Patents by Inventor Brian Franke

Brian Franke 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: 11578672
    Abstract: A friction loss management system for an engine, comprises a combustion engine comprising a crankshaft and a plurality of cylinders, a reciprocating piston assembly connected to the crankshaft, a fuel injector, an intake valve, and an exhaust valve. A control unit comprises at least one set of control algorithms configured to receive engine power demand data, and determine a number of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders for deactivation based on the received engine power demand data and further based on sensed or stored friction values for the plurality of cylinders. Determining the number of cylinders of for deactivation minimizes friction between the plurality of cylinders and their respective reciprocating piston assembly by selecting a cylinder combination of active cylinders and deactivated cylinders with the lowest total friction while meeting engine power demand. All cylinders can be deactivated for purposes of coasting or controlling speed during platooning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J. Nielsen, Brian Franke
  • Patent number: 11578673
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle speed comprises selecting an engine speed profile for a vehicle. Road grade data is received and processed to determine a road grade for the vehicle. Vehicle speed data is received and processed to determine a vehicle speed for the vehicle. A cylinder deactivation mode for a valvetrain of a multi-cylinder engine of the vehicle is selected. The cylinder deactivation mode comprises deactivating one or more intake valve, exhaust valve, and fuel injection for one or more cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine. The selected cylinder deactivation mode provides a controlled deviation from the selected engine speed profile at the road grade and vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Mihai Dorobantu, Douglas J. Nielsen, Brian Franke
  • Publication number: 20220154653
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission of a vehicle during cylinder deactivation can comprise receiving and processing a zero or negative torque requirement for the vehicle. Receiving and processing vehicle speed data can be included to determine a vehicle speed for the vehicle. A cylinder deactivation mode can be implemented for a valvetrain of a multi-cylinder engine of the vehicle, wherein the cylinder deactivation mode comprises deactivating one or more intake valve, one or more exhaust valve, and fuel injection for one or more cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine. Selecting one of an in-gear mode and a neutral mode for a transmission of the vehicle can be included while implementing the cylinder deactivation mode and while maintaining the determined vehicle speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Mihai Dorobantu, Douglas J. Nielsen, Brian Franke
  • Patent number: 11187162
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle speed comprises selecting an engine speed profile for a vehicle. Road grade data is received and processed to determine a road grade for the vehicle. Vehicle speed data is received and processed to determine a vehicle speed for the vehicle. A cylinder deactivation mode for a valvetrain of a multi-cylinder engine of the vehicle is selected. The cylinder deactivation mode comprises deactivating one or more intake valve, exhaust valve, and fuel injection for one or more cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine. The selected cylinder deactivation mode provides a controlled deviation from the selected engine speed profile at the road grade and vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Mihai Dorobantu, Douglas J. Nielsen, Brian Franke
  • Publication number: 20190277206
    Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle speed comprises selecting an engine speed profile for a vehicle. Road grade data is received and processed to determine a road grade for the vehicle. Vehicle speed data is received and processed to determine a vehicle speed for the vehicle. A cylinder deactivation mode for a valvetrain of a multi-cylinder engine of the vehicle is selected. The cylinder deactivation mode comprises deactivating one or more intake valve, exhaust valve, and fuel injection for one or more cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine. The selected cylinder deactivation mode provides a controlled deviation from the selected engine speed profile at the road grade and vehicle speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Mihai Dorobantu, Douglas J. Nielsen, Brian Franke
  • Publication number: 20190178168
    Abstract: A friction loss management system for an engine, comprises a combustion engine comprising a crankshaft and a plurality of cylinders, a reciprocating piston assembly connected to the crankshaft, a fuel injector, an intake valve, and an exhaust valve. A control unit comprises at least one set of control algorithms configured to receive engine power demand data, and determine a number of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders for deactivation based on the received engine power demand data and further based on sensed or stored friction values for the plurality of cylinders. Determining the number of cylinders of for deactivation minimizes friction between the plurality of cylinders and their respective reciprocating piston assembly by selecting a cylinder combination of active cylinders and deactivated cylinders with the lowest total friction while meeting engine power demand. All cylinders can be deactivated for purposes of coasting or controlling speed during platooning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J. Nielsen, Brian Franke