Patents by Inventor Mario Balenovic

Mario Balenovic 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: 9968886
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust gas aftertreatment system for a combustion engine in a motor vehicle. In one example, the exhaust gas aftertreatment comprises at least two catalyst devices arranged in an exhaust tract, and a feed device for a reducing agent arranged between the two catalysts, and which furthermore comprises a first heat device at the inlet of the first catalyst and a second heat device downstream thereof, the system adapted for the reduction of nitrogen oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mario Balenovic, Felix Goebel, Matthew Allen Schneider, Martina Reichert, Frederik De Smet, Peter Ross
  • Publication number: 20180119593
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for operating an exhaust gas aftertreatment device for cleaning an exhaust gas flow of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine operated in normal mode with oxygen surplus. An oxygen store arranged downstream of an NOx storage catalyst of the exhaust gas aftertreatment device receives oxygen in normal mode, and during a regeneration mode emits oxygen for converting breakthrough hydrocarbons and/or carbon monoxide. The oxygen store is assigned to a particulate filter and/or an oxidation catalyst of the exhaust gas aftertreatment device. The particulate filter and/or the oxidation catalyst is arranged downstream of the NOx storage catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Harmsen, Mario Balenovic
  • Patent number: 9926820
    Abstract: An example oil system is provided, including at least one oil chamber forming an oil sump, an oil reservoir, which is arranged separately from the oil chamber, and at least partially arranged at the same geodetic height as the oil chamber, and at least one fluid connection which connects the oil chamber to the oil reservoir. An electric shut-off unit may block the fluid connection of the oil chamber to the oil reservoir in a blocking state and at least partially release the same in a release state. In order to extend oil changing intervals, a number of regeneration operations and an estimate of an instantaneous degree of dilution of oil present in the oil chamber, may be used for activating the electric shut-off unit to connect or block the fluidic connection between the oil chamber and the oil reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hans Guenter Quix, Brendan Patrick Carberry, Mario Balenovic
  • Publication number: 20170350293
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling nitrogen oxide emissions in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine by means of successive actuation of catalytic converters in the exhaust tract and of the internal combustion engine, wherein the catalytic converters or the internal combustion engine are actuated in succession if the actuation of a first device is not sufficient for reducing the nitrogen oxide emissions. An arrangement for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Frederik De Smet, Mario Balenovic, Vijay Krishnaswamy
  • Publication number: 20170037799
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust gas aftertreatment system for a combustion engine in a motor vehicle. In one example, the exhaust gas aftertreatment comprises at least two catalyst devices arranged in an exhaust tract, and a feed device for a reducing agent arranged between the two catalysts, and which furthermore comprises a first heat device at the inlet of the first catalyst and a second heat device downstream thereof, the system adapted for the reduction of nitrogen oxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Mario Balenovic, Felix Goebel, Matthew Allen Schneider, Martina Reichert, Frederik De Smet, Peter Ross
  • Publication number: 20170002713
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust tract for vehicles having an internal combustion engine, the exhaust tract including a first exhaust gas aftertreatment device and a metering device arranged downstream therefrom. In one example, a region of the first exhaust gas aftertreatment device which is situated downstream is designed as an SCR region. Further, the metering device is designed to spray a reducing agent onto a side of the first exhaust gas aftertreatment device which faces the metering device, counter to a main direction of flow of an exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Mario Balenovic, Felix Goebel, Martina Reichert, Monika Angst, Robert Ukropec, Brendan Patrick Carberry
  • Publication number: 20170002714
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method for monitoring the operation of a catalytic converter that is disposed in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, wherein an exhaust gas temperature upstream of the catalytic converter and an exhaust gas temperature downstream of the catalytic converter are determined. In order to improve the monitoring of such a catalytic converter regardless of the respective type of catalytic converter used, it is proposed with the present disclosure that an exhaust gas mass flow through the catalytic converter is determined, wherein it is determined whether a thermal inertia of the catalytic converter is present or absent according to the presence of a triggering event taking into account the exhaust gas temperatures and the exhaust gas mass flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Frederik De Smet, Mario Balenovic, Daniel Roettger
  • Publication number: 20160312670
    Abstract: An example oil system is provided, including at least one oil chamber forming an oil sump, an oil reservoir, which is arranged separately from the oil chamber, and at least partially arranged at the same geodetic height as the oil chamber, and at least one fluid connection which connects the oil chamber to the oil reservoir. An electric shut-off unit may block the fluid connection of the oil chamber to the oil reservoir in a blocking state and at least partially release the same in a release state. In order to extend oil changing intervals, a number of regeneration operations and an estimate of an instantaneous degree of dilution of oil present in the oil chamber, may be used for activating the electric shut-off unit to connect or block the fluidic connection between the oil chamber and the oil reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Hans Guenter Quix, Brendan Patrick Carberry, Mario Balenovic
  • Publication number: 20160251012
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an operating method for a motor vehicle having a hybrid drivetrain where in a demand check, at least one exhaust-gas after-treatment actual value, which characterizes a current exhaust-gas after-treatment actual state, is compared with an exhaust-gas after-treatment setpoint value, and if, in the event of a deviation of the exhaust-gas after-treatment actual value from the exhaust-gas after-treatment setpoint value, a demand for a measure is detected. The measure comprises supplying charge gas, which has recirculated exhaust gas, to the internal combustion engine during overrun operation. Also a capability check is carried out to detect conditions suitable for implementing the operating method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Schneider, Frank Linzen, Dirk Roemer, Frederik De Smet, Jan Harmsen, Kim Ford, Javier Castellano, Andres Arevalo, Monika Angst, Mario Balenovic, Evgeny Smirnov, Robert Ukropec, Christian Winge Vigild, Felix Goebel
  • Patent number: 9217345
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regenerating a particulate filter in an engine exhaust, where burning of soot is initiated by introducing additional oxygen into the exhaust gas upstream of the particulate filter where an exhaust temperature exceeds a threshold, a soot burn rate controlled by adjusting pulsing of the additional oxygen. Further, the pulsing of the additional oxygen is introduced via a high-pressure EGR passage during boosted engine conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Ukropec, Alexey A. Dubkov, Christoph Boerensen, Elmar Riesmeier, Mario Balenovic, Brendan Patrick Carberry
  • Patent number: 8869753
    Abstract: An engine and related control system determine an amount of fuel diluting the engine oil in the oil pan. Such information can be used to recommend an oil change and to estimate a fraction of biodiesel in the fuel supplied to the engine. According to one embodiment, actual oil volume in the oil pan is based on a signal from a level sensor in the oil and a theoretical oil volume is determined based on initial oil volume and fuel entering the oil in the oil pan, fuel leaving the oil pan due to evaporation, and oil being consumed in the combustion chamber. Based on the difference between the actual and theoretical oil volumes, a proportion of heavy fuel components or biodiesel can be determined and transmitted to an engine control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Schneider, Yasser Mohamed sayed Yacoub, Mario Balenovic
  • Patent number: 8820050
    Abstract: Embodiments for reducing ammonia slip are provided. In one example, a method for reduction of ammonia emissions from an engine exhaust gas aftertreatment device with an SCR catalyst comprises determining a concentration of NOx and/or ammonia in the exhaust gas aftertreatment device, comparing a determined value of NOx and/or ammonia concentration with a nominal value for NOx and ammonia, respectively, and if an actual or shortly forecasted ammonia concentration is above the respective nominal value, triggering engine conditions with higher exhaust NOx concentration. In this way, ammonia slip may be reduced without degrading fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexey A. Dubkov, Mario Balenovic, Jan Harmsen, Robert Ukropec, Brendan Patrick Carberry
  • Patent number: 8635007
    Abstract: Embodiments for determining NH3 slip past a catalyst are provided. In one example, a filtering method for a NOx sensor of an exhaust gas system having an SCR catalytic converter comprises determining NOx concentration upstream of the catalytic converter, measuring NOx concentration downstream of the catalytic converter, modeling NOx conversion, modeling NH3 slip behavior, calculating a NOx error of the NOx modeling, calculating an NH3 error of the NH3 modeling, assigning data of the NOx sensor as NH3 measured values when a ratio of the NOx error to the NH3 error is greater than an upper threshold value, and assigning data of the NOx sensor as NOx measured values when the ratio of the NOx error to the NH3 error is smaller than a lower threshold value. In this way, NOx slip and NH3 slip may be determined from a common sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mario Balenovic, Yasser Mohamed Sayed Yacoub
  • Publication number: 20140013741
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regenerating a particulate filter in an engine exhaust, where burning of soot is initiated by introducing additional oxygen into the exhaust gas upstream of the particulate filter where an exhaust temperature exceeds a threshold, a soot burn rate controlled by adjusting pulsing of the additional oxygen. Further, the pulsing of the additional oxygen is introduced via a high-pressure EGR passage during boosted engine conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Ukropec, Alexey A. Dubkov, Christoph Boerensen, Elmar Riesmeier, Mario Balenovic, Brendan Patrick Carberry
  • Patent number: 8623305
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling an injection device for feeding an ammonia-releasing reducing agent into an exhaust-gas purification system of an internal combustion engine for the purpose of reducing the nitrogen oxide emissions, wherein the exhaust-gas purification system comprises at least one SCR catalytic converter with n cells which are arranged in series in the exhaust-gas throughflow direction and in which ammonia can be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yasser Mohamed sayed Yacoub, Mario Balenovic, Jan Harmsen
  • Publication number: 20130013177
    Abstract: An engine and related control system determine an amount of fuel diluting the engine oil in the oil pan. Such information can be used to recommend an oil change and to estimate a fraction of biodiesel in the fuel supplied to the engine. According to one embodiment, actual oil volume in the oil pan is based on a signal from a level sensor in the oil and a theoretical oil volume is determined based on initial oil volume and fuel entering the oil in the oil pan, fuel leaving the oil pan due to evaporation, and oil being consumed in the combustion chamber. Based on the difference between the actual and theoretical oil volumes, a proportion of heavy fuel components or biodiesel can be determined and transmitted to an engine control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Schneider, Yasser Mohamed sayed Yacoub, Mario Balenovic
  • Publication number: 20130000278
    Abstract: Embodiments for reducing ammonia slip are provided. In one example, a method for reduction of ammonia emissions from an engine exhaust gas aftertreatment device with an SCR catalyst comprises determining a concentration of NOx and/or ammonia in the exhaust gas aftertreatment device, comparing a determined value of NOx and/or ammonia concentration with a nominal value for ammonia and NOx, respectively, and if an actual or shortly forecasted ammonia concentration is above the respective nominal value, triggering engine conditions with higher exhaust NOx concentration. In this way, ammonia slip may be reduced without degrading fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alexey A. Dubkov, Mario Balenovic, Jan Harmsen, Robert Ukropec, Brendan Patrick Carberry
  • Publication number: 20120311996
    Abstract: Embodiments for determining NH3 slip past a catalyst are provided. In one example, a filtering method for a NOx sensor of an exhaust gas system having an SCR catalytic converter comprises determining NOx concentration upstream of the catalytic converter, measuring NOx concentration downstream of the catalytic converter, modeling NOx conversion, modeling NH3 slip behavior, calculating a NOx error of the NOx modeling, calculating an NH3 error of the NH3 modeling, assigning data of the NOx sensor as NH3 measured values when a ratio of the NOx error to the NH3 error is greater than an upper threshold value, and assigning data of the NOx sensor as NOx measured values when the ratio of the NOx error to the NH3 error is smaller than a lower threshold value. In this way, NOx slip and NH3 slip may be determined from a common sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mario Balenovic, Yasser Mohamed Sayed Yacoub
  • Patent number: 8302578
    Abstract: A method and an engine are disclosed for determining an amount of fuel in the engine oil. Such information can be used to recommend an oil change and to estimate a fraction of biodiesel in the fuel supplied to the engine. According to one embodiment, actual oil volume in the oil pan is based on a signal from a level sensor in the oil and a theoretical oil volume is determined based on initial oil volume and fuel entering the oil in the oil pan, fuel leaving the oil pan due to evaporation, and oil being consumed in the combustion chamber. Based on the difference between the actual and theoretical oil volumes, a proportion of biodiesel can be determined and transmitted to an engine control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Schneider, Yasser Mohamed sayed Yacoub, Mario Balenovic
  • Publication number: 20110247316
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method of controlling urea dosing in an exhaust system of a vehicle. The method includes adjusting the urea dosing based on the severity of urea deposition on an SCR catalyst, where the urea dosing is reduced as the severity increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alexey A. Dubkov, Mario Balenovic, Jan Harmsen, Martina Reichert, Brendan Patrick Carberry