Patents Issued in March 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 9915195
    Abstract: Exhaust gas from a first outlet port (5) of a cylinder (3) of a combustion engine (2) can flow through the first turbocharger (7), and exhaust gas from a second outlet port (6) of the cylinder (3) can flow through the second turbocharger (17). A first connecting duct (28) can supply the second turbine (19) with exhaust gas from the first turbine (9). The first connecting duct (28) is connected to a first bypass duct (29) that issues into a tailpipe line (32) downstream of the second turbine (19) to bypass the second turbine (19). The first bypass duct (29) has a second control valve (44) that can block the first bypass duct (29). The first connecting duct (28) has a first control valve (43) that can block the first connecting duct (28) to prevent exhaust gas from flowing through the first turbine (9) to the second turbine (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Werner Verdoorn
  • Patent number: 9915196
    Abstract: A control arrangement (1) of an exhaust-gas turbocharger (2), having a bearing bushing (3); having a control shaft (4) which is connected at a first end (5) to a connecting lever (6) and which is guided in the bearing bushing (3); and having a connecting piece (7) which is arranged on the connecting lever (6). The connecting piece (7) is arranged on a lever surface (8), which faces toward the bearing bushing (3), of the connecting lever (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Keller
  • Patent number: 9915197
    Abstract: A method of setting actuator position of a variable geometry turbine linked to drive a compressor for a compression ignition engine using exhaust gas recirculation. The method includes detecting an engine transient event; determining current mass air flow through the compressor and exhaust temperature; resetting variable geometry turbine position to maximize mass air flow through the compressor; adding the maximum allowable quantity of fuel; determining exhaust temperature increase; adjusting exhaust pressure to allow an increase in mass air flow and exhaust temperature; and returning to the resetting step until a limit is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC.
    Inventors: Luis C. Cattani, Michael Uchanski, Rogelio Rodriguez, James R. Cigler, Jeremy G. Schipper, Jer Sheng Chen, Dileep Khadilkar, Shree C. Kanchanavally, John R. Zagone, Daniel Cornelius
  • Patent number: 9915198
    Abstract: A belt pulley arrangement for a belt drive to drive auxiliary units of a motor vehicle, having a belt pulley for introducing a torque that can be provided via a flexible drive means, an output shaft for driving an auxiliary unit, in particular a cooling water pump, and an electric machine for the transmission of torque between the belt pulley and the output shaft, wherein the electric machine has a rotor connected to the belt pulley and a stator connected to the output shaft. As a result of the power flow between the belt pulley and the output shaft, which can be influenced by the electric machine, it is not necessary to design the auxiliary unit that is attached via the output shaft for the least beneficial operating point, so that the auxiliary unit can be dimensioned smaller and a reduction in the installation space for motor vehicle components, in particular the installation space for auxiliary units of a motor vehicle that can be driven via the belt drive, is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co., KG
    Inventors: Oliver Dippold, Vladimir Baranov, Ralf Wagner, Bernd Hartmann, Laszlo Man
  • Patent number: 9915199
    Abstract: A fan rotor has a hub, and a plurality of axial flow fan blades extending radially outwardly of the hub. A radial compressor impeller is positioned radially inwardly of the fan blades. The radial compressor impeller has an upstream inlet which extends generally in an axial direction defined by an axis of rotation of the hub. The radial flow compressor impeller has an outlet that extends radially outwardly of the inlet, and into a supply passage for supplying air to a core engine. An engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Sohail Mohammed
  • Patent number: 9915200
    Abstract: A system includes a fuel control system configured to control a fuel flow to one or more combustors and an oxidant control system configured to control an oxidant flow to each combustor of the one or more combustors, wherein the oxidant flow is configured to at least partially react with the fuel flow within the one or more combustors to form an exhaust gas flow. The system also includes an exhaust gas system configured to direct a recirculation flow of the exhaust gas flow to each combustor of the one or more combustors; and a controller coupled to the fuel control system, the oxidant control system, and the exhaust gas system. The controller is configured to independently control a fuel-to-oxidant ratio and an exhaust gas-to-oxidant ratio. The FOR is the fuel flow divided by the oxidant flow, and the EGOR is the recirculation flow divided by the oxidant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY
    Inventors: Karl Dean Minto, Ilya Aleksandrovich Slobodyanskiy, Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., John Joseph Lipinski
  • Patent number: 9915201
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes a bypass passage that in some embodiments are capable of being configured to act as a resonance space. The resonance space can be used to attenuate/accentuate/etc a noise produced elsewhere. The bypass passage can be configured in a number of ways to form the resonance space. For example, the space can have any variety of geometries, configurations, etc. In one non-limiting form the resonance space can attenuate a noise forward of the bypass duct. In another non-limiting form the resonance space can attenuate a noise aft of the bypass duct. Any number of variations is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Abraham Karam, Craig Heathco, Andrew Eifert
  • Patent number: 9915202
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a gas turbine engine and a heat transfer system. The gas turbine engine includes an inlet particle separator that separates inlet air into scavenge air and clean air. A scavenge air path conveys the scavenge air from the inlet particle separator to the heat transfer system. A heat exchange fluid path conveys a heat exchange fluid to the heat transfer system and a cooled heat exchange fluid away from the heat transfer system. The heat transfer system is configured to transfer heat from the heat exchange fluid path to the scavenge air path to cool the heat exchange fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Donovan, Daniel J. Vonderwell, Craig Heathco
  • Patent number: 9915203
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The lubrication system is configured to provide pressurized air and lubricant to a bearing sump of the gas turbine engine to cool and lubricate a bearing included in the bearing sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Kerry J. Lighty, Larry A. Junod
  • Patent number: 9915204
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for distributing cooling air in gas turbine engines. A tangential on board injector (“TOBI”) may supply cooling air to a turbine section of a gas turbine engine. The cooling air may be split into a first cooling air path and a second cooling air path. The first cooling air path may fluidly connect the TOBI and the interior of a first stage rotor blade. The second cooling air path may fluidly connect the TOBI and a cavity. The cavity may be located between a first disk and a second disk. The cooling air paths from a single cooling air source may thermally isolate portions of the turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, James D. Hill
  • Patent number: 9915205
    Abstract: A substitution device for replacing a turbojet type of aircraft engine, with a nacelle comprising protective covers, and a support mast having two engine mounts, each of said protective covers being mounted to pivot between an open position and a closed position, said substitution device comprising a body, two anchors attaching to the engine mounts of the engine support mast, and bearing portions adapted to receive support portions belonging to the protective covers. A method for installing such a substitution device in a nacelle, which makes it possible to close the engine covers and authorize the movement of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
    Inventors: Stéphane Garric, Philippe Vigneau
  • Patent number: 9915206
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a fluid based engineering system are disclosed. The systems and methods may include a model processor for generating a model output, the model processor including a set state module for setting dynamic states of the model processor, the dynamic states input to an open loop model based on the model operating mode. The model processor may further include an estimate state module for determining an estimated state of the model based on a prior state model output and the current state model of the open loop model the estimate state module using online linearization and gain calculation to determine estimator gain for determining the estimated state of the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Boris Karpman, Richard P. Meisner, Manuj Dhingra
  • Patent number: 9915207
    Abstract: An ignition unit for a turbojet engine, including: an electrical power supply, a single control channel to receive a control signal from a computer, a main sparkplug ignition channel to energize at least one main sparkplug of a main combustion chamber, and an afterburner sparkplug ignition channel to energize at least one afterburner sparkplug of an afterburner chamber. The ignition unit is configured, in response to pulsed controls on the single control channel, to selectively activate the main sparkplug ignition channel or the afterburner sparkplug ignition channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Christian Schaeffer, David Gino Stifanic, Bertrand Boedot
  • Patent number: 9915208
    Abstract: A flap device for an internal combustion engine includes a flow housing comprising a flow channel, an actuating shaft, a flap body arranged on the actuating shaft in the flow channel, a bore comprising a shoulder arranged in the flow housing, a bearing bush arranged in the bore, a closure bush, a slide ring comprising a slide ring inner portion, and a sealing element surrounding the actuating shaft. The actuating shaft is mounted in the bearing bush. The sealing element comprises a membrane with a membrane inner portion and a membrane outer portion. The membrane outer portion is clamped axially between the closure bush and the shoulder to form a contact surface on the bore of the flow housing. The membrane inner portion rests against the slide ring inner portion to form a mating surface which is arranged closer to the flow channel than to the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: PIERBURG GMBH
    Inventors: Axel Hemsing, Karsten Voigtlaender, Uwe Krawinkel
  • Patent number: 9915209
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine and a method for maximizing fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block assembly having an electromagnet coupled thereto and an engine component movable relative to the engine block assembly. The engine component includes a permanent magnet coupled thereto. A control system is provided to selectively provide an electrical current to the electromagnet to produce a desired magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field of the electromagnet cooperates with a magnetic field of the permanent magnet to affect a motion of the engine component in respect of the engine block assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Douglas A. Pelmear
  • Patent number: 9915210
    Abstract: An illustrative example method of controlling an engine of a vehicle, includes determining a target pressure curve for a cylinder of the engine, determining a heat release model for the cylinder, determining a mass flow of fuel from the heat release model to achieve the target pressure curve, and automatically controlling opening of an injector of the cylinder of the engine to provide the determined mass flow of fuel to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Christian Jörg, Thorsten Schnorbus, Ben Neaves, Daniel Neumann, Kiran Bandila, Simon Jarvis
  • Patent number: 9915211
    Abstract: The present invention provides an abnormality diagnosis device and an abnormality diagnosis method for a supercharger. In the abnormality diagnosis processing performed by an electronic control unit, a determination of having an abnormality of a turbo charger is made according to the fact that an actual supercharging pressure becomes equal to above the upper-limit supercharging pressure for preventing the over-speed rotation of the turbo charger. The throttle opening is reduced while the output torque of the internal combustion engine is decreased; on the other hand, the actual supercharging pressure is to be decreased by decreasing the rotation speed of the turbo charger. The electronic control unit prohibits the execution of the abnormality determination processing during the reduction of the throttle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Machiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9915212
    Abstract: A control system is provided for use with an engine. The control system may have a plurality of fuel valves, at least one sensor, a starter motor, and a controller in communication with the plurality of fuel valves, the at least one sensor, and the starter motor. The controller may be configured to set at least a first of the plurality of fuel valves to a first admission setting, to set at least a second of the plurality of fuel valves to a second admission setting different from the first admission setting, and to cause the starter motor to crank the engine. The controller may also be configured to determine, based on the signal, which one of the first and second admission settings results in combustion initiation during cranking, and to responsively set all of the plurality of fuel valves to the one of the first and second admission settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas Allen Burger, Robert Jay Maxson
  • Patent number: 9915213
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide an engine with improved startability and stable operation regardless of the driving environment and usage conditions. The engine is equipped with a control means, which calculates a standard injection timing on the basis of the target rotational frequency of the engine and a standard injection amount, that is, the amount of fuel injected, and which corrects the standard injection timing using at least one correction amount. A fuel injection control unit calculates a cooling water correction amount on the basis of the target rotational frequency of the engine, the standard injection amount, and the cooling water temperature, and when the cooling water temperature is less than a first prescribed temperature the control unit corrects the standard injection timing using only the cooling water correction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuhito Iwase, Tomohiro Otani, Yasuaki Oku, Yuki Fujimoto, Tomohiro Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9915214
    Abstract: Method for controlling speed surge of an internal combustion engine of a moving vehicle during a ratio change of a manual gearbox, the vehicle including an engine control unit with a transient progressive torque reduction phase activated when the driver requests zero torque or when the foot is raised, the engine control unit: detects the raised foot and activates the transient progressive torque reduction phase; records engine speed and determines the gearbox ratio engaged when the foot is raised; determines, a maximum permissible engine speed (Nmax) which is greater than the recorded speed (Nlvp) of the raised foot, in accordance with the engine speed recorded and the engaged gearbox ratio; monitors the current speed (Nc) so that if Nc>Nmax, a stop is initiated with immediate effect of the transient progressive torque reduction phase, an if Nc?Nmax, the transient progressive torque reduction phase is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Dominique Crenne
  • Patent number: 9915215
    Abstract: A fuel injection system is provided. The fuel injection system can have a fuel injector having a check valve with a plurality of fuel output ports, and a fuel injector body with an outer surface and an inner surface. The fuel injector body defines an inner volume to accommodate bi-directional movement of the check valve. The fuel injector body includes at least a first row of injection ports and a second row of injection ports extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. The check valve is bi-directionally controllable in the inner volume, during a single cycle, to output from the fuel injector body any one of a plurality of predefined pulse injection patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bobby John
  • Patent number: 9915216
    Abstract: A method for ascertaining the absolute fuel injection quantity of the injectors of an internal combustion engine including a cylinder number, the average absolute total injection quantity of the injectors being ascertained based on a run-up test in which all cylinders of the engine are active, recorded measurement data, and a predetermined engine-specific factor which is proportional to the moment of inertia of the engine when all cylinders are active, and the measurement data being essentially suited for describing the chronological progression of the engine speed during the run-up test, in particular a reached maximum engine speed, a first rate of change of the engine speed during the run-up with active injection, a second rate of change of the engine speed with inactive injection, and an idling speed of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Horn
  • Patent number: 9915217
    Abstract: A method of deriving the health of a first cylinder in a reciprocating device includes receiving a first signal from a first knock sensor in proximity to the first cylinder, receiving a second signal from a second knock sensor in proximity to a second cylinder, processing the first signal and the second signal, and deriving the health of the first cylinder by determining whether the first signal is coherent with the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Jacob Bizub, Brett Alexander Matthews, Iyad Batal
  • Patent number: 9915218
    Abstract: A learning method for controlling opening or closing of an intake/exhaust valve of a vehicle may include a state determining step determining whether a vehicle state satisfies a learning entry condition, a learning frequency determining step determining whether a learning frequency is less than a preset reference frequency after the vehicle starts, when the vehicle state satisfies the learning entry condition, a change learning step learning an area of an inflow passage of the intake/exhaust valve that is changed due to a deposition of impurities, when the learning frequency while driving is less than the preset reference frequency after the vehicle starts, and an escape condition determining step determining whether the vehicle state satisfies a learning escape condition, after the learning step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hwa-Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 9915219
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an engine. In one example, a system may include a hollow cone-shaped injector and a control unit to control the injector. The control unit may detect the position of an inlet valve and trigger the injection process, wherein the injector may be configured to spray fuel out of an inlet duct, through an annular gap, and into the combustion chamber of an engine in an injection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Oliver Berkemeier, Helmut Hans Ruhland, Robin Ivo Lawther
  • Patent number: 9915220
    Abstract: A sliding assembly for utilization in an internal combustion engine may include at least one piston ring and a cylinder head provided with a through cavity defining an internal surface. The internal surface may define a TDC portion in a proximity of a top dead center, a central portion, and a BDC portion in a proximity of bottom dead center. The TDC portion, central portion, and BDC portion may present surface finishes having a first roughness, a second roughness, and a third roughness, respectively, each defined by a structure of recesses and projections, at least one of which may be substantially uniform. The second roughness may be less than the first roughness value. The piston ring may present at least part of a contact surface upon which a ceramic coating may be applied by a physical vapor deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: Mahle Metal Leve S/A, Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Antonio E. Meirelles Tomanik
  • Patent number: 9915221
    Abstract: A combustion system for use with one or more cylinder bores of an internal combustion engine includes at least one cylinder head defining first and second intake ports in fluid communication with the one or more cylinder bores. A flap is adjustably connected to the at least one cylinder head. The flap includes a first flap portion cooperating with the first intake port extending from an arm and a second flap portion cooperating with the second intake port extending from the arm and disposed adjacent the first flap portion. A controller in electrical communication with an actuator monitors the condition of the engine and actuates the flap to position the first and second flap portions between first and second positions to create a first combustion condition and a second combustion condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David P. Sczomak, Robert J. Gallon, Arun S. Solomon
  • Patent number: 9915222
    Abstract: A diesel engine includes a cylinder block having a cylinder cavity defined therein. A cylinder head is coupled to the cylinder block and includes a lower semi-hemispherical surface defined thereon that defines an upper boundary of a combustion chamber. The engine includes a piston slideably disposed within the cylinder cavity that includes a piston crown having an upper surface configured to define a first portion of a lower boundary of the combustion chamber. The upper surface of the piston crown includes an axi-symmetric semi-hemispherical shape configured to correspond to the lower semi-hemispherical surface of the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Mackey, David M. Barnes
  • Patent number: 9915223
    Abstract: A method of constructing a piston, piston formed thereby, and piston body portions are provided. The method includes providing an upper crown portion at least one annular upper rib depending from the upper combustion wall to a free end having a tapered peak. The method further includes providing a lower crown portion having at least one annular lower rib extending to a free end having a tapered peak. Then, moving the upper crown portion and the lower crown portion toward one another and initiating contact between the upper crown portion and the lower crown portion at their respective tapered peaks. Then, continuing moving the upper crown and the lower crown further toward one another after making initial contact at their respective tapered peaks and forming a friction weld joint between the free ends of the at least one upper rib and the at least one lower rib free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul LLC
    Inventor: Carmo Ribeiro
  • Patent number: 9915224
    Abstract: An engine testing system comprises a rotary absorber that provides a variable resistance to an engine under test and heats coolant from a cold reservoir. A hot reservoir coupled to rotary absorber stores the heated coolant for later (or concurrent) use. Moreover, an organic Rankine cycle turbine-generator device is coupled to the hot reservoir, which converts heat from heated coolant into electrical power. A conditioning system is coupled to the organic Rankine cycle turbine-generator device that cools the coolant for storage in the cold reservoir. The available captured waste energy may be augmented with waste energy that is also available during engine testing. The additional waste energy may be in the form of exhaust gases, thrust, heat from engine coolant systems, residual engine heat, radiant or convective waste heat, friction etc. Variations of the above system may replace the primary energy re-capture from other than a rotary absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SYMBRIUM, INC.
    Inventor: G. Wesley Blankenship
  • Patent number: 9915225
    Abstract: A method of designing an engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, designing an engine and a nacelle assembly together in an interactive process, the engine including a turbine section configured to drive a fan section and a compressor section. The step of designing the compressor section includes the step of designing a first compressor and a second compressor, with an overall pressure ratio being greater than or equal to about 35. The step of designing the nacelle assembly includes the step of designing the fan section to include a fan nacelle arranged at least partially about a fan, with the fan section having a fan pressure ratio of less than about 1.7. The step of designing the fan section includes configuring the fan section to deliver a portion of air into the compressor section, and a portion of air into a bypass duct, and with a bypass ratio equal to or greater than about 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Eckett, Gabriel L. Suciu
  • Patent number: 9915226
    Abstract: A thrust reverser of an aircraft comprises a blocker door and a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) panel configured to conceal the blocker door from a duct associated with a bypass fan flow when the VAFN panel is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Gormley
  • Patent number: 9915227
    Abstract: A discharge system of a separated twin-flow turbojet for an aircraft, supported by a suspension mast, is disclosed. The system includes a main nozzle delimited by an annular cowl with a slot of annular shape defining upstream and downstream portions of the cowl and which is traversed by the suspension mast. The downstream portion of the cowl of the main nozzle includes a first part extending downstream from the upstream portion of the cowl to a trailing edge of the main nozzle, on either side of the suspension mast along two predefined angular sectors; and a second part formed from an internal contour of the slot and having a trailing edge with a diameter smaller than that of the trailing edge associated with the first part of the downstream portion of the cowl. Connecting walls laterally connect the first and second parts of the downstream portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Matthieu Leyko, Jean Bertucchi, Arthur Droit
  • Patent number: 9915228
    Abstract: A seal assembly for an exhaust duct section of a gas turbine engine includes a multiple of springs that axially extend from a split hoop opposite a seal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Peters, Daniel R. Bowers
  • Patent number: 9915229
    Abstract: A bypass duct has a support unit comprising a pair of aerofoils arranged as an “A” frame. A bleed duct assembly is provided on the radially inner wall of the bypass duct annulus and the aerofoils project from the surface and extend across the annulus between the inner wall and an outer wall of the annulus. The aerofoils lean at an acute angle to the surface with the first flank facing toward the inner wall and adjoining a bleed duct opening. The bleed duct having a bleed duct passage and a submerged scoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Predrag Todorovic
  • Patent number: 9915230
    Abstract: An engine system is provided that includes a cylinder, an exhaust flow part, a purifying system, a water injector for injecting supercritical/subcritical water into the cylinder, a water supply passage connected with the water injector and for supplying the water, a first temperature increasing device disposed at a position of the exhaust flow part and for increasing a water temperature, and a second temperature increasing device including a part of the exhaust flow part and a part of the water supply passage, and for increasing a water temperature. The first device increases the water temperature when an exhaust gas temperature passing through the position of the exhaust flow part exceeds a reference temperature. The second device increases the water temperature when an exhaust gas temperature passing through the part of the exhaust flow part is above a water temperature passing the part of the water supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Fujimoto, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Keiji Araki
  • Patent number: 9915231
    Abstract: A method for vaporizing fuel is provided. The method comprises heating the fuel in a cylinder of an engine via radiation to vaporize the fuel without ignition. In this way, the fuel may be heated to increase vaporization efficiency prior to ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 9915232
    Abstract: A volumetric expander for increasing the air intake between a throttle body and an intake manifold includes a throttle body neck, a manifold adapter, and a throttle body adapter. The manifold adapter and the throttle body adapter are positioned opposite each other along a intake tube of the throttle body neck, wherein a first air channel traversing along the intake tube is aligned with a first intake opening of both the manifold adapter and the throttle body adapter. Additionally, a second air channel is aligned with a second intake opening of both the manifold adapter and the throttle body adapter. A manifold gasket is positioned into the manifold adapter and creates an air tight seal between the manifold adapter and the intake manifold, while a throttle body gasket is positioned into the throttle body adapter and creates an air tight seal between the throttle body adapter and the throttle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Lao Khang
  • Patent number: 9915233
    Abstract: The compressor of a forced induction device is provided in the intake passage of an internal combustion engine. An introduction passage for introducing purge gas into the intake passage is connected to the intake passage. A bent portion is provided at a position of the intake passage that is upstream of the compressor. The curvature of the bent portion in the direction in which the intake passage extends is greater than the curvatures of the portions of the intake passage that are located upstream and downstream of the bent portion. The introduction passage is connected to a part of the bent portion that is on the inner side of the bending direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Fernando Dilshan
  • Patent number: 9915234
    Abstract: A valve structure includes a retention element, a first valve body, and a second valve body. The retention element is mounted to and is retained in a lower portion of a stored object. The stored object includes a pump device that pumps fuel from the fuel tank into the sub tank through a pumping passage that communicates an inside of the sub tank with an outside of the sub tank. The stored object is inserted from an upper portion of the sub tank and housed inside the sub tank. The first valve body is integrally formed with the retention element and extends from the retention element. The first valve body is located at a natural inlet open on the bottom portion of the sub tank. The second valve body is integrally formed with the retention element and extends from the retention element. The second valve body is located on the pumping passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: KYOSAN DENKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Ishitoya, Akinari Sugiyama, Yutaka Niwa
  • Patent number: 9915235
    Abstract: Low-reactivity fuel such as gasoline is provided to a diesel engine cylinder sufficiently early in the injection stroke that it will be premixed. High reactivity fuel such as diesel fuel is then injected during the compression stroke, preferably around 40-60° before Top Dead Center (TDC), to provide a stratified distribution of fuel reactivity within the cylinder, one which provides ignition (the start of main heat release) at or near TDC, preferably at 0-10° prior to TDC. At that time, the low-reactivity fuel is again injected and burns in a diffusion-controlled manner owing to its lower reactivity, thereby providing greater power output (and thus increased load) with little or no increase in peak heat release rate (PHRR) and combustion noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rolf Deneys Reitz, Martin Wissink
  • Patent number: 9915236
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a fuel system component with an attachment bracket includes an upper isolation member; an upper isolation member retainer which captures the upper isolation member axially between the upper isolation member and the attachment bracket; a lower isolation member; a lower isolation member retainer which captures the lower isolation member axially between the lower isolation member the attachment bracket; and a retention member extending from the lower isolation member and having a retention member first end and a retention member second end such that the retention member first end is fixed to the lower isolation member retainer and such that the upper isolation member retainer is captured axially between the attachment bracket and the retention member second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
    Inventor: Raul A. Bircann
  • Patent number: 9915237
    Abstract: A system for starting an engine is disclosed herein. The system includes a combination valve to control compressed fluid flow and lubricant flow to an air starter. The combination valve includes a housing having a shuttle valve and a lubricator valve disposed therein. The shuttle valve controls a compressed fluid flow and the lubricator valve controls a lubricant flow to the air starter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Borkowski
  • Patent number: 9915238
    Abstract: A starter battery pack with a start button included as part of the starter battery pack is shown and described. The starter battery pack includes a start button that, when the starter battery pack is received within a receptacle of outdoor power equipment, such as a lawn tractor, allows the starter battery pack to provide power to a starting circuit of the power equipment. The battery pack is selectively rechargeable and preferably is a type of battery, such as lithium ion, that can be repeatedly discharged and recharged without affecting battery life. When the starter battery pack is received within the receptacle, activation of the start button provides current and voltage from the starter battery pack to an electric starter motor, which initiates operation of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Zeiler, Robert John Koenen
  • Patent number: 9915239
    Abstract: A vehicle starter assembly includes a switching circuit configured to operate in a charging state and a discharging state, and a first energy storage device and a second energy storage device electrically connected to the switching circuit. The first energy storage device and the second energy storage device are connected in parallel to one another in the charging state and in series with one another in the discharging state. The processor is programmed to detect an engine start request and output a switch control signal that toggles the switching circuit between the charging state and the discharging state to start an internal combustion engine of a host vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hasdi R. Hashim, Arnold Kweku Mensah-Brown, Bruce Carvell Blakemore, Mark Douglas Malone
  • Patent number: 9915240
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting and mitigating automatic ignition in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The method includes providing a first sensor for sensing and determining a crank angle of a crankshaft of the engine. A second sensor is provided for detecting a change in an engine vibration frequency caused by Auto Ignition (AI). The engine vibration signal of the second sensor is processed into a knock intensity signal. The knock intensity signal is indicative of the cylinder pressure and is acquired when the crank angle is between a first predetermined crank angle and a second predetermined crank angle. At least one characteristic of the knock intensity signal is determined and the at least one characteristic of the knock intensity signal is compared to at least one predetermined characteristic threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Craig M. Sawdon, Eric B. Ferch, Kathryn W. McMillan
  • Patent number: 9915241
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a seal assembly that includes a compressible seal slidably mounted on a central longitudinal shaft of a rotor assembly, the seal having a first lateral surface adapted for contacting a first end surface of a first stator and a first end surface of the second stator and a first end surface of a first longitudinal vane and a first end surface of a second longitudinal vane, a compression member slidably mounted on the shaft, and a locking piston slidably mounted on the shaft, the locking piston including an opening sized to receive the shaft, an end surface adapted to contact the compression member, a circumferential surface sized to be received in the bore of the housing, and a lateral surface adapted to receive actuation fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Kim, Robert P. O'Hara, Shahbaz H. Hydari
  • Patent number: 9915242
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and method that generally relate to the capture of wind energy by small wind turbines mounted on buildings with gabled roofs. Wind energy harnessing system for gabled roof buildings having a roof ridge including a low silhouette visually appealing enclosure mounted along the roof ridge of a building and extending down both sides of the roof forming the ridge. The enclosure includes airflow guides defined by columns extending down a length of both sides of the building roof forming sidewalk and a roof formed of pivoting louvers above the columns. A paddle-wheel type wind turbine consists of a multiple-bladed cylindrical shaft that contacts the wind and provides rotational work mounted within the enclosure and a generator connected to the wind turbine for converting the rotational work from the wind turbine to electrical energy. The enclosure for the wind turbine functions to capture wind and directs the airflow via the airflow guides before it reaches the ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TURBOROOF LLC
    Inventor: Raymond E. Paggi
  • Patent number: 9915243
    Abstract: A system for automatic generation control in a wind farm is provided. The system includes a wind farm controller for controlling the plurality of energy storage elements. The wind farm controller receives an automatic generation control set point from an independent system operator, generates a farm-level storage power set point for the wind farm based on the automatic generation control set point, generates individual storage power set points for the plurality of energy storage elements based on states of charge of the respective energy storage elements, and controls the plurality of energy storage elements based on the individual storage power set points for dispatching storage power to perform automatic generation control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Deepak Raj Sagi, Mark Edward Cardinal, Avijit Saha, Rajni Kant Burra, Govardhan Ganireddy
  • Patent number: 9915244
    Abstract: A method of operating a wind power plant, with at least one wind turbine generator connected to an electrical grid is provided. The method includes monitoring a frequency parameter and comparing it with a frequency set point, as to select a low or high frequency event and determining a power reference to the a least one wind turbine generator, based on the frequency parameter. In case a high frequency event is detected, the power reference is determined as a minimum of a selection of at least a first and a second minimum power reference. And in case a low frequency event is detected, the power reference is determined as a maximum of a selection of at least a first and a second maximum power reference, dispatching the power reference to the at least one wind turbine generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Germán Claudio Tarnowski