Patents by Inventor Ken Jahr

Ken Jahr 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).

  • Variable displacement engine control system and method
    Patent number: 9879625
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinders during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combustion stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Steven Schwochert, Ken Jahr
  • Variable displacement engine control system and method
    Patent number: 9840971
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinder during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combustion stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Steven Schwochert, Ken Jahr
  • VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20170298848
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinders during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combustion stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Steven Schwochert, Ken Jahr
  • Variable displacement engine control system and method
    Patent number: 9732686
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinders during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combustion stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Steven Schwochert, Ken Jahr
  • Method and system for torque control
    Patent number: 9404468
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling a smooth transmission shift in a hybrid vehicle configured with a motor hybrid transmission. During an initial part of a transmission upshift, spark timing may be advanced from MBT to expedite torque reduction. Once engine speed has sufficiently reduced, and is within a threshold range of the desired engine speed, spark timing may be retarded until the transmission shift is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Ken Jahr
  • System and method for operating a direct injection fuel pump
    Patent number: 9297331
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a direct injection fuel pump. The methods and systems selectively operate the direct injection fuel pump with varying levels of efficiency. In one example, an amount of piston lift of a direct fuel injection pump may be adjusted to selectively alter the pump's operating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Ken Jahr
  • Engine-load management to reduce particulate emissions
    Patent number: 9169791
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine of a vehicle. During a warm-up period following a cold start of the vehicle, a cylinder of the engine is charged to a reduced air-charge pressure, and fuel is injected into the cylinder. After the warm-up period, the cylinder is charged to a non-reduced air-charge pressure, greater for an equivalent driver demand than the reduced air-charge pressure, and fuel is injected into the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Alan VanDerWege, Ken Jahr, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Todd Anthony Rumpsa
  • Controlling charge air cooler condensation by using heated intake air
    Patent number: 9115658
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the temperature of intake air entering an engine. In response to condensate in a charge air cooler and engine operating conditions, the position of an induction valve is adjusted to draw in air from a warm or cool air duct. Induction valve operation is further controlled to reduce fuel economy losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Ken Jahr
  • Spark plug degradation detection
    Patent number: 9068548
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying and indicating degradation of an engine cylinder spark plug. In response to a cylinder misfire event during selected engine operating conditions, followed by an occurrence of a threshold number and/or rate of pre-ignition events in the same cylinder, a controller may determine that the spark plug is degraded. The controller may limit combustion in the cylinder in response to the degradation. Additionally, cylinder pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael Joseph Zaitz, Ken Jahr, Chris Paul Glugla, Robert Sarow Baskins
  • SPARK PLUG DEGRADATION DETECTION
    Publication number: 20150120172
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying and indicating degradation of an engine cylinder spark plug. In response to a cylinder misfire event during selected engine operating conditions, followed by an occurrence of a threshold number and/or rate of pre-ignition events in the same cylinder, a controller may determine that the spark plug is degraded. The controller may limit combustion in the cylinder in response to the degradation. Additionally, cylinder pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael Joseph Zaitz, Ken Jahr, Chris Paul Glugla, Robert Sarow Baskins
  • System and method to identify ambient conditions
    Patent number: 9004046
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating an ambient humidity value used to determine condensate formation in a charge air cooler. The ambient humidity value is determined from charge air cooler efficiency and windshield wiper speed thresholds. The humidity value is used to calculate an amount of condensate in a charge air cooler and control engine systems to reduce condensate formation and engine misfire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Ken Jahr, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20150051816
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinders during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combsution stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Steven Schwochert, Ken Jahr
  • VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20150051809
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinder during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combustion stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Steven Schwochert, Ken Jahr
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TORQUE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150047607
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling a smooth transmission shift in a hybrid vehicle configured with a motor hybrid transmission. During an initial part of a transmission upshift, spark timing may be advanced from MBT to expedite torque reduction. Once engine speed has sufficiently reduced, and is within a threshold range of the desired engine speed, spark timing may be retarded until the transmission shift is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Ken Jahr
  • Spark plug degradation detection
    Patent number: 8925531
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying and indicating degradation of an engine cylinder spark plug. In response to a cylinder misfire event during selected engine operating conditions, followed by an occurrence of a threshold number and/or rate of pre-ignition events in the same cylinder, a controller may determine that the spark plug is degraded. The controller may limit combustion in the cylinder in response to the degradation. Additionally, cylinder pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael Joseph Zaitz, Ken Jahr, Chris Paul Glugla, Robert Sarow Baskins
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A DIRECT INJECTION FUEL PUMP
    Publication number: 20140331975
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a direct injection fuel pump. The methods and systems selectively operate the direct injection fuel pump with varying levels of efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Ken Jahr
  • CONTROLLING CHARGE AIR COOLER CONDENSATION BY USING HEATED INTAKE AIR
    Publication number: 20140158089
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the temperature of intake air entering an engine. In response to condensate in a charge air cooler and engine operating conditions, the position of an induction valve is adjusted to draw in air from a warm or cool air duct. Induction valve operation is further controlled to reduce fuel economy losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Ken Jahr
  • SPARK PLUG DEGRADATION DETECTION
    Publication number: 20140136081
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying and indicating degradation of an engine cylinder spark plug. In response to a cylinder misfire event during selected engine operating conditions, followed by an occurrence of a threshold number and/or rate of pre-ignition events in the same cylinder, a controller may determine that the spark plug is degraded. The controller may limit combustion in the cylinder in response to the degradation. Additionally, cylinder pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael Joseph Zaitz, Ken Jahr, Chris Paul Glugla, Robert Sarow Baskins
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IDENTIFY AMBIENT CONDITIONS
    Publication number: 20140123963
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating an ambient humidity value used to determine condensate formation in a charge air cooler. The ambient humidity value is determined from charge air cooler efficiency and windshield wiper speed thresholds. The humidity value is used to calculate an amount of condensate in a charge air cooler and control engine systems to reduce condensate formation and engine misfire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Ken Jahr, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • Spark plug degradation detection
    Patent number: 8683976
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying and indicating degradation of an engine cylinder spark plug. In response to a cylinder misfire event during selected engine operating conditions, followed by an occurrence of a threshold number and/or rate of pre-ignition events in the same cylinder, a controller may determine that the spark plug is degraded. The controller may limit combustion in the cylinder in response to the degradation. Additionally, cylinder pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael Joseph Zaitz, Ken Jahr, Chris Paul Glugla, Robert Sarow Baskins