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).

  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RANGE EXTENDER ENGINE OF A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20190249638
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, Thomas Leone, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RANGE EXTENDER ENGINE OF A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20190248358
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RANGE EXTENDER ENGINE OF A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20190249640
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, Thomas Leone, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RANGE EXTENDER ENGINE OF A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20190248359
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, Thomas Leone, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A RANGE EXTENDER ENGINE OF A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20190249639
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the operating range of an electric vehicle having an engine wherein waste heat generated during motor operation is transferred to pre-heat the engine. Engine starting is predicted based on the electrical torque demand of the vehicle relative to the actual and predicted electrical energy consumption of the electric vehicle. Prior to starting the engine to charge a battery of the motor, various engine components are pre-heated in an order that improves vehicle range while also optimizing fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Thomas Leone, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Systems and methods for calibrating vehicle sensing devices
    Patent number: 10371068
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating one or more vehicle sensors. In one example, a method comprises calibrating a sensor coupled to a vehicle and updating an operating parameter of an engine configured to propel the vehicle, based on a source of one or more weather devices removed from the vehicle, where said source includes a confidence level in data provided via said source. In this way, one or more vehicle sensors may be calibrated as a function of a confidence level in the data provided via said source, which may improve vehicle systems that rely on said sensors, and which may in some examples increase fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF AGED FUEL FOR AN ENGINE COLD START
    Publication number: 20190226415
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for characterizing aged fuel, which loses volatility over time. In one example, a method may include estimating a fuel vapor pressure during an engine cold start using a pre-determined fuel distillation curve and adjusting one or more combustion parameters based on the estimated fuel vapor pressure. Because the fuel vapor pressure directly relates to the fuel volatility, adjusting the one or more combustion parameters based on the estimated fuel vapor pressure may reduce aged fuel-related engine performance degradation, such as hesitation and emissions during cold start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Woodring, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mohannad Hakeem, Chris Glugla
  • Method and apparatus for dynamic vehicle key generation and handling
    Patent number: 10358114
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex Szczepaniak, Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Radhakrishnan Swaminathan
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ENGINE FUELING
    Publication number: 20190211761
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for tracking a fuel puddle mass in the intake port of a deactivated engine cylinder. The difference in fuel evaporation rate in the deactivated cylinder intake is accounted for by applying distinct time constant and gain values to a transient fuel compensation model. A fuel vapor content is clipped once the intake vapor pressure in the intake port of the deactivated cylinder reaches a saturation pressure limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Amey Karnik, Pravin Sashidharan, Gopichandra Surnilla, Michael Howard Shelby, Eric Storhok
  • Methods and systems for determining engine misfire
    Patent number: 10337416
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving detection and mitigation of engine misfire are presented. Engine misfire is determined by sampling exhaust pressure of a cylinder only during a time when an exhaust valve of the cylinder is in an open state. If misfire is indicated, an actuator is adjusted to reduce the possibility of misfire during a subsequent cylinder cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Methods and system for adjusting engine operation based on evaporated and condensed portions of water injected at an engine
    Patent number: 10337423
    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: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Stephen B. Smith
  • Method and system for determining air-fuel ratio imbalance
    Patent number: 10337430
    Abstract: Methods and systems include determining a cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance in a multi-cylinder engine. In one example, the method may include sequentially firing an engine cylinder to provide an expected air-fuel deviation and learning cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance based on an error between an actual air-fuel ratio deviation from a maximum lean air-fuel ratio relative to an expected air-fuel deviation during a deceleration fuel shut-off event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassene Jammoussi, Imad Hassan Makki, Michael Igor Kluzner, Gopichandra Surnilla, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Method and system for air-fuel ratio control
    Patent number: 10330040
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Hassene Jammoussi, Robert Roy Jentz, Michael Igor Kluzner, Stephen B. Smith
  • Systems and methods for humidity determination and uses thereof
    Patent number: 10330644
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting measurements of relative humidity using an ultrasonic sensor. In one example, a plurality of ultrasonic signals having different frequencies are transmitted from a single sensor, and attenuation values of reflected signals are determined only for those signals determined to have the same transit time from transmission to receipt, and where frequency of the plurality of ultrasonic signals may be changed responsive to an indication that the signals may be below a signal-to-noise threshold. In this way, by determining a difference between attenuation values between pairs of signals, where the signals comprise different frequencies and where the signals comprise the same transit times, relative humidity may be accurately determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Douglas Blue, Richard E. Soltis, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem
  • Method and system for determining knock control fluid composition
    Patent number: 10330028
    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: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Method and system for controlling fuel usage
    Patent number: 10330003
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel usage while addressing knock by adjusting the use of spark retard and direct injection of a fluid based on engine operating conditions and the composition of the injected fluid. One or more engine parameters, such as EGR, VCT, boost, throttle position, are coordinated with the direct injection to reduce torque and EGR transients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSING OPERATION OF AN ENGINE COMPRESSION RATIO CHANGING MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20190178193
    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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla, Imtiaz Ali, Lyth Alobiedat, Mohannad Hakeem, John Eric Rollinger, Paul Algis Baltusis
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20190178188
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes a compression ratio linkage for adjusting engine compression ratio are described. The systems and methods provide different ways of diagnosing the presence or absence of engine misfire in response to engine operating regions that may be more or less prone to torsional engine crankshaft vibration. In one example, engine misfire may be determined responsive to force applied to an engine compression ratio changing linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Glugla, Gopichandra Surnilla, Imtiaz Ali, Lyth Alobiedat
  • Methods and system mitigating port injection degradation
    Patent number: 10316773
    Abstract: Methods and systems for simultaneously operating port fuel injectors and direct fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine are described. In one example, operation of all of an engine's port fuel injectors may be adjusted in response to degradation of a sole port fuel injector so that an engine may operate as desired with a plurality of direct fuel injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ethan D. Sanborn, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Paul Hollar, Xiaoying Zhang, Stephen George Russ, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Methods and systems for adjusting a direct fuel injector
    Patent number: 10316786
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving fuel injection of an engine that includes a cylinder receiving fuel from two different fuel injectors is disclosed. In one example, a transfer function or gain of a direct fuel injector is adjusted in response to an exhaust lambda value and a first pulse width of two pulse widths provided to an injector of a cylinder during a cylinder cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Gopichandra Surnilla