Patents Represented by Attorney Alleman Hall McCoy

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  • Vehicle control system
    Patent number: 8251044
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an engine via an outlet control device of an intake manifold, such as via variable valve lift operation. The engine may further include an inlet control device, such as an electronic throttle, as well as coordination between the inlet and outlet control devices for controlling airflow in the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John David Russell, Allan J. Kotwicki, Brian D. Rutkowski
  • Instrumentation and schematization of learning application programs in a computerized learning environment
    Patent number: 8251704
    Abstract: A computerized learning method is provided. The method may include receiving a write request from a first learning application program to write a learning level for a skill in a user profile. The user profile is configured to store data indicative of a plurality of skills and a learning level for each skill. The skills and learning levels are defined according to a profile schema. The method may further include writing the learning level for the skill in the user profile. The method may also include receiving a read request from a second learning application program to read the learning level for the skill in the user profile. The method may finally include retrieving the learning level from the user profile, and sending the learning level to the second learning application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Susan D. Woolf, Mythreyee Ganapathy, Patrick O'Kelley
  • Cooling system expansion tank
    Patent number: 8251024
    Abstract: An expansion tank for an engine cooling system comprises a housing forming a main chamber and a swirl chamber, the swirl chamber being defined by a cylindrical wall. An inlet connection discharges through an inlet orifice towards a collector duct having an entrance. From the inlet orifice the coolant is directed as a stream or jet along the adjacent surface of the cylindrical wall towards the entrance of the collector duct, guided by circumferential ribs. The kinetic energy of the stream is converted into pressure energy so that the pressure delivered from the outlet connection is slightly above the pressure at the top of the swirl chamber, above the level of liquid. This swirl chamber pressure is set by the relief pressure allowed by a filler cap, the gain in pressure helping to avoid cavitation in a coolant circulation pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Jaguar Cars Limited
    Inventor: William Richard Hutchins
  • EGR extraction immediately downstream pre-turbo catalyst
    Patent number: 8250866
    Abstract: A turbocharged, diesel engine has a small catalyst provided upstream of the turbocharger with EGR collected from the exhaust stream downstream of the catalyst and upstream of the turbocharger. By making the catalyst small, it packages into a pipe coupling the manifold to the turbocharger, readily reaches lightoff, and absorbs little exhaust energy, thereby providing acceptable conversion of hydrocarbons and CO, but still allowing fast turbocharger response. In one embodiment, the engine has two cylinder banks, two exhaust manifolds, and two pre-turbo catalysts installed upstream of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Christopher Oberski, Christopher Cowland, Patrick Sexton
  • Lattice structure for a distensible fuel tank
    Patent number: 8251171
    Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The fuel tank may include a housing enclosing a lattice structure including at least two intersecting wall members, each wall member including a plurality of panels arranged in a repeating pattern, the plurality of panels having planar sides including a compliance panel having a first and second section configured to fold about a crease line. In this way, multi-directional compliance of the fuel tank can be achieved, while increasing structural integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
  • Contextual control of dynamic input device
    Patent number: 8248373
    Abstract: A computing system includes one or more input-device user-interface runtime applications to dynamically display images on a dynamic input device. The one or more input-device user-interface runtime applications are executed in a currently active desktop. The computing system further includes a dominant application configured to execute in the currently active desktop. The dominant application is configured to specify an input-device user-interface runtime application corresponding to a current context of the dominant application. The specified input-device user-interface runtime application is configured to dynamically display virtual controls on the dynamic input device. The specified input-device user-interface runtime application is also configured to report activation of the virtual controls to the dominant application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Turner, Robert D. Young, Daniel M. Sangster, Scott Robert Honji, Eric Fleegal, Mark Vulfson, Xianfeng Tian, Kevin John Smith
  • Engine and exhaust heating
    Patent number: 8245691
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided. The method comprises: during engine idling, advancing spark timing of at least one cylinder to before a peak torque timing, and retarding spark timing from the advanced timing toward the peak torque timing in response to decreased engine speed to maintain idling speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Nate Trask
  • Control method for temporarily increasing the exhaust gas temperature
    Patent number: 8245499
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control method for increasing the exhaust gas temperature of an internal combustion engine by increasing the exhaust back-pressure, yet maintaining an exhaust gas recirculation rate. Further, the fuel injection quantity of a main injection into the engine is increased. In this way, it is possible to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas and avoid engine oil dilution due to retarded post-injections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Winge Vigild, Johannes Kuenstler, Daniel Roettger, Evangelos Karvounis
  • Method for detection of emissions levels during extended engine speed controlled operation
    Patent number: 8249795
    Abstract: A method for detection of emissions levels during extended engine speed controlled operation is provided. The method includes monitoring mass airflow passing through the engine while operating the engine. The method further includes adjusting mass airflow responsive to engine speed to maintain a desired engine speed. The method further includes shutting down the engine when engine mass airflow becomes higher than a predetermined mass airflow threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Bala Chander, Nate Trask, Shane Elwart, Stephen B. Smith
  • High pressure fuel pump control for idle tick reduction
    Patent number: 8245693
    Abstract: A method for controlling a mechanical solenoid valve of a high-pressure fuel pump to supply fuel to an engine is provided. In one example, current supplied to the mechanical solenoid valve is adjusted according to a pressure downstream of the fuel pump. The method can reduce current used to operate the mechanical solenoid valve as well as pump noise, at least during some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Dusa, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Cylinder block mounted pedestal and turbocharger system for internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8245511
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine includes a turbocharger with a utility pedestal extending between the turbocharger and hard point associated with the cylinder block. The utility pedestal includes a mounting pad for attaching the combined turbocharger and pedestal assembly to an engine, as well as internal oil and coolant supply passages for supplying the turbocharger with coolant and lubricating oil under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Cowland, Patrick Sexton, Christopher Kelly Palazzolo, Anthony William Hudson
  • Operating an engine with reformate
    Patent number: 8245671
    Abstract: The present description relates to operation and control of a fuel reformer. In one embodiment, an engine constituent is adjusted in response to limiting an amount of reformate supplied to the engine during a condition of reformer degradation. The approach can improve engine operation. In this way, consequences of reformate system degradation may be reduced by limiting use of the reformate system after degradation is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Method and system for pre-ignition control
    Patent number: 8245692
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying and differentiating knock and pre-ignition using a plurality of knock sensors distributed along an engine block. By dynamically adjusting cylinder-specific assignment of the knock sensors for knock detection and pre-ignition detection based on operating conditions of each cylinder, knock and pre-ignition is more reliably identified and distinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Chris Richard Weber, John Eric Rollinger
  • Coordination of HP and LP EGR
    Patent number: 8245701
    Abstract: A method for charging an intake manifold of an engine comprises adjusting an LP EGR flow rate and an uncooled HP EGR flow rate within first limits to maintain a target dilution level in the intake manifold at steady state. The method further comprises adjusting the LP EGR and uncooled HP EGR rates within second limits, different from the first, to maintain the target dilution level in the intake manifold during transient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, David Joseph Dronzkowski, Eric Kurtz
  • Efficient buffering of data frames for multiple clients
    Patent number: 8248387
    Abstract: The efficient buffering of image data for a plurality of clients is disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises an optical touch-sensitive device configured to receive changed portions of a frame of data from a touch data acquisition system comprising a touch-sensitive display, to store the changed portions of the frame of data in a common data frame buffer, and to receive a bitmap header from the touch data acquisition system that specifies locations of the changed portions of the frame of data and store the bitmap header in each of a plurality of client header buffers. Clients can first obtain the bitmap header from buffers corresponding to those clients, and then obtain the changed portions of the frame of data from the common data frame buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Raju Ramanathan
  • Direct injection alcohol engine with boost and spark control
    Patent number: 8245690
    Abstract: Boosted engine operation and spark timing of an engine may be adjusted with alcohol content of the fuel in a direct injection engine. Further, various adjustments may be performed in numerous related systems to account for increased maximum engine torque, such as traction control, transmission shifting, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. Stein
  • Measuring hopper for combined weighing instrument
    Patent number: D665682
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Nagai
  • Measuring hopper for combined weighing instrument
    Patent number: D665683
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Nagai
  • Pool hopper for combined weighing instrument
    Patent number: D665684
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Nagai
  • Crane
    Patent number: D666375
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Bohnacker