Patents Issued in March 26, 2019
  • Patent number: 10240514
    Abstract: A water-cooled intercooler system using an air conditioning system, may include a water-cooled intercooler for cooling intake air compressed in a turbocharger by cooling water, a water pump for supplying the cooling water to the water-cooled intercooler, and a radiator of the water-cooled intercooler for cooling the cooling water by traveling wind or fan wind, wherein the intercooler system may include a bypass line allowing a condenser of the air conditioning system and a compressor of the air conditioning system to fluidly communicate with each other and passing through the interior of a surge tank of the radiator of the water-cooled intercooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seng-Joo Yang, Dang-Hee Park, Jong-Wan Han
  • Patent number: 10240515
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, in particular a supercharging air cooler for a motor vehicle engine, comprises a housing (11) provided with a heat exchange bundle (3), a collector (13) of a cooling liquid circulating in the heat exchange bundle (3), and a collector plate (15) forming a side wall of the heat exchanger housing (11) and of the cooling liquid collector (13). The collector plate (15) is provided with orifices (27) communicating with the cooling liquid circulation pipes of the bundle (3). The collector plate (15) comprises a flat connecting part (33a, 35a) fixed to the cooling liquid collector (13) opposite edges of the orifices (27). The flat connecting part (33a, 35a) is contiguous to at least one of the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Nicolas Vallee, Yoann Naudin
  • Patent number: 10240516
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a wastegate coupled to a turbine. In one example, a method may include during steady engine operation, actuating a wastegate to introduce an oscillation in boost pressure, and updating gain of a wastegate feedback controller responsive to the oscillation in boost pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hamid-Reza Ossareh, Baitao Xiao, Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Dave G. Hagner, Julia Helen Buckland
  • Patent number: 10240517
    Abstract: A turbocharger has a regulating unit for controlling the output of the turbocharger. The regulating unit can be adjusted by an actuator. The actuator is connected to the regulating unit by way of an actuating member and a lever. The actuating member and the lever are interconnected by way of a screw-nut element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Jaegle, Bruno Ferling, Alexander Fietsch, Mark Paulov
  • Patent number: 10240518
    Abstract: A variable-geometry turbocharger (1) with a vane lever (11) that provides a stop function at full open position of the guide vanes (8). The integrated vane-open stop controls the full open position of the VTG mechanism. A vane lever (11) preferably has an integrated protrusion (50) that functions as a vane-open stop that contacts an adjacent vane lever (11), an integrated bolt (56), or the upper vane ring (16) at the full open position to regulate maximum exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Vahidin Alajbegovic, Daniel J. Van Saun, Robert S. Lerosen, Daniel N. Ward
  • Patent number: 10240519
    Abstract: At least one of a variable turbine geometry and a variable compressor geometry for an exhaust gas turbocharger may include a housing including a first housing wall and a blade bearing ring having at least one guide blade rotatably mounted thereon. A control lever may be included for adjusting the at least one guide blade between a closing position and an opening position. An actuating shaft may be connected to the control lever in a rotationally fixed manner along a rotation axis. The actuating shaft may be rotatably mounted on the housing via a passage opening disposed in the first housing wall. The actuating shaft may directly support itself on the first housing wall in the passage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BMTS Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Anatolij Martens, Volkhard Ammon
  • Patent number: 10240520
    Abstract: A split-cycle engine includes a compression cylinder having a first volume for a first working fluid and a second volume for a second working fluid, the first volume and second volume being separated by the compression piston, an expansion cylinder having a first volume for the first working fluid and a second volume for the second working fluid, the first volume and second volume being separated by the expansion piston, and a fluid coupling between the second volume of the compression cylinder and the second volume of the expansion cylinder, wherein the two second volumes and the fluid coupling provide a closed volume for the second working fluid, wherein the fluid coupling includes a regenerator arranged such that the two second volumes are thermally decoupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ricardo UK Limited
    Inventor: Neville Jackson
  • Patent number: 10240521
    Abstract: An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft includes a rotary intermittent internal combustion engine drivingly engaged to an engine shaft, a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the engine(s), the turbine section including at least one turbine compounded with the engine shaft, and a compressor having an inlet in fluid communication with an environment of the aircraft and an outlet in fluid communication with a bleed duct for providing bleed air to the aircraft, the compressor having a compressor rotor connected to a compressor shaft, the compressor shaft drivingly engaged to the engine shaft. The driving engagement between the compressor shaft and the engine shaft is configurable to provide at least two alternate speed ratios between the compressor shaft and the engine shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Anthony Jones, Andre Julien, David Menheere, Jean Thomassin, Richard Ullyott, Daniel Van Den Ende
  • Patent number: 10240522
    Abstract: An auxiliary power unit for an aircraft, including an internal combustion engine having a liquid coolant system, a generator drivingly engaged to the internal combustion engine and having a liquid coolant system distinct from the liquid coolant system of the internal combustion engine, a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the liquid coolant system of the internal combustion engine, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the liquid coolant system of the generator, an exhaust duct in fluid communication with air passages of the heat exchangers, and a fan received in the exhaust duct and rotatable by the internal combustion engine for driving a cooling air flow through the air passages. The liquid coolant system of the engine may be distinct from fuel and lubricating systems of the auxiliary power unit. A method of cooling a generator and an internal combustion engine is also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Anthony Jones, Andre Julien, David Menheere, Jean Thomassin, Richard Ullyott
  • Patent number: 10240523
    Abstract: The heat pump includes a terminal block box housing a terminal block for supplying an electric power to at least one electrical device. The terminal block box is supported and made rotatable in a horizontal direction by a hinge. The terminal block box is located between a portion of side plates of a package and electromagnetic valves located on the side of the portion of the side plates. As a result, maintain of electrical devices can easily be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shohei Amakawa, Keisuke Taharabaru
  • Patent number: 10240524
    Abstract: Described herein is a system for variable actuation of an engine valve of an internal-combustion engine, where the system is able to actuate the engine valves, selectively, in a four-stroke operating mode and in a two-stroke operating mode, on the basis of the operating conditions of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Lucatello, Francesco Vattaneo, Vittorio Doria
  • Patent number: 10240525
    Abstract: A variable compression connecting rod system (10) located in an internal combustion engine (12) and a method of assembly can include a connecting rod (28) mountable to a piston pin (26) having a first longitudinal axis at one end and 5 mountable to a crankpin (22) having a second longitudinal axis at a second end portion (36). A hydraulically actuated eccentric rotor (52) rotatable about one of the first and second longitudinal axis. The eccentric rotor (52) including first and second vanes (54a, 54b) for driving the rotor between first and second angular positions in response to fluid pressure acting on the first and second vanes. The eccentric rotor 10 (52) having an eccentric surface area with different radial distances (80, 82) movable into alignment with a longitudinal axis of the connecting rod (28) for varying a longitudinal length of the connecting rod (28) between the first and second longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Roth, Christopher J. Pluta, Paul A. Darsky, Daniel Brown
  • Patent number: 10240526
    Abstract: A compressor section is in fluid communication with a fan, which includes a first compressor section and a second compressor section. A turbine section includes a first turbine section driving the fan and the first compressor section and a second turbine section driving the second compressor section and the second compressor rotor. A first performance quantity is defined as a product of the first speed squared and the first area. A second performance quantity is defined as a product of the second speed squared and the second exit area. A performance ratio of the first performance quantity to the second performance quantity is between about 0.2 and about 0.8. A gear reduction is included between the first turbine section and the first compressor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Frederick M. Schwarz, William K. Ackermann, Daniel Bernard Kupratis
  • Patent number: 10240527
    Abstract: An exhaust-gas turbocharger (1) with a bearing housing (2), a bearing cartridge (8) inserted into the bearing housing (2), a shaft (7) which is mounted in the bearing cartridge (8) and which extends in an axial direction, a bearing housing cover (9) which is connected to the bearing housing (2), a turbine wheel (5) which is arranged on the shaft (7), and a compressor wheel (6) which is arranged on the shaft (7), wherein the bearing housing cover (9) is connected directly to the bearing cartridge (8) in order to secure the bearing cartridge (8) in the axial direction and against rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Silvio Koch
  • Patent number: 10240528
    Abstract: In a filtration system, in particular for cleaning the intake air of a gas turbine, including a flow channel surrounded by walls with an inflow opening and an outflow opening, a partition wall with at least two openings between a dirty side and a clean side which is positioned between the inflow opening and the outflow opening and limited by the walls of the flow channel, and at least two filters for purifying a flowing fluid. At least one filter is installed at a first opening on the dirty side of the partition wall and at least one filter at a second opening on the clean side of the partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Torsten Herrmann
  • Patent number: 10240529
    Abstract: An example gas turbine engine includes a turbine and first and second spools coaxial with one another. The first spool is arranged within the second spool and extends between forward and aft ends. The aft end extends axially beyond the second spool and supports the turbine. A housing is arranged downstream from the turbine. First and second bearings are mounted to the aft end of the first spool and supported by the housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory M. Savela
  • Patent number: 10240530
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container (200) for a heat storage and restitution system, comprising a vessel in which a gas is circulating in order to be cooled or heated. The vessel is limited by a first jacket formed from concrete (203) surrounded by a thermally insulating layer (206), which is itself surrounded by a steel shell (204). The vessel comprises at least two modules (210), each comprising a double wall formed from concrete and a perforated base (205) limiting at least two volumes (217 and 216) which are each capable of containing a fixed bed of particles of a material for storage and restitution of heat (207). The modules are disposed one above the other in a centered manner such that the double wall formed from concrete forms the first jacket formed from concrete (203) and a second jacket formed from concrete (215).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Fabrice Deleau, Florence Richard, David Teixeira
  • Patent number: 10240531
    Abstract: A heat exchange module is provided for a turbine engine. The heat exchange module includes a duct and a plurality of heat exchangers. The duct includes a flowpath defined radially between a plurality of concentric duct walls. The flowpath extends along an axial centerline through the duct between a first duct end and a second duct end. The heat exchangers are located within the flowpath, and arranged circumferentially around the centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Schwarz, John T. Schmitz
  • Patent number: 10240532
    Abstract: A module for a gas turbine engine comprises a frame and a frame cooling system. The frame includes a circumferentially distributed plurality of radially extending struts. Each strut is joined to an outer frame section at an outer frame junction, and joined to an inner frame section at an inner frame junction. The frame cooling system comprises an inlet, a plurality of cooling air passages extending from the inlet radially through each of the plurality of frame struts; and an outlet. The outlet is in fluid communication with at least one of the cooling air passages and includes a film cooling hole formed through the frame proximate the outer frame junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Ariel Scott, William Yeager
  • Patent number: 10240533
    Abstract: A fuel system for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of duplex nozzles arranged on each side of top dead center and a plurality of simplex nozzles. A primary manifold is operable to communicate fuel to a primary flow jet in each of the plurality of duplex nozzles and a secondary manifold is operable to communicate fuel to a secondary flow jet in each of the plurality of duplex nozzles and a secondary flow jet in each of the plurality of simplex nozzles. An equalizer valve that is in communication with both the primary manifold and the secondary manifold distributes fuel at various pressures to both the primary and secondary manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Hoke, Timothy S. Snyder, David Kwoka, Robert M. Sonntag
  • Patent number: 10240534
    Abstract: A fuel supply manifold of a gas turbine engine, a method for assembling a fuel supply manifold for a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The fuel supply manifold for the gas turbine engine man include a plurality of fuel supply tubes, a fitting connecting at least two members of the plurality of fuel supply tubes, a bracket attached to the fitting, a bearing housing having a ball bearing, a bushing attached to a diffuser case of the gas turbine engine, wherein the bushing is surrounded by the ball bearing, and a removable fastener to connect the bearing housing to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert F. Sheil, Thomas Bruce Avis, Peter Tu
  • Patent number: 10240535
    Abstract: A gas turbine and a gas turbine silencer are provided. A silencer panel has a structure that can be divided into an upstream silencer panel and a downstream silencer panel in an airflow direction, a stepped part is defined in an opening-side portion of the downstream silencer panel, and the upstream silencer panel and the downstream silencer panel are linked by the stepped part fitting into an opening in the upstream silencer panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Matsuyama, Tomonori Toda
  • Patent number: 10240536
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed including a bifurcation fairing located in a bypass duct of the gas turbine engine and traversing the radial extent of the bypass duct. The bifurcation fairing has a delivery conduit inlet leading to a delivery conduit extending inside the bifurcation fairing, the delivery conduit being arranged in use for delivery of bypass air to one or more components of the gas turbine engine. A diverter conduit has a diverter conduit inlet from the delivery conduit upstream of the delivery conduit reaching the one or more components of the gas turbine engine. The diverter conduit has an outlet to a location other than the one or more components of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Adam MacGregor Bagnall, Peter Beecroft, Richard Geoffrey Stretton, Philip Geoffrey Woodrow, Stephane Michel Marcel Baralon, Angus Roy Smith
  • Patent number: 10240537
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a body including an inlet port, an outlet port, and a flow passage extending therebetween. The flow passage includes a plurality of valve seats in a stepped arrangement between the inlet port and the outlet port. The valve assembly further includes a valve stem positioned within the flow passage. The valve stem includes at least one shaft and a poppet disk positioned at one end of the at least one shaft, and at least one reed petal coupled to the at least one shaft. The poppet disk is engageable with a first valve seat of the plurality of valve seats, and the at least one reed petal is engageable with a second valve seat of the plurality of valve seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Michael Cadman, David Richard Barnhart
  • Patent number: 10240538
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder engine includes a plurality of cylinders that are fired at uneven intervals. A controller is configured or programmed to overlap a time period that a plunger increases a pressure in a pressurizing chamber and a time period that an electromagnetic valve remains opened in at least the longest one of the intervals at which the firing is conducted in the plurality of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akihiro Noma
  • Patent number: 10240539
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an engine having a plurality of cylinders includes: valve stop mechanisms that switch the engine from all-cylinder operation to cylinder cut-off operation; a VVT that can change the timing to open and close valves 14 during all-cylinder operation and cylinder cut-off operation; an oil pump that supplies oil to hydraulically operated devices including the valve stop mechanisms and the VVT through a hydraulic path; and a control device. The control device controls a maintaining oil pressure, which is required to maintain the operated state of the valve stop mechanisms during cylinder cut-off operation, so that the maintaining oil pressure is set to a high value in a high oil viscosity region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nishimoto, Masanori Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10240540
    Abstract: An engine system includes: an intake line through which fresh air flows; an exhaust line through which exhaust gas flows; an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system which recirculates some of exhaust gas to a combustion chamber; a turbocharger having: a turbine that rotates by the exhaust gas; and a compressor rotating by the rotation of the turbine; an intercooler disposed in the intake line at a rear end of the compressor; an intake bypass line penetrating the intercooler from the intake line, adjusting the amount of intake gas to be supplied into the combustion chamber, and merging into the intake line at a front end of the compressor; a recirculation valve disposed in the intake bypass line; and a controller controlling opening and closing of the recirculation valve so that some of the intake gas is supplied into the intake line through the intake bypass line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Choo Saeng Choi
  • Patent number: 10240541
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to an apparatus which enables a use to easily and safely disable a vehicular variable cylinder management technology system, while enabling restoration of the VCM/ECO mode under certain vehicle-related conditions or driving conditions. The presently disclosed apparatus comprises a potentiometer capable of modifying the voltage input received by the vehicle sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Brock Matthew Eastman
  • Patent number: 10240542
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting a fuel dispensing nozzle coupled to a fuel tank of a vehicle and providing a visual indication of the presence of the fuel dispensing nozzle to a vehicle operator. In one example, a method may include detecting the fuel dispensing nozzle within the fuel tank and illuminating a portion of a fuel tank access region. Further, vehicle operation may be adjusted based on the detection, and one or more alerts may be communicated to the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 10240543
    Abstract: An integrated ignition and electronic auto-choke module for an internal combustion engine and an internal combustion engine including the same. In one aspect, the module includes a housing that is configured to be mounted to an engine block of an internal combustion engine. The housing may contain at least a portion of a first temperature sensor that measures a first temperature indicative of an engine temperature. The housing may also contain a controller and at least a portion of an ignition circuit. The controller may be coupled to the first temperature sensor and configured to determine a starting position of a choke valve based on the first temperature and operate an actuator to move the choke valve into the starting position accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Robert Kleczewski, Michael J. Tursky, Pezaan Sham Patrawala, Awadhesh Kumar Thakur
  • Patent number: 10240544
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a system that includes a real-time engine model module and an adaptive control module. The real-time engine model module is configured to determine an engine parameter estimate signal based on at least one feedback signal indicative of an operating parameter of an engine. The adaptive control module is configured to receive a power request signal and receive, from the real real-time engine model module, the engine parameter estimate signal. The adaptive control module is further configured to determine a power demand signal based on the power request signal and the engine parameter estimate signal, wherein the adaptive control module is configured to determine the power demand signal based on the power request signal using a set of control laws. The adaptive control module is further configured to output the power demand signal to control at least one component of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Zeller, Curtis Harvey Cline, Michael P. Dougherty, Richard Joseph Skertic
  • Patent number: 10240545
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the estimation of an aircharge into a cylinder used to adjust an engine operating parameter, based on a manifold pressure signal stored in a buffer. In one example, a method may include sampling an intake manifold pressure sensor signal at even increments of time, stamping it with its corresponding crank angle and storing it in a buffer. The closest stored signal to the intake valve closing of a cylinder may be used to calculate its aircharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Justin Trzeciak, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Thomas G. Leone
  • Patent number: 10240546
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to internal combustion engines in general. The teachings may be embodied in methods and devices for operating an internal combustion engine having one or more cylinders which are each assigned gas inlet valves. The method may include: in a first operating state, determining a model temperature of a gas in the intake tract cyclically for a present point in time using a predefined intake pipe model without reference to a present temperature measurement value of the gas; determining a cylinder air mass situated in a respective cylinder after closing the gas exchange valves based at least in part on the model temperature determined for the present point in time; and metering fuel into the respective cylinder based at least in part on the determined cylinder air mass. The model temperature for the present point in time depends at least in part on a model temperature determined for a preceding point in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Juergen Dingl
  • Patent number: 10240547
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel injection control device capable of accurately detecting a valve opening delay time of a fuel injection valve, and implementing high-precision minute injection control. A valve opening delay time of a fuel injection valve is estimated on the basis of a plurality of valve closing delay times obtained when the fuel injection valve is operated with injection pulse widths that are different injection pulse widths from each other and with which the fuel injection valve is in an intermediate lift state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Haoyun Shi, Yuuki Okuda, Masahiro Toyohara
  • Patent number: 10240548
    Abstract: An electronic control unit suitable for a motorcycle provides diagnostic support, tachometer drive and warning lamp drive all multiplexed onto one pin and driven by a single driver circuit. In a diagnostics mode, the pin is connected to diagnostic equipment. When a diagnostic test has been completed, a tachometer drive signal is output on the pin, the drive signal having a duty cycle set high enough to illuminate the warning lamp if a fault condition is detected by on-board sensors. By combining multiple functions onto a single pin with a single driver circuit, the cost of implementing an engine control unit may be reduced compared with existing arrangements which require separate pins and drivers for each function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Garrard, Anoop K. Aggarwal, William E. Edwards, Philip Tobin
  • Patent number: 10240549
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying engine wear based on engine oil debris is provided. The provided system and method utilize metallic debris data provided in summary reports. For each object of metallic debris, a zap count, an initial (pre-zap) impedance and an impedance change (post zap) are processed with configurable reference variables. Alerts (suggesting potential engine wear) are generated responsive to the impedance values of the objects of metallic debris and the reference variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Tomas Rudolecky, Chris Hickenbottom, Zdenek Hrncir, Onder Uluyol, Kyusung Kim
  • Patent number: 10240550
    Abstract: A method for determining the angular position of an engine by a crankshaft sensor and a camshaft sensor. The method includes production by the crankshaft sensor of a revolution event, determination of the angular position of the camshaft by identifying the start-of-tooth and end-of-tooth events following the revolution event, in rapid mode, over at most one revolution of the crankshaft, if a no tooth event occurs after the revolution event and if the determination of the angular position of the camshaft fails, the method continues with a step of determining the angular position of the camshaft by identification, in slow mode, over at least two crankshaft revolutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Christophe Mazenc
  • Patent number: 10240551
    Abstract: Provided are an electromagnetic valve control unit and a fuel injection control device using the same that can precisely detect a change of an operating state of an electromagnetic valve, that is, a valve opening time or a valve closing time of the electromagnetic valve, precisely correct a drive voltage or a drive current applied to the electromagnetic valve, and appropriately control opening/closing of the electromagnetic valve, with a simple configuration. In an electromagnetic valve control unit for controlling opening/closing of an electromagnetic valve by a drive voltage and a drive current to be applied, the drive voltage and the drive current applied to the electromagnetic valve are corrected on the basis of a detection time of an inflection point from time series data of the drive voltage and the drive current when the electromagnetic valve is opened/closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Aono, Motoyuki Abe, Ryo Kusakabe, Teppei Hirotsu, Ayumu Hatanaka, Hideyuki Sakamoto, Takao Fukuda, Masahiro Toyohara, Osamu Mukaihara
  • Patent number: 10240552
    Abstract: A battery-less fuel injection system, provided with an injector for injecting fuel supplied to an engine, a fuel pump for supplying fuel to the injector, and an ECU for controlling the injector, wherein a fuel pressure sensor for detecting the fuel pressure given to the injector is provided, and the ECU controls the fuel injection in the process of starting the engine, so that execution of fuel injection is suspended when the fuel pressure detected by the fuel pressure sensor is a set pressure or less, until it is confirmed that the detected fuel pressure has exceeded the set pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MAHLE ELECTRIC DRIVES JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoaki Sekita
  • Patent number: 10240553
    Abstract: This fuel injection system includes a port injector, an in-cylinder injector, and a control device. The control device sets the number of executions of maximum partial lift injection per injection stroke based on the pressure of a fuel supplied to the in-cylinder injector and within a range of the number of injections in which an injection amount of the maximum partial lift injection per injection stroke becomes equal to or less than a target amount. This control device allows the in-cylinder injector to execute the number of executions of the maximum partial lift injection and allows the port injector to inject the fuel by the amount equal to the shortfall compared to the total injection amount only in the maximum partial lift injection by the in-cylinder injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nakano, Eiji Murase
  • Patent number: 10240554
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing direct injector fueling errors due to injection variability in a transition region of a direct injector map. Fuel injection, including usage of one or more direct and port injected fuel pulses, may be planned based on engine operating conditions including engine temperature and driver demand. Responsive to any of the direct injected fuel pulses having a pulse-width that lies in a high variability transition region of the direct injector, the fuel injection may be adjusted via adjustments to a number and/or split ratio of the injections so as to not operate in the transition region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ethan D. Sanborn, Paul Hollar, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Daniel Dusa
  • Patent number: 10240555
    Abstract: Technology is provided for a fluid conduit assembly for connecting orthogonally oriented connections. The assembly includes a first tube arcuately extending from a first proximal end portion to a first distal end portion. The first proximal end portion includes a first fitting connectable to a first fluid connection. A second tube arcuately extends from a second proximal end portion to a second distal end portion. The second proximal end portion includes a second fitting connectable to a second fluid connection that is orthogonally oriented with respect to the first fluid connection. A coupling connects the first distal end portion and the second distal end portion. The first rigid tube is rotatably positionable with respect to the first fluid connection whereby a first distal axis and a second distal axis are substantially coaxially aligned when the first fitting and second fitting are connected to the first and second fluid connections, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Fairbanks Morse, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Raymond Olenski
  • Patent number: 10240556
    Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine and method of construction thereof is provided. The piston has a top part and a bottom part. The top part has an upper combustion surface including a top surface with a combustion bowl recessed therein. An annular combustion bowl rim extends between the top surface and a side wall of the combustion bowl. The bottom part has a bottom wall and a pair of pin bosses depending therefrom. The top part is fixed to the bottom part with an annular cooling gallery defined therebetween. The side wall of the combustion bowl has a radially outwardly facing side bounding a portion of the cooling gallery, wherein an annular recessed channel is formed therein adjacent the combustion bowl rim. A cooling ring is disposed in the annular channel. The cooling ring channels coolant adjacent the combustion bowl rim to facilitate cooling the combustion bowl rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Tenneco Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Ni
  • Patent number: 10240557
    Abstract: A cooling channel cover for a piston of an internal combustion engine may include a body having mutually opposite end faces. At least one supply element for a coolant may be received in an opening disposed in the cooling channel cover. The supply element may include an inlet region and an outlet region, and may be held on the cooling channel cover via a clipped-in latching connection. A spring tab may be disposed on the inlet region of the supply element, and/or a latching element may be disposed on the outlet region of the supply element. The spring clip may engage one of the end faces and the latching element may engage the opposite end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Sascha-Oliver Boczek, Timo Linke, Rainer Scharp
  • Patent number: 10240558
    Abstract: A piston for a two-stroke engine operating with advanced scavenging has a piston base and a piston skirt. The piston has a piston pocket which has a smallest distance (e) from a top side of the piston base. The piston has a section plane perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis of the piston, the distance of which section plane from the top side of the piston base is greater than the smallest distance (e). A middle plane of the piston intersects the piston skirt at a location. In the circumferential direction between the pocket and this location, a thickened area is arranged in the section plane, the greatest wall thickness of which area is at least 1.1 times the wall thickness at the location. The piston has an edge at a recess at which the piston skirt has a reduced height. A chamfer is arranged on the radially outer side of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Birger Loew, Jonas Lank
  • Patent number: 10240559
    Abstract: A piston arrangement comprising: a piston, a first chamber, a second chamber and a power transfer assembly; wherein the piston comprises a first head movable within the first chamber and a second head movable within the second chamber; wherein, in operation, the piston follows a linear path in reciprocating motion along a first axis; wherein the power transfer assembly comprises a shaft rotatably coupled to a shuttle bearing and arranged to convert the reciprocating motion of the piston to rotary motion of the shaft; wherein the shuttle bearing moves relative to the piston in reciprocating motion along a second axis substantially transverse to the first axis; and wherein the shuttle bearing is coupled to the piston via a non-planar bearing surface thereby allowing rotation of the shuttle bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Joost Engines Ltd.
    Inventor: Oliver Jukes
  • Patent number: 10240560
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system that includes a boot configured to attach to a chevron of an aircraft nacelle, and an attachment mechanism configured to attach the boot and the chevron. In some embodiments, a boot includes a first surface and a second surface, where the surfaces are attached by inwardly tapering sidewalls that form an opening that is configured to surround a chevron of an aircraft nacelle. In some embodiments, a repair of a chevron on an exhaust nozzle of an aircraft engine includes placing a chevron-shaped boot with a pocket over at least a portion of a chevron structure on an exhaust nozzle of an aircraft engine, the pocket having a shape that generally conforms to an external surface of the chevron, covering the portion of the chevron structure with the boot, and fastening the boot to the chevron through at least one of bonding or mechanical fastening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Ward
  • Patent number: 10240561
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an aerodynamic track fairing adjacent to a convergent-divergent nozzle, the aerodynamic track fairing including a localized curvature along an outside edge. The aerodynamic track fairing is configured to offset a circumferential pressure gradient otherwise introduced in part by a transition between the convergent-divergent nozzle with the aerodynamic track fairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Zsurka
  • Patent number: 10240562
    Abstract: A submersible pumping system in a machine system includes a pumping element, and a drive mechanism for actuating the pumping element. The drive mechanism has an electromagnetic element with a superconducting state at or below a critical temperature. A temperature control jacket and cooling mechanism are provided to pump heat from a heat exchange cavity to cool the drive mechanism to or below a critical temperature less than an ambient temperature in a cryogenic environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Popadiuc
  • Patent number: 10240563
    Abstract: A scavenged gas amount calculation device for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of accurately calculating a scavenged gas amount under conditions where scavenged gases are produced during a valve overlap time period, and an internal EGR amount calculation device for the engine, which is capable of calculating an internal EGR amount using the scavenged gas amount thus calculated. The internal EGR amount calculation device includes an ECU. The ECU calculates a basic blown-back gas amount using an average intake pressure, a maximum exhaust pressure, and a correction coefficient (step 6), calculates a scavenged gas amount using the average intake pressure, a minimum exhaust pressure, and a scavenge ratio (step 8), calculates a blown-back gas amount by correcting the basic blown-back gas amount by the scavenged gas amount (step 11), and calculates the internal EGR amount according to the blown-back gas amount (step 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Kosaka, Koichiro Shinozaki