Patents by Inventor Jerry D. Robichaux
Jerry D. Robichaux 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).
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Publication number: 20030089538Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle 10 and a method for operating the hybrid electric vehicle 10 in which combustion is made to occur within the internal combustion engine 24 only after the crankshaft 25 of the engine 24 has been rotated by an electric motor or generator 30 to a certain speed and according to a certain ramped or partially ramped profile 114, 112, thereby reducing the amount of emissions from the engine 24, allowing for a more efficient torque transfer to wheels 42, and allowing for a more smoother operation of the vehicle 10. The fuel injectors 13, throttle plate 11, and spark plugs 15 are also controlled in order to allow emissions to be reduced during activation of the engine and to allow the catalytic converter 7 to be heated in order to allow these emissions to be further reduced as the engine 24 is operating.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Mark William Peters, Paul Michael Deniston, Stephen John Kotre
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Patent number: 6557534Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for purging a vapor canister in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle during vehicle idle conditions. The present invention first determines whether purging is necessary by measuring fuel tank pressure and the time since the last purge. If either of these elements exceeds a calibratable threshold, the controller determines that the engine needs to be on and that purging must occur. An electronic throttle controller can also be used to command the throttle plate to low positions to increase intake manifold vacuum while purging. This allows for very rapid ingestion of the fuel vapor without risk of engine stalls, if used in an HEV where the engine speed is controlled by an electric motor. Upon completion of the purging process, the engine is shut “off” and the vehicle is returned to its normal idle conditions.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jerry D. Robichaux, Stephen John Kotre
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Patent number: 6513493Abstract: A system and a method to control air flow during a transition in an internal combustion engine, in which intake valves are operated by more than one type of actuation device, is disclosed. Based on demanded engine torque, engine speed and transition type, throttle position and closing time of a randomly operable intake valve are determined such that a smooth transition can be accomplished.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2000Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jerry D. Robichaux, Diana Dawn Brehob, John D. Russell, Thomas George Leone
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Publication number: 20030005756Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine to improve air/fuel ratio control using a feed-forward observer-based control strategy include estimating current and future airflow actuator positions, determining corresponding mass airflow values, and determining a future in-cylinder air charge based on a difference between the current and future mass airflow values. In one embodiment, the difference between current and future mass airflow estimates is used as a feed-forward term and combined with a sensed or measured value generated by a mass airflow sensor prior to being processed using a manifold filling model to predict the future cylinder air charge.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventors: Ihab S. Soliman, Tobias John Pallett, Jerry D. Robichaux
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Patent number: 6499293Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a lean-burn internal combustion engine in cooperation with an exhaust gas purification system having a three-way catalyst and a NOx trap located downstream of the three-way catalyst includes a controller which calculates current levels of tailpipe NOx during lean engine operating conditions based upon the difference between a determined instantaneous feedgas NOx concentration and a determined instantaneous trap efficiency. The controller discontinues lean engine operation when the tailpipe NOx, expressed in terms of either grams-per-mile or grams-per-hour, exceeds a predetermined threshold level, either instantaneously or as averaged over the course of a trap purge-fill cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2000Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, Jerry D. Robichaux, Michael John Cullen
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Publication number: 20020179050Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine to improve air/fuel ratio control using a feed-forward observer-based control strategy include estimating current and future airflow actuator positions, determining corresponding mass airflow values, and determining a future in-cylinder air charge based on a difference between the current and future mass airflow values. In one embodiment, the difference between current and future mass airflow estimates is used as a feed-forward term and combined with a sensed or measured value generated by a mass airflow sensor prior to-being processed using a manifold filling model to predict the future cylinder air charge.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: Ihab S. Soliman, Tobias John Pallett, Jerry D. Robichaux
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Patent number: 6490511Abstract: A torque based monitor method, apparatus, and system, for a torque splitting hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrain and regenerative brake 54 system. The preferred powertrain configuration includes an internal combustion engine 20, generator 32, and electric traction motor 36 combined to produce the vehicle's output shaft torque. The invention has a set of vehicle state sensors and communication interfaces connected independently to a main controller 200 and an independent plausibility check (IPC) 202. The IPC monitors and mitigates the powertrain output shaft torque (OST) by reducing powertrain torque when the detected OST is greater than the desired OST. The IPC has a second mode of operation to shut down the powertrain OST of the HEV powertrain when a fault or failure is detected. Additional features include a quizzer 204 function to continuously verify the functionality of the IPC.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Abbas Raftari, Deepa Ramaswamy, Jerry D. Robichaux
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Publication number: 20020165659Abstract: This invention is a method and system to control engine shutdown for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The invention allows for reduced tailpipe emissions during the many engine shutdowns and subsequent restarts during the course of an HEV drive cycle and reduced evaporative emissions during an HEV “soak” (inactive) period. The engine shutdown routine can ramp off fuel injectors, control engine torque (via electronic throttle control), control engine speed, stop spark delivery by disabling the ignition system, stop purge vapor flow by closing a vapor management valve (VMV), stop exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow by closing an EGR valve, and flush the intake manifold of residual fuel (vapor and puddles) into the combustion chamber to be combusted. The resulting exhaust gas byproducts are then converted in the catalytic converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2001Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Mark William Peters, Stephen John Kotre
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Publication number: 20020165660Abstract: This invention is a method and system to control engine shutdown in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The invention allows for reduced tailpipe emissions during the many engine shutdowns and subsequent restarts during the course of an HEV drive cycle and reduced evaporative emissions during an HEV “soak” (inactive) period. The engine shutdown routine can ramp off fuel injectors, control engine torque (via electronic throttle control), control engine speed, stop spark delivery by disabling the ignition system, stop purge vapor flow by closing a vapor management valve (VMV), stop exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow by closing an EGR valve, and flush the intake manifold of residual fuel (vapor and puddles) into the combustion chamber to be combusted. The resulting exhaust gas byproducts are then converted in the catalytic converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2001Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Mark William Peters, Stephen John Kotre
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Patent number: 6460409Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine to improve air/fuel ratio control using a feed-forward observer-based control strategy include estimating current and future airflow actuator positions, determining corresponding mass airflow values, and determining a future in-cylinder air charge based on a difference between the current and future mass airflow values. In one embodiment, the difference between current and future mass airflow estimates is used as a feed-forward term and combined with a sensed or measured value generated by a mass airflow sensor prior to being processed using a manifold filling model to predict the future cylinder air charge.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ihab S. Soliman, Tobias John Pallett, Jerry D. Robichaux
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Patent number: 6453666Abstract: A method and system for operating a lean-burn internal combustion engine in cooperation with an exhaust gas purification system having an emission control device, wherein the system includes a controller which calculates current levels of a selected exhaust gas constituent, such as NOx, during lean engine operating conditions based upon the difference between a determined instantaneous feedgas NOx concentration and a determined instantaneous device efficiency. The controller discontinues lean engine operation when the tailpipe NOx, expressed in terms of either grams-per-mile or grams-per-hour, exceeds a predetermined threshold level, either instantaneously or as averaged over the course of a device purge-fill cycle.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, Jerry D. Robichaux, Michael John Cullen
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Patent number: 6442455Abstract: This invention is a method and system for a hybrid electric vehicle adaptive fuel strategy to quickly mature an adaptive fuel table. The strategy adaptively alters the amount of fuel delivered to an internal combustion engine to optimize engine efficiency and emissions using engine sensors. Before the adaptive fuel strategy is permitted, an engine “on” idle arbitration logic requires the HEV to be in idle conditions, with normal battery state of charge, normal vacuum in the climate control and brake system reservoir; and, the vapor canister not needing purging. The strategy orders the engine throttle to sweep different airflow regions of the engine to adapt cells within the adaptive fuel table. In the preferred configuration, a generator attached to the vehicle drive train, adds and subtracts torque to maintain constant engine speed during the throttle sweeps.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Stephen John Kotre, Jerry D. Robichaux
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Patent number: 6434930Abstract: A method and system for controlling the operation of “lean-burn” internal combustion engines determines a current rate of vehicle NOx emissions, and determines a threshold value for permissible vehicle NOx emissions based on at least one current value for the intake air-fuel ratio, engine speed, engine load (e.g., brake torque, manifold air pressure, or throttle position), and/or vehicle speed. A differential NOx emissions rate is calculated as the difference between the current rate and the threshold rate, and the differential rate is accumulated over time to obtain a differential measure representing the amount by which cumulative NOx emissions have fallen below permissible levels therefor. Lean engine operation is disabled when the differential NOx emissions measure exceeds a predetermined excess vehicle NOx emission value. In this manner, vehicle NOx emissions are favorably controlled even when the engine is operated “off-cycle,” i.e.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael John Cullen, David Karl Bidner, Gopichandra Surnilla, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, Jerry D. Robichaux
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Patent number: 6425365Abstract: Periodic shutdown of the internal combustion engine (12) during operation of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is achieved by shutdown of a vapor management valve (VMV) of the engine evaporative emission control system and an EGR valve (150) of the tailpipe emission control system at the time an engine shutdown command is provided to a controlled engine shutdown routine that, after closing of the VMV and EGR valves, then commands disabling of the engine fuel injectors (160) in a manner to stop engine operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark William Peters, David Lee Boggs, Jerry D. Robichaux, Stephen John Kotre
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Publication number: 20020083930Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for purging a vapor canister in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle during vehicle idle conditions. The present invention first determines whether purging is necessary by measuring fuel tank pressure and the time since the last purge. If either of these elements exceeds a calibratable threshold, the controller determines that the engine needs to be on and that purging must occur. An electronic throttle controller can also be used to command the throttle plate to low positions to increase intake manifold vacuum while purging. This allows for very rapid ingestion of the fuel vapor without risk of engine stalls, if used in an HEV where the engine speed is controlled by an electric motor. Upon completion of the purging process, the engine is shut “off” and the vehicle is returned to its normal idle conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Jerry D. Robichaux, Stephen John Kotre
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Publication number: 20020082754Abstract: A feedback system 10 for use with a hybrid electric vehicle 12 having a propulsion system 14 which includes a motor/generator 16 and an internal combustion engine 20. The system 10 provides a driver of vehicle 12 with tactile, audible, visual and/or other perceivable feedback, effective to notify the driver that the powertrain 14 of the vehicle is active when the internal combustion engine 20 is stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2000Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventors: Jerry D. Robichaux, Peter John Grutter
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Publication number: 20020079149Abstract: This invention is a method and system for a hybrid electric vehicle adaptive fuel strategy to quickly mature an adaptive fuel table. The strategy adaptively alters the amount of fuel delivered to an internal combustion engine to optimize engine efficiency and emissions using engine sensors. Before the adaptive fuel strategy is permitted, an engine “on” idle arbitration logic requires the HEV to be in idle conditions, with normal battery state of charge, normal vacuum in the climate control and brake system reservoir; and, the vapor canister not needing purging. The strategy orders the engine throttle to sweep different airflow regions of the engine to adapt cells within the adaptive fuel table. In the preferred configuration, a generator attached to the vehicle drive train, adds and subtracts torque to maintain constant engine speed during the throttle sweeps.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2000Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventors: Stephen John Kotre, Jerry D. Robichaux
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Patent number: 6411882Abstract: A method is presented for improved interaction between driver demand, cruise control system and traction control system in an internal combustion vehicle. Desired engine output torque is adjusted based on the above inputs and vehicle operating conditions. This method improves drive feel and customer satisfaction with vehicle performance.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Mathew Alan Boesch, Gopichandra Surnilla, Jerry D. Robichaux
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Publication number: 20020069007Abstract: A method is presented for improved interaction between driver demand, cruise control system and traction control system in an internal combustion vehicle. Desired engine output torque is adjusted based on the above inputs and vehicle operating conditions. This method improves drive feel and customer satisfaction with vehicle performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2000Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Mathew Alan Boesch, Gopichandra Surnilla, Jerry D. Robichaux
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Patent number: 6360530Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a “lean-burn” internal combustion engine in cooperation with an exhaust gas purification system having an emissions control device capable of alternatively storing and releasing NOx when exposed to exhaust gases that are lean and rich of stoichiometry, respectively, optimizes vehicle fuel economy while complying with emissions standards by prohibiting lean engine operation only when tailpipe emissions, calculated in terms of grams of an exhaust gas constituent per vehicle mile traveled, exceeds a permissible threshold value. The threshold value is preferably itself periodically determined based upon a detected or determined level of vehicle activity, such that vehicle activity characterized by greater transient engine operation prescribes a relatively lower level of permissible vehicle emissions.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jerry D. Robichaux, Gopichandra Surnilla, Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, Michael John Cullen