Patents by Inventor Donald F. Dickison

Donald F. Dickison 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: 5544481
    Abstract: An air/fuel control system (10) and method for an engine (28) coupled to a catalytic converter (50) includes monitoring of the converter (50). Engine air/fuel ratio is controlled (104-178) in response to a pair of two-state signals generated by comparing the outputs of respective upstream (44, 55) and downstream (52) exhaust gas oxygen sensors to a reference voltage. The transitions in the downstream sensor are indicated when a difference in its output amplitude changes signs and a difference between stored peak values occurring during two successive changes in the sign exceeds a predetermined value (200-350). Converter efficiency is indicated from a ratio of transitions in the downstream sensor transitions to transitions in the upstream sensor output which are generated in a similar manner (690-770).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Christopher K. Davey, Donald F. Dickison, Robert J. Jerger