| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 7930089 |
Controller for a solenoid operated valve |
April 19, 2011 |
| A controller moves a solenoid operated valve with a first solenoid operating pulse during a travel time. After a time interval, the controller applies a second pulse, which moves the valve towards its original position. The time interval may be varied, and a characteristic indicative |
| 7878169 |
Cam roller pin with transverse grooves |
February 1, 2011 |
| A roller pin for carrying a cam roller in a tappet assembly is provided. The roller pin providing reduced run in time and reduced peak and localized contact pressure between the cam roller and roller pin. The roller pin comprises a substantially cylindrical shaft having a length, a f |
| 7856959 |
Method and apparatus for controlling exhaust gas recirculation and start of combustion in recipr |
December 28, 2010 |
| An apparatus and method to detect combustion conditions using ion signals for use in a feedback control of a reciprocation engine is presented. The ion signals are used as a feedback signal to control EGR and diesel injection timing. The apparatus is an ignition system with a spark plug |
| 7832377 |
Thermal protection for fuel injectors |
November 16, 2010 |
| A fuel injector is provided. The fuel injector includes an injector support and a heat shield coupled to the injector support. The heat shield only interacts with the injector support by way of contacts such as point contacts, line contacts or surface contacts. Further, the heat shie |
| 7827795 |
Active thermal protection for fuel injectors |
November 9, 2010 |
| A fuel injector and turbine engine incorporating the fuel injector are provided. The fuel injector includes an active cooling system that insulates fuel flowing through the fuel injector from heat energy within the turbine engine. The cooling system includes a cooling air passage tha |
| 7823562 |
Engine fuel control system |
November 2, 2010 |
| A fuel control system is provided. The fuel control system includes an electronic control system coupled to a pair of control valves for blending pipeline fuel with waste fuel at a blend ratio for controlling fuel flow to an internal combustion engine. The fuel control system can est |
| 7812467 |
Smart alternator load control |
October 12, 2010 |
| A smart alternator control circuit and method is provided limiting alternator load on an internal combustion engine. |
| 7798125 |
Method and system for closed loop combustion control of a lean-burn reciprocating engine using i |
September 21, 2010 |
| A system and method for controlling knock in a lean burn internal combustion (IC) engine includes a spark plug having an electrode, and an electrical circuit configured to provide a first voltage to the electrode and detect an ion current during a thermal-ionization phase of the comb |
| 7798124 |
Method and system for closed loop combustion control of a lean-burn reciprocating engine using i |
September 21, 2010 |
| A system and method for controlling knock in a lean burn internal combustion (IC) engine includes a spark plug having an electrode, an electrical circuit, and a controller. The electrical circuit is configured to provide a first voltage to the electrode and detect an ion current duri |
| 7707992 |
Method and apparatus for controlling exhaust gas recirculation and start of combustion in recipr |
May 4, 2010 |
| An apparatus and method to detect combustion conditions using ion signals for use in a feedback control of a reciprocation engine is presented. The ion signals are used as a feedback signal to control EGR and diesel injection timing. The apparatus is an ignition system with a spark plug |
| 7665714 |
Fail safe mechanism for valve using a cock and lock return spring |
February 23, 2010 |
| A fail safe mechanism having a return member, valve stem extension, energy storage member, and locking assembly. The valve stem extension is driven by an electrical actuator and configured to drive the return member in a first direction and to be driven by the return member in a second |
| 7659655 |
Pre-chamber spark plug |
February 9, 2010 |
| A method and apparatus to maximize spark plug life in pre-chamber spark plugs operating with ultra-lean mixtures and/or elevated engine BMEP is presented. Electrode erosion is reduced by spreading discharge energy over a wider surface area, maintaining fuel concentration in the spark |
| 7658614 |
Method and apparatus for fabricating and connecting a semiconductor power switching device |
February 9, 2010 |
| Fabrication processes for manufacturing and connecting a semiconductor switching device are disclosed, including an embodiment for dicing a wafer into individual circuit die by sawing the interface between adjacent die with a saw blade that has an angled configuration across its widt |
| 7637246 |
Compensating for varying fuel and air properties in an ion signal |
December 29, 2009 |
| Presented is a device that provides a correction factor to compensate for varying fuel and air properties in an ion signal sensed in combustion chamber of reciprocating and continuous combustion engines, on a predetermined basis during the combustion of conventional petroleum-based f |
| 7607421 |
Pulsation-dampening fuel trim strategy for air/fuel ratio control of propane-fueled, spark-ignit |
October 27, 2009 |
| A trim system for controlling an equivalence ratio in a fuel system is provided. The fuel system includes an air duct, a mixer disposed in the air duct, and a converter. The mixer has a reference pressure port and an air valve vacuum port. The converter has an outlet port and a bias port |
| 7527481 |
Ejector pump for a fuel system for a gas turbine engine |
May 5, 2009 |
| A system for automatically transferring the fuel from one or more engine fuel manifolds directly to the engine fuel tank(s) during engine shutdown using an ejector pump has been presented. A checkvalve, which may be integrated with the ejector pump, is also used. A metering valve ini |
| 7506858 |
Tube-end butterfly metering and shutoff valve |
March 24, 2009 |
| A butterfly valve comprising a valve body having a passage, a valve shaft assembly, a plate, and a tube is provided. The valve shaft assembly comprises first and second shaft portions in opposing spaced relation, an intermediate portion therebetween, and a support plate secured to the |
| 7490594 |
Super-turbocharger |
February 17, 2009 |
| The invention combines the features of a supercharger, a turbocharger and turbo-compounding into one system, utilizing a hydraulic or mechanical continuously variable transmission to drive the turbocharger up to a specific speed or intake manifold pressure and then holding the ideal |
| 7477524 |
Retainer and method for holding a circuit card against a clamping surface of a chassis or heatsi |
January 13, 2009 |
| An improved retainer, apparatus and method for retaining a circuit card are provided, through the use of a circuit card retainer comprising a length of spring wire defining a longitudinal axis of the retainer, lying in a plane of the retainer, and formed to define a wavy section of the |
| 7475537 |
Maintaining the position of an electro-hydraulic servo valve controlled device upon loss of posi |
January 13, 2009 |
| A valve that keeps a electro-hydraulic servo valve (EHSV) controlled device such as a fuel metering valve or actuator at the last commanded position upon loss of input command in the EHSV is described. The valve fixes the position of the positioning device within a tolerance of the p |
| 7464532 |
Apparatus for elimination of transient pressure spikes on stiff fluid systems |
December 16, 2008 |
| An apparatus for reducing pressure spikes in a fuel line having a shut-off valve is provided. The apparatus comprises a body housing a biasing member and a moveable separation member. The body has first, second, and third chambers. The first and second chambers are coupled to upstream an |
| 7426936 |
Fully independent, redundant fluid energized sealing solution with secondary containment |
September 23, 2008 |
| A redundant sealing system with secondary containment for preventing leakage of fluid along a valve shaft is provided. The system comprises a first set of dynamic seals, a second set of dynamic seals, an auxiliary barrier fluid chamber, and a barrier fluid indicator. The first and se |
| 7356990 |
Electro hydraulic actuator with spring energized accumulators |
April 15, 2008 |
| An electro hydraulic actuator with built-in fail safes is provided. Multiple accumulators are integrated into the actuator to improve reliability and redundancy. One or more accumulators can fail and the remaining accumulators provide sufficient energy to move the actuator to its fai |
| 7355300 |
Solid state turbine engine ignition exciter having elevated temperature operational capability |
April 8, 2008 |
| A turbine engine ignition exciter circuit applies energy stored in the exciter tank capacitor to the load (igniter plug) through a thyristor type semiconductor switching device that minimizes leakage current at elevated operating temperatures. The semiconductor switching device is pe |
| 7351179 |
Stepper motor driven proportional actuator |
April 1, 2008 |
| A low energy stepper motor driven actuator that eliminates the need for a position sensor is provided. The stepper motor rotates a cam in a control piston valve. The cam rotation increases the gap between the cam and nozzle on one side of the cam and decreases the gap between the cam and |
| 7337806 |
Stepper motor driven proportional fuel metering valve |
March 4, 2008 |
| A low energy stepper motor driven fuel metering valve (FMV) that eliminates the need for a position sensor is provided. The stepper motor rotates a cam that replaces the flapper valve used in conventional systems. The cam rotation increases the gap between the cam and nozzle on one s |
| 7280019 |
Single coil solenoid having a permanent magnet with bi-directional assist |
October 9, 2007 |
| A single coil solenoid includes a permanent magnet with bidirectional assist capabilities. The solenoid includes an armature that during de-energization of a single coil of wire is attracted to the permanent magnet thereby maintaining a hold position and during energization of the si |
| 7276898 |
Long stroke hall position sensor having a shaped pole |
October 2, 2007 |
| An apparatus having a position sensor for determining a position of a moveable component is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing, a positioning member, a shaped magnetic pole, a magnet, and a hall effect sensor. The positioning member, the shaped magnetic pole, the magnet, and |
| 7204133 |
Method and apparatus for detecting combustion instability in continuous combustion systems |
April 17, 2007 |
| An apparatus and method to sense the onset of combustion stability is presented. An electrode is positioned in a turbine combustion chamber such that the electrode is exposed to gases in the combustion chamber. The electrode may be integrated with an igniter. A control module applies |
| 7178510 |
Fuel system |
February 20, 2007 |
| A fuel system for use in an internal combustion engine, the fuel system comprising a source of high pressure fuel for supplying fuel through a single fuel supply path to an injector for injecting fuel, a first valve arrangement for controlling initiation of fuel injection and a second |
| 7144792 |
Method and apparatus for fabricating and connecting a semiconductor power switching device |
December 5, 2006 |
| Fabrication processes for manufacturing and connecting a semiconductor switching device are disclosed, including an embodiment for dicing a wafer into individual circuit die by sawing the interface between adjacent die with a saw blade that has an angled configuration across its widt |
| 7131274 |
Method to transfer fuel in a fuel system for a gas turbine engine |
November 7, 2006 |
| A system for automatically transferring the fuel from one or more engine fuel manifolds directly to the engine fuel tank(s) during engine shutdown using an ejector pump has been presented. A checkvalve, which may be integrated with the ejector pump, is also used. A metering valve ini |
| 7118114 |
Dynamic sealing arrangement for movable shaft |
October 10, 2006 |
| A dynamic sealing arrangement for preventing leakage of a fluid along a shaft includes multiple seals and pressurized barrier sealant. According to one aspect, at least three seals are arranged along the shaft with pressurized barrier sealant between the first and second seals and a |
| 7114336 |
Flow pulsing valve and fuel supply system for a turbine engine incorporating same |
October 3, 2006 |
| A pulsing valve assembly pulses metered fuel flow to a turbine engine. The pulsing valve assembly comprises a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet. A divider valve divides metered fuel flow into a first flow portion and a second flow portion. A first actuator sets a magnitude of a |
| 7096722 |
Method and apparatus for detecting combustion instability in continuous combustion systems |
August 29, 2006 |
| An apparatus and method to sense the onset of combustion stability is presented. An electrode is positioned in a turbine combustion chamber such that the electrode is exposed to gases in the combustion chamber. A control module applies a voltage potential to the electrode and detects a |
| 7096658 |
Centrifugal pump fuel system and method for gas turbine engine |
August 29, 2006 |
| A fuel system for a gas turbine engine that utilizes a centrifugal pump is presented. The system includes a fuel metering valve that is adapted to set a metered flow of fuel, and a throttle valve that is adapted to accurately control pressure drop across the fuel metering valve. The |
| 7059418 |
Pressurized seal arrangement |
June 13, 2006 |
| A pressurized sealing arrangement suited for providing a seal between a valve stem and a valve body is provided. The sealing arrangement includes a piston that is restrained in and statically sealed to the valve body and which surrounds the valve stem. Contained within the piston is an |
| 7051746 |
Valve having pressure balancing piston and method involving same |
May 30, 2006 |
| A valve assembly is disclosed that provides for complete or partial fluid pressure balancing across the valve, and can be used for reducing valve actuation forces in order to employ electric actuation. The valve assembly includes a valve housing having a valve chamber, a flow passage |
| 7044434 |
High recovery sonic gas valve |
May 16, 2006 |
| A high recovery sonic gas valve design with the inlet flow entering transverse and orthogonal to the outlet flow is presented. The configuration cancels the effects of the inlet flow entering orthogonal to the axis of the nozzle and diffuser. The inlet passage is curved in a manner t |
| 7027961 |
Inertia identification for electric actuators with observer based controls |
April 11, 2006 |
| A method to automatically identify the inertia of an actuator (and the like) and load for tuning an observer-based controller is presented. The tuning is a one-time process that is initiated by a user when the actuator is installed. The control includes a model of the actuator with s |
| 7027310 |
Electronic monitor mounting configuration |
April 11, 2006 |
| An apparatus for permitting both base and flush mounting a device to a surface is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a case housing a device and a frame. The frame is configured to attach to the case in both a base mounting and flush mounting configuration. |
| 7017884 |
Fluid metering valve |
March 28, 2006 |
| A fluid metering valve includes a gear rack which is slidable on a valve stem in which a spring counteracts the force of an actuator to maintain a constant load on the gear mechanism to prevent backlash. Corresponding stop mechanisms between the gear and the shaft of a rotary actuator co |
| 7007661 |
Method and apparatus for controlling micro pilot fuel injection to minimize NO.sub.x and UHC emi |
March 7, 2006 |
| The present invention provides a system that controls the amount and timing of pilot fuel injection to obtain minimum NO.sub.x and UHC emissions. The system senses if combustion occurs, when combustion occurs, and/or the quality of combustion in the combustion chamber of each cylinde |
| 7007452 |
Fuel system for a gas turbine engine |
March 7, 2006 |
| A system for automatically transferring the fuel from one or more engine fuel manifolds directly to the engine fuel tank(s) during engine shutdown using an ejector pump has been presented. A checkvalve, which may be integrated with the ejector pump, is also used. A metering valve ini |
| 7000895 |
Valve having pressure balancing piston and method involving same |
February 21, 2006 |
| A valve assembly is disclosed that provides for complete or partial fluid pressure balancing across the valve, and can be used for reducing valve actuation forces in order to employ electric actuation. The valve assembly includes a valve housing having a valve chamber, a flow passage |
| 6994073 |
Method and apparatus for detecting ionization signal in diesel and dual mode engines with plasma |
February 7, 2006 |
| An apparatus and method to detect combustion conditions using ion signals for use in a feedback control of a diesel engine is presented. The apparatus is a spark plug type of sensor or a sensor integrated with a fuel injector. The spark plug type of sensor is used to provide a cold s |
| 6993960 |
Method and apparatus for detecting combustion instability in continuous combustion systems |
February 7, 2006 |
| An apparatus and method to sense the onset of combustion stability is presented. An electrode is positioned in a turbine combustion chamber such that the electrode is exposed to gases in the combustion chamber. The electrode may be integrated with an igniter. A control module applies |
| 6981359 |
Centrifugal pump fuel system and method for gas turbine engine |
January 3, 2006 |
| A fuel system for a gas turbine engine that utilizes a centrifugal pump. The system includes a fuel metering valve that is adapted to set a metered flow of fuel, and a throttle valve that is adapted to accurately control pressure drop across the fuel metering valve. The throttle valve |
| 6953084 |
Actuator for well-head valve or other similar applications and system incorporating same |
October 11, 2005 |
| An electrical actuator is particularly suited for driving a wellhead valve for regulating the flow of natural gas from a production well. The electrical actuator can be driven using the existing local power supply in wellhead valve systems, typically a solar panel and a battery. The |
| 6935310 |
Method and apparatus for detecting abnormal combustion conditions in reciprocating engines havin |
August 30, 2005 |
| An apparatus and method to detect abnormal combustion conditions for use as a feedback control of an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) controlled reciprocating engine using ionization signals is presented. The system receives a succession of ionization signals for successive cycles of a |
