Patents by Inventor Eric Matthew Kurtz

Eric Matthew Kurtz 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).

  • CONTROLLED AIR ENTRAINMENT PASSAGE FOR DIESEL ENGINES
    Publication number: 20170350308
    Abstract: Systems are provided for cooling combustion chamber gasses and increasing an amount of air entrained in an injected fuel spray. In one example, a cooling passage may be included in an internal combustion engine, the cooling passage positioned exterior to a cylinder bore of the engine and coupled to the cylinder bore at a first opening and a second opening. The cooling passage may receive gasses from the cylinder bore via the first opening, and may cool the gasses as they travel through the cooling passage before returning the gasses to the cylinder bore via the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Polonowski, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Daniel William Kantrow, Jianwen James Yi
  • SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR REDUCING PARTICULATE MATTER EMISSIONS
    Publication number: 20170298850
    Abstract: A method may comprise: positioning a pressure control valve (PCV) at an outlet of a fuel rail; positioning a volume control valve (VCV) at an inlet of a high pressure pump; and in response to an exhaust particulate matter (PM) level deviating from a target PM level, adjusting a fuel ratio of a first fuel and a second fuel delivered to an engine, and opening one of the PCV and the VCV. In this way, the fuel oxygen content may be adjusted to maintain a PM at or below a target level without a DPF over a broad range of engine designs and operating conditions, while maintaining fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Christopher Polonowski, James Eric Anderson, Werner Willems, Nan Robarge
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING ENGINE OPERATION BASED ON WEATHER DATA
    Publication number: 20170291600
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation based on wirelessly received weather data in conjunction with engine sensor outputs. In one example, a method may comprise receiving a first measurement of a weather parameter from one or more engine sensors and a second measurement of the weather parameter from weather data, the weather data provided by a wireless weather service. The method may further comprise determining accuracies for the first and second measurements, generating an estimate of the weather parameter based on the accuracies of the first and second measurements, and adjusting at least one engine operating parameter based on the generated estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Paul Joseph Tennison, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • METHOD OF FUEL INJECTION CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170191442
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine performance at high load conditions with reduced combustion phasing while maintaining in-cylinder peak pressures within limits. Following a pilot fuel injection, a main fuel injection is split into multiple smaller injections, the smaller injections spread around a timing of the main fuel injection so that peak cylinder pressures for each injection are within cylinder pressure limits. In this way, more enthalpy is created for expediting warming of exhaust catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Polonowski, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Andrew Lauri, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Paul Joseph Tennison, Jonathan Finchum
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FLOWING A MIXTURE OF COOLANTS TO A CHARGE AIR COOLER
    Publication number: 20170009642
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for flowing a first coolant and a second coolant to a charge air cooler. In one example, a method may include flowing only a first coolant, flowing only a second coolant, or flowing a mixture of the first and the second coolants to the charge air cooler based on engine operating conditions. Further, the method may include adjusting additional engine operating parameters based on a ratio of the first coolant to second coolant flowing to the charge air cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Paul Joseph Tennison, Daniel Joseph Styles, Curtis Michael Bauer
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ENGINE THAT INCLUDES LOW PRESSURE EGR
    Publication number: 20160131006
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine that includes a low pressure EGR passage and a selective reduction catalyst are disclosed. In one example, an actuator is adjusted in response to a NOx mass flow rate in the low pressure EGR passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Waheed Alashe
  • System and method for controlling an engine that includes low pressure EGR
    Patent number: 9279375
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine that includes a low pressure EGR passage and a selective reduction catalyst are disclosed. In one example, an actuator is adjusted in response to a NOx mass flow rate in the low pressure EGR passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Waheed Alashe
  • System and method for compensating biodiesel fuel
    Patent number: 9255542
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a plurality of fuel injections supplied to a cylinder during a cycle of the cylinder are described. In one example, fuel amounts are adjusted in response to a biodiesel concentration in fuel supplied to an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Paul Joseph Tennison
  • Methods and systems for emission system control
    Patent number: 9103255
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine having a turbocharger, and a particulate filter upstream of a turbocharger turbine. In one example, the method comprises, under selected boosted operating conditions, injecting a reductant upstream of the filter during an exhaust stroke to generate an exothermic reaction at the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ENGINE THAT INCLUDES LOW PRESSURE EGR
    Publication number: 20140360163
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine that includes a low pressure EGR passage and a selective reduction catalyst are disclosed. In one example, an actuator is adjusted in response to a NOx mass flow rate in the low pressure EGR passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Waheed Alashe
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPENSATING BIODIESEL FUEL
    Publication number: 20140222314
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a plurality of fuel injections supplied to a cylinder during a cycle of the cylinder are described. In one example, fuel amounts are adjusted in response to a biodiesel concentration in fuel supplied to an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Paul Joseph Tennison
  • Glow plug placement in a diesel engine
    Patent number: 8671908
    Abstract: A four-valve per cylinder engine has two intake valves, two exhaust valves and a centrally located fuel injector. Between each adjacent pair of valves is a valve bridge with a point of minimum separation between adjacent valves. In the present disclosure, the glow plug port is defined in the cylinder top at a location outboard of the minimum separation between adjacent and at a depth which is tangent to an edge of a fuel jet emanating the injector. By placing the glow plug farther outboard than found in the prior art, the glow plug contacts the fuel as it comes out of the injector and as it rebounds off a feature of the piston bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Curtis Ives, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Bradley David Opperman, Joshua Putman Styron, Patrick Brian Morgan, Martin Johannes Atzwanger
  • Methods and systems for emission system control
    Patent number: 8667780
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including an emission control system, the emission control system comprising a catalyst downstream of a turbine of a boosting device and a reductant injector upstream of the turbine. In one example, the method comprises injecting reductant into exhaust upstream of the turbine, mixing the injected reductant with exhaust gas via the turbine, and delivering the mixed reductant to the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Methods and systems for emission system control
    Patent number: 8656715
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a turbocharged engine including a particulate filter positioned upstream of a turbocharger turbine, a catalyst positioned downstream of the turbine, and an EGR passage coupled between an engine exhaust and engine intake. In one example, the method comprises, diverting exhaust gas from downstream of the filter to the engine intake via the EGR passage, and adjusting an amount of diverted exhaust gas based on filter operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EMISSION SYSTEM CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140000242
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine having a turbocharger, and a particulate filter upstream of a turbocharger turbine. In one example, the method comprises, under selected boosted operating conditions, injecting a reductant upstream of the filter during an exhaust stroke to generate an exothermic reaction at the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Methods and systems for emission system control
    Patent number: 8516799
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine having a turbocharger, and a particulate filter upstream of a turbocharger turbine. In one example, the method comprises, under selected boosted operating conditions, injecting a reductant upstream of the filter during an exhaust stroke to generate an exothermic reaction at the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Methods and Systems for Emission System Control
    Publication number: 20130118162
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including an emission control system, the emission control system comprising a catalyst downstream of a turbine of a boosting device and a reductant injector upstream of the turbine. In one example, the method comprises injecting reductant into exhaust upstream of the turbine, mixing the injected reductant with exhaust gas via the turbine, and delivering the mixed reductant to the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Methods and systems for emission system control
    Patent number: 8347611
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including an emission control system, the emission control system comprising a catalyst downstream of a turbine of a boosting device and a reductant injector upstream of the turbine. In one example, the method comprises injecting reductant into exhaust upstream of the turbine, mixing the injected reductant with exhaust gas via the turbine, and delivering the mixed reductant to the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Methods and systems for emission system control
    Patent number: 8347609
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including an SCR catalyst downstream of an exhaust turbine and a particulate filter upstream of the turbine. In one example, the method comprises, adjusting a turbine wastegate to adjust a catalyst temperature to a desired catalyst temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Late post injection of fuel for particulate filter heating
    Patent number: 8272207
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine having a cylinder with a bowl. One example method comprises, during regeneration of a particulate filter positioned in an engine exhaust, timing a late post injection of fuel in an exhaust stroke to spray at least some of the injected fuel into the bowl and without hitting cylinder walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Matthew Kurtz