Patents by Inventor Michael Hopka

Michael Hopka 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).

  • System and method for heating a catalyst
    Patent number: 11441463
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing electric energy to an electrically heated catalyst are described. In one example, the electrically heated catalyst may be a three phase device with heating elements that are arranged in a delta configuration. In other examples, the electrically heated catalyst may include a single heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Hopka
  • System and method for previewing vehicle emissions
    Patent number: 11187178
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine that includes an after treatment system are described. In one example, traffic data and navigation system data are a basis for deciding whether or not to increase heat output of an engine to ensure operation of the after treatment system. In particular, one or more actuators may be adjusted to minimize fuel consumption and/or reduce feedgas emissions while generating sufficient heat to maintain after treatment system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Bieniek, Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Systems and methods for opportunistic diesel particulate filter regeneration
    Patent number: 9732646
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for opportunistic regeneration of a diesel particulate filter based on cloud based traffic information and navigation information. In one example, a method may include determining initiation of regeneration, termination of regeneration and a degree of regeneration based on information from a lead vehicular network and navigation information in order to reduce a regeneration fuel penalty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Devesh Upadhyay, Michael Hopka, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Cory Scott Hendrickson
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPPORTUNISTIC DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER REGENERATION
    Publication number: 20160201533
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for opportunistic regeneration of a diesel particulate filter based on cloud based traffic information and navigation information. In one example, a method may include determining initiation of regeneration, termination of regeneration and a degree of regeneration based on information from a lead vehicular network and navigation information in order to reduce a regeneration fuel penalty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Devesh Upadhyay, Michael Hopka, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Cory Scott Hendrickson
  • Emission control with a particulate matter sensor
    Patent number: 9188034
    Abstract: A method for controlling a particulate matter sensor heater is provided. The method includes operating the heater to burn-off soot accumulated on the sensor; and adjusting the heater level based on sensor output generated during the heater operation. In this way, improved heater control can be achieved using the sensor output already available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Robert F. Novak
  • Method for diagnosing operation of a particulate matter sensor
    Patent number: 9115629
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a particulate matter sensor is described. In one example, a liquid is purposefully injected into the exhaust system to verify operation of the particulate matter sensor. Reliability of particulate matter diagnostics may be improved by way of the approach, at least during some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Method for evaluating degradation of a particulate matter sensor after an engine start
    Patent number: 8959979
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, particulate sensor degradation is indicated in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • System for an engine having a particulate matter sensor
    Patent number: 8707678
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, an engine controller that activates a heater of an exhaust gas sensor after an output of a particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold value after an engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • EMISSION CONTROL WITH A PARTICULATE MATTER SENSOR
    Publication number: 20140090361
    Abstract: A method for controlling a particulate matter sensor heater is provided. The method includes operating the heater to burn-off soot accumulated on the sensor; and adjusting the heater level based on sensor output generated during the heater operation. In this way, improved heater control can be achieved using the sensor output already available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Robert F. Novak
  • Emission control with a particulate matter sensor
    Patent number: 8627645
    Abstract: A method for controlling a particulate matter sensor heater is provided. The method includes operating the heater to burn-off soot accumulated on the sensor; and adjusting the heater level based on sensor output generated during the heater operation. In this way, improved heater control can be achieved using the sensor output already available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Robert F. Novak
  • METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING OPERATION OF A PARTICULATE MATTER SENSOR
    Publication number: 20130263578
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a particulate matter sensor is described. In one example, a liquid is purposefully injected into the exhaust system to verify operation of the particulate matter sensor. Reliability of particulate matter diagnostics may be improved by way of the approach, at least during some conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • METHOD FOR EVALUATING DEGRADATION OF A PARTICULATE MATTER SENSOR AFTER AN ENGINE START
    Publication number: 20130255353
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, particulate sensor degradation is indicated in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • Method for diagnosing operation of a particulate matter sensor
    Patent number: 8490476
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a particulate matter sensor is described. In one example, a liquid is purposefully injected into the exhaust system to verify operation of the particulate matter sensor. Reliability of particulate matter diagnostics may be improved by way of the approach, at least during some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Method for evaluating degradation of a particulate matter sensor after an engine start
    Patent number: 8448511
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, particulate sensor degradation is indicated in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • Method for evaluating degradation of a particulate matter sensor
    Patent number: 8438899
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, degradation of a particulate matter sensor is indicated after a temperature of a substrate of the particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold temperature and an output of the particulate matter sensor is below a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • Method for controlling low temperature combustion
    Patent number: 8267065
    Abstract: A method for adjusting fuel injection of an engine is disclosed. In one example, fuel injection timing is adjusted to account for fuels having different cetane numbers. Operation of the engine may be improved especially during conditions where combustion phase may vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Kurtz, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michael Hopka, Douglas Kuhel, David Joseph Dronzkowski
  • Method for Diagnosing Operation of a Particulate Matter Sensor
    Publication number: 20120227377
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a particulate matter sensor is described. In one example, a liquid is purposefully injected into the exhaust system to verify operation of the particulate matter sensor. Reliability of particulate matter diagnostics may be improved by way of the approach, at least during some conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hopka, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • SYSTEM FOR AN ENGINE HAVING A PARTICULATE MATTER SENSOR
    Publication number: 20120174564
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, an engine controller that activates a heater of an exhaust gas sensor after an output of a particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold value after an engine is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, JR., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • Methods and systems for exhaust gas mixing
    Patent number: 8200414
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine system is described in which a back-pressure valve of a low pressure EGR system can be modulated at a lower frequency during an EGR operation, and at a higher frequency when additional exhaust gas sensing is requested. Back-pressure valve modulation can therefore be used to promote exhaust gas mixing while providing EGR. Exhaust gas constituents in the mixed exhaust gas can then be sensed with higher accuracy by downstream exhaust gas sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, William Charles Ruona, Paul Joseph Tennison, Michael Hopka
  • METHOD FOR CONTROLLING LOW TEMPERATURE COMBUSTION
    Publication number: 20120085315
    Abstract: A method for adjusting fuel injection of an engine is disclosed. In one example, fuel injection timing is adjusted to account for fuels having different cetane numbers. Operation of the engine may be improved especially during conditions where combustion phase may vary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Kurtz, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michael Hopka, Douglas Kuhel, David Joseph Dronzkowski