Patents by Inventor Themi Philemon Petridis
Themi Philemon Petridis 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: 10072625Abstract: A vehicle start-stop system includes an engine and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate the system in a first mode when a first input is selected, and in a second mode when a second input is selected. The controller is further programmed to inhibit engine stop in response to being in the first mode and an evaporator temperature having a first value, and stop the engine in response to being in the second mode and the evaporator temperature having the first value.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Hesketh, Themi Philemon Petridis, Ian Halleron, Christopher Edward Pedlar
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Patent number: 9878713Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of an engine of a motor vehicle is disclosed in which the engine is restarted while the vehicle is in motion by bump starting it if the speed of the vehicle falls within predetermined speed limits but is otherwise restarted using a starter motor. The number of starts for which the starter motor is used is thereby reduced advantageously reducing wear of the starter motor and increasing the life and/or reducing the duty cycle of the battery or source of power used for the starter motor.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Themi Philemon Petridis, Peter George Brittle, Ian Halleron
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Publication number: 20170260954Abstract: A vehicle start-stop system includes an engine and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate the system in a first mode when a first input is selected, and in a second mode when a second input is selected. The controller is further programmed to inhibit engine stop in response to being in the first mode and an evaporator temperature having a first value, and stop the engine in response to being in the second mode and the evaporator temperature having the first value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: David HESKETH, Themi Philemon PETRIDIS, Ian HALLERON, Christopher Edward PEDLAR
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Patent number: 9358979Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for controlling the speed of a vehicle comprising: during a pulse phase of cruise control, applying engine torque to raise speed, the amount and duration of which being responsive to engine speed; and during a glide phase of cruise control, discontinuing engine combustion. In this way cruise control may maintain a mean speed equivalent to a desired, threshold speed while reducing fuel consumption, and NVH effects felt by the end user compared to traditional cruise control methods.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Edward Pedlar, Chris Connelly, David Hesketh, Themi Philemon Petridis
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Patent number: 8983721Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of a carrier mounted on the rear of a motor vehicle or of an object carried by the carrier that may cause damage or a malfunction of a rear wiper system of the motor vehicle. If a potentially obstructing situation is determined to be present, the rear wiper system is deactivated to prevent it malfunctioning or being damaged by the obstruction. A user of the vehicle may be provided with a message that an obstruction has been detected and the user may control whether the wiper system is deactivated. The obstruction may be sensed by monitoring the amount of current drawn by a wiper motor, by an ultrasonic sensor, or by a rear-view camera.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Themi Philemon Petridis, Nils Schloesser
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Publication number: 20150039203Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for controlling the speed of a vehicle comprising: during a pulse phase of cruise control, applying engine torque to raise speed, the amount and duration of which being responsive to engine speed; and during a glide phase of cruise control, discontinuing engine combustion. In this way cruise control may maintain a mean speed equivalent to a desired, threshold speed while reducing fuel consumption, and NVH effects felt by the end user compared to traditional cruise control methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Chris Edward Pedlar, Chris Connelly, David Hesketh, Themi Philemon Petridis
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Patent number: 8868312Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for controlling the speed of a vehicle comprising: during a pulse phase of cruise control, applying engine torque to raise speed, the amount and duration of which being responsive to engine speed; and during a glide phase of cruise control, discontinuing engine combustion. In this way cruise control may maintain a mean speed equivalent to a desired, threshold speed while reducing fuel consumption, and NVH effects felt by the end user compared to traditional cruise control methods.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Edward Pedlar, Chris Connelly, David Hesketh, Themi Philemon Petridis
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Publication number: 20140309910Abstract: A method of controlling an engine of a stop-start enabled motor vehicle is disclosed in which the conditions used to determine whether to stop or start the engine are changed based upon whether maximum driver comfort or maximum fuel economy are requested by a driver of the motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David HESKETH, Themi Philemon PETRIDIS, Ian HALLERON, Christopher Edward PEDLAR
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Publication number: 20130345931Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of a carrier mounted on the rear of a motor vehicle or of an object carried by the carrier that may cause damage or a malfunction of a rear wiper system of the motor vehicle. If a potentially obstructing situation is determined to be present, the rear wiper system is deactivated to prevent it malfunctioning or being damaged by the obstruction. A user of the vehicle may be provided with a message that an obstruction has been detected and the user may control whether the wiper system is deactivated. The obstruction may be sensed by monitoring the amount of current drawn by a wiper motor, by an ultrasonic sensor, or by a rear-view camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: Themi Philemon Petridis, Nils Schloesser
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Publication number: 20120265427Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of an engine of a motor vehicle is disclosed in which the engine is restarted while the vehicle is in motion by bump starting it if the speed of the vehicle falls within predetermined speed limits but is otherwise restarted using a starter motor. The number of starts for which the starter motor is used is thereby reduced advantageously reducing wear of the starter motor and increasing the life and/or reducing the duty cycle of the battery or source of power used for the starter motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Themi Philemon Petridis, Peter George Brittle, Ian Halleron
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Patent number: 7992541Abstract: A method controlling combustion modes of an engine with at least a first and second cylinder, the engine having a first actuator configured to control at least intake valves of the first and second cylinder and a second actuator configured to control at least exhaust valves of the first and second cylinders, the method comprising of sending a first signal to the first actuator which adjusts operation of at least intake valves of the first and second cylinder and a second signal to the second actuator which adjusts operation of at least exhaust valves of the first and second cylinder, said first and second signals sent at different crank angles, and transitioning combustion modes of said first and second cylinders, said combustion modes including spark ignition and homogeneous compression ignition.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Themi Philemon Petridis, Ludwig Stump, Jens Wojahn, Martin Wirth
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Patent number: 7946263Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling cylinder valve switching between a first valve condition and a second valve condition for transitioning between combustion modes of an engine. The method includes adjusting timing of a signal to switch between the valve conditions based on an oil degradation condition from an oil sensor, wherein the combustion modes include spark ignition and homogenous charge compression ignition.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jon O'Neill, Themi Philemon Petridis
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Patent number: 7867133Abstract: A method for controlling an engine and a supplemental torque apparatus of a vehicle, such as a hybrid vehicle. During a transient gear change where the engine temporarily encounters a low load and low speed operating condition, the system increases loading on the engine via the supplemental torque apparatus so that a cylinder can continue auto-ignition combustion.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Themi Philemon Petridis, Jonathan O'neill, Harald Stoffels
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Patent number: 7814878Abstract: A method of operating an engine having an adjustable balance shaft may comprise adjusting operation of the balance shaft during engine operation in response to an engine combustion mode. For example, balance shafts may be disabled during SI mode and enabled during HCCI mode. Various alternative examples may also be used.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Themi Philemon Petridis, Harald Stoffels, Jonathan O'Neill
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Patent number: 7748354Abstract: A method of controlling cylinder valve switching between a first valve condition and a second valve condition for transitioning between combustion modes of an engine comprises adjusting timing of a signal to switch between said valve conditions in response to information from a combustion sensor, wherein said combustion modes include spark ignition and homogeneous charge compression ignition.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2006Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Themi Philemon Petridis
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Publication number: 20090173296Abstract: A method of controlling cylinder valve switching between a first valve condition and a second valve condition for transitioning between combustion modes of an engine. The method includes adjusting timing of a signal to switch between the valve conditions based on an oil degradation condition from an oil sensor, wherein the combustion modes include spark ignition and homogenous charge compression ignition.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jon O'Neill, Themi Philemon Petridis
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Publication number: 20080276897Abstract: A method of operating an engine having an adjustable balance shaft may comprise adjusting operation of the balance shaft during engine operation in response to an engine combustion mode. For example, balance shafts may be disabled during SI mode and enabled during HCCI mode. Various alternative examples may also be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2007Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Themi Philemon Petridis, Harald Stoffels, Jonathan O'Neill
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Patent number: 7347178Abstract: A method for operating an engine of a vehicle, the engine having a cylinder with at least a first and second valve, the method comprising during a first mode, operating with the first valve active and the second valve deactivated during a cycle of the cylinder, where during said first mode, the cylinder operates to allow at least air to enter the cylinder during an intake stroke, where the air is mixed with fuel and compressed to attain auto-ignition; and during a second mode, operating with the first and second valves active during a cycle of the cylinder, where during said second mode, cylinder operates to allow at least air to enter the cylinder, where the air is mixed with fuel and ignited via a spark from an ignition plug.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jon Caine, Themi Philemon Petridis, Martin Wirth, Wilfried Kaulen