Patents by Inventor Brad Alan Boyer

Brad Alan Boyer 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).

  • Method and system for binary flow turbine control
    Patent number: 9719412
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the opening of a scroll valve of a binary flow turbine. Scroll valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. Scroll valve adjustments are coordinated with wastegate and EGR valve adjustments for improved engine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Julia Helen Buckland, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Method and system for binary flow turbine control
    Patent number: 9708972
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the opening of a scroll valve of a binary flow turbine. Scroll valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. Scroll valve adjustments are coordinated with wastegate and EGR valve adjustments for improved engine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Julia Helen Buckland, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Barbara Westrate, Stephen Lee Cooper, Keith Michael Plagens
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVE CYLINDER DEACTIVATION
    Publication number: 20170198651
    Abstract: Embodiments for operating an engine with skip fire are provided. In one example, a method comprises during a skip fire mode or during a skip fire mode transition, port injecting a first fuel quantity to a cylinder of an engine, the first fuel quantity based on a first, predicted air charge amount for the cylinder and lean of a desired air-fuel ratio, and direct injecting a second fuel quantity to the cylinder, the second fuel quantity based on the first fuel quantity and a second, calculated air charge amount for the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Brad Alan Boyer, Mrdjan J. Jankovic
  • Twin scroll turbocharger in a variable displacement engine
    Patent number: 9702295
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine with variable displacement engine (VDE) operation coupled to a twin scroll turbocharger. One method comprises directing exhaust from a first outer cylinder and a first inner cylinder of four cylinders to a first scroll of the twin scroll turbocharger, directing exhaust from a second outer cylinder and a second inner cylinder of the four cylinders to a second scroll of the twin scroll turbocharger, and during a first condition, firing all four cylinders with uneven firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Gregory Patrick McConville, Kim Hwe Ku, James Douglas Ervin
  • Variable displacement engine control
    Patent number: 9677479
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine operation. One method comprises during a first condition, operating the engine with a single cylinder deactivated and remaining cylinders activated with a first intake duration, and during a second condition, operating the engine with the single cylinder deactivated and the remaining cylinders activated with a second intake duration. The method further comprises during a third condition, operating the engine with all cylinders activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Gregory Patrick McConville, James Douglas Ervin, Kim Hwe Ku
  • Method and system for knock control
    Patent number: 9664128
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine knock tolerance, in particular when rapidly ramping in LP-EGR from low levels of EGR. Until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, fuel may be delivered as a split injection with at least an intake stroke injection and a compression stroke injection to compensate for the transport delay in EGR filling the intake system. Subsequently, single fuel injection may be resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wooldridge, Gopichandra Surnilla, Brad Alan Boyer, James Alfred Hilditch, Michael Howard Shelby, Chris Paul Glugla, Benjamin Richard Petersen
  • Method for controlling transitions in a variable displacement engine
    Patent number: 9657637
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling transitions between engine operating modes in a four-cylinder engine. One method includes transitioning engine operation between two-cylinder, three-cylinder, and four-cylinder modes wherein the transitioning includes a sequence of firing events such that successive firing events are separated by at least 120 crank angle degree intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Brad Alan Boyer, James Douglas Ervin, Kim Hwe Ku
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED DILUTION TOLERANCE
    Publication number: 20170138282
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving combustion stability, in particular during transient operations such as tip-out to lower load conditions, when EGR is being purged. Until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, fuel may be delivered as a split injection with at least an intake stroke injection and a compression stroke injection. Subsequently, single fuel injection may be resumed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Steven Wooldridge, Gopichandra Surnilla, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan Boyer, James Alfred Hilditch, Michael Howard Shelby, Benjamin Richard Petersen
  • Method and system for improved dilution tolerance
    Patent number: 9611792
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving combustion stability, in particular during transient operations such as tip-out to lower load conditions, when EGR is being purged. Until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, fuel may be delivered as a split injection with at least an intake stroke injection and a compression stroke injection. Subsequently, single fuel injection may be resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wooldridge, Gopichandra Surnilla, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan Boyer, James Alfred Hilditch, Michael Howard Shelby, Benjamin Richard Petersen
  • System and method for selective cylinder deactivation
    Patent number: 9605601
    Abstract: Embodiments for operating an engine with skip fire are provided. In one example, a method comprises during a skip fire mode or during a skip fire mode transition, port injecting a first fuel quantity to a cylinder of an engine, the first fuel quantity based on a first, predicted air charge amount for the cylinder and lean of a desired air-fuel ratio, and direct injecting a second fuel quantity to the cylinder, the second fuel quantity based on the first fuel quantity and a second, calculated air charge amount for the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Brad Alan Boyer, Mrdjan J. Jankovic
  • Systems and methods for dedicated EGR cylinder valve control
    Patent number: 9599046
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving combustion in a highly exhaust gas diluted engine are disclosed. The methods and systems may be provided in an engine that includes independent control of cylinder valves with respect to other cylinder valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Michael Howard Shelby, Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Method and system for diagonal blow-through exhaust gas scavenging
    Patent number: 9599036
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine in a two-valve diagonal blow-through mode during which a majority of blow-through is directed via a first intake valve positioned diagonally across a first exhaust valve in order to increase a distance of flow path from the intake valve to the exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Method and system for binary flow turbine control
    Patent number: 9556785
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the opening of a scroll valve of a binary flow turbine. Scroll valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. Scroll valve adjustments are coordinated with wastegate and EGR valve adjustments for improved engine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Julia Helen Buckland, Amey Y. Karnik, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Dedicated EGR cylinder post combustion injection
    Patent number: 9534567
    Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing an amount of fuel injected into a dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cylinder in an engine are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, prior to combustion, injecting a first amount of fuel to a dedicated EGR cylinder, and after combustion and during an expansion and/or exhaust stroke, directly injecting a second amount of fuel to the dedicated EGR cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, James Douglas Ervin, Brad Alan Boyer, Daniel Joseph Styles, Gregory Patrick McConville, Kim Hwe Ku
  • Systems and methods for a modified cylinder firing interval in a dedicated EGR engine
    Patent number: 9534517
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating exhaust valves of an engine to create more even exhaust pulses to a turbine. More specifically, the engine may include one or more dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cylinders routing exhaust to an engine intake and one or more non-dedicated EGR cylinder routing exhaust to the turbine. In one example, a method may include operating a first set of exhaust valves of a group of non-dedicated EGR cylinders to have no exhaust valve opening overlap and operating an exhaust valve of a dedicated EGR cylinder so that opening of the second exhaust valve overlaps with opening of exhaust valves of two cylinders of the group of non-dedicated EGR cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Brad Alan Boyer, Gregory Patrick McConville
  • Systems and methods for EGR control
    Patent number: 9534542
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for varying a location and rate of EGR delivered to an engine from a dedicated EGR cylinder. The dedicated EGR cylinder is configured with a plurality of exhaust valves controlled via a cam profile switching mechanism that allows the time and duration of opening of each exhaust valve to be varied. By selectively opening one exhaust valve at a time, exhaust from the dedicated EGR cylinder can be delivered to a pre-compressor location, a post-compressor location, or to the exhaust manifold, while bypassing all engine cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kim Hwe Ku, Daniel Joseph Styles, Brad Alan Boyer, Gregory Patrick McConville, Joseph Norman Ulrey, James Douglas Ervin
  • TWIN SCROLL TURBOCHARGER IN A VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE
    Publication number: 20160333774
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine with variable displacement engine (VDE) operation coupled to a twin scroll turbocharger. One method comprises directing exhaust from a first outer cylinder and a first inner cylinder of four cylinders to a first scroll of the twin scroll turbocharger, directing exhaust from a second outer cylinder and a second inner cylinder of the four cylinders to a second scroll of the twin scroll turbocharger, and during a first condition, firing all four cylinders with uneven firing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Gregory Patrick McConville, Kim Hwe Ku, James Douglas Ervin
  • Method and system for binary flow turbine control
    Patent number: 9441533
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the opening of a scroll valve of a binary flow turbine. Scroll valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. Scroll valve adjustments are coordinated with wastegate and EGR valve adjustments for improved engine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Julia Helen Buckland, Stephen Lee Cooper, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Barbara Westrate, Keith Michael Plagens
  • Method for a variable displacement engine
    Patent number: 9441551
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling engine operation. One method comprises, during a first variable displacement engine (VDE) mode in an engine having four cylinders, deactivating a first cylinder of the four cylinders and firing a second, third, and fourth cylinder of the four cylinders, each firing event separated by 240 degrees of crank angle (CA). The engine may be operated in a non-VDE mode by activating the first of the four cylinders and firing the first cylinder between the third and fourth cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Kim Hwe Ku, James Douglas Ervin, Gregory Patrick McConville
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BINARY FLOW TURBINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20160258350
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the opening of a scroll valve of a binary flow turbine. Scroll valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. Scroll valve adjustments are coordinated with wastegate and EGR valve adjustments for improved engine control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Julia Helen Buckland, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Barbara Westrate, Stephen Lee Cooper, Keith Michael Plagens