Patents by Inventor Larry J. Wroza

Larry J. Wroza 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).

  • Patent number: 10174704
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle fuel pump at a fuel shut-off event based at least in part on whether combustion stability issues, or potential stall conditions, are indicated in a drive cycle prior to the fuel shut-off event. In one example, a method may include maintaining power to the fuel pump responsive to the potential stall condition being indicated, and independent of an indicated pressure in a fuel rail configured to receive pressurized fuel from the fuel pump, and where the fuel shut-off event includes a deceleration fuel shut-off event or an idle stop event. In this way, fuel may be kept flowing across the fuel pump during fuel shut-off events, responsive to indications of combustion stability issues, such that fuel pump cavitation and other engine and fuel pump-related complications may be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Kenneth L. Pifher, Jacob Doan, Larry J. Wroza
  • Publication number: 20180112619
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle fuel pump at a fuel shut-off event based at least in part on whether combustion stability issues, or potential stall conditions, are indicated in a drive cycle prior to the fuel shut-off event. In one example, a method may include maintaining power to the fuel pump responsive to the potential stall condition being indicated, and independent of an indicated pressure in a fuel rail configured to receive pressurized fuel from the fuel pump, and where the fuel shut-off event includes a deceleration fuel shut-off event or an idle stop event. In this way, fuel may be kept flowing across the fuel pump during fuel shut-off events, responsive to indications of combustion stability issues, such that fuel pump cavitation and other engine and fuel pump-related complications may be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Kenneth L. Pifher, Jacob Doan, Larry J. Wroza