Patents by Inventor Joseph Lyle Thomas

Joseph Lyle Thomas 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: 20160153386
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving fuel injection of an engine that includes a cylinder receiving fuel from two different fuel injectors is disclosed. In one example, a transfer function or gain of a direct fuel injector is adjusted in response to an exhaust lambda value and a fraction of fuel supplied to a cylinder during a cylinder cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ethan D. Sanborn, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Mark Meinhart
  • Publication number: 20160153391
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving fuel injection of an engine that includes a cylinder receiving fuel from a direct fuel injector are disclosed. In one example, a transfer function or gain of a direct fuel injector is adjusted in response to an exhaust lambda value and a first pulse width of two pulse widths provided to an injector of a cylinder during a cylinder cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mark Meinhart, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Hao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160131072
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving fuel injection of an engine that includes a cylinder receiving fuel from two different fuel injectors is disclosed. In one example, fueling errors for each of the two fuel injectors are determined based on fractions of fuel supplied by the two fuel injectors during different engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Ethan D. Sanborn, Xiaoying Zhang
  • Patent number: 9334824
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for calibrating a port injector of a common fuel, dual injector per cylinder engine which includes first and second fuel rails and first and second fuel pumps. In one example, after pressurizing both fuel rails and suspending operation of the two pumps simultaneously, a single cylinder is fueled by a port injector while the remaining cylinders are fueled via their respective direct injectors. Fuel rail pressure drops are measured in the rail coupled to the port injector and correlated to port injector performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Dusa
  • Publication number: 20150240737
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling fuel injection in an engine equipped with a dual injector system including a port injector and a direct injector. A ratio of port injected fuel to direct injected fuel is adjusted based at least on intake valve temperature. The proportion of fuel port injected into a cylinder is increased as the intake valve temperature for the given cylinder increases to improve fuel vaporization in the intake port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Krengel, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Publication number: 20150240739
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for calibrating a port injector of a common fuel, dual injector per cylinder engine which includes first and second fuel rails and first and second fuel pumps. In one example, after pressurizing both fuel rails and suspending operation of the two pumps simultaneously, a single cylinder is fueled by a port injector while the remaining cylinders are fueled via their respective direct injectors. Fuel rail pressure drops are measured in the rail coupled to the port injector and correlated to port injector performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Dusa
  • Publication number: 20150219036
    Abstract: A method and system for improving starting of an engine is presented. In one example, the method selects a first cylinder to receive fuel since engine stop the cylinder's position relative to the cylinder's top-dead-center compression stroke. The method also describes adjusting a number of fuel injections for a first combustion event since engine stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Steven Wooldridge, Joseph Lyle Thomas, David Oshinsky
  • Publication number: 20150211433
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for restarting an engine when a high pressure fuel pump is degraded. In response to an indication of high pressure fuel pump degradation, fuel may be injected during an intake stroke, rather than a compression stroke, for a selected number of combustion events since the engine restart. By shifting to an intake stroke injection, the engine may be started even when sufficient fuel rail pressures are not available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph Lyle Thomas, Alex O`Connor Gibson, Xiaoying Zhang, Robert Sarow Baskins
  • Publication number: 20150204263
    Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine based on the amount of un-burned fuel dissolved in the engine oil, and returned into the manifold through the PCV valve as the engine oil temperature rises via adjusting fuel injection into a cylinder from a fuel injector, in a fuel delivery system. The fuel dilution in engine oil and the amount of fuel entering the intake manifold through the PCV valve can be determined based on one or more of oil volume, fuel composition (e.g., ethanol content), oil temperature, engine temperature, engine speed, engine load, engine run time, injected fuel mass, and exhaust gas composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Michael DeAngelis, Michael Ryan Scannell, Gregory Blin, Rama Sanghvi, Joseph Lyle Thomas
  • Patent number: 9057351
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for restarting an engine when a high pressure fuel pump is degraded. In response to an indication of high pressure fuel pump degradation, fuel may be injected during an intake stroke, rather than a compression stroke, for a selected number of combustion events since the engine restart. By shifting to an intake stroke injection, the engine may be started even when sufficient fuel rail pressures are not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Lyle Thomas, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Xiaoying Zhang, Robert Sarow Baskins
  • Patent number: 8899203
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine, the method comprising identifying cylinder stroke during the engine start responsive to a fuel rail pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Lyle Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130218441
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for restarting an engine when a high pressure fuel pump is degraded. In response to an indication of high pressure fuel pump degradation, fuel may be injected during an intake stroke, rather than a compression stroke, for a selected number of combustion events since the engine restart. By shifting to an intake stroke injection, the engine may be started even when sufficient fuel rail pressures are not available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Lyle Thomas, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Xiaoying Zhang, Robert Sarow Baskins
  • Patent number: 8245693
    Abstract: A method for controlling a mechanical solenoid valve of a high-pressure fuel pump to supply fuel to an engine is provided. In one example, current supplied to the mechanical solenoid valve is adjusted according to a pressure downstream of the fuel pump. The method can reduce current used to operate the mechanical solenoid valve as well as pump noise, at least during some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Dusa, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Publication number: 20120090574
    Abstract: A method for controlling a mechanical solenoid valve of a high-pressure fuel pump to supply fuel to an engine is provided. In one example, current supplied to the mechanical solenoid valve is adjusted according to a pressure downstream of the fuel pump. The method can reduce current used to operate the mechanical solenoid valve as well as pump noise, at least during some conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Dusa, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Patent number: 8091530
    Abstract: A method for controlling a mechanical solenoid valve of a high-pressure fuel pump to supply fuel to an engine is provided. In one example, current supplied to the mechanical solenoid valve is adjusted according to a pressure downstream of the fuel pump. The method can reduce current used to operate the mechanical solenoid valve as well as pump noise, at least during some conditions includes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Dusa, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Patent number: 7886719
    Abstract: A method for controlling fuel injection timing of at least one fuel injector in a direct injection fuel delivery system of an internal combustion engine is presented. In one example, the timing of a second fuel pulse in a combustion cycle is adjusted in response to injector needle position bounce. The method can improve fuel delivery control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Lyle Thomas
  • Patent number: 7841319
    Abstract: A method for controlling an injection of fuel to an engine is described. In one example, the different fuels are injected to an engine during different engine operating conditions. The method may improve engine starting and reduce engine emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Lyle Thomas
  • Patent number: 7832375
    Abstract: An engine system and a method of starting an internal combustion engine of the engine system are described. In one embodiment, the method includes adjusting a fuel pressure within a fuel rail to exceed a pressure of a pressure relief valve. The method may be particularly useful during degradation of a fuel pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Dusa, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20100222988
    Abstract: A method for controlling an injection of fuel to an engine is described. In one example, the different fuels are injected to an engine during different engine operating conditions. The method may improve engine starting and reduce engine emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Lyle Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100139624
    Abstract: A method for controlling a mechanical solenoid valve of a high-pressure fuel pump to supply fuel to an engine is provided. The method includes: during an idle condition, adjusting a pull-in current of the mechanical solenoid valve utilized to control closing of the mechanical solenoid valve based on a fuel pressure downstream of the high-pressure fuel pump, wherein the pull-in current is reduced when possible while enabling the mechanical solenoid valve to close as indicated by an increase in the downstream fuel pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Dusa, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Joseph Norman Ulrey