Patents by Inventor Bradley Alan Boyer

Bradley 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).

  • Publication number: 20220325660
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine having first and second exhaust manifolds each having outlet ports and a bypass runner. A first turbocharger is in fluid communication with the outlet port of the first manifold, and a second turbocharger in fluid communication with the outlet port of the second manifold. An exhaust aftertreatment device is in fluid communication with the first and second turbochargers. A turbocharger bypass circuit includes a valve assembly having an inlet side connected in fluid communication with the bypass runners of the first and second manifolds, an outlet side in fluid communication with the aftertreatment device, and a valve having an open position in which the inlet and outlet sides are in fluid communication and a closed position in which the inlet and outlet sides are not in fluid communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Keith Michael Plagens, Bradley Alan Boyer, Gregory Patrick McConville, Xiaogang Zhang, Thomas Polley, Eric Warren Curtis
  • Patent number: 11454163
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine having first and second exhaust manifolds each having outlet ports and a bypass runner. A first turbocharger is in fluid communication with the outlet port of the first manifold, and a second turbocharger in fluid communication with the outlet port of the second manifold. An exhaust aftertreatment device is in fluid communication with the first and second turbochargers. A turbocharger bypass circuit includes a valve assembly having an inlet side connected in fluid communication with the bypass runners of the first and second manifolds, an outlet side in fluid communication with the aftertreatment device, and a valve having an open position in which the inlet and outlet sides are in fluid communication and a closed position in which the inlet and outlet sides are not in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Michael Plagens, Bradley Alan Boyer, Gregory Patrick McConville, Xiaogang Zhang, Thomas Polley, Eric Warren Curtis
  • Publication number: 20120132174
    Abstract: An engine having cylinders capable of combusting gaseous fuel includes at least one spark plug per cylinder, a gaseous fuel injector extending into each cylinder and having at least one nozzle cluster containing a one or more nozzles positioned to direct gaseous fuel only toward a spark gap of an associated spark plug, and a control system operating each spark plug and each injector to deliver gaseous fuel directly to the cylinder and initiate combustion. A method for controlling an engine capable of operating with gaseous fuel includes injecting the gaseous fuel directly into each cylinder through a centrally located injector having a plurality of clusters of nozzles, each cluster associated with one of at least two spark plugs positioned closer to a cylinder wall than to the injector, each cluster directing the gaseous fuel toward an associated spark plug gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Alan Boyer, Matthew Aaron Younkins
  • Patent number: 6665605
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a pressure responsive device in an engine is provided. The device can vary a compression ratio in an engine cylinder. The method includes supplying fluid pressure to the pressure responsive device to change a compression ratio in the cylinder. The method further includes indicating when the device has deteriorated response. Finally, the method includes increasing the fluid pressure to the device to change the compression ratio in the cylinder in response to the indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Alan Boyer, Joshua Putman Styron, Mark Michael Madin, V. Durga Nageswar Rao, Yash Andrew Imai
  • Patent number: 6662768
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an engine is provided. The engine includes first and second pressure responsive devices varying compression ratios in first and second engine cylinders, respectively. The method includes commanding the first and second devices to decrease compression ratios in the first and second cylinders, respectively. The method further includes indicating when the first device has not decreased a compression ratio in the first cylinder. Finally, the method includes commanding the second device to increase a compression ratio in the second cylinder to reduce engine torque fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Alan Boyer, Joshua Putman Styron, Mark Michael Madin, V. Durga Nageswar Rao, Yash Andrew Imai
  • Patent number: 6647947
    Abstract: A strategy and control system for a variable displacement engine in which cylinder deactivation is obtained by intake cam phasing and exhaust valve deactivation. Fuel control for the engine and spark deactivation are sequenced with valve deactivation to avoid transferring engine exhaust gases to the intake manifold of the engine during a transition between full cylinder operation and partial cylinder operation. Excess air flow through the exhaust system for the engine is avoided during a transition from partial cylinder operation to full cylinder operation. These features achieve stable engine performance during the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Alan Boyer, Thomas William Megli, William F. Stockhausen
  • Publication number: 20030177987
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an engine is provided. The engine includes first and second pressure responsive devices varying compression ratios in first and second engine cylinders, respectively. The method includes commanding the first and second devices to decrease compression ratios in the first and second cylinders, respectively. The method further includes indicating when the first device has not decreased a compression ratio in the first cylinder. Finally, the method includes commanding the second device to increase a compression ratio in the second cylinder to reduce engine torque fluctuations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Bradley Alan Boyer, Joshua Putman Styron, Mark Michael Madin, V. Durga Nageswar Rao, Yash Andrew Imai
  • Publication number: 20030182047
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a pressure responsive device in an engine is provided. The device can vary a compression ratio in an engine cylinder. The method includes supplying fluid pressure to the pressure responsive device to change a compression ratio in the cylinder. The method further includes indicating when the device has deteriorated response. Finally, the method includes increasing the fluid pressure to the device to change the compression ratio in the cylinder in response to the indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Bradley Alan Boyer, Joshua Putman Styron, Mark Michael Madin, V. Durga Nageswar Rao, Yash Andrew Imai
  • Publication number: 20030172900
    Abstract: A strategy and control system for a variable displacement engine in which cylinder deactivation is obtained by intake cam phasing and exhaust valve deactivation. Fuel control for the engine and spark deactivation are sequenced with valve deactivation to avoid transferring engine exhaust gases to the intake manifold of the engine during a transition between full cylinder operation and partial cylinder operation. Excess air flow through the exhaust system for the engine is avoided during a transition from partial cylinder operation to full cylinder operation. These features achieve stable engine performance during the transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Alan Boyer, Thomas William Megli, William F. Stockhausen
  • Patent number: 6382193
    Abstract: A variable displacement internal combustion engine having an intake manifold for providing ambient air and a boost manifold is provided. Either designated cylinders or selected cylinders may be operated in a non-firing mode wherein air may be compressed in a non-firing cylinder and ported to the boost manifold to provide boosted air pressure to firing cylinders. Each cylinder has an intake valve, an intake/compressed air valve, and an exhaust valve. The intake valves are controlled by electromagnetic actuators. The exhaust valve may be controlled by an electromagnetic valve actuator or a conventional valve actuator, if desired. Intake/compressed air valves of cylinders operating in the non-firing, compressor mode are ported to the boost manifold and selectively timed to provide compressed air to the boosted manifold when additional torque is desired provided that some of the cylinders are operating in the compressor mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Alan Boyer, William Francis Stockhausen