Patents by Inventor Gregory Patrick McConville

Gregory Patrick McConville 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).

  • Patent number: 8833058
    Abstract: Embodiments for routing exhaust in an engine are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises, during a first condition, firing a subset of cylinders and routing all exhaust from the subset of cylinders through a first exhaust manifold coupled directly to a catalyst and not a turbocharger, and during a second condition, firing all cylinders, routing a first portion of exhaust through a second exhaust manifold coupled to the turbocharger, and routing a second portion of exhaust through the first exhaust manifold. In this way, exhaust can be directly routed to a catalyst under some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Douglas Ervin, Kim Hwe Ku, Gregory Patrick McConville, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Patent number: 8813699
    Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating lobe switching in a camshaft system in an engine are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises deploying a first pin into a groove of a camshaft outer sleeve while a second pin remains in place due to an absence of a groove in which to deploy, and maintaining the second pin in place with a ball locking mechanism even after the second pin is exposed to a vacated groove in the camshaft outer sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Kim Hwe Ku
  • Publication number: 20140196703
    Abstract: An engine is provided that includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) conduit in fluidic communication with a first exhaust valve in a cylinder and an intake system, an exhaust conduit in fluidic communication with a second exhaust valve in the cylinder and an emission control device. During operation with the first valve active and the second valve deactivated, a fixed EGR level can be provided. However, during operation with the first valve deactivated and the second valve active, increased engine output can be achieved with reduced EGR without requiring additional exhaust throttling or switching valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Eric Warren Curtis, Kim Hwe Ku, Gregory Patrick McConville, James Douglas Ervin, Daniel Joseph Styles, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Publication number: 20140190432
    Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating lobe switching in a camshaft system in an engine are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises deploying a first pin into a groove of a camshaft outer sleeve while a second pin remains in place due to an absence of a groove in which to deploy, and maintaining the second pin in place with a ball locking mechanism even after the second pin is exposed to a vacated groove in the camshaft outer sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Kim Hwe Ku
  • Publication number: 20140157774
    Abstract: Embodiments for a turbine-generator position in a compressor bypass flow path are presented. In one example, a method for an engine having a compressor comprises generating energy via a turbine-generator positioned in a bypass flow path of the compressor. In this way, the energy of the recirculated intake air may be recovered by the turbine-generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Publication number: 20140137819
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an overhead cam shaft coupled to an inline engine with inner cylinders and outer cylinders are disclosed. In one example approach, an engine bank comprises inner cylinders each having only first and second lift profiles, both being non-zero lift profiles, and outer cylinders each having first, second, and third lift profiles, two being non-zero lift profiles and one being zero lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Kim Hwe Ku
  • Publication number: 20140130506
    Abstract: Various methods for controlling a wastegate with an actuator having a temperature-dependent magnetic field are provided. In one example, the magnetic field is estimated based on operating conditions and other parameters, and used to apply a magnetic correction to a voltage supplied to the actuator. The methods may provide accurate wastegate control in the presence of varying magnetic fields, ensuring the proper supply of boost to an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Allan Roy Gale, Vladimir V. Kokotovic, James Alfred Hilditch, Gregory Patrick McConville
  • Publication number: 20140047833
    Abstract: Embodiments for a charge air cooler are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises during a first mode, decreasing a volume of a charge air cooler in response to a compressor operation upstream of the charge air cooler. In this way, compressor surge may be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Julia Helen Buckland, Chris Paul Glugla, Robert Andrew Wade, Jason Eugene Devries, Charles A. Cockerill, Gregory Patrick McConville
  • Publication number: 20130283782
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine in response to a waste gate position is presented. In one example, the method adjusts an actuator to reduce the possibility of misfire in an engine cylinder in response to waste gate position. In this way, it may be possible to adjust engine operation for varying engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Allan Roy Gale
  • Publication number: 20130269315
    Abstract: Embodiments for routing exhaust in an engine are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises, during a first condition, firing a subset of cylinders and routing all exhaust from the subset of cylinders through a first exhaust manifold coupled directly to a catalyst and not a turbocharger, and during a second condition, firing all cylinders, routing a first portion of exhaust through a second exhaust manifold coupled to the turbocharger, and routing a second portion of exhaust through the first exhaust manifold. In this way, exhaust can be directly routed to a catalyst under some conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Douglas Ervin, Kim Hwe Ku, Gregory Patrick McConville, Brad Alan Boyer