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).

  • Systems and methods for estimating exhaust pressure
    Patent number: 10024265
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating exhaust pressure based on an exhaust air/fuel ratio sensor. In one example, a method may comprise estimating an exhaust pressure based on periodic waveform outputs of an exhaust air/fuel ratio (AFR) sensor, and adjusting at least one engine operating parameter based on the estimated exhaust pressure. The exhaust pressure may be estimated based on one or more of the standard deviation and frequency of the periodic waveform outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, John Eric Rollinger, Richard E. Soltis, Jennifer Helen Chang
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR POWERTRAIN NVH CONTROL IN A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20180194356
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) limits for a vehicle based on a number of occupants in the vehicle. In one example, a method may include responsive to detecting zero occupants, reducing NVH constraints for operating the vehicle and adjusting one or more vehicle operating parameters based on the reduced NVH constraints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Adam J. Richards, Adam Nathan Banker, Amey Y. Karnik, John Eric Rollinger
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD TO OPERATE AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20180187611
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of deactivated engine cylinders are presented. In one example, intake valve timing of deactivated engine cylinders is advanced to reduce amplitudes of intake pressure pulsations while exhaust valves of the deactivated engine cylinders are held closed. Further, intake valve timing of deactivated cylinders may be advanced responsive to output of an intake manifold pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Gerow, John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards
  • Method and system for maintaining an engine coolant level
    Patent number: 10012133
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for maintaining a desired engine coolant level and a relative glycol amount in the engine coolant by using water sourced from on-board vehicle systems. In one example, a method may include supplying water to the engine coolant reservoir in response to the engine coolant level decreasing below a threshold. Also, a relative glycol amount in the coolant may be maintained at a threshold amount by adding water to the coolant in response to a relative glycol increasing above the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, John Eric Rollinger, Kenneth James Miller, Aed M. Dudar
  • Variable displacement engine control
    Patent number: 10006379
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine in a variety of different cylinder operating modes are presented. In one example, an actual total number of available cylinder modes is increased in response to a vehicle's suspension setting and road roughness. By increasing the available cylinder modes, the engine may be operated in a higher number of modes where one or more engine cylinders may be deactivated to conserve fuel. The number of cylinder modes is increased during conditions where vehicle occupants may be less likely to object to operating the engine with fewer active cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards, Robert Michael Grant, Steven Lin, Matthew Gerow
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ACTIVATE AND DEACTIVATE ENGINE CYLINDERS
    Publication number: 20180171909
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining when one or more cylinders of an engine may be activated or deactivated are presented. In one example, an actual total number of active cylinder modes may be increased in response to engine speed and load. Further, dimensions of an engine cylinder mode region of an engine cylinder activation may be adjusted responsive to a change in mass of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Adam J. Richards, John Eric Rollinger
  • Method and system for variable cam timing device
    Patent number: 9988949
    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: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Pietrzyk, John Eric Rollinger, Jamie Charles Hanshaw, Ed Badillo, Gilbert Fournelle
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20180118048
    Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying electrical power to two electrical buses that operate at different voltages are disclosed. In one example, two or more switches are selectively opened and closed to electrically couple and decouple a first alternator and a second alternator from the respective buses. The switches may be operated in response to state of battery charge or electrical load demand on the two electrical buses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander O`Connor Gibson, John Eric Rollinger, Allan Roy Gale, John Anthony DeMarco
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING ENGINE CYLINDERS
    Publication number: 20180100460
    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: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Amey Y. Karnik, Stephen Lee Cooper, Adam Nathan Banker, Michael Howard Shelby, John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards
  • VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20180058346
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine in a variety of different cylinder operating modes are presented. In one example, an actual total number of available cylinder modes is increased in response to a vehicle's suspension setting and road roughness. By increasing the available cylinder modes, the engine may be operated in a higher number of modes where one or more engine cylinders may be deactivated to conserve fuel. The number of cylinder modes is increased during conditions where vehicle occupants may be less likely to object to operating the engine with fewer active cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards, Robert Michael Grant, Steven Lin, Matthew Gerow
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20180058391
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine including an external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system are presented. In one non-limiting example, output of a differential pressure sensor and output of an intake manifold pressure sensor are used as a basis for determining whether or not EGR system degradation is present while an engine is operating at conditions other than engine idle conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander O`Connor Gibson, Christopher M. Short, Robert Roy Jentz, John Eric Rollinger
  • Methods and system for operating an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 9885260
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine with poppet exhaust valves are described. The systems and methods provide for locking exhaust valves in a closed state when the exhaust valves are in mechanical communication with a base circle of a camshaft lobe. Locking the exhaust valves in a closed state may reduce the possibility of exhaust pressures opening the exhaust valves at times they may not be desired to be open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, John Eric Rollinger
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ESTIMATING EXHAUST PRESSURE
    Publication number: 20180017008
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating exhaust pressure based on an exhaust air/fuel ratio sensor. In one example, a method may comprise estimating an exhaust pressure based on periodic waveform outputs of an exhaust air/fuel ratio (AFR) sensor, and adjusting at least one engine operating parameter based on the estimated exhaust pressure. The exhaust pressure may be estimated based on one or more of the standard deviation and frequency of the periodic waveform outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, John Eric Rollinger, Richard E. Soltis, Jennifer Helen Chang
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD PRESSURE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170356372
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, engine volumetric efficiency actuators are adjusted in response to a request to activate engine cylinders so that engine intake manifold pressure is drawn down quickly toward its normal state at the engine's present speed and torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Adam J. Richards, John Eric Rollinger
  • SYSTEM FOR REACTIVATING DEACTIVATED CYLINDERS
    Publication number: 20170356353
    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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING INTAKE MANIFOLD PRESSURE
    Publication number: 20170356358
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, a position of an engine air intake throttle is adjusted during cylinder deactivation to control intake manifold pressure for cylinder reactivation. Closing of the throttle may be timed based on an actual total number of cylinder induction events expected to provide a desired engine intake manifold pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Adam J. Richards, John Eric Rollinger
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MITIGATING CYLINDER DEACTIVATION DEGRADATION
    Publication number: 20170356374
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, valves of a cylinder are deactivated in a closed state in response to an indication of degradation of a valve of the cylinder. Further, fuel flow to the cylinder may be stopped via ceasing to inject fuel to the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Karen Willard, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Robert Michael Grant
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE TORQUE WHILE DEACTIVATING ENGINE CYLINDERS
    Publication number: 20170356370
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, a position of one or more volumetric efficiency control devices is changed in response to a request to deactivate one or more engine cylinders while at the same time the engine central throttle is adjusted. Spark timing may also be adjusted if engine air flow deviates from a desired engine air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Eric Rollinger, Karen Willard, Robert Michael Grant
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING BUSYNESS OF CYLINDER MODE CHANGES
    Publication number: 20170356371
    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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Karen Willard, Robert Michael Grant
  • ACTIVE CYLINDER CONFIGURATION FOR AN ENGINE INCLUDING DEACTIVATING ENGINE CYLINDERS
    Publication number: 20170356368
    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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Adam J. Richards, John Eric Rollinger