Patents by Inventor Michael James Uhrich

Michael James Uhrich 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: 20230250747
    Abstract: A catalytic converter system having oxygen storage materials is disclosed and methods for determining whether to reactivate oxygen storage materials and monitoring failure events of the oxygen storage materials are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Wu, Eva Thanasiu, Giovanni Cavataio, Carolyn Parks Hubbard, Andrew Gregory Getsoian, Yisun Cheng, Natalie Roxas, Michael James Uhrich
  • Patent number: 11629627
    Abstract: A catalytic converter system having oxygen storage materials is disclosed and methods for determining whether to reactivate oxygen storage materials and monitoring failure events of the oxygen storage materials are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Wu, Eva Thanasiu, Giovanni Cavataio, Carolyn Parks Hubbard, Andrew Gregory Getsoian, Yisun Cheng, Natalie Roxas, Michael James Uhrich
  • Publication number: 20220341359
    Abstract: A catalytic converter system having oxygen storage materials is disclosed and methods for determining whether to reactivate oxygen storage materials and monitoring failure events of the oxygen storage materials are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Wu, Eva Thanasiu, Giovanni Cavataio, Carolyn Parks Hubbard, Andrew Gregory Getsoian, Yisun Cheng, Natalie Roxas, Michael James Uhrich
  • Patent number: 11300064
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an aftertreatment system. In one example, a system comprising a spark-ignited engine comprising a selective catalytic reduction device (SCR) arranged in an exhaust passage downstream of a catalyst, and an injector positioned to inject a reductant directly into the exhaust passage downstream of the catalyst subsequent an engine shut-off event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Giovanni Cavataio, William Charles Ruona, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 11286838
    Abstract: Methods are provided for emissions control of a vehicle. In one example, a method for an engine may include, responsive to a plurality of diagnostic entry conditions being met, indicating degradation of a hydrocarbon trap based on an NH3 amount in an exhaust gas. In some examples, the NH3 amount may be determined based on one or more NOx sensor outputs. In some examples, the plurality of diagnostic entry conditions may include the engine having been in operation over an initial duration immediately following an engine cold start. Conditions of the exhaust gas following the engine cold start may be opportunistically utilized in determining the NH3 amount from the one or more NOx sensor outputs. In some examples, the exhaust gas may be actively provided at a predetermined air-fuel ratio to meet at least one of the plurality of diagnostic entry conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Aaron Lupescu, Michael James Uhrich
  • Publication number: 20220003179
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an aftertreatment system. In one example, a system comprising a spark-ignited engine comprising a selective catalytic reduction device (SCR) arranged in an exhaust passage downstream of a catalyst, and an injector positioned to inject a reductant directly into the exhaust passage downstream of the catalyst subsequent an engine shut-off event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Giovanni Cavataio, William Charles Ruona, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10975785
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes one or more fuel injectors are described. The systems and methods may characterize fuel injector operation during a time when injecting fuel may be useful to maintain balance of a catalyst to reduce engine emissions. Further, large or small amounts of fuel may be injected without affecting engine combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10941721
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for exhaust heat recovery and EGR cooling via a single heat exchanger. In one example, a method may include selecting a specific mode of operation of an engine exhaust system with the heat exchanger based on engine operating conditions and an estimated fuel efficacy factor. The fuel efficiency factor may take into account fuel efficacy benefits from EGR and exhaust heat recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Samuel Schwartz, Gregory Patrick McConville, Chad Allan Baker, Timothy Noah Blatchley, Michael James Uhrich
  • Publication number: 20200408132
    Abstract: Methods are provided for emissions control of a vehicle. In one example, a method for an engine may include, responsive to a plurality of diagnostic entry conditions being met, indicating degradation of a hydrocarbon trap based on an NH3 amount in an exhaust gas. In some examples, the NH3 amount may be determined based on one or more NOx sensor outputs. In some examples, the plurality of diagnostic entry conditions may include the engine having been in operation over an initial duration immediately following an engine cold start. Conditions of the exhaust gas following the engine cold start may be opportunistically utilized in determining the NH3 amount from the one or more NOx sensor outputs. In some examples, the exhaust gas may be actively provided at a predetermined air-fuel ratio to meet at least one of the plurality of diagnostic entry conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Jason Aaron Lupescu, Michael James Uhrich
  • Patent number: 10865721
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine to diagnose and compensate for cylinder imbalance in an engine. In one example, a method may include diagnosing a torque imbalance in a multi-cylinder engine by operating the engine at a lean air-fuel ratio (AFR) while an amount of ammonia stored in an selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system is greater than a threshold amount and a temperature of the engine is greater than a threshold temperature; and responsive to the diagnosed torque imbalance, adjusting fueling and spark timing for each cylinder, the adjustments based on an AFR offset of each cylinder determined while adjusting the lean AFR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Lyle Thomas, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Michael James Uhrich, William Charles Ruona, Giovanni Cavataio
  • Patent number: 10858983
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust flow and recovering heat from exhaust gas under different operating conditions. In one example, motive flow of fresh air via an ejector coupled to an exhaust bypass assembly may be utilized to divert exhaust through a heat exchanger during cold-start conditions and heat extracted from the exhaust gas may be utilized for passenger cabin heating and other vehicle heating demands. The exhaust bypass assembly may also be used for EGR delivery wherein the exhaust heat exchanger may be used as an EGR cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10590827
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for filtering particulate matter in an exhaust passage of an engine system. In one example, a method may include during a cold start condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing engine exhaust gas to an exhaust particulate filter, and during a warm engine condition, directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the warm engine condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine. In this way, the exhaust particulate filter may be reliably regenerated during engine shutdown events such as DFSOs while reducing filter degradation, and lowering PM emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Paul M. Laing, Michael James Uhrich
  • Patent number: 10578036
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a single heat exchanger coupled to a main exhaust passage upstream of one or more exhaust catalysts or in between two exhaust catalysts for exhaust heat recovery and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling. In one example, in the pre-catalyst configuration of the heat exchanger, during exhaust heat recovery, a portion of exhaust may be routed via the heat exchanger while the remaining portion of exhaust may be routed directly to the exhaust catalysts, and fueling may be adjusted on a per-cylinder basis to maintain a target exhaust air-fuel-ratio at the exhaust catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Daniel Joseph Styles, Karen Evelyn Bevan, William Samuel Schwartz, Chad Allan Baker
  • Publication number: 20200003139
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes one or more fuel injectors are described. The systems and methods may characterize fuel injector operation during a time when injecting fuel may be useful to maintain balance of a catalyst to reduce engine emissions. Further, large or small amounts of fuel may be injected without affecting engine combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10514322
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assessing tire health are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vehicle speed sensor, and a processor. The processor of the of the example apparatus to obtain load data for a wheel of a vehicle, obtain speed data for the vehicle, determine a power associated with heating a tire coupled to the wheel based on the load data and the speed data, and determining a condition of the tire based on the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10487714
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for exhaust gas heat recovery at an exhaust gas heat exchanger. Exhaust gas may flow in both directions through an exhaust bypass passage and the heat exchanger coupled to the bypass passage. Hot or cold EGR may be delivered from the exhaust passage to the engine intake manifold and heat from the exhaust gas may be recovered at the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Patent number: 10487782
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for carrying out on-board diagnostics of a plurality of components of an exhaust heat exchange system. In one example, degradation of one or more of a heat exchanger and a coolant system fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger may be detected based on a first temperature estimated upstream of the heat exchanger, a second temperature sensor estimated downstream of the heat exchanger, a coolant temperature, and a pressure estimated upstream of the heat exchanger. Also, degradation of a diverter valve of the heat exchange system may be detected based on inputs of a position sensor coupled to the diverter valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karen Evelyn Bevan, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Patent number: 10480368
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for differentiating an exhaust air leak from a catalyst monitor sensor degraded with a slow-response. In one example, a pressure proximate an exhaust system particulate filter less than a threshold pressure may indicate an exhaust air leak and responsive to the indication of the exhaust air leak, the thresholds for monitoring the catalyst monitor sensor response may be adjusted. In this way, the impact of an exhaust air leak on catalyst monitor output may be accounted for so that subsequent monitoring for threshold catalyst may continue to be performed accurately in the presence of an exhaust air leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mario Anthony Santillo, Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Andrew Bagnasco, Michael Casedy
  • Patent number: 10480443
    Abstract: Embodiments for diagnosing a humidity sensor are provided. One example method comprises adjusting an engine operating parameter based on humidity of a first gas flow measured by a humidity sensor, and indicating degradation of the humidity sensor if a humidity of a second gas flow measured by the humidity sensor is different than an expected humidity. In this way, degradation of the humidity sensor may be indicated if the humidity of the second gas flow measured by the humidity sensor is different than expected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Imad Hassan Makki, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Pankaj Kumar
  • Patent number: 10428751
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes one or more fuel injectors are described. The systems and methods may characterize fuel injector operation during a time when injecting fuel may be useful to maintain balance of a catalyst to reduce engine emissions. Further, large or small amounts of fuel may be injected without affecting engine combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull