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).

  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING PARTICULATE EMISSIONS
    Publication number: 20180142600
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for filtering particulate matter in an exhaust passage of an engine system. In one example, a method may include during a cold start condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing engine exhaust gas to an exhaust particulate filter, and during a warm engine condition, directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the warm engine condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine. In this way, the exhaust particulate filter may be reliably regenerated during engine shutdown events such as DFSOs while reducing filter degradation, and lowering PM emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Paul M. Laing, Michael James Uhrich
  • Methods and system for injecting water at different groups of cylinders of an engine
    Patent number: 9976502
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an amount of water injected upstream of a group of cylinders based on a determined maldistribution of water among cylinders during a water injection event. In one example, a method may include injecting a first amount of water upstream of a first group of cylinders and a different, second amount of water upstream of a second group of cylinders based on operating conditions of the respective cylinder groups. Further, the method may include adjusting water injection and engine operating parameters in response the evaporated and/or condensed portion of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Christopher House, Michael Howard Shelby, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING A LIFT PUMP
    Publication number: 20180135550
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a lift pump of an engine fuel system. In one example, a method may comprise limiting a lift pump voltage to a lower first level when powering on a lift pump from off. The method may further comprise maintaining the lift pump voltage at the lower first level for a duration before increasing the lift pump voltage above the first level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Justin Trzeciak, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING A LIFT PUMP
    Publication number: 20180135551
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a lift pump of an engine fuel system. In one example, a method may comprise predicting when a fuel rail pressure will decrease below a threshold assuming that a lift pump remains off. The method may further comprise powering on the lift pump before the fuel rail pressure decreases below to the threshold to prevent fuel rail pressure from decreasing below the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Justin Trzeciak, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AN EXHAUST DIVERTER VALVE
    Publication number: 20180128145
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an exhaust diverter valve in an engine system and adjusting the diverter valve position to regulate vehicle exhaust noise so that the same exhaust diverter valve can be used to reduce emissions and expedite engine heating during a cold-start as well as regulate exhaust noise. In one example, a method for diverter valve diagnostics may include determining diverter valve degradation during an engine cold-start, when the diverter valve is closed, based on the change in the temperature upstream of the diverter valve from the temperature at engine start. In another example, a method for exhaust noise adjustment may include adjusting the diverter valve position to provide a target exhaust backpressure that produces a desired change in vehicle exhaust noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY PREVENTION
    Publication number: 20180128371
    Abstract: A brake interlock feature prevents release of the park mechanism unless a driver is depressing the brake pedal. This is intended to prevent the vehicle from rolling following park release. An enhanced brake interlock feature also checks to ensure that adequate brake boost is available to prevent vehicle roll before releasing the park mechanism. The feature may directly measure brake boost or may measure a quantity indirectly related to the availability of brake boost such as engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Exhaust heat recovery and hydrocarbon trapping
    Patent number: 9957871
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for exhaust heat recovery and hydrocarbon trapping at an exhaust bypass assembly. Exhaust gas may flow in both directions through an exhaust bypass passage and each of a HC trap and a heat exchanger coupled to the bypass passage. The HC trap may be purged with the hot exhaust and heat from the exhaust may be recovered at the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Giovanni Cavataio, Adam Nathan Banker
  • Method and system for a HC trap
    Patent number: 9951669
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a HC trap in a bypass passage. In one example, a method may include closing a diverter valve to flow exhaust gas from a main exhaust passage to the bypass passage during a cold-start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Giovanni Cavataio, Michael James Uhrich
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A HC TRAP
    Publication number: 20180087422
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a HC trap in a bypass passage. In one example, a method may include closing a diverter valve to flow exhaust gas from a main exhaust passage to the bypass passage during a cold-start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Giovanni Cavataio, Michael James Uhrich
  • Method and system for reducing particulate emissions
    Patent number: 9920679
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for filtering particulate matter in an exhaust passage of an engine system. In one example, a method may include during a cold start condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing engine exhaust gas to an exhaust particulate filter, and during a warm engine condition, directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the warm engine condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine. In this way, the exhaust particulate filter may be reliably regenerated during engine shutdown events such as DFSOs while reducing filter degradation, and lowering PM emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Paul M. Laing, Michael James Uhrich
  • Method and system for exhaust heat exchanger diagnostics
    Patent number: 9909541
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for carrying out on-board diagnostics of a plurality of components of an exhaust heat exchange system. In one example, degradation of one or more of a heat exchanger and a coolant system fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger may be detected based on a first temperature estimated upstream of the heat exchanger, a second temperature sensor estimated downstream of the heat exchanger, a coolant temperature, and a pressure estimated upstream of the heat exchanger. Also, degradation of a diverter valve of the heat exchange system may be detected based on inputs of a position sensor coupled to the diverter valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karen Evelyn Bevan, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTING A LOCATION FOR WATER INJECTION IN AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20180038319
    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: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Stephen B. Smith, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AN EXHAUST CATALYST
    Publication number: 20180038257
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine exhaust aftertreatment system to increase the efficiency of an exhaust underbody catalyst and reduce engine emissions. In one example, a bypass passage may be coupled to a main exhaust passage and during conditions which may adversely affect functionality of the underbody catalyst, exhaust may be opportunistically routed via the bypass passage avoiding the underbody catalyst. Exhaust heat may be recovered via a heat exchanger coupled to the bypass passage, and the heat may be used for engine heating, and passenger cabin heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR INJECTING WATER AT DIFFERENT GROUPS OF CYLINDERS OF AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20180038300
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an amount of water injected upstream of a group of cylinders based on a determined maldistribution of water among cylinders during a water injection event. In one example, a method may include injecting a first amount of water upstream of a first group of cylinders and a different, second amount of water upstream of a second group of cylinders based on operating conditions of the respective cylinder groups. Further, the method may include adjusting water injection and engine operating parameters in response the evaporated and/or condensed portion of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Christopher House, Michael Howard Shelby, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • System and methods for fuel pressure control
    Patent number: 9885310
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a lift pump of an engine fuel system. In one example, a method may comprise closed loop operating a lift pump of a fuel system based on a difference between a desired fuel rail pressure and an estimated fuel rail pressure, and open loop operating the lift pump to the desired fuel rail pressure in response to a fuel flow rate in a direction of a fuel rail through a check valve positioned between the lift pump and the fuel rail decreasing to a threshold. Thus, outputs from a fuel rail pressure sensor may not be used to adjust lift pump operation when an amount of fuel flowing to the fuel rail decreases to a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Justin Trzeciak, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Engine control for catalyst regeneration
    Patent number: 9869242
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting water during an engine cylinder deactivation event so as to reduce an exhaust catalyst regeneration requirement following the cylinder deactivation. In one example, water is injected at one or more deactivated engine cylinders to reduce oxidation of the exhaust catalyst. Then, during engine cylinder reactivation, a degree of richness of a combustion air-to-fuel ratio may be reduced to decrease fuel penalty to the engine while reducing NOx emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Mark Allen Dearth
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AN ASPIRATOR FOR A BRAKE BOOSTER
    Publication number: 20170361820
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing vacuum to a brake booster via an aspirator system. In one example, a system may include an aspirator system fluidly coupled with a brake booster with no intervening components located therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Methods and systems for engine fuel and torque control
    Patent number: 9845760
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately estimating intake aircharge based on the output of an intake oxygen sensor while flowing EGR, purge, or PCV hydrocarbons to the engine. The unadjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine fuel control while the hydrocarbon adjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine torque control. A controller is configured to sample the oxygen sensor at even increments in a time domain, stamp the sampled data in a crank angle domain, store the sampled data in a buffer, and then select one or more data samples corresponding to a last firing period from the buffer for estimating the intake aircharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Justin Trzeciak, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Common shut-off valve for actuator vacuum at low engine power and fuel vapor purge vacuum at boost
    Patent number: 9835115
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating vacuum via an ejector arranged in a compressor recirculation flow path and an aspirator arranged in a throttle bypass path, where a suction port of the ejector is coupled with a canister purge valve having two outlet ports. In one example, the canister purge valve may include only a single flow restriction, the flow restriction arranged in a path coupling a fuel vapor purge system with the intake manifold when a solenoid of canister purge valve is open, such that a path coupling the fuel vapor purge system with the suction port of the ejector does not include any flow restrictions upstream of the suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • System and method for controlling canister purging
    Patent number: 9822718
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling canister purge flow in a boosted engine. An example method for the boosted engine comprises, during boosted conditions, flowing stored fuel vapors from a canister into an ejector coupled in a compressor bypass passage, the flowing bypassing a canister purge valve. The method further comprises, responsive to a canister load higher than a threshold load, closing a canister vent valve coupled to the canister, and discontinuing flowing stored fuel vapors from the canister into the ejector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey