Patents Issued in April 10, 2018
  • Patent number: 9938904
    Abstract: A device and methods are provided for controlling a gas turbine engine based at least in part on real-time detection of spatially resolved temperature distributions of a turbine engine components. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting surface temperature of one or more blade elements, by an thermal probe, in a plurality of radial locations of an airfoil row to determine real-time spatially resolved surface temperature data for the one or more blade elements of the airfoil row, and controlling the engine based on the real-time spatially resolved surface temperature data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas N. Slavens, Jr., Charles W. Halderman
  • Patent number: 9938905
    Abstract: A method of controlling a supply of a fuel to a combustor of a gas turbine having a compressor upstream of the combustor is provided. The method includes: supplying the fuel to the combustor; obtaining a property value of at least one physical property (PT8, PT7, Tinlet, THBOV) of air used for burning the fuel in the combustor; estimating a heat input (HIengmodel) of the fuel supplied to the combustor based on the property value; measuring a Caloric Value (LCVmea) of the fuel upstream of the combustor; adjusting the estimated heat input (HIengmodel) based on the measured Caloric Value (LCVmea); and controlling a fuel valve regulating the supply of the fuel to the combustor based on the adjusted estimated heat input (HIexpected) and a demanded heat input (FFDEM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gareth Huw Davies, Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 9938906
    Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The method includes detecting an off-load transient of the gas turbine engine. The method includes reducing a total flow of fuel to a combustor section of the gas turbine engine to a first reduced flow in response to detecting the off-load transient. The method includes adjusting a position of an inlet guide vane in response to detecting the off-load transient until either an on-load transient is detected or until an amount of time elapsed since detection of the off-load transient exceeds a maximum override time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventor: Fabrizio Oliverio
  • Patent number: 9938907
    Abstract: A method and system to control an engine brake of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle is provided with a combustion engine having cylinders, an exhaust pressure governor (EPG) regulating the air flow out of the cylinders, an intake air throttle valve (ITV) regulating the air flow into the cylinders, pressure sensing means for sensing a pressure downstream of the cylinders, wherein an engine braking torque can be regulated in two different engine braking modes (a, b), ?a first engine braking mode (a), in which the air flow through the EPG is regulated by a closed loop control using the pressure downstream of the cylinders and the ITV is regulated in a feed forward control dependent of the engine speed and a demanded brake torque; ?a second engine braking mode (b), in which the EPG is regulated in a feed forward control dependent of the engine speed and the demanded brake torque, and the ITV regulates the braking torque by a closed loop control using the pressure downstream of the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Fabian Hellemann
  • Patent number: 9938908
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a pedal position prediction module and an engine actuator control module. The pedal position prediction module predicts a pedal position at a future time based on driver behavior and vehicle driving conditions. The pedal position includes at least one of an accelerator pedal position and a brake pedal position. The engine actuator control module controls an actuator of an engine based on the predicted pedal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shifang Li, Yue-Yun Wang, Chen-Fang Chang, Christopher E. Whitney
  • Patent number: 9938909
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an engine braking device for a combustion engine in motor vehicles, wherein the engine braking device has an intake system, an exhaust system, gas exchange valves associated with the combustion engine, exhaust turbo-charging by at least one exhaust turbocharger integrated into the exhaust system and the intake system, and an engine braking unit, wherein the engine braking unit has a decompression brake, which influences at least one outlet valve of the gas exchange valves and is dependent on the exhaust gas backpressure, and a brake flap, which is arranged in the exhaust system. To achieve a precisely controllable engine braking power in the engine braking mode, the demanded braking torque is controlled in accordance with the boost pressure of the exhaust turbocharger and with the exhaust gas backpressure upstream of the brake flap, which is arranged directly upstream of an exhaust turbine of the exhaust turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS ÖSTERREICH AG
    Inventors: Franz Rammer, Heidrun Klinger, André Kreuzriegler
  • Patent number: 9938910
    Abstract: A method for determining the composition of a fuel in a lubricant in an internal combustion engine in disclosed. The composition of a fuel having at least a first portion of a first fuel component and a second portion of a second fuel component is predefined. The mass flow with which the fuel is introduced into the lubricant in an introduction phase or discharged from the lubricant and from the housing in a discharge phase is determined. The composition of the mass flow is determined from a first mass flow of the first fuel component and a second mass flow of the second fuel component, which are determined based on a) an introduction parameter in the introduction phase or a discharge parameter in the discharge phase, and b) the first portion of the first fuel component and the second portion of the second fuel component in the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Gerhard Haft, Jan-Richard Lenk, Paul Rodatz, Sebastian Viehoever
  • Patent number: 9938911
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car having a turbocharger with a compressor and a turbine. The method includes determining a change quantity of a gas flow quantity of a gas flow through the internal combustion engine and regulating the compressor based on this change quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL MOTORS LLC
    Inventors: Joerg Bernards, Martin Miertschink
  • Patent number: 9938912
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine is configured to: calculate a target intake air amount and a target charging efficiency based on a target torque; control an opening degree of a throttle valve (6) based on the target intake air amount; calculate a target supercharger downstream pressure based on the target charging efficiency; detect a pressure on an upstream side of a supercharger; calculate a target compressor driving force based on the target intake air amount, the target supercharger downstream pressure, and the supercharger upstream pressure; and calculate a target bypass valve opening degree based on the target compressor driving force, to thereby control an opening degree of a bypass valve (12) provided to a bypass passage for bypassing the supercharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Hagari
  • Patent number: 9938913
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for purging condensate from a charge air cooler towards an intake air filter. In one example, a method may include operating a motor to rotate an engine in reverse and flowing air from the intake manifold to the atmosphere via the charge air cooler to purge condensate towards an intake air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 9938914
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operating parameters to regulate condensate formation in a charge air cooler. Based on conditions conducive to condensate formation, one or more of throttle valve position, active grille shutter opening and compressor speed may be regulated in order to decrease dew point temperature and condensation at the charge air cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Brinkmann, Bernhard Gralka, Thomas Nitsche, Christian Jolk, Helmut Hoyer, Julian Tietze
  • Patent number: 9938915
    Abstract: An engine control system and method includes sensing the quality of fuel in the engine relative to emissions, by for example sensing the level of an emission related constituent, such as sulfur. A fuel quality sensor detects a fuel quality of a fuel, such as the sulfur level the fuel, and provides a signal in response to the fuel quality. The engine control system also includes a navigation device to determine whether an engine is located in a regulated or non-regulated region. The engine control system receives the signal and controls engine operation by, for example, enabling or disabling one or more engine algorithms to improve performance of the engine based on the fuel quality signal or, in other embodiments, the combination of the fuel quality and the location of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventor: Jennifer K. Light-Holets
  • Patent number: 9938916
    Abstract: This system is used for adjusting the control parameters of an onboard electronic control device of an automotive vehicle in view of a journey or type of journey. This system includes a computation arrangement adapted to generate a set of control parameters to be used by the electronic control device and an input arrangement adapted to allow a user to provide the computation arrangement with data relating to the journey or type of journey and to at least one constraint to be considered as having priority during the journey or type of journey. In the method of the invention, one collects data with respect to the vehicle, to the journey or type of journey and to the constraint to be considered as having priority. These data are provided to the computation arrangement which generate a set of control parameters for the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Florent Giovaresco, Peter Osterberg, Mathieu Rault
  • Patent number: 9938917
    Abstract: A propulsion system controller for a vehicle that includes a prime mover operable for generating an input torque on an input shaft, and a transmission connected to the prime mover that is configured to receive the input torque from the input shaft and produce an output torque on an output shaft. The controller is programmed to generate a torque phase ratio, rationalize the generated torque phase ratio, and submit a torque request to the prime mover that is based upon a desired output torque divided by the rationalized torque phase ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald F Lochocki, Jr., Scott D Biggs, Jonathan P Kish, Mark A Schang, Ryan Z Goode
  • Patent number: 9938918
    Abstract: A method for evaluating abnormal combustion events of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle by regression calculation of a physical reference variable, in which method a recognition variable of the abnormal combustion event is calculated from a measured sensor signal. In a method with which abnormal combustion processes of the internal combustion engine can be reliably recognized and classified at all operating points, a stepwise system is used for regression calculation of the recognition variable, in which system at least one reference variable that corresponds to a measured reference variable of the sensor signal is calculated from the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Elvira Perless, Robert Sloboda, Matthias Biehl, Stefan Kempf
  • Patent number: 9938919
    Abstract: A method is provided for setting combustion parameters of an internal combustion engine operated with liquefied natural gas, the combustion parameters being sensed during operation of the internal combustion engine and being stored upon shutoff of the internal combustion engine. Also provided is a controller for carrying out the method. Provision is made that during a stoppage of the internal combustion engine, the duration of the stoppage, the ambient temperature and/or tank temperature, and the pressure in a liquefied gas tank are sensed; the influence thereof on a required adaptation of the combustion parameters that are to be set is identified from a characteristics diagram; and from the stored combustion parameters and the adaptation, initial combustion parameters are identified and are used upon startup of the internal combustion engine in order to control it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Achim Wach, Juergen Foerster
  • Patent number: 9938920
    Abstract: An electronic control unit of the present invention includes: a demand generation level that generates and outputs a demand value concerning various kinds of functions; a physical quantity mediation level that aggregates and mediates the demand value for each predetermined physical quantity; and a controlled variable setting level that sets a controlled variable of the actuator based on the mediated demand value and transmits a signal in a single direction from a higher level to a lower level. A controlled variable mediation level that aggregates and mediates demand values expressed with controlled variables of the actuators set on the controlled variable setting level and a demand value transmitted from the demand generation level not through the physical quantity mediation level, together with demand values mediated by the physical quantity mediation level is provided below the controlled variable setting level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masanao Idogawa
  • Patent number: 9938921
    Abstract: There is provided a controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine capable of correcting a detection error of a crankshaft angle with high accuracy. The controller of the internal combustion engine is provided with an angle information detection unit that detects an angle interval and a time interval with a specific crank angle sensor, an angle information correction unit that corrects the angle interval or the time interval by the correction value, an angle information calculation unit that calculates a first crank angle acceleration based on the corrected values of first interval number and calculates a second crank angle acceleration based on the corrected values of second interval number which is larger number than the first interval number, and a correction value change unit that changes the correction value so that the first crank angle acceleration approaches the second crank angle acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Hagari, Kazuhiro Tokuyama
  • Patent number: 9938922
    Abstract: A system and method for injecting fuel into an engine is provided where a low-pressure fuel pump is connected in fluid communication with at least one port fuel injector and a high-pressure fuel pump is connected in fluid communication with at least one direct fuel injector. The port fuel injector is disposed along an intake path of the engine and the direct fuel injector is disposed adjacent a cylinder of the engine. A lost motion lifter selectively couples the high-pressure fuel pump and the engine. A pump deactivation module switches the lost motion lifter to selectively deactivate the high-pressure fuel pump from the engine in response to partial load operation of the engine. The pump deactivation module may additionally switch the port fuel injector to an activated state and the direct fuel injector to a deactivated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Whitaker
  • Patent number: 9938923
    Abstract: A control system of an internal combustion engine includes a port injection valve and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: (i) obtain one of a start crank angle and an end crank angle, (ii) calculate the other of the start crank angle and the end crank angle, based on an equation for calculating a provisional injection amount of the case where the port injection valve provisionally injects the fuel with the one of the start crank angle and the end crank angle and a given crank angle range; (iii) convert a crank angle range from the start crank angle to the end crank angle, into a target energization period; and (iv) perform fuel injection by energizing the port injection valve for the target energization period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Rintarou Tachibana, Tooru Suda, Masanao Idogawa
  • Patent number: 9938924
    Abstract: A control device for a fuel injection valve includes a drive circuit that controls open/close operation of the fuel injection valve by passing an exciting current through a solenoid of the fuel injection valve and an ECU that reduces a peak current value as a fuel pressure in a delivery pipe at timing of a start of energization of the fuel injection valve decreases. The ECU reduces the peak current value as an amount of fuel discharged from a high-pressure fuel pump to the delivery pipe reduces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nakano, Eiji Murase, Rihito Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9938925
    Abstract: A cylinder liner assembly for inclusion in the cylinder bore of an internal combustion engine includes a sleeve-like cylinder liner and an anti-polishing ring to scrape combustion deposits from a piston reciprocally movable along an axis line of the cylinder liner. A fire dam may axially protrude from a first liner end of the cylinder liner and may have an obliquely angled chamfer disposed therein circumscribing the axis line. To locate the anti-polishing ring proximate to the top land of the piston when at the top dead center position, the anti-polishing ring can include a cuff header disposed at the first cuff end that is generally triangular and has an angled undercut corresponding to the obliquely angled chamfer. When mated, the chamfer and angled undercut abut against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Morgan, Shu Zhang, Thomas R. McClure, Michael R. Bochart
  • Patent number: 9938926
    Abstract: The certainty of supplying air to a scavenging channel through a piston groove is improved. In a cylinder wall 2, a gas venting port 10 is formed below and adjacent to a scavenging port 6a. The gas venting port 10 is independent from the scavenging port 6a, and is opened/closed by a piston as each of an air port 4a and the scavenging port 6a is. Upon a piston groove 8 being brought into communication with the gas venting port 10 as a result of the piston moving up (FIG. 1(II)), blown-back gas in a piston groove 8 can move to a crankcase through the gas venting port 10. Along with this, air can enter the piston groove 8 from the air port 4a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Yamabiko Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamazaki, Takamasa Otsuji, Hidekazu Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 9938927
    Abstract: A piston is used for an engine including: an ignition plug disposed in the vicinity of a central axis of a cylinder; intake and exhaust ports disposed at positions where the ignition plug is interposed therebetween; and an injector disposed at a position offset from the ignition plug toward the intake port to inject fuel sprays toward a crown surface of the piston. The piston includes: a recess formed by recessing the crown surface of the piston with respect to other portions of the crown surface, in which the recess includes a step on an outer peripheral edge over the entire circumference thereof with respect to the other portions, and a pair of lateral sides formed straightly so as to extend substantially in parallel to a straight line connecting the injector and the ignition plug when seen in a direction of the cylinder axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koki Ando, Yuichi Katakura
  • Patent number: 9938928
    Abstract: A cover has an aperture through which an accessory gains access to the interior side of the cover and a cavity. The accessory may be any kind of sensor or actuator. To secure the accessory to the cover, an adapter coupled to the cover is provided. In one example, the adapter has a cylindrical connection section that is spin welded into place in the cavity. In another example, the adapter has self-tapping threads that engage with the surface surrounding the cavity. The adapter also has tabs extending outwardly from the cover, the tabs having a proximate section and an engagement section. The accessory has a retaining orifice that couples with the tabs in a snap-fit relationship to secure the accessory to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Smith, Frank Acierno Valencia
  • Patent number: 9938929
    Abstract: A thrust reverser of a turbofan engine has a translating structure and a blocker door device capable of diverting a bypass flowpath for reversing propulsion direction. The translating structure moves axially between a forward position and a rearward position and thereby drives a compound motion of a blocker door of the blocker door device that moves between a respective stowed state and a deployed state. The compound motion is attributable through the blocker door being pivotally engaged to the translating structure, and through a multi-armed linkage of the device being pivotally engaged between a stationary structure, the blocker door and the translating structure. The linkage is further orientated such that it does not appreciably obstruct the bypass flowpath when the blocker door is in the stowed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Gormley
  • Patent number: 9938930
    Abstract: A composite wear pad for being coupled to a slider block of a convergent nozzle of a gas turbine engine includes a high heat capacity composite having a resin and a plurality of carbon fibers bonded together by the resin. The composite wear pad also includes a first rod coupled to the high heat capacity composite at a first axial end of the composite wear pad such that a first end thickness. The composite wear pad also includes a second rod coupled to the high heat capacity composite at a second axial end of the composite wear pad such that the first axial end and the second axial end of the composite wear pad each have an end thickness that is greater than a middle thickness of the composite wear pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald W. Peters, Emma J. Place
  • Patent number: 9938931
    Abstract: A surface cooler for turbomachines includes an inner layer and an outer layer disposed adjacent to the inner layer and including a metal foam, a carbon foam, or a combination thereof, wherein the metal foam, the carbon foam or a combination thereof is configured to augment heat transfer and enhance acoustic absorption. Further, the outer layer includes a plurality of fins, wherein the plurality of fins are configured to augment heat transfer and enhance acoustic absorption, and wherein the plurality of fins includes metal foam, a carbon foam, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Trevor Howard Wood, Todd Garrett Wetzel, Jonathan Glenn Luedke, Thomas Michael Tucker
  • Patent number: 9938932
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a body with an air intake path, a fuel pump and a fuel pressure regulator. The fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator are positioned on the same side of the body. A fuel pump and metering chamber diaphragm is sandwiched between the body of the carburetor and a pump body and cover. The diaphragm separates a pump chamber from a pulse chamber of the fuel pump and separates a fuel chamber from an air chamber in the fuel pressure regulator. Inlet and outlet flapper valves are part of the diaphragm or a separate flapper valve member positioned between the body and the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: ZAMA JAPAN KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: David R. Shebuski, Toshiyuki Kuyo, Takumi Nonaka, Jay A. Perry
  • Patent number: 9938933
    Abstract: A fuel system includes an air and fuel mixer configured to mix air and fuel provided to a combustion engine and a fuel path coupled to the air and fuel mixer. The fuel path includes an electronically controlled fuel control valve configured to regulate an air to fuel ratio of an air/fuel mixture provided to the engine, a gas pressure regulator disposed upstream of the fuel control valve and configured to control a pressure of the fuel in relation to an air pressure of the air and fuel mixer, and a manual adjust valve disposed downstream of the gas pressure regulator and configured to mechanically tune a performance of the fuel path to minimize an adjustment by the electronically controlled fuel control valve to regulate the air to fuel ratio. The fuel system is configured to operate with different fuels that differ in physical and chemical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Walter Sorge, Michael Thomas Roll, Jerrold Arthur Pratt
  • Patent number: 9938934
    Abstract: An fresh air/exhaust gas compact mixer and method for mixing fresh air with exhaust gases, is provided. The mixer includes a main body, an air inlet for receiving fresh air fluidly connected to an air intake passage within the main body, an exhaust gas inlet for receiving exhaust fluidly connected to an exhaust gas passage within the main body. The mixer also includes a bifurcation within the air intake passage for directing the flow of air through the passage, wherein the bifurcation decreases a cross section of the air intake passage downstream from the air inlet, thereby increasing the air velocity exiting the air intake passage. The narrowed cross section creates a localized vacuum, encouraging an increased flow of exhaust gas through the mixer, and creating superior mixing of the fresh air with the exhaust gases prior to exiting the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Ivan M. Lazich, Dean Alan Oppermann, Marton Gyuro, Francis Lackner
  • Patent number: 9938935
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an exhaust gas recirculation system. In one example, an exhaust gas recirculation cooler includes an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet spaced from the exhaust gas inlet; a plurality of cooling tubes disposed between the exhaust gas inlet and exhaust gas outlet; and a baffle positioned proximate to the exhaust gas inlet and interposed between the plurality of cooling tubes and the exhaust gas inlet, where the baffle directs exhaust gas entering the EGR cooler through the exhaust gas inlet to the plurality of cooling tubes in a defined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Paul Bailey, Eric David Peters, Ian Prechtl, Justin Lee, Jared Lossie, Uday Prakash Karmakar, Vijayaselvan Jayakar, David Wright
  • Patent number: 9938936
    Abstract: Disclosed is an EGR cooler. The EGR cooler includes: a laminated tube core formed by laminating a plurality of gas channels side by side, wherein a fin structure for improving heat transfer is inserted into the gas channels and opposite ends of the gas channels are open; a body shell including a body part, in which the laminated tube core is accommodated, and a pair of end tank parts integrally provided at opposite ends of the body part; coolant pipes connected to the body shell so as to supply coolant to a periphery of the laminated tube core and to discharge the coolant to an outside; and a pair of flanges respectively fittingly coupled to the pair of end tank parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: KORENS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 9938937
    Abstract: A separator unit of an oil mist separator comprises a front unit including a perforated plate and a plurality of holding studs extending rearward from the perforated plate, a rear unit placed behind the perforated plate and including a base plate that is to be intimately put on a rear surface of the perforated plate and has an opening sized to permit insertion of the holding studs of the front unit, a plurality of connecting studs extending rearward from the base plate and an impinge plate held by leading ends of the connecting studs, and a fiber material piece put on the impinge plate, wherein when the front unit is coupled with the rear unit having the holding studs inserted through the opening of the base plate, the fiber material piece is sandwiched between the leading ends of the holding studs and the impinge plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: MAHLE FILTER SYSTEMS JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Kobayashi, Terumoto Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 9938938
    Abstract: The invention relates to a double distributor for distributing the intake fluid of an internal combustion engine and controlling the temperature thereof, comprising a body (1) in which first and second channels for circulating said intake fluid are arranged, first (10) and second (20) shutters being positioned in said channels in order to distribute the flow passing through said channels, said distributor also including a motor (9) for actuating said shutters and kinematics simultaneously actuating the first and second shutters according to a movement law in response to an actuation of said motor, said kinematics comprising an inactive position in which said shutters are positioned when no force is supplied by said actuator motor, characterized in that said kinematics are configured such that said shutters can strictly follow said movement law when actuated by the motor from said inactive position without returning to said position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Mathieu Lallemant, Franck Girardon, Patrick Lebrasseur
  • Patent number: 9938939
    Abstract: An air flow measuring device includes a sensor assembly including a sensor portion and a sensor circuit, which are integrated with each other and configured to measure an air flow quantity. A thermistor is equipped independently from the sensor assembly and configured to measure an air temperature. The sensor circuit of the sensor assembly is equipped to a grounding end terminal in the sensor assembly. One lead wire of the thermistor is joined electrically with the grounding end terminal in the sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teruaki Kaifu
  • Patent number: 9938940
    Abstract: An intake manifold assembly has one or more shells coupled together and coupled to a cover. When the manifold cover, or other exterior surface, is rounded, the manifold does not sit stably on a flat surface when the rounded surface is placed onto the flat surface. The manifold may roll off a table and be damaged. To mitigate such situation, the rounded surface is provided with at least two standoffs extending outwardly from a surface of the cover with distal ends of the standoffs substantially lying in a common plane. The standoffs have a central axis and the standoffs extend outwardly from the surface along the central axis at least as far as any other feature of the intake manifold assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Born, John Carl Lohr
  • Patent number: 9938941
    Abstract: A connecting element for fuel injection systems is used for connecting a fuel injector to a fuel-carrying component. A connecting part is provided, which is fastened on the one side on a shoulder of the fuel-carrying component and, on the other side, on a shoulder of the fuel injector. For this purpose, the connecting part is developed at least partially as a pot spring. A fuel injection system having such a connecting element is also indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Fischer, Michael Knorpp, Martin Riemer, Hans-Georg Horst, Andreas Glaser, Philipp Rogler, Jan Herrmann, Andreas Rehwald, Michael Mayer, Volker Scheef, Wilhelm Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 9938942
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a fuel pump having a bottom inlet end configured to pick up fuel and a top discharge end configured to discharge fuel at a pressure higher than that of the inlet end. A housing defines a pressure vessel in fluid communication with the discharge end of the fuel pump. The fuel pump is secured with respect to the housing so that the pressure vessel is laterally adjacent the fuel pump and the pressure vessel and the fuel pump have overlapping heights. Exactly one check valve is positioned between the discharge end of the fuel pump and the pressure vessel, and the check valve is spaced laterally away from the discharge end of the fuel pump at an inlet to the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Mason, Hans-Peter Braun
  • Patent number: 9938943
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dispensing a liquid additive into a fuel circulation circuit (2) for an internal combustion engine, in particular for an engine equipping a vehicle, said device comprising: a tank (26) containing the additive, an enclosure (24) communicating with the fuel circulation circuit (2) and inside which the tank (26) containing the additive is inserted, means for injecting additive connected to the tank (26) and the fuel circulation circuit (2) and making it possible to dispense the additive in the fuel circulation circuit (2), and control means for controlling the injection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignees: RHODIA OPERATIONS, FILTRAUTO
    Inventors: Virginie Harle, Michael Lallemand, Thierry Seguelong, Guy Monsallier
  • Patent number: 9938944
    Abstract: A system 10 and method of operating the system 10 are disclosed. The system 10 includes a compressor 20, a combustion engine 30, and an input system 60. The compressor 20 is configured to mix and compress a liquid hydrocarbon fuel 15 and a first hydrocarbon gas fuel 17, thereby to form a liquid fuel mixture 21. The combustion engine 30 is disposed downstream of the compressor 20 and includes a dual fuel injection system 40 and a combustion chamber 50. The dual fuel injection system 40 includes a nozzle 42 that is configured to inject the liquid fuel mixture 21 into the combustion chamber 50 of the combustion engine 30. The input system 60 is fluidly connected with the combustion engine 30, and configured to inject air 62 and a second hydrocarbon gas fuel 64 into the combustion chamber 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Guillaume Becquin
  • Patent number: 9938945
    Abstract: A plunger (1) for a high-pressure fuel pump is proposed, having a housing (2) which is similar to a tube and in the drive-side annular face (3) of which two flats (5) lie diametrically opposite one another which are indented from an outer shell (4) of the housing (2) and in which a pin (7) is mounted which supports a roller, wherein an inner shell (8) of the housing (2) is penetrated axially below the roller by a separate bridge piece (9), the lower face (10) of which acts as a rest for a pump piston in the case of an output-side annular face (11) of the housing (2), wherein the bridge piece (9) is fixed against rotation about an axial line of the housing (2) and is configured as a thick-walled longitudinal beam, with the result that an area (13) in the manner of a cylindrical segment remains between the longitudinal walls (12) of said longitudinal beam and the inner shell (8) of the housing (2), wherein, in order to fix the bridge piece (9) against rotation about the axial line of the housing (2), in the cir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Dorn, Norbert Geyer
  • Patent number: 9938946
    Abstract: A fuel turbine and a throttle body in a fuel system for an internal combustion engine. The fuel turbine includes a fuel turbine housing. The at least one fuel turbine output port is oriented substantially parallel to the fuel turbine housing axis and coupled to the throttle body. A primary fan capable of circumferential rotation and a secondary fan adapted for opposite circumferential rotation are oriented substantially parallel to the fuel turbine housing axis such that atomized fuel enters the fuel turbine input port to be forced by the primary fan and secondary fan into a higher pressure condition before exiting the fuel turbine housing by the at least one fuel turbine output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: Harold J. Whistler
  • Patent number: 9938947
    Abstract: A decoupling element is described for a fuel injection device which is characterized in particular by a low-noise design. The fuel injection device includes at least one fuel injector, a receiving bore in a cylinder head for the fuel injector, and the decoupling element between a valve housing of the fuel injector and a wall of the receiving bore. The decoupling element is designed as a decoupling system having a spring ring and a conical washer. The fuel injection device is suitable for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing spark-ignition internal combustion engine in particular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Pohlmann, Michael Fischer, Andreas Glaser, Markus Friedrich, Martin Scheffel, Stefan Woerz, Martin Buehner, Thomas Gerschwitz, Anh-Tuan Hoang
  • Patent number: 9938948
    Abstract: A fluid injection assembly for a combustion engine includes an injector body having a notch, an injector cup, which radially encloses an axial end of the injector body and has a projecting part, and a spring clip arranged between the injector body and the injector cup. The spring clip includes a ground plate, at least one spring element, and at least one holding element engaging behind the projecting part of the injector cup. The ground plate is arranged in the notch of the injector body. The injector body and the injector cup are coupled together by the spring clip by mechanical interaction via the projecting part and the notch, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Giandomenico Serra, Daniel Marc, Andrea Puccini
  • Patent number: 9938949
    Abstract: A low pressure fuel pump control system of a GDI engine may include a low pressure fuel pump primarily pressurizing fuel supplied from a fuel tank, a high pressure fuel pump secondarily pressurizing fuel from the low pressure fuel pump, a low pressure fuel pump pressure sensor and a high pressure fuel pump pressure sensor detecting fuel pressure of the low pressure fuel pump and the high pressure fuel pump, and a fuel supply pressure controller setting a final target pressure of the low pressure fuel pump by correcting a reference pressure, wherein the reference pressure is corrected by a low pressure correcting pressure according to temperature of the low pressure fuel pump and a correction pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Heesup Kim, Jeong Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9938950
    Abstract: An apparatus for starting an engine, including a motor, an output shaft driven by the motor, a pinion provided along the output shaft, and an electro-magnetic solenoid device. The electro-magnetic solenoid device is configured to push the pinion axially toward a ring gear of the engine to mesh the pinion with the ring gear and transfer a rotational force, which is referred to as a motor torque, generated by energization of the motor from the pinion to the ring gear, thereby starting the engine. The apparatus is configured such that, at starting of the engine in its warmed-up state, the motor torque can continue to be applied from the pinion to the ring gear until at least the second compression stroke even when an engine speed varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tarou Okada, Mitsuhiro Murata
  • Patent number: 9938951
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media are disclosed for deterrence of ignition of a vehicle engine ignition when a fuel nozzle is in a fuel intake area. An example vehicle includes a fuel intake area, a camera, and a processor. The example processor, in response to an ignition switch being in an on-position, is to detect, via the camera, whether a fuel nozzle is in the fuel intake area. The example processor is to deter ignition of a vehicle engine when the fuel nozzle is in the fuel intake area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Muhannad Hamdan, Ahmad Maarouf, Swadad A. Carremm
  • Patent number: 9938952
    Abstract: An ignition coil for internal combustion engines is provided which includes a primary and a secondary coils magnetically coupled with each other, a case, a resistor, and a resinous filler. The case includes a case body in which the primary and secondary coils are disposed and a tubular high-voltage tower extending from the case body toward a head of the ignition coil. The resistor 3 is press-fitted into the high-voltage tower and electrically connected to the secondary coil. The resinous filler is packed in the case body to hermetically seal the primary coil and the secondary coil. The resistor includes a resinous coating which covers an outer circumference of the resistor and is press-fit in the high-voltage tower through the resinous coating. This facilitates hermetically sealing a gap between the resistor body and the case and ensures the stability of the sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsunori Akimoto
  • Patent number: 9938953
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine spark and torque control. In one example, adaptive spark control of an engine may include a modifier that adjusts the inferred fuel octane estimate and a spark adaptation based on ambient humidity. The method allows the speed-load dependent variation in octane effect of humidity to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Abdullah Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, William Charles Ruona