Electric Heater Patents (Class 123/549)
  • Patent number: 11821378
    Abstract: Methods and systems for deicing an engine air intake filter and an engine throttle are described. The methods and systems may include activating an evaporative emissions system heater and a pump to de-ice the engine air intake filter and the engine throttle. The deicing may be performed when an engine of a vehicle is not operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed Dudar
  • Patent number: 11703010
    Abstract: An electronic control unit for a vehicle with a combustion engine and a method of fuel analysis are provided. At least one dynamic torque sensor value from a high pressure pump of the vehicle and at least one additional sensor value including at least one pressure sensor value and/or at least one timing value are used to determine whether a combustible fuel type currently in use is known, unknown, or similar to a known fuel type. In each case, the operation of the combustion engine is optimized using specific parameter configurations for the fuel injectors of the vehicle. The specific parameter configurations are either retrieved from a database, or are generated using artificial intelligence methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Stephan Revidat, Leigh Deissenroth
  • Patent number: 11686232
    Abstract: An exhaust gas heating unit for an engine includes a housing and a heating element. The housing includes a tubular peripheral wall and has an interior hollow space. The heating element has first and second ends and extends longitudinally therebetween to form a spiral shape within the interior hollow space. The heating element includes a thermally conductive sheath, an electrically conductive resistance element that extends longitudinally within the external sheath, and an electrically insulating material disposed about the resistance element between the resistance element and the sheath. A heat transfer member is positioned within the interior hollow space and is formed from one or more strips of thermally conductive material. The strips contact the external sheath at a plurality of locations between the first end and the second end. The heat transfer member has a corrugated shape that follows the spiral shape of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark D. Everly, Jeremy Ohse, David P. Culbertson, Richard T. Williams, George Jambor, Jacob Wilson
  • Patent number: 11643955
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for providing localized heating within an engine exhaust aftertreatment system. The localized heating includes DEF injector nozzle heating with a DEF dispensing system having a DEF fluid supply and a DEF injector fluidly coupled to the DEF fluid supply. The DEF injector includes a DEF injector nozzle. The DEF dispensing system further includes a DEF heater positioned in proximity to the DEF injector nozzle. The DEF heater is configured to locally heat an area surrounding the DEF injector nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Danan Dou, Derek A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 11619156
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for controlling exhaust heating to reduce engine out NOx emission. A heater is used for exhaust temperature control of an exhaust system and is activated at a non-active selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system temperature. One or more exhaust air flow bypasses are controlled during operation of the heater and heating of an exhaust air flow is maintained by the heater prior to activation of the SCR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Danan Dou, Eric J. Hruby
  • Patent number: 11585573
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a gas mixing device and a gas water heating device. In which, a gas mixing device, comprises: a shell provided with a fuel gas channel for inputting fuel gas, an air channel for inputting air and a gas mixing channel, the fuel gas channel being provided with a first cut-off portion capable of changing a flow area, and the air channel being provided with a second cut-off portion capable of changing a flow area; a moving part movable in the shell, the moving part simultaneously changing the flow areas of the first cut-off portion and the second cut-off portions by moving. The gas mixing device and the gas water heating device can provide a higher regulation ratio, thereby solving the problem that the water temperature is too high in summer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Le Zhao, Ziwen Fu, Xin Cao
  • Patent number: 11542856
    Abstract: A neat-fuel direct-injected compression ignition engine having a thermal barrier coated combustion chamber, an injection port injects fuel that satisfies a stoichiometric condition with respect to the intake air, a mechanical exhaust regenerator transfers energy from exhaust gas to intake compression stages, an exhaust O2 sensor inputs to a feedback control to deliver quantified fuel, a variable valve actuation (VVA) controls valve positions, an exhaust gas temperature sensor controls exhaust feedback by closing the exhaust valve early according to the VVA, or recirculated to the chamber with an exhaust-gas-recirculation (EGR), heat exchanger, and flow path connecting an air intake, a load command input, and a computer operates the EGR from sensors to input exhaust gas according exhaust temperature signals and changes VVA timing, the load control is by chamber exhaust gas, the computer operates a fuel injector to deliver fuel independent of exhaust gas by the O2 signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Christopher F. Edwards, Bernard H. Johnson, IV, Gregory B. Roberts
  • Patent number: 11193413
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for use with over-the-road vehicle is disclosed. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a reducing agent mixer with a mixing can and a flash-boil doser configured to inject heated and pressurized reducing agent into the mixing can for distribution throughout exhaust gases passed through the mixing can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLC
    Inventor: Tony Parrish
  • Patent number: 11168598
    Abstract: A tubing for a fluid medium of motor vehicles, in particular for an aqueous urea solution, comprises a tube, at least one heating wire, and a plug arranged on a tube end of the tube. The plug has a plug shank and a housing which surrounds the tube end and the heating wire. The plug shank comprises a latching means, preferably a collar, for latching in a connector. The tube has an inner tube and a contact element, wherein the heating wire is arranged between the inner tube and the contact element. The contact element brings the heating wire into contact with the inner tube, and the housing partially surrounds the contact element. A first segment of the heating wire runs on the tube end between the contact element and the inner tube, wherein a second segment of the heating wire runs between the contact element and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: TI AUTOMOTIVE (FULDABRÜCK) GMBH
    Inventors: Ingo Suffner, Iris Barthel, Gerd Fischbach, Albert Choo, Reiner Rohde, Kay Bube, Michael Weissing
  • Patent number: 11035326
    Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal management of a direct injection propane fuel system are disclosed that include control a temperature of the fuel tank at or below a desired operating temperature to avoid venting of fuel to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Kyle Perfetto, Samuel C. Geckler
  • Patent number: 11016712
    Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for generating a customized display in a vehicle. The customized display may be generated on the basis of various factors such as a reason for executing a trip, a preferred travel model, and/or operating parameters of the vehicle. A few exemplary reasons for executing a trip can include taking a vacation, delivering a package, dropping off a passenger, dining out, going to work, a fuel fill up, and/or for charging a battery. A computer may utilize such reasons to identify objects of interest in a geographical area surrounding the vehicle when the vehicle is executing the trip and generate a customized display that includes these objects. For example, when the reason for executing the trip is a vacation, the objects in the customized display may include a tourist attraction, a landmark, a fueling station, an electric charging station, and/or a restaurant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkata Maruthe Ravikumara Sharma Chengalvala, James Wilhelm Heaton
  • Patent number: 10677134
    Abstract: System for storing an internal combustion engine exhaust gas liquid additive, the said system comprising a tank for storing the additive and an “immersed” baseplate (1) positioned through an opening made in the bottom wall of the tank, the said baseplate comprising at least one orifice through which a system for injecting the said additive into the exhaust gases can be fed, and also incorporating at least one other active component of the storage system and/or of the injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Francois Dougnier, Joel Op De Beeck
  • Patent number: 10597285
    Abstract: Various exemplary devices and methods for heating fuel hoses and nozzles are provided. In general, the devices and methods for heating fuel hoses and nozzles can be configured to heat fluid dispensable by a user into a fuel tank or other type of container. In some embodiments, a fuel dispensing device can include a first passageway configured to pass fluid therethrough and can include a second passageway configured to pass heated air therethrough. The heated air passing through the second passageway can be configured to heat the fluid passing through the first passageway. In some embodiments, a fuel dispensing device can include a single hose configured to pass fluid and heated air through separate passageways therein, and the device can include a manifold configured to facilitate passage of the fluid and the heated air from separate sources into the single hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems LLC
    Inventors: Artemus A. Shelton, Randal S. Kretzler, Jeffrey Reiter, Daniel Holmes, Bengt I. Larsson
  • Patent number: 10533480
    Abstract: A flameless industrial air heater comprising: a combustion engine having a drive shaft and a combustion exhaust gas conduit to direct hot exhaust gases away from the engine; a mixing chamber having an air inlet and being in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit to mix the hot exhaust gasses with air flowing into the mixing chamber to produce a warmed air stream; and a compressor connected to the drive shaft and being driven thereby, the compressor being downstream of the mixing chamber to receive the warmed air stream and to pressurize the warmed air stream for delivery to applications requiring heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventor: Darrell Ford
  • Patent number: 10480371
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metering device (10) for introducing a process liquid or auxiliary agent into a flow pipe of an internal combustion engine, in particular for introducing a reducing agent into an exhaust gas pipe (12). Said device comprises an injection valve (22) and a receiving device (50) comprising a heat sink element (46) and a cover element (48). The injection valve (22) and the receiving device (50) are combined to form a structural unit by means of bonded connections (62, 64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Murst, Achim Knittel, Thilo Kreher, Thorsten Rankel, Jochen Winkler, Claudius Henkel, Gellert Elsoe
  • Patent number: 10480464
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating airflow through a charge air cooler integrated in an intake assembly. In one example, an engine intake assembly comprises a plenum having an integrated charge air cooler (CAC), a first header seal positioned around a circumference of a first CAC header, and a first rotatably movable seal positioned in a bypass passage of the plenum. The first movable seal interfaces via sliding contact with the first header seal and adjusting a position of the first movable seal may vary the amount of airflow through the bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 10465596
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for variable thermal capacity charge air cooler (VTC-CAC). In one example, the VTC-CAC includes a plurality of cooling channels and an integrated bypass that diverts air around the cooling channels. Division of boosted intake air between the cooling channels and the bypass is regulated by a positioning of dual-gate mechanism that is adjusted in response to manifold charge temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassan Farhat, Ravi Gopal
  • Patent number: 10415518
    Abstract: A supercharger structure for an all terrain vehicle or a utility vehicle includes an engine body and a supercharging device. The engine body includes a cylinder having an intake passage and an outtake passage. The supercharging device includes a supercharger, a throttle, an intake manifold, and at least one nozzle. The supercharger includes a chamber having an inlet coupled with the throttle and an outlet connected to the intake manifold. The intake manifold and the at least one nozzle intercommunicate with the intake passage. The at least one nozzle is connected to a fuel supply pipe of a vehicle. External air is drawn in by a guiding device in the chamber, flows through the throttle and the inlet into the chamber, and is pressurized. The pressurized air flows through the intake manifold to mix with fuel ejected by the at least one nozzle and then enters the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Chien-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 10227956
    Abstract: A fuel heater and vaporizing system comprising an engine; a source of fuel coupled to the engine through a fuel supply line; multiple stages of thermal sources thermally coupled to the fuel supply line between the source of fuel and the engine, wherein the multiple stages of thermal sources are configured to heat the fuel; at least one catalyst system configured to supply a source of ions and H2 coupled to the fuel supply, and a sustainable water injection sub-system coupled to the engine, the sustainable water injection sub-system configured to inject water vapor into the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Diesel Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald W Rowley
  • Patent number: 10220819
    Abstract: Method for operating an assistance system of a vehicle with at least one electrical energy store, comprising the following steps: —detecting a temperature of the electrical energy store of the vehicle by means of at least one first sensor, —identifying an operating state of the electrical energy store by means of the detected temperature of the electrical energy store by a control unit, —determining the position of the vehicle and/or detecting an operating parameter of the vehicle more particularly by means of at least one second sensor, communicating the operating state to the assistance system of the vehicle, wherein at least one signal is generated by the assistance system in the case of an abnormal operating state of the electrical energy store if the position of the vehicle is within a predefinable geographical area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Berengar Krieg
  • Patent number: 10167829
    Abstract: A fuel heating device for a vehicle may include a start sensor detecting a starting of a vehicle; a controller area network (CAN) communication device transmitting and receiving various signals to and from an engine control device; a resistance sensor measuring a resistance of a heater provided inside an injector; and a controller controlling the resistance sensor to measure the resistance of the heater when the starting of the vehicle is detected in a state in which a failure occurs in the CAN communication device, converting the measured resistance of the heater into a temperature of a fuel, and operating the heater to heat the fuel to a reference temperature when the converted temperature is lower than or equal to a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yoo Jin Seo
  • Patent number: 10161348
    Abstract: A fuel system for a vehicle propulsion system includes a fuel temperature determination module that determines a temperature of a fuel, a fuel pressure determination module that determines a pressure of the fuel, a prime determination module that determines whether the determined fuel temperature is above a vaporization temperature on a predetermined distillation curve and the fuel pressure is below the predetermined distillation curve at the determined fuel temperature, and a controller programmed to command operation of a fuel pump in response to the prime determination module determining that the determined fuel temperature is above a vaporization temperature on the predetermined distillation curve and the fuel pressure is below the predetermined distillation curve at the determined fuel temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew M. Shaw, Rafat F Hattar, Matthew T Hamilton
  • Patent number: 10161363
    Abstract: The fuel preheater for an internal combustion engine is a system for preheating fuel vapor prior to its injection into an internal combustion engine for combustion thereof. In the fuel preheater for an internal combustion engine, a portion of the exhaust from the internal combustion engine is used to transfer heat to a mixture of the fuel vapor, environmental air and recycled exhaust. The preheating of the fuel vapor and the addition of nitrous oxide from the recycled exhaust increases combustion efficiency of the fuel and enhances overall performance of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: United Arab Emirates University
    Inventors: Zahida Chebchoub, Mudhafar Al-Taee
  • Patent number: 10112725
    Abstract: A heating body for an electrically heated filter screen includes a heater element having an outer surface and a metallic protective layer having an inner surface. An insulating layer is disposed between the heater element outer surface and the inner surface of the metallic layer. The metallic layer and an exposed portion of the insulating layer define an exterior of the heating body. An electrically heated filter screen constructed from pairs of intersecting heating bodies is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taylor Fausett, Patrick M. Wasson
  • Patent number: 9975402
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical liquid heating device for a motor vehicle. The heating device comprises at least a first (7a) and a second (7b) heating module for heating the aforementioned liquid, defining at least one circuit (15) for guiding the liquid to be heated. The device is characterized in that the heating modules (7a, 7b) each have a generally cylindrical shape and are arranged side by side substantially in parallel. The invention also relates to a heating and/or air-conditioning unit for a motor vehicle, comprising such a heating device (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Frederic Pierron, Laurent Tellier, Jose Leborgne
  • Patent number: 9926891
    Abstract: A system includes an exhaust gas an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) mixer which includes a housing and a first passage in the housing. The first passage may be configured to supply an EGR flow into the housing. The system further includes a second passage in the housing, such that the second passage is disposed about the first passage. The second passage is configured to supply at least one fluid flow into the housing. The system also includes a region downstream from the first and second passages, and a fluid outlet downstream from the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Richard Zurlo, Kenneth Edward Neuman, Kevin Paul Konkle, Brian Joseph Murphy
  • Patent number: 9909491
    Abstract: A reformer-liquid fuel manufacturing system that utilizes an engine to generate hydrogen-rich gas is disclosed. The engine operates at very rich conditions, such as 2.5<?<4.0. In doing so, it creates an exothermic reaction, which results in the production of syngas. In addition, the system utilizes the energy from the exothermic reaction to rotate a shaft and also utilizes the heat in the syngas to heat the reactants. A mechanical power plant is in communication with the rotating shaft and can be used to produce oxygen, provide electricity or operate a compressor, as require. The hydrogen-rich gas is supplied to a chemical reactor, which converts the gas into a liquid fuel, such as methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, William H. Green, Alexander Sappok, Daniel R. Cohn, Amrit Jalan
  • Patent number: 9765734
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating airflow through a charge air cooler integrated in an intake assembly. In one example, an engine intake assembly comprises a plenum having an integrated charge air cooler (CAC), a first header seal positioned around a circumference of a first CAC header, and a first rotatably movable seal positioned in a bypass passage of the plenum. The first movable seal interfaces via sliding contact with the first header seal and adjusting a position of the first movable seal may vary the amount of airflow through the bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 9763286
    Abstract: A fluid system of an internal combustion engine is provided with a heating device in a heating chamber. An electric heating element of the heating device is arranged between two holding bodies such that the heating element electrically and thermally contacts a contact section of at least one of the holding bodies. The heating chamber has an inner volume region between the holding bodies and at least one outer volume region arranged on an outer side of the holding bodies. The inner and outer volume regions allow fluid to flow through. The inner volume region has an enlarged section with a first spacing measured between the holding bodies. The holding bodies have a second spacing measured in a region of the contact section. The first spacing is greater than the second spacing at least at a circumferential side of the contact section facing the enlarged section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Friederich, Holger Beyerlin, Sven Weidinger, Marco Goedecke
  • Patent number: 9693394
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical heating device for heating the interior of a vehicle, comprising a plurality of PTC heating rods each comprising ceramic PTC heating resistors, heat sinks for transferring heat from the PTC heating rods to an air flow, and a holder holding the PTC heating rods. The PTC heating rods are connected in series to an NTC heating rod comprising at least one NTC resistor, wherein the NTC heating rod is held by the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH
    Inventors: Stephen Sweeney, Anthony Maher, Katherine O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9677446
    Abstract: System for storing an internal combustion engine exhaust gas liquid additive, the said system comprising a tank for storing the additive and an “immersed” baseplate (1) positioned through an opening made in the bottom wall of the tank, the said baseplate comprising at least one orifice through which a system for injecting the said additive into the exhaust gases can be fed, and also incorporating at least one other active component of the storage system and/or of the injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Francois Dougnier, Joel Op De Beeck
  • Patent number: 9631668
    Abstract: A washer member disposed in a valve housing of an engine is disclosed. The washer member resiliently supports an injector push member via an elastic member and receives a pair of hydraulic lash adjusters for operating an inlet valve and an outlet valve of a cylinder of the engine. The washer member includes a base portion adapted to abut a support member disposed within the valve housing. The support member defines a clearance with the valve housing to movably dispose the pair of hydraulic lash adjusters within the valve housing. The washer member further includes a side portion extending from the base portion. The side portion is configured to define a lateral movement of the elastic member within a tolerance limit. The side portion is further configured to define a rotational movement of the washer member within a tolerance limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Indrajith Kizhakkethara, Prabhu Nagaraj, Mallikarjuna Masala
  • Patent number: 9601796
    Abstract: A fuel cell arrangement is disclosed. The fuel cell arrangement includes a fuel cell stack and a housing wall element to form a housing surrounding the fuel cell stack. The housing wall element comprises a penetrating opening for an electric contacting of the fuel cell stack via a conductor. The conductor extends through the penetrating opening. A sheath is arranged between the penetrating opening wall and the conductor around an insulation layer arranged at the conductor. The sheath, together with the insulation layer, is pushed against the conductor in a gas-tight fashion, with the penetrating opening being sealed in a gas-tight fashion via a compensation element to compensate for longitudinal and lateral movements. The compensation element is lastingly fastened at the sheath element and the housing wall element in a gas-tight fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Uwe Burmeister
  • Patent number: 9568107
    Abstract: A mechanical seal has a housing having a collecting space for a coolant/lubricant medium. A sleeve is disposed in the housing. A counter ring is disposed in the housing and fixedly connected to the sleeve. A slide ring is disposed in the housing and interacts with the counter ring. At least one inlet conduit communicating with the collecting space is provided. The at least one inlet conduit is positioned between a radial bottom of the housing and a radial ring segment of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: KACO GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Sauter, Tobias Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 9523301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reducing agent metering system for injecting a reducing agent into the exhaust gas stream of a combustion engine for selective catalytic reduction, with a feed pump, by means of which reducing agent is conveyed from a reducing agent tank via a delivery line and is introduced via at least one nozzle into the exhaust gas stream of the combustion engine, whereby the delivery line is formed by a hose (1) that has on the outside an electrical conductor (2) that encloses the hose (1) like a jacket, whereby the reducing agent metering system has a monitoring unit by means of which the electrical conductivity between the reducing agent in the hose (1) and the electrical conductor (2) is monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Albonair GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Kohut
  • Patent number: 9376997
    Abstract: An electronic fuel injection throttle body unit has a core body with two side components. The two side components each including a fuel delivery passage. Four air intake passages extending vertically through the throttle body. Valves are rotatable within the air intake passages. The valves being connected to valve shafts that rotate about respective valve shaft axes. The valve shaft axes and the fuel delivery passages are perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Fuel Injection Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth William Farrell, Jeremy Lynn Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9316186
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including an intake system to provide air to an engine, the intake system including an inlet manifold to provide an air flow pathway to an inlet port; wherein the inlet manifold includes a false floor at least partially defining a plenum, the plenum at least partially separated from a sump, the sump at least partially defined in a lower portion of the inlet manifold; and wherein the sump includes a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert Lionel Jacques
  • Patent number: 9273645
    Abstract: A fluid heating device of a vehicle fuel system includes: a case having a fluid inlet for letting in fluid, a fluid outlet for letting out the fluid, and an inner space that communicates with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; upper and lower power-supply and heat-radiation plates that are arranged in the inner space to be vertically spaced apart from each other, and supply external power; and one or more PTC elements that are interposed between the upper and lower power-supply and heat-radiation plates to receive the external power, and spaced apart from each other to form one or more fluid flow holes. Accordingly, the combustion of the fuel and the cold start performance of the vehicle can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Chang-Jun Park, Myeong Hwan Kim, Chang-Han Kim
  • Patent number: 9169773
    Abstract: A reformer-liquid fuel manufacturing system that utilizes an engine to generate hydrogen-rich gas is disclosed. The engine operates at very rich conditions, such as 2.5<?<4.0. In doing so, it creates an exothermic reaction, which results in the production of syngas. In addition, the system utilizes the energy from the exothermic reaction to rotate a shaft and also utilizes the heat in the syngas to heat the reactants. A mechanical power plant is in communication with the rotating shaft and can be used to produce oxygen, provide electricity or operate a compressor, as require. The hydrogen-rich gas is supplied to a chemical reactor, which converts the gas into a liquid fuel, such as methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Leslie Bromberg, William H. Green, Alexander Sappok, Daniel R. Cohn, Amrit Jalan
  • Patent number: 9038608
    Abstract: Embodiments for an engine system are provided. One example internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder head and at least two cylinders, in which each cylinder has at least one inlet opening for the supply of combustion air into the cylinder, comprises an intake line leading to each inlet opening, an overall intake line where the intake lines of at least two cylinders merge, such that a distributor junction point is formed, and a heating device arranged in the overall intake line which has at least one strip-like heating element, a first narrow side of a cross section of which faces toward intake combustion air flow, wherein the heating device is arranged adjacent to the distributor junction point at which the intake lines merge to form the overall intake line, a spacing between the heating device and the distributor junction point being smaller than the diameter of a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Winge Vigild, Wilbert Hemink, Daniel Roettger, Andreas Kuske
  • Patent number: 9000334
    Abstract: A Bleve (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) reaction wherein fuel is pumped from a fuel line and is fed through a solenoid valve to a BLEVE reaction chamber. The BLEVE reaction takes place in the bleve chamber, during which a bleve is released and supplied via the bleve outlet nozzle. A thermal housing with embedded electrical resistive wire, is a method and installation for generating sufficient heat causing a bleve. The fuel is heated by the electrical resistive wire as it is moved into the bleve-reaction chamber. As bleved fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber, the latent heat causes the bleve to auto-ignite upon contact with the oxygen producing a blue flame. The cycle of the process is controlled by means of a regulating control. The method described is particularly suited for a bleved fuel valve nozzled burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: William H. Manning, James M. Manning, Glenn M Pearson
  • Patent number: 8981264
    Abstract: An intake air heating system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed and includes an electric heater that heats the intake air and a control module that switches a voltage to the electric heater based on a control signal. The control module includes a gate drive module that includes a bootstrap charge pump module and generates a gate drive signal based on the control signal and that is referenced to the voltage. The control module also includes a power module that switches the power to the electric heater based on the gate drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Neil Seger
  • Patent number: 8967124
    Abstract: A fuel injector assembly includes a first coil that induces a time varying magnetic field into a second coil that is utilized to heat fuel flowing through the fuel injector. A first coil receives a first signal from a driver to generate a first magnetic field that moves an armature between an open and closed position. The second coil generates a second magnetic field generated by a current induced by the first coil into the second coil. The induced current is generated by an alternating current signal that is interposed onto a direct current signal sent to the first coil. The alternating current signal produces a time varying second magnetic field that induces heating of a magnetically active component with the fuel flow that in turn heats the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Hornby, John F. Nally, Jr., Hamid Sayar, Perry Robert Czimmek
  • Patent number: 8960165
    Abstract: A fluid-guiding housing, in particular a gas-, oil-, fuel- or water-guiding housing (12), of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, with an electrically operated heating device (33) for heating fluid in the housing (12) is described. At least one wall (18, 20) of the housing (12) is equipped with an electrically heating textile (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Quednau, Benjamin Ferlay
  • Patent number: 8960164
    Abstract: A volumetric expansion assembly for increasing the volume of a gaseous fuel through electromagnetic means includes a housing that may be operationally coupled to an engine. A tubular fuel line is operationally coupled to the housing. The tubular fuel line is operationally coupled between a fuel supply and the engine. The tubular fuel line delivers the fuel to the engine. A magnetron is operationally coupled to the housing. The magnetron heats the tubular fuel line so a volume of the fuel in the tubular fuel line is increased. A tubular cooling line is operationally coupled to the tubular fuel line. The tubular cooling line is operationally coupled to a coolant supply. The tubular cooling line cools the tubular fuel line after the tubular fuel line is heated by the magnetron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Curtis E. Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20150034055
    Abstract: What is described is a method for igniting a fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber of an engine, wherein a pencil, which is electrically insulated with respect to walls of the combustion chamber and contains a heating resistor, is electrically heated to a temperature of at least 800° C. in the combustion chamber of the engine by applying a heating voltage, and a high voltage of at least 500 V, which is different from the heating voltage, is applied to the pencil and thereby ions are generated in the combustion chamber by field emission of electrons. The invention additionally relates to an ignition system and a glow plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Eberhardt, Martin Allgaier
  • Patent number: 8936010
    Abstract: A fuel heater is provided to heat fuel with a safety feature (fuse effect). The internal combustion engine can be operated with ethanol, gasoline or a mixture of ethanol and gasoline. The fuel heater is an integrant part of the electronic injection system of internal combustion engines. The fuel heater is assembled inside the fuel rail and serves to increase fuel temperature before, during and after ignition at temperatures specified by the engine calibration strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Sistemas Automotivos Industria E Comercio Ltda
    Inventors: Eduardo Dos Santos Costa, Marcelo Renato Cavaglieri, Guilherme Henrique Mayer Alegre, Cleber De Jesus Lopes, Marco Aurelio Duduch, Fernando Luiz Windlin
  • Publication number: 20140311462
    Abstract: A fuel-additive supplying apparatus includes: a container having an upper part formed with a vapor through-hole; a vapor-confining conduit extending in the container from the upper part; an elongate header mounted to and extending in the container from the upper part; and a heater controller connected electrically to the elongate header. The vapor-confining conduit is spaced apart from and surrounds the elongate heater and a bottom end of the vapor through-hole, so that a fuel-additive vapor generated in the vapor-confining conduit may be introduced into an intake manifold of an engine through the vapor through-hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Shianlin Frozen Foods Processing Plant Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hann-Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 8789516
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a vehicle includes a fuel injector that meters fuel flow and provides for preheating fuel to aid combustion. A control circuit including a synthetic inductor drives a heated element within the fuel flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Perry Robert Czimmek
  • Patent number: 8694230
    Abstract: Fuel systems and methods for cold environments which includes a fuel pump having at least one solenoid coil in an unlaminated magnetic circuit, the fuel pump being disposed in a fuel tank, and a pump drive and pulsing system, the pump drive providing pump actuation current to the solenoid coil and the pulsing system providing short current pulses to the solenoid coil to cause Eddy current losses in the unlaminated magnetic circuit. The method includes, before cranking the engine for starting the engine, providing short, successive current pulses to the solenoid coil to cause eddy current heating in the unlaminated circuit and heating of the fuel in and around the fuel pump, turning on the fuel pump to commence fuel flow to the engine, and cranking the engine for starting after the fuel pump has been turned on. Various features are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sturman Digital Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Oded Eddie Sturman