Patents by Inventor David Karl Bidner

David Karl 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).

  • Method for reducing valve recession in gaseous fuel engines
    Patent number: 9624872
    Abstract: An engine system, comprising a metal engine valve with a coating that includes a phosphate, an additive delivery apparatus coupled to one or more engine cylinders, and an additive tank with an amount of additive located coupled to the additive delivery apparatus. The additive may include a chemical that reacts with the valve coating to produce a dry film lubricant that may be periodically injected into the engine chambers to provide valve lubrication and protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Mark Allen Dearth
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING POWER TRAIN AIR RESISTANCE
    Publication number: 20170051819
    Abstract: A vehicle system, comprising an internal combustion engine, a transmission enclosed within a transmission case coupled to a gaseous fuel source, the transmission case having an amount of gaseous fuel located therein. Housing the transmission in a case containing low density gaseous fuel reduces the power losses from air resistance and increases fuel efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: David Karl Bidner
  • System and method for reducing power train air resistance
    Patent number: 9475381
    Abstract: A vehicle system, comprising an internal combustion engine, a transmission enclosed within a transmission case coupled to a gaseous fuel source, the transmission case having an amount of gaseous fuel located therein. Housing the transmission in a case containing low density gaseous fuel reduces the power losses from air resistance and increases fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Karl Bidner
  • Direct injection of diluents or secondary fuels in gaseous fuel engines
    Patent number: 9453465
    Abstract: An engine system, comprising a first gaseous fuel source with a first gaseous fuel located therein coupled to one or more engine cylinders and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system with a reform catalyst located therein, the reform catalyst reforming natural gas into a gas with a wider AFR operating range. The engine may thus operate at an AFR that may be outside of that available during natural gas combustion alone to allow for cooler engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Approach for variable pressure oil injection
    Patent number: 9453439
    Abstract: One example method includes varying oil injection by an oil injector onto a piston of an engine to accommodate different operating conditions. For example, by adjusting oil injection, suitable cooling effects can be provided without providing additional oil that increases the amount of oil deposits in the engine. In this way, the risk of pre-ignition can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Brad Alan VanDerWege, John Eric Rollinger, John Smiley
  • Fuel control for spark ignited engine having a particulate filter system
    Patent number: 9394844
    Abstract: A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine cylinder air-fuel is adjusted to allow soot to oxidize at an upstream particulate filter while exhaust gases are efficiently processed in a downstream catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carolyn Parks Hubbard, Robert Walter McCabe, Eva Thanasiu, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, Helmut Hans Ruhland, Moritz Klaus Springer, Thomas Lorenz, Georg Louven, David Karl Bidner
  • METHOD FOR PREHEATING A POWERTRAIN
    Publication number: 20160195348
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for heating a powertrain prior to an engine start. One method includes heating a coolant by circulating the coolant through a radiator and operating an electric radiator fan, and flowing the coolant across the powertrain. The coolant is heated and circulated across the powertrain when a temperature of the powertrain is lower than ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Amey Y. Karnik, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Usage strategy for mixed gasoline and CNG fueled vehicles
    Patent number: 9328677
    Abstract: A method for an engine, comprising: responsive to a pressure in a fuel tank being below a pressure threshold, injecting only a liquid fuel into an engine cylinder, the fuel tank storing the liquid fuel and a pressurized gaseous fuel partially dissolved in the liquid fuel. In this way, the pressurized gaseous fuel may be conserved, thus maintaining a pressure gradient within the fuel system and allowing for judicious use of the pressurized gaseous fuel, for example during cold start conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Karl Bidner, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LUBRICATING A FUEL PUMP
    Publication number: 20160102642
    Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing and operating an engine with a fuel pump that supplies fuel to a fuel injector that may be temporarily deactivated are described. In one example, injection of fuel may commence in response to a level of lubrication of a fuel pump. The system and methods may extend fuel pump life in systems where fuel injection may be deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Basmaji, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Larry Dean Elie, Richard E. Soltis, David Karl Bidner
  • Method for preheating a powertrain
    Patent number: 9291256
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for heating a powertrain prior to an engine start. One method includes heating a coolant by circulating the coolant through a radiator and operating an electric radiator fan, and flowing the coolant across the powertrain. The coolant is heated and circulated across the powertrain when a temperature of the powertrain is lower than ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Amey Y. Karnik, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • System and method for cooling engine pistons
    Patent number: 9284876
    Abstract: An engine cooling system and method for operating the engine cooling system is disclosed. In one example, engine oil is sprayed on to a piston via piston cooling jets. The approach judges whether or not to operate the piston cooling jets based on a benefit assessment. The approaches may be suitable for systems that include a variable oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Yihua (Eva) Barber
  • Oil pressure scheduling based on engine acceleration
    Patent number: 9260986
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for adjusting oil pressure supplied to engine components. In one example approach, a method for controlling oil flow in an engine comprises adjusting oil pressure supplied to the engine based on engine acceleration. For example, engine acceleration may be used to predict future engine lubrication requirements so that oil pressure adjustments may be scheduled accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Ben Xuehai Ni, David Karl Bidner
  • System and method for reducing friction in engines
    Patent number: 9243527
    Abstract: A vehicle system comprises an internal combustion engine including a PCV system fluidly coupled to a gaseous fuel source via a flow control valve. The gaseous fuel source may be fluidly coupled to an air inflow line of the PCV system, and the flow control valve may be configured to control a flow of gaseous fuel into the PCV system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: David Karl Bidner
  • System and method for lubricating a fuel pump
    Patent number: 9217405
    Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing and operating an engine with a fuel pump that supplies fuel to a fuel injector that may be temporarily deactivated are described. In one example, injection of fuel may commence in response to a level of lubrication of a fuel pump. The system and methods may extend fuel pump life in systems where fuel injection may be deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Basmaji, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Larry Dean Elie, Richard E. Soltis, David Karl Bidner
  • Emissions control during an automatic engine restart
    Patent number: 9181882
    Abstract: Embodiments for performing an automatic stop-start operation are provided. In one example, a method for an engine comprises during an automatic stop, injecting a water-containing fluid onto a closed intake valve of a cylinder while the engine is at rest, and on a subsequent restart, fueling the cylinder after at least one intake stroke and subsequent exhaust stroke are performed in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Mark Allen Dearth
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM OF OIL DELIVERY IN A COMBUSTION ENGINE
    Publication number: 20150275713
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an oil delivery system of an engine. In one method, oil is pumped via a lower pressure oil pump to piston cooling jets while oil is separately pumped via a higher pressure oil pump to a cylinder head, bearings, a turbocharger, or a variable valve operation system. Herein, the higher and lower pressure oil pumps each draw oil from a common, shared sump, and return oil back to the common, shared sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Vladimir V. Kokotovic
  • METHOD FOR PREVENTING CONDENSATION ON VEHICLE WINDOWS
    Publication number: 20150266357
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for preventing condensation on a windshield and other windows of a parked vehicle. One method includes following the vehicle shut down, and when a temperature of a windshield is lower than ambient dew point, transferring heat from a powertrain of the vehicle to the windshield via a coolant if a powertrain temperature is higher than the windshield temperature, and transferring heat from ambient air to the windshield via the coolant if the powertrain temperature is lower than the windshield temperature, and ambient temperature is higher than the windshield temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Amey Y. Karnik, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • METHOD FOR PREHEATING A POWERTRAIN
    Publication number: 20150267801
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for heating a powertrain prior to an engine start. One method includes heating a coolant by circulating the coolant through a radiator and operating an electric radiator fan, and flowing the coolant across the powertrain. The coolant is heated and circulated across the powertrain when a temperature of the powertrain is lower than ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Amey Y. Karnik, Jeffrey Allen Doering
  • Method and system for engine control
    Patent number: 9103286
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for use of a windshield wiper fluid having a reformulated composition including one or more non-ionic surfactants. The fluid is delivered to the windshield in response to an operator demand for wiping the windshield. The same fluid is also delivered to a cylinder in response to an indication of abnormal cylinder combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Exhaust leakage management
    Patent number: 9103271
    Abstract: Embodiments may provide an exhaust gas management arrangement for an engine. The exhaust gas management arrangement may include a port disposed to capture an exhaust gas leaked from a movable portion of an exhaust gas flow directing mechanism. The arrangement may also include a passage to direct the leaked exhaust gas to a crankcase of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Christopher House, Chad Stateler