydraulic bearing is blocked with a foreign substance, by preventing the foreign substance mixed in refrigerant gas from flowing into the hydraulic bearing, and can improve compressor performance by preventing a specific volume in a compression space from increasing when high-temperature refrigerant gas discharged in the compression space is cooled, such that vibration noise of the compressor can be reduced since a gas guiding part offsets vibration and the noise generated when a refrigerant is discharged in the compression space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sunghyun Ki, Kiwon Noh, Kwangwoon Ahn, Kyeongbae Park, Simoon Jeon, Joonsung Park
  • Patent number: 9845798
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension disposed between a compression unit and the hermetic housing of hermetic reciprocating compressors for mobile application, such as, for example, application in automotive vehicles and similar, and to the method of assembly of the components that constitute the referred suspension. According to the present invention, it is disclosed a suspension for hermetic reciprocating compressor for mobile application capable of reducing the effects of an eventual and involuntary sudden movement of the compression unit and also of minimizing the transfer of vibrations and noises deriving from the environment outside the hermetic housing to the compression unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool S.A.
    Inventors: Edson Correa Miguel, Patrick Getnerski
  • Patent number: 9845799
    Abstract: A pump includes a molded housing configured with a rear endbell portion to receive an armature and bearing, an intermediate motor portion to receive a motor shell and magnets arranged around the armature, and a front endbell portion to receive a diaphragm assembly having a diaphragm support plate supporting a diaphragm, the rear endbell portion, the intermediate motor portion and the front endbell portion being configured as an integrated molded housing unit, the diaphragm having two circumferential diaphragm sealing surfaces. The pump also includes an upper housing configured to assemble and couple to the molded housing so as to form a circumferential fluid-tight sealing arrangement that is configured between the front endbell portion and the upper housing on only one end of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Flow Control LLC
    Inventors: Humberto V. Meza, Manuel Villagomez
  • Patent number: 9845800
    Abstract: A bi-directional pump system that can be configured for a plurality of operating modes. The bi-directional pump system includes a plurality of bi-directional pumps each having their own valving system that are connected to a common high pressure manifold, a low pressure manifold and a suction manifold. Via the respective valve systems, each pump can be configured into: (1) a single-acting pumping mode; (2) a double-acting pumping mode; (3) an inactive free motion mode; and (4) an inactive rigid mode. One exemplary application of the bi-directional pump system is on an articulated wave energy conversion system that consists of three floating barges: a front barge, a center barge and a rear barge where the front barge and center barge are hingedly connected as are the center barge and the rear barge. A first set of the bi-directional pumps span the first hinge connection and the second set of bi-directional pumps span the second hinge connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: MURTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Knowles, Jr., Robert C. Murtha, Jr., Christina Speight
  • Patent number: 9845801
    Abstract: A new header ring useful in downhole packing sets automatically cleans the cylinder plunger wall during use and forms an improved seal having long duration. The new header ring has a ring shaped body. The body includes a side wall defining an open top, an open bottom, and an inner wall portion with an inner wall surface for contacting a plunger. The inner wall portion includes an outwardly extending annular undercut, which defines an overhang and radius that helps wipe clean the plunger wall and form a better seal. The body also has an outer wall portion with an outer wall surface for contacting a stuffing box wall. The outer wall has a flat upper portion, a flat lower portion, and an outwardly sloped annular middle portion connecting the top and lower portions. The outer wall also has an inwardly extending annular ledge formed in its bottom. The inner wall portion is formed from a high wear resistance elastomer, and the outer wall portion is formed from a nonabrasive elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Fast Group-Houston, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Shek
  • Patent number: 9845802
    Abstract: An intake charged pump for pumping liquid and which has an intake duct that extends to the suction area of the pump. The pump has a duct through which a jet stream flows to the suction area. A nozzle arrangement in the intake duct accelerates the liquid which is returned via the jet stream and supports the suction of a suction stream of the liquid from a storage container. A nozzle of the nozzle arrangement leads into the mixing chamber at an acute angle in a such way that the jet stream, leaving the nozzle, creates a common mixing stream with the suction stream from the storage container, and through which partial streams having essentially the same pressure and energy content, can be delivered to the front and back suction pockets of the double chamber pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Paolo Ruatto, Stephan Brussa, Marco Rosendahl, Thomas Kramer
  • Patent number: 9845803
    Abstract: The invention relates to a screw pump having two screws, in which screw pump each screw has a first thread and a second thread. The threads extend in each case from a suction side to a delivery side. The threads are in engagement with one another, with the result that the threads are divided into a plurality of working chambers, the volume of which decreases from the suction side to the delivery side. According to the invention, the threads have two thread turns. Moreover, the invention relates to a screw for a pump of this type. On account of the uniform distribution of mass of the two-turn threads, the pump can be operated at a high rotational speed, with the result that the throughput of the pump is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Sterling Industry Consult GmbH
    Inventors: Heiner Kösters, Jörg Temming
  • Patent number: 9845804
    Abstract: A positive displacement pump assembly includes a rotor housing defining a rotor cavity, and an end plate configured to at least partially close one end of the rotor cavity. Rotors are supported on and fixed to rotor shafts and extend through the rotor cavity. A first pair of bearings fixing the rotor shafts to the end plate. A second pair of bearings fixes the rotor shafts to the rotor housing, preventing relative axial movement between the rotor shafts and the rotor housing. The end plate is axially movable with the rotor shafts when the rotor shafts vary in axial length due to thermal fluctuations so that changes in an axial clearance at end faces of the rotors are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Ouwenga, Brian T. Smith
  • Patent number: 9845805
    Abstract: Dual operation centrifugal fan apparatus and methods of operating same that may be used, for example, to cool the internal heat-generating components of an information handling system or other device. The dual operation centrifugal fan apparatus may be implemented in one embodiment as a self-cleaning blower apparatus that is operated in a first normal cooling direction to dissipate heat from internal components of an information handling system, and operated in second cleaning direction to reverse airflow and expel accumulated dust from the interior of the information handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Gurmeet Bhutani, Cheng-Kuo Wang, Hung-Pin Chien, Li-Chung Liu, Tien Hsiang Wu
  • Patent number: 9845806
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an auxiliary power unit (APU) are provided. The systems and methods may comprise detecting an operating condition of the APU, determining an optimal APU frequency in response to the operating condition, and setting an angular velocity of the APU to the optimal APU frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Victor Pascu, Anthony C. Jones