Patents by Inventor Kenneth L. Pifher

Kenneth L. Pifher 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: 11780322
    Abstract: A fuel system, a vehicle, and a method of controlling an evaporative emissions system for the vehicle are provided. The fuel system has a fuel tank having a fuel fill port with a closure member. An evaporative emissions canister has a first port fluidly coupled to the fuel tank to receive vapor therefrom and a second port, with the canister positioned between an air intake for an engine and a vent to atmosphere. A filter or a second canister is supported by a bracket for movement between first and second positions, with the filter fluidly coupling the second port of the canister to the vent in the first position, and the filter spaced apart from and decoupled from the second port of the canister in the second position. The second port of the canister is in direct fluid communication with atmosphere when the filter is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Kenneth L. Pifher
  • Publication number: 20230202291
    Abstract: A fuel system, a vehicle, and a method of controlling an evaporative emissions system for the vehicle are provided. The fuel system has a fuel tank having a fuel fill port with a closure member. An evaporative emissions canister has a first port fluidly coupled to the fuel tank to receive vapor therefrom and a second port, with the canister positioned between an air intake for an engine and a vent to atmosphere. A filter or a second canister is supported by a bracket for movement between first and second positions, with the filter fluidly coupling the second port of the canister to the vent in the first position, and the filter spaced apart from and decoupled from the second port of the canister in the second position. The second port of the canister is in direct fluid communication with atmosphere when the filter is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Aed M. DUDAR, Dennis Seung-Man YANG, Kenneth L. PIFHER
  • Patent number: 11268473
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing a potential for release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere for vehicles that rely primarily on an electric-only mode of operation for vehicle propulsion. In one example, a method may include in response to a vehicle-on request via a driver of a vehicle, maintaining off a fuel pump that supplies a fuel to a set of port fuel injectors, and re-pressurizing the set of port fuel injectors via operation of the fuel pump based on a predicted engine-start request during a drive cycle following the vehicle-on request. In this way, escape of fuel from pressurized port fuel injectors may be reduced or avoided during engine-off conditions, which may reduce opportunity for release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Raymond Culbertson, Kenneth L. Pifher, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20210156331
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing a potential for release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere for vehicles that rely primarily on an electric-only mode of operation for vehicle propulsion. In one example, a method may include in response to a vehicle-on request via a driver of a vehicle, maintaining off a fuel pump that supplies a fuel to a set of port fuel injectors, and re-pressurizing the set of port fuel injectors via operation of the fuel pump based on a predicted engine-start request during a drive cycle following the vehicle-on request. In this way, escape of fuel from pressurized port fuel injectors may be reduced or avoided during engine-off conditions, which may reduce opportunity for release of undesired evaporative emissions to atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Tom Raymond Culbertson, Kenneth L. Pifher, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 10174704
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle fuel pump at a fuel shut-off event based at least in part on whether combustion stability issues, or potential stall conditions, are indicated in a drive cycle prior to the fuel shut-off event. In one example, a method may include maintaining power to the fuel pump responsive to the potential stall condition being indicated, and independent of an indicated pressure in a fuel rail configured to receive pressurized fuel from the fuel pump, and where the fuel shut-off event includes a deceleration fuel shut-off event or an idle stop event. In this way, fuel may be kept flowing across the fuel pump during fuel shut-off events, responsive to indications of combustion stability issues, such that fuel pump cavitation and other engine and fuel pump-related complications may be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Kenneth L. Pifher, Jacob Doan, Larry J. Wroza
  • Publication number: 20180112619
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle fuel pump at a fuel shut-off event based at least in part on whether combustion stability issues, or potential stall conditions, are indicated in a drive cycle prior to the fuel shut-off event. In one example, a method may include maintaining power to the fuel pump responsive to the potential stall condition being indicated, and independent of an indicated pressure in a fuel rail configured to receive pressurized fuel from the fuel pump, and where the fuel shut-off event includes a deceleration fuel shut-off event or an idle stop event. In this way, fuel may be kept flowing across the fuel pump during fuel shut-off events, responsive to indications of combustion stability issues, such that fuel pump cavitation and other engine and fuel pump-related complications may be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Kenneth L. Pifher, Jacob Doan, Larry J. Wroza
  • Patent number: 9228541
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with a fuel vapor recovery system are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, during a diurnal condition, providing a first amount of venting to a fuel vapor canister, and during a purge condition, providing a second amount of venting to the fuel vapor canister, where the second amount is greater than the first amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Pifher, Mark W. Peters
  • Patent number: 9222443
    Abstract: A method for improving purging of fuel vapors from a fuel vapor storage canister to an engine is presented. In one example, the method adjusts engine operation to provide sonic flow between a canister and the engine. In this way, it may be possible to lower an amount of fuel vapors stored in a canister while the engine continues to operate efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Peters, Kenneth L. Pifher, Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 9027533
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a fuel system in a hybrid vehicle. Before canister purging is stopped by closing a purge valve, a canister vent valve is closed to hold fuel tank vacuum. Then, during a subsequent canister purge, the purge valve is opened before opening the vent valve, allowing canister purge to initiate under fuel tank vacuum conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Pifher, Mark W. Peters
  • Publication number: 20140216421
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with a fuel vapor recovery system are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, during a diurnal condition, providing a first amount of venting to a fuel vapor canister, and during a purge condition, providing a second amount of venting to the fuel vapor canister, where the second amount is greater than the first amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Pifher, Mark W. Peters
  • Publication number: 20140026866
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a fuel system in a hybrid vehicle. Before canister purging is stopped by closing a purge valve, a canister vent valve is closed to hold fuel tank vacuum. Then, during a subsequent canister purge, the purge valve is opened before opening the vent valve, allowing canister purge to initiate under fuel tank vacuum conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Pifher, Mark W. Peters
  • Publication number: 20130269660
    Abstract: A method for improving purging of fuel vapors from a fuel vapor storage canister to an engine is presented. In one example, the method adjusts engine operation to provide sonic flow between a canister and the engine. In this way, it may be possible to lower an amount of fuel vapors stored in a canister while the engine continues to operate efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Peters, Kenneth L. Pifher, Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 8326479
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method of controlling an engine fuel pump in a hybrid-electric vehicle. The method includes: cycling a vehicle powertrain between an electric mode, where an engine is commanded off, and a mechanical mode, where the engine is commanded on; depowering an engine fuel pump when the engine is commanded off; and determining if the engine is operating in a fuel shut-off mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Jesse D. L. Brunais, Kenneth L. Pifher, Mike Paul Lindlbauer
  • Patent number: 7942134
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automotive canister purge valve in fluid communication with an evaporative canister includes selecting a purge flow rate of increase for the purge valve based on a hydrocarbon concentration in a fluid stream exiting the evaporative canister, and operating the purge valve based on the selected rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mark Peters, Darrell Erick Butler, Kenneth James Miller, Eric J. Bensen, Kenneth L. Pifher
  • Publication number: 20100229837
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automotive canister purge valve in fluid communication with an evaporative canister includes selecting a purge flow rate of increase for the purge valve based on a hydrocarbon concentration in a fluid stream exiting the evaporative canister, and operating the purge valve based on the selected rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Peters, Darrell Erick Butler, Kenneth James Miller, Eric J. Bensen, Kenneth L. Pifher