Patents by Inventor Christopher Woodring

Christopher 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: 11761387
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine that includes two fuel pumps are described. In one example, a first fuel pump may be activated or remain activated in response to an engine shutdown request so that a second fuel pump may be cooled before the first fuel pump is deactivated in response to the engine shutdown request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Fulton, Carlos Armesto, Laural Suzanne-Hughes Feldmeier, Kevin M. Bird, Christopher Woodring, Timothy J. Knott
  • Patent number: 11754028
    Abstract: A fuel line check valve system and a fuel system that includes the fuel line diaphragm valve system are described. The fuel line diaphragm valve system may prevent flow into a fuel system that is generated via a vacuum in the fuel system. The fuel line diaphragm valve may also remain in an open state after it is open via a reduced pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Antone Thiel, Ross Pursifull, Christopher Woodring
  • Publication number: 20220412298
    Abstract: A fuel line check valve system and a fuel system that includes the fuel line diaphragm valve system are described. The fuel line diaphragm valve system may prevent flow into a fuel system that is generated via a vacuum in the fuel system. The fuel line diaphragm valve may also remain in an open state after it is open via a reduced pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Steven Antone Thiel, Ross Pursifull, Christopher Woodring
  • Patent number: 10865724
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for characterizing aged fuel, which loses volatility over time. In one example, a method may include estimating a fuel vapor pressure during an engine cold start using a pre-determined fuel distillation curve and adjusting one or more combustion parameters based on the estimated fuel vapor pressure. Because the fuel vapor pressure directly relates to the fuel volatility, adjusting the one or more combustion parameters based on the estimated fuel vapor pressure may reduce aged fuel-related engine performance degradation, such as hesitation and emissions during cold start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Woodring, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mohannad Hakeem, Chris Glugla
  • Publication number: 20190226415
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for characterizing aged fuel, which loses volatility over time. In one example, a method may include estimating a fuel vapor pressure during an engine cold start using a pre-determined fuel distillation curve and adjusting one or more combustion parameters based on the estimated fuel vapor pressure. Because the fuel vapor pressure directly relates to the fuel volatility, adjusting the one or more combustion parameters based on the estimated fuel vapor pressure may reduce aged fuel-related engine performance degradation, such as hesitation and emissions during cold start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Woodring, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mohannad Hakeem, Chris Glugla
  • Patent number: 9683512
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a high-pressure fuel pump to mitigate audible ticking noise associated with opening and closing of a digital inlet valve of the high-pressure pump. To reduce the ticking noise associated with the high-pressure pump when the engine is idling, a solution is needed that is simple and does not involve retrofitting the fuel system with noise, vibration, and harshness countermeasures to mask the noise. Pressure devices and associated operation methods are provided that involve adding a combination of several check valves, an accumulator, and a flow control valve with weep channels to allow the digital inlet valve to be deactivated during engine idling as defined by a threshold engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Stickler, Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Robin Ivo Lawther, Patrick Brostrom, Jacob Jensen, Christopher Woodring, Joseph F. Basmaji, Mark Meinhart, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Publication number: 20150337753
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a high-pressure fuel pump to mitigate audible ticking noise associated with opening and closing of a digital inlet valve of the high-pressure pump. To reduce the ticking noise associated with the high-pressure pump when the engine is idling, a solution is needed that is simple and does not involve retrofitting the fuel system with noise, vibration, and harshness countermeasures to mask the noise. Pressure devices and associated operation methods are provided that involve adding a combination of several check valves, an accumulator, and a flow control valve with weep channels to allow the digital inlet valve to be deactivated during engine idling as defined by a threshold engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Stickler, Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Robin Ivo Lawther, Patrick Brostrom, Jacob Jensen, Christopher Woodring, Joseph F. Basmaji, Mark Meinhart, Gopichandra Surnilla