Patents by Inventor Mike M. Mc Donald
Mike M. Mc Donald 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: 9316132Abstract: A system includes a user interface module, a level determination module, and a level storage module. The user interface module outputs an oil level request based on user input. The level determination module determines N oil levels of an engine. N is an integer greater than one. The level storage module stores the N oil levels and outputs one of the N oil levels in response to the oil level request.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Mike M. Mc Donald
-
Patent number: 9140206Abstract: A system of a vehicle includes a fueling prediction module, a short pulse determination module, a torque control module, and a generator control module. The fueling prediction module generates N predicted fueling pulse widths for N future combustion events of an engine, respectively. N is an integer greater than one. The short pulse determination module determines a number of the N predicted fueling pulse widths that are less than a predetermined period. The torque control module selectively increases a torque output of the engine based on the number. The generator control module selectively increases a load imposed by a generator of electricity based on the number.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Inventor: Mike M. Mc Donald
-
Publication number: 20130110383Abstract: A vehicle system includes a stop-start command module and a cylinder control module. The stop-start command module is configured to detect an autostop request and generate a mode signal based on the autostop request. The cylinder control module is configured to sequentially disable cylinders of an engine during an autostop mode based on the mode signal. The cylinders of the engine include respective intake valves and exhaust valves. The cylinder control module is configured to maintain the intake valves in a closed state and the exhaust valves in an open state during the autostop mode and during multiple cycles of a crankshaft of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Mike M. Mc Donald
-
Publication number: 20130080022Abstract: An oil monitoring system includes a level module, a limit module and an remedial action module. The level module is configured to determine N oil levels of an engine of a vehicle, where N is an integer greater than 1. The limit module is configured to determine an oil level trend based on the N oil levels and estimate when a level of oil in the engine is to be outside the predetermined range based on the oil level trend. The remedial action module is configured to perform a remedial action based on the estimate of when the level of the oil is to be outside the predetermined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.Inventor: Mike M. Mc Donald
-
Publication number: 20130060453Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a trigger module, a fuel control module, and a cylinder control module. The trigger module generates a trigger when an engine speed is greater than a first predetermined speed. The first predetermined speed is greater than zero. The fuel control module cuts off fuel to cylinders of the engine in response to the generation of the trigger. The cylinder control module selectively disables opening of intake and exhaust valves of the cylinders in response to the generation of the trigger after the fuel is cut off.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Mike M. Mc Donald
-
Publication number: 20130055972Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a triggering module and a cylinder control module. The triggering module generates a trigger when a catalyst temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature. In response to the generation of the trigger, the cylinder control module: disables opening of an exhaust valve of a cylinder for an exhaust phase of a first combustion cycle of the cylinder; disables opening of the exhaust valve for N combustion cycles of the cylinder that follow the first combustion cycle; and enables opening of the exhaust valve for a second combustion cycle that follows the N combustion cycles. N is an integer greater than zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Mike M. Mc Donald, William C. Albertson
-
Publication number: 20120310506Abstract: A system of a vehicle includes a fueling prediction module, a short pulse determination module, a torque control module, and a generator control module. The fueling prediction module generates N predicted fueling pulse widths for N future combustion events of an engine, respectively. N is an integer greater than one. The short pulse determination module determines a number of the N predicted fueling pulse widths that are less than a predetermined period. The torque control module selectively increases a torque output of the engine based on the number. The generator control module selectively increases a load imposed by a generator of electricity based on the number.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Mike M. Mc Donald
-
Publication number: 20120259501Abstract: A system includes a user interface module, a level determination module, and a level storage module. The user interface module outputs an oil level request based on user input. The level determination module determines N oil levels of an engine. N is an integer greater than one. The level storage module stores the N oil levels and outputs one of the N oil levels in response to the oil level request.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Mike M. Mc Donald
-
Publication number: 20120204545Abstract: An engine control system includes a catalyst module and a cylinder module. The catalyst module determines a catalyst temperature. The cylinder module selectively switches operation of a first cylinder from a first engine cycle having four strokes to a second engine cycle having N times four strokes, based on the catalyst temperature, wherein N is an integer greater than one. A related method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2011Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Mike M. Mc Donald, William C. Albertson
-
Patent number: 7991525Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for receiving in-vehicle information regarding diesel fuel cloud point condition. The method includes establishing communication between a telematics unit in a vehicle and i) a global positioning system device, ii) a call center including a database, and iii) a cloud point monitoring device in the vehicle. The telematics unit receives from at least one of i, ii, or iii, information pertaining to vehicle location, cloud point, and ambient temperature. The telematics unit determines from the information whether fuel in a fuel system of the vehicle is reaching cloud point or can reach cloud point within a given time period. The telematics unit then transmits an in-vehicle alert when the fuel in the vehicle fuel system is reaching cloud point or can reach cloud point within a given time period. The disclosure also relates to a system for performing the method.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, General Motors LLCInventors: Bryan K. Pryor, William C. Albertson, Mike M. Mc Donald, Jeffrey D. Lines
-
Publication number: 20110168131Abstract: An engine control system includes an active fuel management (AFM) control module that selectively enables and disables an AFM mode using at least one AFM valve. The engine control system further includes a solenoid fault correction module that selectively opens and closes at least one AFM valve when AFM mode is disabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2010Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mike M. Mc Donald, William C. Albertson
-
Patent number: 7975534Abstract: A crankshaft reversal detection system includes a sensor module and a control module that communicates with the sensor module. The sensor module detects position of a belt tensioner that communicates with a crankshaft driven accessory drive belt. The control module determines a rotational direction of the crankshaft pulley based on the position of the belt tensioner.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Inventors: Mike M. Mc Donald, William C. Albertson
-
Patent number: 7946275Abstract: A control system comprising a spark knock detection module that detects a spark knock in an engine of a hybrid vehicle, and a torque control module that selectively regulates an engine torque output and an electric machine torque output based on the spark knock. A method comprising detecting a spark knock in an engine of a hybrid vehicle, and selectively regulating an engine torque output and an electric machine torque output based on the spark knock.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Inventors: Mike M. Mc Donald, Frederick J. Rozario, William C. Albertson
-
Patent number: 7941256Abstract: A vehicle suspension wear prediction and indication method includes processing data inputs from a suspension system and converting the data inputs into a cumulative wear estimate. The data inputs are selected to model a magnitude factor and a duration factor related to the operation of the suspension system.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, William C. Albertson, Mike M. Mc Donald
-
Publication number: 20110087423Abstract: An engine control system includes a power supply module, a measurement module, and a calibration module. The power supply module disables power supplied to N components of an engine when M cylinders of the engine are deactivated, wherein M and N are integers greater than or equal to one. The measurement module measures outputs of the N engine components. The calibration module calibrates the measurement module based on unpowered measurements from one or more of the N engine components during a period after the power supplied to the N components is disabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Mike M. Mc Donald
-
Publication number: 20100324804Abstract: A method for controlling a volume of an infotainment unit of a vehicle having an engine having a stop/start capability during operation of the vehicle includes the steps of obtaining information pertaining to a condition of the engine, and controlling the volume based at least in part upon the condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: MIKE M. MC DONALD, WILLIAM C. ALBERTSON
-
Publication number: 20100284823Abstract: An engine having a fluid lubrication and control system is provided. The engine also includes a pump configured to maintain fluid pressure in the lubrication and control system when the engine is running. The engine additionally includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the lubrication and control system. The accumulator is configured to accumulate and retain fluid when the engine is running, and to discharge the fluid when the engine is not running in order to maintain fluid pressure in the lubrication and control system. A method for controlling oil pressure in the engine is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2009Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Reynolds, Bryan K. Pryor, William C. Albertson, Mike M. Mc Donald
-
Publication number: 20100212629Abstract: An engine control system comprises an intake valve deactivation module and an exhaust valve deactivation module. The intake valve deactivation module deactivates an intake valve of a cylinder of an engine based on an engine stop request such that the intake valve remains closed. The exhaust valve deactivation module deactivates an exhaust valve of the cylinder after the intake valve deactivation module deactivates the intake valve such that the exhaust valve remains closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2009Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mike M. Mc Donald, William C. Albertson
-
Publication number: 20100191446Abstract: A predictive engine restart method and related systems for a host vehicle having an internal combustion engine are provided. An exemplary method begins by establishing a real-time data communication channel with a neighbor vehicle that is positioned in front of the host vehicle. The method continues by receiving vehicle status data from the neighbor vehicle using the real-time data communication channel. The vehicle status data includes transmission status data for the neighbor vehicle, accelerator pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle, and brake pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle. Then, the method re-starts the engine when the transmission status data indicates a mode other than park or neutral, and when the accelerator pedal status data indicates accelerator pedal travel greater than a threshold amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2009Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: MIKE M. MC DONALD, WILLIAM C. ALBERTSON, JOSEPH F. NAZIONE, JR.
-
Publication number: 20100125400Abstract: A fuel control system that includes a fuel injector control module that selectively applies a power source to a coil of a fuel injector. The fuel control system also includes a current determination module that selectively measures current flowing through the coil. The fuel control system also includes a fuel temperature estimation module that selectively calculates a resistance of the coil based on the measured current and a voltage value of the power source and that determines an estimated fuel temperature based on the resistance. The fuel injector control module controls operation of a fuel system based on the estimated fuel temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Mike M. Mc Donald, Kenneth J. Cinpinski