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).

  • SYSTEM FOR DEACTIVATING ENGINE CYLINDERS
    Publication number: 20170356355
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves is presented. In one example, the engine may include non-deactivating intake valves, deactivating intake valves, and only non-deactivating exhaust valves. The non-deactivating exhaust valves may operate to open and close during an engine cycle while deactivating intake valves remain closed during the engine cycle to prevent air flow through selected engine cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ENGINE OIL PUMP
    Publication number: 20170356373
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with an oil pump that supplies engine oil to various oil consumers in an engine are presented. In one example, a displacement of a variable displacement engine oil pump is adjusted to provide sufficient oil pressure throughout the engine, but low enough to conserve fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Karen Willard, John Eric Rollinger, Robert Milton, Jeremy L. Russell
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FUEL FOR REACTIVATING ENGINE CYLINDERS
    Publication number: 20170356381
    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: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Adam J. Richards, John Eric Rollinger
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTING A CYLINDER DEACTIVATION MODE
    Publication number: 20170356369
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with a plurality of deactivating valves for deactivating engine cylinders are presented. In one example, a plurality of different cylinder operating modes may be available to operate the engine. Engine fuel consumption in each of the plurality of different cylinder operating modes is estimated and the engine may be operated in the cylinder mode that provides greatest fuel efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Eric Rollinger, Karen Willard, Brett Dryer
  • Method and system for variable cam timing device
    Patent number: 9840943
    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 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Paul A. Pietrzyk, Ed Badillo, Jamie Charles Hanshaw
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING AIR-FUEL IMBALANCE
    Publication number: 20170350332
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to determine air-fuel imbalance of cylinders in a variable displacement engine. In one example, the method may include during a cylinder deactivation event, sequentially deactivating each cylinder of a cylinder group including two or more cylinders and estimating a lambda deviation for each cylinder following the sequential deactivation of each cylinder of the cylinder group; and learning an air error for each cylinder based on the estimated lambda deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, John Eric Rollinger
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING AN EXHAUST VALVE OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
    Publication number: 20170342872
    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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, John Eric Rollinger
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE CAM TIMING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20170335726
    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: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Paul A. Pietrzyk, John Eric Rollinger, Ed Badillo
  • Method and system for reducing engine exhaust emissions
    Patent number: 9822689
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for addressing engine cold-start emissions while an exhaust catalyst is activated. In one example, a method for improving exhaust emissions may include flowing ionized air into an engine exhaust, downstream of an exhaust catalyst, to oxidize exhaust emissions left untreated by the catalyst. The approach reduces the PM load of the exhaust as well as of a downstream particulate matter filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, John Eric Rollinger
  • Engine exhaust temperature control
    Patent number: 9810122
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving operation of an engine at higher speeds and loads are disclosed. In one example, fuel may be injected to an exhaust system of the engine so that temperatures of exhaust system components may be reduced when the engine is operated at higher speeds and loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, John Eric Rollinger
  • Method for determining an offset of a manifold pressure sensor
    Patent number: 9810171
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining an offset of a manifold pressure sensor. In one example, an engine method may include indicating degradation of the manifold pressure sensor based on a sensor offset, the sensor offset based on a manifold pressure measured at a first throttle angle, a barometric pressure at a second throttle angle, a reference manifold pressure at the first throttle angle and reference barometric pressure, and the reference barometric pressure. Further, the method may include adjusting an output of the manifold pressure sensor by the determined sensor offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rommel Racelis, John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170306858
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using compression heating to heat a cylinder piston before cylinder combustion is resumed. Cylinder heating is achieved using combinations of slow unfueled engine rotation where the engine cylinders are heated via compression stroke heating, and slow compressor rotation where the cylinders are heated via compression heating. One or more intake or exhaust heaters may be concurrently operated to expedite cylinder heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, John Eric Rollinger, Michael Howard Shelby, Jianwen James Yi
  • Crankcase integrity breach detection
    Patent number: 9790885
    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: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170291472
    Abstract: A method for controlling torque of an air conditioner compressor is disclosed. In one example, the air conditioner compressor is a variable displacement compressor. The method may provide smooth transitions between different air conditioner compressor torques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Hugh Hamilton, Brent Jacobsen, Steve Pryor Perry
  • Method and system for variable cam timing device
    Patent number: 9777604
    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: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Pietrzyk, John Eric Rollinger, Ed Badillo
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170268411
    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. Engine power is limited differently based on distinct coolant level states determined based on a change in level of coolant in the reservoir over a duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Karen Willard, Michael Joseph Giunta, Robert Andrew Wade, Samer Ibrahim, Casey Dietrich, Matt Gerow
  • System and method for determining exhaust temperature
    Patent number: 9759149
    Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating engine exhaust gas temperature and adjusting engine operation based on the engine exhaust gas temperature are disclosed. In one example, an offset value for a resistive heating element of an oxygen sensor is determined so that the resistive heating element may be a basis for providing accurate engine exhaust gas temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, John Eric Rollinger
  • Method and system for engine control
    Patent number: 9759135
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using compression heating to heat a cylinder piston before cylinder combustion is resumed. Cylinder heating is achieved using combinations of slow unfueled engine rotation where the engine cylinders are heated via compression stroke heating, and slow compressor rotation where the cylinders are heated via compression heating. One or more intake or exhaust heaters may be concurrently operated to expedite cylinder heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, John Eric Rollinger, Michael Howard Shelby, Jianwen James Yi
  • Method for air/fuel imbalance detection
    Patent number: 9752517
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring air/fuel imbalance in cylinders of an engine. In one example method, air/fuel ratio of a cylinder is modulated to produce a series of rich, lean, and stoichiometric conditions in the cylinder and corresponding crank accelerations are measured to calculate a peak function indicating an air/fuel ratio in the cylinder. The peak function is calculated over a plurality of modulations to provide a more reliable computation of the air/fuel ratio of the cylinder and its deviation from a pre-determined air/fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz, Michael Igor Kluzner
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING ENGINE EXHAUST EMISSIONS
    Publication number: 20170248055
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for addressing engine cold-start emissions while an exhaust catalyst is activated. In one example, a method for improving exhaust emissions may include flowing ionized air into an engine exhaust, downstream of an exhaust catalyst, to oxidize exhaust emissions left untreated by the catalyst. The approach reduces the PM load of the exhaust as well as of a downstream particulate matter filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, John Eric Rollinger