Vapor Treated Before Mixing With Combustible Mixture (e.g., Cooling) Patents (Class 123/573)
  • Patent number: 11946397
    Abstract: An engine system optionally including: a crankcase of an engine having a blow-by gas passing therethrough; a liquid source containing a liquid; and an oil separating apparatus in fluid communication with the blow-by gas. The oil separating apparatus having a coalescing filter to separate oil from the blow-by gas. Separate from the blow-by gas and the coalescing filter, the oil separating apparatus is in fluid communication with the liquid source to receive the liquid. The liquid is passed through the oil separating apparatus in a heat exchange relationship with the blow-by gas to maintain a desired temperature range for the blow-by gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn A. Stack, Joshua Amiel Lehe, Nicholas Edwin Wainscott, Eric John Forthofer
  • Patent number: 11939895
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine, comprising an intake path, a crankcase, an exhaust gas path and a crankcase ventilation means, wherein the crankcase ventilation means is open, closed or separate. The internal combustion engine according to the invention comprises an intake path, a crankcase, an exhaust gas path and an open crankcase ventilation means, wherein the open crankcase ventilation means comprises a first line and a second line, wherein the first line is designed to connect the exhaust gas path to the crankcase in order to guide exhaust gas out of the exhaust gas path to the crankcase, and wherein the second line is designed to connect the crankcase to the exhaust gas path in order to discharge exhaust gas and leakage gases located in the crankcase from the crankcase and to feed them to the exhaust gas path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: FEV Group GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Bick, Ralf Bey, Markus Ehrly, Ralf Jans, Christoph Biwer
  • Patent number: 11852057
    Abstract: This heat exchanger is provided with an inner tube 2, a first flow passage 3 formed inside the inner tube 2, an outer tube 4 disposed coaxially with the inner tube 2 on the radially outer side thereof, a second flow passage 5 formed between the inner tube 2 and the outer tube 4, annular separating walls P1 to P4 which divide the second flow passage 5 into a plurality of spaces S1 to S5 in the axial direction of the outer tube 4, and space outlets E formed in one location in the circumferential direction of each separating wall P1 to P4, wherein the spaces S1 to S5 are configured to cause a second fluid to swirl about second axes Y perpendicular to a first axis X positioned at the center of the outer tube 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuki Himuro, Kotaro Kimura, Hiroyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11808224
    Abstract: A vehicle controller is provided. A first passage of a supply passage of a blow-by gas processing device is connected to a portion of an intake passage located downstream of a compressor of a forced-induction device. The first passage includes a connection portion connected to the intake passage. A portion of the first passage between the connection portion and a PCV valve is a passage downstream portion. A supercooling determination process determines whether the supply passage is supercooled by relative wind of a vehicle based on a travel speed of the vehicle. An operating state changing process sets operation of the internal combustion engine to non-boosting operation when an ambient temperature of the vehicle is less than or equal to a determination temperature, the PCV valve is determined as being closed, and the supply passage is determined as being supercooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Sakagami, Shinichi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 11739669
    Abstract: The blow-by gas treating device 100 has a main structure portion 101 which separates oil OL from the blow-by gas BG and an outlet portion 40 which supplies gas G having been separated from the blow-by gas BG to an intake system. The main structure portion 101 has a first blow-by gas taking-in portion 111, a second blow-by gas taking-in portion 112, a separating portion 330 which separates the blow-by gas BG into oil OL and gas G, a first oil guiding portion 151 which guides the oil OL to a front side, a second oil guiding portion 152 which guides the oil OL to a rear side, a first oil drain 161 which discharges the oil OL into the engine, and a second oil drain 162 which discharges the oil OL into the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayasu Takami, Katsunori Ikemachi, Yuki Yoshita, Masayuki Tochimoto, Kazuya Ishida, Tomohiro Suzuki, Yu Suzuki, Toru Suzuki, Kentaro Kita
  • Patent number: 11717779
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aerosol separator for separating aerosols in a blow-by gas, which comprises at least one feed opening for feeding a blow-by gas provided with aerosols, an outlet opening for discharging a blow-by gas cleaned of aerosols, at least one outflow opening for releasing aerosols removed from the blow-by gas, and which is arranged between a flow path of the at least one feed opening and the outlet opening, and a plurality of projections for configuring the flow path running from the at least one feed opening to the outflow opening in a meandering manner, in order to decelerate the blow-by gas which enters the feed opening and which is provided with aerosols, in terms of its flow rate. The separator is characterized in that the projections in their end region, around which blow-by gas flows, have a portion with increasing projection width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: Liebherr Machines Bulle SA, Deere & Company
    Inventors: Zhi Li, Domenico Palmisani, Kyle D. Redfern
  • Patent number: 11719140
    Abstract: A crankcase ventilation system is disclosed that includes a PCV valve, a spigot and a tube connector. The PCV valve is enclosed in a module housing that encloses a plunger, and a spring. The module housing defines an inlet opening, and an outlet opening and is assembled inside an engine component. The spigot is attached to an outer surface of the engine and is in fluid communication with the PCV valve through the outlet opening. The tube connector is in fluid communication with the tube connector and the PCV valve. An intake manifold of the engine provides vacuum to the PCV valve, through the tube, the tube connector and the spigot. If one of the tube, tube connector, or spigot is detached from the engine, the PCV valve is retained in the engine and is held closed by the spring biasing the plunger against the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Palazzolo, Erzabeth J. Holcombe, Kristofor Robert Norman
  • Patent number: 11698156
    Abstract: A connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a connector body, a movable component selectively movable between an uninstalled state and an installed state, a digital tag, and a digital blocker. When the movable component is moved from the uninstalled state to the installed state, the digital blocker is moved relative to the digital tag from a position where the digital tag is blocked by the digital blocker to a position where the digital tag is unblocked by the digital blocker, thereby providing a digital indication of a successful connection between the connector body and the movable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Kuhn, Dennis M. Mark
  • Patent number: 11692461
    Abstract: A drainage structure includes: a main body including an intake flow path; a compressor impeller disposed in the intake flow path; an accommodation chamber formed in the main body at a position upstream of the compressor impeller in a flow of an intake air; a movable member disposed in the accommodation chamber; and a connecting passage connected to the accommodation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventor: Ryota Sakisaka
  • Patent number: 11635049
    Abstract: An air induction system includes an air duct and an air permeable membrane. The air duct is configured to deliver intake air to an engine. The air duct includes a cylindrical wall defining a bore and an enclosure projecting from an outer radial surface of the cylindrical wall and defining a cavity therein. The cylindrical wall has an opening extending therethrough that enables airflow from the bore to the cavity in the enclosure. The air permeable membrane is configured to cover the opening in the cylindrical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Stephen J Hamby, Robert VanHulle
  • Patent number: 11598232
    Abstract: A PCV valve coupling structure that couples a PCV valve to an internal combustion engine is employed in the PCV valve used to adjust a gas flow area of a blow-by gas passage. Blow-by gas in the internal combustion engine flows to an intake system of the internal combustion engine. In the PCV valve coupling structure, the PCV valve is coupled to the internal combustion engine in a non-removable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naritsune Miyanaga, Yoji Horiuchi, Hideto Morishita, Masami Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11598295
    Abstract: Engines and engine systems for managing blow-by gas and/or moisture therein, and methods of operating the same are disclosed. The engine systems may include an air intake system including a compressor such as a turbocharge and a charge air cooler. The engine system may also include an engine such as combustion engine have a crankcase. During combustion blow-by gas may be captured in the crankcase and recirculated back to the air intake system. The blow-by gas may be diluted by additional air such as fresh air prior to being recirculated. The system may also include a pump to facilitate recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shuya Shark Yamada, Shawn Spannbauer
  • Patent number: 11572814
    Abstract: An oil and air separator including a catch can with an inlet and an outlet thereto, the catch can adapted to remove oil from vapors entering the catch can via the inlet, and including an internal reservoir within which oil from the vapors entering the catch can may collect; and a check valve including a first end disposed within the internal reservoir, a second end, and a first fluid pathway therebetween in fluid communication with the internal reservoir, wherein vapors within the internal reservoir may exit the catch can through the first fluid pathway or a second fluid pathway including the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventor: Joe Mainiero
  • Patent number: 11524255
    Abstract: Various example embodiments relate to a filtration system. The filtration system includes a filter housing having a first housing end and a second housing end. The filter housing includes a housing cover defining an outlet. The housing cover includes a first guidance element extending from an internal portion of the housing cover axially away from the outlet. A second guidance element extends from the internal portion of the housing cover axially away from the outlet. A filter element has a first filter end and a second filter end. The filter element includes an end cap adjacent the first filter end and defining an end cap opening therethrough. The end cap includes a channel around the end cap opening. Filter media has a first media end and a second media end. The filter media extends axially from the first media end toward the second media end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration Inc.
    Inventors: Narendra Kumar Tripathi, Ruchi Lutade, Devendra Kalaskar, Santosh Bhagwat
  • Patent number: 11480118
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for ventilation of a crankcase (217) of an internal combustion engine, the system comprising—an air inlet guide (203, 212) adapted to guide air to at least one cylinder (220) of the engine,—a closed circuit conduit (209) for guiding crankcase gas from the crankcase (217) to the air inlet guide (203, 212),—wherein the system comprises gas detection means (2181, 2182, 2183) positioned in the air inlet guide (203, 212), for detecting crankcase gas in the air inlet guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sergi Yudanov
  • Patent number: 11459920
    Abstract: This blow-by gas discharge device is provided with: blow-by gas piping 23 which is extended from the height position of the upper end of an internal combustion engine 1 to the height position of the lower end, is exposed to the outside air, and has an outlet 33 open to the atmosphere; and a heating chamber 24 which is provided between the ends of the blow-by gas piping, is formed in the flywheel housing 10 of the internal combustion engine, and heats blow-by gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Tadashi Morooka, Yuuki Himuro
  • Patent number: 11434981
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes an engine and a belt-type continuously variable transmission device provided on a lateral side of the engine and configured to (i) receive power from the engine and (ii) output the power to a traveling device while varying the power in terms of speed. The belt-type continuously variable transmission device has (i) an intake port which is present in the transmission device case and through which cooling air is sucked from outside the transmission device case into the transmission device case as a result of rotation of the rotary fan and (ii) a first exhaust port which is present in the transmission device case and through which the cooling air is discharged from inside the transmission device case as a result of the rotation of the rotary fan. The first exhaust port is present on a side of the exhaust pipe on which side the engine is present, and faces the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Oyama, Yusuke Morita, Toshiki Ono
  • Patent number: 11401844
    Abstract: A blow-by gas leak diagnostic device includes a first PCV flow path, a second PCV flow path, a fresh air inlet, a pressure measurement unit, a first valve that opens and closes the first PCV flow path, a second valve that opens and closes the second PCV flow path, a third valve that opens and closes the fresh air inlet, a valve control unit, and a leak diagnosis unit. The valve control unit controls an opening degree of the third valve when a downstream side of an intake manifold with respect to a throttle valve has a negative pressure, and the second valve is in a closed state. The leak diagnosis unit diagnoses presence or absence of a leak in the first PCV flow path on the basis of an inner pressure of the first PCV flow path measured by the pressure measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chikao Komaki, Ryota Ito
  • Patent number: 11401846
    Abstract: An oil mist separator for an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head cover, a baffle plate, and a cam spray plate. The baffle plate is fixed to an inner surface of the cylinder head cover. A section between the cylinder head cover and the baffle plate defines an oil separation chamber. The cam spray plate is fixed to a surface of the baffle plate opposite to the cylinder head cover. The cam spray plate defines an oil passage. The baffle plate includes a discharge hole through which oil separated from blow-by gas by the oil separation chamber is discharged. The cam spray plate includes a passage defining portion and a baffle plate portion. The passage defining portion defines the oil passage. The baffle plate portion is integrated with the passage defining portion and overlapped with the discharge hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya Hori
  • Patent number: 11326489
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for replacing an original equipment manufacturer air-oil separator apparatus having an integral pressure control valve (“OEM-AOS” system) in a vehicle. The OEM-AOS system is disconnected from the engine air intake. The integral pressure control valve is disabled. An accumulator for collecting oil from by-pass combustion gas is connected to the OEM-AOS system. A discrete pressure control valve (“discrete-PCV”) is connected to the accumulator and to the engine air intake. The discrete-PCV is located within the vehicle at an easily accessible location so that it can be quickly accessed and replaced when necessary. The accumulator includes a sensor that is operable to send a warning signal to a vehicle operator when the vehicle needs to be serviced to remove condensed oil from the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: Charles G. Brazeel
  • Patent number: 11293315
    Abstract: A drain valve of an air-oil separator configured to separate oil aerosol from blow-by gas of an internal combustion engine is provided. The drain valve includes a floating plate adapted to close or open depending on oil flow and pressure relative to a drainpipe, and a plug that maintains the floating plate in the drainpipe and provides a flow path for oil in the drainpipe. The plug can serve a secondary function and form part of a seal recess that receives an annular seal member, such as an o-ring, to form a liquid tight seal around the drainpipe when coupled to another engine component to allow transfer of oil through the drainpipe. A related method of use is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Sogefi Air & Cooling USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Anderson Costa, Adilson Lima, Steven Dara
  • Patent number: 11198493
    Abstract: A marine outboard motor is provided with an internal combustion engine comprising an engine block defining at least one cylinder, an air intake configured to deliver a flow of air to the at least one cylinder, a crankcase in which a crankshaft is mounted for rotation about a crankshaft axis which is substantially vertical when the marine outboard is vertical, and a crankcase ventilation system configured to vent blow-by gases from the crankcase and to supply vented blow-by gases to the air intake. The crankcase ventilation system comprises a lubricant separation chamber for separating lubricant from the blow-by gases. The lubricant separation chamber is defined by the crankcase and extends along the length of the crankcase substantially parallel to the crankshaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: COX POWERTRAIN LIMITED
    Inventor: Nile Fulker
  • Patent number: 11156137
    Abstract: Various example embodiments relate to rotating coalescers. One embodiment includes a housing comprising a first housing section having a blowby gas inlet structured to receive crankcase blowby gases from a crankcase. The housing further comprises an oil outlet. The rotating coalescer includes an endcap and filter media. The filter media is arranged in a cylindrical shape and is coupled to and positioned between the first housing section and endcap. The filter media is structured to filter the crankcase blowby gases passing through the filter media by coalescing and separating oils and aerosols contained in the crankcase blowby gases. The rotating coalescer includes a hollow shaft extending through the housing and positioned radially inside of the filter media. The hollow shaft forms a blowby gas outlet structured to route filtered crankcase blowby gases out of the housing. The rotating coalescer further includes a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Barreteau, Christopher E. Holm, Benjamin L. Scheckel, Alain Olier
  • Patent number: 11136909
    Abstract: A head cover structure (45) for an internal combustion engine (1) comprises a head cover (4) connected to a cylinder head (3), and an auxiliary cover (44) connected to the head cover and defining a gas-liquid separation passage (74) jointly with the head cover, the gas-liquid separation passage being communicated with a crankcase chamber (11) of the internal combustion engine, and configured to separate lubricating oil from a crankcase gas drawn from the crankcase chamber, wherein the auxiliary cover is integrally formed with an intake pipe (49) internally defining a part of an intake passage (20) of the internal combustion engine, and the auxiliary cover internally defines a crankcase gas introduction passage (63) communicating the gas-liquid separation passage with an interior of the intake pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Taguchi, Kosuke Horisaki, Yoshitaka Hara, Hiroyuki Kojima
  • Patent number: 11105232
    Abstract: A fluid conduit allowing a fluid to flow therethrough is provided, which can increase airtightness by a partition wall without reducing the accuracy of a size or a shape of an orifice provided in the partition wall. A partition wall 10 of a fluid conduit 1 is formed by joining an upper-side partition wall portion 11 and a lower-side partition wall portion 12 by welding. The lower-side partition wall portion 12 includes a joint-side portion 13 and an orifice-side portion (a wall portion 31), and while providing a joint portion 19 to the upper-side partition wall portion 11 in the joint-side portion 13, the orifice 32 is provided in the orifice-side portion, so that the joint portion 19 and the orifice 32 are disposed in a position shifted from each other when viewed from a joint direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakaya
  • Patent number: 11059053
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator structure is configured for cleaning of crankcase gases from an internal combustion engine. The centrifugal separator structure includes a separator rotor configured for rotation about a centre axis arranged inside a stationary housing. The separator rotor includes an axle member configured for connection to a shaft of a driving device. A stack of separation discs is supported on the axle member. The axle member is un-journaled inside the stationary housing when the centrifugal separator structure is separate from the driving device. Further, an assembly includes the centrifugal separator structure and a driving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: ALFDEX AB
    Inventors: Thomas Eliasson, Peter Franzén, Torgny Lagerstedt
  • Patent number: 11047274
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine, an intake assembly, and an air-oil separator. The engine defines a combustion chamber and a crankcase. The intake assembly includes an intake manifold wherein the intake manifold is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. The air-oil separator defines an internal passageway having a separator volume and further defining an inlet and outlet in fluid communication with the separator volume. The inlet of the air-oil separator may be in fluid communication with the crankcase while the outlet of the air-oil separator may be in fluid communication with the intake manifold. The air-oil separator further includes a fine separator disposed across the internal passageway proximate to the inlet wherein the fine separator includes a curved backplate and a front plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Selvaganesh P, Omesh Reshi, Jonathan C. Laursen
  • Patent number: 10954833
    Abstract: An air cleaner includes: an air cleaner box defining a clean chamber that is placed rearward of a dirty chamber, the clean chamber receiving air which has been introduced from front into the dirty chamber and then filtered through an air cleaner element; and funnels that are to be connected to an intake port of an internal combustion engine, the funnels protruding upward into a space within the air cleaner box from a bottom wall of the air cleaner box. The air cleaner further includes a breather chamber into which blow-by gas is introduced from the internal combustion engine, the breather chamber being placed rearward of the funnels and between the funnels and a rear wall of the air cleaner box. Accordingly, the air cleaner can further promote the air-liquid separation of blow-by gas without incurring an increase in weight of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kontani, Takeji Kawazumi, Toshiaki Deguchi, Shinichi Kurita, Kensuke Mori
  • Patent number: 10946320
    Abstract: An oil separating device for separating an oil mist from a blow-by gas is arranged on a flow passage of the blow-by gas. The oil separating device includes an oil separator having an inlet formed at one end thereof and an outlet formed at another end thereof opposite to the one end; a collision wall arranged at a downstream side of the oil separator, and including an uneven portion formed on a surface thereof to face the outlet of the oil separator; and a filter arranged between the oil separator and collision wall. The oil separator is formed such that the oil mist in the blow-by gas coalesces together to form a coalesced oil mist, the filter removes the coalesced oil mist from the blow-by gas, and the collision wall separates a remained oil mist remained in the blow-by gas through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Garrett, Alex Inglis
  • Patent number: 10927730
    Abstract: Various example embodiments relate to rotating coalescers. One embodiment includes a housing comprising a first housing section having a blowby gas inlet structured to receive crankcase blowby gases from a crankcase. The housing further comprises an oil outlet. The rotating coalescer includes an endcap and filter media. The filter media is arranged in a cylindrical shape and is coupled to and positioned between the crankcase blowby gases passing through the filter media by coalescing and separating oils and aerosols contained in the crankcase blowby gases. The rotating coalescer includes a hollow shaft extending through the housing and positioned radially inside of the filter media. The hollow shaft forms a blowby gas outlet structured to route filtered crankcase blowby gases out of the housing. The rotating coalescer further includes a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Barreteau, Christopher E. Holm, Benjamin L. Scheckel, Alain Olier
  • Patent number: 10851691
    Abstract: A case for an oil mist separator comprises an inlet and an outlet through which blow-by gas flows, a separation section for separating oil mist contained in the blow-by gas, and an oil discharge section disposed at a bottom portion of the case. The oil discharge section includes a first discharge part having a first discharge hole for discharging the separated oil, and a second discharge part surrounding the first discharge hole. The second discharge part includes a reservoir for storing the oil discharged from the first discharge hole, and a second discharge hole provided at a bottom portion of the reservoir. The second discharge part further includes a passage providing fluid communication between the inside and the outside of the second discharge part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naritsune Miyanaga, Yoji Horiuchi, Hideto Morishita
  • Patent number: 10718242
    Abstract: The combination of a gas-pressure-driven pump jet nozzle or alternatively Coanda effect nozzle with an impactor nozzle(s) in an air-oil separator for separating oil from blow-by gasses from a crankcase of an internal combustion engine, or for separating liquid aerosol from gas, in general. Such combination enhances impaction efficiency and enables operation at higher pressure differentials (or pressure drop) (“dP”) without causing excessive backpressure in the air-oil separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Peter K. Herman, Christopher E. Holm, Arun Janakiraman
  • Patent number: 10711669
    Abstract: Various example embodiments relate to rotating coalescers. One embodiment includes a housing comprising a first housing section having a blowby gas inlet structured to receive crankcase blowby gases from a crankcase. The housing further comprises an oil outlet. The rotating coalescer includes an endcap and filter media. The filter media is arranged in a cylindrical shape and is coupled to and positioned between the first housing section and endcap. The filter media is structured to filter the crankcase blowby gases passing through the filter media by coalescing and separating oils and aerosols contained in the crankcase blowby gases. The rotating coalescer includes a hollow shaft extending through the housing and positioned radially inside of the filter media. The hollow shaft forms a blowby gas outlet structured to route filtered crankcase blowby gases out of the housing. The rotating coalescer further includes a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Barreteau, Christopher E. Holm, Benjamin L. Scheckel, Alain Olier
  • Patent number: 10677121
    Abstract: An oil and air separator includes a first housing including a central chamber therein, the central chamber divided into a first outer portion and a second inner portion by a barrier; a filter material disposed between the first outer portion and the second inner portion; a cap directly coupled to the first housing, the cap including a first lumen therethrough, the first lumen including a first end disposed at the second inner portion; an extension portion including a second lumen therethrough; and a coupler removably coupling the cap and the extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventor: Joe Mainiero
  • Patent number: 10641216
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure for preventing freezing of moisture contents within a blow-by gas in an intake manifold, capable of preventing the blow-by gas introduced into the manifold from freezing even under a low temperature environment. The structure includes a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) channel into which the blow-by gas is introduced, an insulating member having a first side and a second side that communicate with each other and inserted into the PCV channel, and a PCV nipple having a first end and a second end that communicate with each other and inserted into the insulating member to guide the blow-by gas. The insulating member includes an outer peripheral surface in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the PCV channel and an inner peripheral surface in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the PCV nipple to surround the peripheral surface of the PCV nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: HYUNDAI KEFICO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Min Ki Kim, Chan Karam Na, Hyung Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 10543436
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a canister housing closable by a lid and containing a removable and replaceable filter element cartridge. The lid is part of the filter element cartridge and a single unitary component therewith, such that removal of the filter element cartridge also removes the lid, and replacement of the filter element cartridge also replaces the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Gérard Malgorn, Arnaud Le Ven
  • Patent number: 10544719
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes: a cylinder having a combustion chamber formed at an upper side thereof and accommodating a piston to be reciprocally movable; a crankcase provided below the cylinder and accommodates a crankshaft; and a blow-by gas passageway recirculating blow-by gas, which leaks into the crankcase from the combustion chamber, to the combustion chamber through an intake system, in which an inner surface portion of the crankcase is provided with a blow-by gas intake part, and the blow-by gas intake part includes a protruding portion protruding in a direction in which the crankshaft extends, and the intake port opened in the protruding direction is formed at a tip end portion of the protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kawai, Yoichi Oyamada, Yoshiyuki Suzuki, Akihiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10533471
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder block includes a first blowby gas passage and a first oil return passage. The cylinder head includes a second blowby gas passage connecting the first blowby gas passage with a connection passage connected with a gas-liquid separator, an oil return chamber separated from a valve operating chamber and the second blowby gas passage by first and second partition walls, respectively, and provided with a first oil return hole connected with the gas-liquid separator, and a second oil return passage connecting the valve operating chamber with the first oil return passage. The first partition wall is formed with a second oil return hole connecting the oil return chamber with the valve operating chamber. The second partition wall is formed with a ventilation hole connecting the oil return chamber with the second blowby gas passage at a higher position than the second oil return hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukio Konishi, Kazushi Tada
  • Patent number: 10526941
    Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation gas diversion and reclamation system comprises a positive crankcase ventilation gas diversion line to divert oil laden positive crankcase ventilation gases from the air intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. A positive crankcase ventilation gas diversion line directs oil laden positive crankcase ventilation gases into a vapor headspace of a fuel tank. A pressure sensor measures a vapor pressure in a vapor headspace of a fuel tank, and a fuel tank vent valve is operative with a fuel tank vent line. A controller actuates the fuel tank vent valve into an open position and discharges fuel enriched vapor to the air intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. A method permits diverting positive crankcase ventilation gasses from the air intake manifold of an engine, and reclaiming oil laden fuel components and/or particulates from positive crankcase ventilation gasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Gilberto Mesa
  • Patent number: 10408100
    Abstract: An oil and air separator includes a first housing including a central chamber therein, the central chamber divided into a first outer portion and a second inner portion by a barrier; a filter material disposed between the first outer portion and the second inner portion; a cap directly coupled to the first housing, the cap including a first lumen therethrough, the first lumen including a first end disposed at the second inner portion; an extension portion including a second lumen therethrough; and a coupler removably coupling the cap and the extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventor: Joe Mainiero
  • Patent number: 10371026
    Abstract: An improved blow-by gas return structure minimizes the occurrence of a drawback caused by freezing at a low temperature by bringing a state where freezing minimally occurs in a blow-bay gas passage such as a pipe disposed outside an engine. The blow-by gas return structure is configured such that a blow-by gas is introduced into an intake manifold through an inner passage formed in a head cover. The blow-by gas return structure includes an outer pipe which connects a blow-by gas outlet of the head cover and a blow-by gas inlet of a main pipe of the intake manifold in a communicable manner, and a temperature elevating mechanism configured to elevate a temperature of the blow-by gas inlet. The temperature elevating mechanism is configured such that a cooling water transfer passage is formed in a portion of the blow-by gas inlet of the main pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: KUBOTA Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Tokunaga, Yusuke Tanimoto, Kazuya Hamada, Shinji Kishi, Yuzo Umeda
  • Patent number: 10337368
    Abstract: To provide an engine device with high reliability and high safety in which a pipe conduit in a portion where a blow-by gas having leaked from a combustion chamber is merged with intake air (outdoor air) is not blocked with ice coating even in use in a cold region, especially an arctic region at ?20° C. or less, a blow-by gas mixed joint configured to introduce a blow-by gas flowing in a returning hose to an intake pipe includes a blow-by gas guide plate that defines introduction space expanding upstream and downstream of a blow-by gas inlet in an intake direction of an intake passage. The blow-by gas guide plate closes an upstream end of a part of the introduction space expanding upstream of a blow-by gas inlet and opens a downstream end of a part of the introduction space expanding downward of the blow-by gas inlet in the intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Matsui, Kunihiko Habuchi, Takeshi Bandoh
  • Patent number: 10316714
    Abstract: A blow-by gas reduction device includes: a gas return pipe, one end of which is connected to an engine and the other end of which is connected to an intake pipe, to return a blow-by gas in the engine to an intake side; an oil separator that is connected to the gas return pipe; an oil return pipe that is connected to the oil separator and is disposed with an inclination so as to return the oil to an inside of the engine; and a check valve that is provided in the oil return pipe, wherein the oil return pipe between the oil separator and the check valve is formed such that that the oil return pipe located at the check valve side is located at a lower side everywhere as compared with the oil return pipe located at the oil separator side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Hideki Osada, Eiji Matsushima
  • Patent number: 10253663
    Abstract: To provide an engine device with high reliability and high safety in which a pipe conduit in a portion where a blow-by gas having leaked from a combustion chamber is merged with intake air (outdoor air) is not blocked with ice coating even in use in a cold region, especially an arctic region at ?20° C. or less, a blow-by gas mixed joint configured to introduce a blow-by gas flowing in a returning hose to an intake pipe includes a blow-by gas guide plate that defines introduction space expanding upstream and downstream of a blow-by gas inlet in an intake direction of an intake passage. The blow-by gas guide plate closes an upstream end of a part of the introduction space expanding upstream of a blow-by gas inlet and opens a downstream end of a part of the introduction space expanding downward of the blow-by gas inlet in the intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Matsui, Kunihiko Habuchi, Takeshi Bandoh
  • Patent number: 10196946
    Abstract: A check valve is described for a gas-carrying line in a motor vehicle, in particular for the venting of a crankcase, having a valve housing which has a valve seat, a valve disk which abuts against the valve seat in a closed position and an electric heating device for heating the valve housing, wherein the valve disk is integrally configured with a spring and fastening section that is fixed to the valve housing and generates a closing force that presses the valve disk against the valve seat, and wherein the valve housing has a metal body, which forms the valve seat and on its outside forms a thermal coupling surface, on which the electric heating device sits and which extends together with the electric heating device beyond the valve seat both in the flow direction and in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: EICHENAUER HEIZELEMENTE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Maas
  • Patent number: 10184370
    Abstract: An oil separation device of an internal combustion engine includes a gas liquid separation chamber defined by a head cover of the engine, a gas introduction passage connected to a first end of the gas liquid separation chamber at an angle to the first direction, a gas inlet formed in an end of the gas introduction passage remote from the gas liquid separation chamber, and a gas outlet formed in a second end of the gas liquid separation chamber. Oil splashed from a valve actuating chamber of the engine is prevented from entering the oil separation device, and oil mist can be effectively separated from blow by gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventors: Mayuka Odo, Masahiro Nakajima, Kazuhiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 10151225
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block defining a plurality of cylinders each receiving a piston. A crankcase extends from the engine block and supports a crankshaft drivingly connected to the pistons and including a chamber enclosed by a wall portion that defines a first blow-by flow passage and first and second drain passages therethrough. An oil sump mounted to the crankcase. A first oil separator is mounted to the wall of the crankcase in communication with the first blow-by flow passage and the first drain passage and defining a second blow-by flow passage therethrough and a third drain passage extending therethrough in communication with the second drain passage. A second oil separator mounted to the first oil separator in communication with the third drain passage and defining a third blow-by flow passage in communication with the second blow-by flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ko-Jen Wu, Jason C. Melecosky
  • Patent number: 10100791
    Abstract: A method and a system to eliminate the flow of accumulated liquid water from the intake manifold into the cylinders of an internal combustion engine are disclosed. Particularly, the disclosed inventive concept provides a negative draft to the top of a water containment feature in the form of opposed baffles. The baffles increase the minimum angle the water has to reach to overflow out of the intake manifold and into the cylinders. The angle required to overflow is a composition of gravity and the acceleration of the vehicle. If the maximum acceleration (and thus maximum water angle) is less than the designed negative draft overflow protection, there will not be expected overflow. The water containment reservoir includes two opposed side walls, a front wall, a back wall, and a base. Each side wall has an upper end. The baffle extends from the upper end of at least one side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Nola
  • Patent number: 10066523
    Abstract: A blow-by heater includes a tube member allowing a blow-by gas to flow through, and opening in a downstream side, and the tube member is formed such that a thickness of the downstream side decreases toward an opening end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Okazaki
  • Patent number: 10036290
    Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation valve for an engine is provided with a valve body defining apertures fluidly coupling a crankcase and an intake manifold of the engine, with each aperture sized to prevent an entrained oil droplet from flowing therethrough. The valve has a valve element supported by the body to selectively cover at least one of the apertures in response to a pressure difference between the manifold and the crankcase to provide variable air flow from the crankcase to the intake manifold. A method includes, in response to an increasing absolute pressure difference between the manifold and the crankcase, passively moving a valve element to selectively cover apertures fluidly coupling the crankcase and the manifold to control an air flow from the crankcase to the intake manifold to a predetermined variable flow profile, and separating oil droplets from the air flow via the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rishi Dwivedi, Katherine Jane Brewer