With Combustion Engine Patents (Class 374/144)
  • Patent number: 11780600
    Abstract: An electronic control system (30) for a turbopropeller engine (12) having a gas turbine (20) and a propeller assembly (13) coupled to the gas turbine (20), controls propeller operation based on a pilot input request, via generation of a driving quantity (Ip) for an actuation assembly (29) designed to adjust a pitch angle (?) of propeller blades (2) of the propeller assembly (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GE Avio S.r.l.
    Inventors: Pierpaolo Forte, Stefano Ettorre, Giuseppe Donini
  • Patent number: 11506643
    Abstract: A flame photometric detector for a process gas chromatograph is provided. The flame photometric detector includes a combustion chamber body defining a combustion chamber therein. A sample inlet tube is configured to introduce a process gas sample into the combustion chamber. An ignitor is configured to initiate combustion within the combustion chamber. A thermocouple assembly is configured to provide an indication of temperature within the combustion chamber. The sample tube has an end that is adjustable relative to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Zhang, Willis Watkins, Steven S. Black
  • Patent number: 11486344
    Abstract: An engine glow plug disconnection detection method may include: increasing, by a controller, temperature of a plurality of glow plugs by performing a rapid temperature increase mode when an engine start signal of a vehicle is recognized by the controller; determining whether the glow plugs are disconnected and the number of disconnections using an engine start early-stage voltage of the vehicle and a voltage of the vehicle when the rapid temperature increase mode is performed, by the controller; recognizing, by the controller, cylinders of an engine with at least a disconnected glow plug upon determining that one or more glow plugs are disconnected: and storing, by the controller, a number of disconnected glow plugs and information related to corresponding cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jeong Sang Oh, Jin Ho Kim, Jang Su Kim
  • Patent number: 11434830
    Abstract: A control system (50) for a turbopropeller engine (2) of an aircraft (1) having a gas turbine (11) and a propeller assembly (3) coupled to the gas turbine (11), the gas turbine (11) having a compressor (12) coupled to an air intake (13) and a temperature sensor (22) being arranged in the air intake (13) to measure the temperature of engine intake air and provide a sensed temperature (T1sens); the control system envisages: a compensation system (40) to receive the sensed temperature (T1sens) from the temperature sensor (22) and to add to the sensed temperature (T1sens) a compensation quantity (comp) to compensate for a delay introduced by the time constant (?) of the temperature sensor (22) and generate a compensated temperature (T1comp); and a control unit (20) to perform engine control operations based on the compensated temperature (T1comp).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: GE AVIO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Aniello Esposito, Giuseppe Donini
  • Patent number: 11396823
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a temperature of a gas turbine engine are described. The method comprises obtaining individual sensor readings from functioning temperature sensors of a sensor array, where a number of the functioning temperature sensors is less than a total number of temperature sensors in the sensor array; applying correction factors to the individual sensor readings of the functioning temperature sensors based on deviations of the individual sensor readings from a total average temperature of all the temperature sensors in the array, to obtain corrected individual sensor readings; and determining a corrected total average temperature as a sum of the corrected individual sensor readings divided by the number of functioning temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Martin Drolet, Melanie Brillant
  • Patent number: 11366034
    Abstract: In a pressure/temperature sensor, a sensor circuit is held by a holding member inside a tube that is fixed to a pipe, and an introduction portion is provided in the holding member at an inner side of the pipe with respect to the sensor circuit. The introduction portion includes a plurality of blades having blade surfaces extending along a protrusion direction of the introduction portion with respect to the sensor circuit. The plurality of blades are arranged radially on a surface perpendicular to the protrusion direction, and angles defined by the blade surfaces of the adjacent blades are all acute angles. Thus, regardless of the angle at which the blade is attached with respect to the flow direction of the measuring medium, an acute-angled portion of any adjacent blades is directed to the flow direction of the measuring medium. Therefore, a pressure loss of the measuring medium can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeru Kanazawa, Ryosuke Murayama, Yoichi Okui
  • Patent number: 11280291
    Abstract: A cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine is formed of cylindrical liner body having an interior cavity with a cylindrical inner surface, a sensor embedded in the cylindrical liner body and being configured for sensing a physical condition on the cylindrical inner surface, and a transmitter connected to the cylindrical liner body at a position remote from the sensor. A connecting wire connects the transmitter to the sensor, and is embedded in in the cylindrical liner body. The sensor is located in an upper portion of the cylindrical liner body and the transmitter is located directly below the sensor, such that the wire runs vertically. The transmitter can send information obtained by the sensor to a remote processor for calculating various operating states of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Yu Chen, Russ Wilkinson, Dave Kent
  • Patent number: 11203985
    Abstract: A combustor includes: a nozzle main body having a shaft body and a swirl vane; a first fuel flow path configured to supply fuel to a first fuel injection hole defined in the nozzle main body; a second fuel flow path configured to supply fuel to a second fuel injection hole defined in the nozzle main body on a radial outer side of the first fuel injection hole; a first regulating valve provided in the first fuel flow path and configured to regulate a flow rate of the fuel in the first fuel flow path; a temperature sensor-configured to detect a temperature on a downstream side of the swirl vane; and a control device configured to control the first regulating valve so that the flow rate of the fuel in the first fuel flow path is lowered when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor satisfies a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Tsunoda, Keijiro Saito, Kenji Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 11105698
    Abstract: A device for sensing pressure and temperature in a fluid environment includes a cover defining an interior. A thermistor tube is positioned at least partially within the interior, the thermistor tube extending substantially along a longitudinal axis. A port body is also positioned at least partially within the interior, the port body forming a channel which extends along the longitudinal axis for receiving a fluid from the fluid environment. A diaphragm is affixed within the port body. The diaphragm has a first surface exposed to the fluid within the channel and a second surface sealed from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Neil Petrarca, Edwin Vonk
  • Patent number: 10968781
    Abstract: A system includes a probe disposed through one or more walls of a turbomachine. The probe includes a sensing component configured to sense a parameter of the turbomachine. The probe also includes a body coupled to the sensing component, an inlet configured to receive a cooling inflow, a shell that defines a cooling passage, and an outlet. The sensing component is disposed on a warm side of the one or more walls. The inlet and the outlet are disposed on a cool side of the one or more walls. The cooling passage directs the cooling inflow toward the sensing component and toward the outlet. The outlet is configured to receive an outflow from the cooling passage, wherein the outflow includes at least a portion of the cooling inflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: General Electric Company, ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Srinivas Pakkala
  • Patent number: 10712757
    Abstract: A process controller is provided and includes at least one optical sensor. The optical sensor includes an optical source is configured to emit an electronic signal toward an object. The process controller further includes a control unit in communication with the at least one optical sensor, wherein the control unit controls a controlled device based on the electronic signal received by the at least one optical sensor. In another form, the optical sensor further includes an optical detector configured to receive the return electronic signal reflected by the object. A system for process control in an elevated radio frequency (RF) environment is also provided and includes a process controller having at least one optical sensor and a control unit in communication with the optical sensor. The optical sensor is disposed within the elevated RF environment and includes an optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William Bohlinger, John P. Bergen, Stanton Hopkins-Breitlow, James Hentges, Jason Houzenga, Gil Ramos, Kurt Peterson, Larry Walters, Daryl G. James
  • Patent number: 10711818
    Abstract: An enforced one-time snap connection system mounts a first component to a second component. The first component has a circumferentially extending groove formed into an exterior surface. The second component has an annular mounting adapter having an internal bore. An annular retainer is secured on an end of the second component at the internal bore, the annular retainer includes an axially extending annular portion having a radially inwardly projecting annular locking rib received into the circumferentially extending groove during installation of the first component into the second component such that the annular locking rib or locking tabs and/or the circumferentially extending groove are critically damaged or destroyed if the first component is removed from the second component, thereby preventing re-assembly and re-locking of the components together again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Henry Hulbert, Brad Olson, Jason Worrall
  • Patent number: 10613563
    Abstract: A regulator circuit supplies an output voltage VOUT to a load. A second transistor is arranged in parallel with a first transistor, and has a relatively small size. A feedback circuit generates a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal according to the output voltage VOUT. A first error amplifier controls the first transistor such that the first feedback signal approaches a first reference value. A second error amplifier controls the second transistor such that the second feedback signal approaches a second reference value. In a light-load state, the operation of the first error amplifier is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Yasusaka, Hiroki Inoue
  • Patent number: 10579744
    Abstract: Resetting a basic digital model includes a step of detecting a stable state of at least one first parameter of the model, the first parameter being representative of a signal delivered by a sensor; a step of obtaining a resetting parameter for the model, during the stable state of the first parameter as a function of the first parameter, of a second parameter of the model, and of the basic digital model; and a step of obtaining a reset model from the basic digital model and the resetting parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventor: Cedrik Djelassi
  • Patent number: 10513945
    Abstract: An annular air flow passage includes two radially internal and external annular walls. An element is elongated in a direction between the internal and external annular walls and a first of the internal or external ends of the element is fixed rigidly to a first of the internal or external walls. The center of gravity position of the element is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Safran Aircraft Engines
    Inventors: Jeremy Giordan, Florian Joseph Bernard Kockenpo, Stephane Rousselin
  • Patent number: 10421482
    Abstract: An electronic control unit includes: inverter circuits of first and second systems driving a multiphase motor with coil sets on a coil set basis; first and second phase potential detecting circuits detecting potentials of at least one phase of current supply paths from the inverter circuits to the coil set; and a diagnosis apparatus detecting a failure based on potentials detected by the first and second phase potential detecting circuits. Under condition that the inverter circuit of the first system turns ON the upper or lower arm switching element corresponding to one phase of the first coil set and turns OFF the other one so that the inverter circuit of the second system has a high-impedance output, when the potential detected by the second phase potential detecting circuit corresponds to an output potential of the inverter circuit of the first system, the diagnosis apparatus determines that a short-circuit failure occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonobu Koseki, Tomishige Yatsugi, Fumiya Iijima
  • Patent number: 10329921
    Abstract: A component includes at least one thermal riser that extends from an exterior surface of the component. At least one cooling passage extends through a wall and adjoins an interior cooling passage and provides an exterior surface. At least one cooling passage is configured to direct cooling fluid through the wall adjacent to at least one thermocouple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas N. Slavens, Carey Clum
  • Patent number: 10260398
    Abstract: An exhaust purification system includes; a catalyst provided in an exhaust passage of an engine to purify an exhaust gas; a catalyst temperature estimating unit that estimates a temperature of the catalyst based on an initial temperature of the catalyst at the time of starting of the engine and a caloric value of the catalyst which changes depending on an operating state of the internal combustion engine; and an initial catalyst temperature setting unit that sets an initial temperature of the catalyst based on a catalyst temperature stored immediately before stopping the engine, a temperature of an exhaust gas flowing into the catalyst which is stored immediately before stopping the engine, a temperature of an exhaust gas flowing into the catalyst which is acquired at the time of starting the engine, and a temperature of air taken into the engine which is acquired at the time of starting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Teruo Nakada, Takayuki Sakamoto, Daiji Nagaoka, Hiroyuki Yuza
  • Patent number: 10221745
    Abstract: An exhaust purification system includes; a catalyst provided in an exhaust passage of an engine to purify an exhaust gas; a catalyst temperature estimating unit that estimates a temperature of the catalyst based on an initial temperature of the catalyst at the time of starting of the engine and a caloric value of the catalyst which changes depending on an operating state of the internal combustion engine; and an initial catalyst temperature setting unit that sets an initial temperature of the catalyst based on a catalyst temperature stored immediately before stopping the engine, a temperature of an exhaust gas flowing into the catalyst which is stored immediately before stopping the engine, a temperature of an exhaust gas flowing into the catalyst which is acquired at the time of starting the engine, and a temperature of air taken into the engine which is acquired at the time of starting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventors: Teruo Nakada, Takayuki Sakamoto, Daiji Nagaoka, Hiroyuki Yuza
  • Patent number: 10031029
    Abstract: A method for determining a temperature of a gas flowing past a sensing element, the sensing element being situated in or on a housing. The method includes reading in a sensing element signal and a housing signal, the sensing element signal representing a temperature of the sensing element and the housing signal representing a temperature of the housing. The method also includes ascertaining the temperature of the gas using the sensing element signal, the housing signal and a thermal resistance of the housing as a function of a material and/or a shape of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Reischl, Andreas Kuehn
  • Patent number: 9989418
    Abstract: An arrangement to prevent thermocouple chafing with a guide tube within a rotor disc cavity during gas turbine operation is provided. The arrangement includes an interstage seal housing, a guide tube, and a thermocouple including a tip portion, an elongated portion, a head portion, and an antichafing strip. The guide tube is disposed in a radially extending bore of the interstage seal housing. The tip portion extends radially inward into the rotor disc cavity, the elongated portion is disposed at least partially within the guide tube, and the head portion is disposed radially outward of the casing. The tip portion includes a temperature sensing element which measures the temperature of the rotor disc cavity. The antichafing strip is disposed along the length of the elongated portion so that it is at least partially disposed within the guide tube. A method to prevent premature gas turbine shutdown due to thermocouople failure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Seyed N. Farhid
  • Patent number: 9841335
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting a temperature and a pressure of a fluid medium includes at least one housing, at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the fluid medium and at least one pressure sensor element for detecting the pressure of the fluid medium. An activation and/or evaluation circuit is situated in the housing. The activation and/or evaluation circuit is situated on a circuit carrier. The activation and/or evaluation circuit is connected to the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor element. The temperature sensor has at least one connecting line including a connecting section for connecting to the activation and/or evaluation circuit. The circuit carrier has one recess. The connecting section is angled toward the connecting lines. The connecting section protrudes through the recess for connecting to the activation and/or evaluation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventors: Falk Rueth, Alexander Lux
  • Patent number: 9777590
    Abstract: A vane intended to be mounted in a supply fluid pattern, includes a blade delimited in a lateral direction by an outer surface, the blade housing a data routing channel and having a groove leading to the outer surface and which communicates with the data routing channel, and data collecting means for collecting data on one of the outer surface of the blade and the vicinity thereof, the data collecting means being connected, through the groove, to the data routing channel, or extending there through. The data collecting means include one of an inserted tube and a cable, and the groove is formed in one of the outer surface opposite that whereto the inserted tube and the cable leads, and the blade that includes an orifice passing therethrough the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Gabrijel Radeljak, Sebastien Hameau, Antoine Jean Jausovec, Frederic Raymond Jean Miroudot, Mathilde Blandin, Marcel Bussard
  • Patent number: 9732672
    Abstract: A method of augmenting power output by a gas turbine engine includes channeling fuel into the gas turbine engine at a predetermined fuel flow rate to generate a first power output. Steam is then injected into the gas turbine engine at a first steam flow rate, and a firing temperature bias is determined based at least on the first steam flow rate. The predetermined fuel flow rate is then adjusted based on the determined firing temperature bias such that the gas turbine engine generates a second power output greater than the first power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Spencer Ewens, Michael Corey Mullen, Bhushan Meshram
  • Patent number: 9668404
    Abstract: A mower includes: a driver's seat provided to a vehicle frame. A transmission is arranged at least partially below the driver's seat. An engine arranged rearward of the transmission such that a bottom end of the engine is positioned higher than a bottom end of the transmission. An exhaust gas purification device is arranged rearward of the engine. An air cleaner is arranged forward of the exhaust gas purification device and above the engine. A radiator extends from an area between the transmission and the engine so as to project further upward than the air cleaner through an area between the driver's seat and the air cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Minoura, Kazuaki Nogami, Takahiro Shiraga, Hideya Umemoto, Seiya Yoshida, Hideki Aoki
  • Patent number: 9664116
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section mounted relative to an engine static structure. A module includes instrumentation that is mounted to the engine static structure. The module includes an energy harvesting power source that is configured to provide electricity to the instrumentation during engine operation and is independent of an external electrical power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce Hockaday, Thomas M. Ritter
  • Patent number: 9606009
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a first structure and a second structure disposed radially outwardly of the first structure. Also included is a sensor body extending through the first and second structures, the sensor body having first and second ends, the first end disposed proximate a first environment defined by the first structure and the second end located radially outwardly of the second structure. Further included is a first sealing assembly configured to operatively couple the sensor body to the second structure and to accommodate movement of the sensor body. Yet further included is a position sensor operatively coupled to the sensor body, the position sensor configured to determine a position of a target located within the first interior volume. Also included is at least one biasing member in contact with the target to bias the target into constant operative contact with the sensor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francis P. Marocchini, Gregory DiVincenzo, Mike R. Lyon, Raymond Surace
  • Patent number: 9606024
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a first structure and a second structure disposed radially outwardly of the first structure. Also included is a sensor body extending through the first and second structures, the sensor body having first and second ends, the second end disposed in an ambient environment. Further included is a sensor mounted to the sensor body proximate the second end, the sensor configured to detect a characteristic of a target disposed within the first structure. Yet further included is a first sealing assembly configured to operatively couple the sensor body to the second structure and to accommodate movement of the sensor body. The first sealing assembly includes a mounting body, a radial seal, a slider plate and a slider plate retainer disposed in a recess of the mounting body and in abutment with the slider plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francis P. Marocchini, Gregory DiVincenzo, Mark W. Colebrook, Mike R. Lyon
  • Patent number: 9562440
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a first structure and a second structure disposed radially outwardly of the first structure. Also included is a sensor body extending through the first and second structures, the sensor body having first and second ends, the first end disposed proximate a first environment and the second end located radially outwardly of the second structure. Further included is a first sealing assembly configured to operatively couple the sensor body to the second structure and to accommodate movement of the sensor body. Yet further included is a position sensor operatively coupled to the sensor body, the position sensor configured to determine a position of a target. Also included is a target surface having a reference portion and an inclined portion located adjacent the reference portion, wherein the position sensor is configured to detect the position of the target based on a distance differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francis P. Marocchini, Gregory DiVincenzo
  • Patent number: 9551632
    Abstract: A probe assembly for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The probe assembly may include a probe, and a fastener to retain the probe within a case of the gas turbine engine, the fastener including a sealing arrangement with a heat shield of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eli Cole Warren, Nicholas R. Leslie
  • Patent number: 9541465
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a first structure and a second structure disposed radially outwardly of the first structure. Also included is a sensor body extending through the first and second structures, the sensor body having first and second ends, the second end located radially outwardly of the second structure. Further included is a first sealing assembly configured to couple the sensor body to the second structure and to accommodate movement of the sensor body due to relative movement between the first and second structures. Yet further included is an interior cavity of the sensor body, a linear position sensor operatively coupled to the sensor body, and a rotary linkage assembly located within the interior cavity and coupled to a target. Also included is a rotary-to-linear interface disposed between the rotary linkage assembly and the sensor and configured to convert rotational motion of the rotary linkage assembly to linear motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francis P. Marocchini, Gregory DiVincenzo, Mike R. Lyon
  • Patent number: 9382829
    Abstract: A system for improving the fuel economy of a vehicle includes an engine configured to produce an initial exhaust gas, a first exhaust pipe connected to the engine, a start catalyst connected to the first exhaust pipe and a second exhaust pipe connected to the start catalyst. The system also includes a bypass exhaust pipe connected to the first exhaust pipe and the second exhaust pipe and a valve positioned at one end of the bypass exhaust pipe and configured to move between a closed position and an open position for directing the initial exhaust gas to the start catalyst and/or the bypass exhaust pipe. The system includes an electronic control unit that is used to control the first valve to be in the closed position or the open position based on an estimated temperature of the start catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel C. Ike
  • Patent number: 9243603
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using an engine laser ignition system to perform a visual inspection of an engine and diagnose various cylinder components and conditions based on engine positional measurements. Laser pulses may be emitted at a lower power level during an intake and/or exhaust stroke to illuminate a cylinder interior while a photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior. Additionally, laser pulses may be emitted at a higher power level to initiate cylinder combustion while the photodetector captures images of the cylinder interior using the light generated during cylinder combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 9243627
    Abstract: A method for regulating a compressor of a pressure supplying system. The compressor is switched on and off dependent on a threshold temperature of one or more components of the pressure supplying system, the threshold temperature being ascertained using a temperature calculating method. The respective threshold temperature is ascertained by correlating the reciprocal temperature dependence that exists as a result of heat transfer between adjacent components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Continetal Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Marek Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 9039277
    Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature sensor comprising: a temperature-sensitive element (3); and a peripheral casing (7) accommodating the temperature-sensitive element (3) and having a closed end (9), the peripheral casing (7) being able to be inserted into a corresponding cavity (11), characterized in that the closed end (9) of the peripheral casing (7) has a peripheral portion (21) revealing, butted against the closed end, a flexible assembly stop (23) after said peripheral portion (21), said stop (23) being able to deform towards the peripheral portion (21) by shape cooperation with the bottom (15) of the corresponding cavity (11). The subject of the invention is also a process for manufacturing a temperature sensor as described above and a method of assembling said sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SC2N
    Inventors: Dominique Le Bouquin, Jean-Pierre Robic
  • Patent number: 9032703
    Abstract: In a gas turbine engine that includes a compressor and a combustor, wherein the combustor includes a primary fuel injector within a fuel nozzle and a secondary fuel injector that is upstream of the fuel nozzle and configured to inject fuel into a flow annulus of the combustor, a method for detecting a flame holding condition about a fuel injector. The method may include the steps of: detecting an upstream pressure upstream of the secondary fuel injector; detecting a downstream pressure downstream of the secondary fuel injector; determining a measured pressure difference between the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure; and comparing the measured pressure difference to an expected pressure difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anthony Wayne Krull, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Garth Curtis Frederick, David Kaylor Toronto
  • Patent number: 9037387
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a means for performing a model calculation to calculate, as an exhaust temperature calculation value, the temperature of exhaust gas in an exhaust branch tube at the time of starting an engine, using a model representing the temperature behavior of the exhaust gas in the exhaust branch tube during stop of an engine; and an exhaust temperature actual measurement value output means for detecting the temperature of exhaust gas in the exhaust branch tube, and outputting the detected temperature as an exhaust temperature actual measurement value, wherein the model includes at least one parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruhiko Miyake
  • Publication number: 20150117490
    Abstract: A temperature sensing device includes a probe unit on a first end and a sensor unit on a second end opposite the first end. The first end is introduced into an environment to be measured, such as an exhaust gas line from a combustion engine, and the second end is positioned in a region outside of the environment such that the sensor unit is at least partially insulated from a temperature of the environment. The probe unit, exposed to the temperature of the environment, achieves a temperature that corresponds to the temperature of the environment. The sensor unit is operable to sense the temperature of the probe unit and generate a corresponding electrical signal usable to determine a sensed temperature of the environment. The temperature of the environment can be determined on a cycle-by-cycle basis, and is usable for implementing advanced combustion strategies such as HCCI and SACI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Ando Feyh, Gary O'Brien, Joel Oudart, Nikhil Ravi
  • Publication number: 20150110154
    Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a sensor body and a wedge extension. The sensor body extends from a sensor base to an opposed sensor tip along a longitudinal axis. The sensor body has a leading edge and opposed trailing edge. The sensor body also has an interior flow passage with an inlet for fluid communication of fluid into the interior flow passage and an outlet for exhausting fluid out from the interior flow passage. The wedge extension is on the sensor body between the sensor tip and the sensor base on the leading edge of the sensor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE INC.
    Inventors: Matthew J. T. Gmach, Robert E. Sable, John T. Otto, Scott Wigen
  • Patent number: 9004751
    Abstract: A fault diagnosis device conducts a fault diagnosis in a temperature sensor. At starting an internal combustion engine, a thermal equilibrium condition may be established and temperature deviations of temperatures detected by at least two reference temperature sensors from each other may be equal to or less than a predetermined value, with the temperatures detected by the reference temperature sensors being greatly deviated from one detected by a temperature sensor being diagnosed. In this case, if the temperatures detected by the reference temperature sensors do not drop by a predetermined temperature or more from starting the engine until a predetermined time elapses, the fault diagnosis device determines that the temperature sensor being diagnosed is faulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yamato Sakurada
  • Patent number: 8992081
    Abstract: A high temperature measurement probe comprises an elongate probe body having a measuring head which in use is located in a hot fluid flow. The probe further comprises a thermocouple extending along the interior of the probe body to terminate at a temperature-sensing thermocouple junction inside the measuring head. The probe body has internal passages for circulation of a coolant fluid therein. The measuring head contains a channel, one end of the channel forming an inlet for receiving hot fluid from the hot fluid flow and another end of the channel forming an outlet for discharging the hot fluid received at the inlet. Between the inlet and the outlet a section of the channel extends along the length direction of the probe body. The thermocouple runs along the section of the channel with the thermocouple junction proximate the upstream end of the section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Peter Ireland, Andrew Wilson, Steven Thorpe, Damian Martin
  • Patent number: 8967858
    Abstract: A method for monitoring at least two temperature sensors of a turbomachine that is aligned along a reference plane, the two temperature sensors being located in the same transverse plane of the turbomachine, the method including detecting the stoppage of the turbomachine; waiting for a period at least equal to a predetermined threshold period; measuring the temperature with each of the two temperature sensors; comparing the two temperatures measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Guilhem Foiret
  • Patent number: 8931950
    Abstract: In one aspect, provided herein is a single crystal silicon microcalorimeter, for example useful for high temperature operation and long-term stability of calorimetric measurements. Microcalorimeters described herein include microcalorimeter embodiments having a suspended structure and comprising single crystal silicon. Also provided herein are methods for making calorimetric measurements, for example, on small quantities of materials or for determining the energy content of combustible material having an unknown composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: William P. King, Jungchul Lee
  • Publication number: 20150000303
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section mounted relative to an engine static structure. A module includes instrumentation that is mounted to the engine static structure. The module includes an energy harvesting power source that is configured to provide electricity to the instrumentation during engine operation and is independent of an external electrical power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce Hockaday, Thomas M. Ritter
  • Patent number: 8864375
    Abstract: The temperature sensor 1 is equipped with a temperature sensitive device 2 to be disposed inside an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, signal lines 31 connected at a top end side to the temperature sensitive device 2 and at a rear end side to leads for connection with an external circuit, an inner member 18 having a sheath pin 3 in which the signal lines 31 are disposed, and an outer member 13 disposed to cover at least a portion of an outer periphery of the inner member 18. The outer member 13 includes a fixed portion (rib 6) to be fixed to an upper wall of the exhaust pipe, a retainer portion 132 retaining the inner member 18, and an extending portion 131 formed closer to a top end side than the retainer portion 132.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Abe, Tsunenobu Hori, Masatoshi Kuroyanagi
  • Publication number: 20140305393
    Abstract: An engine includes a cylinder head and a cylinder block connected to the cylinder head at an interface. A compression relief valve is substantially inset in the cylinder head of the engine. The compression relief valve is connected to an engine control module via a wire harness. The compression relief valve includes a body having a bore. Further, the compression relief valve includes a needle inset in the bore. The compression relief valve includes a compression relief valve sensor assembly disposed in at least one of the body or the needle. The compression relief valve sensor assembly is configured to generate a cylinder head temperature signal proportional to a cylinder head temperature at the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Seema Farooqui, LeBlanc Martin, Farhan Devani, Aaron G. Foege
  • Patent number: 8858074
    Abstract: A temperature probe includes a flange, a support structure, thermocouple wires, and guide plates. The flange has a midline. The support structure is attached to the midline and extends away from the flange. The thermocouple wires extend along the support structure, and terminate in a set of outer sensing tips and a set of inner sensing tips. The guide plates secure the thermocouple wires to the support structure. The guide plates are offset laterally from the midline of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Greenberg, Ryan Spence, William T. Kelly, Joseph DeLorme, Bobby J. McLarty
  • Patent number: 8858073
    Abstract: An exhaust gas temperature detection sensor is arranged at a predetermined position outside a muffler, or at a predetermined position outside an exhaust pipe constituting an exhaust gas flow passage on a more downstream side than the muffler in an exhaust direction. The sensor detects that an atmosphere temperature at the predetermined position outside the muffler has reached a predetermined temperature based on an increase in a temperature inside the muffler, or detects that an atmosphere temperature at the predetermined position outside the exhaust pipe has reached a predetermined temperature based on an increase in a temperature of an exhaust gas inside the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tada, Masato Asahara, Yoshihiro Ueda, Hideki Aoki, Akira Minoura
  • Patent number: 8801278
    Abstract: A sensor including a tube having a small-diameter portion loosely inserted into a tube insertion hole of an annular mounting fixture and a large-diameter portion having a diameter larger than an inside diameter of the tube insertion hole. A flow path is formed, so that when the large-diameter portion of the tube is locked on the rear end of the tube insertion hole, a rear end of a gap, defined between an inner circumferential surface of the tube insertion hole and an outer circumferential surface of the small-diameter portion of the tube, remains open. Further, the inner circumferential surface of the tube insertion hole and the outer circumferential surface of the small-diameter tubular portion of the tube are brazed together with a brazing filler which flows into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Mogari, Masamichi Ito, Satoshi Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20140222316
    Abstract: A control apparatus and a control method for an internal combustion engine in a vehicle in which a battery and the internal combustion engine are mounted estimate a temperature of the internal combustion engine based on battery voltage. The control apparatus estimates water temperature TWS, at the time of starting up the internal combustion engine, based on battery voltage VB before starting the startup of the internal combustion engine or minimum value VBmin of battery voltage VB during cranking. Then, the control apparatus controls a fuel injection amount and a valve timing based on water temperature TWS estimated based on battery voltage VB when a water temperature sensor has failed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi MURAI