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).

  • Method and system for pre-ignition control
    Patent number: 9890716
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for addressing pre-ignition by mechanically varying a piston displacement within a combustion chamber. In response to pre-ignition, a static compression ratio may be reduced until a threshold lower compression ratio is reached. Further pre-ignition is then addressed with enrichment, thereby reducing the amount of pre-ignition mitigating enrichment required overall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • System and method for diagnosing an ignition system
    Patent number: 9890758
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing the presence or absence of ignition coil degradation for an ignition system that includes two ignition coils for each spark plug. Ignition coil degradation may be determined without having to monitor ignition coils via specialized hardware circuitry. In one example, degradation of one or more ignition coils may be inferred from cylinder the presence or absence of cylinder misfire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala, Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • Method for pre-ignition control in a pre-delivery phase
    Patent number: 9879618
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling spark plug fouling and pre-ignition in a newly manufactured vehicle. One method comprises, during a pre-delivery phase of the newly manufactured vehicle including an engine, operating the engine with a first setting for air/fuel ratio to reduce spark plug fouling, and adjusting the first setting of the air/fuel ratio responsive to pre-ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • Method and system for engine air control
    Patent number: 9879627
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing idling torque imbalances between cylinders by actuating a common camshaft to which the cylinders are coupled. The camshaft may be adjusted within camshaft limits during each combustion event of each cylinder. In this way, idling NVH issues may be addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala
  • Fuel vapor flow based on road conditions
    Patent number: 9879622
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating engine operating parameters such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) based on road roughness conditions. Based on increased road roughness estimation, EGR flow rate may be opportunistically raised, enabling NVH associated with elevated EGR levels to be masked by NVH associated with rough road conditions. In addition, purging of fuel vapors from a canister or a crankcase to the engine may be increased while transmission shift schedules may be advanced so as to complete the shift during the rough road condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • Fuel vapor flow based on road conditions
    Patent number: 9879621
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating engine operating parameters such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) based on road roughness conditions. Based on increased road roughness estimation, EGR flow rate may be opportunistically raised, enabling NVH associated with elevated EGR levels to be masked by NVH associated with rough road conditions. In addition, purging of fuel vapors from a canister or a crankcase to the engine may be increased while transmission shift schedules may be advanced so as to complete the shift during the rough road condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • Variable displacement engine control system and method
    Patent number: 9879625
    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 combustion stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Steven Schwochert, Ken Jahr
  • SPARK PLUG FOULING DETECTION FOR IGNITION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180023531
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a type of spark plug fouling. In one example, a method may include differentiating spark plug fouling due to soot accumulation from spark plug fouling due to fuel additive accumulation based on a current on a control wire of the spark plug following application of a dwell command. Further, exhaust oxygen sensor degradation and/or exhaust catalyst degradation may be determined based on switching frequencies of one or more exhaust oxygen sensors and the type of spark plug fouling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Garlan J. Huberts, Nelson William Morrow, Qiuping Qu
  • Method of fuel injection for a variable displacement engine
    Patent number: 9856808
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling fuel injection in a variable displacement engine. One method for a deactivatable cylinder comprises, before deactivating the cylinder responsive to operating conditions, disabling a port injector and fueling the cylinder only via the direct injector. The method further comprises, when reactivating the cylinder from deactivation, enabling both the port injector and the direct injector, and injecting a higher amount of fuel via the direct injector while simultaneously injecting a lower amount of fuel via the port injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRE-IGNITION CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170370311
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the detection and mitigation of high speed pre-ignition. In one example, high speed pre-ignition is detected based on concurrent or sequential changes in an integrated knock sensor output in a knock window as well as a pre-ignition window. The high speed pre-ignition is addressed using cylinder fuel deactivation and/or engine load limiting to reduce the risk for run-away pre-ignition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, James Matthew Kindree, Lee Benjamin McQuinn
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE KNOCK
    Publication number: 20170356365
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling knock in an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, spark timing is retarded in engine cylinders where engine knock is indicated and spark is subsequently advanced after it has been retarded. The rate spark timing is advanced may be based on a way engine cylinders have been deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • SYSTEM FOR METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE KNOCK OF A VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE
    Publication number: 20170356366
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and controlling knock in an engine are presented. In one example, engine knock sensors are selected based on whether or not certain cylinders are activated and combusting air and fuel or deactivated and not combusting air and fuel. Output of selected knock sensors is the basis for adjusting engine spark timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170356359
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing a spark plug soot load and a combustion chamber soot load by controlling spark plug timing while injecting water or washer fluid. In one example, water or washer fluid is injected during a torque reduction while advancing spark timing so as to provide at least a portion of the torque reduction while opportunistically cleaning soot from the spark plug and combustion chamber. By reducing spark plug soot load, misfire occurrence is reduced, while pre-ignition occurrence is reduced by decarbonizing the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala, Garlan J. Huberts, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • SYSTEM FOR METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE KNOCK OF A VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE
    Publication number: 20170356367
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and controlling knock in an engine are presented. In one example, engine knock sensors are selected based on whether or not certain cylinders are activated and combusting air and fuel or deactivated and not combusting air and fuel. Output of selected knock sensors is the basis for adjusting engine spark timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REACTIVATING ENGINE CYLINDERS
    Publication number: 20170356364
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating valves are presented. In one example, deactivated valves may be reactivated to increase a rate of camshaft phase indexing relative to engine crankshaft position. However, if a desired rate of camshaft indexing is low, the engine cylinders may remain deactivated based on the low rate of desired camshaft indexing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • CYLINDER DEACTIVATION CONTROL FOR DRIVELINE BRAKING
    Publication number: 20170355374
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, an actual total number of deactivated cylinders may be adjusted to control driveline braking. The driveline braking may be controlled in a towing mode, a hill descent mode, and during normal driving conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING CYLINDER DEACTIVATION
    Publication number: 20170356375
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, estimates of engine fuel consumption for operating the engine with a plurality of cylinder modes or patterns while a transmission is engaged in different gears are determined and are used as a basis for deactivating engine cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventor: Chris Paul Glugla
  • Variable displacement engine control system and method
    Patent number: 9840971
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Steven Schwochert, Ken Jahr
  • Method and system for knock control
    Patent number: 9840976
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wooldridge, Gopichandra Surnilla, Brad Alan Boyer, James Alfred Hilditch, Michael Howard Shelby, Chris Paul Glugla, Benjamin Richard Petersen
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING AN IGNITION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170350362
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing the presence or absence of ignition coil degradation for an ignition system that includes two ignition coils for each spark plug. Ignition coil degradation may be determined without having to monitor ignition coils via specialized hardware circuitry. In one example, degradation of one or more ignition coils may be inferred from cylinder the presence or absence of cylinder misfire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala, Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu