Patents by Inventor Michael Gwidt

Michael Gwidt 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: 10001073
    Abstract: A catalyst control system includes a stop and start module that, during a period that the vehicle is ON between (i) a first time when the vehicle is turned ON and (i) a second time when the vehicle is next turned OFF, selectively shuts down and starts a spark ignition engine of the vehicle. A catalyst light off (CLO) control module initiates a first CLO event for a first engine startup during the period and, when a temperature of a catalyst that receives exhaust output by the engine is less than a predetermined temperature, selectively initiates a second CLO event for a second engine startup during the period. A fuel control module richens fueling of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period. A spark control module retards spark timing of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Robert E. Heger, Robert J. Genslak, Stephen P. Levijoki, Edward Stuteville
  • Publication number: 20180030918
    Abstract: A method for operating a spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system including a catalytic converter includes monitoring an operating state of the catalytic converter. The method further includes determining if a piston of the engine is entering an intake stroke. The method further includes injecting a first quantity of fuel into a cylinder in which the piston of the engine is entering the intake stroke, and injecting a second quantity of fuel into the cylinder in which the piston of the engine is entering the intake stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jesse Michael Gwidt, Jeffrey M. Hutmacher, Rafat F. Hattar
  • Publication number: 20170342924
    Abstract: A catalyst control system includes a stop and start module that, during a period that the vehicle is ON between (i) a first time when the vehicle is turned ON and (i) a second time when the vehicle is next turned OFF, selectively shuts down and starts a spark ignition engine of the vehicle. A catalyst light off (CLO) control module initiates a first CLO event for a first engine startup during the period and, when a temperature of a catalyst that receives exhaust output by the engine is less than a predetermined temperature, selectively initiates a second CLO event for a second engine startup during the period. A fuel control module richens fueling of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period. A spark control module retards spark timing of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: J. Michael GWIDT, Robert E. HEGER, Robert J. GENSLAK, Stephen P. LEVIJOKI, Edward STUTEVILLE
  • Patent number: 9650981
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes an upstream oxygen monitoring module that monitors an upstream exhaust oxygen sensor and determines an upstream transition period based on a time at which the upstream exhaust oxygen sensor detects a rich-to-lean fueling transition. A delay determining module determines a delay period associated with the upstream exhaust oxygen sensor's detection of the fueling transition. An upstream correcting module determines a corrected upstream transition period based on the upstream transition period and the delay period. A downstream oxygen monitoring module monitors a downstream exhaust oxygen sensor and determines a downstream transition period based on the response of the downstream exhaust oxygen sensor to the fueling transition. An oxygen storage capacity (OSC) determining module determines an OSC period based on the corrected upstream transition period and the downstream transition period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Large, Grant J. Ovist, Sharianne Ziola, Timothy Wendling, J. Michael Gwidt
  • Patent number: 9376975
    Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a timer module, a stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) mitigation module, and a boost control module. The timer module tracks a period of operation of an engine where vacuum within an intake manifold is less than a first predetermined vacuum. The SPI mitigation module generates an SPI signal when the period is greater than a predetermined period and the vacuum is less than a second predetermined vacuum. The second predetermined vacuum is less than the first predetermined vacuum. The boost control module reduces output of a turbocharger in response to the generation of the SPI signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Bjorn E. Soderstrom, Kevin M. Luchansky, Craig M. Sawdon, Wajdi B. Hamama
  • Patent number: 9217386
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a stochastic pre-ignition module and a fuel control module. The stochastic pre-ignition module determines whether operating conditions of an engine satisfy predetermined criteria associated with stochastic pre-ignition. The fuel control module enriches an air/fuel ratio of the engine when the engine operating conditions satisfy the predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dean R. Kwapis, Rafat F. Hattar, Kevin M. Luchansky, J. Michael Gwidt
  • Patent number: 9115684
    Abstract: An engine control system of a vehicle includes a starter control module and an abort module. When a clutch pedal is depressed and a user activates an ignition system, the starter control module engages a starter motor with an engine and applies current to the starter motor. The abort module selectively generates an abort signal when the clutch pedal is released. The starter control module disengages the starter motor and disables current flow to the starter motor when the abort signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventors: Rafat F. Hattar, J. Michael Gwidt, Bradford W. Bur
  • Patent number: 9057339
    Abstract: A stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) mitigation system includes a detection module, an engine load module, and an evaluation module. The detection module generates a pre-ignition determination signal indicating detection of a SPI event in a cylinder of an engine. The engine load module determines load on the engine and generates an engine load signal based on the load. The evaluation module determines whether to operate in a single-pulse mode or a multi-pulse mode and generating a mode signal to operate in a selected one of the single-pulse mode and the multi-pulse mode based on the pre-ignition determination signal and the engine load signal. The single pulse mode includes injecting a single pulse of fuel into the cylinder during a first per combustion cycle of the cylinder. The multi-pulse mode includes injecting multiple pulses of fuel into the cylinder during a second combustion cycle of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Karen Margaret-Bell Gwidt
  • Patent number: 8973429
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a vibration intensity module and a stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) detection module. The vibration intensity module determines a vibration intensity of an engine over a first engine cycle and a second engine cycle. The first engine cycle and the second engine cycle each correspond to a predetermined amount of crankshaft rotation. The SPI detection module selectively detects stochastic pre-ignition when the vibration intensity of the first engine cycle is less than a first threshold and the vibration intensity of the second engine cycle is greater than a second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Kevin M. Luchansky, Craig M. Sawdon, Wajdi B. Hamama
  • Publication number: 20140343812
    Abstract: An engine control system of a vehicle includes a starter control module and an abort module. When a clutch pedal is depressed and a user activates an ignition system, the starter control module engages a starter motor with an engine and applies current to the starter motor. The abort module selectively generates an abort signal when the clutch pedal is released. The starter control module disengages the starter motor and disables current flow to the starter motor when the abort signal is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rafat F. Hattar, J. Michael Gwidt, Bradford W. Bur
  • Publication number: 20140238120
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a vibration intensity module and a stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) detection module. The vibration intensity module determines a vibration intensity of an engine over a first engine cycle and a second engine cycle. The first engine cycle and the second engine cycle each correspond to a predetermined amount of crankshaft rotation. The SPI detection module selectively detects stochastic pre-ignition when the vibration intensity of the first engine cycle is less than a first threshold and the vibration intensity of the second engine cycle is greater than a second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Kevin M. Luchansky, Craig M. Sawdon, Wajdi B. Hamama
  • Publication number: 20140222315
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a stochastic pre-ignition module and a fuel control module. The stochastic pre-ignition module determines whether operating conditions of an engine satisfy predetermined criteria associated with stochastic pre-ignition. The fuel control module enriches an air/fuel ratio of the engine when the engine operating conditions satisfy the predetermined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dean R. Kwapis, Rafat F. Hattar, Kevin M. Luchansky, J. Michael Gwidt
  • Publication number: 20140163844
    Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a timer module, a stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) mitigation module, and a boost control module. The timer module tracks a period of operation of an engine where vacuum within an intake manifold is less than a first predetermined vacuum. The SPI mitigation module generates an SPI signal when the period is greater than a predetermined period and the vacuum is less than a second predetermined vacuum. The second predetermined vacuum is less than the first predetermined vacuum. The boost control module reduces output of a turbocharger in response to the generation of the SPI signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Bjorn E. Soderstrom, Kevin M. Luchansky, Craig M. Sawdon, Wajdi B. Hamama
  • Publication number: 20140025278
    Abstract: A stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) mitigation system includes a detection module, an engine load module, and an evaluation module. The detection module generates a pre-ignition determination signal indicating detection of a SPI event in a cylinder of an engine. The engine load module determines load on the engine and generates an engine load signal based on the load. The evaluation module determines whether to operate in a single-pulse mode or a multi-pulse mode and generating a mode signal to operate in a selected one of the single-pulse mode and the multi-pulse mode based on the pre-ignition determination signal and the engine load signal. The single pulse mode includes injecting a single pulse of fuel into the cylinder during a first per combustion cycle of the cylinder. The multi-pulse mode includes injecting multiple pulses of fuel into the cylinder during a second combustion cycle of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Karen Margaret-Bell Gwidt
  • Patent number: 7004156
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine adapted for combustion of stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric air/fuel mixtures includes an intake system, a combustion chamber which is adapted for direct injection of a fuel and an exhaust system. The intake port flow output comprises an intake airflow output and an EGR airflow output. An intake port flow estimator determines an intake port gas flow output from the intake mass airflow input of the intake airflow into the intake manifold and the EGR mass airflow input of the EGR airflow of the EGR airflow into the intake manifold using a plurality of engine parameters and an air/fuel adjustment factor. The intake port gas flow output is determined as an effective intake airflow output and an effective EGR airflow output. The effective intake airflow output to the combustion chamber is used to determine an effective mass of intake air output per cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Byungho Lee, Jesse Michael Gwidt