Patents by Inventor Mark A. WILCUTTS

Mark A. WILCUTTS 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).

  • Publication number: 20240190259
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for electric machine torque adjustment based on waveform multiples are disclosed herein. One electric machine controller, arranged to direct pulsed operation of an electric machine, utilizes a pulse controller that calculates a first average measured torque from sensed torque values over a first time period and a second average measured torque from sensed torque values over a second time period, wherein the first and second time periods are different time periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew Younkins, Mark Wilcutts
  • Patent number: 11916498
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for electric machine torque adjustment based on waveform integer multiples are disclosed herein. One electric machine controller arranged to direct pulsed operation of an electric machine includes utilizing a pulse controller that calculates an average torque based upon a time period that corresponds with an integer multiple of a waveform cycle of a pulse waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Tule eTechnology Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Younkins, Mark Wilcutts
  • Publication number: 20230071610
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for electric machine torque adjustment based on waveform integer multiples are disclosed herein. One electric machine controller arranged to direct pulsed operation of an electric machine includes utilizing a pulse controller that calculates an average torque based upon a time period that corresponds with an integer multiple of a waveform cycle of a pulse waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Younkins, Mark Wilcutts
  • Patent number: 11555461
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Wilcutts, Xi Luo, Anastasios Arvanitis
  • Patent number: 11549455
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine operates so that it delivers zero or negative torque. The engine operates in either a deceleration cylinder cut off (DCCO) mode or skip cylinder compression braking mode. In the skip cylinder compression braking mode, selected working cycles of selected working chambers are operated in a compression release braking mode. Accordingly, individual working chambers are sometimes not fired and sometimes operated in the compression release braking mode while the engine is operating in the skip cylinder compression braking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: Tula Technology, Inc., Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Carlson, Louis J. Serrano, Mark A. Wilcutts, Vijay Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 11359562
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Mark A. Wilcutts, Masaki Nagashima
  • Patent number: 11352966
    Abstract: Controllers and methods for managing transitions into and/or out of a cylinder cut off mode are described. In some embodiments, a skip fire based transition into a cylinder cut off mode is used in which the fraction of working cycles that are fired is gradually reduced to a threshold firing fraction. Once the threshold firing fraction has been reached, all of the working chambers are deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Carlson, Xin Yuan, Siamak Hashemi, Vijay Srinivasan, Srihari Kalluri, Andrew W. Phillips, Mark A. Wilcutts, Louis J. Serrano, Shikui Kevin Chen
  • Patent number: 11333053
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for controlling the exhaust gas temperature of a lean burn, skip fire controlled internal combustion engine are described. In one aspect, an engine controller includes an aftertreatment system monitor and a firing timing determination unit. The aftertreatment monitor obtains data relating to a temperature of one or more aftertreatment elements, such as a catalytic converter. Based at least partly on this data, the firing timing determination unit generates a firing sequence for operating the engine in a skip fire manner such that the temperature of the aftertreatment element is controlled within its effective operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Younkins, Shikui Kevin Chen, Mark A. Wilcutts
  • Publication number: 20220120230
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Mark A. WILCUTTS, Xi LUO, Anastasios ARVANITIS
  • Patent number: 11261807
    Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for improving fuel economy and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire controlled engine are described. An engine controller dynamically selects a gas spring type for a skipped firing opportunity. Determination of the skip/fire pattern and gas spring type may be made on a firing opportunity by firing opportunity basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry F. Fuschetto, Matthew A. Younkins, Ihab S. Soliman, Mark A. Wilcutts, Steven E. Carlson, Louis J. Serrano
  • Publication number: 20210396189
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, John W. PARSELS, Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Mark A. WILCUTTS, Masaki NAGASHIMA
  • Patent number: 11136928
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Mark A. Wilcutts, Masaki Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20210301703
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for controlling the exhaust gas temperature of a lean burn, skip fire controlled internal combustion engine are described. In one aspect, an engine controller includes an aftertreatment system monitor and a firing timing determination unit. The aftertreatment monitor obtains data relating to a temperature of one or more aftertreatment elements, such as a catalytic converter. Based at least partly on this data, the firing timing determination unit generates a firing sequence for operating the engine in a skip fire manner such that the temperature of the aftertreatment element is controlled within its effective operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew A. Younkins, Shikui Kevin Chen, Mark A. Wilcutts
  • Patent number: 11060430
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for controlling the exhaust gas temperature of a lean burn, skip fire controlled internal combustion engine are described. In one aspect, an engine controller includes an aftertreatment system monitor and a firing timing determination unit. The aftertreatment monitor obtains data relating to a temperature of one or more aftertreatment elements, such as a catalytic converter. Based at least partly on this data, the firing timing determination unit generates a firing sequence for operating the engine in a skip fire manner such that the temperature of the aftertreatment element is controlled within its effective operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Younkins, Shikui Kevin Chen, Mark A. Wilcutts
  • Publication number: 20210199061
    Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for improving fuel economy and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire controlled engine are described. An engine controller dynamically selects a gas spring type for a skipped firing opportunity. Determination of the skip/fire pattern and gas spring type may be made on a firing opportunity by firing opportunity basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Jerry F. FUSCHETTO, Matthew A. YOUNKINS, Ihab S. SOLIMAN, Mark A. WILCUTTS, Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO
  • Patent number: 10954877
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a dynamic firing level modulation manner. A smoothing torque is determined by adaptive control that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Nagashima, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mark A. Wilcutts
  • Publication number: 20210071605
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, John W. PARSELS, Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Mark A. WILCUTTS, Masaki NAGASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20210040904
    Abstract: Controllers and methods for managing transitions into and/or out of a cylinder cut off mode are described. In some embodiments, a skip fire based transition into a cylinder cut off mode is used in which the fraction of working cycles that are fired is gradually reduced to a threshold firing fraction. Once the threshold firing fraction has been reached, all of the working chambers are deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Steven E. Carlson, Xin Yuan, Siamak Hashemi, Vijay Srinivasan, Srihari Kalluri, Andrew W. Phillips, Mark A. Wilcutts, Louis J. Serrano, Shikui Kevin Chen
  • Patent number: 10830166
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Mark A. Wilcutts, Masaki Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20200318566
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine operates so that it delivers zero or negative torque. The engine operates in either a deceleration cylinder cut off (DCCO) mode or skip cylinder compression braking mode. In the skip cylinder compression braking mode, selected working cycles of selected working chambers are operated in a compression release braking mode. Accordingly, individual working chambers are sometimes not fired and sometimes operated in the compression release braking mode while the engine is operating in the skip cylinder compression braking mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO, Mark A. WILCUTTS, Vijay SRINIVASAN