Patents by Inventor Joseph A. Giunta

Joseph A. Giunta 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: 10132403
    Abstract: A transmission oil cooler transfers heat between Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and engine coolant. During initial vehicle warm-up, heat is transferred from the engine coolant to the ATF, assisting the transmission warm-up. A priority valve may limit the flow of coolant to the transmission oil cooler until the coolant temperature is sufficient to ensure adequate cabin heating performance. After both the engine and transmission have reached normal operating temperatures, heat is transferred from the ATF to the engine coolant. An auxiliary radiator pre-cools the engine coolant before it enters transmission oil cooler. This increases the cooling of the ATF and avoids coolant temperature increase during aggressive maneuvers. When the ATF temperature is below a threshold, a coolant control valve diverts coolant around the auxiliary radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Thomas Gooden, Michael Joseph Giunta
  • Publication number: 20180313710
    Abstract: Sensors are provided in reservoirs on internal combustion engines, and other applications, in which the reservoir is subjected to variations in pressure and temperature that cause the reservoir to exert variable forces on the sensor, thereby affecting sensor accuracy. To overcome problems in the prior art, a reservoir and sensor cartridge system are disclosing having: a reservoir with first and second openings, a cap coupled to the first opening, and a sensor cartridge disposed in the second opening. The sensor cartridge includes a sensor disposed in a body, a circumferential indentation formed in an outer surface of the body, a seal disposed in the indentation, and a retention feature provided on the body's outer surface. The circumferential indentation with the seal is axially displaced along the body from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Alex Mitchell, Michael Joseph Giunta, Joshua Putman Styron, Jeanette Madej
  • Patent number: 10100713
    Abstract: Methods and systems are providing for improving engine coolant level estimation to reduce engine overheating. The level of fluid in a coolant overflow reservoir is inferred based on the fluid level in a hollow vertical standpipe fluidically coupled to the reservoir at top and bottom locations, while the fluid level in the standpipe is estimated based on echo times of an ultrasonic signal transmitted by a sensor positioned in a recess at the bottom of the vertical standpipe. Engine power is limited differently based on distinct coolant level states determined based on a change in level of coolant in the reservoir over a duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Karen Willard, Michael Joseph Giunta, Robert Andrew Wade, Samer Ibrahim, Casey Dietrich, Matt Gerow
  • Publication number: 20170268411
    Abstract: Methods and systems are providing for improving engine coolant level estimation to reduce engine overheating. The level of fluid in a coolant overflow reservoir is inferred based on the fluid level in a hollow vertical standpipe fluidically coupled to the reservoir at top and bottom locations, while the fluid level in the standpipe is estimated based on echo times of an ultrasonic signal transmitted by a sensor positioned in a recess at the bottom of the vertical standpipe. Engine power is limited differently based on distinct coolant level states determined based on a change in level of coolant in the reservoir over a duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Karen Willard, Michael Joseph Giunta, Robert Andrew Wade, Samer Ibrahim, Casey Dietrich, Matt Gerow
  • Patent number: 9719409
    Abstract: Methods and systems are providing for improving engine coolant level estimation to reduce engine overheating. The level of fluid in a coolant overflow reservoir is inferred based on the fluid level in a hollow vertical standpipe fluidically coupled to the reservoir at top and bottom locations, while the fluid level in the standpipe is estimated based on echo times of an ultrasonic signal transmitted by a sensor positioned in a recess at the bottom of the vertical standpipe. Engine power is limited differently based on distinct coolant level states determined based on a change in level of coolant in the reservoir over a duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Karen Willard, Michael Joseph Giunta, Robert Andrew Wade, Samer Ibrahim, Casey Dietrich, Matt Gerow
  • Publication number: 20160186648
    Abstract: Methods and systems are providing for improving engine coolant level estimation to reduce engine overheating. The level of fluid in a coolant overflow reservoir is inferred based on the fluid level in a hollow vertical standpipe fluidically coupled to the reservoir at top and bottom locations, while the fluid level in the standpipe is estimated based on echo times of an ultrasonic signal transmitted by a sensor positioned in a recess at the bottom of the vertical standpipe. Engine power is limited differently based on distinct coolant level states determined based on a change in level of coolant in the reservoir over a duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Karen Willard, Michael Joseph Giunta, Robert Andrew Wade, Samer Ibrahim, Casey Dietrich, Matt Gerow
  • Publication number: 20160109890
    Abstract: Various systems for controlling coolant flow through a plurality of coolant lines via a wax thermostat are provided. In one embodiment, a thermostat comprises at least one wax motor that mediates coolant flow between two inlet passages and three outlet passages as a function of longitudinal position, the longitudinal position varying in response to changes in coolant temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua Putman Styron, Michael Joseph Giunta, Peter Rowling, Erik Thomas Andersen
  • Publication number: 20160084142
    Abstract: A vehicle cooling system includes an internal combustion engine, a transmission having a cooler, a coolant pump, a first coolant loop, a second coolant loop, and a flow regulator. The first coolant loop fluidly connects the coolant pump to the engine and returns to the coolant pump. The second coolant loop fluidly connects the coolant pump to the transmission cooler and returns to the coolant pump, bypassing the engine. The flow regulator is configured to selectively restrict coolant flow through the second coolant loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: James Thomas GOODEN, Michael Joseph GIUNTA, David Curtis IVES
  • Patent number: 8991339
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multiple zone vehicle radiator, including: a housing; a first zone included in the housing; a second zone included in the housing; a baffle between the first and second zone, located in an outlet manifold of the housing; and a zone modifier configured to regulate coolant distribution between the first zone and second zone according to predetermined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Thomas Gooden, Scott Russo, Michael Joseph Giunta
  • Publication number: 20130255601
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multiple zone vehicle radiator, including: a housing; a first zone included in the housing; a second zone included in the housing; a baffle between the first and second zone, located in an outlet manifold of the housing; and a zone modifier configured to regulate coolant distribution between the first zone and second zone according to predetermined conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: James Thomas Gooden, Scott Russo, Michael Joseph Giunta
  • Patent number: 8505296
    Abstract: A method for controlling engine temperature of an engine with a wide dynamic range is disclosed. In one example, the derivative of an engine temperature is assessed by a controller. The controller may adjust engine actuators to limit engine temperature in response to the derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Carl Mukkala, Nathanael David Shaw, Jason Eugene Devries, Brian Michael O'Neil, Michael Joseph Giunta
  • Publication number: 20120186283
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vapor cycle system having first and second compressors includes operating the first compressor to compress refrigerant while the second compressor is idle, sensing a motor temperature of the second compressor, activating a preheating mode in which the motor of the second compressor is powered to generate heat when the motor temperature of the second compressor is below a lower temperature threshold, turning off the preheating mode when the sensed motor temperature of the second compressor is above an upper temperature threshold, and limiting the maximum duration of the preheating mode to a preheating time period, such that the preheating mode is turned off after being activated for the preheating time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph A. Giunta, Robert M. DeRoy, Richard Rusich