Patents by Inventor Donald J. Lewis

Donald J. Lewis 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: 7942128
    Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder of the engine; a first injector configured to inject a first substance to said cylinder; a second injector configured to inject a second substance to said cylinder; and a controller configured to commence combustion in the engine by injecting fuel into said cylinder, where said fuel is injected by only one of said first and second injectors during said start and/or warm-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis, Robert A. Stein
  • Publication number: 20110073057
    Abstract: An engine system and corresponding control method are described. As one example, the control method includes: combusting fuel from a first fuel tank during a first engine operating condition; combusting fuel from a second fuel tank during a second engine operating condition; transferring fuel from the first fuel tank to the second fuel tank when a fuel level of the second fuel tank falls below a predetermined level; delivering air to the engine from an air compressor; and adjusting the compressor based on a combustion characteristic of fuel from the second tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Allan J. Lippa, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7913668
    Abstract: A method for a boosted engine including first and second injectors includes adjusting boost during a disabled condition of a first injector to compensate for lack of fuel injected from said first injector, said first injector supplying a fuel to a cylinder of said engine; and adjusting boost during a disabled condition of a second injector to compensate for lack of fuel injected from said second injector, said second injector supplying said fuel to said cylinder of said engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Allan J. Lippa, John D. Russell
  • Patent number: 7900598
    Abstract: A method is described for starting an internal combustion engine. During a run-up in engine speed of the engine starting, the method includes adjusting intake valve closing timing in response to barometric pressure to provide a desired air amount in the cylinder, with a longer valve opening with respect to crankshaft angle at higher altitudes as compared to a shorter valve opening with respect to crankshaft angle at lower altitudes for a given operating constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Publication number: 20110053735
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20110054765
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission to assist in spinning-up of the engine from rest while the vehicle is traveling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20110011382
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine and a method of operating the fuel delivery system is described. As one example, the method includes delivering a first fuel blend from a first fuel tank to the engine; delivering a second fuel blend from a second fuel tank to the engine, the proportion of said second fuel blend delivered to the engine to said first fuel blend delivered to the engine being related to the desired engine output; transferring said first fuel blend from said first fuel tank to said second fuel tank to prevent an amount of said first fuel blend and said second fuel blend in said second fuel tank from falling below a predetermined level; and boosting air delivered to the engine, the amount of boosting being related to latent heat of vaporization of said second fuel blend delivered to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Allan J. Lippa, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7849842
    Abstract: A method for an engine with first and second injectors in a cylinder provides different fuel injection compensation upon reaching minimum pulsewidths of the first and second injectors. When the first injector reaches its minimum pulsewidth, the first injector is disabled. However, when the second injector reaches its minimum pulsewidth, the second injector is maintained active and injection from the first injector is decreased. In this way, sufficient injection from the second injector is maintained in either situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Patent number: 7845334
    Abstract: An engine system and corresponding control method are described. As one example, the control method includes transferring one type of fuel from one fuel tank to a second fuel tank holding another type of fuel and adjusting an engine operating parameter based on the blended fuel mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allan J. Lippa, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100294235
    Abstract: A method for an engine configured to deliver an actively varying relative ratio of a first and second fuel via a delivery system having a first and second injector for a cylinder of the engine, where the first fuel has a lesser relative amount of alcohol, the method comprising of varying an amount of injection from the first and second injector with operating conditions, when said variation causes said first injector to approach a first minimum opening condition, increasing injection of said second injector and disabling said first injector, and when said variation causes said second injector to approach a second minimum opening condition, avoiding further reduction of said second injector and decreasing injection of said first injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Patent number: 7823548
    Abstract: A method to adjust timing of an electrically actuated valve, said electrically actuated valve operating in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising during a cycle of said cylinder, opening said electrically actuated valve at a first valve opening position without activating a valve opening coil, and closing the valve at a first closing position; and during a second subsequent cycle of said cylinder, opening said electrically actuated valve at a second opening position that is varied based on the crankshaft angle at which said first closing occurs, where the second opening position is increased as said the crankshaft angle at which the first closing occurs increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vince Winstead, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7802562
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine and a method of operating the fuel delivery system is described. As one example, the method includes delivering a first fuel blend from a first fuel tank to the engine; delivering a second fuel blend from a second fuel tank to the engine, the proportion of said second fuel blend delivered to the engine to said first fuel blend delivered to the engine being related to the desired engine output; transferring said first fuel blend from said first fuel tank to said second fuel tank to prevent an amount of said first fuel blend and said second fuel blend in said second fuel tank from falling below a predetermined level; and boosting air delivered to the engine, the amount of boosting being related to latent heat of vaporization of said second fuel blend delivered to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allan J. Lippa, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7798578
    Abstract: A system for providing driver feedback is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system provides a driver with feedback in response to a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal. The system may help to increase vehicle fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, Christopher S. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 7793620
    Abstract: An integrated gaseous fuel delivery system is provided. The system includes a storage tank to hold a gaseous fuel and a pressure regulation system disposed interior the storage tank and configured to regulate a pressure of gaseous fuel delivered from the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allan Kotwicki, Donald J. Lewis, Brad Boyer
  • Publication number: 20100224167
    Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder of the engine; a first injector configured to inject a first substance to said cylinder; a second injector configured to inject a second substance to said cylinder; and a controller configured to commence combustion in the engine by injecting fuel into said cylinder, where said fuel is injected by only one of said first and second injectors during said start and/or warm-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis, Robert A. Stein
  • Patent number: 7789063
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine having a first injector for injecting a first fuel into a cylinder of the engine and a second injector for injection a second fuel into said cylinder of the engine, the engine further having at least an exhaust gas oxygen sensor, the method comprising of varying an amount of said first fuel injection in response to said sensor under a first operating condition, and varying an amount of said second fuel injection in response to said sensor under a second operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Publication number: 20100217503
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel supplied to an engine of a vehicle is provided. The method may improve engine starting during cold operating conditions. In one example, the type of fuel injected to the engine is changed in response to operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis, Robert A. Stein
  • Publication number: 20100211299
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine with electrically actuated valves, the method comprising during at least a run-up in engine speed of engine starting, adjusting intake valve timing of an electrically actuated valve of a cylinder to provide a desired air amount in said cylinder, based on at least an operating condition of said engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Publication number: 20100211288
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions and selectively reactivated during engine restart conditions. One example method comprises, during an engine restart from an idle stop, performing a first combustion event in a cylinder with a piston at an engine crankshaft position that is after a crankshaft position at which said cylinder's exhaust valve opens, and before a crankshaft position at which the cylinder's intake valve closes, during a cycle of said cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, John D. Russell, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7765982
    Abstract: A method for an engine with first and second injectors in a cylinder provides different fuel injection compensation upon reaching minimum pulsewidths of the first and second injectors. When the first injector reaches its minimum pulsewidth, the first injector is disabled. However, when the second injector reaches its minimum pulsewidth, the second injector is maintained active and injection from the first injector is decreased. In this way, sufficient injection from the second injector is maintained in either situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell