Patents by Inventor Keith Michael Plagens

Keith Michael Plagens 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).

  • Method and system for operating an engine turbocharger
    Patent number: 8925302
    Abstract: A system and method for operating an engine turbocharger is described. In one example, the turbocharger is rotated in different directions in response to operating conditions. The system and method may reduce engine emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Charles Ruona, Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens
  • INTRODUCTION OF EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION AT A COMPRESSOR BLADE TRAILING EDGE
    Publication number: 20140377059
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting exhaust gases from an exhaust gas recirculation system proximate to a trailing edge of a compressor wheel of a compressor. In one example, a compressor of a turbocharger may include an exhaust gas recirculation inlet volute within a casting of the compressor. The exhaust gas recirculation inlet volute may include an injection port positioned downstream of the trailing edge of the compressor wheel for injecting exhaust gases into intake air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Keith Michael Plagens, Gregory Patrick McConville, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BINARY FLOW TURBINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140360185
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the opening of a scroll valve of a binary flow turbine. Scroll valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. Scroll valve adjustments are coordinated with wastegate and EGR valve adjustments for improved engine control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Julia Helen Buckland, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Barbara Westrate, Stephen Lee Cooper, Keith Michael Plagens
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BINARY FLOW TURBINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140360182
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the opening of a scroll valve of a binary flow turbine. Scroll valve adjustments are used at different engine operating conditions to improve engine performance and boost response. Scroll valve adjustments are coordinated with wastegate and EGR valve adjustments for improved engine control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan Boyer, Julia Helen Buckland, Stephen Lee Cooper, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Barbara Westrate, Keith Michael Plagens
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HEATING A PRE-COMPRESSOR DUCT TO REDUCE CONDENSATE FORMATION
    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
  • BRANCH COMMUNICATION VALVE FOR A TWIN SCROLL TURBOCHARGER
    Publication number: 20140219849
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a branch communication valve in a twin turbocharger system. A branch communication valve may be positioned adjacent to a dividing wall separating a first scroll and a second scroll of the twin turbocharger. In an open position, the branch communication valve increases fluid communication between the first scroll and the second scroll and in a closed position, the branch communication valve decreases fluid communication between the first scroll and the second scroll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Jack Adams, Keith Michael Plagens, Neal James Corey, David Born, Xiaogang Zhang
  • ENGINE INCLUDING A WASTEGATE VALVE AND METHOD FOR OPERATION OF A TURBOCHARGER SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140165556
    Abstract: A turbocharger system is described herein. The turbocharger system may include a cylinder head forming a portion of a combustion chamber and including an integrated exhaust manifold in fluidic communication with the combustion chamber and a wastegate valve positioned within the cylinder head including an inlet in fluidic communication with the integrated exhaust manifold and an outlet in fluidic communication with an outlet of a turbine positioned downstream of the integrated exhaust manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Michael Plagens, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING STARTING OF A TURBOCHARGED ENGINE
    Publication number: 20140067227
    Abstract: A system and method for improving engine emissions is described. In one example, engine emissions may be improved via increasing rotational resistance of a turbocharger while a temperature of an exhaust after treatment device is less than a threshold temperature. The system and method may reduce an amount of time for the after treatment device to reach an operating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens, William Charles Ruona
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING AN ENGINE TURBOCHARGER
    Publication number: 20140060006
    Abstract: A system and method for operating an engine turbocharger is described. In one example, the turbocharger is rotated in different directions in response to operating conditions. The system and method may reduce engine emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Charles Ruona, Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens
  • Method and system for controlling a turbocharger compressor bypass
    Patent number: 8661814
    Abstract: A turbocharger compressor bypass valve is disclosed. In one example, the compressor bypass valve operates inversely proportional to engine throttle operation. The approach may simplify compressor bypass valve control and reduced engine system complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Keith Michael Plagens, Henry W. Patterson
  • MULTI-STAGED WASTEGATE
    Publication number: 20140041380
    Abstract: Embodiments for controlling boost pressure are provided. In one example, a method of controlling a turbocharger of an engine via a multi-staged wastegate comprises during a first condition, actuating a first stage of the wastegate based on boost pressure generated by the turbocharger, and actuating a second stage of the wastegate based on a temperature of a catalyst downstream of the turbocharger. In this way, catalyst heating and boost control may be provided by a common wastegate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens, William Charles Ruona
  • Exhaust gas recirculation system
    Patent number: 8479510
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for a vehicle is provided. The EGR system includes a turbine fluidly coupled downstream of an exhaust manifold and an EGR conduit including a first port coupled to an exhaust passage directly downstream of the turbine, an axis of the first port arrange at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the rotation axis of the turbine and a second port coupled to an intake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ahsanul Karim, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Daniel Joseph Styles, Keith Michael Plagens, Keith D. Miazgowicz
  • Method and System for Controlling a Turbocharger Compressor Bypass
    Publication number: 20120291432
    Abstract: A turbocharger compressor bypass valve is disclosed. In one example, the compressor bypass valve operates inversely proportional to engine throttle operation. The approach may simplify compressor bypass valve control and reduced engine system complexity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Keith Michael Plagens, Henry W. Patterson
  • EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110265473
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for a vehicle is provided. The EGR system includes a turbine fluidly coupled downstream of an exhaust manifold and an EGR conduit including a first port coupled to an exhaust passage directly downstream of the turbine, an axis of the first port arrange at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the rotation axis of the turbine and a second port coupled to an intake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ahsanul Karim, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni, Daniel Joseph Styles, Keith Michael Plagens, Keith D. Miazgowicz