Patents by Inventor Morena Bruno
Morena Bruno 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).
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Patent number: 9200581Abstract: A method for performing on/off diagnosis of a smart cooling pump for an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder having an inner liner layer, an external engine block layer, and a coolant layer placed between the inner liner layer and the external engine block layer, wherein the smart cooling pump pumps a coolant fluid inside the coolant layer is provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Michele Bilancia, Morena Bruno
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Patent number: 9151211Abstract: A method of monitoring an engine coolant system includes modeling the total energy stored within an engine coolant. If an actual temperature of the engine coolant is below a minimum target temperature, the modeled total energy stored within the energy coolant is compared to a maximum stored energy limit to determine if sufficient energy exists within the engine coolant to heat the engine coolant to a temperature equal to or greater than the minimum target temperature. The engine coolant system fails the diagnostic check when the modeled total energy stored within the energy coolant is greater than the maximum stored energy limit, and the minimum target temperature has not been reached.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Igor Anilovich, Daniel A. Bialas, Morena Bruno, Daniel Siebert, John W. Siekkinen
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Patent number: 9140152Abstract: A method is provided to diagnose a failure of an OPCJ valve of an internal combustion engine. The OPCJ valve is located in an auxiliary line connecting an engine lubrication line to at least an oil jet for squirting lubricating oil from the engine lubrication line towards a piston surface. The method provides for monitoring the pressure variation in the engine lubrication line due to a switching signal sent to the OPCJ valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Morena Bruno, Davide Donna, Roberto Argolini
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Patent number: 8813693Abstract: A system includes a pump control module and a pump diagnostic module. The pump control module switches a switchable water pump from off to on. The pump diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in the switchable water pump based on a first difference between an engine material temperature and an engine coolant temperature when the switchable water pump is switched from off to on. The engine coolant temperature is a temperature of coolant circulated through an engine and the engine material temperature is a temperature of at least one of an engine block and a cylinder head.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Inventors: Daniel A. Bialas, Stephen Paul Levijoki, John W. Siekkinen, Igor Anilovich, Michele Bilancia, Morena Bruno
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Patent number: 8813692Abstract: A system includes a temperature determination module and a flow determination module. The temperature determination module determines an engine coolant temperature based on input received from an engine coolant temperature sensor and determines an engine material temperature based on input received from an engine material temperature sensor. The engine coolant temperature is a temperature of coolant in an engine, and the engine material temperature is a temperature of at least one of an engine block and a cylinder head. The flow determination module selectively determines coolant flow through the engine based on the engine coolant temperature and the engine material temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Inventors: Daniel A. Bialas, Igor Anilovich, Morena Bruno, Michele Bilancia
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Patent number: 8734122Abstract: A control system includes an oil pump module and a diagnostic module. The oil pump module, based on engine operating conditions, selectively generates a first mode request signal to initiate a first transition from operating an oil pump of an engine in one of a first pressure mode and a second pressure mode to operating the oil pump in another one of the first pressure mode and the second pressure mode. The second pressure mode is different from the first pressure mode. The diagnostic module, based on when a driver starts the engine, selectively generates a second mode request signal to initiate consecutive transitions from operating the oil pump in the second pressure mode to operating the oil pump in the first pressure mode. The diagnostic module diagnoses a pump fault when a first oil pressure change associated with the consecutive transitions is less than a first predetermined pressure change.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Inventors: Lawrence O. Murray, David R. Staley, Kevin J. Storch, Colin S. Yager, Morena Bruno
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Patent number: 8639411Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a fault of an oil piston cooling jets valve of an internal combustion engine are provided. A method includes sensing a pressure value in a main oil gallery and checking whether the oil piston cooling jets valve is commanded in a state for opening a communication between the main oil gallery and an auxiliary oil gallery or in a state for closing the communication. A pressure value in the auxiliary oil gallery is checked to as to whether it exceeds a predetermined threshold value thereof, above which a jet nozzle of the auxiliary oil gallery automatically opens. A fault of the valve is identified if the pressure value in the main oil gallery exceeds the predetermined threshold value by a predetermined quantity and if a pressure value in the auxiliary oil gallery is different than expected on a basis of the state of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Morena Bruno, Michele Bilancia
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Patent number: 8620516Abstract: A diagnostic system for performing engine material temperature sensor diagnostics includes a coolant flow sensor configured to provide an indication of coolant flow within a coolant system; an engine state sensor configured to provide an indication of an operational state of an internal combustion engine; and a diagnostic module in communication with the coolant flow sensor and engine state sensor. The diagnostic module is configured to use the indication of coolant flow and the indication of an operational state of the internal combustion engine to estimate an amount of accumulated energy within the internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Igor Anilovich, Daniel A. Bialas, Morena Bruno, John W. Siekkinen
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Patent number: 8499738Abstract: An oil circulating control system for an engine includes an engine speed module and a mode selection module. The engine speed module determines a speed of the engine. The mode selection module is configured to select a first pressure mode and a second pressure mode of an oil pump of the engine for the speed. The selection module selects one of the first pressure mode and the second pressure mode based on at least one mode request signal. The mode selection module signals a solenoid valve of a variable oil pressure circuit of the oil pump to transition to a first position when operating in the first pressure mode and to a second position when operating in the second pressure mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Inventors: Kevin J. Storch, David R. Staley, Bryan K. Pryor, Vijay Ramappan, Morena Bruno, Roberto Argolini
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Publication number: 20130089436Abstract: A system includes a pump control module and a pump diagnostic module. The pump control module switches a switchable water pump from off to on. The pump diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in the switchable water pump based on a first difference between an engine material temperature and an engine coolant temperature when the switchable water pump is switched from off to on. The engine coolant temperature is a temperature of coolant circulated through an engine and the engine material temperature is a temperature of at least one of an engine block and a cylinder head.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Daniel A. Bialas, Stephen Paul Levijoki, John W. Siekkinen, Igor Anilovich, Michele Bilancia, Morena Bruno
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Patent number: 8386204Abstract: A method is provided for the diagnosis of the EGR cooler efficiency in a Diesel engine that includes but is not limited to construction of a model for determining the temperature drop y=?T in the EGR cooler, the model having a parameter vector ? and an input vector x; performing a model calibration phase in order to estimate the bias h0 of the system; calculation of a set of primary residuals ?(?0, x, ?T), staffing from the model equation and using the results of the calibration phase; calculation of a set of improved residuals ?N(?0): ? N ? ( ? 0 ) = 1 N ? ? k = 1 N ? ( ? ? ( ? 0 , x k , y k ) - h 0 ) where N is the number of samples on which the diagnostic test is performed; calculation of a diagnostic index S: S=?TNR0?1?N and, use of the diagnostic index S in order to diagnose the efficiency of the EGR cooler.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Francesco Cianflone, Morena Bruno, Nando Vennettilli
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Publication number: 20120296548Abstract: A method for performing on/off diagnosis of a smart cooling pump for an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder having an inner liner layer, an external engine block layer, and a coolant layer placed between the inner liner layer and the external engine block layer, wherein the smart cooling pump pumps a coolant fluid inside the coolant layer is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Michele BILANCIA, Morena BRUNO
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Publication number: 20120296547Abstract: A system includes a temperature determination module and a flow determination module. The temperature determination module determines an engine coolant temperature based on input received from an engine coolant temperature sensor and determines an engine material temperature based on input received from an engine material temperature sensor. The engine coolant temperature is a temperature of coolant in an engine, and the engine material temperature is a temperature of at least one of an engine block and a cylinder head. The flow determination module selectively determines coolant flow through the engine based on the engine coolant temperature and the engine material temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Daniel A. Bialas, Igor Anilovich, Morena Bruno, Michele Bilancia
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Publication number: 20120296518Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a fault of an oil piston cooling jets valve of an internal combustion engine are provided. A method includes sensing a pressure value in a main oil gallery and checking whether the oil piston cooling jets valve is commanded in a state for opening a communication between the main oil gallery and an auxiliary oil gallery or in a state for closing the communication. A pressure value in the auxiliary oil gallery is checked to as to whether it exceeds a predetermined threshold value thereof, above which a jet nozzle of the auxiliary oil gallery automatically opens. A fault of the valve is identified if the pressure value in the main oil gallery exceeds the predetermined threshold value by a predetermined quantity and if a pressure value in the auxiliary oil gallery is different than expected on a basis of the state of the valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Morena BRUNO, Michele BILANCIA
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Publication number: 20120215397Abstract: A diagnostic system for performing engine material temperature sensor diagnostics includes a coolant flow sensor configured to provide an indication of coolant flow within a coolant system; an engine state sensor configured to provide an indication of an operational state of an internal combustion engine; and a diagnostic module in communication with the coolant flow sensor and engine state sensor. The diagnostic module is configured to use the indication of coolant flow and the indication of an operational state of the internal combustion engine to estimate an amount of accumulated energy within the internal combustion engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Igor Anilovich, Daniel A. Bialas, Morena Bruno, John W. Siekkinen
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Publication number: 20120179353Abstract: A method of monitoring an engine coolant system includes modeling the total energy stored within an engine coolant. If an actual temperature of the engine coolant is below a minimum target temperature, the modeled total energy stored within the energy coolant is compared to a maximum stored energy limit to determine if sufficient energy exists within the engine coolant to heat the engine coolant to a temperature equal to or greater than the minimum target temperature. The engine coolant system fails the diagnostic check when the modeled total energy stored within the energy coolant is greater than the maximum stored energy limit, and the minimum target temperature has not been reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Igor Anilovich, Daniel A. Bialas, Morena Bruno, Daniel Siebert, John W. Siekkinen
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Publication number: 20120063927Abstract: A control system includes an oil pump module and a diagnostic module. The oil pump module, based on engine operating conditions, selectively generates a first mode request signal to initiate a first transition from operating an oil pump of an engine in one of a first pressure mode and a second pressure mode to operating the oil pump in another one of the first pressure mode and the second pressure mode. The second pressure mode is different from the first pressure mode. The diagnostic module, based on when a driver starts the engine, selectively generates a second mode request signal to initiate consecutive transitions from operating the oil pump in the second pressure mode to operating the oil pump in the first pressure mode. The diagnostic module diagnoses a pump fault when a first oil pressure change associated with the consecutive transitions is less than a first predetermined pressure change.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: LAWRENCE O. MURRAY, DAVID R. STALEY, KEVIN J. STORCH, COLIN S. YAGER, MORENA BRUNO
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Publication number: 20110276249Abstract: A method is provided to operate an electrically driven OPCJ valve of an internal combustion engine that includes, but is not limited to cyclically performing a control method able to generate an opening request for the OPCJ valve, of opening (which includes, but is not limited to keeping opened the OPCJ valve), when the control method generates an opening request, and of closing (which includes, but is not limited to or keeping closed the OPCJ valve), when the control method does not generate an opening request. The control method comprises the steps of determining a value of a control parameter related to an engine torque, and of generating an opening request for the OPCJ valve, if the control parameter value exceeds a threshold value of the control parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Roberto Argolini, Davide Donna, Morena Bruno
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Publication number: 20110224883Abstract: A method is provided to diagnose a failure of an OPCJ valve of an internal combustion engine. The OPCJ valve is located in an auxiliary line connecting an engine lubrication line to at least an oil jet for squirting lubricating oil from the engine lubrication line towards a piston surface. The method provides for monitoring the pressure variation in the engine lubrication line due to a switching signal sent to the OPCJ valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Morena BRUNO, Davide DONNA, Roberto ARGOLINI
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Publication number: 20110224948Abstract: A method is provided for the diagnosis of the EGR cooler efficiency in a Diesel engine that includes but is not limited to construction of a model for determining the temperature drop y=?T in the EGR cooler, the model having a parameter vector ? and an input vector x; performing a model calibration phase in order to estimate the bias h0 of the system; calculation of a set of primary residuals ?(?0, x, ?T), staffing from the model equation and using the results of the calibration phase; calculation of a set of improved residuals ?N(?0): ? N ? ( ? 0 ) = 1 N ? ? k = 1 N ? ( ? ? ( ? 0 , x k , y k ) - h 0 ) where N is the number of samples on which the diagnostic testis performed; calculation of a diagnostic index S: S=?TNR0?1?N and, use of the diagnostic index S in order to diagnose the efficiency of the EGR cooler.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Francesco CIANFLONE, Morena BRUNO, Nando VENNETTILLI