Patents Issued in June 12, 2018
  • Patent number: 9995163
    Abstract: A seal sub-assembly may comprise a spacer, at least one secondary seal, and a secondary seal cover. At least a portion of the at least one secondary seal are located axially between the spacer and the secondary seal cover. The spacer is attached to the secondary seal cover. The spacer may comprise a first flange and a second flange. The at least one secondary seal may be located axially in line with and radially inward from the first flange. At least a portion of the secondary seal cover may be located axially in line with and radially inward from the second flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Conway Chuong, Ross Wilson, Joey Wong, Christpher J. Peters
  • Patent number: 9995164
    Abstract: Provided is a rotating fluid machine capable of holding down a decrease rate of a circumferential velocity of a leakage fluid in an interspatial flow passage and thereby controlling an unstable fluid force. A steam turbine includes: an interspatial flow passage 15 formed between an outer circumferential surface of a rotor blade cover 6 and an inner circumferential surface of a grooved section 14 in a casing 1; annular sealing fins 17A to 17D spatially arranged in a direction of a rotor axis, at a side of the rotor blade cover 6 in the interspatial flow passage 15; and a friction enhancement portion (more specifically, rough surfaces 19A to 19E) disposed over the whole circumference on the side of the rotor blade cover 6 in the interspatial flow passage 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyo Nishijima, Akira Endo, Kazuyuki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9995165
    Abstract: A blade outer air seal member includes a distinct body that has two circumferential sides, a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a gas path side and a radially outer side opposite the gas path side. A ceramic coating is initially disposed on a portion of the gas path side. The ceramic coating includes a forward coating portion and an aft coating portion. The gas path side has a bare area axially separating the forward coating portion and the aft coating portion. The bare area excludes any of the ceramic coating. One or more cooling passages have an outlet that opens at the bare area. The cooling passage extends in the body in an axial direction under the ceramic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Joe, Paul M. Lutjen, Dominic J. Mongillo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9995166
    Abstract: A vane for a turbomachine includes a pressure surface and a suction surface opposite the pressure surface. The pressure surface and the suction surface define a width therebetween. The vane also includes a first end. The first end includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, a pressure surface first portion, and a suction surface first portion. At least one of the pressure surface first portion and the suction surface first portion slope away from the other of the pressure surface first portion and the suction surface first portion such that the width increases from a first end minimum width at the proximal portion to a first end maximum width at the distal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas William Vandeputte
  • Patent number: 9995167
    Abstract: A blade monitoring system and method for a turbine assembly comprising rotating blades (14), the system comprising at least one sensor (10, 12) for transmitting a signal towards said rotating blades and detecting a time-varying return signal therefrom, and one or more processors (20) configured to calculate the time derivative of said return signal, generate a phase variation signal for said time derivative, determine minima points within said phase variation signal and measure said signal at said minima points so as to identify data representative of respective minimum path lengths, each said minimum path length corresponding to the returned signal as each respective blade passes said sensor, and generate, using said minimum path lengths, a time series of data representing the returned signal from individual blades as they pass the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventor: David John Shepard
  • Patent number: 9995168
    Abstract: A hover aircraft rotor having a hub which rotates about an axis and has a number of blades; a drive shaft connectable to a drive member of the aircraft and connected functionally to the hub to rotate the hub about the axis; and damping means for damping vibration transmitted to the shaft, and which include a mass designed to oscillate, in use, to oppose transmission to the shaft of vibration generated by rotation of the blades; the mass being free to oscillate parallel to the axis, to oppose transmission to the shaft of vibration having main components along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: AGUSTAWESTLAND S.P.A.
    Inventor: Attilio Colombo
  • Patent number: 9995169
    Abstract: A process of forming a calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicate (CMAS) penetration resistant coating, and a CMAS penetration resistant coating are disclosed. The process includes providing a thermal barrier coating having a dopant, and exposing the thermal barrier coating to calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicate and gas turbine operating conditions. The exposing forming a calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicate penetration resistant layer. The coating includes a thermal barrier coating composition comprising a dopant selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements, non-rare earth element solutes, and combinations thereof. Additional or alternatively, the coating includes a thermal barrier coating and an impermeable barrier layer or a washable sacrificial layer positioned on an outer surface of the thermal barrier coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jon Conrad Schaeffer, Surinder Singh Pabla, Paul Stephen Dimascio, Krishnamurthy Anand, Joshua Lee Margolies, Padmaja Parakala
  • Patent number: 9995170
    Abstract: A system for heating one or more components of a heat recovery steam generator that includes a heat-transferring conduit that fluidly connects a high-pressure section of a flow path to a low-pressure section of the flow path. The flow path is defined by a housing of the heat recovery steam generator and configured to direct a heat-containing medium. The heat-transferring conduit is configured to receive the heat-containing medium from the flow path such that the heat-containing medium flows through the heat-transferring conduit via a pressure differential between a first pressure of the heat-containing medium at the high-pressure section and a second pressure of the heat-containing medium at the low-pressure section. The heat-transferring conduit is further configured to heat the one or more components of the heat recovery steam generator via directing the heat-containing medium to be in heating contact with the one or more components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Jeffrey Fred Magee, Donald William Bairley
  • Patent number: 9995171
    Abstract: A mid-turbine frame for a gas turbine engine includes an outer frame case and an inner frame case. At least one spoke connects the outer frame case to the inner frame case. The spoke includes an inlet passage with at least one branch that extends in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew D. Burdick, Anthony P. Cherolis, Christopher Treat, Jonathan Lemoine, Robert Russell Mayer, Jorge I. Farah, John H. Mosley
  • Patent number: 9995172
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes an airfoil that extends in span from an inner band to an outer band where the inner band and the outer band define inner and outer flow boundaries of the turbine nozzle. At least one of the inner band and the outer band defines a plurality of cooling channels formed and a coolant discharge plenum beneath a gas side surface of the corresponding inner or outer band that is in fluid communication with the cooling channels. The coolant discharge plenum is formed within the inner band or the outer band downstream from the cooling channels and upstream from a plurality of coolant discharge ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sandip Dutta, Benjamin Paul Lacy, Gary Michael Itzel, Stephen Paul Wassynger
  • Patent number: 9995173
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cooling systems for turbine stators. A stator may include a vane platform. A ducting plate may be coupled to the vane platform. The ducting plate and the vane platform may form a cooling chamber between the ducting plate and the vane platform. The ducting plate may include an inlet adjacent to a leading edge of the vane platform. The vane platform may include an outlet adjacent to a trailing edge of the vane platform. The ducting plate may be configured to channel cooling air through the cooling chamber from the leading edge to the trailing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pedro L. Castaneda, Edward F. Pietraszkiewicz, Rafael A. Perez, Nestor A. Alvarez, Seth J. Thomen
  • Patent number: 9995174
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a fan, first and second compressor stages, first and second turbine stages. The first turbine stage drives the second compressor stage as a high spool. The second turbine stage drives the first compressor stage as part of a low spool. A gear train drives the fan with the low spool, such that the fan and first compressor stage rotate in the same direction. The high spool operates at higher pressures than the low spool. A lubrication system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, William G. Sheridan, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Patent number: 9995175
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a turbine engine includes a first gas bearing configured to receive a load from a rotating shaft of the turbine engine, a transmission disk configured to receive the load from the first gas bearing, and a damping member coupled to a casing of a combustor section of the turbine engine. The transmission disk includes a gas delivery disk, which includes an axial opening configured to facilitate an axial flow through the gas delivery disk and a duct configured to facilitate a radial flow through the gas delivery disk to form the first gas bearing. The damping member is configured to receive the load from the transmission disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Becker, Brandon Wayne Miller, Daniel Alan Niergarth, Bugra Han Ertas
  • Patent number: 9995176
    Abstract: The device (20) comprises two outer and inner concentric rings (22, 23), one of which is connected to an oil supply from one of the repositories, the other ring being connected to the other repository, the oil flowing between said rings, and bearings between the rings in order to change repositories between the two rings. According to the invention, the device (20) further comprises a flexible means (31) forming a shock absorber, provided between a first of said rings and an intermediate ring (41) that is separated from a second of said rings by said bearings (25), said flexible means (31) defining a deformable sealed chamber (32) in which oil travels between the two repositories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Olivier Belmonte, Jérémy Phorla Lao
  • Patent number: 9995177
    Abstract: A pump system for a gas turbine engine has at least one pump. At least one valve has an outlet and at least one inlet is fluidly connected to the at least one pump. A geared architecture is positioned within a bearing compartment. The geared architecture is configured to receive lubricating fluid from the outlet of the at least one valve, a self-cleaning filter is positioned downstream of the at least one valve and upstream of the geared architecture. A gas turbine engine and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Alan J. Goetschius
  • Patent number: 9995178
    Abstract: A turbomachine component is provided having at least two sub-components that are separated by a parting joint and each have a sealing surface at the parting joint, at least one of the two sealing surfaces being convex in order to form a linear contact of the two sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has a coating on it which includes a hard material, is a maximum of 30 ?m thick and is applied using a vapour deposition method, or a coating which includes a chrome-containing alloy, is a maximum of 30 ?m thick and is applied by a vapour deposition method, or is a maximum of 300 ?m thick and applied using a thermal spraying method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Jorg Schurhoff
  • Patent number: 9995179
    Abstract: A compressor assembly is disclosed. The compressor assembly may have a compressor housing and a compressor impeller disposed within the compressor housing. The compressor impeller may have a hub extending from a hub front end to a hub rear end and an exducer blade disposed on the hub adjacent the hub rear end. The compressor impeller may further include a hub extension extending outward from the hub rear end. The compressor assembly may also have an impeller cap disposed on the hub extension. Further, the compressor assembly may have a windage seal disposed on the impeller cap. The windage seal may be separated from a blade rear surface by an axial gap. In addition, the compressor assembly may have a compressor diffuser disposed within the compressor housing. The compressor diffuser may have a diffuser inner surface separated from an outer rim of the exducer blade by a radial gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Svihla, Raji Rexavier
  • Patent number: 9995180
    Abstract: A nacelle for a turbofan propulsion system that extends along a centerline includes a forward cowling and an aft cowling. To improve the fit of a turbofan propulsion system in the space between the wing and ground of a fixed-wing aircraft, the aft cowling of the nacelle is modified. The aft cowling has a non-circular cross-sectional geometry disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the centerline. The non-circular cross-sectional geometry includes a radially recessed section disposed between first and second curved sections. The first and the second curved sections each have a radius that is greater than a radial distance between the centerline and a center point of the radially recessed section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Murphy, Robert E. Malecki
  • Patent number: 9995181
    Abstract: An exhaust impingement cooling device for reducing heating effects of an exhaust plume on an impinged surface. An exhaust nozzle exit screen is positioned across an exhaust plume flow path, and includes a plurality of flowpath diverging apertures that spread at least a portion of an exhaust plume that is being emitted along the exhaust plume flow path from an exhaust plume source. Flow control jets are arrayed within the exhaust plume flow path in respective positions where their operation will augment the flow of exhaust plume gases through the screen, thereby increasing the momentum and mixing of the exhaust plume with cooler ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel N. Miller, Neal D. Domel, Dan J. Baruzzini
  • Patent number: 9995182
    Abstract: A support structure for a condensation system is disclosed having a pair of tube bundles connected at its respective upper ends to steam distribution lines for introducing steam into the tube bundles. The lower ends of the tube bundles are connected to condensate collectors for receiving condensate from the tube bundles and the tube bundles are arranged in a V shape such that the steam distribution lines of a pair of tube bundles are further apart from one another than are the condensate collectors of the pair of tube bundles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ENEXIO GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Scholz
  • Patent number: 9995183
    Abstract: Tools and methods for indenting and assembling a switching rocker arm assembly having an inner arm, an outer arm and a latch. The tools and methods are directed to eliminating requirements for matched sets of components of rocker arm assemblies so that the assembled indented parts have desired latch lash tolerances. The tools used include fixtures and clamps for indenting kidney-bean shaped passages in an outer arm that mount a pivot axle of the outer arm. The tools used may also include a fixture and clamps for indenting a latch shelf of the inner arm. Indenting the inner arm and outer arm using these methods and fixtures results in switching rocker arm assemblies that fit together, and when assembled into a valve, have a desired latch lash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
  • Patent number: 9995184
    Abstract: An arrangement for coupling two components that can move relative to each other in a switchable valve train component for an internal combustion engine is provided, with a coupling element (3) that can be moved for coupling the components with a flattened coupling surface (5) for contacting a corresponding locking contour. The locking contour has recesses (7) in which the coupling element (3) can engage so that it can move in contact with the locking contour for coupling with its coupling surface (5) in a position slightly rotated relative to a predetermined coupling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Popp, Andreas Biermann
  • Patent number: 9995185
    Abstract: A valve timing control device 1 has a lock mechanism 30 which limits a relative rotation of a vane rotor 20 with respect to a housing 10 by engaging a lock plate 31 that is accommodated slidably in a radial direction with an engagement groove 32 of the vane rotor 20 by biasing force of a spring 33 in the housing 10. The lock plate 31 is provided with a plurality of penetrating holes 35 which are opened on a circumferential direction side surface of the lock plate 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Kotaro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9995186
    Abstract: A method for releasing a catching of a locking pin may include a control application step of releasing the locking pin from a locking pin hole by an electronic control unit (ECU) so that a catching phenomenon of the locking pin due to friction force into a rotation direction of a cam is prevented, and a cam shaking prevention control logic alternately performing, by the ECU, a holding control stopping a rotation of the cam and a rotation control of the cam into a target direction so that it is prevented that the cam is rotated in a direction which is opposite to a rotation target direction of the cam when the releasing of the locking pin is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Sung Joo Kim, Do Geun Jung
  • Patent number: 9995187
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a valve assembly for use with a combustion engine. The valve assembly can include a valve stem having a plunger end, and a valve head having a stem portion disposed along a central axis and connected to the plunger end of the valve stem. The valve head can have a hollow interior portion defining interior floor and ceiling surfaces, and include ribs that extend between the interior floor and ceiling surfaces. The ribs can also extend radially around the central axis of the valve head from the stem portion to an outer circumference of the hollow interior portion. Additionally, the ribs can be configured such that a majority of an upper surface of each rib contacts the ceiling surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Scott Davis
  • Patent number: 9995188
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve train mechanism and a fuel supply system of internal combustion engine, and particularly relates to an oil control device of a hydraulic fully variable valve system of the internal combustion engine. This device connected with the hydraulic valve system of internal combustion engine, the device consists of a housing, a rotary valve, a hydraulic accumulator and a transmission mechanism. The rotary valve, the hydraulic accumulator and the transmission mechanism are installed in the housing. The rotary valve consists of a rotary valve shaft and a rotary valve sleeve. The hydraulic accumulator consists of an accumulator piston, an accumulator spring, an end cover, a sealing seat ring and a rubber gasket and is installed in the cavity at one end of the housing. An accumulator chamber is provided between the rotary valve and the hydraulic accumulator. The transmission mechanism consists of a transmission gear, a gear shaft and a cross slide coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Shandong University
    Inventor: Zongfa Xie
  • Patent number: 9995189
    Abstract: An engine-driven working machine has an engine unit, a housing, and a vaned rotor. An air passage is defined between a crankcase of the engine unit and a bottom wall of the housing. The air passage has an inlet opening provided near an oil seal on a drive-side shaft, and an outlet opening provided in a magnet-side wall so as to face the vaned rotor. Rotations of the vaned rotor cause airflow from the inlet opening through the air passage to the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: YAMABIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamazaki, Ken Shirai, Shunsuke Ueda, Kenta Ito
  • Patent number: 9995190
    Abstract: A contact heater comprising a heating member and a contact surface, where the contact surface is adapted for abutment towards a portion of an engine, gearbox, or similar, which is to be heated. The heating member comprises at least one PTC element and connection means for electrical energy supply, and the contact surface constitutes a portion of a contact element which is releasably connected to the heating member by connection means. The contact heater is suitable for use on an engine, for example an automobile engine, an engine block, a sump, a gearbox or a part of the transmission system for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DEFA AS
    Inventor: Ole Henrik Levorsen
  • Patent number: 9995191
    Abstract: There is provided an oil feed member capable of preventing lubricant from being excessively fed from an oil feed member to lubrication portions of valve gears, and a lubricant feed mechanism for an engine provided with the same. An oil feed member for feeding lubricant to lubrication portions of valve gears for opening and closing intake valves and exhaust valves of an engine, the oil feed member including: an upper panel member and a lower panel member laid over each other; and an oil feed passage formed by recessing laid surfaces of the upper panel member and the lower panel member, wherein the oil feed passage includes basis oil passages formed on a downstream side, and an introduction oil passage formed on an upstream side and having a smaller lubricant flow area than that of the basis oil passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Yuda, Yasuhiro Hikita, Masahiro Kawahara, Satoru Kanbara, Syuhei Nishida
  • Patent number: 9995192
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crankcase ventilation device for a vehicle and, more specifically, to a crankcase ventilation device for a vehicle, which: prevents a back flow of blow-by gas to a new air inflow valve according to a rise in pressure and a rise in a flow rate inside a crankcase; prevents deterioration in the inside of an engine due to unburned fuel contained in the blow-by gas and minute particles of engine oil, generation of sludge, and an engine failure; and minimizes contamination of an intake system by providing a new air inflow control valve having a nozzle and a diaphragm, so as to block a back flow of the blow-by gas to a new air inflow hose due to an excessive rise in pressure inside the crankcase during a process for re-circulating and re-burning the blow-by gas discharged from the crankcase of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Hyuk Jin Kang
  • Patent number: 9995193
    Abstract: A vehicle exhaust system includes a mixer and a doser that sprays a reducing agent into the mixer to be thoroughly mixed with engine exhaust gases prior to introduction of the mixture into a downstream exhaust component. The mixer includes an upstream baffle with at least one inlet opening and a downstream baffle with at least one outlet opening. An outer peripheral wall surrounds the upstream and downstream baffle and includes a doser opening. A doser is mounted at the doser opening and is configured to spray a reducing agent into an area between the upstream and downstream baffles. A deflector is positioned between the inlet opening and the doser opening to protect spray at the doser opening from direct impact with exhaust gas from the inlet opening, and an impactor is positioned adjacent the deflector and faces the doser opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: FAURECIA EMISSIONS CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES USA, LLC
    Inventors: Eduardo Alano, Jonathan Scott
  • Patent number: 9995194
    Abstract: System for preventing the urea crystal formation within the ATS, the exhaust ATS comprising a dosing module having dosage means for producing a spray of urea-based reducing agent defining a spray cone downstream of the dosage means, the device comprising an electric heating element, suitable to be connected to an electrical energy source, arranged in order to operatively fall within the spray cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: FPT Motorenforschung AG
    Inventors: Daniel Assalve, John Campbell, Harald Fessler, Reto Schlegel
  • Patent number: 9995195
    Abstract: Systems and methods of reducing the emissions of vehicles having a spark ignited internal combustion engine are provided. When the exhaust temperature is less than a set point temperature, the oxygen concentration of the exhaust is increased as the exhaust passes from a first stage catalytic converter to a second stage catalytic converter. The increased oxygen content of the exhaust improves the removal efficiency of carbon monoxide and/or hydrocarbons at the second stage catalytic converter without (or with minimal) reforming nitrogen oxide compounds. The oxygen concentration of the exhaust is not increased when the exhaust temperature is greater than the set point temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Tecogen Inc.
    Inventor: Jean Roy
  • Patent number: 9995196
    Abstract: A method and system for operating an aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A value of a storage efficiency for the lean nitrogen-oxide trap is determined. A value of an exhaust gas temperature is measured upstream of the lean nitrogen-oxide trap. An electric heated catalyst enabling condition may be fulfilled if the storage efficiency of the lean nitrogen-oxide trap is smaller than a threshold value thereof and the value of the exhaust gas temperature upstream of the lean nitrogen-oxide trap is greater than a lower threshold value and less than an upper threshold value. The electric heated catalyst is activated if the enabling condition is fulfilled. An inhibition enabling condition may be fulfilled if the value of storage efficiency is less than a second threshold value and the electric heated catalyst is deactivated and a denitrification of the lean nitrogen-oxides trap is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Francesco Barba, Roberto Romanato, Paolo Olmo
  • Patent number: 9995197
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may estimate the amount of ammonia adsorbed in an SCR catalyst as accurately as possible. The ammonia adsorption amount is calculated by integrating the quantity of ammonia supplied to the SCR filter, the quantity of ammonia consumed in reduction of NOx in the SCR catalyst, and the quantity of ammonia desorbed from the SCR catalyst. In the calculation, a differential pressure change rate defined as the increase in a converted differential pressure value per unit increase in the filter PM deposition amount is referred to. The ammonia desorption quantity is calculated in such a way that the calculated value of the ammonia desorption quantity is made smaller when the differential pressure change rate is smaller than a predetermined threshold than when the differential pressure change rate is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kidokoro, Makoto Ogiso, Yuriko Hagimoto, Takeru Shirasawa, Ryohei Ohno, Kenji Furui
  • Patent number: 9995198
    Abstract: An engine device for a work vehicle, in which an exhaust purification unit can be placed on an engine in the neighborhood of the final process in the assembly work of the engine, thereby improving the assembly workability of the engine. The engine device includes a first case that removes particulate matter in the exhaust gas of the engine and a second case that removes nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas of the engine and connects the first case to the second case via a urea mixing pipe. The first case and the second case are integrally adhered by means of clamping bodies, and, thereby forming an exhaust purification unit, and the exhaust purification unit is configured to be supported by the engine via the clamping bodies, and in a detachable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Sandou
  • Patent number: 9995199
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a water-cooled intercooler cooling intake air turbocharged by a turbocharger. The intercooler has an HT intercooler into which HT cooling water passing through a cylinder block is introduced and an LT intercooler into which LT cooling water lower in temperature than the HT cooling water is introduced and the LT intercooler is arranged to abut against an intake downstream side of the HT intercooler. A target LT temperature is set to a high temperature-side target value in a case where a temperature of the HT cooling water flowing into the HT intercooler is lower than a target HT temperature correlated with warm-up completion and the target LT temperature is set to a low temperature-side target value in a case where the temperature of the HT cooling water is equal to or higher than the target HT temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Okada
  • Patent number: 9995200
    Abstract: A temperature control device for the engine may include an air heater configured to heat air introduced into a throttle valve by a flow of engine cooling water, and a valve apparatus configured to cut off the flow of the engine cooling water passing through the air heater at a set temperature range or more, without being supplied with a separate control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Jeong Hyun Na
  • Patent number: 9995201
    Abstract: A compression-ignition, opposed-piston engine using a low reactivity fuel as an ignition medium manages trapped temperature and trapped combustion residue within, and fuel injection into, the combustion chambers of the engine, and controls the compression ratio of the engine in order to realize reductions in emissions as well as improved fuel consumption efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: Fabien G. Redon
  • Patent number: 9995202
    Abstract: A sparkplug assembly having a prechamber volume is operatively associated with the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine such that the prechamber volume is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. To purge exhaust gasses from the prechamber volume prior to ignition, the sparkplug assembly is operatively associated with a high-pressure air/fuel source that directs a pressurized air/fuel purge charge to the prechamber volume. The pressurized air/fuel purge charge may be at stoichiometric conditions. The high-pressure air/fuel source is configured to direct the pressurized air/fuel purge charge during at least a portion of the compression stroke to maintain a largely stoichiometric mixture of air and fuel in the prechamber volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Willi, Charlie Kim
  • Patent number: 9995203
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block having a cylinder bore and a cylinder head having a flame deck surface disposed at one end of the cylinder bore. A piston connected to a rotatable crankshaft and configured to reciprocate within the cylinder bore has a piston crown portion facing the flame deck surface such that a combustion chamber is defined within the cylinder bore and between the piston crown and the flame deck surface. A fuel injector having a nozzle tip disposed in fluid communication with the combustion chamber has at least one nozzle opening configured to inject a fuel jet into the combustion chamber along a fuel jet centerline. At least one arcuate indent is formed in the top surface in aligned fashion with the fuel jet and including an entry surface, a recirculation surface and a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby John, Jonathan W. Anders, Kerry A. Delvecchio
  • Patent number: 9995204
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine having a cylinder, an intake line for supplying charge air to the cylinder, and a device for controlling charge-air flows conducted via a charge-air cooler and via a bypass line around the charge-air cooler, comprises controlling the charge-air flows using the device, the device including a two-stage switchable shut-off element and a continuously adjustable shut-off element, wherein the two-stage switchable shut-off element, which is arranged parallel to the bypass line in the, is switched between only an open position and a closed position, and the bypass line is opened up or shut off to a greater or lesser extent by the shut-off element which is continuously adjustable between an open position and a closed position. In this way, shuddering of the engine during shut down is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Winge Vigild, Andreas Kuske, Daniel Roettger
  • Patent number: 9995205
    Abstract: A condensed water discharge apparatus in an engine of a vehicle provided with a water cooling type intercooler installed integrally with an intake manifold includes a body provided on the intake manifold and having a designated receipt space formed therein to store condensed water generated by the intercooler and a discharge hole formed in the receipt space to discharge the condensed water stored in the receipt space to the outside through the discharge hole; a discharge valve configured to open and close the discharge hole; and an operating unit connected to the discharge valve to operate the discharge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeon Jin Park, Kyoung Ik Jang, Sung Soo Kim, Joon Myung Lee
  • Patent number: 9995206
    Abstract: An air boost system for a two-cycle engine, such as an EMD engine, which operates with a gear-driven turbo-supercharger. The turbo-supercharger is undersized for the engine, such that it is insufficient to provide air flow for a target air-fuel ratio above a pre-determined mid-load threshold. An additional turbocharger is installed in parallel with the turbo-supercharger, such that the intake manifold may receive air intake from only the turbo-supercharger or from both the turbo-supercharger and the turbocharger. In operation, the turbocharger is active only at loads above the predetermined load threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: John C. Hedrick, Steven G. Fritz
  • Patent number: 9995207
    Abstract: A turbocharger system comprises a first relatively small high-pressure (HP) turbocharger and a second relatively large low pressure (LP) turbocharger. The turbine of the LP turbocharger is connected in series downstream of the turbine of the HP turbocharger. A first exhaust bypass flow passage provides a bypass flow path around the HP turbine. A second exhaust bypass flow passage provides a bypass flow path around the LP turbine. A rotary valve is located at a junction of the first and second bypass flow passages and a first exhaust gas flow passage. The rotary valve comprises a valve rotor which is rotatable selectively to permit or block flow to the LP turbine and to permit or block flow to the first and second bypass paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Lee J. Robinson, Daniel M. Acker, Akram Ghassan Khatib, Nandha Kumar Manoharan, Simon James Davis
  • Patent number: 9995208
    Abstract: An engine housing has the shape of a regular dodecagonal, and includes a piston of the same shape that moves with a circular pivot movement about the axis of a main shaft. The piston is guided in parallel by three crankshafts synchronously rotating about this center of rotation. Through this pivot movement, the piston in six combustion chambers each consecutively brings about the four cycles of a spark ignition or diesel engine. The three crankshafts are in permanent engagement through gears which are attached in a fixed manner with a sun wheel, which is seated on a main shaft in a fixed manner, driving it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Hermann Schnyder
  • Patent number: 9995209
    Abstract: A rotary engine has a circular shaped rotor and stator. The rotor has an expansion chamber for combustion and the stator has thrust director gate that passes through a passageway through the stator face to alternatively ride along the face of the rotor or to ride within the expansion chamber of the rotor. Passageways through the stator and radially close to the thrust director gate allow for air, fuel, and an ignition source to pass through the stator allow for ignition and expansion of the fuel within the expansion chamber. The thrust director allows for thrust to be applied to the rotor to rotate the rotor. An exhaust manifold, also passing through stator, and also radially aligned with the expansion chamber allows exhaust gases from combustion to be released from the expansion chamber as the rotor rotates the expansion chamber adjacent to the exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald L. Larson
  • Patent number: 9995210
    Abstract: A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a generator and a prime mover. The generator set is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) that is coupled to a controller. The ECU is configured to monitor the engine operation condition to obtain an engine operation condition value; whereas the controller is configured to receive the engine operation condition value and compare the value with an engine operation condition threshold. When the engine operation condition value, for example, exceeds the engine operation condition threshold, the controller instructs the ECU to operate the engine at a first speed; and when the engine operation condition value, for example, is below the engine operation condition threshold, the controller instructs the ECU to operate the engine at a second speed that is slower than the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Randall Scott Burnham, David Jon Renken, Erich Albert Lucht, Cullen Evan Hall, Alec Jeffery, Cesar Armengod Villalba
  • Patent number: 9995211
    Abstract: An enclosure for a standby generator includes a frame having a base for supporting an engine and an alternator driven by the engine, a back wall extending generally vertically from the base, and first and second sidewalls extending generally vertically from the base and connected to the back wall at opposite ends of the enclosure, the first and second sidewall each having a top edge, generally sloping downward from the back wall forward. The enclosure also includes first and second doors, each respectively attached to the first and second sidewalls of the frame such that each pivots about the top edge of the first and second sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Champion Engine Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Schmit, Leigh Jenison, Aleko D. Sotiriades, Mark J. Sarder
  • Patent number: 9995212
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine for providing a linear reciprocating movement of an output shaft along a longitudinal axis. The engine has a double sided cylinder that is bounded by an engine head at each side of the cylinder. An exhaust unit is positioned at each side of the cylinder. A piston is positioned within a cylinder inner space and freely slides with respect to the cylinder along the longitudinal axis. Two piston rods are aligned with the longitudinal axis. Each piston rod is connected at a different side of the piston. Each of the piston rods has exhaust openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Aquarius Engines (A.M.) Ltd.
    Inventor: Shaul Yaakoby