Patents by Inventor David Lee Boggs

David Lee Boggs 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: 6961654
    Abstract: A method and system to control engine shutdown in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) are provided. Tailpipe emissions are reduced during the many engine shutdowns and subsequent restarts during the course of an HEV drive cycle, and evaporative emissions are reduced during an HEV “soak” (inactive) period. The engine shutdown routine can ramp off fuel injectors, control engine torque (via electronic throttle control), control engine speed, stop spark delivery by disabling the ignition system, stop purge vapor flow by closing a vapor management valve (VMV), stop exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow by closing an EGR valve, and flush the intake manifold of residual fuel (vapor and puddles) into the combustion chamber to be combusted. The resulting exhaust gas byproducts are then converted in the catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Mark William Peters, Stephen John Kotre
  • Patent number: 6868926
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle 10 and a method for operating the hybrid electric vehicle 10 is provided. Combustion is made to occur within the internal combustion engine 24 only after the crankshaft 25 of the engine 24 has been rotated by an electric motor or generator 30 to a certain speed and according to a certain ramped or partially ramped profile 114, 112, thereby reducing the amount of emissions from the engine 24, allowing for a more efficient torque transfer to wheels 42, and allowing for a smoother operation of the vehicle 10. The fuel injectors 13, throttle plate 11, and spark plugs 15 are also controlled in order to allow emissions to be reduced during activation of the engine and to allow the catalytic converter 7 to be heated in order to allow these emissions to be further reduced as the engine 24 is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Mark William Peters, Paul Michael Deniston, Stephen John Kotre
  • Patent number: 6856034
    Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid electric vehicle 10 to reduce emissions. The method utilizes the vehicle's electric motor/generator 12 to generate a negative torque during cold-start conditions, effective to increase the load on the internal combustion engine 16, thereby reducing the light-off time of the catalytic converter 28. The method also reduces emissions by utilizing the vehicle's motor/generator 12 to provide a supplemental torque to engine 16 during transient events, thereby reducing the generated mass flow and amount of untreated emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark William Peters, David Lee Boggs
  • Patent number: 6763298
    Abstract: A method and system to control engine shutdown for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is provided. Tailpipe emissions are reduced during the many engine shutdowns and subsequent restarts during the course of an HEV drive cycle, and evaporative emissions are reduced during an HEV “soak” (inactive) period. The engine shutdown routine can ramp off fuel injectors, control engine torque (via electronic throttle control), control engine speed, stop spark delivery by disabling the ignition system, stop purge vapor flow by closing a vapor management valve (VMV), stop exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow by closing an EGR valve, and flush the intake manifold of residual fuel (vapor and puddles) into the combustion chamber to be combusted chamber to be combusted. The resulting exhaust gas byproducts are then converted in the catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Mark William Peters, Stephen John Kotre
  • Publication number: 20040112653
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle 10 and a method for operating the hybrid electric vehicle 10 is provided. Combustion is made to occur within the internal combustion engine 24 only after the crankshaft 25 of the engine 24 has been rotated by an electric motor or generator 30 to a certain speed and according to a certain ramped or partially ramped profile 114, 112, thereby reducing the amount of emissions from the engine 24, allowing for a more efficient torque transfer to wheels 42, and allowing for a smoother operation of the vehicle 10. The fuel injectors 13, throttle plate 11, and spark plugs 15 are also controlled in order to allow emissions to be reduced during activation of the engine and to allow the catalytic converter 7 to be heated in order to allow these emissions to be further reduced as the engine 24 is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Mark William Peters, Paul Michael Deniston, Stephen John Kotre
  • Publication number: 20040104058
    Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid electric vehicle 10 to reduce emissions. The method utilizes the vehicle's electric motor/generator 12 to generate a negative torque during cold-start conditions, effective to increase the load on the internal combustion engine 16, thereby reducing the light-off time of the catalytic converter 28. The method also reduces emissions by utilizing the vehicle's motor/generator 12 to provide a supplemental torque to engine 16 during transient events, thereby reducing the generated mass flow and amount of untreated emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark William Peters, David Lee Boggs
  • Patent number: 6688411
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle 10 and a method for operating the hybrid electric vehicle 10 in which combustion is made to occur within the internal combustion engine 24 only after the crankshaft 25 of the engine 24 has been rotated by an electric motor or generator 30 to a certain speed and according to a certain ramped or partially ramped profile 114, 112, thereby reducing the amount of emissions from the engine 24, allowing for a more efficient torque transfer to wheels 42, and allowing for a more smoother operation of the vehicle 10. The fuel injectors 13, throttle plate 11, and spark plugs 15 are also controlled in order to allow emissions to be reduced during activation of the engine and to allow the catalytic converter 7 to be heated in order to allow these emissions to be further reduced as the engine 24 is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Mark William Peters, Paul Michael Deniston, Stephen John Kotre
  • Patent number: 6657315
    Abstract: A method of operating a hybrid electric vehicle 10 to reduce emissions. The method utilizes the vehicle's electric motor/generator 12 to generate a negative torque during cold-start conditions, effective to increase the load on the internal combustion engine 16, thereby reducing the light-off time of the catalytic converter 28. The method also reduces emissions by utilizing the vehicle's motor/generator 12 to provide a supplemental torque to engine 16 during transient events, thereby reducing the generated mass flow and amount of untreated emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark William Peters, David Lee Boggs
  • Patent number: 6607142
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid electric vehicle component coolant control system and method. The coolant system has an electric pump to move coolant through a closed system including engine and motor components. Such components to be cooled can include any electric motors, power electronics, engine, and transmission. The preferred embodiment controls coolant flow to the vehicle engine and motor in a single closed loop. Vehicle components have temperature sensors that send temperature signals to an electric coolant pump duty cycle control strategy. The control strategy makes a determination of a duty cycle of the electric coolant pump as a function of the temperatures of vehicle components and orders the duty cycle of the electric pump. In the preferred configuration, engine temperature sensors can acquire either engine coolant temperature or engine cylinder head temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Mark William Peters, Stephen John Kotre
  • Patent number: 6604502
    Abstract: A method of controlling an engine 12 during engine shutdown to reduce evaporative emissions is provided. The method includes a step 50 of shutting off a fuel pump 28 of the engine 12. The method also includes a step 52 of burning off the fuel from a fuel rail 24 in a cylinder 18 of the engine 12 after the fuel pump 28 is shut off. During the burning off of the fuel, a duty cycle of each fuel injector 22of engine 12 is controlled to allow the engine 12 to operate generally cyclically about a predetermined air/fuel ratio. The predetermined air/fuel ratio is preferably stoichiometric. By burning off the fuel in the fuel rail 24 after the fuel pump 28 is shut off, the fuel pressure in the fuel rail 24 is reduced. The reduced fuel pressure in the fuel rail 24results in reduced evaporative emissions from the engine 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Bisaro, David Lee Boggs, Mark William Peters, Stephen Richard Burke, Stephen John Kotre
  • Publication number: 20030089538
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle 10 and a method for operating the hybrid electric vehicle 10 in which combustion is made to occur within the internal combustion engine 24 only after the crankshaft 25 of the engine 24 has been rotated by an electric motor or generator 30 to a certain speed and according to a certain ramped or partially ramped profile 114, 112, thereby reducing the amount of emissions from the engine 24, allowing for a more efficient torque transfer to wheels 42, and allowing for a more smoother operation of the vehicle 10. The fuel injectors 13, throttle plate 11, and spark plugs 15 are also controlled in order to allow emissions to be reduced during activation of the engine and to allow the catalytic converter 7 to be heated in order to allow these emissions to be further reduced as the engine 24 is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Mark William Peters, Paul Michael Deniston, Stephen John Kotre
  • Patent number: 6542798
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining “engine on” status in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. A controller determines that the engine is necessary and then checks the current “engine on” status. If the engine is not currently running, the controller proceeds to start the engine by commanding the generator to spin or “motor” the engine. The controller then starts fuel and spark within the engine to create combustion. Measuring devices are then used to determine the ion current/breakdown voltage across a spark gap in the engine. The controller receives this measurement and determines whether the measured ion current/breakdown voltage exceeds a calibratable threshold. If the calibratable threshold is exceeded, combustion is occurring and the engine is on. The controller then turns on the “engine on” status flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen John Kotre, David Lee Boggs, Stephen Richard Burke
  • Patent number: 6516253
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining “engine on” status in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. A controller determines the engine is necessary and then checks the current “engine on” status. If the engine is not currently running, the controller proceeds to start the engine by commanding the generator to spin or “motor” the engine. The controller then starts fuel flow and spark within the engine to create combustion. A measuring device is then used to determine the crankshaft speed. The controller receives this measurement and determines whether the measured variations in crankshaft speed exceed a calibratable threshold. If the calibratable threshold is exceeded, combustion is determined to be occurring and the engine is on. The controller then turns on the “engine on” status flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Stephen Richard Burke, Stephen John Kotre
  • Patent number: 6494277
    Abstract: A method of determining an operating state of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle drive system comprising an internal combustion engine having an output shaft which is coupled to a generator. The engine includes a fuel injector responsive to a fuel command. The method comprises the steps of determining an ON/OFF status of the fuel command and determining the generator torque. The generator torque provides an indication of the actual engine torque. An engine running flag is set ON when the fuel command is ON and the generator torque value is greater than a predetermined value. Otherwise, the engine running flag is set OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Stephen Richard Burke, Stephen John Kotre
  • Publication number: 20020165660
    Abstract: This invention is a method and system to control engine shutdown in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The invention allows for reduced tailpipe emissions during the many engine shutdowns and subsequent restarts during the course of an HEV drive cycle and reduced evaporative emissions during an HEV “soak” (inactive) period. The engine shutdown routine can ramp off fuel injectors, control engine torque (via electronic throttle control), control engine speed, stop spark delivery by disabling the ignition system, stop purge vapor flow by closing a vapor management valve (VMV), stop exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow by closing an EGR valve, and flush the intake manifold of residual fuel (vapor and puddles) into the combustion chamber to be combusted. The resulting exhaust gas byproducts are then converted in the catalytic converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Mark William Peters, Stephen John Kotre
  • Publication number: 20020165659
    Abstract: This invention is a method and system to control engine shutdown for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The invention allows for reduced tailpipe emissions during the many engine shutdowns and subsequent restarts during the course of an HEV drive cycle and reduced evaporative emissions during an HEV “soak” (inactive) period. The engine shutdown routine can ramp off fuel injectors, control engine torque (via electronic throttle control), control engine speed, stop spark delivery by disabling the ignition system, stop purge vapor flow by closing a vapor management valve (VMV), stop exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow by closing an EGR valve, and flush the intake manifold of residual fuel (vapor and puddles) into the combustion chamber to be combusted. The resulting exhaust gas byproducts are then converted in the catalytic converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Mark William Peters, Stephen John Kotre
  • Patent number: 6425365
    Abstract: Periodic shutdown of the internal combustion engine (12) during operation of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is achieved by shutdown of a vapor management valve (VMV) of the engine evaporative emission control system and an EGR valve (150) of the tailpipe emission control system at the time an engine shutdown command is provided to a controlled engine shutdown routine that, after closing of the VMV and EGR valves, then commands disabling of the engine fuel injectors (160) in a manner to stop engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Peters, David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Stephen John Kotre
  • Publication number: 20020068998
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining “engine on” status in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. A controller determines the engine is necessary and then checks the current “engine on” status. If the engine is not currently running, the controller proceeds to start the engine by commanding the generator to spin or “motor” the engine. The controller then starts fuel flow and spark within the engine to create combustion. A measuring device is then used to determine the crankshaft speed. The controller receives this measurement and determines whether the measured variations in crankshaft speed exceed a calibratable threshold. If the calibratable threshold is exceeded, combustion is determined to be occurring and the engine is on. The controller then turns on the “engine on” status flag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Stephen Richard Burke, Stephen John Kotre
  • Publication number: 20020068999
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining “engine on” status in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. A controller determines that the engine is necessary and then checks the current “engine on” status. If the engine is not currently running, the controller proceeds to start the engine by commanding the generator to spin or “motor” the engine. The controller then starts fuel and spark within the engine to create combustion. Measuring devices are then used to determine the ion current/breakdown voltage across a spark gap in the engine. The controller receives this measurement and determines whether the measured ion current/breakdown voltage exceeds a calibratable threshold. If the calibratable threshold is exceeded, combustion is occurring and the engine is on. The controller then turns on the “engine on” status flag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Stephen John Kotre, David Lee Boggs, Stephen Richard Burke
  • Patent number: 5852992
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes separated oil drain-back and crankcase ventilation passages. The oil drain-back passages extend from the cylinder head to a position below the top level of oil in the engine's crankcase. The crankcase ventilation passages extend from passages formed in the main bearing bulkheads from positions above the oil level in the crankcase and ultimately through the cylinder head. Oil dams surrounding the uppermost portions of the crankcase ventilation passages prevent oil from running downwardly through the crankcase ventilation passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Daniel James Baraszu, David Mark Foulkes, Enio Goyannes Gomes