Patents Issued in March 1, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180058298
    Abstract: A vehicle engine is provided that includes an exhaust manifold configured to emit a first emission. A heat shield is positioned proximate the exhaust manifold and has a shield substrate defining an aperture. An indicator is positioned over the aperture with a support substrate and a semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer is configured to absorb the first emission and emit a second emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Talat Karmo
  • Publication number: 20180058299
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a door of an exhaust system of an engine. In one example, a door of an exhaust system may include an outer door pivotable around a first location and an inner door pivotable around a second location, with the inner door positioned within the outer door, and with an amount of opening of an aperture of the outer door adjustable by a position of the inner door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Timothy Baxendale
  • Publication number: 20180058300
    Abstract: An exhaust pipe assembly comprises an exhaust pipe extending along a pipe axis and a fastening panel that is mounted to the exhaust pipe. The cross-section of the fastening panel is configured in a curved manner, and two contact surfaces of the fastening panel, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, are soldered to the exhaust pipe. A support connected with the fastening panel is arranged between the two contact surfaces of the fastening panel. The fastening panel can be fastened to the exhaust pipe by the following steps: an exhaust pipe and a sheet-metal tab are provided; a soldering material is then captively fixed to the sheet-metal tab; and the sheet-metal tab is then arranged on the exhaust pipe such that the soldering material contacts the exhaust pipe to finally solder the sheet-metal tab to the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Holger Lampe, Bernhard Mayereder, Julian Raphael Olm
  • Publication number: 20180058301
    Abstract: A structure of a warm-up catalytic converter (WCC) for a high power engine may include a front cone transferring exhaust gas to a catalyst carrier, a mat supporting the catalyst carrier, and a shell surrounding the mat and being directly coupled with the front cone. An interior diameter of the front cone is equal to or longer than an exterior diameter of the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Chun-Soon JANG
  • Publication number: 20180058302
    Abstract: A repackable muffler and repackable muffler kit for all terrain vehicles (ATV), dirt bikes, motorcycles and the like are provided. The inlet end cap and exhaust of the muffler are secured using clamps therefore minimizing the time required to repack the muffler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Raymond Neill, George Jacobs, David Robert Denomme
  • Publication number: 20180058303
    Abstract: A temperature control system for an engine of a vehicle including a fan configured to generate airflow for cooling the engine. A fan motor is configured to rotate the fan at a first speed and a second speed that is greater than the first speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Sang Bae PARK
  • Publication number: 20180058304
    Abstract: An engine fluid temperature regulating system and method for an engine is provided. The system includes a bypass line configured to be connected in parallel with a heat exchanger between an inlet and an outlet thereof, as well as a flow regulator configurable to regulate a proportion of fluid flowing through the bypass line and heat exchanger, respectively, between the inlet and the outlet. A control unit may be provided to regulate the proportion of fluid flowing through the bypass line and heat exchanger, and temperature sensor may be provided to measure temperatures used to regulate the proportion of fluid flowing through the bypass line and heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Johann Christiaan VORSTER, Gavin Charles WALTERS, Walter ZOCHER
  • Publication number: 20180058305
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a prechamber assembly includes determining a width W of an original circumferential weld bead that extends around and joins a proximal end of an outer peripheral wall of a prechamber housing and a distal end of an outer peripheral wall of a body assembly, cutting through the weld bead in order to separate the prechamber housing from the body assembly, and removing material from an outer peripheral portion of a distal end portion of the body assembly. The method includes removing the material in an axial direction parallel to the central axis of the prechamber assembly for a distance that is from 2.5-3 times the width W.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Timothy S. Graham, Kegan J. Luick, Larry D. Bright
  • Publication number: 20180058306
    Abstract: Provided is a heat exchanger including a core portion configured to include an inlet header tank and an outlet header tank having a space, in which cooling water is stored and flows, formed therein and formed in a height direction, a plurality of tubes having both ends connected to the header tanks to form a cooling water channel, and fins interposed between the tubes, in which a core portion of the heater exchanger is formed to block only a part of a bypass area of a part where inlet/outlet header tanks are positioned to reduce a pressure loss of air which is a cooled fluid while minimizing a reduction in heat radiation performance of the heat exchanger and structural rigidity of the core portion is increased by a reinforcing structure formed at an outer side of the core portion to improve durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kwang Hun OH, Seok Jong YOO, Sang Min LEE, Ara JO
  • Publication number: 20180058307
    Abstract: Synergistic induction and turbocharging includes the use of one or more throttles in close proximity to each cylinder intake valve to control air flow in each intake port delivering air to combustion cylinders in an internal combustion engine system. A turbocharger may also be affixed in close proximity to each cylinder exhaust valve to enable a synergistic combination of hyper-filling cylinders with combustion air and immediate harvesting of exhaust gas by adjacent turbochargers. In some implementations the turbochargers may be low-inertia turbochargers. The combination of individual throttles per intake port and a turbocharger in close proximity to each cylinder enables faster ramp-up of an engine in the early stages of acceleration. Various implementations thus provide improved fuel economy and improved engine performance in tandem, instead of one at the expense of the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
  • Publication number: 20180058308
    Abstract: Synergistic induction and turbocharging includes the use of one or more throttles in close proximity to each cylinder intake valve to control air flow in each intake port delivering air to combustion cylinders in an internal combustion engine system. A turbocharger may also be affixed in close proximity to each cylinder exhaust valve to enable a synergistic combination of hyper-filling cylinders with combustion air and immediate harvesting of exhaust gas by adjacent turbochargers. In some implementations the turbochargers may be low-inertia turbochargers. The combination of individual throttles per intake port and a turbocharger in close proximity to each cylinder enables faster ramp-up of an engine in the early stages of acceleration. Various implementations thus provide improved fuel economy and improved engine performance in tandem, instead of one at the expense of the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Bright Acceleration Technologies LLC
    Inventors: James R. Clarke, Richard J. Fotsch, C. Thomas Sylke
  • Publication number: 20180058309
    Abstract: A compressor of a turbocharger is provided. The compression pipe of the compressor is connected to the intake pipe thereof by a return flow duct, in which an air recirculation valve is arranged for controlling the return flow of already compressed fresh air. The return flow duct opens into a groove of an intake manifold receptacle of the compressor, and at least one return flow opening adjoining the groove and facing an interior of the intake pipe is arranged on an intake manifold of the intake pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Stefan EHRMANN, Henrik FOERSTER
  • Publication number: 20180058310
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a turbocharger compressor. In one example, a system includes a turbocharger including a turbine positioned in an exhaust passage and a compressor positioned in an intake passage, an engine bypass passage having an inlet fluidically coupled to an outlet of the compressor and an outlet fluidically coupled to an inlet of the turbine, an engine bypass valve to control flow through the engine bypass passage, and a controller configured to adjust a position of the engine bypass valve to maintain compressor operation within a designated compressor efficiency region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: James Robert MISCHLER, Thomas Michael LAVERTU, Jared Davis VAUGHN, Alok KUMAR, Richard James SCOTT
  • Publication number: 20180058311
    Abstract: A turbo compound system may include a blowdown turbine disposed at an exhaust gas outlet of a turbocharger turbine, a driveline connecting the blowdown turbine to the crankshaft of the engine to transmit power, an exhaust gas distributor disposed between the turbocharger turbine, a motor auxiliary device connected to the driveline to transmit power, the motor auxiliary device generating rotational force and transmitting the rotational force to a crankshaft of the engine through the driveline to assist output of the engine, and a controller controlling operation of the exhaust gas distributor and the motor auxiliary device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dong Hyuk CHOI
  • Publication number: 20180058312
    Abstract: A fuel reformer cooler for cooling a hydrogen-containing effluent released from a fuel reformer is disclosed. The fuel reformer cooler may comprise a heat transfer wall separating an effluent conduit from a coolant conduit and permitting heat transfer from the effluent in the effluent conduit to a coolant in the coolant conduit therethrough. The heat transfer wall may be formed from a base that includes a first surface facing the coolant conduit and a second surface facing the effluent conduit. The cooler may further comprise an anti-hydrogen embrittlement layer applied to the second surface of the base to shield the base from exposure to the effluent, and a plurality of symmetrical fins each extending through the anti-hydrogen embrittlement layer and contacting the second surface of the base. The plurality of symmetrical fins may project into the effluent conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Xinqiang Xu, Liang Wang, Xinyu Ge
  • Publication number: 20180058313
    Abstract: The present utility model discloses a portable four-stroke engine, comprising: an engine body, a flywheel and an oil storage tank, wherein an air valve distribution chamber and a crank shaft chamber are arranged in the engine; a crank shaft is arranged in the crank shaft chamber, and is connected to the flywheel; the oil storage tank is arranged on the engine body, located above the flywheel, and configured to store lubricating oil; a cam and a rocker arm mechanism are arranged in the air valve distribution chamber; and the cam is configured to drive the rocker arm mechanism. The portable four-stroke engine provided by the present utility model has a small volume and therefore has better operation performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: KE CHEN, HEGUANGNAN ZHI, JIANGUO BAI, TAO JIANG
  • Publication number: 20180058314
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device and to a control method for a vehicle drive mechanism including a moving body having a movability range regulated by two stoppers, and a sensor which senses a position of the moving body. The control device of the present invention learns an output of the sensor corresponding to a contact state of a high-rigidity stopper, and limits, to a lower level, an operation variable of the actuator for moving the moving body toward a low-rigidity stopper along with an increase in an amount of change in the output of the sensor from the contact state of the high-rigidity stopper. Then, the control device learns the output of the sensor corresponding to the contact state of the low-rigidity stopper, and controls the actuator based on the output of the sensor learned at both the stopper positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Naoki OKAMOTO, Yuya SHINOZAKI
  • Publication number: 20180058315
    Abstract: A combustion chamber for an opposed-piston engine has a rotationally skewed shape in a longitudinal section that is orthogonal to a chamber centerline, between diametrically-opposed openings of the combustion chamber through which fuel is injected. The rotationally skewed shape interacts with swirl to generate a tumble bulk charge air motion structure that increases turbulence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: RISHIKESH VENUGOPAL
  • Publication number: 20180058316
    Abstract: In order to provide a vapor plant which is operable in an energy-efficient manner, has as high a degree of efficiency as possible and/or enables nitrogen oxide to be reduced without additives, the vapor plant includes the following: a gas turbine device which comprises a compressor, a combustion chamber and a turbine; a vapor device for the production of vapor and for the supply of vapor to the combustion chamber; an exhaust gas system for the removal of the exhaust gas produced in the combustion chamber; a heat exchanger by means of which the exhaust gas system on the one hand and the vapor device on the other are thermally coupled or couplable to one another; a condensing device by means of which the exhaust gas system on the one hand and the vapor device on the other are thermally coupled or couplable to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Martin Schroeter, Erhard Rieder
  • Publication number: 20180058317
    Abstract: A gas turbine injection system having a gas turbine with an inlet section, a compressor section, at least one combustor in a combustion section, and a turbine section is disclosed. Air supply piping, water supply piping, and chemical reactant supply piping is in fluid communication with the injection system. A mixing chamber is in fluid communication with at least one of the water supply piping, air supply piping, and the chemical reactant supply piping to produce a chemical mixture. Chemical mixture supply piping is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and at least one spray nozzle configured to selectively combine the chemical mixture with the air and inject an atomized chemical mixture into at least one section of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jason Brian Shaffer, Alston Ilford Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake, Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., Edwin Wu
  • Publication number: 20180058318
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for power production utilizing an ion transfer membrane (ITM) unit. An air stream and a fuel stream can be passed through the ITM unit so that the fuel is at least partially oxidized or combusted to form an outlet stream comprising CO2. The CO2 stream can be compressed and expanded to generate power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Rodney John Allam, Glenn William Brown, JR., Benjamin Hoff
  • Publication number: 20180058319
    Abstract: A pulse combustor system for operating pulse combustors in anti-phase. The pulse combustor system includes two pulse combustors connected at their combustion chambers by a connecting tube. Each of the pulse combustors has a fundamental oscillation mode and one or more additional oscillation modes when operated in isolation. The connecting tube has a length corresponding to ¼ of the fundamental oscillation mode wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventor: Daanish MAQBOOL
  • Publication number: 20180058320
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method of modulating power output of a hybrid gas turbine power plant, including a conventional (GT) gas turbine, via a fluid connection(s) allowing air injection or extraction, further including a compressed air energy storage system (CAES). Power is increased or decreased by selectively reconfiguring the GT compressor to reduce or increase its mass flow rate whilst simultaneously selectively adjusting how much air to transfer as a compensatory mass flow between the CAES and GT systems, via the fluid connection(s), temporarily minimizing any change in mass flow rate and hence operating conditions in the combustor, thereby providing improved frequency response mode wherein power is modulated to meet grid fluctuations in under ten seconds. Use of an adiabatic CAES system with a direct TES can return heat immediately and damp pressure fluctuations, and rapid bleed rates may be achieved temporarily by venting to atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Energy Technologies Institute LLP
    Inventor: James MACNAGHTEN
  • Publication number: 20180058321
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a plant control apparatus controls a power plant including a combustor configured to burn fuel to generate a combustion gas, a gas turbine driven by the combustion gas from the combustor, a heat recovery steam generator configured to use heat of an exhaust gas from the gas turbine to generate steam, and a steam turbine driven by the steam from the heat recovery steam generator. The apparatus includes a gas turbine controller configured to control an output value of the gas turbine to a second output value that is larger than a first output value and depends on atmospheric temperature and then control the output value of the gas turbine to the first output value. The apparatus further includes a steam turbine controller configured to start up the steam turbine while the output value of the gas turbine is controlled to the first output value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kumiko YOKOYAMA, Masayuki TOBO, Kazuna SAWATA
  • Publication number: 20180058322
    Abstract: An anti-icing exhaust system for an inlet of a gas turbine engine is provided. The system includes a first housing portion that at least partially defines a chamber to receive an anti-icing fluid and includes a projection. A second housing portion includes a leading edge. The system includes a support structure that couples the first housing portion to the second housing portion such that the projection of the first housing portion is spaced apart from the leading edge of the second housing portion to define a gap. The gap is in fluid communication with a manifold. The support structure defines at least one flow passage in fluid communication with the chamber and the manifold to exhaust the fluid. The system includes an insulation strip having a first end received in the gap and coupled to the leading edge; and a second end coupled to the second housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Shawn Alstad, Morris Anderson, Danis Burton Smith, Laurence David Noble Liston
  • Publication number: 20180058323
    Abstract: An air-inlet duct includes an outer wall, an inner wall, and a splitter. The splitter cooperates with the outer wall and the inner wall to establish a particle separator which separates particles entrained in an inlet flow moving through the air-inlet duct to provide a clean flow of air to a compressor section of a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Crawford F. Smith, III, Victor Oechsle, Philip Snyder
  • Publication number: 20180058324
    Abstract: The invention relates to a means (27) for controlling a system for changing the pitch of blades of a turbine engine propeller, the control means (27) comprising a fixed member (28) and a member (29) which is movable in translation along a longitudinal axis (X) relative to the fixed member (28), and an anti-rotation device (33) configured so as to prevent the rotation of the movable member (29) relative to the fixed member (28) about the axis (X). According to the invention, the anti-rotation device comprises a longitudinal structural crossmember (35) which is mounted by means of a first and a second end (36, 37) on the fixed member, and support and guide means (57) integrally in translation the movable member along the axis (X), the crossmember extending radially outside the movable member and the fixed member relative to a radial axis (Y) which is perpendicular to the axis (X) and being guided through the support and guide means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Sébastien Emile Philippe TAJAN, Eddy Keomorakott Souryavongsa, Regis Eugéne Henri Servant, Adrien Jacques Philippe Fabre, Stephane Ibarzo
  • Publication number: 20180058325
    Abstract: An oil accumulator assembly may comprise a scavenge tube including an aperture defined by a break in the scavenge tube and/or an annular cylindrical structure concentrically situated about the scavenge tube. The aperture may be configured to receive oil flowing through the scavenge tube, and the annular cylindrical structure may be configured to accumulate oil flowing through the aperture. The oil accumulator assembly may further comprise a drainage outlet disposed in the annular cylindrical structure. Oil accumulated within the annular cylindrical structure may drain through the drainage outlet in response to an engine being shut down. The oil accumulated within the annular cylindrical structure may fill a portion of the scavenge tube situated within an engine fan case to prevent coking within the scavenge tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Colin D. Craig
  • Publication number: 20180058326
    Abstract: A method of cooling a gas fueled engine driven intercooled air compressor comprises providing the intercooled air compressor, a gearbox, and the gas fueled engine. The method includes flowing a liquid coolant from a liquid coolant supply to each of the gearbox and an intercooler of the intercooled air compressor. The method comprises recombining the liquid coolant after the gearbox and the intercooler. The method includes directing the recombined liquid coolant via multiple paths to cool the gas fueled engine. The method comprises recombining the liquid coolant after the liquid coolant has passed through the multiple paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach, Peter A. Sobieski, Sergio Arias-Quintero
  • Publication number: 20180058327
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a fluid within a turbine engine. A fan casing assembly for the turbine engine can include an annular fan casing with a peripheral wall having a flow path defined through the casing. A fan casing cooler includes a body to confront the peripheral wall with at least one conduit configured to carry a flow of heated fluid to convectively cool the heated fluid with a flow of air through the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Gordon Tajiri, Michael Thomas Kenworthy, Dennis Alan McQueen, Dattu GV Jonnalagadda
  • Publication number: 20180058328
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a compressor section including a lower pressure compressor and a higher pressure compressor, and a turbine section. A core engine housing surrounds the compressor section and the turbine section. An outer intermediate housing wall defines an internal chamber between the core housing and the outer intermediate housing. A fan rotor and a fan casing surround the fan rotor to define a bypass duct between the fan case and the outer intermediate housing. A heat exchanger is mounted in the internal chamber and receives high pressure air for cooling the high pressure air and delivering the high pressure air into the core engine housing to be utilized as cooling air for a component. Air from the lower pressure compressor is utilized to cool the higher pressure air in the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Paul W. Duesler
  • Publication number: 20180058329
    Abstract: A multi-air stream cooling system is provided. The multi-air stream cooling system may comprise an inner vane support, a flow guide, and a fastened inner duct. The inner vane support may partially define a first airflow path. The flow guide may couple to the inner vane support and may partially define a second airflow path. The fastened inner duct may couple to the flow guide and may partially define a third airflow path. The inner vane support may comprise a discharge slot to allow a first airflow into a blade rim cavity. The flow guide may comprise a tangential onboard injector (TOBI) to provide a second airflow through a cover plate. The flow guide may also comprise a bypass passage configured to enable a third airflow from the third airflow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael S. Stevens, Brian C. McLaughlin
  • Publication number: 20180058330
    Abstract: A system platform includes a gas turbine engine coupled to a generator. The generator, driven by the gas turbine engine, supplies power to subsystems of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Erik A. Munevar
  • Publication number: 20180058331
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for sealing between a first stage nozzle and a plurality of aft frames includes a first inner seal and a second inner seal which are circumferentially oriented and circumferentially aligned. Each of the inner seals includes a wing extending radially inward at an oblique angle. A side seal is radially disposed between the first inner seal and the second inner seal. The side seal includes a first wing extending radially outward at an oblique angle and a second wing extending radially outward at an oblique angle, the first wing of the side seal sealingly interfaces with the wing of the first inner seal and the second wing of the side seal sealingly interfaces with the wing of the second inner seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jesse Ellis Barton, Richard Martin DiCintio, Elizabeth Angelyn Monaghan
  • Publication number: 20180058332
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine assembly comprising, a gearbox including a first housing that includes a first auxiliary gear drive on a first portion thereof, a second housing that includes a second auxiliary gear drive on a second portion thereof, and a third housing that includes a third auxiliary gear drive on a third portion thereof, the housings being interconnected so that the first portion of the first housing, the second portion of the second housing and the third portion of the third housing form a substantially triangular polyhedron shape, with the second portion of the second housing disposed between the first portion of the first housing and the third portion of the third housing. The first auxiliary gear drive, the second auxiliary gear drive and the third auxiliary gear drive project outwardly in mutually divergent directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hung Duong, Nathan Snape, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Publication number: 20180058333
    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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: David W. Foutch, Steve G. Mackin
  • Publication number: 20180058334
    Abstract: A method to adjust the back pressure applied to an exhaust of a gas turbine, the method including: exhausting hot combustion gas from the gas turbine; passing the hot combustion gas through a heat recovery steam generator; actuating an exhaust gas damper in the stream of the hot combustion gases, wherein actuation moves the exhaust gas damper to a restricted position, and while in the restricted position, the exhaust damper creates a backpressure applied to the exhaust gas, wherein the backpressure reduces an exhaust gas velocity at an exhaust of the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: George Vargese MATHAI, Alston Ilford Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake, Joseph Philip Klosinki, Larry William Swanson
  • Publication number: 20180058335
    Abstract: A system includes a controller including a memory storing instructions and a processor that executes the instructions. The instructions cause the controller to receive a first input signal of a first temperature at an inlet of a gas turbine of a gas turbine and heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) system and a second input signal of a rotational speed of the gas turbine. The instructions also cause the controller to calculate the exhaust flow rate of the gas turbine and HRSG system based on the first input signal and the second input signal. Further, the instructions cause the controller to control the gas turbine and HRSG system to isolate a fuel source at a portion of normal operating speed of the gas turbine sufficient to achieve a predetermined purging volume during coast down of air flow through the gas turbine and HRSG system based on the exhaust flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Alexander, Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., David August Snider
  • Publication number: 20180058336
    Abstract: A system platform includes a gas turbine engine coupled to a high power generator. The high power generator, driven by the gas turbine engine, supplies power to high power subsystems of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Erik A. Munevar
  • Publication number: 20180058337
    Abstract: A system includes a controller including a memory storing instructions to perform operations of a power generation system and a processor that executes the instructions. The instructions cause the controller to control purging fluid flow to an inlet of a gas turbine, an exhaust of the gas turbine, or a combustion section of the gas turbine. The instructions cause the controller to receive a first temperature at the inlet, a rotational speed of the gas turbine, and a purging fluid flow rate. The instructions cause the controller to calculate an exhaust flow rate of the system based on at least the first temperature, the rotational speed, and the purging fluid flow rate. The instructions cause the controller to control the system to isolate a fuel source from the gas turbine at a portion of normal operating speed sufficient to achieve a purging volume during coast down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Alexander, Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., David August Snider
  • Publication number: 20180058338
    Abstract: A system includes a controller including a memory storing instructions and a processor that executes the instructions. The instructions cause the controller to control a steam turbine system coupled to a power generation system to release steam during deceleration of a gas turbine. The instructions cause the controller to receive a first temperature of the gas turbine and a rotational speed of the gas turbine. The instructions cause the controller to calculate an exhaust flow rate of the power generation system based on at least the first input signal and the second input signal. The instructions cause the controller to control the power generation system to isolate a fuel source from the gas turbine at a portion of normal operating speed of the gas turbine sufficient to achieve a predetermined purging volume during coast down of air flow through the power generation system based on the exhaust flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: David August Snider, Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., Michael Joseph Alexander
  • Publication number: 20180058339
    Abstract: A system includes a controller of a power generation system including a memory storing instructions and a processor that executes the instructions. The instructions cause the controller to control the power generation system to provide inlet bleed heat flow to a gas turbine during deceleration of the gas turbine. The instructions also cause the controller to receive a first temperature, a rotational speed of the gas turbine, and an inlet bleed heat flow rate. Additionally, the instructions cause the controller to calculate an exhaust flow rate based on at least the first temperature, the rotational speed, and the inlet bleed heat flow rate. Further, the instructions cause the controller to control the power generation system to isolate a fuel source from the gas turbine at a portion of normal operating speed of the gas turbine sufficient to achieve a purging volume during coast down of the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: David August Snider, Lewis Berkley Davis, JR., Randy Scott Rosson, Michael Joseph Alexander
  • Publication number: 20180058340
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an at least partially insulated throttle valve. In one example, a system may include a throttle valve having a first side configured to contact intake air flow and a second side configure to contact exhaust gas recirculate flow, where at least a portion of the second side comprises thermally insulating materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas Kuske, Christian Winge Vigild, Franz Arnd Sommerhoff, Joerg Kemmerling, Vanco Smiljanovski, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Hanno Friederichs
  • Publication number: 20180058341
    Abstract: Methods and system are provided for a flap valve having a sealing element. In one example, a system include a front side of the flap valve having a first sealing element and a back side of the flap valve having a second sealing element, where the first sealing element and the second sealing element are located along a circumferential edge of the flap valve and spaced away from its geometric center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas Kuske, Christian Winge Vigild, Franz Arnd Sommerhoff, Joerg Kemmerling, Vanco Smiljanovski, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Hanno Friederichs
  • Publication number: 20180058342
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing defining a bore with a first axis extending along a length of the bore, and a valve shaft partially disposed within the bore along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The valve assembly additionally includes a valve plate coupled to the valve shaft and disposed within the bore, and a restricting device including a stop member and an engagement member. The stop member extends from the valve housing and presents a stop surface. The engagement member extends from the valve shaft and presents an engagement surface. At least one of the stop surface and the engagement surface is non-parallel with the second axis. The at least one non-parallel surface engages the other of the stop member and the engagement member and biases the valve shaft axially along the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Aaron Feiner, Robert Keefover, Brenda L. Horn, Petr Malik
  • Publication number: 20180058343
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block that defines a cylinder and a cylinder head mounted to the cylinder block. A reciprocating piston is arranged inside the cylinder for compressing an air and fuel mixture at a geometric compression ratio of at least 10:1. A crankshaft is arranged in the cylinder block and rotated by the piston. An intake valve is operatively connected to the cylinder head and controls delivery of air to the cylinder for combustion therein. A mechanism provides a constant peak lift of the intake valve over an angle of rotation of the crankshaft that is at least 5 degrees, i.e., an extended dwell at peak lift. A multi-stage boosting system having first and second gas compressors is selectively controlled to pressurize air that is received from the ambient for delivery to the cylinder. A vehicle having such an engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yongsheng HE, David J. CLEARY, Paul M. NAJT, Jim LIU, David SUN, Bin ZHU
  • Publication number: 20180058344
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an engine having a plurality of cylinders includes: valve stop mechanisms that switch the engine from all-cylinder operation to cylinder cut-off operation; a VVT that can change the timing to open and close valves 14 during all-cylinder operation and cylinder cut-off operation; an oil pump that supplies oil to hydraulically operated devices including the valve stop mechanisms and the VVT through a hydraulic path; and a control device. The control device controls a maintaining oil pressure, which is required to maintain the operated state of the valve stop mechanisms during cylinder cut-off operation, so that the maintaining oil pressure is set to a high value in a high oil viscosity region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki NISHIMOTO, Masanori HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180058345
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes providing a vehicle having an internal combustion gasoline engine including multiple cylinders and wherein the engine is capable of running on at least one of a plurality firing fractions, providing a vacuum offset (Offsetvac) to adjust airflow capacity for each of the plurality of firing fractions, determining a torque capacity of each of the plurality firing fractions and a plurality of available firing fractions that provides at least enough torque capacity to accommodate a current torque requested (Treq), determining a plurality of viable firing fractions of the plurality of available firing fractions, and determining and implementing an optimal firing fraction of the viable firing fractions if the optimal firing fraction provides enough fuel economy benefit over a current firing fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Allen B. Rayl, Donovan L. Dibble, Darrell W. Burleigh, Steven J. Haase
  • Publication number: 20180058346
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine in a variety of different cylinder operating modes are presented. In one example, an actual total number of available cylinder modes is increased in response to a vehicle's suspension setting and road roughness. By increasing the available cylinder modes, the engine may be operated in a higher number of modes where one or more engine cylinders may be deactivated to conserve fuel. The number of cylinder modes is increased during conditions where vehicle occupants may be less likely to object to operating the engine with fewer active cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards, Robert Michael Grant, Steven Lin, Matthew Gerow
  • Publication number: 20180058347
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes cylinders that may be deactivated are presented. In one example, intake and exhaust valves of a cylinder may be operated according to valve operation for a conventional four stroke cycle. The same valves may be operated differently during a four stroke cycle to provide air charge and exhaust charge to active cylinders during a different four stroke cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang