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: 9140680
    Abstract: A method, comprising generating a water-in-fuel indication responsive to a water-in-fuel content increasing more than a threshold amount within a threshold time of a refueling event is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Castleberry, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Carlos Armesto
  • Publication number: 20150240734
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting hydrocarbon ingestion into an engine based on the simultaneous monitoring of cylinder imbalance and an elevated exhaust exotherm. Crankshaft acceleration data is monitored during steady-state and transient engine conditions while exhaust temperatures are estimated during non-regeneration conditions. Engine speed and load is limited to reduce further hydrocarbon ingestion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Gopal Krishna Chamarthi, John G. Fraser, Arnold Kromberg, Anil Shah, Thomas C. Erickson, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Scott Eeley
  • Patent number: 9103255
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine having a turbocharger, and a particulate filter upstream of a turbocharger turbine. In one example, the method comprises, under selected boosted operating conditions, injecting a reductant upstream of the filter during an exhaust stroke to generate an exothermic reaction at the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Patent number: 9074543
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting hydrocarbon ingestion into an engine based on the simultaneous monitoring of cylinder imbalance and an elevated exhaust exotherm. Crankshaft acceleration data is monitored during steady-state and transient engine conditions while exhaust temperatures are estimated during non-regeneration conditions. Engine speed and load is limited to reduce further hydrocarbon ingestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopal Krishna Chamarthi, John G. Fraser, Arnold Kromberg, Anil Shah, Thomas C. Erickson, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Scott Eeley
  • Publication number: 20150121865
    Abstract: A method for operating a turbocharged engine is disclosed. In one example, during a first condition an engine operation is adjusted in response to a turbocharger expansion ratio exceeding a first limit and during a second condition an engine operation is adjusted in response to the turbocharger expansion ratio exceeding a second limit that differs from the first limit. Degradation of the engine may be reduced under some engine operating conditions by adjusting engine operation in response to the turbocharger expansion ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopal Krishna Chamarthi, Dean Pennala, David Ives, David Robert Nader, Paul Martin Niessen, Jason Ronald Smith
  • Patent number: 9010180
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and an observer for determining the exhaust manifold temperature in a turbocharged engine upstream of the turbine. In one example, a method for determining an exhaust manifold temperature in a turbocharged engine, the engine including a turbocharger and a turbine and the exhaust manifold temperature including a temperature upstream of the turbine, the method comprises estimating a value of the exhaust manifold temperature based on a model, measuring a temperature downstream of the turbine, and correcting the value of the exhaust manifold temperature based on the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Simon Petrovic, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Patent number: 8931272
    Abstract: A method for operating a turbocharged engine is disclosed. In one example, during a first condition an engine operation is adjusted in response to a turbocharger expansion ratio exceeding a first limit and during a second condition an engine operation is adjusted in response to the turbocharger expansion ratio exceeding a second limit that differs from the first limit. Degradation of the engine may be reduced under some engine operating conditions by adjusting engine operation in response to the turbocharger expansion ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopal Krishna Chamarthi, Dean Pennala, David Ives, David Robert Nader, Paul Martin Niessen, Jason Ronald Smith
  • Publication number: 20150006059
    Abstract: A method, comprising generating a water-in-fuel indication responsive to a water-in-fuel content increasing more than a threshold amount within a threshold time of a refueling event is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Larry Castleberry, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Carlos Armesto
  • Publication number: 20140338626
    Abstract: Methods for controlling a glow plug temperature in a diesel engine in response to one or more past operating conditions related to glow plug aging are described. Thereby, the glow plug life calculator of the present disclosure may be useful for indicating degradation of the glow plug in order to prolong the useful life while increasing glow plug durability. In one example, a first phase voltage is reduced in relation to an engine parameter associated with engine start time in order to allow the life of the glow plug to be prolonged while maintaining engine start time at an acceptable level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Publication number: 20140338625
    Abstract: Methods for controlling a glow plug temperature in a diesel engine are herein described. In one example, a controller may adjust a first phase voltage coupled to the glow plug in relation to a parameter associated with engine start time, and couple a lower second phase voltage to the glow plug in order to control the cylinder temperature and thereby the engine start time. In one particular example, the reduced second phase voltage allows the operating cycle push phase to be extended, which increases glow plug durability and further allows for the useful life of the glow plug to be extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Publication number: 20140336901
    Abstract: A method to protect a high-pressure fuel pump in a diesel-engine system includes enabling the high-pressure fuel pump when fuel pressure in the diesel-engine system is above a threshold, and disabling the high-pressure fuel pump if the fuel pressure is below the threshold. In this manner, the high-pressure fuel pump is protected from premature wear and failure due to inadequate lubrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Braden Roberts, Kevin Bird, Thomas Billings, Ace Koua Kue, James Joseph Moylan, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Carlos Armesto
  • Publication number: 20140121936
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a performance issue in a vehicle system having a diesel engine, a fuel system, and an on-board diagnostic system. The method includes cranking the engine, and, if a pressure sensed in the fuel system during or after the engine cranking differs by a threshold amount from the pressure sensed during a previous operation of the engine, indicating excessive fuel viscosity in the on-board diagnostic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, David Robert Nader
  • Publication number: 20140102428
    Abstract: Embodiments for controlling condensate in an engine heat exchanger are disclosed. In one example, a method for an engine comprises increasing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow responsive to condensation in an EGR cooler. In this way, condensate in the EGR cooler may be controlled via modulation of EGR flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Publication number: 20140081558
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for draining water separated from diesel fuel into an EGR system. In response to the water volume in the fuel system and EGR flow at pre-determined levels, water may be introduced into the EGR system. EGR flow may also be controlled in response to introducing water into the EGR system and engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Carlos Armesto, Larry Castleberry, Brad Allen Brown, Armando Chacon
  • Patent number: 8671908
    Abstract: A four-valve per cylinder engine has two intake valves, two exhaust valves and a centrally located fuel injector. Between each adjacent pair of valves is a valve bridge with a point of minimum separation between adjacent valves. In the present disclosure, the glow plug port is defined in the cylinder top at a location outboard of the minimum separation between adjacent and at a depth which is tangent to an edge of a fuel jet emanating the injector. By placing the glow plug farther outboard than found in the prior art, the glow plug contacts the fuel as it comes out of the injector and as it rebounds off a feature of the piston bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Curtis Ives, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Bradley David Opperman, Joshua Putman Styron, Patrick Brian Morgan, Martin Johannes Atzwanger
  • Patent number: 8667780
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including an emission control system, the emission control system comprising a catalyst downstream of a turbine of a boosting device and a reductant injector upstream of the turbine. In one example, the method comprises injecting reductant into exhaust upstream of the turbine, mixing the injected reductant with exhaust gas via the turbine, and delivering the mixed reductant to the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8656715
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a turbocharged engine including a particulate filter positioned upstream of a turbocharger turbine, a catalyst positioned downstream of the turbine, and an EGR passage coupled between an engine exhaust and engine intake. In one example, the method comprises, diverting exhaust gas from downstream of the filter to the engine intake via the EGR passage, and adjusting an amount of diverted exhaust gas based on filter operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20140046576
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting hydrocarbon ingestion into an engine based on the simultaneous monitoring of cylinder imbalance and an elevated exhaust exotherm. Crankshaft acceleration data is monitored during steady-state and transient engine conditions while exhaust temperatures are estimated during non-regeneration conditions. Engine speed and load is limited to reduce further hydrocarbon ingestion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gopal Krishna Chamarthi, John G. Fraser, Arnold Kromberg, Anil Shah, Thomas C. Erickson, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Scott Eeley
  • Publication number: 20140000242
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine having a turbocharger, and a particulate filter upstream of a turbocharger turbine. In one example, the method comprises, under selected boosted operating conditions, injecting a reductant upstream of the filter during an exhaust stroke to generate an exothermic reaction at the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8596064
    Abstract: A method for operating a turbocharged engine is disclosed. In one example, an engine operation is adjusted in response to a turbocharger expansion ratio. Degradation of the engine may be reduced under some engine operating conditions by adjusting engine operation in response to the turbocharger expansion ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopal Krishna Chamarthi, Dean Pennala, David Curtis Ives, David Robert Nader, Paul Martin Niessen, Jason Ronald Smith