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).

  • Internal combustion engine shut-down for engine having adjustable valves
    Patent number: 7392786
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine in a vehicle, the engine having at least a cylinder, the method comprising generating engine braking torque to stop rotation of the engine in a desired range by opening and closing at least an electrically actuated valve of the cylinder more than once during a cycle of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Dennis Reed, Nate Trask
  • Integrated Gaseous Fuel Delivery System
    Publication number: 20080135005
    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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Allan Kotwicki, Donald J. Lewis, Brad Boyer
  • Electromechanical valve timing during a start
    Patent number: 7383820
    Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing to during the start of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are controlled in a manner to reduce hydrocarbon emissions during the start of an internal combustion engine. The method controls intake valves so that smaller adjustments are made to cylinder spark advance and air-fuel over a range of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Electromechanically actuated valve control for an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7367921
    Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve operation in an internal combustion engine. Valves are controlled to improve vehicle drivability and reduce vehicle noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald J. Lewis
  • Approach for Facilitating Engine Mode Transitions
    Publication number: 20080066713
    Abstract: A method of transitioning a cylinder of an engine from a spark ignition mode to a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode, the cylinder having at least one electrically actuated intake valve and at least one exhaust valve, the method comprising of before a transition, operating the cylinder with at least some overlap between an opening event of the intake valve and an opening event of the exhaust valve in the spark ignition mode; in response to a transition request, operating the cylinder with at least some negative overlap between an opening event of the intake valve and an opening event of the exhaust valve, retarding the intake valve opening and closing timing by different amounts and retarding ignition timing; and further increasing negative overlap and performing the homogeneous charge compression ignition mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Megli, Nate Trask, Donald J. Lewis
  • Multi-stroke cylinder operation in an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7334549
    Abstract: A method to control valves during multi-stroke cylinder operation. Valves are controlled to improve emissions and engine torque resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, John O. Michelini
  • Driver Feedback to Improve Vehicle Performance
    Publication number: 20080042489
    Abstract: A system for a hybrid vehicle driver by an operator, comprising of an energy storage device, a regenerative braking system coupled to the energy storage device, a dissipative braking system coupled to the vehicle, a brake lever, a haptic operator interface, and a control system for operating one or both of the regenerative and dissipative braking system in response to actuation of the brake lever, and providing feedback to the operator through the haptic interface differentiating a type of braking operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, Christopher S. Tuttle
  • Multi-stroke cylinder operation in an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7320300
    Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing to during the start of an internal combustion engine. Valves that may be deactivated are controlled in a manner to reduce hydrocarbon emissions during the start of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, Nate Trask, Thomas W. Megli
  • Engine shut-down for engine having adjustable valve timing
    Patent number: 7317984
    Abstract: A method for operating at least an intake and exhaust valve in a cylinder with a piston of an engine in a vehicle, comprising during conditions of an engine shut-down, maintaining at least one of the intake and exhaust valves in a closed position, and during conditions where said at least one valve is in said closed position operating with the other of the intake and exhaust valve open, then closing the other of the intake and exhaust valve, and then opening the other of the intake and exhaust valve to generate braking torque to slow the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Donald J. Lewis
  • Valve control for an engine with electromechanically actuated valves
    Patent number: 7280909
    Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are controlled to improve engine fuel economy. Further, the method can adjust valve operation to provide air-fuel charge motion and increase combustion stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John O. Michelini, Nate Trask, Gang Song
  • Engine starting for engine having adjustable valve operation
    Patent number: 7278388
    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: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell
  • Valve selection for an engine operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode
    Patent number: 7255066
    Abstract: A method to control valve patterns in a cylinder operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode. Valves are controlled to improve drivability and emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, John O. Michelini
  • Internal combustion engine shut-down for engine having adjustable valves
    Patent number: 7240663
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine in a vehicle, the engine having at least a cylinder, is described. The method comprises decreasing rotational speed of the engine; and when said engine speed falls in a specified region, adjusting a valve timing of the cylinder to generate one of expansion or compression braking torque to stop rotation of said engine in a desired range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Dennis Reed, Nate Trask
  • Electrically actuated valve deactivation in response to vehicle electrical system conditions
    Patent number: 7234435
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least an electrically actuated valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising deactivating an electrically actuated valve in response to an operating condition of a vehicle electrical system, said electrically actuated valve deactivated in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John O. Michelini
  • Engine control to compensate for fueling dynamics
    Patent number: 7216640
    Abstract: A method for calculating transient fuel wall wetting characteristics of an operating engine is described. The method accounts for cylinder valve deactivation of cylinders in the engine in calculating the dynamic fueling compensation. In one example, fuel vaporization effects from fuel puddles in deactivated cylinders are considered when calculating the fueling compensation for active cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gang Song, Ilya V. Kolmanovsky, John Ottavio Michelini, Donald J. Lewis
  • Electromechanically actuated valve control for an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 7213548
    Abstract: A method is presented to control engine valve selection of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are selected in a manner to reduce fuel consumption and improve engine drivability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John O. Michellini
  • Starting an engine with valves that may be deactivated
    Patent number: 7194993
    Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing to during the start of an internal combustion engine. Valves that may be deactivated are controlled in a manner to reduce hydrocarbon emissions during the start of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, Nate Trask, Thomas W. Megli
  • Reducing engine emission on an engine with electromechanical valves
    Patent number: 7165520
    Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing to improve the start of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are controlled in a manner to reduce hydrocarbon emissions during the start of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, Vince Winstead
  • Adjusting valve lash for an engine with electrically actuated valves
    Patent number: 7165518
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in an engine is presented. According to the method, armature levitation position may be changed to accommodate varying rates of valve stem growth. The method may reduce valve noise during a wide range of engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ervin, Thomas W. Megli, Donald J. Lewis
  • Method to reduce engine emissions for an engine capable of multi-stroke operation and having a catalyst
    Patent number: 7165391
    Abstract: A method to control valves in a cylinder operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode. Valves are controlled to improve engine emissions as operating conditions vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald J. Lewis