Combined Devices Patents (Class 123/2)
  • Patent number: 12027959
    Abstract: In a generator including an engine, a rotating electric machine, and a cooling fan that rotates integrally with a rotor of the rotating electric machine, the cooling fan includes a plurality of fans disposed at an interval in an axial direction of the fan, and a cylindrical body that extends in the axial direction of the cooling fan with a cylindrical cross section in an inner peripheral space of an upstream fan and is disposed more on the upstream side than a downstream fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takafumi Kotani, Kana Miyagi, Wataru Matsuyama, Masahiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11326510
    Abstract: Provided is a general purpose engine that has a small external appearance and can be placed in a stable posture even when inverted, and whereby labels attached to the upper surface thereof can be protected. The general purpose engine 1 comprises a shroud 4 covering an engine main body. The shroud 4 includes: a top cover 2 arranged in an upper section of the general purpose engine 1; and a bottom cover 3 arranged in a lower section of the general purpose engine 1. The top cover 2 has a pair of bridges 20, 20 formed so as to protrude from the upper surface of the top cover 2, constituting the apex of the top cover 2 and continually extending from the front surface of the top cover 2 to the rear surface thereof, across the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Ninomiya, Yuko Akamine, Yuji Oigawa, Shohma Higano
  • Patent number: 11300034
    Abstract: A standby generator includes a standby generator enclosure having one or more airflow openings, a first air duct and a second air duct each coupled to at least one of the one or more airflow openings, and an engine and an alternator driven by the engine mounted in the enclosure. An engine cooling fan is driven by the engine to force a first stream of cooling air from the first air duct through the engine in a direction opposite the alternator, and an alternator cooling fan is coupled to the alternator and driven by the engine to force a second stream of cooling air from the second air duct through the alternator in a direction opposite the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Champion Power Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Sarder, Russell J. Dopke, Hiroaki Sato, Leigh A. Jenison
  • Patent number: 11215149
    Abstract: An air cleaner includes a base member including a base wall extending substantially horizontally, and a cover member attached to an upper side of the base wall to jointly define a filter chamber for receiving a filter element therein. The air cleaner further includes a passage member communicating with the filter chamber and incorporated with a plurality of air ejection pipes each surrounded by an annular air inlet passage fitted with guide vanes for rotating the air flow, and a case member defining separation chambers for separating dust from the rotating air flow. The passage member is interposed between the cover member and the case member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shota Gomibuchi, Wataru Yamazaki, Hiroto Takahashi, Kosaku Nakano
  • Patent number: 11114920
    Abstract: In the power generator, an alternator driven by an engine to generate power, an inverter for the alternator, a fan to cool the engine, and a shroud via which air blown by the fan is guided to a periphery of the engine are stored inside of a casing. A fan cover that covers the alternator and the fan is provided in an end portion of the shroud, a ventilating opening is formed in an end portion of the fan cover, and an inverter supporter in which the inverter is installed is provided in a circumferential edge portion of the ventilating opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chisako Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11015565
    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: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Koenen
  • Patent number: 10920720
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) having a cylinder (5) having a rearwardly slanted axial line is provided with a plurality of cylindrical cyclone dust collection units (34) commonly connected to an upstream end of a filter dust collection unit (35). Each cyclone dust collection unit includes a main body (44, 45) internally defining a separation chamber (45C), and having an air inlet (31) communicating with outside and an air outlet (73) communicating with the filter dust collection unit, and the separation chamber is provided with a dust ejection hole (45D) directed tangentially in an obliquely forward direction. Thereby, dust ejected from the dust ejection hole is ejected away from the operator of the engine, and is prevented from depositing on the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shota Gomibuchi, Manabu Hashimoto, Yusuke Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 10907527
    Abstract: An alternator adapter for a generator engine includes a main body defining an airflow chamber. The main body includes an airflow outlet in a first end of the main body, an engine shaft opening in a second end of the main body opposite the first end, and an airflow inlet between the first end and the second end. The alternator adaptor also includes an engine mount coupled to the first end of the main body around the airflow outlet and aligned with the engine shaft opening, and an alternator mount coupled to the second end of the main body around the engine shaft opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Champion Power Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Sarder, Russell J. Dopke, Hiroaki Sato, Leigh A. Jenison
  • Patent number: 10655591
    Abstract: A multiple-keyed crankshaft and flywheel provides for different ignition timing options for an internal combustion engine. The crankshaft of the engine includes multiple keyways set at designated angular displacements of the crankshaft that correspond with keyways on a flywheel for providing different timing options for the engine. The flywheel may be mounted to the crankshaft by aligning one of the keyways of the flywheel to one of the keyways of the crankshaft related to a particular ignition timing selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Kleczewski, James Webster
  • Patent number: 10570829
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling air flow through at least two aspirators coupled across an intake throttle. In one example, a method includes, during a first condition, opening a common aspirator shut-off valve to direct intake air through a first aspirator and a second aspirator each coupled across an intake throttle, and supplying vacuum generated by the first aspirator and the second aspirator to respective vacuum consumption devices as demanded. The method also includes, responsive to a second condition, closing the common aspirator shut-off valve and supplying intake manifold vacuum to the respective vacuum consumption devices as demanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10544753
    Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide systems and methods for a waste heat recovery and conversion. The waste heat recovery and conversion system includes a housing non-invasively mountable onto an engine. The waste heat recovery and conversion system also includes a power conversion unit (PCU) entirely within the housing. The PCU includes heat exchangers, an expander, an electrical power generator, and a fluid pump. The heat exchangers, the expander, the fluid pump, and the fluid reservoir form a thermodynamic loop that drives the electrical power generator using thermal energy from waste heat. Under various configurations the waste heat recovery and conversion system offer pollutant reduction features all together with fuel savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Inventor: Claudio Filippone
  • Patent number: 10514006
    Abstract: A fuel reformer includes a housing. A mixing portion is provided in the housing, the mixing portion being a space for mixing fuel supplied from the outside with an EGR gas. A reforming catalyst portion is provided on a side opposite the mixing portion and is configured to reform the mixed fuel and the EGR gas in the mixing portion. A first heater is disposed around an outer periphery of the housing surrounding the mixing portion. A second heater is disposed around an outer periphery of the housing surrounding the reforming catalyst portion. The first and second heaters are configured to transmit thermal energy to the fuel reformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hong Kil Baek, Seung Woo Lee, Tae Won Lee
  • Patent number: 10501095
    Abstract: A power system for a locomotive includes a dynamic brake (DB) grid, at least one chopper circuit, and a controller. The locomotive includes at least one traction motor to power one or more loads during a braking of the locomotive. The DB grid includes at least one resistor bank and is configured to dissipate at least a portion of the power generated by the traction motor. The chopper circuit includes a three-phase inverter module, and selectively disables an electrical communication between the resistor bank and the traction motor. The controller is coupled to the chopper circuit and the loads. The controller determines a magnitude of the loads, and controls the chopper circuit to disable an electrical communication between the resistor bank and the traction motor for a predetermined duration to control a portion of the power dissipated by the DB grid to meet the magnitude of the loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
    Inventor: Madan M. Jalla
  • Patent number: 10436126
    Abstract: A vehicular propulsion system, a vehicular fuel system and a method of operating an internal combustion engine. A separation unit that makes up a part of the fuel system includes one or more adsorbent-based chambers such that the separation unit may selectively receive and separate at least a portion of onboard fuel into octane-enhanced and cetane-enhanced components. Regeneration of an adsorbate takes place through a heat exchange relation with existing system infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Esam Zaki Hamad, Eman AbdelHakim A. M. Tora, Amer A. Amer, Junseok Chang
  • Patent number: 10273864
    Abstract: An engine-driven generator includes a fuel tank disposed in front of a cooling fan, an air guide space defined between the fuel tank and the cooling fan, an inverter disposed beside a lateral side part of the air guide space, and an air shroud provided between the inverter and the air guide space. The fuel tank is vertically elongated to face a cylinder block of a vertical engine. A storage space having the inverter disposed therein is connected to the air guide space via the air shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Takuo Kase, Kazuki Shimozono, Kiyomi Yanai
  • Patent number: 10227919
    Abstract: In the present invention, a package is partitioned into upper and lower sections. An engine and a generator are both disposed in the lower section. In the upper section are disposed: a radiator chamber in which a radiator and a radiator fan are disposed, and an intake chamber in which an intake silencer is disposed. A ventilation hole directly communicates the radiator chamber with an engine chamber in which the engine and the generator are disposed. The ventilation hole is displaced from the radiator fan in a long-side direction of the package. A ventilation hood covers above and around the ventilation hole. An outlet opening of the ventilation hood is formed being displaced in a short-side direction (Y) of the package to face the ventilation hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ruriko Terada, Tatsuya Kawano
  • Patent number: 10224783
    Abstract: An engine-driven working machine capable of favorably reducing exhaust sound (that is, noise) is provided. An engine-driven working machine 10 is a generator in which an engine 15 and a muffler 67 are housed in an inside 13 of an outer case 12. The generator 10 includes a tail pipe 68 that is provided at a lower portion 67a of the muffler 67, a discharge port 37 that is disposed above the tail pipe 68, and a baffle plate 84 that is disposed to face the discharge port 37. The discharge port 37 is formed in the outer case 12. Further, cooling air that is sent from a cooling fan 17 is guided to below the muffler 67 with the baffle plate 84.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Koyama, Masashi Kai
  • Patent number: 10125678
    Abstract: A generator assembly suitable for being carried on the back of a human comprising an internal combustion engine an alternator and a shaft driven by said engine and driving said alternator wherein when said generator assembly is being carried on the back of a human said shaft is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said human. This enhances the manoeuvrability of the assembly. Preferably the assembly comprises a generator module having an engine and an alternator coupled directly by a common shaft, the generator module being attached to a frame of the assembly at only two longitudinally spaced-apart positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Amir Golad
  • Patent number: 10060361
    Abstract: A method and system for perform a charge exchange in internal combustion engine comprising an additional intake and exhaust valve lifts performed during positive pressure gradients between the intake and exhaust systems to reducing scavenging losses and increase torque during low engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joerg Kemmerling, Franz Arnd Sommerhoff, Helmut Matthias Kindl, Vanco Smiljanovski, Claudia Katharina Herudek, Andreas Kuske
  • Patent number: 10060343
    Abstract: An airflow system for an enclosed portable generator is provided that efficiently cools internal components by collecting an airflow and directing the entire airflow past a heat generating component such as an inverter module assembly before releasing the airflow in an unrestricted manner into an open interior space of the portable inverter generator. The airflow system includes an intake plenum system with a plenum body configured to collect and concentrate a volume of air as an intake airflow and to damp sound emission from a front side of housing of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Boutot, Chad A. Adams, Joel B. Soto
  • Patent number: 10041403
    Abstract: A generator assembly suitable for being carried on the back of a human comprising an internal combustion engine an alternator and a shaft driven by said engine and driving said alternator wherein when said generator assembly is being carried on the back of human said shaft is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said human. This enhances the maneuverability of the assembly. Preferably the assembly comprises a generator module having an engine and an alternator coupled directly by a common shaft, the generator being attached to a frame of the assembly at only two longitudinally spaced-apart positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Inventor: Amir Golad
  • Patent number: 10005975
    Abstract: A fuel separation method by which auxiliary fuel is separated from blended gasoline fuel for a flexible fuel vehicle capable of using ethanol-blended gasoline fuel, the method including the following steps (a) and (b): (a) a step in which, when the ethanol concentration is low, the blended gasoline fuel is separated by a polar separating membrane member at a relatively high separation temperature to obtain, at the permeation side of the membrane, a first auxiliary fuel enriched with the aromatic gasoline components and ethanol component, and (b) a step in which, when the ethanol concentration is high, the blended gasoline fuel is separated by a polar separating membrane member at a relatively low second separation temperature to obtain, at the permeation side of the membrane, a second auxiliary fuel enriched with the non-aromatic high-volatile gasoline components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company, Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Iwashita, Takanori Ueda, Randall D. Partridge, Robert Lucchesi, Paul O. Johnson, George L. Kellogg
  • Patent number: 9944275
    Abstract: A control device of a hybrid vehicle includes an electric motor outputting a running torque at the time of motor running and a starting torque at engine start, in a state of the motor running using even the starting torque, the control device being configured to give a notification of the state to a driver when a charging capacity is smaller than a first predetermined value, and to start an engine when the charging capacity is smaller than a second predetermined value which is smaller than the first predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabata, Tooru Matsubara, Koichi Okuda, Kenta Kumazaki, Tatsuya Imamura, Keita Imai, Takeshi Kitahata, Shunya Kato, Yasuhiro Hiasa
  • Patent number: 9812226
    Abstract: A method of providing an emergency supply of services to a nuclear power plant having a cooling water cycle, the method including: situating a container at a remote location from the power plant, wherein the container has permanently integrated therein: a motor comprising a first shaft and a second shaft; a generator driven by the first shaft; a pump driven by the second shaft; a fuel tank connected to the motor, and supplying fuel to the motor; and a transformer connected to the generator; connecting the pump to the cooling water cycle of the nuclear power plant; using the pump to pump water from an external water feed into the cooling water cycle of the nuclear power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: 123-Engineering & Innovation GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Mekiska
  • Patent number: 9803572
    Abstract: A portable engine-driven system comprising an engine having an air intake passage, a fuel tank operatively coupled to the engine, a valve, and a pressure regulator. The valve may be coupled between the fuel tank and the air intake passage and configured to transition between a first position and a second position. The first position may allow fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake passage and the second position may inhibit the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake passage. The pressure regulator may be positioned in line between the fuel tank and the air intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Joe Jochman
  • Patent number: 9777606
    Abstract: In a cogeneration device, a space is formed on a base member that supports an engine and an electric power generator in order to store leakages from the engine in the space. A panel-fixing bracket is provided outside the storage space, at a predetermined distance from a vertical wall section forming a vertical wall of the storage space. A panel, which is a part of a package, is bolted and fixed to the bracket. This structure enables each panel to be fixed to the base member while preventing the leakages stored in the storage space from leaking out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Susumu Murai, Akihiro Nagao, Hiroyuki Okada
  • Patent number: 9714599
    Abstract: An engine-driven generator includes an exhaust muffler disposed adjacent to a lateral side of a cylinder block, a fan cover having an air outlet arranged to face the exhaust muffler and the cylinder block, the fan cover being configured to guide cooling air from a cooling fan directly to the air outlet, and an opening area-adjustment member provided on a muffler blow-off port of the air outlet for adjusting an opening area of the muffler blow-off port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Takuo Kase, Kazuki Shimozono, Kiyomi Yanai
  • Patent number: 9688160
    Abstract: A method of operating an electric system of a motor vehicle, consisting of a fuel cell system, an accumulator and an electric driving motor is provided. Without implementing an electric voltage conversion and therefore without an electric voltage converter, as a function of the level of the electric voltage made available by the fuel cell system and by the accumulator and the electric power demanded by the electric motor, a first switching element in the connection between the fuel cell system and a node point electrically connected with the accumulator and the electric motor, as well as a second switching element in the connection between the accumulator and this node point are opened or closed as needed. This is done such that the power requirement of the electric motor is met primarily from the fuel cell system, and in an auxiliary fashion, additionally from the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Goetz, Sylvester Burckhardt, Michael Bauer, Andreas Buchner, Florian Pfattrisch
  • Patent number: 9631830
    Abstract: A motor control device which controls a motor for driving a blower unit, comprises a torque command generating section which obtains a motor speed of the motor and generates a torque command which causes an air flow of air supplied from the blower unit to coincide with a target air flow; wherein the torque command generating section is configured to calculate the torque command as a product of a polynomial of variables derived by dividing the target air flow by the motor speed, and a square of the motor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryuta Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9617959
    Abstract: A portable engine includes: an internal combustion engine to burn fuel so as to output power; a fuel tank to store the fuel; a fuel pump to transfer the fuel from the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine; a U-shaped fuel pipe to transfer the fuel is disposed, and at a lowest portion of a fuel passage of the fuel pipe; and a fuel drainer capable of discharging the fuel in the fuel pipe to outside. The U-shaped fuel pipe is disposed between the fuel tank and the fuel pump, and the fuel drainer is disposed at a lowest site of a fuel passage of the fuel pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Kuwato, Kentaro Hirota
  • Patent number: 9467021
    Abstract: An internal combustion power-plant comprising a combustion housing having a crankshaft that is driven when a fuel is combusted in the combustion housing. An induction generator is positioned around the combustion housing. The induction generator includes a stator connected to an outer surface of the combustion housing and an induction rotor that rotates about the stator. The induction rotor and the crankshaft are mechanically coupled to a sprocket via a clutch mechanism. The stator is electrically connected to power electronics that are within a nacelle that supports and surrounds the power-plant, as well as acts as a heat exchanger for the power-plant and power electronics closed loop cooling system. The induction generator operates as a generator to draw power off the crankshaft, via the clutch mechanism, to rotate the induction rotor which in turn induces current in the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SINE WAVES, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew Weston Wright
  • Patent number: 9440641
    Abstract: A vehicle control system is provided to improve a response of shifting operation of a drive mode while avoiding a shortage of drive force. The control system is applied to a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and two motors, and configured to select a drive mode from a mode where the vehicle is powered by the engine and a mode where the vehicle is powered by at least one of the motors while stopping the engine. The control system predicts a fact that the engine is expected to be started based on a detection value representing a running condition of the vehicle, during propulsion of the vehicle by the two motors while stopping the engine; shifts a drive mode to a mode where the vehicle is powered by one of the motors without using a power of the other motor to be used to start the engine; and starts the engine upon satisfaction of a condition for propelling the vehicle by the power of the other motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotatsu Kitabatake, Hideaki Komada, Yosuke Suzuki, Yuji Iwase
  • Patent number: 9429068
    Abstract: The purpose is to provide an engine generator 1 which can reduce noise and performs cooling efficiently. In the engine generator 1 having an engine 2, a generator 3, a cover 4 and a muffler box 13, external openings 412 and 414 formed in the cover 4 for sucking outside air into the cover 4 and intake ducts 7 for introducing the air sucked via the external opening 412 and 414 into the inside of the cover 4. An opening 71 is formed in the upper side of each of the intake duct 7, and the intake duct 7 is arranged along the side surface of the muffler box 13 and below the upper surface of the muffler box 13 for a predetermined distance. A sponge 17 is provided between the upper side of the intake duct 7 and the side surface of the muffler box 13 so as to cover a part of the opening 71. An air passage 18 is formed above the intake duct 7 by the side surface of the muffler box 13 and the sponge 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Hibi
  • Patent number: 9347390
    Abstract: A method may comprise automatically de-choking an engine and cranking the engine in response to an engine flood event, wherein automatically de-choking the engine comprises automatically cutting fuel to the engine while opening an air intake throttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Patent number: 9267405
    Abstract: A control housing cover for an internal combustion engine includes an engine block cover portion having a plurality of apertures, an oil separator for blow-by gases integrated into the control housing cover, an engine support plate operable for securing supporting the internal combustion engine in place and wherein the oil separator is arranged neighboring the engine support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: MANN + HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Jessberger, Michael Daiber, Holger Beyerlin
  • Publication number: 20150144077
    Abstract: System for checking a combustion engine (1) coupled with an electric generator (2) of a hybrid terrestrial vehicle having at least a drive line (61, 62) driven by at least one electric motor (51, 52); the combustion engine (1) comprising at least one subsystem to be checked; the system further comprising first control means (3) configured to drive the combustion engine (1) at a predefined deterministic operation point, wherein the system comprises second control means able to perform a diagnostic test on the subsystem wherein the first control means (3) are configured to vary the operation conditions of the combustion engine (1) in order to allow the second control means (ECU) to perform the diagnostic test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: FPT Motorenforschung AG
    Inventor: Torsten Rimkus
  • Patent number: 9038578
    Abstract: The invention relates to a unit for simulating the pressure and temperature conditions of an air flow drawn in by a reciprocating internal combustion engine (1) at a height above sea level, corresponding to the operating height of said reciprocating internal combustion engine (1). According to the invention, the unit comprises at least: (a) a radial inward-flow turbine (2) for expanding an air flow towards the pressure and temperature of the air drawn in by the reciprocating internal combustion engine; (b) a first container (4) and (c) a second container (5) connected to the first container (4) by means of at least a connection pipe (7) in order to balance the pressure between the two containers; (d) a centrifugal compressor (3); and (e) a vacuum pump (6) for maintaining a pressure equal to the pressure of the air flow drawn in by the reciprocating internal combustion engine (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA
    Inventors: Francisco Payri González, José María Desantes Fernández, José Galindo Lucas, José Ramón Serrano Cruz
  • Patent number: 9032912
    Abstract: An air connector is described mountable opposite an intake or exhaust port in an associated intake or exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine to allow the port to communicate selectively with the associated pipe and with a compressed air storage tank. The connector comprises a stopper mounted on a rod movable by an actuator between an open position in which the port communicates with the associated pipe and a closed position in which the stopper seals around the entrance of the port to isolate the port from the associated pipe. An air passage is provided in the stopper and the rod to allow communication between the port and the compressed air storage tank when the stopper is in the closed position, and a check valve is arranged in the air passage and biased in a direction to prevent escape of air from the compressed air storage tank in all positions of the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: BRUNEL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Thomas Ma, Hua Zhao
  • Publication number: 20150128884
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing the generation and transmission of objectionable noise from an aspirator to a vehicle cabin during vacuum production. During selected conditions, motive flow through an intake aspirator may cause a hissing noise to be produced at the aspirator, and transmitted through an open check valve in a bypass path between the aspirator and a vacuum reservoir, into a vehicle cabin. During these conditions, an aspirator shut-off valve is closed to reduce motive flow through the aspirator, thereby reducing the hissing noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Harbind S. Chahal, Russ William Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20150128883
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) provides flame-less heat utilizing electric heaters (90) receiving electricity from a generator (22) powered by an engine (20) of a self-contained trailer including a base (12) in the form of a fuel tank. An exhaust heat reclaimer (56, 156) is located in an elevated portion (32) of a manifold (30) further including a vertical portion (42) in front of the engine (20). A centrifugal impeller (80) in a T interconnection draws air from the vertical portion (42) through a radiator (50) of the engine (20) and into first and second pressure blowers (76) which force air through the heaters (90) and transitions (92, 94) to exit ducts (96). Exhaust fumes of the engine (20) pass through the exhaust heat reclaimer (56, 156) acting as a heat exchanger to the air flowing through the manifold (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: THAWZALL LLC
    Inventor: Harold James Kilts
  • Publication number: 20150122203
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle control apparatus. To start an engine by a motor-generator under the state that a vehicle is stopped, the vehicle control apparatus synchronizes a rotation of the engine with a rotation of the motor-generator at a synchronous rotational speed lower than a target rotational speed to start the engine, and increases a rotational speed of the engine by the motor-generator from the synchronous rotational to the target rotational speed, and starts the engine at the target rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukihiko Ideshio, Terufumi Miyazaki, Yuji Inoue, Shingo Eto, Yousuke Michikoshi
  • Publication number: 20150114321
    Abstract: A vacuum assist system attaches to an intake line and an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine having a throttle. The vacuum assist system includes a venturi valve, a reservoir, and a proportionally controlled valve. The proportionally controlled valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. The proportionally controlled valve moved to the open position when the throttle is in the partially open position such that air is flows from the inlet to the intake manifold, from the inlet to the venturi valve, from the venturi valve to the intake manifold, and from the reservoir to the venturi valve. The proportionally controlled valve moves to the closed position when the throttle is in the almost-closed position such that air flows from the inlet to the intake manifold via the intake line and from the reservoir to the intake manifold to reduce the pressure within the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicants: NYLONCRAFT INCORPORATED, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John Norman Stockbridge, Matthew W. Burnham
  • Publication number: 20150114323
    Abstract: A cooling system for thermal management of an electric vehicle having a range extender. The temperature of the components of the electric drive system of the electric vehicle and at least that of the internal combustion engine of an internal combustion engine/generator unit of the range extender are controlled by separate cooling circuits. The cooling circuit of the electric drive and the cooling circuit of the internal combustion engine are coupled to one another thermally by a heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Vitali Paetkau, Milos Medvecky
  • Publication number: 20150114322
    Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine having a forced-induction apparatus with variable boost pressure, a first motor generator for generating electricity while applying negative torque to the engine, and a battery for storing the electricity generated by the first motor generator. During the operation of the engine, a target boost pressure is set lower as the rotational speed of the first motor generator is increased. The engine is controlled such that, with the boost pressure adjusted to the target boost pressure, the output torque of the engine has a required value determined by the accelerator operation amount. Further, while the output torque of the engine is adjusted to the required value, the magnitude of the negative torque by the first motor generator acting on the engine is adjusted such that the engine rotational speed has a target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Kamijo, Keisuke Morisaki
  • Publication number: 20150083055
    Abstract: An improved apparatus supplies gaseous fuel from a liquid state to an internal combustion engine comprising an electrical energy generating apparatus for generating electrical energy from a store of chemical energy. A liquid pumping apparatus for pumping the gaseous fuel in the liquid state includes an energy converter for converting the electrical energy to mechanical energy which drives the liquid pumping apparatus. The liquid pumping apparatus also includes a first heat exchanger for vaporizing the gaseous fuel received from the pumping apparatus and a controller programmed to operate the liquid pumping apparatus to maintain a pressure of the gaseous fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine within a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Bradley E. Melanson, David K. Mumford, Paul M. Blomerus, Melissa S.A. McKinnon
  • Patent number: 8985064
    Abstract: A device capable of supplying an internal combustion engine 60 with a first fuel F1 of a high octane number fuel, and a second fuel F2 of a low octane number fuel or a raw fuel F0. The device is equipped with a cooling medium circulating path LL configured to perform heat exchange between a cooling medium for cooling the internal combustion engine 60 and a separator 20. The device adjusts a flow rate of the cooling medium in the cooling medium circulating path LL, so that a separator temperature T1 is contained in a predetermined temperature range, according to T1, a raw fuel temperature T2 and a cooling medium temperature T3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kenji Shigetoyo, Hirotsugu Kudo, Hiroshi Chishima, Masahiko Asanuma
  • Patent number: 8978595
    Abstract: A piston engine has a housing and a piston. The piston is magnetically and movably disposed in the housing. A device for magnetically supporting the piston is fixedly mounted relative to the housing. A linear machine in conjunction with the magnetic bearing of the piston can prevent friction and thus result in a machine for converting mechanical into electric energy without having to lubricate and with reduced mechanical effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Markus Klöpzig
  • Patent number: 8973362
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing explosions, including a pressure-resistance container having a main explosion chamber introduced therein, further including a supply line for supplying a flowable explosible material, and a drain opening for the directed drainage of gas pressure caused by the ignition of the explosible material. The drain opening is closed directly by a closure means, preferably a plunger, which is pressed against the drain opening using a gas spring and held closed substantially up to the time of ignition. Before the actual main explosion, the closure means is moved by the igniting and the pressure force of an auxiliary explosion, thereby exposing the drain opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Explo Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Rüegg
  • Publication number: 20150059662
    Abstract: A portable engine-generator is described having an engine and a generator coupled to the engine. An engine mount has a mounting plate coupled to the engine and also includes a frame. An outer housing surrounds the engine, generator and frame. At least one handle is coupled to the outer housing. The housing is defined in three sections; a lower section, a middle section and an upper section. The three housing sections are coupled to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Chun LAN, Paul J. JOHNSON, Kevin A. McNUTT, Michael J. DRESEN
  • Publication number: 20150059663
    Abstract: A cooling system for a machine system is disclosed herein. The machine system includes an internal combustion engine, a plurality of heat generating systems, an energy recovery system, and a cooling system. The energy recovery system is adapted to produce an electrical output and includes a condenser to condense a working fluid that circulates within the machine. The cooling system includes a plurality of fans, a condenser fan, and a control unit. The plurality of fans and the condenser fan are powered by the electrical output. The fans are adapted to cool the heat generating systems. The condenser fan is adapted to cool the condenser. The control unit is adapted to selectively control each of the plurality of fans, based on load requirements of the corresponding heat generating system. Therefore, the control unit optimizes and maximizes heat transfer by the condenser fan to the working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Antonis DRIS, Paul R. MOORE