Patents by Inventor Joseph Norman

Joseph Norman 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: 20180171907
    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 an intake throttle being at least partially closed, intake air may be routed from the intake passage to the first exhaust manifold via an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage where the intake air may be heated via an EGR cooler. The heated intake air may then be routed to an intake manifold, downstream of the intake throttle, via a flow passage coupled between the first exhaust manifold and the intake manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Daniel Paul Madison, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Publication number: 20180171904
    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, during a cold start, a method may include adjusting a position of a first valve disposed in an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage based on an engine operating condition, the EGR passage coupled between the first exhaust manifold coupled to a first set of exhaust valves and the intake passage, upstream of a compressor. As one example, the engine operating condition may include an engine temperature or a temperature of a catalyst disposed in the exhaust passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Michael Howard Shelby, Kim Hwe Ku, Brad Alan Boyer
  • Publication number: 20180171899
    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, while both a first exhaust valve and second exhaust valve of a cylinder are open, intake air may be routed through a flow passage coupled between the intake passage and the first exhaust manifold, the first exhaust manifold coupled to the first exhaust valve. The intake air may be further routed through the first exhaust valve, into the cylinder, and out of the second exhaust valve to the second exhaust manifold coupled to the exhaust passage including a turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Corey Weaver
  • Publication number: 20180171936
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Daniel A. Makled, Mohannad Hakeem, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Patent number: 9995237
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Trzeciak, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20180148038
    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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring
  • Patent number: 9981643
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20180055450
    Abstract: A monitoring apparatus includes a housing configured to be positioned within an ear of a subject, and a sensor module. The sensor module includes an optical emitter and detector, and an optical filter overlying at least a portion of the detector. The sensor module also includes a motion sensor, an interference filter, and a processor. The optical filter attenuates time-varying environmental light interference caused by sunlight and/or ambient light. The interference filter removes effects of time-varying environmental interference from a signal output from the optical detector and produces a processed energy response signal associated with a physiological condition of the subject. The processor controls operations of the optical emitter, the optical detector, the motion sensor, and the interference filter. The processor utilizes an output signal from the motion sensor to remove motion artifacts from the energy response signal, and extracts at least one physiological property from the energy response signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Steven Francis LeBoeuf, Jesse Berkley Tucker, Michael Edward Aumer, Eric Douglas Romesburg, Joseph Norman Morris
  • 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