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).

  • Systems and methods for LP-EGR delivery in a variable displacement engine
    Patent number: 10465620
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling LP-EGR flow in a variable displacement engine. In one example, a method may include providing a higher fixed LP-EGR percentage relative to a total intake air flow during a VDE mode, and providing a lower fixed EGR percentage relative to the total intake air flow during a non-VDE mode. Further, during a tip-out when operating in the VDE mode at a load below a threshold, transitioning out of the VDE mode after transitioning the LP-EGR from the higher fixed percentage to the lower fixed percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Chris Paul Glugla, Lynn Aimee Chesney, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Method and system for determining knock control fluid composition
    Patent number: 10465633
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately determining the composition of a knock control fluid using sensors already present in the engine system. An intake or an exhaust oxygen sensor is used to estimate the water and the alcohol content of a knock control fluid that is direct injected into an engine cylinder responsive to an indication of abnormal combustion. A change in the pumping current of the oxygen sensor due to the water content of the knock control fluid is distinguished from a change in the pumping current of the oxygen sensor due to the alcohol content of the knock control fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VARIABLE COMPRESSION RATIO ENGINE
    Publication number: 20190331553
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating an actual compression ratio of an engine cylinder based on the electric current applied to an actuator of the associated variable compression ratio mechanism. The compression ratio is estimated as a function of both a value and a location, relative to cylinder piston position, of a peak holding current applied by an electric motor on the actuator to maintain the actuator at a commanded compression ratio setting. In this way, the vehicle control system may more accurately infer the current actual compression ratio of each cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla, Imtiaz Ali, Lyth Alobiedat
  • Method and system for diagnosing operation of an engine compression ratio changing mechanism
    Patent number: 10450983
    Abstract: Methods and systems for diagnosing operation of a compression ratio adjusting mechanism are described. In one example, an output of a pressure sensor is sampled and an assessment of the engine's present compression ratio is made after adjusting sampling of the output. Engine operation may be adjusted responsive to whether or not degradation of the compression ratio adjusting mechanism is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla, Imtiaz Ali, Lyth Alobiedat, Mohannad Hakeem, John Eric Rollinger, Paul Algis Baltusis
  • Vehicle detection and avoidance
    Patent number: 10446033
    Abstract: A communication from a second vehicle is received. Upon failing to detect the second vehicle based on first vehicle sensor data, a message indicating a forward collision warning is sent. Upon detecting the second vehicle based on the first vehicle sensor data, the forward collision warning is suppressed and a first vehicle brake is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron L. Mills, Gopichandra Surnilla, Chet Hearn
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMIC VEHICLE KEY GENERATION AND HANDLING
    Publication number: 20190308588
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to generate a new access key, responsive to a vehicle shutdown. The processor is also configured to connect to a previously identified user wireless device. The processor is further configured to deliver the new access key to the user wireless device, responsive to connection to the wireless device and locally store a copy of the new access key in a file designated for reference for a next-access attempt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Alex SZCZEPANIAK, Michael MCQUILLEN, Gopichandra SURNILLA, Radhakrishnan SWAMINATHAN
  • Vehicle localization based on wireless local area network nodes
    Patent number: 10429190
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle localization based on wireless local area network nodes. An example disclosed vehicle includes a wireless network controller and a location tracker. In response to losing reception of GPS signals, the location tracker scans for wireless network nodes via the wireless network controller, and when second locations of the wireless network nodes are stored in memory, determines a current location of the vehicle based on a particle filtering technique and received signal strength measurements from the wireless network nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Makled, Michael Mcquillen, Ali Ahmad Ayoub, Jeremy Ferack
  • METHOD FOR DETERMINING A DILUTION OF RECIRCULATED GASES IN A SPLIT EXHAUST ENGINE
    Publication number: 20190293009
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a dilution of recirculated gases, including blowthrough air, combusted exhaust gas, and fuel vapor, in a split exhaust engine. In one example, the dilution rate may be calculated using a feedforward model that includes determining a pressure differential across a region in an intake passage, mapped engine parameters such as gas temperature, and exhaust valve timing. Engine operations such as spark advance and fuel injection may be adjusted according to the modeled rate to reduce engine knock and improve combustion efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Timothy Clark, Joseph Ulrey, Mohannad Hakeem
  • METHOD FOR DETERMINING A DILUTION OF RECIRCULATED GASES IN A SPLIT EXHAUST ENGINE
    Publication number: 20190293010
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a dilution of recirculated gases, including blowthrough air, combusted exhaust gas, and fuel vapor, in a split exhaust engine. In one example, the dilution rate may be calculated using a steady state model based on temperature measurements from an intake region of the engine. The steady state model may be further used in combination with a feedforward model adapted to estimate engine dilution during engine transients as a correction factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel Madison, Joseph Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mohannad Hakeem, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPRESSION HEATED AIR
    Publication number: 20190285016
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for compression heating of air. In one example, a method may include, during an engine start and prior to a first combustion event, deactivating cylinder exhaust valves while spinning the engine electrically and unfueled until a threshold intake air temperature is reached, and alternately activating and deactivating the exhaust valves of one or more cylinders to maintain the intake air temperature above the threshold temperature after the first combustion event. In this way, a temperature of an air charge may be increased, resulting in increased fuel economy and decreased vehicle emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Methods and system for adjusting cylinder air charge of an engine
    Patent number: 10408152
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an internal combustion engine based on output of an intake manifold pressure sensor and output of an in cylinder pressure sensor are described. The systems and methods provide a way of determining cylinder air charge so that a fuel injector has sufficient time to provide a desired amount of fuel to a cylinder during a cycle of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Christopher Glugla, Garlan Huberts, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AIR-FUEL RATIO CONTROL
    Publication number: 20190271278
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for learning fuel injector error for cylinder groups during a deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO), where all cylinders of an engine are deactivated, sequentially firing each cylinder of a cylinder group, each cylinder fueled via consecutive first and second fuel pulses of differing fuel pulse width from an injector. Based on a lambda deviation between the first and second pulses, a fuel error for the injector and an air-fuel ratio imbalance for each cylinder is learned. Alternatively or additionally, a difference in crankshaft acceleration between the first and second pulses relative to the expected deviation may be used to learn torque error, and adjust fuel injector error and air-ratio imbalance for each cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Hassene Jammoussi, Robert Roy Jentz, Michael Igor Kluzner, Stephen B. Smith
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VEHICULAR COMMUNICATION
    Publication number: 20190274015
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller that is configured to establish a first and second cellular connection, transfer vehicle diagnostic data over the first cellular connection, and transfer entertainment data over the second cellular connection. The first cellular connection may be according to a first cellular standard based on a vehicle Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) profile, and the second cellular connection may be according to a second cellular standard, different than the first, based on a personal SIM profile received from a cellular device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Karuna Devi Surnilla
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS TO ENABLE VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE GUIDANCE AND TRACKING
    Publication number: 20190272760
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to enable vehicle-to-vehicle guidance and tracking are disclosed. An example method includes transmitting, from a first vehicle, a first message to a second vehicle. The first message requests the second vehicle to become a leader vehicle. The example method further includes receiving a second message from the second vehicle. The second message includes leader information indicative of a travel path of the second vehicle. The example method also includes receiving authorization from the second vehicle for the first vehicle to follow the second vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Michael MCQUILLEN, Gopichandra SURNILLA, Daniel A. MAKLED, Hao ZHANG
  • Method and system for characterizing a port fuel injector
    Patent number: 10393056
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating engine port injectors. After pressurizing a low pressure fuel rail, a lift pump may be disabled and port injector variability may be correlated with a measured fuel rail pressure drop at each port injection event by sweeping injection pressure while maintaining injection voltage, and then sweeping injection voltage while maintaining injection pressure. A port injector variability map learned as a function of injection voltage and injection pressure is then transformed into a map learned as a function of injection current and injection pressure by accounting for injector variability caused due to changes in injector temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING KNOCK CONTROL FLUID COMPOSITION
    Publication number: 20190257271
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately determining the composition of a knock control fluid using sensors already present in the engine system. An intake or an exhaust oxygen sensor is used to estimate the water and the alcohol content of a knock control fluid that is direct injected into an engine cylinder responsive to an indication of abnormal combustion. A change in the pumping current of the oxygen sensor due to the water content of the knock control fluid is distinguished from a change in the pumping current of the oxygen sensor due to the alcohol content of the knock control fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • CABIN HEATING SYSTEM WITH SEALED HEAT TRANSFER LOOP
    Publication number: 20190255912
    Abstract: A cabin heating system includes a cabin air heat exchanger, an exhaust gas heat exchanger and a heat transfer loop. The heat transfer loop circulates a gaseous heat exchange fluid between the cabin air heat exchanger and the exhaust gas heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Thomas George Leone
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING CYLINDER AIR CHARGE OF AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20190257261
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an internal combustion engine based on output of an intake manifold pressure sensor and output of an in cylinder pressure sensor are described. The systems and methods provide a way of determining cylinder air charge so that a fuel injector has sufficient time to provide a desired amount of fuel to a cylinder during a cycle of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Christopher Glugla, Garlan Huberts, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HEATING A CABIN OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20190255913
    Abstract: A cabin heating system includes an exhaust heat exchanger having a cabin air conduit. That cabin air conduit includes a check valve, a pressure relief valve and a heat exchange section between the check valve and the pressure relief valve. The cabin heating system also includes a control module configured to maintain cabin air in the cabin air conduit at a first pressure P1 while exhaust gas in an exhaust bypass has a second pressure P2 where P1>P2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Thomas George Leone
  • Method and system for an oxygen sensor
    Patent number: 10386345
    Abstract: Examples are provided for estimating an amount of fuel in an engine oil and an effect of the fuel on a gas sensor. In one example, an apparatus may include an analyzer to analyze an engine fluid and a computing device operably coupled to the analyzer, the computing device storing non-transitory instructions executable to determine fuel dilution in engine oil based on speciation of hydrocarbons in fuel in the engine oil determined based on output received from the analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, James Eric Anderson, Shuya Shark Yamada, Gopichandra Surnilla