Patents Issued in February 26, 2019
  • Patent number: 10215044
    Abstract: An interstage seal system (10) for adjusting the position of an interstage seal during operation of a gas turbine engine (14) to increase efficiency of the seal (12) is disclosed. The interstage seal system (10) may include a interstage seal housing (16) formed from a circumferentially extending housing having a seal (12) positioned on a radially inward surface (18) of the interstage seal housing (16). The interstage seal housing (16) may biased radially outward via one or more springs (20) to bias the radially inward surface (18) of the interstage seal housing (16) outwardly. The interstage seal housing (16) may reside in an interstage housing receiving cavity (68). The cavity (68) may be supplied with gases at a higher pressure than on the other side (24) of the seal housing (16) during turbine engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jiping Zhang, Patrick M. Pilapil, Yan Yin, Joshua D. Kovac
  • Patent number: 10215045
    Abstract: A recirculation seal for use within a gas turbine engine. The recirculation seal includes a first seal base, including a first seal base axis. The recirculation seal further includes a second seal base, including a second seal base axis The recirculation seal further includes a resilient bulb member coupled to the first seal base. The resilient bulb member includes an exterior bulb wall and an interior bulb wall, wherein the interior bulb wall defines an interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Robertson, James J. McPhail
  • Patent number: 10215046
    Abstract: A platform for an airfoil in a gas turbine engine is provided. The platform includes a top wall configured to connect to an airfoil of the gas turbine engine, two sidewalls extending downward from the top wall a connector attached to and connecting the two sidewalls, wherein the top wall, the sidewalls, and the connector define an interior volume of the platform, and a single stiffener extending from the connector to the top wall within the interior volume between the two sidewalls. The connector defines two parallel apertures passing through the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Royce E. Tatton
  • Patent number: 10215047
    Abstract: An actuator includes a pump including a first cavity and a diaphragm coupled in flow communication with the first cavity. The diaphragm is configured to pressurize a fluid contained in the first cavity. The pump further includes a first valve coupled in flow communication with the first cavity. The first valve is configured to release fluid from the first cavity when the first cavity is pressurized. The actuator also includes a piston assembly operatively coupled to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ory Moniz, Joseph George Rose, Robert Joseph Orlando, Chenyu Jack Chou
  • Patent number: 10215048
    Abstract: An adjustable stator vane for a turbine engine includes a shaft, a flange and a stator vane body that pivots about a variable vane axis. The stator vane body extends axially between a first end and a second end. The stator vane body includes an airfoil, a cavity, and a body surface located at the first end. The cavity extends axially from an inlet in the body surface and into the airfoil. The shaft extends along the variable vane axis from the first end. The flange extends circumferentially around the inlet and the shaft, and radially from the stator vane body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. McCaffrey, Raymond Surace, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 10215049
    Abstract: A lockout tool for an air cycle machine includes a lockout tool body threaded section, a lockout tool body end section, and a lockout tool body conical tip. The lockout tool body threaded section is operable to engage a threaded port of the air cycle machine that is proximate to a shaft of the air cycle machine. The lockout tool body end section includes a rotation interface operable to receive a rotational force to control engagement of the lockout tool body threaded section with the threaded port. The lockout tool body conical tip is operable to engage the shaft of the air cycle machine to prevent rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Cabello, Darryl A. Colson, John M. Beck
  • Patent number: 10215050
    Abstract: An apparatus for absorption of an impact energy from at least one blade fragment is disclosed. The impact energy acts on an element that is inserted into an opening in a turbo-machine. The opening passes radially through a housing section in a region of a row of rotating blades. The apparatus has a holder for holding the element in an ideal position and releasing the element beyond a preset maximum load and has a cage at a rear to secure the element in a radially outward-directed displacement. A turbo-machine having such an apparatus, as well as a method for multistage energy absorption, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Stefan Sasse, Norbert Schinko
  • Patent number: 10215051
    Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a platform having a non-gas path surface and a gas path surface, a cover plate positioned relative to the non-gas path surface and a cooling passage that extends between the cover plate and the non-gas path surface. At least one cooling entrance is formed through the cover plate and configured to bias the flow of a cooling fluid toward a prioritized location of the non-gas path surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seth J. Thomen, Edward Pietraszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 10215052
    Abstract: A sleeve is provided for supplying lubricant to an inter-shaft bearing mounted between co-axially mounted inner and outer shafts of a gas turbine engine. The sleeve has a sleeve annular outer surface and a sleeve annular inner surface. At least one lubricant supply connecting member extends from the sleeve outer surface for connection to a lubricant supply. At least one sleeve channel fluidly links the sleeve annular inner surface to the lubricant supply connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Ian A. MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 10215053
    Abstract: A lubrication system for gas turbine engine includes a main lubricant passage for providing lubricant from a lubricant supply to a lubricant manifold. The lubricant manifold includes first and second lubricant passages The lubricant manifold is configured to supply lubricant to first and second separate parts of a geared architecture at different first and second lubricant flow conditions. A first filter element is provided within a radial tube for supplying lubricant to the first passage of the lubricant manifold and a second filter element is provided within a second radial tube for supplying lubricant to the second lubricant passage of the lubricant manifold. The first filter element is different than the second filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Otto, Stephanie M. Baker
  • Patent number: 10215054
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes sealing systems comprising a secondary seal with one or more of a knife edge seal and a discourager. The secondary seal may act to isolate an interface between an inner and outer shaft and a bearing compartment. The inner and outer shafts may be high pressure compressor and low pressure turbine shafts, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Anglin, Yuk-Kwan Yuen
  • Patent number: 10215055
    Abstract: A transmission assembly including a transmission member and an oil distribution system. The transmission member includes a rotary pivot, and a pivot portion for pivoting about the rotary pivot; the oil distribution system is to receive oil feed and to transfer it to an oil reception chamber of the rotary pivot; the rotary pivot includes injection orifices putting the oil reception chamber into fluid flow communication with the gap between the rotary pivot and the pivot portion to form a fluid bearing; and the transmission assembly is for injecting oil into the gap at a first pressure into an outer portion of the gap, and at a second pressure into an inner portion of the gap, the second injection pressure being different from the first injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Augustin Curlier, Yassine Krid
  • Patent number: 10215056
    Abstract: A turbine shroud for positioning radially outside of blades of a turbine rotor includes a carrier, a blade track, and a track attachment system. The blade track is moved radially outwardly into a cavity of the carrier, and the track attachment system is adjusted to block radially inward movement of the blade track out of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Sippel, Ted J. Freeman, David J. Thomas, Robert J. Shinavski, Zacheriah A. Cole
  • Patent number: 10215057
    Abstract: A rotor turning system for turning a rotor is provided. The system may include a rotary driver including a rotating drive shaft. A removable rotor grasping element is configured to frictionally grasp at least a portion of an exterior circumference of a portion of the rotor. A drive linkage couples the rotating drive shaft to the rotor grasping element to impart a torque to the rotor with the rotor grasping element to turn the rotor. A rotor grasping element is also provided for grasping a substantially smooth exterior surface of a rotor to allow for turning of the rotor. A related method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lukasz Sajdak, Anthony Paul Curran, John William Herbold, Michal Wojciech Wnuk
  • Patent number: 10215058
    Abstract: Discloses is a turbine power generation system having an emergency operation means and an emergency operation method therefor that are capable of controlling excess heat accumulated during emergency operation, and recycling the accumulated heat. A turbine power generation system includes: an inlet sensor part including a thermometer, a pressure gauge, and a flowmeter that are installed between the heater and the inlet valve and; an emergency discharge part including a branch pipe connected to the steam, and a heat control means installed on the branch pipe. Accordingly, the system and the method are capable of reducing a heat overload during an emergency operation by transferring a heat amount exchanged in the heat storage device to the heat consuming facility, minimizing thermal consumption by recycling the same, and preventing various problems caused by stopping an operation of the turbine power generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Keun Oh, Jea Jun Lee, Ju Chang Lim, Sang Hoon Lee, Sang Myeong Lee, Ki Tae Kim, Yong Sik Hah, Chul Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 10215059
    Abstract: A system and method for active draft control through a combined cycle power plant (CCPP) can initiate a CCPP shutdown, activate the recirculated exhaust gas (REG) system for the turbomachine; measure a HRSG airflow through the HRSG; communicate the HRSG airflow to a controller configured to condition a control signal; and adjust a recirculated exhaust gas volume in accordance with the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Wolfgang Franz Dietrich Mohr, Kurt Rechsteiner, David Martin Johnson, Kenneth Damon Black
  • Patent number: 10215060
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for augmenting the power of a gas turbine engine, improving gas turbine engine operation, and reducing the response time necessary to meet changing demands of a power plant. Improvements in power augmentation and engine operation include systems and methods for preheating a steam injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: POWERPHASE LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Kraft, Scott Auerbach
  • Patent number: 10215061
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with at least one camshaft and a bearing block for rotationally bearing the camshaft about a rotational axis, an axial bearing element being provided for axially bearing the camshaft, the element engaging with an axial bearing groove of the bearing block. The axial bearing element has a support body resting on an outer peripheral surface of the camshaft, and a retaining projection protruding from the support body, the projection engaging with a retaining recess passing through the outer peripheral surface, so that the axial bearing element is rotationally fixedly to the camshaft, the support body engaging with the peripheral axial bearing groove of the bearing block in the peripheral direction with respect to the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Matthias Ortmann
  • Patent number: 10215062
    Abstract: A switching rocker arm assembly constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes an outer arm, an inner arm, a bearing axle, and a first and second torsional bearing axle spring. The outer arm has a first outer side arm and a second outer side arm. The outer arm further includes a first tang extending from the first outer side arm and a second tang extending from the second outer side arm. The outer arm defines a first slot inboard of the first tang and a second slot inboard of the second tang. The first torsional bearing axle spring is mounted around a first torsional spring boss and has a first end nestingly received at the first slot and a second end engaged to the bearing axle. The first ends of the first and second torsional springs are laterally constrained by the respective first and second tangs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Luigi Lia
  • Patent number: 10215063
    Abstract: A valve gear for an engine includes a camshaft including a cam, a rocker shaft, and a first rocker arm which swings when pressed by the cam. The valve gear includes a spring, which biases the first rocker arm and a second rocker arm which presses an intake valve or an exhaust valve, in a return direction. The valve gear includes a first pin hole of the first rocker arm, a second pin hole and a third pin hole of the second rocker arm, a first switch pin, a second switch pin, a third switch pin, and a switch which switches between a connected state and a non-connected state of the switch pins. The second rocker arm includes a stopper against which the first rocker arm abuts. When the first rocker arm abuts against the stopper, all of the pin holes are located on the same axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuo Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10215064
    Abstract: A composite profile evaluating method includes an adjusting step and a composite profile detecting step. In the adjusting step, a relative position between a fixed cam and a movable cam is adjusted. In the composite profile detecting step, at least either one of a first contact element, which is displaced along a diametrical direction of the fixed cam upon contacting a cam surface of the fixed cam, and a second contact element, which is displaced integrally with the first contact element and along a diametrical direction of the movable cam upon contacting a cam surface of the movable cam, is brought into contact with the cam surface of the fixed cam or the movable cam. In such a state, the composite profile is obtained by rotating the fixed cam and the movable cam, and detecting the amounts of displacement of the first and second contact elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Daimon, Fumio Sato
  • Patent number: 10215065
    Abstract: A valve device for an internal combustion engine may include a valve and a metallic tungsten matrix coating containing at least one tungsten nanocarbide disposed on at least a portion of the valve via a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The coating may include a thickness ranging from 5 ?m to 150 ?m and a hardness between 500 HV and 2000 HV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: Mahle Metal Leve S/A, Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Rodrigo Favaron, Vinicius Bossoni Do Amaral
  • Patent number: 10215066
    Abstract: Embodiments for a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine are provided. In one example, a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine comprises a lubricant circuit, a radiator for cooling the lubricant, a heat accumulator arranged upstream of the engine for warming up the lubricant, the heat accumulator connected in parallel to the radiator, and a valve for switching over the lubricant circuit between the radiator and the heat accumulator. In this way, the oil may be rapidly heated during cold engine start conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hans Guenter Quix, Jan Mehring
  • Patent number: 10215067
    Abstract: A system (70) for actively controlling sound propagating through exhaust systems (40) includes a controller (90), a sound generator (30), in fluid communication with an exhaust system (40), and an actuator (20), inside the sound generator and receiving a controller control signal for generating sound inside the sound generator to reduce sound inside the exhaust system. The controller identifies an increased exhaust pressure inside the exhaust system based on signals output by an error microphone (50), a temperature sensor (51), an impedance measuring bridge (52), a bus system (53), or a water sensor (54). The controller interrupts a generation of the control signal and/or interrupts an output of the control signal to the at least one actuator and/or reduces a level of the control signal output to the at least one actuator by at least 30% or at least 60% upon determining a presence of an excessive exhaust gas pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Hölsch, Michael Pommerer
  • Patent number: 10215068
    Abstract: A muffler including an inlet member, an outlet member, an exhaust-gas cleaning device including an exhaust-gas cleaning material, the exhaust-gas cleaning device including a first inlet side coupling section and a first outlet side coupling section detachably coupled to the inlet member and the outlet member by couplers, and an intermediate member including a second inlet side coupling section and a second outlet side coupling section detachably coupled to the inlet member and the outlet member by couplers same as the couplers, instead of the exhaust-gas cleaning device. The intermediate member is a cylinder body allowing exhaust gas in the inlet member to flow directly to the outlet member without passing through the exhaust gas cleaning material, and includes a resistance generation section providing the intermediate member with exhaust resistance substantially equal to that of the exhaust-gas cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidenori Matsunaga, Masanori Takemoto, Tomotaka Kita
  • Patent number: 10215069
    Abstract: A system for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) vessel pressure relief for a vehicle is includes a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) storage tank, and a DEF pump assembly in an interior of the DEF storage tank. The DEF pump assembly includes a DEF pump having a pump body, a fluid pressure sensor fastened to an exterior of the pump body and configured to sense a DEF pressure, and a fluid temperature sensor fastened to the exterior of the pump body and configured to sense a DEF temperature. The system further includes a fluid channel, and a heating element in thermal communication with the fluid channel, where the heating element is configured to heat the fluid channel to displace DEF from a location proximate to the pump body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBALY TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Aleksandar Filipovski, Mark J. Cremasco, Yong Pan, Dirk Rensink, Biljana Rajic
  • Patent number: 10215070
    Abstract: An airflow control system for a gas turbine system according to an embodiment includes: an airflow generation system for attachment to a rotatable shaft of a gas turbine system for drawing in an excess flow of air through an air intake section; a mixing area for receiving an exhaust gas stream produced by the gas turbine system; an air extraction system for extracting at least a portion of the excess flow of air generated by the airflow generation system to provide bypass air; an enclosure surrounding the gas turbine system and forming an air passage, the bypass air flowing through the air passage and around the gas turbine system into the mixing area to reduce a temperature of the exhaust gas stream; and an exhaust processing system for processing the reduced temperature exhaust gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Parag Prakash Kulkarni, Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Robert Joseph Reed
  • Patent number: 10215071
    Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment unit includes a selective catalytic reduction device that treats engine exhaust gas, a connecting pipe that guides the engine exhaust gas to the reduction device, a reducing agent injection device disposed on the connecting pipe to inject a reducing agent into the exhaust gas, and a cooling water flowpath that guides cooling water to an internal flowpath of the injection device. The cooling water path includes a first flowpath joined with the internal flowpath, second and third flowpaths branching off from the first flowpath, and a branching point where the first flowpath branches into the second flowpath and the third flowpath is positioned higher than a connecting portion of the injection device and the first flowpath. The third flowpath extends further upward than the second flowpath from the branching point. The second and third flowpaths merge on an opposite side of the branching point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Mizuno, Satoru Ide, Daisuke Kodani
  • Patent number: 10215072
    Abstract: Method for controlling and detecting ammonium nitrate and/or ammonium nitrite poisoning within selective catalytic reduction (SCR) devices and systems incorporating the same are provided. Methods can include detecting a SCR inlet exhaust gas NO2:NOx ratio above a poisoning NOx flux threshold, detecting a SCR temperature below a poisoning temperature threshold, and determining SCR catalyst poisoning. Methods can further include performing a SCR catalyst cleaning strategy, wherein the SCR cleaning strategy comprises heating the SCR catalyst composition to a temperature above the poisoning temperature threshold. Cleaning strategies can including utilizing a heater, implementing a post-injection, after-injection, and/or auxiliary injection engine strategy wherein the engine is configured to supply exhaust gas to the SCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Praveen S. Chavannavar, Po-I Lee, Sarah Funk, Thomas LaRose, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10215073
    Abstract: The present invention relates to catalyzed soot filter comprising a porous wall flow substrate, a catalyst for selective catalytic reduction (SCR), a palladium component, and a platinum component, the wall flow substrate comprising an inlet end, an outlet end, a substrate axial length extending between the inlet end and the outlet end, and a plurality of channels defined by internal walls of the wall flow substrate, wherein the plurality of channels comprise inlet channels having an open inlet end and a closed outlet end, and outlet channels having a closed inlet end and an open outlet end, and the SCR catalyst is provided on the entire surface of the inlet channel walls and on at least a portion of the surface of the pores within the channel walls underneath the surface of the channel walls coated with the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred Punke, Gerd Grubert, Marcus Hilgendorff, Torsten Neubauer, Matthew Caudle, Yuejin Li
  • Patent number: 10215074
    Abstract: An SCR exhaust aftertreatment device of an internal combustion engine, containing an injector for injecting a reductant, a mixing unit and an SCR catalytic converter disposed immediately downstream in the direction of exhaust flow, wherein the mixing unit exhibits a swirl element and an impact element positioned upstream of the swirl element in the direction of exhaust flow, whereby the swirl element is configured of two guide elements disposed inside one another and swirl vanes for creating a swirling motion are disposed in an inner guide element and swirl vanes, which create a counterswirling motion, are disposed between the inner guide element and the outer guide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Tobias Koenig, Eugen Lewin, Elmar Grussmann, Frank Grumbrecht, Tobias Roemer, Anne Franzke
  • Patent number: 10215075
    Abstract: A mixer assembly for a vehicle exhaust system includes a mixer having an upstream end and a downstream end. The mixer defines an internal cavity within which exhaust gases are mixed. A mixer inlet body has an enclosed end and an open end that attaches to the upstream end of the mixer. The mixer inlet body includes an outer peripheral surface extending from the enclosed end to the open end to surround a center axis. The outer peripheral surface includes an inlet port and the enclosed end includes a helically formed portion that initiates a swirling motion to the exhaust gases exiting the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: FAURECIA EMISSIONS CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES, USA, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Chapman, Robin Willats, Yan Wang
  • Patent number: 10215076
    Abstract: A mixer mixes exhaust gas (A) flowing in an exhaust gas-carrying duct of an internal combustion engine with reactant (R) injected into the exhaust gas-carrying duct. The mixer includes a mixer body (32) with a reactant receiving duct (48), an exhaust gas inlet opening arrangement (70) with a plurality of exhaust gas inlet openings (72, 74, 76, 78, 80) leading to the reactant receiving duct, and at least one release duct (62, 66) leading away from the reactant receiving duct (48) with a release duct opening (64, 66) for the release of a reactant/exhaust gas mixture from the mixer body (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Vijaya Bhaskar Solipuram, Krishna Kumar Vempati, Enver Kurpejovic
  • Patent number: 10215077
    Abstract: Provided is an engine control apparatus capable of detecting degradation in particulate filter performance. An input unit receives a first signal indicating an exhaust gas state (Tpf_2) inside or downstream of a particulate filter that traps particulate substance contained in engine exhaust gas. A determination unit 16a determines whether the particulate filter is degraded on the basis of the exhaust gas state (Tpf_2) indicated by the first signal in a period (fFC=1) in which fuel supply to the engine is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD
    Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Toshio Hori
  • Patent number: 10215078
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve is opened from a first time to a second time for the purpose of reducing the pressure in the gas phase in a gas-liquid separator. A first water pump (WP) is driven at a third time and a fourth time. The third time and fourth time correspond to timings at which a difference between a boiling temperature and an actual temperature becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature. Since liquid-phase coolant in a catch tank can be fed to another water pump by driving the first WP, the actual temperature of the liquid-phase coolant immediately upstream of the other water pump can be lowered. It is thus possible to prevent intense boiling of the liquid-phase coolant immediately upstream of the other water pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiro Sato
  • Patent number: 10215079
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve for a cooling system of an engine of a motor vehicle, having a thermostatic valve housing, on which a connection to a cylinder head of the engine, a connection to the engine block, a connection to a cooler of the cooling system and at least one connection to a bypass channel are designed, wherein a movable thermostatic operating element, a cooler valve, an engine block valve and a slide for closing the bypass channel are arranged in the thermostatic valve housing. The thermostatic valve has a first slide section is provided for closing a first opening arranged on the thermostatic valve housing and at least one second slide section for closing at least one second opening arranged on the thermostatic valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Auweder, Juergen Marx, Eike Willers
  • Patent number: 10215080
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating coolant flow in a vehicle cooling system during an engine startup event. In one example, a method may include, during an engine startup event, controlling a flowpath of an engine coolant in a vehicle cooling system via a passive valve and an actively regulatable valve, and responsive to an engine coolant temperature below a threshold at the engine startup event, isolating the flowpath of engine coolant to a subsection of the cooling system to enable rapid warming of the engine coolant without stagnating the engine coolant at an engine. In this way, engine coolant may be rapidly warmed at an engine startup event, via coolant flow isolation, rather than coolant flow stagnation, which may decrease uneven heating of engine system components, and which may thus prolong a functional lifetime of the engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua Putman Styron
  • Patent number: 10215081
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a venting tank, suitable for being fitted in a cooling system of a motor vehicle and defining an inner space intended for receiving a coolant, the venting tank including at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the coolant which are arranged below a minimum liquid level when the vehicle is in service, wherein the venting tank also includes, opposite the inlet or at least some of the inlets, a member for guiding the coolant, penetrating into the inner space via the inlet, following a flow directed toward a lower wall of the venting tank opposite the flow arriving through the inlet, and forming a 180-degree arc. The invention also relates to a motor-vehicle cooling system provided with such a venting tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Serge Iafrate
  • Patent number: 10215082
    Abstract: The present invention is a compression-ignition direct-injection internal-combustion engine comprising at least a cylinder (10), a cylinder head (12) carrying fuel injection means (14), a piston (16) sliding in the cylinder, a combustion chamber (34) limited on one side by an upper face (44) of the piston comprising a projection (48) extending in the direction of the cylinder head and located in a center of a concave bowl (46). The engine comprises injection projecting fuel in at least two fuel jet sheets. One of the zones comprises a toroidal volume (64) having center B with a flat bottom (56) into which fuel jets (40) of the lower sheet are injected so that an axis C1 of the lower sheet jets is contained between center B and projection (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Stéphane Richard, Lionel Martinez, Olivier Laget
  • Patent number: 10215083
    Abstract: A snowmobile has a frame including a tunnel, at least one ski, an engine having an engine air inlet and a drive track operatively connected thereto and disposed at least partly below the tunnel around a rear suspension. A heat exchanger connected to the tunnel has a heat exchanger air inlet and a heat exchanger air outlet fluidly communicating with the heat exchanger air inlet and the engine air inlet. A snowmobile has a frame including an inverted U-shaped tunnel having top, left and right portions at least partly enclosing a space. A drive track, operatively connected to an engine, is disposed around a rear suspension and at least partly in the space. An air intake system has a heat exchanger surface disposed in or adjacent to the space. Air flowing through the intake system contacts the heat exchanger surface to be cooled thereby before entering the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Sebastien Vezina, Jonathan Fortier, Alain Lavoie
  • Patent number: 10215084
    Abstract: One illustrative embodiment includes a turbocharger (16, 18) with a turbine (94) and a compressor (96). The turbine (94) has an inlet passage (114) which may directly communicate with a blowdown exhaust passage (34, 36, 38) of a cylinder head (12) of an internal combustion engine (14). The inlet passage (114) may directly receive exhaust gas from the blowdown exhaust passage (34, 36, 38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Roth, Jorn Timm Kiener
  • Patent number: 10215085
    Abstract: In a two-stage supercharging electric-assist turbocharger, a first compressor wheel, a rotor of an electric motor, a second compressor wheel, and a turbine wheel are coaxially coupled to a same, common shaft member, in that order. A compressor housing is structured to define therein a communicating passage to accommodate the electric motor in the communicating passage. A first water jacket is formed in at least one rib integrally formed with an outer periphery of a motor housing and also serving as a radiating fin, for forced-cooling air flowing through the communicating passage. A second water jacket is formed in a motor housing for forced-cooling a stator of the electric motor. A third water jacket is formed in an intermediate housing constructing a part of the compressor housing for forced-cooling a control unit configured to control the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: MAHLE FILTER SYSTEMS JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahisa Yamashita, Vijayakumar Sivaraman, Haruo Iwano
  • Patent number: 10215086
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine, and to a method for operating an exhaust gas recirculation system of this type. Here, the exhaust gas recirculation system has an air feed line, an exhaust gas line, an exhaust gas recirculation line which leads from an EGR branch-off point in the exhaust gas line to an EGR feed-in point in the air feed line, and a throttle valve within the air feed line downstream of the EGR feed-in point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: FEV Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Thewes
  • Patent number: 10215087
    Abstract: A turbocharger (1) includes a wastegate valve (30) supported on the turbine housing (8), and a pneumatic actuator (100) configured to actuate the wastegate valve (30). The pneumatic actuator (100) includes a housing (101) separated into compartments (104, 108) by a separating member (110, 112). The actuator (100) includes a piston (112) disposed in the housing (101) that defines at least a portion of the separating member (110, 112), a piston-biasing spring (120) disposed in the housing (101), a first in let (126) that is in fluid communication with the first compartment (104), the first inlet configured to be connected to a non-zero-pressure fluid source (8), and a second inlet (116) that is in fluid communication with the second compartment (108), the second inlet (116) configured to be connected to a non-zero-pressure fluid source (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Longacre, Ryan Howell
  • Patent number: 10215088
    Abstract: A method includes positioning a bushing in a bore of a turbine housing; positioning a shaft of a wastegate in a bore of the bushing where the shaft includes a shaft shoulder and a shaft end; applying force to a plug of the wastegate to substantially center the plug with respect to a wastegate seat of the turbine housing; positioning a resilient metal wire mesh ring at least in part in the bore of the bushing and between the shaft shoulder and the shaft end; encasing the ring into the bore of the bushing; and fixing a control arm to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Garrett Transporation I Inc.
    Inventors: Tomasz Kemona, Didier Horlaville, Manuel Gonzalez, Ion Mateescu, Damien Marsal
  • Patent number: 10215089
    Abstract: In a variable-flow-rate valve mechanism, a valve is fitted into an attachment hole of an attachment member. The valve allows for play with the attachment member, and includes a valve body provided with a valve surface. A valve shaft is integrally formed in the center of a head portion of the valve body. A stopping member is provided to a leading end portion of the valve shaft. A leaf spring is provided to the valve shaft. The leaf spring includes a folded-back portion formed by bending. An insertion hole is formed in one end portion of the leaf spring. A cutout portion is formed in another end portion of the leaf spring. The one end portion of the leaf spring is fixed to the attachment member and the other end portion of the leaf spring is pressed to the head portion of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Uneura, Jaemin Huh
  • Patent number: 10215090
    Abstract: Combustion engine linkage mechanisms providing a longer piston stroke enabling high compression ratios without compromising the size or weight of the engine. The mechanisms accommodate different engine compression and expansion ratios to optimize thermodynamic efficiency for different loading conditions on demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Wesley E. Pettinger
  • Patent number: 10215091
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio engine (1) is provided with a multi-link mechanism (101) between a piston (102) and a crankshaft (103). The multi-link mechanism (101) includes an upper link (104), a lower link (105) and a control link (106). An anti-vibration device (6) for vehicles is attached between the upper part of the engine (1) and a vehicle body to which the engine (1) is mounted. The anti-vibration device (6) includes a rod body (63) having a first elastic connecting part (61) at one end and a second elastic connecting part (62) at another end. The first elastic connecting part (61) is connected to the engine (1). The second elastic connecting part (62) is connected to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiko Kondo, Yoshinori Hirano, Keiichiro Matsumoto, Koji Tanimura, Shunsuke Ebata
  • Patent number: 10215092
    Abstract: A constant-volume combustion chamber for an aircraft turbine engine, including a compressed gas intake valve configured to adopt an open position and a closed position, and in the closed position blocking intake of compressed gas into the chamber, and a combusted gas exhaust valve configured to adopt a closed position, in the closed position blocking exhaust of combusted gas outside the chamber. At least one of the intake and exhaust valves includes at least one spherical plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventor: Bernard Robic
  • Patent number: 10215093
    Abstract: Solutions for efficiently filtering air for a machine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a filter element for a filter assembly of a rotary machine is provided. The filter element includes: a first set of pleats, each pleat including a first tip radius and a first spacing; and a second set of pleats, each pleat including a second tip radius and a second spacing, wherein the first and second set of pleats are positioned upon a continuous filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BHA Altair, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Sherwood Bryant, Hongyi Zhou