Patents by Inventor Hamid M. Esfahan

Hamid M. Esfahan 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: 8943467
    Abstract: An on-target rapid control prototyping (RCP) system includes a host control module that generates a first RCP model based on selected function blocks in a block library. A target language compiler converts the first RCP model into source code. A cross-compiler coverts the source code into object code. A download module performs an on-target download of the object code from a host that includes the host control module to a production control module of a production system that is separate from the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventors: Hamid M. Esfahan, Satish Kumar, Shane M. Boehner
  • Patent number: 8739049
    Abstract: A vehicle simulation system includes a compiler module, a parser module, a wrapper module, a modeling module, and a simulation module. The compiler module generates object code that is compatible with a first type of operating system based on source code that is executable by a vehicle control module and that is compatible with a second type of operating system. The parser module generates a definitions file and an extensible markup language (XML) file based on the source code and the object code. The wrapper module generates a library file based on the object code and the definitions file. The modeling module generates model-based source code for a virtual model based on the XML file and a user configuration of the virtual model. The simulation module simulates operation of a plant of a vehicle with the virtual model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: Michael A. Kropinski, Minghui Kao, Gary Ferries, Hamid M. Esfahan, Wen-Chuan Lin, Michael A. Steele, Onassis Matthews
  • Patent number: 8670894
    Abstract: A method and control module for determining a sensor error includes a time-based diagnostic module generating a time-based diagnostic for a sensor and an event-based diagnostic module generating an event-based diagnostic for the sensor. A synchronizing module synchronizes the time-based diagnostic and the event-based diagnostic to obtain a diagnostic result. A fault indicator module generates a fault signal in response to the diagnostic result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Daniel P. Grenn, John F. Van Gilder, Michael J. Lucido, Ian J. MacEwen, Hamid M. Esfahan
  • Publication number: 20110288840
    Abstract: A vehicle simulation system includes a compiler module, a parser module, a wrapper module, a modeling module, and a simulation module. The compiler module generates object code that is compatible with a first type of operating system based on source code that is executable by a vehicle control module and that is compatible with a second type of operating system. The parser module generates a definitions file and an extensible markup language (XML) file based on the source code and the object code. The wrapper module generates a library file based on the object code and the definitions file. The modeling module generates model-based source code for a virtual model based on the XML file and a user configuration of the virtual model. The simulation module simulates operation of a plant of a vehicle with the virtual model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Kropinski, Minghui Kao, Gary Ferries, Hamid M. Esfahan, Wen-Chuan Lin, Michael A. Steele, Onassis Matthews
  • Patent number: 7826963
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a driver module and a diagnostics module. The driver module includes a high-side driver and a low-side driver, which selectively actuate a load. The driver module generates status signals based on detection of each of a plurality of failure modes of the high-side and low-side drivers. The diagnostics module increments a first error count for a first mode of the plurality of failure modes when the status signals indicate the driver module has detected the first mode. The diagnostics module increments a corresponding total count each time the driver module analyzes the first mode. The diagnostics module sets a fail state for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) when the first error count for the first mode reaches a first predetermined threshold prior to the total count reaching a second predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Mark D. Carr, Michael J. Lucido, Jon C. Miller, John F. Van Gilder, Daniel P. Grenn, Hamid M. Esfahan, Ian J. Mac Ewen
  • Publication number: 20100274442
    Abstract: A method and control module for determining a sensor error includes a time-based diagnostic module generating a time-based diagnostic for a sensor and an event-based diagnostic module generating an event-based diagnostic for the sensor. A synchronizing module synchronizes the time-based diagnostic and the event-based diagnostic to obtain a diagnostic result. A fault indicator module generates a fault signal in response to the diagnostic result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Daniel P. Grenn, John F. Van Gilder, Michael J. Lucido, Ian J. Mac Ewen, Hamid M. Esfahan
  • Publication number: 20100269793
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a driver module and a diagnostics module. The driver module includes a high-side driver and a low-side driver, which selectively actuate a load. The driver module generates status signals based on detection of each of a plurality of failure modes of the high-side and low-side drivers. The diagnostics module increments a first error count for a first mode of the plurality of failure modes when the status signals indicate the driver module has detected the first mode. The diagnostics module increments a corresponding total count each time the driver module analyzes the first mode. The diagnostics module sets a fail state for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) when the first error count for the first mode reaches a first predetermined threshold prior to the total count reaching a second predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wenbo Wang, Mark D. Carr, Michael J. Lucido, Jon C. Miller, John F. Van Gilder, Daniel P. Grenn, Hamid M. Esfahan, Ian J. Mac Ewen
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100192122
    Abstract: An on-target rapid control prototyping (RCP) system includes a host control module that generates a first RCP model based on selected function blocks in a block library. A target language compiler converts the first RCP model into source code. A cross-compiler coverts the source code into object code. A download module performs an on-target download of the object code from a host that includes the host control module to a production control module of a production system that is separate from the host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Hamid M. Esfahan, Satish Kumar, Shane M. Boehner
  • 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: 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