Patents by Inventor Andrew A. Raftopoulos

Andrew A. Raftopoulos 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).

  • Patent number: 11885253
    Abstract: A method of controlling light-off of a catalytic converter in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine (ICE) includes identifying a start of the ICE requiring a light-off of the catalytic converter. The method also includes regulating an exhaust-flow control valve to increase exhaust gas backpressure in the exhaust system in response to the identified start of the ICE. The method additionally includes regulating combustion inside the ICE to increase enthalpy of the ICE. The method also includes detecting light-off of the catalytic converter. The method additionally includes regulating the exhaust-flow control valve to decrease the exhaust gas backpressure in the exhaust system in response to the catalytic converter light-off. Furthermore, the method includes regulating combustion inside the ICE to decrease ICE enthalpy in response to the catalytic converter light-off. The method may be embodied in an algorithm programmed in an electronic controller of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew A. Raftopoulos, Pratap S. Murthy, Vijay A. Ramappan
  • Publication number: 20220268197
    Abstract: A method for thermal management of a motor vehicle engine includes one or more of the following: determining a current lube oil temperature; determining a lube oil temperature for optimal friction; turning on piston cooling jets based on the current lube oil temperature and the lube oil temperature for optimal friction; and turning off the piston cooling jets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Robert Gallon, Andrew A. Raftopoulos, Eugene V. Gonze, Bryan K. Pryor, Sergio Quelhas
  • Patent number: 11415040
    Abstract: A method for thermal management of a motor vehicle engine includes one or more of the following: determining a current lube oil temperature; determining a lube oil temperature for optimal friction; turning on piston cooling jets based on the current lube oil temperature and the lube oil temperature for optimal friction; and turning off the piston cooling jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Robert Gallon, Andrew A. Raftopoulos, Eugene V. Gonze, Bryan K. Pryor, Sergio Quelhas
  • Patent number: 11313291
    Abstract: An engine system includes: a first throttle valve; a turbocharger compressor disposed downstream of the first throttle valve; a charge air cooler disposed downstream of the turbocharger compressor; a second throttle valve located downstream of the turbocharger compressor; a purge inlet located downstream of the first throttle valve and configured to introduce fuel vapor from a fuel tank into intake air; and an engine control module configured to: maintain the first throttle valve in a fully open position; and selectively close the first throttle valve relative to the fully open position in response to receipt of a request to at least one of: purge fuel vapor from the fuel tank; and at least one of decrease and prevent icing of the charge air cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew A. Raftopoulos, Michael A. Smith, Christopher E. Whitney, Nathan M. Picot, Craig E. Slepicka, Robert Gallon, Darrell W. Burleigh, Vijay A. Ramappan
  • Publication number: 20220034269
    Abstract: An engine system includes: a first throttle valve; a turbocharger compressor disposed downstream of the first throttle valve; a charge air cooler disposed downstream of the turbocharger compressor; a second throttle valve located downstream of the turbocharger compressor; a purge inlet located downstream of the first throttle valve and configured to introduce fuel vapor from a fuel tank into intake air; and an engine control module configured to: maintain the first throttle valve in a fully open position; and selectively close the first throttle valve relative to the fully open position in response to receipt of a request to at least one of: purge fuel vapor from the fuel tank; and at least one of decrease and prevent icing of the charge air cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew A. RAFTOPOULOS, Michael A. SMITH, Christopher E. WHITNEY, Nathan M. PICOT, Craig E. SLEPICKA, Robert GALLON, Darrell W. BURLEIGH, Vijay A. RAMAPPAN
  • Patent number: 11156179
    Abstract: A system includes a fuel control module and a valve control module. The fuel control module controls a fuel injector to stop fuel delivery to each cylinder of an engine in a vehicle when the vehicle is decelerating. The valve control module controls a valve actuator to actuate intake and exhaust valves of each cylinder of the engine between open and closed positions when fuel delivery to each cylinder of the engine is stopped. The valve control module controls the valve actuator to adjust an amount of airflow through each cylinder of the engine to a minimum amount when fuel delivery to each cylinder of the engine is initially stopped. The valve control module controls the valve actuator to adjust the amount of airflow through each cylinder of the engine to an amount greater than the minimum amount before fuel delivery to each cylinder of the engine is restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew A. Raftopoulos, Michael A. Smith, Robert Gallon, Pratap S. Murthy, Scott T. Feldmann