Patents by Inventor Chris Paul

Chris Paul 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: 9043122
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing late burn induced cylinder pre-ignition events. Forced entry of residuals from a late burning cylinder into a neighboring cylinder may be detected based on engine block vibrations sensed in a window during an open exhaust valve of the late burning cylinder. In response to the entry of residuals, a pre-ignition mitigating action, such as fuel enrichment or deactivation, is performed in the neighboring cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Garlan J. Huberts, Michael Damian Czekala
  • Patent number: 9032939
    Abstract: Embodiments for a charge air cooler are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises increasing intake air flow velocity through a charge air cooler in response to an estimated condensation formation value within the charge air cooler. In this way, condensation accumulation within the charge air cooler may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Charles A. Cockerill, Shuya Shark Yamada, Phil Andrew Fabien
  • Publication number: 20150126904
    Abstract: A collection device includes a base housing member having at least one chamber. A cover housing member has at least one aperture therein, and the cover housing member is configured to cover the base housing member such that the at least one aperture is positioned in fluid communication with the at least one chamber. The cover housing member includes a cartridge holding interface configured to releasably engage with a cartridge that is configured to cover and receive a fluid from the at least one chamber via the at least one aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Calderwood, Joy Parr Drach, Chris Paul, Rodolfo R. Rodriguez, Mitch Hockett, Randall Marcuson, Stephen G. Miggels
  • Publication number: 20150120172
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying and indicating degradation of an engine cylinder spark plug. In response to a cylinder misfire event during selected engine operating conditions, followed by an occurrence of a threshold number and/or rate of pre-ignition events in the same cylinder, a controller may determine that the spark plug is degraded. The controller may limit combustion in the cylinder in response to the degradation. Additionally, cylinder pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael Joseph Zaitz, Ken Jahr, Chris Paul Glugla, Robert Sarow Baskins
  • Patent number: 9004046
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating an ambient humidity value used to determine condensate formation in a charge air cooler. The ambient humidity value is determined from charge air cooler efficiency and windshield wiper speed thresholds. The humidity value is used to calculate an amount of condensate in a charge air cooler and control engine systems to reduce condensate formation and engine misfire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Ken Jahr, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • Patent number: 8997723
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing late burn induced cylinder pre-ignition events. In response to a late burn combustion event in a cylinder, ignition coil dwell time is extended in the cylinder to reduce unintended combustion delays. In addition, pre-ignition mitigating actions are performed in a neighboring cylinder that may be prone to pre-ignition induced by the late combustion event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala
  • Publication number: 20150075487
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting ignition energy of the spark required for combustion of gaseous fuel injected during an exhaust stroke of a cylinder combustion event to reduce turbo lag. In one example, a method includes combusting a first amount of gaseous fuel during a compression stroke of a cylinder combustion event using a first ignition energy and combusting a second amount of gaseous fuel during an exhaust stroke of the cylinder combustion event using a second ignition energy, the second ignition energy lower than the first ignition energy. The second ignition energy may be adjusted based on in-cylinder pressure and cylinder load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, John Hedges
  • Publication number: 20150075492
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting and combusting an amount of gaseous fuel during an exhaust stroke of a cylinder combustion event in order to reduce turbo lag and reduce a duration of time required for an exhaust catalyst to light-off during transient events. In one example, when an increase in torque demand is greater than a threshold, a first amount of gaseous fuel may be combusted during a compression stroke of a cylinder combustion event and a second amount of gaseous fuel may be combusted during an exhaust stroke of the combustion event. The second amount may be adjusted based on the increase in torque demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, John Hedges
  • Patent number: 8974346
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a multiple gear downshift of a transmission gear by transiently operating in an intermediate gear. In response to ambient humidity and a condensate level in a charge air cooler, the transmission gear may be downshifted from a higher gear to an intermediate gear, and then to a requested lower gear. Downshifting through an intermediate gear may also be controlled based on the gear shift request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • Publication number: 20150059687
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a phase of gaseous fuel delivered to fuel injectors of a fuel delivery system. In one example, a method may include adjusting a fuel pressure in a fuel delivery system to deliver fuel in each of a liquid and a gaseous phase during different engine operating conditions. The fuel pressure may be based on a temperature, composition, and desired phase of the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Warren Curtis, John Hedges, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Publication number: 20150059686
    Abstract: A method for an engine, comprising: during a first condition comprising a high engine temperature, injecting a first quantity of liquid petroleum gas into a first engine cylinder at a first timing during an intake stroke; and injecting a second quantity of liquid petroleum gas into the first engine cylinder at a second timing during a compression stroke following the intake stroke. In this way, combustion knock and cylinder pre-ignition may be mitigated without retarding spark ignition and/or limiting engine load, thereby allowing for maximum engine performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Eric Warren Curtis, Gopichandra Surnilla, John Hedges, Mark Allen Dearth
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8961368
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for purging condensate from a charge air cooler to an engine intake. During an engine deceleration event, the vehicle is downshifted into a lower gear to increase RPM and airflow through a charge air cooler to purge stored condensate to the engine intake. By delivering condensate while an engine is not fueled, misfire events resulting from ingestion of water are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • Publication number: 20150051809
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinder during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combustion stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Steven Schwochert, Ken Jahr
  • Publication number: 20150047607
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling a smooth transmission shift in a hybrid vehicle configured with a motor hybrid transmission. During an initial part of a transmission upshift, spark timing may be advanced from MBT to expedite torque reduction. Once engine speed has sufficiently reduced, and is within a threshold range of the desired engine speed, spark timing may be retarded until the transmission shift is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Ken Jahr
  • Publication number: 20150051816
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinders during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combsution stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Steven Schwochert, Ken Jahr
  • Publication number: 20150037835
    Abstract: An automated microscope apparatus comprises an outer housing having an external wall; optionally but preferably an internal wall in the housing configured to form a first compartment and a separate second compartment in the outer housing; a microscope assembly in the housing (preferably in the first compartment); a microprocessor in the housing (preferably in the second compartment), and (optionally but preferably) a heat sink mounted on the housing external wall, preferably adjacent the second compartment, with the microprocessor thermally coupled to said heat sink and operatively associated with the microscope assembly. Systems and methods employing the same are also described, along with component parts thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Stefano Bresolin, David A. Calderwood, Tobias M. Heineck, David Newcomb, Chris Paul, Jasper N. Pollard, Rodolfo R. Rodriguez, Demetris Young
  • Publication number: 20150025723
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, engine operation is adjusted in response to a change in engine operating conditions that result in a fractional amount of cylinder charge comprised of exhaust gas changing by more than a threshold percentage. The approaches describe may improve vehicle drivability and fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Patent number: 8925531
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying and indicating degradation of an engine cylinder spark plug. In response to a cylinder misfire event during selected engine operating conditions, followed by an occurrence of a threshold number and/or rate of pre-ignition events in the same cylinder, a controller may determine that the spark plug is degraded. The controller may limit combustion in the cylinder in response to the degradation. Additionally, cylinder pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael Joseph Zaitz, Ken Jahr, Chris Paul Glugla, Robert Sarow Baskins
  • Publication number: 20150006062
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for addressing cylinder pre-ignition. Each cylinder of an engine may be operated in either a split injection mode or a single injection mode based on the pre-ignition history of the cylinder. The timing and number of injections in the split injection mode is adjusted based on the pre-ignition count of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Robert Sarow Baskins