Patents Issued in July 17, 2018
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Patent number: 10024268Abstract: A cylinder cooling apparatus for an engine may include a plurality of intake ports disposed in a cylinder head and communicating with a corresponding plurality of cylinders, a water supply line extending inside from a side of the cylinder head and communicating with the intake ports, and a water pump supplying water to the intake ports through the water supply line.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jong Hyuck Kim, Yoon Han Eo, Eun Ho Lee
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Patent number: 10024269Abstract: The invention relates to a piston for an internal combustion engine, having shaft wall sections on the pressure and counter-pressure side, and connecting walls between the shaft wall sections. The connecting walls are arched on the counter-pressure side, and the connecting walls are largely straight on the pressure side, such that the counter-pressure side is more elastic that the pressure side.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Federal-Mogul Nurnberg GmbHInventor: Martin Nodl
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Patent number: 10024270Abstract: A nacelle drag-link assembly for a thrust reverser of a propulsion system includes a drag-link fitting, a drag link, a coupling assembly, and a vibration damping assembly. The drag-link fitting includes a base region and a coupling socket extending from the base region. The coupling socket has a first coupling aperture and a second coupling aperture. The drag link includes an inner structure end, an outer structure end, and a link body. The outer structure end includes a pivot area to link with a blocker door of the thrust reverser. A coupling assembly is installed through an aperture of the inner structure end and between the first coupling aperture and the second coupling aperture of the coupling socket. The vibration damping assembly is installed in contact with the drag-link fitting and one or more of: the drag link and the coupling assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: ROHR, INC.Inventors: Bryce Tyler Kelford, Bryan S. Holt
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Patent number: 10024271Abstract: Methods and systems for cooling airflow may comprise a gas turbine engine that may comprise an engine core, comprising a chamber, and/or a heat exchanger. The chamber may comprise a chamber outboard surface and/or a chamber interior. The heat exchanger may be coupled to the chamber outboard surface and may comprise a heat exchanger base and/or a cooling tube. The cooling tube may be disposed inside the chamber interior and may comprise a tube entrance end coupled to the heat exchanger base, a tube exit end coupled to the heat exchanger base, and/or a tube body between the tube entrance end and the tube exit end, the tube body encompassing a tube interior.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Michael R. Thomas
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Patent number: 10024272Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel-metering arrangement for the mixture-forming unit (2) of an internal combustion engine (10) in a portable handheld work apparatus. The mixture-forming unit comprises a fuel store (30), a switchable valve (40) and a fuel channel (20) which opens into an intake region of the engine (10). The valve (40) has an inflow port (41) which is connected to the fuel store (30) and an outflow port (42) which is connected to the fuel channel (20). A fuel column is mechanically moved by the switching of the valve. In order to compensate for this fuel column, the outflow port (42) is connected via a bypass channel (45) to the inflow port (41) and a flow valve (46) is mounted in the bypass channel (45). The flow valve (46) opens in flow direction (49) from the outflow port (42) to the inflow port (41) and blocks in the direction opposite thereto.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Karsten Schmidt, Andreas Hägele
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Patent number: 10024273Abstract: A fluid injector is shown and described, including an injector housing and an armature which is coupled to a valve needle. A first bellow surrounds a first space. A first axial end of the first bellow is connected to the injector housing and a second axial end of the first bellow is connected to a first axial side of the armature. A second bellow surrounds a second space. A first axial end of the second bellow is connected to a second axial side of the armature and a second axial end of the second bellow is connected to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Stefano Filippi, Mauro Grandi, Francesco Lenzi, Valerio Polidori
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Patent number: 10024274Abstract: A control apparatus of an engine including a cylinder into which a piston is reciprocatably fitted is provided. The apparatus includes a fuel injector, a water injector, and a controller. The controller includes an engine load determining module for receiving a parameter and determining whether an engine operating range is within a low high load range or a high load range. Within the low load range, the controller controls the fuel injector to inject fuel into a center region of a combustion chamber. Within the high load range, the controller controls the fuel injector to inject the fuel in a period between a latter half of compression stroke and an early half of expansion stroke, and the water injector to inject supercritical water or subcritical water toward a crown surface of the piston in a period that is after the injection and before a mixture gas ignition.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Masahiko Fujimoto, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Keiji Araki
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Patent number: 10024275Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for condensate management in an EGR cooler of an engine system. In one example, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system with an EGR cooler is coupled to an exhaust system and to an intake system of an engine. The EGR cooler includes an inlet coupled to the exhaust system, a first outlet coupled to the exhaust system, and a second outlet coupled to the intake system, the second outlet positioned vertically higher than the first outlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Eric David Bramson, Steven Michael Cyr
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Patent number: 10024276Abstract: An air pre-filter assembly is provided for installation in the OEM air inlet of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle. The pre-filter assembly includes a polyester fiber filter retained in the inlet duct by a spring-clip or a ring. The pre-filter and ring reside completely within the air duct, and requires no additional structure. The pre-filter assembly is located upstream from the primary filter, and can be replaced or removed for cleaning, as needed.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Cab Fresh Filter CoInventor: David J. Winters
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Patent number: 10024277Abstract: A work machine with an internal combustion engine is provided with an air inlet for receiving combustion air, wherein an air pre-cleaner is mounted in the inlet, a radiator, a cooling air fan and a debris removal means, configured to remove debris from a flow of air produced by the cooling air fan through the radiator, the removal means comprising a screen for collecting the debris, and an aspirator for aspirating the debris away from the screen, and a venturi element mounted downstream of the aspirator, and having an inlet portion, a throat portion and an outlet portion, wherein a duct is mounted between the engine air pre-cleaner and the throat portion, so that particles removed by the pre-cleaner flow towards the throat portion, and out through the outlet portion of the venturi element, together with the aspirated debris.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Frank R. G. Duquesne, Lode A. Demonie, Jolan Heyns
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Patent number: 10024278Abstract: A front structure of a saddle ride type vehicle includes a headlight unit, a front cowl, and a middle cowl. At a position outside the headlight unit in the vehicle width direction, an air intake portion opening to the front side of the vehicle is formed between the front cowl and the middle cowl. The front cowl includes a partition wall configured to divide the air intake portion into an upper region and a lower region. The lower region forms an inlet of an air intake path of an air cleaner. The upper region forms a first wind guide path configured to discharge a traveling wind to the rear side of the front cowl.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Koji Mizuta, Yoshinori Korogi, Yukitou Fujimoto
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Patent number: 10024279Abstract: An apparatus for improving cooling performance of an engine room in a vehicle, may include an air duct connected to an air cleaner to serve as a moving guide of fresh air; a duct flap installed to open and close some section of the air duct and operated to supply all the fresh air introduced into the air duct when the air duct is in a closed state to the air cleaner and discharge some of the fresh air introduced into the air duct when the air duct is in an opened state to a space of a high temperature part of the engine room; and an actuator supplying power to the duct flap to perform an opening and closing operation of the duct flap.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jin Kwan Lee, Dang Hee Park, Yong Beom Park, Jang Sup Na, Seong Dae Cha, Seng Joo Yang
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Patent number: 10024280Abstract: A vessel includes a vessel body, an engine contained in the vessel body, an air intake box including an air intake port and that is attached to the engine, an air intake duct drawn around in the vessel body, and a guide duct including an opening that opposes the air intake port. The air intake box supplies air taken in from the air intake port to the engine. The air intake duct includes an outer end connected to a deck of the vessel body. The guide duct guides air taken in from outside the vessel body by the air intake duct to the opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hirofumi Anma, Kenichi Otsuka, Satoru Suzuki
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Patent number: 10024281Abstract: An intake manifold integrated vacuum solenoid comprising a vacuum solenoid integrated into an intake manifold is provided. The solenoid includes a body and a pair of opposed attachment arms extending from the body. The body further includes an atmosphere port and a vacuum port defined by an annular collar. The collar includes at least one peripheral groove in which a sealing member is fitted. A conically-shaped bore is formed through the collar. The manifold includes an inlet into which the collar of the solenoid is fitted. The manifold further includes arm attachment posts to which the arms of the solenoid are attached. The arrangement for attaching the arms to the posts includes spools with each spool having a peripheral groove formed therein. Each spool is attached to its respective arm attachment post by a mechanical fastener. An end of each of the attachment arms is fitted into its respective spool.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: John Carl Lohr
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Patent number: 10024282Abstract: A fuel supply device includes a fuel pump and a filter case that houses a fuel filter, a fuel pumped by the fuel pump from inside a fuel tank is filtered by the fuel filter and supplied from inside the filter case toward an internal combustion engine, and the filter case includes a case body having a closed bottom shape that forms a housing chamber of the fuel filter, a case cap that covers an aperture of the case body by being joined to the case body, and a residual pressure retention valve that, when the fuel pump is stopped, retains a pressure of the fuel supplied from inside the filter case toward the internal combustion engine, the residual pressure retention valve being disposed at a joint boundary of the case body and the case cap.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, KYOSAN DENKI CO., LTD.Inventors: Yutaka Niwa, Hideto Takahashi, Tetsuro Okazono, Hironobu Oki, Akinari Sugiyama, Akihiro Ishitoya
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Patent number: 10024283Abstract: A suction filter includes: a casing having an intake port through which fuel is drawn; a filtration member to filter the fuel to be drawn into the intake port; and a wall component which defines a fuel passage for fuel which passes the filtration member toward the intake port. At least a part of the filtration member is located higher than the intake port. The wall component has an upper end positioned higher than the intake port, and the fuel passage is defined so that the fuel flowing through the fuel passage flows over the upper end.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignees: KYOSAN DENKI CO., LTD., DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Akihiro Ishitoya, Ryosuke Takahashi, Katsuhisa Yamada
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Patent number: 10024284Abstract: In a tank which stores lubricating oil or fuel therein, a strainer for lubricating oil or fuel is arranged at the bottom portion of the inside of the tank. The tank and the lubricating oil or fuel which is stored in the tank carry a positive charge. A self-discharge type static eliminator is placed on the outer surface of the bottom floor of the tank which corresponds to the back side of the inside surface of the tank which faces the strainer to thereby eliminate static electricity from the lubricating oil or fuel which flows into the strainer by the self-discharge type static eliminator.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshio Tanahashi, Yoji Kanehara, Koshi Yamada
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Patent number: 10024285Abstract: A piezo injector includes a piezo actuator arranged in an actuator chamber and a valve plunger arranged in a valve plunger bore and having a first end face facing the piezo actuator. The valve plunger is arranged between a first control chamber defined by a valve plunger bore portion delimited by the first end face and a spring chamber formed by a valve plunger bore portion opposite the first control chamber. A second control chamber is delimited by a second face of a nozzle needle and a sleeve guided by the nozzle needle. A leakage pin is arranged in a leakage pin bore between the piezo actuator and the first end face of the valve plunger. The leakage pin bore is formed in an intermediate plate arranged on a side of a control plate facing the piezo actuator, the valve plunger bore being formed in said control plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventor: Willibald Schuerz
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Patent number: 10024286Abstract: A tappet assembly for use in translating force between a camshaft lobe and a fuel pump assembly via reciprocal movement within a tappet cylinder having a guide slot. The tappet assembly includes a bearing assembly having a shaft and a bearing rotatably supported by the shaft for engaging the lobe. An intermediate element has a first aperture, a shelf for engaging the fuel pump assembly, and a pair of arc-shaped bearing surfaces rotatably engaging the shaft when the bearing engages the lobe and the shelf engages the fuel pump assembly. An annular body has a second aperture and at least one stop member abutting the intermediate element to align the first aperture with the second aperture. An anti-rotation clip is disposed so as to extend through the apertures and cooperates with the stop member to substantially prevent rotational and axial movement of the intermediate element with respect to the body.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: GT TECHNOLOGIESInventors: John E. Brune, Scott P. Smith
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Patent number: 10024287Abstract: A valve body for a fluid injector includes a central longitudinal axis and a one-piece base body. The base body has a side wall defining a recess extending from a fluid inlet side to a fluid outlet side of the base body. The side wall has a thin portion having a decreased wall thickness relative to further portions of the side wall that adjoin the thin portion along the longitudinal direction towards the fluid inlet side and the fluid outlet side. The valve body includes a metallic reinforcement jacket that is rigidly coupled to the base body and which axially overlaps the thin portion having the decreased wall thickness.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Mauro Grandi, Francesco Lenzi, Valerio Polidori
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Patent number: 10024288Abstract: A spark-ignition direct fuel injection valve includes, at least, a seat member provided with a fuel injection hole and a valve seat and a valve body which controls fuel injection from the injection hole by contacting and separating from the valve seat. In the spark-ignition direct fuel injection valve: the injection hole has an injection hole inlet which is open inwardly of the seat member and an injection hole outlet which is open outwardly of the seat member; an opening edge of the injection hole inlet has a first round-chamfered portion formed on an upstream side with respect to a fuel flow toward the injection hole inlet; and an extending length (L) of the injection hole does not exceed three times a hole diameter (D) of the injection hole.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Yoshihito Yasukawa, Kiyotaka Ogura, Takao Miyake, Eiji Ishii, Motoyuki Abe, Tohru Ishikawa
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Patent number: 10024289Abstract: According to some aspects, methods and systems are presented to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness during start or restart of an engine. In some embodiments, a torque source such as an electric machine provides a torque to an internal combustion engine during restart to counteract vibrations of the system caused by the output torque of the internal combustion engine. The torque provided by the torque source can be expressed as a sum of a non-linear component and an input shaped component. A perturbation technique can be utilized for separating the scales and isolating the non-linear response of the system. Command shaping can be applied to the remaining, linear response of the system. Parameters used in the modeling of the internal combustion engine and the system may be pre-determined based on vehicle design and operating conditions, or may be iteratively estimated based on previous restarts during vehicle operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Georgia Tech Research CorporationInventors: Michael Joseph Leamy, James Justin Wilbanks
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Patent number: 10024290Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald J. Lewis, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
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Patent number: 10024291Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a brake system. The vehicle includes a controller configured to maintain an ignition state of the engine such that changes in an ignition state between engine start and engine stop are inhibited during a pressurization of the brake system that is prompted by the indication and initiated prior to brake pedal application. The maintained ignition state is responsive to receiving an indication of a degraded road condition from a source in a vicinity of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Mohannad Hakeem, Mahmud Salam
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Patent number: 10024292Abstract: An electric starting system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The starting system includes a rechargeable battery including two voltage output terminals and an enable terminal, a battery receiver including a battery receptacle configured to receive the rechargeable battery, two voltage output terminals, and an enable terminal, a starter motor configured to start the internal combustion engine, and a continuous duty electrical load. The voltage output terminals of the lithium-ion battery and the battery receiver are configured to connect to complete a circuit between the rechargeable battery and the continuous duty electrical load when the rechargeable battery is attached to the battery receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Briggs & Stratton CorporationInventors: Robert Koenen, Matthew Markowski, Michael Meyer, James Nommensen
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Patent number: 10024293Abstract: In a system for controlling rotation of torque applied to a rotating shaft of an engine of a vehicle that uses the engine as a drive source thereof, a motor is provided. A main controller controls the engine and the motor. The main controller selectably activates the motor that applies first torque to the rotating shaft of the engine, and deactivates the motor. A rotary electric machine includes a rotor connected to the rotating shaft of the engine. A rotation parameter detector measures a rotation parameter associated with rotation of the rotor of the rotary electric machine. A sequence controller performs, in response to an occurrence of a trigger situation, a control sequence that controls, independently of the main controller, the rotary electric machine based on the rotation parameter measured by the rotation parameter detector, thus applying second torque to the rotating shaft of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Tatsuya Fujita, Ryosuke Utaka, Mitsuhiro Murata
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Patent number: 10024294Abstract: When an accelerator opening degree becomes zero, a fuel cut-permission vehicle speed is set on the bases of a cooling water temperature. During a delay time, torque reduction has the characteristic of being dependent on cooling water temperature, and in an unwarmed state, a relatively large amount of air is supplied. The fuel cut-permission vehicle speed has the characteristic of taking a high value when an engine is not warmed up and cooling water temperature is low, in accordance with delay time air amount reduction control, which is performed in accordance with cooling water temperature. This reduces any shocks or odd feelings experienced by an occupant.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoya Onozato, Yasushi Ohmura, Yozaburo Aoki, Hiromichi Sato
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Patent number: 10024295Abstract: An ignition timing control device has a knocking detection unit and an ignition timing adjustment unit. In a condition that the operation state of the internal combustion engine is suitable for adjustment of the ignition timing, the ignition timing control device outputs to an igniter an adjusted ignition signal as adjusted (corrected) by an adjusted ignition timing determination process. The ignition timing control device outputs to the igniter a reference ignition signal as it is outputted from an internal combustion engine control unit without adjustment (correction) in a condition that the operation state of the internal combustion engine is not suitable for adjustment of the ignition timing.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Isao Suzuki, Koji Yamamoto
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Patent number: 10024296Abstract: An electric machine is presented. The electric machine includes a hollow rotor; and a stator disposed within the hollow rotor, the stator defining a flow channel. The hollow rotor includes a first end portion defining a fluid inlet, a second end portion defining a fluid outlet; the fluid inlet, the fluid outlet, and the flow channel of the stator being configured to allow passage of a fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet via the flow channel; and wherein the hollow rotor is characterized by a largest cross-sectional area of hollow rotor, and wherein the flow channel is characterized by a smallest cross-sectional area of the flow channel, wherein the smallest cross-sectional area of the flow channel is at least about 25% of the largest cross-sectional area of the hollow rotor. An electric fluid pump and a power generation system are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jeremy Daniel Van Dam, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Tsarafidy Raminosoa, Manoj Ramprasad Shah, Xiaochun Shen
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Patent number: 10024297Abstract: A reciprocating motion energy conversion apparatus is adapted to capture kinetic energy of wind, waves, or other reciprocating or turbulent motion in order to generate electricity. A rolling shaft rests on a shaft guide frame, with the rolling shaft being coupled to the input shaft of at least one electric generator. As the shaft guide frame tilts or rocks, the rolling shaft rolls on the shaft guide frame, turning the input shaft of the generator and producing electricity. In a Wave rocker embodiment, the shaft guide surface is secured within a buoyant, waterproof enclosure, which is placed in a body of water to convert energy from wave motions. In a Wind board embodiment, the shaft guide frame is suspended from two swing panels, which are put into swinging motion by turbulent winds, causing the rolling shaft to roll and turn the input shaft of each pair of electric generators.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Inventor: Cyrus H Gerami
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Patent number: 10024298Abstract: A mounting ring arrangement adapted for alignment of root bushings in a rotor blade root end during a rotor blade assembly step includes a mounting ring segment; and a partial mounting ring, which partial mounting ring is a closed annular component and includes a recess dimensioned to accommodate the mounting ring segment. A method of manufacturing a rotor blade, includes (A) arranging a fiber layup in a first blade mold and arranging a fiber layup in a second blade mold; (B) arranging the partial mounting ring of a mounting ring arrangement in the first blade mold and arranging the mounting ring segment of the mounting ring arrangement in the second blade mold; and (C) joining the first and second blade molds such that the partial mounting ring and the mounting ring segment join to form a full mounting ring.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Kasper Koops Kratmann, Karsten Schibsbye
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Patent number: 10024299Abstract: A system for transporting wind turbine blades includes a frame assembly for retaining a set one or more wind turbine blades and a plurality of inflatable devices coupled to the frame assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: BNSF Railway CompanyInventor: Thomas P. Kelly
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Patent number: 10024300Abstract: A blade for use in a wind turbine comprises a pressure side and suction side meeting at a trailing edge and leading edge. The pressure side and suction side provide lift to the turbine blade upon the flow of air from the leading edge to the trailing edge and over the pressure side and suction side. The blade includes one or more openings at the suction side, in some cases between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The one or more openings are configured to provide a pressurized fluid towards the leading edge of the blade, in some cases at an angle between about 0° and 70° with respect to an axis oriented from a centerline of the blade toward the leading edge.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: KOHANA TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Michael D. Zuteck, Leigh Zalusky, Paul Lees
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Patent number: 10024301Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes at least one mandrel and a sock that covers the at least one mandrel. The sock includes a plurality of braided fibers within a matrix material. The fibers can be made of different materials. Also, stiffness of the sock can vary across the wind turbine blade. A method of manufacturing the wind turbine blade is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: The Regents of The University of MichiganInventors: Anthony Waas, Yuan Lin Kevin Lim, Chongyu Brian Wang
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Patent number: 10024302Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine formed from an arrangement of fixed stator blades to provide fluid flow acceleration into an arrangement of rotatable blades secured to a generator for invoking electrical power generation. The stator blades are maintained in position by use of a stator plate. Rotor blades are coupled to the generator. The amount of stator and rotor blades may be scaled in number and size depending upon the type of generator to be driven and associated mechanical energy to be obtained. The stator blades are designed for air deflection in a direction for optimal rotor blade rotation by accelerating air flow into a pre-swirl before the flow contacts the rotor blades. Each stator blade is oriented at a sufficient stagger angle so that an angle of the relative velocity does not exceed the stall angle of said rotor blade.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Vortexis Energy Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Gecheng Zha, Bertrand Dano
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Patent number: 10024303Abstract: A method of controlling a floating-body wind turbine power generating apparatus including a wind turbine generator disposed on a floating body includes a pitch-angle increasing step of increasing a pitch angle of a blade of the wind turbine generator when the wind turbine generator is stopped, so that an aerodynamic braking force is applied to a rotor of the wind turbine generator. In the pitch-angle increasing step, a first change rate of the pitch angle of the blade in a first period during which the wind turbine generator is in an inclining motion toward an upwind side from a vertical direction due to sway of the floating body, is smaller than a second change rate of the pitch angle of the blade in a second period during which the wind turbine generator is in an inclining motion toward a downwind side from the vertical direction due to the sway of the floating body.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: MHI VESTAS OFFSHORE WIND A/SInventors: Tsuyoshi Wakasa, Satoshi Iwasaki, Yukio Yamashita, Yoshiyuki Hayashi
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Patent number: 10024304Abstract: A method of controlling a wind turbine includes obtaining weather data indicative of one or more weather conditions at the wind turbine, estimating wake profiles based on the obtained weather data, estimating far-field sound propagation in a direction of a noise sensitive site based on the estimated wake profiles, generating a yaw signal, wherein the yaw signal controls the yaw of a nacelle relative to a tower of the wind turbine, estimating a noise level at the noise sensitive site, and adjusting the yaw signal if the estimated noise level at the noise sensitive site exceeds a threshold noise level.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Seongkyu Lee
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Patent number: 10024305Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for stabilizing disconnection of one or more wind turbines in a wind farm connected to a power grid during one or more grid contingency events. The method includes determining, via one or more processors, a phase-locked loop error signal for each of the wind turbines based on sensor signals from the plurality of wind turbines. The method also includes comparing the phase-locked loop error signal of each wind turbine to at least one predetermined threshold for a predetermined time period.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alfredo Sebastian Achilles, Einar Vaughn Larsen
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Patent number: 10024306Abstract: An assembly includes a first block including a first end; and a second block assembled with the first block at a same height as the first block, the second block including a second end facing the first end of the first block. The first block and the second block are connected to the assembly such that there is no structural connection between the second end of the second block facing the first end of the first block.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Tindall CorporationInventors: Kevin L. Kirkley, Bryant A. Zavitz
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Patent number: 10024307Abstract: Multiple horizontal axis type rotors are coaxially attached along the upper section of an elongate torque transmitting tower/driveshaft. The tower/driveshaft projects upward from a cantilevered bearing means, and is bent downwind, until the rotors become sufficiently aligned with the wind to rotate the entire tower/driveshaft. Power is drawn from the shaft at the base. Surface mount, subsurface mount, and marine installations, including a sailboat, are disclosed. Blade-to-blade lashing, and vertical axis rotor blades may also be included. Vertical and horizontal axis type rotor blades may be interconnected along the length of the tower/driveshaft to form a structural lattice, and the central shaft may even be eliminated. Aerodynamic lifting bodies or tails, buoyant lifting bodies, buoyant rotor blades, and methods of influencing the tilt of the rotors, can help elevate the structure. This wind turbine can have as few as one single moving part.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Inventor: Douglas Spriggs Selsam
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Patent number: 10024308Abstract: A method of guiding lightning to a lightning receptor of a rotor blade for a wind turbine, wherein the method includes the following steps: Generating a vortex of airflow by means of a vortex generator, the vortex generator being located at the surface of the rotor blade; attracting the lightning by the vortex; guiding the lightning to the lightning receptor is provided. Furthermore, the invention relates to a rotor blade for a wind turbine, wherein the rotor blade comprises a vortex generator for generating a vortex of airflow, the vortex generator being located at the surface of the rotor blade, and a lightning receptor for receiving an electrical current from the lightning. The vortex generator and the lightning receptor are arranged such with regard to each other that the lightning is guided to the lightning receptor by the vortex which is generated by the vortex generator.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Peder Bay Enevoldsen, Kaj Olsen, Karsten Schibsbye
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Patent number: 10024309Abstract: A piston includes a piston housing and a decompression valve disposed in the piston housing. The decompression valve includes a valve housing seated in the piston housing and a valve member moveably received by the valve housing. The valve member has a radially outer surface including an annular shoulder. In addition, the piston includes an end cap secured to the first end of the piston housing. A radially inner surface of the end cap includes an annular valve seat. The decompression valve has a closed position with the annular shoulder of the valve member engaging the valve seat of the end cap and an open position with the annular shoulder of the valve member axially spaced from the valve seat of the end cap. The piston also includes a biasing member configured to bias the decompression valve to the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: William Michel
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Patent number: 10024310Abstract: Modular pumps comprising universal gearboxes and crank units and associated methods.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2012Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: AFGLOBAL CORPORATIONInventor: Gary Pendleton
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Patent number: 10024311Abstract: A cryogenic pump for pumping liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a cryogenic tank storing LNG includes a drive assembly and a pump assembly disposed along a pump axis. The drive assembly includes a spool housing having a plurality of spool valves arranged around the pump axis, a tappet housing having a plurality of tappet bores with slidable tappets arranged around the pump axis, and spring housing including a plurality of movably disposed pushrods urged upward by a plurality of associated pushrod springs. Hydraulic fluid received by a hydraulic fluid inlet in the drive assembly is directed by the spool valves to the tappet bores to move the tappets downward against the pushrods. To collect the hydraulic fluid, the lowermost spring housing also includes a collection cavity formed therein that can return the hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic fluid outlet.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Adrienne M. Brasche, Daniel R. Baldwin, Sudhindra K. Ayanji, Joshua W. Steffen
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Patent number: 10024312Abstract: An inverter includes a bus bar as a wiring and a ferrite core that covers the bus bar to absorb electromagnetic noise from the bus bar. The bus bar and ferrite core are integrated by mold forming using a resin material in a state of exposing a part of the ferrite core.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Satoshi Okada, Shinya Sato, Takao Kawasaki, Tetsuya Yamada, Kenji Maemura
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Patent number: 10024313Abstract: A combination of a chamber wall and the flexible membrane defines a pump chamber in a diaphragm pump. The pump chamber includes one or more internal surfaces that are modified to include a pattern of a pattern of channel surface regions. The channel surface regions provide unobstructed pathways to a respective opening disposed on an internal surface of the chamber wall. For example, as discussed herein, presence of the channel surface regions ensures that the facing of the flexible membrane does not needlessly stick (as a result of residual suction) to an inside surface of the chamber wall during a portion of the pump stroke in which negative pressure is applied to a backing of the flexible membrane. In other words, the channel surface regions distribute relief pressure along the inside surface of the pump chamber wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Ivenix, Inc.Inventors: Jesse E. Ambrosina, Benajamin G. Powers, Alexander J. Segit, David I. Nazzaro
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Patent number: 10024314Abstract: A control system for a rod pumping unit is disclosed herein. The control system includes a memory device, a sensor, and a processor. The memory device is configured to store a velocity profile for controlling a sucker rod string of the rod pumping unit. The sensor is configured to take measurements for determining surface load of the sucker rod string. The processor is configured to gain access to the memory device and the velocity profile. The processor is further configured to determine a reference force. The processor is further configured to receive a measurement from the sensor and determine the surface load. The processor is further configured to compute a desired velocity for commanding the rod pumping unit. The desired velocity is computed based on a reference velocity from the velocity profile, the reference force, and the surface load.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Shyam Sivaramakrishnan, Kalpesh Singal, David Warren Doyle, Fatemeh Zamanian
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Patent number: 10024315Abstract: A method for calibrating a pump assembly is disclosed. The method includes characterizing a pump of the pump assembly to determine a performance characteristics of the pump. The method may also include calibrating a sensor associated with a displacement unit of the pump assembly. Calibrating the sensor may include calibrating the sensor under operating conditions of a first environment and under operating conditions of a second environment. Under the operating conditions of the second environment, the pump can also be calibrated to determine a performance characteristics of the pump at the operating conditions of the second environment. The calibrated pump assembly is then used to draw fluid from a subterranean formation or conduct a formation test.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Chen Tao, Sylvain Bedouet
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Patent number: 10024316Abstract: An apparatus to block an access port of a pump includes a cover having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end is configured to be received into the access port, an indexing device to prevent rotation of the cover with respect to the access port, a first component of an anti-rotation mechanism located upon the proximal end of the cover, a retainer configured to rotatably engage and abut the proximal end of the cover to resist removal of the cover from the access port, a key to engage the proximal end of the cover through a profiled keyway of the retainer, wherein the key comprises a second component of the anti-rotation mechanism, and at least one magnet to retain the key against the proximal end of the cover, wherein the profiled keyway is configured to restrict rotation of the key with respect to the retainer.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Jason D. Smith
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Patent number: 10024317Abstract: A gear wheel for gear pumps/motors including a plurality of asymmetrical teeth, each tooth including a driving side with a convex shape and mating with a corresponding convex side of a counter-wheel and a discharge side defined, in most of its length, as a cavity of a convex profile. The discharge side is configured so that the radius passing through a tip of the teeth is substantially at least tangent to the discharge side, or intersects the discharge side.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: DANFOSS POWER SOLUTIONS S.r.l.Inventor: Mario Antonio Morselli