Patents by Inventor Matthew A. Younkins

Matthew A. Younkins 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: 20240092406
    Abstract: Method to improve the capability of electric transport, particularly autonomous electric transport, by dynamically reconfiguring a group of vehicles, connecting or disconnecting railcars to manage total energy available while motion continues. Vehicles connected while in motion can transfer energy to or from the train with railcars equipped with traction motors that can deliver energy to a train without delaying other cars. Railcars with low state of charge can be recharged by other railcars in the train or can disengage to be re-routed and re-charged en-route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Matthew Younkins
  • 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: 20230287839
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for mitigating powertrain and accessory torsional oscillation through electric motor/generator control are described. In one aspect, working chamber air charge and crank position are determined prior to starting an engine. During the engine startup period, an electric motor/generator supplies a smoothing torque to at least partially cancel engine torque variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: John W. PARSELS, Matthew A. YOUNKINS
  • Publication number: 20230268852
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor includes receiving a duty cycle for the electric motor for delivering a target torque from the electric motor, generating a pulse train, and pulsing the electric motor with the generated pulse train. Generating the pulse train being at least partially based on the received duty cycle. The generated pulse train optimized to improve at least one of noise, vibration, or harshness of the electric motor when compared to a constant pulse frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: Tula eTechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, Matthew A. Younkins, Paul Carvell, John M. Fuerst
  • Patent number: 11680505
    Abstract: A skip fire engine controller and method of control is described wherein during transitions from a first firing density to a second firing density, a firing density and a pumping density are separately set so as to balance the conflicting demands of (a) torque control, (b) Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH), (c) air flow through the engine and (d) air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Matthew A. Younkins, Louis J. Serrano
  • Patent number: 11674423
    Abstract: System and methods are described for optimizing exhaust flow rate and temperature during specified operational periods warm-up and keep-warm conditions, by minimizing or maximizing heat flux during those specified operational periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Younkins, Shikui Kevin Chen
  • Patent number: 11637513
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor includes receiving a duty cycle for the electric motor for delivering a target torque from the electric motor, generating a pulse train, and pulsing the electric motor with the generated pulse train. Generating the pulse train being at least partially based on the received duty cycle. The generated pulse train optimized to improve at least one of noise, vibration, or harshness of the electric motor when compared to a constant pulse frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, Matthew A. Younkins, Paul Carvell, John M. Fuerst
  • Patent number: 11624331
    Abstract: A system and method for a variable displacement internal combustion engine using different types of pneumatic cylinder springs on skipped working cycles to control engine and aftertreatment system temperatures are described. The system and method may be used to rapidly heat up the aftertreatment system(s) and/or an engine block of the engine following a cold start by using one or more different types of pneumatic cylinder springs during skipped firing opportunities. By rapidly heating the aftertreatment system(s) and/or engine block, noxious emissions such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, NOx and/or particulates, following cold starts are significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Younkins, Xi Luo
  • 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: 11560818
    Abstract: System and methods are described for optimizing exhaust flow rate and temperature during specified operational periods warm-up and keep-warm conditions, by minimizing or maximizing heat flux during those specified operational periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Younkins, Shikui Kevin Chen
  • Patent number: 11492987
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine involving (1) cylinder trapping strategies where one of several pneumatic spring types are dynamically selected for cylinders based at least partially on a predicted number of upcoming skips for each of the cylinders respectively and/or (2) staggering various valvetrain dependent operational engine strategies as operating conditions permit as the internal combustion engine warms up following a cold start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Louis J. Serrano, Vijay Srinivasan, Elliott A. Ortiz-Soto, Matthew A. Younkins
  • Publication number: 20220294368
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor includes receiving a duty cycle for the electric motor for delivering a target torque from the electric motor, generating a pulse train, and pulsing the electric motor with the generated pulse train. Generating the pulse train being at least partially based on the received duty cycle. The generated pulse train optimized to improve at least one of noise, vibration, or harshness of the electric motor when compared to a constant pulse frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, Matthew A. Younkins, Paul Carvell, John M. Fuerst
  • Publication number: 20220252017
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine involving (1) cylinder trapping strategies where one of several pneumatic spring types are dynamically selected for cylinders based at least partially on a predicted number of upcoming skips for each of the cylinders respectively and/or (2) staggering various valvetrain dependent operational engine strategies as operating conditions permit as the internal combustion engine warms up following a cold start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin CHEN, Louis J. SERRANO, Vijay SRINIVASAN, Elliott A. ORTIZ-SOTO, Matthew A. YOUNKINS
  • Publication number: 20220251992
    Abstract: A skip fire engine controller and method of control is described wherein during transitions from a first firing density to a second firing density, a firing density and a pumping density are separately set so as to balance the conflicting demands of (a) torque control, (b) Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH), (c) air flow through the engine and (d) air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin CHEN, Matthew A. YOUNKINS, Louis J. SERRANO
  • Publication number: 20220195954
    Abstract: A system and method for a variable displacement internal combustion engine using different types of pneumatic cylinder springs on skipped working cycles to control engine and aftertreatment system temperatures are described. The system and method may be used to rapidly heat up the aftertreatment system(s) and/or an engine block of the engine following a cold start by using one or more different types of pneumatic cylinder springs during skipped firing opportunities. By rapidly heating the aftertreatment system(s) and/or engine block, noxious emissions such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, NOx and/or particulates, following cold starts are significantly reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew A. YOUNKINS, Xi LUO
  • Patent number: 11352967
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine involving (1) cylinder trapping strategies where one of several pneumatic spring types are dynamically selected for cylinders based at least partially on a predicted number of upcoming skips for each of the cylinders respectively and/or (2) staggering various valvetrain dependent operational engine strategies as operating conditions permit as the internal combustion engine warms up following a cold start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Louis J. Serrano, Vijay Srinivasan, Elliott A. Ortiz-Soto, Matthew A. Younkins
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11306672
    Abstract: A system and method for a variable displacement internal combustion engine using different types of pneumatic cylinder springs on skipped working cycles to control engine and aftertreatment system temperatures are described. The system and method may be used to rapidly heat up the aftertreatment system(s) and/or an engine block of the engine following a cold start by using one or more different types of pneumatic cylinder springs during skipped firing opportunities. By rapidly heating the aftertreatment system(s) and/or engine block, noxious emissions such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, NOx and/or particulates, following cold starts are significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Younkins, Xi Luo
  • Publication number: 20220112827
    Abstract: System and methods are described for optimizing exhaust flow rate and temperature during specified operational periods warm-up and keep-warm conditions, by minimizing or maximizing heat flux during those specified operational periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew A. YOUNKINS, Shikui Kevin CHEN
  • Patent number: 11300026
    Abstract: A skip fire engine controller and method of control is described wherein during transitions from a first firing density to a second firing density, a firing density and a pumping density are separately set so as to balance the conflicting demands of (a) torque control, (b) Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH), (c) air flow through the engine and (d) air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shikui Kevin Chen, Matthew A. Younkins, Louis J. Serrano