Patents by Inventor Dean R. Kwapis

Dean R. Kwapis 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).

  • Fuel pump prime activated by door sensor
    Patent number: 9228516
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a fuel system including a first fuel pump in fluid communication with a fuel tank and a second fuel pump in fluid communication with the first fuel pump. A pump control module selectively turns on the first fuel pump when a door opens before an engine is started, the engine is not cranking and a rail pressure of the first fuel pump is less than a predetermined rail pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dean R. Kwapis, Rafat F. Hattar, Maher El-Jaroudi, Timothy J. Braman
  • System and method for preventing stochastic pre-ignition
    Patent number: 9217386
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a stochastic pre-ignition module and a fuel control module. The stochastic pre-ignition module determines whether operating conditions of an engine satisfy predetermined criteria associated with stochastic pre-ignition. The fuel control module enriches an air/fuel ratio of the engine when the engine operating conditions satisfy the predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dean R. Kwapis, Rafat F. Hattar, Kevin M. Luchansky, J. Michael Gwidt
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING STOCHASTIC PRE-IGNITION
    Publication number: 20140222315
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a stochastic pre-ignition module and a fuel control module. The stochastic pre-ignition module determines whether operating conditions of an engine satisfy predetermined criteria associated with stochastic pre-ignition. The fuel control module enriches an air/fuel ratio of the engine when the engine operating conditions satisfy the predetermined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dean R. Kwapis, Rafat F. Hattar, Kevin M. Luchansky, J. Michael Gwidt
  • FUEL PUMP PRIME ACTIVATED BY DOOR SENSOR
    Publication number: 20140067242
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a fuel system including a first fuel pump in fluid communication with a fuel tank and a second fuel pump in fluid communication with the first fuel pump. A pump control module selectively turns on the first fuel pump when a door opens before an engine is started, the engine is not cranking and a rail pressure of the first fuel pump is less than a predetermined rail pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dean R. Kwapis, Rafat F. Hattar, Maher El-Jaroudi, Timothy J. Braman
  • Control system and method for improving cold startability of spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engines
    Patent number: 8433496
    Abstract: A control system includes an engine enable module and a fuel control module. The engine enable module determines whether predetermined operating conditions of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine are satisfied and enables an engine prime mode when the predetermined operating conditions are satisfied. The fuel control module controls a fuel injector to deliver a prime pulse to a cylinder of the SIDI engine when the engine prime mode is enabled. The fuel injector delivers the prime pulse by opening for a pulse width to inject fuel directly into the cylinder when the SIDI engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Mark D. Carr, Michael N. Kotsonas, Michael J. Lucido, Dean R. Kwapis
  • CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING COLD STARTABILITY OF SPARK IGNITION DIRECT INJECTION (SIDI) ENGINES
    Publication number: 20110288746
    Abstract: A control system includes an engine enable module and a fuel control module. The engine enable module determines whether predetermined operating conditions of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine are satisfied and enables an engine prime mode when the predetermined operating conditions are satisfied. The fuel control module controls a fuel injector to deliver a prime pulse to a cylinder of the SIDI engine when the engine prime mode is enabled. The fuel injector delivers the prime pulse by opening for a pulse width to inject fuel directly into the cylinder when the SIDI engine is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark D. Carr, Michael N. Kotsonas, Michael J. Lucido, Dean R. Kwapis