Patents by Inventor Claudio Engler Pinto

Claudio Engler Pinto 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: 8775054
    Abstract: A control system includes a starter control module, a mode setting module, a throttle control module, and a fuel control module. The starter control module initiates cranking of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine in response to user actuation of an ignition switch. The mode setting module sets a mode of operation to a coldstart mode when an engine coolant temperature is less than a predetermined temperature during the cranking. The throttle control module allows a throttle valve to be biased to a predetermined open position when the SIDI engine is off and, in response to the setting of the mode to the coldstart mode, selectively closes the throttle valve relative to the predetermined open position during the cranking. The fuel control module, in response to the setting of the mode to the coldstart mode, disables direct injection of fuel for a first combustion event during the cranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: Ricardo Vincenzi, Bruce F. Hunter, Joshua D. Cowgill, Craig D. Marriott, Claudio Engler Pinto
  • Publication number: 20130297182
    Abstract: A control system includes a starter control module, a mode setting module, a throttle control module, and a fuel control module. The starter control module initiates cranking of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine in response to user actuation of an ignition switch. The mode setting module sets a mode of operation to a coldstart mode when an engine coolant temperature is less than a predetermined temperature during the cranking. The throttle control module allows a throttle valve to be biased to a predetermined open position when the SIDI engine is off and, in response to the setting of the mode to the coldstart mode, selectively closes the throttle valve relative to the predetermined open position during the cranking. The fuel control module, in response to the setting of the mode to the coldstart mode, disables direct injection of fuel for a first combustion event during the cranking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ricardo Vincenzi, Bruce F. Hunter, Joshua D. Cowgill, Craig D. Marriott, Claudio Engler Pinto
  • Patent number: 7866304
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include a crankcase ventilation assembly having a fuel separator assembly. The fuel separator assembly may include a condensing unit and a vaporizing unit. The condensing unit may include a gas region and a liquid retaining region. A gas inlet may be in fluid communication with the gas region and a gas flow from the engine block including fuel vapor. The condensing unit may convert the fuel vapor to liquid fuel. The first gas outlet may be in fluid communication with an engine air inlet and provide a remainder of the gas flow thereto. The fluid region may store and provide the liquid fuel to the vaporizing unit through a liquid inlet. The vaporizing unit may convert the liquid fuel to fuel vapor and a second gas outlet may provide the fuel vapor to the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paulo A. Riedel, Thomas A. Spix, Leandro D. Nadai, Claudio Engler Pinto
  • Publication number: 20100275886
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include a crankcase ventilation assembly having a fuel separator assembly. The fuel separator assembly may include a condensing unit and a vaporizing unit. The condensing unit may include a gas region and a liquid retaining region. A gas inlet may be in fluid communication with the gas region and a gas flow from the engine block including fuel vapor. The condensing unit may convert the fuel vapor to liquid fuel. The first gas outlet may be in fluid communication with an engine air inlet and provide a remainder of the gas flow thereto. The fluid region may store and provide the liquid fuel to the vaporizing unit through a liquid inlet. The vaporizing unit may convert the liquid fuel to fuel vapor and a second gas outlet may provide the fuel vapor to the air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paulo A. Riedel, Thomas A. Spix, Leandro D. Nadai, Claudio Engler Pinto