Patents by Inventor David Bidner

David Bidner 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).

  • Publication number: 20050272560
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine of a vehicle operated by a driver may comprise detecting actuation of a braking device of the vehicle by the driver; calculating a parameter indicative of an actual amount of braking effort by said driver based on vehicle conditions; and adjusting an engine operating parameter based on said parameter. The method can adjust a number of cylinders carrying out combustion, fuel cut operation, a level of powertrain output torque (positive, and/or negative), and/or other engine parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Jeff Doering, David Bidner, Shane Elwart, Gopichandra Surnilla, Yonghua Li
  • Publication number: 20050204725
    Abstract: The invention is a method for diagnosing operation of a nonthermal plasma discharge device and a lean NOx trap disposed in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. The method further includes reducing power to the nonthermal plasma discharge device and determining that the nonthermal plasma discharge device is operating properly when a concentration of NOx of exhaust gases exiting the lean NOx trap increases in response to reducing power to the nonthermal plasma discharge device. Additionally, the nonthermal plasma discharge device is found not to be operating when the NOx concentration remains substantially constant in response to a decrease in power supplied to the nonthermal plasma discharge device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: John Hoard, Gopichandra Surnilla, David Bidner
  • Publication number: 20050193988
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: David Bidner, Gopichandra Surnilla, Jeff Doering
  • Publication number: 20050197761
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: David Bidner, Gopichandra Surnilla, Jeff Doering
  • Publication number: 20050197759
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, David Bidner, Shane Elwart, Jeff Doering, Christian Goralski
  • Publication number: 20050060077
    Abstract: An automatic transmission ratio shift control system and method for a powertrain having an engine and multiple-ratio gearing controlled by friction elements actuated by hydraulic pressure, an electronic controller for establishing torque transitions among the friction elements as the gear ratio changes, the engine speed being controlled by an electronic throttle control. The strategy employs an electronic throttle and closed loop engine speed control and uses fuel and air as an energy source to increase engine speed during a power-off downshift. The engine speed is boosted to a level close to the synchronous speed in conjunction with release of the off-going friction element. The on-coming friction element is then applied as the engine speed approaches a desired speed. The engine speed increase is timed to lead an increase in torque converter speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph Slayton, Bradley Riedle, Pramod Jain, Balaram Sankpal, Steven Meisner, David Bidner, Armand Giannamore
  • Publication number: 20050060076
    Abstract: Hybrid vehicles and other vehicles with one or more torque producing devices operate more effectively with proper resolution of torque requests. In one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of vehicle force and torque requests are resolved at different levels depending on the vehicle architecture. In another aspect of the present invention, torque requests are resolved into base requests and fast requests depending upon response times of torque devices satisfying these requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Phillips, Johan Tollmen, Bengt Noren, David Bidner, Fredrick Hansson, Diana Yanakiev