Patents by Inventor Jonathan T. Shibata

Jonathan T. Shibata 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: 20150275815
    Abstract: A voltage measuring module measures first and second voltages at first and second electrical connectors of a fuel injector of an engine. A first summer module determines a first sum of (i) a difference between the first and second voltages and (ii) N previous values of the difference between the first and second voltages, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to one. A second summer module determines a second sum of (i) the first sum and (ii) M previous values of the first sum, wherein M is an integer greater than or equal to one. A first difference module determines a first difference based on the second sum. A second difference module determines a second difference between (i) the first difference and (ii) a previous value of the first difference. An injector driver module selectively applies power to the fuel injector based on the second difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Michael J. Lucido
  • Publication number: 20150275809
    Abstract: A fuel control system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a parameter determination module, a parameter learning module, and an injector driver module. The parameter determination module determines a parameter of a fuel injector in an engine at an operating condition of the engine. The parameter learning module identifies index values in a table based on the engine operating condition and adjusts learned values of the fuel injector parameter corresponding to the index values based on the determined value of the fuel injector parameter. The injector driver module selectively applies power to the fuel injector based on the learned values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Michael J. Lucido
  • Patent number: 9145844
    Abstract: A control system includes a starter control module, a mode setting module, a fuel pressure control module, and a fuel control module. The starter control module initiates cranking of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine in response to user actuation of an ignition switch. The mode setting module sets a mode of operation to a cold start mode when an engine coolant temperature is less than a predetermined temperature during the cranking. The fuel pressure control module, in response to the setting of the mode to the cold start mode, determines a target fuel rail pressure. The fuel control module controls fueling during the cranking based on the target fuel rail pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventors: Scot A. Douglas, Jonathan T. Shibata
  • Patent number: 9074552
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a voltage measuring module, a second derivative module, a closing period module, and an injector driver module. The voltage measuring module measures first and second voltages at first and second electrical connectors of a fuel injector that injects fuel directly into a cylinder of an engine. The second derivative module determines a second-order derivative of a difference between the first and second voltages. The closing period module determines a closing period of the fuel injector based on the second-order derivative of the difference. The injector driver module selectively adjusts closing of the fuel injector based on the closing period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Michael J. Lucido
  • Publication number: 20150144102
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an ignition timing determination module, an injection timing determination module, a spark control module, and a fuel control module. The ignition timing determination module determines a first crank angle. The injection timing determination module selectively determines a second crank angle based on the first crank angle. The spark control module controls a spark plug to generate spark in a cylinder of an engine at the first crank angle. The fuel control module controls a fuel injector to deliver fuel to the cylinder at the second crank angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: JONATHAN T. SHIBATA, Michael J. Lucido
  • Patent number: 8989989
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a temperature estimation module and a fuel control module. The temperature estimation module estimates a piston temperature associated with a cylinder based on engine operating conditions. The fuel control module controls at least one of injection timing associated with the cylinder, injection pressure associated with a cylinder, injection location associated with a cylinder, and a number of injections per engine cycle associated with the cylinder based on the piston temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David P. Sczomak, Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua D. Cowgill
  • Publication number: 20140121944
    Abstract: A control system includes a starter control module, a mode setting module, a fuel pressure control module, and a fuel control module. The starter control module initiates cranking of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine in response to user actuation of an ignition switch. The mode setting module sets a mode of operation to a cold start mode when an engine coolant temperature is less than a predetermined temperature during the cranking. The fuel pressure control module, in response to the setting of the mode to the cold start mode, determines a target fuel rail pressure. The fuel control module controls fueling during the cranking based on the target fuel rail pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scot A. DOUGLAS, Jonathan T. SHIBATA
  • Publication number: 20140074381
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a temperature estimation module and a fuel control module. The temperature estimation module estimates a piston temperature associated with a cylinder based on engine operating conditions. The fuel control module controls at least one of injection timing associated with the cylinder, injection pressure associated with a cylinder, injection location associated with a cylinder, and a number of injections per engine cycle associated with the cylinder based on the piston temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David P. Sczomak, Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua D. Cowgill
  • Patent number: 8645043
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a transient operation detection module, an injection determination module, and an injection control module. The transient operation detection module detects whether the engine is operating in a transient state. The injection determination module, based on an elapsed time since a fuel request and at least one of a plurality of engine operating parameters, at least one of (i) increases a number of fuel injections per combustion cycle to N, and (ii) adjusts periods for each of the fuel injections, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to two. The injection control module controls fuel injection during the transient state based on at least one of (i) N fuel injections per combustion cycle and (ii) the adjusted periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua D. Cowgill, John Ogalla Waldman, Halim G. Santoso, J. Michael Ellenberger
  • Patent number: 8621844
    Abstract: A system includes a voltage determination module and a fuel control module. The voltage determination module determines a first output voltage of a first oxygen sensor position upstream from a catalyst in an exhaust system of an engine, and determines a second output voltage from a second oxygen sensor positioned downstream from the catalyst, the first output voltage indicating a first oxygen level of exhaust upstream from the catalyst, the second output voltage indicating a second oxygen level of exhaust downstream from the catalyst. The fuel control module controls a fuel mass injected into the engine based on the first output voltage and the second output voltage when a temperature of the catalyst is greater than a light-off temperature, and controls the fuel mass based on the second output voltage and independent from the first output voltage when the catalyst temperature is less than light-off temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua Cowgill
  • Publication number: 20140000564
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a voltage measuring module, a second derivative module, a closing period module, and an injector driver module. The voltage measuring module measures first and second voltages at first and second electrical connectors of a fuel injector that injects fuel directly into a cylinder of an engine. The second derivative module determines a second-order derivative of a difference between the first and second voltages. The closing period module determines a closing period of the fuel injector based on the second-order derivative of the difference. The injector driver module selectively adjusts closing of the fuel injector based on the closing period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Michael J. Lucido
  • Patent number: 8539932
    Abstract: A system for controlling intake airflow of an engine includes a mode determination module, a throttle valve control module, and a valve actuation module. The mode determination module generates a mode signal based on an engine speed signal and an engine load signal. The mode signal indicates one of a spark ignition mode and a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode. The throttle valve control module generates a valve control signal based on the mode signal, a temperature signal, and a plurality of valve position signals that indicate positions of first and second throttle valves. The throttle valve control module controls the positions of the first and second throttle valves to regulate flow rates of intake air into an intake manifold of the engine via a heat exchanger based on the valve control signal. The valve actuation module actuates the first and second throttle valves based on the valve control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventors: Vijay Ramappan, Jonathan T. Shibata, Amanpal S. Grewal
  • Patent number: 8539933
    Abstract: A desired pulse width module determines a desired length of a single pulse of fuel for a combustion cycle of a cylinder of an engine. A multiple pulses module determines a number of pulses (N) for the combustion cycle, wherein N is an integer greater than 1. A fraction determination module determines N fractional values for the N pulses, respectively. An injector control module generates individual lengths for the N pulses based on the N fractional values, respectively, and based on the desired length. A fuel actuator module opens a fuel injector that injects fuel into the cylinder during the combustion cycle in N pulses having the individual lengths, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventors: Joshua D. Cowgill, J. Michael Ellenberger, Jonathan T. Shibata
  • Patent number: 8504278
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling engine operation includes a timer module that determines a time period from when a catalyst light-off mode is entered to when an oxygen sensor signal reaches an oxygen sensor threshold and a comparison module that generates an error signal and determines when the time period is above a time threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: Douglas R. Verner, Jonathan T. Shibata, Allen B. Rayl, Halim G Santoso, Kenneth J. Buslepp
  • Patent number: 8452520
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a parameter determination module and a period determination module. The parameter determination module determines a first fuel injection parameter based on a rate of change of a quantity of fuel injected during a period, and determines a second fuel injection parameter based on an initial quantity of fuel injected during the period. The period determination module determines a desired fuel injection period based on a desired fuel injection quantity, the first and second fuel injection parameters, and at least one of mass air flow (MAF) rate, intake air temperature (IAT), fuel injector pressure (FIP), engine coolant temperature (ECT), and exhaust gas air/fuel (A/F) ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Vijay Ramappan, Jun-Mo Kang, Peter Kafarnik, Jonathan T. Shibata
  • Patent number: 8397490
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an engine includes a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode control module that operates an engine in HCCI mode and a condition monitor module that monitors operating conditions of the engine. The control module also includes a condition predictor module that generates a first predicted condition of a catalyst in response to the operating conditions of the engine. A comparison module compares the first predicted condition to a first threshold. A spark injection mode control module operates the engine in a spark injection mode in response to comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Allen B. Rayl, Vijay Ramappan
  • Patent number: 8322324
    Abstract: A control system and method for operating an engine includes an HCCI mode control module operating an engine in a homogeneous charge compression (HCCI) mode. The control system also includes a difference module determining an actual difference between a desired torque amount and a spark ignition (SI) threshold. An SI mode control module operates the engine in a SI state when the actual difference is above a threshold band. A HCCI mode control module operates the engine in the HCCI mode for a predetermined time when the actual difference is within the torque threshold band. The HCCI mode control module operates the engine in the HCCI mode when the actual difference is below the torque threshold band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Vijay Ramappan, Peter Kafarnik, Allen B. Rayl, Jonathan T. Shibata
  • Patent number: 8326511
    Abstract: A control system for a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine includes a fuel requirement estimation module, a torque estimation module, and a torque control module. The fuel requirement estimation module estimates a fuel requirement of the HCCI engine based on a desired indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) of cylinders in the HCCI engine. The torque estimation module estimates a torque output of the HCCI engine based on the estimated fuel requirement. The torque control module adjusts the torque output of the HCCI engine based on the estimated torque output and a desired torque output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Allen B. Rayl, Andrew P. Bagnasco, Jun-Mo Kang, Peter Kafarnik
  • Publication number: 20120285142
    Abstract: A system includes a voltage determination module and a fuel control module. The voltage determination module determines a first output voltage of a first oxygen sensor position upstream from a catalyst in an exhaust system of an engine, and determines a second output voltage from a second oxygen sensor positioned downstream from the catalyst, the first output voltage indicating a first oxygen level of exhaust upstream from the catalyst, the second output voltage indicating a second oxygen level of exhaust downstream from the catalyst. The fuel control module controls a fuel mass injected into the engine based on the first output voltage and the second output voltage when a temperature of the catalyst is greater than a light-off temperature, and controls the fuel mass based on the second output voltage and independent from the first output voltage when the catalyst temperature is less than light-off temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua Cowgill
  • Patent number: 8301362
    Abstract: A method and a control module for diagnosing an engine component function includes a comparison module comparing an in-cylinder pressure signal to a threshold and a fault indication module generating a diagnostic signal for an engine component in response to comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Douglas R. Verner, Joseph R. Dulzo, Jonathan T. Shibata, Daniel G. Brennan, Joshua Cowgill