Patents Issued in March 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 9915145
    Abstract: A downhole system usable with a well string is provided that can include a first resonator positioned on the well string. The system can also include a second resonator positioned to couple with the first resonator by an evanescent field. The second resonator can include a load. Further, the system can include a metamaterial positioned between the first resonator and the second resonator for amplifying or extending a range of the evanescent field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Neal Gregory Skinner, Etienne Samson
  • Patent number: 9915146
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to a fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus with a primary seal assembly, back up seal assembly and pressure compensation device. The pressure compensation device comprises a membrane support and a longitudinally extending membrane system. The membrane support has a longitudinally extending bore therethrough for receiving a driveshaft of the fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus. The longitudinally extending membrane system comprising a longitudinally extending outer membrane sleeve and a longitudinally extending inner membrane sleeve with the inner membrane sleeve positioned inside the outer membrane sleeve. The membrane system is sealed to the membrane support to allow flexing of the membrane system in response to fluid pressure on either an inner longitudinal surface of the membrane system or an outer longitudinal surface of the membrane system and to prevent fluid on the inner longitudinal surface mixing with fluid on the outer longitudinal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, David A. Switzer
  • Patent number: 9915147
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring the compressibility (K) of a fluid circulated by a positive displacement pump that comprises: a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure P of a fluid confined in a fluid module of the pump; a position sensor for sensing the position X, of a piston in the fluid module and a control unit communicating with the pressure sensor and the position sensor adapted to: log the pressure (P) and piston position (X) substantially synchronously; using (X), calculate the volume (V) of the confined fluid in the fluid module; and using (P) and (V), calculate the compressibility (K).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco Norway AS
    Inventors: Age Kyllingstad, Arne Austefjord
  • Patent number: 9915148
    Abstract: A pick for mineral winning includes an elongate shank configured to be positioned into a cavity of a holder. A profile is defined on an outside surface of the shaft which includes a first surface formed into the profile and disposed to receive a leveraging device to enable a first forced translational movement of the shaft relative to the holder, and a second surface formed into the profile and disposed to receive the leveraging device to enable a second forced translational movement of the shaft relative to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ESCO Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Alexander Cheyne, Jack Charles Rickey
  • Patent number: 9915149
    Abstract: A turbofan engine has a fan portion in fluid communication with a core stream and a bypass stream of air separated by splitters disposed both upstream and downstream of the fan portion. A fluid passage is defined between the splitters. The turbofan engine has a plurality of high pressure fluid jets originating from the low pressure side of the fan blades, the jets restricting the migration of the core stream into the bypass stream through the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Edward C. Rice
  • Patent number: 9915150
    Abstract: A turbine blade for a turbomachine having a turbine blade wall and a fluid channel having inlet channel section on the end region leading to the cold side, outlet channel section on the end region leading to the hot side, and central channel section therebetween having a circular cross-section constant along the length. The turbine blade forms an acute angle with the surface of the turbine blade wall over which hot gas flows, and has an intermediate channel section between the inlet and central channel sections, the intermediate channel section having a larger cross-sectional area than the central channel section. The central channel section connects to the intermediate channel section forming a shoulder surface formed on a wall region of the fluid channel and, on the opposing wall region, the intermediate and central channel sections merge with one another in a linear manner with a reduced shoulder height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Dahlke, Tilman Auf dem Kampe, Marc Fraas
  • Patent number: 9915151
    Abstract: An airfoil may be provided that includes a CMC body and a support piece. The CMC body has an inner surface that defines a chamber within the CMC body. The support piece may be positioned within the chamber of the CMC body. The support piece comprises a channel in a surface of the support piece, the surface being in contact with the inner surface of the CMC body. The channel and the inner surface of the CMC body define a passageway for a cooling fluid. The passageway may wind about the circumference of the CMC body and extend along the span of the airfoil. Outlets may be positioned through the CMC body allowing fluid communication between the passageway and the outer surface of the CMC body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: John Alan Weaver, Okey Kwon
  • Patent number: 9915152
    Abstract: A turbine wheel (4) having a hub (29); a multiplicity of turbine wheel blades (30) arranged around the hub (29); a turbine wheel back wall (31) which is arranged on the hub (29) adjacent to an edge region (32) of the turbine wheel blades (30); wherein the wall thickness (W) of the turbine wheel (4) back wall is reduced in regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Igor Koenig
  • Patent number: 9915153
    Abstract: A shroud segment assembly for use within a turbine shroud of a gas turbine engine may generally include a forward shroud portion having a forward outer arm and a forward inner arm extending from a forward wall and an aft shroud portion having an aft outer arm and an aft inner arm extending from an aft wall. Additionally, the shroud segment assembly may include a first expansion joint positioned between the forward and aft shroud portions such that the first expansion joint extends circumferentially between the forward outer arm of the forward shroud portion and the aft outer arm of the aft shroud portion and a second expansion joint positioned between the forward and aft shroud portions such that the second expansion joint extends circumferentially between the forward inner arm of the forward shroud portion and the aft outer arm of the aft shroud portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Alexander Martin Sener
  • Patent number: 9915154
    Abstract: A Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) airfoil segment for a gas turbine engine includes a box-shape fiber geometry which defines a rectilinear pressure side bond line and a rectilinear suction side bond line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas M. Berczik, Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Alvanos Ioannis, Christopher M. Dye
  • Patent number: 9915155
    Abstract: A rotor blade arrangement (20), especially for a gas turbine, which can be fastened on a blade carrier (19) and includes in each case a blade aerofoil element (10) and a platform element (14), wherein the platform elements (14) of a blade row form a continuous inner shroud. With such a blade arrangement, a mechanical decoupling, which extends the service life, is achieved by the blade aerofoil element (10) and the platform element (14) being formed as separate elements and by being able to be fastened in each case separately on the blade carrier (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Herbert Brandl, Hans-Peter Bossmann, Philipp Indlekofer
  • Patent number: 9915156
    Abstract: An annular stator assembly includes a plurality of stator segments. Each stator segment includes a plurality of laminates having magnetic permeable properties; a plurality of thermally conductive laminates positioned between the permeable laminates; and a cooling pipe extending through the laminates for transferring heat from the laminates to coolant flowing through the cooling pipe. The stator segments are constructed independently. Coils are wound on each segment. The stator segments with the wound coils are subsequently arranged to form the annular stator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin B. Jones, Stuart A. Jones, Andrew I. Nehring
  • Patent number: 9915157
    Abstract: A flow straightening vane made of composite materials includes a core made up of three-dimensional woven textile rods which core is surrounded by a textile covering, this core and this covering being consolidated using a thermoset resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Arnaud Oudin, Bertrand Desjoyeaux, Nicolas Dezeustre, Olivier Kerbler
  • Patent number: 9915158
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vane arrangement with a vane carrier, an array of rocking first stage vanes, and an array of frame segments for axially receiving aft ends of a combustor transition pieces. The frame segments comprise an I-beam with an upper horizontal element, a lower horizontal element, a vertical web, a radially outer fixation to the vane carrier, and an arm extending from the lower horizontal element in axial direction below the inner rim segment for supporting the inner platform of the vane and for sealing a gap between the inner platform and the lower horizontal element. Besides the vane arrangement the disclosure relates to a method for assembly of such an arrangement as well as to a gas turbine comprising such a vane arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Frank Graf, Hans-Christian Mathews, Fabien Fleuriot, Urs Benz
  • Patent number: 9915159
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly is provided which is, in part, formed of a low coefficient of thermal expansion material. The assembly includes a nozzle fairing formed of the low coefficient of thermal expansion material and includes a metallic strut extending radially through the nozzle fairing. Load is transferred from the nozzle fairing to a static structure in either of two ways: first, the strut may receive the load directly and/or second, load may be transferred from the nozzle fairing to at least one of the inner and outer support rings. Further, the nozzle fairing and strut may allow for internal airflow for cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Scott Huizenga, Christopher Charles Glynn, Darrell Glenn Senile, Robert Alan Frederick, Michael Todd Radwanski, Michael Ray Tuertscher, Greg Scott Phelps
  • Patent number: 9915160
    Abstract: A steam turbine gland seal arrangement prevents leakage of steam from around a turbine rotor. The gland seal arrangement includes a chamber formed in a gland carrier attached to a casing component and a heat shield that partitions the chamber from the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Frederic Santais, Laurent Asset
  • Patent number: 9915161
    Abstract: A process gas compressor/gas turbine section including a process gas compressor and a gas turbine which is coupled to the shaft of the process gas compressor in order to drive said compressor is provided. The process gas compressor is designed to compress combustible process gas and is equipped to seal the process gas compressor inner chamber from the atmosphere using a shaft seal which can be sealed with a seal gas and which has at least one leakage line. The leakage line can conduct leakage gas away from the shaft seal and is connected to the air inlet of the gas turbine such that the leakage gas together with the inlet air at the air inlet can be conducted into the gas turbine during the operation of the process gas compressor/gas turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Henk Blekkenhorst
  • Patent number: 9915162
    Abstract: An active clearance control system for a gas turbine engine includes an intersegment seal engaged with each pair of a multiple of air seal segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Duguay
  • Patent number: 9915163
    Abstract: A blade outer air seal (BOAS) assembly is provided. The BOAS assembly may comprise an outer case, a first support arm, a second support arm, a control rod, a blade outer air seal (BOAS), and a unison ring. The unison ring may be located radially inward of the outer case and in mechanical communication with the control rod. The BOAS may be configured to expand or contract in response to a rotation of the control rod. The first support arm may be fixed to the outer case. The second support arm may be fixed to the outer case. The control rod may be coupled to the first support arm and the second support arm, wherein the control rod may be configured to rotate about a control rod axis. The BOAS may comprise a first segment and a second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael G. McCaffrey
  • Patent number: 9915164
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a fan rotor, a lower speed compressor rotor and a higher speed compressor rotor, and a lower speed turbine rotor and a higher speed turbine rotor. The lower speed turbine rotor rotates the lower speed compressor rotor, and rotates a gear reduction to, in turn, rotate the fan rotor. The higher speed turbine rotor rotates the higher speed compressor rotor. An electrical generator is driven to rotate with one of the lower speed turbine rotor and the fan rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Roberge
  • Patent number: 9915165
    Abstract: An environmental control system includes a higher pressure tap at a higher pressure location in the main compressor section, and a lower pressure tap at a lower pressure location. The lower pressure location being at a lower pressure than the higher pressure location. The lower pressure tap communicates to a first passage leading to a downstream outlet and a compressor section of a turbocompressor. The higher pressure tap leads into a turbine section of the turbocompressor such that air in the higher pressure tap drives the turbine section to in turn drive the compressor section of the turbocompressor. A pylon includes a lowermost surface and the higher pressure tap does not extend above a plane including the lowermost surface. A combined outlet of the compressor section and the turbine section of the turbocompressor intermixes and passes downstream to be delivered to an aircraft use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Patent number: 9915166
    Abstract: A gas turbine includes an intake tract and a compressor having a compressor flow channel. The compressor further includes an inlet guide vane row positioned in the compressor flow channel having inlet guide vanes that can be adjusted. The gas turbine has an icing sensor unit having at least one sensor arranged between a first compressor blade row and a first compressor guide vane row. The first compressor blade row is thereby arranged in the compressor flow channel directly downstream of the inlet guide vane row, and the first compressor guide vane row is arranged directly downstream of the first compressor blade row. A method detects an imminent icing of the compressor, and the compressor is safeguarded therefrom such that at least inlet guide vanes of the inlet guide vane row are adjusted such that the acceleration of an intake air mass flow is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Engler, Markus Gorynski, Manuel Gutermuth, Philipp Kreutzer, Marco Link, Nicolas Savilius, Kai Suselbeck, Marc Tertilt
  • Patent number: 9915167
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining that a sensor, such as a pressure sensor, that provides feedback on one or more conditions of a gas turbine is deficient are provided. The amplitude of measurements from the sensor may be monitored in different frequency ranges in order to detect certain abnormal conditions of the gas turbine that require attention by the control system in one frequency range, and also, concurrently and/or separately, detect a sensor deficiency in another frequency range prior to actual failure of the sensor, at which time the failure may otherwise be noticeable in the first frequency range. This permits better detection of deficient sensors during operation of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Sumit Soni, John Thomas Cutright, Nicolas Demougeot
  • Patent number: 9915168
    Abstract: A turbofan engine has a fan having a circumferential array of fan blades. A fan case encircles the fan. There is at least one compressor section, a combustor, and at least one turbine section. The fan case comprises a containment case and a cartridge liner carried therein. A ballistic liner encircles at least a portion of the cartridge liner and is attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, Jr., Steven Clarkson
  • Patent number: 9915169
    Abstract: An end-wall component of the mainstream gas annulus of a gas turbine engine having an annular arrangement of vanes, the component including a cooling arrangement having ballistic cooling holes (33) through which, in use, dilution cooling air is jetted into the mainstream gas upstream of the vanes to reduce the mainstream gas temperature adjacent the end-wall, wherein the cooling holes are arranged in one or more circumferentially extending rows and wherein the axial position of the cooling holes in the or each row varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Ian Tibbott, Dougal Richard Jackson
  • Patent number: 9915170
    Abstract: A spoke for a mid-turbine frame on a gas turbine engine includes a cylindrical portion. A flange is attached to the cylindrical portion. At least one gusset extends between the cylindrical portion and the flange. At least one gusset extends to a perimeter of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua Daniel Winn, Alexander Broulidakis, Anthony P. Cherolis
  • Patent number: 9915171
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine includes an outer frame case and an inner frame case. At least one spoke connects the outer frame case to the inner frame case. The spoke includes a cooling airflow passage that extends in a radial direction and an axial direction, an elongated cylindrical portion, and a flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua Daniel Winn, Anthony P. Cherolis
  • Patent number: 9915172
    Abstract: A turbocharger is provided that includes a turbine, a compressor and a bearing housing disposed and connected between the turbine and the compressor. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the bearing housing and extending into the turbine and the compressor. A bearing arrangement is disposed between the shaft and the bearing housing and includes a inner bearing race element and an outer bearing race element. The compressor wheel includes a hub having a collar portion with a bore therein for receiving an end of the shaft. An end portion of the inner bearing race element is arranged to engage an outer circumferential surface of the collar portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Annati, Thomas J. Williams, Mark Suchezky
  • Patent number: 9915173
    Abstract: A support, for example for a turboshaft engine, or for at least one bearing for a hot section of a turboshaft engine. The support includes at least a central hub incorporating an outer bearing seat for directly receiving the bearing, an annular casing segment around the central hub, and a plurality of radial arms connecting the central hub to the casing segment. The radial arms are inclined in an axial direction and in a tangential direction and are integrated as a single piece with the central hub and with the annular casing segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TURBOMECA
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Perronnet, Jean-Luc Breining, Manuel Silva
  • Patent number: 9915174
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided. The bearing assembly may include an inner race configured to couple to a shaft, an outer race disposed around the inner race, a bearing support structure coupled to the outer race, and a housing disposed around the bearing support structure. The housing and the bearing support structure may define a squeeze-film damper annulus configured to receive an aerated damping fluid. The aerated damping fluid may be provided from a fluid pump and an air supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert J. Morris, Gregory M. Savela, Daniel L. Gysling, Richard A. Lomenzo
  • Patent number: 9915175
    Abstract: A system is provided associated with an engine of an aircraft. The system includes a ring, a runner and at least one radially-oriented hole associated with the runner that is configured to supply oil to an interface between the runner and the ring. The at least one hole is contained within an axial projection of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Miller, M Rifat Ullah
  • Patent number: 9915176
    Abstract: A shroud assembly for a turbine engine includes a shroud having a front side confronting the blades of a turbine and a back side opposite the front side, a hanger configured to couple the shroud to with casing of the turbine, a cooling conduit extending through the hanger to supply a cooling fluid stream to the back side of the shroud, and a particle separator having a through passage forming part of the cooling conduit and a scavenge conduit branching from the through passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Carl Murray, Gregory Michael Laskowski, Corey Bourassa, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Curtis Walton Stover
  • Patent number: 9915177
    Abstract: System (2) for carrying out a gas based thermodynamic cycle in which a gas is compressed in at least one compressor (8) in one part of the cycle and is expanded in at least one expander (10) operating simultaneously in an upstream or downstream part of the cycle, wherein the change in absolute internal power with gas mass flow rate differs as between the compressor and the expander and wherein the system comprises a control system configured to make selective adjustments so as individually to control, either directly or indirectly, the respective gas mass flow rates through each of the compressor and expander. The system may be an energy storage system including a pumped heat energy storage system configured to provide independent graduated control of system pressure and output power by selective adjustment of the respective gas mass flow rates through each half-engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES INSTITUTE LLP
    Inventors: Jonathan Sebastian Howes, James Macnaghten, Rowland Geoffrey Hunt
  • Patent number: 9915178
    Abstract: A method of real-time optimization for a Combined Cooling, Heating and Power system, including determining a first operation sequence of a plurality of chillers and at least one thermal energy storage tank in the system over a time period (410) and determining a second operation sequence of the plurality of chillers and at least one thermal energy storage tank in the system over the time period by using the first operation sequence as input to a greedy algorithm (420).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Sun, Amit Chakraborty
  • Patent number: 9915179
    Abstract: A transient liquid pressure power generation system and associated devices and methods is disclosed. The system can include a liquid source and a transient pressure drive device fluidly coupled to the liquid source to receive liquid from the liquid source. The transient pressure drive device can include a drive component, and a transient wave or pressure producing element to cause a high pressure transient wave in the liquid traveling toward the liquid source to operate the drive component. Additionally, the system can include a heat source fluidly coupled to the transient pressure drive device and the liquid source to receive liquid from the transient pressure drive device and heat liquid returning to the liquid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Ronald Kurt Christensen
  • Patent number: 9915180
    Abstract: A novel latch seat for a switching rocker arm assembly used in variable valve actuation (VVA) systems for internal combustion engines. The seat is formed interactively in the assembled switching rocker arm using a novel fixture and press. The press interactively creates a curved dimple of the correct curvature, position and depth while measuring several lash dimensions. Since the latch seat is formed on the assembled rocker arm assembly, the latch seat depth is designed to account for the inaccuracies in the rocker arm assembly parts which create lash. Therefore all of the parts may be made with less precision since the latch seat is sized to compensate for the inaccuracies of all of the parts. The rocker arm assembly parts now may be manufactured to less stringent standards, but result in a rocker arm assembly with same accuracy of rocker arm assemblies manufactured to previous standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony L. Spoor, James R. Sheren
  • Patent number: 9915181
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a multi-link crankshaft drive with a plurality of coupling elements rotatably mounted on crankpins of a crankshaft and a plurality of articulated connecting rods rotatably mounted on crankpins of an eccentric shaft, wherein each of the coupling elements is pivotally connected to a piston connecting rod of a piston of the internal combustion engine and to one of the articulated connecting rods. A balance shaft, which is driven by a crankshaft via a phase adjuster, is provided in order to at least partially attenuate second-order inertia forces occurring in the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Matthias Brendel
  • Patent number: 9915182
    Abstract: A continuous variable valve duration apparatus may include a camshaft, a first cam portion and a second cam portion of which a cam is formed thereto respectively, of which the camshaft is inserted thereto, of which relative phase angles with respect to the camshaft are variable, and the first and second cam portions disposed on one cylinder and the next cylinder respectively, a first inner bracket and a second inner bracket transmitting rotation of the camshaft to the first and second cam portions respectively, a slider housing of which the first and second inner brackets are rotatably inserted thereto and of which relative position with respect to the camshaft is variable and a control portion selectively changing the relative position of the slider housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: You Sang Son, Kyoung Pyo Ha, Back Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 9915183
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system (100) for an engine (101), comprises a fluid supply (104); two or more evaporators (120, 121) adapted to receive waste heat from an engine (101); a valve module (114) including an inlet port (115) in fluid communication with the fluid supply (104), a first outlet port (116) in fluid communication with a first evaporator (120) of the two or more evaporators (120, 121), and a second outlet port (117) in fluid communication with a second evaporator (121) of the two or more evaporators (120, 21), the module being adapted to selectively provide a fluid communication path between the fluid supply (104) and one or more of the two or more evaporators (120, 21). A fluid control module (200, 400) for a waste heat recovery system (100) with a 10 working fluid is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Norgren Limited
    Inventors: Mark Edward Byers Sealy, John Michael Morris, Christopher Edward Narborough, Patrick Williams
  • Patent number: 9915184
    Abstract: A waste heat exchanger may include an inner tube, an outer tube, a fin assembly and a plurality of heat electric modules The inner tube has a plurality of holes. Disposed inside the inner tube is a plurality of inlet channels and a plurality of outlet channels. The plurality of inlet channels and the plurality of outlet channels are disposed to correspond to each other. The plurality of inlet channels and the plurality of outlet channels are connected to the plurality of holes. A fluid flows through the plurality of inlets and the plurality of holes to get into the outlet channels. The outer tube is disposed outside the inner tube. The conductive assembly is positioned between the inner tube and the outer tube. The conductive assembly is disposed on an outside surface of the inner tube and an inside surface of the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wei-Kuo Han, Chun-Kai Liu
  • Patent number: 9915185
    Abstract: An injector mounting assembly for supporting an injector is described. The injector mounting assembly includes an upstream wall and a downstream wall coupled to the upstream wall. The injector mounting assembly further includes a thermoelectric cooler coupled to at least one of the upstream wall and the downstream wall. The thermoelectric cooler is disposed in thermal contact with the injector and configured to exchange heat with the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew M. Denis
  • Patent number: 9915186
    Abstract: An engine having an after-treatment system for reducing emissions from an exhaust stream includes an intake manifold and a plurality of cylinders coupled to the intake manifold. The plurality of cylinders includes a first set of cylinders and a second set of cylinders. Further, the engine includes a first exhaust manifold coupled to the first set of cylinders and a second exhaust manifold coupled to the second set of cylinders. The engine further includes an after-treatment system coupled to the first exhaust manifold. The first exhaust manifold further includes an end portion disposed downstream relative to the after-treatment system. The end portion of the first exhaust manifold is coupled to a first portion of the second exhaust manifold via a pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Michael Lavertu
  • Patent number: 9915187
    Abstract: A device for cooling a drive apparatus, of a motor vehicle, including a cooling apparatus through which air can flow in a throughflow direction, a redirection apparatus and a ventilator apparatus. The device includes a bypass apparatus located such that air heated by the cooling apparatus or the drive apparatus which is flowing in the direction of the cooling apparatus is at least partially induced into the bypass apparatus and prevented from reaching the cooling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: MAN Truck & Bus AG
    Inventors: Maximilian L. Ganis, Roland Kopp
  • Patent number: 9915188
    Abstract: An opposed-piston engine system equipped for full hybrid compressed-air/combustion includes capacity for storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation. The hybrid opposed-piston engine system includes a control mechanization for operating the opposed-piston engine in a combustion mode by provision of fuel, in a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air, and in a combustion mode supplemented by provision of stored compressed air. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle equipped with an opposed-piston engine includes storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation and operating in the vehicle a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: John J. Koszewnik
  • Patent number: 9915189
    Abstract: The disclosure describes multipoint ignition systems for an engine and methods of operation of the same. The systems and methods can include an engine, including an engine block having at least one cylinder bore, a piston having a piston crown facing a flame deck surface such that a combustion main chamber is defined within a cylinder bore and located between the piston crown and the flame deck surface, the piston crown further including a piston bowl having a generally concave shape, and a combustion pre-chamber having a nozzle tip disposed in fluid communication with the combustion main chamber, the nozzle tip having at least one nozzle opening configured to inject a fuel jet into the combustion main chamber, wherein the piston includes a piston wall located around a circumference of the piston bowl, the piston wall including at least one cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jaswinder Singh
  • Patent number: 9915190
    Abstract: A ducted combustion system is disclosed. The ducted combustion system may include a combustion chamber, which is defined as an enclosure bound at a first end by a flame deck surface of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and bound at a second end by a piston top surface of a piston disposed within the internal combustion engine. The system may further include a fuel injector, having at least one orifice, injecting fuel into the combustion chamber as at least one fuel jet. The system may further include at least one Venturi duct disposed within the combustion chamber between the flame deck surface and the piston top surface, the at least one Venturi duct being disposed such that each of the at least one fuel jet, at least partially, enters the at least one Venturi duct structure upon being injected into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Koci
  • Patent number: 9915191
    Abstract: An intake manifold is provided that controls swirl on entry to a combustion chamber. Each intake manifold includes a fin or rib portion positioned to reduce or eliminate swirl induced by the configuration of the intake manifold, particularly when used in a large engine having a left bank and a right bank of combustion chambers. By controlling swirl induced by the intake manifold, swirl consistency is improved between engine cylinders and between the left bank and the right bank, improving the consistency of power output and reducing emissions, particularly particulate emissions, also called smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Free, Jason Robert Griffin, Alex Edward Priestley, Stephen Sunadh Gidla, Peter Vinson Woon, Joseph Scot Roederer
  • Patent number: 9915192
    Abstract: A power conversion device in the form of a compressor drive constitutes a three channel power sharing transmission which allows power input and/or output from shafts on two of the channels along with hydraulic, electric or potentially pneumatic power input and/or output from the third channel. Varying the input and/or output of hydraulic, electric or pneumatic flow provides a continuously variable transmission function. Several embodiments of the power conversion device are described to drive a supercharger for an internal combustion engine providing a variable ratio coupling allowing effective use of a centrifugal type compressor across a broad range of operational engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Buschur
  • Patent number: 9915193
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine (10) that has at least one cylinder row (11a, 11b) with first and second exhaust-gas turbochargers (13a, 13b; 14a, 14b). Charge air is provided by the first exhaust-gas turbocharger (13a, 13b) in single-charger operation, but is provided by the first and second exhaust-gas turbocharger (13a, 13b; 14a, 14b) in two-charger operation. To switch from single-charger to two-charger operation above a load threshold value of the internal combustion engine (10), when a speed of the internal combustion engine (10) reaches or overshoots a threshold value, a charge pressure is increased to build up a torque reserve and a charge pressure reserve and to maintain a driver demand torque. When the charge pressure reaches or overshoots a threshold value, a switch is made from single-charger operation to two-charger operation, and subsequently, the torque reserve and the charge pressure reserve are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Andre Casal Kulzer, Thorben Walder, Ludwig Theilemann, Michael Reinhardt, Michael Ebert
  • Patent number: 9915194
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine with variable displacement engine (VDE) operation coupled to a twin scroll turbocharger. One method comprises directing exhaust from a first outer cylinder and a first inner cylinder of four cylinders to a first scroll of the twin scroll turbocharger, directing exhaust from a second outer cylinder and a second inner cylinder of the four cylinders to a second scroll of the twin scroll turbocharger, and during a first condition, firing all four cylinders with uneven firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Gregory Patrick McConville, Kim Hwe Ku, James Douglas Ervin