With Electric Generating Means Patents (Class 123/179.28)
  • Patent number: 11859590
    Abstract: A battery pack for use in providing starting power for a starter motor of an internal combustion engine and to supply power to one or more auxiliary loads. The battery pack includes an outer housing that encloses a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack further includes a control module. The control module includes a processing circuit configured to control one or more functions associated with the internal combustion engine and an interface circuit configured to interface with the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Koenen
  • Patent number: 11746736
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a power control apparatus and a vehicle having the same. The vehicle includes a storage, a plurality of loads configured to perform at least one function, a power control apparatus configured to cut off power supplied to the plurality of loads, respectively, and a controller configured to identify at least one load supplied with the power through the power control apparatus during execution of a parking mode for a preset period, and to match operation information of the identified at least one load with identification information of the at least one load and store it in the storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Hyo Geun Kwak
  • Patent number: 11139657
    Abstract: This power conversion system is composed of a DC power supply circuit and a power conditioner which are connected to each other. The power conditioner includes: a first DC/DC converter provided between the DC power supply circuit and a DC bus; and an inverter provided between the DC bus and an AC electric path and configured to perform switching operation in such a manner that the inverter and the first DC/DC converter alternately have stop periods in an AC half cycle. The DC power supply circuit includes: a storage battery; and a second DC/DC converter of a bidirectional type, provided between the storage battery and the first DC/DC converter and including a DC reactor. The power conversion system includes a control unit configured to control current flowing through the DC reactor of the second DC/DC converter to have a constant value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Nakajima, Naoki Ayai, Yusuke Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11136997
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger. In one example, a system comprises a compressor housing clamped to a bearing housing via a clamp ring. The clamp ring may be configured to at least partially detach the compressor and allow the compressor to rotate and/or shift in response to a force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Kevin Carlisle, Adam Matthew Selthofer, Anthony Morelli, Kristofor Robert Norman, Rick Renwick, Daniel Lawerence Sylvester
  • Patent number: 10895199
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle that provides electrical power and compressed air while a main engine of the vehicle is not running. In one example, an auxiliary power unit (APU) comprises: an engine, an alternator, and a compressor, all mounted to a common base frame in a triangular arrangement with the alternator and compressor arranged adjacent to one another and each of the alternator and compressor rotationally coupled with the engine through a gearbox spaced between the engine and each of the compressor and alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Kaushik D. Sondur, Giri Balu, Sasikumar Vishwanathan Mudaliar, Tharunendra Sekhar, Jayaprakash Sabarad, Rajeev R. Verma
  • Patent number: 10611360
    Abstract: An electric power source system includes an electric power generator, a voltage conversion device, a battery, an electrical load, and a control device. The voltage conversion device converts a direct current voltage. The battery is electrically connected to the electric power generator through the voltage conversion device. The electrical load is electrically connected to the electric power generator in a parallel relationship with the battery without passing through the voltage conversion device. The control device is configured to charge the battery through the voltage conversion device based on regenerative electric power in a regenerative state in which the regenerative electric power is generated by the electric power generator. the control device is configured to increase an electric power consumption of the electrical load further when the control device detects an event that impedes the charging in the regenerative state than when the control device does not detect the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tajima, Mitsuhiro Miura
  • Patent number: 10570871
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain or driveline that includes an engine and an integrated starter/generator are described. In one example, the integrated starter/generator may crank the engine via a pinion gear during a first engine start. The integrated starter/generator may crank the engine via a belt during a second engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hafiz Khafagy, Siraj Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 10543743
    Abstract: A utility vehicle having a combined generator and coolant circulating pump assembly and at least one combined hydraulic pump and circulating pump is disclosed herein. An auxiliary pump may be disposed on a second hydraulic pump on the vehicle. A plurality of coolant reservoirs may be provided on the vehicle. The vehicle may also include a receiver for receiving signals from a remote operator transmitter, permitting remote operation of the vehicle, and an operator platform for permitting direct user control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 10480476
    Abstract: A starter system includes a brushless electric starter motor and a battery power pack, the motor operatively connectable to an internal combustion engine of a powertrain. A power inverter converts direct current provided from the battery power pack to multi-phase alternating current to drive the motor. A pinion gear with one-way clutch is rotatably driven by the motor and movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position in which the pinion gear is meshingly engaged with a ring gear operatively connected to a crankshaft of the engine. A solenoid is operatively connected to the pinion gear. An electronic control system controls the motor to crank the engine using power provided from the battery power pack, and to separately command the solenoid to a disabled or an enabled state. A method of controlling the starter system controls the motor to crank the engine in a restart following an autostop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Thomas W. Nehl, Lei Hao
  • Patent number: 10451018
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a vehicle comprising a stop-start system and in particular to a motor vehicle having a belt driven integrated starter-generator (BISG) drivingly connected to an accessory drive belt of an engine of the motor vehicle are provided. The BISG may be used during an engine stop event to preposition the crank at an angle from which it facilitates rapid restart of the engine and during engine running the BISG may be used as a power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Andrew Straker, Ian Robinson
  • Patent number: 10414390
    Abstract: A control apparatus is applied to an internal combustion engine. The engine comprises a water pump, and an oil pump. The apparatus makes a second motor to drive the water pump drive the oil pump, if the first motor to drive the oil pump malfunctions. Consequently, if the first motor malfunctions, the oil pump can be driven by the second motor. Thus, the possibility of seizing of the sliding portions of the engine can be reduced. Further, if the first motor malfunctions, the friction in the engine can be reduced, since the oil pump is not driven by the crank shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Morita, Takashi Koyama
  • Patent number: 10400732
    Abstract: A starting circuit for providing electric power to a starter motor of an internal combustion engine of outdoor power equipment is shown and described. The starting circuit includes a battery receptacle mounted on the outdoor power equipment and a starter battery that is received within the battery receptacle. The starter battery includes a battery controller and a series of battery cells contained within an outer housing. A plurality of high current pins provide electric power to the starter motor and auxiliary devices on the tractor/mower while a plurality of low current pins receives signals from the tractor/mower related to operation of the tractor/mower. A wireless transceiver is used to communicate information from the battery controller to a wireless device. The wireless device displays the received information to a user. The battery receptacle can be configured to include a dipstick receiver that receives an oil dipstick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Michael Harvey, Bryan Keith Dandridge
  • Patent number: 10323576
    Abstract: An aircraft drive chain including a plurality of main gears engaging with each other, a first main gear including a wall defining an inner space, an outer set of gear teeth being placed on an outer surface of the wall, the outer set of gear teeth engaging with at least one second main gear, a gear system being built into the inner space, the first main gear and the gear system being jointly configured so as to form a gearbox or reducer and ensure mechanical power transfer between a drive member and a slave member, the gear system being mounted onto the wall with a decoupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Stephane Prunera-Usach, Guillaume Beck, Jordane Peltier
  • Patent number: 10309299
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and vehicles for use with internal combustion engines comprising combustion chambers that produce exhaust gases that include a Stirling engine having a hot side and a cold side with the hot side being in thermal contact with exhaust gases produced by the internal combustion engine. The Stirling engine is configured to be powered by heat from the exhaust gases during operation of the internal combustion engine, and a compressor powered by the Stirling engine is configured to provide compressed air to combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Adhiraj B. Mathur, Haiyan Henry Zhang
  • Patent number: 10161374
    Abstract: A starter generator system comprising an engine driving a first belt and engaged with a second belt through a one-way clutch, a starter generator configured to be driven by the engine through the second belt or to drive the engine through the second belt according to an engine condition, and an accessory engaged with the second belt through an accessory clutch, the accessory drivable by the first belt or the second belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Serkh, Keming Liu, Ilya Kleyman
  • Patent number: 10116156
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid battery. The hybrid battery has a housing, a first energy storage device, a second energy storage device, a detection control circuit, an stabilizer circuit, and a charging circuit connected between the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device. Negative terminals of the first energy storage device and of the second energy storage device are coupled to a negative pole. A positive terminal of the first energy storage device is connected to a first fixed contact of a relay. A positive terminal of the second energy storage device is connected to a second fixed contact of the relay. The detection control circuit is connected to a coil of the relay. An input terminal of the relay is coupled to a positive pole. The first energy storage energy, the second energy storage energy, the detection control circuit, the stabilizer circuit, the charging circuit, the relay are disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CARKU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Xingliang Lei
  • Patent number: 10017138
    Abstract: A second switch (7) is provided between a first power supply circuit including a first capacitor (4) connected in series with a first switch (6) and a second power supply circuit including a second capacitor (5). In a case where a predetermined condition that necessitates supply of electric power from one power supply circuit to the other power supply circuit is established, the first switch (6) is opened to disconnect the first capacitor (4) in the first power supply circuit, and then the second switch (7) is closed to connect between the first power supply circuit and the second power supply circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Nozomu Kamioka, Satoshi Wachi, Toshiaki Date, Shingo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9982647
    Abstract: An engine start system has a rotating electrical machine, a starter motor, an engine ECU and an ISG controller. The rotating electrical machine is connected to an output shaft of an engine. The starter motor drives the engine to be restarted. The engine ECU controls the engine operation. The ISG controller instructs an inverter when the rotating electrical machine performs power running and regenerative power generation. The ISG controller communicates with the engine ECU, and adjusts the operation of the starter motor and the rotating electrical machine. When receiving an engine restart request, the ISG controller drives at least one of the starter motor and the rotating electrical machine so as to restart the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Imura, Takuro Nakaoka, Atsuyuki Hiruma
  • Patent number: 9957942
    Abstract: A voltage stabilization device is proposed for use in a motor vehicle. The voltage stabilization device comprises a first terminal for connecting the device with an energy source, in particular to a vehicle battery; a second terminal for connecting the device having a starting device of a motor vehicle; a current limiter module for limiting a starting current; a control unit for controlling the current limiting module, and at a starting operation detector coupled with the control unit for detecting a starting operation, wherein the current limiting module carries out a starter current limiting action on the basis of a start signal of the process startup detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Flextronics International Kft.
    Inventors: Thaddaus Sierak, Eckhardt Nagel, Werner Diez
  • Patent number: 9917460
    Abstract: A battery pack for use to provide starting power of an internal combustion engine. The battery pack includes an outer housing that encloses a plurality of individual battery cells organized into two battery groups. A charging circuit is contained within the outer housing, which allows the battery cells to be recharged without the need for a charging device other than the battery pack. The charging circuit allows the battery cells to be recharged from either a wall outlet or from the alternator of the internal combustion engine. The battery pack further includes a switching circuit that can configure the battery groups in either a parallel mode or a series mode. In the series mode, the output voltage of the battery pack is increased for starting a cold engine. In the parallel mode, the amount of current available from the battery pack is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert John Koenen, Jason Hansen, Andrew Paskov
  • Patent number: 9809123
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for control schemes and intelligent battery selection for electric vehicles. In one embodiment, an example method may include determining a first charge level of a first battery system that is configured to power a homopolar generator, causing the first battery system to be charged by a power input source, and determining that a second charge level of the first battery system is greater than a first threshold value. Example methods may include causing the first battery system to power the homopolar generator, wherein the homopolar generator is configured to output charging current to a second battery system, causing the solid state relay to form a parallel connection between a first battery, a second battery, and the homopolar generator, directing a first charging current from the homopolar generator to the first battery, and directing a second charging current from the homopolar generator to the second battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Premergy, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Edward Botts
  • Patent number: 9770970
    Abstract: A cooling device for a hybrid module of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing, a driveshaft arranged within the housing, a rotor non-rotatable secured to the driveshaft, a stator secured to the housing, a clutch arranged to engage or disengage the driveshaft, said clutch being integral with the rotor and, a fluid transport device arranged on the driveshaft to transport a fluid to the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willi Ruder
  • Patent number: 9764733
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cranking an engine of a hybrid vehicle that includes an electric machine to crank the engine and propel the vehicle are disclosed. In one example, engine cranking speed and engine cranking source are selected in response to vehicle operating conditions that may affect whether or not an electrical power source has sufficient energy to crank the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott James Thompson, David Farrell, Robert Wright, Xiaoyong Wang
  • Patent number: 9708950
    Abstract: A genset comprises an engine; an alternator, an exhaust system, a controller, and at least one of an intake system, an EVAP system, a fuel injector, an EGR system, a SAI system and an aftertreatment system. The controller is configured to control at least a portion of the genset. The controller is in electrical communication with one or more of the alternator, the EVAP system, the EGR system, the SAI system and the aftertreatment system via communication circuitry. Furthermore, the controller is configured to: (a) receive an electrical output from the alternator via the communication circuitry, (b) determine a load on the alternator from the electrical output, which corresponds to mechanical load on the engine, and (c) generate an electrical signal configured to at least partially control operation of at least one of the EVAP system, the EGR system, the SAI system and the aftertreatment system via the communication circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Luke R. Staples, Ryan A. Becker, Nick V. Halstead, Andrew C. Walseth, Daniel D. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 9664107
    Abstract: A device comprises an engine including a crank shaft with a first end portion, a generator motor including a rotor shaft with a second end portion, a flywheel with first and second connection portions connected to the first and second end portions respectively, and a fastening member. At least one of the connection portions constitutes an alignment connection portion. The first or second end portion constitutes an alignment end portion. One of the alignment connection portion and the alignment end portion includes a concave portion having an alignment inner surface, and the other includes a convex portion having an alignment outer surface. One surface of the alignment inner and outer surfaces is a tapered surface. The fastening member fastens the alignment connection portion and the alignment end portion to each other to bring a tip end of the other surface into pressure contact with the tapered surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Saiki, Kazushige Koiwai, Yoichiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9631597
    Abstract: A voltage stabilization device is proposed for use in a motor vehicle. The voltage stabilization device comprises a first terminal for connecting the device with an energy source, in particular to a vehicle battery; a second terminal for connecting the device having a starting device of a motor vehicle; a current limiter module for limiting a starting current; a control unit for controlling the current limiting module, and at a starting operation detector coupled with the control unit for detecting a starting operation, wherein the current limiting module carries out a starter current limiting action on the basis of a start signal of the process startup detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Flextronics International Kft.
    Inventors: Thaddaus Sierak, Eckhardt Nagel, Werner Diez
  • Patent number: 9500140
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to valves comprising a member such as a plate or poppet, that is moveable relative to a stationary seat. The state of the member may be maintained against opposing forces with relatively little expenditure of energy. According to one embodiment, a poppet displaced from seating in the valve seat, may be held in position against opposing forces tending to close the valve, until a desired flow of gas through the valve has taken place. The poppet may then be released as desired, such that those opposing forces serve to passively close the valve. The valve may be secured in position utilizing mechanical, magnetic, electromagnetic, pneumatic, electrostatic, or hydraulic approaches. Valve embodiments may be particularly suited to controlling gas flows for compression and/or expansion in an energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: LIGHTSAIL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Danielle A. Fong, Stephen E. Crane, Gordon Rado, Edwin P. Berlin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9481236
    Abstract: A powertrain is disclosed. A ring gear is attached to a first distal end of a crankshaft such that the ring gear and the crankshaft are rotatable in unison about a longitudinal axis. A motor-generator includes a motor/generator shaft rotatable about a first axis spaced from the longitudinal axis. A starter mechanism includes a first starter gear coupleable to the motor/generator shaft and rotatable about a second axis spaced from the longitudinal axis. The first and second axes are spaced and substantially parallel to each other. The first starter gear is movable along the second axis between a first position engaging the ring gear such that torque is transferred from the motor/generator shaft through the first starter gear and the ring gear to the crankshaft to start the engine, and a second position disengaged from the ring gear to rotatably disconnect the starter mechanism from the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Michael G. Reynolds, Alexandru Rajala, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 9457745
    Abstract: The disclosure presents a method for starting up a battery system having a battery, a DC voltage intermediate circuit which is connected to the battery, and a drive system which is connected to the DC voltage intermediate circuit. The battery has a large number of battery modules which are connected in series and which each comprise a coupling unit and at least one battery cell which is connected between a first input and a second input of the coupling unit. The method comprises a step for decoupling the battery cells of all of the battery modules which are connected in series by outputting a corresponding control signal to the coupling units of the battery modules which are connected in series. All of the battery modules which are connected in series are then bridged at the output end, and therefore an output voltage of the battery is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9374022
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a voltage conversion apparatus includes: duty command signal generation means for generating a duty command signal corresponding to a duty ratio of switching elements carrier signal generation means for generating carrier signals corresponding to respective switching frequencies of the switching elements; switching control signal generation means for generating respective switching control signals of switching ON and OFF states of the switching elements, by comparing the duty command signal with the carrier signals; one arm driving control means for implementing one arm driving by alternatively turning on the first and second switching elements; and phase inverting means for bringing phases of portions, of the carrier signals, corresponding to switching at least right after arm switching, into a state where the phases are shifted from each other by 180 degrees between the first and second switching elements, at the time of the arm switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoyoshi Takamatsu, Masaki Okamura
  • Publication number: 20150107542
    Abstract: An engine having a crank shaft which is caused to start to rotate by pulling a recoil rope includes: a reel around which the recoil rope is wound; a clutch mechanism which is provided between the reel and the crank shaft and switchable between a first state and a second state; and a sub-generator connected to the reel. The first state of the clutch mechanism allows transmission of force in one direction from the reel to the crank shaft, while the second state does not allow transmission of force in both directions between the reel and the crank shaft. When the crank shaft is caused to start to rotate, the clutch mechanism is switched to the first state, whereas when the sub-generator is driven for power generation, the clutch mechanism is switched to the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Yasuaki KYOKANE, Masanori NOGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8950372
    Abstract: A starter motor for engine has a flywheel fixed to a shaft of the engine. A support is fixed relative to the engine. A space is formed between the flywheel and the support and a driving device is installed in the space. The driving device includes a stator fixed to the support and a rotor fixed to the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Guo Ji Zhang, Jin Yun Gan, Li Sheng Liu, Yue Li
  • Publication number: 20150020761
    Abstract: An engine startup device is provided having a helical-spline-engaging part where an output shaft (5) and a moving body (3) are coupled with each other, wherein a notch (37b, 38b) is formed on a power-transmitting-side tooth surface (37a, 38a) of at least either one of the output shaft and the moving body, and an angle formed by the notch with respect to a shaft direction is made smaller than the lead angle of a helical spline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami Abe, Koichiro Kamei, Kazuhiro Odahara
  • Patent number: 8915228
    Abstract: An engine control section (50) is configured to: start power supply to pinion-gear moving sections (21, 22) based on an engine rpm which becomes smaller than an rpm at which the meshing engagement is possible while the engine is rotating by inertia as a result of satisfaction of an automatic stop condition; temporarily stop the power supply to the pinion-gear moving sections when an amount of change in the rpm of the engine exceeds a predetermined increase detection threshold value before time required for a pinion gear (24) to come into abutment against a ring gear (12) elapses after the start of the power supply; and restart the power supply to the pinion-gear moving sections when the amount of change in the rpm of the engine becomes smaller than a predetermined decrease detection threshold value after the power supply is temporarily stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Michitaka Fujiwara, Tsuneo Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8899202
    Abstract: A fuel injection device comprising electricity-generating means generating electricity by rotation of an engine and outputting a predetermined signal, and a solenoid valve injecting fuel; the valve being opened as a result of a drive current applied to a coil, and the fuel being injected into an intake passage of the engine at a predetermined timing during the rotation of the engine; to ensure that the flow rate required during high-speed operation can be adequately provided in a fuel injection device for injecting/supplying fuel to an engine. The electricity-generating means is an alternating current generation means attached to the engine in a crank angle position at which an output is generated in synchronization with the intake timing of the engine; the signal is an injection command signal applied to the solenoid valve as an alternating-current drive current; and the applied voltage increases with increased engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Zama Japan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takumi Nonaka, Hideki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8857188
    Abstract: A hybrid drive device including an electric motor; an automatic transmission; a lubricating oil passage to which a lubricating oil pressure is supplied; and a switching valve that is switched between a first state where the lubricating oil passage communicates with a first lubricating oil passage that guides lubricating oil to the automatic transmission, and a second state where the lubricating oil passage communicates with a second lubricating oil passage that guides the lubricating oil to the electric motor. The electric motor and an internal combustion engine output shaft are operable in conjunction with the automatic transmission. The switching valve is switched from the first state to the second state when a vehicle is in a stationary state or running at a speed of a predetermined value or less including the stationary state of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Noda, Masashi Kito, Yuichi Seki, Satoru Kasuya
  • Publication number: 20140299089
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block including a cylinder, a piston positioned within the cylinder, a crankshaft configured to be driven by the piston, a fuel system for supplying an air-fuel mixture to the cylinder, and an electric starting system including a starter motor, a battery receiver, and a lithium-ion battery removably attached to the battery receiver, wherein the lithium-ion battery is configured to power the starter motor to start the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Koenen, Matthew Markowski, Michael Meyer, James Nommensen
  • Patent number: 8820286
    Abstract: A compact and lightweight electric generator for portable power applications employs a new engine design and integration approach for reducing engine, generator, and starter weight. A unique flywheel alternator/starter configuration that generates electrical power, rotates the engine for starting, provides inertia for smooth engine operation, pressurized air for cooling, and inertia for the alternator. An engine cowling provides rotating component protection, a fan shroud mechanism, cooling air ducts, and a cooling mechanism for handling large quantities of heat produced by rectified power conversion. An electrical hook up that allows the generator to provide transient surge capacity for starting inductive loads, or improved load leveling and fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory S. Cole, Brian E. Tews, Robert P. Scaringe, Robert Paul Roth, Daniel Mason
  • Patent number: 8776753
    Abstract: A starter motor arrangement comprises a battery, a first starter motor including a first pinion and a second starter motor including a second pinion. The first starter motor is connected in series to the battery and the second starter motor is connected in series to the first starter motor. Accordingly, the battery, the first starter motor, and the second starter motor are all connected in series. The first pinion gear and the second pinion gear are configured to engage an engine ring gear when electrical current flows through the first starter motor and the second starter motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Remy Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Bradfield, Attila Nagy
  • Patent number: 8770164
    Abstract: A combustion engine can be started by means of a starting device. During the starting operation attendant with the starting device driving the vehicle this drive is also effected by energizing a clutch which connects the combustion engine via a transmission to the wheels L of the vehicle. By utilizing the starting device for the starting operation also for meanwhile driving the vehicle and/or accelerating same, a faster and/or more gradual drive/acceleration of the vehicle is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: DTI Group, B.V.
    Inventors: Roell Marie Van Druten, Alexander Franciscus Anita Serrarens, Bas Gerard Vroemen
  • Patent number: 8763578
    Abstract: A vehicle drive, having an internal-combustion engine, includes a first a second starting system for starting the internal-combustion engine, where neither the first nor the second starting system is provided for generating vehicle propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bayersiche Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Axel Poeltenstein, Johann Knoeferl, Thomas Hardtke, Peter Straehle
  • Patent number: 8757120
    Abstract: An engine starting device for an automatic idling stop system includes: a crank angle sensor for detecting a crank angle of an engine; a ring gear connected to a crankshaft of the engine, for transmitting rotation of the engine; ring gear rpm detecting section; a starter motor for starting the engine; a pinion gear for transmitting rotation of the starter motor to the ring gear; pinion-gear push-out section for pushing out the pinion gear into meshing engagement with the ring gear; and pinion gear push-out control section for driving the pinion-gear push-out section to bring the pinion gear and the ring gear into meshing engagement when the ring gear rpm detected by the ring gear rotational speed detection section becomes smaller than a threshold value which is determined by at least one of the crank angle, a gear range, and a restart condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kitano, Masahiko Kurishige, Daisuke Mizuno, Koichiro Kamei, Shiro Yonezawa, Kazuhiro Odahara, Naohito Kaneda
  • Publication number: 20140109856
    Abstract: A starter is disposed with an elastic body which generates slide resistance between the inner circumferential surface of a cylinder hole of a movable core and a first annular groove section of a flange section of a hook and the starter has an air damper function; and consequently, the effect of suppressing compression of a drive spring can be sufficiently obtained without reducing the suction speed of a plunger as much as possible and an engine can be rapidly started up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Motoaki KIMURA
  • Patent number: 8688303
    Abstract: Method for controlling a vehicle that includes a support, at least one wheel, a platform coupled to the at least one wheel, a coupling structure having a support portion coupled to the support and a platform portion coupled to the platform that allows the support portion to move or slide fore and aft with respect to the platform portion, an actuator coupled to the coupling structure to control the position of the support portion relative to the platform portion, a drive coupled to the at least one wheel to deliver power to the at least one wheel to propel the vehicle and maintain the platform level, and a controller coupled to the drive to control the drive and coupled to the actuator to control the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Segway, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon M. Stevens, John David Heinzmann, Patrick A. Hussey, Benjamin C. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20140048031
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for starting an internal-combustion engine arranged in a vehicle equipped with an electric machine that at least temporarily drives the internal-combustion engine and a first electrical energy storage unit. An adjusting unit is provided by which the electric machine is connectable with the first storage unit. The adjusting unit is configured to detect at least one defined internal-combustion engine operating state and/or at least one defined vehicle operating state and, at least as a function of the detected internal-combustion engine operating state and/or the detected vehicle operating state, for adjusting an electric quantity which determines an electric power drawn from the first storage unit by the electric machine when driving the internal-combustion engine, or for itself adjusting the drawn electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard WOELFL, Daniel FINDEISEN, Michael DAURER, Hartmut PROEBSTLE, Sherif MAHMOUD, Rupert NEUDECKER
  • Patent number: 8646427
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for powering a vehicle with a heat engine and provided with an automatic stop and restart system for the heat engine, wherein said powering system comprises an onboard grid to which electric consumers are connected, means (16) for starting/restarting the engine, a battery (11) powering the onboard grid and the starting/restarting means, and a DMT device (12, 15) for maintaining the voltage. According to the invention, the onboard grid (10) is connected to the battery (11) via the DMT device (12, 25), and the DMT device (12, 25) is preferably connected to the positive terminal P of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen AutomobilesSA
    Inventors: Erwan Monnier, Bernard Boucly, Christophe Ferlin, Stephane Carubelli
  • Patent number: 8490593
    Abstract: The present invention is an installation of an emergency starting switching device and/or direct current boosted boost circuit device. When the power of the starting battery is insufficient, the electric energy of the power storage device battery is used to drive the starting motor in order to start the engine by operating the emergency starting switching device. And when the engine is started, the voltage of the ignition device or the fuel injection device is stepped up to strengthen its starting capability by means of a voltage boost by the direct current boosted boost circuit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20130180491
    Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes: a voltage generator having a coil, an electronic module, and a housing having a housing wall, the housing wall having a first planar wall area and a second planar wall area and a connecting area connecting the first and the second planar wall areas, a cooling area being provided between the first planar wall area and the second planar wall area, which cooling area is connected to an external surrounding area and provides cooling of the first and second planar wall areas, and the planar wall areas dividing the housing into a first space, in which the coil is situated, and a second space, in which the electronic module is situated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventor: Lothar Detels
  • Patent number: 8479698
    Abstract: A parallel starter system for starting an internal combustion engine has at least two parallel-connected starters and a thermal switch associated with each of the starters, which thermal switch interrupts operation of the respective starter in the event of a response. The thermal switches are connected in series so that in the event of tripping of one of these thermal switches, the operation of all starters is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Wanner, Thomas Majer
  • Patent number: 8474417
    Abstract: An air-cooled general-purpose engine includes: a cooling fan fixed to one end portion, protruding outward from one end wall of an engine main body, of a crankshaft; and a shroud which is mounted to the engine main body, and which defines a cooling-air path between the shroud and the one end wall, the cooling-air path guiding a cooling air blown under pressure from the cooling fan. The air-cooled general-purpose engine includes: an oil pump which pumps up an oil from an oil reservoir; and an oil-supply path which is formed in the one end wall, facing the cooling-air path, of the engine main body, and configured to guide the oil discharged from the oil pump to a valve operating chamber in a head portion of the engine main body, and a jet for jetting the oil is provided in an opening of the oil-supply path, the opening being open to the valve operating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Ogawa, Hiroaki Hasebe