Patents by Inventor Daniel Joseph Styles

Daniel Joseph Styles 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).

  • Dedicated-EGR cylinder with variable charge motion
    Patent number: 9534530
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting charge motion control devices coupled to a series of cylinders organized into cylinder groups, one of the cylinder groups including a dedicated EGR cylinder group wherein the cylinders are the only engine cylinder routing exhaust to an engine intake. In one example, a first cylinder group may be a dedicated cylinder group recirculating exhaust to the intake manifold while a second cylinder group may be a non-dedicated cylinder group routing exhaust to a turbine. A method may include adjusting a first charge motion control device coupled to the first cylinder group and a second charge motion control device coupled to the second cylinder group to vary a charge motion level between the first and second cylinder groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Daniel Joseph Styles, Michael Damian Czekala, James Alfred Hilditch
  • Systems and methods for a modified cylinder firing interval in a dedicated EGR engine
    Patent number: 9534517
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating exhaust valves of an engine to create more even exhaust pulses to a turbine. More specifically, the engine may include one or more dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cylinders routing exhaust to an engine intake and one or more non-dedicated EGR cylinder routing exhaust to the turbine. In one example, a method may include operating a first set of exhaust valves of a group of non-dedicated EGR cylinders to have no exhaust valve opening overlap and operating an exhaust valve of a dedicated EGR cylinder so that opening of the second exhaust valve overlaps with opening of exhaust valves of two cylinders of the group of non-dedicated EGR cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Brad Alan Boyer, Gregory Patrick McConville
  • Dedicated EGR cylinder post combustion injection
    Patent number: 9534567
    Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing an amount of fuel injected into a dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cylinder in an engine are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, prior to combustion, injecting a first amount of fuel to a dedicated EGR cylinder, and after combustion and during an expansion and/or exhaust stroke, directly injecting a second amount of fuel to the dedicated EGR cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, James Douglas Ervin, Brad Alan Boyer, Daniel Joseph Styles, Gregory Patrick McConville, Kim Hwe Ku
  • Method and system for EGR control
    Patent number: 9528475
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for engine dilution control via direct injection of water from a reservoir. In one example, a method may include during select conditions, direct injecting fluid from a reservoir into an EGR cooler. This approach can be used to supplement EGR flow during situations that decrease EGR flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Michael Howard Shelby, James Alfred Hilditch, Michael Damian Czekala, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Systems and methods for purge and PCV control
    Patent number: 9528406
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving purge air-fuel ratio control. Fuel vapors from a canister and the crankcase are selectively purged to a group of cylinders and not to remaining engine cylinders. Exhaust is recirculated from the selected group of cylinders to the engine intake wherefrom the EGR is ingested in the remaining engine cylinders and the selected group of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Daniel Joseph Styles, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Twin scroll turbocharger with EGR takeoffs
    Patent number: 9506396
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a twin scroll turbocharged engine with a junction configured to selectively control exhaust gas delivery to an exhaust gas recirculation system and a twin scroll turbine are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Brad Boyer, Lawrence Marshall, James Leiby
  • Methods and systems for an intake oxygen sensor
    Patent number: 9482189
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a reference voltage for an intake manifold oxygen sensor based on ingestion of hydrocarbons from a fuel system canister and/or an engine crankcase. During conditions when purge or crankcase ventilation hydrocarbons are ingested in the intake aircharge, the intake oxygen sensor is transitioned from operating at a lower reference voltage to a higher reference voltage where the effects of the ingested hydrocarbons on the sensor output are nullified. An EGR dilution of the intake aircharge is estimated based on the output of the sensor at the higher reference voltage while an amount of hydrocarbons ingested is estimated based on a difference between sensor outputs at the higher and lower reference voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel A. Makled, James Alfred Hilditch, Richard E. Soltis, Michael Howard Shelby, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Engine cooling fan to reduce charge air cooler corrosion
    Patent number: 9476345
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing corrosion of a charge air cooler and preventing engine misfire due to condensate formation. In response to condensate forming in a charge air cooler, engine cooling fan operation is adjusted. Engine cooling fan operation may also be controlled in response to vehicle operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Variable valve system to reduce condensation in a charge air cooler
    Patent number: 9464562
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating air flow through a charge air cooler. In one example, an air flow regulating element may be positioned in a tank of the charge air cooler, the air flow regulating element including a cylindrical barrel valve rotatable about a rotational axis to adjust air flow through cooling tubes in the charge air cooler. A position of the barrel valve may be based on a mass air flow rate and/or a temperature at an outlet of the charge air cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Daniel Joseph Styles, Mehdi Abarham, James Alfred Hilditch
  • System and method for operating an engine
    Patent number: 9453481
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, internal EGR is increased during conditions where cooled EGR is at a higher concentration during a decreasing engine load so that homogeneous compression ignition may be initiated at lower engine loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Warren Curtis, Daniel Joseph Styles, Satheesh Makkapati
  • Method and system for improved dilution purging
    Patent number: 9447742
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting EGR purging in a hybrid vehicle during transient operations, such as tip-out to lower load conditions. In response to decreasing engine torque demand, engine fueling is disabled and a motor is used to spin the engine unfueled until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved. Alternatively, engine operation is maintained with EGR disabled until the desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, and the excess engine torque generated is stored in a system battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Stanley Larue Bower, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN OXYGEN SENSOR
    Publication number: 20160245212
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately learning the zero point of an intake gas oxygen sensor during selected engine no-fueling conditions. The learned zero point is used to infer EGR flow and accordingly adjust EGR valve control. In addition, EGR valve leakage is diagnosed based on the zero point learned during a DFSO adaptation relative to a zero point learned during an idle adaptation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla, Matthew John Gerhart, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Method for estimating charge air cooler condensation storage with an intake oxygen sensor while exhaust gas recirculation is flowing
    Patent number: 9416740
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating water storage in a charge air cooler (CAC). In one example, an amount of water accumulating in the CAC may be based on an output of an oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the CAC, ambient humidity, and EGR flow while EGR is flowing. Additionally, engine actuators may be adjusted to purge condensate from the CAC and/or reduce condensate formation based on the amount of water inside the CAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch
  • SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR OPERATING AN EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE BASED ON A TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE OF THE VALVE
    Publication number: 20160230684
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining changes in a flow area of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve for EGR flow estimates due to a change in temperature difference between a stem and body of the EGR valve. In one example, a method includes adjusting an EGR valve based on an estimate of EGR flow, the EGR flow estimated based on a pressure difference across the EGR valve and an adjusted valve flow area. The adjusted valve flow area may be based on the temperature difference between the stem and body of the EGR valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Imtiaz Ali, Yan Wang, Todd Anthony Rumpsa
  • SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING SOOT ACCUMULATION ON AN EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE
    Publication number: 20160230683
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining changes in a flow area of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve for EGR flow estimates due to soot accumulation on the EGR valve. In one example, a method includes indicating soot accumulation on the EGR valve based on a difference in EGR flow estimated with an intake oxygen sensor and with a pressure sensor coupled across the EGR valve. The determination of the difference of the EGR flow estimates may occur when the engine is not boosted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Imtiaz Ali, Daniel Joseph Styles, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • EXHAUST CONTROL VALVE BRANCH COMMUNICATION AND WASTEGATE
    Publication number: 20160208680
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a branch communication and wastegate valve in a dual scroll turbocharger system are provided. In one example, a method may include adjusting the branch communication and wastegate valve in a passage connecting a first scroll, a second scroll, and a wastegate passage may control an amount of exhaust flow to a turbine during certain engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Daniel Joseph Styles, Brad Alan Boyer
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARGE AIR COOLER CONDENSATE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20160177813
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a condensate level in a charge air cooler. In one example, a method may include adjusting an air flow to a membrane in response to a condensate level in the charge air cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, John Hoard
  • Method and system for improved dilution tolerance
    Patent number: 9371783
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting purging of LP-EGR from an air intake system during conditions of decreasing engine load. During a tip-out, an EGR valve is closed while the engine is shifted to a VDE mode of operation to improve engine tolerance to EGR at lower engine loads and until the EGR is sufficiently purged. A non-VDE mode is resumed if higher engine loads are restored, else, a deceleration fuel shut-off mode is selected if the tip-out continues to zero load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Method and system for exhaust gas recirculation
    Patent number: 9366178
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a first turbocharger having a first compressor and a second turbocharger having a second compressor. An EGR differential between the first compressor and the second compressor may be increased under a condensation condition, and decreased under a surge condition. The EGR differential may also be decreased when a compressor outlet temperature exceeds an outlet temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Brad Alan Boyer, Satheesh Makkapati
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LP-EGR DELIVERY IN A VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE
    Publication number: 20160146136
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling LP-EGR flow in a variable displacement engine. In one example, a method may include providing a higher fixed LP-EGR percentage relative to a total intake air flow during a VDE mode, and providing a lower fixed EGR percentage relative to the total intake air flow during a non-VDE mode. Further, during a tip-out when operating in the VDE mode at a load below a threshold, transitioning out of the VDE mode after transitioning the LP-EGR from the higher fixed percentage to the lower fixed percentage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Chris Paul Glugla, Lynn Aimee Chesney, Daniel Joseph Styles