Patents by Inventor Dennis P. Stenson

Dennis P. Stenson 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: 8626456
    Abstract: A method is provided herein for determining a remaining useful life of an air filter. The method includes, but is not limited to, measuring a first airflow rate and a first air pressure (P1) in an air cleaner assembly downstream of the air filter, wherein P1 corresponds to the first airflow rate. The method further includes measuring a second airflow rate and a second air pressure (P2) in the air cleaner assembly downstream of the air filter, wherein P2 corresponds to the second airflow rate. The method further includes obtaining pressure differentials A1, A2, B1, and B2 from a data storage device. The method also includes calculating with a processor a result indicative of a useful life remaining for the air filter by taking into account P1, P2, A1, A2, B1, and B2. The method also includes reporting the result to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph K. Moore, Terry W. Ostan, Lei Li, Jackson L. Bahm, Philip J. Fikany, Thomas J. Mockeridge, Dennis P. Stenson, Steven J. McCormick
  • Publication number: 20110238331
    Abstract: A method is provided herein for determining a remaining useful life of an air filter. The method includes, but is not limited to, measuring a first airflow rate and a first air pressure (P1) in an air cleaner assembly downstream of the air filter, wherein P1 corresponds to the first airflow rate. The method further includes measuring a second airflow rate and a second air pressure (P2) in the air cleaner assembly downstream of the air filter, wherein P2 corresponds to the second airflow rate. The method further includes obtaining pressure differentials A1, A2, B1, and B2 from a data storage device. The method also includes calculating with a processor a result indicative of a useful life remaining for the air filter by taking into account P1, P2, A1, A2, B1, and B2. The method also includes reporting the result to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: JOSEPH K. MOORE, TERRY W. OSTAN, LEI LI, JACKSON L. BAHM, PHILIP J. FIKANY, THOMAS J. MOCKERIDGE, DENNIS P. STENSON, STEVEN J. MC CORMICK
  • Patent number: 7591173
    Abstract: A process is provided for monitoring the filter restriction level of a filter element. The filter element is utilized by an air induction system deployed on a vehicle that includes a mass air flow sensor, a manifold pressure sensor, and a throttle position sensor. The process includes receiving (i) throttle position from the throttle position sensor, (ii) mass flow rate from the mass air flow sensor, and (iii) manifold pressure from the manifold pressure sensor. A reference pressure is determined from the received mass flow rate and the received throttle position, a pressure differential is established between the reference pressure and the received manifold pressure, and a filter restriction level is identified from the established pressure differential and the received mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Benscoter, Lawrence A. Staat, Dennis P. Stenson, Steven J. Mc Cormick, Roger G. Van Vechten
  • Publication number: 20080229720
    Abstract: A process is provided for monitoring the filter restriction level of a filter element. The filter element is utilized by an air induction system deployed on a vehicle that includes a mass air flow sensor, a manifold pressure sensor, and a throttle position sensor. The process includes receiving (i) throttle position from the throttle position sensor, (ii) mass flow rate from the mass air flow sensor, and (iii) manifold pressure from the manifold pressure sensor. A reference pressure is determined from the received mass flow rate and the received throttle position, a pressure differential is established between the reference pressure and the received manifold pressure, and a filter restriction level is identified from the established pressure differential and the received mass flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott J. Benscoter, Lawrence A. Staat, Dennis P. Stenson, Steven J. Mc Cormick, Roger G. Van Vechten
  • Patent number: 5606311
    Abstract: Significant restriction in an automotive internal combustion engine intake air filter is diagnosed over a wide range of engine operating conditions including low intake airflow rate conditions by qualifying transduced pressure drop across the air filter using airflow rate through the filter. A diagnostic count is maintained and updated in accord with detected significant restriction conditions. Adjustment values applied to the diagnostic count vary in accord with the degree of confidence associated with each detected significant restriction condition, such as indicated by varying engine intake airflow conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Polidan, Dennis P. Stenson, Jacqueline A. Jolliffe