Patents by Inventor John Gerhart
John Gerhart 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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Patent number: 10202913Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an electric supercharger as an on-board air pump and/or vacuum pump. During conditions when a vehicle is not being propelled and the vehicle engine is idling, a portion of an air intake passage is sealed and the supercharger is operated to deliver compressed air into the sealed portion. Compressed air can then be picked up directly from the sealed portion for use in tire inflation, or picked up via an ejector to provide vacuum for vacuum actuators.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Baitao Xiao, Matthew Blake Tranter, Justin Lesniak, W. Cary Cole, Matthew John Gerhart, Tyler Kelly, Corey Ducklow, Adam Nathan Banker, Erik Mikael Hellstrom
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Publication number: 20180223751Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an electric supercharger as an on-board air pump and/or vacuum pump. During conditions when a vehicle is not being propelled and the vehicle engine is idling, a portion of an air intake passage is sealed and the supercharger is operated to deliver compressed air into the sealed portion. Compressed air can then be picked up directly from the sealed portion for use in tire inflation, or picked up via an ejector to provide vacuum for vacuum actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2017Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Baitao Xiao, Matthew Blake Tranter, Justin Lesniak, W. Cary Cole, Matthew John Gerhart, Tyler Kelly, Corey Ducklow, Adam Nathan Banker, Erik Mikael Hellstrom
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Patent number: 9957906Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) flow based on outputs of an intake manifold oxygen sensor. For example, during engine operation when exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and fuel canister purge are disabled, PCV flow may be estimated based on a difference between a first output of the sensor with boost enabled and a second output of the sensor with boost disabled. Then, during subsequent operation wherein EGR is enabled, PCV flow is enabled, and purge is disabled, a third output of the sensor may be adjusted based on the estimated PCV flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2013Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Ford Gloabl Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Matthew John Gerhart, Lynn Aimee Chesney, Stephen B. Smith
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Patent number: 9897030Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately learning the zero point of an intake gas oxygen sensor during selected engine no-fueling conditions. The learned zero point is used to infer EGR flow and accordingly adjust EGR valve control. In addition, EGR valve leakage is diagnosed based on the zero point learned during a DFSO adaptation relative to a zero point learned during an idle adaptation.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla, Matthew John Gerhart, Daniel Joseph Styles
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Patent number: 9765688Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a compressor and a compressor recirculation valve of a turbocharged engine to avoid the possibility of compressor surge are presented. The systems and methods position the compressor recirculation valve responsive to a compressor surge line that is based on two other compressor surge lines that may be a function of compressor pressure ratio and compressor flow.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hamid-Reza Ossareh, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Adam Nathan Banker, Matthew John Gerhart, Gregory Patrick McConville, Baitao Xiao
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Patent number: 9657635Abstract: Various methods for controlling a wastegate actuator are provided. In one example, a method comprises adjusting one or more wastegate controller gains responsive to limiting current supplied to a wastegate actuator, the current limited in response to a temperature of the wastegate actuator exceeding a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yan Wang, Matthew John Gerhart
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Patent number: 9518529Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for correcting an EGR rate determined based on an intake manifold oxygen sensor based on an air-fuel ratio of EGR. The output of the sensor is corrected to compensate for extra fuel in rich EGR or extra air in lean EGR and used to reliably estimate the EGR rate. One or more engine operating parameters are adjusted based on an uncorrected output of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Timothy Joseph Clark, James Alfred Hilditch, Matthew John Gerhart
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Publication number: 20160245212Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately learning the zero point of an intake gas oxygen sensor during selected engine no-fueling conditions. The learned zero point is used to infer EGR flow and accordingly adjust EGR valve control. In addition, EGR valve leakage is diagnosed based on the zero point learned during a DFSO adaptation relative to a zero point learned during an idle adaptation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla, Matthew John Gerhart, Daniel Joseph Styles
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Publication number: 20160169096Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a compressor and a compressor recirculation valve of a turbocharged engine to avoid the possibility of compressor surge are presented. The systems and methods position the compressor recirculation valve responsive to a compressor surge line that is based on two other compressor surge lines that may be a function of compressor pressure ratio and compressor flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Hamid-Reza Ossareh, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Adam Nathan Banker, Matthew John Gerhart, Gregory Patrick McConville, Baitao Xiao
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Patent number: 9328679Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately learning the zero point of an intake gas oxygen sensor during selected engine no-fueling conditions. The learned zero point is used to infer EGR flow and accordingly adjust EGR valve control. In addition, EGR valve leakage is diagnosed based on the zero point learned during a DFSO adaptation relative to a zero point learned during an idle adaptation.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla, Matthew John Gerhart, Daniel Joseph Styles
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Publication number: 20160108800Abstract: Various methods for controlling a wastegate actuator are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2014Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Yan Wang, Matthew John Gerhart
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Patent number: 9273602Abstract: To compensate for possible corruption in exhaust gas recirculation control caused by fuel vapor purging, while still enabling the purging to continue, an engine intake oxygen concentration may be corrected based on a fuel canister vapor purge only during boosted conditions. Responsive to the intake oxygen concentration, exhaust gas recirculation may be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Lynn Aimee Chesney, Mark W. Peters, Timothy Joseph Clark, Matthew John Gerhart
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Patent number: 9181887Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately learning the zero point of an intake gas oxygen sensor during selected idling conditions. The learned zero point is used to infer EGR flow and accordingly adjust EGR valve control. In addition, EGR valve leakage is diagnosed based on the zero point learned during an idle adaptation relative to a zero point learned during a DFSO adaptation.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, James Alfred Hilditch, Timothy Joseph Clark, Matthew John Gerhart, Todd Anthony Rumpsa
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Patent number: 9175629Abstract: A method and system for providing a suitable engine torque response during a transient condition is presented. In one example, when a desired inlet manifold pressure is greater than a throttle inlet pressure of a first throttle, a second throttle positioned upstream from the first throttle is opened to increase the throttle inlet pressure. The method may provide an appropriate torque response while minimizing impact on fuel economy.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Matthew John Gerhart, Julia Helen Buckland, Suzanne Kay Wait, Michael Howard Shelby, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Mrdjan J. Jankovic, John Eric Rollinger, Gopichandra Surnilla, Naginder Gogna
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Patent number: 9174637Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving surge control. When surge conditions are approached, a reference governor reduces engine airflow at a slower rate and to a higher level than the engine airflow required to meet the reduced torque demand. The excess torque resulting from the extra airflow is offset by applying a negative torque on the driveshaft via an electric machine coupled to the engine or via alternate engine actuator adjustments.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Julia Helen Buckland, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Uros Vojko Kalabic, Matthew John Gerhart, Tobias John Pallett, Ilya Kolmanovsky, Suzanne Kay Wait
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Publication number: 20150121864Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) flow based on outputs of an intake manifold oxygen sensor. For example, during engine operation when exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and fuel canister purge are disabled, PCV flow may be estimated based on a difference between a first output of the sensor with boost enabled and a second output of the sensor with boost disabled. Then, during subsequent operation wherein EGR is enabled, PCV flow is enabled, and purge is disabled, a third output of the sensor may be adjusted based on the estimated PCV flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Matthew John Gerhart, Lynn Aimee Chesney, Stephen B. Smith
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Publication number: 20150101327Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately learning the zero point of an intake gas oxygen sensor during selected engine no-fueling conditions. The learned zero point is used to infer EGR flow and accordingly adjust EGR valve control. In addition, EGR valve leakage is diagnosed based on the zero point learned during a DFSO adaptation relative to a zero point learned during an idle adaptation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla, Matthew John Gerhart, Daniel Joseph Styles
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Publication number: 20150101326Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately learning the zero point of an intake gas oxygen sensor during selected idling conditions. The learned zero point is used to infer EGR flow and accordingly adjust EGR valve control. In addition, EGR valve leakage is diagnosed based on the zero point learned during an idle adaptation relative to a zero point learned during a DFSO adaptation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, James Alfred Hilditch, Timothy Joseph Clark, Matthew John Gerhart, Todd Anthony Rumpsa
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Publication number: 20150101564Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for correcting an EGR rate determined based on an intake manifold oxygen sensor based on an air-fuel ratio of EGR. The output of the sensor is corrected to compensate for extra fuel in rich EGR or extra air in lean EGR and used to reliably estimate the EGR rate. One or more engine operating parameters are adjusted based on an uncorrected output of the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Timothy Joseph Clark, James Alfred Hilditch, Matthew John Gerhart
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Publication number: 20150051762Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving surge control. When surge conditions are approached, a reference governor reduces engine airflow at a slower rate and to a higher level than the engine airflow required to meet the reduced torque demand. The excess torque resulting from the extra airflow is offset by applying a negative torque on the driveshaft via an electric machine coupled to the engine or via alternate engine actuator adjustments.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Julia Helen Buckland, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Uros Vojko Kalabic, Matthew John Gerhart, Tobias John Pallett, Ilya Kolmanovsky, Suzanne Kay Wait