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).

  • Patent number: 8240136
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling a selective catalytic reduction system coupled to an exhaust system of an engine, the selective catalytic reduction system including a catalyst and a diesel particulate filter. One example method comprises, before regeneration of the diesel particulate filter, adjusting an operating parameter to decrease an amount of ammonia stored in the SCR catalyst to a desired amount of stored ammonia, where the desired amount of ammonia storage is varied based on operating conditions, and initiating regeneration of the catalyst when the desired amount of stored ammonia is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Paul Joseph Tennison
  • Patent number: 8230843
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system including an EGR cooler coupled to a turbocharged engine in a vehicle. One example method comprises, under selected operating conditions, controlling a mixture temperature of cooled and uncooled EGR at a mixing location upstream of an intake passage inlet by routing at least a portion of exhaust gas through a bypass around the EGR cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20120117963
    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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8112986
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of vehicle system including an internal combustion engine and a catalytic emission control device coupled in an exhaust of the engine, the method including delivering, which may include injecting into the exhaust, reductant to the emission control device responsive to vehicle operating conditions, and increasing emission control device inlet-NOx in response to reductant release from the emission control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8096125
    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: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Patent number: 7987836
    Abstract: A system is described for coordination of Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) flow through and around a plurality of EGR coolers differently depending on operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Publication number: 20110146268
    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: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20110146269
    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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20110146267
    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: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20110131957
    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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20110023462
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling a selective catalytic reduction system coupled to an exhaust system of an engine, the selective catalytic reduction system including a catalyst and a diesel particulate filter. One example method comprises, before regeneration of the diesel particulate filter, adjusting an operating parameter to decrease an amount of ammonia stored in the SCR catalyst to a desired amount of stored ammonia, where the desired amount of ammonia storage is varied based on operating conditions, and initiating regeneration of the catalyst when the desired amount of stored ammonia is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Paul Joseph Tennison
  • Publication number: 20110023454
    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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20110023842
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system including an EGR cooler coupled to a turbocharged engine in a vehicle. One example method comprises, under selected operating conditions, controlling a mixture temperature of cooled and uncooled EGR at a mixing location upstream of an intake passage inlet by routing at least a portion of exhaust gas through a bypass around the EGR cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20110023819
    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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20100058740
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of vehicle system including an internal combustion engine and a catalytic emission control device coupled in an exhaust of the engine, the method including delivering, which may include injecting into the exhaust, reductant to the emission control device responsive to vehicle operating conditions, and increasing emission control device inlet-NOx in response to reductant release from the emission control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20090101122
    Abstract: A system is described for coordination of Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) flow through and around a plurality of EGR coolers differently depending on operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Patent number: 7273045
    Abstract: The present invention is a dual-stage fuel injection strategy for compression ignition engines in which 15-40% of the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber no later than about ?20 to ?30 CA ATDC and as early as IVC. The remaining fuel is then injected in one or more fuel pulses, none of which start before about ?20 to ?30 CA ATDC. The fuel injected early in the compression stroke forms a lean mixture that burns with low soot and low NOx emissions. The combustion of that fuel serves to increase in-cylinder temperature such that the ignition delay of subsequent fuel injection pulses is short. This mode is utilized when it is predicted that a NOx spike is imminent. Various other alternative methods for reducing NOx spikes are also disclosed such as specialized EGR systems that can provide EGR with low manifold vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, John H. Vanderslice
  • Patent number: 6863058
    Abstract: The present invention is a dual-stage fuel injection strategy for compression ignition engines in which 15-40% of the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber no later than about ?20 to ?30 CA ATDC and as early as IVC. The rest of the fuel is then injected in one or more fuel pulses, none of which start before about ?20 to ?30 CA ATDC. The fuel injected early in the compression stroke forms a lean mixture that burns with low soot and low NOx emissions. The combustion of that fuel serves to increase in-cylinder temperature such that the ignition delay of subsequent fuel injection pulses is short. This mode is utilized when it is predicted that a NOx spike is imminent. Various other alternative methods for reducing NOx spikes are also disclosed such as specialized EGR systems that can provide EGR with low manifold vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Zhiyu Han, Richard Eugene Baker
  • Patent number: 6820599
    Abstract: The present invention is a dual-stage fuel injection strategy for compression ignition engines in which 15-40% of the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber no later than about −20 to −30 CA ATDC and as early as IVC. The remaining fuel is then injected in one or more fuel pulses, none of which start before about −20 to −30 CA ATDC. The fuel injected early in the compression stroke forms a lean mixture that burns with low soot and low NOx emissions. The combustion of that fuel serves to increase in-cylinder temperature such that the ignition delay of subsequent fuel injection pulses is short. This mode is utilized when it is predicted that a NOx spike is imminent. Various other alternative methods for reducing NOx spikes are also disclosed such as specialized EGR systems that can provide EGR with low manifold vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, John H. Vanderslice
  • Patent number: RE42609
    Abstract: The present invention is a dual-stage fuel injection strategy for compression ignition engines in which 15-40% of the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber no later than about ?20 to ?30 CA ATDC and as early as IVC. The remaining fuel is then injected in one or more fuel pulses, none of which start before about ?20 to ?30 CA ATDC. The fuel injected early in the compression stroke forms a lean mixture that burns with low soot and low NOx emissions. The combustion of that fuel serves to increase in-cylinder temperature such that the ignition delay of subsequent fuel injection pulses is short. This mode is utilized when it is predicted that a NOx spike is imminent. Various other alternative methods for reducing NOx spikes are also disclosed such as specialized EGR systems that can provide EGR with low manifold vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, John H. Vanderslice