Abstract: A compression ignition gasoline engine includes a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel containing gasoline as a main component into a cylinder; an EGR device operative to perform high-temperature EGR of introducing burnt gas generated in the cylinder into the cylinder at a high temperature; and a combustion control unit for controlling the fuel injection valve and the EGR device in such a way that HCCI combustion in which fuel injected from the fuel injection valve self-ignites within the cylinder occurs. The combustion control unit controls the EGR device, in at least a partial load operating range in which HCCI combustion is performed, in such a way that the EGR rate increases, as compared with a low load condition, in a high load condition in which G/F being a ratio between a total amount of gas and a fuel amount within the cylinder decreases.

Abstract: In the start control, the first and second discharge actions of the ignition apparatuses are controlled. The first discharge action is performed to ignite the mixed gas in the multiple cylinders. The second discharge action is performed to generate the ozone. The first discharge action is performed immediately after the start of the cranking. The first discharge action is performed in the cylinders which belongs to the first and second cylinder groups. The second discharge action is performed before the start of the cranking. The second discharge action is performed in at least one cylinder which belongs to the second cylinder group. The multiple cylinders belong to the first or second cylinder group. The multiple cylinders are classified into the first or second cylinder group based on the crank angle section SCA set for each cylinder.

Abstract: In various aspects, internal combustion engines, engine controllers and methods of controlling engines are described. The engine includes a camshaft and a two cylinder sets. Cylinders in the first are deactivatable and cylinders in the second set may be fired at high or low output levels. The air charge for each fired working cycle is set based on whether a high or low torque output is selected. In some implementations, the camshaft is axially shiftable between first and second positions. First cam lobes are configured to cause their associated cylinders to intake a large air charge during intake strokes that occur when the camshaft is in the first position. Second cam lobes for cylinders in the second set cause their associated cylinders to intake a smaller air charge when the camshaft is in the second position. Second cam lobes for cylinders in the first set deactivate their associated cylinders.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating an angular position of top dead center for a high-pressure fuel injection pump that forms part of a system for injecting fuel into a motor vehicle engine, the pump including at least one piston moving in a chamber between the top and the bottom dead center, the pump being equipped with a digital control valve for controlling a quantity of fuel, an electrical current being applied to the digital valve as it closes then removed in order to open the digital valve, a movement of the digital valve in the direction of opening creating an induced current which makes it possible to detect a position of start-of-opening of the digital valve. An instant at which the pump piston passes through top dead center is estimated as a function of an instant at which the position of start-of-opening of the digital valve appears.

Abstract: A temperature estimation module applied to a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is configured to execute a virtual temperature estimation process that estimates a virtual temperature, which is a temperature of an exhaust purifying device under an assumption that a dither control process is not executed, based on an operation point of the internal combustion engine during execution of the dither control process. The temperature estimation module is further configured to execute an actual temperature estimation process that estimates an actual temperature of the exhaust purifying device based on a difference between the air-fuel ratio of a rich combustion cylinder and the air-fuel ratio of a lean combustion cylinder and based on the operation point of the internal combustion engine during execution of the dither control process.

Abstract: A method of raising exhaust gas temperatures of a two-cycle uniflow scavenged engine at lower loads. At lower loads, the exhaust valves are activated with a frequency that is less frequent than every engine cycle. This retains exhaust within the cylinder for one or more cycles, and when the exhaust valves are again activated, the exhaust temperature will be elevated. For engines having a means for controlling intake manifold pressure, such as a compressor having variable speed or a means for bleeding off compressor output, intake manifold pressure can be reduced at low loads, which also has the effect of elevating exhaust temperatures.

Abstract: The exhaust purification system of an internal combustion engine has: exhaust purification catalysts 20, 24 arranged in an exhaust passage and able to store oxygen; and a control device 31 for calculating an EGR rate of intake gas supplied to combustion chambers 5 and for controlling an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the catalysts. The control device alternately switches the air-fuel ratio between a rich air-fuel ratio and a lean air-fuel ratio, and controls the air-fuel ratio so that the air-fuel ratio is switched from the lean air-fuel ratio to the rich air-fuel ratio when the oxygen storage amount of the catalyst is greater, when the calculated EGR rate is relatively high, compared to when it is relatively low.

Abstract: An engine control device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to perform a spark discharge with an ignition plug for each cylinder by cutting off energization after elapse of a predetermined period from start of energization to an ignition coil for each cylinder of the engine, to stop the spark discharge caused by the ignition plug for each cylinder after supply of fuel to the engine is stopped when operation of the engine is stopped, and to control an ignition plug so as to stop the spark discharge caused by the ignition plug from a cylinder after a rotation speed of a crankshaft decreases gradually and the rotation speed of the crankshaft reaches a preset threshold value or less, after the stop of the supply of fuel to the engine.

Abstract: An engine start controller includes an injection amount calculating portion that is configured to calculate, as an assist injection amount, an injection amount of fuel injected from a fuel injection valve of an engine in an engine start-up period until the engine rotation speed exceeds a predetermined starting rotation speed from zero. The injection amount calculating portion is configured such that, in a case in which the rotation speed of the engine is higher than or equal to a threshold value that is a value less than the starting rotation speed, the injection amount calculating portion calculates the assist injection amount to be smaller when the engine is started by using the motor generator than when the engine is started by using the starter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the presence or absence of cylinder misfire of an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, a threshold for establishing or denying the presence of cylinder misfire is determined via engine acceleration amounts of active and non-active cylinders. Engine acceleration values are then compared to the threshold to determine the presence or absence of cylinder misfire.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining a setpoint value for a manipulated variable for the actuation of a low-pressure pump in a fuel-supply system for an internal combustion engine having a high-pressure accumulator and a high-pressure pump, the high-pressure pump being operated in a full delivery mode, and the low-pressure pump being actuated so that a pressure provided by the low-pressure pump is reduced, and the setpoint value at which a dip in a delivery quantity of the high-pressure pump is detected is ascertained while taking into account an actuation value of the manipulated variable.

Abstract: A control system for a compression ignition engine is provided, which includes a combustion chamber, a throttle valve, an injector, an ignition plug, a sensor, and a controller. A changing module of the controller outputs a signal to the throttle valve so that an air amount increases more than before a demand of changing from a first mode to a second mode, and outputs to the injector a signal to increase a fuel amount according to the air amount increase so that an air-fuel ratio of mixture gas becomes at or substantially at a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, and outputs to the ignition plug a signal to retard an ignition timing so that an engine torque increase caused by the fuel amount increase is reduced. The changing module reduces the retarding of the ignition timing when the ignition timing is determined to have reached a retard limit.

Abstract: An injection control device controls a solenoid in a fuel injection valve. The injection control device includes a transistor on an upstream side of a first power supply path to the solenoid and a transistor on an upstream side of a second power supply path to the solenoid. The injection control device has another transistor with a body diode arranged in parallel at a position on the first power supply path between the first transistor and an upstream terminal of the solenoid. The injection control device also includes a transistor on the downstream side of the first and second power supply paths. A drive controller in the injection control device drives the solenoid to an open position by switching ON the transistor on the downstream side and the transistor on the upstream side of the first power supply path or the transistor on the upstream side of the second power supply path.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine in which fuel is supplied to the engine by a fuel pump and by a high-pressure fuel pump, and in which the speed of the fuel pump and/or the electrical current for feeding the fuel pump is controlled in accordance with a requirement variable, taking into account a determination specification. When the engine has changed to an overrun mode of operation, a calibration is performed and the speed of the fuel pump is detected and is maintained. Once the triggering pressure for a calibration valve has been reached, the pump current is detected, a bypass volumetric flow rate of the high-pressure fuel pump is determined during calibration using operating parameters and the triggering pressure for the calibration valve, the determined speed, the bypass volumetric flow rate and the determined pump current are used to calibrate the determination specification.

Abstract: A fuel injection controller includes a discharge switch that turns ON/OFF energization of a first energization path from a boost power source of a second booster circuit when a second control IC energizes a second solenoid, a first detection element that detects a value that depends on an energization state of the discharge switch, a constant current switch that turns ON/OFF energization of a second energization path from a power source voltage that outputs a lower voltage than a boost power source voltage when the second control IC energizes the second solenoid, a second element that detects a value that depends on an energization state of the constant current switch, and an energization path controller that switches energization to the second solenoid.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting amount of directly injected fuel scavenged via a second exhaust manifold of a split exhaust engine system. In one example, a method may include adjusting a start of injection of a fuel direct injection into an engine cylinder, the cylinder including a first exhaust valve coupled to a first exhaust manifold and a second exhaust valve coupled to a second exhaust manifold, the second exhaust manifold coupled to an intake of the engine, based on a closing timing of the second exhaust valve and dependent on an operating condition, and adjusting a position of a bypass valve of the second exhaust manifold based on the adjusted start of injection. In this way, the amount of scavenged fuel may be increased or decreased based on the operating condition.

Abstract: An aircraft diesel engine may be operated at a minimal fuel rate. Shaft output power of the engine may be reduced by initiating combustion during the compression stroke. Combustion may be initiated during the compression stroke by advancing fuel injection, splitting fuel injection, and/or manipulating individual injection quantities. Initiating combustion during the compression stroke may slew torque generation to the compression stroke.

Abstract: A fuel injection control causes a fuel injection valve to execute at least: a main injection to inject fuel at timing when a piston is positioned near a compression top dead center; a pilot injection to inject the fuel at timing earlier than the main injection; and a low penetration injection to inject the fuel at timing earlier than the pilot injection or timing later than the main injection. The fuel injection control device includes: a first injection control module that executes at least one of the main injection or the pilot injection at timing to inject the fuel toward a joint portion of a cavity; and a second injection control module that executes the low penetration injection to inject the fuel only into a radial central region of a combustion chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus obtains waveforms representing measurements of a physical characteristic of a machine's operation and performance results of the machine corresponding respectively to the waveforms, each of the performance results being indicative of the machine's performance under conditions at which the measurement represented by the corresponding waveform was made. The apparatus calculates, for each of at least interval associated with each of the waveforms, an influence value that represents a degree of influence of the waveforms on the performance results over the interval.

Abstract: Provided are a method of manufacturing an engine, an engine, and a connected cylinder. The method of manufacturing an engine includes at least a fitting step of fitting a connected cylinder to a hollow portion of a cylinder block main body. The connected cylinder is (1) a first connected cylinder including two or more cylinder liners and a connecting portion configured to connect the two or more cylinder liners to each other or (2) a second connected cylinder including a connected cylinder main body portion having two or more cylinder bores and a coating configured to cover an inner peripheral surface of the connected cylinder main body portion in which the cylinder bores are formed. The cylinder block main body has one end side, another end side, and the hollow portion passing through the cylinder block main body from the one end side to the another end side.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a piston of an internal combustion engine from a piston upper part and a piston lower part may include producing at least the piston lower part as a forged steel part. A partial cross section of a cooling duct may be provided in the piston lower part. A closed supply inlet funnel may be forged within the piston lower part. The closed supply inlet funnel may be bored into the piston lower part from the cooling duct. A borehole may be introduced into the piston lower part obliquely to a piston axis. The piston lower part and the piston upper part may be welded to one another.

Abstract: A piston crown for a combustion system is disclosed. The piston crown includes a piston bowl having a circumferential recess and a plurality of first recesses arranged spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction. The circumferential recess is disposed proximate to a circumference of the piston crown. Each recess of the plurality of the first recesses extends between a center of the piston crown and the circumferential recess, and a width and a depth of each recess of the plurality of first recesses are extended along a radial direction for an entire length of each recess of the plurality of first recesses.

Abstract: A thrust vectoring exhaust nozzle is disclosed. The nozzle includes an inner nozzle for changing a first degree-of-freedom of exhaust gas, an outer nozzle for changing a second degree-of-freedom of exhaust gas, a mounting bracket, a first linear actuator, a second linear actuator, a first double universal joint, and a second double universal joint. The inner nozzle is coupled to the outer nozzle. The inner nozzle is coupled to the mounting bracket. The outer nozzle is coupled to the first and second joint. When the nozzle is mounted, the inner nozzle, the outer nozzle, and the exhaust are coaxially aligned in neutral position. Actuation of the first and second linear actuators drives the first and second double universal joints independently to each other. The independent motion of the first and second double universal joints rotates the inner and outer nozzles simultaneously about the exhaust in a horizontal direction and vertical direction enabling thrust vectoring.

Abstract: An exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a duct having a first surface and a second surface extending about a duct axis to define an exhaust flow path, and at least one effector positioned along the first surface. The at least one effector is pivotable about an effector axis to vary a throat area of the exhaust flow path. The at least one effector tapers along the effector axis. A method of exhaust control for a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for an aircraft propulsion system. This assembly includes a fixed structure, a translating structure, a blocker door and a rigid linkage. The translating structure is configured to translate relative to the fixed structure. The blocker door extends between a blocker door first end and a blocker door second end. The translating structure is pivotally attached to the blocker door at the blocker door first end. The rigid linkage includes a first pivot attachment, a second pivot attachment and a third pivot attachment. The first pivot attachment is coupled to the fixed structure. The second pivot attachment is coupled to the translating structure. The third pivot attachment is coupled to the blocker door at the blocker door second end.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly comprises a body, comprising at least one pivot boss projecting radially outwards along a first pivot axis (V) from an outer surface of the body; a gimbal, comprising an outer case surrounding the body and at least one hole projecting radially outwards along a second pivot axis (H) to receive a pivot pin to pivotally couple the gimbal to a fixed structure. The second pivot axis (H) is perpendicular to the first pivot axis (V) and the outer case is formed at least partially from carbon fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composite material. The outer case comprises at least one cavity on its inner surface in which the at least one pivot boss is located to pivotally couple the gimbal to the body.

Abstract: A flow control system (22) includes a fuel passage network (34) that has first (36) and second (38) network portions that are in a parallel flow arrangement with each other. A fueldraulic device (40) is located in the first network portion. Operation of the fueldraulic device varies flow through the first network portion. A flow restriction orifice (42) is located in the fuel passage network and is arranged in series with, and upstream of, the fueldraulic device. The flow restriction orifice is operable to generate a pressure differential that varies responsive to the flow through the first network portion. A flow control valve (44) is located in the second network portion. The flow control valve is operable responsive to the pressure differential across the flow restriction orifice to control flow through the second network portion.

Abstract: A hybrid-like liquid fuel motor (the “motor”) may include a port surrounded by a wall. Surrounding the wall are a plurality of chambers and segmented walls to separate the chambers. In some instances, a single helix chamber may surround the wall, and may operate similar to that of a segmental chamber. During operation of the motor, gas flows from one end of the port to another end of the port. As the walls surrounding the port begin to disintegrate, liquid fuel within chambers begins to begin to mix with the flow of gas. As the segmented walls between the chambers begin to disintegrate, liquid from the other chambers begin to mix with the flow of gas, creating a metering of the liquid fuel.

Abstract: For an optimized metering of fuel and water for the operation of an internal combustion engine in which a direct injection and an intake manifold injection are provided for metering fuel into the internal combustion engine, and in which the internal combustion engine is assigned a system for water injection, a same intake manifold injector is used for both water and fuel injection.

Abstract: A purge system malfunction diagnosis device is configured to diagnose a malfunction in a purge system mounted on a vehicle. The purge system includes a canister, a purge passage, a purge valve capable of opening and closing the purge passage, an outside air passage configured to cause the canister to communicate with an outside air opening, an outside air valve capable of opening and closing the outside air passage, and a system pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure in the purge system. In a state where the outside air passage is closed, a diagnosis mode is executed on a basis of a relationship between the pressure in the purge system and an integrated value of flow rate estimates of a purge gas. In the diagnosis mode, a parameter to be used for diagnosing a malfunction in the purge system is adjusted in a case where the flow rate estimate is lower than a flow rate threshold.

Abstract: An evaporated fuel processing device may include: a canister that communicates with a fuel tank though a tank passage, communicates with an intake passage of an engine through a purge passage, and communicates with open air through an open air passage; a control valve that switches between a closed state of closing the purge passage and an open state of opening the same; a pump that changes a pressure in a communicating space in a case where the control valve is in the closed state, the communicating space defined by the fuel tank, the tank passage, the canister, the open air passage, and the purge passage on a side closer to the canister relative to the control valve; a pressure detector disposed in the communicating space; and a determining unit that determines the evaporated fuel processing device is not operating normally by using a pressure detection result by the pressure detector in a state where the control valve is in the closed state and the pressure in the communicating space is changed by the pump

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel engine controlled by combustion reaction path, which cylinders comprise working cylinders and reforming cylinders. According to the operational condition of engine, the engine is used for compressing, heating and reforming the fuel injected from the reforming cylinder injector; by controlling the reaction boundary conditions between fuel and air, the reforming cylinder can exhaust partial intermediate products or oxidation products of the different oxidation stages; the products are then mixes with the inlet air in the pre-mixing chamber and then is introduced into the working cylinder.

Abstract: An engine system may include an engine including a plurality of combustion chambers for generating a driving force by combustion of fuel, an exhaust gas purification device mounted in an exhaust line through which exhaust gas discharged from the combustion chamber flows, an EGR gas collecting device configured for collecting a part of the exhaust gas from an exhaust manifold of the engine and supplying the exhaust gas to an intake manifold of the engine, and an EGR gas supply control valve provided between the EGR gas collecting device and the intake manifold and adapted to regulate a flow rate of EGR gas supplied to the intake manifold.

Abstract: An air delivery system for an engine includes a first air filter, a second air filter, a first conduit, a second conduit, an air box, and a third conduit. Each of the first air filter and the first conduit, and each of the second air filter and the second conduit are disposed at a first angle with respect to a lateral axis of the air box. The first angle is adapted to limit restriction to flow of intake air from each of the first air filter and the second air filter toward the air box. The third conduit is disposed at a second angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the air box. The second angle is adapted to limit restriction to the flow of intake air from the air box to the engine.

Abstract: A hollow filter element, including: a filter medium (64) for filtering the fluid, the filter medium circumferentially surrounding an element interior space (72) in relation to an element axis (32), forming a conical-oval round filter element; wherein the hollow filter element (18) includes: at least at one outer face facing away from the element interior space (72) at an end face (66); at least one support element (78) configured to support the hollow filter element (18) at a housing-sided support section (42) of a filter housing (12); and at least one fluid passage (81) arranged at the end face (66) in the center of the at least one support element (78), the at least one fluid passage connected to the element interior space (72) for connecting a secondary fluid line connector (45) of a housing-sided secondary fluid line (47) and/or for receiving a housing-sided positioning dome (245).

Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle comprises a supercharging device which compresses intake-air to be sent to a combustion chamber of an engine; a catalyst provided in an exhaust passage through which an exhaust gas emitted from the engine flows; and a control section which controls the engine, wherein the control section performs an increase suppressing control for suppressing an increase in an exhaust gas temperature, in a case where the control section estimates that the exhaust gas temperature has exceeded an increase suppressing temperature set to be equal to or lower than a catalyst permissible temperature.

Abstract: A tappet assembly for use in translating force between a camshaft lobe and a fuel pump assembly via reciprocal movement within a tappet cylinder having a guide slot. The tappet assembly comprises a tappet body defining a pair of apertures and a pair of seats, and a follower assembly. The follower assembly has a shaft, a first bearing and a second bearing, each supported on the shaft for engaging the camshaft lobe. An intermediate element is further supported on the shaft between the first and second bearings and has a platform for engaging the fuel pump assembly. The intermediate element is at least partially disposed in the pair of seats of the tappet body and the shaft is disposed in the pair of apertures of the tappet body.

Abstract: A control apparatus controls the operation of a starter such that, after an idling stop is executed and before a request for starting an engine is subsequently issued, the control apparatus executes a preset which causes a pinion to engage a ring gear. A control apparatus controls the operation of a starter such that, after an idling stop is executed and before a request for starting an engine is subsequently issued, the control apparatus executes a preset which causes a pinion to engage a ring gear. It is determined that the preset condition has been cancelled, and the preset is again executed. In that case, the pinion is already engaged with the ring gear at the time point when a request for starting the engine is issued. In that way it is unnecessary for the control apparatus to push out the pinion after a start request is issued.

Abstract: The invention provides an internal combustion engine control device capable of performing a stable combustion at a lean combustion limit. In an internal combustion engine control device that controls an internal combustion engine provided with an ignition device igniting an air-fuel mixture formed inside a combustion chamber, an intake side air temperature of the internal combustion engine is controlled in response to a compression ratio of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A device for recovering hydraulic energy of a swell includes a casing and a rotor. In embodiments, a rotor of the device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell includes a rim, a hub mounted inside the rim and secure with the rim, and a blade extending radially between the hub and the rim. The blade may be deformable under the pressure effect of the liquid medium flow and the rotor may include a holding means configured to hold the blade in a first deformed configuration for a liquid medium flow in a first direction.

Abstract: An assembly for generating energy from waves, comprising a concentric ring flywheel operatively arranged to generate electrical current, the concentric ring flywheel comprising a first shaft including an input end and an output end, a plurality of rings, the plurality of rings including at least a first ring, including a first radially inward facing surface arranged to connect with the output end of the first shaft, and a first radially outward facing surface, a second ring arranged concentrically around the first ring, the second ring including a second radially inward facing surface and a second radially outward facing surface, one or more first clutch connectors arranged in a first space radially arranged between the first and second rings to non-rotatably connect the second ring and the first ring, and a wave energy capture device operatively arranged to rotate the first shaft.

Abstract: The disclosure defined by this invention provide a tidal current power generator capable of maximizing the force, which is generated by tidal current flows, through changing operating direction itself without any manual operation when water flow direction is changed. According to an exemplary embodiment, a tidal current power generator includes a main frame; a plurality of operating bodies; a plurality of power plates configured to forcibly move the plurality of operating bodies in the direction of the tidal current by the force of the tidal current; a pair of clutch jaws engaged with or spaced from each other by axial movement of an outer pipe; a locking part configured to move the outer pipe so that each of the clutch jaws is engaged with each other; and a release part configured to move the outer pipe so that each of the clutch jaws is spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ducted wind turbine having a turbine rotor assembly which extracts kinetic energy from air flowing there past. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades having rotor tips at their outermost ends which define a rotor tip sweep circumference. A duct assembly at least partially surrounds said rotor tip sweep circumference and a base platform supports the ducted wind turbine. The duct assembly is mounted on the base platform by way of a weathervane bearing arrangement such that the duct assembly may weathervane around the turbine rotor assembly in response to changes in wind direction. A semi-submersible support platform, wave energy capture apparatus, torsional bearing mechanism and a latticework wind turbine tower associated with the ducted wind turbine are also provided.

Abstract: A rotor reinforcing device to reinforce turbine rotor comprises a center connecting device which is fixed on a rotor hub, blade reinforcing members which are connected to the center connecting device and corresponding rotor blade, and guide structures which are configured to guide the blade reinforcing members to rotate around a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. The rotor reinforcing device may be used to reinforce a rotor, a rotor-based wind turbine, a rotor-based ocean current turbine, a rotor-based tidal turbine and a rotor-based power generator.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine for generating electrical energy is provided comprising the steps as described below. The wind turbine comprises a nacelle being rotatably supported on a tower of the wind turbine, in particular wherein at least one tower cable is provided in the tower for electrically connecting the nacelle and/or components thereof to e.g. an electrical installation on a ground of the tower. In one step of the method an early untwist operation for untwisting the tower cables of the wind turbine is initiated at a first specific time. In addition, a future power generation of the wind turbine is predicted for a certain prediction period at least by analyzing a prediction of the wind, in particular by analyzing at least wind direction forecast information and/or wind speed forecast information.

Abstract: A hub mating mechanism for single blade installation of offshore wind turbines. The mechanism includes a rigid circular snap ring having circumferential contact with the hub, spring damper, force actuator, buffer plates made from resilient composite material, controller and electric motor. The ring is connected to the buffer plates through the spring damper and the force actuator. The roots of the buffer plates are connected to the outer edge of the hub by hinges. The force actuator is driven by the controller and electric motor placed in the nacelle. Multiple flange holes are formed in the blades and the hub fixed together through bolts after the mating is completed. Assembly and testing of the hub mating mechanism can be performed during component assembly onshore. The hub mating mechanism includes the circular snap ring, buffer plates, force actuator, spring damper, controller and electric motor which are off-the-shelf commercial products.

Abstract: A wind-driven power generating system with a hybrid wind turbine mounted on a floating platform that heels relative to horizontal in the presence of a prevailing wind. The hybrid turbine has a turbine rotor with at least two rotor blades, each mounted to a turbine shaft by at least one strut, and the system is configured so that the shaft forms a predetermined non-zero operating heel angle relative to vertical in the presence of a prevailing wind at a predetermined velocity. The blades and struts are airfoils with predetermined aerodynamic characteristics that generate lift forces with components in the direction of rotation around the shaft of the blades and struts at the operating heel angle to drive an electrical generator carried by the platform. The system can be designed to generate maximum power at the predetermined heel angle or essentially constant power over a range of heel angles.

Abstract: A device for removal and installation of a pitch bearing on a wind turbine having a plurality of blades is provided, comprising a platform having a frame, wherein the platform includes a first bearing attachment member on a first side of the frame, and having a first pair of opposing bearing connectors matably engageable to the pitch bearing; a second bearing attachment member on a second side of the frame, and having a second pair of opposing bearing connectors matably engageable to the pitch bearing; and a rigging member attached to the frame, wherein the rigging member includes at least one cable bracket adapted to receive a lifting cable. A method of removal and installing a pitch bearing using the platform is also provided.

Abstract: A coil spring unit includes a coil spring; and a metal plate supporting the coil spring, the metal plate including a plurality of supporting portions cooperative with each other to support the coil spring, wherein the supporting portions are provided by bending the metal plate at bending lines and have supporting surfaces substantially perpendicular to the bending lines, respectively, and wherein the supporting surfaces are substantially parallel with outside tangential lines of the coil spring and support the coil spring.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes a crane and a plurality of blocks, where the crane is operable to move blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation (via stacking of the blocks) to store electrical energy as potential energy of the blocks, and then operable to move blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation (via unstacking of the blocks) to generate electricity based on the kinetic energy of the block when lowered (e.g., by gravity). The energy storage system can, for example, store electricity generated from solar power as potential energy in the stacked blocks during daytime hours when solar power is available, and can convert the potential energy in the stacked blocks into electricity during nighttime hours when solar energy is not available, and deliver the converted electricity to the power grid.