Patents by Inventor Daniel G. Brennan

Daniel G. Brennan 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: 8042385
    Abstract: An engine controller diagnostic system includes a cylinder identification (ID) comparison module and a synchronization diagnostic module. The cylinder ID comparison module compares a first cylinder ID associated with a first controller with a second cylinder ID associated with a second controller. The synchronization diagnostic module determines a synchronization status of the first controller based on a comparison between the first cylinder ID and the second cylinder ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Jason T. Davis, David S. Mathews, Kevin J. Storch
  • Publication number: 20110144838
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain includes operating an engine substantially at wide open throttle, monitoring an output torque request, controlling the engine input torque by controlling a valve overlap setting for a cylinder of the engine based upon the output torque request wherein controlling the valve overlap setting for the cylinder modulates a residual burnt gas fraction within the cylinder utilizing at least one of an extended low slope portion of an exhaust valve closing curve and an extended low slope portion of an intake valve opening curve, and controlling an electric machine input torque based upon the output torque request and a time-lag difference between the output torque request and the controlled engine input torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Matthews, Daniel G. Brennan
  • Publication number: 20110087419
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a piston movement modeling module, a cylinder volume determination module, and a cylinder pressure estimation module. The piston movement modeling module models movement of a piston within a corresponding cylinder based on angular change of an engine crankshaft. The cylinder volume determination module determines a volume of the cylinder based on an angular position of the engine crankshaft and the modeled movement of the piston. The cylinder pressure estimation module estimates pressure in the cylinder based on the determined volume, an intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP), an intake valve timing, an exhaust valve timing, and an exhaust back pressure (EBP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Daniel G. Brennan
  • Publication number: 20110056278
    Abstract: An engine controller diagnostic system includes a cylinder identification (ID) comparison module and a synchronization diagnostic module. The cylinder ID comparison module compares a first cylinder ID associated with a first controller with a second cylinder ID associated with a second controller. The synchronization diagnostic module determines a synchronization status of the first controller based on a comparison between the first cylinder ID and the second cylinder ID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Jason T Davis, David S. Mathews, Kevin J. Storch
  • Publication number: 20110054744
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a combustion torque determination module, a friction torque determination module, and a control module. The combustion torque determination module determines a combustion torque of an engine based on pressure inside a cylinder of the engine during an engine cycle. The friction torque determination module determines friction torque of the engine based on the combustion torque, acceleration of an engine crankshaft, effective inertia of the engine crankshaft, and a pumping loss in the cylinder during the engine cycle. The control module adjusts an operating parameter of the engine based on the friction torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Robert Douglas Shafto
  • Publication number: 20100250089
    Abstract: A method and a control module for diagnosing an engine component function includes a comparison module comparing an in-cylinder pressure signal to a threshold and a fault indication module generating a diagnostic signal for an engine component in response to comparing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Douglas R. Verner, Joseph R. Dulzo, Jonathan T. Shibata, Daniel G. Brennan, Joshua Cowgill
  • Patent number: 7519466
    Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle includes determining whether a cam phaser system of the engine is in one of an inactive state and an active state and monitoring at least one engine operating parameter. An engine torque array is selected from a plurality of engine torque arrays based on the one of the inactive state and the active state. An available engine torque is determined based on the engine torque array and the at least one engine operating parameter and the engine is regulated based on the available engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Bryan R. Snyder, Gregory J. York, Anne M. Shields, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Publication number: 20090012665
    Abstract: A torque estimation system for a vehicle comprises an operating parameter module, a torque estimation module, and an estimation control module. The operating parameter module determines an estimated engine operating parameter based on engine speed. The torque estimation module estimates engine torque based on the engine speed and the estimated engine operating parameter. The estimation control module provides a plurality of engine speeds to the operating parameter module and the torque estimation module to determine estimated engine torque as a function of engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Leonard G. Wozniak, Robert C. Simon, JR., Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Emil Ritzen, Mats A. Reimark, Richard M. Backman, Magnus Wall, Thomas Magnusson
  • Publication number: 20080281496
    Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle includes determining whether a cam phaser system of the engine is in one of an inactive state and an active state and monitoring at least one engine operating parameter. An engine torque array is selected from a plurality of engine torque arrays based on the one of the inactive state and the active state. An available engine torque is determined based on the engine torque array and the at least one engine operating parameter and the engine is regulated based on the available engine torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Bryan R. Snyder, Gregory J. York, Anne M. Shields, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 6755078
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve coil temperature is estimated non-intrusively using only existing sensors. In one embodiment an EGR valve coil temperature estimator running on a powertrain control module estimates the EGR valve coil temperature as a linear function of estimated charge temperature, inlet air temperature, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed. Coefficients of the mathematical function, which describe the degree of association between the inputs and EGR valve coil temperature, are calculated by measuring the actual EGR valve coil temperature over wide operating conditions. The powertrain control module uses the EGR valve temperature estimated in this manner to vary the drive signal to the EGR valve coil to open the EGR valve a desired amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Claudio A. Hernandez, Daniel G. Brennan, Gregory J. York, Donald W. Harnack
  • Publication number: 20030226398
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve coil temperature is estimated non-intrusively using only existing sensors. In one embodiment an EGR valve coil temperature estimator running on a powertrain control module estimates the EGR valve coil temperature as a linear function of estimated charge temperature, inlet air temperature, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed. Coefficients of the mathematical function, which describe the degree of association between the inputs and EGR valve coil temperature, are calculated by measuring the actual EGR valve coil temperature over wide operating conditions. The powertrain control module uses the EGR valve temperature estimated in this manner to vary the drive signal to the EGR valve coil to open the EGR valve a desired amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Claudio A. Hernandez, Daniel G. Brennan, Gregory J. York, Donald W. Harnack
  • Patent number: 5505179
    Abstract: An electronic engine controller for a diesel engine controls the mass of fuel injected by fuel injectors within the engine by receiving a Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) signal, from a MAP sensor positioned in an intake manifold of the engine, and generating a value indicative of the mass of fuel to be injected by the fuel injectors as a function of the MAP signal. The engine controller also generates an estimate of the absolute air pressure existing in the intake manifold by retrieving a value from a table containing a plurality of values indicative of an absolute air pressure for a given engine speed and fuel injection quantity. If the MAP sensor fails then the engine controller utilizes the estimate to generate the value indicative of the mass of fuel to be injected by the fuel injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Daniel G. Brennan
  • Patent number: 4819117
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting excessive current draw in an electrical load particularly of the type having an in-rush current when first energized. The electrical load is connectable to an energy source through a current sensing circuit and an actuatable switch. The current sensing circuit provides a load sense signal that varies in response to current draw by the load. A control signal is provided to actuate the switch. A coupling network temporarily couples the control signal to the load sense signal to offset the change in the load sense signal resulting from current in-rush. The load sense signal is compared against a reference signal. The comparator outputs a signal indicative of whether the load sense signal is greater or less than the reference signal. One signal from the comparator is indicative of excessive current draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Brennan, Mark J. Gutwald, Leonard J. Miller