Patents by Inventor Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt

Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt 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).

  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING ENGINE OPERATION BASED ON WEATHER DATA
    Publication number: 20180170363
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation based on wirelessly received weather data in conjunction with engine sensor outputs. In one example, a method may comprise receiving a first measurement of a weather parameter from one or more engine sensors and a second measurement of the weather parameter from weather data, the weather data provided by a wireless weather service. The method may further comprise determining accuracies for the first and second measurements, generating an estimate of the weather parameter based on the accuracies of the first and second measurements, and adjusting at least one engine operating parameter based on the generated estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Paul Joseph Tennison, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • EXHAUST SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180135488
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for SCR devices cascaded along an exhaust passage. In one example, a method may include adjusting a reductant injection pressure based on a temperature of one or more of the SCR devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Cory Scott Hendrickson, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Christine Kay Lambert
  • ELECTROSTATIC PM SENSOR ELECTRODE DIAGNOSTICS
    Publication number: 20180067090
    Abstract: Particulate matter (PM) sensors and diagnostics performed using the PM sensors are disclosed. The PM sensors and diagnostics may be used in exhaust systems, such as vehicle exhaust systems, to detect soot. In at least one embodiment, an electrostatic particulate matter (PM) sensor is provided including first and second spaced apart electrodes forming a bulk gap therebetween having a bulk distance and a localized gap therebetween having a localized distance less than the bulk distance. A controller may be configured to control a voltage between the electrodes to induce an electrostatic discharge at the localized gap at a lower voltage than at the bulk gap. Various diagnostics may be performed using the disclosed PM sensors, including a wiring/continuity diagnostic, a soot detection plausibility diagnostic, and/or an installation diagnostic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Brendan HOPKA, David John KUBINSKI, David BILBY, Michiel J. VAN NIEUWSTADT
  • Method and system for gas particulate filter
    Patent number: 9909473
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a particulate filter located in an exhaust runner of an engine cylinder. In one example, a method may include flowing exhaust from a first cylinder through a first particulate filter in a first runner, and flowing exhaust from a second cylinder through a second particulate filter in a second runner. The method may further include adjusting engine operation in response to particulate filter degradation, the particulate filter degradation distinguishing between degradation of the first and second particulate filters based on an exhaust pressure pulsation timing relative to combustion events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Methods and systems for boost control
    Patent number: 9909490
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for pressure control in a boosted engine system. A variable geometry turbine (VGT) geometry, and/or wastegate (WG), and/or an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve opening is adjusted at least based on a difference between the exhaust pressure and an intake pressure in order to reduce the difference between exhaust and intake manifold pressures, thereby reducing pumping work losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Hand, III, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Method of fuel injection control
    Patent number: 9903307
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine performance at high load conditions with reduced combustion phasing while maintaining in-cylinder peak pressures within limits. Following a pilot fuel injection, a main fuel injection is split into multiple smaller injections, the smaller injections spread around a timing of the main fuel injection so that peak cylinder pressures for each injection are within cylinder pressure limits. In this way, more enthalpy is created for expediting warming of exhaust catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Polonowski, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Andrew Lauri, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Paul Joseph Tennison, Jonathan Finchum
  • Methods and systems for adjusting engine operation based on weather data
    Patent number: 9896089
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation based on wirelessly received weather data in conjunction with engine sensor outputs. In one example, a method may comprise receiving a first measurement of a weather parameter from one or more engine sensors and a second measurement of the weather parameter from weather data, the weather data provided by a wireless weather service. The method may further comprise determining accuracies for the first and second measurements, generating an estimate of the weather parameter based on the accuracies of the first and second measurements, and adjusting at least one engine operating parameter based on the generated estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Paul Joseph Tennison, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Engine operating system and method
    Patent number: 9890728
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating cylinder pressure profiles in cylinders of an engine are disclosed. In one example, fuel injection timing of engine cylinders is adjusted to improve engine combustion in response to output of one or more pressure sensors installed in engine cylinders. Combustion within a plurality of engine cylinders may be adjusted in response to pressure sensed in a single engine cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Daniel Roettger, Aaron John Oakley, Claus Maerschank
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GASOLINE PARTICULATE FILTER OPERATIONS
    Publication number: 20180017012
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for optimal operation of a gasoline particulate filter coupled to an engine exhaust system. Based on engine operating conditions, a target soot level on the GPF may be determined, and one or more engine operating parameters may be adjusted to maintain the actual GPF soot level at the target level. In one example, if the actual GPF soot level is lower than the target level, one or more of a fuel injection timing and a fuel rail pressure may be adjusted to increase soot generation, and if the actual GPF soot level is higher than the target level, the GPF may be regenerated until the actual soot level reaches the target level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Nikodem Suchta, Jacqueline A. Lymburner, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, John Edward Hedges
  • Systems and methods for managing diesel exhaust fluid stratification
    Patent number: 9845717
    Abstract: A method for an exhaust system is provided, comprising adjusting reductant injection responsive to a reductant concentration, the reductant concentration based on concentration sensor readings and vehicle motion. If the reductant freezes, the reductant may stratify, leading to inaccurate concentration sensor readings. Vehicle motion may mix the reductant, thereby ensuring an accurate concentration measurement which may then be used to adjust reductant injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Girardi, Scott Donald Cooper, Cory Scott Hendrickson, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Method and system for reducing engine exhaust emissions
    Patent number: 9822689
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for addressing engine cold-start emissions while an exhaust catalyst is activated. In one example, a method for improving exhaust emissions may include flowing ionized air into an engine exhaust, downstream of an exhaust catalyst, to oxidize exhaust emissions left untreated by the catalyst. The approach reduces the PM load of the exhaust as well as of a downstream particulate matter filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, John Eric Rollinger
  • DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PREDICTING THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION RATE
    Publication number: 20170314483
    Abstract: A device for predicting an exhaust gas recirculation rate of an internal combustion engine, which comprises an inlet system and at least one exhaust gas recirculation valve, is described. The device comprises a sensor arranged in the inlet system for determining the composition of the gas, a sensor for determining the position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve, and an evaluation apparatus. The evaluation apparatus is configured to determine and output a prediction of the exhaust gas recirculation rate based on a corrected estimate of the exhaust gas recirculation rate, wherein the estimate is based on the position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve and is corrected based on the composition of the gas as determined using the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Christian Winge Vigild, Daniel Roettger, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING ENGINE OPERATION BASED ON WEATHER DATA
    Publication number: 20170291600
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation based on wirelessly received weather data in conjunction with engine sensor outputs. In one example, a method may comprise receiving a first measurement of a weather parameter from one or more engine sensors and a second measurement of the weather parameter from weather data, the weather data provided by a wireless weather service. The method may further comprise determining accuracies for the first and second measurements, generating an estimate of the weather parameter based on the accuracies of the first and second measurements, and adjusting at least one engine operating parameter based on the generated estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Paul Joseph Tennison, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR BOOST CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170276067
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for pressure control in a boosted engine system. A variable geometry turbine (VGT) geometry, and/or wastegate (WG), and/or an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve opening is adjusted based a difference between the exhaust pressure and an intake pressure, and optionally other signals (e.g., engine speed, exhaust pressure) in order to reduce the difference between exhaust and intake manifold pressures, thereby reducing pumping work losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. Hand, III, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING ENGINE EXHAUST EMISSIONS
    Publication number: 20170248055
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for addressing engine cold-start emissions while an exhaust catalyst is activated. In one example, a method for improving exhaust emissions may include flowing ionized air into an engine exhaust, downstream of an exhaust catalyst, to oxidize exhaust emissions left untreated by the catalyst. The approach reduces the PM load of the exhaust as well as of a downstream particulate matter filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, John Eric Rollinger
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING A NOx SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TEST
    Publication number: 20170241321
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting NOx sensor degradation based on results from a NOx sensor self-diagnostic (SD) test performed after a key-off event. In one example, a method may comprise waiting a duration to perform a SD test of a NOx sensor after a key-off event until engine operating conditions stabilize and reach a set of qualifying conditions. One or more SD tests may be performed after waiting the duration, but outputs generated under conditions where one or more of a temperature at the sensor is greater than a threshold, and an oxygen concentration is outside a threshold range, may be excluded when determining whether or not the NOx sensor is degraded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: In Kwang Yoo, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, James Joseph Reynolds, Mark Robert Laleman
  • GASOLINE PARTICLE FILTER TEMPERATURE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170204761
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling particulate filter temperature during non-combustion conditions. In one example, a method for an engine includes responsive to a particulate filter temperature above a threshold temperature and while operating the engine with deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO), fully closing a throttle valve configured to regulate flow of intake air to the engine, and responsive to intake manifold pressure dropping below a threshold pressure while the throttle valve is fully closed, adjusting a position of the throttle valve based on the particulate filter temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Emil G. Serban, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Filtering method for intermittent ultrasonic level sensors
    Patent number: 9708959
    Abstract: Methods are provided for determining an exhaust fluid level in an exhaust fluid storage tank based on a signal, and a quality of the signal from an exhaust fluid level sensor located in the exhaust fluid tank of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cory Scott Hendrickson, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • METHOD OF FUEL INJECTION CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170191442
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine performance at high load conditions with reduced combustion phasing while maintaining in-cylinder peak pressures within limits. Following a pilot fuel injection, a main fuel injection is split into multiple smaller injections, the smaller injections spread around a timing of the main fuel injection so that peak cylinder pressures for each injection are within cylinder pressure limits. In this way, more enthalpy is created for expediting warming of exhaust catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Polonowski, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Andrew Lauri, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Paul Joseph Tennison, Jonathan Finchum
  • Method and system for reducing engine exhaust emissions
    Patent number: 9677448
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for addressing engine cold-start emissions while an exhaust catalyst is activated. In one example, a method for improving exhaust emissions may include flowing ionized air into an engine exhaust, downstream of an exhaust catalyst, to oxidize exhaust emissions left untreated by the catalyst. The approach reduces the PM load of the exhaust as well as of a downstream particulate matter filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, John Eric Rollinger