Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Allan J. Lippa
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Patent number: 6805079Abstract: A system for controlling electromechanical of an internal combustion has a valve-closing electromagnet for attracting the armature coupled to the valve to close the valve, a valve-opening electromagnet for attracting the armature to open the valve, a valve-opening spring for biasing the valve open, and a valve-closing spring for biasing the valve closed. The method includes de-energizing the valve-closing electromagnet for a predetermined time, enabling the valve to oscillate by the valve springs, and then energizing the valve-closing electromagnet to close the valve. Consequently, only the valve-closing electromagnet is energized to open and close the valve. The valve biasing springs force the valve to a location at which the valve-closing electromagnet can close the valve. This provides an electrical energy over prior methods in which both the valve-opening and valve-closing electromagnets are energized to actuate the valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Inventors: Diana D. Brehob, Eric Warren Curtis, William Francis Stockhausen
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Patent number: 6799421Abstract: A method is described for controlling decontamination of an emission control device. Temperature of the emission control device is maintained at a desired temperature by operating some cylinders of the engine lean and others rich. These lean and rich mixtures react exothermically in the exhaust gas and in the emission control device to generate heat. Efficient contaminant removal is obtained by oscillating the mixture air-fuel ratio about stoichiometry. This oscillation is provided by adjusting the fuel provided to the rich cylinders, or by adjusting the air provided to the lean cylinders, thereby minimizing any torque disturbance corresponding to the oscillations in exhaust air-fuel ratio.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Gopichandra Surnilla
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Patent number: 6796117Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine includes a three-way catalyst and a NOx device located downstream of the three-way catalyst. The device is preconditioned for emissions reduction at engine operating conditions about stoichiometry by substantially filling the device with oxygen and NOx; and purging stored oxygen and stored NOx from only an upstream portion of the device, whereupon the upstream portion of the device operates to store oxygen and NOx during subsequent lean transients while the downstream portion of the device operates to reduce excess HC and CO during subsequent rich transients.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David George Farmer, Gopichandra Surnilla
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Patent number: 6796292Abstract: A system and method to predict engine air amount for an internal combustion engine is described. Included is a method to predict a change in engine air amount based on engine position. This method especially suited to engine starts, where engine air amount is difficult to predict due to low engine speed and limited sensor information. The system and method provides the prediction of engine air amount without extensive models or calibration. Fuel is supplied based on the predicted engine air amount.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, John D. Russell
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Patent number: 6779510Abstract: A control method adjusts fuel injection into an engine having a variable compression ratio. The method determines the cylinder air amount based on various sensors and the current compression ratio. The disclosed fuel injection method can perform both open loop and closed loop control. A method is also disclosed for putting the compression ratio to a base value during engine shutdown so that subsequent engine starts occur with a consistent compression ratio.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: John D. Russell
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Patent number: 6779338Abstract: A method and a system are provided for purging a hydrocarbon trap coupled to an internal combustion engine. An air supply device supplies oxygen to the hydrocarbon trap to facilitate the oxidation of stored hydrocarbons. A controller causes the air supply device to provide the oxygen in pulses instead of in a constant stream. By providing the oxygen in pulses, a sufficient amount of oxygen can be supplied to effectively purge the hydrocarbon trap, while, at the same time, preventing the unheated air from the air supply device from cooling the hydrocarbon trap below its purge threshold temperature.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2001Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Donald J. Lewis
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Patent number: 6778898Abstract: A method is described for controlling fuel vapor purging and adaptive learning in a lean burn engine system. Fuel vapor purging is carried out during lean operating conditions to minimize impact on vehicle emissions, while adaptive learning is carried out during near stoichiometric conditions (oscillations around stoichiometry). This allows faster fuel vapor purging and additional adaptive learning opportunity.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Karl Bidner, Gopichandra Surnilla, Yonghua Li
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Patent number: 6769243Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter. The invention comprises adjusting an air/fuel ratio in the cylinders of an internal combustion engine to maintain the amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst at or near an oxidant target value. The oxidant target value is either a pre-determined constant value or a dynamically-determined value that is calculated based on engine operating conditions. The air/fuel ratio in the cylinders is adjusted based on the magnitude of the difference between the actual oxidant amount and the target oxidant amount to prevent NOx and hydrocarbon breakthrough.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Jr., Stephen L. Hahn
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Patent number: 6769398Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of a engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air-fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e. without fuel injection.) In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: auto speed control, sensor diagnostics, air-fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, and default operation. In addition, the engine control method also disables the split air/lean operating mode under preselected operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Stephen B. Smith
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Patent number: 6766641Abstract: A microprocessor-based controller is provided for generated heat in at various locations in an exhaust system of an engine by changing the heat generation technique utilized. In one case, some cylinder air-fuel ratios are modulated between stoichiometry and rich, while others are modulated between stoichiometry and lean. Another approach operates some cylinder lean, while others are modulated between a first rich, and a second, less rich, value. Further, compensation based on engine airflow is also provided. Finally, various methods are described for temperature control and for controlling modulation of air-fuel ratio.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Shane Elwart, David Karl Bidner
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Patent number: 6763656Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a “lean-burn” internal combustion engine in cooperation with an exhaust gas purification system having an emissions control device capable of alternatively storing and releasing NOx when exposed to exhaust gases that are lean and rich of stoichiometry, respectively, determines a performance impact, such as a fuel-economy benefit, of operating the engine at a selected lean or rich operating condition. The method and apparatus then enable the selected operating condition as long as such enabled operation provides further performance benefits.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Karl Bidner, Gopichandra Surnilla
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Patent number: 6761153Abstract: A system and method to predict engine air amount for an internal combustion engine is described. Included is a method to predict a change in engine air amount based on a difference in engine speed. This method is especially suited to engine starts, where engine air amount is difficult to predict due to low engine speed and limited sensor information. The system and method provides the prediction of engine air amount without extensive models or calibration. Fuel is supplied based on the predicted engine air amount.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, John D. Russell
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Patent number: 6758202Abstract: A control method adjusts fuel injection into an engine having a variable compression ratio. The method determines the cylinder air amount based on various sensors and the current compression ratio. The disclosed fuel injection method can perform both open loop and closed loop control. A method is also disclosed for putting the compression ratio to a base value during engine shutdown so that subsequent engine starts occur with a consistent compression ratio.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John D. Russell, Mrdjan J. Jankovic
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Patent number: 6758185Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, John Ottavio Michelini, John M. Roth
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Patent number: 6755182Abstract: A method is described for estimating cylinder airflow in engines that operate with manifold pressure near atmospheric pressure to compensate for degraded sensor response at such conditions. The method uses an adaptive approach that is updated under preselected engine operating conditions to thereby allow improved accuracy across a variety of engine operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ilya V. Kolmanovsky, John Ottavio Michelini
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Patent number: 6755032Abstract: A method for controlling cycling of an air conditioning compressor coupled to an internal combustion engine interrupts normal cycling based on operation conditions. In addition, normal engaged and disengaged cycling durations are adaptively estimated in real-time. The method of the present invention achieves improved fuel economy and improved drive feel. As an example, improved fuel economy is achieved by engaging the compressor during braking or when the engine is being driven by the vehicle. As another example, improved drive feel is achieved by engaging the compressor during transient conditions when drive feel is unaffected.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2000Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Allan Joseph Kotwicki, George Blaha, Gerhard A. Dage, John David Russell, Michael John Cullen
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Patent number: 6751947Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. To do so, the invented system estimates an amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. The amount of oxidants stored is estimated by determining an amount of oxidants that are available for storage by the catalyst or that are needed to oxidize hydrocarbons being produced by the engine. Based thereon, a change in oxidant storage in the catalyst is calculated. The estimate of the amount of oxidants that are available for storage by the catalyst or that are needed to oxidize hydrocarbons is adjusted based on a feedback parameter.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Jr., Stephen L. Hahn
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Patent number: 6754573Abstract: An engine control system controls engine torque to transition through the transmission lash zone. The transmission lash zone is determined using speed ratio across the torque converter. When near the transmission lash zone, engine torque is adjusted at a predetermined rate until the system passes through the transmission lash zone. By limiting the change of torque in this way, driveability is improved and it is possible to quickly and reliably provide negative engine torque for braking.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2001Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John David Russell, Allan Joseph Kotwicki
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Patent number: 6754578Abstract: A computer controller is described for disabling fuel injection into cylinder groups of an engine. The system controls engine output a reduced engine torques without reducing engine air amounts below an engine misfire amount by reducing the number of cylinders carrying out combustion. Engine airflow is controlled to maintain accurate torque at requested levels throughout engine operating ranges.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Karl Bidner, Gopichandra Surnilla, Michael John Cullen, Shane Elwart
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Patent number: 6745747Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Gopichandra Surnilla