Patents by Inventor James Michael Kerns

James Michael Kerns 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 Systems for Variable Displacement Engine Control
    Publication number: 20120285161
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting a group of cylinders for selective deactivation, in a variable displacement engine system, based at least on a regeneration state of an exhaust catalyst. The position of one or more valves and throttles may be adjusted based on the selective deactivation to reduce back-flow through the disabled cylinders while also maintaining conditions of a downstream exhaust catalyst. Pre-ignition and knock detection windows and thresholds may also be adjusted based on the deactivation to improve the efficiency of knock and pre-ignition detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, Adam Nathan Banker
  • Adjustable grill shutter system
    Patent number: 8311708
    Abstract: An adjustable grill shutter system is provided. In one embodiment, adjustment of the grill shutter system can be provided by a method of adjusting a grill shutter system for a vehicle, the method comprising adjusting opening of one or more grill shutters located at a front end opening of the vehicle in response to a non-driven vehicle condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: James Michael Kerns
  • Distinguishing Between EGR Valve and Oxygen Sensor Degradation
    Publication number: 20120265396
    Abstract: A diagnostic method for an engine having a valve for controlling dilution of intake air. The method comprises, during engine fueling, indicating a degradation of the valve when the valve is commanded closed but sensor output corresponds to an oxygen level below that of air. The method further comprises, absent engine fueling, indicating degradation of the sensor when the valve is commanded closed but the sensor output corresponds to an oxygen level below that of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Timothy Joseph Clark, Robert Roy Jentz, Michael James Uhrich
  • Approach for controlling a vehicle engine that includes an electric boosting device
    Patent number: 8271183
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle including an engine is provided The engine may include at least one cylinder, a boosting device to boost intake air to the at least one cylinder, a fuel tank, a fuel vapor canister to store fuel vapors vented from the fuel tank, and an emission control device to treat exhaust gas from the engine. The boosting device includes a compressor at least partially driven by an electric motor. The method includes during an engine cold start condition, operating the electric motor of the boost device to boost intake air, directing the boosted intake air through the fuel vapor canister to release a fuel vapor stored in the fuel vapor canister, directing the fuel vapor from the fuel vapor canister to the engine, and performing combustion in the at least one cylinder using the fuel vapor during the engine starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, James Michael Kerns, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Method and System for Humidity Sensor Diagnostics
    Publication number: 20120227714
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Robert Roy Jentz, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Richard E. Soltis
  • Method and System for Humidity Sensor Diagnostics
    Publication number: 20120227719
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, Michael James Uhrich, Timothy Joseph Clark, James Michael Kerns, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Hydrocarbon retaining system for flex-fuel combustion engine
    Patent number: 8261531
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harendra S. Gandhi, Michael James Uhrich, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FUEL VAPOR CONTROL
    Publication number: 20120211087
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a fuel vapor recovery system including a fuel tank isolation valve coupled between a fuel tank and a canister. During selected conditions, the valve is modulated and pressure pulsations in the fuel vapor recovery system are monitored. Valve degradation is identified based on correlations between the valve modulation and the resultant pressure pulsations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Aed Mohammad Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Timothy DeBastos, James Michael Kerns, Michael Igor Kluzner
  • HYDROCARBON RETAINING AND PURGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120204544
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system and an emission control device coupled to an engine exhaust, the engine exhaust comprising a venturi. One example method comprises, during a storing condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi without generating a venturi action, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, while bypassing the emission control device, to store hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon retaining system, and during a purging condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi while generating venturi action, then to the emission control device, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, to purge stored hydrocarbons, wherein a flow of purged hydrocarbons is drawn back to the venturi via venturi action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, James Michael Kerns, Shane Elwart, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • Selectively storing reformate
    Patent number: 8230826
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively storing gaseous reformate output by a fuel reformer for fueling an engine. Carbon monoxide produced by a fuel reformer may be continuously combusted in the engine and/or engine exhaust rather than being stored. In one example, reformate components produced by a fuel reformer, e.g., H2 and CH4, may be stored and buffered for use by an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, James Michael Kerns
  • Method and system for fuel vapor control
    Patent number: 8215291
    Abstract: A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy DeBastos, Russell Randall Pearce, Scott Bohr, Patrick Sullivan, Christopher Kragh, Michael Igor Kluzner, Robert Roy Jentz, William Euliss, Aed Dudar, James Michael Kerns, Russ William Ferguson, Daniel Gabor
  • Hydrocarbon Retaining System Configuration for Combustion Engine
    Publication number: 20120137659
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • Exhaust treatment system for internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8166957
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating an engine exhaust system. In one example, a system comprises a first valve, and a second valve coupled to the first valve via a shaft. A first position of the shaft situates the first valve closed and the second valve open, a second position situates the second valve closed and the first valve open by a first amount, and a third position situates the second valve closed and the first valve open by a second, larger amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Aaron Lupescu, Daniel Joseph Styles, James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, David A. May
  • Hydrocarbon retaining and purging system
    Patent number: 8161733
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system and an emission control device coupled to an engine exhaust, the engine exhaust comprising a venturi. One example method comprises, during a storing condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi without generating a venturi action, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, while bypassing the emission control device, to store hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon retaining system, and during a purging condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi while generating venturi action, then to the emission control device, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, to purge stored hydrocarbons, wherein a flow of purged hydrocarbons is drawn back to the venturi via venturi action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, James Michael Kerns, Shane Elwart, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • Approach for determining exhaust gas sensor degradation
    Patent number: 8145409
    Abstract: A method for determining degradation of an exhaust gas sensor positioned in an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is provided. The method includes sensor response durations to rich-to-lean and lean-to-rich transitions, as well as the symmetry of sensor response durations and delays to such transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Michael Kerns, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FUEL VAPOR CONTROL
    Publication number: 20120055452
    Abstract: A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy DeBastos, Russell Randall Pearce, Scott Bohr, Patrick Sullivan, Christopher Kragh, Michael Igor Kluzner, Robert Roy Jentz, William Euliss, Aed Dudar, James Michael Kerns, Russ William Ferguson, Daniel Gabor
  • Hydrocarbon retaining system configuration for combustion engine
    Patent number: 8112985
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • Control and diagnostic approach for emission control device
    Patent number: 8099947
    Abstract: A system and method for engine control and diagnostics are described. In one example, a catalyst is modeled as a non-linear integrator. The method may improve engine air-fuel diagnostics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich, Michael Igor Kluzner
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FUEL VAPOR CONTROL
    Publication number: 20110295482
    Abstract: A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Scott Bohr, Christopher Kragh, Timothy DeBastos, Patrick Sullivan, James Michael Kerns, Chad Michael Olson
  • Method and system for fuel vapor control
    Patent number: 8056540
    Abstract: A method and system for fuel vapor control in a hybrid vehicle (HEV). The HEV fuel vapor recovery system includes a fuel tank isolation valve, which is normally closed to isolate storage of refueling from storage of diurnal vapors. The method for fuel vapor control includes selectively actuating the fuel tank isolation valve during interrelated routines for refueling, fuel vapor purging, and emission system leak detection diagnostics to improve regulation of pressure and vacuum the HEV fuel vapor recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy DeBastos, Russell Randall Pearce, Scott Bohr, Patrick Sullivan, Christopher Kragh, Michael Igor Kluzner, Robert Roy Jentz, William Euliss, Aed Dudar, James Michael Kerns, Russ William Ferguson, Daniel Gabor