Patents by Inventor Frank Ament

Frank Ament 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: 7561957
    Abstract: An engine control system for a spark-ignition direct-injection (SIDI) engine comprises a fuel control module delays injection of fuel during engine cranking until fuel pressure is greater than a predetermined fuel pressure, retards ignition timing, and retards fuel injection until near top dead center (TDC). An exhaust cam phaser module retards an exhaust cam phaser after starting and oil pressure is greater than a predetermined oil pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventors: Halim G. Santoso, Frank Ament, Donovan L. Dibble
  • Publication number: 20090150059
    Abstract: An engine control module includes an engine starting module that communicates with an electric motor to operate an internal combustion engine including M fuel injectors and that determines whether manifold pressure is below a manifold pressure threshold. A warming module communicates with the M fuel injectors to inject fuel into N of M the fuel injectors when the manifold pressure is less than the manifold pressure threshold. N and M are integers and N is less than M.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Halim G Santoso, Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20090038295
    Abstract: An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine has a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that is disposed downstream of the engine and that filters particulates in the exhaust. An electrical heater is disposed upstream of the DPF and selectively heats the exhaust to initiate combustion of the particulates. Heat generated by combustion of particulates in the heater induces combustion of particulates within the DPF. A control module selectively enables current flow to the electrical heater for an initial period of a DPF regeneration cycle, and limits exhaust flow while the electrical heater is heating to a predetermined soot combustion temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Frank Ament
  • Patent number: 7478528
    Abstract: A particulate filter regeneration method for an internal combustion engine system is provided. The method includes: receiving an outlet temperature signal corresponding to a temperature at an outlet of a particulate filter; receiving an oxygen signal corresponding to an oxygen level in exhaust flowing from said particulate filter; and controlling at least one of airflow and fuel based on said oxygen level such that said outlet temperature is within a desired range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Ament, David B. Brown
  • Publication number: 20080307776
    Abstract: An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine is provided. The system generally includes a particulate filter (PF) that filters particulates from the exhaust wherein an upstream end of the PF receives exhaust from the engine. A grid of electrically resistive material selectively heats exhaust passing through the upstream end to initiate combustion of particulates within the PF. A hydrocarbon adsorbent coating applied to the PF releases hydrocarbons into the exhaust to increase a temperature of the combustion of the particulates within the PF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20080307781
    Abstract: An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine is provided. The system generally includes a particulate filter (PF) that filters particulates from the exhaust wherein an upstream end of the PF receives exhaust from the engine. A grid of electrically resistive material is applied to an exterior upstream surface of the PF and selectively heats exhaust passing through the grid to initiate combustion of particulates within the PF. A catalyst coating is applied to the PF that increases a temperature of the combustion of the particulates within the PF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20080282686
    Abstract: A system may include a hydrocarbon (HC) absorber positioned in an exhaust flow path and an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) positioned in the exhaust flow path downstream of the HC absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Halim G. Santoso, Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20080282673
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine control system includes generating an engine start signal, determining whether a cold start condition exists, energizing an electrically heated catalyst based on the cold start condition, determining the temperature of the electrically heated catalyst and selectively starting an engine based on the engine start signal and the electrically heated catalyst temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Frank Ament, Halim G. Santoso
  • Publication number: 20080282678
    Abstract: A control system that controls regeneration of a particulate filter is provided. The system generally includes a propagation module that estimates a propagation status of combustion of particulate matter in the particulate filter. A regeneration module controls current to the particulate filter to re-initiate regeneration based on the propagation status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20080282671
    Abstract: A control system that controls regeneration of a particulate filter is provided. The system generally includes a regeneration module that controls current to the particulate filter to initiate combustion of particulate matter in the particulate filter. A propagation module estimates a propagation status of the combustion of the particulate matter based on a combustion temperature. A temperature adjustment module controls the combustion temperature by selectively increasing a temperature of exhaust that passes through the particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20080223019
    Abstract: An exhaust system includes a heating element that is disposed downstream from an engine and that introduces thermal energy into an exhaust of the engine. A selective catalyst reduction (SCR) unit is disposed downstream from the heating element and filters nitrogen oxides (NOx) within the exhaust. A control module is in communication with and energizes the heating element based on temperature of the SCR unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20080190292
    Abstract: An exhaust system includes a particulate filter (PF) that is disposed downstream from an engine. The PF filters particulates within an exhaust from the engine. A heating element heats particulate matter in the PF. A catalyst substrate or a flow converter is disposed upstream from said heating element. The catalyst substrate oxidizes the exhaust prior to reception by the heating element. The flow converter converts turbulent exhaust flow to laminar exhaust flow prior to reception by the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20080190078
    Abstract: An exhaust filter system includes a particulate filter (PF) that is disposed downstream from an engine. The PF filters particulates within an exhaust from the engine. A heating element heats particulate matter in the PF. A fastener limits expansion movement of the heating element relative to the PF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Frank Ament, Michael J. Paratore
  • Publication number: 20080175762
    Abstract: A catalytic converter includes an inlet. A first sub-section of substrate is located a first distance from the inlet that includes a first catalyst coating having a first density. A second sub-section of substrate is located a second distance from the inlet that includes a second catalyst coating having a second density. The second distance is greater than the first distance and the second density is greater than the first density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Frank Ament
  • Publication number: 20080083212
    Abstract: A particulate filter regeneration method for an internal combustion engine system is provided. The method includes: receiving an outlet temperature signal corresponding to a temperature at an outlet of a particulate filter; receiving an oxygen signal corresponding to an oxygen level in exhaust flowing from said particulate filter; and controlling at least one of airflow and fuel based on said oxygen level such that said outlet temperature is within a desired range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Frank Ament, David B. Brown
  • Publication number: 20080060350
    Abstract: A regeneration control system for a particulate filter (PF) includes a condition module and an oxygen-level module. The condition module determines whether an oxygen limiting event is required for the PF during a regeneration event. The oxygen-level control module communicates with the condition module and selectively limits an oxygen level in the PF during the regeneration event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Frank Ament, David B. Brown
  • Publication number: 20080047257
    Abstract: A particulate filter regeneration method for an internal combustion engine system is provided. The method includes: receiving an outlet temperature signal corresponding to a temperature at an outlet of a particulate filter; receiving an oxygen signal corresponding to an oxygen level in exhaust flowing from said particulate filter; and controlling at least one of airflow and fuel based on said oxygen level such that said outlet temperature is within a desired range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Frank Ament, David B. Brown
  • Publication number: 20070220870
    Abstract: An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine is provided. The system includes: a particulate filter (PF) that is disposed downstream of the engine and that filters particulates from the exhaust; and a grid that includes electrically resistive material that is segmented by non-conductive material into a plurality of zones and wherein the grid is applied to an exterior upstream surface of the PF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Frank Ament, Michael J. Paratore
  • Publication number: 20070220869
    Abstract: An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine is provided. The system includes: a particulate filter (PF) that filters particulates from the exhaust wherein an upstream end of the PF receives exhaust from the engine; and a grid of electrically resistive material that is applied to an exterior upstream surface of the PF and that selectively heats exhaust passing through the grid to initiate combustion of particulates within the PF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Frank Ament
  • Patent number: 7240481
    Abstract: A control system for an engine that drives an alternator includes a first module that reduces an alternator load when the engine is cranked. A second module determines a desired exhaust energy rate (EER) of the engine. The first module regulates the alternator load based on the EER during an idle period to reduce engine emissions during a cold start period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Ament