Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Buslepp

Kenneth J. Buslepp 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20110246044
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a cylinder pressure sensor and a control module. The cylinder pressure sensor measures pressure within a cylinder of an engine, generates increases in a cylinder pressure signal based on the pressure, selectively generates a predetermined profile in the cylinder pressure signal, and selectively resets the cylinder pressure signal to a predetermined reset level after generating the predetermined profile in the cylinder pressure signal. The control module receives the cylinder pressure signal, detects the predetermined profile of the cylinder pressure signal, and detects the resetting of the cylinder pressure signal to the predetermined reset level when the predetermined profile is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Douglas R. Verner, Joseph R. Dulzo
  • Patent number: 8000880
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a fuel quality calculation module and a fueling module. The fuel quality calculation module calculates a fuel quality value for fuel provided to an engine based on at least one operating parameter of the engine. The fueling module selectively increases an amount of fuel provided to the engine based on the fuel quality value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Kenneth J. Buslepp, Donovan L. Dibble, Mary Beth Furness
  • Publication number: 20110106392
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling engine operation includes a timer module that determines a time period from when a catalyst light-off mode is entered to when an oxygen sensor signal reaches an oxygen sensor threshold and a comparison module that generates an error signal and determines when the time period is above a time threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas R. VERNER, Jonathan T. SHIBATA, Allen B. RAYL, Halim G. SANTOSO, Kenneth J. BUSLEPP
  • Publication number: 20110106394
    Abstract: A method and a control system that includes a window module that determines a piston position window, a mean effective pressure determination module that generates a mean effective pressure with in-cylinder pressure signals within the piston position window and an engine control module that controls the engine using the mean effective pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Douglas R. Verner
  • Patent number: 7931008
    Abstract: A fuel injection system includes an injector control module, a current detection module, and a position determination module. The injector control module controls current through a solenoid of a fuel injector for a predetermined period. The current detection module measures an amount of current through the solenoid after the predetermined period. The position determination module determines whether the fuel injector injected fuel during the predetermined period based on when the amount of current through the solenoid is less than or equal to a predetermined current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas R. Verner, Craig D. Marriott, Kenneth J. Buslepp
  • Publication number: 20110083498
    Abstract: A pressure sensor diagnostic system of the present disclosure includes an excitation module, a frequency determination module, and a fault determination module. The excitation module excites an in-cylinder pressure sensor and causes the in-cylinder pressure sensor to oscillate. The frequency determination module determines an oscillation frequency of the in-cylinder pressure sensor. The fault determination module diagnoses the in-cylinder pressure sensor based on the oscillation frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Verner, Kenneth J. Buslepp, Joseph R. Dulzo
  • Publication number: 20110087419
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a piston movement modeling module, a cylinder volume determination module, and a cylinder pressure estimation module. The piston movement modeling module models movement of a piston within a corresponding cylinder based on angular change of an engine crankshaft. The cylinder volume determination module determines a volume of the cylinder based on an angular position of the engine crankshaft and the modeled movement of the piston. The cylinder pressure estimation module estimates pressure in the cylinder based on the determined volume, an intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP), an intake valve timing, an exhaust valve timing, and an exhaust back pressure (EBP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Daniel G. Brennan
  • Patent number: 7913545
    Abstract: A control module for determining a time and angle based cylinder pressure includes a crankshaft position determination module that determines a first crankshaft position in an engine at a first time, a time-based cylinder pressure determination module that determines N time-based cylinder pressures in the engine at N times, wherein N is an integer greater than one, and an angle-based cylinder pressure determination module that determines an angle-based cylinder pressure at the first crankshaft position based on the first time, the N cylinder pressures, and the N times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas R. Verner, Joseph R. Dulzo, Kenneth J. Buslepp
  • Publication number: 20110023836
    Abstract: A fuel injection system includes an injector control module, a current detection module, and a position determination module. The injector control module controls current through a solenoid of a fuel injector for a predetermined period. The current detection module measures an amount of current through the solenoid after the predetermined period. The position determination module determines whether the fuel injector injected fuel during the predetermined period based on when the amount of current through the solenoid is less than or equal to a predetermined current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: DOUGLAS R. VERNER, CRAIG D. MARRIOTT, KENNETH J. BUSLEPP
  • Publication number: 20100307453
    Abstract: A method and a control module that includes a filter coefficient determination module that generates filter coefficients based upon an engine operating conditions. The control module includes a filter module that filters the in-cylinder pressure signal with a filter having the filter coefficients to form a filtered pressure signal and an engine control module that controls the engine using the filtered pressure signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Doughlas R. Verner
  • Patent number: 7832374
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for pressurization of a fuel line of an engine. In one embodiment, a fuel charging system for an engine is provided. The fuel charging system includes a first fuel pump in fluid communication with a fuel tank to generate a first fluid pressure within a first fuel line. The fuel charging system also includes a second fluid pump having a reciprocating piston including a low pressure end and a high pressure end. The low pressure end is in fluid communication with the first fuel pump through the first fuel line and the high pressure end is in fluid communication with an engine fuel rail through a second fuel line. The reciprocating piston is driven by the first fluid pressure to generate a second fluid pressure within the second fuel line, wherein the second fluid pressure is greater than the first fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R Verner, Craig D Marriott, Kenneth J Buslepp, Jeff L Swain
  • Publication number: 20100250089
    Abstract: A method and a control module for diagnosing an engine component function includes a comparison module comparing an in-cylinder pressure signal to a threshold and a fault indication module generating a diagnostic signal for an engine component in response to comparing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Douglas R. Verner, Joseph R. Dulzo, Jonathan T. Shibata, Daniel G. Brennan, Joshua Cowgill
  • Patent number: 7735478
    Abstract: A system and method for determining mass fraction burned in an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of engine sensors and a control module determining a ratio of specific heat from a combination of one or more from the group of exhaust gas temperature, injected fuel quantity, air quantity inside a cylinder, mass air flow, air fuel ratio, manifold pressure and a residual gas amount determined from the plurality of engine sensors. The control module includes a mass fraction burned module determining a mass fraction burned in response to a cylinder volume, and the ratio of specific heat. The control module controls an engine parameter based on mass fraction burned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventors: Oguz H. Dagci, Kenneth J. Buslepp
  • Patent number: 7726281
    Abstract: A control module comprising a cylinder torque determination module that determines an indicated torque for a cylinder in an engine based on a pressure in the cylinder, a cylinder torque balancing module that determines a derivative term for the cylinder based on rotation of a crankshaft, and a cylinder pressure error detection module that detects a pressure error for the cylinder based on the indicated torque and the derivative term. A method comprising determining an indicated torque for a cylinder in an engine based on a pressure in the cylinder, determining a derivative term for the cylinder based on rotation of a crankshaft, and detecting a pressure error for the cylinder based on the indicated torque and the derivative term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Douglas R. Verner, Joseph R. Dulzo, David S. Mathews
  • Publication number: 20100126482
    Abstract: A system and method for determining mass fraction burned in an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of engine sensors and a control module determining a ratio of specific heat from a combination of one or more from the group of exhaust gas temperature, injected fuel quantity, air quantity inside a cylinder, mass air flow, air fuel ratio, manifold pressure and a residual gas amount determined from the plurality of engine sensors. The control module includes a mass fraction burned module determining a mass fraction burned in response to a cylinder volume, and the ratio of specific heat. The control module controls an engine parameter based on mass fraction burned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Oguz H. Dagci, Kenneth J. Buslepp
  • Publication number: 20100095935
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for pressurization of a fuel line of an engine. In one embodiment, a fuel charging system for an engine is provided. The fuel charging system includes a first fuel pump in fluid communication with a fuel tank to generate a first fluid pressure within a first fuel line. The fuel charging system also includes a second fluid pump having a reciprocating piston including a low pressure end and a high pressure end. The low pressure end is in fluid communication with the first fuel pump through the first fuel line and the high pressure end is in fluid communication with an engine fuel rail through a second fuel line. The reciprocating piston is driven by the first fluid pressure to generate a second fluid pressure within the second fuel line, wherein the second fluid pressure is greater than the first fluid pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Verner, Craig D. Marriott, Kenneth J. Buslepp, Jeff L. Swain
  • Patent number: 7654248
    Abstract: An engine torque control module comprises a derivative module and a cylinder torque module. The derivative module determines a derivative term for a first cylinder of an internal combustion engine based on rotation of a crankshaft and determines an average derivative term for the first cylinder based upon the derivative term. The cylinder torque module determines an operating condition of the first cylinder based on the average derivative term, adjusts a torque output of the first cylinder based on the operating condition, and adjusts a torque output of a second cylinder based on the operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Douglas R. Verner, Randall J. Guild, David S. Mathews, Todd R. Shupe, Robert Douglas Shafto, Kevin C. Wong, Karen A. Blandino
  • Publication number: 20090265081
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a fuel quality calculation module and a fueling module. The fuel quality calculation module calculates a fuel quality value for fuel provided to an engine based on at least one operating parameter of the engine. The fueling module selectively increases an amount of fuel provided to the engine based on the fuel quality value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Kenneth J. Buslepp, Donovan L. Dibble, Mary Beth Furness
  • Patent number: 7568467
    Abstract: A method of correcting a crankshaft position may include determining first, second, and third crankshaft positions, determining first, second, and third cylinder pressures, determining first, second, and third cylinder volumes, determining the logarithm of the first, second, and third cylinder pressures and cylinder volumes, and determining a relationship between the third cylinder volume and the first and second cylinder volumes. The first, second, and third crankshaft positions may be provided during one of a piston expansion stroke and a piston compression stroke within a cylinder. The logarithm of the third cylinder pressure and cylinder volume may be evaluated with respect to a predetermined limit of a line defined by the logarithm of the first and second cylinder pressures and first and second cylinder volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Douglas R. Verner