Patents by Inventor Donald James Lewis
Donald James 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).
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Patent number: 8682565Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions and selectively reactivated during engine restart conditions. One example method comprises, during an engine restart from an idle stop, performing a first combustion event in a cylinder with a piston at an engine crankshaft position that is after a crankshaft position at which said cylinder's exhaust valve opens, and before a crankshaft position at which the cylinder's intake valve closes, during a cycle of said cylinder. In this way, inaccuracies in cylinder aircharge estimation may be reduced, thereby also reducing air-fuel ratio errors and improving the quality and repeatability of engine restarts.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Ross Pursifull, John D. Russell, Joseph N. Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla, Donald James Lewis
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Publication number: 20130124067Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions and selectively reactivated during engine restart conditions. One example method comprises, during an engine restart from an idle stop, performing a first combustion event in a cylinder with a piston at an engine crankshaft position that is after a crankshaft position at which said cylinder's exhaust valve opens, and before a crankshaft position at which the cylinder's intake valve closes, during a cycle of said cylinder. In this way, inaccuracies in cylinder aircharge estimation may be reduced, thereby also reducing air-fuel ratio errors and improving the quality and repeatability of engine restarts.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2013Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Ross Pursifull, John D. Russell, Joseph N. Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla, Donald James Lewis
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Patent number: 7293406Abstract: A method for rapidly heating an emission control device in an engine exhaust uses excess air added to the exhaust via an air introduction device. After an engine cold start, the engine is operated to raise exhaust manifold temperature to a first predetermined value by operating the engine with a lean air-fuel ratio and retarded ignition timing. Once the exhaust manifold reaches the predetermined temperature value, the engine is switched to operate rich and air is added via the air introduction device. The added air and rich exhaust gas burn in the exhaust, thereby generating heat and raising catalyst temperature even more rapidly. The rich operation and excess air are continued until either engine airflow increases beyond a pre-selected value, or the emission control device reaches a desired temperature value. After the emission control device reaches the desired temperature, the engine is operated substantially around stoichiometry.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, James Michael Kerns, Matthew John Gerhart, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
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Patent number: 7257944Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. The oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is adjusted by controlling engine spark in response to an estimate of a current amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst and an estimate of the total available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst. To maintain engine speed in spite of adjustments to the engine spark, the engine air mass is also adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Jr., Stephen L. Hahn
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Patent number: 7185487Abstract: A method for rapidly heating an emission control device in an engine exhaust uses excess air added to the exhaust via an air introduction device. After an engine cold start, the engine is operated to raise exhaust manifold temperature to a first predetermined value by operating the engine with a lean air-fuel ratio and retarded ignition timing. Once the exhaust manifold reaches the predetermined temperature value, the engine is switched to operate rich and air is added via the air introduction device. The added air and rich exhaust gas burn in the exhaust, thereby generating heat and raising catalyst temperature even more rapidly. The rich operation and excess air are continued until either engine airflow increases beyond a pre-selected value, or the emission control device reaches a desired temperature value. After the emission control device reaches the desired temperature, the engine is operated substantially around stoichiometry.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2003Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, James Michael Kerns, Matthew John Gerhart, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
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Patent number: 7143574Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. An available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is determined by establishing an oxidant set point location, i.e., a location in the catalyst about which the system controls the oxidant storage. The oxidant set point is established based on the temperatures of the different potential set point locations and the levels of deterioration of the different potential set point locations, as well as the oxidant storage capacity of the emission control device system.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Jr., Stephen L. Hahn
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Patent number: 7076943Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. An available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is determined by establishing an oxidant set point location, i.e., a location in the catalyst about which the system controls the oxidant storage. The oxidant set point is established based on the temperatures of the different potential set point locations and the levels of deterioration of the different potential set point locations, as well as the oxidant storage capacity of the emission control device system.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2005Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Jr., Stephen L. Hahn
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Patent number: 7069720Abstract: A method to deliver fuel during a start for an internal combustion engine is described. The method provides individual cylinder fuel control based on the number of fueled cylinder events. The method offers improved engine emissions while maintaining engine run-up performance.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Techologies, LLCInventors: Ben Allen Strayer, Daniel Lawrence Meyer, Frank Gonzales, Jr., Garth Michael Meyer, Michael Smokovitz, Donald James Lewis
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Patent number: 7007461Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. The oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is adjusted by controlling engine spark in response to an estimate of a current amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst and an estimate of the total available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst. To maintain engine speed in spite of adjustments to the engine spark, the engine air mass is also adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Jr., Stephen L. Hahn
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Patent number: 6993899Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. The oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is adjusted by controlling engine spark in response to an estimate of a current amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst and an estimate of the total available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst. To maintain engine speed in spite of adjustments to the engine spark, the engine air mass is also adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2001Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Jr., Stephen L. Hahn
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Patent number: 6990960Abstract: A system and method to predict engine air amount for an internal combustion engine is described. Included is a method to predict a change in engine air amount based on engine position. This method especially suited to engine starts, where engine air amount is difficult to predict due to low engine speed and limited sensor information. The system and method provides the prediction of engine air amount without extensive models or calibration. Fuel is supplied based on the predicted engine air amount.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, John D. Russell
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Patent number: 6964159Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter. The claimed invention comprises adjusting an air/fuel ratio in the cylinders of an internal combustion engine to maintain a desired level of oxidants in the catalytic converter. At various times, the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalytic converter is determined. The actual oxidant amount is compared to a target amount of oxidants to be stored in the catalytic converter. The air/fuel ratio in the cylinders is adjusted based on magnitude of the difference between the actual oxidant amount and the target oxidant amount to prevent NOx and hydrocarbon breakthrough.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2002Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Jr., Stephen L. Hahn
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Patent number: 6964160Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. The oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is adjusted by controlling engine spark in response to an estimate of a current amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst and an estimate of the total available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst. To maintain engine speed in spite of adjustments to the engine spark, the engine air mass is also adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2004Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Jr., Stephen L. Hahn
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Publication number: 20050229588Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. The oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is adjusted by controlling engine spark in response to an estimate of a current amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst and an estimate of the total available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst. To maintain engine speed in spite of adjustments to the engine spark, the engine air mass is also adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Inventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Stephen Hahn
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Patent number: 6945033Abstract: Method and system for controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle where a catalyst is communicated to engine exhaust gases including predicting occurrence of an impending engine operating event that will change an exhaust constituent in the engine exhaust gases, determining an oxygen content of exhaust gases downstream of the catalyst, and adjusting an air-fuel ratio of the engine based on the determined oxygen content and the predicted engine operating event to precondition the catalyst prior to occurrence of the particular event.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brent Edward Sealy, Donald James Lewis, Kenneth John Behr, Thomas Raymond Culbertson
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Patent number: 6931840Abstract: A method to deliver fuel during a start for an internal combustion engine is described. The method provides individual cylinder fuel control based on the number of fueled cylinder events. The method offers improved engine emissions while maintaining engine run-up performance.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ben Allen Strayer, Daniel Lawrence Meyer, Frank Gonzales, Jr., Garth Michael Meyer, Michael Smokovitz, Donald James Lewis
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Patent number: 6912844Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. An available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is determined by establishing an oxidant set point location, i.e., a location in the catalyst about which the system controls the oxidant storage. The oxidant set point is established based on the temperatures of the different potential set point locations and the levels of deterioration of the different potential set point locations, as well as the oxidant storage capacity of the emission control device system.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Jr., Stephen L. Hahn
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Publication number: 20040261402Abstract: Method and system for controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle where a catalyst is communicated to engine exhaust gases including predicting occurrence of an impending engine operating event that will change an exhaust constituent in the engine exhaust gases, determining an oxygen content of exhaust gases downstream of the catalyst, and adjusting an air-fuel ratio of the engine based on the determined oxygen content and the predicted engine operating event to precondition the catalyst prior to occurrence of the particular event.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brent Edward Sealy, Donald James Lewis, Kenneth John Behr, Thomas Raymond Culbertson
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Publication number: 20040200210Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. The oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is adjusted by controlling engine spark in response to an estimate of a current amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst and an estimate of the total available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst. To maintain engine speed in spite of adjustments to the engine spark, the engine air mass is also adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Stephen L. Hahn
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Publication number: 20040200458Abstract: A system and method to predict engine air amount for an internal combustion engine is described. Included is a method to predict a change in engine air amount based on engine position. This method especially suited to engine starts, where engine air amount is difficult to predict due to low engine speed and limited sensor information. The system and method provides the prediction of engine air amount without extensive models or calibration. Fuel is supplied based on the predicted engine air amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2004Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Donald James Lewis, John D. Russell