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).

  • Patent number: 11454189
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen George Russ, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Scott Allan Lehto, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Jeanne Wei, David Shelley
  • Patent number: 11261836
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Arnold Woodring, Ross Pursifull, Steven Antone Thiel
  • Patent number: 10189466
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring
  • Patent number: 10161349
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Ord
  • Patent number: 10011269
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring
  • Publication number: 20180148037
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring
  • Publication number: 20180148038
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring
  • Publication number: 20170292469
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Ord
  • Patent number: 9689341
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Ord
  • Publication number: 20160377019
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen George Russ, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Scott Allan Lehto, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Jeanne Wei, David Shelley
  • Publication number: 20160356237
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Ord
  • Patent number: 9464609
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Jensen, Dequan Yu, Dennis Morgan, Christopher Arnold Woodring
  • Patent number: 9051906
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Armesto, Scott J. Szymusiak, Scott Donald Cooper, Christopher Arnold Woodring
  • Publication number: 20150068491
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Jensen, Dequan Yu, Dennis Morgan, Christopher Arnold Woodring
  • Publication number: 20130220280
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Armesto, Scott J. Szymusiak, Scott Donald Cooper, Christopher Arnold Woodring
  • Patent number: 5762046
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John William Holmes, Mariann E. Bischoff, Christopher Arnold Woodring