Patents by Inventor Robert J. Genslak

Robert J. Genslak 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: 10001073
    Abstract: A catalyst control system includes a stop and start module that, during a period that the vehicle is ON between (i) a first time when the vehicle is turned ON and (i) a second time when the vehicle is next turned OFF, selectively shuts down and starts a spark ignition engine of the vehicle. A catalyst light off (CLO) control module initiates a first CLO event for a first engine startup during the period and, when a temperature of a catalyst that receives exhaust output by the engine is less than a predetermined temperature, selectively initiates a second CLO event for a second engine startup during the period. A fuel control module richens fueling of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period. A spark control module retards spark timing of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Robert E. Heger, Robert J. Genslak, Stephen P. Levijoki, Edward Stuteville
  • Publication number: 20170342924
    Abstract: A catalyst control system includes a stop and start module that, during a period that the vehicle is ON between (i) a first time when the vehicle is turned ON and (i) a second time when the vehicle is next turned OFF, selectively shuts down and starts a spark ignition engine of the vehicle. A catalyst light off (CLO) control module initiates a first CLO event for a first engine startup during the period and, when a temperature of a catalyst that receives exhaust output by the engine is less than a predetermined temperature, selectively initiates a second CLO event for a second engine startup during the period. A fuel control module richens fueling of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period. A spark control module retards spark timing of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: J. Michael GWIDT, Robert E. HEGER, Robert J. GENSLAK, Stephen P. LEVIJOKI, Edward STUTEVILLE
  • Patent number: 9771888
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a storage capability module and at least one of an engine speed control module and a spark control module. The storage capability module determines a capability of a catalytic converter to store oxygen. The engine speed control module controls a speed of an engine based on the oxygen storage capability of the catalytic converter. The spark control module controls a spark timing of the engine based on the oxygen storage capability of the catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Packard, Robert J. Genslak, Scott Jeffrey
  • Patent number: 9732688
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a first model predictive control (MPC) module and an engine actuator module. The first MPC module generates predicted parameters based on a model of an engine and a set of possible target values and generates a cost for the set of possible target values based on the predicted parameters and a desired exhaust enthalpy. The first MPC module also selects the set of possible target values from multiple sets of possible target values based on the cost. The engine actuator module adjusts an actuator of the engine based on at least one of the target values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary Robert Cygan, Jr., Robert J. Genslak
  • Patent number: 9599006
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes an oxygen storage capacity (OSC) determination module, a delay determination module, a correction module, and a fault detection module. The OSC determination module determines an OSC period of a catalyst of an exhaust system based on first and second amounts of oxygen measured using first and second oxygen sensors located upstream and downstream of the catalyst, respectively. The delay determination module determines a delay period of the second oxygen sensor. The correction module sets a corrected OSC period for the catalyst based on a difference between the OSC period and the delay period. The fault detection module selectively indicates that a fault is present in the catalyst based on the corrected OSC period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Genslak, Robert E. Heger, Edward Stuteville, Jerry J. Sheahan, Thomas J. Large
  • Patent number: 9587573
    Abstract: A system includes a catalyst light-off module that selectively generates a first signal based on an engine coolant temperature and an estimated exhaust enthalpy, a setpoint module that selectively initiates a catalyst light-off period in response to receiving the first signal and that generates a desired exhaust enthalpy, and a first model predictive control (MPC) module that generates predicted parameters based on a model of an engine and a set of possible target values, generates a cost for the set of possible target values based on the predicted parameters and the desired exhaust enthalpy, and selects the set of possible target values from multiple sets of possible target values based on the cost. The system also includes an engine actuator module that adjusts an actuator of the engine based on at least one of the target values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Genslak, Gary Robert Cygan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9429085
    Abstract: A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint module generates setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A model predictive control (MPC) module: identifies sets of possible target values based on the setpoints; generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively; selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters; and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets. A first constraint module selectively sets a predetermined range for first one of the target values. The MPC module limits the first one of the target values to within the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Ning Jin, Robert J. Genslak, Jyh-Shin Chen, Kevin C. Wong
  • Patent number: 9382865
    Abstract: A fuel control module transitions engine fueling from rich to lean. A catalyst fault detection module diagnoses whether a fault is present in an exhaust catalyst based on a response of an oxygen sensor to the transition. A prediction module generates a prediction based on a model and a set of possible target values. A cost module determines a cost for the set of possible target values based on comparisons of the prediction with minimum and maximums. Before the transition, a constraint module selectively adjusts at least one of the minimum and maximums for the fault diagnosis. Based on the cost, a selection module selects the set of possible target values from a group of sets of possible target values and sets target values based on the selected set of possible target values. An actuator module controls an engine actuator based on a first one of the target values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Genslak, Christopher E. Whitney
  • Patent number: 9328671
    Abstract: A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint control module generates setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A vacuum requesting module requests an amount of vacuum within an intake manifold of the engine. The setpoint module selectively adjusts at least one of the setpoints based on the amount of vacuum requested. A model predictive control (MPC) module: identifies sets of possible target values based on the setpoints; generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively; selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters; and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Robert J. Genslak, Jyh-Shin Chen
  • Patent number: 9243524
    Abstract: For an upshift of a transmission, a model predictive control (MPC) module sets target intake and exhaust valve timings for changes in a torque request that occur during the upshift. A phaser actuator module controls intake valve phasing of an engine based on the target intake valve timing and controls exhaust valve phasing based on the target exhaust valve timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Ning Jin, Kevin C. Wong, Robert J. Genslak
  • Publication number: 20150275711
    Abstract: For an upshift of a transmission, a model predictive control (MPC) module sets target intake and exhaust valve timings for changes in a torque request that occur during the upshift. A phaser actuator module controls intake valve phasing of an engine based on the target intake valve timing and controls exhaust valve phasing based on the target exhaust valve timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Ning Jin, Kevin C. Wong, Robert J. Genslak
  • Publication number: 20150275806
    Abstract: A fuel control module transitions engine fueling from rich to lean. A catalyst fault detection module diagnoses whether a fault is present in an exhaust catalyst based on a response of an oxygen sensor to the transition. A prediction module generates a prediction based on a model and a set of possible target values. A cost module determines a cost for the set of possible target values based on comparisons of the prediction with minimum and maximums. Before the transition, a constraint module selectively adjusts at least one of the minimum and maximums for the fault diagnosis. Based on the cost, a selection module selects the set of possible target values from a group of sets of possible target values and sets target values based on the selected set of possible target values. An actuator module controls an engine actuator based on a first one of the target values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Genslak, Christopher E. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20150275795
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a first model predictive control (MPC) module and an engine actuator module. The first MPC module generates predicted parameters based on a model of an engine and a set of possible target values and generates a cost for the set of possible target values based on the predicted parameters and a desired exhaust enthalpy. The first MPC module also selects the set of possible target values from multiple sets of possible target values based on the cost. The engine actuator module adjusts an actuator of the engine based on at least one of the target values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: GARY ROBERT CYGAN, JR., Robert J. Genslak
  • Publication number: 20150275792
    Abstract: A system includes a catalyst light-off module that selectively generates a first signal based on an engine coolant temperature and an estimated exhaust enthalpy, a setpoint module that selectively initiates a catalyst light-off period in response to receiving the first signal and that generates a desired exhaust enthalpy, and a first model predictive control (MPC) module that generates predicted parameters based on a model of an engine and a set of possible target values, generates a cost for the set of possible target values based on the predicted parameters and the desired exhaust enthalpy, and selects the set of possible target values from multiple sets of possible target values based on the cost. The system also includes an engine actuator module that adjusts an actuator of the engine based on at least one of the target values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Genslak, Gary Robert Cygan, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150107554
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a storage capability module and at least one of an engine speed control module and a spark control module. The storage capability module determines a capability of a catalytic converter to store oxygen. The engine speed control module controls a speed of an engine based on the oxygen storage capability of the catalytic converter. The spark control module controls a spark timing of the engine based on the oxygen storage capability of the catalytic converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Packard, Robert J. Genslak, Scott Jeffrey
  • Publication number: 20140311446
    Abstract: A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint module generates setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A model predictive control (MPC) module: identifies sets of possible target values based on the setpoints; generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively; selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters; and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets. A first constraint module selectively sets a predetermined range for first one of the target values. The MPC module limits the first one of the target values to within the predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Ning Jin, Robert J. Genslak, Jyh-Shin Chen, Kevin C. Wong
  • Publication number: 20140316682
    Abstract: A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint control module generates setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A vacuum requesting module requests an amount of vacuum within an intake manifold of the engine. The setpoint module selectively adjusts at least one of the setpoints based on the amount of vacuum requested. A model predictive control (MPC) module: identifies sets of possible target values based on the setpoints; generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively; selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters; and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER E. WHITNEY, ROBERT J. GENSLAK, JYH-SHIN CHEN
  • Patent number: 8857157
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a steady-state (SS) temperature module and a mass temperature module. The SS temperature module generates a SS temperature of a downstream-most catalyst of an exhaust system at a predetermined location between upstream and downstream faces of the downstream-most catalyst. The predetermined location is a predetermined distance upstream from the downstream face. The mass temperature module generates an instantaneous temperature of the downstream-most catalyst at the predetermined location as a function of the SS temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Alan Root Lockwood, James A. Goodall, Robert J. Genslak, Mather El-Jaroudi
  • Patent number: 8583349
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for an engine includes a stage transition module and a control module. The stage transition module generates a command signal based on a fuel control signal. The command signal commands a fuel system of the engine to intrusively transition between rich and lean states during a diagnostic test that includes first, second, and third stages. The first, second, and third stages are defined based on transitions between the rich and lean states. The control module during the second and third stages detects: an error with a first oxygen sensor based on a comparison between the command signal and a first oxygen signal from the first oxygen sensor; an error with a second oxygen sensor based on a second oxygen signal from the second oxygen sensor; and an error with a catalytic converter based on the first and second oxygen signals and a manifold absolute pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventors: Igor Anilovich, John W. Siekkinen, Wesley W. Wald, Robert J. Genslak, Jeffry A. Helmick, John F. Van Gilder
  • Patent number: 8516796
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for an exhaust system of an engine includes a fuel control module and a diagnostic module. The fuel control module, in response to a request for a fuel inhibiting event, operates the engine in a first rich condition for a first period until a catalytic converter of the exhaust system is in a predetermined first rich state and subsequently operates the engine in a lean condition for a second period contiguous with the first period. The diagnostic module determines a catalyst efficiency of the catalytic converter based on an output of an oxygen sensor located downstream of said catalytic converter during the second period, and selectively adjusts a diagnostic status of the catalytic converter based on a comparison of the catalyst efficiency and a predetermined catalyst efficiency. The fuel inhibiting event may be a deceleration fuel-cutoff event. A related diagnostic method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventors: Wesley W. Wald, Robert J. Genslak, Edward Stuteville, Igor Anilovich