Patents by Inventor Brien Lloyd Fulton

Brien Lloyd Fulton 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: 11939900
    Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing emissions of an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, an electric heater and a passive NOx absorber or other emissions control device are positioned in a passage downstream of a combustor so as to process emissions from the combustor before an engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Martz, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Eric Kurtz, Paul Tennison, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Daniel Styles
  • Patent number: 11598237
    Abstract: A diesel engine system includes an engine, an exhaust system connected to the engine, and a water-fuel separator. The exhaust system has an aftertreatment device, an exhaust pipe upstream of the aftertreatment device, and a fuel injector connected to the exhaust pipe. The water-fuel separator has a filter configured to separate water from fuel and a reservoir configured to store the separated water. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Carlos Armesto
  • Patent number: 11566568
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing EGR delivered to an engine. In one example, a method may include determining an EVO timing set point and an external EGR setpoint in parallel, based on an inverse model. The EVO timing may be adjusted based on a combination of the EVO timing setpoint and an EGR cylinder balancing feedback loop, thereby varying internal EGR to the engine to supplement external EGR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20220298979
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing EGR delivered to an engine. In one example, a method may include determining an EVO timing set point and an external EGR setpoint in parallel, based on an inverse model. The EVO timing may be adjusted based on a combination of the EVO timing setpoint and an EGR cylinder balancing feedback loop, thereby varying internal EGR to the engine to supplement external EGR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20220290593
    Abstract: A diesel engine system includes an engine, an exhaust system connected to the engine, and a water-fuel separator. The exhaust system has an aftertreatment device, an exhaust pipe upstream of the aftertreatment device, and a fuel injector connected to the exhaust pipe. The water-fuel separator has a filter configured to separate water from fuel and a reservoir configured to store the separated water. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Carlos Armesto
  • Patent number: 11220962
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving turbocharger response in a boosted engine. In one example, a current turbocharger performance may be monitored, if meeting and operating in an optimum region for efficiency (e.g., on compressor and/or turbine maps), engine may be operated with a steady state exhaust valve opening (EVO) timing in an optimum position based on engine mapping (e.g., engine pumping work). Otherwise, the EVO timing may be advanced (opening earlier) to release more energy into the exhaust or retarded to release less, to move turbocharger to desired performance. By adjusting EVO timing to achieve desired turbocharger response and performance, faster response is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Chris Glugla, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 11187178
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine that includes an after treatment system are described. In one example, traffic data and navigation system data are a basis for deciding whether or not to increase heat output of an engine to ensure operation of the after treatment system. In particular, one or more actuators may be adjusted to minimize fuel consumption and/or reduce feedgas emissions while generating sufficient heat to maintain after treatment system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Bieniek, Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Patent number: 11024103
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle wirelessly communicating with a central server. In one example, a method may include monitoring faults and sending engine conditions along with driver inputs to the central server for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Daniel Joseph Styles, Daniel A. Makled, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Lauren Newton
  • Patent number: 11015539
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: 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: 20210095607
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Frank M. Korpics, Aaron John Oakley, Kirk Andrew Parrish, Sanket Anil Gujarathi, Nicholas Sovis, Dayton Brenner, Joseph Goode, Nicholas John Vella
  • Patent number: 10393058
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine with different fuels having different cetane levels are described. In one example, start of fuel injection timing for engine cylinders may be adjusted responsive to engine deceleration or combustion phase during engine cranking. The start of fuel injection timing may be retarded for higher cetane fuels and advanced for lower cetane fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Daniel Joseph Rinkevich
  • Publication number: 20190136791
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine with different fuels having different cetane levels are described. In one example, start of fuel injection timing for engine cylinders may be adjusted responsive to engine deceleration or combustion phase during engine cranking. The start of fuel injection timing may be retarded for higher cetane fuels and advanced for lower cetane fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Daniel Joseph Rinkevich
  • Publication number: 20190080530
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle wirelessly communicating with a central server. In one example, a method may include monitoring faults and sending engine conditions along with driver inputs to the central server for processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Daniel Joseph Styles, Daniel A. Makled, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Lauren Newton
  • Patent number: 10215106
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting exhaust valve timing of an engine are described. In one example, exhaust valve timing of a compression ignition engine is adjusted responsive to a difference between a commanded exhaust valve opening timing and an actual exhaust valve opening timing, the actual exhaust valve opening timing determined from cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Patent number: 10202923
    Abstract: Embodiments for estimating intake air humidity in an engine are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises adjusting an engine parameter in response to intake air humidity estimated based on a concentration of one or more engine-out emissions. In this way, one or more exhaust emission sensors may be used to estimate intake air humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yong-Wha Kim, In Kwang Yoo, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Patent number: 10163278
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle wirelessly communicating with a central server. In one example, a method may include monitoring faults and sending engine conditions along with driver inputs to the central server for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Daniel Joseph Styles, Daniel A. Makled, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Lauren Newton
  • Publication number: 20180313258
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle engine including a turbocharger coupled to a hydraulic pump and hydraulic accumulator. In one example, a method may include, in response to the vehicle coming to a stop, supplying pressure to a hydraulic braking system of the vehicle from the accumulator coupled to a hydraulic pump coupled to a shaft of a turbocharger of an engine installed in the vehicle, and automatically shutting down the engine while the vehicle is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Dave R. Hanna
  • Patent number: 10113476
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle engine including a turbocharger coupled to a hydraulic pump and hydraulic accumulator. In one example, a method may include, in response to the vehicle coming to a stop, supplying pressure to a hydraulic braking system of the vehicle from the accumulator coupled to a hydraulic pump coupled to a shaft of a turbocharger of an engine installed in the vehicle, and automatically shutting down the engine while the vehicle is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Dave R. Hanna
  • Publication number: 20180179962
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting exhaust valve timing of an engine are described. In one example, exhaust valve timing of a compression ignition engine is adjusted responsive to a difference between a commanded exhaust valve opening timing and an actual exhaust valve opening timing, the actual exhaust valve opening timing determined from cylinder pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Publication number: 20180068497
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle wirelessly communicating with a central server. In one example, a method may include monitoring faults and sending engine conditions along with driver inputs to the central server for processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Daniel Joseph Styles, Daniel A. Makled, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Lauren Newton