Patents by Inventor Stefano Nieddu
Stefano Nieddu 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: 11402859Abstract: An interface module includes: N pairs of input connectors that are electrically conductive and that are configured to connect to and disconnect from N different temperature sensors, respectively; and M output connectors that are electrically conductive, where each pair of input connectors includes: a first input connector configured to connect to and disconnect from a first connector soldered to a first wire connected to one of the N different temperature sensors; and a second input connector configured to connect to and disconnect from a second connector soldered to a second wire connected to the one of the N different temperature sensors, where the second input connectors are electrically connected to second ones of the M output connectors, respectively, and where the first input connectors of the N pairs of input connectors are all electrically connected to a node that is connected to a first one of the M output connectors.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Simone Alpe, Stefano Nieddu, Luca Giuseppe Pairolero
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Patent number: 11286874Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injection system for a motor vehicle includes one or more of the following: operating a fuel injector to perform a fuel injection, the fuel injector being in fluid communication with a fuel rail; sampling a rail pressure in the fuel rail during the fuel injection; regulating the rail pressure at a desired injection pressure, Pinj, to the fuel injector; measuring an overall leakage on variations of the rail pressure across an engine cycle for the motor vehicle and between two engine positions of an internal combustion engine for the motor vehicle; and restarting a new measurement cycle for a new pressure measurement target.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Andrea Mollar, Stefano Nieddu, Paul Leondardo Claude
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Patent number: 11271586Abstract: A system includes: a first temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of exhaust at a first location of an exhaust system of a vehicle; a second temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of exhaust at a second location of the exhaust system of the vehicle; a first analog to digital (A/D) converter configured to receive a first analog signal from the first temperature sensor, to sample the first analog signal to produce first samples, and to generate first digital values corresponding to the first temperature based on the first samples, respectively; and a second A/D converter a configured to receive a second analog signal from the second temperature sensor, to sample the second analog signal to produce second samples, and to generate second digital values corresponding to the second temperature based on the second samples, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stefano Nieddu, Simone Alpe
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Publication number: 20210226646Abstract: A system includes: a first temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of exhaust at a first location of an exhaust system of a vehicle; a second temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of exhaust at a second location of the exhaust system of the vehicle; a first analog to digital (A/D) converter configured to receive a first analog signal from the first temperature sensor, to sample the first analog signal to produce first samples, and to generate first digital values corresponding to the first temperature based on the first samples, respectively; and a second A/D converter a configured to receive a second analog signal from the second temperature sensor, to sample the second analog signal to produce second samples, and to generate second digital values corresponding to the second temperature based on the second samples, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Stefano NIEDDU, Simone ALPE
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Publication number: 20210223807Abstract: An interface module includes: N pairs of input connectors that are electrically conductive and that are configured to connect to and disconnect from N different temperature sensors, respectively; and M output connectors that are electrically conductive, where each pair of input connectors includes: a first input connector configured to connect to and disconnect from a first connector soldered to a first wire connected to one of the N different temperature sensors; and a second input connector configured to connect to and disconnect from a second connector soldered to a second wire connected to the one of the N different temperature sensors, where the second input connectors are electrically connected to second ones of the M output connectors, respectively, and where the first input connectors of the N pairs of input connectors are all electrically connected to a node that is connected to a first one of the M output connectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Simone ALPE, Stefano NIEDDU, Luca Giuseppe PAIROLERO
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Publication number: 20210062749Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injection system for a motor vehicle includes one or more of the following: operating a fuel injector to perform a fuel injection, the fuel injector being in fluid communication with a fuel rail; sampling a rail pressure in the fuel rail during the fuel injection; regulating the rail pressure at a desired injection pressure, Pinj, to the fuel injector; measuring an overall leakage on variations of the rail pressure across an engine cycle for the motor vehicle and between two engine positions of an internal combustion engine for the motor vehicle; and restarting a new measurement cycle for a new pressure measurement target.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Andrea Mollar, Stefano Nieddu, Paul Leondardo Claude
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Patent number: 10428970Abstract: A circuit and a method for a digital inlet valve having a shutter moveable between a closed and an open position and actuated by a linear electromagnetic actuator including a movable needle located inside a coil winding connected to a power source by a first electronic switch. An electric current is supplied to the coil winding. A parameter indicative of a movement of the needle is monitored. The electric current supply is adjusted when the monitored parameter exceeds a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stefano Nieddu, Andrea Mollar, Tiziano Sorrentino
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Patent number: 10344703Abstract: A method for operating a combustion engine is provided. A fuel injector is operated to perform a fuel injection, a sequence of pressure signals of the fuel rail pressure during the fuel injection is sampled and filtered and a total pressure difference between a first sample after a top dead center of the fuel pump and before the fuel injection has started and a chosen second sample after the injection and before a next pumping stroke is determined. A linear pressure slope at the second sample and a leakage pressure difference between the first sample and the second sample based on the linear pressure slope is calculated, leading to calculating an injection pressure difference as the difference between total pressure difference and the leakage pressure difference. With this, a value of a fuel quantity injected as a function of the injection pressure difference can be determined, while leakages are compensated.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stefano Nieddu, Andrea Mollar
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Patent number: 10260445Abstract: A method of controlling the fuel rail pressure of a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A failure condition of a fuel rail pressure sensor is detected. A fuel rail pressure target value and an injector fuel output target value are determined on the basis of an internal combustion engine operating condition. A fuel pump output target value to be supplied into the fuel rail is determined. The fuel pump is driven in order to provide the fuel pump output target value. The fuel pump output target value is determined on the basis of the injector fuel output target value, and the fuel injector is energized for an energizing time target value determined on the basis of the fuel rail pressure target value and the injector fuel output target value.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Stefano Nieddu
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Patent number: 10233861Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining the fuel quantity that is actually injected by a fuel injector in an internal combustion engine. A fuel injector is operated to perform a fuel injection. The first discharge stroke of the fuel pump is deactivated following a start of the fuel injection for preventing the discharge stroke from delivering fuel into the fuel rail. A value of a pressure drop caused into the fuel rail by the fuel injection is calculated. A value of a fuel quantity injected by the fuel injection is calculated on the basis of the calculated value of the pressure drop.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATONS LLCInventors: Stefano Nieddu, Andrea Mollar
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Patent number: 10230295Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a high current control strategy and a low current control strategy using fixed threshold values and variable threshold values. An electrical quantity related to an electrical current which is to be switched is received on an input. The electrical quantity related to the electrical current is compared with a predefined first fixed threshold value in a first comparator for determining a first logical state. The electrical quantity is compared with a first variable threshold value in a second comparator for determining a second logical state. The electrical current is switched between an ON state and an OFF state in response to a switching signal on an output terminal when the electrical quantity of the electrical current meets the first variable threshold value. The first logical state, the second logical state and the switching signal provided at the output terminal vary the first variable threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Tiziana Belvedere, Angelo Argento, Stefano Nieddu
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Patent number: 10190525Abstract: A method of calculating an angular position of a crankshaft at the occurrence of a fuel injection event includes integrating a first polynomial function, and integrating a second polynomial function. The integrated second polynomial function is then divided by the integrated first polynomial function to calculate the angular position of the crankshaft at the occurrence of the fuel injection event. The calculated angular position of the crankshaft at the occurrence of the fuel injection event may then be correlated to an absolute angular position of the crankshaft, relative to a Top Dead Center position of the crankshaft. The calculated angular position of the crankshaft at the occurrence of the fuel injection event may be used to adjust the injection timing of future fuel injection events.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Stefano Nieddu
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Publication number: 20190028088Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a high current control strategy and a low current control strategy using fixed threshold values and variable threshold values. An electrical quantity related to an electrical current which is to be switched is received on an input. The electrical quantity related to the electrical current is compared with a predefined first fixed threshold value in a first comparator for determining a first logical state. The electrical quantity is compared with a first variable threshold value in a second comparator for determining a second logical state. The electrical current is switched between an ON state and an OFF state in response to a switching signal on an output terminal when the electrical quantity of the electrical current meets the first variable threshold value. The first logical state, the second logical state and the switching signal provided at the output terminal vary the first variable threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2017Publication date: January 24, 2019Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Tiziana BELVEDERE, Angelo ARGENTO, Stefano NIEDDU
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Publication number: 20190003414Abstract: A method for operating a combustion engine is provided. A fuel injector is operated to perform a fuel injection, a sequence of pressure signals of the fuel rail pressure during the fuel injection is sampled and filtered and a total pressure difference between a first sample after a top dead center of the fuel pump and before the fuel injection has started and a chosen second sample after the injection and before a next pumping stroke is determined. A linear pressure slope at the second sample and a leakage pressure difference between the first sample and the second sample based on the linear pressure slope is calculated, leading to calculating an injection pressure difference as the difference between total pressure difference and the leakage pressure difference. With this, a value of a fuel quantity injected as a function of the injection pressure difference can be determined, while leakages are compensated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stefano NIEDDU, Andrea MOLLAR
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Patent number: 10094322Abstract: Technical solutions are described for measuring fuel injection to an engine of a vehicle. For example, an engine control unit (ECU) that controls the operation of the engine, is equipped with a first direct memory address channel to store rail pressure values that are received from the engine in a first buffer. The ECU further includes a second direct memory address channel configured to copy a first subset of the rail pressure value from the first buffer to a filter module in response to an angle-based interrupt request. The ECU further includes a third direct memory address channel configured to copy filtered pressure values from the filter module to a second buffer. The ECU also includes a processor that computes a pressure drop based on the filtered pressure values from the second buffer, and compute a quantity of fuel injected into the engine based on the pressure drop.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stefano Nieddu, Roberto Morone
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Publication number: 20180230933Abstract: A method of calculating an angular position of a crankshaft at the occurrence of a fuel injection event includes integrating a first polynomial function, and integrating a second polynomial function. The integrated second polynomial function is then divided by the integrated first polynomial function to calculate the angular position of the crankshaft at the occurrence of the fuel injection event. The calculated angular position of the crankshaft at the occurrence of the fuel injection event may then be correlated to an absolute angular position of the crankshaft, relative to a Top Dead Center position of the crankshaft. The calculated angular position of the crankshaft at the occurrence of the fuel injection event may be used to adjust the injection timing of future fuel injection events.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Stefano Nieddu
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Patent number: 9988993Abstract: A control method is provided for using a feed forward technique. The method includes, but is not limited to using a setpoint value of a controlled variable to calculate a compensation of the closed loop static error, summing said contribution to the setpoint value, operating an estimation of the closed loop error to obtain a feed forward contribution.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stefano Nieddu, Gennaro Merlino
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Patent number: 9874151Abstract: A method for automatically operating a cam-driven pump is disclosed. The pump is monitored to determine whether a specified detachment condition or potential detachment of an actuator of the pump from a driving cam is occurring. The pump is operated in a minimal pressure holding mode to provide a minimal pressure within a working chamber of the pump so as to bias the actuator towards the cam if it is determined that the detachment condition is occurring.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATONS LLCInventors: Massimiliano Melis, Francesco Concetto Pesce, Stefano Nieddu, Andrea Mollar
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Publication number: 20180017010Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining the fuel quantity that is actually injected by a fuel injector in an internal combustion engine. A fuel injector is operated to perform a fuel injection. The first discharge stroke of the fuel pump is deactivated following a start of the fuel injection for preventing the discharge stroke from delivering fuel into the fuel rail. A value of a pressure drop caused into the fuel rail by the fuel injection is calculated. A value of a fuel quantity injected by the fuel injection is calculated on the basis of the calculated value of the pressure drop.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2017Publication date: January 18, 2018Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stefano NIEDDU, Andrea MOLLAR
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Patent number: 9845736Abstract: A method of determining the timing and quantity of fuel injection to operate an internal combustion engine is disclosed. While operating the fuel injector to perform a fuel injection; a signal of a fuel pressure within the fuel rail during the fuel injection is sampled. The signal is used to determine first and second integral transforms yielding as output a value of first and second functions having as variables the fuel rail pressure drop caused by the fuel injection and the timing parameter indicative of the instant when the fuel injection started. Values of the first and second functions are used to calculate a value of the fuel rail pressure drop caused by the fuel injection and a value of the timing parameter. A value of a fuel quantity injected by the fuel injection is calculated as a function of the value of the fuel rail pressure drop.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Stefano Nieddu, Andrea Mollar