Electrical System Patents (Class 123/90.11)
  • Patent number: 10601293
    Abstract: An electrical system including a linear motor in which energized forcer and thruster coils are used for the field and armature elements. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, one or more thruster coils may be provided on a shaft with opposing single or multiple fixed forcer coils. Using coils as the electromagnets for forcer and thruster coils advantageously provides necessary power while also minimizing system weight and decreases in magnetism typically encountered with permanent magnets with rising temperature, resulting in higher and more controllable magnetic forces over varying temperatures. Ferrous elements, such as a ferrous system housing and/or open ferrous containers for the thruster coils may be further included to advantageously focus the magnetic forces. Additionally, multiple forcer and thruster coils may be disposed in various arrangements along the shaft. Exemplary applications include use of such a system for controlling oscillations of a poppet valve in an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SentiMetal Journey, LLC
    Inventors: Richard H. Hutchins, Joseph Scott Rust
  • Patent number: 10563607
    Abstract: A method is described to control an actuation profile of an electromechanical linear actuator device of an internal combustion engine designed to control the movement of a component; the internal combustion engine comprises a sensor, which faces the actuator device and is designed to detect the noise generated by the movement of the component; the method comprises the steps of acquiring, by means of the sensor, the intensity of a signal generated by the impact of the component against a limit stop; identifying a first listening window of the signal associated with said impact; calculating a noise index inside the listening window; comparing the noise index with a reference value; and controlling the actuation profile of the actuator device based on this comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNETI MARELLI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo De Cesare, Enrico Brugnoni, Nicola Torcolini, Federico Monti
  • Patent number: 10563545
    Abstract: Some examples described herein may involve determining an advance timing window between the valve opening or closing and a designated time that the valve is scheduled to open or close; determining a closing velocity of the valve; monitoring an engine speed of the engine; determining valve lash information based on the advance timing window, the closing velocity, and the engine speed, wherein the valve lash information identifies a magnitude of the valve lash or whether the magnitude of the valve lash associated with the valve satisfies a threshold; and performing an action based on the valve lash information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yanchai Zhang, Zhaoxu Dong, Arun Rajendran, Yifeng Lu, Xuefei Hu, Lidi Chen, Rodney D. Harms
  • Patent number: 10522313
    Abstract: A reversing linear solenoid polarized in a permanent magnetic manner having a first and second end stroke position as well as at least one armature, wherein it has a spring system or is operated at such a spring system which exerts a force in the direction of the center stroke position on the armature or armatures in the end stroke position(s). The spring system and the reversing linear solenoid are coordinated with one another such that the armature or armatures are held in a permanent magnetic manner against the spring force in both end stroke positions. The spring system is configured such that the potential energy (elastically) stored by movement of the armature or armatures into its/their end stroke movements is of equal magnitude. If external restoring forces caused by the application are present, they must be taken into account in the design of the spring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: RHEFOR GBR
    Inventor: Arno Mecklenburg
  • Patent number: 10514068
    Abstract: A variable camshaft timing device adjusts phase between a camshaft and a crankshaft and includes a first ring gear configured to connect to the camshaft and rotate about a center axis, having a plurality of radially-inwardly facing gear teeth; a second ring gear axially spaced from the first ring gear, configured to receive rotational input from the crankshaft and rotate about the center axis, having a plurality of radially-inwardly facing gear teeth; a planetary gear assembly including one or more planet gears that are configured for rotation by an electric motor and engage the first ring gear and the second ring gear through the planet gear(s); and a cushioned stop configured to transmit energy between the planetary gear assembly and a planetary gear stop attached to a sprocket or a camshaft plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad McCloy, Daniel Brown, Shawn Blackmur
  • Patent number: 10502631
    Abstract: A semiconductor product comprising: a semiconductor substrate and a test structure, the test structure comprising: a thermopile and at least one temperature sensitive element, the at least one temperature sensitive element being located in the substrate, or between the substrate and the thermopile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: X-FAB SEMICONDUCTOR FOUNDRIES GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Hofmann, Kerst Griesbach, Monika Reinhold
  • Patent number: 10487702
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for adaptively controlling an engine system of a motor vehicle comprising the steps of evaluating the outputs from angular position sensors associated with inlet and exhaust camshafts of an engine of the engine system to establish whether differences between the currently measured positions and previously saved positions are the result of elongation of an endless drive used to drive the camshafts or due to some other reason. If it is confirmed that the differences are due to elongation of the endless drive then the measured values of angular position are used in the control of a number of engine functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Ustel, Mohammad Farid
  • Patent number: 10458566
    Abstract: A method for simulating malfunctioning solenoid valves is disclosed. A current flows through a solenoid valve in order to achieve opening and closing. The closing is forced after the current supplied to the solenoid valve is activated at an activation time, and the opening is forced after the current is deactivated. The current is applied with a charging current strength before activation for a charging phase, and after activation, the current is increased to peak current strength and subsequently reduced to a holding current strength. The current strength is reduced to a deactivation current strength, after which the current strength increases again. A variation of the value or duration of the current strength or an application of an additional magnetic force is used to simulate a premature activation, a delayed activation, a premature deactivation, or a delayed deactivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Piergiacomo Traversa, Gerulf Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10443514
    Abstract: The method for controlling valve timing for a turbo engine includes: classifying control regions depending on an engine speed and an engine load; applying a maximum duration to an intake valve and applying a long duration to an exhaust valve in a first control region; applying the maximum duration to the intake and applying the long duration to the exhaust valve in a second control region; applying the long duration to the exhaust valve and advancing an intake valve closing (IVC) timing in the third control region; applying a short duration to the exhaust valve and controlling the IVC timing in the fourth control region; controlling a wide open throttle valve (WOT) and applying the short duration to the exhaust valve in the fifth control region; controlling a WOT and controlling the IVC timing by applying the long duration to the exhaust valve in the sixth control region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: In Sang Ryu, Kyoung Pyo Ha, You Sang Son, Kiyoung Kwon
  • Patent number: 10436078
    Abstract: In a control device for an engine, the engine includes combustion chambers, ports connected to the combustion chambers, and valves that open and close areas between the combustion chambers and the ports. The control device includes an electronic control unit that is configured to execute an anti-freezing operation of performing control to fully close the valves or make the valves be in a state of being opened with a lift amount of 1 mm or more, in a case where temperatures around the valves are lowered to a predetermined temperature range after the engine is stopped, or in a case where an outside air temperature when the engine is stopped is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature range is a temperature range in which an upper limit value is lower than 10° C., and the predetermined temperature is lower than 5° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeki Miyashita
  • Patent number: 10408364
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve drive for actuating a valve, including a lifting element which shifts upon an actuation of the valve, and a displacement sensor by means of which the position of the lifting element can be detected, characterized in that the displacement sensor includes an elastically deformable dielectric film which is provided with at least two electrodes, the film being deformed by an adjustment of the lifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: BUERKERT WERKE GMBH
    Inventors: Manuel Kraft, Peter Krippner
  • Patent number: 10365124
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator (1) includes sensor magnets (21a, 21b) disposed correspondingly to plungers (11a, 11b), respectively. The electromagnetic actuator (1) further includes a sensor core (22) made of a magnetic material and disposed in a position through which magnetic fluxes from the plurality of sensor magnets (21a, 21b) can flow, and a magnetic sensor (23) that is disposed in a part of the sensor core (22) through which the magnetic fluxes of the plurality of sensor magnets (21a, 21b) can flow in common, and that detects the magnetic flux, which varies in accordance with respective positions of the plurality of plungers (11a, 11b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masafumi Sugawara, Toru Ogawa, Hideaki Arita, Shoji Ishikawa, Hitoshi Yoshizumi, Satoshi Tesen
  • Patent number: 10352253
    Abstract: A method of transitioning between two intake valve lift states while providing constant engine torque output comprehends the steps of receiving a lift change request from an engine control device, determining the current phase angles of the camshafts, and determining whether the intake and exhaust camshafts are at transition positions. The transition positions are experimentally or empirically determined combinations of operating conditions that result in constant engine torque output before and after the intake valve lift transition. If they are, an appropriate, i.e., low to high or high to low cam lift state transition of the intake valves occurs. If they are not, the cam phasers move the intake and exhaust camshafts to transition positions. When the cam phasers have moved the intake and exhaust camshafts to the transition positions, i.e., positions of constant engine torque output, the intake valve lift transitions from high to low or low to high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, David N. Hayden
  • Patent number: 10316777
    Abstract: A method for heating a sliding camshaft actuator at cold engine start wherein the sliding camshaft actuator includes at least one magnetic field generating coil having a core, a piston armature disposed in the core of the at least one magnetic field generating coil, a magnet in mechanical communication with the piston armature, and an actuator pin in mechanical communication with the magnet. The method includes detecting a cold engine start condition and reversing an energizing voltage on the at least one magnetic field generating coil when the outside temperature is below a predetermined temperature threshold. The reverse energizing voltage on the at least one magnetic field generating coil is maintained for a predetermined period of time to heat the piston armature, the magnet, and the actuator pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas R. Verner, Scot A Douglas
  • Patent number: 10301981
    Abstract: A method for retracting an extended pin of a sliding camshaft actuator wherein the actuator includes a magnetic field generating coil, a magnetic piston in connection with the extended pin operable to be actuated by the magnetic field generating coil, and a pin stop plate. The method comprises creating an air gap between the magnetic piston and the pin stop plate and reversing voltage on the magnetic field generating coil to retract the extended pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas R Verner, Scot A Douglas
  • Patent number: 10280861
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring a temperature of a coil wire of a solenoid valve are provides. An actuation signal has actuation intervals which follow one another is used in this case, wherein a start pulse, which causes an increase in current in the coil wire of the magnet coil and has a prespecified pulse duration, and a pulse sequence, which follows the start pulse and has a duty cycle, are provided in each actuation interval. The current intensity of the current flowing through the coil wire of the solenoid valve is measured at two different times during the increase in current, and the current gradient is subsequently calculated from the measured current intensities. A prespecified threshold value for the current gradient is then compared with the calculated current gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: CPT Group GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Krüger, Dmitriy Kogan, Andreas Bodensteiner
  • Patent number: 10273839
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine gas exchange valve actuator and is used to displace one or more internal combustion engine valves thereby improving the operation and extending the capabilities of the engine. The actuator includes a casing (2) attached to the engine head (1) and with a hollow cylinder (3) formed inside it and containing a reciprocating piston (6) with a piston rod. Provision is made in the casing (2) which is closed by a cap (4), for a loop for controlled charging and discharging of the pressurized fluid and for a solenoid valve with direct electromagnetic control. The solenoid valve is positioned above the piston (6) and is formed as a plunger (19) having a lower cylindrical widening with axial orifices (20) and an upper part with a central recess (22) and radial orifices (23) and (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: L.T.A.G. LTD
    Inventor: Lachezar Totev
  • Patent number: 10247054
    Abstract: An electromagnetic adjusting device having a first, second and third plug contacts for operating the adjusting device on an operating voltage source having a first and second voltage pole. The device can include an actuator coupled to the plug contacts. The actuator can have a magnet coil with a first terminal connected to the first plug contact, a second terminal connected to the second plug contact, where either the first or the second plug contact is connected to the first voltage pole. The magnet coil can also have a first transistor with a first control electrode connecting the first terminal to the third plug contact, a second transistor having a second control electrode connecting the second terminal to the third plug contact, a first resistor connecting the first control electrode to the second plug contact and a second resistor connecting the second control electrode to the first plug contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Kendrion (Villingen) GmbH
    Inventors: Tsuneo Suzuki, Harald Burkart, Wolfram Maiwald
  • Patent number: 10215106
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting exhaust valve timing of an engine are described. In one example, exhaust valve timing of a compression ignition engine is adjusted responsive to a difference between a commanded exhaust valve opening timing and an actual exhaust valve opening timing, the actual exhaust valve opening timing determined from cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Patent number: 10177685
    Abstract: Disclosed examples include switching power converters, control methods and ripple filter circuits in which first and second switches are connected in series across first and second DC bus nodes, with an inductor connected to a switching node joining the first and second switches and a storage capacitor between the inductor and the second DC bus node. A control circuit operates the switches to alternately transfer ripple energy from a DC bus capacitor of the DC bus circuit through the inductor to the storage capacitor, and then to transfer ripple energy from the storage capacitor through the inductor to the DC bus capacitor to regulate the ripple voltage of the DC bus circuit, and the control circuit provides hysteretic control of the absolute value of the inductor current between a first value and a higher second value during transfer of ripple energy between the DC bus capacitor and the storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Bin Gu, Michael Douglas Seeman
  • Patent number: 10170258
    Abstract: A method is for controlling a change of an electromechanical component between a first operating state and a second operating state. The method may include changing from the first operating state to the second operating state by generating a first current flowing through the electromechanical component, prior to the generation of the first current, charging a capacitor, and simultaneously with the generation of the first current, partial discharging the capacitor through the electromechanical component to cause an additional current to flow in the electromechanical component, the additional current being added to the first current. The method may include changing from the second operating state to the first operating state by generating a second current flowing in a direction opposite to the first current in the electromechanical component, and prior to the flowing of the second current, discharging the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Patrick Fulcheri
  • Patent number: 10141146
    Abstract: A switch comprises a first elastic element, an actuator-element mechanically coupled to a first side of the first elastic element, and a first switching conductor, mechanically coupled to a second side of the first elastic element. The switching conductor is configured for moving between a first conductor position and a second conductor position. The actuator-element is configured from moving between a first actuator-element position and a second actuator-element position separated by a predefined actuator-element lift, thereby moving the first side of the first elastic element. The first elastic element moreover is configured for converting a movement of the first side of the first elastic element by the predefined actuator-element lift into the movement of the second side of the first elastic element with a predefined elastic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Sterns, Markus Leipold, Sebastian Sedlmeier, Markus Freudenreich, Matthias Freudenreich, Thomas Will
  • Patent number: 10119429
    Abstract: A linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) for monitoring engine valve position is disclosed. The system includes a valve guide having an elongated recess through it. The engine valve has a valve head and a valve stem with two adjacent materials having different magnetic properties meeting at an interface. The valve stem fits and moves linearly within the valve guide, and the valve head closes an engine combustion chamber. It also includes monitoring coils within the valve guide that create a signal related to the position of the interface within the valve guide. An engine control unit (ECU) is coupled to the monitoring coils and receives and analyzes the signal from the monitoring coils to determine operation of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas John Nielsen, Mark William Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 10119435
    Abstract: A combustion engine includes, a cylinder head including a controllable first engine valve arranged to selectively open/close a combustion chamber included in the combustion engine, a first valve actuator operatively connected to the first engine valve, which first valve actuator includes at least one inlet opening for pressure fluid and at least one outlet opening for pressure fluid, and a closed pressure fluid circuit, wherein the first valve actuator is arranged in the closed pressure fluid circuit. The combustion engine further includes a cylinder head chamber that forms part of the closed pressure fluid circuit and that is delimited by the cylinder head and at least a first cylinder head mantle, wherein the at least one outlet opening of the first valve actuator is in fluid communication with the cylinder head chamber. A mantle assembly for a cylinder head of a combustion engine is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Freevalve AB
    Inventors: Anders Hoglund, Urban Carlson, Christian Von Koenigsegg
  • Patent number: 10100729
    Abstract: A valve system includes a valve, a valve controller, and a heat exchanger. The valve is configured to open and close a control device in response to a working fluid. The controller controls the flow of the working fluid to and from the valve. The heat exchanger is mounted between the valve and the valve controller. The heat exchanger receives the working fluid from the valve, cools the working fluid using a cooling stream, and delivers cooled working fluid to the valve controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Scott W. Simpson, Richard R. Phillips
  • Patent number: 10094302
    Abstract: A hydraulic camshaft adjuster for changing the control times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, designed as a vane cell camshaft adjuster. A control device inserted in the vane selectively opens and interrupts a flow connection between the working chambers. A locking device prevents relative motion between the rotor and the stator in that the rotor is fastened to the stator at a vane position. A switching valve, which has three working ports, a P port and a T port, can be moved into different control positions by an adjusting element,—wherein in the control position, the P port communicates with the working chambers via the A port, the B port is blocked at the switching valve, and the T port communicates with the control device of the vanes via the C port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Busse
  • Patent number: 10082220
    Abstract: The pole geometry of an electromagnetic switch valve includes a cylindrical well on the pole member, which is penetrated by a cylindrical pin on the magnetic armature. This obtains a magnetic force-stroke curve that first extends proportionally starting out from the initial position of the magnetic armature and then rises progressively until the magnetic armature reaches the end position. Continuously increasing the energizing of the magnetic drive upon shifting of the magnetic armature from its initial position into its end position enables the noise formation upon the closing process of the valve to be reduced. Accordingly, the noise formation upon the opening process of the valve can be reduced when the energizing of the magnetic coil is reduced not abruptly but continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Rausch & Pausch GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Schlick, Sebastian Clauβ, Johannes Stock, Julius Hudec
  • Patent number: 10066520
    Abstract: A valve opening and closing timing control apparatus includes a drive-side rotational member, a driven-side rotational member, an intermediate member abutting the driven-side rotational member, a mounting member connecting the driven-side rotational member and the intermediate member to the camshaft in a state being mounted at the camshaft, and a control valve mechanism arranged with a same axis as a rotation axis of the drive-side rotational member. The intermediate member includes an inner peripheral surface in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mounting member. The flow passage includes an outlet flow passage provided at the intermediate member and positioned along a radial direction for sending out a fluid which is supplied to an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate member to an advanced angle chamber or a retarded angle chamber provided between the drive-side rotational member and the driven-side rotational member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Noguchi, Takeo Asahi
  • Patent number: 10047684
    Abstract: A method for controlling valve timing is provided for an engine including continuous variable duration (CVVD) device disposed on both intake valve and exhaust valve sides respectively. The method may include: classifying control regions into first, second, third, fourth, and fifth control regions based on engine load and speed; applying a maximum duration to an intake valve and controlling a valve overlap in a first control region, applying the maximum duration to the intake valve and exhaust valve in the second control region; controlling a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of an intake manifold to be maintained consistently in the third control region; controlling a throttle valve to be fully opened, advancing an intake valve closing (IVC) timing, and controlling an exhaust valve closing (EVC) timing to after top dead center in the fourth control region; and controlling a wide open throttle valve (WOT) and retarding the intake valve closing in the fifth control region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: In Sang Ryu, Kyoung Pyo Ha, You Sang Son, Kiyoung Kwon
  • Patent number: 10047642
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved system of electro-mechanical hydraulic valve lifters for piston engine automobiles that increases fuel economy and reduces fuel emissions. The electro-mechanical hydraulic valve lifters enclose a magnetorheological fluid chamber, containing magnetorheological fluid. A control module manages voltage sent to the magnetorheological fluid in the magnetorheological fluid chamber. The control module introduces various amounts of magnetic flux to the magnetorheological fluid in the magnetorheological fluid chamber. The magnetorheological fluid's viscosity changes based on the amount of magnetic flux applied to it from the electromagnets and, along with the magnetorheological fluid chamber spring, controls how much an intake and exhaust port of the spark plug engine opens to control the amount of fuel used and exhaust let out of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventor: Christian Smith
  • Patent number: 10024244
    Abstract: A method for controlling valve timing of continuous variable valve duration engine may include continuous variable valve duration (CVVD) device and continuous variable valve timing (CVVT) device including determining target intake valve open (IVO) timing, target intake valve close (IVC) timing, target exhaust valve open (EVO) timing and target exhaust valve close (EVC) timing; determining target intake CVVD, target exhaust CVVD, target intake CVVT and target exhaust CVVT to satisfy the target IVO, IVC, EVO, and EVC timings; performing feedback control of the CVVD by learning minimum value of the CVVD and maximum value of the CVVD; performing feedback control of the CVVT based on profile information of the valve; and determining real IVO timing, real IVC timing, real EVO timing, and real EVC timing based on the feedback control of the CVVD and the feedback control of the CVVT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: In Sang Ryu, Ingee Suh, Kyoung Pyo Ha, Back Sik Kim, Kiyoung Kwon
  • Patent number: 10018073
    Abstract: There is proposed a method for controlling a bistable shutoff vale for an aircraft engine, involving the steps of: emitting a closure signal on one of the control channels—emitting an open signal on the other control channel, the method being characterized in that—the amplitude of the close signal is designed to cause the vane to move into a first position constantly in a given period of time,—in the same period, the amplitude of the open signal fluctuates between a value designed to urge the valve toward a second position and a rest value, the actuating values of the two signals being adapted to one another in order to keep the vane immobile when the two signals received by the valve simultaneously adopt said actuation values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventor: Irene Bujon
  • Patent number: 10006378
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and a method for controlling valve timing of a continuous variable valve duration engine. The method may include: classifying a plurality of control regions depending on an engine speed and an engine load; applying a maximum duration to an intake valve and controlling a valve overlap between the intake valve and an exhaust valve in a first control region; maintaining the maximum duration of the intake valve and applying a maximum duration to the exhaust valve in a second control region; maintaining a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) at a predetermined pressure in a third control region; controlling a throttle valve to be fully opened and generating the valve overlap in a fourth control region; and controlling the throttle valve to be fully opened and controlling intake valve closing (IVC) timing according to the engine speed in a fifth control region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: In Sang Ryu, Kyoung Pyo Ha, You Sang Son, Kiyoung Kwon
  • Patent number: 9988989
    Abstract: A method for controlling valve timing is provided for an engine including a continuous variable valve duration device disposed on an intake valve side, and a continuous variable valve duration device and continuous variable valve timing device disposed on an exhaust valve side. The method includes: classifying first, second, third, fourth, and fifth control regions depending on an engine speed and an engine load; applying a maximum duration to an intake valve and controlling a valve overlap in the first control region; applying the maximum duration to the intake valve and exhaust valve in the second control region; controlling a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of an intake manifold to be maintained consistently in the third control region; controlling a wide open throttle valve (WOT) and retarding an exhaust valve opening (EVO) timing in the fourth control region; and controlling the WOT and retarding an intake valve closing (IVC) timing in the fifth control region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: In Sang Ryu, Kyoung Pyo Ha, You Sang Son, Kiyoung Kwon
  • Patent number: 9909512
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a controller that executes catalyst warm-up control for warming up a catalyst, including first control that operates an internal combustion engine at a first operating point, and second control, after executing the first control, that operates the engine at a second operating point irrespective of driving force required to propel the vehicle. Engine output at the second point is larger than engine output at the first point. Ignition timing of the engine at the time when the first control is executed is controlled to a retarded side with respect to an ignition timing of the engine at the time when the second control is executed. When the second control is executed, at least one of a valve lift of an intake valve and a valve operating angle of the intake valve increases as charging of an electrical storage device is more limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Asami, Toshikazu Kato, Ryuta Teraya
  • Patent number: 9903280
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a control valve including a control valve body having an inlet passage, an outlet passage, a workport, and a chamber arranged in a fluid path between the workport and the outlet passage. The control valve further includes an annular poppet slidably received within the chamber and to selectively engage a poppet seat to inhibit fluid flow through the fluid path when a pressure in the fluid path is less than a predefined pressure level, and a valve element slidably received within the control valve body to selectively provide fluid communication between the inlet passage and the workport and selectively provide fluid communication between the workport and the outlet passage along the fluid path. The poppet is biased towards the poppet seat by an elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: HUSCO Automotive Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Michael Layne
  • Patent number: 9890668
    Abstract: A method for detecting malfunction of a fastening bolt in a continuous variable valve timing (CVVT) includes: deciding whether a camshaft position sensor is operating normally; learning the most retarded angle position of the camshaft using the camshaft position sensor; deciding whether the learning of the most retarded angle position of the camshaft is normal; and comparing a PWM duty value used in the learning with a set first reference value when the learning of the most retarded angle position of the camshaft is normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seung Bum Kim
  • Patent number: 9768663
    Abstract: A rotary electromagnetic actuator is provided which is suitable for opening and closing a valve for example. The actuator comprises a rotor, a stator, and a biasing arrangement for applying a torque to the rotor during at least part of its rotation. A plurality of stable rest positions for the rotor are defined by forces acting on the rotor and the actuator is controllable to move the rotor from one stable rest position to another. The torque applied by the biasing arrangement varies with the rotational position of the rotor such that at a primary rest position and at least a second rest position, it is sufficiently low to enable selection of those positions, and then it increases beyond the second rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Camcon Auto Limited
    Inventor: Wladyslaw Wygnanski
  • Patent number: 9765659
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing an electromagnetic actuator of a sliding cam valve drive of an internal combustion engine. An actuator pin is released by electrical energizing of the actuator and is introduced into a groove-like sliding slot which passes through a cylindrical slot section of the associated sliding cam-and ends in a slope onto the cylindrical circumference of the slot section. The method includes: energizing the actuator using current parameters of a variable actuator characteristic map so that the actuator pin is released when the cylindrical circumference overlaps the actuator pin circumferentially; determining whether the released actuator pin generates a rejection signal due to the slope from the sliding slot onto the cylindrical circumference; if no rejection signal is detected, repeating step a) whereas at least one current parameter is changed and step b); updating the actuator characteristic map with the changed current parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Walther, Arne Manteufel
  • Patent number: 9752469
    Abstract: A sliding cam actuator for a sliding cam system, including a housing defining a housing interior, and at least one coil former having a winding for generating a magnetic force when current flows, further including a moving pin or control pin extendable out of the housing by the magnetic force or a spring force and designed to dip into a displacement groove of a sliding can. A sealing element sealing off the interior of the housing from the outside is arranged between a component fixed to the housing and a component fixed to the moving pin. A sliding cam system including at least one camshaft, on which at least one sliding cam having a displacement groove is arranged such that the sliding cam can be displaced but is fixed against rotation, and into which sliding cam a moving pin of a sliding cam engages is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Steigerwald, Jens Hoppe
  • Patent number: 9739229
    Abstract: The system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a stationary coil linear motor to drive a valve with a stem comprising a ferromagnetic property. The linear motor moves the valve in response to control governed by an electronic valve control computer. The valve is movable between a closed position at a selectable rate of both acceleration and speed for a selectable distance (“lift”) to a second selectable open position, including all position variations between the fully open and fully closed states. Valve position, velocity and acceleration can be varied both during a valve stroke and from one stroke to the next, as controlled by the logic programmed on a non-transitive memory of the electronic valve control computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SentiMetal Journey LLC
    Inventors: Richard H. Hutchins, Michael E. Edmonds
  • Patent number: 9739211
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an intake variable lift amount mechanism that changes a maximum lift amount and valve-open period of an intake valve, and an exhaust variable lift amount mechanism that changes a maximum lift amount and valve-open period of an exhaust valve. A control unit executes a process to increase the valve-open period of the intake valve and reduce the valve-open period of the exhaust valve, when idling with a temperature of the internal combustion engine that is equal to or higher than a reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9719608
    Abstract: An actuator for a valve in an internal combustion engine includes an actuator housing, an electromagnet arranged in the actuator housing, the electromagnet comprising a yoke plate arranged at an axial end of the actuator housing, at least one clamping plate, and a sealing ring arranged at an axial side of the yoke plate facing the electromagnet. The sealing ring is pressed axially towards the yoke plate via the at least one clamping plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: PIERBURG GMBH
    Inventors: Berthold Herrmann, Bjoern Jonas Ozdyk, Holger Paffrath, Halim Celik
  • Patent number: 9714574
    Abstract: A rotatory internal combustion engine includes a power module, a housing configured to retain the power module and including an intake and an exhaust, and a first sleeve including a sleeve intake, a sleeve exhaust, and an injector port. The first sleeve is removably coupleable within the housing to form an intake flow path between the housing intake and the sleeve intake, and an exhaust flow path between the housing exhaust and the sleeve exhaust. The first sleeve is interchangeable with a second sleeve that has at least one of a sleeve intake, a sleeve exhaust, and an injector port different than the corresponding sleeve intake, sleeve exhaust, and injector port of the first sleeve, and that is configured to modify at least one of a torque output of the engine, a power output of the engine, and a fuel timing of the engine, compared to the first sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GoTek Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Lee Herbruck, Bradley Scott Farrenkopf
  • Patent number: 9708940
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft rotatable about a crankshaft axis; a camshaft rotatable by the crankshaft about a camshaft axis; an engine cover defining an engine cover volume within the internal combustion engine; a drive member disposed within the engine cover volume which transfers rotational motion from the crankshaft to the camshaft; a camshaft phaser disposed within the engine cover volume which controllably varies the phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft; an actuator which operates the camshaft phaser; and an actuator mount within the engine cover volume which mounts the actuator structurally independent of the engine cover, thereby allowing removal of the engine cover independently of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Pascal David, Pierre Kimus, Sebastien Mafrica
  • Patent number: 9702278
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuating apparatus with two armature means which are designed to exert an actuating force on two tappet units which are extended in the longitudinal direction along a longitudinal movement axis and are guided such that they can be moved in a parallel manner in a common guide section of a housing which accommodates the armature means, wherein the tappet units each have an engagement end which is designed to interact with an actuating groove in a motor vehicle motor adjustment system and projects from the guide section at least in an engaged state, and the common guide section forms a guide end surface in which guide openings associated with the two tappet units, are open, wherein a connecting path which runs through center axes of the only two guide openings in the guide end surface forms an offset (v) from a surface center point of the guide end surface and/or from a surface center point of a housing end surface of the housing, wherein the surface center point lies on a perpendicular bisec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: ETO Magnetic GmbH
    Inventors: Maria Gruener, Timo Rigling
  • Patent number: 9702279
    Abstract: A system for controlling variable valve actuation in an automobile engine. A first cam has a first lift profile and a second cam has a second lift profile. A rocker arm assembly engages the cams having a first arm for riding on the first cam, and a second arm for riding on the second cam. The second arm has an activatable latch capable of securing the second arm to the first arm when latched. When the first arm is secured to the second arm, the rocker arm assembly achieves a first lift profile and when the first arm is not secured to the second arm, the rocker arm assembly achieves a second lift profile. A non-contact sensor mounted adjacent the rocker arm assembly is adapted to monitor and create data indicative of whether the first arm is secured to the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, David Gerard Genise, Brian Karl VanDeusen, James E. McCarthy, Jr., Douglas John Nielsen, Mark William Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 9694641
    Abstract: In an electric power generating apparatus using a suspension device according to an embodiment of the present invention, provided is a valve structure for partially disconnecting a suspension device (or a damper) from an energy recovery device (or a turbine unit) when a vehicle is driving on an under-construction road or an unpaved road from which a large bump is expected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung Ryul Park
  • Patent number: 9657611
    Abstract: Methods are provided for improved control of valve activation/deactivation mechanisms. One example method comprises, adjusting an electromechanical actuator to actuate cylinder valve deactivation/activation mechanisms. The actuator is operated at multiple levels based on engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Eric Rollinger, Danny Zdravkovski, Karen Willard
  • Patent number: 9617878
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes a camshaft phaser input member connectable to a crankshaft; a camshaft phaser output member connectable to a camshaft; an intermediate member rotatable relative to the camshaft phaser input member such that rotation of the intermediate member relative to the camshaft phaser input member causes the camshaft phaser output member to rotate relative to the camshaft phaser input member; and a rotational actuator configured to selectively rotate the intermediate member relative to the camshaft phaser input member, the rotational actuator comprising. The rotational actuator includes a compound planetary gear set having an input planetary gear set driven by the camshaft phaser input member and an output planetary gear set driven by the input planetary gear set; and an adjusting actuator connected to the compound planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl J. Haltiner, Jr.