Patents by Inventor Dale W. McKim

Dale W. McKim 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: 7968827
    Abstract: A heating module for an oxygen sensor comprises an estimated mass module, a cumulative mass module, and a temperature control module. The estimated mass module determines an estimated mass of intake air to remove condensation from an exhaust system after startup of an engine. The cumulative mass module determines a cumulative mass of intake air after the engine startup. The temperature control module adjusts a temperature of an oxygen sensor measuring oxygen in the exhaust system to a first predetermined temperature after the engine startup and adjusts the temperature to a second predetermined temperature when the cumulative air mass is greater than the estimated air mass, wherein the second predetermined temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventors: Justin F. Adams, Louis A. Avallone, Dale W. McKim, Jeffrey A. Sell, John W. Siekkinen, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Patent number: 7792633
    Abstract: A control system comprising an ignition fuse diagnostic module that determines a state of an ignition fuse associated with an ignition coil of an engine cylinder, and a fuel control module that selectively operates a fuel injector associated with the engine cylinder based on the state of the ignition fuse. A method comprising determining a state of an ignition fuse associated with an ignition coil of an engine cylinder, and selectively operating a fuel injector associated with the engine cylinder based on the state of the ignition fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Eric Ferch, Debbie L. Makowske, Dale W. McKim, Mark D. Carr, Wenbo Wang
  • Publication number: 20100004846
    Abstract: A control system comprising an ignition fuse diagnostic module that determines a state of an ignition fuse associated with an ignition coil of an engine cylinder, and a fuel control module that selectively operates a fuel injector associated with the engine cylinder based on the state of the ignition fuse. A method comprising determining a state of an ignition fuse associated with an ignition coil of an engine cylinder, and selectively operating a fuel injector associated with the engine cylinder based on the state of the ignition fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Eric Ferch, Debbie L. Makowske, Dale W. McKim, Mark D. Carr, Wenbo Wang
  • Publication number: 20090150057
    Abstract: A heating module for an oxygen sensor comprises an estimated mass module, a cumulative mass module, and a temperature control module. The estimated mass module determines an estimated mass of intake air to remove condensation from an exhaust system after startup of an engine. The cumulative mass module determines a cumulative mass of intake air after the engine startup. The temperature control module adjusts a temperature of an oxygen sensor measuring oxygen in the exhaust system to a first predetermined temperature after the engine startup and adjusts the temperature to a second predetermined temperature when the cumulative air mass is greater than the estimated air mass, wherein the second predetermined temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Justin F. Adams, Louis A. Avallone, Dale W. Mckim, Jeffrey A. Sell, John W. Siekkinen, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Patent number: 7467628
    Abstract: A control system for an oxygen sensor heater is provided. The control system includes a passive heater control module that generates a heater control signal at a first duty cycle and measures a resistance of the oxygen sensor heater. An exhaust gas temperature mapping module maps the resistance to an exhaust gas temperature. An active heater control module generates a heater control signal at a second duty cycle based on the exhaust gas temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin F. Adams, Louis A. Avallone, Dale W. McKim, Jeffrey A. Sell, John W. Siekkinen, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Publication number: 20080178856
    Abstract: A control system for an oxygen sensor heater is provided. The control system includes a passive heater control module that generates a heater control signal at a first duty cycle and measures a resistance of the oxygen sensor heater. An exhaust gas temperature mapping module maps the resistance to an exhaust gas temperature. An active heater control module generates a heater control signal at a second duty cycle based on the exhaust gas temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Justin F. Adams, Louis A. Avallone, Dale W. McKim, Jeffrey A. Sell, John W. Siekkinen, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Patent number: 6563761
    Abstract: An apparatus (20) determines a vehicle occupant location characteristic. The apparatus (20) includes at least one sensor (e.g., 46) for echo ranging at first and second ultrasonic frequencies. A timer function portion (84) of a microcomputer (66) determines a time-of-flight for each frequency signal. The microcomputer (66) determines the occupant location characteristic using at least one of the determined times-of-flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle R. Schaffran, Dale W. McKim, Stephen R. W. Cooper, Edward J. Gillis
  • Patent number: 5414814
    Abstract: A computer interface is provided to support communication between a VMEbus architecture and a computer having its input/output (I/O) interface based on MIL-STD 1397B Type D or E asynchronous serial data specifications. A dual port RAM provides temporary storage for VMEbus data being transferred to the computer and computer data being transferred to the VMEbus. Both the VMEbus data and computer data are stored in a VMEbus parallel format. An interrupt controller is responsive to interrupt control signals on the VMEbus and a local bus. The interrupt controller places a processor interrupt on the local bus in response to an interrupt control signal on the VMEbus, and places a VME interrupt on the VMEbus in response to an interrupt control signal on the local bus. A processor, responsive to the processor interrupt, generates a write control signal and transfers the VMEbus data stored in the dual port RAM onto the local bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Dale W. McKim