Patents by Inventor Aed M. Dudar

Aed M. Dudar 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).

  • Systems and methods for limited emissions refueling
    Patent number: 10364763
    Abstract: A method is presented, comprising, during a first condition, including an active refueling event, receiving an indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough from the fuel vapor canister; and restricting flow of fuel vapor through a fuel vapor canister vent pathway responsive to the indication of hydrocarbon breakthrough. Restricting the fuel vapor canister vent pathway will cause fuel tank pressure to increase, thus triggering an automatic shutoff of a refueling dispenser. In this way, the refueling event may be terminated without releasing significant quantities of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Inductive charging active suspension
    Patent number: 10363833
    Abstract: A vehicle computer includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor is programmed to determine a target charging height based on charging information received from a remote server and adjust a height of an inductive pick-up in a host vehicle in accordance with the target charging height prior to an inductive charging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Systems and methods for inferring fuel vapor canister loading rate
    Patent number: 10364762
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indicating a restriction in a fuel system vapor recovery line. Responsive to such an indication, methods and systems are provided for taking mitigating actions such that an entirety of a vehicle fuel system and evaporative emissions system, including a fuel filler system, may be diagnosed as to a presence or absence of undesired evaporative emissions, even with the restriction in the vapor recovery line present. In this way, undesired evaporative emissions may be reduced or avoided, completion rates for such tests may be increased, and customer satisfaction may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • Method and system for a humidity sensor in a vehicle
    Patent number: 10358998
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine air intake having a humidity sensor, and a system having a nozzle positioned in the air intake and fluidly connected to a reservoir. The vehicle has a controller configured to activate the system to deliver fluid from the nozzle into the intake while the engine is inoperative and generate a diagnostic code in response to a change in humidity measured by the sensor being less than a threshold value. A method of controlling a vehicle includes measuring a baseline humidity (H1) using a humidity sensor in an air intake of an engine, and controlling a misting system to mist fluid from a reservoir into the air intake and adjacent to the humidity sensor while the engine is inoperative. The method measures a post-fluid delivery humidity (H2) using the humidity sensor, and generates a diagnostic code based on a comparison of H1 and H2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Method and system for engine control
    Patent number: 10358994
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for drying engine cylinders in situ responsive to engine flooding. In one example, a laser ignition device is operated in each engine cylinder, sequentially, while the cylinder is parked with an intake valve closed and an exhaust valve open. The heat generated by the laser operation vaporizes liquid fuel in the cylinder, which flows out of the cylinder via the open exhaust valve, expediting cylinder drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE REFUELING
    Publication number: 20190218091
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for refueling a vehicle configured with an onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system, such that a loading of a fuel vapor canister configured to capture and store fuel vapors, is reduced. In one example, during the refueling, a rate at which fuel vapors are routed to the fuel vapor canister is adjusted responsive to an indication that the vehicle is refueling at a gas station equipped with offboard fuel vapor recovery infrastructure. In this way, loading of the fuel vapor canister may be reduced which may prevent undesired bleedthrough emissions resulting from a canister loaded with fuel vapors, particularly in examples where the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle and where engine runtime is limited, thus limiting potential opportunities for purging of the fuel vapor canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • FUEL INJECTOR DIAGNOSTICS IN A VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE
    Publication number: 20190218989
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a degraded fuel injector delivering undesired additional fuel in a variable displacement engine. In one example, a method includes, responsive to an indication of a cylinder air-fuel imbalance, deactivating a subset of cylinders of a multi-cylinder engine, performing a power balance test to determine an output of each cylinder after a duration of deactivation, and indicating that a deactivated cylinder has a degraded fuel injector responsive to the output being lower than a threshold output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Hydrocarbon-emissions monitoring
    Patent number: 10354459
    Abstract: A first vehicle includes a hydrocarbon sensor and a controller in communication with the hydrocarbon sensor. The controller is programmed to receive data from the hydrocarbon sensor indicating hydrocarbon emissions and determine that the hydrocarbon emissions originated in a second vehicle and are exceed a predetermined threshold. The controller may further be programmed to transmit a message reporting the hydrocarbon emission to a remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller
  • VEHICLE SENSOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20190210423
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an exterior surface, a sensor disposed on the exterior surface, a passenger cabin fixed relative to the exterior surface, a duct receiving airflow from the passenger cabin, and a valve disposed in the duct and movable between a first position directing the airflow to the sensor and a second position directing the airflow outside the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Aed M. Dudar, Venkatesh Krishnan
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AGING A FUEL TANK IN A PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20190210454
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for aging a new plastic fuel tank in a vehicle. In one example, during a plug-in event to recharge a battery of the vehicle, the fuel tank is isolated and the fuel pump is actuated to agitate fuel within the tank and increase fuel vapors until the plastic fuel tank becomes aged to a predetermined degree by fuel vapors generated therein. In this manner, the fuel tank is aged more rapidly, resulting in more accurate fuel level readings and less noise and vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce, Larry Castleberry
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20190211765
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for drying engine cylinders in situ responsive to engine flooding. In one example, a laser ignition device is operated in each engine cylinder, sequentially, while the cylinder is parked with an intake valve closed and an exhaust valve open. The heat generated by the laser operation vaporizes liquid fuel in the cylinder, which flows out of the cylinder via the open exhaust valve, expediting cylinder drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTAKE OXYGEN SENSOR DIAGNOSTICS
    Publication number: 20190211769
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing whether one or more intake air oxygen sensors positioned in an intake of an engine of a vehicle, are functioning as desired. In one example, a method comprises injecting fuel into one or more cylinders of the engine without combustion, routing un-combusted hydrocarbons from the one or more cylinders to the intake via a crankcase ventilation system, and indicating whether the one or more intake air oxygen sensors are functioning as desired based on a response of the one or more intake air oxygen sensors. In this way, the one or more intake air oxygen sensors may be periodically diagnosed which may improve engine operation, and reduce engine degradation, particularly with regard to hybrid electric vehicles with limited engine run-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE DIAGNOSTICS
    Publication number: 20190211768
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing degradation of an exhaust valve coupled to an engine cylinder. In one example, a method may include, routing compressed air from an electric booster into a cylinder with the intake valve of the cylinder open and the exhaust valve closed, and indicating degradation of the exhaust valve based on an exhaust airflow relative to a baseline airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Method and apparatus for predictive vehicle preconditioning
    Patent number: 10343633
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to access a schedule of vehicle start times. The processor is also configured to select a scheduled key-on time, when a current time is within a tunable proximity to the scheduled key-on time. Further, the processor is configured to determine if a present vehicle-related temperature warrants vehicle preconditioning and precondition the vehicle until preset preconditioning settings are established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Tseng, Hsin-hsiang Yang, Aed M. Dudar, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Johannes Geir Kristinsson
  • Cleaning cycle for capless refueling neck
    Patent number: 10345187
    Abstract: A method for a vehicle, comprising: following a refueling event, venting a capless refueling assembly to a fuel tank; and then executing an evaporative emissions leak test. In this way, residual fuel trapped in the capless refueling assembly may be removed. This, in turn will prevent a pressure build-up in the capless refueling assembly which could lead to the downstream door opening during a leak test, thereby confounding results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Aed M. Dudar, Rob Ognjanovski, Jr.
  • EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS DETECTION METHOD WITH VEHICLE SELF LEVELING SUSPENSION COMPENSATION
    Publication number: 20190203668
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting an evaporative emissions test on a fuel system and an emissions control system in a vehicle. In one example, in response to an indication that a vehicle parking condition may result in the isolation of the fuel system from the emissions control system via the unintentional closing of fuel tank valves, a vehicle's active suspension system may be employed in order to level the vehicle a determined amount such that the fuel system isolation issues may be mitigated prior to an evaporative emissions test procedure. In this way, the entire fuel system and emissions control system may be diagnosed for potential undesired emissions, and potential violations of regulatory requirements for evaporative emissions testing may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Scott A. Bohr, Matthew Werner, Michael William Soltis
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENGINE COOLING DURING S/S EVENTS
    Publication number: 20190203630
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing temperature of an engine or single cylinder(s) of the engine at start/stop events where the engine is stopped from combusting air and fuel, and in response to an overheating engine condition. In one example, a method comprises activating an electric air compressor to direct cooling air flow through a first single cylinder of the engine, to reduce a temperature of the first single cylinder to a desired temperature prior to a request to restart the engine. In this way, a single cylinder indicated to be overheating may be effectively cooled, without employing methodology that would otherwise cool the engine as a whole, which may thus prevent engine degradation and which may conserve power of an onboard energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Methods and systems for reducing water accumulation in an engine
    Patent number: 10337426
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing accumulation of condensate in an engine intake during an engine non-combusting condition. In one example, during an engine non-combusting condition, responsive to a higher than threshold ambient humidity and a lower than threshold intake manifold temperature, intake and exhaust valves of deactivatable cylinders may be closed in order to seal the cylinders and during an immediately subsequent engine combusting condition, the intake and exhaust valves of the deactivatable cylinders may be activated and combustion may be resumed in the deactivatable cylinders before starting combustion in non-deactivatable cylinders. Also, during the engine non-combusting condition, residual hot exhaust may be recirculated to the intake manifold to evaporate condensate in the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Systems and methods for fuel tank pressure control
    Patent number: 10337463
    Abstract: A method is presented wherein during a first condition that includes a fuel tank pressure above a threshold, a fuel tank is fluidically coupled to a fuel vapor canister while a fuel vapor canister vent path is restricted, and a degree of restriction of the fuel vapor canister vent path is modulated. Modulating the degree of restriction of the fuel vapor canister vent path allows a fuel tank to be depressurized at a controlled rate. In this way, excess fuel tank pressure can be relieved, even if a vehicle engine is not operating in a combustion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad R. Aghili, Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • Systems and methods for purging a fuel vapor canister
    Patent number: 10337464
    Abstract: A method for an engine is presented, wherein during a first condition, pressurized gas from an engine coolant degas bottle to an ejector positioned in a vent line coupled to a fuel vapor canister; and the contents of the fuel vapor canister are purged to an engine intake. The ejector may draw atmospheric air into the fuel vapor canister, thus enabling purging of the fuel vapor canister even when an engine intake vacuum is below a threshold. In this way, boosted engines and other engines configured to operate with reduced intake vacuum may execute canister purging events that are independent of engine intake pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar