Patents by Inventor Aaron John Oakley
Aaron John Oakley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 11788602Abstract: A dual mass flywheel coupling member for selectively coupling a primary mass and a secondary mass of a dual mass flywheel, the coupling member comprising: a central aperture for enabling axial alignment with the primary mass and the secondary mass; at least one resiliently deformable member, the resiliently deformable member comprising a fixing point attachable to the primary mass to rigidly couple one end of the resiliently deformable member to the primary mass; and at least one engagement feature coupled to the coupling member at a point remote from the fixing point, wherein the engagement feature is configured to engage the secondary mass upon deformation of the resiliently deformable member in an installed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andrew Pugh, Aaron John Oakley, Martin Patrick O'Mahony
-
Publication number: 20230073607Abstract: A dual mass flywheel coupling member for selectively coupling a primary mass and a secondary mass of a dual mass flywheel, the coupling member comprising: a central aperture for enabling axial alignment with the primary mass and the secondary mass; at least one resiliently deformable member, the resiliently deformable member comprising a fixing point attachable to the primary mass to rigidly couple one end of the resiliently deformable member to the primary mass; and at least one engagement feature coupled to the coupling member at a point remote from the fixing point, wherein the engagement feature is configured to engage the secondary mass upon deformation of the resiliently deformable member in an installed configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Andrew Pugh, Aaron John Oakley, Martin Patrick O'Mahony
-
Patent number: 11525494Abstract: A dual mass flywheel coupling member for selectively coupling a primary mass and a secondary mass of a dual mass flywheel, the coupling member comprising: a central aperture for enabling axial alignment with the primary mass and the secondary mass; at least one resiliently deformable member, the resiliently deformable member comprising a fixing point attachable to the primary mass to rigidly couple one end of the resiliently deformable member to the primary mass; and at least one engagement feature coupled to the coupling member at a point remote from the fixing point, wherein the engagement feature is configured to engage the secondary mass upon deformation of the resiliently deformable member in an installed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andrew Pugh, Aaron John Oakley, Martin Patrick O'Mahony
-
Patent number: 11519353Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine. In one example, a method comprises stopping an engine via a soft-stop method in response to a likelihood of condensate forming being less than or equal to a threshold likelihood. The method further comprises stopping the engine via an exhaust gas evacuation method in response to the likelihood of condensate forming being greater than the threshold likelihood.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Hesketh, Aaron John Oakley
-
Publication number: 20220107001Abstract: A dual mass flywheel coupling member for selectively coupling a primary mass and a secondary mass of a dual mass flywheel, the coupling member comprising: a central aperture for enabling axial alignment with the primary mass and the secondary mass; at least one resiliently deformable member, the resiliently deformable member comprising a fixing point attachable to the primary mass to rigidly couple one end of the resiliently deformable member to the primary mass; and at least one engagement feature coupled to the coupling member at a point remote from the fixing point, wherein the engagement feature is configured to engage the secondary mass upon deformation of the resiliently deformable member in an installed configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2020Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Andrew Pugh, Aaron John Oakley, Martin Patrick O'Mahony
-
Patent number: 11015539Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying when an exhaust valve of an engine cylinder is not functioning as desired while the engine is being operated to raise a temperature of an exhaust system emissions control device, and in turn taking mitigating action. Thus, in one example a method comprises adjusting an amount of fuel that is provided to each of a plurality of cylinders of an engine during an exhaust stroke of the engine in response to an indication of degraded combustion stemming from a cylinder of the engine. In this way, the engine may continue to be operated to raise the temperature of the exhaust system emissions control device, while mitigating the issue of the degraded combustion.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Frank M. Korpics, Aaron John Oakley, Kirk Andrew Parrish, Sanket Anil Gujarathi, Nicholas Sovis, Dayton Brenner, Joseph Goode, Nicholas John Vella
-
Publication number: 20210095607Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying when an exhaust valve of an engine cylinder is not functioning as desired while the engine is being operated to raise a temperature of an exhaust system emissions control device, and in turn taking mitigating action. Thus, in one example a method comprises adjusting an amount of fuel that is provided to each of a plurality of cylinders of an engine during an exhaust stroke of the engine in response to an indication of degraded combustion stemming from a cylinder of the engine. In this way, the engine may continue to be operated to raise the temperature of the exhaust system emissions control device, while mitigating the issue of the degraded combustion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Frank M. Korpics, Aaron John Oakley, Kirk Andrew Parrish, Sanket Anil Gujarathi, Nicholas Sovis, Dayton Brenner, Joseph Goode, Nicholas John Vella
-
Publication number: 20190360417Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine. In one example, a method comprises stopping an engine via a soft-stop method in response to a likelihood of condensate forming being less than or equal to a threshold likelihood. The method further comprises stopping the engine via an exhaust gas evacuation method in response to the likelihood of condensate forming being greater than the threshold likelihood.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: David Hesketh, Aaron John Oakley
-
Patent number: 10030600Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring and adapting sensors and actuators in the induction system and exhaust system of an internal combustion engine during a period of time in which fresh air is flowing through the internal combustion engine without fuel delivery. According to the disclosure, the period of time in which fresh air is flowing through the internal combustion engine when fuel delivery is turned off and the monitoring and adapting is being carried out is extended by transferring torque produced by electric motor to the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2017Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Tobias Emig, Aaron John Oakley, Jon Dixon, Daniel Roettger, Christoph Grewer
-
Patent number: 9890728Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating cylinder pressure profiles in cylinders of an engine are disclosed. In one example, fuel injection timing of engine cylinders is adjusted to improve engine combustion in response to output of one or more pressure sensors installed in engine cylinders. Combustion within a plurality of engine cylinders may be adjusted in response to pressure sensed in a single engine cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Daniel Roettger, Aaron John Oakley, Claus Maerschank
-
Publication number: 20170260922Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring and adapting sensors and actuators in the induction system and exhaust system of an internal combustion engine during a period of time in which fresh air is flowing through the internal combustion engine without fuel delivery. According to the disclosure, the period of time in which fresh air is flowing through the internal combustion engine when fuel delivery is turned off and the monitoring and adapting is being carried out is extended by transferring torque produced by electric motor to the internal combustion engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Tobias Emig, Aaron John Oakley, Jon Dixon, Daniel Roettger, Christoph Grewer
-
Patent number: 9599062Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for adjusting a pilot injection during initial engine operation from vehicle manufacture. In one example, a method comprises delivering a first proportion of fuel as the pilot injection, and only decreasing the first proportion of fuel responsive to learning an injector flow characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Aaron John Oakley
-
Publication number: 20170051700Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating cylinder pressure profiles in cylinders of an engine are disclosed. In one example, fuel injection timing of engine cylinders is adjusted to improve engine combustion in response to output of one or more pressure sensors installed in engine cylinders. Combustion within a plurality of engine cylinders may be adjusted in response to pressure sensed in a single engine cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2015Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Daniel Roettger, Aaron John Oakley, Claus Maerschank
-
Publication number: 20160025031Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for adjusting a pilot injection during initial engine operation from vehicle manufacture. In one example, a method comprises delivering a first proportion of fuel as the pilot injection, and only decreasing the first proportion of fuel responsive to learning an injector flow characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Aaron John Oakley
-
Patent number: 8333071Abstract: A method and system to control an engine to maintain turbine inlet temperature utilizes two temperature thresholds: a control initiation temperature and a maximum hardware temperature. An engine parameter is adjusted in a closed-loop manner based on an error, which is a difference between a setpoint temperature and the turbine inlet temperature. The setpoint temperature is initially the control initiation temperature. However, after control over turbine inlet temperature is established, the setpoint temperature ramps gradually to maximum hardware temperature. In one embodiment, the engine parameter is engine torque. Other engine parameters affecting turbine inlet temperature include timing and duration of fuel injection pulses, EGR rate, gear selection, and intake throttle position, any of which can be used in place of, or in combination with, torque for controlling turbine inlet temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2009Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aaron John Oakley, Paul Martin Niessen, Jason Ronald Smith
-
Publication number: 20120304962Abstract: A method for estimating a combustion torque acting upon a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is described. In one example, the method includes acquiring an instantaneous engine speed signal, calculating a cyclic engine speed signal based on the instantaneous engine speed signal, averaging the cyclic engine speed signal, correcting the averaged cyclic engine speed signal for engine losses, and estimating the combustion torque based on the corrected averaged cyclic engine speed signal. The description also concerns a control unit for an internal combustion engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Charles Francois Tumelaire, Aaron John Oakley, Laurence Paul Hatfield
-
Publication number: 20110023478Abstract: A method and system to control an engine to maintain turbine inlet temperature utilizes two temperature thresholds: a control initiation temperature and a maximum hardware temperature. An engine parameter is adjusted in a closed-loop manner based on an error, which is a difference between a setpoint temperature and the turbine inlet temperature. The setpoint temperature is initially the control initiation temperature. However, after control over turbine inlet temperature is established, the setpoint temperature ramps gradually to maximum hardware temperature. In one embodiment, the engine parameter is engine torque. Other engine parameters affecting turbine inlet temperature include timing and duration of fuel injection pulses, EGR rate, gear selection, and intake throttle position, any of which can be used in place of, or in combination with, torque for controlling turbine inlet temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Aaron John Oakley, Paul Martin Niessen, Jason Ronald Smith