Patents by Inventor Allan Joseph Kotwicki
Allan Joseph Kotwicki 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).
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Patent number: 6490643Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unit, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John David Russell, Allan Joseph Kotwicki
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Patent number: 6463913Abstract: A fuel control method uses a MAP sensor output that is encoded to render fueling computations insensitive to microprocessor clock accuracy. The signal output of the MAP sensor is encoded as a pulse width modulated signal, the cylinder air mass is calculated as a function of the encoded MAP signal and the engine is fueled according to the calculated cylinder air mass. By using the same time scale to decode the pulse width of the MAP PWM signal as is used to time injector duration, the time scale becomes irrelevant to the actual fuel/air ratio attained.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Paul A. Crosby, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
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Publication number: 20020129800Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation systems directs exhaust gasses from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gasses travel from the exhaust manifold, first passing through a flow control valve and then through a measuring orifice before entering the intake manifold. Pressure upstream of the orifice is used, along with correction pressure downstream of the orifice, to measure and control exhaust gas flow. Further, manifold pressure is determined from downstream pressure and the used along with the measured exhaust gas flow to calculated a cylinder air charge amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2002Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventors: John D. Russell, Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Freeman Carter Gates
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Publication number: 20020133281Abstract: A vehicle and engine control system controls engine torque to maintain positive torque at a transmission input to minimize the transmission gears from separating. By maintaining a positive engine torque, operation of the transmission in or through the zero torque, or lash, zone, is minimized. This minimizes poor vehicle driveability that would otherwise result from operation in the lash zone. The control systems uses closed loop control based on a desired and actual turbine speed ratio, or slip ratio, to provide positive torque to the transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2002Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventors: Allan Joseph Kotwicki, John D. Russell
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Publication number: 20020124581Abstract: A method for controlling cycling of an air conditioning compressor coupled to an internal combustion engine interrupts normal cycling based on operation conditions. In addition, normal engaged and disengaged cycling durations are adaptively estimated in real-time. The method of the present invention achieves improved fuel economy and improved drive feel. As an example, improved fuel economy is achieved by engaging the compressor during braking or when the engine is being driven by the vehicle. As another example, improved drive feel is achieved by engaging the compressor during transient conditions when drive feel is unaffected.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Allan Joseph Kotwicki, George Blaha, Gerhard A. Dage, John David Russell, Michael John Cullen
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Patent number: 6430492Abstract: A vehicle and engine control system controls engine torque to maintain positive torque at a transmission input to minimize the transmission gears from separating. By maintaining a positive engine torque, operation of the transmission in or through the zero torque, or lash, zone, is minimized. This minimizes poor vehicle driveability that would otherwise result from operation in the lash zone. The control systems uses closed loop control based on a desired and actual turbine speed ratio, or slip ratio, to provide positive torque to the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Allan Joseph Kotwicki, John D. Russell
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Patent number: 6336441Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having at least one cylinder is provided. The engine includes an intake manifold and an outlet control device for controlling flow from the intake manifold into the cylinder. The method includes generating an operator command. The method further includes controlling flow into the cylinder by changing the outlet control device to control flow into the cylinder based on the operator command.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John David Russell, Allan Joseph Kotwicki
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Patent number: 6328015Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unite, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John David Russell, Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Brian D. Rutkowski
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Patent number: 6321732Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation systems directs exhaust gasses from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gasses travel from the exhaust manifold, first passing through a flow control valve and then through a measuring orifice before entering the intake manifold. Pressure difference across the orifice is used, along with correction factors based on the pressure difference and pressure downstream of the orifice, to measure and control exhaust gas flow. Further, manifold pressure is determined from downstream pressure and the used along with the measured exhaust gas flow to calculated a cylinder air charge amount.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2000Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Freeman Carter Gates, John David Russell
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Publication number: 20010035160Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unite, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Inventors: John David Russell, Allan Joseph Kotwicki
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Patent number: 6308683Abstract: An cylinder air charge estimation assembly 12 for use with an internal combustion engine 10 having at least one cylinder 14. Assembly 12 dynamically estimates the amount of air contained within the at least cylinder 14 of the engine 10 by the dynamic use of one of two unique air charge estimation techniques.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2000Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Tech, Inc.Inventors: Ross Dykstre Pursifull, Allan Joseph Kotwicki
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Patent number: 6308694Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation systems directs exhaust gasses from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gasses travel from the exhaust manifold, first passing through a flow control valve and then through a measuring orifice before entering the intake manifold. Pressure difference across the orifice is used, along with correction factors based on the pressure difference and pressure downstream of the orifice, to measure and control exhaust gas flow.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Allan Joseph Kotwicki, John David Russell
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Patent number: 6298675Abstract: A method for controlling cycling of an air conditioning compressor coupled to an internal combustion engine interrupts normal cycling based on operation conditions. In addition, normal engaged and disengaged cycling durations are adaptively estimated in real-time. The method of the present invention achieves improved fuel economy and improved drive feel. As an example, improved fuel economy is achieved by engaging the compressor during braking or when the engine is being driven by the vehicle. As another example, improved drive feel is achieved by engaging the compressor during transient conditions when drive feel is unaffected.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2000Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gerhard A. Dage, Allan Joseph Kotwicki, George Blaha, John David Russell, Michael John Cullen
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Patent number: 6295967Abstract: A powertrain control method for an internal combustion engine responsive to an accelerator pedal input, the engine having a throttle responsive to a commanded throttle position. The method comprises the steps of determining the engine speed, determining the accelerator pedal position, and generating a desired throttle position value as a function of at least the accelerator pedal position and engine speed. If the commanded throttle position is greater than the desired throttle position value, the commanded throttle position is limited to the desired value.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles Francis Weber, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Allan Joseph Kotwicki
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Patent number: 6282485Abstract: A system and method for estimating air entering a cylinder of an internal combustion engine uses a discrete algorithm based on a measurement of air entering a manifold. The filter parameter of the algorithm is independent of ambient operating conditions when the algorithm is executed at constant intervals of engine rotation.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Donald J. Lewis, John David Russell, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
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Patent number: 6263858Abstract: A powertrain control method for an internal combustion engine having a throttle responsive to a throttle position command. The method comprises the steps of determining the engine speed, determining the actual throttle position, and generating a desired throttle position value. In one aspect of the invention, the desired throttle position value is generated as a function of the actual throttle position and engine speed. In particular, the throttle position divided by the engine speed can be resolved to a single constant. As such, a simplified powertrain control monitor can be obtained by comparing the throttle position divided by engine speed to a predetermined constant. If the throttle position is greater than the desired throttle position value, the commanded throttle position is limited to the desired value.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Charles Francis Weber
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Patent number: 6263856Abstract: A powertrain control method for an internal combustion engine responsive to an accelerator pedal input, the engine having at least one fuel injector responsive to a commanded fuel signal. The method comprises the steps of determining the engine speed, determining the accelerator pedal position, and generating a desired fuel quantity value as a function of the accelerator pedal position and engine speed. If the commanded fuel signal is greater than the desired fuel quantity value, the commanded fuel signal is limited to the desired value.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles Francis Weber, Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
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Patent number: 6266597Abstract: An engine control system controls engine torque to transition through the transmission lash zone. The transmission lash zone is determined using speed ratio across the torque converter. When near the transmission lash zone, engine torque is adjusted at a predetermined rate until the system passes through the transmission lash zone. By limiting the change of torque in this way, driveability is improved and it is possible to quickly and reliably provide negative engine torque for braking.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John David Russell, Allan Joseph Kotwicki
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Publication number: 20010008988Abstract: An engine control system controls engine torque to transition through the transmission lash zone. The transmission lash zone is determined using speed ratio across the torque converter. When near the transmission lash zone, engine torque is adjusted at a predetermined rate until the system passes through the transmission lash zone. By limiting the change of torque in this way, driveability is improved and it is possible to quickly and reliably provide negative engine torque for braking.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2001Publication date: July 19, 2001Inventors: John David Russell, Allan Joseph Kotwicki
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Patent number: 6259986Abstract: A method is presented for controlling powertrain torque by minimizing the error between the actual powertrain torque (as read by the torque sensor) and the desired powertrain torque (as requested by the vehicle driver). Since torque sensors are known to drift under certain conditions, such as high ambient temperature, the output of the torque sensor is adjusted by an offset value. This offset value is determined by reading the torque sensor output when the speed ratio (engine speed/turbine speed) is substantially unity, and the net torque at the torque converter is substantially zero. This adjusted output is then filtered to avoid abrupt fluctuations in the powertrain torque, and used to improve powertrain control so that better drive feel and increased fuel economy can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2000Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Allan Joseph Kotwicki