Patents by Inventor Adam Krach

Adam Krach 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).

  • Publication number: 20230417631
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. In one example, the method determines an estimate of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor time constant according to a correlation between a rate of change of a Lambda value and a system time constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Jose Francisco Martinez Leyva, Andrew Bagnasco, Tyler DeWine, Hassene Jammoussi, Adam Krach, Gladys Galicia
  • Publication number: 20230399989
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for EGR valve diagnostic. In one example, a method includes providing a correction to a position of the EGR valve to compensate for an altitude of the vehicle. The compensation is based on a comparison of a pressure ratio to a curve rationalized with a barometric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Jose Francisco Martinez Leyva, Sumanth Reddy Dadam, Patrick Edward Smithberger, Adam Krach, Edward Doemer
  • Patent number: 11788480
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining which of an intake valve and an exhaust valve is to be deactivated first when an engine is operated in a variable displacement mode. In one example, an exhaust valve of the cylinder is deactivated before an intake valve of the cylinder when the engine is operated in a static variable displacement operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Rollinger, Adam Krach
  • Patent number: 11725612
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether or not a temperature sensor is degraded are presented. In one example, a determination of degradation of the temperature sensor is based on a difference between a temperature determined from output of the temperature sensor and an estimate of a temperature of a pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Krach, Sumanth Reddy Dadam, Patrick Edward Smithberger, Kirk Pulay, Edward Doemer
  • Patent number: 11661899
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) components including an EGR pressure sensor. In one example, a method for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system of a vehicle comprises diagnosing an excessive EGR flow rate via an MAP-MAF strategy, the MAP-MAF strategy including estimating an EGR flow rate based on a difference between an output of a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor of the vehicle and an output of a mass airflow (MAF) sensor of the vehicle; and in response to stable intrusive conditions being met, intrusively commanding an EGR valve of the EGR system to a closed position to confirm the diagnosed excessive EGR flow rate. If the excessive flow is detected after the EGR valve is commanded to the closed position, a diagnostic code may be set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Doemer, Sumanth Reddy Dadam, Patrick Edward Smithberger, Adam Krach, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Bill Courtney
  • Patent number: 11603811
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) components including an EGR pressure sensor. In one example, a method may include comparing a current relationship between an output of the EGR pressure sensor and a manifold air pressure (MAP) and a pre-calibrated relation between the output of the EGR pressure sensor and the MAP to detect degradation of the EGR pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Jentz, Edward Doemer, Patrick Edward Smithberger, Sumanth Reddy Dadam, Sitaram Rejeti, Adam Krach, Dave Hagner
  • Patent number: 11560859
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a diagnostic routine of a variable displacement engine (VDE) of a vehicle to detect non-deactivated valves of deactivated cylinders due to a degraded valve deactivation mechanism. In one example, a method comprises, during operation of the VDE with one or more cylinders of the VDE deactivated, calculating a variation in a fast-sampled signal outputted by one or more exhaust gas oxygen (EGO) sensors of the VDE over a plurality of engine cycles; determining that the variation is greater than the threshold variation; and in response, indicating that valves of the one or more cylinders are not deactivated. A second method comprises estimating a throttle air flow rate and an engine air flow rate of the VDE; and indicating non-deactivated valves of one or more deactivated cylinders if the throttle air flow rate exceeds the engine air flow rate by a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rani Kiwan, Adam Krach, Scott Richard Hughes, Richard Shimon, Kathleen Grant, David Wyman
  • Patent number: 11555465
    Abstract: A method and a system for diagnosing positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) systems are disclosed. In one example, the method diagnoses a PCV system based on a pressure that may be observed during engine cranking. In another example, the PCV system is diagnosed during vehicle driving conditions after the engine exits cranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Couzens, Jonathan Saville, Robert Jentz, Matthew Russell Carpenter, Michael Casedy, Adam Krach
  • Patent number: 11551489
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a coolant system. In one example, a method may include diagnosing a condition of a pump of the coolant system based on a temperature change of coolant. The diagnostic may determine if the pump is stuck on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sitaram Rejeti, Adam Krach, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Publication number: 20220372937
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) components including an EGR pressure sensor. In one example, a method may include comparing a current relationship between an output of the EGR pressure sensor and a manifold air pressure (MAP) and a pre-calibrated relation between the output of the EGR pressure sensor and the MAP to detect degradation of the EGR pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Jentz, Edward Doemer, Patrick Edward Smithberger, Sumanth Reddy Dadam, Sitaram Rejeti, Adam Krach, Dave Hagner
  • Publication number: 20220228535
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining which of an intake valve and an exhaust valve is to be deactivated first when an engine is operated in a variable displacement mode. In one example, an exhaust valve of the cylinder is deactivated before an intake valve of the cylinder when the engine is operated in a static variable displacement operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: John Rollinger, Adam Krach
  • Patent number: 11378028
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining degradation of a cylinder deactivation mechanism are described. In one example, engine data generated while an engine is operation with all of its cylinders active is used to correct engine data generated while one or more engine cylinders are deactivated to improve detection of a degraded cylinder deactivation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Krach, Michael Casedy, Rommel Racelis, Patrick Smithberger
  • Patent number: 11352962
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining which of an intake valve and an exhaust valve is to be deactivated first when an engine is operated in a variable displacement mode. In one example, an exhaust valve of the cylinder is deactivated before an intake valve of the cylinder when the engine is operated in a static variable displacement operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Rollinger, Adam Krach
  • Patent number: 11306670
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a humidity sensor in an engine. In one example, a method may include heating intake air entering an intake passage of an engine using heat recirculated from an exhaust system of the engine. A response of the humidity sensor to the heating of the intake air may be used to assess an integrity of the humidity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sumanth Dadam, Vinod Ravi, Edward Doemer, Robert Jentz, Adam Krach
  • Publication number: 20220112851
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining degradation of a cylinder deactivation mechanism are described. In one example, engine data generated while an engine is operation with all of its cylinders active is used to correct engine data generated while one or more engine cylinders are deactivated to improve detection of a degraded cylinder deactivation mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Adam Krach, Michael Casedy, Rommel Racelis, Patrick Smithberger
  • Publication number: 20200370494
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel efficiency and tailpipe emissions of a variable displacement engine. Fueling is initially disabled in cylinders selected to be deactivated while pumping air through the cylinders to an exhaust after-treatment catalyst, and then valve operation is disabled. On reactivation, if manifold vacuum is dissipated, one bank of cylinders are reactivated while the other bank is operated in DFSO with valves pumping air until manifold vacuum is reestablished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Adam Banker, Amey Karnik, Michael Howard Shelby, Russell Senior, Adam Krach
  • Publication number: 20200355126
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining which of an intake valve and an exhaust valve is to be deactivated first when an engine is operated in a variable displacement mode. In one example, an exhaust valve of the cylinder is deactivated before an intake valve of the cylinder when the engine is operated in a static variable displacement operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: John Rollinger, Adam Krach
  • Patent number: 10830169
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel efficiency and tailpipe emissions of a variable displacement engine. Fueling is initially disabled in cylinders selected to be deactivated while pumping air through the cylinders to an exhaust after-treatment catalyst, and then valve operation is disabled. On reactivation, if manifold vacuum is dissipated, one bank of cylinders are reactivated while the other bank is operated in DFSO with valves pumping air until manifold vacuum is reestablished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Banker, Amey Karnik, Michael Howard Shelby, Russell Senior, Adam Krach
  • Patent number: 10823093
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing valve operation during a cylinder deactivation event in a variable displacement engine. Crankshaft acceleration data is captured during an exhaust stroke of a deactivated cylinder and compared to a calibrated map of crankshaft acceleration data for the given cylinder. Based on the comparison, it may be indicated that the deactivation of the exhaust valve of the given cylinder is degraded, and that the exhaust valve is open when commanded closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Kelly, Adam Krach
  • Publication number: 20200309051
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing valve operation during a cylinder deactivation event in a variable displacement engine. Crankshaft acceleration data is captured during an exhaust stroke of a deactivated cylinder and compared to a calibrated map of crankshaft acceleration data for the given cylinder. Based on the comparison, it may be indicated that the deactivation of the exhaust valve of the given cylinder sis degraded, and that the exhaust valve is open when commanded closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Tyler Kelly, Adam Krach