Patents by Inventor Robert J Gallon

Robert J Gallon 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: 10914273
    Abstract: An engine includes an air intake system, an exhaust system, a single-cylinder-sourced EGR system, an exhaust sensor that is disposed to monitor exhaust gas from the single one of the cylinders, and a diverter valve. A controller includes an instruction set that executable to determine operation of the engine in a fuel cut-off mode, discontinue fuel flow to the single one of the cylinders, divert exhaust gas from the single one of the cylinders to the air intake system, determine an airflow, temperature, and an equivalence ratio of the diverted exhaust gas from the single one of the cylinders, determine a mass flowrate of oxygen in the diverted exhaust gas, integrate the mass flowrate of oxygen in the diverted exhaust gas, and discontinue the diverting of the exhaust gas from the single one of the cylinders when the integrated mass flowrate of oxygen is greater than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Robert J. Gallon, Michael P. Kaczmar, Martino A. Casetti, Eric M. Hall
  • Publication number: 20200291906
    Abstract: An engine includes an air intake system, an exhaust system, a single-cylinder-sourced EGR system, an exhaust sensor that is disposed to monitor exhaust gas from the single one of the cylinders, and a diverter valve. A controller includes an instruction set that executable to determine operation of the engine in a fuel cut-off mode, discontinue fuel flow to the single one of the cylinders, divert exhaust gas from the single one of the cylinders to the air intake system, determine an airflow, temperature, and an equivalence ratio of the diverted exhaust gas from the single one of the cylinders, determine a mass flowrate of oxygen in the diverted exhaust gas, integrate the mass flowrate of oxygen in the diverted exhaust gas, and discontinue the diverting of the exhaust gas from the single one of the cylinders when the integrated mass flowrate of oxygen is greater than a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Robert J. Gallon, Michael P. Kaczmar, Martino A. Casetti, Eric M. Hall
  • Patent number: 10077727
    Abstract: A fuel control module controls fuel injection of an engine based on a predetermined lean air/fuel ratio. The predetermined lean air/fuel ratio is fuel lean relative to a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for the fuel. A cylinder control module selectively deactivates opening of intake and exhaust valves of M cylinders of the engine to increase removal of nitrogen oxide (NOx) from exhaust. M is an integer greater than 0 and less than a total number of cylinders of the engine. The fuel control module further: disables fueling of the M cylinders while opening of the intake and exhaust valves of the M cylinders is deactivated; and, while fueling of the M cylinders is disabled and opening of the intake and exhaust valves of the M cylinders is deactivated, controls fuel injection of other cylinders based on a predetermined rich air/fuel ratio that is fuel rich relative to the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David P. Sczomak, Robert J. Gallon, Robert S. McAlpine, Arun S. Solomon
  • Patent number: 10006323
    Abstract: Disclosed are sliding cam actuators, methods for making and using such actuators, and motor vehicles with internal combustion engines employing sliding cam actuators. A sliding cam actuator is disclosed with two actuator pins projecting from an actuator housing. These pins move from retracted to extended positions and engage a shift barrel on a sliding camshaft. An actuator assembly moves each actuator pin to its extended position into engagement with the shift barrel to thereby slide the camshaft to a different location. An actuator shank is attached to the actuator housing and engaged with the actuator pins. Moving the first actuator pin to its extended position moves the actuator shank in one direction, which moves the second actuator pin towards its retracted position. Moving the second actuator pin to its extended position causes the actuator shank to move in another direction, which moves the first actuator pin towards its retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Gallon
  • Publication number: 20180100414
    Abstract: Disclosed are sliding cam actuators, methods for making and using such actuators, and motor vehicles with internal combustion engines employing sliding cam actuators. A sliding cam actuator is disclosed with two actuator pins projecting from an actuator housing. These pins move from retracted to extended positions and engage a shift barrel on a sliding camshaft. An actuator assembly moves each actuator pin to its extended position into engagement with the shift barrel to thereby slide the camshaft to a different location. An actuator shank is attached to the actuator housing and engaged with the actuator pins. Moving the first actuator pin to its extended position moves the actuator shank in one direction, which moves the second actuator pin towards its retracted position. Moving the second actuator pin to its extended position causes the actuator shank to move in another direction, which moves the first actuator pin towards its retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Gallon
  • Patent number: 9915221
    Abstract: A combustion system for use with one or more cylinder bores of an internal combustion engine includes at least one cylinder head defining first and second intake ports in fluid communication with the one or more cylinder bores. A flap is adjustably connected to the at least one cylinder head. The flap includes a first flap portion cooperating with the first intake port extending from an arm and a second flap portion cooperating with the second intake port extending from the arm and disposed adjacent the first flap portion. A controller in electrical communication with an actuator monitors the condition of the engine and actuates the flap to position the first and second flap portions between first and second positions to create a first combustion condition and a second combustion condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David P. Sczomak, Robert J. Gallon, Arun S. Solomon
  • Publication number: 20170198652
    Abstract: A fuel control module controls fuel injection of an engine based on a predetermined lean air/fuel ratio. The predetermined lean air/fuel ratio is fuel lean relative to a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for the fuel. A cylinder control module selectively deactivates opening of intake and exhaust valves of M cylinders of the engine to increase removal of nitrogen oxide (NOx) from exhaust. M is an integer greater than 0 and less than a total number of cylinders of the engine. The fuel control module further: disables fueling of the M cylinders while opening of the intake and exhaust valves of the M cylinders is deactivated; and, while fueling of the M cylinders is disabled and opening of the intake and exhaust valves of the M cylinders is deactivated, controls fuel injection of other cylinders based on a predetermined rich air/fuel ratio that is fuel rich relative to the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: David P. SCZOMAK, Robert J. GALLON, Robert S. MCALPINE, Arun S. SOLOMON
  • Publication number: 20170145949
    Abstract: A combustion system for use with one or more cylinder bores of an internal combustion engine includes at least one cylinder head defining first and second intake ports in fluid communication with the one or more cylinder bores. A flap is adjustably connected to the at least one cylinder head. The flap includes a first flap portion cooperating with the first intake port extending from an arm and a second flap portion cooperating with the second intake port extending from the arm and disposed adjacent the first flap portion. A controller in electrical communication with an actuator monitors the condition of the engine and actuates the flap to position the first and second flap portions between first and second positions to create a first combustion condition and a second combustion condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David P. Sczomak, Robert J. Gallon, Arun S. Solomon
  • Patent number: 8965667
    Abstract: A method for starting an engine includes sensing a triggering event and monitoring pressure in a fuel rail. A cam shaft of the engine is oscillated with a cam phaser. The cam shaft does not complete a full rotation during the oscillation. A fuel rail pump is operated with the oscillating cam shaft until the monitored pressure in the fuel rail reaches a minimum level, and the engine is started after reaching the minimum level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David P. Sczomak, Robert J Gallon, Joseph J. Moon
  • Publication number: 20140030099
    Abstract: An impeller, which is rotatable about an axis, includes an inlet shroud and a backing plate. An inlet orifice is defined by the inlet shroud, and a plurality of outlet orifices are radially outward of the inlet orifice. A plurality of vanes are disposed between the inlet shroud and the backing plate. The vanes are formed integrally as one-piece with the inlet shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine, Robert J. Gallon, Akram R. Zahdeh
  • Publication number: 20140005913
    Abstract: A method for starting an engine includes sensing a triggering event and monitoring pressure in a fuel rail. A cam shaft of the engine is oscillated with a cam phaser. The cam shaft does not complete a full rotation during the oscillation. A fuel rail pump is operated with the oscillating cam shaft until the monitored pressure in the fuel rail reaches a minimum level, and the engine is started after reaching the minimum level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David P. Sczomak, Robert J Gallon, Joseph J. Moon