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).

  • Publication number: 20090292442
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel supplied to an engine of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a first fuel storage tank to store a first type of fuel, a second fuel storage tank to store a second type of fuel, and an emissions control device. The engine includes at least one cylinder having a direct injection fuel injector being selectively supplied with the first type of fuel from the first fuel storage tank and the second type of fuel from the second fuel storage tank. The method includes supplying the first type of fuel from the first fuel storage tank to the direct injection fuel injector in response an engine start condition of the vehicle, and supplying the second type of fuel from the second fuel storage tank to the direct injection fuel injector, in response to an increase in engine output exceeding a threshold increase or a temperature of the emissions control device exceeding a threshold temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis, Robert A. Stein
  • Patent number: 7621257
    Abstract: Various approaches are described for operating an engine in a vehicle having variable valve operation for an intake and/or exhaust valve of the cylinder. In one example, a method comprises delivering a first fuel to a cylinder of the engine from a first injector; delivering a second fuel to the cylinder of the engine from a second injector, where a composition of at least one of the first or second fuels varies; and adjusting the variable valve operation responsive to the varying composition and further based on variation in the delivery of the first or second fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20090276142
    Abstract: Various approaches are described for operating an engine in a vehicle having variable valve operation for an intake and/or exhaust valve of the cylinder. In one example, a method comprises delivering a first fuel to a cylinder of the engine from a first injector; delivering a second fuel to the cylinder of the engine from a second injector, where a composition of at least one of the first or second fuels varies; and adjusting the variable valve operation responsive to the varying composition and further based on variation in the delivery of the first or second fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7594498
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Patent number: 7555896
    Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve operation during periods of cylinder deactivation of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are controlled in a manner to reduce fuel consumption and emissions during cylinder deactivation periods of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, John O. Michelini
  • Patent number: 7549406
    Abstract: A method for discontinuing combustion in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold and an emission control device coupled downstream of thereof, where the cylinder has at least one valve, the method comprising during a shut-down and after a final combustion event in the cylinder, adjusting valve timing of the valve to reduce a flow of gasses from the engine to the emission control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7540268
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having at least two cylinders, at least one of which having at least an adjustable valve, the method comprising before engine rotation closing electrically actuated valves in at least a first and a second cylinder; fueling at least said first cylinder with a first fuel amount and said second cylinder with a second fuel amount; and performing a first spark in at least one of said first cylinder and said second cylinder; and after engine rotation, firing each cylinder of the engine in a sequential firing order without changing a number of strokes in any cylinder of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Publication number: 20090078221
    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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Vince Winstead, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20090076710
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine including at least a first cylinder having a first piston and a second cylinder having a second piston, at least one of said first and second cylinders having at least an adjustable valve, the method comprising before engine rotation: closing electrically actuated valves in at least the first and the second cylinder; fueling at least said first cylinder with a first fuel amount based on a position of the first piston and said second cylinder with a second fuel amount based on a position of the second piston; performing a first spark in at least one of said first cylinder and said second cylinder; and applying a starter motor to assist engine starting rotation; after engine rotation, firing each cylinder of the engine in a sequential firing order without changing a number of strokes in any cylinder of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Publication number: 20090070021
    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: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis, Robert A. Stein
  • Patent number: 7458345
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in an engine is presented. According to the method, valve timing can be adjusted in a number of ways. The method can also compensate for changes in the natural response of the valve apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vince Winstead, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20080283023
    Abstract: A system for an engine of a vehicle traveling on the road, the system comprising a cylinder of the engine; an emission control device coupled in an exhaust downstream of the cylinder; a first injector configured to directly inject into the cylinder and coupled in a cylinder of the engine; a second injector configured to inject into a port of the cylinder and coupled to a port of the cylinder; and a controller for, in response to a driver pedal tip-in condition, increasing an amount of injection from the first injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Publication number: 20080283004
    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: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Patent number: 7426918
    Abstract: A method for controlling a first and second injector of an engine, the first injector located in a first cylinder of the engine and the second injector located upstream of, and configured to inject fuel into, the first and a second cylinder of the engine, the method comprising of decreasing total injection from the first and second injectors when decreasing injection from the second injector, and increasing total injection from the first and second injectors when increasing injection of the second injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Diana Brehob, Donald J. Lewis, Graham Hoare
  • Patent number: 7426925
    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 both said first and second injectors during said start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis, Robert A. Stein
  • Publication number: 20080228382
    Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising a cylinder located in the engine, a turbocharger coupled to the engine, a first injector for injecting a first fuel into said cylinder, wherein said first injector is a direct cylinder injector where said direct cylinder injector delivers a liquid including an alcohol, a second injector for injecting a second fuel into said cylinder, wherein said second injector is a port injector, where said port injector delivers a liquid including gasoline, a catalytic device configured to receive exhaust gases produced by at least the cylinder, and a controller configured to vary an amount of said first and second fuel injection during engine operation based on operating conditions, where amounts of variation of said first and second fuels are set to maintain a substantially stoichiometric mixture, the controller further configured to increase a relative amount of injection of the second injector in response to an indication of engine knock during a first operating condition, decrease en
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Allan J. Lippa, John D. Russell
  • Patent number: 7412966
    Abstract: A system for an engine, comprising of a cylinder located in the engine; a first injector for injecting a first fuel into said cylinder; a second injector for injecting a second fuel into said cylinder; and a controller configured to vary an amount of said first and second fuel injection during engine operation based on operating conditions, where amounts of variation of said first and second fuels are set to maintain desired engine output and provide a substantially stoichiometric mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Allan J. Lippa, John D. Russell
  • Patent number: 7406947
    Abstract: A method of controlling an engine, the method comprising of providing fuel having a blend to a cylinder of the engine, actively varying said fuel blend in response to at least an operating condition, and where during a transient operating condition, said blend is adjusted to increase a heat capacity of said fuel to reduce a tendency for knock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Patent number: 7401606
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid-electric vehicle having a controller, the engine having a plurality of cylinders, each with at least an intake and exhaust valve, each of which may be held in a position for a cycle of a cylinder, the method comprising of deactivating a plurality of cylinders in said engine in response to a signal from the controller of the hybrid-electric vehicle by mechanically deactivating valves in each cylinder of the engine, the deactivation in response to a request from the controller of the hybrid-electric vehicle and to reduce a number of operating valves in each cylinder of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, Nate Trask, Thomas W. Megli
  • Patent number: 7395786
    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: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis, Robert A. Stein