Patents by Inventor Christopher R. Graham

Christopher R. Graham 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: 8280612
    Abstract: A coordinated torque control (CTC) system is provided that includes an engine capacity module, a multi-pulse enable module, and a catalyst light off torque reserve module. The engine capacity module determines a torque capacity of an engine and generates a maximum engine torque capacity signal. The multi-pulse enable module enables a multi-pulse mode that includes the injection of at least two pulses of fuel into a cylinder of the engine during a combustion cycle. The multi-pulse enable module generates a multi-pulse desired signal to operate in the multi-pulse mode based on the maximum engine torque capacity signal, a catalyst light off signal, and a brake torque request signal. The catalyst light off torque reserve module generates a torque reserve corrected signal based on the multi-pulse desired signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Michael Livshiz, Christopher R. Graham, Rafat F Hattar, Cheryl A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8091531
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a pressure sensor includes a fuel pump module and a diagnostic control module. The fuel pump module activates a first pump and deactivates a second pump when an engine is operating in a diagnostic mode. The first pump supplies fuel to the second pump and the second pump supplies fuel to fuel injectors of the engine via a fuel rail. The diagnostic control module receives a measured pressure signal from a pressure sensor that indicates a pressure of the fuel rail during the diagnostic mode. The diagnostic control module detects a fault of the pressure sensor based on a comparison between the measured pressure signal and the commanded pressure signal for the first pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventors: Michael J. Lucido, Wenbo Wang, Christopher R. Graham
  • Patent number: 8091532
    Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a fuel pump module and a diagnostic control module. The fuel pump module activates a first pump when an engine is operating in a diagnostic mode. The first pump supplies fuel to fuel injectors of the engine via a fuel rail. The diagnostic control module receives a measured pressure signal from a pressure sensor that indicates a pressure of the fuel rail during the diagnostic mode. The fuel pump module sends at least one of a first and a second commanded fuel pressure signal to the first pump based on a predetermined relief pressure of a pressure relief valve. The diagnostic control module detects a fault of the pressure sensor based on an engine speed and a comparison between the measured pressure signal and at least one of the first commanded fuel pressure signal and a corrected relief pressure of the pressure relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Michael J. Lucido, Christopher R. Graham
  • Patent number: 7885756
    Abstract: A control system is provided and includes a catalyst module that generates a multi-mode enable signal based on a catalyst light off enable signal. A transition control module controls transitions between a single pulse mode and multi-pulse mode based on the multi-mode enable signal. The transition control module receives a first torque signal and generates a second torque signal based on the first torque signal. The engine torque control module generates an air per cylinder signal, a throttle area signal, and a spark timing signal based on the second torque signal. The single pulse mode is associated with a single fuel injection pulse per combustion cycle. The multi-pulse mode is associated with multiple fuel injection pulses per combustion cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher R. Graham, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert Francis Semrau, Brian D Francis
  • Patent number: 7878175
    Abstract: A coordinated torque control system includes a catalyst module that generates a multi-mode enable signal based on a catalyst light off enable signal. A torque reserve module generates a torque reserve signal based on the multi-mode enable signal, an engine speed signal and an air per cylinder signal. The torque reserve module operates in a multi-pulse mode that is associated with injecting N pulses of fuel into a combustion chamber during a combustion cycle of the engine based on the multi-mode enable signal. N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher R. Graham, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert Francis Semrau, Brian D. Francis
  • Publication number: 20100274462
    Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a fuel pump module and a diagnostic control module. The fuel pump module activates a first pump when an engine is operating in a diagnostic mode. The first pump supplies fuel to fuel injectors of the engine via a fuel rail. The diagnostic control module receives a measured pressure signal from a pressure sensor that indicates a pressure of the fuel rail during the diagnostic mode. The fuel pump module sends at least one of a first and a second commanded fuel pressure signal to the first pump based on a predetermined relief pressure of a pressure relief valve. The diagnostic control module detects a fault of the pressure sensor based on an engine speed and a comparison between the measured pressure signal and at least one of the first commanded fuel pressure signal and a corrected relief pressure of the pressure relief valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Michael J. Lucido, Christopher R. Graham
  • Publication number: 20100269791
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a pressure sensor includes a fuel pump module and a diagnostic control module. The fuel pump module activates a first pump and deactivates a second pump when an engine is operating in a diagnostic mode. The first pump supplies fuel to the second pump and the second pump supplies fuel to fuel injectors of the engine via a fuel rail. The diagnostic control module receives a measured pressure signal from a pressure sensor that indicates a pressure of the fuel rail during the diagnostic mode. The diagnostic control module detects a fault of the pressure sensor based on a comparison between the measured pressure signal and the commanded pressure signal for the first pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Lucido, Wenbo Wang, Christopher R. Graham
  • Patent number: 7771311
    Abstract: A method comprises operating an engine of a vehicle to provide output torque to an input of a torque converter, determining whether the engine is in a cold start condition, fixing an input shaft of a transmission when the engine is in the cold start condition, and coupling the input shaft of the transmission to an output of the torque converter. A control module comprises a combustion control module that operates an engine of a vehicle to provide output torque to an input of a torque converter, a NPD module that determines whether the engine is in a cold start condition, and a transmission control module that fixes an input shaft of a transmission when the engine is in the cold start condition, wherein the input shaft of the transmission is in communication with an output of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher R. Graham, David N. Belton
  • Publication number: 20100057330
    Abstract: A coordinated torque control (CTC) system is provided that includes an engine capacity module, a multi-pulse enable module, and a catalyst light off torque reserve module. The engine capacity module determines a torque capacity of an engine and generates a maximum engine torque capacity signal. The multi-pulse enable module enables a multi-pulse mode that includes the injection of at least two pulses of fuel into a cylinder of the engine during a combustion cycle. The multi-pulse enable module generates a multi-pulse desired signal to operate in the multi-pulse mode based on the maximum engine torque capacity signal, a catalyst light off signal, and a brake torque request signal. The catalyst light off torque reserve module generates a torque reserve corrected signal based on the multi-pulse desired signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Michael Livshiz, Christopher R. Graham, Rafat F. Hattar, Cheryl A. Williams
  • Publication number: 20100057329
    Abstract: A control system is provided and includes a catalyst module that generates a multi-mode enable signal based on a catalyst light off enable signal. A transition control module controls transitions between a single pulse mode and multi-pulse mode based on the multi-mode enable signal. The transition control module receives a first torque signal and generates a second torque signal based on the first torque signal. The engine torque control module generates an air per cylinder signal, a throttle area signal, and a spark timing signal based on the second torque signal. The single pulse mode is associated with a single fuel injection pulse per combustion cycle. The multi-pulse mode is associated with multiple fuel injection pulses per combustion cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher R. Graham, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert Francis Semrau, Brian D. Francis
  • Publication number: 20100057325
    Abstract: A coordinated torque control system includes a catalyst module that generates a multi-mode enable signal based on a catalyst light off enable signal. A torque reserve module generates a torque reserve signal based on the multi-mode enable signal, an engine speed signal and an air per cylinder signal. The torque reserve module operates in a multi-pulse mode that is associated with injecting N pulses of fuel into a combustion chamber during a combustion cycle of the engine based on the multi-mode enable signal. N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher R. Graham, Christopher E. Whitney, Robert Francis Semrau, Brian D. Francis
  • Publication number: 20090217916
    Abstract: A method comprises operating an engine of a vehicle to provide output torque to an input of a torque converter, determining whether the engine is in a cold start condition, fixing an input shaft of a transmission when the engine is in the cold start condition, and coupling the input shaft of the transmission to an output of the torque converter. A control module comprises a combustion control module that operates an engine of a vehicle to provide output torque to an input of a torque converter, a NPD module that determines whether the engine is in a cold start condition, and a transmission control module that fixes an input shaft of a transmission when the engine is in the cold start condition, wherein the input shaft of the transmission is in communication with an output of the torque converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Graham, David N. Belton
  • Patent number: 7467511
    Abstract: An engine control system that regulates fuel to an engine after lean idle operation includes a first module that determines a rich mass fuel rate based on a lean operation mass air flow and a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio (AFR) and that calculates a time rich based on the rich mass fuel rate. A second module regulates fuel to the engine during a rich operation period after the lean idle operation to provide the rich mass fuel rate for the time rich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Sczomak, David B. Brown, Stephen K. Fulcher, Jesse M. Gwidt, Michael J. Lucido, Christopher R. Graham
  • Patent number: 7258101
    Abstract: An excess oxygen reduction system includes a fuel cut-off condition module, an injector module, and a valve module. The fuel cut-off condition module determines whether a fuel cut-off condition exists. The injector module prevents a fuel injector from fueling a cylinder when said fuel cut-off condition exists. The valve module closes an impulse charging valve when said fuel cut-off condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike M. McDonald, William C. Albertson, Christopher R. Graham
  • Patent number: 7159623
    Abstract: A method of estimating composition of fuel in the fuel tank of a vehicle. A refuel event is detected. Fuel consumption is monitored during a plurality of stages after the refuel event. A plurality of fuel trim shift values are determined relative to the stages. The fuel trim shift values are used to estimate a fuel composition change. This method eliminates a need for a hardware fuel composition sensor and also provides dynamic filtering of fuel trim values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Carr, Joseph R. Dulzo, Christopher R. Graham, Richard B. Jess, Ian J. MacEwen, Onassis Matthews, Jeffrey A. Sell, Michael J. Svestka, Julian R. Verdejo