Patents by Inventor Gopichandra Surnilla

Gopichandra Surnilla 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).

  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR CENTRAL FUEL INJECTION
    Publication number: 20180202383
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for leveraging the charge cooling effect of a manifold fuel injection. A charge cooling effect of a scheduled manifold fuel injection may be predicted based on feedback received from a manifold charge temperature sensor during a preceding manifold injection event. If sufficient charge cooling is not predicted, the manifold fuel injection is temporarily disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Kutaiba Alrefaai, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Calvin Trescott, Mohannad Hakeem, Stephen B. Smith, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Method for controlling an engine during a restart
    Patent number: 10024290
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Methods and systems to detect oxygen sensor degradation due to sealant off-gassing
    Patent number: 10019854
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting exhaust gas oxygen sensor degradation due to sealant off-gassing. In one example, a method may include indicating exhaust gas oxygen sensor degradation due to sealant off-gassing responsive to a change in fueling demand without a change in driver-demanded torque after a threshold exhaust temperature has been reached. In response to the indication, a measurement correction may be learned and applied to measurements of the exhaust gas oxygen sensor in order to accurately determine an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, Richard E. Soltis, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Method and system for engine water injection
    Patent number: 10018156
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assessing the quality of water in a water injection system using existing engine sensors. A change in manifold charge temperature following a water injection may be compared to a change in intake oxygen level to determine an error between an amount of water delivered to the engine and an amount of water actually used in the engine. The error may be correlated with the water quality and used for correcting subsequent water injection commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Methods and system for engine control
    Patent number: 10018144
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining air-fuel error in an engine fueled via direct and port fuel injection. Errors associated with individual fuel injection systems are distinguished from a common error based on trends in the error correction coefficients of the individual fuel injection systems. Adaptive fuel multipliers for each injection system are updated to account for the common error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Ethan D. Sanborn, Mark Thomas Linenberg, Kenneth John Behr
  • Methods and system for engine control
    Patent number: 10018143
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining air-fuel error in an engine fueled via direct and port fuel injection. Errors associated with individual fuel injection systems are distinguished from a common error based on trends in the error correction coefficients of the individual fuel injection systems. Adaptive fuel multipliers for each injection system are updated to account for the common error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Ethan D. Sanborn, Mark Thomas Linenberg, Kenneth John Behr, Yichao Guo
  • VEHICULAR TRAFFIC PATTERN APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20180180432
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle including: motor(s), sensors, processor(s) configured to: (a) periodically update a table with present coordinates; (b) compare the tabled coordinates to an intersection boundary; (c) select a portion of the tabled coordinates based on the comparison; (d) transmit the selected portion to server(s). The processor(s) may configured to periodically connect a series of the tabled coordinates with a virtual and continuous line and determine whether any portion of the line falls within the intersection boundary, and if so, select the portion of the tabled coordinates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Dimitar Petrov Filev, John Ottavio Michelini
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR WATER INJECTION CONTROL
    Publication number: 20180171864
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting a location for water injection during a water injection event based on ambient temperature and humidity, as well as engine operating conditions. In one example, a method may include injecting water upstream of a charge air cooler in response to operating the cooler in heater mode and injecting water downstream of the cooler in response to operating the cooler in cooler mode. Further, the method may include operating the cooler in heater mode based on dry, cold ambient conditions and a dilution demand and operating the cooler in cooler mode based on engine boost conditions and engine knock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A SPLIT EXHAUST ENGINE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180171917
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, an amount of opening overlap between a plurality of intake valves and a first set of exhaust valves coupled to the first exhaust manifold may be adjusted responsive to a transition from an estimated combustion air-fuel content to a leaner air-fuel content of the blowthrough air on a cylinder to cylinder basis. As one example, the transition may be determined from an output of an oxygen sensor positioned within the first exhaust manifold or an exhaust runner of each of the first set of exhaust valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE WATER INJECTION
    Publication number: 20180171935
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting water injection at distinct locations of an engine based on a total water injection error determined from an output of an exhaust oxygen sensor. The method may include injecting water at distinct locations based on a cooling demand and a dilution demand. Further, the method may include distributing the total injection error to respective water injectors, as well as adjusting engine operating parameters, to provide desired engine cooling and dilution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING ENGINE WATER INJECTION
    Publication number: 20180171936
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for water injection at an intake port of an engine toward or away from intake valves in response to engine operating conditions. In one example, a method may include port injecting water away from an intake valve in response to engine knock and port injecting water towards an intake valve in response to engine dilution demand. Further, the method may include adjusting an amount of water injected based on one or more of a change in manifold temperature and a change in exhaust oxygen level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Michael Howard Shelby
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE WATER INJECTION
    Publication number: 20180171937
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for coordinating water usage with spark usage based on the effect on an engine torque ratio. Water is injected based on torque ratio at a current spark timing relative to torque ratio at borderline knock to improve the impact of the water injection on the engine performance. Manifold water injection and direct water injected are coordinated based on intake manifold humidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Howard Shelby, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mohannad Hakeem
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PULSED ENGINE WATER INJECTION
    Publication number: 20180171891
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for learning a transport delay for individual cylinders that is associated with maldistribution of water among cylinders during a water injection event. Differences in knock intensity between individual cylinders, following a water injection, are used to identify water maldistribution. Differences in the amount and timing of an engine dilution effect following a manifold water injection are learned via an intake oxygen sensor and used to reduce cylinder-to-cylinder imbalance in water delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE WATER INJECTION
    Publication number: 20180171934
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assessing the quality of water in a water injection system using existing engine sensors. A change in manifold charge temperature following a water injection may be compared to a change in intake oxygen level to determine an error between an amount of water delivered to the engine and an amount of water actually used in the engine. The error may be correlated with the water quality and used for correcting subsequent water injection commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Methods and systems for engine fuel and torque control
    Patent number: 9995234
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately estimating intake aircharge based on the output of an intake oxygen sensor while flowing EGR, purge, or PCV hydrocarbons to the engine. The unadjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine fuel control while the hydrocarbon adjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine torque control. A controller is configured to sample the oxygen sensor at even increments in a time domain, stamp the sampled data in a crank angle domain, store the sampled data in a buffer, and then select one or more data samples corresponding to a last firing period from the buffer for estimating the intake aircharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Michael McQuillen, Martin Brown, Imtiaz Ali, Naginder Gogna
  • VEHICLE SENSOR CALIBRATION USING WIRELESS NETWORKCONNECTED SENSORS
    Publication number: 20180141567
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle sensor calibration using wireless network-connected sensors. An example disclosed vehicle includes a communication controller and a sensor manager. The example communication controller communicatively couples to a network associated with a facility. The example sensor manager determines when the vehicle is proximate the facility. Additionally, the sensor manager calibrates sensors of the vehicle based on a measurement data of sensors installed at the facility that are communicatively coupled to the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Radhakrishnan Swaminathan, Daniel A. Makled, Michael Mcquillen
  • Method for estimating charge air cooler condensation storage and/or release with an intake oxygen sensor
    Patent number: 9976503
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating water storage in a charge air cooler (CAC). In one example, an amount of water in charge air exiting the CAC may be based on an output of an oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the CAC. Further, engine actuators may be adjusted to increase combustion stability and/or reduce condensate formation based on the amount of water exiting the CAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Dan A. Makled, Richard E. Soltis
  • Methods and system for injecting water at different groups of cylinders of an engine
    Patent number: 9976502
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an amount of water injected upstream of a group of cylinders based on a determined maldistribution of water among cylinders during a water injection event. In one example, a method may include injecting a first amount of water upstream of a first group of cylinders and a different, second amount of water upstream of a second group of cylinders based on operating conditions of the respective cylinder groups. Further, the method may include adjusting water injection and engine operating parameters in response the evaporated and/or condensed portion of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Christopher House, Michael Howard Shelby, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Condensation control in a charge air cooler by controlling charge air cooler temperature
    Patent number: 9976473
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing corrosion of a charge air cooler and reducing engine misfire due to condensate formation. In response to charge air cooler outlet temperature, electric fan operation and grille shutter opening is adjusted. Electric fan operation and grille shutter opening may also be controlled in response to vehicle operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Garlan J. Huberts, Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Joseph Styles, David Karl Bidner
  • System and methods for adjusting an exhaust gas recirculation valve based on multiple sensor outputs
    Patent number: 9970348
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve based on a final EGR estimate. In one example, a method may include adjusting the EGR valve based on a final EGR flow estimate, the final EGR flow estimate based on a first EGR flow estimated with a differential pressure sensor across the EGR valve, a second EGR flow estimated with an intake oxygen sensor, and accuracy values of each of the first and second EGR flows. The accuracy value may be based on engine operating conditions during estimation of the first and second EGR flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David G. Hagner, Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch