Patents by Inventor Christopher C. HAND

Christopher C. HAND 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: 9982611
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for improving the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines based on skip fire operation of the engine are described. In one aspect the skip fire decisions are made on a working cycle by working cycle basis. During selected skipped working cycles, the corresponding cylinders are deactivated such that air is not pumped through the cylinder during the selected skipped working cycles. In some implementations, the cylinders are deactivated by holding associated intake and exhaust valves closed such that an air charge is not present in the working chamber during the selected skipped working cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Adya S. Tripathi, Chester J. Silvestri, Christopher W. Chandler, Christopher C. Hand, Joshua P. Switkes, Mark A. Wilcutts, Matthew A. Younkins
  • Patent number: 9664130
    Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for determining a combustion control parameter for a working chamber in an engine are described. In one aspect, an engine controller includes a firing counter that stores a firing history for the working chamber. A combustion control module is used to determine a combustion control parameter, which is used to help manage combustion in the working chamber. The combustion control parameter is determined based at least in part on the firing history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Wilcutts, Xin Yuan, Joshua P. Switkes, Li-Chun Chien, Steven E. Carlson, Christopher W. Chandler, Christopher C. Hand, Matthew A. Younkins, Adya S. Tripathi
  • Publication number: 20170122237
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for improving the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines based on skip fire operation of the engine are described. In one aspect the skip fire decisions are made on a working cycle by working cycle basis. During selected skipped working cycles, the corresponding cylinders are deactivated such that air is not pumped through the cylinder during the selected skipped working cycles. In some implementations, the cylinders are deactivated by holding associated intake and exhaust valves closed such that an air charge is not present in the working chamber during the selected skipped working cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Adya S. TRIPATHI, Chester J. SILVESTRI, Christopher W. CHANDLER, Christopher C. HAND, Joshua P. SWITKES, Mark A. WILCUTTS, Matthew A. YOUNKINS
  • Publication number: 20160377007
    Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for determining a combustion control parameter for a working chamber in an engine are described. In one aspect, an engine controller includes a firing counter that stores a firing history for the working chamber. A combustion control module is used to determine a combustion control parameter, which is used to help manage combustion in the working chamber. The combustion control parameter is determined based at least in part on the firing history.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Mark A. WILCUTTS, Xin YUAN, Joshua P. SWITKES, Li-Chun CHIEN, Steven E. CARLSON, Christopher W. CHANDLER, Christopher C. Hand, Matthew A. YOUNKINS, Adya S. Tripathi
  • Publication number: 20140278007
    Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for determining a combustion control parameter for a working chamber in an engine are described. In one aspect, an engine controller includes a firing counter that stores a firing history for the working chamber. A combustion control module is used to determine a combustion control parameter, which is used to help manage combustion in the working chamber. The combustion control parameter is determined based at least in part on the firing history.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Mark A. WILCUTTS, Xin YUAN, Joshua P. SWITKES, Li-Chun CHIEN, Steven E. CARLSON, Christopher W. CHANDLER, Christopher C. Hand, Matthew A. YOUNKINS
  • Patent number: 8651091
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine in a skip fire variable displacement mode are described. Generally, an engine is controlled to operate in a skip fire variable displacement mode. In one aspect, the spark timing associated with each fired working cycle is based at least in part on the firing history of the fired working chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Adya S. Tripathi, Christopher W. Chandler, Christopher C. Hand, Joshua P. Switkes, Mark A. Wilcutts, Matthew A. Younkins
  • Publication number: 20130298870
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine in a skip fire variable displacement mode are described. Generally, an engine is controlled to operate in a skip fire variable displacement mode. In one aspect, the spark timing associated with each fired working cycle is based at least in part on the firing history of the fired working chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Adya S. TRIPATHI, Chester J. SILVESTRI, Christopher W. CHANDLER, Christopher C. HAND, Joshua P. SWITKES, Mark A. WILCUTTS