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).
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Patent number: 11136944Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Ulrey, James Randall Leiby, Gregory McConville
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Patent number: 11066062Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Joseph Ulrey, William Cary Cole, Brad Boyer, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
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Patent number: 11047322Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Ulrey, John Erik Mikael Hellstrom, Daniel Madison, Christopher John Piper, Andres Ceballos
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Patent number: 11008968Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Ulrey, Russell Senior, Gregory McConville, Amey Karnik
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Patent number: 10968879Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Ulrey
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Patent number: 10815922Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Shelby, Joseph Ulrey
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Patent number: 10801418Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory McConville, Joseph Ulrey, Amey Karnik
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Patent number: 10753303Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Ulrey, Gregory McConville, Amey Karnik, Yan Wang
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Patent number: 10731580Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Timothy Clark, Joseph Ulrey, Mohannad Hakeem
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Patent number: 10648413Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Madison, Joseph Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mohannad Hakeem, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
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Publication number: 20200122709Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Joseph Ulrey, William Cary Cole, Brad Boyer, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
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Publication number: 20200040832Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Michael Shelby, Joseph Ulrey
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Patent number: 10508612Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Ulrey, Ross Pursifull
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Patent number: 10487763Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Shelby, Joseph Ulrey
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Publication number: 20190331039Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2018Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Michael Shelby, Joseph Ulrey
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Publication number: 20190331048Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2018Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Joseph Ulrey, Gregory McConville, Amey Karnik, Yan Wang
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Publication number: 20190331032Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2018Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Gregory McConville, Joseph Ulrey, Amey Karnik
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Publication number: 20190331049Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2018Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Joseph Ulrey, Russell Senior, Gregory McConville, Amey Karnik
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Patent number: 10450941Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ralph Cunningham, Joseph Ulrey, Ross Pursifull
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Patent number: 10436142Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Ulrey, Michael Uhrich, Ross Pursifull, Steven Schwochert