Patents Issued in October 25, 2018
-
Publication number: 20180306122Abstract: In a gas turbine system which includes a compressor for sucking and compressing air and an air supplying means for supplying the compressed air from the compressor to a combustor and a turbine and which drives a power generator through rotation of the turbine, a control apparatus includes a sensing unit and a compressed air control unit. The sensing unit measures a turbine inlet temperature indicating a temperature of combustion gas introduced into the turbine and measures an exhaust gas temperature indicating a temperature of exhaust gas discharged from the turbine. The compressed air control unit control the air supplying means to adjust the amount of compressed air supplied to the turbine, based on the measured turbine inlet temperature and the measured exhaust gas temperature. The control apparatus allows the combustor to completely combust fuel even in a low load state, thereby reducing the amount of harmful exhaust gas discharged to the atmosphere.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Byung Hee Choi, Seong Jin Hong
-
Publication number: 20180306123Abstract: An annular airflow control system for a gas turbine engine includes a sync ring rotatable to move a multiple of contra-rotating variable vanes between an open position and a closed position to throttle an airflow through said multiple of contra-rotating variable vanes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventor: Felix Izquierdo
-
Publication number: 20180306124Abstract: A gas turbine system can estimate an amount of compressed air supplied to a combustor and limit a fuel amount according to the estimated compressed air amount. A control apparatus of the system includes a sensing unit to measure the turbine rotor speed; a compressed air amount estimation unit to estimate a change rate MR of an amount of compressed air produced by the compressor and supplied to the combustor, based on the measured turbine rotor speed; and a fuel amount control unit to control a fuel amount FC supplied to the combustor, based on the estimated change rate MR. The control apparatus can preemptively control the fuel amount in response to variations in the compressed air amount by a momentarily changing turbine rotor speed and can limit the turbine inlet temperature to below the maximum allowable temperature, to protect the turbine and/or combustor against fluctuations in compressed air amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventor: Byung Hee Choi
-
Publication number: 20180306125Abstract: A fuel control system is provided for a gas turbine engine having a core engine comprising at least one core engine spool in which a compressor and a turbine are interconnected by a shaft. The system includes a first engine sensor which determines a power output of the engine. The system further includes a control unit which is configured to compare the determined power output with a value of a power threshold, and to command a reduction in fuel supplied to the engine when the determined power output exceeds the power threshold value. The system further includes a second engine sensor which measures the rate of change of rotational speed of the core engine spool. The control unit is further configured to adjust the power threshold value as a function of the measured rate of change of speed of the core engine spool.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: William RENOLD-SMITH, Marcus S. HOROBIN
-
Publication number: 20180306126Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing an engine including a variable compression ratio apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, may include a piston configured to reciprocally move in a cylinder of the engine, a detector configured to determine a position of the piston, a variable compression ratio apparatus configured to adjust a moving range of the piston, and a controller configured to determine whether the variable compression ratio apparatus is defective based on a position signal of the piston determined by the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Jae-Hyeok SONG
-
Publication number: 20180306127Abstract: The present invention provides, in an internal combustion engine of the type including: a combustion cylinder having a combustion chamber; an intake port in fluid communication with the combustion chamber; an intake valve for opening and closing the intake port; an exhaust port in fluid communication with the combustion chamber; and an exhaust valve for opening and closing the exhaust portion; the improvement comprising: (a) at least one intake injector disposed within the intake port for injecting a fluid into the combustion chamber; (b) at least one exhaust injector disposed within the exhaust port for injecting a fluid toward the exhaust valve; and (c) means for controlling the at least one intake injector and the at least one exhaust injector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventor: Peter Chargo
-
Publication number: 20180306128Abstract: When a permission condition which is set in advance is satisfied in a state in which a vehicle is stopped by an operation of a brake pedal by the driver, an engine mounted on the vehicle is automatically stopped; and when the engine is automatically stopped, while a vehicle stop maintaining control to generate a braking force capable of maintaining a stop state of the vehicle is operated even when a brake operation is reduced, there is started notification to the occupant of the vehicle about ignition information which indicates that a state of an ignition switch of the vehicle is on when a parking brake is operated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2015Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuta OKITSU, Hiromoto SHIMIZU, Haruki SATOU
-
Publication number: 20180306129Abstract: To provide a controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine capable of suppressing causing erroneous determination of combustion state even if noise component is superimposed on the ion current. In combustion state determination processing which determines combustion state of each combustion based on ion current, a controller for an internal combustion engine calculates a minimum value of ion current during a processing period, and prohibits determination of combustion state at a time point when the minimum value of ion current is below a preliminarily set determination prohibition threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Yuhei MATSUSHIMA, Takahiko INADA
-
Publication number: 20180306130Abstract: An internal-combustion engine control apparatus is obtained which can accurately perform the control toward an output target value by calculating an exhaust gas temperature more accurately, and eliminating discrepancies of a turbine flow-rate and a waste-gate-valve opening-degree. In the apparatus, a thermal efficiency calculation unit calculates thermal efficiency based on a combination in any of ignition timing, charging efficiency, an air-fuel ratio and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) ratio being change factors in thermal efficiency of the internal-combustion engine; an exhaust-gas loss calculation unit calculates exhaust gas loss based on thermal efficiency calculated by the thermal efficiency calculation unit, and on a combination in any of the change factors of the exhaust gas loss; and an exhaust port temperature calculation unit calculates an exhaust gas temperature at an exhaust port portion based on exhaust gas loss calculated by the exhaust-gas loss calculation unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Tatsuhiko TAKAHASHI, Takahiko ONO
-
Publication number: 20180306131Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a fuel injector, a spark plug, an evaporated fuel purge device purging evaporated fuel in the fuel tank into an intake passage, and a control device. The control device can perform spark assist control for sequentially injecting premix-forming fuel and injecting ignition assist fuel from the fuel injector, while controlling the fuel injector and spark plug so as to make an air-fuel mixture formed by the injection of ignition assist fuel burn by the spark plug by flame propagation and to make the remaining fuel burn using the heat released by the flame propagation combustion by premixed compression self-ignition, and the control device makes the injection amount of premix-forming fuel decrease without changing the injection amount of ignition assist fuel when purging evaporated fuel into the intake passage by the evaporated fuel purge device compared to when not purging it.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Satoshi TSUDA
-
Publication number: 20180306132Abstract: Assume that a boundary on the air-fuel ration operation is changed from a boundary (i) to a boundary (ii). Then, after the boundary is changed, a high EGR operation region where a target EGR rate is set to a high value overlaps partially with a rich operation region. Therefore, when it is determined that the current operating point exists in the overlapped region, the target EGR rate is forcibly lowered. In addition, the boundary on a drive cam for an intake valve is changed from a boundary (I) to a boundary (II) thereby a region where a small cam is selected is enlarged.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shintaro HOTTA
-
Publication number: 20180306133Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating the flow rate QEGR of exhaust gases recirculated through an exhaust gas recirculation valve connecting an exhaust circuit and an intake circuit of a combustion engine, the method including the steps: —of determining a difference in pressure ?P between the upstream and downstream sides of the valve, determining a density ?EGR of the recirculated exhaust gases passing through the valve, determining a corrected effective area Seff_cor of the valve, estimating the flow rate QEGR of the recirculated exhaust gases from these three parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE S.A.S.Inventors: Philippe LUTZ, Florent DAVID, Kévin SURBLED
-
Publication number: 20180306134Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes one or more fuel injectors are described. The systems and methods may characterize fuel injector operation during a time when injecting fuel may be useful to maintain balance of a catalyst to reduce engine emissions. Further, large or small amounts of fuel may be injected without affecting engine combustion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
-
Publication number: 20180306135Abstract: When it is determined that the combustion state during the catalyst warm-up control is unstable, an additional ignition is performed on the TDC side relative to the discharge period CP. In a first countermeasure example, an additional ignition period CP2 is provided on the TDC side relative to the ignition period CP1 at the normal time while performing normal ignition and injection. A second countermeasure example is carried out when it is determined that the combustion state is still unstable despite the first countermeasure example. In the second countermeasure example, an additional ignition period CP3 which is a longer period than the additional ignition period CP2 is provided instead of the additional ignition period CP2.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Keisuke HAYASHI
-
Publication number: 20180306136Abstract: An anomaly determination apparatus determines an anomaly of a current control apparatus which supplies a control current to a control target and includes a current anomaly determination section. The current anomaly determination section is configured to compare a normal numerical range within which a state quantity changing with the control current falls in a particular state with a particular state quantity which is the state quantity corresponding to the control current generated by the control current generation section in the particular state, and determine that at least one of the reference resistor, the reference current generation section, and the control current generation section is in an anomalous state in the case where the particular state quantity has deviated from the normal numerical range. By using the current anomaly determination section, the anomaly determination apparatus can determine an anomaly of the current control apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: NGK Spark Plug Co., LTD.Inventors: Junichiro MITSUNO, Satoru ABE, Chihiro TOMIMATSU, Hidetoshi MAKINO
-
Publication number: 20180306137Abstract: In view of the foregoing issues, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device that reduces the constraints of heat generation and charging time of a booster circuit, and decreases favorably the fuel consumption and exhaust emission of an engine. A vehicle control device installed in a vehicle, the device includes: a battery; a high-voltage battery that has a voltage higher than a voltage of the battery; and a fuel injection device that injects fuel into an internal combustion engine, wherein the vehicle control device includes a control unit that determines whether to supply a drive current to the fuel injection device by the battery or supply a drive current to the fuel injection device by the high-voltage battery, and controls the fuel injection device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Shirou YAMAOKA, Ryo KUSAKABE, Kiyotaka OGURA
-
Publication number: 20180306138Abstract: A microcomputer is configured to: calculate, the drive period of a previous injection, an injection interval, and an uncorrected target drive period for a current injection; obtain a correction period by increasing an internal variable from zero in proportion to the drive period of the previous injection during this drive period, attenuating the internal variable at a first-order delay during the injection interval, dividing the internal variable by a coefficient of the proportion at a start time point of the present current supply, and setting a result of the division as the correction period; and set a period obtained by subtracting the correction period from the uncorrected target drive period as a current drive period, to thereby supply a signal indicating the current drive period to the injector via a driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Toru TANAKA, Tomokazu MAKINO, Hiroyuki FUKUYAMA, Takeji YOSHIDA
-
Publication number: 20180306139Abstract: A piston for use in an internal combustion engine having a pressure side and counterpressure side. The piston includes a piston skirt having skirt wall sections and box walls connecting the skirt wall sections. A spacing between the box walls on the pressure side is 35%-51% of the piston diameter and on the counterpressure side is 26%-39% of the piston diameter. Reduced angles of the extraction angle slopes on the pressure and counterpressure sides as well as larger free spaces are achieved which provides for lower piston mass and greater distribution of stresses in the box region of the piston.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventor: Klaus Lormes
-
Publication number: 20180306140Abstract: An improvement to a free-piston Stirling machine having a cylinder mounted within a housing. The cylinder has a flange for mounting the cylinder within the housing to a transition plate with a central opening for receiving the cylinder. An elastic rim bounds and surrounds the opening and extends in an axial direction from the plate to a crest of the rim. The crest of the rim is in contact against a first axially facing side of the cylinder flange. The interior side of the rim is outwardly spaced from the exterior side of the cylinder. A compliant clamp is attached to the transition plate and is positioned on the opposite, axially facing side of the cylinder flange. The compliant clamp has an elastic spring extending against the cylinder flange which applies a force urging the cylinder flange in an axial direction against the crest of the elastic rim.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: E. Todd Cale, John Stanley
-
Publication number: 20180306141Abstract: A nacelle is configured to be coupled to an underside of a wing and forms a clearance space between the nacelle and a leading edge slat of the wing. A portion of an outlet cowling moves longitudinally aft when a reverse thrust configuration is activated and the leading edge slat is deployed toward the nacelle. The outlet cowling also includes another portion located adjacent to the leading edge slat that does not move when the reverse thrust configuration is activated and thus maintains its clearance space from the leading edge slat.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Rohr, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ray Aten, Sara Crawford
-
Publication number: 20180306142Abstract: A method of securing a fuel injector seal assembly includes placing a fuel nozzle within a bore of a seal, and selectively limiting withdrawal of the fuel nozzle from the bore based on the circumferential position of the fuel nozzle relative to the bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventor: William J. Cuva
-
Publication number: 20180306143Abstract: An integrated propulsion system comprising at least two gas turbine engines, at least one fan, and a transmission assembly coupling the at least two gas turbine engines to the at least one fan wherein the at least two gas turbine engines are disposed within a main body of an airframe comprising the main body and a pair of wings, and wherein the number of gas turbine engines is greater than the number of fans.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: ROLLS ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Edward C. Rice, Richard K. Keller, William B. Bryan
-
Publication number: 20180306144Abstract: The air handling system of an opposed-piston engine is equipped with an externally-assisted pumping element such as an electrically-assisted compressor, an electrically-assisted supercharger, or an electrically-assisted turbocharger.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: ACHATES POWER, INC.Inventors: FABIEN G. REDON, SURAMYA D. NAIK
-
Publication number: 20180306145Abstract: Provided is a fuel reformer for a vehicle. The vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank in which fuel of the internal combustion engine is stored, and a fuel supply device configured to supply the fuel in the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine. The fuel reformer includes an irradiator configured to emit light from an irradiation portion. The irradiation portion is disposed at a position where the fuel stored in the fuel tank is irradiated with the light without the light passing through a gas phase region in the fuel tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Norio Inami
-
Publication number: 20180306146Abstract: Disclosed in this description are modifications either attached to, or made as part of, accelerator pump discharge nozzles, tubes or pipes. These modifications include the use of a fuel atomizer plate for carburetors as either a separate device placed beneath or on top of an accelerator pump discharge nozzle, tube or pipe, or simply located in the fuel stream of an accelerator pump discharge nozzle, tube or pipe, or a fuel atomizer plate for carburetors made as a single unit along with an accelerator pump discharge nozzle, tube or pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Thompson Performance, LLCInventor: Richard W. Thompson
-
Publication number: 20180306147Abstract: An engine assembly including an internal combustion engine configured to be received in an engine compartment and a heat exchanger having a first conduit fluidly connected to a fluid circuitry of the engine and a second conduit fluidly connecting an interior of the engine compartment to its environment. The first conduit is in heat exchange relationship with the second conduit. The assembly further includes a forced air system operable in use to provide an air flow from the environment to the outlet via the second conduit of the heat exchanger and the engine compartment. The assembly further includes a selector valve configurable to selectively fluidly connect an air intake of the internal combustion engine with the interior of the engine compartment in a first valve position and with the environment in a second valve position. A method for supplying air to an internal combustion engine is also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Bruno VILLENEUVE, Jean THOMASSIN
-
Publication number: 20180306148Abstract: The pump housing includes a pair of sliding surfaces clamping the outer and inner gears from both their sides to allow both the gears to slide on the sliding surfaces, a suction port part suctioning fuel from outside into inside of the gear accommodation chamber, and a discharge port part discharging fuel from inside into outside of the gear accommodation chamber. At least one of the suction port part and the discharge port part includes an elongated groove that is depressed from the corresponding sliding surface and extends along a circumferential direction of the pump housing in a region opposed to the pump chambers, opening bores that open on the elongated groove from outside of the gear accommodation chamber, and ribs each of which is arranged between the corresponding adjacent two opening bores. The opening bores and the ribs are arranged alternately along an extending direction of the elongated groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Hiromi SAKAI, Daiji FURUHASHI
-
Publication number: 20180306149Abstract: A sealing cartridge (18) for an injector of an internal combustion engine seals a medium-filled first chamber (6) and a medium-filled second chamber (7). The chambers (6, 7) are between an injector (1) that is movable axially along an injector axis (9) and a housing (2) receives the injector (1). The sealing cartridge (18) is configured to receive the injector (1). The sealing cartridge (18) has at least one seal (11; 20) disposed in a receptacle housing (19) of the sealing cartridge (18). The receptacle housing (19) has a first housing portion (29) configured to receive the seal (11; 20) on the shell face (31) of the receptacle housing (19), and a second housing portion (30) configured to receive the seal (11; 20) on an internal face (25). An injector assembly (38) also is provided and has an injector (1) that is received in the sealing cartridge (18).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Albrecht Reustle, Gerd Kissner
-
Publication number: 20180306150Abstract: A liquid pump applicable in a fuel system such as a common rail fuel system includes a valve assembly having a valve stack with axially aligned components, dead volume, and vapor-distributing flow channels, for cavitation mitigation. An inlet valve meters a flow of liquid into the pump for pressurization by a plurality of reciprocating plungers operated by way of a rotating camshaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Adam Stecklein, Joshua Carlson, Derik Warne, Rajesh Paranjape, Daniel Ibrahim, Glenn Cox, Zhenyu Li, Ryan Hinrichsen
-
Publication number: 20180306151Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure fuel pump (1), in particular of a common rail injection system of an internal combustion engine, having a pump cylinder head (3), having an intake valve (6) arranged in the pump cylinder head (3) in the direction of a pump cylinder axis, and a high-pressure fuel outlet (5) arranged laterally on the pump cylinder head (3), wherein a protective cap (10, 10a) at least partly covering the high-pressure fuel pump (1) is provided. According to the invention, a high-pressure fuel pump (1) having a protective cap (10, 10a) is provided, in which the protective cap (10, 10a) can be mounted without difficulty on an assembled high-pressure fuel pump (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Karl-Heinz Laepple, Francesco Lucarelli, Dietmar Van Der Linden
-
Publication number: 20180306152Abstract: The present disclosure relates to internal combustion engines. Various embodiments of the teaching thereof may include a fluid injection device for internal combustion engines, for example: a valve body with a valve needle; a spring element compressed in a radial direction between the valve body and the valve needle; the spring element supporting the valve needle on the valve body; and the spring element guiding the valve needle to at least substantially prevent tilting of the valve needle relative to the longitudinal axis during operation of the fluid injection device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Dejan Jovovic, Anatoliy Lyubar
-
Publication number: 20180306153Abstract: A tool for removing fuel injectors from a head assembly is disclosed that is comprised of a bolt, a dual-tined fork, and a plate that fit into the existing hold-down bolt holes in a head assembly and grooves in the fuel injectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventor: Jeffrey Del Rossa
-
Publication number: 20180306154Abstract: A method comprises determining either the coefficient for the equation relating the injection timing distance of a bushing to the angle of rotation of a shaft of an engine, or the desired effective injection stroke reduction; and calculating at least one of the following: the modified injection timing distance by multiplying the desired angle of retardation of the injection timing by the coefficient and adding that product to the original injection timing distance of the bushing, and the modified injection duration distance by subtracting the desired effective injection stroke reduction from the original injection duration distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Haynes CorporationInventor: Rolando Lopez
-
Publication number: 20180306155Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel injection valve that can increase the collision force of the fuel with respect to the injection hole inner wall surface and which can realize a sufficient atomization. In an imaginary plane orthogonal to a center axis line direction of a valve body, a plurality of injection holes through and through constituting a first injection hole set are formed such that an injection hole center axis extending from an injection hole inlet surface toward an injection hole outlet surface is formed to extend in a direction different from that of a straight line connecting the origin of an imaginary orthogonal coordinate system formed by an imaginary X-axis and an imaginary Y-axis and the center of an injection hole inlet surface and that the center of an injection hole outlet surface is situated close to the imaginary X-axis with respect to the center of the injection hole inlet surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Mitsuhiro MATSUZAWA, Kazuki YOSHIMURA, Eiji ISHII, Akihiro YAMAZAKI, Takahiro SAITO, Nobuaki KOBAYASHI
-
Publication number: 20180306156Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fluid injection valves. Various embodiments may include a valve assembly for a fluid injection valve and a fluid injection valve including: a valve body with a longitudinal axis; a valve needle; and a preloaded calibration spring for biasing the valve needle. The calibration spring is preloaded by press-fitting a fixing region of the calibration spring with a fixing element, wherein the fixing region of the calibration spring extends from the upper part. The calibration spring comprises an adjustment cap arranged around the upper part of the spring element and press-fitted with the fixing element. A circumferential side wall of the adjustment cap provides the fixing region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Christoph Hamann, Matteo Soriani
-
Publication number: 20180306157Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to indication of a temperature of a starter-generator exceeding a de-rated threshold, command the engine to start and disable engine automatic shut-off. And the controller may be configured to, responsive to indication of the temperature exceeding a disabled threshold, or the temperature exceeding the de-rated threshold and a traction battery discharge power being less than a threshold, command the engine to start and shed a load.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Josephine S. Lee, Mark Shields, Sassan Farahmand, Bastian Hartmann, Paul Stephen Bryan, Joseph Andrew Zamora
-
Publication number: 20180306158Abstract: An apparatus includes a stop/start module in operative communication with an engine. The stop/start module structured to determine whether a stopping event has occurred, determine whether an inhibiting condition is activated, turn off the engine for at least a portion of time in response to determining that a stopping event has occurred, and determine an actual stop ratio for the engine based on a number of times the engine is turned off in response to determining the occurrences of stopping events. Turning off the engine is inhibited in response to determining that an inhibiting condition is activated. The inhibiting condition is activated based on the actual stop ratio for the engine being greater than a target stop ratio at a beginning of a driving event. The target stop ratio is based on an operating parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2015Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Cummins, Inc.Inventor: Martin T. Books
-
Publication number: 20180306159Abstract: Conventional APUs for diesel-electric locomotives may include an AC electric generator and typically require additional hardware to be installed to convert the AC power output by the generator to DC power that can power electrical systems or charge batteries in the locomotive. According to some embodiments, there is provided an auxiliary power unit (APU) or system for operation in cooperation with a primary engine. The APU includes a secondary engine; a primary engine coolant heating system, or a primary engine lubricant heating system; a control system that automatically shuts down the primary engine and starts the secondary engine responsive to a predetermined condition; and a Direct Current (DC) power generator that generates an output voltage, the DC power generator being driven by the secondary engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Canadian Environmental Technologies Inc.Inventors: Christer Gotmalm, James Mancuso
-
Publication number: 20180306160Abstract: A method for diagnosing a fault mode in a system includes recording a hierarchical precedence rule assigning a priority level to fault modes of the system, and recording, in a fault report matrix, fault reports indicative of a corresponding one or more of the fault modes. The method also includes using the hierarchical precedence rule to determine the assigned relative priority level for the fault reports in response to a predetermined condition, e.g., a requested engine starting event, and identifying a root cause subsystem as a subsystem having the highest assigned priority level. A control action executed via the controller identifies the root cause subsystem by recording a diagnostic code and/or transmitting a message. The system is also disclosed, as is a computer-readable medium programmed with instructions embodying the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Chaitanya Sankavaram, Shengbing Jiang, Xinyu Du, Yilu Zhang
-
Publication number: 20180306161Abstract: An ignition device includes: a high frequency power source; a first device having inductance; a second device having capacitance; a discharge GAP; and a shield device which covers a connection portion between the first device and the second device, and is connected to the ground. The high frequency power source supplies AC power to the discharge GAP by using a resonance circuit composed of the first device and the second device, and ignites fuel by discharge plasma generated in the discharge GAP. In the ignition device, the first device, the second device, the connection portion, and the shield device are arranged in the same package and are sealed with an insulating substance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Kimihiko TANAYA
-
Publication number: 20180306162Abstract: There is provided an internal combustion engine ignition apparatus that can effectively raise the ignitability of an inflammable fuel-air mixture, by applying electric power corresponding to the combustion state of an internal combustion engine. A combustion state detection apparatus detects an combustion state inside a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine; based on the combustion state detected by the combustion state detection apparatus in accordance with an operation state of an ignition coil apparatus, a current supply apparatus supplies an AC current to a spark discharge path formed in the gap of an ignition plug; then, a control apparatus controls the output of the current supply apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Takeshi KODA, Ryo SAKAGUCHI
-
Publication number: 20180306163Abstract: A system and method for determining a health state of a spark plug of an ignition system is provided. The system includes a detection module configured to measure a time duration associated with a current flowing through a primary coil of the ignition system. The detection module is configured to generate a signal indicative of the time duration. The controller, coupled to the detection module, is configured to receive the signal and determine a secondary voltage across a secondary coil of the ignition system based on the received signal. The controller is further configured to determine the health state of the spark plug based on the secondary voltage. The controller is further configured to control at least one of a primary voltage supplied to the primary coil, the spark duration and the timing of firing the spark plug based on the health state of the spark plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Morteza Rezaei, William Eugene Hoban, JR.
-
Publication number: 20180306164Abstract: A submergible wave energy converter and method for using the same are described. Such a wave energy converter may be used for deep water operations. In one embodiment, the wave energy converter apparatus comprises an absorber having a body with an upper surface and a bottom surface and at least one power take-off (PTO) unit coupled to the absorber and configured to displace movement of the absorber body relative to a reference, where the power take-off unit is operable to perform motion energy conversion based on displacement of the absorber body relative to the reference in response to wave excitation, and where the power take-off unit is operable to return the absorber body from a displaced position to a predefined equilibrium position and to provide a force acting on the absorber body for energy extraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Marcus LEHMANN, Mohammad-Reza ALAM, Thomas BOERNER, Nigel KOJIMOTO, Bryan Murray
-
Publication number: 20180306165Abstract: An ocean wave energy converter (WEC) using one or more elongated light-weight low-cost surface floats, oriented and self-orienting parallel to oncoming wave fronts are mechanically linked to a motion stabilized or fixed frame or base through one or more power take-offs in such manner that multi-directional rotational and translational wave-induced forces and relative motion between the float(s) and base are efficiently captured. Some embodiments have at least one forward positioned float that moves upward and rearward on wave crests and downward and forward on ensuing wave troughs to capture a majority of both heave and surge wave energy components. Other embodiments also provide apparatus and means to totally submerge the floats during severe seas or adjust submerged depth and float mass to optimize performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: Rohrer Technologies, Inc.Inventor: John W. Rohrer
-
Publication number: 20180306166Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous-flow energy installation, in particular a wind power installation, having an at least approximately drop-shaped housing, from the inlet opening of which to the outlet opening the flow channel delimited by the channel wall extends. The propeller is mounted rotatably about the longitudinal axis and fluid flowing through the flow channel, flows axially onto the propeller. The axial position of the propeller can be varied by means of the spacing adjustment drive. Alternatively or additionally the channel wall is variable. The length of the flow channel is, for example, adjustable by means of the length adjustment drive. These variation possibilities make it possible to adapt the energy generation by means of the generator to changed conditions of the fluid stream, in particular the wind.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventor: Dirk Karl KÜSTER
-
Publication number: 20180306167Abstract: A wind turbine blade is reinforced while suppressing possible stress concentration resulting from a load imposed on a blade root portion of the wind turbine blade in a flap direction. The wind turbine blade includes a blade main body extending from the blade root portion toward a blade tip portion and an FRP reinforcing layer formed so as to cover at least a part of the outer surface of the blade root portion of the blade main body. The FRP reinforcing layer includes a plurality of laminated fiber layers and a resin with which the plurality of fiber layers is impregnated. The FRP reinforcing layer is formed such that, in a cross section along a longitudinal direction of the blade main body, both ends of the plurality of laminated fiber layers in the longitudinal direction are tapered.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Yasutaka KIMURA, Takao KUROIWA, Keisuke OTA
-
Publication number: 20180306168Abstract: The invention utilizes a ski lift for wind power generation outside of the ski season. The carriers on the ski lift are replaced by wind catching structures that pull the haul rope either uphill or downhill, depending on the prevailing wind. The haul rope rotates the electrical drive motor of the ski lift, causing it to generate electrical energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: BIGFIELD TmiInventor: Markku ISOAHO
-
Publication number: 20180306169Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an energy storage system in a wind turbine system are provided. A wind turbine system can include a wind turbine, a power conversion system operably coupled to the wind turbine and an AC line bus, and an energy storage system coupled to the AC line bus. The energy storage system can include a transformer, a power converter, and an energy storage device and can be configured to store and provide power generated by the wind turbine. The method can include operating the wind turbine system to generate power, determining one or more operating parameters for the wind turbine system, determining an operating mode based on the one or more operating parameters, and controlling the wind turbine system based at least in part on the operating mode. Controlling the wind turbine can control a power flow into or out of the energy storage system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Parag Rameshchandra Dharmadhikari, Robert Roesner
-
Publication number: 20180306170Abstract: A membrane fluid pump includes a rotatable drive shaft. The shaft is equipped with a number of eccentrics arranged axially along the shaft. The membrane fluid pump further comprises a set of connecting rods connected to each of the eccentrics. Each connecting rod is attached between one of the eccentrics on the shaft and a corresponding membrane so that each of the connecting rods is arranged to transfer a rotating movement of the shaft to a reciprocating movement pattern of the corresponding membrane. Each of the eccentrics and the connecting rods are arranged such that all of the membranes will reciprocate with a phase shift evenly distributed over a 360 degree rotation of the drive shaft, and wherein all of the eccentrics are rotationally offset to each other with an angle so that they are evenly distributed over a 360 degree rotation of the drive shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Daniel Ottosen, Gunnar Skarping, Marianne Dalene
-
Publication number: 20180306171Abstract: Provided is a variable displacement pump which includes a cylinder block including a plurality of cylinder bores formed in a rotation shaft in a circumferential direction and rotating together with the rotation shaft, a piston provided inside each of the plurality of cylinder bores to be slidable, and a swash plate supported to be tiltable with respect to the rotation shaft while a distal end portion of the piston is slidable thereon and which sucks and discharges a working fluid by moving the piston in a reciprocating manner with a stroke in accordance with an inclination angle of the swash plate, the variable displacement pump including: a control piston which includes a piston portion pressing the swash plate and controls the inclination angle of the swash plate; a piston accommodation portion which is formed in the housing and accommodates the piston portion; and a hollow cylindrical guide portion which is disposed between the piston accommodation portion and the piston portion and includes an inner peripType: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: October 25, 2018Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Tsutomu MATSUO, Naoya YOKOMACHI, Yuki UEDA, Takashi UNO