Patents Issued in January 7, 2020
  • Patent number: 10526978
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly (10) comprising: an annular nozzle (4) of a turbine of a turbine engine, a structural annular element (6) of the turbine engine, the nozzle (4) and the structural annular element (6) each comprising a radial flange (16, 18), the flanges being applied axially onto one another, and at least one member (12) for axially retaining the flange (16) of the nozzle (4) with the flange (18) of the structural annular element (6), with the member being applied to one of the flanges and being able to axially retain the two flanges one on top of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Axel Sylvain Loïc Thomas, Maurice Guy Judet, Gabrijel Radeljak
  • Patent number: 10526979
    Abstract: A gas turbine provided with an air bleeder tube (1) that, during startup, bleeds a portion of the compressed air of a compressor from the compressor and discharged the bled air into a cylindrical exhaust duct (20), wherein the air bleeder tube (1) is disposed at a portion that does not obstruct the flow of the main flow of combustion gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuro Sakamoto, Eisaku Ito, Susumu Wakazono, Koichi Ishizaka, Yukinori Machida
  • Patent number: 10526980
    Abstract: To improve accuracy in misfire determination, a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that controls an internal combustion engine having a variable compression ratio mechanism capable of changing the compression ratio of the internal combustion engine includes a controller configured to: determine that a misfire occurs if the magnitude of rotational fluctuation of the internal combustion engine is equal to or larger than a misfire criterion value and to make the misfire criterion value larger during the time in which changing of the compression ratio of the internal combustion engine is in progress than during the time in which the compression ratio is not being changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Sasaki, Akira Eiraku, Masanori Hattori, Yoshiyuki Kageura, Teppei Yoshioka, Shinichi Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 10526981
    Abstract: An engine control device is provided, that includes an air amount controller, an ignition timing controller, a basic target torque determinator which determines a basic target torque, a change rate acquirer for acquiring a change rate of a steering operation, a target additional deceleration setter for increasing a target additional deceleration while an increase rate thereof becomes less as the change rate increases, a torque reduction amount determinator for determining an engine torque reduction amount, a final target torque determinator for determining a final target torque, and an actual air amount estimator for estimating an actual air amount introduced into a combustion chamber. The air amount controller determines a target air amount and controls the intake air amount to achieve the target air amount. The ignition timing controller retards the ignition timing more as the actual air amount becomes more excessive with respect to the target amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Chikako Ohisa, Osamu Sunahara, Daisuke Umetsu, Takahiro Kawamura, Yasunori Takahara, Daisaku Ogawa, Takeatsu Ito
  • Patent number: 10526982
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine 31 for a motorcycle includes a supercharger 63 arranged above a crankcase 81 positioned below a front cylinder head 92 of a front bank 31A and a rear cylinder head 97 of a rear bank 31B. In the internal combustion engine 31 for the motorcycle, the crankcase 81 is covered with a case cover 116 from the outside in a vehicle width direction, and the supercharger 63 is supported by a supercharger supporting portion 116a provided above the case cover 116.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Fukuda, Kenichi Omori, Masaru Odajima
  • Patent number: 10526983
    Abstract: It is a challenge to reduce unburned hydrocarbon emissions for gaseous fuelled engines, especially at low engine load conditions, to meet demanding emission regulation targets. A method for reducing unburned hydrocarbon emissions in a lean-burn internal combustion engine that is fuelled with a gaseous fuel comprises adjusting the timing for closing of an intake valve as a function of engine operating conditions by one of advancing timing for closing of the intake valve and closing the intake valve earlier during an intake stroke; and retarding timing for closing of the intake valve and closing the intake valve later during a compression stroke. The volumetric efficiency of the internal combustion engine is reduced and unburned hydrocarbon emissions are maintained below a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: WESTPORT POWER INC.
    Inventors: Philip G. Hill, Bronson D. Patychuk, Gordon P. McTaggart-Cowan, Ning Wu
  • Patent number: 10526984
    Abstract: A fuel evaporative emission control device including an electronic control unit that, when fuel tank inner pressure exceeds a first predetermined pressure, performs tank purge of closing a bypass valve and opening a sealing valve, discharging fuel evaporative gas inside the fuel tank into an air intake path of an engine in an operated state through a purge pipe and a vapor pipe, and treating the fuel evaporative gas, where, when tank purge is performed, if a first predetermined period of time passes after closing of the bypass valve without the fuel tank inner pressure falling to or below the first predetermined pressure, the sealing valve is closed and tank purge is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Wakamatsu, Kenichi Kunii
  • Patent number: 10526985
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel processing device may include: a canister; a purge passage through which purge gas sent from the canister to an intake passage passes; a pump; a control valve disposed on the purge passage and configured to switch between a communication state and a cutoff state; a specifying device configured to specify an evaporated fuel concentration of the purge gas in the purge passage when the purge gas is to be supplied from the canister to the intake passage. A controller may be configured to switch the control valve based on at least a first cycle and a second cycle which is longer than the first cycle. The specifying device may specify the evaporated fuel concentration of the purge gas in the purge passage while the pump is active and the control valve is in the cutoff state in the second cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisaku Asanuma
  • Patent number: 10526986
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system of an engine system includes determining a first EGR command according to a first method during a steady state engine condition, determining a second EGR command according to a second method during a transient engine condition, wherein the first method is based at least in part on values from a NOx sensor, and the second method is not based on values from a NOx sensor. The method further includes adjusting an EGR valve of the EGR system based on the first EGR command during the steady state engine condition, and adjusting the EGR valve based on the second EGR command during the transient engine condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
    Inventors: Reddy P. S. Sankara, Steven D. Johnson, Liangtao Zhu, Michael B. Goetzke
  • Patent number: 10526987
    Abstract: A NOx catalyst is provided on an exhaust passage of an engine. The NOx catalyst reduces the occluded NOx when an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas is in the vicinity of a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or in a richer state than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. Turbocharging is executed by turbochargers. In a low load region within the reduction execution region, a target air-fuel ratio is achieved, as required for NOx reduction, by air amount adjustment with an air amount control valve provided on an intake passage. Since a large amount of air is needed in the high load region within the reduction execution region, the target air-fuel ratio is achieved by air amount adjustment using turbocharging pressure control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Kanno, Hiroyuki Nishimura, Kenji Tanimura, Kenta Ando
  • Patent number: 10526988
    Abstract: A controlling device for purifying exhaust gas includes: a fuel cutting controller (2) that, if a predetermined condition for fuel cutting is satisfied, shuts off supply of fuel to an engine (10) after a predetermined delay time (B) elapses; a calculator (3) that calculates oxygen occludability of a catalyst (6, 7) being interposed in an exhaust system of the engine (10) and containing an oxygen occludable material; and a setter (4) that sets a length of the delay time (B) in accordance with the oxygen occludability calculated by the calculator (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kinichi Iwachido
  • Patent number: 10526989
    Abstract: Method, apparatus and mobile user appliance for adapting an energy utilization process of a vehicle. At least one value of an energy utilization characteristic quantity is ascertained that represents a first energy utilization process in a first vehicle, and a value of a parameter is ascertained that represents at least one constraint of the energy utilization in the first vehicle during the energy utilization process. A mathematical relationship between at least one of the provided values of an energy utilization characteristic quantity, the values of the parameters of the first vehicle and parameters for a possible second energy utilization process of a second vehicle is ascertained. Further, a data record is provided on the basis of the ascertained mathematical relationship, and a profile data record is provided that comprises the data record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Patent number: 10526990
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring and/or detecting combustion misfire events in periodic combustion processes in internal combustion engines, using combustion signals derived from a first oxygen sensor exposed to exhaust gas of a periodic combustion process and a second oxygen sensor exposed to the same exhaust gas. The first oxygen sensor is resistive-based, and responds relatively faster to changes in the temperature and/or composition of the exhaust gas. The second oxygen sensor is voltaic-based or ampometric-based, and responds relatively slower to changes to the temperature and/or composition of the exhaust gas. When the temperature and/or composition of the exhaust changes rapidly but transiently due to a combustion misfire event, the different response rates of the first and second combustion signals allows for the combustion misfire event(s) to be detected. Either and/or both oxygen sensors may be used to control the engine in a conventional fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Kerdea Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Ervin Fosaaen, Horizon Walker Gitano-Briggs
  • Patent number: 10526991
    Abstract: An abnormality detection device includes: an opening degree acquisition unit, which acquires a plurality of opening degree data indicating an opening degree of a valve provided in a vehicle, the opening degree being measured during a certain period; an integration unit, which calculates an integrated value of a plurality of differences by integrating the plurality of differences between a plurality of opening degree actual measurement values indicated by the plurality of opening degree data acquired by the opening degree acquisition unit and an opening degree target value of the valve; and a determination unit, which determines that there is an abnormality in the vehicle when the integrated value integrated by the integration unit is higher than a certain value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Naotoshi Komeno, Katsushi Shidomi, Ryousuke Akimoto, Yuuji Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 10526992
    Abstract: A method to detect and mitigate sensor degradation in an automobile system includes: collecting output signal data from at least one of a sensor and an actuator which is outputting the signal data related to operational parameters of a vehicle system; placing the sensor or the actuator in communication with a fault box used to purposely corrupt the output signal data; analyzing patterns of the output signal data compared to signal data from a nominal operating sensor or actuator using an artificial intelligence program; identifying when a statistical range of the patterns exceeds a first threshold level; and modifying a control signal to change the operational parameters of the vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Kevin C. Wong, Marcus S. Gilbert, Jeffrey M. Hutmacher
  • Patent number: 10526993
    Abstract: A method for checking the operation of a high-pressure fuel supply unit for an internal combustion engine, consisting in driving a high-pressure fuel injection pump by a starter, and after the engine is synchronised and fuel injection into the cylinders is shut off, in defining an initial base pressure in a high-pressure rail, in activating the injection pump by issuing successive timing and angle-setting commands, on the basis of the initial pressure, and in comparing the first pressure and the second pressure obtained in the rail by these timing and angle-setting commands, and/or by comparing at least one of the pressures with a reference pressure in order to check the operation of the high-pressure fuel supply unit for the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Yves Agnus, Renaud Andre, Nicolas Girard
  • Patent number: 10526994
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for health assessments of a fuel system. In one example, a fuel system includes a high-pressure fuel pump operable to increase fuel pressure from a first pressure to a second pressure, a common fuel rail fluidly coupling the high-pressure fuel pump to a plurality of fuel injectors each of which is operable to inject fuel to individual cylinders of an engine, a pressure sensor operable to detect a pressure of fuel at the common fuel rail, and a controller operable to diagnose a condition of the high-pressure fuel pump based on output from the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Morse N. Taxon, Pradheepram Ottikkutti
  • Patent number: 10526995
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for fuel metering may include an injection nozzle, which includes a nozzle body, a nozzle needle, and a nozzle orifice, wherein nozzle needle is disposed in the nozzle body; a control piston configured to mechanically and electrically contact the nozzle needle in an axial direction opposite to the nozzle orifice; a transmitter configured to communicate with a controller and electrically contact the nozzle needle via the control piston; wherein the controller is configured to determine an open state and a closed state between the nozzle needle and the nozzle body via an electrical signal detected by the transmitter; and wherein the controller is configured to adjust the open state and the closed state in correlation with a fuel injection quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Roland Steininger, Johannes Ullrich
  • Patent number: 10526996
    Abstract: An improved surface activation technique improves the adhesion of thermal spray coatings, which is useful for engine cylinder bores. The new method includes compressing the cylinder bore surface to create a surface profile on the surface, such as through rolling a roller along the surface. An engine block is also provided, which includes a plurality of cylinder bores, each cylinder bore having an inner surface, and each inner surface having a surface profile that includes a helical groove and other surface profiles formed in the inner surface. A thermal spray coating is formed on the inner surface of each cylinder bore, the thermal spray coating being adhered to the surface profile of the inner surface. A roller assembly for activating the surface is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jianghuai Yang, Qigui Wang, Martin S Kramer, Dale A Gerard
  • Patent number: 10526997
    Abstract: A cylinder structure of an internal combustion engine contains: a body, a titanium plating layer, and two shells. The body is die casted and includes a combustion chamber surrounded by a peripheral fence and a cylinder head, a gas inlet and a gas outlet which are defined on two sides of the combustion chamber respectively, and the body includes two gas purge units, the two gas purge units have a first purge orifice and a second purge orifice. The titanium plating layer is located on a second internal fringe of the peripheral fence of the body. Each of the two shells covers each gas purge unit so as to close the first purge orifice and the second purge orifice and to define a gas conduit among the first purge orifice, the second purge orifice, and the peripheral fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Chun-Li Chen
  • Patent number: 10526998
    Abstract: A system and method for fluidly sealing a cylinder head interface between an engine block and a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. An example apparatus includes a perimeter seal disposed on an outer periphery of the cylinder head. The perimeter seal has a first surface to abut a cylinder head sealing surface and a second surface to abut an engine block sealing surface. The perimeter seal is configured to prevent fluid from an external environment from entering the cylinder head interface and to allow fluid within the cylinder head interface to vent to the external environment when the fluid is above a predetermined pressure. A first fluid transfer tube seal fluidly seals a first fluid transfer orifice extending between the engine block and the cylinder head. The perimeter seal and the first fluid transfer tube seal are formed as a unitary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Genter, Terrence M. Shaw, Timothy A. Solzak, Stephen Cox, Donald P. Leclerc
  • Patent number: 10526999
    Abstract: An engine provided with a combustion chamber includes a cylinder head in which a bulkhead is provided so as to extend toward the combustion chamber and an intake port is formed so as to bifurcate at the bulkhead, a bulkhead member that is provided with a partition plate intersecting the bulkhead and that divides the intake port into a first flow passage and a second flow passage with the partition plate provided between the first and second flow passages. The bulkhead of the cylinder head has a cutout formed and the partition plate of the bulkhead plate has an auxiliary wall that fills the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shunsuke Okino
  • Patent number: 10527000
    Abstract: An aircraft with at least one engine that generates a hot air flow in operation of the aircraft, wherein at least one hot air exhaust is provided for exhausting the generated hot air flow, the at least one hot air exhaust comprising at least one first exhaust section that is mounted in a rotatable manner to at least one second exhaust section via an associated off-axis swivel joint, wherein an actuating member is provided that is adapted for applying a turning moment to the at least one second exhaust section in operation of the aircraft in order to displace a longitudinal axis of the at least one second exhaust section with respect to a longitudinal axis of the at least one first exhaust section by a predetermined displacement angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Wellhausen
  • Patent number: 10527001
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (3) for driving actuators (7-10) for a thrust reverser, comprising a motorised drive unit (15) comprising a motor (22), a drive shaft (14) suitable for connecting to a flexible shaft (4, 5) for driving actuators (7-10), the drive shaft (14) being rotated by the motor (22) about a rotational axis (X), a manual drive unit (17) comprising a drive wheel (32) mounted such that it rotates about the rotational axis (X), and a clutch (18) comprising a clutch part (40) which is secured in rotation with the wheel (32) and mobile in translation in relation to the wheel (32), between an engaged position wherein the clutch part is connected to the drive shaft (14) in such a way as to secure the drive shaft (14) and the wheel (32) in rotation, and a disengaged position wherein the clutch part (40) is not connected to the drive shaft (14) so as to allow an independent rotation of the drive shaft (14) and the wheel (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE
    Inventors: Julien Tisseau, Louis Chavignier
  • Patent number: 10527002
    Abstract: A seal retainer for a fire seal of a gas turbine engine is provided. The seal retainer includes a core formed from a thermoplastic material and having a shape of a seal retainer with a top surface and a bottom surface, a first layer applied to the top surface of the core, and a second layer applied to the bottom surface of the core. The first layer and the second layer are formed from a high-temperature resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Russell Brian Hayes, Joseph C. Zecca
  • Patent number: 10527003
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various technologies pertinent to rocket engines, including injector, thrust chamber, and electrical turbopump devices that may be combined to provide a highly efficient rocket engine and methods of manufacturing such devices, such as additive manufacturing. The use of additive manufacturing techniques allows for injectors and thrust chambers with complex geometries that provide for more efficient engine operation, including, for example, thrust chambers with varying surface roughness within cooling passages thereof and injectors with multiple annular plenums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Joseph Beck, Lachlan Jesse Matchett, Peter William Edward Barlow
  • Patent number: 10527004
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for providing a restartable ignition system for a hybrid rocket system. In one embodiment, an ignition device includes a housing and at least two electrodes. The housing includes a first side and a second side and defines a bore with an axis extending therethrough between the first and second sides, the bore defining an internal surface of the housing. The at least two electrodes extend through the housing to the internal surface. The at least two electrodes are configured to be spaced apart so as to provide an electrical potential field along the internal surface between the at least two electrodes. Such housing is formed with and includes multiple flat layers such that the multiple flat layers provide ridges along the internal surface. With this arrangement, the internal surface with the ridges are configured to concentrate an electrical charge upon being subjected to the electrical potential field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Utah State University
    Inventors: Stephen A. Whitmore, Nathan Inkley, Daniel P. Merkley
  • Patent number: 10527005
    Abstract: An improved body defining a restricted fluid flow passage in a fuel supply system for delivering a gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine. The body is formed for installation between and fluidly connecting a gaseous fuel supply conduit and a gaseous fuel flow passage that defines a predetermined volume between the restricted fluid flow passage and a nozzle chamber of a fuel injector from which the gaseous fuel is injected into the internal combustion engine. The restricted fluid flow passage has the smallest effective flow area between the gaseous fuel supply conduit and the nozzle chamber. The restricted fluid flow passage is located a predetermined distance from an injection valve seal within the fuel injector. The predetermined distance is calculated as a function of the speed of sound in the gaseous fuel and an opened time of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: WESTPORT POWER INC.
    Inventors: Ashish Singh, Alain M. J. Touchette, David K. Mumford, Guowei Li, Michael C. Wickstone, Christopher J. B. Dicken
  • Patent number: 10527006
    Abstract: Provided is a mounting structure of a water injection device of an internal combustion engine. The mounting structure is for a water injector (11) of the internal combustion engine. The water injector (11) is mounted to the intake port (6) of the internal combustion engine (1) installed in a vehicle and injects water into the intake port (6) during operation of the internal combustion engine (1). The water injector (11) has a body part (12) mounted to the intake port (6) and an injection port (13a) disposed at the front end of the body part (12) in a state of facing the interior of the intake port (6) and injecting water (W). The intake port (6) has an inclined wall (21) for preventing water from flowing to the downstream side of the intake port (6) when water leaks from the injection port (13a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kondo, Yutaka Kohda, Shiro Takakura
  • Patent number: 10527007
    Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in internal combustion engines. More particularly it relates to increased levels of usable electrical energy production and fuel efficiency within a relatively fixed speed, cam-track style Engine/Generator when combined with the secondary injection or injections of a rapidly expanding medium (usually water) into the engines combustion chambers during and after the combustion process has been initiated. The injection of said medium causing reduced fuel consumption, increased cylinder pressure, an extended usable piston stroke length, and increased usable energy production, while reducing the temperature of the combustion gases in order to control or eliminate the production of the pollutant, NOx and to further reduce thermal pollution exhausted into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: RUSSEL ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert L. Russell
  • Patent number: 10527008
    Abstract: Disclosed is a diagnostic method of diagnosing sticking of a canister purge valve comprising steps of: controlling opening and closing of the canister purge valve in order to diagnose sticking of the canister purge valve and calculating a throttle learning value for acquiring variation in an air inflow amount based on an intake air pressure sensor and an throttle opening amount in each of control sections; comparing the throttle learning values calculated in each of control sections and acquiring variation in the air inflow amount flowing from the canister purge valve when the canister purge valve is opened and closed; and determining whether the canister purge valve is stuck or not based on the variation in the air inflow amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Hyundai Autron Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Dong-Ha Kim, Jong-Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 10527009
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculating apparatus is arranged in an intake manifold. The intake passages are aligned in a first direction. The apparatus has an inter-cylinder exhaust gas distributing portion, a first introduction passage, and a second introduction passage. The direction in which the intake passages are aligned is referred to as a second direction. The first introduction passage is arranged at such a position that the center line of the first introduction passage in the second direction is offset from the center line of the first intake passage in the second direction to be away from the second intake passage. The second introduction passage is arranged at such a position that the center line of the second introduction passage in the second direction is offset from the center line of the second intake passage in the second direction to be away from the first intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryosuke Nagata
  • Patent number: 10527010
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine includes an electric supercharger that includes a compressor wheel that is configured to be rotated by an electric motor. The control system includes a bypass passage, a bypass valve, and an exhaust gas recirculation passage. The control device is configured to control the electric supercharger and the bypass valve based on an operation condition of the internal combustion engine. The control device is configured to cause a stepping operation of the electric supercharger in which acceleration and stopping of the compressor wheel are repeated within a predetermined cleaning time after operation of the internal combustion engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Makio Oshita, Toshihiro Yamamichi, Satoshi Umemura
  • Patent number: 10527011
    Abstract: A fuel deoxygenation system has a deoxygenator, an ultrasound transducer, and a control. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to direct ultrasonic waves into a flow passage for a fuel connected to the deoxygenator. A gas turbine engine and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Staroselsky, Haralambos Cordatos
  • Patent number: 10527012
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine compartment containing an internal combustion engine and a cooler compartment adjacent the engine compartment containing a heat exchanger. The engine and cooler compartments have an opening defined therebetween. A forced air system is operable to drive an airflow. A method for cooling the engine and its compartment is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Luc Dionne, Bruno Villeneuve, Andre Julien, Serge Dussault
  • Patent number: 10527013
    Abstract: A hyperbaric fuel system (10a, 10b) produces hydrogenated liquid fuel (30) for combustion reactions of compression or spark ignition engines and improves fossil fuel efficiency without requiring major changes to existing fuel systems. The hydrogenated liquid fuel (30) decreases the NOx, CO and unburned hydrocarbon particulate matter, and reduces the consumption of liquid fuel (26). The systems produces hydrogen gas (18) and dissolves the hydrogen gas (18) in the liquid fuel (26) using several chambers, including a hyperbaric mixing chamber (58), between the liquid fuel supply and a fuel pump (28) supplying the hydrogenated liquid fuel (30) to fuel injectors (40). Unused hydrogen gas (18) and hydrogenated liquid fuel (30) is recirculated to minimize loss of efficiency. The system preferably includes a water reservoir and electrolysis device to generate the hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SALUS ENERGY SOLUTIONS, L.P.
    Inventors: Harvey K. St. Mary, James A. Chadick, Ross Cornell
  • Patent number: 10527014
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a demount-free electrical cleanable filter, which includes a housing and a main filter cylinder in the housing. the housing is provided with a cleaning hoop and a reciprocating driving device. The cleaning hoop is sleeved on cylinder filtering material of the main filter cylinder. The reciprocating driving device drives the cleaning hoop to move up and down repeatedly, so as to conduct a clean-up operation on the main filter cylinder. The beneficial effect of the present invention is as follows. The present invention can be used in vehicle using fuel, engine and industry, environmental filtering, according to the flow rate and different designs of material. By a novel structure design, the lifetime of the present filter is greatly improved. During the entire life cycle of the filter, an apparatus which uses the present filter does not need to replace the fuel filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Chunlei Wu
  • Patent number: 10527015
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly of a fuel injector includes a body with external walls defining an internal volume and an internal wall dividing the connector in a first part adapted to be fixed in a complementary engagement with the body of the injector and, in a second part adapted to receive another electrical connector. The electrical connector assembly also includes at least one electrical terminal extending through the internal wall from an inner extremity protruding in the inner volume of the first part of the body, to an outer extremity protruding in the outer volume of the second part of the body. The outer extremity is shaped to receive in a complementary engagement an electrical terminal of said another electrical connector. The connector assembly is adapted to be in fluid communication with the back leak return conduit of the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Eric Miny, Jean-Etienne Blanc, Xavier Lale, Samuel Sarmezan, Fabrizio Bonfigli
  • Patent number: 10527016
    Abstract: A plug connector for connecting to an electric connection of a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine can comprise a rail extending in a longitudinal direction and at least one insulating element arranged in a linearly movable manner in the longitudinal direction relative to the rail, wherein the at least one insulating element protrudes out of the rail in a transverse direction. In some embodiments, the at least one insulating element comprises means for electrically connecting to the electric connection of the fuel injector in an oil-tight and releasable manner on a side facing away from the rail in the transverse direction. In some embodiments, the rail comprises a guide extending in the longitudinal direction configured to guide the at least one insulating element relative to the rail in the longitudinal direction and hold the same in a formfitting manner in the transverse direction relative to the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Hagmann, Martin Littek, Friedrich Karl Albrecht, Andreas Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 10527017
    Abstract: In a high-pressure pump, a relief valve seat surrounds an opening of a relief valve passage of a valve seat main body in a first space. A relief valve member includes a relief valve main body and a relief valve seat portion. The relief valve main body has a rod shape. The relief valve seat portion is integrated with an end of the relief valve main body so as to be capable of contacting the relief valve seat. The relief valve member is provided in the first space so as to be reciprocable in an axial direction. A relief valve urging member urges the relief valve member toward the relief valve seat. A support portion includes a support main body that slidably supports an outer wall of the relief valve main body so as to guide a reciprocating movement of the relief valve member in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuro Koga, Noriya Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10527018
    Abstract: A vehicle engine start/stop control method includes shifting an automatic transmission to a park or neutral position and auto-stopping the engine in response the automatic transmission being in the park or neutral position for a predetermined period of time that begins with a shift of the automatic transmission to the park or neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Shafeek Khafagy, Eric Michael Rademacher, Hank L. Kwong, Siraj Siddiqui, Giuseppe Domenico Suffredini
  • Patent number: 10527019
    Abstract: A method for starting an engine for a hybrid electric vehicle that includes a starter connected to the engine by a gear to start the engine and a motor-generator connected to the engine by a belt to start the engine or produce electricity include determining whether a start signal is input, determining whether a predetermined cold start condition is satisfied when it is determined that the start signal is input, starting the engine by use of the starter in a predetermined cold start mode when the cold start condition is satisfied, determining whether a predetermined cooperative control start condition is satisfied when the cold start condition is not satisfied, and starting the engine by use of the starter and the motor-generator in a predetermined cooperative control start mode when the cooperative control start condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jong Hyuck Kim
  • Patent number: 10527020
    Abstract: An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine provided with an ignition coil and a spark plug. An ECU enables operation of a plurality of continuous discharges in the spark plug and also detects a flow speed of a combustible air/fuel mixture. In a first discharge, a supply of a primary current terminates the first discharge, with energy remaining in the ignition coil, from an initiation of the ignition to an initiation of the spark plug, when the detected flow speed exceeds a predetermined first threshold. Thereafter, a second discharge is performed by shutting off the primary current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akimitsu Sugiura, Kaori Doi, Yuki Murayama, Fumiaki Aoki, Noriaki Nishio
  • Patent number: 10527021
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are linear hydraulic turbines in which the linear machine converts the majority of available energy in the flowing water into useful torque directly in the runner, leaving the outflow with very little velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Natel Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Abraham D. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10527022
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve assembly (50) of a radial piston hydraulic apparatus (1). Said apparatus includes a cylinder block (4) insertable onto a shaft (2) by translation. Said assembly (50) includes: a valve (51) in contact with said cylinder block (4); a valve train cover (52); and a first (541) and second (542) chamber that are defined, respectively, by a first (511, 521) and second (512, 522) space that are located at the interface between said valve (51) and said valve train cover (52), and are intended for the pressurized fluids that enable the conversion of pressure and/or mechanical stress. Said assembly (50) includes an additional section (54) defined by a third space (541, 542) located at the interface between said valve (51) and said valve train cover (52). Said section (54) is intended for receiving a pressurized fluid such as to enable the cylinder block (4) to be inserted onto the shaft (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: POCLAIN HYDRAULICS INDUSTRIE
    Inventor: Clement Philippe Recoura
  • Patent number: 10527023
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed methods for manufacturing spar caps for wind turbine rotor blades. In certain embodiments, the method includes forming an outer frame or tray of the spar cap via at least one of three-dimensional (3D) pultrusion, thermoforming, or 3D printing. As such, the outer frame has a varying cross-section that corresponds to a varying cross-section of the rotor blade along a span thereof. The method also includes arranging a plurality of structural materials (e.g. layers of pultruded plates) within the pultruded outer frame of the spar cap and infusing the structural materials and the outer frame together via a resin material so as to form the spar cap. The resulting spar cap can then be easily incorporated into conventional rotor blade manufacturing processes and/or welded or bonded to an existing rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Daniel Caruso, Aaron A. Yarbrough, Daniel Alan Hynum, James Robert Tobin
  • Patent number: 10527024
    Abstract: Control system to prevent wind turbine misalignment situations employing mathematical algorithms implemented in the wind turbine controller. Different optimization algorithms have been analyzed getting results that yaw the nacelle of the wind turbine to positions that would maximize the efficiency function. Control system for detecting and preventing wind turbine misalignment situations that comprises a parameters acquisition unit that relates the wind direction with the deviation of the wind turbine nacelle, a wind turbine efficiency function calculation unit and a deviation comparison unit of the nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Siemans Gamesa Renewable Energy Innovation & Technology, S.L.
    Inventors: Pablo Vital Amuchastegui, Octavio Hernandez Mascarell, Alberto Moreno Robles, Carlos Pizzarro de la Fuente, Jaime Suarez Aizpun
  • Patent number: 10527025
    Abstract: A multi-spring mechanical actuator includes a first spring having a first spring constant and a second spring having a second spring constant different than the first spring constant, wherein a load actuator is configured against the first spring under one loading condition and against a spring differential between the first spring and the second spring under a different loading condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: UNTIED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ravi Chand Jindal
  • Patent number: 10527026
    Abstract: A method or apparatus that uses a fluid in a closed loop well system to extract heat from geothermal resources that are located in or near high-temperature, low-permeable geologic formations to produce power. In some embodiments, the closed loop system may include one or more heat exchange zones, where at least a portion of the one or more heat exchange zones may be disposed within a subterranean region having a temperature of at least 350° C. The subterranean region may be within a plastic zone or within 1000 meters of the plastic zone, the plastic zone having a temperature gradient of at least 80° C. per kilometer depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GreenFire Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. Muir, Brian S. Higgins, Joseph A. Scherer, Alan D. Eastman
  • Patent number: 10527027
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a structure can include a first body formed from a first material, and a second body disposed on or embedded within the first body. The second body includes a shape memory alloy configured to provide a first stress to the first body in a first state and a second stress to the first body in a second state. The shape memory alloy is configured to transition from the first and second state as a function of an applied activation energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: DELAVAN INC.
    Inventors: Sergey Mironets, Alexander Staroselsky, Robert Bianco