Patents by Inventor Brian L. O'Hear

Brian L. O'Hear 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).

  • System and method for controlling a low pressure pump to prevent vaporization of fuel at an inlet of a high pressure pump
    Patent number: 9567915
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a pump control module and a fuel vaporization module. The pump control module controls a first pump to deliver fuel from a fuel tank to a second pump through a fuel line. The pump control module controls the second pump to pressurize fuel from the fuel line and to deliver the pressurized fuel to a fuel rail. The fuel vaporization module determines whether fuel at an inlet of the second pump is vaporizing based on an engine operating condition. The pump control module increases an output of the first pump when fuel at the inlet of the second pump is vaporizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rafat F. Hattar, Brian L. O'Hear, Phillip J. Baranek, Richard R. Shippy
  • Controlling fuel injection based on fuel volatility
    Patent number: 8849545
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a fuel volatility module, a temperature generation module, and a fuel control module. The fuel volatility module estimates a volatility of fuel provided to an engine based on an engine torque and an engine speed. The temperature generation module generates a temperature of an intake valve of the engine. The fuel control module selectively increases an amount of fuel provided to the engine based on the temperature of the intake valve, the engine torque, and the fuel volatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Brian L. O'Hear, Mark D. Carr, Layne K. Wiggins
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A LOW PRESSURE PUMP TO PREVENT VAPORIZATION OF FUEL AT AN INLET OF A HIGH PRESSURE PUMP
    Publication number: 20140251269
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a pump control module and a fuel vaporization module. The pump control module controls a first pump to deliver fuel from a fuel tank to a second pump through a fuel line. The pump control module controls the second pump to pressurize fuel from the fuel line and to deliver the pressurized fuel to a fuel rail. The fuel vaporization module determines whether fuel at an inlet of the second pump is vaporizing based on an engine operating condition. The pump control module increases an output of the first pump when fuel at the inlet of the second pump is vaporizing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Rafat F. Hattar, Brian L. O'hear, Phillip J. Baranek, Richard R. Shippy
  • CONTROLLING FUEL INJECTION BASED ON FUEL VOLATILITY
    Publication number: 20120232771
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a fuel volatility module, a temperature generation module, and a fuel control module. The fuel volatility module estimates a volatility of fuel provided to an engine based on an engine torque and an engine speed. The temperature generation module generates a temperature of an intake valve of the engine. The fuel control module selectively increases an amount of fuel provided to the engine based on the temperature of the intake valve, the engine torque, and the fuel volatility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian L. O'Hear, Mark D. Carr, Layne K. Wiggins