Patents by Inventor Brad Boyer
Brad 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).
-
Patent number: 8056546Abstract: An engine system comprises an air cleaner, a combustion chamber coupled to an intake port, and an intake manifold. The intake manifold is configured to receive air from the air cleaner, and, under some conditions to receive exhaust from the combustion chamber. The engine system further comprises a multifunction, barrel-type throttle valve coupled to the intake port via an outlet, the throttle valve having a first inlet coupled to the intake manifold and a second inlet coupled to the air cleaner.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brad Boyer, Neal J. Corey, Daniel J. Styles, James D. Ervin, Sonny E. Stanley, Matthew A. Younkins
-
Publication number: 20110132322Abstract: An engine system comprises an air cleaner, a combustion chamber coupled to an intake port, and an intake manifold. The intake manifold is configured to receive air from the air cleaner, and, under some conditions to receive exhaust from the combustion chamber. The engine system further comprises a multifunction, barrel-type throttle valve coupled to the intake port via an outlet, the throttle valve having a first inlet coupled to the intake manifold and a second inlet coupled to the air cleaner.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brad Boyer, Neal J. Corey, Daniel J. Styles, James D. Ervin, Sonny E. Stanley, Matthew A. Younkins
-
Patent number: 7793620Abstract: An integrated gaseous fuel delivery system is provided. The system includes a storage tank to hold a gaseous fuel and a pressure regulation system disposed interior the storage tank and configured to regulate a pressure of gaseous fuel delivered from the storage tank.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Allan Kotwicki, Donald J. Lewis, Brad Boyer
-
Patent number: 7608011Abstract: A hydrogen-powered hybrid powertrain system includes a hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine operating at a lean air/fuel mixture, and a supercharger for boosting a primary drive torque produced by the engine primarily over a high operating speed range. An electric motor/generator generates a secondary drive torque for the vehicle, such that the secondary drive torque complements the boosted primary drive torque over at least a low operating speed range of the powertrain. A disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator engages and disengages the engine from the motor/generator, and serves to transfer the boosted primary driver torque through the motor/generator and to a power transmission system. The input at the power transmission is thus a combination of the boosted primary drive torque and the secondary drive torque having an enhanced torque characteristic over at least the low operating speed range.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Tony Grabowski, Arun Jaura, Walt Ortmann, Robert Natkin, Steve Szwabowski, Edward Jih, Bret Oltmans, Adam Denlinger, Jaswant-Jas Dhillon, Yin Chen, Brad Boyer
-
Patent number: 7487750Abstract: A method for a hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine to reduce backfiring, pre-ignition, and/or backflash, the engine also including a combustion chamber, an intake manifold, an exhaust manifold, at least one intake valve, at least one exhaust valve, a hydrogen injector, a compression device, and a variable valve timing system coupled to the intake valves. The method comprises compressing air using the compression device; injecting hydrogen and mixing at least said hydrogen with air discharged from the compression device; and opening the intake valve to induct at least air into the combustion chamber, wherein the intake valve opening time varies with an operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Leone, Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
-
Publication number: 20080135005Abstract: An integrated gaseous fuel delivery system is provided. The system includes a storage tank to hold a gaseous fuel and a pressure regulation system disposed interior the storage tank and configured to regulate a pressure of gaseous fuel delivered from the storage tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Allan Kotwicki, Donald J. Lewis, Brad Boyer
-
Publication number: 20080125955Abstract: A method for operating a fueling system in a vehicle having an engine capable of burning gaseous fuel supplied from at least a first and second source to a direct fuel injector of the engine, the first source having a higher source pressure than the second source, the method comprises supplying gaseous fuel to the direct injector from at least the first source during a first engine demand; and supplying gaseous fuel to the direct injector from at least the second source during a second engine demand less than said first engine demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2006Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventors: Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
-
Patent number: 7377267Abstract: A method is provided for an engine capable of burning gaseous fuel, the engine also including a combustion chamber, a fuel supply system with at least one fuel tank, at least one intake valve, and at least one exhaust valve, an injector to directly inject gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber, and an exhaust oxygen sensor. The method comprises directly injecting fuel from the injector into the chamber at a variable supply pressure which decreases as fuel tank pressure decreases; and adjusting at least one of an injection time and duration based at least on said variable pressure and information from the exhaust oxygen sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
-
Patent number: 7367312Abstract: A method for operating a fueling system in a vehicle having an engine capable of burning gaseous fuel supplied from at least a first and second source to a direct fuel injector of the engine, the first source having a higher source pressure than the second source, the method comprises supplying gaseous fuel to the direct injector from at least the first source during a first engine demand; and supplying gaseous fuel to the direct injector from at least the second source during a second engine demand less than said first engine demand.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
-
Publication number: 20080099002Abstract: A method is provided for an engine capable of burning gaseous fuel, the engine also including a combustion chamber, a fuel supply system with at least one fuel tank, at least one intake valve, and at least one exhaust valve, an injector to directly inject gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber, and an exhaust oxygen sensor. The method comprises directly injecting fuel from the injector into the chamber at a variable supply pressure which decreases as fuel tank pressure decreases; and adjusting at least one of an injection time and duration based at least on said variable pressure and information from the exhaust oxygen sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
-
Patent number: 7258104Abstract: An intake and exhaust system for a dual mode HCCI engine, which provides superior intake temperature control and homogeneity for engine operation in SI and HCCI modes, as well as during transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa. The system includes adjusted intake cam movement event lengths for intake valve operation at specified modes of operation. The system further includes at least one cam profile switching device operatively connected to intake and exhaust valves in an engine for controlling event length, maximum lift, and valve opening/closing timings for the intake and exhaust valves. The system yet further includes a bifurcated intake system and camless valve actuators for controlling intake valves for facilitating operation in SI or HCCI modes, as well as transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jialin Young, Brad Boyer, Kim Ku, Fang Shui, William Stockhausen
-
Publication number: 20070119428Abstract: A method for a hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine to reduce backfiring, pre-ignition, and/or backflash, the engine also including a combustion chamber, an intake manifold, an exhaust manifold, at least one intake valve, at least one exhaust valve, a hydrogen injector, a compression device, and a variable valve timing system coupled to the intake valves. The method comprises compressing air using the compression device; injecting hydrogen and mixing at least said hydrogen with air discharged from the compression device; and opening the intake valve to induct at least air into the combustion chamber, wherein the intake valve opening time varies with an operating condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2005Publication date: May 31, 2007Inventors: Thomas Leone, Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
-
Patent number: 7117830Abstract: A method for an engine capable of burning gaseous fuel, the engine also including a combustion chamber, at least one intake valve, and at least one exhaust valve, an injector to directly inject pressurized gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber, and a variable valve timing system coupled to the intake valves and exhaust valves, the method comprising closing the exhaust valve before top dead center of piston position to increase combustion chamber pressure achieved at top dead center and to trap exhaust gas in the cylinder; and starting injection of a gaseous fuel directly into the combustion chamber after the exhaust valve is closed and before the intake valve is opened.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brad Boyer, William Stockhausen
-
Publication number: 20060174624Abstract: A hydrogen-powered hybrid powertrain system includes a hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine operating at a lean air/fuel mixture, and a supercharger for boosting a primary drive torque produced by the engine primarily over a high operating speed range. An electric motor/generator generates a secondary drive torque for the vehicle, such that the secondary drive torque complements the boosted primary drive torque over at least a low operating speed range of the powertrain. A disconnect clutch disposed between the engine and the motor/generator engages and disengages the engine from the motor/generator, and serves to transfer the boosted primary driver torque through the motor/generator and to a power transmission system. The input at the power transmission is thus a combination of the boosted primary drive torque and the secondary drive torque having an enhanced torque characteristic over at least the low operating speed range.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2003Publication date: August 10, 2006Inventors: Tony Grabowski, Arun Jaura, Walt Ortmann, Robert Natkin, Steve Szwabowski, Edward Jih, Bret Oltmans, Adam Denlinger, Jas Dhillon, Yin Chen, Brad Boyer
-
Publication number: 20060150952Abstract: An intake and exhaust system for a dual mode HCCI engine, which provides superior intake temperature control and homogeneity for engine operation in SI and HCCI modes, as well as during transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa. The system includes adjusted intake cam movement event lengths for intake valve operation at specified modes of operation. The system further includes at least one cam profile switching device operatively connected to intake and exhaust valves in an engine for controlling event length, maximum lift, and valve opening/closing timings for the intake and exhaust valves. The system yet further includes a bifurcated intake system and camless valve actuators for controlling intake valves for facilitating operation in SI or HCCI modes, as well as transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2006Publication date: July 13, 2006Inventors: Jialin Yang, Brad Boyer, Kim Ku, Fang Shui, William Stockhausen
-
Publication number: 20050183693Abstract: An intake and exhaust system for a dual mode HCCI engine, which provides superior intake temperature control and homogeneity for engine operation in SI and HCCI modes, as well as during transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa. The system includes adjusted intake cam movement event lengths for intake valve operation at specified modes of operation. The system further includes at least one cam profile switching device operatively connected to intake and exhaust valves in an engine for controlling event length, maximum lift, and valve opening/closing timings for the intake and exhaust valves. The system yet further includes a bifurcated intake system and camless valve actuators for controlling intake valves for facilitating operation in SI or HCCI modes, as well as transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2004Publication date: August 25, 2005Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: JIALIN YANG, BRAD BOYER, KIM KU, FANG SHUI, WILLIAM STOCKHAUSEN