Patents by Inventor Kenneth C. Swartz

Kenneth C. Swartz 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: 9771884
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a pump operating parameter module and a purge flow control module. The pump operating parameter module determines a value of an operating parameter of a purge pump that delivers purge fluid from a canister in an evaporative emissions system to an intake system of an engine. The operating parameter of the purge pump includes at least one of a speed of the purge pump, an amount of current supplied to the purge pump, and an amount of power supplied to the purge pump. The purge flow control module controls at least one of a purge valve and the purge pump to adjust an amount of purge fluid delivered to a cylinder of an engine based on the determined value of the operating parameter of the purge pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Darrell W. Burleigh, Christopher P. Musienko, Kenneth C. Swartz
  • Patent number: 9752539
    Abstract: A vapor purge system for an engine, includes a purge valve having a housing including an input port in communication with a purge canister and including an output port in communication with an intake system component defining a first bore portion receiving the output port with a first seal member disposed therebetween. The intake system component includes a second bore portion receiving a housing portion of the purge valve with a second seal member disposed therebetween. The first and second seal members are spaced such that when the housing is pulled away from the intake system component and the first seal member is out of engagement between the first bore and the output port, the second seal member can remain in engagement so that a diagnostic module can diagnose detachment of the purge valve from the intake system before any hydrocarbon vapor can be released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Darrell W. Burleigh, Sergio Quelhas, Lawrence A. Staat, Kenneth C. Swartz
  • Patent number: 9562499
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes a purge valve control module that closes a purge valve. The purge valve regulates fuel vapor flow from a fuel vapor canister to an intake system of an engine. A pump control module, after the closing of the purge valve, turns on a pump that pumps fuel vapor toward the purge valve. A first pressure module, after the purge valve is closed, determines a first pressure measured using a pressure sensor located between the pump and the purge valve. A second pressure module, after the determination of the first pressure and while the pump is on, determines a second pressure measured using the pressure sensor located between the pump and the purge valve. A diagnostic module selectively diagnoses detachment of the purge valve from the intake system based on the first and second pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Swartz, Miles K. Maxey
  • Publication number: 20160369714
    Abstract: A vapor purge system for an engine, includes a purge valve having a housing including an input port in communication with a purge canister and including an output port in communication with an intake system component defining a first bore portion receiving the output port with a first seal member disposed therebetween. The intake system component includes a second bore portion receiving a housing portion of the purge valve with a second seal member disposed therebetween. The first and second seal members are spaced such that when the housing is pulled away from the intake system component and the first seal member is out of engagement between the first bore and the output port, the second seal member can remain in engagement so that a diagnostic module can diagnose detachment of the purge valve from the intake system before any hydrocarbon vapor can be released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Darrell W. BURLEIGH, Sergio QUELHAS, Lawrence A. STAAT, Kenneth C. SWARTZ
  • Publication number: 20160123254
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a pump operating parameter module and a purge flow control module. The pump operating parameter module determines a value of an operating parameter of a purge pump that delivers purge fluid from a canister in an evaporative emissions system to an intake system of an engine. The operating parameter of the purge pump includes at least one of a speed of the purge pump, an amount of current supplied to the purge pump, and an amount of power supplied to the purge pump. The purge flow control module controls at least one of a purge valve and the purge pump to adjust an amount of purge fluid delivered to a cylinder of an engine based on the determined value of the operating parameter of the purge pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Darrell W. BURLEIGH, Christopher P. Musienko, Kenneth C. Swartz
  • Publication number: 20160061154
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes a purge valve control module that closes a purge valve. The purge valve regulates fuel vapor flow from a fuel vapor canister to an intake system of an engine. A pump control module, after the closing of the purge valve, turns on a pump that pumps fuel vapor toward the purge valve. A first pressure module, after the purge valve is closed, determines a first pressure measured using a pressure sensor located between the pump and the purge valve. A second pressure module, after the determination of the first pressure and while the pump is on, determines a second pressure measured using the pressure sensor located between the pump and the purge valve. A diagnostic module selectively diagnoses detachment of the purge valve from the intake system based on the first and second pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: KENNETH C. SWARTZ, MILES K. MAXEY
  • Patent number: 6679238
    Abstract: A method and apparatus determine exhaust gas temperature and control the heater of a heated exhaust gas oxygen sensor. Heater failures are diagnosed based on the level of current flowing through the heater. Exhaust gas temperature is determined by using a Kalman filter. The exhaust gas temperature sensor is eliminated while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. Current flowing through the heater is used to calculate the temperature of the heater. The temperature of the heater is compared to a desired temperature range and the current to the heater is adjusted to maintain the desired temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yonas Nebiyeloul-Kifle, Kenneth C. Swartz, Eric H. Gassenfeit
  • Publication number: 20030178016
    Abstract: A method and apparatus determine exhaust gas temperature and control the heater of a heated exhaust gas oxygen sensor. Heater failures are diagnosed based on the level of current flowing through the heater. Exhaust gas temperature is determined by using a Kalman filter. The exhaust gas temperature sensor is eliminated while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. Current flowing through the heater is used to calculate the temperature of the heater. The temperature of the heater is compared to a desired temperature range and the current to the heater is adjusted to maintain the desired temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Yonas Nebiyeloul-Kifle, Kenneth C. Swartz, Eric H. Gassenfeit