Circuit Controls An Electric Throttle Operator Patents (Class 123/361)
  • Patent number: 11976601
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling combustion in an internal combustion engine including, on the one hand, an air inlet pipe provided with an air flow regulator in the pipe and, on the other hand, a single cylinder associated with the regulator, and including the following steps: determining the engine speed and/or load; and when the speed is below a predetermined value and/or the engine load is below a predetermined value, the air flow regulator in the inlet pipe is operated in such a way that the air flow is temporarily reduced during the engine cycle compared with the position that the butterfly-type throttle valve occupies during the other strokes of the engine cycle, while an intake valve that lets air from the inlet pipe into the corresponding cylinder is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Xavier Moine
  • Patent number: 11536208
    Abstract: A control method of a butterfly valve of an internal combustion engine, when said internal combustion engine is running, wherein said butterfly valve is controlled by means of a control signal, indicative of an angular position of said valve, the method comprising a step of applying a first limiting filter of a gradient of said control signal, when a ratio between a target pressure downstream of the butterfly valve and a measured pressure upstream of the butterfly valve is greater than a first predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: FPT INDUSTRIAL S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marcello Caro, Bruno Aimar, Aldo Brucato
  • Patent number: 11293356
    Abstract: A reset mechanism for an electronic throttle body comprising a valve, a throttle shaft, a reset gear, an upper spring seat, a lower spring seat, and a reset spring. A support leg is installed in the reset gear. The upper spring seat, the reset spring, and the lower spring seat are sleeved outside the reset gear. Two ends of the reset spring are fixed to the upper spring seat and the lower spring seat, respectively. The upper spring seat has an upper support leg surface attached to a first side of a valve limiting block and a side of the support leg. The lower spring seat has a lower support leg surface attached to a second side of the valve limiting block and another side of the support leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Shanghai Auzone Auto Parts Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yifeng Dai, Xiaofeng Sun, Jian Chen, Jie Xu, Xinxun Ye
  • Patent number: 11118688
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fluid supply system for a machine. The fluid supply system includes a throttle assembly having a first shaft attached to a valve member and a fluid shutoff assembly. The fluid shutoff assembly includes a second shaft, a locking member having an axis parallel to an axis of the second shaft and comprising a locking arm extending toward the second shaft, a biasing member fixedly attached to the second shaft, a releasing mechanism adjacent to the locking member that rotates the locking member about the longitudinal axis of the locking member, and a coupler comprising a first coupling hub attached to the first shaft and a second coupling hub attached to the second shaft and interfaced with the first coupling hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Lawrence, Brandyn Stack, Evan Ramey, Anthony Kramer
  • Patent number: 11111863
    Abstract: A fuel economizer for an internal combustion engine includes a computer assembly, a battery, an operation setting system, a lead sensing fan, and an air intake fan motor. The lead sensing fan is mounted on the front of the traffic vehicle. The air intake fan motor is connected to an air inlet port of the internal combustion engine. The lead sensing fan is rotated during movement of the traffic vehicle. When the rotation speed of the lead sensing fan reaches a preset value, the lead sensing fan transmits a signal to the computer assembly which regulates the rotation speed of the air intake fan motor according to a speed grade preset by the operation setting system so as to control the air flow rate of the air inlet port of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventor: Ming-Hung Cheng
  • Patent number: 11077837
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system for a vehicle which has expanded functionality, where a pre-charge occurs in the brake system upon deactivation of the cruise control, reducing the time needed to generate pressure in each brake unit, reducing stopping distance. The pre-charge function involves generating pressure in each caliper of the brake system upon deactivation of the cruise control function of the vehicle, such that the hydraulic brake system is pre-charged prior to the driver of the vehicle applying force to the brake pedal, which reduces stopping distance. One aspect of the pre-charge function includes generating enough pressure such that the brake pads contact each corresponding rotor. Another aspect of the pre-charge function includes generating enough pressure such that the brake pads apply force to each corresponding rotor, providing a minimum amount of deceleration prior to the driver of the vehicle applying force to the brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Conrad Tuhro
  • Patent number: 10996085
    Abstract: An alignment device may obtain a set of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) signals provided by an angle sensor operating in a homogeneous test mode. The set of ADC signals may be associated with a rotation of a target magnet relative to the angle sensor. The alignment device may identify a maximum ADC signal value based on the set of ADC signals. The alignment device may selectively position, by the alignment device, at least one of the angle sensor or the target magnet based on the maximum ADC signal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Johannes Janschitz, Helmut Koeck
  • Patent number: 10890128
    Abstract: A Purge Control Solenoid Valve (PCSV) control method for preventing malfunction may include: starting-up by a starting motor a crankshaft of an engine, and opening PCSV by a duty-control, wherein in the starting-up step, the PCSV is opened to eliminate foreign substances stained on the PCSV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jung-Wook Na
  • Patent number: 10677171
    Abstract: An angle detection mechanism to detect a rotation angle of a rotation body includes a first detection unit to cause a first output value to constantly change in response to an angle change of the rotation body in the entire region of a specific rotation range and to set a change quantity of the first output value relative to the angle change in a first rotation region of the specific rotation range to be greater than a change quantity in a non-first rotation region, and a second detection unit to cause a second output value to constantly change in response to an angle change and to set a change quantity of the second output value in a second rotation region including a rotation region different from the first rotation region to be greater than a change quantity in a non-second rotation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Shimane, Tohru Shimizu, Yuta Fujinaka
  • Patent number: 10619553
    Abstract: An engine-controlling device includes a coolant passage, a radiator, and a control valve. A coolant discharged from a pump circulates through the coolant passage. The radiator cools the coolant. The control valve includes a first valve that adjusts a flow rate of the coolant to be introduced into the radiator and that includes a valve member driven by an electric actuator, a second valve that is arranged in parallel with the first valve and that includes a valve member that is opened in accordance with a pressure or a temperature, and a malfunction-diagnosing unit that detects a valve-stuck malfunction of the first valve. An output of the engine is limited to an output equal to or less than a limiting value determined on a basis of a maximum flow rate of the coolant introduced into the radiator from the second valve when the valve-stuck malfunction of the first valve occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10570839
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting vehicle operation in response to vehicle weight are described. In one example, an adaptive driver demand correction is adjusted in response to vehicle weight. The methods and systems may provide for more consistent powertrain response and lower vehicle emissions at lower vehicle weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Joseph Szwabowski, John Ottavio Michelini, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Craig Thomas Hodorek, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Davor Hrovat
  • Patent number: 10513997
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of an intake air filter during vehicle-off conditions. In one example, the engine may be reverse rotated, unfueled, and air flow via the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold are estimated and compared to a baseline air flow. A blocked intake air flow may be indicated based on the comparison between air flow via the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold and the baseline air flow upon opening a secondary flow path to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10442292
    Abstract: A zero-turn (“ZT”) vehicle is provided with a mainframe and an engine supported on the mainframe to output rotational power. Transaxle systems are provided with each being connected to the engine and to a respective driving wheel such that each transaxle system is configured to translate the rotational power from the engine to the driving wheel. One or more speed control actuators are provided, each being operatively connected to a transaxle system and movable between a minimum position and a maximum position. The speed of a driving wheel is infinitely variable through movement of the speed control actuator. A speed-range control actuator is operatively connected to the transaxle systems and configured to designate one of selectable speed-ranges within which the speed control actuators are permitted to operate. The speed of each driving wheel is determined by a combination of the designated speed-range and a position of the speed control actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Schiller Grounds Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Lapp, Chapin C. Nault
  • Patent number: 10427682
    Abstract: An adaptive method for controlling a vehicle speed and an adaptive device for using the same is disclosed. The method controls a vehicle speed of a host vehicle that is driving. A front vehicle drives in front of the host vehicle. There is a vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the front vehicle. Firstly, first accelerations of the host vehicle are retrieved and the vehicle speeds corresponding to the first accelerations and the vehicle distances corresponded thereof are retrieved. When all the first accelerations are not zero, the extreme values of the first accelerations are deleted. Finally, the vehicle speed of the host vehicle is controlled according to all the retrieved accelerations, their corresponding vehicle distances, and the vehicle speeds corresponded thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Automotive Research & Testing Center
    Inventors: Tsung-Ming Hsu, Hsaing-Chieh Hsu, Ming-Kuan Ko
  • Patent number: 10385786
    Abstract: A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine provided with a valve body, a tubular feeding duct defined in the valve body, a throttle plate, and an actuating device which controls rotation of the throttle plate. The actuating device includes an electric motor and an actuating device conditioning circuit defined in the valve body. The conditioning circuit includes a tube made of a first material able to conduct heat, and the valve body is entirely made of a second metal material and is provided with a seat for housing the tube, in which is provided a layer of a structural and heat-conducting resin, interposed between the seat and the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Musolesi, Marcello Colli
  • Patent number: 10309321
    Abstract: An acceleration control method through throttle dualization may include detecting a signal of an accelerator pedal scope (APS) by pressing of an accelerator pedal while a vehicle travels determines, by an electronic controller, whether the APS is rapidly changed, performing a first throttle response mode in which acceleration control is performed using a current intake manifold pressure when the APS is not determined to be rapidly changed, and performing a second throttle response mode in which acceleration control is performed using a target intake manifold pressure when the APS is determined to be rapidly changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dong-Sun Kim, Su-Yeong Jang, Min-Gyu Jung
  • Patent number: 10308115
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle with a driver's seat; a seat belt apparatus provided for the driver's seat; a seat belt detecting device for detecting the set state of the seat belt apparatus provided for the driver's seat; and a controller for controlling the off-road vehicle. The controller has a rotation speed control mode for controlling the rotation speed of the engine to a predetermined rotation speed or less, and the controller releases the rotation speed control mode when the seat belt detecting device detects the set state of the seat belt apparatus provided for the driver's seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kawakatsu, Yoshinori Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 10245970
    Abstract: A variable power drive mode system for a vehicle. The system includes a pedal, a processor, an engine or other vehicle power source for moving the vehicle and a battery. The processor of the vehicle determines, either automatically or based upon user input, a desired drive mode for the vehicle. A memory connected with the processor stores different data corresponding to the different drive modes determinable by the processor for the vehicle. The processor uses the different data stored in memory in combination with a position of the pedal to control the engine or other vehicle power source to generate power in accordance with the determined drive mode. Certain drive modes may provide for more aggressive driving profiles at the expense of fuel efficiency or fuel consumption when compared to other drive modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Gregg, Hidetoshi Kusumi
  • Patent number: 10221799
    Abstract: A target air amount for achieving a requested torque is back-calculated from the requested torque using a virtual air-fuel ratio. The virtual air-fuel ratio is changed from a first air-fuel ratio to a second air-fuel ratio in response to a condition for switching an operation mode from operation in the first air-fuel ratio to operation in the second air-fuel ratio being satisfied. After the virtual air-fuel ratio is changed from the first air-fuel ratio to the second air-fuel ratio, an interval of time passes and the target air-fuel ratio is then switched from the first air-fuel ratio to a third air-fuel ratio that is an intermediate air-fuel ratio between the first air-fuel ratio and the second air-fuel ratio. The target air-fuel ratio is temporarily held at the third air-fuel ratio, and is thereafter switched from the third air-fuel ratio to the second air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Tanaka, Satoshi Yoshizaki, Yusuke Saito, Ryutaro Moriguchi, Noriyasu Adachi, Yosuke Matsumoto, Naoya Takagi
  • Patent number: 10220848
    Abstract: When a driver demand torque is not greater than a target braking/driving torque, the acceleration/deceleration of the vehicle is controlled depending on the target braking/driving torque, when the driver demand torque exceeds the target braking/driving torque, the acceleration/deceleration is controlled depending on the driver demand torque, when the accelerator pedal operation amount decreases after the driver demand torque exceeds the target braking/driving torque, the driver demand torque is decreased depending on the decrease in the accelerator pedal operation amount, the decrease rate of the driver demand torque depending on the decrease in the accelerator pedal operation amount is set to be smaller than the decrease rate for a case where the driver does not set a travelling speed, and the acceleration/deceleration is controlled based on the set driver demand torque, and when the accelerator pedal operation amount becomes zero subsequently, the acceleration/deceleration is controlled depending on the tar
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunori Ohta, Naoki Miyashita, Yuuki Shiozawa
  • Patent number: 10195938
    Abstract: A pedal assembly having a pedal pivotally secured to a housing. A sensor is fixed to the housing at the pivot, the sensor including first and second components. A member is mounted to the pivot and slaved to the pedal in proximity to the sensor, the member including a coupler and an activating component. Upon pivotal rotation of the member relative to the sensor, the coupler communicating with the first sensor component to generate an output indicative of an angular position of the pedal relative to the housing. The activating component communicates with the second sensor component to function as a wakeup switch for the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: KSR IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Derreck Robert Heipel, Zoe Zhu, Rocky Sen
  • Patent number: 10183581
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle drive motor includes a motor torque obtaining portion, a current distributing state obtaining portion obtaining a state of current distribution to coils of respective phases of a stator of the motor, a temperature sensor detecting temperature of a specific phase coil, a motor torque control portion updating other phase estimated temperatures by using the coil sensor temperature and an added-up value of a temperature rise per unit time of each of other phase coils at each time point, the motor torque control portion controlling the motor torque by using the other phase estimated temperatures, wherein the temperature rise per unit time of each of the other phase coils at each time point is determined by the motor torque control portion in accordance with a combination of the motor torque and the state of current distribution at each time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro Ichikawa, Tomohiro Fukushima, Hideki Kakisako, Shota Hirose
  • Patent number: 10100790
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an air filter for a vehicle. In one example, a method may include actuating a motor to flow air through the air filter during engine off, and indicating air filter replacement based on an air pressure measurement while actuating the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Baitao Xiao, David Bell, Julia Helen Buckland, Timothy Stolzenfeld
  • Patent number: 10041420
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing defining a bore with a first axis extending along a length of the bore, and a valve shaft partially disposed within the bore along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The valve assembly additionally includes a valve plate coupled to the valve shaft and disposed within the bore, and a restricting device including a stop member and an engagement member. The stop member extends from the valve housing and presents a stop surface. The engagement member extends from the valve shaft and presents an engagement surface. At least one of the stop surface and the engagement surface is non-parallel with the second axis. The at least one non-parallel surface engages the other of the stop member and the engagement member and biases the valve shaft axially along the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Feiner, Robert Keefover, Brenda L. Horn, Petr Malik
  • Patent number: 10001225
    Abstract: An apparatus for an actuating mechanism comprises a first member having a first axis; the first member has a generally spherical surface on a first half of the first axis and a generally ellipsoidal surface on a second half of the first axis. The first member is rotatable around a centerpoint of the first axis. A second member has a second axis and a generally ellipsoidal surface. The second member matingly engages the first member at the first member ellipsoidal surface and has a torsion spring coupled to the second member. The first member is actuated manually to move the second member. The torsion spring torque increases as the first member is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: Christopher L. Brubaker
  • Patent number: 9928739
    Abstract: A method of obtaining data relating to the timing of a transition between phases of a traffic control signal. The method involves obtaining live probe data relating to the travel of vehicles in the region of the traffic control signal, and using the data to determine times at which a given transition of the signal has occurred. This is carried out by consideration of the distance from the traffic signal at which a vehicle waits when stopped at the signal, and a time of passing the signal, as determined using the probe data. Different transition time pairs are analyzed to obtain time differences between the transition times. A cycle time which best fits the time difference data is determined, and used with the transition time data to predict future transition times of the traffic control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOMTOM TRAFFIC B.V.
    Inventors: Nikolaus Witte, Rene Beier
  • Patent number: 9879592
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a combustion engine (1) equipped with a supercharging system, comprising a turbocharger (2) and a mechanical compressor (3) and a bypass circuit disposed in parallel with the mechanical compressor comprising a controlled bypass valve (4). The method includes: a) acquiring a boost pressure setpoint Psuralsp; b) converting the boost pressure setpoint Psuralsp into an opening setpoint Bypasssp of the bypass valve (4) using a filling model modelling the filling of the supercharging boost volume between the intake valves of the engine (1) and the mechanical compressor (3) and bypass valve (4); and c) controlling the bypass valve (4) is according to the opening setpoint Bypasssp of the bypass valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Thomas Leroy, Jonathan Chauvin, Alexandre Chasse
  • Patent number: 9874171
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a malfunction of a sensor system in an air system of an internal combustion engine, said sensor system comprising a first air state sensor, a second air state sensor and a third air state sensor, wherein a first value and a second value of a first comparison variable are ascertained in two different ways in an overall calculation step such that the result of a comparison between the first value and the second value is a function of each of the output variables of the first, second and third air state sensors and wherein in a fault detection step, said method recognizes as a function of the comparison between said first value and said second value of the comparison variable that a fault exists in the sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Bleile, Wilhelm Blumendeller, Daniel Kuhn, Julian Reichel
  • Patent number: 9840973
    Abstract: A method for operating a controller for a position transducer system, of a throttle valve position transducer in an engine system having an internal combustion engine, the control being performed to obtain a manipulated variable for triggering an actuating drive of the position transducer system, the control being performed by initially applying a transfer function to a system deviation to obtain an adapted system deviation and subsequently applying a transfer function to the adapted system deviation to obtain the manipulated variable, the transfer function being a function which indicates a deviation of a model of a nominal position transducer system having predefined nominal parameters from the model of the position transducer system to be controlled, an adaptation of the control process being performed by adapting the transfer function, in that the parameters of the model of the position transducer system to be controlled are adapted, in particular in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alexandre Wagner, Ralf Buehrle
  • Patent number: 9710290
    Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a software component, which transmits a setting command for setting an actuator on a control system of a motor vehicle, to the control system, the coupling device including a monitoring unit, which is designed to carry out an assessment for each setting command as to whether its implementation will transfer the motor vehicle into a dangerous state, the coupling device being further designed to transmit, as a function of this assessment, a monitored setting command corresponding to the setting command to an implementation unit, the implementation unit being designed to control the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Ulrich Haenger, Markus Schweizer, Carsten Gebauer, Bernd Mueller, Christian Lasarczyk, Thomas Heinz, Rakshith Amarnath
  • Patent number: 9683492
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle having an engine, an engine control unit (ECU), a throttle operator, and a throttle body fluidly communicating with the engine. A throttle valve disposed in the throttle body regulates fluid flow to the engine. A throttle valve actuator is connected thereto for controlling a throttle valve position. A key receiver is configured to link to a key. The method includes linking a key to the key receiver and initiating engine operation. If the key is linked to the key receiver and engine operation has been initiated, an identification code of the key is read and an authorization status of the key is thereby determined. If the key is determined to be authorized, the throttle valve position is controlled based in part on a throttle operator position. If the key is determined to be unauthorized, the throttle valve position is limited to a security limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Michel Bernier, Benoit Pion, Pierre-Luc Milot, Jean-Sebastien Pard, Michel LeFebvre
  • Patent number: 9657696
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing excess electrical energy generated by a throttle loss recovery system. One exemplary system includes a flow control assembly to generate electrical energy in response to a portion of a fluid flow bypassing a flow control valve, an electrical system coupled to the flow control assembly to receive the electrical energy, and a control module coupled to the electrical system. The electrical system includes an energy storage element and an electrical load. The control module detects an excess energy condition based at least in part on a characteristic of the electrical system, and in response, operates the electrical system to dissipate at least a portion of the electrical energy generated by the flow control assembly using the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mike Guidry, Patrick Beresewicz, Andrew Love
  • Patent number: 9657650
    Abstract: A throttle body assembly includes a housing defining a throttle bore with a throttle plate in the bore and mounted on a shaft. An electric motor has a pinion gear. A gear assembly includes an intermediate gear and a sector gear and transfers rotational drive from the electric motor to the throttle plate. Biasing structure biases the sector gear and thus the shaft to cause the throttle plate to close the throttle bore defining a closed position thereof. When the motor is energized, rotation of the pinion gear causes rotation of the gear assembly, against the bias on the sector gear, thereby causing rotation of the shaft to move the throttle plate from the closed position to an open position. A position sensor assembly determines a position of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed Rizwan Khan, Donald Taylor, John Norman Stockbridge, Stefan Köhler, Nathan Cowan, Joy Jacobs, Jennifer Betsistas, Dominik Ilse
  • Patent number: 9656669
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission, having an acceleration requirement determining portion determining operator required acceleration, a first restricted accelerator operation amount setting portion setting an accelerating member restricted operation amount that increases with a running speed increase, when the determining portion has determined required vehicle acceleration, and a shift control portion controlling the transmission speed ratio on the restricted amount basis, the control apparatus having: a second restricted accelerator operation amount setting portion decreasing the restricted amount from a value immediately prior to an accelerating member rapid releasing action determination moment, at a rate lower than an accelerating member operation actual amount decrease rate after the rapid releasing action determination moment, and an upper limit stop processing portion to limit the restricted amount after a determination moment that the operator requires vehicl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE NV/SA
    Inventors: Kyohei Suzumura, Kosuke Kuwada, Naoyuki Sakamoto, Shinya Toyoda, Hiroyuki Sawada, Sei Kojima, Lieven Van Houdt
  • Patent number: 9628009
    Abstract: A generator having an electronic governor for controlling the speed of an engine to generate an output voltage from an alternator is disclosed. The generator includes an alternator coupled to an engine to generate an output voltage. The variable speed of the engine allows the alternator to generate a variable output voltage. An electronic governor monitors a time period between voltage benchmarks on the output voltage. The electronic governor compares the monitored time period to a reference time period and adjusts the position of the throttle based upon the comparison between the monitored time period and the reference time period. The reference time period is set based upon the desired output voltage frequency. In an alternate embodiment, the electronic governor senses the current draw from the alternator and adjusts the position of the throttle to prevent changes in the frequency of the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Koenen, Jason J. Raasch
  • Patent number: 9624839
    Abstract: A throttle body assembly includes a housing defining a throttle bore with a throttle plate in the bore and mounted on a shaft. An electric motor has a pinion gear. A gear assembly transfers rotational drive from the electric motor to the throttle plate. Biasing structure biases the gear assembly and thus the shaft to cause the throttle plate to close the throttle bore defining a closed position thereof. When the motor is energized, rotation of the gear assembly, against the bias biasing structure, thereby causing rotation of the shaft to move the throttle plate from the closed position to an open position. A position sensor assembly determines a position of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed Rizwan Khan, Donald Taylor, John Norman Stockbridge, Stefan Köhler, Nathan Cowan, Dean Sorell
  • Patent number: 9587555
    Abstract: A transmission system for an adjusting device, of a waste gate of an exhaust gas turbocharger, including a four bar coupling mechanism, a driver arm operatively connected to a drive via a transmission, an output arm and a coupler, operatively connecting the driver and output arms, the transmission having a driving gear, assigned to the drive, and a driven gear, assigned to the driver arm and interacting with the driving gear having a rolling curve radius, which changes over the circumference, the driven gear having a rolling curve radius running complementary to the former. The rolling curve radii is selected in an angle of rotation range about the extended position of the coupling to form at least in regions a first transmission ratio and outside the angle of rotation range to form at least a second transmission ratio larger than the first ratio. Also described is an exhaust gas turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Baeuerle, Michael Nau
  • Patent number: 9589463
    Abstract: A method of obtaining data relating to the timing of a transition between phases of a traffic control signal. The method involves obtaining live probe data relating to the travel of vehicles in the region of the traffic control signal, and using the data to determine times at which a given transition of the signal has occurred. This is carried out by consideration of the distance from the traffic signal at which a vehicle waits when stopped at the signal, and a time of passing the signal, as determined using the probe data. Different transition time pairs are analyzed to obtain time differences between the transition times. A cycle time which best fits the time difference data is determined, and used with the transition time data to predict future transition times of the traffic control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: TomTom Development Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Nikolaus Witte, Rene Beier
  • Patent number: 9567962
    Abstract: A flow-control assembly may include a fluid conduit and a flow-control valve in the fluid conduit. The flow-control assembly may further include a fluid expansion conduit with an inlet defined at least in part by the fluid conduit and configured to selectively receive flow of a fluid from the fluid conduit. The fluid expansion conduit may further include an outlet in fluid communication with the fluid conduit downstream of the flow-control valve. A rotating fluid expander in the fluid expansion conduit may be configured to expand the fluid and thereby rotate and in some embodiments generate electricity. In a first position flow is substantially blocked. In a second position flow is allowed through the fluid expansion conduit. In a third position flow through the fluid conduit is allowed without necessarily passing through the fluid expansion conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Beresewicz, James William Reyenga, Mike Guidry
  • Patent number: 9546606
    Abstract: A throttle body assembly includes a housing defining a throttle bore with a throttle plate in the bore and mounted on a shaft. An electric motor has a pinion gear. A gear assembly includes an intermediate gear and a sector gear and transfers rotational drive from the electric motor to the throttle plate. Biasing structure biases the sector gear and thus the shaft to cause the throttle plate to close the throttle bore defining a closed position thereof. When the motor is energized, rotation of the pinion gear causes rotation of the gear assembly, against the bias on the sector gear, thereby causing rotation of the shaft to move the throttle plate from the closed position to an open position. A position sensor assembly determines a position of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Cowan, Mohammed Rizwan Khan, Stefan Köhler, John Norman Stockbridge, Donald Taylor
  • Patent number: 9494430
    Abstract: A system for determining the position of a mobile machine is disclosed. The system may include a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a pose of the mobile machine, a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a parameter of the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to generate a measured pose of the mobile machine based on the first signal, to generate an estimated pose of the mobile machine based on the second signal, and to determine uncertainty values associated with each of the measured and estimated poses. The controller may be further configured to determine overlap of the uncertainty values, to selectively adjust the measured pose based on the overlap, and to determine a pose solution based on the estimated pose and adjustment of the measured pose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Russell Friend, Qi Chen, Nicholas Robert Vogel, Andrew Thomas Whitten
  • Patent number: 9476369
    Abstract: A variable power drive mode system for a vehicle. The system includes a pedal, a processor, an engine or other vehicle power source for moving the vehicle and a battery. The processor of the vehicle determines, either automatically or based upon user input, a desired drive mode for the vehicle. A memory connected with the processor stores different data corresponding to the different drive modes determinable by the processor for the vehicle. The processor uses the different data stored in memory in combination with a position of the pedal to control the engine or other vehicle power source to generate power in accordance with the determined drive mode. Certain drive modes may provide for more aggressive driving profiles at the expense of fuel efficiency or fuel consumption when compared to other drive modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Gregg, Hidetoshi Kusumi
  • Patent number: 9452676
    Abstract: On-board display control methods and systems are provided. In one implementation for displaying speedometer information and miscellaneous information on an instrument panel display, a nonuse region determination unit of an on-board display control device determines a nonuse speed region in a speedometer in accordance with a traveling status of a vehicle. A display control unit of the on-board display control device then exercises control such that an enlarged view of the miscellaneous information is displayed over the nonuse speed region when the nonuse region determination unit determines that there is the nonuse speech region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroki Oba
  • Patent number: 9341125
    Abstract: When an accelerator operation amount is 0, a throttle actuator is controlled by means of isochronous control by using a second throttle operation amount (?tps2) for the isochronous control, and, on the other hand, when the accelerator operation amount is not 0, the throttle actuator is controlled by means of droop control by using a first throttle operation amount (?tps1) for the droop control. When an engine rotation speed is equal to or lower than a LOW rotation speed, larger one of the first and second throttle operation amounts (?tps1 and ?tps2) is used, and when the engine rotation speed is equal to or higher than a HIGH rotation speed, smaller one of the first and second throttle operation amounts (?tps1 and ?tps2) is used, to thereby control the throttle actuator by means of the isochronous control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Goho, Ryo Sakaguchi, Yasuhiko Ishida
  • Patent number: 9273620
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regulating a gas engine (1) having a generator (5), wherein a regulator torque is calculated by means of a speed regulator from a speed regulator deviation, wherein a target volume flow is calculated at least as a function of the regulator torque, wherein a fuel volume is determined as a proportion of a fuel-air mixture as a function of the target volume flow, and wherein a target receiver pipe pressure is also calculated as a function of the target volume flow as a guide parameter for a receiver pipe pressure regulating circuit for regulating the mixture pressure (pRRA, pRRB) of a fuel-air mixture in the receiver pipe (12, 13) above the inlet valves of the gas engine (1). The invention is characterized in that a deviation of the regulator torque from a generator torque is calculated and the target receiver pipe pressure is corrected using the deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventor: Ludwig Kläser-Jenewein
  • Patent number: 9005082
    Abstract: An ECU increases an engine rotation speed when the ECU determines that an inclination angle of an uphill is larger than or equal to a predetermined value, an accelerator is off and a vehicle speed in a direction opposite to a travelling direction of a vehicle, indicated by a specified range, is increasing. Subsequently, the ECU acquires an engine stall predicted vehicle speed, and calculates a predetermined value used in an immediate engine stall determination condition from a current rate of increase per unit time of a turbine rotation speed. Then, the ECU determines that immediate engine stall determination is affirmative when a rotation speed difference between the engine rotation speed and the turbine rotation speed becomes smaller than the predetermined value, and executes engine stall prevention control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Okamura, Takao Nishimura, Masatomo Yoshihara, Fumikazu Satou
  • Patent number: 9008928
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle control apparatus which can prevent the deterioration of drivability. The ECU can set a control accelerator opening degree to be converted when a control permission condition is established. The control accelerator opening degree is equal to or larger than an accelerator lower limit which is larger than an idle determination value for determining an automatic stopping of an engine by an eco-run. The control accelerator opening degree thus set can prevent the drivability from being deteriorated without the automatic stopping of the engine being caused even if the accelerator opening degree is converted to reduce the torque of the engine with the establishment of the control permission condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiya Oishi, Masashi Takagi, Michihito Shimada, Yuki Minase, Kenichi Okaya, Tsutomu Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9002619
    Abstract: It is possible to suppress fluctuations of an air intake amount when the open degree of an air intake control valve is unknown. An engine includes an impulse valve common to all the cylinders arranged in the engine. The impulse valve is arranged in a communicating tube provided at the downstream side of a serge tank. An ECU executes impulse valve drive control. In the control, the ECU judges whether a rotation angle sensor which detects the open degree of the impulse valve has failed. If it is judged that the rotation angle sensor has failed, the ECU controls a drive motor and a drive circuit for driving a valve body so that a valve body of the impulse valve rotates inside the communicating tube. Here, the rotor of the drive motor which defines the rotation speed of the valve body has an rpm which is set in accordance with the mechanical rpm NE of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Ito, Shouji Katsumata, Keiji Yoeda, Hideyuki Nishida, Shiro Tanno
  • Patent number: 8939126
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a variable air intake system and method is provided for a vehicle. The system comprises an engine a controller coupled to the engine. The controller also couples to and controls an air intake system including a first air inlet port and a second air inlet port having a valve operable to move between a closed position and an open position responsive to the controller to provide air to the engine via a filter. A sensor is disposed between the filter and the engine to communicate with the controller for controlling the valve. The method comprises determining engine speed and air flow for an engine of a vehicle and comparing via the engine speed and air flow to a respective high threshold and low threshold. A valve within a second (controlled) air inlet port is opened when the engine speed and air flow each exceed the respective high threshold and closed when the engine speed and air flow each are below the respective low threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lei Li, Jonathon K. Ho, Colin M. Hebert, Gary L. Martinson
  • Patent number: 8869774
    Abstract: An engine includes: a carburetor configured to supply an air-fuel mixture of fuel and air; a crank case defining a crank chamber; a cylinder block which includes: a cylinder bore in which a reciprocable piston is disposed; and an intake port which supplies the air-fuel mixture supplied from the carburetor to the crank chamber; a control valve configured to open and close the intake port; and a controller configured to control the control valve. The controller controls the number of times that the control valve closes the intake port with respect to the number of times that the piston moves up to thereby reduce pressure of the crank chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihide Sasaki, Shigetoshi Ishida, Hiroki Nagase