Patents by Inventor Douglas Christopher Sarsen

Douglas Christopher Sarsen 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: 20130199159
    Abstract: A method for controlling regeneration within an after-treatment component of a compression-ignition engine includes receiving a value of a parameter associated with an exhaust stream passing through the after-treatment component and determining a rate of change of the parameter. A filtered parameter value is calculated based on the value of the parameter, the rate of change of the parameter, and a predetermined filtering relationship for the parameter. Accumulated particulate matter in the after-treatment component is estimated based, at least, on a soot accumulation model and the filtered parameter value. The estimate of accumulated particulate matter in the after-treatment component is compared to a predetermined threshold associated with the after-treatment component, and a remedial action is initiated when the estimate of accumulated particulate matter in the after-treatment component exceeds the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher C. Swoish, Christopher Whitt, Douglas Christopher Sarsen
  • Publication number: 20130204508
    Abstract: A method for controlling regeneration within an after-treatment component of an engine comprises receiving an upstream temperature signal representing a temperature of an exhaust stream upstream from the after-treatment component and calculating an expected downstream temperature based on the upstream temperature signal and a model for calculating the expected downstream temperature. A temperature index is calculated based on the upstream temperature signal and the expected downstream temperature, and an estimate of accumulated particulate matter in the after-treatment component is calculated based, at least in part, on the temperature index. The estimate of accumulated particulate matter in the after-treatment component is compared to a predetermined threshold associated with the after-treatment component, and a remedial action is initiated when the estimate of accumulated particulate matter in the after-treatment component exceeds the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Whitt, Douglas Christopher Sarsen, Christopher C. Swoish
  • Publication number: 20130180230
    Abstract: Method for controlling regeneration within an after-treatment component of an engine comprises receiving an upstream temperature signal, receiving a downstream temperature signal, and calculating a temperature difference based on a difference between the upstream temperature signal and the downstream temperature signal. The temperature difference is compared to a predetermined temperature change limit to determine whether the temperature difference is less than or greater than the predetermined temperature change limit. If the temperature difference is less than the predetermined temperature change limit, an estimate of accumulated particulate matter in the after-treatment component is calculated using a primary soot accumulation model. If the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined temperature change limit, an estimate of accumulated particulate matter in the after-treatment component is calculated using a secondary soot accumulation model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Christopher Sarsen, Christopher C. Swoish, Christopher Whitt
  • Patent number: 8424372
    Abstract: A method of establishing a mass flow rate of air entering an engine includes establishing an input voltage by an energy supply device to energize a mass-air-flow sensor. The method also includes generating an output frequency via the mass-air-flow sensor in response to the mass flow rate of air entering the engine and determining the flow rate using the generated output frequency. The method additionally includes comparing the generated output frequency with a predetermined threshold output frequency that corresponds to the established input voltage. Additionally, the method includes selecting the determined flow rate as the established flow rate if the generated output frequency is at or below the predetermined threshold output frequency. Furthermore, the method includes selecting a predetermined alternative algorithm to generate the established flow rate if the generated output frequency is above the predetermined threshold output frequency. A system for establishing the mass flow rate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Christopher Sarsen, Christopher Whitt, Rebecca J. Darr
  • Publication number: 20120279291
    Abstract: A method of establishing a mass flow rate of air entering an engine includes establishing an input voltage by an energy supply device to energize a mass-air-flow sensor. The method also includes generating an output frequency via the mass-air-flow sensor in response to the mass flow rate of air entering the engine and determining the flow rate using the generated output frequency. The method additionally includes comparing the generated output frequency with a predetermined threshold output frequency that corresponds to the established input voltage. Additionally, the method includes selecting the determined flow rate as the established flow rate if the generated output frequency is at or below the predetermined threshold output frequency. Furthermore, the method includes selecting a predetermined alternative algorithm to generate the established flow rate if the generated output frequency is above the predetermined threshold output frequency. A system for establishing the mass flow rate is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: DOUGLAS CHRISTOPHER SARSEN, CHRISTOPHER WHITT, REBECCA J. DARR
  • Publication number: 20120174652
    Abstract: A particulate estimation system is configured for estimating a mass of particulate matter accumulated in a particulate filter of an exhaust system. The system includes a memory device, an interface, and a controller. The memory device stores a plurality of modules. Each of the plurality of modules is configured to uniquely estimate an amount of the particulate matter accumulated within the particulate filter over a period of time. The interface receives a plurality of input signals. The plurality of input signals correspond to a plurality of modules that are stored in the memory device. The controller derives a hybrid model based on the input signals. The hybrid model is configured to provide an output that is an estimation of the amount of particulate matter accumulated within the particulate filter over the period of time as a function of the plurality of input signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul Jasinkiewicz, Raffaello Ardanese, Michelangelo Ardanese, Christopher Whitt, Douglas Christopher Sarsen
  • Publication number: 20120102921
    Abstract: A method for controlling regeneration of an exhaust after-treatment device for an internal combustion engine in a vehicle includes establishing a baseline value for a mass of soot collected in the exhaust after-treatment device. The baseline value is a threshold mass of soot to be reached for regenerating the filter, and is determined as a function of a speed of the engine and a quantity of fuel entering the engine. The method also includes modifying the baseline value in response to an engine operating parameter that alters a fuel-air ratio of a combustible mixture entering the engine to generate a modified baseline value. The method additionally includes regenerating the exhaust after-treatment device using the modified baseline value. A system for controlling regeneration of an exhaust after-treatment device for an internal combustion engine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Christopher Sarsen, Christopher Whitt