Patents by Inventor Christopher Donald Wicks

Christopher Donald Wicks 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: 9267424
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either an air intake system or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, condensate is routed to a first position along the engine air intake system in a first mode of operation, and a second position upstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a second mode of operation, and a third position downstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a third mode of operation. When substantially no contaminates are detected, the condensate may be routed into the engine exhaust upstream of the catalyst in order to cool the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Mark Michael Madin
  • Publication number: 20160010547
    Abstract: A system and method for cleaning deposits, such as carbon build-up, from an air induction path of a motor vehicle engine. A reservoir mounted onboard the vehicle is in fluid communication with the induction path and contains a cleaning solution. A control module activates a valve to meters a flow of the solution into an air intake plenum in response to a signal indicating a parameter related to operation of the engine. The solvent may be delivered in a quantity calculated to collect at sump of the intake plenum and be drawn into the engine when intake air flow exceeds a threshold rate. The engine-related parameter may be distance travelled by the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20150176478
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either an air intake system or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, condensate is routed to a first position along the engine air intake system in a first mode of operation, and a second position upstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a second mode of operation, and a third position downstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a third mode of operation. When substantially no contaminates are detected, the condensate may be routed into the engine exhaust upstream of the catalyst in order to cool the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Mark Michael Madin
  • Publication number: 20150176480
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either a combustion chamber of an engine or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, the method includes accumulating a portion of compressed air in an accumulator, and when an engine output is below a predetermined amount, coupling a part of the accumulated air with the condensate through a passage into the combustion chamber. Thereby, the methods described may be used to distribute condensate formed in the heat exchanger even at low engine loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Mark Michael Madin, Christopher Donald Wicks