Patents by Inventor Joshua D. Cowgill
Joshua D. Cowgill 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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Publication number: 20140278009Abstract: An engine control system includes a mean effective pressure (MEP) module, an imbalance module, and a phaser control module. The MEP module determines MEPs for combustion cycles of cylinders, respectively, of an engine. The imbalance module selectively determines whether first and second banks of the cylinders are imbalanced based on the MEPs. When the first and second banks of cylinders are imbalanced, the phaser control module selectively adjusts at least one of: a first phaser of an intake camshaft of the second bank of cylinders; and a second phaser of an exhaust camshaft of the second bank of cylinders.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Joshua D. Cowgill, Joel Cowgill
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Patent number: 8775054Abstract: A control system includes a starter control module, a mode setting module, a throttle control module, and a fuel control module. The starter control module initiates cranking of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine in response to user actuation of an ignition switch. The mode setting module sets a mode of operation to a coldstart mode when an engine coolant temperature is less than a predetermined temperature during the cranking. The throttle control module allows a throttle valve to be biased to a predetermined open position when the SIDI engine is off and, in response to the setting of the mode to the coldstart mode, selectively closes the throttle valve relative to the predetermined open position during the cranking. The fuel control module, in response to the setting of the mode to the coldstart mode, disables direct injection of fuel for a first combustion event during the cranking.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Inventors: Ricardo Vincenzi, Bruce F. Hunter, Joshua D. Cowgill, Craig D. Marriott, Claudio Engler Pinto
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Patent number: 8682569Abstract: A system for diagnosing a switchable roller finger follower (SRFF) and an oil control valve (OCV) includes a signal monitoring module and a fault detection module. The signal monitoring module receives at least one of an individual cylinder fuel correction (ICFC) signal and an air/fuel ratio imbalance (AFIM) signal when: an engine speed signal is within a predetermined range of speed; an engine load signal is within a predetermined range of load; and a charcoal canister vapor signal is within a predetermined range of flow rate. The fault detection module detects a fault of at least one of a SRFF and an OCV based on an exhaust gas recirculation value and at least one of the ICFC and AFIM signals. The ICFC and AFIM signals are generated based on: an engine position signal; and at least one of an oxygen signal and a wide range air fuel signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Inventors: Andrew P. Bagnasco, Joshua D. Cowgill, Joseph R. Dulzo, Raymond Claude Turin, Matthew A. Wiles
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Publication number: 20140074381Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a temperature estimation module and a fuel control module. The temperature estimation module estimates a piston temperature associated with a cylinder based on engine operating conditions. The fuel control module controls at least one of injection timing associated with the cylinder, injection pressure associated with a cylinder, injection location associated with a cylinder, and a number of injections per engine cycle associated with the cylinder based on the piston temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: David P. Sczomak, Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua D. Cowgill
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Patent number: 8645043Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a transient operation detection module, an injection determination module, and an injection control module. The transient operation detection module detects whether the engine is operating in a transient state. The injection determination module, based on an elapsed time since a fuel request and at least one of a plurality of engine operating parameters, at least one of (i) increases a number of fuel injections per combustion cycle to N, and (ii) adjusts periods for each of the fuel injections, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to two. The injection control module controls fuel injection during the transient state based on at least one of (i) N fuel injections per combustion cycle and (ii) the adjusted periods.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua D. Cowgill, John Ogalla Waldman, Halim G. Santoso, J. Michael Ellenberger
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Publication number: 20130297182Abstract: A control system includes a starter control module, a mode setting module, a throttle control module, and a fuel control module. The starter control module initiates cranking of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine in response to user actuation of an ignition switch. The mode setting module sets a mode of operation to a coldstart mode when an engine coolant temperature is less than a predetermined temperature during the cranking. The throttle control module allows a throttle valve to be biased to a predetermined open position when the SIDI engine is off and, in response to the setting of the mode to the coldstart mode, selectively closes the throttle valve relative to the predetermined open position during the cranking. The fuel control module, in response to the setting of the mode to the coldstart mode, disables direct injection of fuel for a first combustion event during the cranking.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2012Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ricardo Vincenzi, Bruce F. Hunter, Joshua D. Cowgill, Craig D. Marriott, Claudio Engler Pinto
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Patent number: 8575788Abstract: A method for operating a thermoelectric generator supplying a variable-load component includes commanding the variable-load component to operate at a first output and determining a first load current and a first load voltage to the variable-load component while operating at the commanded first output. The method also includes commanding the variable-load component to operate at a second output and determining a second load current and a second load voltage to the variable-load component while operating at the commanded second output. The method includes calculating a maximum power output of the thermoelectric generator from the determined first load current and voltage and the determined second load current and voltage, and commanding the variable-load component to operate at a third output. The commanded third output is configured to draw the calculated maximum power output from the thermoelectric generator.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael G. Reynolds, Joshua D. Cowgill
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Patent number: 8539933Abstract: A desired pulse width module determines a desired length of a single pulse of fuel for a combustion cycle of a cylinder of an engine. A multiple pulses module determines a number of pulses (N) for the combustion cycle, wherein N is an integer greater than 1. A fraction determination module determines N fractional values for the N pulses, respectively. An injector control module generates individual lengths for the N pulses based on the N fractional values, respectively, and based on the desired length. A fuel actuator module opens a fuel injector that injects fuel into the cylinder during the combustion cycle in N pulses having the individual lengths, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Inventors: Joshua D. Cowgill, J. Michael Ellenberger, Jonathan T. Shibata
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Patent number: 8489312Abstract: A method and control module includes a manifold absolute pressure comparison module that determines a function of the manifold absolute pressure and an average manifold absolute pressure for a plurality of cylinders and that compares the manifold absolute pressure parameter to a manifold absolute pressure threshold. The control module includes a misfire event module that compares the misfire parameter to a misfire threshold. A hardware remedy module performs a valve actuation hardware remedy in response to comparing the manifold absolute pressure and comparing the misfire parameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Inventors: Joseph R. Dulzo, Joshua D. Cowgill, Andrew P. Bagnasco
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Patent number: 8443594Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) in an exhaust system of an engine is provided. The method includes determining the temperature of the heated side of the TEG, determining exhaust gas flow rate through the TEG, and determining the exhaust gas temperature through the TEG. A rate of change in temperature of the heated side of the TEG is predicted based on the determined temperature, the determined exhaust gas flow rate, and the determined exhaust gas temperature through the TEG. Using the predicted rate of change of temperature of the heated side, exhaust gas flow rate through the TEG is calculated that will result in a maximum temperature of the heated side of the TEG less than a predetermined critical temperature given the predicted rate of change in temperature of the heated side of the TEG. A corresponding apparatus is provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Gregory P. Prior, Michael G. Reynolds, Joshua D. Cowgill
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Patent number: 8380423Abstract: A diagnostic system for an engine includes a phaser control module that commands a first cam phaser position of a cam phaser of the engine for a first period and a second cam phaser position of the cam phaser for a second period, and a phaser diagnostic module that diagnoses a phaser control error for the cam phaser based on a first pressure of fluid supplied by an oil control valve to the cam phaser measured during the first period, and a second pressure of fluid supplied by the oil control valve to the cam phaser measured during the second period. The first and second pressures are measured on one of an advance-side fluid chamber and a retard-side fluid chamber of the cam phaser. The phaser diagnostic module detects one of a phaser mechanical fault and a phaser hydraulic system fault. A related method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Inventors: Joshua D. Cowgill, Donovan L. Dibble, Kenneth J. Cinpinski
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Publication number: 20120212190Abstract: A method for operating a thermoelectric generator supplying a variable-load component includes commanding the variable-load component to operate at a first output and determining a first load current and a first load voltage to the variable-load component while operating at the commanded first output. The method also includes commanding the variable-load component to operate at a second output and determining a second load current and a second load voltage to the variable-load component while operating at the commanded second output. The method includes calculating a maximum power output of the thermoelectric generator from the determined first load current and voltage and the determined second load current and voltage, and commanding the variable-load component to operate at a third output. The commanded third output is configured to draw the calculated maximum power output from the thermoelectric generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Michael G. Reynolds, Joshua D. Cowgill
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Publication number: 20120180763Abstract: A desired pulse width module determines a desired length of a single pulse of fuel for a combustion cycle of a cylinder of an engine. A multiple pulses module determines a number of pulses (N) for the combustion cycle, wherein N is an integer greater than 1. A fraction determination module determines N fractional values for the N pulses, respectively. An injector control module generates individual lengths for the N pulses based on the N fractional values, respectively, and based on the desired length. A fuel actuator module opens a fuel injector that injects fuel into the cylinder during the combustion cycle in N pulses having the individual lengths, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Joshua D. Cowgill, J. Michael Ellenberger, Jonathan T. Shibata
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Publication number: 20120185151Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a transient operation detection module, an injection determination module, and an injection control module. The transient operation detection module detects whether the engine is operating in a transient state. The injection determination module, based on an elapsed time since a fuel request and at least one of a plurality of engine operating parameters, at least one of (i) increases a number of fuel injections per combustion cycle to N, and (ii) adjusts periods for each of the fuel injections, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to two. The injection control module controls fuel injection during the transient state based on at least one of (i) N fuel injections per combustion cycle and (ii) the adjusted periods.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua D. Cowgill, John Ogalla Waldman, Halim G. Santoso, J. Michael Ellenberger
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Publication number: 20120185152Abstract: A fuel control system includes a target rail pressure module. The target rail pressure module determines a target fuel rail pressure of a fuel rail of a direct injection engine. An offset module determines an offset value based on an engine speed of the direct injection engine and at least one of an engine load and an air per cylinder. A modifier module determines a modifier value based on a temperature of the direct injection engine. A rail pressure control module adjusts a current fuel rail pressure of the fuel rail based on the target fuel rail pressure, the offset value and the modifier value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua D. Cowgill, Daniel Sabathil, David P. Sczomak
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Patent number: 8181508Abstract: A system includes a pressure signal adjustment module that generates a maximum pressure signal based on a fluid pressure signal from a pressure sensor of a camshaft phaser system of an engine. The pressure signal adjustment module detects a maximum peak value of the fluid pressure signal and maintains the maximum pressure signal at the maximum peak value for a peak and hold period. A diagnostic module detects a fault of the camshaft phaser system based on the maximum pressure signal during the peak and hold period.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Inventors: Kenneth J. Cinpinski, Donovan L. Dibble, Joshua D Cowgill, Scot A. Douglas
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Patent number: 8162801Abstract: A control system includes an auto-stop module, an auto-start module, and a starter module. The auto-stop module stops an engine when a brake pedal position is greater than a threshold position and a transmission is in a drive gear. The auto-start module starts the engine when the brake pedal position is less than a minimum position and the engine stop is initiated. When the engine start is initiated and an engine speed is greater than zero, the starter module engages a pinion gear of a starter with a ring gear of an engine by reciprocally actuating the pinion gear N times between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein N is an integer greater than two.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Inventors: Sharon Liu, Henry A. Hainer, Michael Simon, Joshua D Cowgill, Douglas R. Verner
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Publication number: 20120080009Abstract: A control system for an engine includes an injection timing adjustment module and an injection control module. The injection timing adjustment module generates an adjusted fuel injection timing when a fuel request is received and the engine is operating in a transient state, wherein the adjusted fuel injection timing is based on a base fuel injection timing, an elapsed time since the fuel request, and at least one of a plurality of engine operating parameters. The injection control module controls fuel injection based on the adjusted fuel injection timing for a period, and controls fuel injection based on the base fuel injection timing after the period.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan T. Shibata, Joshua D. Cowgill, John Ogalla Waldman, David P. Sczomak
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Patent number: 8146567Abstract: A valve lifter control system includes a valve lifter control module and a forced transition determination module. The valve lifter control module determines a desired lift state of a valve lifter based on at least one of engine speed and engine load. The forced transition determination module initiates a forced transition of the valve lifter from the low-lift state to the high-lift state based on manifold vacuum independently of the desired lift state.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Inventors: Scot A. Douglas, Donovan L. Dibble, Joshua D. Cowgill
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Publication number: 20110240080Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) in an exhaust system of an engine is provided. The method includes determining the temperature of the heated side of the TEG, determining exhaust gas flow rate through the TEG, and determining the exhaust gas temperature through the TEG. A rate of change in temperature of the heated side of the TEG is predicted based on the determined temperature, the determined exhaust gas flow rate, and the determined exhaust gas temperature through the TEG. Using the predicted rate of change of temperature of the heated side, exhaust gas flow rate through the TEG is calculated that will result in a maximum temperature of the heated side of the TEG less than a predetermined critical temperature given the predicted rate of change in temperature of the heated side of the TEG. A corresponding apparatus is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATION, INC.Inventors: Gregory P. Prior, Michael G. Reynolds, Joshua D. Cowgill