Patents by Inventor Joseph Norman Ulrey

Joseph Norman Ulrey 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: 10247140
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for water injection at an intake port of an engine toward or away from intake valves in response to engine operating conditions. In one example, a method may include port injecting water away from an intake valve in response to engine knock and port injecting water towards an intake valve in response to engine dilution demand. Further, the method may include adjusting an amount of water injected based on one or more of a change in manifold temperature and a change in exhaust oxygen level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Publication number: 20190093579
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, an air-fuel control method for the engine system may include flowing air from the intake manifold through a plurality of engine cylinders to a junction of the exhaust passage and a bypass passage in response to a condition, the junction positioned along the exhaust passage between first and second emission control devices. The method may further include flowing exhaust gas to the first emission control device while flowing the air to the junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Donald Lewis
  • Patent number: 10240545
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the estimation of an aircharge into a cylinder used to adjust an engine operating parameter, based on a manifold pressure signal stored in a buffer. In one example, a method may include sampling an intake manifold pressure sensor signal at even increments of time, stamping it with its corresponding crank angle and storing it in a buffer. The closest stored signal to the intake valve closing of a cylinder may be used to calculate its aircharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Justin Trzeciak, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Thomas G. Leone
  • Patent number: 10233817
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust flow and recovering heat from exhaust gas under different operating conditions. In one example, motive flow of fresh air via an ejector coupled to an exhaust bypass assembly may be utilized to divert exhaust through a heat exchanger during cold-start conditions and heat extracted from the exhaust gas may be utilized for passenger cabin heating and other vehicle heating demands. The exhaust bypass assembly may also be used for EGR delivery wherein the exhaust heat exchanger may be used as an EGR cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10221779
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing exhaust gas recirculation to a naturally aspirated internal combustion engine. In one example, exhaust gas is recirculated to an engine intake via a dedicated scavenging manifold and a scavenging exhaust valve. The exhaust gas and fresh air that has not participated in combustion may be recirculated to engine cylinders even at high engine loads since the exhaust gas and fresh air is returned to the engine air intake at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Publication number: 20190063351
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling boost pressure and exhaust gas recirculation in a split exhaust system. In one example, a first portion of exhaust may be routed from a cylinder to an exhaust turbine via a first exhaust valve and a second, remaining portion of exhaust may be routed as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) via a second exhaust valve, the timing and lift of each of the first valve profile and the second valve profile adjusted based on boost error and EGR error. Further, motor torque from an electric motor may be supplied to the turbocharger to attain a desired boost pressure and a desired EGR flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Eric Warren Curtis, Satheesh Makkapati, Brad Alan Boyer, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David R. Hanna, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Publication number: 20190063284
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for differentiating an exhaust air leak from a catalyst monitor sensor degraded with a slow-response. In one example, a pressure proximate an exhaust system particulate filter less than a threshold pressure may indicate an exhaust air leak and responsive to the indication of the exhaust air leak, the thresholds for monitoring the catalyst monitor sensor response may be adjusted. In this way, the impact of an exhaust air leak on catalyst monitor output may be accounted for so that subsequent monitoring for threshold catalyst may continue to be performed accurately in the presence of an exhaust air leak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Mario Anthony Santillo, Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Andrew Bagnasco, Michael Casedy
  • Publication number: 20190055891
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, a flow of exhaust (e.g., exhaust gas recirculation) from engine cylinders to the intake passage, upstream of a compressor, via an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage and the first exhaust manifold may be adjusted by adjusting a timing of a first set of cylinder exhaust valves coupled to the first exhaust manifold. Additionally, the first set of cylinder exhaust valves open at a different time than a second set of cylinder exhaust valves coupled to the exhaust passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Brad Alan Boyer, Daniel Paul Madison, James Leiby
  • Publication number: 20190040791
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to an intake passage via a ported scavenge manifold. In one example, the ported scavenge manifold includes a first scavenge manifold coupled to a plurality of exhaust runners and a second scavenge manifold coupled to the plurality of exhaust runners via ports. The location of the ports on the exhaust runners combined with adjustments to a bypass valve coupled between the first scavenge manifold and an exhaust passage and an EGR valve coupled between the second scavenge manifold and the intake passage enables exhaust gas to be preferentially flowed to the exhaust passage and blowthrough air to be preferentially flowed to the intake passage under select operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Daniel Paul Madison, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Publication number: 20190032579
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, an intake valve timing, exhaust valve timing of a first set of exhaust valves coupled to the first exhaust manifold, and a position of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve in an EGR passage may be adjusted in coordination with one another in response to a condition at a compressor. The EGR passage may be coupled between the intake passage, upstream of the compressor, and the first exhaust manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Daniel Paul Madison, Brad Alan Boyer, James Leiby
  • Patent number: 10189466
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an in-range error of a pressure sensor arranged downstream of a lift pump in a fuel system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include performing feedback control of the lift pump based on output of the pressure sensor, monitoring the pressure sensor output for flattening during the application of the voltage pulses, and adjusting operation of the fuel system depending on whether the pressure sensor output flattens for at least a threshold duration, which is indicative of an in-range error. The method may further include dynamically learning a setpoint pressure of a pressure relief valve of the fuel system and a fuel vapor pressure within the fuel system by monitoring pressure sensor output while adjusting the duty cycle of voltage pulses applied to the lift pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring
  • Patent number: 10190507
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, one or more valves of a set of first exhaust valves coupled to the second exhaust manifold may be deactivated in response to select engine operating conditions, while maintaining active all valves of a set of second exhaust valves coupled to the first exhaust manifold. The select engine operating conditions may include one or more of a deceleration fuel shut-off condition, a part throttle condition, and a cold start condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gregory Patrick McConville, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Publication number: 20190024552
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine compression ratio (CR) and spark timing to attain particulate filter (PF) regeneration temperature. In one example, a method may include, in response to PF load reaching a threshold and PF temperature being lower than the PF regeneration temperature, lowering the CR and then selectively adjusting spark timing based on an estimated residual gas fraction (RGF) at the lower CR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Paul Glugla, Emil G. Serban
  • Patent number: 10184429
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selecting a location for water injection during a water injection event based on engine operating conditions. In one example, a method may include selecting a location for water injection from each of an intake port of each cylinder, an intake manifold upstream of all engine cylinders, and directly into each cylinder based on engine operating conditions. Further, the method may include adjusting water injection at the selected location and engine operating parameters in response the evaporated and/or condensed portion of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Stephen B. Smith, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Publication number: 20190003412
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, an amount of opening overlap between a plurality of intake valves and a first set of exhaust valves coupled to the first exhaust manifold may be adjusted responsive to a transition from an estimated combustion air-fuel content to a leaner air-fuel content of the blowthrough air on a cylinder to cylinder basis. As one example, the transition may be determined from an output of an oxygen sensor positioned within the first exhaust manifold or an exhaust runner of each of the first set of exhaust valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 10167806
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operating conditions for reduction of NOx emissions. In one example, immediately after a fuel shut-off event, in response to an oxygen content of an exhaust catalyst being higher than a threshold, manifold charge cooling may be increased by increasing the portion of fuel delivered to the engine via manifold injection relative to the portion to fuel delivered via one or more of port and direct injection. By increasing manifold cooling, NOx production may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Mohannad Hakeem, Calvin Trescott, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Peter C. Moilanen
  • Patent number: 10161324
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, a method may include decreasing gas flow from the first exhaust manifold to the intake passage, upstream of a compressor, where a first set of exhaust valves are exclusively coupled to the first exhaust manifold, in response to a condition of the compressor. Further, the method may include increasing gas flow from the first exhaust manifold to an exhaust passage coupled to a second exhaust manifold coupled to a second set of exhaust valves, in response to the decreasing gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Daniel Paul Madison, Brad Alan Boyer, Chris John Piper
  • Patent number: 10163279
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for compensating an instantaneous fuel economy reading for stored energy. One method comprises, when a vehicle undergoes a sufficient change in one or more of square of vehicle speed and vehicle altitude, estimating a conversion factor for fuel due to stored vehicle energy and adjusting the instantaneous fuel economy reading by the estimated conversion factor. The adjusted instantaneous fuel economy reading may be displayed to an operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, William Charles Ruona
  • Patent number: 10161349
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing a lift pump voltage to a high threshold voltage responsive to a DI pump efficiency being below a threshold efficiency, and increasing a lift pump voltage to a first threshold voltage less than the high threshold voltage responsive to a main jet pump fuel reservoir level being less than a first threshold reservoir level. The approach increases fuel jet pump performance and thereby reducing engine stalls induced by fuel vaporization, while maintaining DI pump efficiency and fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Ord
  • Patent number: 10161334
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, in response to a request to shut down the split exhaust engine system, an intake throttle may be closed and a first valve disposed in a secondary flow passage coupled between the intake manifold, downstream of the intake throttle, and a first exhaust manifold coupled to a first set of exhaust valves, may be opened. As a result, unburned hydrocarbons may be routed to a catalyst disposed in the exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Norman Ulrey