Patents by Inventor Roberto Romanato

Roberto Romanato 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: 10690031
    Abstract: A method for treating exhaust gas emitted by an internal combustion engine (ICE) in a hybrid architected motor vehicle with an electric motor. The method includes disposing a heater in the exhaust, disposing a first Lean NOx Trap (LNT) downstream of the heater, disposing a second LNT downstream of the first LNT, disposing a passive selective catalytic reduction (SCR) downstream of the second LNT, disposing a hydrocarbon oxidation catalyst downstream of the SCR. The method also includes connecting a controller to the heater, the controller executes a method of controlling the NOx emissions of the ICE, the method includes monitoring a torque demand for the vehicle, determining if the torque demand is large enough to cause the ICE to generate excessive NOx, operating the ICE at a torque less than the torque demand, and operating the motor with the ICE to provide sufficient torque to satisfy the torque demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eduardo Jose Barrientos Betancourt, Roberto Romanato, Francesco Bechis, Francesco Concetto Pesce, Jaime Andres Cespedes Garcia
  • Publication number: 20200049060
    Abstract: An engine system includes an internal combustion engine including an intake manifold having an inlet, variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) including a mechanical compressor having a mechanical compressor outlet fluidically connected to the intake manifold and a turbine, and an electric compressor including an electric compressor outlet fluidically connected to the intake manifold. A first sensor is arranged to detect a first fluid pressure value at the mechanical compressor outlet. A second sensor is arranged to detect a second fluid pressure value at the inlet of the intake manifold. A controller is operatively connected to first sensor and the second sensor. The controller is operable to adjust operation of at least one of the VGT and the electric compressor when one of the first fluid pressure value and the second fluid pressure value reaches a selected value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Francesco Acquaviva, Roberto Romanato
  • Patent number: 10557428
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an aftertreatment system of a vehicle. A system operating mode is determined for an aftertreatment device having an electrical heating element. A weighting coefficient is set based on the determined system operating mode. An optimized electrical heat input and an optimized engine heat input are determined based on the weighting coefficient. The aftertreatment device is then controlled to a target temperature based on the optimized electrical heat input and the optimized engine heat input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Roberto Romanato
  • Publication number: 20200025157
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for a vehicle and method of operating the EGR system. The EGR system includes an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold; an aftertreatment device downstream of the internal combustion engine; an EGR valve downstream of the aftertreatment device; a main compressor; an electric compressor downstream of the main compressor; a low pressure (LP) loop coupled between the aftertreatment device and the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine; and an electronic control unit configured to operate the electric compressor depending on one or more operating parameters. The internal combustion engine uses exhaust from the LP loop without receiving exhaust from a high pressure (HP) loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Roberto Romanato, Stefano Pellegrino
  • Publication number: 20190368402
    Abstract: A method for treating exhaust gas emitted by an internal combustion engine (ICE) in a hybrid architected motor vehicle with an electric motor. The method includes disposing a heater in the exhaust, disposing a first Lean NOx Trap (LNT) downstream of the heater, disposing a second LNT downstream of the first LNT, disposing a passive selective catalytic reduction (SCR) downstream of the second LNT, disposing a hydrocarbon oxidation catalyst downstream of the SCR. The method also includes connecting a controller to the heater, the controller executes a method of controlling the NOx emissions of the ICE, the method includes monitoring a torque demand for the vehicle, determining if the torque demand is large enough to cause the ICE to generate excessive NOx, operating the ICE at a torque less than the torque demand, and operating the motor with the ICE to provide sufficient torque to satisfy the torque demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Eduardo Jose Barrientos Betancourt, Roberto Romanato, Francesco Bechis, Francesco Concetto Pesce, Jaime Andres Cespedes Garcia
  • Publication number: 20190360415
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling an aftertreatment system of a vehicle. A system operating mode is determined for an aftertreatment device having an electrical heating element. A weighting coefficient is set based on the determined system operating mode. An optimized electrical heat input and an optimized engine heat input are determined based on the weighting coefficient. The aftertreatment device is then controlled to a target temperature based on the optimized electrical heat input and the optimized engine heat input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Roberto Romanato
  • Patent number: 10480370
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling an electrically-heated catalyst system of a vehicle. A method includes that a power request is received. The method includes determining whether to use a high power voltage net or a low power voltage net based upon the received power request. The electrically-heated catalyst system is controlled using the determined high power voltage net or the low power voltage net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Roberto Romanato
  • Patent number: 10465602
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft rotating at an engine speed, and a variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) having a compressor and a turbine. The turbine has turbine vanes, and is configured to rotate in response to exhaust flow from the engine to thereby rotate the compressor. An electric machine is configured to selectively deliver motor torque to the crankshaft upon completion of a predetermined operating mode of the powertrain. The engine and electric machine have a corresponding speed that is responsive to acceleration and braking requests. A controller executes a method in which the controller coordinates vane position of the turbine vanes with the motor torque of the electric machine in response to engine speed, doing so during a zero pedal maneuver in which the acceleration and braking requests are both zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Flavia Duma, Roberto Romanato, Paolo Pasero
  • Patent number: 10443533
    Abstract: A fuel injection control system is usable with an engine, e.g., a diesel engine of a mild hybrid electric vehicle. The control system includes an auxiliary battery, a high-voltage (HV) battery, e.g., 48 VDC, a switching circuit with first and second switching pairs, a controller, and a fuel injector system. The controller opens and closes the switches to command an electrical current from the auxiliary or HV battery according to a predetermined injector current profile. The fuel injector system has one or more control solenoids. Windings of the solenoids are electrically connectable to the HV battery during a boost phase of the profile via opening of the first switching pair and closing of the second switching pair, and to the auxiliary battery during peak, by-pass, hold, and end-of-injection phases of the profile via closing of the first switching pair and opening of the second switching pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gennaro Merlino, Francesco Concetto Pesce, Roberto Romanato
  • Publication number: 20190309677
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft rotating at an engine speed, and a variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) having a compressor and a turbine. The turbine has turbine vanes, and is configured to rotate in response to exhaust flow from the engine to thereby rotate the compressor. An electric machine is configured to selectively deliver motor torque to the crankshaft upon completion of a predetermined operating mode of the powertrain. The engine and electric machine have a corresponding speed that is responsive to acceleration and braking requests. A controller executes a method in which the controller coordinates vane position of the turbine vanes with the motor torque of the electric machine in response to engine speed, doing so during a zero pedal maneuver in which the acceleration and braking requests are both zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Flavia Duma, Roberto Romanato, Paolo Pasero
  • Patent number: 10288017
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method of controlling an emissions control system for treating exhaust gas in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The emissions control system includes an electric diesel oxidation catalyst (eDOC) device having an electric heating element, disposed in a stream of the exhaust gas, a temperature sensor disposed at the eDOC device and configured to detect a temperature of the exhaust gas, and a controller that is configured to perform a model based control of the eDOC device based on a dual nested closed loop topology having an inner closed loop control and an outer closed loop control. The inner closed loop control is configured to control the power required for the eDOC device and outer closed loop control is configured to control the temperature of the eDOC device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Roberto Romanato
  • Publication number: 20190120161
    Abstract: A fuel injection control system is usable with an engine, e.g., a diesel engine of a mild hybrid electric vehicle. The control system includes an auxiliary battery, a high-voltage (HV) battery, e.g., 48 VDC, a switching circuit with first and second switching pairs, a controller, and a fuel injector system. The controller opens and closes the switches to command an electrical current from the auxiliary or HV battery according to a predetermined injector current profile. The fuel injector system has one or more control solenoids. Windings of the solenoids are electrically connectable to the HV battery during a boost phase of the profile via opening of the first switching pair and closing of the second switching pair, and to the auxiliary battery during peak, by-pass, hold, and end-of-injection phases of the profile via closing of the first switching pair and opening of the second switching pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gennaro Merlino, Francesco Concetto Pesce, Roberto Romanato
  • Publication number: 20190120181
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method of controlling an emissions control system for treating exhaust gas in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The emissions control system includes an electric diesel oxidation catalyst (eDOC) device having an electric heating element, disposed in a stream of the exhaust gas, a temperature sensor disposed at the eDOC device and configured to detect a temperature of the exhaust gas, and a controller that is configured to perform a model based control of the eDOC device based on a dual nested closed loop topology having an inner closed loop control and an outer closed loop control. The inner closed loop control is configured to control the power required for the eDOC device and outer closed loop control is configured to control the temperature of the eDOC device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Roberto Romanato
  • Publication number: 20190063288
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling an electrically-heated catalyst system of a vehicle. A method includes that a power request is received. The method includes determining whether to use a high power voltage net or a low power voltage net based upon the received power request. The electrically-heated catalyst system is controlled using the determined high power voltage net or the low power voltage net.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Roberto ROMANATO
  • Publication number: 20190063353
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a fuel injector included in a fuel injection system of an engine of a vehicle. A method includes receiving vehicle sensor data that is indicative of air measurement data and engine sensor measurement data. A combustion model is used to estimate, through an iterative approach, a total fuel amount for satisfying a torque request and to estimate start of injection degree based upon the received vehicle sensor data. The estimated total fuel amount and the start of injection degree are outputted for controlling the fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gennaro MERLINO, Giuseppe CONTE, Roberto ROMANATO
  • Patent number: 10167795
    Abstract: Provided are methods for warming up a vehicle exhaust treatment system prior to an engine start, wherein the vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (ICE), a supercharger capable of delivering air to an ICE intake, an exhaust gas treatment system including an exhaust gas treatment device and an upstream electric heating device and capable of accepting exhaust gas from the ICE, and optionally a turbocharger having a turbine in fluid communication with the exhaust gas treatment system. Methods include establishing fluid communication between the supercharger and the exhaust gas treatment system, engaging the supercharger to communicate air to the exhaust gas treatment system via the supercharger, and engaging the heating device. The method can further comprise reducing turbine resistance by reducing the power position of the turbine or opening a wastegate. The methods can further include first satisfying a start condition, and/or subsequently detecting a termination condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventors: Lorenzo Disaro′, Roberto Romanato
  • Publication number: 20180291827
    Abstract: Provided are methods for warming up a vehicle exhaust treatment system prior to an engine start, wherein the vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (ICE), a supercharger capable of delivering air to an ICE intake, an exhaust gas treatment system including an exhaust gas treatment device and an upstream electric heating device and capable of accepting exhaust gas from the ICE, and optionally a turbocharger having a turbine in fluid communication with the exhaust gas treatment system. Methods include establishing fluid communication between the supercharger and the exhaust gas treatment system, engaging the supercharger to communicate air to the exhaust gas treatment system via the supercharger, and engaging the heating device. The method can further comprise reducing turbine resistance by reducing the power position of the turbine or opening a wastegate. The methods can further include first satisfying a start condition, and/or subsequently detecting a termination condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Lorenzo Disaro', Roberto Romanato
  • Patent number: 9995196
    Abstract: A method and system for operating an aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A value of a storage efficiency for the lean nitrogen-oxide trap is determined. A value of an exhaust gas temperature is measured upstream of the lean nitrogen-oxide trap. An electric heated catalyst enabling condition may be fulfilled if the storage efficiency of the lean nitrogen-oxide trap is smaller than a threshold value thereof and the value of the exhaust gas temperature upstream of the lean nitrogen-oxide trap is greater than a lower threshold value and less than an upper threshold value. The electric heated catalyst is activated if the enabling condition is fulfilled. An inhibition enabling condition may be fulfilled if the value of storage efficiency is less than a second threshold value and the electric heated catalyst is deactivated and a denitrification of the lean nitrogen-oxides trap is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Francesco Barba, Roberto Romanato, Paolo Olmo
  • Publication number: 20170167346
    Abstract: A method and system for operating an aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A value of a storage efficiency for the lean nitrogen-oxide trap is determined. A value of an exhaust gas temperature is measured upstream of the lean nitrogen-oxide trap. An electric heated catalyst enabling condition may be fulfilled if the storage efficiency of the lean nitrogen-oxide trap is smaller than a threshold value thereof and the value of the exhaust gas temperature upstream of the lean nitrogen-oxide trap is greater than a lower threshold value and less than an upper threshold value. The electric heated catalyst is activated if the enabling condition is fulfilled. An inhibition enabling condition may be fulfilled if the value of storage efficiency is less than a second threshold value and the electric heated catalyst is deactivated and a denitrification of the lean nitrogen-oxides trap is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Francesco BARBA, Roberto ROMANATO, Paolo OLMO
  • Patent number: 9567966
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of controlling an automatic engine stop of an automotive system, during a coasting phase. A dynamic speed threshold is calculated as a minimum value of a plurality of dynamic speed values. Each dynamic speed value is calculated as a function of an automotive system parameter such as a steering wheel angle, a steering wheel angle rate, a wheel speed difference, an antilock braking system status, or an electronic stability control status (p5) and/or a road condition such as road grade. The automatic engine stop is enabled when a vehicle speed is lower than the dynamic speed threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Roberto Romanato