Patents by Inventor Eric Warren Curtis

Eric Warren Curtis 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: 20220325660
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine having first and second exhaust manifolds each having outlet ports and a bypass runner. A first turbocharger is in fluid communication with the outlet port of the first manifold, and a second turbocharger in fluid communication with the outlet port of the second manifold. An exhaust aftertreatment device is in fluid communication with the first and second turbochargers. A turbocharger bypass circuit includes a valve assembly having an inlet side connected in fluid communication with the bypass runners of the first and second manifolds, an outlet side in fluid communication with the aftertreatment device, and a valve having an open position in which the inlet and outlet sides are in fluid communication and a closed position in which the inlet and outlet sides are not in fluid communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Keith Michael Plagens, Bradley Alan Boyer, Gregory Patrick McConville, Xiaogang Zhang, Thomas Polley, Eric Warren Curtis
  • Patent number: 11454163
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine having first and second exhaust manifolds each having outlet ports and a bypass runner. A first turbocharger is in fluid communication with the outlet port of the first manifold, and a second turbocharger in fluid communication with the outlet port of the second manifold. An exhaust aftertreatment device is in fluid communication with the first and second turbochargers. A turbocharger bypass circuit includes a valve assembly having an inlet side connected in fluid communication with the bypass runners of the first and second manifolds, an outlet side in fluid communication with the aftertreatment device, and a valve having an open position in which the inlet and outlet sides are in fluid communication and a closed position in which the inlet and outlet sides are not in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Michael Plagens, Bradley Alan Boyer, Gregory Patrick McConville, Xiaogang Zhang, Thomas Polley, Eric Warren Curtis
  • Patent number: 11143207
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger system to reduce and balance axial thrust load on the turbine shaft and the associated bearing system and sealing. In one example, a partial back plate compressor may be used in combination with an axial turbine to reduce axial thrust load and to improve turbocharger transient response time. In another example, a regenerative turbocharger system with back-to-back turbo pump may be used to reduce and balance axial thrust load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Huimin Sun, Leon Hu, Dave R. Hanna, Jianwen James Yi, Eric Warren Curtis
  • Patent number: 10641191
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling boost pressure and exhaust gas recirculation in a split exhaust system. In one example, a first portion of exhaust may be routed from a cylinder to an exhaust turbine via a first exhaust valve and a second, remaining portion of exhaust may be routed as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) via a second exhaust valve, the timing and lift of each of the first valve profile and the second valve profile adjusted based on boost error and EGR error. Further, motor torque from an electric motor may be supplied to the turbocharger to attain a desired boost pressure and a desired EGR flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Eric Warren Curtis, Satheesh Makkapati, Brad Alan Boyer, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David R. Hanna, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Patent number: 10519799
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for a variable geometry turbine. In one example, a nozzle vane includes a stationary having a first cambered sliding surface and a sliding vane having a second cambered sliding surface where the second cambered sliding surface includes a flow disrupting feature in contact with the first sliding cambered surface. The sliding vane may be positioned to slide in a direction from substantially tangent along a curved path to an inner circumference of the turbine nozzle and selectively uncover the flow disrupting feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Huimin Sun, Ben Zhao, Leon Hu, Jianwen James Yi, Eric Warren Curtis, Jizhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 10487722
    Abstract: A turbocharger compressor and method are provided including a first coolant passage in thermal contact with an inlet configured to direct the charge gas toward an impeller; and second, third, and fourth coolant passages respectively in thermal contact with impeller, volute, and diffuser regions. All of the coolant passages are fluidically coupled with a heat exchanger. One or more of the coolant passages are configured such that coolant flows in an upstream direction relative to a general flow direction of charge gas through the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Liangjun Hu, David Curtis Ives, Eric Warren Curtis, Jianwen James Yi
  • Publication number: 20190338787
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger system to reduce and balance axial thrust load on the turbine shaft and the associated bearing system and sealing. In one example, a partial back plate compressor may be used in combination with an axial turbine to reduce axial thrust load and to improve turbocharger transient response time. In another example, a regenerative turbocharger system with back-to-back turbo pump may be used to reduce and balance axial thrust load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Harold Huimin Sun, Leon Hu, Dave R. Hanna, Jianwen James Yi, Eric Warren Curtis
  • Patent number: 10415599
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger system to reduce and balance axial thrust load on the turbine shaft and the associated bearing system and sealing. In one example, a partial back plate compressor may be used in combination with an axial turbine to reduce axial thrust load and to improve turbocharger transient response time. In another example, a regenerative turbocharger system with back-to-back turbo pump may be used to reduce and balance axial thrust load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Huimin Sun, Leon Hu, Dave R. Hanna, Jianwen James Yi, Eric Warren Curtis
  • Publication number: 20190170056
    Abstract: A turbocharger compressor and method are provided including a first coolant passage in thermal contact with an inlet configured to direct the charge gas toward an impeller; and second, third, and fourth coolant passages respectively in thermal contact with impeller, volute, and diffuser regions. All of the coolant passages are fluidically coupled with a heat exchanger. One or more of the coolant passages are configured such that coolant flows in an upstream direction relative to a general flow direction of charge gas through the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Liangjun Hu, David Curtis Ives, Eric Warren Curtis, Jianwen James Yi
  • Publication number: 20190063351
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling boost pressure and exhaust gas recirculation in a split exhaust system. In one example, a first portion of exhaust may be routed from a cylinder to an exhaust turbine via a first exhaust valve and a second, remaining portion of exhaust may be routed as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) via a second exhaust valve, the timing and lift of each of the first valve profile and the second valve profile adjusted based on boost error and EGR error. Further, motor torque from an electric motor may be supplied to the turbocharger to attain a desired boost pressure and a desired EGR flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Eric Warren Curtis, Satheesh Makkapati, Brad Alan Boyer, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David R. Hanna, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Patent number: 10145320
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling boost pressure and exhaust gas recirculation in a split exhaust system. In one example, a first portion of exhaust may be routed from a cylinder to an exhaust turbine via a first exhaust valve and a second, remaining portion of exhaust may be routed as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) via a second exhaust valve, the timing and lift of each of the first valve profile and the second valve profile adjusted based on boost error and EGR error. Further, motor torque from an electric motor may be supplied to the turbocharger to attain a desired boost pressure and a desired EGR flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Eric Warren Curtis, Satheesh Makkapati, Brad Alan Boyer, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David R. Hanna, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Publication number: 20180087453
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for a variable geometry turbine. In one example, a nozzle vane includes a stationary having a first cambered sliding surface and a sliding vane having a second cambered sliding surface where the second cambered sliding surface includes a flow disrupting feature in contact with the first sliding cambered surface. The sliding vane may be positioned to slide in a direction from substantially tangent along a curved path to an inner circumference of the turbine nozzle and selectively uncover the flow disrupting feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Harold Huimin Sun, Ben Zhao, Leon Hu, Jianwen James Yi, Eric Warren Curtis, Jizhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9890700
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for a variable geometry turbine. In one example, a nozzle vane includes a stationary having a first cambered sliding surface and a sliding vane having a second cambered sliding surface where the second cambered sliding surface includes a flow disrupting feature in contact with the first sliding cambered surface. The sliding vane may be positioned to slide in a direction from substantially tangent along a curved path to an inner circumference of the turbine nozzle and selectively uncover the flow disrupting feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Huimin Sun, Ben Zhao, Leon Hu, Jianwen James Yi, Eric Warren Curtis, Jizhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9879620
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing vacuum at an outlet of an upstream first compressor when powering on a second compressor positioned downstream of the first compressor. In one example, a method may comprise, in response to a desired engine torque increasing above a threshold: powering on a second compressor positioned downstream of a first compressor in an intake of an engine system, and opening a compressor recirculation valve (CRV) positioned in a bypass passage coupled across the first compressor for a duration. As such, a portion of intake gasses from upstream of the first compressor may be routed to the second compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Satheesh Makkapati, Dushyant Karthikeyan, Julia Helen Buckland, Eric Warren Curtis
  • Patent number: 9702307
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a phase of gaseous fuel delivered to fuel injectors of a fuel delivery system. In one example, a method may include adjusting a fuel pressure in a fuel delivery system to deliver fuel in each of a liquid and a gaseous phase during different engine operating conditions. The fuel pressure may be based on a temperature, composition, and desired phase of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Warren Curtis, John Hedges, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Publication number: 20170130658
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing vacuum at an outlet of an upstream first compressor when powering on a second compressor positioned downstream of the first compressor. In one example, a method may comprise, in response to a desired engine torque increasing above a threshold: powering on a second compressor positioned downstream of a first compressor in an intake of an engine system, and opening a compressor recirculation valve (CRV) positioned in a bypass passage coupled across the first compressor for a duration. As such, a portion of intake gasses from upstream of the first compressor may be routed to the second compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Satheesh Makkapati, Dushyant Karthikeyan, Julia Helen Buckland, Eric Warren Curtis
  • Publication number: 20170122339
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a turbocharger system to reduce and balance axial thrust load on the turbine shaft and the associated bearing system and sealing. In one example, a partial back plate compressor may be used in combination with an axial turbine to reduce axial thrust load and to improve turbocharger transient response time. In another example, a regenerative turbocharger system with back-to-back turbo pump may be used to reduce and balance axial thrust load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Harold Huimin Sun, Leon Hu, Dave R. Hanna, Jianwen James Yi, Eric Warren Curtis
  • Patent number: 9453481
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, internal EGR is increased during conditions where cooled EGR is at a higher concentration during a decreasing engine load so that homogeneous compression ignition may be initiated at lower engine loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Warren Curtis, Daniel Joseph Styles, Satheesh Makkapati
  • Patent number: 9399968
    Abstract: A method for an engine, comprising: during a first condition comprising a high engine temperature, injecting a first quantity of liquid petroleum gas into a first engine cylinder at a first timing during an intake stroke; and injecting a second quantity of liquid petroleum gas into the first engine cylinder at a second timing during a compression stroke following the intake stroke. In this way, combustion knock and cylinder pre-ignition may be mitigated without retarding spark ignition and/or limiting engine load, thereby allowing for maximum engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Eric Warren Curtis, Gopichandra Surnilla, John Hedges, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Patent number: 9382857
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for delivering gaseous fuel as multiple fuel injections split between an intake stroke, a compression stroke, and/or a power stroke to expedite exhaust catalyst heating during an engine cold-start. Fuel injected in the intake and compression stroke is ignited and combusted. The power stroke fuel injections are combusted in the exhaust port to increase exhaust temperature and pressure for faster catalyst light-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, John Edward Hedges, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Warren Curtis, Mark Allen Dearth