Patents by Inventor Gilbert Fournelle

Gilbert Fournelle 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).

  • Method for diagnosing a vacuum actuator
    Patent number: 10598115
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for diagnosing degradation of a vacuum actuator in an engine system. An example method comprises indicating degradation of the vacuum actuator based on an estimate of flow of air into and out of a vacuum reservoir. The estimate is further based on flow of air generated via each of an aspirator in the intake system, an actuation of the vacuum actuator, and leakage during the actuation of the vacuum actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Gilbert Fournelle
  • Method and system for variable cam timing device
    Patent number: 10294833
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Pietrzyk, John Eric Rollinger, Gilbert Fournelle
  • Method and system for variable cam timing device
    Patent number: 9988949
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Pietrzyk, John Eric Rollinger, Jamie Charles Hanshaw, Ed Badillo, Gilbert Fournelle
  • METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING A VACUUM ACTUATOR
    Publication number: 20170363031
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for diagnosing degradation of a vacuum actuator in an engine system. An example method comprises indicating degradation of the vacuum actuator based on an estimate of flow of air into and out of a vacuum reservoir. The estimate is further based on flow of air generated via each of an aspirator in the intake system, an actuation of the vacuum actuator, and leakage during the actuation of the vacuum actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Gilbert Fournelle
  • Method for diagnosing a vacuum actuator
    Patent number: 9797329
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for diagnosing degradation of a vacuum actuator in an engine system. An example method comprises indicating degradation of the vacuum actuator based on an estimate of flow of air into and out of a vacuum reservoir. The estimate is further based on flow of air generated via each of an aspirator in the intake system, an actuation of the vacuum actuator, and leakage during the actuation of the vacuum actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Gilbert Fournelle
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE CAM TIMING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20170107870
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Paul A. Pietrzyk, John Eric Rollinger, Gilbert Fournelle
  • Method and system for variable cam timing device
    Patent number: 9528399
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Pietrzyk, John Eric Rollinger, Gilbert Fournelle
  • METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING A VACUUM ACTUATOR
    Publication number: 20160131066
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for diagnosing degradation of a vacuum actuator in an engine system. An example method comprises indicating degradation of the vacuum actuator based on an estimate of flow of air into and out of a vacuum reservoir. The estimate is further based on flow of air generated via each of an aspirator in the intake system, an actuation of the vacuum actuator, and leakage during the actuation of the vacuum actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Gilbert Fournelle
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE CAM TIMING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20160108772
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Paul A. Pietrzyk, John Eric Rollinger, Jamie Charles Hanshaw, Ed Badillo, Gilbert Fournelle
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VARIABLE CAM TIMING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20160108775
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Paul A. Pietrzyk, John Eric Rollinger, Gilbert Fournelle