Generating Plants Patents (Class 123/3)
  • Patent number: 12158116
    Abstract: Operating an engine includes injecting one or more early pilot shots of a liquid fuel containing methanol (MeOH) into a cylinder in an engine, and moving a piston in the cylinder from a bottom-dead center position toward a top-dead center position. Operating an engine further includes forming hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the cylinder from the MeOH of the early pilot shots, injecting a main shot of a liquid fuel into the cylinder, and hastening combustion of the liquid fuel of the main shot in the cylinder via hydroxyl (OH) radicals formed from dissociation of the H2O2. Injection of the one or more early pilot shots at appropriate crank angle timing(s) associated with suitable temperature ranges may promote desired reaction pathways according to a medium temperature combustion regime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Charlie Chang-Won Kim
  • Patent number: 12139246
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine of a watercraft, in particular on inland waters, in which (i) in an electrolysis unit for the production of hydrogen, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen, (ii) a carbon dioxide sorption unit extracts carbon dioxide from the ambient air, (iii) the hydrogen and the carbon dioxide are fed to a methanol synthesis unit for the production of methanol, and are synthesized therein to methanol, (iv) a photovoltaic unit absorbs solar energy and converts it into electrical energy. The electrolysis unit, the carbon dioxide sorption unit and the methanol synthesis unit are powered by the electrical energy generated in the photovoltaic unit. The methanol produced is transported by means of a distributor system to at least one tank of the watercraft, and is fed from the tank as required to the internal combustion engine, and therein is combusted to generate mechanical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: OBRIST TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Obrist
  • Patent number: 12105525
    Abstract: A caravanning vehicle system includes a lead vehicle having an engine and at least one trailing vehicle having an electric motor. The at least one trailing vehicle is non-mechanically connected to the lead vehicle. The lead vehicle includes a power transfer system that is configured to transfer electric power, wirelessly, to the at least one trailing vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yaobin Chen, Euzeli C. Dos Santos, Clayton Lowell Nicholas
  • Patent number: 12077871
    Abstract: A pressure compensating system (1) for a dual fluid flow system, wherein the pressure compensating system (1) comprises: a fluid pipe (3) having a first fluid pipe portion (3a) and a second fluid pipe portion (3b), wherein the first fluid pipe portion (3a) has a first fluid inlet (5a) and a first fluid outlet (7a) for a first fluid flow (O2), wherein the second fluid pipe portion (3b) has a second fluid inlet (5b) and a second fluid outlet (7b) for a second fluid flow (H2) separate from the first fluid flow (O2), and a pressure compensator (11) arranged in the fluid pipe (3), separating the first fluid pipe portion (3a) and the second fluid pipe portion (3b), wherein the pressure compensator (11) is configured to move in the fluid pipe (3) between the first fluid outlet (7a) and the second fluid outlet (7b) to thereby at least partially obstruct one of the first fluid outlet (7a) and the second fluid outlet (7b) in response to a pressure differences between the first fluid pipe portion (3a) and the second flu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Hymeth APS
    Inventor: Sumon Bishwas
  • Patent number: 12006886
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is described herein. The system uses reactor to create pilot fuel from the primary fuel to assist in the ignition of the primary fuel. A controller is used to maintain an operational range of a level of the pilot fuel in an accumulator. The accumulator acts as a buffer to allow the engine to continue to receive the pilot fuel during dynamic and changing conditions of the engine. The controller increases or decreases the rate of production of the pilot fuel by a pilot fuel system to maintain the operational range of the level of the pilot fuel in the accumulator. The controller can receive inputs such as pilot fuel level or power signals from the engine to adjust the rate of production of the pilot fuel to meet engine demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Axel Lohrisch, David T. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 11971142
    Abstract: A hydrogen supplying device includes a liquid hydrogen pump, an evaporator, a pressure chamber configured to be filled with hydrogen gas flowing therein from the evaporator and to supply the filled hydrogen gas to a hydrogen engine, and a pump control unit configured to adjust a discharge flow rate of the liquid hydrogen pump based on both a flow rate of hydrogen to be supplied to the hydrogen engine and an actual pressure in the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoaki Ito
  • Patent number: 11927391
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for liquefying a feed gas stream comprising natural gas and carbon dioxide. A method includes compressing an input fluid stream to generate a first intermediary fluid stream; cooling the first intermediary fluid stream with a first heat exchanger to generate a second intermediary fluid stream, wherein a temperature of the second intermediary fluid stream is higher than a carbon dioxide-freezing temperature for the second intermediary fluid stream; expanding the second intermediary fluid stream to generate a third intermediary fluid stream, wherein the third intermediary fluid stream comprises solid carbon dioxide; separating the third intermediary fluid stream into a fourth intermediary fluid stream and an output fluid stream, wherein the output fluid stream comprises a liquefied natural gas (LNG) liquid; and utilizing the fourth intermediary fluid stream as a cooling fluid stream for the first heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, Marcel Staedter
  • Patent number: 11920512
    Abstract: A hydrogen fueled powerplant including an internal combustion engine that drives a motor-generator, and has a two-stage turbocharger, for an aircraft. A control system controls the operation of the motor-generator to maintain the engine at a speed selected based on controlling the engine equivalence ratio. The control system controls an afterburner, an intercooler and an aftercooler to maximize powerplant efficiency. The afterburner also adds power to the turbochargers during high-altitude restarts. The turbochargers also include motor-generators that extract excess power from the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Aero Vironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Nelson Brooks, James Gallagher Daley
  • Patent number: 11913124
    Abstract: A method of recovering performance of a water electrolysis system is a method of recovering performance of a water electrolysis system which includes a water electrolysis stack having a solid polymer membrane, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode, the method including the steps of: bringing an operating state of the water electrolysis system into a state of low-temperature operation in which a temperature of water is lower than a temperature of water during ordinary operation in which water electrolysis is carried out by the water electrolysis stack; and in the state of the low-temperature operation, passing an electric current through each of the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11890944
    Abstract: A starter battery system for an air cooled engine rated at less than 50 horsepower. The system includes four lithium iron phosphate cells and a charging circuit configured to be powered by rotation of an air cooled engine. A voltage developed by the charging circuit is applied to the four lithium iron phosphate cells without battery management circuitry provided between the charging circuitry and the four lithium iron phosphate cells. An engine which includes at least one piston, a rotatable crankshaft coupled to the at least one piston, a starter motor configured to selectively initiate rotation of the crankshaft, a lithium-ion battery in electrical communication with the starter motor, the lithium-ion battery having at least one cell, and a charging system configured to be powered by motion of at least one component of the engine. The charging system is configured to continuously apply a voltage potential to the at least one cell while the engine is in a running condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Richard J. Gilpatrick
  • Patent number: 11885259
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ammonia-hydrogen blended fuel control system based on reactivity regulation. The control system comprises a vehicle-mounted ammonia-hydrogen fuel supply system, an ammonia-hydrogen blended fuel premixed combustion engine and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The ECU is used for regulating the air injection amount and pressure value of ammonia fuel and hydrogen waiting to enter the ammonia-hydrogen blended fuel premixed combustion engine. The vehicle-mounted ammonia-hydrogen fuel supply system comprises a low-pressure liquid ammonia supply unit and a vehicle-mounted hydrogen production unit, and is used for providing the prepared low-pressure ammonia fuel and hydrogen for the ammonia-hydrogen blended fuel premixed combustion engine. The ammonia-hydrogen blended fuel premixed combustion engine comprises a turbulent jet ignition device provided with a pre-chamber. An ammonia injector and a first hydrogen injector which face the cylinder head are respectively arranged on the air inlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: TIANJIN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Lei Zhou, Zongkuan Liu, Haiqiao Wei
  • Patent number: 11885030
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improved generation of hydroxy gas are presented. In one embodiment, a hydroxy gas generator is provided that includes a gas generation chamber that contains water and anode-cathode pairs. The anode-cathode pairs may be configured to generate hydroxy gas using a continuously-flowing supply of water. The hydroxy gas generator may also include a water structuring device that reduces the surface tension of the continuously-flowing supply of water. The water structuring device may also magnetically orient the molecules of the continuously-flowing supply of water. The hydroxy gas generator may further include a gas isolation system for extracting hydroxy gas from the gas generation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MATTUR HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Kris Kesler, Douglas Lee Harkey
  • Patent number: 11859573
    Abstract: An interface circuit assembly for use with an electronic control unit and oxygen sensor of an internal combustion engine. The assembly includes an input port coupled to receive a signal from the oxygen sensor and a processing unit coupled with the input port. The processing unit increases the signal to an output voltage as a function of hydrogen being provided to the internal combustion engine. An output port is coupled with the processing unit and provides the output voltage to the electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Resonance Technology LLC
    Inventor: Michael Manford Beckman
  • Patent number: 11840979
    Abstract: Operating a gaseous hydrogen fuel engine includes controlling an injection timing of a gaseous hydrogen fuel injected into a flow of pressurized intake air so as to produce a leading cooling flow of pressurized intake air into a cylinder in an engine, a trailing purging flow through an intake conduit, and a middle flow of both pressurized intake air and gaseous hydrogen fuel into the cylinder. Undesired combustion such as preignition and/or backfire can be limited. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Michael Bardell, Yongxian Gu, Eric L. Schroeder, Patrick J. Seiler
  • Patent number: 11835002
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for using only hydrogen as fuel in a duel fuel engine. In one example, a method may include direct injecting only hydrogen as fuel to one or more engine cylinders and compression igniting the injected hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Eric Dillen, Thomas Michael Lavertu
  • Patent number: 11827516
    Abstract: A hydride flow reactor includes a tank configured to receive a hydride fuel. The reactor also includes a tubular member coupled to the tank and configured to receive the hydride fuel from the tank. The reactor also includes a transporter positioned at least partially within the tubular member and configured to transport the hydride fuel through the tubular member. The reactor also includes a heater positioned at least partially around the tubular member and the transporter. The heater is configured to heat the hydride fuel in the tubular member to convert the hydride fuel into hydrogen gas and a reacted byproduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam Eric Sorensen, John J. Vajo, Jason Graetz
  • Patent number: 11781747
    Abstract: The ignition characteristics of a fuel are adjusted using a unit which has a distribution zone, a oxidation zone and a conversion zone. Fuel is distributed in the distribution zone having a distribution structure. A portion of the fuel is oxidised in the oxidation zone with a oxidising agent on a catalyst on a catalyst carrier, and a portion of the distributed fuel and/or of another supplied fuel is thermally and/or catalytically converted in the conversion zone. The ignition characteristics of the fuel are adjusted via: the molar ratio of oxygen included in the oxidising agent to the oxygen required for the complete oxidation of the fuel provided; and/or via the pressure in the unit; and/or the dwell time; and/or the temperature. Exhaust emissions, in particular NOx and soot emissions, can be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Aicher, Robert Szolak, Alexander Susdorf
  • Patent number: 11780506
    Abstract: A component for a vehicle that can be operated with a combustible operating gas has a first component element which has or forms an at least partially open or free cavity, and a second component element which is designed as a displacement component and at least partially fills the cavity of the first component element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jan-Mark Kunberger
  • Patent number: 11781474
    Abstract: A hydrogen-oxygen gaseous fuel generating equipment applied to internal combustion engines including a hydrogen and oxygen gas (H2-O2) generation circuit having a main water tank with at least one outlet duct of the fluid to a set of plates and conducted the fluid to a section of supply pipe to an input connector of an electrolyzer equipment associated with a pair of connector terminals, powered by an electrical energy source defined by a set having an electric accumulator, as a power supply of the set of plates where a mixture of oxygen hydrogen is extracted is derived to the decanter tank where it is separated from the water and the oxygen gas is ready for injection into the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: Guillermo Alejandro Serrano Villagra
  • Patent number: 11777345
    Abstract: A stator of a directly driven wind power generator includes a stator support including flanges with bores and stator segments positioned on the flanges, when viewed in a circumferential direction. Each stator segment includes a segment support having recesses. At least two securing devices for each of the stator segments secure the stator segment to the flanges. Each securing device includes a bore part insertable in a corresponding one of the recesses, a shim, and an alignment pin insertable in a corresponding one of the bores of the flanges, so that the stator segment is positioned and secured vertically via the bore part and the alignment pin and via the shim to thereby realize a uniform air gap between the stator and a rotor of the wind power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Flender GmbH
    Inventors: Attila Koeszegi, Andreas Lindmeier, Dominik Ratzisberger, Franz Xaver Michael Schober, Christoph Schwarzbauer, Lei Yue
  • Patent number: 11773795
    Abstract: Operating a gaseous fuel engine system includes spark-igniting a gaseous hydrogen fuel and air in a prechamber sparkplug to ignite a main charge containing gaseous hydrogen fuel and air in a cylinder. Operating the gaseous fuel engine system also includes determining a preignition condition and conveying cooling air to the prechamber sparkplug based on the preignition condition to limit preignition of gaseous hydrogen fuel and air in the prechamber sparkplug. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jaswinder Singh, Eric Lee Schroeder, Andrew Joseph Loetz, Ryan Mchael Snodgrass, Adam Joseph Clute, Patrick John Seiler, Christopher Ronald Gehrke
  • Patent number: 11761375
    Abstract: Various embodiments for a hydrogen zero emissions vehicle that utilizes hydride storage of hydrogen and buffering of hydrogen for high demand power are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: NABORS ENERGY TRANSITION SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Evan Johnson, Dylan Cook, Paul Yollin, Eli Adler
  • Patent number: 11746714
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system includes an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger, and a flow ratio adjustment device including a branch configured to divide the compressed into first compressed air and second compressed air and a valve device configured to adjust a flow rate of the first compressed air and a flow rate of the second compressed air. The system additional includes a reformer configured to discharge first generated as a result of a reaction between the first compressed air and the fuel gas, a junction configured to generate second gas including the first gas and the second compressed air, an air-fuel mixture generator configured to generate an air-fuel mixture including the second gas and the fuel gas, and a controller configured to determining a ratio of the flow rate of the first compressed air based on the temperature of the air-fuel mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Ryota Sakisaka
  • Patent number: 11739275
    Abstract: Gasifiers, gasification systems, and methods for producing synthesis gas are disclosed. A gasifier can include a gasifier body. A feeder can be positioned to feed an organic material into the gasifier body. A pulse detonation burner can be located under or above the gasifier body and connected to the gasifier body to direct supersonic shockwaves upward into the gasifier body to heat the organic material and to form a jet spouted bed of the organic material or to operate as an entrained flow reactor. An outlet can be located at the gasifier body to allow removal of synthesis gas, residual ash, and other reaction products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventor: Donald Gene Taylor
  • Patent number: 11725558
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust system. In one example, a method includes heating an aftertreatment device during an engine off. The heating includes utilizing one or more of an injector, a heater, and a recirculation fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcus Fried, Paul Lindsey Rounce, Owen Lineham, Paul M Laing
  • Patent number: 11713735
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine for use with hydrogen fuel, the engine having at least one cylinder assembly which includes a combustion chamber having a cylinder, a cylinder head and a reciprocating piston assembly, the cylinder defining a cylinder longitudinal axis; a fuel injector for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber, the fuel injector defining an injector longitudinal axis; and a fuel flow director, wherein the fuel flow director is located in the fuel flow path between an outlet of the fuel injector and the combustion chamber. The fuel injector is oriented such that the injector longitudinal axis extends at a first angle; and the fuel flow director is configured to direct fuel flow into the combustion chamber at a second angle, different to the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: JCB Research
    Inventors: Kevin Browne, Paul McCarthy
  • Patent number: 11713727
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine having a combustion chamber, an intake gas passage through which air to be supplied to the combustion chamber flows, an exhaust gas passage through which exhaust gas generated from the combustion chamber flows, a reformer configured to reform the fuel to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen, a gas supply passage through which air to be supplied to the reformer flows, a bypass passage connected to the gas supply passage and the exhaust gas passage so as to bypass the reformer and through which the fuel having passed through the reformer is circulated to an upstream of the reformer, and a switching valve switched between a normal position that does not allow the fuel having passed through the reformer to flow to the bypass passage and a circulating position that allows the fuel having passed through the reformer to flow to the bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Takayuki Homma, Yoshitaka Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11708799
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a system for producing hydrogen gas to supply internal combustion engines, comprising a controller, an internal combustion engine, an electric system of transportation vehicle, a fuel supply unit, an exhaust sensor, a battery management system, and an electrolysis system. The system saves fuel, almost completely reduces the number of harmful emissions released into the environment, cools the internal combustion engine, and clears residue inside the internal combustion engine. In addition, the invention also provides a method for producing hydrogen gas to supply internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventor: Hong Hue Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11674464
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting gaseous fuel during an engine start. In one example, a method comprises generating gaseous fuel via a fuel gasification device and injecting the gaseous fuel via a fuel injector. The fuel injector is configured to inject adjacent to an ignition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Jianwen James Yi
  • Patent number: 11655427
    Abstract: Described are methods for shortening the combustion delay of ammonia fuels and reducing the amount of NO formed during the combustion process. The methods include mixing ammonia with hydrogen peroxide and water to form a fuel mixture and then combusting the fuel mixture. Methods of powering an internal combustion engine with ammonia fuels are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: KHALIFA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Dimitrios Kyritsis, Dimitrios Goussis
  • Patent number: 11649060
    Abstract: A system for stowable propulsion in an electric aircraft that includes at least a propulsor mounted on at least a structural feature that includes at least a rotor and at least a motor mechanically coupled to the at least a rotor, where the motor is configured to cause the rotor to rotate as a function of an activation datum, at least a sensor communicatively coupled to the at least a propulsor configured to detect a position datum as a function of the configuration, generate a clearance datum as a function of the position datum, transmit the clearance datum to a flight controller, and a flight controller communicatively coupled to the at least a propulsor and the at least a sensor configured to receive the clearance datum from the at least a sensor and generate the activation datum as a function of the clearance datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Herman Wiegman
  • Patent number: 11649761
    Abstract: An exhaust heater system includes an exhaust heater and an air supply tube disposed within the exhaust heater. Relatively hot exhaust gas from an engine is directed into the exhaust heater, whereby heat from the exhaust heats the interior of the air supply tube. The heat partially vaporizes liquid methanol injected into the air supply tube. To control the amount of heating, the exhaust can be directed to the air supply tube as well as an exhaust bypass, whereby exhaust directed to the exhaust bypass does not heat the interior of the air supply tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenth I. Svensson, Jonathan W. Anders, Naga Krishna Chaitanya Kavuri
  • Patent number: 11635053
    Abstract: A starter-generator module for a vehicle includes a bulkhead wall, a module housing fixed to the bulkhead wall, an e-motor stator fixed to the module housing, an e-motor rotor disposed radially inside of the e-motor stator, and a power electronics unit fixed to the module housing. The module housing has a first opening and the power electronics unit covers the first opening. The e-motor rotor has a rotor carrier arranged for fixing to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. In an example embodiment, the rotor carrier includes holes arranged for receiving respective fasteners for fixing the rotor carrier to an engine crankshaft, and a bolt circle diameter of the holes is less than an inside diameter of the first opening. In an example embodiment, the rotor carrier is fixed to a crankshaft by a bolt, and the first opening is arranged for receiving a tool to secure the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthew Payne, Markus Steinberger
  • Patent number: 11618704
    Abstract: A system for treating excrement of livestock includes: reduced-pressure fermentation drying equipment configured to store excrement of livestock in an airtight container, heat and stir the excrement of livestock under reduced pressure so that a temperature of the excrement of livestock is within a predetermined temperature range, decompose organic components of organic matter using microorganisms, and obtain volume-reduced dried product; and heat source equipment that is provided on a downstream side of the reduced-pressure fermentation drying equipment and generates a heat source by combusting the obtained volume-reduced dried product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Shimose Microbes Laboratory Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Shimose
  • Patent number: 11613706
    Abstract: Process control parameters for production of hydrogen and FT products by steam/CO2 reforming include controlling steam reformer temperature, addition of steam, CO and optionally, biogas. Optimization of parameters have resulted in increased production of H2, removal of sulfur and halogen contaminants, and control of the H2/CO ratio for efficient generation of Fischer-Tropsch products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Raven SR, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry R. Galloway
  • Patent number: 11583483
    Abstract: A layered solid formulation (100a) as one hydrogen supply material (200) according to the present invention includes silicon fine particles having a capability of generating hydrogen and aggregates of the silicon fine particles, and a physiologically acceptable medium (90b) that gets contact with the silicon fine particles or the aggregates thereof. The hydrogen supply material (200) is a hydrogen supply material for bringing the hydrogen into contact with the skin and/or the mucous membrane through the medium (90b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: BOSQUET SILICON CORP., KIT Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru Kobayashi, Yuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11578686
    Abstract: An engine system includes: an ammonia engine; a reforming device that has a reforming catalyst for cracking ammonia gas into hydrogen and configured to reform ammonia gas to generate reformed gas containing hydrogen; and a control unit. The control unit includes: a purge controller configured to control a reforming injector so as to be closed and control a reforming throttle valve so as to be opened, after an ignition switch gives an instruction of a stop of the ammonia engine; and an engine stop controller configured to control main injectors so as to be closed, after the ignition switch gives the instruction of the stop of the ammonia engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Takeuchi, Hidehito Kubo, Shohei Matsumoto, Norinosuke Nakatani
  • Patent number: 11542878
    Abstract: Aspects relate to zero-emission propulsion systems and generators using ammonia (NH3) as fuel for engines and power plants. While ammonia has poor flammability, mixing hydrogen with ammonia (NH3) may improve flammability and thus facilitate the ignition of an air/ammonia mixture in engines or power plants. Alternatively, hydrogen (H2) may be supplied in a separate fuel system as a pilot fuel for pilot ignition of an air/ammonia mixture. Hydrogen can also be used in air independent systems along with oxygen (O2) from an oxygen tank. In addition to hydrogen, other bio or fossil fuels can be used as pilot fuel for pilot ignition of an air/ammonia mixture. An advantage of using existing bio or fossil fuels for pilot ignition is that engines or power plants will have a pilot fuel system with sufficient capacity to maintain normal operations if ammonia is not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Lars Harald Heggen
  • Patent number: 11536229
    Abstract: An engine system includes: an ammonia engine; a reforming device that has a reforming catalyst for cracking ammonia gas into hydrogen and configured to reform ammonia gas to generate reformed gas containing hydrogen; and a control unit. The control unit includes: a purge controller configured to control a reforming injector so as to be closed and control a reforming throttle valve so as to be opened, after an ignition switch gives an instruction of a stop of the ammonia engine; and an engine stop controller configured to control main injectors so as to be closed, after the ignition switch gives the instruction of the stop of the ammonia engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Takeuchi, Hidehito Kubo, Shohei Matsumoto, Norinosuke Nakatani
  • Patent number: 11506115
    Abstract: The invention provides a cogeneration system capable of adjusting a heat-to-electric power ratio not only in an increasing direction, but also in a decreasing direction. The cogeneration system includes: a power generation device configured to supply electric power; a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between exhaust of the power generation device and water, so as to lower a temperature of the exhaust and obtain steam from the water; a reformer configured to generate a reformed gas by the steam reacting with a fuel; a second heat exchanger configured to cool the reformed gas generated by the reformer by heat exchanging; a reformed gas supply device configured to supply the reformed gas cooled by the second heat exchanger to the power generation device; a distributor configured to supply the steam to at least one of the reformer and a heat utilization device; and a control device configure to adjust a heat-to-electric power ratio by changing a supply destination of the steam in the distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzo Shirakawa, Hiroto Naito, Takao Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11492943
    Abstract: A fuel reforming system includes a fuel injection device capable of injecting fuel into an EGR passage, a reforming catalyst provided in the EGR passage, an oxidation catalyst provided in the vicinity of the reforming catalyst in the EGR, and an air supply device that supplies air to the EGR passage. When clogging occurs in the reforming catalyst and a temperature of the reforming catalyst is less than a first temperature, air is supplied to the EGR passage by the air supply device, and fuel is injected by the fuel injection device. When clogging occurs in the reforming catalyst and the temperature of the reforming catalyst is greater than or equal to the first temperature, air is supplied to the EGR passage by the air supply device, and fuel injection of the fuel injection device is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Nakamoto, Takehisa Koroki
  • Patent number: 11466647
    Abstract: Fuel reform apparatus includes: internal combustion engine including injector and configured so that compression-ignition combustion is carried out in combustion chamber; reform unit interposed in fuel supply path from fuel tank to injector and including reformer reforming fuel stored in fuel tank by oxidation reaction; ignition timing detector detecting ignition timing of fuel in combustion chamber; and controller including CPU and memory. Controller performs: determining whether fuel has been supplied into fuel tank; determining whether reforming is needed based on ignition timing when it is determined that fuel has been supplied; controlling operation of reform unit so as to reform fuel stored in fuel tank to supply to injector when it is determined that reforming is needed; and controlling operation of reform unit so as to supply fuel stored in fuel tank to injector without reforming when it is determined that reforming is not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohtaro Hashimoto, Tomohide Kudo
  • Patent number: 11448133
    Abstract: A turbine engine according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes, a liquid hydrogen fuel storage tank that is configured to maintain the liquid hydrogen fuel at a pressure greater than an external pressure and less than 20 bar, an electric machine that is in thermal communication with a liquid hydrogen fuel flow from the liquid hydrogen fuel storage tank, the liquid hydrogen fuel flow is configured to maintain at least a component of the electric machine at an operating temperature below an ambient temperature, and a fuel system that is configured to receive gas hydrogen fuel flow and communicate the gas hydrogen fuel flow to a power generation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Cocks, Jagadeesh Kumar Tangudu
  • Patent number: 11427468
    Abstract: An integrated hydrogen generator and compressor (200) that includes a combined engine compressor (collectively 109, 110, 111) and steam-methane reformer (104) to produce high-pressure hydrogen from natural gas (methane). The reformer (104) combines methane, water, and heat under high pressure in the presence of an appropriate catalyst, to produce hydrogen utilizing waste heat from combustion cylinders of the combined engine compressor (collectively 109, 110, 111). Compression serves to pressurize two different gases (methane and hydrogen) in different compression cylinders including the compression cylinders (109a, 109b, 109c) of the combined engine compressor (collectively 109, 110, 111) alternatively and/or optionally combined with internal combustion engine (310) and/or gas compressor(s) (410) that are integrated thermally and via communication of compressed gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Onboard Dynamics LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Witwer, Steven D. Westberg
  • Patent number: 11421609
    Abstract: A system includes a combustion apparatus for controlling combustion of a fuel and air in a combustion chamber to produce mechanical motion, a source of a chemical species for supplying a chemical species to be mixed with the fuel and air, a control valve for controlling an amount of the chemical species that is introduced from the source into the fuel and the air, and a controller in communication with the control valve to cause the control valve to introduce the chemical species at a flow rate that will cause auto-ignition of combustion between the fuel and the air in the combustion chamber without use of a spark-producing device. The controller may perform operations embodied as program instructions for controlling the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Patterson
  • Patent number: 11414765
    Abstract: An ion-exchange membrane electrolysis device includes an ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell and an integrally formed integrated flow channel device. The ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell generates a gas comprising hydrogen. The integrated flow channel device has a first setting structure, a water tank structure, a gas flow channel system and a water flow channel system. The water tank structure accommodates water. The first setting structure is configured for removably fixing the ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell to the integrated flow channel device. The water flow channel system connects the water tank structure and the first setting structure for inputting the water in the water tank structure into the ion-exchange membrane electrolytic cell. The gas flow channel system is connected to the first setting structure for receiving and transporting the gas comprising hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Hsin-Yung Lin
  • Patent number: 11396450
    Abstract: Sulfur-tolerant reforming catalysts that include bulk alumina in the catalyst support are provided. The sulfur-tolerant reforming catalysts can include a sulfur-tolerant catalytic metal to facilitate reforming. The catalyst can further include a support material that includes at least some alumina as bulk alumina and/or octahedrally coordinated alumina. The sulfur-tolerant reforming catalysts can be regenerated, such as periodically regenerated, under relatively mild conditions that allow the catalysts to maintain reforming activity in the presence of 1 vppm to 1000 vppm of sulfur in the feed for reforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Brian M. Weiss, Tilman W. Beutel, Herbert W. Barry, Gerardo J. Majano Sanchez, John F. Brody, Walter Weissman, Kanmi Mao
  • Patent number: 11369948
    Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of a reforming catalyst. The method comprises: (a) depositing a metal precursor on a porous support by wet impregnation, wherein the porous support is selected from the group consisting of a fumed silica, a fumed metal oxide, and combinations thereof; (b) drying the porous support after depositing the metal precursor to form a powder; (c) adding additional porous support to the powder to form a diluted powder; and (d) pressing the diluted powder to form pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME DU LAC
    Inventors: Eduardo Wolf, Vardan Danghyan
  • Patent number: 11293386
    Abstract: A fuel separation system includes a fuel separator configured to receive a fuel stream and separate the fuel stream, based on a volatility of the fuel stream, into a vapor stream defined by a first auto-ignition characteristic value and a first liquid stream defined by a second auto-ignition characteristic value, the second auto-ignition characteristic value greater than the first auto-ignition characteristic value; and a heat exchanger fluidly coupled between a fuel input of the fuel stream and the fuel separator, the heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the vapor stream to the fuel stream, and output a heated fuel stream to the fuel separator and a second liquid stream defined by the first auto-ignition characteristic value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Esam Z. Hamad, Ibrahim M. Algunaibet
  • Patent number: 11286847
    Abstract: The invention provides an internal combustion engine system (1) comprising—at least one combustor (3), and—a first expander (4) arranged to receive exhaust gases from at least one of the at least one combustor (3), and to expand and extract energy from the exhaust gases —characterized in that the system comprises a second expander (5) arranged to receive exhaust gases from the first expander (4), and to expand and extract energy from the exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lennart Andersson, Arne Andersson, Bengt Johansson, Nhut Lam, Staffan Lundgren