Patents by Inventor John W. Siekkinen

John W. Siekkinen 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).

  • Publication number: 20200049091
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the technical solutions described herein, a control system in a motor vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine includes an oxygen sensor, and an oxygen sensor diagnosis module to diagnose the oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor diagnosis includes performing an intrusive rich-to-lean diagnostic for the oxygen sensor, and detecting a lean-to-rich diagnostic event. In response, the diagnosis includes performing a passive lean-to-rich diagnostic for the oxygen sensor, the lean-to-rich diagnostic event comprising a fuel enrichment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Junhong Dai, Douglas Dickson, John W. Siekkinen, Jerry J. Sheahan, Jeffry A. Helmick
  • Patent number: 10202958
    Abstract: A system includes an ultra-capacitor and battery system comprising a battery, a DC-DC converter, and an ultra-capacitor. An auto stop/start module is configured to perform an auto stop event of an engine of a vehicle and an auto start event of the engine of the vehicle based on operating parameters while an ignition is ON. A voltage monitoring module is configured to, in response to a request for an auto start event, selectively discharge the ultra-capacitor during cranking for the auto start event, accumulate a plurality of voltage delta values while the ultra-capacitor discharges during the cranking, and selectively disable the auto stop/start module based on the plurality of voltage delta values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John W. Siekkinen, Daniel W. Jecks, Junhong Dai
  • Patent number: 10190481
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for an engine of a vehicle includes a temperature determination module, a comparison module, and a fault indication module. The temperature determination module receives an indication of whether one or more cylinders within the engine are deactivated and selects a first temperature threshold based on the indication. The comparison module selectively determines whether a temperature of engine coolant is less than the first temperature threshold. The fault indication module diagnoses a fault in response to the comparison module determining that the temperature of the engine coolant is less than the first temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Levijoki, Eric E. Klauser, John W. Siekkinen
  • Patent number: 10060985
    Abstract: A system includes an ultra-capacitor and battery system comprising a battery, an ultra-capacitor, a DC-DC converter, a first temperature sensor to sense a battery temperature, a second temperature sensor to sense an ultra-capacitor temperature and a third temperature sensor to sense a DC-DC converter temperature. An auto stop/start module is configured to selectively stop and restart an engine of a vehicle while an ignition system is ON based on operating parameters. A temperature sensing module communicates with the auto stop/start module and is configured to determine differences between temperatures sensed by the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor and to selectively disable the auto stop/start module based on the differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John W. Siekkinen, Daniel W. Jecks, Junhong Dai
  • Patent number: 10026238
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a first vehicle system including a plurality of components and a controller. The controller monitors diagnostic data for the plurality of components of the first vehicle system and outputs a two-state status indicator for each of the components of the first vehicle system. States of the two-state status indicator include a failing state and a not failing state. A control module is configured to receive the two-state status indicator and the diagnostic data from the first vehicle system and to convert the two-state status indicator into a three-state status indicator. The three-state status indicator includes a pass state, a fail state and an indeterminate state. The control module is further configured to alter an engine operating parameter based on the three-state status indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John W. Siekkinen, Daniel W. Jecks, Junhong Dai
  • Publication number: 20170016420
    Abstract: A system includes an ultra-capacitor and battery system comprising a battery, a DC-DC converter, and an ultra-capacitor. An auto stop/start module is configured to perform an auto stop event of an engine of a vehicle and an auto start event of the engine of the vehicle based on operating parameters while an ignition is ON. A voltage monitoring module is configured to, in response to a request for an auto start event, selectively discharge the ultra-capacitor during cranking for the auto start event, accumulate a plurality of voltage delta values while the ultra-capacitor discharges during the cranking, and selectively disable the auto stop/start module based on the plurality of voltage delta values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: John W. SIEKKINEN, Daniel W. JECKS, Junhong DAI
  • Publication number: 20170018126
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a first vehicle system including a plurality of components and a controller. The controller monitors diagnostic data for the plurality of components of the first vehicle system and outputs a two-state status indicator for each of the components of the first vehicle system. States of the two-state status indicator include a failing state and a not failing state. A control module is configured to receive the two-state status indicator and the diagnostic data from the first vehicle system and to convert the two-state status indicator into a three-state status indicator. The three-state status indicator includes a pass state, a fail state and an indeterminate state. The control module is further configured to alter an engine operating parameter based on the three-state status indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: John W. Siekkinen, Daniel W. Jecks, Junhong Dai
  • Publication number: 20170016419
    Abstract: A system includes an ultra-capacitor and battery system comprising a battery, an ultra-capacitor, a DC-DC converter, a first temperature sensor to sense a battery temperature, a second temperature sensor to sense an ultra-capacitor temperature and a third temperature sensor to sense a DC-DC converter temperature. An auto stop/start module is configured to selectively stop and restart an engine of a vehicle while an ignition system is ON based on operating parameters. A temperature sensing module communicates with the auto stop/start module and is configured to determine differences between temperatures sensed by the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor and to selectively disable the auto stop/start module based on the differences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: John W. SIEKKINEN, Daniel W. JECKS, Junhong DAI
  • Patent number: 9297843
    Abstract: A diagnostic system of a vehicle includes an impedance module and a diagnostic module. The impedance module determines an impedance of a sensing element of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor based on a response of the sensing element to a change in current through the sensing element. The diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault associated with the exhaust gas oxygen sensor based on the impedance of the sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bradley C. Gibson, Eric M. Hall, John W. Siekkinen, Stephen Paul Levijoki
  • Patent number: 9181844
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a diagnostic execution module and a diagnostic disabling module. The diagnostic execution module diagnoses a fault in at least one of an oxygen sensor and a catalytic converter based on input received from the oxygen sensor. The diagnostic disabling module disables the diagnosing based on at least one of a temperature of the catalytic converter and a mass flow rate of air flowing through the catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Levijoki, Michael John Dokter, John W. Siekkinen, Jeffry A. Helmick
  • Patent number: 9151211
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an engine coolant system includes modeling the total energy stored within an engine coolant. If an actual temperature of the engine coolant is below a minimum target temperature, the modeled total energy stored within the energy coolant is compared to a maximum stored energy limit to determine if sufficient energy exists within the engine coolant to heat the engine coolant to a temperature equal to or greater than the minimum target temperature. The engine coolant system fails the diagnostic check when the modeled total energy stored within the energy coolant is greater than the maximum stored energy limit, and the minimum target temperature has not been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Igor Anilovich, Daniel A. Bialas, Morena Bruno, Daniel Siebert, John W. Siekkinen
  • Patent number: 9146177
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an error count module and a sensor diagnostic module. The error count module increases an error count when an actual air/fuel ratio is different from a desired air/fuel ratio and selectively adjusts the error count based on an actual engine speed. An oxygen sensor generates a signal indicating the actual air/fuel ratio. The sensor diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in the oxygen sensor when the error count is greater than a first predetermined count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Levijoki, Thomas J. Majcher, Scott Jeffrey, John W. Siekkinen
  • Patent number: 9103267
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes a comparison module, a disabling module, and a fault indication module. The comparison module indicates whether a temperature of engine coolant is less than a first predetermined temperature. The disabling module disables the comparison module until the temperature of the engine coolant is greater than a second predetermined temperature. The fault indication module diagnoses a fault in response to the comparison module indicating that the temperature of the engine coolant is less than the first predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Levijoki, John W. Siekkinen, Nicholas Sup, Eric E. Klauser
  • Patent number: 9096210
    Abstract: A monitoring module selectively generates a request to at least one of: transition from providing rich fueling an engine to operating the engine in a fuel cutoff (FCO) state; and transition from operating the engine in the FCO state to providing rich fueling to the engine. In response to a response to the request, the monitoring module: selectively controls fueling to the engine to perform the at least one of the transitions; and selectively determines whether a fault is present in a component based on a response to the at least one of the transitions. A hybrid control module controls an electric motor of the hybrid vehicle and that selectively generates the response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Anthony H. Heap, John W. Siekkinen, Michael John Dokter, Stephen Paul Levijoki
  • Publication number: 20150094930
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for an engine of a vehicle includes a temperature determination module, a comparison module, and a fault indication module. The temperature determination module receives an indication of whether one or more cylinders within the engine are deactivated and selects a first temperature threshold based on the indication. The comparison module selectively determines whether a temperature of engine coolant is less than the first temperature threshold. The fault indication module diagnoses a fault in response to the comparison module determining that the temperature of the engine coolant is less than the first temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: STEPHEN PAUL LEVIJOKI, ERIC E. KLAUSER, JOHN W. SIEKKINEN
  • Patent number: 8939010
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an error period module and a sensor diagnostic module. The error period module determines an error period based on an amount of time that a first air/fuel ratio and a desired air/fuel ratio are different. A first oxygen sensor generates a first signal indicating the first air/fuel ratio. The sensor diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in the first oxygen sensor when the error period is greater than a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Levijoki, Thomas J. Majcher, John W. Siekkinen, Michael John Dokter, Scott Jeffrey
  • Publication number: 20140278013
    Abstract: A diagnostic system of a vehicle includes an impedance module and a diagnostic module. The impedance module determines an impedance of a sensing element of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor based on a response of the sensing element to a change in current through the sensing element. The diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault associated with the exhaust gas oxygen sensor based on the impedance of the sensing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: BRADLEY C. GIBSON, Eric M. Hall, John W. Siekkinen, Stephen Paul Levijoki
  • Patent number: 8813693
    Abstract: A system includes a pump control module and a pump diagnostic module. The pump control module switches a switchable water pump from off to on. The pump diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in the switchable water pump based on a first difference between an engine material temperature and an engine coolant temperature when the switchable water pump is switched from off to on. The engine coolant temperature is a temperature of coolant circulated through an engine and the engine material temperature is a temperature of at least one of an engine block and a cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel A. Bialas, Stephen Paul Levijoki, John W. Siekkinen, Igor Anilovich, Michele Bilancia, Morena Bruno
  • Publication number: 20140033812
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an error count module and a sensor diagnostic module. The error count module increases an error count when an actual air/fuel ratio is different from a desired air/fuel ratio and selectively adjusts the error count based on an actual engine speed. An oxygen sensor generates a signal indicating the actual air/fuel ratio. The sensor diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in the oxygen sensor when the error count is greater than a first predetermined count.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Levijoki, Thomas J. Majcher, Scott Jeffrey, John W. Siekkinen
  • Publication number: 20140019026
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes a comparison module, a disabling module, and a fault indication module. The comparison module indicates whether a temperature of engine coolant is less than a first predetermined temperature. The disabling module disables the comparison module until the temperature of the engine coolant is greater than a second predetermined temperature. The fault indication module diagnoses a fault in response to the comparison module indicating that the temperature of the engine coolant is less than the first predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Levijoki, John W. Siekkinen, Nicholas Sup, Eric E. Klauser