Patents by Inventor Karen Elizabeth Maceroni

Karen Elizabeth Maceroni 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: 10450942
    Abstract: An engine system includes a layered cylinder head with a plurality of intake ports and a stratified tubular member integrated into the cylinder head, configured as a condensate port, surrounding each of the plurality of intake ports and forming a plurality of nozzles located on at least one side of the tubular member. Each of the nozzles arranged to have a plurality of openings extending into a cavity of each intake port such that there is no seal between the tubular member and the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Publication number: 20190218960
    Abstract: An engine system includes a layered cylinder head with a plurality of intake ports and a stratified tubular member integrated into the cylinder head, configured as a condensate port, surrounding each of the plurality of intake ports and forming a plurality of nozzles located on at least one side of the tubular member. Each of the nozzles arranged to have a plurality of openings extending into a cavity of each intake port such that there is no seal between the tubular member and the cylinder head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Patent number: 10247089
    Abstract: A power train system includes a heat exchanger reservoir to collect condensate, a layered intake manifold, and integral tubing leading from the reservoir to an interior of the intake manifold via an intake manifold wall such that there is no seal between the condensate port and the manifold. The tubing splits into at least two branches transitioning into a set of wings containing a plurality of nozzles protruding into the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Patent number: 10060339
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either an air intake system or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, condensate is routed to a first position along the engine air intake system in a first mode of operation, and a second position upstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a second mode of operation, and a third position downstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a third mode of operation. When substantially no contaminates are detected, the condensate may be routed into the engine exhaust upstream of the catalyst in order to cool the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Mark Michael Madin
  • Patent number: 9650973
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for airflow control in an engine system which includes a throttle turbine generator including a turbine and a turbine generator. In one example, a method may include adjusting an angle of a throttle positioned in an engine inlet passage based on a desired airflow by taking into account the effects on the throttle angle due to rotation motion of the turbine, thereby accurately controlling airflow to the engine system. The method may further include predicting an airflow to the engine system based on the position of the throttle, thereby accurately monitoring torque of the engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Erik Mikael Hellstrom, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Publication number: 20170122228
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for airflow control in an engine system which includes a throttle turbine generator including a turbine and a turbine generator. In one example, a method may include adjusting an angle of a throttle positioned in an engine inlet passage based on a desired airflow by taking into account the effects on the throttle angle due to rotation motion of the turbine, thereby accurately controlling airflow to the engine system. The method may further include predicting an airflow to the engine system based on the position of the throttle, thereby accurately monitoring torque of the engine system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: John Erik Mikael Hellstrom, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Patent number: 9624850
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing exhaust energy delivered to a turbine of a turbine-generator coupled to a split exhaust engine system in order to reduce turbine over-speed conditions and/or to reduce a generator output. In one example, a method may include retarding a first timing of a first exhaust valve utilized to deliver a blowdown portion of exhaust energy to the turbine, and/or advancing a second timing of a second exhaust valve utilized to deliver a scavenging portion of exhaust energy to an exhaust catalyst in response to a turbine speed greater than a threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Thomas G. Leone, Daniel Joseph Styles, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Patent number: 9541017
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for controlling the temperature of outlet gasses from a throttle bypass turbine. In one embodiment, a method of operating a throttle bypass turbine comprises controlling a temperature of outlet gas flowing out of the turbine by routing the outlet gas through an exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger positioned in an exhaust gas recirculation passage, the turbine coupled to an intake passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Daniel Joseph Styles, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Patent number: 9382836
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either a combustion chamber of an engine or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, the method includes accumulating a portion of compressed air in an accumulator, and when an engine output is below a predetermined amount, coupling a part of the accumulated air with the condensate through a passage into the combustion chamber. Thereby, the methods described may be used to distribute condensate formed in the heat exchanger even at low engine loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Mark Michael Madin, Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20160160744
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either an air intake system or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, condensate is routed to a first position along the engine air intake system in a first mode of operation, and a second position upstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a second mode of operation, and a third position downstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a third mode of operation. When substantially no contaminates are detected, the condensate may be routed into the engine exhaust upstream of the catalyst in order to cool the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Mark Michael Madin
  • Publication number: 20160131054
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing exhaust energy delivered to a turbine of a turbine-generator coupled to a split exhaust engine system in order to reduce turbine over-speed conditions and/or to reduce a generator output. In one example, a method may include retarding a first timing of a first exhaust valve utilized to deliver a blowdown portion of exhaust energy to the turbine, and/or advancing a second timing of a second exhaust valve utilized to deliver a scavenging portion of exhaust energy to an exhaust catalyst in response to a turbine speed greater than a threshold speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Thomas G. Leone, Daniel Joseph Styles, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Publication number: 20160097332
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for controlling the temperature of outlet gasses from a throttle bypass turbine. In one embodiment, a method of operating a throttle bypass turbine comprises controlling a temperature of outlet gas flowing out of the turbine by routing the outlet gas through an exhaust gas recirculation heat exchanger positioned in an exhaust gas recirculation passage, the turbine coupled to an intake passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Daniel Joseph Styles, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Patent number: 9267424
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either an air intake system or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, condensate is routed to a first position along the engine air intake system in a first mode of operation, and a second position upstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a second mode of operation, and a third position downstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a third mode of operation. When substantially no contaminates are detected, the condensate may be routed into the engine exhaust upstream of the catalyst in order to cool the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Mark Michael Madin
  • Patent number: 9163555
    Abstract: Embodiments for a turbine-generator position in a compressor bypass flow path are presented. In one example, a method for an engine having a compressor comprises generating energy via a turbine-generator positioned in a bypass flow path of the compressor. In this way, the energy of the recirculated intake air may be recovered by the turbine-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • Patent number: 9145858
    Abstract: An intake assembly in an engine is provided. The intake assembly includes a compressor and a plenum in fluidic communication with the compressor, the plenum having an integrated charge air cooler including a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet in fluidic communication with a coolant passage and cooling plates extending into a plenum enclosure and coupled to the coolant passage. The intake assembly further includes a throttle body coupled to the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Chris Donald Wicks, Daniel Joseph Styles, Mark Michael Madin, Rick L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20150176480
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either a combustion chamber of an engine or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, the method includes accumulating a portion of compressed air in an accumulator, and when an engine output is below a predetermined amount, coupling a part of the accumulated air with the condensate through a passage into the combustion chamber. Thereby, the methods described may be used to distribute condensate formed in the heat exchanger even at low engine loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Mark Michael Madin, Christopher Donald Wicks
  • Publication number: 20150176478
    Abstract: A system and methods for routing condensate collected in a heat exchanger reservoir to either an air intake system or a position in the engine exhaust based on the type of contaminate in the condensate and operating parameters of the engine or the catalyst are described. In one particular example, condensate is routed to a first position along the engine air intake system in a first mode of operation, and a second position upstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a second mode of operation, and a third position downstream of the catalyst along the engine exhaust in a third mode of operation. When substantially no contaminates are detected, the condensate may be routed into the engine exhaust upstream of the catalyst in order to cool the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donald Wicks, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Mark Michael Madin
  • Patent number: 8960166
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing auxiliary heat to a pre-compressor duct wall to reduce condensate formation. A coolant valve may control the delivery of heated engine coolant to the pre-compressor duct wall. The coolant valve may be adjusted based on condensate formation at the pre-compressor duct wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Lynn Aimee Chesney, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Keith Michael Plagens
  • Publication number: 20140352668
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing auxiliary heat to a pre-compressor duct wall to reduce condensate formation. A coolant valve may control the delivery of heated engine coolant to the pre-compressor duct wall. The coolant valve may be adjusted based on condensate formation at the pre-compressor duct wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Lynn Aimee Chesney, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Keith Michael Plagens
  • Publication number: 20140157774
    Abstract: Embodiments for a turbine-generator position in a compressor bypass flow path are presented. In one example, a method for an engine having a compressor comprises generating energy via a turbine-generator positioned in a bypass flow path of the compressor. In this way, the energy of the recirculated intake air may be recovered by the turbine-generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni