Patents by Inventor Brian D. Francis

Brian D. Francis 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: 9157825
    Abstract: A knock diagnostic module having a knock module that increments a sample count when a cylinder firing signal corresponding to a first cylinder is received and selectively increments a knock count based on a knock detection signal that corresponds to the cylinder firing signal of the first cylinder A knock analysis module analyzes the knock count of the first cylinder when the sample count of the first cylinder reaches a predetermined value and selectively generates an excessive knock signal when the knock count exceeds a predetermined threshold. A remedial action module selectively performs a remedial action based on the excessive knock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Eric Ferch, Hamid M. Esfahan, John F. Van Gilder, Brian D. Francis, Anthony E. Cubr
  • Patent number: 7885756
    Abstract: A control system is provided and includes a catalyst module that generates a multi-mode enable signal based on a catalyst light off enable signal. A transition control module controls transitions between a single pulse mode and multi-pulse mode based on the multi-mode enable signal. The transition control module receives a first torque signal and generates a second torque signal based on the first torque signal. The engine torque control module generates an air per cylinder signal, a throttle area signal, and a spark timing signal based on the second torque signal. The single pulse mode is associated with a single fuel injection pulse per combustion cycle. The multi-pulse mode is associated with multiple fuel injection pulses per combustion cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher R. Graham, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert Francis Semrau, Brian D Francis
  • Patent number: 7878175
    Abstract: A coordinated torque control system includes a catalyst module that generates a multi-mode enable signal based on a catalyst light off enable signal. A torque reserve module generates a torque reserve signal based on the multi-mode enable signal, an engine speed signal and an air per cylinder signal. The torque reserve module operates in a multi-pulse mode that is associated with injecting N pulses of fuel into a combustion chamber during a combustion cycle of the engine based on the multi-mode enable signal. N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher R. Graham, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert Francis Semrau, Brian D. Francis
  • Publication number: 20100057329
    Abstract: A control system is provided and includes a catalyst module that generates a multi-mode enable signal based on a catalyst light off enable signal. A transition control module controls transitions between a single pulse mode and multi-pulse mode based on the multi-mode enable signal. The transition control module receives a first torque signal and generates a second torque signal based on the first torque signal. The engine torque control module generates an air per cylinder signal, a throttle area signal, and a spark timing signal based on the second torque signal. The single pulse mode is associated with a single fuel injection pulse per combustion cycle. The multi-pulse mode is associated with multiple fuel injection pulses per combustion cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher R. Graham, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert Francis Semrau, Brian D. Francis
  • Publication number: 20100057325
    Abstract: A coordinated torque control system includes a catalyst module that generates a multi-mode enable signal based on a catalyst light off enable signal. A torque reserve module generates a torque reserve signal based on the multi-mode enable signal, an engine speed signal and an air per cylinder signal. The torque reserve module operates in a multi-pulse mode that is associated with injecting N pulses of fuel into a combustion chamber during a combustion cycle of the engine based on the multi-mode enable signal. N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher R. Graham, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert Francis Semrau, Brian D. Francis
  • Publication number: 20090276147
    Abstract: A knock diagnostic module having a knock module that increments a sample count when a cylinder firing signal corresponding to a first cylinder is received and selectively increments a knock count based on a knock detection signal that corresponds to the cylinder firing signal of the first cylinder A knock analysis module analyzes the knock count of the first cylinder when the sample count of the first cylinder reaches a predetermined value and selectively generates an excessive knock signal when the knock count exceeds a predetermined threshold. A remedial action module selectively performs a remedial action based on the excessive knock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Eric Ferch, Hamid M. Esfahan, John F. Van Gilder, Brian D. Francis, Anthony E. Cubr