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).

  • Patent number: 8255143
    Abstract: An engine control system for a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine includes an airflow determination module and a sensor diagnostic module. The airflow determination module generates a first plurality of estimates of airflow into the HCCI engine when the HCCI engine is operating in a first combustion mode, wherein the first plurality of estimates are based on an intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP), a mass air flow (MAF) rate, and a camshaft position. The sensor diagnostic module determines a state of at least one of a first plurality of sensors based on a predetermined threshold and differences between one of the first plurality of estimates and others of the first plurality of estimates, wherein the first plurality of sensors includes a MAP sensor, a MAF sensor, and a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Andrew P Bagnasco
  • Publication number: 20120180763
    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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Cowgill, J. Michael Ellenberger, Jonathan T. Shibata
  • Publication number: 20120185152
    Abstract: A fuel control system includes a target rail pressure module. The target rail pressure module determines a target fuel rail pressure of a fuel rail of a direct injection engine. An offset module determines an offset value based on an engine speed of the direct injection engine and at least one of an engine load and an air per cylinder. A modifier module determines a modifier value based on a temperature of the direct injection engine. A rail pressure control module adjusts a current fuel rail pressure of the fuel rail based on the target fuel rail pressure, the offset value and the modifier value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua D. Cowgill, Daniel Sabathil, David P. Sczomak
  • Publication number: 20120185151
    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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua D. Cowgill, John Ogalla Waldman, Halim G. Santoso, J. Michael Ellenberger
  • Publication number: 20120080009
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes an injection timing adjustment module and an injection control module. The injection timing adjustment module generates an adjusted fuel injection timing when a fuel request is received and the engine is operating in a transient state, wherein the adjusted fuel injection timing is based on a base fuel injection timing, an elapsed time since the fuel request, and at least one of a plurality of engine operating parameters. The injection control module controls fuel injection based on the adjusted fuel injection timing for a period, and controls fuel injection based on the base fuel injection timing after the period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua D. Cowgill, John Ogalla Waldman, David P. Sczomak
  • Patent number: 8118010
    Abstract: An engine control system for a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine includes a fuel injector temperature determination module and a fuel injector control module. The fuel injector temperature determination module determines a temperature of a tip of a fuel injector based on a first temperature model when the HCCI engine is operating in an HCCI combustion mode, and determines the temperature of the tip of the fuel injector based on a second temperature model when the HCCI engine is operating in a spark ignition (SI) combustion mode. The fuel injector control module controls a fuel injector pulse width based on the determined temperature and a predetermined temperature threshold, wherein the fuel injector pulse width increases when the determined temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Vijay Ramappan, Andrew P Bagnasco
  • Publication number: 20110295488
    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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Vijay Ramappan, Jun-Mo Kang, Peter Kafarnik, Jonathan T. Shibata
  • Publication number: 20110238280
    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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Allen B. Rayl, Andrew P. Bagnasco, Jun-Mo Kang, Peter Kafarnik
  • Patent number: 8000880
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a fuel quality calculation module and a fueling module. The fuel quality calculation module calculates a fuel quality value for fuel provided to an engine based on at least one operating parameter of the engine. The fueling module selectively increases an amount of fuel provided to the engine based on the fuel quality value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Kenneth J. Buslepp, Donovan L. Dibble, Mary Beth Furness
  • Publication number: 20110132317
    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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Vijay Ramappan, Jonathan T. Shibata, Amanpal S. Grewal
  • Publication number: 20110106392
    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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas R. VERNER, Jonathan T. SHIBATA, Allen B. RAYL, Halim G. SANTOSO, Kenneth J. BUSLEPP
  • Publication number: 20110079193
    Abstract: An engine control system for a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine includes a fuel injector temperature determination module and a fuel injector control module. The fuel injector temperature determination module determines a temperature of a tip of a fuel injector based on a first temperature model when the HCCI engine is operating in an HCCI combustion mode, and determines the temperature of the tip of the fuel injector based on a second temperature model when the HCCI engine is operating in a spark ignition (SI) combustion mode. The fuel injector control module controls a fuel injector pulse width based on the determined temperature and a predetermined temperature threshold, wherein the fuel injector pulse width increases when the determined temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Vijay Ramappan, Andrew P. Bagnasco
  • Patent number: 7900601
    Abstract: An engine system comprises a temperature determination module, a temperature comparison module, and a fuel injection control module. The temperature determination module determines an engine temperature. The temperature comparison module compares the engine temperature and a temperature threshold. The fuel injection control module adjusts a timing of fuel injection from a first range of an intake stroke to a second range of the intake stroke based on the comparison. The first range and the second range do not overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventors: Jesse M. Gwidt, Jonathan T. Shibata, Michael Simon, Karen Margaret-Bell Gwidt
  • Publication number: 20110029216
    Abstract: An engine control system for a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine includes an airflow determination module and a sensor diagnostic module. The airflow determination module generates a first plurality of estimates of airflow into the HCCI engine when the HCCI engine is operating in a first combustion mode, wherein the first plurality of estimates are based on an intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP), a mass air flow (MAF) rate, and a camshaft position. The sensor diagnostic module determines a state of at least one of a first plurality of sensors based on a predetermined threshold and differences between one of the first plurality of estimates and others of the first plurality of estimates, wherein the first plurality of sensors includes a MAP sensor, a MAF sensor, and a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Andrew P. Bagnasco
  • Publication number: 20110016850
    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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Allen B. Rayl, Vijay Ramappan
  • Publication number: 20100292909
    Abstract: An engine system comprises a temperature determination module, a temperature comparison module, and a fuel injection control module. The temperature determination module determines an engine temperature. The temperature comparison module compares the engine temperature and a temperature threshold. The fuel injection control module adjusts a timing of fuel injection from a first range of an intake stroke to a second range of the intake stroke based on the comparison. The first range and the second range do not overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: JESSE M. GWIDT, JONATHAN T. SHIBATA, MICHAEL SIMON, KAREN MARGARET-BELL GWIDT
  • Publication number: 20100275877
    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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Vijay Ramappan, Peter Kafarnik, Allen B. Rayl, Jonathan T. Shibata
  • Publication number: 20100250089
    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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Douglas R. Verner, Joseph R. Dulzo, Jonathan T. Shibata, Daniel G. Brennan, Joshua Cowgill
  • Publication number: 20090265081
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a fuel quality calculation module and a fueling module. The fuel quality calculation module calculates a fuel quality value for fuel provided to an engine based on at least one operating parameter of the engine. The fueling module selectively increases an amount of fuel provided to the engine based on the fuel quality value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Kenneth J. Buslepp, Donovan L. Dibble, Mary Beth Furness
  • Patent number: 7599785
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for a direct fuel injection engine is provided. The system includes an injection mode module that selects a fuel injection mode to be one of a single injection mode and a dual injection mode during engine operation and a fuel injection command module that commands fuel injection events based on a crankshaft position, the fuel injection mode and a fuel percentage blending schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse M. Gwidt, Jonathan T. Shibata, Vijay Ramappan, Stuart R. Smith, Michael J. Lucido