Patents by Inventor Donald W. Harnack

Donald W. Harnack 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: 8056538
    Abstract: A method and control module for enabling or disabling control of an engine includes a check module receiving signals through a wiring harness and comparing the check signals to a threshold. The control module also includes an engine control module disabling the engine when the check signals correspond to an unauthorized use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventors: Donald W. Harnack, Anthony E. Cubr, Sandip P Dholakia, Steven B Felix, Aaron T Allison
  • Publication number: 20100138133
    Abstract: A method and control module for enabling or disabling control of an engine includes a check module receiving signals through a wiring harness and comparing the check signals to a threshold. The control module also includes an engine control module disabling the engine when the check signals correspond to an unauthorized use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Donald W. Harnack, Anthony E. Cubr, Sandip P. Dholakia, Steven B. Felix, Aaron T. Allison
  • Patent number: 6755078
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve coil temperature is estimated non-intrusively using only existing sensors. In one embodiment an EGR valve coil temperature estimator running on a powertrain control module estimates the EGR valve coil temperature as a linear function of estimated charge temperature, inlet air temperature, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed. Coefficients of the mathematical function, which describe the degree of association between the inputs and EGR valve coil temperature, are calculated by measuring the actual EGR valve coil temperature over wide operating conditions. The powertrain control module uses the EGR valve temperature estimated in this manner to vary the drive signal to the EGR valve coil to open the EGR valve a desired amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Claudio A. Hernandez, Daniel G. Brennan, Gregory J. York, Donald W. Harnack
  • Publication number: 20030226398
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve coil temperature is estimated non-intrusively using only existing sensors. In one embodiment an EGR valve coil temperature estimator running on a powertrain control module estimates the EGR valve coil temperature as a linear function of estimated charge temperature, inlet air temperature, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed. Coefficients of the mathematical function, which describe the degree of association between the inputs and EGR valve coil temperature, are calculated by measuring the actual EGR valve coil temperature over wide operating conditions. The powertrain control module uses the EGR valve temperature estimated in this manner to vary the drive signal to the EGR valve coil to open the EGR valve a desired amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Claudio A. Hernandez, Daniel G. Brennan, Gregory J. York, Donald W. Harnack
  • Patent number: 5213178
    Abstract: The torque reduction of an internal combustion engine in response to an excessive acceleration spin condition is provided by a combination of disabling selected engine cylinders and spark retard. When a reduction of engine torque output is required in response to an excessive acceleration spin condition of the vehicle, the first level of torque reduction is provided at a level less than the torque reduction resulting from disabling a single cylinder of the engine by retarding the spark timing of the spark ignition in the cylinders. The amount of the retard of spark timing is such that the resulting torque reduction is less than the torque reduction resulting from disabling a single cylinder of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Polidan, Donald W. Harnack