Patents by Inventor Donald J. Lewis

Donald J. Lewis 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: 11073093
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for operating an engine that includes a knock control system that may determine contributions of individual noise sources to an engine background noise level. The contributions of the individual noise sources may be determined via adjusting timing of a knock window or timing of the individual noise sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rani Kiwan, Mohannad Hakeem, Christopher Paul Glugla, James Matthew Kindree, Amey Karnik, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11053868
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for operating an engine that includes a knock control system. The methods and system provide for repurposing the engine knock control system to detect and mitigate piston slap. The methods and systems also seek to increase the signal to noise ratio for detecting piston slap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Glugla, Rani Kiwan, Mohannad Hakeem, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20200158033
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for operating an engine that includes a knock control system that may determine contributions of individual noise sources to an engine background noise level. The contributions of the individual noise sources may be determined via adjusting timing of a knock window or timing of the individual noise sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Rani Kiwan, Mohannad Hakeem, Christopher Paul Glugla, James Matthew Kindree, Amey Karnik, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20200080502
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for operating an engine that includes a knock control system. The methods and system provide for repurposing the engine knock control system to detect and mitigate piston slap. The methods and systems also seek to increase the signal to noise ratio for detecting piston slap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher P. Glugla, Rani Kiwan, Mohannad Hakeem, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10221821
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20180258896
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10024290
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10017182
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a torque converter clutch of an automatic transmission are presented. In one non-limiting example, the torque converter clutch is closed to provide a threshold torque capacity during a vehicle launch. If an engine torque request is less than the threshold torque capacity, the torque converter clutch remains closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20170369064
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a torque converter clutch of an automatic transmission are presented. In one non-limiting example, the torque converter clutch is closed to provide a threshold torque capacity during a vehicle launch. If an engine torque request is less than the threshold torque capacity, the torque converter clutch remains closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9624844
    Abstract: A system for method for emptying a gas storage tank of a vehicle is presented. In one example, engine valve timing is adjusted to facilitate reducing pressure within the gas storage tank. The system and method may extend the use of the gas stored in the gas storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9512797
    Abstract: An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, engine port throttles are adjusted to improve fuel vaporization of a fuel that includes alcohol. The system and method may improve engine starting and emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Donald J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20160115929
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9267457
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9260991
    Abstract: A system and method for improving processing of gases contained within the crankcase of an internal combustion engine is presented. The system is especially suited for single boiling point fuels because it allows the storage of such fuels until the fuel can be opportunistically combusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn
  • Publication number: 20150322870
    Abstract: A system for method for emptying a gas storage tank of a vehicle is presented. In one example, engine valve timing is adjusted to facilitate reducing pressure within the gas storage tank. The system and method may extend the use of the gas stored in the gas storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9115653
    Abstract: A system for method for emptying a gas storage tank of a vehicle is presented. In one example, engine valve timing is adjusted to facilitate reducing pressure within the gas storage tank. The system and method may extend the use of the gas stored in the gas storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9016260
    Abstract: An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, two engine cylinder port throttles are adjusted differently during engine starting. The system and method may improve engine torque control during an engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Thomas G. Leone, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20150083086
    Abstract: An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, engine port throttles are adjusted to improve fuel vaporization of a fuel that includes alcohol. The system and method may improve engine starting and emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8961251
    Abstract: A swimming device for increased underwater resistance increases resistance while underwater for purposes of rehabilitation and fitness. The device includes a glove having a main portion and a plurality of finger portions and a thumb portion whereby the glove is configured for covering a human hand. A channel-forming member has a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the main portion of the glove and a top wall extending between a first side and a second side of the peripheral wall. The channel-forming member has a pair of separator portions extending downwardly from the peripheral wall wherein the separator portions are configured for separating the channel-forming member into a plurality of channels. A pair of fins is coupled to the channel-forming member wherein the fins and the channels are configured for increasing underwater resistance when the glove is positioned on the hand and moved underwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Daniel S. Bowes
  • Patent number: 8899212
    Abstract: An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, engine port throttles are adjusted to improve fuel vaporization of a fuel that includes alcohol. The system and method may improve engine starting and emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Donald J. Lewis