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).

  • Methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operations
    Patent number: 11091364
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel door to cover an inlet nozzle of a fuel tank, a lock to lock or unlock the fuel door, and a controller to cause the lock to unlock the fuel door if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are electrically coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Aed M. Dudar, Heather L. Knechtges
  • DIMMABLE EXTERNAL VEHICLE LIGHTING AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20210229594
    Abstract: Dimmable external vehicle lighting and methods of use are provided herein. An example method includes determining environmental light intensity around a vehicle, determining a luminance of an external light of the vehicle, determining a difference in magnitude between the environmental light intensity and the luminance of the external light, and selectively adjusting the luminance of the external light based on the difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajarshi Roychowdhury, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Aed M. Dudar, Mark Eifert
  • Fuel vapor system valve monitoring
    Patent number: 11073094
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring corking of a valve in a fuel vapor line during diagnostics of the fuel vapor system. In one example, a method may include, upon sealing the fuel vapor system during a diagnostic routine, estimating a threshold pressure of the fuel vapor system based on a fuel level in the fuel tank, and in response to an estimated pressure of the fuel system decreasing to the threshold pressure, opening a canister vent valve coupled to a vent line of the fuel vapor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Systems and methods for EVAP leak testing
    Patent number: 11073099
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating evaporative emissions from a fuel system. In one example, a method may comprise spinning an engine unfueled responsive to a hydrocarbon concentration at a fresh air end of a fuel vapor canister increasing above a first threshold. The method may comprise spinning the engine to pull hydrocarbons away until a hydrocarbon concentration at a purge end of the fuel vapor canister, opposite the fresh air end, increases above a second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Mark W. Peters
  • Systems and methods for inferring fuel vapor canister loading rate
    Patent number: 11067013
    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: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • Opportunistic fueling for autonomous vehicles
    Patent number: 11060877
    Abstract: Opportunistic fueling for car hailing autonomous vehicles are disclosed herein. An example method includes evaluating a trip schedule having one or more destinations for a vehicle, calculating a plurality of potential routes based on the trip schedule with fueling options along a proposed path of travel for the vehicle, applying one or more vehicle fueling constraints, selecting an optimized route from the plurality of potential routes for the vehicle using the one or more vehicle fueling constraints, and completing the trip schedule using the optimized route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Finn Tseng
  • Systems and methods for fuel system pressure sensor rationalization
    Patent number: 11034234
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining an offset of a pressure sensor that is used for monitoring pressure in a fuel system that is sealed expect for refueling and other diagnostic events. In one example, a method includes waking a controller of a vehicle when it is expected that a pressure in a fuel system that is sealed from atmospheric pressure is at atmospheric pressure, unsealing the fuel system, and indicating an offset of the pressure sensor based on a pressure change after the fuel system is unsealed. In this way, pressure sensor offset may be determined regularly without undesirably loading a fuel vapor storage canister with vapors, which may be particularly advantageous for hybrid vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Engine variable oil pump diagnostic method
    Patent number: 11022010
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing the functioning of a variable displacement oil pump. In one example, a method may include commanding a change in displacement of the variable displacement oil pump during a vehicle keyed-off condition and diagnosing a degradation of the oil pump based on a corresponding change in an estimated crankcase pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Systems and methods for controlling purge flow from a vehicle fuel vapor storage canister
    Patent number: 11008963
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving efficiency of purging a fuel vapor storage canister included in an evaporative emissions control system of a vehicle. In one example, a method includes controlling a duty cycle of a canister purge valve to purge fuel vapors stored in a fuel vapor storage canister to an engine of the vehicle, and adjusting a flow rate at which the fuel vapors are purged to the engine independently of the duty cycle by controlling a magnitude of a voltage supplied to the canister purge valve during the purging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Scott Alan Bohr, Matthew Werner
  • Wireless charger activation
    Patent number: 10998766
    Abstract: A computer including a processor is programmed to determine that an object including ferrous material is in a charging field of an inductive charger, actuate the inductive charger, and determine a temperature of the object. The processor is further programmed to determine, based on the temperature, whether the inductive charger is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Methods and systems for diagnosing an active engine mount condition
    Patent number: 10997805
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, during a stopped condition of the vehicle, commanding stiffening and dampening modes of an active engine mount (AEM) system while inducing vehicle vibrations and recording images. In this way, a condition of the AEM system may be indicated based on the recorded images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Systems and methods for fuel tank diagnostics
    Patent number: 10997803
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a fuel tank diagnostic. In one example, a method comprises sealing a fuel tank of a vehicle, retrieving data related to fuel tank pressure from a crowd of vehicles, and indicating the fuel tank of the vehicle being diagnosed is degraded responsive to data related to fuel tank pressure from the crowd insufficiently correlating with a set of data related to fuel tank pressure from the vehicle. In this way, fuel tank degradation may be indicated without coupling the fuel tank of the vehicle to atmosphere, which may reduce a release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Scott Alan Bohr, Wolfgang Krings
  • Systems and methods for reducing vehicle evaporative emissions
    Patent number: 10994605
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing an amount of fuel vapors that are routed to a fuel vapor storage canister during a refueling event, in response to an indication that a fuel dispenser that is dispensing fuel to a fuel tank is underperforming. In one example, a method comprises increasing a pressure in the fuel tank responsive to an indication that the fuel dispenser is dispensing fuel at a first rate that is at least a threshold amount below a second rate, without changing the first rate at which the fuel dispenser is dispensing the fuel. In this way, fuel vapor recirculation may be improved and an amount of fuel vapors routed to the canister reduced, which may thus reduce opportunities for release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Systems and methods for controlling vehicle refueling
    Patent number: 10981774
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Systems and methods for vehicle fuel system and evaporative emissions system diagnostics
    Patent number: 10982607
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a vehicle fuel system for a presence or absence of undesired evaporative emissions. In one example, a method comprises evacuating the fuel system of a vehicle to a variable vacuum target as a function of a volatility of fuel in a fuel tank positioned in the fuel system and a loading state of a fuel vapor storage canister configured for capturing and storing fuel vapors from the fuel tank. In this way, analysis of a pressure-bleedup portion of the diagnostic may be more reliable and completion rates of the diagnostic may be improved, while conducting the test in an environmentally fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Mark W. Peters
  • Fuel tank baffle with pivotable vanes
    Patent number: 10974590
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating fuel flow in a fuel tank. In one example, a method may comprise fueling a fuel tank by receiving a nozzle into a filler tube which extends into a fuel tank to fuel the fuel tank, and directing fuel through the tube against vanes in a baffle which forms a compartment within the tank. Additionally, the method may comprise enabling the vanes to open so that pressure within the compartment remains below a level which would otherwise cause shut off the nozzle during the fueling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Rob Ognjanovski, Jr.
  • Systems and methods for a vehicle cold-start evaporative emissions test diagnostic
    Patent number: 10975782
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting an evaporative emissions test diagnostic on a vehicle fuel system and evaporative emissions control system during engine-on conditions. In one example, a first fuel vapor storage device is separated from a second fuel vapor storage device by a one-way check valve, thus preventing loading of the first fuel vapor storage device during conditions such as refueling operations, diurnal temperature fluctuations, or from running-loss vapors from a vehicle fuel tank. In this way, the evaporative emissions test diagnostic may be conducted during a cold-start event where an exhaust catalyst is below a predetermined threshold temperature required for catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons in the engine exhaust, without increasing undesired exhaust emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Mark W. Peters
  • Method and system for fuel system leak detection
    Patent number: 10969294
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting the generation of positive pressure and vacuum during corresponding phases of a fuel system leak test. Adjustments to the settings of active grille shutters and air dams enables heat to be trapped in the vehicle for the pressure phase and a cooling air flow to be provided during a vacuum phase. The adjustments enable the response time and completion frequency of an EONV test to be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • VEHICLE DEBRIS STRIKE MITIGATION
    Publication number: 20210089815
    Abstract: A vehicle computer comprises a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to detect debris flying above a roadway, to input vehicle sensor data to a first classifier that outputs a source of the debris, and based on the source of the debris, to compare sensor data representing the debris to stored reference data to determine a type of physical material included in the debris. The memory stores instruction to input the type of physical material and an environmental condition to a second classifier that outputs a risk assessment, and to actuate the vehicle based on the risk assessment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Aed M. Dudar, Brian Bennie
  • System and methods for ullage space fuel level estimation
    Patent number: 10955278
    Abstract: A method for a vehicle, comprising: indicating a true fill level of a fuel tank based on a fuel vapor canister temperature profile during a refueling event. In this way, a quantity fuel dispensed over the maximum fill level of the fuel tank may be accounted for, regardless of the fuel level sensor reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Damien Baldwin, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Robert Roy Jentz