Patents by Inventor John Eric Rollinger

John Eric Rollinger 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).

  • Crankcase integrity breach detection
    Patent number: 10619534
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using a crankcase vent tube pressure or flow sensor for diagnosing a location and nature of crankcase system integrity breach. The same sensor can also be used for diagnosing air filter plugging and PCV valve degradation. Use of an existing sensor to diagnose multiple engine components provides cost reduction and sensor compaction benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Robert Roy Jentz, John Eric Rollinger
  • Method and system for a boosted engine
    Patent number: 10605180
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for coordinated control of a compound boosting system, including a first compressor staged upstream of a second compressor in an engine intake. In one example, a method may include operating the second, downstream compressor in steady-state to achieve an overall pressure ratio across the compound boosting system while operating the first, upstream compressor transiently, based on an airflow shortfall at the downstream compressor. A timing and amount of electric assistance provided to transiently operate the first, upstream compressor may be adjusted dynamically as the pressure ratio across the second compressor changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Baitao Xiao, Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Julia H. Buckland, David Bell, Tyler Kelly, Timothy Stolzenfeld, John Eric Rollinger
  • TORQUE CONVERTER CONTROL FOR A VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE
    Publication number: 20200079356
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine and a torque converter are presented. In one example, slip of a torque converter is adjusted via at least partially closing or opening a torque converter clutch in response to vehicle vibration. The vehicle vibration may be based on road surface conditions and an actual total number of operating cylinders of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Lin, John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards, Justin Cartwright
  • Air/fuel imbalance monitor
    Patent number: 10570844
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring cylinder air/fuel imbalances are provided. In one example approach, a method comprises, identifying a cylinder with a potential air/fuel imbalance based on crankshaft accelerations generated by a series of rich, lean, and stoichiometric conditions in the cylinder while keeping the engine at stoichiometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Michael Igor Kluzner, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Torque converter control for a variable displacement engine
    Patent number: 10543836
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine and a torque converter are presented. In one example, slip of a torque converter is adjusted via at least partially closing or opening a torque converter clutch in response to vehicle vibration. The vehicle vibration may be based on road surface conditions and an actual total number of operating cylinders of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Lin, John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards, Justin Cartwright
  • Method and system for engine cooling system control
    Patent number: 10513967
    Abstract: Methods and systems are providing for improving engine coolant level estimation to reduce engine overheating. The level of fluid in a coolant overflow reservoir is inferred based on the fluid level in a hollow vertical standpipe fluidically coupled to the reservoir at top and bottom locations, while the fluid level in the standpipe is estimated based on echo times of an ultrasonic signal transmitted by a sensor positioned in a recess at the bottom of the vertical standpipe. Sensor output is compensated with a term based on vehicle motion parameters to compensate for fluid level distortion due to motion-induced slosh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Chad Everette Griffin, Casey Dietrich, Robert Roy Jentz, Alan Huang, Matt Gerow
  • Method and system for particulate filter regeneration
    Patent number: 10502151
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting exhaust particulate filter regeneration. In one example, an engine controller may generate an exotherm at the filter by operating engine cylinders with air-fuel imbalance while using electric assist to a turbocharger to meet a torque demand and raise an intake airflow to enhance the effect of the exotherm. Once heated, the filter may be regenerated by flowing extra air to the exhaust via an air pump and injecting extra fuel to an exhaust passage via an exhaust injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Kelly, Douglas Raymond Martin, Julia Helen Buckland, John Eric Rollinger, Benjamin M. Rocci, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Anil Shah, Emil G. Serban
  • Method and system for engine water injection
    Patent number: 10473061
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting water stored in a water reservoir at a plurality of locations in an engine system, including directly into engine cylinders, upstream of a turbocharger turbine, and at an exhaust manifold, and controlling a water level of the water reservoir. In one example, a method may include supplying the water stored in the water reservoir to one or more of a water injection system, a windshield wiper system, an engine coolant system, and a drinking water system based on water supply conditions and responsive to engine operating conditions. When the water level is low (e.g., below a threshold), supply to the water injection system may be prioritized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, John Eric Rollinger, Kenneth James Miller, Aed M. Dudar, Lauren Angelina Martin
  • Method and system for variable cam timing device
    Patent number: 10465568
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Pietrzyk, John Eric Rollinger, Ed Badillo
  • Method and system for diagnosing operation of an engine compression ratio changing mechanism
    Patent number: 10450983
    Abstract: Methods and systems for diagnosing operation of a compression ratio adjusting mechanism are described. In one example, an output of a pressure sensor is sampled and an assessment of the engine's present compression ratio is made after adjusting sampling of the output. Engine operation may be adjusted responsive to whether or not degradation of the compression ratio adjusting mechanism is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla, Imtiaz Ali, Lyth Alobiedat, Mohannad Hakeem, John Eric Rollinger, Paul Algis Baltusis
  • GASOLINE PARTICULATE FILTER DIAGNOSTICS
    Publication number: 20190292969
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of a gasoline particulate filter in an exhaust system. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of a hose coupled across a particulate filter responsive to a difference between a first differential pressure and a second differential pressure being greater than a threshold, the first differential pressure measured by a differential pressure sensor positioned in the hose responsive to a downstream exhaust tuning valve being fully open, the second differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor responsive to the exhaust tuning valve being fully closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Allen Lehmen, Douglas Raymond Martin, John Eric Rollinger, Sumanth Dadam, Rohit Bhat
  • Gasoline particulate filter diagnostics
    Patent number: 10408114
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of a gasoline particulate filter in an exhaust system. In one example, a method may include during conditions where a differential pressure sensor is exposed to changing exhaust pressure, indicating degradation of a hose coupled across a particulate filter in an exhaust system responsive to a change in differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor being different than an expected change, the differential pressure sensor positioned in the hose and the particulate filter positioned upstream of an exhaust tuning valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Method and system for a particulate filter having a bypass
    Patent number: 10371028
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an emission control device that includes a particulate filter with a bypass. In one example, a method includes bypassing the particulate filter when the exhaust gas has a decreased soot load and when the particulate filter has a decreased soot storage. The method further includes reducing the filter bypass flow and terminating or adjusting a deceleration fuel shut-off operation due to an exhaust temperature proximate to the particulate filter being above a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, John Eric Rollinger
  • Active cylinder configuration for an engine including deactivating engine cylinders
    Patent number: 10371070
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. A common engine block and cylinder head may be used in two different vehicles where a first of the two different vehicles includes valves of selected cylinders that are always active when the first of the two different vehicles is operating. The second of the two different vehicles includes valves of selected cylinders that are always active when the second of the two different vehicles is operating, the valves of the selected cylinders of the second vehicle different from the valves of the selected cylinders of the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam J. Richards, John Eric Rollinger
  • Method and system for engine cooling system control
    Patent number: 10365146
    Abstract: Methods and systems are providing for improving engine coolant level estimation to reduce engine overheating. The level of fluid in a coolant overflow reservoir is inferred based on the fluid level in a hollow vertical standpipe fluidically coupled to the reservoir at top and bottom locations, while the fluid level in the standpipe is estimated based on output from an ultrasonic signal transmitted by a sensor positioned in a recess at the bottom of the vertical standpipe. The sensor uses a combination of raw echo times and processed fluid level data to estimate the fluid level accurately and reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz, William Russell Goodwin, Chad Everette Griffin, Casey Dietrich, Matt Gerow, Scott Steadmon Thompson
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING ENGINE CYLINDERS
    Publication number: 20190211762
    Abstract: Systems and methods for activating and deactivating cylinders of an engine that may activate and deactivate one cylinder independent of other cylinders are presented. In one example, an engine cylinder firing fraction and a remainder value that is based on the engine cylinder firing fraction are a basis for activating and deactivating engine cylinders. The systems and methods also provide for transitioning between different cylinder firing fractions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Amey Y. Karnik, Stephen Lee Cooper, Adam Nathan Banker, Michael Howard Shelby, John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards
  • System for reactivating deactivated cylinders
    Patent number: 10337418
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, an estimate of an amount of oil that may intrude into a deactivated cylinder is made. The deactivated cylinder may be reactivated in response to the amount of oil estimated to be in the deactivated cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards
  • System and method for controlling busyness of cylinder mode changes
    Patent number: 10337431
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, mode changes between deactivating cylinders is based on an amount of time a valve is deactivated, and the longer the valve is deactivated the sooner cylinder valves may be deactivated. If the amount of time the valve is deactivated is short, the time that valves may be deactivated may be delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Karen Willard, Robert Michael Grant
  • Method and system for variable cam timing device
    Patent number: 10337361
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Paul A. Pietrzyk, Edward Badillo
  • System and method for controlling fuel for reactivating engine cylinders
    Patent number: 10337444
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, fuel supplied to cylinders being reactivated is supplied by direct fuel injectors even though the engine is operating in a region (e.g., speed and torque) where under conditions where cylinders are not being reactivated the engine injects fuel solely via port fuel injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam J. Richards, John Eric Rollinger