Patents by Inventor Christopher Donald Wicks

Christopher Donald Wicks 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: 11293387
    Abstract: An engine component includes an intake manifold of stratified layers defining a plurality of runners each having a gas outlet leading to a cylinder head, and a plenum including partial walls forming channels radiating from a common gas inlet extending into a gooseneck conduit having an incorporated positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) apparatus. The gooseneck conduit transitions into the channels and runners such that there is no seal between the gooseneck, plenum, and runners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 11293336
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing wall-wetting and improving mixing of air and fuel within a pre-chamber system of an engine. In one example, a method comprises supplying an air flow to the pre-chamber system via an air injector system while a piston associated with a main chamber is undergoing reciprocating motion. In this way, a rotating or swirling flow of fuel exiting a pre-chamber fuel injector of the pre-chamber system may be induced, which may reduce wall-wetting and improve air and fuel mixing, and when fuel is not being injected to the pre-chamber system the air flow may pressurize the pre-chamber system to reduce an amount of residuals from the main chamber to the pre-chamber system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Basmaji, Christopher Donald Wicks, Mark Meinhart
  • Patent number: 11242795
    Abstract: An engine cylinder block includes a control valve and stratified layers defining a network internal to the cylinder block. The network includes a main feed line in fluid communication with the control valve, and branched and winding arterial channels extending from the main feed line with diameters that taper to define nozzles configured to spray coolant on sides of pistons carried within the cylinder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 11168592
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for variable valve actuation assembly. In one example, the variable valve actuation assembly may include a first pressure reservoir with a first pressure fluidly coupled to valve actuators and positioned below an engine valve. A second pressure reservoir with a second pressure is arranged directly below the first pressure reservoir and a hydraulic medium flows between the first and second pressure reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20210277820
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing wall-wetting and improving mixing of air and fuel within a pre-chamber system of an engine. In one example, a method comprises supplying an air flow to the pre-chamber system via an air injector system while a piston associated with a main chamber is undergoing reciprocating motion. In this way, a rotating or swirling flow of fuel exiting a pre-chamber fuel injector of the pre-chamber system may be induced, which may reduce wall-wetting and improve air and fuel mixing, and when fuel is not being injected to the pre-chamber system the air flow may pressurize the pre-chamber system to reduce an amount of residuals from the main chamber to the pre-chamber system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph F. Basmaji, Christopher Donald Wicks, Mark Meinhart
  • Patent number: 11060478
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a turbine integrally formed with a cylinder head. In one example, a system includes a cylinder head and a turbine shaped from a single, continuous piece of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Mark Michael Madin
  • Publication number: 20210054775
    Abstract: An engine cylinder block includes a control valve and stratified layers defining a network internal to the cylinder block. The network includes a main feed line in fluid communication with the control valve, and branched and winding arterial channels extending from the main feed line with diameters that taper to define nozzles configured to spray coolant on sides of pistons carried within the cylinder block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 10883443
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fluid injection arrangement integrally formed in a cylinder head. In one example, a method may include molding a polymer composite structure as a single-piece with a fluid injection arrangement arranged integrally therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20200408177
    Abstract: An engine component includes an intake manifold of stratified layers defining a plurality of runners each having a gas outlet leading to a cylinder head, and a plenum including partial walls forming channels radiating from a common gas inlet extending into a gooseneck conduit having an incorporated positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) apparatus. The gooseneck conduit transitions into the channels and runners such that there is no seal between the gooseneck, plenum, and runners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald WICKS
  • Patent number: 10858982
    Abstract: An engine cylinder block includes a control valve and stratified layers defining a network internal to the cylinder block. The network includes a main feed line in fluid communication with the control valve, and branched and winding arterial channels extending from the main feed line with diameters that taper to define nozzles configured to spray coolant on sides of pistons carried within the cylinder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20200378333
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a turbine integrally formed with a cylinder head. In one example, a system includes a cylinder head and a turbine shaped from a single, continuous piece of metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Mark Michael Madin
  • Patent number: 10815945
    Abstract: An engine component includes an intake manifold of stratified layers defining a plurality of runners each having a gas outlet leading to a cylinder head, and a plenum including partial walls that form channels radiating from a common gas inlet and transitioning into the runners such that there is no seal between the plenum and runners. The partial walls form endoskeletal structure configured to support the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 10801448
    Abstract: An engine component includes an intake manifold of stratified layers defining a plurality of runners each having a gas outlet leading to a cylinder head, and a plenum including partial walls forming channels radiating from a common gas inlet extending into a gooseneck conduit having an incorporated throttle body. The gooseneck conduit transitions into the channels and runners such that there is no seal between the gooseneck, plenum, and runners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20200271022
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for variable valve actuation assembly. In one example, the variable valve actuation assembly may include a first pressure reservoir with a first pressure fluidly coupled to valve actuators and positioned below an engine valve. A second pressure reservoir with a second pressure is arranged directly below the first pressure reservoir and a hydraulic medium flows between the first and second pressure reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 10634040
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively re-cooling intake air downstream of a charge air cooler. In one example, a system may include a cylinder head defining a plurality of cylinders, the cylinder head including a plurality of inlet ports each fluidically coupled to a respective cylinder, a refrigerant supply, and a refrigerant passage surrounding each inlet port and fluidically coupled to the refrigerant supply, the refrigerant passage shaped to correspond to an outer profile of each inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 10626832
    Abstract: An engine component includes a tubular member, of stratified layers, curved on both ends and comprising outwardly protruded nozzles located on one side. Each of the nozzles comprising an elongated body and a tip defining apertures. The tubular member forms a nitrous oxide delivery apparatus configured to increase an internal combustion engine's power output and is located in a cavity of an intake manifold such that there is no seal between the member and the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Robert Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20200018254
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fluid injection arrangement integrally formed in a cylinder head. In one example, a method may include molding a polymer composite structure as a single-piece with a fluid injection arrangement arranged integrally therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 10519896
    Abstract: An engine cylinder head includes an internal metal structure forming an upper portion of a combustion chamber. The internal metal structure includes a semi-compliant coating configured to absorb thermal expansion of the internal metal structure. The engine cylinder head also includes a polymer composite forming an external structure at least partially surrounding the internal metal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 10480364
    Abstract: An engine is provided with a cylinder head defining a lubrication gallery intersecting a valve guide bore wall, and a valve guide. The valve guide has inner and outer walls intersecting valve-side and port-side ends. The inner wall defines a channel extending from an intermediate region of the guide to the valve-side end. The guide defines a passage extending outwardly from the channel at the intermediate region to the outer wall, with the passage fluidly connected to the gallery. Pressurized lubricant is provided to a lubrication gallery intersecting a valve guide bore wall of the cylinder head. Lubricant is directed from the gallery into a passage extending through an intermediate region of a valve guide. A moving valve stem positioned within the guide is lubricated by flowing lubricant from the passage into a channel intersecting the inner wall of the guide and to a valve end of the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Patent number: 10480464
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating airflow through a charge air cooler integrated in an intake assembly. In one example, an engine intake assembly comprises a plenum having an integrated charge air cooler (CAC), a first header seal positioned around a circumference of a first CAC header, and a first rotatably movable seal positioned in a bypass passage of the plenum. The first movable seal interfaces via sliding contact with the first header seal and adjusting a position of the first movable seal may vary the amount of airflow through the bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Donald Wicks