Patents by Inventor James Michael Kerns

James Michael Kerns 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: 9863348
    Abstract: A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine cylinder air-fuel is adjusted to allow soot to oxidize at an upstream particulate filter while exhaust gases are efficiently processed in a downstream catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carolyn Parks Hubbard, Robert Walter McCabe, Eva Thanasiu, David Karl Bidner, James Michael Kerns, Nian Xiao, Helmut Hans Ruhland, Moritz Klaus Springer, Thomas Lorenz, Georg Louven, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn
  • Patent number: 9828949
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Robert Roy Jentz, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Richard E. Soltis
  • Patent number: 9657672
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust in an engine is provided. The method includes adjusting engine operation responsive to exhaust gas sensor degradation, the degradation identified during deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO) and compensated based on whether vapor purge operation is occurring in the engine during DFSO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Michael James Uhrich, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 9644561
    Abstract: Various approaches are described for air-fuel ratio control in an engine. In one example, a method include adjusting fuel injection from an anticipatory controller responsive to exhaust oxygen feedback of an exhaust gas sensor positioned upstream of an exhaust catalyst, the anticipatory controller including a first integral term and a second integral term, the second integral term correcting for past fuel disturbances. In this way, it is possible to provide fast responses to errors via the anticipatory controller, while corrected known past fueling errors, on average, via the second integral term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen William Magner, Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 9541469
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a time delay and line length of each sample of a set of exhaust gas sensor responses collected during a commanded change in air-fuel ratio. In this way, the exhaust gas sensor may be monitored utilizing robust parameters in a non-intrusive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Adam Nathan Banker, James Michael Kerns, Imad Hassan Makki
  • Patent number: 9518287
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine exhaust emissions while enabling exhaust catalyst regeneration following an engine lean event. Prior to a VDE event, or prior to an engine idle-stop, ammonia is produced and stored on an exhaust underbody SCR catalyst. Then, during the engine restart after the VDE mode or the idle-stop, the stored ammonia is used to treat exhaust NOx species while an upstream exhaust underbody three-way catalyst is regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Theis, James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich, Giovanni Cavataio, Thomas G. Leone, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Todd Anthony Rumpsa
  • Patent number: 9416714
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust are provided. In one example approach, a method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a downstream exhaust gas sensor responding before the upstream exhaust gas sensor during a commanded change in air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Adam Nathan Banker, James Michael Kerns, Imad Hassan Makki, Hassene Jammoussi
  • Patent number: 9353708
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a fuel vapor recovery system including a fuel tank isolation valve coupled between a fuel tank and a canister. During selected conditions, the valve is modulated and pressure pulsations in the fuel vapor recovery system are monitored. Valve degradation is identified based on correlations between the valve modulation and the resultant pressure pulsations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed Mohammad Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Timothy DeBastos, James Michael Kerns, Michael Igor Kluzner
  • Patent number: 9297348
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting a group of cylinders for selective deactivation, in a variable displacement engine system, based at least on a regeneration state of an exhaust catalyst. The position of one or more valves and throttles may be adjusted based on the selective deactivation to reduce back-flow through the disabled cylinders while also maintaining conditions of a downstream exhaust catalyst. Pre-ignition and knock detection windows and thresholds may also be adjusted based on the deactivation to improve the efficiency of knock and pre-ignition detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, Adam Nathan Banker
  • Publication number: 20160032854
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust in an engine is provided. The method includes adjusting engine operation responsive to exhaust gas sensor degradation, the degradation identified during deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO) and compensated based on whether vapor purge operation is occurring in the engine during DFSO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Michael James Uhrich, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 9222420
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine exhaust emissions while enabling exhaust catalyst regeneration following an engine lean event. Prior to a VDE event, or prior to an engine idle-stop, ammonia is produced and stored on an exhaust underbody SCR catalyst. Then, during the engine restart after the VDE mode or the idle-stop, the stored ammonia is used to treat exhaust NOx species while an upstream exhaust underbody three-way catalyst is regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Michael Kerns, Joseph Robert Theis, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Michael James Uhrich, Adam Nathan Banker, Stephen B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150354489
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Robert Roy Jentz, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Richard E. Soltis
  • Patent number: 9188045
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust in an engine is provided. The method includes adjusting engine operation responsive to exhaust gas sensor degradation, the degradation identified during deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO) and compensated based on whether vapor purge operation is occurring in the engine during DFSO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Michael James Ulrich, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 9169788
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting a group of cylinders for selective deactivation, in a variable displacement engine system, based at least on a regeneration state of an exhaust catalyst. The position of one or more valves and throttles may be adjusted based on the selective deactivation to reduce back-flow through the disabled cylinders while also maintaining conditions of a downstream exhaust catalyst. Pre-ignition and knock detection windows and thresholds may also be adjusted based on the deactivation to improve the efficiency of knock and pre-ignition detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen B. Smith, Michael James Uhrich, James Michael Kerns, Adam Nathan Banker
  • Patent number: 9163588
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Robert Roy Jentz, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Richard E. Soltis
  • Patent number: 9151207
    Abstract: A diagnostic method for an engine having a valve for controlling dilution of intake air. The method comprises, during engine fueling, indicating a degradation of the valve when the valve is commanded closed but sensor output corresponds to an oxygen level below that of air. The method further comprises, absent engine fueling, indicating degradation of the sensor when the valve is commanded closed but the sensor output corresponds to an oxygen level below that of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Timothy Joseph Clark, Robert Roy Jentz, Michael James Uhrich
  • Patent number: 9151216
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting a group of cylinders for selective deactivation, in a variable displacement engine system, based at least on a regeneration state of an exhaust catalyst. The position of one or more valves and throttles may be adjusted based on the selective deactivation to reduce back-flow through the disabled cylinders while also maintaining conditions of a downstream exhaust catalyst. Pre-ignition and knock detection windows and thresholds may also be adjusted based on the deactivation to improve the efficiency of knock and pre-ignition detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9074513
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on characteristics of a distribution of extreme values of a plurality of sets of lambda differentials collected during selected operating conditions. In this way, the exhaust gas sensor may be monitored in a non-intrusive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Imad Hassan Makki, Pankaj Kumar, James Michael Kerns, Hassene Jammoussi
  • Patent number: 9074548
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, Michael James Uhrich, Timothy Joseph Clark, James Michael Kerns, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Publication number: 20150184620
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a fuel vapor recovery system including a fuel tank isolation valve coupled between a fuel tank and a canister. During selected conditions, the valve is modulated and pressure pulsations in the fuel vapor recovery system are monitored. Valve degradation is identified based on correlations between the valve modulation and the resultant pressure pulsations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Aed Mohammad Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Timothy DeBastos, James Michael Kerns, Michael Igor Kluzner