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 FOR A VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE
    Publication number: 20160032845
    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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Kim Hwe Ku, James Douglas Ervin, Gregory Patrick McConville
  • TWIN SCROLL TURBOCHARGER IN A VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE
    Publication number: 20160032869
    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 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Gregory Patrick McConville, Kim Hwe Ku, James Douglas Ervin
  • Method and system for binary flow turbine control
    Patent number: 9238998
    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: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Amey Y. Karnik, Julia Helen Buckland, Brad Alan Boyer, Stephen Lee Cooper
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVE CYLINDER DEACTIVATION
    Publication number: 20160003169
    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: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Brad Alan Boyer, Mrdjan J. Jankovic
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVE CYLINDER DEACTIVATION
    Publication number: 20160003168
    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: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, John Eric Rollinger, Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Brad Alan Boyer
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DEDICATED EGR CYLINDER VALVE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150354482
    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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Michael Howard Shelby, Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Brad Alan Boyer
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BINARY FLOW TURBINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150322847
    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: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Julia Helen Buckland, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Brad Alan Boyer
  • METHOD TO IMPROVE BLOWTHROUGH AND EGR VIA SPLIT EXHAUST
    Publication number: 20150316005
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a boosted engine having a split exhaust system. In one example, a method comprises directing exhaust from a first cylinder group to one or more of a pre-compressor location, a post-compressor location, and an exhaust turbine, and directing exhaust from a second cylinder group to one or more of the pre-compressor location, and the exhaust turbine. Engine efficiency and knock control may be enhanced by directing exhaust gases to different locations based on engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Paul Madison, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Brad Alan Boyer
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BINARY FLOW TURBINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150308359
    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: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Julia Helen Buckland, Amey Y. Karnik, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Method and system for binary flow turbine control
    Patent number: 9103273
    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: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Julia Helen Buckland, Amey Y. Karnik, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Method and system for binary flow turbine control
    Patent number: 9103272
    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: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Julia Helen Buckland, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Brad Alan Boyer
  • METHOD TO IMPROVE BLOWTHROUGH VIA SPLIT EXHAUST
    Publication number: 20150198099
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a boosted engine having a split exhaust system. One method includes reducing knock by flowing a combination of exhaust from towards the end of an exhaust stroke and blowthrough air to the intake of a compressor via a compressor inlet valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Methods and systems for boost control
    Patent number: 9080506
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for coordinating adjustments to a compressor recirculation valve with adjustments to a binary flow turbine scroll valve to reduce surge. The scroll valve is closed to increase turbine energy while the compressor recirculation valve is opened to increase compressor flow. Concurrent adjustments to a wastegate may be used to provide boost pressure control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Julia Helen Buckland, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Brad Alan Boyer, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Method to improve blowthrough via split exhaust
    Patent number: 9080523
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a boosted engine having a split exhaust system. One method includes reducing knock by flowing a combination of exhaust from towards the end of an exhaust stroke and blowthrough air to the intake of a compressor via a compressor inlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Brad Alan Boyer
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED DILUTION TOLERANCE
    Publication number: 20150057911
    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: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wooldridge, Gopichandra Surnilla, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan Boyer, James Alfred Hilditch, Michael Howard Shelby, Benjamin Richard Petersen
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR KNOCK CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150053177
    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: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wooldridge, Gopichandra Surnilla, Brad Alan Boyer, James Alfred Hilditch, Michael Howard Shelby, Chris Paul Glugla, Benjamin Richard Petersen
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR BOOST CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150047342
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for coordinating adjustments to a compressor recirculation valve with adjustments to a binary flow turbine scroll valve to reduce surge. The scroll valve is closed to increase turbine energy while the compressor recirculation valve is opened to increase compressor flow. Concurrent adjustments to a wastegate may be used to provide boost pressure control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Julia Helen Buckland, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Brad Alan Boyer, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BINARY FLOW TURBINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140360183
    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: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Julia Helen Buckland, Stephen Lee Cooper, Brad Alan Boyer, Amey Y. Karnik, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BINARY FLOW TURBINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140360182
    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: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Julia Helen Buckland, Stephen Lee Cooper, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Barbara Westrate, Keith Michael Plagens
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BINARY FLOW TURBINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140360180
    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: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Julia Helen Buckland, Brad Alan Boyer