Abstract: An engine with two vacuum sources is disclosed. In one example, a valve position is adjusted when engine load is low and intake manifold pressure is low to arbitrate vacuum between the two vacuum sources. The approach may increase engine operating efficiency during at least some conditions.
Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing exhaust NOx species using a monolith substrate having a plurality of channels configured with radially varying cell density. An injector injects reductant into the substrate unobstructedly, without use of a mixer. In some embodiments, a twist angle of the channels is based on a distance from an inlet of the substrate and varies exponentially as a function of the distance.
Abstract: A method for responding to an existing or incipient surge condition of a turbocharger coupled to an engine of a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprises receiving a signal responsive to an operating condition of the turbocharger and adjusting one or more operating parameters of the motor vehicle when a power of the signal, integrated over a pre-selected range of non-zero frequencies, exceeds a pre-selected threshold. Other embodiments provide related systems for responding to an existing or incipient surge condition of a turbocharger.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 12, 2009
Date of Patent:
September 25, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Yong Shu, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Frank M. Korpics, Harold Huimin Sun
Abstract: Various example approaches are described, one of which includes a method for controlling injection of gaseous and liquid fuel to a cylinder during engine starting. Specifically, gaseous fuel is injected during or before an intake stroke of the cycle to form a well-mixed overall lean air-fuel mixture, and then liquid fuel is directly injected to the cylinder at least during one of a compression and expansion stroke of the engine cycle to form a rich air-fuel cloud near the spark plug, where a spark initiates combustion of the injected fuels. In one example, the rich cloud enables additional spark retard, and thus faster catalyst light-off, while maintain acceptable combustion stability of the gaseous fuel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 12, 2009
Date of Patent:
September 25, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a commercial vehicle with a control unit connected with the drive of the commercial vehicle and to a method for controlling a commercial vehicle.
Abstract: In one example, a specimen is immersed in an electrolyte, and a plurality of potentials of the specimen are experimentally related to a plurality of currents by applying the potentials to the specimen while measuring the currents, or, by drawing the currents through the specimen while measuring the potentials. The potentials are referenced to a hydrogen reference electrode. Hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen reference electrode via an electrolysis cathode distinct from the hydrogen reference electrode. In another example, an electrochemical cell confines a head gas disposed over the electrolyte. A partial pressure of water vapor in the head gas is adjusted so that the concentration of water in the electrolyte, when equilibrated with the head gas, falls within a predetermined concentration range. The head gas and electrolyte are then equilibrated, thereby controlling the concentration of water in the electrolyte, and an electrochemical property of the specimen is measured.
Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be automatically started is provided. In one example, spark timing of an automatically started engine is in advance of spark timing for an operator requested engine start. The approach may reduce vehicle driveline disturbances.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 8, 2011
Date of Patent:
September 18, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
David Bruce Reiche, Steven Wooldridge, Curtis McGuire, Brad Alan VanDerWege
Abstract: A fuel system for an engine of a vehicle and a method of operating the fuel system are described. As a non-limiting example, the fuel system is controlled in response to engine operating conditions.
Abstract: A method of tracking a target includes receiving an observed depth image of the target from a source and obtaining a posed model of the target. The model is rasterized into a synthesized depth image, and the pose of the model is adjusted based, at least in part, on differences between the observed depth image and the synthesized depth image.
Abstract: A method for adjusting fuel injection of an engine is disclosed. In one example, fuel injection timing is adjusted to account for fuels having different cetane numbers. Operation of the engine may be improved especially during conditions where combustion phase may vary.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 8, 2011
Date of Patent:
September 18, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Eric Kurtz, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michael Hopka, Douglas Kuhel, David Joseph Dronzkowski
Abstract: A method for controlling differences in cylinder mixtures for a two cylinder bank engine having a turbocharger is presented. In one example, the description includes a method for adjusting valve timing to reduce cylinder mixture variation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 18, 2012
Date of Patent:
September 18, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Eric Matthew Storhok, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
Abstract: An engine with an efficient selectively operable vacuum source is disclosed. In one example, an electric vacuum pump with oil wetted seals provides vacuum to a vehicle. The approach may provide for improved efficiency when generating vacuum.
Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle including an engine is provided The engine may include at least one cylinder, a boosting device to boost intake air to the at least one cylinder, a fuel tank, a fuel vapor canister to store fuel vapors vented from the fuel tank, and an emission control device to treat exhaust gas from the engine. The boosting device includes a compressor at least partially driven by an electric motor. The method includes during an engine cold start condition, operating the electric motor of the boost device to boost intake air, directing the boosted intake air through the fuel vapor canister to release a fuel vapor stored in the fuel vapor canister, directing the fuel vapor from the fuel vapor canister to the engine, and performing combustion in the at least one cylinder using the fuel vapor during the engine starting.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 28, 2009
Date of Patent:
September 18, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Michael James Uhrich, James Michael Kerns, Gopichandra Surnilla
Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving fluid usage while addressing knock by adjusting the use of spark retard and direct injection of a fluid based on engine operating conditions and the composition of the injected fluid. One or more engine parameters, such as EGR, VCT, boost, throttle position, are coordinated with the direct injection to reduce torque and EGR transients.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 16, 2012
Date of Patent:
September 18, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Gopichandra Surnilla, John Nelson, Thomas G. Leone
Abstract: A method of heating an engine exhaust gas of an engine, including flowing a first exhaust gas at a first temperature within and along internal flow channels of a catalyst brick, and flowing a second exhaust gas at a second, different, temperature around an exterior of the catalyst brick. Heat may be transferred between the gases and the catalyst brick to achieve various operations.