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).

  • Patent number: 9157825
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Eric Ferch, Hamid M. Esfahan, John F. Van Gilder, Brian D. Francis, Anthony E. Cubr
  • Patent number: 7792633
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Eric Ferch, Debbie L. Makowske, Dale W. McKim, Mark D. Carr, Wenbo Wang
  • Patent number: 7769536
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Robert J. Horner, Eric Ferch, Hamid M. Esfahan
  • Patent number: 7748362
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    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
  • Publication number: 20100168991
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Craig M. Sawdon, Robert J. Horner, Eric Ferch, Hamid M. Esfahan
  • Publication number: 20100004846
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20090283070
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20090276147
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 7526943
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20080229806
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    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