Patents by Inventor Ben Xuehai Ni

Ben Xuehai Ni 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: 11035265
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a temperature of an oil used for lubricating an engine of a vehicle. In one example, a method comprises controlling an oil pump to pump oil at a first pressure, a second pressure or a third pressure in order to bias an oil cooler bypass valve to a first position, a second position or a third position, respectively, as a function of engine operating conditions. In this way, oil may be selectively routed through or around the oil cooler depending on engine operating conditions, which may serve to control oil temperature in line with the operating conditions and additionally improve fuel economy by reducing a load on the oil pump when operating conditions are such that the oil pump can be bypassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ben Xuehai Ni
  • Publication number: 20210071551
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a temperature of an oil used for lubricating an engine of a vehicle. In one example, a method comprises controlling an oil pump to pump oil at a first pressure, a second pressure or a third pressure in order to bias an oil cooler bypass valve to a first position, a second position or a third position, respectively, as a function of engine operating conditions. In this way, oil may be selectively routed through or around the oil cooler depending on engine operating conditions, which may serve to control oil temperature in line with the operating conditions and additionally improve fuel economy by reducing a load on the oil pump when operating conditions are such that the oil pump can be bypassed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventor: Ben Xuehai Ni
  • Patent number: 9260986
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for adjusting oil pressure supplied to engine components. In one example approach, a method for controlling oil flow in an engine comprises adjusting oil pressure supplied to the engine based on engine acceleration. For example, engine acceleration may be used to predict future engine lubrication requirements so that oil pressure adjustments may be scheduled accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Ben Xuehai Ni, David Karl Bidner
  • Publication number: 20150322889
    Abstract: A crankshaft for an engine, includes: a first number of main journals including a head main journal positioned between one or more first-side main journals and one or more second-side main journals, the head main journal supporting a grooved shell with one or more oil grooves, a second number of pin journals including one or more first-side pin journals and one or more second-side pin journals, the head main journal connected to and being positioned between the first-side and second-side pin journals, a first extended passageway defined by and in communication with the head main journal, the one or more first-side main journals and the one or more first-side pin journals, and a second extended passageway defined by and in communication with the head main journal, the one or more second-side main journals and the one or more second-side pin journals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ben Xuehai Ni, Nathaniel David Hansen, Shaji Mathews
  • Publication number: 20130192557
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for adjusting oil pressure supplied to engine components. In one example approach, a method for controlling oil flow in an engine comprises adjusting oil pressure supplied to the engine based on engine acceleration. For example, engine acceleration may be used to predict future engine lubrication requirements so that oil pressure adjustments may be scheduled accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Ben Xuehai Ni, David Karl Bidner
  • Patent number: 8235022
    Abstract: A lubricating oil supply system for internal combustion engine includes an oil reservoir and oil pump connected with a lubrication distribution network including a pressure controller which selectively controls the pressure within the distribution network to at least one pressure value that is less than the maximum pressure produced by a pressure relief valve associated with the oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Ben Xuehai Ni, Jagadish Sorab
  • Patent number: 8186327
    Abstract: A lubricating oil supply system for internal combustion engine includes an oil reservoir and oil pump connected with a lubrication distribution network including a piloted pressure relief valve which selectively controls the pressure within the distribution network to at least one pressure value that is less than the maximum pressure produced by a primary pressure relief valve associated with the oil pump, while also protecting the lubrication distribution network from an unwanted overpressure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventor: Ben Xuehai Ni
  • Patent number: 8151758
    Abstract: The bearing system for an automotive engine includes a first bearing support structure formed in a cylinder block bulkhead and having a first bearing insert. A second bearing support structure is removably mounted to the first bearing support structure and contains a second bearing insert. A lubrication channel formed in an inside diameter of the first bearing insert and an inside diameter of the second bearing insert extends along a portion of the first bearing insert from a smaller bearing clearance position offset from a first bearing parting line and into a smaller bearing clearance portion of the second bearing insert extending past a second bearing parting line. The lubrication channel provides an improved flow of oil to a drilled passage formed in a shaft, such as a crankshaft, to feed oil to various bearings, such as connecting rod bearings, while reducing oil leakage from such a bearing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Ben Xuehai Ni, John Matthew Pieprzak, Calvin Lee Brower
  • Publication number: 20100192899
    Abstract: A lubricating oil supply system for internal combustion engine includes an oil reservoir and oil pump connected with a lubrication distribution network including a pressure controller which selectively controls the pressure within the distribution network to at least one pressure value that is less than the maximum pressure produced by a pressure relief valve associated with the oil pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Ben Xuehai Ni, Jagadish Sorab
  • Publication number: 20100192898
    Abstract: A lubricating oil supply system for internal combustion engine includes an oil reservoir and oil pump connected with a lubrication distribution network including a piloted pressure relief valve which selectively controls the pressure within the distribution network to at least one pressure value that is less than the maximum pressure produced by a primary pressure relief valve associated with the oil pump, while also protecting the lubrication distribution network from an unwanted overpressure condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Ben Xuehai Ni
  • Publication number: 20100170468
    Abstract: The bearing system for an automotive engine includes a first bearing support structure formed in a cylinder block bulkhead and having a first bearing insert. A second bearing support structure is removably mounted to the first bearing support structure and contains a second bearing insert. A lubrication channel formed in an inside diameter of the first bearing insert and an inside diameter of the second bearing insert extends along a portion of the first bearing insert from a smaller bearing clearance position offset from a first bearing parting line and into a smaller bearing clearance portion of the second bearing insert extending past a second bearing parting line. The lubrication channel provides an improved flow of oil to a drilled passage formed in a shaft, such as a crankshaft, to feed oil to various bearings, such as connecting rod bearings, while reducing oil leakage from such a bearing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ben Xuehai Ni, John Matthew Pieprzak, Calvin Lee Brower