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).

  • Method for estimating charge air cooler condensation storage with an intake oxygen sensor
    Patent number: 9903265
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating water storage in a charge air cooler (CAC). In one example, an amount of water accumulating in the CAC may be based on an output of an oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the CAC and ambient humidity. Further, engine actuators may be adjusted to purge condensate from the CAC and/or reduce condensate formation based on the amount of water inside the CAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Mehdi Abarham
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20180051647
    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: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    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
    Publication number: 20180051646
    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: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Ethan D. Sanborn, Mark Thomas Linenberg, Kenneth John Behr, Yichao Guo
  • Methods and systems for adjusting EGR based on an impact of PCV hydrocarbons on an intake oxygen sensor
    Patent number: 9897027
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating an impact of PCV hydrocarbons on an output of an intake oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include disabling EGR flow when the impact of PCV hydrocarbons on the output of the intake oxygen sensor is above a threshold. The impact of the PCV hydrocarbons on the output of the intake oxygen sensor may be based on a difference between the output of the intake oxygen sensor and a DPOV sensor when EGR is flow and a difference between the output of the intake oxygen sensor and expected blow-by when EGR is not flowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Stephen B. Smith, Michael Howard Shelby, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Mohannad Hakeem
  • Method and system for engine control
    Patent number: 9897020
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing a spark plug soot load and a combustion chamber soot load by controlling spark plug timing while injecting water or washer fluid. In one example, water or washer fluid is injected during a torque reduction while advancing spark timing so as to provide at least a portion of the torque reduction while opportunistically cleaning soot from the spark plug and combustion chamber. By reducing spark plug soot load, misfire occurrence is reduced, while pre-ignition occurrence is reduced by decarbonizing the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala, Garlan J. Huberts, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Methods and systems for an oxygen sensor
    Patent number: 9897030
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately learning the zero point of an intake gas oxygen sensor during selected engine no-fueling conditions. The learned zero point is used to infer EGR flow and accordingly adjust EGR valve control. In addition, EGR valve leakage is diagnosed based on the zero point learned during a DFSO adaptation relative to a zero point learned during an idle adaptation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla, Matthew John Gerhart, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Vehicle Emergency Broadcast
    Publication number: 20180043850
    Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle includes an accelerometer, and a controller electrically coupled to the accelerometer and configured to respond to a signal indicative of an accident of the vehicle. The controller's response to the signal includes activating an emergency mode, requesting biometric data of occupants of the vehicle, and transmitting data identifying the vehicle, a location of the vehicle and a time of activation, and biometric data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel A. Makled, Michael Mcquillen, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING ENGINE OPERATION BASED ON EVAPORATED AND CONDENSED PORTIONS OF WATER INJECTED AT AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20180038294
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation based on estimated vaporized and condensed portions of water injected during a water injection event. In one example, a method may include injecting an amount of water into the intake manifold in response to engine conditions and inferring vaporized and condensed portions of the injected water based on the injected amount and a change in manifold temperature following the injection. Further, the method may include adjusting water injection and engine operating parameters in response the evaporated and/or condensed portion of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Stephen B. Smith
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR INJECTING WATER AT DIFFERENT GROUPS OF CYLINDERS OF AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20180038300
    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: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Christopher House, Michael Howard Shelby, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTING A LOCATION FOR WATER INJECTION IN AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20180038319
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting a location for water injection during a water injection event based on engine operating conditions. In one example, a method may include selecting a location for water injection from each of an intake port of each cylinder, an intake manifold upstream of all engine cylinders, and directly into each cylinder based on engine operating conditions. Further, the method may include adjusting water injection at the selected location and engine operating parameters in response the evaporated and/or condensed portion of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Stephen B. Smith, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Compensating oxygen sensor aging
    Patent number: 9885685
    Abstract: Various methods are provided for compensating changes in the relation between impedance setpoint and operating temperature in an oxygen sensor. In one embodiment, a method of operating an oxygen sensor comprises adjusting an impedance setpoint based on a change in dry air pumping current of the oxygen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Daniel A. Makled
  • SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR EXTRACTING WATER FROM EXHAUST GASES FOR WATER INJECTION
    Publication number: 20180023522
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for flowing exhaust through a second cooler, arranged downstream of a first cooler and upstream of an intake in an exhaust gas recirculation passage, and extracting condensate for water injection from condensate in cooled exhaust gas exiting the second cooler. In one example, a method may include adjusting the amount of exhaust gas flowing through the second cooler based on an amount of water stored at a water storage tank of a water injection system and engine operating conditions. Further, the method may include selectively flowing exhaust gas from the second cooler to a location upstream or downstream of a compressor in response to engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mohannad Hakeem, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Christopher House, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Methods and systems for operating a variable voltage oxygen sensor
    Patent number: 9874549
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a rate of change in a reference voltage of an oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include gradually increasing a reference voltage of an oxygen sensor from a lower first voltage to a higher second voltage at a ramp rate. The ramp rate may be based on engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Makled, Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Susan Nicole Wilber
  • Methods and system for adjusting engine operation based on evaporated and condensed portions of water injected at an engine
    Patent number: 9874163
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation based on estimated vaporized and condensed portions of water injected during a water injection event. In one example, a method may include injecting an amount of water into the intake manifold in response to engine conditions and inferring vaporized and condensed portions of the injected water based on the injected amount and a change in manifold temperature following the injection. 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: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Stephen B. Smith
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN OXYGEN SENSOR
    Publication number: 20180010530
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing blackening of an oxygen sensor due to voltage excursions into an over-potential region. Before transitioning the sensor from a lower voltage to an upper voltage during variable voltage operation, an operating temperature of the sensor is reduced via adjustments to a sensor heater setting. The reduction in temperature increases the range of temperatures available to the sensor before the over-potential region is entered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Daniel A. Makled
  • Systems and methods for adjusting fuel injection based on a determined fuel rail temperature
    Patent number: 9863360
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting a temperature of an engine fuel rail at a plurality of locations along the engine fuel rail. In one example, a method may include detecting temperatures along the engine fuel rail with a plurality of metal film thermocouples adhered to the engine fuel rail and arranged proximate to engine fuel injectors, and adjusting fuel injector operation and/or fuel rail pressure in response to the detected fuel rail temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mohan Karulkar, Brian Joseph Robert, Richard E. Soltis, Larry Dean Elie
  • Oxygen sensor control based on water contact
    Patent number: 9863909
    Abstract: Various methods for operating an oxygen sensor are provided. In one example, a method of operating an oxygen sensor comprises applying power to a heater of the oxygen sensor, and indicating whether water is in contact with the oxygen sensor based on a time rate of change of a temperature of the oxygen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Mcquillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Daniel A. Makled, Stephen B. Smith
  • Methods and systems for estimating an air-fuel ratio with a variable voltage oxygen sensor
    Patent number: 9863353
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating an exhaust air/fuel ratio based on outputs from an exhaust oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include adjusting engine operation based on an air-fuel ratio estimated based on an output of the exhaust oxygen sensor and a learned correction factor. For example, the oxygen sensor may operate in a variable voltage mode in which a reference voltage of the oxygen sensor may be adjusted between a lower first voltage and a higher second voltage, and the learned correction factor is based on the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Makled, Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Kenneth John Behr
  • Method of fuel injection for a variable displacement engine
    Patent number: 9856808
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling fuel injection in a variable displacement engine. One method for a deactivatable cylinder comprises, before deactivating the cylinder responsive to operating conditions, disabling a port injector and fueling the cylinder only via the direct injector. The method further comprises, when reactivating the cylinder from deactivation, enabling both the port injector and the direct injector, and injecting a higher amount of fuel via the direct injector while simultaneously injecting a lower amount of fuel via the port injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Methods and systems for an oxygen sensor
    Patent number: 9856799
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing blackening of an oxygen sensor due to voltage excursions into an over-potential region. Before transitioning the sensor from a lower voltage to an upper voltage during variable voltage operation, an operating temperature of the sensor is reduced via adjustments to a sensor heater setting. The reduction in temperature increases the range of temperatures available to the sensor before the over-potential region is entered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Daniel A. Makled