Patents by Inventor Eric Ferch
Eric Ferch 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).
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Patent number: 9157825Abstract: A knock diagnostic module having a knock module that increments a sample count when a cylinder firing signal corresponding to a first cylinder is received and selectively increments a knock count based on a knock detection signal that corresponds to the cylinder firing signal of the first cylinder A knock analysis module analyzes the knock count of the first cylinder when the sample count of the first cylinder reaches a predetermined value and selectively generates an excessive knock signal when the knock count exceeds a predetermined threshold. A remedial action module selectively performs a remedial action based on the excessive knock signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Eric Ferch, Hamid M. Esfahan, John F. Van Gilder, Brian D. Francis, Anthony E. Cubr
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Patent number: 7792633Abstract: A control system comprising an ignition fuse diagnostic module that determines a state of an ignition fuse associated with an ignition coil of an engine cylinder, and a fuel control module that selectively operates a fuel injector associated with the engine cylinder based on the state of the ignition fuse. A method comprising determining a state of an ignition fuse associated with an ignition coil of an engine cylinder, and selectively operating a fuel injector associated with the engine cylinder based on the state of the ignition fuse.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2008Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Eric Ferch, Debbie L. Makowske, Dale W. McKim, Mark D. Carr, Wenbo Wang
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Patent number: 7769536Abstract: An engine control system includes a digital signal processing (DSP) module that generates a fast Fourier transform (FFT) of an engine knock signal generated by an engine knock sensor. An intensity determination module determines an engine knock intensity based on one of a maximum of and an average of the FFT. A status determination module determines a status of the engine knock sensor based on the engine knock intensity, a plurality of predetermined knock intensity thresholds, and a rotational speed of an engine crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Robert J. Horner, Eric Ferch, Hamid M. Esfahan
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Patent number: 7748362Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, a torque control module, a transient detection module, and a launch torque module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on a commanded predicted torque. The spark control module controls spark advance of the engine based on a commanded immediate torque. The torque control module increases the commanded predicted torque when a catalyst light-off (CLO) mode is active, and increases the commanded immediate torque when a driver actuates an accelerator input. The transient detection module generates a lean transient signal when an air per cylinder increase is detected while the CLO mode is active. The launch torque module generates a torque offset signal based on the lean transient signal. The torque control module increases the commanded immediate torque based on the torque offset signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Michael S. Emmorey, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Cheryl A. Williams, Jon C. Wasberg, Eric Ferch, Craig M. Sawdon
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Publication number: 20100168991Abstract: An engine control system includes a digital signal processing (DSP) module that generates a fast Fourier transform (FFT) of an engine knock signal generated by an engine knock sensor. An intensity determination module determines an engine knock intensity based on one of a maximum of and an average of the FFT. A status determination module determines a status of the engine knock sensor based on the engine knock intensity, a plurality of predetermined knock intensity thresholds, and a rotational speed of an engine crankshaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Robert J. Horner, Eric Ferch, Hamid M. Esfahan
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Publication number: 20100004846Abstract: A control system comprising an ignition fuse diagnostic module that determines a state of an ignition fuse associated with an ignition coil of an engine cylinder, and a fuel control module that selectively operates a fuel injector associated with the engine cylinder based on the state of the ignition fuse. A method comprising determining a state of an ignition fuse associated with an ignition coil of an engine cylinder, and selectively operating a fuel injector associated with the engine cylinder based on the state of the ignition fuse.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2008Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Eric Ferch, Debbie L. Makowske, Dale W. McKim, Mark D. Carr, Wenbo Wang
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Publication number: 20090283070Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, a torque control module, a transient detection module, and a launch torque module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on a commanded predicted torque. The spark control module controls spark advance of the engine based on a commanded immediate torque. The torque control module increases the commanded predicted torque when a catalyst light-off (CLO) mode is active, and increases the commanded immediate torque when a driver actuates an accelerator input. The transient detection module generates a lean transient signal when an air per cylinder increase is detected while the CLO mode is active. The launch torque module generates a torque offset signal based on the lean transient signal. The torque control module increases the commanded immediate torque based on the torque offset signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Michael S. Emmorey, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Robert C. Simon, JR., Cheryl A. Williams, Jon C. Wasberg, Eric Ferch, Craig M. Sawdon
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Publication number: 20090276147Abstract: A knock diagnostic module having a knock module that increments a sample count when a cylinder firing signal corresponding to a first cylinder is received and selectively increments a knock count based on a knock detection signal that corresponds to the cylinder firing signal of the first cylinder A knock analysis module analyzes the knock count of the first cylinder when the sample count of the first cylinder reaches a predetermined value and selectively generates an excessive knock signal when the knock count exceeds a predetermined threshold. A remedial action module selectively performs a remedial action based on the excessive knock signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Eric Ferch, Hamid M. Esfahan, John F. Van Gilder, Brian D. Francis, Anthony E. Cubr
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Patent number: 7526943Abstract: A knock detection module for an engine comprises a statistics storage module and a processing module. The statistics storage module stores M times N vibration profiles corresponding to M zones of operation of the engine and N cylinders of the engine, wherein M and N are integers greater than one. The processing module determines in which one of the M zones the engine is operating and determines whether knock has occurred for one of the N cylinders by comparing measured vibration data with a selected one of the vibration profiles corresponding to the one of the M zones and the one of the N cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2007Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Anthony E. Cubr, Craig M. Sawdon, Wajdi B. Hamama, Karl T. Kiebel, Robert J. Horner, Marilyn L Kindermann, Jian Lin, Trenton W. Haines, Eric Ferch, Hamid M. Esfahan, James T. Kurnik, Weixin Yan
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Publication number: 20080229806Abstract: A knock detection module for an engine comprises a statistics storage module and a processing module. The statistics storage module stores M times N vibration profiles corresponding to M zones of operation of the engine and N cylinders of the engine, wherein M and N are integers greater than one. The processing module determines in which one of the M zones the engine is operating and determines whether knock has occurred for one of the N cylinders by comparing measured vibration data with a selected one of the vibration profiles corresponding to the one of the M zones and the one of the N cylinders.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Anthony E. Cubr, Craig M. Sawdon, Wajdi B. Hamama, Karl T. Kiebel, Robert J. Horner, Marilyn L. Kindermann, Jian Lin, Trenton W. Haines, Eric Ferch, Hamid M. Esfahan, James T. Kurnik, Weixin Yan