Patents by Inventor Julian R. Verdejo

Julian R. Verdejo 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).

  • Publication number: 20120010802
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, an electro-mechanical transmission and an electric machine. In an engine starting routine, flow control devices located proximate each combustion chamber in the engine initially restrict airflow into the cylinders to allow for a starter motor to rotate the engine at lower expansion and compression torque whereafter rotation of the engine is transitioned to the electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Robert Douglas Shafto, Michael Simon, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Publication number: 20110253101
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a disturbance module, a misfire threshold determination module, a disturbance ratio module, and a spark control module. The disturbance module determines a disturbance value for a past combustion stroke of a cylinder based on rotation of a crankshaft. The misfire threshold determination module determines a jerk value indicative of a misfire within the cylinder. The disturbance ratio module determines a disturbance ratio for the past combustion stroke based on the disturbance value and the jerk value. The spark control module determines a spark timing for a future combustion stroke of the cylinder, determines a spark timing correction for the future combustion stroke based on the disturbance ratio, determines a corrected spark timing based on the spark timing and the spark timing correction, and generates spark during the future combustion stroke based on the corrected spark timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David S. Mathews, Tameem K. Assaf, John V. Bowman, Kenneth J. Buslepp, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Patent number: 7968827
    Abstract: A heating module for an oxygen sensor comprises an estimated mass module, a cumulative mass module, and a temperature control module. The estimated mass module determines an estimated mass of intake air to remove condensation from an exhaust system after startup of an engine. The cumulative mass module determines a cumulative mass of intake air after the engine startup. The temperature control module adjusts a temperature of an oxygen sensor measuring oxygen in the exhaust system to a first predetermined temperature after the engine startup and adjusts the temperature to a second predetermined temperature when the cumulative air mass is greater than the estimated air mass, wherein the second predetermined temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventors: Justin F. Adams, Louis A. Avallone, Dale W. McKim, Jeffrey A. Sell, John W. Siekkinen, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Patent number: 7918212
    Abstract: A method and control system for controlling an engine includes an instantaneous crankshaft acceleration determining module determining an instantaneous crankshaft acceleration. An engine parameter adjustment module adjusts an engine parameter in response to the instantaneous crankshaft acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventors: Julian R. Verdejo, Michael R. Grimes, Nicholas John Kalweit, David S. Mathews
  • Publication number: 20110038394
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas feedstream flowing past a gas sensing device disposed therein. The gas sensor includes an integrated electrical heating element which provides a resistance indicative of its temperature. An unknown input observer is used to determine the exhaust gas feedstream temperature based on the heating element temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Julian R. Verdejo, Nicholas John Kalweit
  • Patent number: 7841769
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas feedstream flowing past a gas sensing device disposed therein. The gas sensor includes an integrated electrical heating element which provides a resistance indicative of its temperature. An unknown input observer is used to determine the exhaust gas feedstream temperature based on the heating element temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Julian R. Verdejo, Nicholas John Kalweit
  • Publication number: 20100228462
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an engine function includes a deflection determination module generating a clutch deflection signal. The system further includes an engine function module controlling an engine function in response to the clutch deflection signal. The clutch deflection signal may be generated by sensors associated with the transmission shaft such as within the clutch housing or the friction disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Julian R. Verdejo, Paul A. Piorkowski, Qi Ma
  • Patent number: 7735476
    Abstract: A method comprises detecting a status of a transfer pump for transferring fuel between a first fuel source and a second fuel source; receiving a fuel trim value and a vehicle operating parameter; and calculating a fuel composition of one of the first fuel source and second fuel source based on the fuel trim value, the transfer pump status and the vehicle operating parameter. A control module comprises a secondary pump transfer module detecting a status of a transfer pump for transferring fuel between a first fuel source and a second fuel source; and a fuel composition estimation module in communication with the secondary pump transfer module, receiving a fuel trim value and a vehicle operating parameter, and calculating a fuel composition of one of the first fuel source and second fuel source based on the fuel trim value, the transfer pump status, and the vehicle operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventors: Mark D. Carr, Louis A. Avallone, Julian R. Verdejo, Jeffrey A. Sell, Shuanita Robinson
  • Publication number: 20100088010
    Abstract: A method and control system for controlling an engine includes an instantaneous crankshaft acceleration determining module determining an instantaneous crankshaft acceleration. An engine parameter adjustment module adjusts an engine parameter in response to the instantaneous crankshaft acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Julian R. Verdejo, Michael R. Grimes, Nicholas John Kalweit, David S. Mathews
  • Publication number: 20100083936
    Abstract: A control module for a vehicle includes a time recording module that stores timestamps that correspond to each of N teeth of a target wheel of the vehicle in memory. N is an integer. A position module generates M angular positions based on the timestamps. M is an integer greater than one. Each of the M angular positions corresponds to a space between adjacent ones of the N teeth. A position estimator determines position of the target wheel based on the M positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Julian R. Verdejo, Nicholas John Kalweit, David S. Mathews, Michael R. Grimes
  • Publication number: 20100066097
    Abstract: A control system of a vehicle comprises a current estimation module, a current sensor, and a current diagnostic module. The current estimation module determines an estimated output current of a generator of the vehicle based on an engine speed when the generator is operating in a steady-state condition. The current sensor measures an output current of the generator. The current diagnostic module diagnoses a condition of the current sensor based on the estimated output current and the measured output current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Julian R. Verdejo, Michael G. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 7673621
    Abstract: A system for estimating fuel concentration comprises an ethanol estimating module that generates an ethanol estimate based on baseline closed loop corrections (CLC). A fuel system module controls fuel to an engine and generates a fuel system error. The ethanol estimating module selectively adjusts the baseline CLC and the ethanol estimate based on the fuel system error. A method for estimating fuel concentration comprises generating an ethanol estimate based on baseline closed loop corrections (CLC); controlling fuel to an engine and generating a fuel system error; and selectively adjusting said baseline CLC and said ethanol estimate based on said fuel system error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Carr, Louis A. Avallone, Ian J. MacEwen, Wajdi B. Hamama, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Patent number: 7641587
    Abstract: A control system and method for adaptively controlling transmission ratio shifting in an electronically controlled transmission. A refueling event is detected. After the detected refueling event, fuel consumption is monitored for a predetermined period during which a change in composition of fuel to the engine reaches or approaches a steady state. During the period, the rate of adapting transmission shift controls is modified to respond quicker to the change in shift characteristics induced by differences in torque produced by the engine. Implementing this method can improve transmission shift quality while the quality of fuel reaching an engine is in transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Jess, Jeffrey A. Sell, John E. Marano, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Publication number: 20090150057
    Abstract: A heating module for an oxygen sensor comprises an estimated mass module, a cumulative mass module, and a temperature control module. The estimated mass module determines an estimated mass of intake air to remove condensation from an exhaust system after startup of an engine. The cumulative mass module determines a cumulative mass of intake air after the engine startup. The temperature control module adjusts a temperature of an oxygen sensor measuring oxygen in the exhaust system to a first predetermined temperature after the engine startup and adjusts the temperature to a second predetermined temperature when the cumulative air mass is greater than the estimated air mass, wherein the second predetermined temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Justin F. Adams, Louis A. Avallone, Dale W. Mckim, Jeffrey A. Sell, John W. Siekkinen, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Publication number: 20090071447
    Abstract: A method comprises detecting a status of a transfer pump for transferring fuel between a first fuel source and a second fuel source; receiving a fuel trim value and a vehicle operating parameter; and calculating a fuel composition of one of the first fuel source and second fuel source based on the fuel trim value, the transfer pump status and the vehicle operating parameter. A control module comprises a secondary pump transfer module detecting a status of a transfer pump for transferring fuel between a first fuel source and a second fuel source; and a fuel composition estimation module in communication with the secondary pump transfer module, receiving a fuel trim value and a vehicle operating parameter, and calculating a fuel composition of one of the first fuel source and second fuel source based on the fuel trim value, the transfer pump status, and the vehicle operating parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark D. Carr, Louis A. Avallone, Julian R. Verdejo, Jeffrey A. Sell, Shuanita Robinson
  • Publication number: 20090064976
    Abstract: A system for estimating fuel concentration comprises an ethanol estimating module that generates an ethanol estimate based on baseline closed loop corrections (CLC). A fuel system module controls fuel to an engine and generates a fuel system error. The ethanol estimating module selectively adjusts the baseline CLC and the ethanol estimate based on the fuel system error. A method for estimating fuel concentration comprises generating an ethanol estimate based on baseline closed loop corrections (CLC); controlling fuel to an engine and generating a fuel system error; and selectively adjusting said baseline CLC and said ethanol estimate based on said fuel system error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Mark D. Carr, Louis A. Avallone, Ian J. MacEwen, Wajdi B. Hamama, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Publication number: 20090064663
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas feedstream flowing past a gas sensing device disposed therein. The gas sensor includes an integrated electrical heating element which provides a resistance indicative of its temperature. An unknown input observer is used to determine the exhaust gas feedstream temperature based on the heating element temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Julian R. Verdejo, Nicholas John Kalweit
  • Patent number: 7467628
    Abstract: A control system for an oxygen sensor heater is provided. The control system includes a passive heater control module that generates a heater control signal at a first duty cycle and measures a resistance of the oxygen sensor heater. An exhaust gas temperature mapping module maps the resistance to an exhaust gas temperature. An active heater control module generates a heater control signal at a second duty cycle based on the exhaust gas temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin F. Adams, Louis A. Avallone, Dale W. McKim, Jeffrey A. Sell, John W. Siekkinen, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Publication number: 20080234103
    Abstract: A control system and method for adaptively controlling transmission ratio shifting in an electronically controlled transmission. A refueling event is detected. After the detected refueling event, fuel consumption is monitored for a predetermined period during which a change in composition of fuel to the engine reaches or approaches a steady state. During the period, the rate of adapting transmission shift controls is modified to respond quicker to the change in shift characteristics induced by differences in torque produced by the engine. Implementing this method can improve transmission shift quality while the quality of fuel reaching an engine is in transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Richard B. Jess, Jeffrey A. Sell, John E. Marano, Julian R. Verdejo
  • Publication number: 20080178856
    Abstract: A control system for an oxygen sensor heater is provided. The control system includes a passive heater control module that generates a heater control signal at a first duty cycle and measures a resistance of the oxygen sensor heater. An exhaust gas temperature mapping module maps the resistance to an exhaust gas temperature. An active heater control module generates a heater control signal at a second duty cycle based on the exhaust gas temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Justin F. Adams, Louis A. Avallone, Dale W. McKim, Jeffrey A. Sell, John W. Siekkinen, Julian R. Verdejo