Testing Of An Individual Engine Part Patents (Class 73/114.77)
  • Patent number: 7861580
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a virtual turbine speed sensor for a multi-stage turbocharger system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The multi-stage turbocharger system includes at least two sequential turbochargers each having a compressor and a turbine. The virtual turbine speed sensor includes a compressor efficiency module, an inter-stage air temperature module, and a turbine speed module. The compressor efficiency module is configured to estimate an efficiency of a compressor of a first of the at least two turbochargers. The inter-stage air temperature module is configured to estimate an inter-stage temperature of air between the at least two compressors. The inter-stage temperature estimate is based at least partially on the efficiency of the compressor of the first turbocharger. The turbine speed module is configured to estimate a speed of a turbine of a second of the at least two turbochargers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek A. Sujan, Adrian P. Dale, Jeffrey Matthews, Kent Krajewski, David Stroh, Ryo Fuchinoue
  • Patent number: 7857508
    Abstract: In a method for monitoring the functionality of a temperature sensor that can deliver an electrical signal as a function of the measured temperature and is disposed, in particular, in the cooling water circuit of an internal combustion engine, the persistence of the temperature sensor in the high signal range is made possible by a method encompassing the following steps: Characterizing the sensor as possibly faulty if the sensor indicates, upon engine shutdown, at least a maximum value of the cooling fluid temperature; determining a first gradient of the cooling fluid temperature, measured by the possibly faulty sensor, up to a first point in time after engine shutdown, and characterizing the sensor as fault-free if the gradient exceeds a minimum value; determining a second gradient of the cooling fluid temperature, measured by the possibly faulty sensor, between the point in time and a point in time after engine shutdown, and characterizing the sensor as fault-free if the second gradient exceeds a minimum va
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Foerstner, Andreas Eckert, Siegfried Goetz, Joerg Neumann
  • Publication number: 20100313642
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (50) for inspecting a running surface (35) of a cylinder liner (25) of a combustion engine (10) comprising an inspection tool (65), a control device (55) and connection means (60) for power supply and transmission of measuring data and control signals. The inspection tool (65) comprises a bearing rail (70) and mounted thereon a rotary table (80) and tools (90, 96) for measuring the inner diameter (d) and running surface (35) of the cylinder liner (25) and for visual inspection of the surface condition. The inspection tool (65) has a size that allows its introduction into the cylinder liner (25) through an aperture (30) in the cylinder liner (25) to be inspected. The invention is particular suitable for the inspection of a cylinder liner (25) of a reciprocating piston combustion engine (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Waertsilae Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Jan Willem Vroege, Gregory Sudwoj
  • Patent number: 7818997
    Abstract: An abnormality diagnostic device diagnoses the presence/absence of abnormality of an intake air temperature sensor (21) on the basis of the magnitude of deviation between the lowest temperature of the intake air detected via the intake air temperature sensor (21) in a period from the startup of an internal combustion engine until the trend of change in the temperature of the air taken into the internal combustion engine becomes stable and a temperature detected via a water temperature sensor (22). If the decline in the temperature of the intake air detected via the intake air temperature sensor (21) within the aforementioned period is greater than or equal to a predetermined criterion value (IAT1), the abnormality diagnosis is suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Iwai
  • Patent number: 7757549
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for predictive control of a turbocharger. The method includes interpreting a compressor performance model for a turbocharger, and interpreting at least one current operating parameter. The method further includes calculating a performance margin, calculating a performance margin derivative, and calculating a response value. The performance margin comprises a choke margin or a surge margin according to the position of an operating point in the compressor performance model. The performance margin is implemented in a first sigmoid function, and the performance margin derivative is implemented in a second sigmoid function. The response value is determined by applying a MIN function to the output of the product of the sigmoid functions in the choke margin case, and by applying a MAX function to the product of the sigmoid functions in the surge margin case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc
    Inventors: Morgan Andreae, Adrian P. Dale, Jeffrey Matthews, William A. Rankin, Vivek A. Sujan
  • Patent number: 7748262
    Abstract: A coolant flow measurement device includes a coolant flow circuit, a cooling system, a purge system, a variable speed fluid pump, a differential pressure gage and a primary flow meter. The coolant flow circuit may be attached to a an HVAC system of the vehicle such that coolant may be circulated through the HVAC system of the vehicle. The cooling system may cool the coolant in the coolant flow circuit. The purge system may be used to purge air from the coolant flow circuit. The variable speed fluid pump may be operable to balance the fluid pressure between the device inlet and the device outlet. The primary flow meter may be operable to measure the coolant flow in the coolant flow circuit. The differential pressure gage measures a pressure differential between the device inlet and the device outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto Nerida Reginaldo, Linda Celina Ward, Richard Gene Lowhorn, Matthew Noppenberger
  • Publication number: 20100018308
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fluid measuring system for use in a vehicle engine. The engine includes a fluid return channel through which a tube is inserted. The fluid measuring system also includes a dipstick that can be inserted in the tube. One end of the dipstick is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir and is configured to indicate the fluid level of the engine. The tube can be composed of an elastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Gary David Liimatta, Scott Kerry
  • Patent number: 7650782
    Abstract: A sectioning device for use in dividing an engine part into sections for rating is provided. The sectioning device has a plurality of sectioners that are slidingly engaged in grooves of two separate plates, held together by at least a fastener. In operation, the sectioners can be adjusted to accommodate engine parts of different sizes, with minimal damages and losses of engine deposits in the rating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Taylor, Paul T. Vela
  • Publication number: 20100000309
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring an exhaust-gas turbocharger of an internal combustion engine. In order to create an inexpensive and also reliably operating method and a corresponding device for monitoring an exhaust-gas turbocharger, it is proposed that a sound transducer which is designed to record rotational-speed dependent turbocharger operating noise is provided, which sound transducer is connected to an electronic system for frequency analysis for the output of a turbocharger rotational speed signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Bierl, Martin Lesser, Andreas Meyer, Frank Steuber
  • Publication number: 20090324389
    Abstract: A method of establishing a wheel space temperature alarm in a turbomachine includes calculating an expected wheel space temperature based on operating conditions, measuring an actual wheel space temperature, and signaling an over temperature condition if the actual wheel space temperature exceeds the expected wheel space temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Fischetti, Randy Scott Rosson, Kevin Wood Wilkes
  • Patent number: 7637150
    Abstract: Presented is a measuring device for recording a gas mass flow of an internal combustion engine. The measuring device includes a sensor element for recording the gas mass flow. The sensor element includes an evaluation circuit connected downstream of the sensor element. The evaluation circuit includes an adder for determining a total mass flow over a multiplicity of engine cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Bierl, Thorsten Knittel, Stefan Pesahl, Frank Steuber, Holger Weininger
  • Patent number: 7596994
    Abstract: A connecting rod inspecting device is provided with a work table for placing a connecting rod in a status where the connecting rod is positioned at a prescribed position; a slide unit for reciprocating the work table along the horizontal direction; and first to fourth distance sensors for measuring a step quantity (D) of a step part by irradiating measuring planes composed of curved surfaces with laser beams and measuring distances between the sensors and the planes irradiated with the beams. Conforming/nonconforming judgment is made by the measured step quantity (D) and a range of allowable quantities previously set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuguo Koguchi, Hideki Okumura
  • Patent number: 7549326
    Abstract: A piston testing apparatus is provided including a housing having an inner wall and defining a cavity therethrough; a piston disposed in the housing cavity and having a polymer coating deposited thereon, wherein the polymer coating of the piston contacts the housing inner wall; a connecting rod coupled to the piston; and an actuator coupled to the connecting rod and configured to provide a reciprocating movement of the piston through the cavity. An injection plate for the piston testing apparatus and a method for challenging an adhesion of the polymer coating to the piston are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jill M. Cummings, Tim A. Watson, William M. Penzer, Gary W. Beemer, Albert J. Black
  • Patent number: 7543486
    Abstract: A method for determining as a function of time the angle of rotation of a crankshaft by estimating the position of missing teeth on a target wheel is disclosed which has application to engine control. A sensor acquires, as a function of time, a periodic signal comprising a pulsating waveform, each pulse indicating the passage of a tooth past this sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Dominique Auclair, Olivier Lejeune, Olivier Masson
  • Publication number: 20090139319
    Abstract: A sectioning device for use in dividing an engine part into sections for rating is provided. The sectioning device has a plurality of sectioners that are slidingly engaged in grooves of two separate plates, held together by at least a fastener. In operation, the sectioners can be adjusted to accommodate engine parts of different sizes, with minimal damages and losses of engine deposits in the rating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Patrick J. Taylor, Paul T. Vela
  • Patent number: 7469577
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a turbocharger (10) includes disconnecting the compressor outlet conduit (26) so that the engine (12) is naturally aspirated and using the engine to drive the turbine (14) of the turbocharger. The compressor outlet conduit (26) has a restriction (28) to create a backpressure which is measured along with the inlet pressure, barometric pressure and ambient temperature. The flow rate is determined and compared to acceptable parameters from a map data provided by a turbocharger manufacturer to diagnose if the turbocharger is operating within the acceptable parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: Jason Thomas Barton
  • Publication number: 20080307872
    Abstract: A connecting rod inspecting device is provided with a work table for placing a connecting rod in a status where the connecting rod is positioned at a prescribed position; a slide unit for reciprocating the work table along the horizontal direction; and first to fourth distance sensors for measuring a step quantity (D) of a step part by irradiating measuring planes composed of curved surfaces with laser beams and measuring distances between the sensors and the planes irradiated with the beams. Conforming/nonconforming judgment is made by the measured step quantity (D) and a range of allowable quantities previously set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Tsuguo Koguchi, Hideki Okumura
  • Patent number: 7454963
    Abstract: A test program ensures the reliability of technical components, especially of internal combustion engines and the parts thereof, by use of a test program. A method is provided which enables an evaluation of the entire test program. If a reliability target cannot be realized with the chosen test program, a modification of the test program is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventor: Kláus Denkmayr
  • Patent number: 7451640
    Abstract: According to the present invention, in a spark ignition-type internal combustion engine which has a spark plug and mounted in a vehicle, an ion current generated in a combustion chamber through the spark plug after ignition is detected and smoldering of the spark plug is determined on the basis of the detected ion current. An operation state of the internal combustion engine is detected and smoldering of the spark plug is determined based on that the detected ion current satisfies a predetermined condition when the detected operation state falls within an operation determination range set corresponding to an operation range in which an intake port pressure close to an atmospheric pressure is achieved using predetermined engine speed as an upper limit and a predetermined intake port pressure as a lower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignees: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., Diamond Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Morita Asano, Mitsuhiro Izumi
  • Publication number: 20080240200
    Abstract: On the fulfillment of a specified condition, a temperature signal outside an actuating device is detected to which a piezoelectric actuator is assigned. A piezoelectric temperature value is determined by the temperature signal. A temperature-capacitance characteristic value of the piezoelectric actuator is determined by the piezoelectric temperature value through specified mapping. A measured capacitance characteristic value is determined by a detected piezoelectric actuator charge and voltage corresponding to the temperature signal. A first correction capacitance characteristic value is determined by the measured capacitance characteristic value and the temperature-capacitance characteristic value. Independently, the charge and the voltage of the piezoelectric actuator is detected and the measured capacitance characteristic value is determined on the basis of these.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Christian Borgmann, Manfred Klepatsch, Stephan Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20080156085
    Abstract: A method for determining as a function of time the angle of rotation of a crankshaft by estimating the position of missing teeth on a target wheel is disclosed which has application to engine control. A sensor acquires, as a function of time, a periodic signal comprising a pulsating waveform, each pulse indicating the passage of a tooth past this sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Dominique Auclair, Olivier Lejeune, Olivier Masson
  • Publication number: 20080141957
    Abstract: A method for operating a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes controlling opening of intake or exhaust valves, via a step of generating a control current in a control circuit for an electrical actuator coupled with the valve. The control circuit is then monitored for an induced current that differs from the control current, and a signal outputted that is indicative of valve performance responsive to monitoring the control circuit. Another operating method includes determining engine valve performance and also trimming an engine valve based on one signal which is indicative of valve performance. An internal combustion engine includes an electrical actuator configured to control opening or closing of one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin Dea, Daniel R. Puckett
  • Publication number: 20080115570
    Abstract: An exhaust fume turbocharger for an internal combustion engine comprises a compressor and a turbine. A compressor wheel is rotatably mounted in the compressor and a turbine wheel is rotatably mounted in the turbine. The compressor wheel is mechanically connected to the turbine wheel by a rotatably mounted turboshaft. The compressor wheel is connected to the turboshaft by a fastening element and the exhaust fume turbocharger comprises a system for sensing the rotational speed of the turboshaft. The arrangement for sensing the rotational speed is arranged at the end of the turboshaft on the side of the compressor with an element for varying a magnetic field between the compressor wheel and the fastening element. The magnetic field is varied depending on the rotation of the turboshaft and a sensor element is arranged in the proximity of the element for varying the magnetic field for sensing the variation in the magnetic field and converting it into electrical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Johannes Ante, Markus Gilch