Patents by Inventor Kevin Durand Byrd
Kevin Durand Byrd 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).
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Publication number: 20240079682Abstract: Thermal barrier assemblies are provided for traction battery packs. An exemplary thermal barrier assembly may be configured to block or even prevent thermal energy associated with a battery thermal event from moving from cell-to-cell, compartment-to-compartment, and/or cell stack-to-cell stack within the traction battery pack. The thermal barrier assembly may include features such as a protective housing and a thermal insulating barrier provided within the protection housing. The protecting housing may be made of a metallic, ceramic, or polymeric material, for example. The thermal insulating barrier may include an aerogel, a foam, or an inorganic paper, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Mohammadreza Eftekhari, Kevin Durand BYRD, Kanchana PERUMALLA, Jeffrey Scott DAHL
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Publication number: 20240079669Abstract: A thermal management system for a traction battery pack includes at least one cell stack having a plurality of battery cells, a thermal exchange device having a first plate, a second plate, and at least one coolant passageway that communicates a coolant between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate is a first material. The second plate is a second material that is different than the first material. The thermal management system further includes at least one thermal break in the thermal exchange device. The at least one thermal break configured to inhibit thermal energy transfer from a first area of the thermal exchange device to a different, second area of the thermal exchange device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Mohammadreza Eftekhari, Kevin Durand Byrd
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Publication number: 20240079670Abstract: Thermal barrier assemblies are provided for use within traction battery packs. An exemplary thermal barrier assembly may include features for establishing a sealed interface relative to one or more adjacent structures of a traction battery pack. In some implementations, the thermal barrier assembly may provide features for interfacing with cell stack cross-members beams, upper enclosure structures, lower enclosure structures, etc. The sealed interfaces substantially prevent thermal energy from moving from compartment-to-compartment/cell packet-to-cell packet during a battery thermal event.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Mohammadreza Eftekhari, Kevin Durand Byrd, Kanchana Perumalla
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Publication number: 20240079683Abstract: Thermal barrier assemblies are provided for traction battery packs. An exemplary thermal barrier assembly may be configured to block or even prevent thermal energy associated with a battery thermal event from moving from cell-to-cell, compartment-to-compartment, and/or cell stack-to-cell stack within the traction battery pack. The thermal barrier assembly may include a locator configured to locate the thermal barrier assembly relative to a heat exchanger plate of the traction battery pack. The locator may at least partially fill and seal a slot formed in the heat exchanger plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Mohammadreza Eftekhari, Kevin Durand Byrd, Kanchana Perumalla
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Publication number: 20240079716Abstract: A traction battery pack venting assembly includes an enclosure, at least one cell stack within the enclosure, a cross-member assembly within the enclosure, and a valve assembly that opens to provide a vent path from the at least one cell stack to a passageway of the cross-member assembly. A method of establishing a vent path within a traction battery pack includes, within a battery pack enclosure, using a valve assembly to block an opening to a passageway provided by a cross-member assembly; and in response to at least one battery cell within the battery pack enclosure venting, opening the valve assembly to permit flow through the opening to the passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Michael E. Reibling, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Brock Dunlap, Deanna Marie Winton Hoffman, Mohammadreza Eftekhari, David Wilson, Kevin Durand Byrd
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Patent number: 9714618Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens, William Charles Ruona
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Patent number: 9644568Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for forming an engine comprising a thermoset composite engine block. One example method includes reinforcing the engine block with a plurality of metal strips, wherein a first portion of the plurality of metal strips are positioned in a substantially transverse direction of the engine block and a second portion of the plurality of metal strips are positioned in a substantially longitudinal direction of the engine block. The plurality of metal reinforcing strips may provide additional reinforcement to the engine block.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Clifford E. Maki, Larry Dean Elie, Kevin Durand Byrd, Rick L. Williams, Wolfram Buschhaus, Matthew John Zaluzec
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Patent number: 9416724Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 8, 2012Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens, William Charles Ruona
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Publication number: 20160222914Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for forming an engine comprising a thermoset composite engine block. One example method includes reinforcing the engine block with a plurality of metal strips, wherein a first portion of the plurality of metal strips are positioned in a substantially transverse direction of the engine block and a second portion of the plurality of metal strips are positioned in a substantially longitudinal direction of the engine block. The plurality of metal reinforcing strips may provide additional reinforcement to the engine block.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Clifford E. Maki, Larry Dean Elie, Kevin Durand Byrd, Rick L. Williams, Wolfram Buschhaus, Matthew John Zaluzec
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Patent number: 9404415Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 6, 2015Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: William Charles Ruona, Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens
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Patent number: 9297282Abstract: An engine system is provided. The engine system includes a drive component coupled to a first end of a camshaft and mechanically coupled to a crankshaft and a cam phaser coupled to a second end of the camshaft and mechanically coupled to and spaced away from the drive component, the cam phaser configured to alter the timing of the camshaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Jamie Charles Hanshaw
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Publication number: 20150113980Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2015Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: William Charles Ruona, Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens
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Patent number: 8925302Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: William Charles Ruona, Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens
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Publication number: 20140338617Abstract: An engine system is provided. The engine system includes a drive component coupled to a first end of a camshaft and mechanically coupled to a crankshaft and a cam phaser coupled to a second end of the camshaft and mechanically coupled to and spaced away from the drive component, the cam phaser configured to alter the timing of the camshaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Jamie Charles Hanshaw
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Publication number: 20140060006Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: William Charles Ruona, Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens
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Publication number: 20140067227Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens, William Charles Ruona
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Publication number: 20140041380Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens, William Charles Ruona
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Patent number: 8078386Abstract: A method of controlling fuel supplied to an engine is provided. In one example, a cylinder includes port and direct fuel injection. The method includes supplying a second fuel type from a second tank to the direct injector and supplying a first fuel type from a first tank to the port injector; and responsive to mis-fueling, supplying the first fuel type from the first tank to the direct injector. In response to receiving an indication of a mis-fuel, the direct fuel injector may be supplied with the second type of fuel from the second fuel storage tank. By supplying at least some fuel to the direct injector from a different source, fuel may be supplied to the DI fuel injector at various conditions to cool the DI fuel injector. In this way, overheating of the DI fuel injector may be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2011Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Albert Stein, Kevin Durand Byrd
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Publication number: 20110106403Abstract: A method of controlling fuel supplied to an engine is provided. In one example, a cylinder includes port and direct fuel injection. The method includes supplying a second fuel type from a second tank to the direct injector and supplying a first fuel type from a first tank to the port injector; and responsive to mis-fueling, supplying the first fuel type from the first tank to the direct injector. In response to receiving an indication of a mis-fuel, the direct fuel injector may be supplied with the second type of fuel from the second fuel storage tank. By supplying at least some fuel to the direct injector from a different source, fuel may be supplied to the DI fuel injector at various conditions to cool the DI fuel injector. In this way, overheating of the DI fuel injector may be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2011Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert Albert Stein, Kevin Durand Byrd
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Patent number: 7869930Abstract: A method of controlling fuel supplied to an engine is provided. The engine includes at least one cylinder having a port injection fuel injector being supplied with fuel from at least one of a first fuel storage tank and a second fuel storage tank and a direct injection fuel injector being selectively supplied with fuel from one of the first fuel storage tank and the second fuel storage tank. The method includes at a first condition, supplying at least some of a second type of fuel from the second fuel storage tank to the direct injection fuel injector and supplying at least some of a first type of fuel from the first fuel storage tank to the port injection fuel injector, and at a second condition, supplying at least some of the first type of fuel from the first fuel storage tank to the direct injection fuel injector.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Albert Stein, Kevin Durand Byrd