Patents by Inventor Christopher Arnold Woodring
Christopher Arnold Woodring 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).
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Patent number: 11454189Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing hot fuel vapor formation in a port injection fuel rail. In one example, a method may include operating a dual fuel injection system with at least a calibrated minimum amount of port fuel injection over a wide range of engine operating conditions, even as conditions change. A direct fuel injection amount is adjusted in accordance.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2016Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stephen George Russ, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Scott Allan Lehto, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Jeanne Wei, David Shelley
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Patent number: 11261836Abstract: A fuel line check valve system and a fuel system that includes the fuel line check valve system are described. The fuel line check valve system may prevent flow into a fuel system that is generated via a vacuum in the fuel system. The fuel line check valve system may also remain in an open state after it is open via a reduced pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2021Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Arnold Woodring, Ross Pursifull, Steven Antone Thiel
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Patent number: 10189466Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an in-range error of a pressure sensor arranged downstream of a lift pump in a fuel system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include performing feedback control of the lift pump based on output of the pressure sensor, monitoring the pressure sensor output for flattening during the application of the voltage pulses, and adjusting operation of the fuel system depending on whether the pressure sensor output flattens for at least a threshold duration, which is indicative of an in-range error. The method may further include dynamically learning a setpoint pressure of a pressure relief valve of the fuel system and a fuel vapor pressure within the fuel system by monitoring pressure sensor output while adjusting the duty cycle of voltage pulses applied to the lift pump.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring
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Patent number: 10161349Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing a lift pump voltage to a high threshold voltage responsive to a DI pump efficiency being below a threshold efficiency, and increasing a lift pump voltage to a first threshold voltage less than the high threshold voltage responsive to a main jet pump fuel reservoir level being less than a first threshold reservoir level. The approach increases fuel jet pump performance and thereby reducing engine stalls induced by fuel vaporization, while maintaining DI pump efficiency and fuel economy.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Ord
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Patent number: 10011269Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an in-range error of a pressure sensor arranged downstream of a lift pump in a fuel system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include performing feedback control of the lift pump based on output of the pressure sensor, monitoring the pressure sensor output for flattening during the application of the voltage pulses, and adjusting operation of the fuel system depending on whether the pressure sensor output flattens for at least a threshold duration, which is indicative of an in-range error. The method may further include dynamically learning a setpoint pressure of a pressure relief valve of the fuel system and a fuel vapor pressure within the fuel system by monitoring pressure sensor output while adjusting the duty cycle of voltage pulses applied to the lift pump.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring
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Publication number: 20180148037Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an in-range error of a pressure sensor arranged downstream of a lift pump in a fuel system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include performing feedback control of the lift pump based on output of the pressure sensor, monitoring the pressure sensor output for flattening during the application of the voltage pulses, and adjusting operation of the fuel system depending on whether the pressure sensor output flattens for at least a threshold duration, which is indicative of an in-range error. The method may further include dynamically learning a setpoint pressure of a pressure relief valve of the fuel system and a fuel vapor pressure within the fuel system by monitoring pressure sensor output while adjusting the duty cycle of voltage pulses applied to the lift pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring
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Publication number: 20180148038Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an in-range error of a pressure sensor arranged downstream of a lift pump in a fuel system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include performing feedback control of the lift pump based on output of the pressure sensor, monitoring the pressure sensor output for flattening during the application of the voltage pulses, and adjusting operation of the fuel system depending on whether the pressure sensor output flattens for at least a threshold duration, which is indicative of an in-range error. The method may further include dynamically learning a setpoint pressure of a pressure relief valve of the fuel system and a fuel vapor pressure within the fuel system by monitoring pressure sensor output while adjusting the duty cycle of voltage pulses applied to the lift pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring
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Publication number: 20170292469Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing a lift pump voltage to a high threshold voltage responsive to a DI pump efficiency being below a threshold efficiency, and increasing a lift pump voltage to a first threshold voltage less than the high threshold voltage responsive to a main jet pump fuel reservoir level being less than a first threshold reservoir level. The approach increases fuel jet pump performance and thereby reducing engine stalls induced by fuel vaporization, while maintaining DI pump efficiency and fuel economy.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Ord
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Patent number: 9689341Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing a lift pump voltage to a high threshold voltage responsive to a DI pump efficiency being below a threshold efficiency, and increasing a lift pump voltage to a first threshold voltage less than the high threshold voltage responsive to a main jet pump fuel reservoir level being less than a first threshold reservoir level. The approach increases fuel jet pump performance and thereby reducing engine stalls induced by fuel vaporization, while maintaining DI pump efficiency and fuel economy.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Ord
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Publication number: 20160377019Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing hot fuel vapor formation in a port injection fuel rail. In one example, a method may include operating a dual fuel injection system with at least a calibrated minimum amount of port fuel injection over a wide range of engine operating conditions, even as conditions change. A direct fuel injection amount is adjusted in accordance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Stephen George Russ, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Scott Allan Lehto, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Jeanne Wei, David Shelley
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Publication number: 20160356237Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing a lift pump voltage to a high threshold voltage responsive to a DI pump efficiency being below a threshold efficiency, and increasing a lift pump voltage to a first threshold voltage less than the high threshold voltage responsive to a main jet pump fuel reservoir level being less than a first threshold reservoir level. The approach increases fuel jet pump performance and thereby reducing engine stalls induced by fuel vaporization, while maintaining DI pump efficiency and fuel economy.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Ord
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Patent number: 9464609Abstract: A fuel delivery system is provided to reduce the pressure pulsations and noise vibration and harshness of direct injection systems. The fuel delivery system includes an elastic fuel line positioned between a first fuel pump and a second fuel pump and a check valve positioned in the elastic fuel line near the inlet of the high pressure pump, the check valve including an external housing having a peripheral surface with a greater diameter than an unstretched inner diameter of the elastic fuel line.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jacob Jensen, Dequan Yu, Dennis Morgan, Christopher Arnold Woodring
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Patent number: 9051906Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conditioning fuel for diesel engine. The system may include a fuel pump located within a fuel tank configured to pump fuel to the diesel engine. The system may also include a fuel filter located outside of the fuel tank operatively located upstream of a flow of fuel from the fuel pump. A method may include directing fuel from inside of the fuel tank through a fuel filter located outside of the fuel tank into a vacuum chamber positioned inside the fuel tank, before directing the fuel to the diesel engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Carlos Armesto, Scott J. Szymusiak, Scott Donald Cooper, Christopher Arnold Woodring
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Publication number: 20150068491Abstract: A fuel delivery system is provided to reduce the pressure pulsations and noise vibration and harshness of direct injection systems. The fuel delivery system includes an elastic fuel line positioned between a first fuel pump and a second fuel pump and a check valve positioned in the elastic fuel line near the inlet of the high pressure pump, the check valve including an external housing having a peripheral surface with a greater diameter than an unstretched inner diameter of the elastic fuel line.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jacob Jensen, Dequan Yu, Dennis Morgan, Christopher Arnold Woodring
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Publication number: 20130220280Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conditioning fuel for diesel engine. The system may include a fuel pump located within a fuel tank configured to pump fuel to the diesel engine. The system may also include a fuel filter located outside of the fuel tank operatively located upstream of a flow of fuel from the fuel pump. A method may include directing fuel from inside of the fuel tank through a fuel filter located outside of the fuel tank into a vacuum chamber positioned inside the fuel tank, before directing the fuel to the diesel engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Carlos Armesto, Scott J. Szymusiak, Scott Donald Cooper, Christopher Arnold Woodring
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Patent number: 5762046Abstract: A dual speed fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine in an automotive vehicle includes a fuel pump, a dropping resistor connected to the fuel pump for reducing the voltage required to drive the fuel pump, and a controller for determining an optimum transition point between one of a relatively high and low speed fuel pump operation so that a controlled amount of fuel is delivered to the engine. The controller calculates fuel pressure increase across the fuel pump, determines the minimum fuel pump voltage necessary to drive the fuel pump such that a predetermined amount of fuel is supplied to the engine and determines the current draw of the fuel pump. The controller then calculates the voltage drop across the dropping resistor and compares the resulting voltage with the minimum fuel pump voltage. The controller then selectively by-passes the dropping resistor based on this comparison.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1997Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John William Holmes, Mariann E. Bischoff, Christopher Arnold Woodring