Having Disconnect Means Between A Motor And The Output Patents (Class 60/718)
  • Patent number: 12162611
    Abstract: An aircraft propulsion system comprises a gas turbine engine arranged to provide propulsive thrust and a fuel cell system having an air input port, the aircraft propulsion system being configured such that air from a compressor of the gas turbine engine is provided to the air input port during operation of the aircraft propulsion system. The fuel cell system is able to provide appreciable electrical power at altitude without the need for a dedicated compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Philip D. Butler
  • Patent number: 12077108
    Abstract: A wire harness for routing in a vehicle in which an exhaust pipe through which exhaust gas flows is attached under a floor, the wire harness including: a first wire to be routed alongside the exhaust pipe; and a second wire to be routed on an opposite side of the first wire to the exhaust pipe, wherein the first wire has: a conductor and an insulation coating covering an outer periphery of the conductor; and a metal tube housing the conductor and the insulation coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Tanaka, Naoki Seto
  • Patent number: 11427080
    Abstract: A power transmission device of a four-wheel drive electrically driven vehicle comprises a transverse engine that is supported on one right side surface of two side surfaces of the gear case, and a motor that is supported on the other left side surface of the two side surfaces of the gear case. The power transmission device includes a transfer case that is supported by a gear case and the distributes power from a power source between the left and right front wheels and the left and right rear wheels. The transfer case wraps around from the side surface to a rear surface of the gear case, as seen from above, and outputs power to the left and right rear wheels from the rear surface side of the gear case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 11081757
    Abstract: According to embodiments, a battery includes: a rectangular box-shaped battery case, an inner portion of which is sealed; a battery module housed in the battery case and being an aggregation of a plurality of battery cells; and a tubular heat resistant sheet arranged between the battery case and the battery module in a state of covering an entire side surface of an inner wall surface of the battery case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takaya Ogawa, Keitaro Hino, Tadashi Fujisawa, Shinya Aikawa, Hiroaki Asai, Tomonori Ezoe, Seiji Ito
  • Patent number: 9887440
    Abstract: An electricity storage block includes: an element stacked body in which a plurality of square electricity storage elements is stacked and arranged such that wide surfaces of the adjacent square electricity storage elements are opposed to each other; and a pressing device that presses the element stacked body toward the thermally-conductive sheet arranged on the heat transfer plate. The element stacked body includes holders having wide surface abutment parts in abutment with one of the wide surfaces in a pair in at least the predetermined square electricity storage element. The outer surfaces of the bottom plates of the square electricity storage elements are set as heat transfer surfaces thermally connected to the heat transfer plate via the thermally-conductive sheet. The heat-transfer surfaces protrude toward the heat transfer plate more than the end surfaces of the wide surface abutment parts at the heat transfer plate side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Kubota, Akira Sato, Kazunori Ojima, Sadayuki Aoki
  • Patent number: 9677651
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a telescoping sleeve (100). The telescoping sleeve (100) includes an inner sleeve (110), an intermediate sleeve (120) sheathing the inner sleeve (110) and an outer sleeve (130) sheathing the intermediate sleeve (120). A base (200) connected to the intermediate sleeve (120); a motor (300) arranged on the base (200); a reduction worm gear (400) pivoted on the base (200) and driven by the motor; a rotor worm (500) pivoted on the base (200) and engaged with the reduction worm gear (400); a rotor worm gear (800) pivoted on the base (200); a stator worm (700) inserted in the rotor worm gear (800) and connected to the outer sleeve (130); and a stator nut (900) connected to the inner sleeve (110) and engaged with the rotor worm (500) are arranged in the telescoping sleeve (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TIMOTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chou-Hsin Wu
  • Patent number: 8959918
    Abstract: A hybrid construction machine has an electric motor for driving the swing structure, and the electric motor is prevented from becoming incapable of generating torque due to a low energy state or an overcharged state of an electricity storage device. A swing-mode selector switch 77 which is manually operated switches between a hydraulic/electric combined swing mode for driving the swing structure by driving both the electric motor and a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic solo swing mode for driving the swing structure by driving only the hydraulic motor. For a normal operation, the swing mode is initially set in the hydraulic/electric combined swing mode. For a specific operation, the operator switches the swing-mode selector switch from a hydraulic/electric combined swing position to a hydraulic solo swing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nishikawa, Takenori Hiroki, Kouji Ishikawa, Manabu Edamura, Hidetoshi Satake, Takatoshi Ooki
  • Publication number: 20140260255
    Abstract: A ship includes: a high-pressure injection engine using fuel gas as fuel to obtain a propulsion power of the ship; a generator engine using fuel gas as fuel to generate electricity; a motor generating a power by using the electricity generated from the generator engine; a propulsion propelling the ship; a main clutch connecting the high-pressure injection engine to the propulsion; an auxiliary clutch connecting the gear box to the propulsion; and a gear box disposed in a front side of the propulsion and power-connected to the main clutch and the auxiliary clutch. The high-pressure injection engine and the motor are selectively power-connected to the propulsion to obtain the propulsion power of the ship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Kwang Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Jung Han Lee
  • Publication number: 20140102104
    Abstract: A marine propulsion and power supply for maritime vessels that includes an arrangement of modules that can be internal combustion engines, regenerative electric motors, engine generators, turbine generators and/or battery banks. These components can be arranged in such a way as to work together to increase efficiency and to utilize various fuel combinations to achieve the lowest overall operating cost or other goals whilst minimizing harmful emissions. Sensors can be used monitor various power parameters and can be coupled to a closed-loop in a control system to achieve vessel operating goals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Brian L. Read
  • Patent number: 8683988
    Abstract: Embodiments of engine systems for improved engine cooling and work production are disclosed herein. A working fluid can be injected into a combustion chamber or an engine during any portion of an energy cycle to cool the engine and/or to produce useful work in addition to work generated by combustion events in the chamber. The system can include a monitoring system configured to measure conditions within individual combustion chambers. Based on the interior conditions of the chamber, the system can adaptively inject working fluid mixtures into the engine. The engine can be part of a cascading series of engines including a primary engine and a secondary engine that receives fluids from the primary engine and generates energy from the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Edward McAlister, Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8640439
    Abstract: A drive device for an aircraft comprises a gas turbine apparatus for generating a first drive energy and electric motor for generating a second drive energy. The gas turbine apparatus and the electric motor are set up in such a way that the drive unit may be provided with at least one of the first drive energy and the second drive energy. The drive unit is set up to generate propulsion using at least one of the first drive energy and the second drive energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hansgeorg Schuldzig, Andreas Westenberger
  • Publication number: 20140010652
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for an aircraft may include a drive shaft, the drive shaft, an internal combustion engine to selectably drive the drive shaft, a propeller coupled to the drive shaft and an electric motor having a stator and a rotor and operable to selectably drive the drive shaft. The drive shaft may extend through the electric motor. The rotor may be coupled to the drive shaft to rotate with the drive shaft and the rotor is a flywheel for the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: McMaster University
    Inventors: Piranavan Suntharalingam, Ali Emadi
  • Patent number: 8607917
    Abstract: Provided an electrically-operated hydraulic actuator unit that includes an electrically-operated motor controlled by a control apparatus and actuating a volume adjusting mechanism through driving-side and driven-side arms, and a clutch mechanism in which the driven-side arm presses a contact member against a clutch case so that the driven-side arm is locked when a force from the volume adjusting mechanism is applied to the driven-side arm. The control apparatus can set duties of first to fourth drive signals to be output to the electrically-operated motor in a neutral-side start period, a neutral-side ordinary actuation period, a higher-volume-side start period and a higher-volume-side ordinary actuation period. The duties of the first and fourth drive signals are larger than that of the second drive signal, the duty of the third drive signal is larger than that of the fourth drive signal, and an integrated ON-time of the third drive signal is larger than that of the first drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Kamada, Nobuhiko Ichinose
  • Publication number: 20130276446
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a circulation unit (4) a refrigerant in the a circuit (3), an evaporator (6) for the refrigerant, a turbine (9) driven by vaporised refrigerant, a condenser (12) cooling the refrigerant to condense, and an accumulator tank (14) for storage of the refrigerant is not being circulated in the line circuit (3). A control device estimates the degree of filling of the line circuit (3) with refrigerant at which the turbine (9) achieves a substantially optimum effect, and controls the flow of refrigerant between the line circuit (3) and the accumulator tank (14) to achieve the estimated degree of filling the line circuit (3) with refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Ola Hall
  • Publication number: 20130227950
    Abstract: A propeller driven aircraft powered by either an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. The parallel system hybrid aircraft can takeoff with the internal combustion engine and climb to a cruising altitude. The internal combustion engine then can be turned off and the electric motor turned on to power the aircraft's propeller. The aircraft is capable of alternating operation between the electric motor and internal combustion engine as often as required at altitude. The aircraft can be landed using either the internal combustion engine or the electric motor. The transition of power from the internal combustion engine to the electric motor and back is performed through a hybrid clutch and pulley assembly that interconnects the internal combustion engine propeller flange to the propeller driveshaft. The electric motor is connected to the hybrid assembly through belts and sheaves. The electric motor throttle is controlled in the cockpit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Anderson, Lori Costello, Charles Eastlake, Glenn P. Greiner
  • Patent number: 8527130
    Abstract: A hybrid drive apparatus includes: a drive power source that includes an internal combustion engine, a first electric motor, and a second electric motor; a power transmission mechanism that includes a carrier, a sun gear, and a ring gear, and that is configured to rotate the output shaft of the internal combustion engine by the first electric motor; and plural bearings that each includes an outer ring member and an inner ring member fitted to the outer ring member through a rolling element, and that are provided apart from each other in an axial direction of the output shaft with the carrier being positioned between the bearings. An inner periphery of the outer ring member is positioned more inward in a radial direction of the ring gear relative to a meshing portion between inner teeth of the ring gear and outer teeth of one of the pinion gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kitahata, Tatsuo Obata, Takeshi Kuwahara, Hiromichi Kimura, Toru Saito, Masahiro Tanae
  • Publication number: 20130174556
    Abstract: A hybrid construction machine has an electric motor for driving the swing structure, and the electric motor is prevented from becoming incapable of generating torque due to a low energy state or an overcharged state of an electricity storage device. A swing-mode selector switch 77 which is manually operated switches between a hydraulic/electric combined swing mode for driving the swing structure by driving both the electric motor and a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic solo swing mode for driving the swing structure by driving only the hydraulic motor. For a normal operation, the swing mode is initially set in the hydraulic/electric combined swing mode. For a specific operation, the operator switches the swing-mode selector switch from a hydraulic/electric combined swing position to a hydraulic solo swing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Nishikawa, Takenori Hiroki, Kouji Ishikawa, Manabu Edamura, Hidetoshi Satake, Takatoshi Ooki
  • Patent number: 8359864
    Abstract: A wind-gas engine assembly and a motor vehicle with the same are provided. The wind-gas engine assembly comprises a high pressure gas engine (20) and a wind resistance engine (22) independent of each other. The high pressure gas engine generates primary power through injection of the high pressure gas. The wind resistance engine comprises an impeller chamber (221) and an impeller (222). The impeller chamber is provided with an air inlet (51) for receiving external wind resistance airflow, by which the impeller is driven to rotate to generate auxiliary power. The present invention not only utilizes wind resistance, but also saves energy and protects the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Yang Cong
  • Publication number: 20120247107
    Abstract: A battery module includes a rigid external casing made, for example, of a metallic sheet material. Securement features, tabs, and so forth may be formed in the material of the casing. The casing may be made by stamping and bending metallic sheet. A liner is disposed in the casing, and one or more battery cells are disposed in the liner. The liner may comprise an insulative sheet material that is cut and folded to generally conform to the casing. The structure may include a bus bar assembly, compression members, a thermal component and other structural and functional elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mikhail S. Balk, Richard M. DeKeuster, Binbin Fan
  • Publication number: 20120080003
    Abstract: A dual drive pump system for rear wheel or front wheel drive automatic transmission in a motor vehicle includes a dual drive pump disposed off-axis of the transmission input shaft axis and driven by a gear train driven by a hub. The dual drive pump is also driven by a gear train driven by an engine starter motor. Torque multiplication through the gear train allows the dual drive pump to have a smaller displacement while still providing the hydraulic pressure needs of the transmission. The dual drive pump may be driven by either an engine or the engine starter motor depending on the operating conditions of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: John C. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8069668
    Abstract: A method of autonomously sharing a load between at least two output generation devices, the method including: providing at least two output generation devices, wherein the at least two output generation devices operate autonomously with respect to one another and the at least two output generation devices are in fluid communication with output receiving means adapted to receive output generated by the at least two output generation devices; monitoring output generated by the output generation devices; and cycling each of the at least two devices through an activated mode and a standby mode independently of one another in an automated manner to meet an output demand thereby sharing a load demand between the at least two output generation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: On Site Gas Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Haggerty, Guy Hatch, Sanh Quang Phan
  • Publication number: 20110232287
    Abstract: A drive device has an internal combustion engine, a first electrical machine, and a second electrical machine. The first electrical machine is at least indirectly connectable to the internal combustion engine. In addition, the drive device has an output which is at least indirectly connected to an output shaft. According to the invention, a switching device is provided, using which, in a first state, the internal combustion or the first electrical machine is connectable to the output shaft or, in a second state, the second electrical machine is connectable to the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Bernhard Wust
  • Publication number: 20100192574
    Abstract: A power compounder system and method is disclosed, wherein the system includes a prime mover producing waste heat and a power compounder coupled to the prime mover. The power compounder includes a. working fluid configured to receive thermal energy from the waste heat, a working fluid collector to hold the working fluid, an evaporator fluidly coupled to the working fluid collector for transferring the waste heat to the working fluid to change the working fluid to a vapor working fluid, a feed pump to cause the working fluid to flow between the working fluid collector and the evaporator, a double screw expander fluidly coupled to the evaporator to receive the vapor working fluid to create rotational mechanical energy, where the double screw expander is associated with the prime mover via at least one of a mechanical clutch, an electrical clutch and a sprag clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Richard K. Langson
  • Publication number: 20100064689
    Abstract: An aircraft, comprising an internal combustion engine by whose drive power a propeller can be driven, wherein the internal combustion engine cooperates with an electric machine which in a first operating mode is operable as electric motor and in a second operating mode as electric generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Flight-Design-GmbH Flugsportgeraete
    Inventor: Oliver Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20100031638
    Abstract: A work machine having dual compression ignition engines each driving motor generators providing a power output to selective loads. The compression ignition engines each have an exhaust aftertreatment device requiring regeneration in accordance with a selected parameters. A controller controls motor/generators or hydraulic pump/motors associated with the diesel engines to either transfer load between one or the other of the motor/generators or pump/motors to impose a load on one of the engines sufficiently high to produce passive regeneration. In the event that loads driven by the motor/generators or pump/motors are too low, one of the engines may be shut off or the loads increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Alan D. Sheidler
  • Publication number: 20090293494
    Abstract: A drive device for an aircraft comprises a gas turbine apparatus for generating a first drive energy and electric motor for generating a second drive energy. The gas turbine apparatus and the electric motor are set up in such a way that the drive unit may be provided with at least one of the first drive energy and the second drive energy. The drive unit is set up to generate propulsion using at least one of the first drive energy and the second drive energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hansgeorg Schuldzig, Andreas Westenberger
  • Patent number: 7607371
    Abstract: A split serial-parallel hybrid dual-power drive system, comprised of two or more than two separation drive systems allowing independent operation to respectively drive the load, or all loads driven individually are incorporated in a common frame to drive land, surface, underwater transportation means or aircraft, industrial machines and equipment or any other load drive by rotational kinetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 7600381
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine, a multi-speed transmission connected to a final drive, and a selectively engageable magnetorheological fluid clutch drivingly connected between the engine and multi-speed transmission. A motor/generator is operatively connected to the engine and the magnetorheological fluid clutch for selectively exchanging power with the engine and/or the magnetorheological fluid clutch such that the motor/generator may be used to start the engine, to drive the multi-speed transmission, and to receive energy from the magnetorheological fluid clutch for regenerative braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Verbrugge, Patrick B. Usoro, Anthony L. Smith
  • Patent number: 7422543
    Abstract: A system employing a torque converter and a synchronizing motor to start up a large rotational driver/load combination. The torque converter is employed to increase the rotational speed of the load to the maximum speed permitted by the torque converter. The synchronizing motor is then employed to further increase the rotational speed of the load to substantially match the rotational speed of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Weldon L. Ransbarger, Bobby D. Martinez
  • Patent number: 7127896
    Abstract: In an engine cogeneration system in which power generators 5 to 8 are driven by a plurality of engines 1 to 4 to thereby supply electric power to power load 22 of a general household, at the same time, heat produced by cooling each of the engines 1 to 4 and heat generated from the exhaust gas are recovered by heat exchangers 18 and 19 to be stored as hot water into a hot-water tank 20 to supply heat to heat load 21 of the general household, the amount of power to be supplied and of the amount of heat to be supplied are controlled by a number of the engines 1 to 4 and the combustion modes of these engines 1 to 4. This engine cogeneration system can follow both the head demand and power demand in a high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimada, Kazumasa Ide, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 7032385
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle provides variable displacement by selectively driving one or more engine crankshafts mounted within a single unitary engine block. In several embodiments the crankshafts are connected to a common output shaft with a one-way clutch between the common output shaft and at least one of the crankshafts. In one aspect starter gearing is independently associated with each of the first and second crankshafts and a starter is provided for selective engagement with the starter gearing of either of the crankshafts. In another aspect, an accessory drive for driving accessory systems of the vehicle receives power from any crankshaft which is operating, yet is isolated from any crankshaft that is not operating by a one-way clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7024859
    Abstract: A method of providing acceleration support to a combustion engine using an integrated starter/alternator. The integrated starter/alternator is in rotational combination with the crankshaft and connected to a battery system. The integrated starter/alternator is adapted to function at times as a power source adding torque to rotate the crankshaft to overcome friction and non-linear hydrodynamic forces within the engine. At other times the integrated starter/alternator functions as a power generator for subtracting torque from the crankshaft to provide electrical current to the battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ranjit Jayabalan, Ali Emadi
  • Patent number: 7024858
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle provides variable displacement by selectively driving one or more engine crankshafts mounted within a single unitary engine block. In several embodiments the crankshafts are connected to a common output shaft with a one-way clutch between the common output shaft and at least one of the crankshafts. In one aspect starter gearing is independently associated with each of the first and second crankshafts and a starter is provided for selective engagement with the starter gearing of either of the crankshafts. In another aspect, an accessory drive for driving accessory systems of the vehicle receives power from any crankshaft which is operating, yet is isolated from any crankshaft that is not operating by a one-way clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by United States Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray Jr.
  • Patent number: 6966185
    Abstract: In an engine cogeneration system in which power generators 5 to 8 are driven by a plurality of engines 1 to 4 to thereby supply electric power to power load 22 of a general household, at the same time, heat produced by cooling each of the engines 1 to 4 and heat generated from the exhaust gas are recovered by heat exchangers 18 and 19 to be stored as hot water into a hot-water tank 20 to supply heat to heat load 21 of the general household, the amount of power to be supplied and of the amount of heat to be supplied are controlled by a number of the engines 1 to 4 and the combustion modes of these engines 1 to 4. This engine cogeneration system can follow both the head demand and power demand in a high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimada, Kazumasa Ide, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 6935115
    Abstract: A multi-engine power plant, includes a first internal combustion engine module having an air intake and an output shaft for delivering power, a second internal combustion engine module having an air intake and an output shaft for delivering power, and a single throttle body operatively connected to the air intakes of both the first and second engine modules, for controlling a flow of air to the intakes of the engine modules at a common manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of both engine modules during operation of one or both of the engine modules. The power plant also includes a selectively engagable clutch for operatively coupling the output shaft of the second engine module to the output shaft of the first engine module, to thereby produce a common torque output from the first and second engine modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Donald D Anderson
  • Patent number: 6862887
    Abstract: Hybrid drive containing a clutch between an engine power-output shaft (4) and a transmission power-input shaft (16) arranged axially with respect to the said power-output shaft; a first electric machine (6) connected to the engine power-output shaft (4) in a torque-transmitting manner; a second electric machine (14) connected to the transmission power-input shaft (16) in a torque-transmitting manner; preferably also a torsional vibration damper (8), which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the engine power-output shaft (4), the first-electric machine (6) being connected to the engine power-output shaft (4) in a torque-transmitting manner, ahead of the torsional vibration damper (8) in terms of the direction in which the torsional vibration damper (8) transmits the power of the propulsion drive engine. The parts of the hybrid drive are nested axially one inside the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Daimler Chrysler AG
    Inventors: Karl-Ernst Noreikat, Tobias Ostertag, Alfons Rennefeld
  • Publication number: 20040093870
    Abstract: A vehicle control system capable of precisely estimating an auxiliary machine motive power without increasing a processing load of an engine control means. An engine ECU 13 is provided with a first auxiliary machine motive power estimating section 16, and an auxiliary machine ECU 15 is provided with a second auxiliary machine motive power estimating section 17 having higher estimation precision than that of the first auxiliary machine motive power estimating section 16. Torque estimated values Tcomp1 and Tcomp2 for an auxiliary machine 14 are obtained respectively by the first auxiliary machine motive power estimating section 16 and the second auxiliary machine motive power estimating section 17, and control of an engine 11 is performed based on these torque estimated values Tcomp1 and Tcomp2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Junichiro Hara
  • Patent number: 6715291
    Abstract: A parallel mixed power unit includes a storage battery, an electron controlling module, an internal combustion engine with an output shaft, a planetary gear differential device having a shell, at least one planetary gear unit having two planetary gears provided inside the planetary gear differential device and disposed on a planetary arm by a bearing, with the planetary arm fixed on the shell, a solar gear meshed with one of the two planetary gears and fixed with the output shaft of the internal combustion engine, and another solar gear meshed with the other of the two planetary gears and fixed with a transmission shaft. The transmission shaft has one end connected with the output shaft of an electric motor by a rotary transmission device and the other end connected with the output shaft of a load terminal by another rotary transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Unique Product & Design Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gordon Liao
  • Patent number: 6457314
    Abstract: A power transmission structure of a motor assist apparatus for a vehicle, wherein a ring gear need not have a flywheel function, such that a width of a flywheel can be reduced and a length of a motor housing can be shortened. In a vehicle with front wheel drive, because the starter motor does not interfere with a drive shaft, the degree of freedom in layout of the drive shaft, starter motor and the like increases. A ring gear installation member mounting a ring gear on an outer circumferential location thereof is provided between a rotor installation member (which mounts thereon a motor rotor of the engine) and a crank shaft of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Michinori Shimizu, Daisaku Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6311495
    Abstract: A composite power unit designed to permit the inertial moment of a flywheel to be positioned adjacent to one end of a crankshaft, thereby allowing the crankshaft to experience a reduced level of bending stress and torsional vibration. The composite power unit includes a flywheel mounted on a crankshaft at one end thereof, which flywheel is formed by a disk-like first flywheel and a second flywheel in which the former flywheel is positioned toward an engine while the latter flywheel is disposed toward a transmission. A rotational sensor and a dynamotor are both disposed between the first and second flywheels and are arranged in sequence from the side of the engine, a flange-like clutch-receiving surface is disposed on the second flywheel at an end thereof toward the transmission, and a clutch is attached to the clutch-receiving surface and covered by a transmission case of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Michinori Shimizu, Kazuhiko Morimoto, Hiroshi Ohsawa, Yoshiaki Omata
  • Patent number: 6142757
    Abstract: An integral oil pump for an apparatus having a plurality of bearings, the oil pump comprising a housing with an opening for a shaft, a cavity within the housing, a ring gear encircling the shaft with clearance between the shaft and an inner surface of the ring gear, a plurality of evenly spaced keyways in the inner surface or the ring gear, a plurality of protrusions extending from the shaft that fit into the keyways to rotate the ring gear when the shaft is rotated, a floating gear meshing with the ring gear, the cavity enclosing the gears with very little clearance between the cavity and the gears, an inlet portion of the cavity adjacent the area where the gears mesh, an outlet portion of the cavity adjacent the area on the other side of where the gears mesh, an inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet portion of the cavity and an oil reservoir, an outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet portion of the cavity and with the bearings to supply pressurized oil to the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: David T. Borchert
  • Patent number: 5873801
    Abstract: A power output apparatus (20) includes an engine (50), a clutch motor (30) connecting with a crankshaft (56), an assist motor (40) connecting with a drive shaft (22), and a controller (80) for controlling the clutch motor (30) and the assist motor (40). When an electrical angle of the rotors in the clutch motor (30) is equal to .pi./2, a constant current is made to flow through three-phase coils (36) of the clutch motor (30) in order to enable a torque equal to or greater than a maximum torque ripple of the engine (50) to be applied from the clutch motor (30) to a drive shaft (22) and the crankshaft (56). This locks up an outer rotor (32) and an inner rotor (34) of the clutch motor (30). This structure enables the torque and rotation of the engine (50) to be directly transmitted to the drive shaft (22) at a high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Taga, Eiji Yamada, Takao Miyatani, Yasutomo Kawabata
  • Patent number: 5855115
    Abstract: An auxiliary hydraulic motor comprises a fixed casing having a cam, a cylinder block, an internal fluid distributor, and a through shaft which extends inside the casing along the axis of rotation of the cylinder block. The through shaft is constituted by a length of a vehicle transmission shaft. The motor includes an axially moving coupling member suitable, in a first position, for being engaged with the cylinder block and the shaft via first and second mechanical engagement means, and in a second position, for being disengaged from the cylinder block and/or the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics
    Inventor: Louis Martin
  • Patent number: 5839282
    Abstract: A method for using a two-phase fluid includes separating the fluid into its two phases, one of which is a hot gas containing energy in the form of latent heat, and one of which is a hot liquid containing energy in the form of sensible heat; converting sensible heat in the liquid to sensible heat in a working fluid for producing preheated working fluid; and transferring latent heat in the gas to the preheated working fluid for vaporizing the same at substantially constant temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Ormai Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Nadav Amir, Alex Moritz, Asher Elovic
  • Patent number: 5660042
    Abstract: A method for using a two-phase fluid includes separating the fluid into its two phases, one of which is a hot gas containing energy in the form of latent heat, and one of which is a hot liquid containing energy in the form of sensible heat; converting sensible heat in the liquid to sensible heat in a working fluid for producing preheated working fluid; and transferring latent heat in the gas to the preheated working fluid for vaporizing the same at substantially constant temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Ormat Industries Ltd
    Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Nadav Amir, Alex Moritz, Asher Elovic
  • Patent number: 5513719
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a generator connected with an output shaft extending from the internal combustion engine, an electric motor axially aligned with the output shaft, an output gear assembly connected to an output shaft driven by the rotor of the electric motor and positioned between the generator and the electric motor, a clutch adapted to connect and disconnect the generator to/from the output gear assembly, a differential gear unit, and a counter shaft oriented in parallel the output shaft driven by the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Equos Research
    Inventors: Shuzo Moroto, Kozo Yamaguchi, Shigeo Tuzuki, Yoshinori Miyaish
  • Patent number: 5497624
    Abstract: A power plant operating on steam for producing electric power including a plurality of integrated power plant unit modules each having a steam turbine responsive to the steam and producing heat depleted steam, a steam condenser associated with the steam turbine operating at a pressure no less than atmospheric pressure for collecting non-condensable gases and condensing the heat depleted steam and vaporizing organic fluid applied to the condenser, a closed organic Rankine cycle turbine operating on the organic fluid and a single electric generator driven by the steam turbine and the organic Rankine cycle turbine for producing electric power, and also including means for supplying in parallel the steam to each steam turbine in each of the modules. A method for producing electric power using steam is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Ormat, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadav Amir, Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 5398508
    Abstract: A main internal combustion engine powers a motor vehicle at 55 MPH. A smaller auxiliary engine powers the vehicle at slower speed. Both engines power at the same time for passing, hill climbing, etc. Either engine can be shut down (or idled) while the other engine powers. Thus, the engines operate more closely to best efficiency and this shall result in reduced fuel consumption (as calculated herein) and less air pollution.In a first species, the main engine transmits shaft power through a standard friction clutch and then to an ordinary transaxle consisting of torque converter, automatic transmission and differential. The auxiliary engine is mounted next to the transmission. Power from the smaller engine passes through an overrunning clutch and then by toothed belt and sprockets to the torque converter.A second species is identical to the first except an over running clutch takes the place of the friction clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Arthur E. Brown
  • Patent number: 5343970
    Abstract: An improved hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Both the motor and the engine provide torque to drive the vehicle directly through a controllable torque transfer unit. Typically at low speeds or in traffic, the electric motor alone drives the vehicle, using power stored in batteries; under acceleration and during hill climbing both the engine and the motor provide torque to drive the vehicle; and in steady state highway cruising, the internal combustion engine alone drives the vehicle. The internal combustion engine is sized to operate at or near its maximum fuel efficiency during highway cruising. The motor is operable as a generator to charge the batteries as needed and also for regenerative braking. No transmission is employed. The motor operates at significantly lower currents and higher voltages than conventionally and has a rated power at least equal to that of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: Alex J. Severinsky
  • Patent number: RE36678
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a generator connected with an output shaft extending from the internal combustion engine, an electric motor axially aligned with the output shaft, an output gear assembly connected to an output shaft driven by the rotor of the electric motor and positioned between the generator and the electric motor, a clutch adapted to connect and disconnect the generator to/from the output gear assembly, a differential gear unit, and a counter shaft oriented in parallel the output shaft driven by the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Equos Research
    Inventors: Shuzo Moroto, Kozo Yamaguchi, Shigeo Tuzuki, Yoshinori Miyaishi