Patents Issued in February 26, 2019
  • Patent number: 10215094
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a housing includes an inlet case and an intermediate case that respectively provide an inlet case flow path and an intermediate case flow path. A rotor is connected to the hub and supports a compressor section. The geared architecture includes an epicyclic gear train. A fan is rotationally driven by the geared architecture. First and second bearings support the shaft relative to the intermediate case and the inlet case, respectively. The radially inner boundary of the core inlet is at a location of a core inlet stator and the radially inner boundary of the compressor section inlet is at a location of the first stage low-pressure compressor rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Merry, Gabriel L. Suciu, Karl L. Hasel
  • Patent number: 10215095
    Abstract: A gas turbine system (1A) includes a gas turbine unit (2) and a cooling fluid generator (5). The gas turbine unit (2) includes a first compressor (21) and a first expansion turbine (23) coupled to each other by a first shaft (22), a combustor (26), and a fuel tank (30). A fuel held in the fuel tank (30) circulates through a fuel circulation passage (31). A working fluid that has a pressure increased by the first compressor (1) is extracted from the gas turbine unit (2). The cooling fluid generator (5) includes a cooler (55) for cooling, with the fuel flowing through the fuel circulation passage (31), the working fluid that has been extracted from the gas turbine unit (2), and a second expansion turbine (53) for expanding the working fluid that has flowed out of the cooler (55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Taguchi, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Kou Komori, Tomoichiro Tamura, Subaru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10215096
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a nose cone, a fan for delivering air into a bypass duct as bypass flow, and into a core engine to be delivered to a compressor. The nose cone includes a vent to receive air and deliver the air across a heat exchanger, which receives a fluid to be cooled. The air from the vents is delivered to an outlet downstream of the heat exchanger, such that a majority of the air being delivered to the outlet becomes part of the bypass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Patent number: 10215097
    Abstract: A system for managing thermal transfer in at least one of an aircraft or a gas turbine engine includes a first engine system utilizing an oil for heat transfer. The oil of the first system has a temperature limit of at least about 500° F. The system additionally includes a fuel system having a deoxygenation unit for deoxygenating fuel in the fuel system, as well as a fuel-oil heat exchanger located downstream of the deoxygenation unit. The fuel-oil heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the oil in the first engine system and the fuel in the fuel system for transferring heat from the oil in the first engine system to the fuel in the fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon Wayne Miller, Duane Howard Anstead, Mohammed El Hacin Sennoun, Ning Fang, Kyle Robert Snow
  • Patent number: 10215098
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement includes a turbine static structure with a seal ring having groove with a contact surface. Also included is a bearing compartment with a second contact surface, and a piston seal positioned between the turbine static structure and the bearing compartment. The piston seal includes sides configured to contact the contact surfaces and is positioned in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony P. Cherolis, Jorge I. Farah, Seth A. Max, John H. Mosley, Steven D. Porter, Gregory E. Reinhardt, Kevin Zacchera
  • Patent number: 10215099
    Abstract: A method of installing a retaining ring assembly in a turbine case is provided. The method may include installing a blade outer air seal into a case before installation of a retaining ring assembly. The method may further include installing a key system on a retaining ring to create the retaining ring assembly. The method may also include installing the retaining ring assembly in a case. The method may further include rotating the retaining ring assembly in the case until key system is aligned with a case slot. The method may also include tightening the key system to the retaining ring and cause key system to engage the case slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Milligan
  • Patent number: 10215100
    Abstract: A mounting link between a gas turbine engine and a gearbox comprises a gearbox arm, a fusibly breakable bolt, and two engine attachment brackets. The gearbox arm attaches to the gearbox, and extends along an axis defining a first dimension between the gas turbine engine structure and the gearbox. The fusibly breakable bolt extends through the gearbox arm, and has a central shear section that mates with the gearbox arm. The engine attachment brackets have primary and secondary retention annuli, and attachment flanges that attach to the gas turbine engine structure. The primary retention annuli are each concentric to an outer section of the fusibly breakable bolt, and have a radius selected to tightly retain those outer sections in the first dimension. The secondary retention annuli are each concentric to a portion of the shear section, and have a larger radius to loosely retain the shear section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Yiwei Jiang, Michael R. Blewett
  • Patent number: 10215101
    Abstract: A compressor intermediate case for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of intermediate case struts joining the compressor intermediate case to an inner engine structure. Each strut of the plurality of intermediate case struts includes a leading edge. A turning scoop is disposed at the leading edge of each strut of the plurality of intermediate case struts. A plurality of diffusers extends radially outwardly from the compressor intermediate case so that each diffuser of the plurality of diffusers engages with a corresponding turning scoop. A substantially annular structural fire wall extends radially outwardly from the compressor intermediate case. An environmental control system manifold is disposed on the compressor intermediate case. The environmental control system manifold includes an exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Patent number: 10215102
    Abstract: A fail safe device of an engine includes: a temperature setting module; a torque estimation module; and a torque monitoring module. The temperature setting module sets a value of a predetermined temperature parameter used in an estimation of a generation torque of the engine. The torque estimation module estimates the generation torque of the engine by using a set value of the predetermined temperature parameter set by the temperature setting module. The torque monitoring module decreases the generation torque of the engine, when the generation torque estimated by the torque estimation module is larger than a driver expected torque by a predetermined value or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichi Yanagihara, Chika Ozaki
  • Patent number: 10215103
    Abstract: A throttle valve assembly is disclosed having a throttle valve mounted within a throttle body to vary the flow of air therethrough. The throttle valve comprises of first and second throttle plates that interact with one another so as to be configurable in a V-shape thereby forming a converging/diverging flow path through part of the throttle body in which the flow of air through the throttle body is restricted and in flat aligned configuration which is minimally intrusive so as to produce substantially no restriction to flow through the throttle body is produced by the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William Gerald Barr
  • Patent number: 10215104
    Abstract: A valve device for a fuel cell arrangement in a motor vehicle includes: a housing; a flow channel extending in the housing; a flap configured to influence a flow cross-section in the flow channel; a shaft to which the flap is attached, the shaft being rotatably supported in the housing; a drive configured to drive the flap via the shaft; a valve seat arranged in the flow channel; and a seal including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) arranged on a radially peripheral edge of the flap, the seal being configured to contact the valve seat with the flap in a closed position of the flap, so that the shaft passes through the flap at an angle. The seal includes a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kohlen, Rainer Johannes Montigny, Stefan Kopp
  • Patent number: 10215105
    Abstract: A throttle control assembly which includes a throttle body housing, an adapter integrally formed with the throttle body housing, a housing portion being part of the adapter, and a central port which extends through the throttle body housing and the adapter. A first groove is integrally formed as part of the adapter, a second groove is integrally formed as part of the throttle body housing, and a rib portion disposed between the first groove and the second groove. The rib portion is formed as part of the adapter, and an anti-rotation feature is integrally formed with the throttle body housing. The anti-rotation feature is integrally formed with the throttle body housing during a molding process. The anti-rotation feature may be formed in different locations on the outer surface of the housing, allowing the throttle body assembly to be suitable for various applications having different design and packaging requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Nydam, Giri Thommandram, Donald Taylor
  • Patent number: 10215106
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting exhaust valve timing of an engine are described. In one example, exhaust valve timing of a compression ignition engine is adjusted responsive to a difference between a commanded exhaust valve opening timing and an actual exhaust valve opening timing, the actual exhaust valve opening timing determined from cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Patent number: 10215107
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes: a variable compression ratio mechanism which is capable of modifying an engine compression ratio of an internal combustion engine and a display displaying a state of a present engine compression ratio. For example, when a driving at an engine compression ratio with a good fuel economy is carried out, a display switching is not unnecessarily carried out even under a vehicular acceleration and the display can cause a driver to be recognized that the driving is carried out in a good fuel economy state. On the other hand, when the driving state is switched from the driving state of good fuel economy to that of a bad fuel economy due to an abrupt depression of an accelerator pedal, the display of the engine compression ratio is accordingly varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuya Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10215108
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders comprises a variable compression ratio mechanism A able to change a mechanical compression ratio. The control device comprises a compression ratio detector for detecting a mechanical compression ratio based on a value of the relative position parameter representing a relative positional relationship between the cylinder block 2 and a piston 4, and a compression ratio controller for feedback controlling the mechanical compression ratio so that the mechanical compression ratio becomes a target mechanical compression ratio. In feedback controlling the variable compression ratio mechanism, the compression ratio controller does not use the mechanical compression ratio detected by the compression ratio detector when a crank angle is in a predetermined crank angle range including a time period where the cylinder pressure is equal to or greater than a preset predetermined pressure at least at one cylinder among the plurality of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukihiro Nakasaka
  • Patent number: 10215109
    Abstract: A method for regulating the charge pressure pboost of a supercharged internal combustion engine is disclosed. The method may include adjusting each of two wastegates, a variable turbine geometry, and a downstream compressor bypass valve to regulate engine boost pressure as a function of a first setpoint value for pressure between compressors and a pressure difference in a first regulation loop, a second setpoint value for pressure downstream of multiple compressors, and the pressure difference in a second regulation loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Arno Bartsch, Benedikt Seier, Alain Marie Roger Chevalier, Michael Marbaix
  • Patent number: 10215110
    Abstract: According to a temperature of an engine, a state-of-charge of a battery, a requirement of instruments and a driver's requirement, an engine control is switched between a first engine control and a second engine control. In the first engine control, an electric power is firstly used for a vehicle-driving prior to other functions. In the second engine control, the electric power is firstly used for functions other than the vehicle-driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10215111
    Abstract: To provide a controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine capable of estimating the cylinder internal pressure of the combustion cylinder accurately in consideration of the torsional vibration of the crankshaft. A controller for an internal combustion engine includes a torsional torque calculator that calculates a value which has an amplitude of the maximum value of torsional vibration torque calculated based on a crank angle acceleration in the combustion period, and vibrates with a preliminarily set natural angular frequency, as a torsional vibration torque in the combustion period; and a cylinder internal pressure estimator that calculates a combustion gas pressure torque, by use of the equation of motion of the rotation system of the crankshaft, based on the crank angle, the crank angle acceleration, and the torsional vibration torque, and estimates the cylinder internal pressure of the combustion cylinder based on the combustion gas pressure torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Hagari, Kazuhiro Tokuyama
  • Patent number: 10215112
    Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine that includes sensing a characteristic of combustion in a cylinder of the engine, generating a combustion characteristic signal from the sensed characteristic, performing a principal component analysis on the combustion characteristic signal and a predetermined combustion characteristic trace to determine first mode coefficients for the combustion characteristic signal and the predetermined combustion characteristic trace, determining a difference between the first mode coefficient of the combustion characteristic signal and the first mode coefficient of the predetermined combustion characteristic trace, and controlling the internal combustion engine based upon the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: Jun-mo Kang, Hejie Lin, Jeffrey A. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10215113
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine is presented in which a noise characteristic value, which is representative of a measurement of a noise of the measurement signal of a respective exhaust gas probe, is determined as a function of a profile of the measurement signal of the respective exhaust gas probe. A pressure characteristic value, which is assigned to a respective cylinder, is determined as a function of a profile of a measurement signal of a crankshaft angle sensor and a profile of a pressure measurement signal of a cylinder pressure sensor. Respective actuation signals for actuating respective injection valves are adapted as a function of the pressure characteristic value and the noise characteristic value assigned to the respective cylinder, for the purpose of approximating an air/fuel ratio in the individual cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GMBH
    Inventors: Hong Zhang, Gerhard Eser
  • Patent number: 10215114
    Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine with a cylinder, an intake valve, an exhaust valve, and a cylinder head defining a combustion chamber; an intake manifold in communication with the combustion chamber through the intake valve; an exhaust manifold in communication with the combustion chamber through the exhaust valve; a turbocharger with a compressor in communication with the intake manifold, a turbine in communication with the exhaust manifold, and an electric motor for selectively driving the turbine; and a controller in communication with the electric motor and configured to selectively operate electric motor to drive the turbine to reduce a pressure in the combustion chamber during an engine start process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: Dalton A Blenc, Aaron Bowles
  • Patent number: 10215115
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling individual cylinder air-fuel ratio (AFR) in a combustion engine. In one example, a method may include measuring a high-frequency exhaust gas composition, parsing the measured high-frequency exhaust gas composition to determine a first cylinder-specific component of the high-frequency exhaust gas composition, estimating an air-fuel ratio (AFR) based on the first cylinder-specific component of the measured high-frequency exhaust gas composition, and correcting the estimated AFR by subtracting intercylinder exhaust gas interactions from the estimated AFR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Gopichandra Surnilla, Vadivelan Jagadeesan
  • Patent number: 10215116
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes a canister for storing fuel vapors are disclosed. In one example, one or more engine cylinders are deactivated in response to a level of fuel vapors stored in a fuel vapor storage canister when deceleration fuel shut off conditions are met. By deactivating one or more engine cylinders with closed intake and exhaust valves, it may be possible to reduce fuel vapors drawn into engine cylinders to reduce the possibility of cylinder misfire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10215117
    Abstract: In a work vehicle according to the present invention, a control device calculates, for each of a plurality of speed-changing stages in a PTO transmission, an expected maximum rotational speed of PTO rotary power that is output from the PTO shaft when an engine rotational speed changing operation member is operated to a maximum extent, and shows, in a listed manner, the calculated results in a liquid crystal display part of a display device. The present invention can inform an operator of the maximum rotational speed of PTO rotary power that is output from the PTO shaft for each speed-changing stage in the PTO transmission without performing a speed changing operation on the PTO transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryouhei Ueda
  • Patent number: 10215118
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine of a hybrid drive vehicle includes an exhaust gas purification catalyst in an exhaust passage. An internal combustion engine control device is configured to continuously rotate the internal combustion engine for a predetermined time period after an engine start. The internal combustion engine control device prohibits a fuel-cut within the predetermined time period after the engine start, thereby suppressing the frequent repetition of the start and stop of the internal combustion engine due to an accelerator pedal operation and suppressing oxygen storage in the exhaust gas purification catalyst associated with the fuel-cut. As a result, exhaust gas purification performance at the time of restarting the internal combustion engine is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ohmura, Hiroshi Arakawa
  • Patent number: 10215119
    Abstract: Operating a machine including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes operating an engine of the machine at a lower engine speed, receiving data indicative of an expected increase in load on the engine, and commanding increasing the engine speed responsive to the data. The engine is operated at a higher engine speed responsive to the commanded increase, with the operation at the higher engine speed being initiated proactively so as to limit retarding a ground speed of the machine. Related control logic and machine structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Mei, Jeffrey Berry
  • Patent number: 10215120
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a speed of a vehicle based on whether a rain tray is coupled within the vehicle, below a vented hood of the vehicle. In one example, a method may include maintaining a vehicle speed of a vehicle below a set vehicle speed threshold and alerting a vehicle operator of the set vehicle speed threshold when it is detected that a rain tray is installed in the vehicle, below a vent of a vented hood of the vehicle. In another example, the set vehicle speed threshold may be reduced due to the presence of rain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Arthur Titus, Jeff Grauer, Jon Holt, Thomas Joseph Ciccone, Mike Makled
  • Patent number: 10215121
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating a lambda detector of mild hybrid electric vehicle may include determining whether a measured value of the lambda detector is equal to or greater than a first reference value or is equal to or less than a second reference value when an overrun condition is satisfied; determining a first difference value between the measured value of the lambda detector and the first reference value and a second difference value between the measured value and the second reference value when the measured value of the lambda detector is equal to or greater than the first reference value or is equal to or less than the second reference value; determining a heating temperature and time according to the first difference value and the second difference value; and heating the lambda detector according to the determined heating temperature and time when a coasting condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hwa Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 10215122
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for acquiring an altitude correction coefficient, comprising: acquiring an initial value of an altitude correction coefficient self-learning filter when a preset event occurs to a vehicle engine; evaluating whether the vehicle satisfies a preset self-learning enabling condition, in accordance with an engine rotation speed, a vehicle speed, and status information of designated devices; enabling the altitude correction coefficient self-learning filter when the vehicle satisfies the preset self-learning enabling condition; determining an input of the altitude correction coefficient self-learning filter at least in accordance with operating states of a manifold pressure sensor and a stepping motor; and obtaining a current altitude correction coefficient by self-learning the altitude correction coefficient applying the altitude correction coefficient self-learning filter in accordance with the initial value of the altitude correction coefficient self-learning filter and the inp
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: CHERY AUTOMOBILE CO., LTD., WUHU POWER-TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keguang Qi
  • Patent number: 10215123
    Abstract: The engine controlling apparatus includes a selector, a setter, and a controller. The selector selects one of a plurality of injection modes according to the operating condition of an engine, where injection rates of a plurality of injectors or the number of injections performed in one stroke of the engine differs among the injection modes. The setter sets a mode correction amount that reflects an output characteristic of a first sensor corresponding to the injection mode. The controller performs feedback control using both a detection signal from the first sensor and the mode correction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihiro Tsuchiya, Mitsuhiro Yuasa, Kensuke Kondo, Yuji Sato
  • Patent number: 10215124
    Abstract: A fuel injection control device is a control device controlling an injection of fuel by a fuel injector and includes: a setting part that sets a request injection quantity of an injection quantity requested of the fuel injector; a dividing part that divides the request injection quantity set by the setting part into a specified injection quantity and an adjusting injection quantity other than the specified injection quantity; an injection performing part that performs a dividing injection of an adjusting injection and a partial lift injection by the fuel injector, the adjusting injection injecting the adjusting injection quantity of fuel, the partial lift injection finishing a lift of a valve body of the fuel injector in a partial lift state before the valve body reaching a full lift position and injecting the specified injection quantity of fuel; and a learning part that learns an injection characteristic of the fuel injector at the time of the partial lift injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Nakano, Hiroshi Katsurahara
  • Patent number: 10215125
    Abstract: A process of controlling operation in a multi-cylinder engine either during start of operation or low-load conditions is disclosed. The process may include skipping a supply of fuel in a first set of cylinders of the multi-cylinder engine for a pre-defined number of multiple working cycles. The process may further include supplying fuel-air mixture to a second set of cylinders of the multi-cylinder engine for the pre-defined number of multiple working cycles. The process may also include executing combustion of the fuel-air mixture supplied to the second set of cylinders for the pre-defined number of multiple working cycles. In addition the process may include either changing a selection of cylinders included in the first set of cylinders and the second set of cylinders respectively, or switching the supply of fuel, after the pre-defined number of multiple working cycles, from the second set of cylinders to the first set of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eike Joachim Sixel, Andre Schmidt, Adam Stubbs, Kai Ruschmeyer, Christian Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10215126
    Abstract: An intake stroke injection and a compression stroke injection are performed during catalyst warm-up control (upper section in FIG. 7). During the catalyst warm-up control, a discharge period at an electrode portion is set on a retard side of compression top dead center, and an expansion stroke injection is performed during the discharge period. However, when a distance between a spray contour surface and the electrode portion increases, an additional injection (first injection) is performed in advance of the expansion stroke injection (second injection) (lower section in FIG. 7). The additional injection is performed at a timing that is on the retard side of compression top dead center and is on an advance side relative to a start timing of the discharge at the electrode portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Hoshi
  • Patent number: 10215127
    Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for monitoring a fuel level of a vehicle. The fuel may be a gaseous fuel, such as natural gas. An electronic control unit may be able to receive a signal from one or more sensors. The electronic control unit may provide a command to drive a fuel gauge to display the fuel level. The electronic control unit may determine the gauge command based on the received signal and a filling compensation scheme. The electronic control unit may be initialized through a user interface. A filling compensation scheme may be selected during initialization. The electronic control unit may be capable of communicating various sensors, gauges, devices, controls and/or other ECUs of varying specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Agility Fuel Systems LLC
    Inventors: Todd Sloan, Chris Forsberg
  • Patent number: 10215128
    Abstract: A cylinder liner for internal combustion engines has an outer roughened surface that has particularly good adherence properties. The surface is covered with protrusions or spines of varying shapes and sizes, which are created by spraying the mold with a coating and then casting the cylinder liner in the mold. The spines are generally conical or needle-shaped, with the bases being larger than the tips. The spines have an aggregate cross-sectional surface area measured at 0.2 mm from a ground cylindrical surface that is between 50-90% of the total ground cylindrical surface area, and an aggregate cross-sectional surface area measured at 0.4 mm from the ground cylindrical surface that is between 20-45% of the total ground cylindrical surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Smith, Steffen Rudolph, Jesús Antonio Magallanes Castañeda
  • Patent number: 10215129
    Abstract: A port opening edge shape for a port in a cylinder of an opposed-piston combustion engine is optimized for flow area, as well as for minimization of piston ring clipping. The port opening edge shape includes a top edge, a bottom edge, a first and second side edge connecting the top and bottom edge, and an apex in the top edge. The apex has the minimum radius of curvature of the port opening edge shape. A spline that defines the port opening edge shape can be calculated based upon a maximum height, a full width, an amount or degree of skew, and a minimum radius of curvature. A model can measure values for engine performance and determine which spline defines a port opening edge shape yields a desired engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: ACHATES POWER, INC.
    Inventor: Brian J. Callahan
  • Patent number: 10215130
    Abstract: A choke system for an internal combustion engine includes a carburetor having a choke valve disposed in a passage; a cooling fan providing a variable air flow; an air vane moveable in response to the variable air flow; an air vane linkage coupling the air vane to the choke valve, the air vane linkage operating the choke valve by the movement of the air vane; a manually operated choke control; an override linkage coupling the choke control to the choke valve; and a thermally responsive member configured to engage the override linkage to retain the choke in a partially open position above a threshold temperature. The choke control may be moved to a first position in which the choke control overrides the thermally responsive member and the air vane linkage to maintain the choke valve in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Visuri, Jeff J. Steenbergen, Timothy J. Kwiatkowski, Adam J. Hellman, Andrew J. Perez, Casey E. Groh
  • Patent number: 10215131
    Abstract: A power tool has an internal combustion engine with a carburetor with choke element pivotably arranged therein. A starter device with an actuating element has an operating position, off position, and at least one start position. A coupling element connects the actuating element with a choke actuating lever. The actuating element, upon adjustment from operating position into the at least one start position, moves the choke element into its start position. The connection between actuating element and choke actuating lever has a relative movement device which, in one position of the choke element, enables movement of actuating element relative to choke actuating lever. A holding device with guide contour is secured on the carburetor housing. In a start position of the choke element, the guide contour prevents movement of the actuating element relative to choke actuating lever from its start position into the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Schulz, Przemyslaw Zurek, Tobias Bernhard
  • Patent number: 10215132
    Abstract: A method is presented, wherein a fuel vapor canister heating element is activated during a first condition, which includes an engine-off condition, and atmospheric air is directed through the fuel vapor canister and into an engine intake. Degradation of the fuel vapor canister heating element is indicated based on an output of an engine intake air temperature sensor. In this way, the integrity of the fuel vapor canister heating element can be determined without relying on canister temperature sensors, which may be confounded by the cooling of the fuel vapor canister during fuel vapor desorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10215133
    Abstract: A canister is provided with a flange for partitioning part of one axial end of an adsorption material chamber and having a first cylindrical portion protruding toward the adsorption material chamber for defining a space communicating with a purge port, a second cylindrical portion extending toward a first axial end portion of a case for defining a diffusion chamber communicating with a charge port, and orifices for communicating the adsorption material chamber with the diffusion chamber. Also provided are a first partition wall positioned close to a top end of the first cylindrical portion and having an annularly-shaped orifice, and a second partition wall axially spaced apart from the first partition wall toward a second axial end portion and having communication holes. These partition walls cooperate with each other such that a second diffusion chamber not charged with an adsorption material is defined between them, for optimal charge-gas conversion-and-diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: MAHLE FILTER SYSTEMS JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junpei Omichi, Masaki Kawada, Yoichi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10215134
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed that include a divided exhaust engine with at least one pair of primary EGR cylinders and a plurality of pairs of non-primary EGR cylinders. The pair of primary EGR cylinders can be connected to an intake with an EGR system that lacks an EGR cooler. In another embodiment, the cylinder pairs include exhaust flow paths that join in the cylinder head to form a common exhaust outlet for each cylinder pair in the cylinder head that is connected directly to the EGR system or to the exhaust system without an exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Kyle Perfetto, Samuel C. Geckler, Hongfeng H. Wang
  • Patent number: 10215135
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for flowing exhaust through a second cooler, arranged downstream of a first cooler and upstream of an intake in an exhaust gas recirculation passage, and extracting condensate for water injection from condensate in cooled exhaust gas exiting the second cooler. In one example, a method may include adjusting the amount of exhaust gas flowing through the second cooler based on an amount of water stored at a water storage tank of a water injection system and engine operating conditions. Further, the method may include selectively flowing exhaust gas from the second cooler to a location upstream or downstream of a compressor in response to engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mohannad Hakeem, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Christopher House, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Patent number: 10215136
    Abstract: High pressure loop exhaust gas circulation is achieved in an exhaust system (10) of an engine (12) by providing an adjustable valve (100) in an exhaust passage (18) of the engine (12). The valve (100) is configured to control fluid flow through the passage (18) and generate pressure to drive the high pressure exhaust gas recirculation. The valve (100) includes a valve inner surface (110) that has a curvilinear profile when viewed in longitudinal cross section. An actuator (140) is connected to the valve (100), and is configured to move the valve (100) relative to the exhaust passage (18) so as to control exhaust gas pressure within the exhaust passage (18). In some embodiments, a pilot tube (280) is used in combination with the valve (100) to generate high pressure exhaust gas recirculation at the engine (12) intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: David Grabowska, Rajmohan Chandramohanan
  • Patent number: 10215138
    Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine routes blowby gases into the intake of the engine. Because the blowby gases have about 12% water vapor, during cold-weather operation, the water vapor may freeze in the PCV valve or in the port that couples the PCV duct with the intake manifold. In situations in which the PCV duct is pointing toward the direction of flow of the intake gases, a hood or cap is placed over the end of the tube according to the present disclosure. It can be as simple as a 90-degree elbow or multiple openings in the cap. A centerline of the openings is perpendicular or at an obtuse angle with respect to the direction of flow in the duct so that the intake gases do not directly access the openings and cause freezing in the openings (or ports).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher William Newman, Sandra Davidson Osip
  • Patent number: 10215139
    Abstract: A pair of middle cowls is arranged at positions rightward and leftward of a vehicle component located at a position forward of an engine. Part of the right middle cowl is arranged at a position further forward than an air cleaner case. A space in the air cleaner case is divided by a filter element into a first space positioned at a position further downstream than the filter element and a second space positioned at a position further upstream than the filter element. The second space is smaller than the first space. The second space and a third space inward of the right middle cowl communicate with each other by a communicating portion. The second space, at least part of the third space, and an internal space of the communicating portion constitute a dirty side chamber of an air cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Taya, Masami Shinsho, Toshio Iizuka, Masaru Okamura
  • Patent number: 10215140
    Abstract: A fuel control valve assembly that includes a ball bearing assembly and retainer assembly for a mixture control valve assembly and idle control valve assembly in use with general aviation fuel injector servos is disclosed. The assembly desirably reduces friction and wear on the components of the fuel control valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Turn and Bank Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Allen, Timothy Henderson
  • Patent number: 10215141
    Abstract: A system and method of detecting the presence of fuel vapor gases within a fuel supply module tank. The system includes a lift pump for filling the fuel supply module reservoir with liquid fuel from the main fuel tank. The fuel supply module reservoir may include a certain amount of fuel vapor and air, which is detected by a pressure sensor. If a resting pressure is detected, a control module runs the lift pump to pump liquid fuel into the fuel supply module reservoir and purges the vapor and air from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: WELLS VEHICLE ELECTRONICS L.P.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Reitmeyer
  • Patent number: 10215142
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an injector for an internal combustion engine which includes an injector housing, a piezo-actuator control unit having a first set of terminals, a connecting plug on a head of the injector housing, the connecting plug having a second set of terminals, and an electrical connection between the control unit and the connecting plug within the injector housing. The electrical connection comprises a contact element with conductor tracks integrated into an insulating body. The conductor tracks are connected to the terminals of the control unit and of the connecting plug. A first end of the insulating body abuts the control unit or the connecting plug and a second end is spaced from the connecting plug or the control unit. The contact element includes an elastic device by means of which the insulating body is braced against the component it abuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Emanuel Sanftleben, Martin Ploetz, Martin Simmet, Steffen Kernbach
  • Patent number: 10215143
    Abstract: A pressure-limiting valve for a fuel injection system includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a sealing seat, and a sealing body configured to move between a closed position in which the sealing body is in contact with the sealing seat, which blocks fluid flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and additional positions that permit such fluid flow, and a holding device for keeping the sealing body in one of the additional positions if the sealing body is moved at least a specified distance away from the sealing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Klesse, Tobias Ritsch, Robert Wiench, Michael Wirkowski
  • Patent number: 10215144
    Abstract: A fuel system is provided for switching between two separate regulated pressures of a first fuel pump to a supply line. The supply line supplies both a second fuel pump of a high pressure fuel injection system and a fuel injector separate from the high pressure fuel injection system. The switchover can include multiple regulators, one of which is selectively disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Brent D. Keppy, Justin Allen