Patents by Inventor Mark L. Stickler

Mark L. Stickler 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: 10550791
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine to reduce injector ticking noise during direct injection fuel rail pressure release. The method includes first reducing a significant part of the direct injection fuel rail pressure via a mechanical high pressure pump relief valve and only if further pressure relief is required then intermittently activating the direct injector to inject in small amount of fuel. Due to the reduced frequency of activation and small pulse-widths, the impact force transmitted from injectors to cylinder head is small thereby reducing the objectionable ticking noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Mark L. Stickler, Kwan Jamal Barber
  • Publication number: 20180258876
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine to reduce injector ticking noise during direct injection fuel rail pressure release. The method includes first reducing a significant part of the direct injection fuel rail pressure via a mechanical high pressure pump relief valve and only if further pressure relief is required then intermittently activating the direct injector to inject in small amount of fuel. Due to the reduced frequency of activation and small pulse-widths, the impact force transmitted from injectors to cylinder head is small thereby reducing the objectionable ticking noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Mark L. Stickler, Kwan Jamal Barber
  • Patent number: 9970379
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine to reduce injector ticking noise during direct injection fuel rail pressure release. The method includes first reducing a significant part of the direct injection fuel rail pressure via a mechanical high pressure pump relief valve and only if further pressure relief is required then intermittently activating the direct injector to inject in small amount of fuel. Due to the reduced frequency of activation and small pulse-widths, the impact force transmitted from injectors to cylinder head is small thereby reducing the objectionable ticking noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Mark L. Stickler, Kwan Jamal Barber
  • Publication number: 20170248096
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine to reduce injector ticking noise during direct injection fuel rail pressure release. The method includes first reducing a significant part of the direct injection fuel rail pressure via a mechanical high pressure pump relief valve and only if further pressure relief is required then intermittently activating the direct injector to inject in small amount of fuel. Due to the reduced frequency of activation and small pulse-widths, the impact force transmitted from injectors to cylinder head is small thereby reducing the objectionable ticking noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Mark L. Stickler, Kwan Jamal Barber
  • Patent number: 9683512
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a high-pressure fuel pump to mitigate audible ticking noise associated with opening and closing of a digital inlet valve of the high-pressure pump. To reduce the ticking noise associated with the high-pressure pump when the engine is idling, a solution is needed that is simple and does not involve retrofitting the fuel system with noise, vibration, and harshness countermeasures to mask the noise. Pressure devices and associated operation methods are provided that involve adding a combination of several check valves, an accumulator, and a flow control valve with weep channels to allow the digital inlet valve to be deactivated during engine idling as defined by a threshold engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Stickler, Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Robin Ivo Lawther, Patrick Brostrom, Jacob Jensen, Christopher Woodring, Joseph F. Basmaji, Mark Meinhart, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Publication number: 20150337753
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a high-pressure fuel pump to mitigate audible ticking noise associated with opening and closing of a digital inlet valve of the high-pressure pump. To reduce the ticking noise associated with the high-pressure pump when the engine is idling, a solution is needed that is simple and does not involve retrofitting the fuel system with noise, vibration, and harshness countermeasures to mask the noise. Pressure devices and associated operation methods are provided that involve adding a combination of several check valves, an accumulator, and a flow control valve with weep channels to allow the digital inlet valve to be deactivated during engine idling as defined by a threshold engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Stickler, Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Robin Ivo Lawther, Patrick Brostrom, Jacob Jensen, Christopher Woodring, Joseph F. Basmaji, Mark Meinhart, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 6478004
    Abstract: A cover 40 providing the boundary for a crankcase opening 16 of an internal combustion engine is provided. The cover includes a polymeric membrane 42 for enclosing the crankcase opening 16. The polymeric membrane has a crankshaft opening 19 and a plurality of fastener apertures 54 along its perimeter. A metal portion 60 is provided which is positioned adjacent to the polymeric membrane 42 having fastener apertures 64. The metal portion 60 provides a platform for mounting engine powered components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eddy D. Deng, Franklin Lawrence Grawi, Mark L. Stickler, Rich Werth