Patents by Inventor Steven Wooldridge

Steven Wooldridge 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).

  • Methods and system for engine cold starting
    Patent number: 11898512
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cold starting an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, fuel is delivered in four equal amounts into a cylinder during a cycle of the cylinder. The fuel is injected so as to reduce cylinder wall wetting, raise combustion stability, and increase exhaust system heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Steven Wooldridge, Gary Coulson, David Bruce Reiche
  • Systems and methods for cam profile switch (CPS) assembly
    Patent number: 11506090
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for actuating an advanced cam profile switch (CPS) assembly. In one example, a system may include a first cylinder and a second cylinder of the CPS assembly that may be independently coupleable to a valve stem via two separate locking mechanisms. A first cam may be selectively engage with the first cylinder and the valve stem and a second cam may be selectively engaged with the second cylinder and the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Steven Wooldridge
  • Method and systems for reducing heat loss to a turbocharger during cold engine starting
    Patent number: 11499471
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing heat loss to a turbocharger during cold engine starting are described. In one example, a turbocharger bypass pipe and a turbocharger turbine pipe are oriented at forty five degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of a catalyst so that a turbocharger turbine may be completely bypassed, thereby increasing the amount of energy that may be transferred to the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Peter Moilanen, Ray Host, Steven Wooldridge, William Charles Ruona, Jianwen Yi
  • Methods for reducing cold start emissions for engines
    Patent number: 11473518
    Abstract: Methods are provided for reducing exhaust gas emissions during a cold-start of an engine. In one example, a method may include generating a flame front in an exhaust port of an exhaust system, heating exhaust gas flowing into an emission control device of the exhaust system and thereby expediting the approach to a light-off temperature of the emission control device, and directing the flame front back to the cylinder as part of a combustion stroke of the four-stroke engine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Steven Wooldridge, Peter C. Moilanen, Brad VanDerWege, Gary Alan Coulson, Jennifer Fischer
  • Methods and system for starting an engine
    Patent number: 11466634
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an internal combustion engine that is included in a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, the internal combustion engine is operated in a two stroke mode during cold starting to increase mass flow to an electrically heated catalyst so that engine emissions may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wooldridge, Xiaogang Zhang
  • Method and system for distribution of exhaust gas
    Patent number: 11454198
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for to methods and systems for distributing exhaust gas to a turbine, a turbocharger bypass, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) line via a valve. In one example, a method may include selectively flowing exhaust gas, via a valve coupled to an exhaust passage, to one or more of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage, an exhaust turbine, and an exhaust catalyst via a bypass passage without flowing through the exhaust turbine based on engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Daniel Joseph Styles, Steven Wooldridge, Clayton Mikush
  • Staggered exhaust valve timing for emission control
    Patent number: 11421608
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing hydrocarbon emissions from an engine. In one example, a method may include adjusting timing profiles of a first and a second exhaust valve to selectively allow pneumatic communication between a cylinder and exhaust ports of an exhaust manifold during an engine cold start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Steven Wooldridge, Brad VanDerWege
  • METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR REDUCING HEAT LOSS TO A TURBOCHARGER DURING COLD ENGINE STARTING
    Publication number: 20220235694
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing heat loss to a turbocharger during cold engine starting are described. In one example, a turbocharger bypass pipe and a turbocharger turbine pipe are oriented at forty five degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of a catalyst so that a turbocharger turbine may be completely bypassed, thereby increasing the amount of energy that may be transferred to the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Peter Moilanen, Ray Host, Steven Wooldridge, William Charles Ruona, Jianwen Yi
  • STAGGERED EXHAUST VALVE TIMING FOR EMISSION CONTROL
    Publication number: 20220220907
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing hydrocarbon emissions from an engine. In one example, a method may include adjusting timing profiles of a first and a second exhaust valve to selectively allow pneumatic communication between a cylinder and exhaust ports of an exhaust manifold during an engine cold start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Steven Wooldridge, Brad VanDerWege
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTION OF EXHAUST GAS
    Publication number: 20220099052
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for to methods and systems for distributing exhaust gas to a turbine, a turbocharger bypass, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) line via a valve. In one example, a method may include selectively flowing exhaust gas, via a valve coupled to an exhaust passage, to one or more of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage, an exhaust turbine, and an exhaust catalyst via a bypass passage without flowing through the exhaust turbine based on engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Daniel Joseph Styles, Steven Wooldridge, Clayton Mikush
  • Systems for a pre-chamber
    Patent number: 11236662
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a pre-chamber. In one example, a pre-chamber comprises a passage outside of a primary combustion chamber for flowing fuel directly from a fuel injector to an interior volume of the pre-chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, James Yi, Steven Wooldridge, Michael Damian Czekala
  • SYSTEMS FOR A PRE-CHAMBER
    Publication number: 20220003146
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a pre-chamber. In one example, a pre-chamber comprises a passage outside of a primary combustion chamber for flowing fuel directly from a fuel injector to an interior volume of the pre-chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, James Yi, Steven Wooldridge, Michael Damian Czekala
  • Methods and systems for a fuel injector
    Patent number: 10808668
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an injector. In one example, the injector comprises at least two passages, wherein outlets of each of the passages are differently shaped than corresponding inlets of the passages. Further, in one or more examples, each of the outlets may be shaped and sized differently with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Jianwen James Yi, Mark Meinhart, Joseph F. Basmaji, Steven Wooldridge
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A FUEL INJECTOR
    Publication number: 20200102923
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an injector. In one example, the injector comprises at least two passages, wherein outlets of each of the passages are differently shaped than corresponding inlets of the passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Jianwen James Yi, Mark Meinhart, Joseph F. Basmaji, Steven Wooldridge
  • Method and system for engine cold-start
    Patent number: 10550783
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine cranking speed, fueling, and spark initiation to increase fuel vaporization during cold-start conditions. In one example, a method may include, during engine cold-start, cranking the engine at a lower speed relative to a nominal cranking speed while injecting fuel and disabling spark for a number of engine cycles, and after the completion of the number of engine cycle increasing the cranking speed and initiating spark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Alan Coulson, Steven Wooldridge, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Methods and systems for improving engine starting
    Patent number: 10502177
    Abstract: Systems and methods for restarting an engine are presented. In one example, spark timing during engine starting is adjusted in response to engine speed and a second control parameter. The second control parameter may be correlated with crankshaft or rod degradation. Spark may be advanced from minimum spark for best torque when engine speed is greater than desired and when the second control parameter does not provide an indication of engine degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, David Bruce Reiche, Steven Wooldridge
  • Method and system for engine cold-start
    Patent number: 10107219
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine cranking speed, fueling, and spark initiation to increase fuel vaporization during cold-start conditions. In one example, a method may include, during engine cold-start, cranking the engine at a lower speed relative to a nominal cranking speed while injecting fuel and disabling spark for a number of engine cycles, and after the completion of the number of engine cycle increasing the cranking speed and initiating spark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Alan Coulson, Steven Wooldridge, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Engine cold-start control
    Patent number: 10087860
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine startability during cold-start conditions, when operating with gasoline fuels, alcohol fuels, or blended fuels. In one example, a method of engine cold-start control may include initiating fuel injection for cylinder combustion with manifold pressure lowered via intake throttle adjustments. The manifold pressure is lowered based on an optimization between cylinder charge reduction and improved fuel boiling at the lower pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Jianwen James Yi, Steven Wooldridge, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Gary Alan Coulson, Foo Chern Ting
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE COLD-START
    Publication number: 20180266351
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine cranking speed, fueling, and spark initiation to increase fuel vaporization during cold-start conditions. In one example, a method may include, during engine cold-start, cranking the engine at a lower speed relative to a nominal cranking speed while injecting fuel and disabling spark for a number of engine cycles, and after the completion of the number of engine cycle increasing the cranking speed and initiating spark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Gary Alan Coulson, Steven Wooldridge, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE COLD-START
    Publication number: 20180266350
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine cranking speed, fueling, and spark initiation to increase fuel vaporization during cold-start conditions. In one example, a method may include, during engine cold-start, cranking the engine at a lower speed relative to a nominal cranking speed while injecting fuel and disabling spark for a number of engine cycles, and after the completion of the number of engine cycle increasing the cranking speed and initiating spark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Gary Alan Coulson, Steven Wooldridge, Gopichandra Surnilla