Patents Issued in January 30, 2018
  • Patent number: 9879617
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an engine comprises: fuel injection control device that controlling injection amounts of fuel injected from a first fuel injection valve, which injects fuel into an intake path of the engine, and a second fuel injection valve, which injects fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine, in accordance with the operating state of the engine; and valve control device that changes the open/closed state of the waste gate valve in accordance with the injection amounts of fuel injected from the first fuel injection valve and the second fuel injection valve. The fuel injection control device increases the injection amount of fuel injected from the second fuel injection valve in accordance with an increase in the load or speed of the engine. The valve control device changes the open/closed state of the waste gate valve in the sequence of an opening direction, a closing direction, and an opening direction as the injection amount of fuel injected from the second fuel injection valve increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ayatoshi Matsunaga, Yasuo Yamaguchi, Shinichi Murata
  • Patent number: 9879618
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling spark plug fouling and pre-ignition in a newly manufactured vehicle. One method comprises, during a pre-delivery phase of the newly manufactured vehicle including an engine, operating the engine with a first setting for air/fuel ratio to reduce spark plug fouling, and adjusting the first setting of the air/fuel ratio responsive to pre-ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • Patent number: 9879619
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling valve timing of a continuous variable valve duration engine including classifying control regions depending on engine speed and load; applying a maximum duration to an intake valve and a long duration to an exhaust valve and limiting an overlap; applying the maximum duration to the intake valve and the long duration to the exhaust valve, and adjusting the overlap according to the engine load; applying the long duration to the exhaust valve, fixing an exhaust valve open timing and an exhaust valve close timing, and advancing an intake valve close timing according to an increase of engine load; controlling a wide open throttle valve and applying a short duration to the exhaust valve; and controlling a wide open throttle valve, applying the long duration to the exhaust valve, delaying the intake valve close timing according to an increased engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: In Sang Ryu, Kyoung Pyo Ha, You Sang Son, Kiyoung Kwon
  • Patent number: 9879620
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing vacuum at an outlet of an upstream first compressor when powering on a second compressor positioned downstream of the first compressor. In one example, a method may comprise, in response to a desired engine torque increasing above a threshold: powering on a second compressor positioned downstream of a first compressor in an intake of an engine system, and opening a compressor recirculation valve (CRV) positioned in a bypass passage coupled across the first compressor for a duration. As such, a portion of intake gasses from upstream of the first compressor may be routed to the second compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Satheesh Makkapati, Dushyant Karthikeyan, Julia Helen Buckland, Eric Warren Curtis
  • Patent number: 9879621
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating engine operating parameters such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) based on road roughness conditions. Based on increased road roughness estimation, EGR flow rate may be opportunistically raised, enabling NVH associated with elevated EGR levels to be masked by NVH associated with rough road conditions. In addition, purging of fuel vapors from a canister or a crankcase to the engine may be increased while transmission shift schedules may be advanced so as to complete the shift during the rough road condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • Patent number: 9879622
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating engine operating parameters such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) based on road roughness conditions. Based on increased road roughness estimation, EGR flow rate may be opportunistically raised, enabling NVH associated with elevated EGR levels to be masked by NVH associated with rough road conditions. In addition, purging of fuel vapors from a canister or a crankcase to the engine may be increased while transmission shift schedules may be advanced so as to complete the shift during the rough road condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • Patent number: 9879623
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions (EVAP) control system for a vehicle includes a purge pump configured to pump fuel vapor trapped in a vapor canister to an engine of the vehicle via a vapor line when engine vacuum is less than an appropriate level for delivering fuel vapor to the engine, the fuel vapor resulting from evaporation of a liquid fuel stored in a fuel tank of the engine. The EVAP control system includes a hydrocarbon (HC) sensor disposed in the vapor line and configured to measure an amount of HC in the fuel vapor pumped by the purge pump to the engine via the vapor line. The EVAP control system also includes a controller configured to, based on the measured amount of MC, control at least one of the purge pump and a purge valve to deliver a desired amount of fuel vapor to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Dekar, Roger C Sager, James J Daley, William B Blomquist, Jeffrey P Wuttke, Russell J Wakeman, Adam Fleischman, Ronald A Yannone, Jr., Luis Del Rio, Mark L Lott, Edward Baker, Michael T Vincent, Wei-Jun Yang, Aikaterini Tsahalou
  • Patent number: 9879624
    Abstract: In response to decrease of a requested torque to a reference value or smaller, a value of a virtual air-fuel ratio that is used in calculation of a target air amount for achieving the requested torque is changed from a first air-fuel ratio to a second air-fuel ratio that is leaner than the first air-fuel ratio. The target air amount is calculated backwards from the requested torque by using the virtual air-fuel ratio. After the value of the virtual air-fuel ratio is changed from the first air-fuel ratio to the second air-fuel ratio, the target air-fuel ratio is switched from the first air-fuel ratio to the second air-fuel ratio. A target EGR rate is calculated by using the virtual air-fuel ratio. The target EGR rate is preferably determined by minimum value selection between a first target value of an EGR rate that is calculated by using the virtual air-fuel ratio, and a second target value of the EGR rate that is calculated by using the target air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9879625
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinders during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combustion stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Steven Schwochert, Ken Jahr
  • Patent number: 9879626
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling condensation formation in an engine having EGR and forced induction includes a controller for determining a water vapor mass fraction of an exhaust stream based on a water vapor mass fraction of an intake stream and water vapor from combustion. An estimated condensation temperature (CT) is determined for a current EGR level based on the water vapor mass fractions and is compared to an intake stream temperature upstream of the compressor inlet. The controller commands the current EGR level as a maximum EGR level upon determining the intake stream temperature is less than the CT, and an increase in the current EGR level upon determining the intake stream temperature is greater than the CT. An air charge temperature (ACT) of the forced induction system may be controlled based on utilizing a target ACT as the CT to be controlled by a coolant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Drushan Mavalankar, Ethan E Bayer, John R Bucknell, Sangeeta Theru
  • Patent number: 9879627
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing idling torque imbalances between cylinders by actuating a common camshaft to which the cylinders are coupled. The camshaft may be adjusted within camshaft limits during each combustion event of each cylinder. In this way, idling NVH issues may be addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala
  • Patent number: 9879628
    Abstract: In a failure diagnosis device of an emission control system that utilizes an electrode-based PM sensor to diagnose a failure of a particulate filter, some embodiments may be to suppress reduction of accuracy of diagnosis of a failure due to in-cylinder rich control. The failure diagnosis device of the emission control system performs a measurement process. The measurement process includes a sensor recovery process of removing PM depositing between the electrodes of the electrode-based PM sensor, a process of starting application of the predetermined voltage to the electrodes of the PM sensor after completion of the sensor recovery process, and a process of obtaining an output value of the PM sensor after elapse of a predetermined time period since the start of application of the predetermined voltage to the electrodes of the PM sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Nishijima, Toru Kidokoro, Kazuya Takaoka
  • Patent number: 9879629
    Abstract: An object is to provide a starting diagnosis apparatus for an internal combustion engine system, capable of diagnosing an abnormal location of an internal combustion engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Chiba
  • Patent number: 9879630
    Abstract: Rationality diagnostic techniques for an intake oxygen sensor are utilized to detect sensor malfunction. A non-intrusive diagnostic technique includes passively detecting when an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve position crosses low/high position thresholds, whereas an intrusive diagnostic technique includes actively commanding the EGR valve to predetermined low/high positions. During a period after the EGR valve position reaches/crosses at least one of the low/high positions/position thresholds, respectively, maximum and minimum intake oxygen concentration is monitored. When the EGR valve position has crossed both the low/high positions/position thresholds and a difference between the maximum and minimum oxygen concentrations is less than a respective difference threshold, a malfunction of the intake oxygen sensor is detected. A malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) could be set to indicate the malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Yichao Guo, Robert Stack, Zhijian J Wu
  • Patent number: 9879631
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a sub fuel tank, a booster pump, a fuel pipe, a fuel pressure sensor and a controller. The sub fuel tank stores a fuel supplied thereto from a main fuel tank. The booster pump is disposed inside the sub fuel tank. The fuel pipe has a returnless structure and supplies the fuel with a pressure increased by the booster pump to a fuel injection device of an engine. The fuel pressure sensor detects the pressure of the fuel inside the fuel pipe. The controller is configured or programmed to perform a feedback control of the booster pump based on a value of the pressure of the fuel detected by the fuel pressure sensor such that the pressure of the fuel inside the fuel pipe becomes greater than or equal to a first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kadobayashi
  • Patent number: 9879632
    Abstract: A method of controlling the injection of fuel into cylinders of an internal combustion engine provides a method of distributing injection of fuel among cylinders of the engine so as to inject a quantity of fuel which is reliable and accurate, even when the quantity of fuel for each cylinder is close to the minimum quantity which can reliably and accurately be injected. The method may be applicable to injection of fuel for combustion in the engine or injection of fuel which is timed to be injected so as to pass through the cylinder without combusting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 9879633
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving vacuum generation for a diesel powered vehicle that includes a mechanically engine driven vacuum pump are presented. In one non-limiting example, engine idle speed may be increased in response to a number of braking events and/or a request for vacuum based on an amount of stored vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell William Ferguson, Joel John Beltramo, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9879634
    Abstract: An engine block for an internal combustion engine including a cylinder coolant channel provided with a coolant inlet conduit. The coolant inlet includes a baffle for dividing the coolant inlet conduit into two passageways both in communication with the cylinder coolant channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Lavazza, Silvio Domenico Mosso, Krzysztof Adam Fijak
  • Patent number: 9879635
    Abstract: To improve the efficiency of an axial piston engine, the invention proposes an axial piston engine with a combustion chamber which operates with two-stage combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: GETAS Gesellschaft für thermodynamische Antriebssysteme mbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Rohs
  • Patent number: 9879636
    Abstract: Systems and methods for influencing thrust of a gas turbine engine are disclosed. A system includes a plurality of pipes positioned at an exhaust nozzle of the gas turbine engine. Each one of the plurality of pipes includes: an inlet inside the exhaust nozzle; an outlet inside the exhaust nozzle; and an intermediate portion outside the exhaust nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: KING ABDULAZIZ CITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Omair M. Alhatim
  • Patent number: 9879637
    Abstract: A system and method is provided that combines fan bypass components and minimizes assembly interfaces in a turbofan engine. The system and method provide a front frame structure of reduced weight that slidably installs/removes from within the combined fan bypass components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark Knowles, Shawn Alstad, Justin C. Mickelsen, Raymond Gage, Bill Russell Watson
  • Patent number: 9879638
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide an evaporated fuel treatment device capable of performing a function diagnosis of a sealing valve with high accuracy even if an internal combustion engine is in operation. The evaporated fuel treatment device includes a sealing valve that blocks a fuel tank from the atmosphere, a canister, a canister internal pressure detection unit, a control part that performs an instruction for opening or closing the sealing valve and controls a purge, and a diagnostic part that performs a function diagnosis of an evaporated fuel sealing system including the fuel tank, the canister, and the sealing valve. The diagnostic part performs the function diagnosis of the sealing valve based on whether or not a canister internal pressure detected by the canister internal pressure sensor varies beyond a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayumu Horiba, Mahito Shikama
  • Patent number: 9879639
    Abstract: A method for an engine is presented, wherein during a first condition, pressurized gas from an engine coolant degas bottle to an ejector positioned in a vent line coupled to a fuel vapor canister; and the contents of the fuel vapor canister are purged to an engine intake. The ejector may draw atmospheric air into the fuel vapor canister, thus enabling purging of the fuel vapor canister even when an engine intake vacuum is below a threshold. In this way, boosted engines and other engines configured to operate with reduced intake vacuum may execute canister purging events that are independent of engine intake pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 9879640
    Abstract: A housing has an outer pipe. An inner pipe is accommodated in the outer pipe. The inner pipe defines an inner passage internally. The inner pipe defines an annular passage externally with the outer pipe. The inner pipe has through holes communicating the inner passage with the annular passage. The housing internally defines an EGR channel communicating with the annular passage. The EGR channel accommodates a deflector partitioning the EGR channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: DENSO International America Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jude Dahl, Tadashi Komiyama
  • Patent number: 9879641
    Abstract: A heater control apparatus of a fuel filter for a vehicle includes a heater mounted within a fuel filter; a relay for a heater power source supplying or interrupting power of a battery to or from the heater; a fuel temperature detection sensor mounted on an engine and detecting a temperature of a fuel; and an engine electronic control unit (ECU) for switching on and off the relay based on a detection signal of the fuel temperature detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chang Ho Ham, Dong Myoung Ryoo
  • Patent number: 9879642
    Abstract: In a straddle type vehicle including a body frame, a power unit supported to the body frame, and a throttle body connected to the power unit and adjusting the intake air amount, a gyro sensor for detecting behavior of the vehicle is arranged in the throttle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kato, Kazuhito Hotta
  • Patent number: 9879643
    Abstract: In a structure for mounting, on a cylinder block, a fuel pump including a fuel pump drive shaft which is rotated by receiving a driving force of a crankshaft, and a fuel pump body which is operated as the fuel pump drive shaft is rotated for pumping fuel, the cylinder block includes a flange portion, on an end portion of the cylinder block in the crankshaft direction, projecting from a surface of the end portion along the crankshaft direction in a direction orthogonal to the crankshaft direction. The flange portion includes a bearing portion which rotatably supports the fuel pump drive shaft, and a pump accommodating hole portion which accommodates the fuel pump body. The fuel pump drive shaft is rotatably supported on the bearing portion, and the fuel pump body is accommodated in the pump accommodating hole portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Shimogawa, Toru Miyamae
  • Patent number: 9879644
    Abstract: A fuel injector may include a housing, a pintle nozzle assembly and an actuation assembly. The housing may define a longitudinal bore, a high pressure fuel duct in communication with the longitudinal bore and a valve seat including a valve seat surface and an aperture. The pintle nozzle assembly may include a stem and a pintle and may be at least partially disposed within the longitudinal bore and be variably displaceable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the pintle nozzle assembly may abut the valve seat to seal the aperture. In the second position, the pintle nozzle assembly may be displaced from the valve seat to open the aperture. The actuation assembly may be coupled with the pintle nozzle assembly and operate to move the pintle nozzle assembly to a plurality of positions between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Straub
  • Patent number: 9879645
    Abstract: A fuel injector control valve assembly is provided that comprises a valve actuating mechanism, a cage member that is operatively connected to the valve actuating mechanism, a poppet valve member that is operatively connected to the cage member and that defines a perimeter and a longitudinal axis, a valve sleeve member that is disposed about the poppet valve member, a shim that includes an upper surface that at least partially makes uninterrupted contact with the cage member and a lower surface that at least partially makes uninterrupted contact with the sleeve member, thereby providing a fluid seal about the perimeter of the poppet valve member, and a bounce limiting mechanism that is adjacent the shim and that is interposed between the cage member and at least one of either the poppet valve member and the valve sleeve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Norman D. Knapp, David E. Martin, Dianqi Fang
  • Patent number: 9879646
    Abstract: A ceramic glow plug includes a ceramic heater; a tubular sleeve which holds the outer circumference of the ceramic heater with a front end portion thereof protruding from the front end of the sleeve; and a tubular housing which surrounds a rear end portion of the ceramic heater and has a mounting portion for mounting the housing. The sleeve has a small-diameter portion which is accommodated in a front end portion of the housing and has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the front end portion of the housing, and a large-diameter portion which is connected to the small-diameter portion, disposed frontward of the front end portion of the housing, and has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the front end portion of the housing. The front end portion of the housing is welded to the large-diameter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Hirata
  • Patent number: 9879647
    Abstract: An electricity generator that derives energy from a membrane undulating in a longitudinal direction. The generator having electricity generation modules carried on the membrane, each module having a fixed frame, a movable frame, a coil, and at least one permanent magnet carried by one of the frames in order to generate a voltage when the membrane undulates. The fixed frames are connected to the membrane and the movable frames are disposed at a distance from a neutral axis of the membrane so that, when the membrane undulates in the longitudinal direction, the moveable frame of each electricity generation module slides in a rectilinear movement with respect to the fixed frame so as to generate electrical voltages in the coils of each module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: EEL ENERGY
    Inventor: Jean Baptiste Drevet
  • Patent number: 9879648
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy transforming unit adapted to convert reciprocating forces into rotating axle movements on at least one force transmitting axle and/or into electrical power. The unit comprises at least one restriction device which is directly connected to the force and which is arranged to forward the incoming reciprocating forces into a movement over at least one conversion module. The energy transforming unit is characterized in that the at least one restriction device is delimiting one, by the energy transforming unit enclosed reciprocating volume which entirely or partly passes through the at least one conversion module. The reciprocating volume can comprise a non-compressible fluid arranged to forward the incoming forces into a reciprocating fluid movement over the at least one conversion module and/or the reciprocating volume can comprise at least one mechanical force transmitting arrangement adapted to the at least one conversion module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CORPOWER OCEAN AB
    Inventor: Stig Lundback
  • Patent number: 9879649
    Abstract: The present invention provides a floating offshore wind turbine capable of suppressing yawing of a nacelle caused by a gyro effect which is a cause of adverse influence of power generating efficiency of a wind turbine and endurance of devices thereof. The floating offshore wind turbine includes a rotor which is rotated by wind, a nacelle in which a rotation shaft of the rotor is accommodated, and a tower including a turning seated bearing which supports the nacelle such that the nacelle can turn with respect to a sea surface to exert a weathercock effect. The tower is provided with yawing suppressing means which suppresses yawing of the nacelle. According to this, it is possible to suppress the yawing of the nacelle generated by a gyro effect caused by yawing generated in the floating body by waves of the sea surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MARITIME, PORT AND AVIATION TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Shunji Inoue
  • Patent number: 9879650
    Abstract: A system and method for a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) is described which can provide the basis for a new and improved wind turbine design suitable for a range of different power classes such as from 4 kilowatts to 10 megawatts. A vertical blade of chord length C is attached to a central hub via a main support strut of chord length C. The main support strut comprises two sections: a blade-support-section and a counterweight-support-section. Both the blade-support-section and the counter-weight-support-section have a blunt leading edge and a tapered trailing edge with the profile reversing either side of the hub axis. Two control struts comprising aerodynamic profiles support the blade wherein one control strut connects to the upper surface of the main support strut and the other control strut connects to the lower surface of the main support strut hub. The main support strut and the control struts provide lift to the wind turbine and reduce drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventors: Philip B. Wesby, Christopher Turner
  • Patent number: 9879651
    Abstract: A vane device is adapted for use in a turbine apparatus, and includes a rotary shaft and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart vane units. The rotary shaft is rotatable in a rotational direction. The vane units are connected to the rotary shaft. Each of the vane units includes a grid frame and a plurality of spaced-apart cup members. The grid frame is connected to the rotary shaft. The cup members are arranged in an array and are connected to the grid frame. Each of the cup members has an inner surface that defines a receiving space, and an outer surface that is opposite to the inner surface and that faces toward the rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Kuo-Chang Huang
  • Patent number: 9879652
    Abstract: The invention concerns an adjusting device for adjusting the pitch angle of a rotor blade of a wind power installation including an adjusting motor for moving the rotor blade through the pitch angle, an actuating unit for actuating the adjusting motor with electric current, wherein the actuating unit is connected to an electric power supply network, and an emergency power supply device for supplying and actuating the adjusting motor with electric current in the event of a failure of the electric power supply network, wherein the emergency power supply device has an electric storage means for storing electric energy to provide the electric current for actuation of the adjusting motor and wherein the actuating unit is adapted to charge up the electric storage means of the emergency power supply device with electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Eden
  • Patent number: 9879653
    Abstract: Systems for increasing the power productivity of two bladed teetering hinge, yaw controlled wind turbines by varying rotor shaft restraining torque and yaw angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Condor Wind Energy Limited
    Inventors: Silvestro Caruso, Martin Jakubowski, Luciano Caioli
  • Patent number: 9879654
    Abstract: A method for controlling an inclination of a floating wind turbine platform comprising a generator, a set of turbine blades connected to a shaft inside a turbine nacelle, the turbine nacelle being mounted onto a tower, and at least three stabilizing columns is presented. Each of the at least three stabilizing columns have an internal volume for containing ballast. Position data associated with an orientation of the floating wind turbine is received. A heel angle in reference to the floating wind turbine platform is determined based on the position data. A first signal for adjusting at least one of a blade pitch of the set of turbine blades, and a torque of the generator is sent based on the determined heel angle. A second signal for distributing the ballast among the at least three stabilizing columns is also sent. The second signal for distributing the ballast is based on the determined heel angle and the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: PRINCIPLE POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Antoine Peiffer, Christian Cermelli, Dominique Roddier
  • Patent number: 9879655
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a top clamshell having a first contoured surface that is configured to capture at least a portion of a top surface of a wing of an airborne wind turbine (AWT). The apparatus further includes a bottom clamshell having a second contoured surface that is configured to capture at least a portion of a bottom surface of the wing. The first contoured surface and the second contoured surface are configured to restrain the wing between the top clamshell and the bottom clamshell. The top clamshell is configured to be coupled to the fuselage attachment via a fastener at an aft end of the attachment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Damon Vander Lind, Gregor Cadman
  • Patent number: 9879656
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rolling bearing arrangement (5) for mounting parts of a wind power plant (1), comprising three relatively rotatable annular elements (6-8) arranged concentrically with one another and at least regionally inside one another for connection to relatively rotatable parts of the wind power plant, wherein two relatively rotatable connecting elements (6-9) are separated from each other by a gap (9, 10) and partially or wholly overlap each other in the radial direction, wherein, further, provided in the region of a gap in radially overlapping regions of the annular connecting elements are at least two rows of rolling elements (34, 35), each of which rolls along a respective two raceways (32, 33) that overlap each other at least regionally in the radial direction, as well as at least one additional row of rolling elements (42) whose raceways do not overlap in the radial direction, wherein the radially innermost connecting element and the radially outermost connecting element are connected to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: IMO Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Schröppel
  • Patent number: 9879657
    Abstract: The present invention relates to rotor blades of devices, particularly of wind turbines, having an anti-ice coating, as well as to methods for their production and their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Michael Haupt, Christian Oehr
  • Patent number: 9879658
    Abstract: Embodiments include eyewash valves in which the temperature of the water emerging from the valve is thermostatically controlled by a wax motor which regulates the flow of hot and cold water through the valve. Embodiments include provisions for continuing water flow through the valve despite failure of the hot water supply. Embodiments also include provisions for water flow through the valve despite failure of the wax motor in the upper position or in the lower position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Acorn Engineering Company
    Inventors: James C Graves, Dejan Zivancevic
  • Patent number: 9879659
    Abstract: A skid for supporting a reciprocating pump assembly, the reciprocating pump assembly including a power end frame assembly having a pair of end plates and a plurality of middle plates disposed between the end plates. The end plates each have at least a pair of feet and the middle plates each having at least one foot. The skid includes a base and a plurality of pads extending from the base. At least a portion of the plurality of pads correspond to the end plate feet and at least another portion of the plurality of pads correspond to the at least one foot of each middle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: S.P.M. FLOW CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Chandu Kumar, Kourosh Momenkhani, Edward C. Kotapish, Jacob A. Bayyouk, John M. McCrady, Donald Keith Plemons
  • Patent number: 9879660
    Abstract: A pump moves fluid by a piston reciprocating inside a cylinder. Fluid enters the cylinder through an inlet valve that passes through the cylinder head, and has an enlarged surface inside the cylinder, which seals against the cylinder head. This valve is normally held closed by a spring. As the piston advances, fluid is forced out of the cylinder through a passage in the cylinder head and a check valve. A rod is affixed to the piston and passes through the inlet valve. As the piston retracts, the rod slides through the inlet valve, until a stop, affixed to the rod, encounters the stem of the inlet valve. The spring holding the valve closed is overcome and the valve opens as the piston and rod move farther, until the piston is in its fully retracted position. Fluid enters the cylinder until the piston again begins to advance. The stop ceases to push the inlet valve open, and the spring again holds it closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Springboard Biodiesel, LLC
    Inventor: Galen Michael Bowen
  • Patent number: 9879661
    Abstract: A vibrational fluid mover assembly having an active damping mechanism is disclosed. The vibrational fluid mover assembly includes a vibrational fluid mover having a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, a spacer element having an orifice formed therein and being positioned between the first and second plates to maintain the first and second plates in a spaced apart relationship, and an actuator element coupled to at least one of the first and second plates to selectively cause deflection thereof such that a fluid flow is generated and projected out from the orifice. The vibrational fluid mover assembly also includes an absorber system connected to the vibrational fluid mover and providing active damping to the vibrational fluid mover, with the absorber system having suspension tabs coupled to the vibrational fluid mover and spring components configured to mount the vibrational fluid mover in a suspended arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gamal Refai-Ahmed, John Anthony Vogel, Christian M. Giovanniello
  • Patent number: 9879662
    Abstract: A pump assembly and methods of use and conversion including a sealed housing, at least one in-tank, not sealed pump contained in the sealed housing, an outlet check valve inside each pump, and an over pressure relief passage formed around the pumps in the sealed housing. The pump assembly may also include a common fuel inlet, a common fuel outlet; at least two of the pumps, a compact design, a mounting bracket, a sealed electrical inlet, a pre filter, a post filter, a pressure regulator, a returnless fuel supply, a pressure regulator, a return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Holley Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Ray Weckerly, Larry Joe Tipton
  • Patent number: 9879663
    Abstract: A multi-phase pump system and method that directs incoming two-phase flow into a fixed cylinder that contains a vortical flow. The system includes a momentum-driven, vortex phase separator, the phase separator accepting liquid-gas flows at any ratio from all liquid to all gas. The pump system also includes a liquid prime mover; a gas prime mover; and a control system. The vortical flow is driven by injecting the two-phase or another fluid stream tangent or approximately tangent to the curved surface of the cylindrical chamber. Inertial forces generated within the vortical flow drive a buoyancy-driven separation process within the cylindrical chamber. Single-phase prime movers are then used to pump the separated phases to a higher pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Ellis
  • Patent number: 9879664
    Abstract: A device for controlling a compressor of vehicles may include a sensor module including a cabin temperature sensor, an outdoor temperature sensor, an evaporator temperature sensor detecting a temperature of cooling medium in an evaporator, a vehicle speed sensor, and a brake sensor, an injector, an air conditioning system including a condenser, an evaporator, the compressor, a temperature control door controlling a temperature of air flowing into a cabin, an intake door selectively distributing an inner air or an outer air into the cabin, and a blower blowing the air to the intake door, and a controller controlling the injector and the air conditioning system, wherein the controller accumulates a cold air energy by increasing an operation of the compressor if a speed-reducing condition occurs, and the air conditioning system uses the accumulated cold air energy by decreasing the operation of the compressor if a release condition occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jae Woong Kim, Chang Won Lee, Kilyong Jang
  • Patent number: 9879665
    Abstract: A portable electric inflator includes an electric air compressor, a pressure gauge, and a box for accommodating the electric air compressor and the pressure gauge. The box defines therein a generally L-shaped space for accommodating a cooling fan, a motor, a main frame with a transmission mechanism, a cylinder with a piston body, and an air storage tank of the electric air compressor. The motor defines two openings at its surrounding wall and multiple downstream through holes at its bottom wall. The main frame is provided with a peripheral wall and beveled radial braces and defines two through holes to facilitate the airflow passing through the main frame. The cooling fan can draw outside air to enter the box and smoothly flow along the generally L-shaped space to quickly dissipate the heat generated by the electric air compressor, whereby the performance and safety of the inflator can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Wen-San Chou
  • Patent number: 9879666
    Abstract: A motor-driven compressor includes a compression mechanism compressing refrigerant gas, an electric motor driving the compression mechanism, a housing made of a thermally conductive material and accommodating the compression mechanism and the electric motor and an inverter assembly controlling rotation of the electric motor. The inverter assembly includes an elastic member made of a thermally conductive material and disposed in contact with the housing, a circuit board supported directly by the elastic member, an electronic part mounted on the circuit board and a base member made of a thermally conductive material, fixed to the housing and having a closed end. The base member fixes the electronic part. The base member and the housing cooperate to form an accommodation space that accommodates the elastic member, the circuit board and the electronic part. The closed end of the base member and the elastic member forms therebetween a space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Ken Suitou, Yusuke Kinoshita, Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi