Patents by Inventor Joseph Ulrey

Joseph 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: 11136944
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for split exhaust engine system including a blowdown exhaust manifold coupled to an exhaust passage and a scavenge exhaust manifold coupled to an intake passage. In one example, a turbine wastegate couples a single exhaust runner out of a plurality of exhaust runners of the blowdown exhaust manifold to an exhaust passage, downstream of a turbocharger turbine. Additionally, the turbine wastegate may couple the single exhaust runner to the exhaust passage, downstream of the turbocharger turbine arranged in the exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Ulrey, James Randall Leiby, Gregory McConville
  • Patent number: 11066062
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing engine compression torque when an engine having a split exhaust system is spun unfueled. In one example, a method may include maintaining closed a blowdown exhaust valve of a cylinder, the blowdown exhaust valve coupled to a first exhaust manifold that directs gases from the cylinder to a catalyst, and opening a scavenge exhaust valve of the cylinder, the scavenge exhaust valve coupled to a second exhaust manifold that directs gases from the cylinder to an exhaust gas recirculation system. In this way, compression of gases within they cylinder is reduced while gas flow to the catalyst is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Joseph Ulrey, William Cary Cole, Brad Boyer, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 11047322
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing exhaust residuals during light load conditions in a split exhaust engine via a check valve. In one example, a scavenge exhaust manifold may be maintained above a threshold pressure by introducing fresh air into the scavenge manifold during a valve overlap period, the scavenge manifold coupled to a cylinder of an engine and coupled to an intake passage of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Ulrey, John Erik Mikael Hellstrom, Daniel Madison, Christopher John Piper, Andres Ceballos
  • Patent number: 11008968
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Ulrey, Russell Senior, Gregory McConville, Amey Karnik
  • Patent number: 10968879
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust catalyst heating strategy that uses spark retard to increase an amount of heat output by an engine without a combustion stability limit. In one example, a method may include, during an engine cold start, applying an ignition spark at a timing that produces substantially zero combustion torque while maintaining an engine speed greater than a threshold speed via electric motor torque. Furthermore, an amount of heat output by the engine may be controlled by adjusting an airflow through the engine, such as by adjusting one or more of a throttle position and the engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Ulrey
  • Patent number: 10815922
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Shelby, Joseph Ulrey
  • Patent number: 10801418
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory McConville, Joseph Ulrey, Amey Karnik
  • Patent number: 10753303
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Ulrey, Gregory McConville, Amey Karnik, Yan Wang
  • Patent number: 10731580
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a dilution of recirculated gases, including blowthrough air, combusted exhaust gas, and fuel vapor, in a split exhaust engine. In one example, the dilution rate may be calculated using a feedforward model that includes determining a pressure differential across a region in an intake passage, mapped engine parameters such as gas temperature, and exhaust valve timing. Engine operations such as spark advance and fuel injection may be adjusted according to the modeled rate to reduce engine knock and improve combustion efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Timothy Clark, Joseph Ulrey, Mohannad Hakeem
  • Patent number: 10648413
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a dilution of recirculated gases, including blowthrough air, combusted exhaust gas, and fuel vapor, in a split exhaust engine. In one example, the dilution rate may be calculated using a steady state model based on temperature measurements from an intake region of the engine. The steady state model may be further used in combination with a feedforward model adapted to estimate engine dilution during engine transients as a correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Madison, Joseph Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mohannad Hakeem, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20200122709
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing engine compression torque when an engine having a split exhaust system is spun unfueled. In one example, a method may include maintaining closed a blowdown exhaust valve of a cylinder, the blowdown exhaust valve coupled to a first exhaust manifold that directs gases from the cylinder to a catalyst, and opening a scavenge exhaust valve of the cylinder, the scavenge exhaust valve coupled to a second exhaust manifold that directs gases from the cylinder to an exhaust gas recirculation system. In this way, compression of gases within they cylinder is reduced while gas flow to the catalyst is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Joseph Ulrey, William Cary Cole, Brad Boyer, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20200040832
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Shelby, Joseph Ulrey
  • Patent number: 10508612
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine to infer fuel temperature from a measured rate of change in a pressure of a fuel passage between a low pressure fuel pump and a high pressure fuel pump during certain operating conditions, including when the low pressure fuel pump is switched off. The operation of the low pressure fuel pump may be adjusted responsively to a change in the inferred fuel temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Ulrey, Ross Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10487763
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Shelby, Joseph Ulrey
  • Publication number: 20190331039
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Shelby, Joseph Ulrey
  • Publication number: 20190331048
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Ulrey, Gregory McConville, Amey Karnik, Yan Wang
  • Publication number: 20190331032
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory McConville, Joseph Ulrey, Amey Karnik
  • Publication number: 20190331049
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Ulrey, Russell Senior, Gregory McConville, Amey Karnik
  • Patent number: 10450941
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting engine cooling while reducing the overall energy consumption of the engine cooling system's components. A first circulation pump is used to pump coolant through an engine block as a function of engine output while a second radiator pump is selectively operated when a thermostat valve is open to pump coolant through a radiator and the engine block to effect the engine coolant temperature. Operation of the second pump is coordinated with the operation of a radiator cooling fan and grille shutters to improve radiator performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Cunningham, Joseph Ulrey, Ross Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10436142
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating whether or not a fuel amount that is greater than a threshold has been release to an engine via fuel injectors when the fuel injectors are commanded off are presented. In one example, an oxygen sensor is activated and engine cranking is prevented until a pumping current of the oxygen sensor is proportionate to a concentration of oxygen sensed via the oxygen sensor so that released fuel may be observed during engine starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Ulrey, Michael Uhrich, Ross Pursifull, Steven Schwochert