Patents by Inventor Bruce Bowling

Bruce Bowling 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: 20210324813
    Abstract: Methods and systems for real-time determination of volumetric efficiency for real-time control of air-fuel ratio for an internal combustion engine are provided. Sensors including Mass Air Flow (MAF) rate, Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP), Manifold Intake Air Temperature (IAT), and engine RPM may be used to determine an actual air mass and theoretical maximum air mass for an engine cylinder during an intake stroke. This ultimately leads to the determination of engine Volumetric Efficiency (VE) may be determined in real-time based on the measured and calculated values for air mass, may provide VE information to an engine control system for real-time control of fuel system operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Patent number: 10634082
    Abstract: A method for matching the performance of a plurality of electronic fuel injectors, includes: applying a supply voltage to a control module; applying an operating voltage signal having a pulse width to each of the plurality of electronic fuel injectors individually via the control module; measuring an amount of time that each of the plurality of electronic fuel injectors supplies fuel; individually adjusting an operating voltage supplied to each of the plurality of electronic fuel injectors to cause each of the electronic fuel injectors to deliver fuel for a substantially same amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: BG SOFLEX LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Patent number: 10487766
    Abstract: A controller for an electronic fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes: a plurality of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the A/D converters and the memory. The A/D converters are configured to receive analog electrical signals representing pressures generated by a plurality of pressure sensors disposed at different locations along an air intake path and output corresponding digital signals representing the pressures, one or more of the pressure sensors are disposed in a body of a carburetor rendered permanently inoperable to mix fuel with air flowing in the air intake path, and the processor is configured to receive the digital signals representing the pressures output from the A/D converters and output a mass air flow signal representing a mass air flow rate as to an engine management system to control the electronic fuel injection system based on the received pressure signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: BG SOFLEX LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Publication number: 20190048819
    Abstract: A controller for an electronic fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes: a plurality of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the A/D converters and the memory. The A/D converters are configured to receive analog electrical signals representing pressures generated by a plurality of pressure sensors disposed at different locations along an air intake path and output corresponding digital signals representing the pressures, one or more of the pressure sensors are disposed in a body of a carburetor rendered permanently inoperable to mix fuel with air flowing in the air intake path, and the processor is configured to receive the digital signals representing the pressures output from the A/D converters and output a mass air flow signal representing a mass air flow rate as to an engine management system to control the electronic fuel injection system based on the received pressure signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Patent number: 10132261
    Abstract: A mass air flow measurement apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: a plurality of pressure sensors disposed at different locations along an air intake path of the internal combustion engine, each pressure sensor adapted to sense a pressure of air flowing into the internal combustion engine and output an electrical signal as a pressure signal corresponding to the sensed air pressure; a carburetor having a plurality of booster venturis, the carburetor rendered permanently inoperable to mix fuel with air flowing in the air intake path, a body of the carburetor configured to accept one or more of the plurality of pressure sensors for each of the plurality of booster venturis; and a calculation section that receives the pressure signals and generates a mass air flow signal as an output signal to an engine management system to control an electronic fuel injection system based on the received pressure signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: BG SOFLEX LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Publication number: 20180230925
    Abstract: A method for matching the performance of a plurality of electronic fuel injectors, includes: applying a supply voltage to a control module; applying an operating voltage signal having a pulse width to each of the plurality of electronic fuel injectors individually via the control module; measuring an amount of time that each of the plurality of electronic fuel injectors supplies fuel; individually adjusting an operating voltage supplied to each of the plurality of electronic fuel injectors to cause each of the electronic fuel injectors to deliver fuel for a substantially same amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Bruce A. BOWLING, Albert C. Grippo
  • Patent number: 9976504
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an electronic fuel injector with a control module and the electronic fuel injector disposed on a test apparatus may include: setting a supply voltage to a control module; applying a control voltage signal having a pulse width to an electronic fuel injector by the control module; determining whether a fuel pressure of a fuel supply to the electronic fuel injector decreases by a predetermined amount; and in response to determining that the fuel pressure of the fuel supply to the electronic fuel injector decreases by the predetermined amount, recording the pulse width and the supply voltage to the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: BG SOFLEX LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Publication number: 20170218872
    Abstract: A mass air flow measurement apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: a plurality of pressure sensors disposed at different locations along an air intake path of the internal combustion engine, each pressure sensor adapted to sense a pressure of air flowing into the internal combustion engine and output an electrical signal as a pressure signal corresponding to the sensed air pressure; a carburetor having a plurality of booster venturis, the carburetor rendered permanently inoperable to mix fuel with air flowing in the air intake path, a body of the carburetor configured to accept one or more of the plurality of pressure sensors for each of the plurality of booster venturis; and a calculation section that receives the pressure signals and generates a mass air flow signal as an output signal to an engine management system to control an electronic fuel injection system based on the received pressure signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce A. BOWLING, Albert C. GRIPPO
  • Patent number: 9651455
    Abstract: A mass-airflow measurement conversion apparatus for internal combustion engine carburetors includes a plurality of pressure sensors disposed at different location along an air intake path of an internal combustion engine, each sensor adapted to sense a pressure of air flowing into the internal combustion engine and output an electrical signal as a pressure signal corresponding to the sensed air pressure; and a calculation section that receives the pressure signals and generates a mass air flow signal as an output signal based on the received pressure signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: BG Soflex, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Publication number: 20170101955
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an electronic fuel injector with a control module and the electronic fuel injector disposed on a test apparatus may include: setting a supply voltage to a control module; applying a control voltage signal having a pulse width to an electronic fuel injector by the control module; determining whether a fuel pressure of a fuel supply to the electronic fuel injector decreases by a predetermined amount; and in response to determining that the fuel pressure of the fuel supply to the electronic fuel injector decreases by the predetermined amount, recording the pulse width and the supply voltage to the control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Patent number: 9562488
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an electronic fuel injector may include: setting a supply voltage to a control module; applying a control voltage signal having a pulse width to an electronic fuel injector by the control module; determining whether a fuel pressure of a fuel supply to the electronic fuel injector decreases by a predetermined amount; and in response to determining that the fuel pressure of the fuel supply to the electronic fuel injector decreases by the predetermined amount, recording the pulse width and the supply voltage to the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: BG Soflex LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Patent number: 9383290
    Abstract: A method of determining an air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine in real-time includes: calibrating sensitivity of a universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor to a plurality of gases; inputting to a universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor controller a molecular composition of Hydrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, and Nitrogen which comprise a combustion fuel in use in the internal combustion engine; calculating with the universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor controller an air-to-fuel ratio by performing a chemical balance equation calculation based on the universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor sensitivity calibration and the input combustion fuel molecular composition; and transmitting the calculated air-to-fuel ratio to an engine control unit inreal-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: BG SOFLEX LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Patent number: 9222851
    Abstract: A mass-airflow measurement conversion apparatus for internal combustion engine carburetors includes a plurality of pressure sensors disposed at different location along an air intake path of an internal combustion engine, each sensor adapted to sense a pressure of air flowing into the internal combustion engine and output an electrical signal as a pressure signal corresponding to the sensed air pressure; and a calculation section which receives the pressure signals and generates a mass air flow signal as an output signal based on the received pressure signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: BG SOFLEX LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Publication number: 20150276550
    Abstract: A mass-airflow measurement conversion apparatus for internal combustion engine carburetors includes a plurality of pressure sensors disposed at different location along an air intake path of an internal combustion engine, each sensor adapted to sense a pressure of air flowing into the internal combustion engine and output an electrical signal as a pressure signal corresponding to the sensed air pressure; and a calculation section that receives the pressure signals and generates a mass air flow signal as an output signal based on the received pressure signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Publication number: 20140136122
    Abstract: A method of determining an air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine in real-time includes: calibrating sensitivity of a universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor to a plurality of gases; inputting to a universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor controller a molecular composition of Hydrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, and Nitrogen which comprise a combustion fuel in use in the internal combustion engine; calculating with the universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor controller an air-to-fuel ratio by performing a chemical balance equation calculation based on the universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor sensitivity calibration and the input combustion fuel molecular composition; and transmitting the calculated air-to-fuel ratio to an engine control unit in real-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: BG SOFLEX LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. BOWLING, Albert C. Grippo
  • Patent number: 8670920
    Abstract: A method of determining an air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine in real-time includes: calibrating sensitivity of a universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor to a plurality of gases; inputting to a universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor controller a molecular composition of Hydrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, and Nitrogen which comprise a combustion fuel in use in the internal combustion engine; calculating with the universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor controller an air-to-fuel ratio by performing a chemical balance equation calculation based on the universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor sensitivity calibration and the input combustion fuel molecular composition; and transmitting the calculated air-to-fuel ratio to an engine control unit in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: BG Soflex, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bowling, Albert C. Grippo
  • Patent number: 8375777
    Abstract: A pressure measurement system includes a multiplexer unit which inputs a plurality of electrical signals representative of pressures, and a comparison unit which compares the electrical signals among each other to determine a specified signal characteristic, wherein the multiplexer unit selects one of the electrical signals as an output signal based on the determination of the specified signal characteristic, and outputs the selected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: BG Soflex LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Bowling, Albert Grippo
  • Patent number: 8371157
    Abstract: A method for determining engine crankshaft position determines the position of a rotating crankshaft using one or many crankshaft position sensors. The sensor output signals representing crankshaft position are digitized and specific timing positions are derived. The sampled timing positions are compared to a known position template to determine crankshaft position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: BG Soflex LLC.
    Inventors: Bruce Bowling, Albert Grippo
  • Publication number: 20120046886
    Abstract: A mass-airflow measurement conversion apparatus for internal combustion engine carburetors includes a plurality of pressure sensors disposed at different location along an air intake path of an internal combustion engine, each sensor adapted to sense a pressure of air flowing into the internal combustion engine and output an electrical signal as a pressure signal corresponding to the sensed air pressure; and a calculation section which receives the pressure signals and generates a mass air flow signal as an output signal based on the received pressure signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: BG SOFLEX LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. BOWLING, Albert C. GRIPPO
  • Publication number: 20110218726
    Abstract: A method of determining an air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine in real-time includes: calibrating sensitivity of a universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor to a plurality of gases; inputting to a universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor controller a molecular composition of Hydrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, and Nitrogen which comprise a combustion fuel in use in the internal combustion engine; calculating with the universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor controller an air-to-fuel ratio by performing a chemical balance equation calculation based on the universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor sensitivity calibration and the input combustion fuel molecular composition; and transmitting the calculated air-to-fuel ratio to an engine control unit in real-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: BG SOFLEX LLC
    Inventors: Bruce BOWLING, Albert GRIPPO