Patents Issued in June 9, 2020
  • Patent number: 10677193
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of aircraft nacelles and concerns thrust reverser devices. More particularly, the present disclosure concerns a rear frame for a thrust reverser structure with a cascade vane of an aircraft nacelle, the nacelle comprising at least two longitudinal beams. The rear frame is intended to be attached to the two beams and to hold in place one or more cascade vanes in cooperation with a front frame. The rear frame comprises a common section having a substantially headband-like shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN NACELLES
    Inventors: Laurent Dubois, Laurent Ferrocino, Kamal Hafidi
  • Patent number: 10677194
    Abstract: There is provided an actuator for use in a thrust reverser of an aircraft, comprising a screw shaft and a nut translatable along the shaft between a retracted position and an extended position, a tine component comprising tine fingers formed with projections that are configured to engage formations on the nut when the nut occupies its retracted position to secure the nut against axial movement, and a movable lock member engageable with the tine fingers to restrict radial movement of the tine fingers in a first position, the lock member movable between the first position and a second position in which the lock member does not restrict radial movement of the tine fingers. The lock member is movable between the first position and the second position by means of an electromagnetic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Hawksworth, Anthony Morgan
  • Patent number: 10677195
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a first shaft coupled to a first turbine and a first compressor, a second shaft coupled to a second turbine and a second compressor, and a third shaft coupled to a third turbine and a fan assembly. The turbine engine includes a heat rejection heat exchanger configured to reject heat from a closed loop system with air passed from the fan assembly, and a combustor positioned to receive compressed air from the second compressor as a core stream. The closed-loop system includes the first, second, and third turbines and the first compressor and receives energy input from the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Armstrong, Igor Vaisman
  • Patent number: 10677196
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing vacuum to a vehicle are described. In one example, a method adjusts an engine air-fuel ratio in response to provide additional vacuum to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Patent number: 10677197
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting an evaporative emissions test responsive to an indication of a vehicle remote engine start event. In one example, responsive to an indication of a remote start and further indication that the vehicle is not occupied, intake manifold vacuum is utilized to reduce pressure in the fuel system and evaporative emissions system to a threshold, wherein the fuel system and evaporative emissions system are sealed, and undesired evaporative emissions indicated responsive to a pressure bleed-up rate greater than a threshold. In this way, by applying intake manifold vacuum on the fuel system and evaporative emissions system while the vehicle is stationary and not occupied, engine hesitations resulting from desorption of fuel vapors from a fuel vapor canister are not experienced by the vehicle operator and/or passengers, and noise factors from driving conditions, passenger movement, etc., do not impact the evaporative emissions test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10677198
    Abstract: A blockage determination portion 174 of a blockage detection system 30 determines that no blockage has occurred in a purge line 90, if a flow rate V of an inner fluid Fi exceeds a flow rate threshold THv while an internal pressure Pi of the purge line 90 is reduced from a first pressure value P1 to a second pressure value P2, for example. The blockage determination portion 174 determines that a blockage has occurred in the purge line 90, if the flow rate V of the inner fluid Fi falls below the flow rate threshold THv after the internal pressure Pi is reduced from the first pressure value P1 to the second pressure value P2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Murata, Masahiro Fujii, Hidenori Sakai, Shuma Yatabe, Daijiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10677199
    Abstract: An anomaly determination device for an evaporated fuel processing device comprises: an evaporated fuel processing device (60) including a canister (61), a purge passage (62) and a purge valve (66); a first pressure sensor (43) and/or a second pressure sensor (45) for acquiring a purge downstream pressure, a third pressure sensor (53) for acquiring a canister internal pressure, and a PCM (70) that calculates a purge flow rate per unit time based on the purge downstream pressure and an opening degree of the purge valve (66), and calculates an integrated purge flow rate by integrating the purge flow rate, so as to perform an anomaly determination for the evaporated fuel processing device (60) based on the canister internal pressure and the integrated purge flow rate. The PCM (70) uses the canister internal pressure when the integrated purge flow rate becomes a predetermined flow rate or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Hashimoto, Daisuke Tanaka, Yusuke Higuchi, Takayuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10677200
    Abstract: An exemplary system for monitoring and controlling evaporative emissions for a vehicle includes a first fuel vapor adsorption canister, a second fuel vapor adsorption canister, a first passage from the fuel supply to the first canister, a second passage from the first canister to the canister, the second passage including a first valve selectively actuatable from a first position to a second position, a third passage from the first and second canisters for venting the first and second canisters, a fourth passage connecting the second canister to the third passage, and a controller electrically connected to the first valve. Fuel vapor is routed to the first canister when a first condition is not satisfied and fuel vapor is routed to the second canister when the first condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jason M. Andrzejewski, Timothy E. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 10677201
    Abstract: An internal EGR amount calculation device for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of properly and easily calculating an internal EGR amount according to the change in the valve timing and enhancing the calculation accuracy of the internal EGR amount. The device includes an ECU. The ECU calculates an amount of burned gases remaining in a cylinder when the valve timing is predetermined reference timing, as a reference internal EGR amount. The ECU calculates a change in the amount of burned gases flowing into or out of the cylinder with respect to the amount of burned gases flowing into or out of the cylinder when the valve timing is the predetermined reference timing, as an internal EGR increase/decrease amount. Then, the ECU calculates the internal EGR amount by adding the internal EGR increase/decrease amount to the reference internal EGR amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Kosaka, Koichiro Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 10677202
    Abstract: Systems are provided for aligning and assembling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) assembly with an engine intake housing. In one example, an intake system may include an EGR port housing for coupling the EGR assembly on an intake housing. The EGR port housing may include one or more alignment tabs on at least one side of the EGR port housing for aligning and guiding the EGR assembly during installation onto the intake housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sandra Osip, Keith Haven, Jeffrey Stancavage
  • Patent number: 10677203
    Abstract: An EGR filter is configured for preventing clogging, which is disposed in an EGR line which recirculates a portion of the exhaust gas exhausted from an engine to the engine, and mounted in an EGR filter assembly which filters foreign material contained in the exhaust gas, wherein the EGR filter is woven to the twill weave with a weft and a warp of metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jong-Cheon Kim
  • Patent number: 10677204
    Abstract: An engine structure configured to a control swirl in a diesel engine combustion chamber and a diesel engine assembly including the engine structure defines first and second intake ports and a connecting passage connecting the first and second intake ports. The first intake port is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and configured to direct a first intake airflow into the combustion chamber, and the second intake port is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and configured to direct a second intake airflow into the combustion chamber. The connecting passage connects the first intake port to the second intake port and is defined by the engine structure outside of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Moran, Jian Gao
  • Patent number: 10677205
    Abstract: A fuel delivery injector includes a housing, an end cap including an inlet port fluidly coupled to a cavity to direct fuel vapor and liquid fuel into the cavity and an outlet port fluidly coupled to the cavity to direct fuel vapor and liquid fuel out of the cavity, a magnetic assembly fixedly positioned within the cavity, and a pumping assembly including a bobbin and a piston. A return spring is coupled to the pumping assembly to bias the pumping assembly to a home position and a valve assembly including a biasing spring is positioned between an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The liquid fuel entering the housing through the inlet port flows from the inlet port to the cavity and fuel vapor entering the housing through the inlet port is directed through a conduit to the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Pitcel, David W. Procknow, Jacob Zuehl, David A. Kratz
  • Patent number: 10677206
    Abstract: A combination of a fuel tank assembly and a tool for opening an outlet of the fuel tank assembly. The assembly includes a tank for storing a liquid hydrocarbon; and an operator-openable valve arrangement configured to move between a closed flow condition in which flow through the valve arrangement is prevented and an open flow condition in which liquid is allowed to drain out of the tank. The tool is connectable to the valve arrangement, such that in a connected condition of the tool and the arrangement a liquid flow path exists between the interior and the exterior of the tank. The liquid flow path is at least partly defined by a conduit in the tool. A filter, in the flow path, includes a water-permeable member configured to enable water to pass through the water-permeable member and substantially prevent passage of liquid hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Jay Wheelwright, Jacob Dobbs, Christian Martin
  • Patent number: 10677207
    Abstract: An axial piston pump has a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a rotatable, one-piece piston housing carrying one or more pistons movable within one or more respective sleeves formed by the housing. A circumferential row of fixed field members is mounted to the housing at a mounting location formed by the housing, the mounting location being radially outward of the sleeve(s). The pump further has a stator surrounding the piston housing and including a circumferential row of armature windings such that the piston housing and the stator form an electro-magnetic motor operable to rotate the piston housing, and a swashplate engaged with the piston(s) such that rotation of the piston housing relative to the swashplate around an axis of rotation produces reciprocating movement of the piston(s) for the pressurisation of fluid received into the sleeve(s) from the fluid inlet and then discharged from the sleeve(s) to the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Luke Ashton, Martin Yates, David Brookes
  • Patent number: 10677208
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel injector that is capable of reducing penetration. The fuel injector of the present invention includes a valve body having a valve body side seat surface, a valve seat side seat surface that abuts on the valve body side seat surface, and an injection hole that is provided downstream of a position at which the valve body side seat surface abuts on the valve seat side seat surface. The valve body has a projection that is formed from the valve body side seat surface toward the injection hole, and the projection is formed to be smaller in a direction of fuel flow between seats than a radius of an upstream opening surface of the injection hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Hosaka, Eiji Ishii, Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Taisuke Sugii, Kazuki Yoshimura, Kazuhiro Oryoji, Masayuki Saruwatari
  • Patent number: 10677209
    Abstract: In an injection hole set, primary and secondary injection holes are formed to satisfy the following relationship: ???t1+?t2?0.87×P{circumflex over (?)}0.52, where ? (deg) is an injection-hole-to-injection-hole angle, which is an angle formed between a primary central axis of the primary injection hole and a secondary central axis of the secondary injection hole; ?t1 (deg) is a primary taper angle, which is an angle formed between outlines of a primary injection hole inner wall of the primary injection hole in a cross section of the primary injection hole inner wall; ?t2 (deg) is a secondary taper angle, which is an angle formed between outlines of a secondary injection hole inner wall of the secondary injection hole in a cross section of the secondary injection hole inner wall; and P (MPa) is an average pressure of the fuel in a fuel passage at a time of injecting the fuel from the injection holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noritsugu Kato
  • Patent number: 10677210
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air-assisted fuel injection system, comprising a cylindrical bore; a plunger and a barrel within the cylindrical bore, the plunger having a flat surface; and a securing means abutting against the flat surface to keep the plunger from rotating within the cylindrical bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: CFR ENGINES CANADA ULC
    Inventors: Gary Webster, Luc Menard, David Gardiner
  • Patent number: 10677211
    Abstract: A prime mover for a lightweight vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a starter motor integrally integrated with the internal combustion engine, and a housing for the prime mover. The prime mover additionally comprises a Hall Effect sensor and an prime mover control module structured and operable to communicate with the Hall Effect sensor, determine when operation of the internal combustion engine should cease, and upon the determination that operation of the internal combustion engine should cease, utilize the communication from the Hall Effect sensor to stop the internal combustion engine such that a piston of the internal combustion engine is positioned at between 15° and 25° after bottom-dead-center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Zekarias W. Yohannes, Matthew Wilcox, David Smith, Brian Moebs, Matthew D. Wilson, Russell William King
  • Patent number: 10677212
    Abstract: A method of controlled stopping an internal combustion engine having a stop-start mode and starter assembly includes detecting when the stop-start mode is active. The method also includes monitoring current rotational speed and position of the engine. The method additionally includes determining when the current rotational position is within a predetermined range of a target stop rotational position and the current rotational speed is less than a threshold rotational speed, and afterward energizing the starter assembly to engage the engine. The method also includes establishing a time delay following energizing the starter assembly to confirm engagement of the starter assembly with the engine. Furthermore, the method includes applying a torque by the starter assembly to stop the engine at the target stop position. A vehicle powertrain employing the engine equipped with the stop-start mode, the starter assembly, and an electronic controller configured to execute the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, Paul S. Lombardo, Chunhao J. Lee, Alexandru Rajala, Neeraj S. Shidore, Farzad Samie, Norman K. Bucknor, Dongxu Li
  • Patent number: 10677213
    Abstract: An electrical starter system and construction kit for retrofitting Harley-Davidson motorcycles built from 1936 to 1957 with a mechanical starting device. The starter system includes a clutch device that can be coupled to the transmission main shaft for transmitting rotary motion having at least one starter gearwheel, a clutch hub, a clutch cage that can be or is attached to the hub for transmitting a rotary motion and an electrical starter motor with a starter shaft pinion that can be driven by the electrical motor for engaging the starter gearwheel. The starter gearwheel can be mechanically coupled to the clutch hub for transmitting a rotary motion to the hub. Preferably, a gearwheel/hub adapter couples the clutch hub and the starter gearwheel. The adapter is or can be coupled to the starter gearwheel and the clutch hub and is or can be coupled to a transmission main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: W & W Cycles AG
    Inventor: Mark van der Kwaak
  • Patent number: 10677214
    Abstract: A hydroelectric power generation apparatus includes a braking force generation unit configured to apply a braking force to rotation of a hydraulic turbine, and a controller configured to control the braking force generation unit to repeat increasing and decreasing the braking force to vary a rotational speed of the hydraulic turbine. Varying the rotational speed of the hydraulic turbine helps to flow away debris and the like adhering to hydraulic turbine blades. Preferably, the braking force generation unit includes an electrical, mechanical or fluid type braking device configured to apply a braking force to a rotary shaft of the hydraulic turbine. Preferably, the braking force generation unit includes a power generator configured to generate power through rotation of the hydraulic turbine, and the controller increases/decreases the braking force by varying power extracted from the power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Fujita, Tomoya Kawai
  • Patent number: 10677215
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade and a method of moulding a wind turbine blade tip section. The overall wind turbine blade has an elongate structure extending in a radial sense in a finished wind turbine. The blade comprises a fairing that one is supported along its length by a spar extended along the full length of the fairing from the root end to the tip. The fairing is in two parts with a main part extending from the root for most the of the longitudinal length of the blade and the tip section forming the remainder of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Blade Dynamics Limited
    Inventors: Paul Trevor Hayden, Harald Behmer
  • Patent number: 10677216
    Abstract: Wind turbine rotor blade components including pultruded rods and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. More specifically, the rotor blade component includes a plurality of pultruded rods housed within an enclosed primary outer casing. The enclosed primary outer casing includes a hollow interior, a root end, and an opposing tip. As such, each of the plurality of pultruded rods is received within the enclosed primary outer casing and secured therein via a first resin material. Further, an arrangement of the plurality of pultruded rods within the primary outer casing and a relationship of a maximum dimension of each of the plurality of pultruded rods and a maximum dimension of the enclosed primary outer casing are configured to maximize flexibility of the rotor blade component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bensely Albert, Nicholas K. Althoff, Jamie T. Livingston, Stephen Bertram Johnson
  • Patent number: 10677217
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes at least one blade having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge that define an airfoil-shaped profile. The suction side and/or the pressure side has a morphable region. The wind turbine also includes a control system configured to activate the morphable region to alter the airfoil-shaped profile and reduce negative lift generated by the blade when the blade is oriented at a negative lift angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andreas Herrig, Biju Nanukuttan, Jr., Christian Aloysius Carroll
  • Patent number: 10677218
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control of a wind turbine during a recovery period after a grid fault. It is disclosed to operate a wind turbine during the recovery period to determine the actual pitch angle of the rotor blades and the actual wind speed, and based on that determining a desired pitch angle of the rotor blades, as well as a pitch ramp rate so that the actual pitch angle can be brought to match the desired pitch angle before the end of the recovery period. In embodiments, the steps performed in the recovery mode are repeated at intervals during the recovery period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Martin Ansbjerg Kjær, Kasper Zinck Ostergaard, Jan Graugaard-Jensen
  • Patent number: 10677219
    Abstract: A method and a control system adapted to control a power conversion system connected to an AC power grid, wherein the control system is adapted to receive an externally provided reactive power reference and the control system includes a controller adapted to control the reactive power fed to the AC grid by the power conversion system and to produce a reactive current reference, an active current reference, a total current limiter for producing limited active and reactive current references. The total current limiter operates in reactive current priority limiting the active current reference. Further including means adapted to produce a capacity signal indicating the current capacity of the power conversion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Peter Muszynski, Kalle Huju, Jussi Tamminen, Antti Vilhunen, Antti Virta
  • Patent number: 10677220
    Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine power generating apparatus includes a step of obtaining a wind direction of a wind; a step of obtaining at least one of a wind velocity of the wind or an index of turbulence degree of the wind velocity; and a step of selecting an operation mode of the wind turbine power generating apparatus from among a plurality of operation modes including a normal operation mode and at least one load-suppressing operation mode in which a load applied to a wind turbine blade is smaller than in the normal operation mode, on the basis of whether the at least one of the wind velocity or the index of turbulence degree is at least a threshold. The threshold of the at least one of the wind velocity or the index of turbulence degree is variable in accordance with the wind direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuya Baba, Yoshiyuki Hayashi, Wakako Ariki
  • Patent number: 10677221
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for increasing turbulent mixing in the wake of at least one wind turbine. Doing so, increases efficiency of a wind turbine located in the wake by transferring energy to the wake that was lost when the wind passed through the upwind turbine. Turbulent mixing may be increased by changing the induction factor for a rotor by, for example, altering the pitch of the blades, the RPMs of the rotor, or the yaw of the nacelle. These techniques may be static or dynamically changing. Further, the different induction factors for a plurality of wind turbines may be synchronized according to a predetermined pattern to further increase turbulent mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Carsten Hein Westergaard
  • Patent number: 10677222
    Abstract: Provided herein is a shear web support for wind turbine blade. Particularly, the present disclosure provides a frangible shear web support element that is designed to fail under certain specific conditions. The frangible support(s) enhance the structural rigidity of the shear web, allow for one-step mold closures, and rupture or disconnect once a predetermined condition (e.g. load threshold, load orientation/vector) is applied to the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TPI COMPOSITES, INC.
    Inventor: Nicholas Warchol
  • Patent number: 10677223
    Abstract: A method for customizing bedplates for a plurality of wind turbines having different loading requirements. The method includes forming a plurality of baseline bodies for the bedplates that includes a near net shape of one of the bedplates. Further, the method includes determining a loading requirement of the bedplates of each of the wind turbines. Moreover, the method includes applying additional material to an exterior surface of the plurality of baseline bodies via an additive manufacturing process so as to customize a structural capacity of each of the bedplates such that the structural capacity of each of the bedplates can withstand the loading requirement for each of the wind turbines. Accordingly, the structural capacity of each of the plurality of baseline bodies may be the same or may be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Joseph Rock, Jr., Trevor Allen Montre, Aaron Janicz, Matteo Bellucci
  • Patent number: 10677224
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved, in particular simpler, lighter, mechanically more stable and operationally more reliable offshore wind power plant (100) that can float. By means of a cable (110) constructed as a combination of a power line that is held at least virtually without loading and a holding cable that absorbs all the mechanical forces that occur for holding the wind power plant on a single fixed-location anchoring point (111), said power plant can be connected to the anchoring point such that the power plant can move with six degrees of freedom. A coupling (112) is arranged at a single connecting point (118) between the cable and the wind power plant and, to make an electrical connection, is constructed with a sliding coupling and, for mechanical transmission of force, is constructed with a swivel coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: CRUSE OFFSHORE GMBH
    Inventor: Jens Cruse
  • Patent number: 10677225
    Abstract: A method of calibrating load sensors of a wind turbine, and a wind turbine for such load sensor calibration, are disclosed. The wind turbine comprises a rotor, a plurality of rotor blades, and a plurality of load sensors associated with the rotor blades. While the rotor is rotating, at least one of the rotor blades is moved from a first calibration position to a second calibration position, and load values from the load sensors are measured. The number of rotor blades being moved is at least one fewer than the number of the plurality of rotor blades. The rotation of the rotor may be during idling of the wind turbine. The movement of the blade(s) may be to change the pitch angle of the blade(s). At least one of the rotor blades not being moved to a calibration position may also be moved, for example to control the rotational speed of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Fabio Caponetti, Kasper Zinck Ostergaard, Dan Hilton
  • Patent number: 10677226
    Abstract: Cooling a wind turbine generator It is described an arrangement (100, 200) for cooling a generator mounted in a nacelle of a wind turbine, the arrangement comprising: a cooling air inlet (105) at an outer wall (1?7) of the nacelle (103) for introducing cooling air (109) into a space region (111) inside the nacelle; an inlet fan (113) downstream the cooling air inlet (105) configured to pressurize the introduced cooling air within the space region (111); a filter system (115) downstream the inlet fan (113) and separating the space region (111) from another space region (117) inside the nacelle (103), the other space (117) region being in communication with generator portions (119) to be cooled; a duct system (129) adapted to guide a portion (130) of cooling air (132) heated by exchange of heat from the generator portions to the cooling air into the space region (111).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Peter Hessellund Soerensen
  • Patent number: 10677227
    Abstract: Invention defines a method and apparatus for storing energy where a power source is used to reposition a mass in a gravitational field to a position of higher potential energy where the stored potential energy may be recovered with extremely low loss, where the force of gravity may be allowed to accelerates the mass, where the resulting kinetic energy is converted to shaft horsepower. Said shaft horsepower may be converted to pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic power. A variation defines a method where a power source is used to submerge a buoyant object in a fluid, where the submerged object represents a potential energy, where the force of gravity displaces the submerged buoyant object, where the kinetic energy resulting from the displacement is converted to shaft horsepower. Said shaft horsepower may be similarly converted to pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventors: James Francis Kellinger, Michael Thane MacKay
  • Patent number: 10677228
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, apparatuses, methods, products, and other implementations of vapor pressure solids. In some embodiments, a vapor pressure solid may include a one- or multi-component matrix material. In some embodiments, the multi-components matrix material is a two-part PDMS comprising a first and second matrix material. The first matrix material is capable of being mixed with one or more vaporizable fluids that causes the first matrix material to swell. The second matrix material is capable of being mixed with the swelled first matrix material to produce an actuating material. When the actuating material is heated, the one or more vaporizable fluids expand, resulting in vapors. The increased pressure applied by the vapors causes the actuating material to expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Kenneth William Stack, Aslan Miriyev, Hod Lipson
  • Patent number: 10677229
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to thermally driven actuator systems including a thermally driven element and one or more heating elements coupled to and in thermal contact with the thermally driven element. The thermally driven element can be capable of being selectively reconfigured in shape based on a thermal strain or temperature driven phase change. The one or more heating elements can be configured to selectively and independently apply heat to one or more of a plurality of different regions of the thermally driven element to selectively raise a temperature or temperatures of the selected region or regions of the thermally driven element to selectively reconfigure the shape of the thermally driven element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignees: Metis Design Corporation, Embraer S.A.
    Inventors: Seth S. Kessler, Fabio Santos da Silva, Rodrigo Carlana da Silva, Cassio Wallner, Paulo Anchieta da Silva, Estelle Cohen
  • Patent number: 10677230
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting an elongated slender member having a high axial compression stress state during a change in length of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventor: Alfred R. Austen
  • Patent number: 10677231
    Abstract: A hydraulic system comprises a fluid tank and a pump, including a pump reservoir, fluidly coupled to the tank via a supply line. A valve is in fluidic communication with the pump reservoir via a pressure line. A backflow line fluidly couples the pump reservoir to the fluid tank via a timer reservoir and an orifice included in the timer reservoir. The hydraulic system transitions between a normal state and a purge state. In the normal state in which the pump is on, a first portion of the fluid is communicated from the pump reservoir to the valve and a second portion of the fluid is communicated from the pump reservoir to the tank. In the purge state, the pressure line and valve are purged followed by the backflow line and the pump reservoir such that no fluid remains in the pump reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Young
  • Patent number: 10677232
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a housing defining a housing interior, an air pump positioned in the housing interior, and a plurality of resilient connectors connecting the air pump to the housing with the resilient connectors in tension so as to reduce transmission of vibration from the air pump to the housing during operation of the air pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Sleep Number Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony John Shakal, Casey Carlson, Ryan Douglas
  • Patent number: 10677233
    Abstract: An air compressor assembly may include a support structure, an operating unit including a compressor operatively connected to a motor through at least one drive belt, and at least one vibration isolator that is positioned between at least a portion of the support structure and at least a portion of the operating unit. The vibration isolator(s) is configured to dampen vibratory energy generated by the operating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Scott Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon E. Rado
  • Patent number: 10677234
    Abstract: A reciprocating compressor and a method for manufacturing a reciprocating compressor are provided. The reciprocating compressor may include a damper provided at a cylinder block. The damper may include a damper base coupled to the cylinder block and formed of plastic, and a rubber damping portion provided on the damper base to prevent contact between the damper base and the shell, so that friction noise between a base and the shell of the compressor may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Dowan Kim, Jongkeun Kim, Jaeho Cho
  • Patent number: 10677235
    Abstract: This compression device is provided with a reciprocating compressor which compresses a gas, and a heat exchanger which cools gas compressed by the compressor. The heat exchanger is provided with a cooling unit for cooling the gas and with a connection unit which abuts against the outside surface of the compressor and has a gas inlet passage to allow gas discharged from the compression chamber of the compressor to flow into the cooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nagura, Hitoshi Takagi, Takuro Uba, Toshio Hirai
  • Patent number: 10677236
    Abstract: A compressor includes a motor, a drive shaft driven by the motor and connected thereto, a crank mechanism connected to the drive shaft, at least one compressed-air generation apparatus that is driven by the crank mechanism and is designed to generate compressed air, a crankcase that has an inner chamber wall in the shape of a hollow body, which receives the drive shaft at least in portions, an outer chamber wall that is spaced apart from the inner chamber wall radially with respect to the drive shaft, and a dividing wall, and a compressed-air storage container that is designed to receive compressed air generated by the compressed-air generation apparatus. The compressed-air storage container is formed by the inner chamber wall, the outer chamber wall, the end wall and the dividing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: KAESER KOMPRESSOREN SE
    Inventor: Sebastian Huetter
  • Patent number: 10677237
    Abstract: A drip tight pump includes a top cover with an inlet port and an outlet port, a sealing mat, a valve plate with an inlet hole and an outlet hole, a water inlet one-way valve, a cup, a cylinder, a swing frame, a steel needle, a steel ball, an eccentric wheel, a bottom cover and a motor which are successively set. The drip tight pump also includes a first leak-proof member and/or a second leak-proof member between the top cover and the sealing mat. The drip tight pump can seal the outlet hole and the inlet port, so that to prevent the drip tight pump from dripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Foshan Yakeqi Electronic Appliance Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qihong Li
  • Patent number: 10677238
    Abstract: A pump configured to move fluid from one location to another location is provided. The pump includes a pump housing. The pump housing is composed of a wall structure. The wall structure includes a first laminar portion of a thickness of the wall structure composed of a resin that does not include any reinforcing fibers. The wall structure also includes a second laminar portion of the thickness of the wall structure that is composed a resin with reinforcing fibers dispersed through the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Industrial U.S., Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Ezzo
  • Patent number: 10677239
    Abstract: Start-stop engine systems for a turbocharged engine have a bypass with fluid flow from upstream of the compressor or downstream of the compressor to a position between the throttle and the engine, or from between the compressor and throttle to a position upstream of the compressor with a Venturi device in the bypass. A device requiring vacuum is in fluid communication with a suction port of the Venturi device. An electronic vacuum pump is added that is in fluid communication with the device requiring vacuum or with the Venturi device. The electronic vacuum pump is operated during a stop condition of the start-stop engine to replace the vacuum generated by the Venturi device or to provide a pressure drop across the Venturi device so the Venturi device continues to generate vacuum for the device requiring vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Hampton, David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, James H Miller
  • Patent number: 10677240
    Abstract: A method for remanufacturing a fluid end block of pump. The fluid end block includes a first bore defining a first longitudinal axis, a second bore defining a second longitudinal axis and a third bore defining a third longitudinal axis. The method includes enlarging, by a machining process, the first bore to a first predetermined dimension, the second bore to a second predetermined dimension and the third bore to a third predetermined dimension, inserting a first insert into the enlarged first bore and coupling the first insert to the fluid end block, the first insert having a first slot and a second slot, inserting a second insert into the enlarged second bore such that the second insert is at least partially received within the first slot and inserting a third insert into the enlarged third bore such that the third insert is at least partially received within the second slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Christopher A. Kinney
  • Patent number: 10677241
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a compressor to stop are disclosed in the present disclosure. The method includes: acquiring a rotor phase corresponding to a minimum load of the compressor; during a shutdown process of the air conditioner, acquiring a current orientation of the rotor of the compressor and determining whether a phase of the rotor is the rotor phase corresponding to the minimum load according to the current orientation of the rotor; and controlling the compressor to stop if determining that the phase of the rotor is the rotor phase corresponding to the minimum load. Therefore, a generated vibration and stress of a piping is smaller than that generated by directly stopping the compressor, to effectively reduce the vibration and stress of the piping at the moment that the compressor is stopped and to avoid a danger of breaking the piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GD MIDEA AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhaobin Huang, Guozhu Zhang
  • Patent number: 10677242
    Abstract: Techniques for managing chemical pumps and chemical compositions are disclosed. A system may include a chemical pump that is exposed to a chemical composition during operation of the chemical pump; a chemical reservoir containing the chemical composition, the chemical reservoir including an electronically readable medium including embedded information corresponding to the chemical composition; and a database comprising chemical compatibility data between the chemical composition and the chemical pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Massoud Nahidino, Martin Schweble