Patents by Inventor Michael J. Paratore, Jr.

Michael J. Paratore, Jr. 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: 11536187
    Abstract: An engine control system for an engine includes: a pump control module configured to control a coolant pump; a block control module configured to control opening of a block valve; a fuel control module configured to control fueling of the engine; a coolant control module configured to control a position of a coolant valve; and an adjustment module configured to, when the coolant pump is pumping, the block valve is open, and the coolant valve is positioned such that an input is connected to an output, adjust the fueling of the engine such that fueling of the engine is fuel rich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Lopez, Michael A. Smith, Eugene V. Gonze, David E. Edwards, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220099014
    Abstract: An engine control system for an engine includes: a pump control module configured to control a coolant pump; a block control module configured to control opening of a block valve; a fuel control module configured to control fueling of the engine; a coolant control module configured to control a position of a coolant valve; and an adjustment module configured to, when the coolant pump is pumping, the block valve is open, and the coolant valve is positioned such that an input is connected to an output, adjust the fueling of the engine such that fueling of the engine is fuel rich.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Richard J. LOPEZ, Michael A. SMITH, Eugene V. GONZE, David E. EDWARDS, Michael J. PARATORE, JR.
  • Patent number: 11078825
    Abstract: A method includes: (a) determining an engine speed of an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine has an engine wall, and the engine wall has a wall temperature; (b) determining an engine load of the internal combustion engine; (c) determining a wall-reference temperature as a function of the engine load and the engine speed of the internal combustion engine; and (d) adjusting, using a cooling system, a volumetric flow rate of a coolant flowing through the internal combustion engine to maintain the wall temperature at the wall-reference temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yiran Hu, David E. Edwards, Min Sun, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Jun Chen, Eugene V. Gonze, Sergio Quelhas
  • Publication number: 20210206229
    Abstract: A system for controlling fluid temperature includes a heat source, a heat sink coupled to the heat source such that a flow of coolant passes between the heat source and the heat sink, a first heat exchanger coupled to the heat source, a second heat exchanger coupled to the heat source, a valve coupled to the heat source, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the heat sink, the valve configured to regulate the flow of coolant between the heat source, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the heat sink, and a controller in electronic communication with the heat source and the valve. The controller is configured to determine an operating condition and generate a control signal to control the valve to direct the flow of coolant to one or more of the first and second heat exchangers and the heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Eugene V. Gonze, Sergio Quelhas, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Richard J. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20210095630
    Abstract: A method includes: (a) determining an engine speed of an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine has an engine wall, and the engine wall has a wall temperature; (b) determining an engine load of the internal combustion engine; (c) determining a wall-reference temperature as a function of the engine load and the engine speed of the internal combustion engine; and (d) adjusting, using a cooling system, a volumetric flow rate of a coolant flowing through the internal combustion engine to maintain the wall temperature at the wall-reference temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yiran Hu, David E. Edwards, Min Sun, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Jun Chen, Eugene V. Gonze, Sergio Quelhas
  • Patent number: 10859153
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes a radiator receiving a liquid coolant in a coolant supply line and discharging the coolant into a coolant pump supply line. A coolant pump receives the coolant from the coolant pump supply line and discharges the coolant into multiple engine components. A transmission oil heat exchanger defining a first transmission oil heat exchanger receives the coolant after being discharged from the multiple engine components. An air-to-coolant sub-cooling heat exchanger defines a second transmission oil heat exchanger. The sub-cooling heat exchanger receives a portion of the coolant bypassing the multiple engine components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, John W. Myers, Daniel J. Shepard, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Richard J. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20200263783
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes a radiator receiving a liquid coolant in a coolant supply line and discharging the coolant into a coolant pump supply line. A coolant pump receives the coolant from the coolant pump supply line and discharges the coolant into multiple engine components. A transmission oil heat exchanger defining a first transmission oil heat exchanger receives the coolant after being discharged from the multiple engine components. An air-to-coolant sub-cooling heat exchanger defines a second transmission oil heat exchanger. The sub-cooling heat exchanger receives a portion of the coolant bypassing the multiple engine components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, John W. Myers, Daniel J. Shepard, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Richard J. Lopez
  • Patent number: 10718256
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain thermal management system for distributing thermal energy to vehicle powertrain components, including an engine and a transmission. The system for managing heat energy includes a coolant pump, a first control valve, a second control valve, a radiator, a heater core, and a transmission oil heat exchanger. The first control valve has an inlet that is in fluid communication with the engine coolant outlet. The first control valve also has a first control valve outlet. The second control valve has a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet and a third outlet. Heat energy produced by the engine is transferred to the radiator through control of the first control valve and to at least one of the heater core, and the transmission oil heat exchanger through the control of the second control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Irina N. Dmitrieva, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10669922
    Abstract: A control system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an estimated coolant flow module and at least one of a valve control module and a pump control module. The estimated coolant flow module estimates a rate of coolant flow through a cooling system for an engine based on a pressure of coolant in the cooling system and a speed of a coolant pump that circulates coolant through the cooling system. The valve control module controls the position of a coolant valve based on the estimated coolant flow rate. The pump control module controls the coolant pump speed based on the estimated coolant flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Sergio Quelhas, Vijay A. Ramappan, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10605151
    Abstract: A strategy for controlling an electric pump and control valve in an internal combustion engine cooling system compensates for backpressure variations and maintains system operation within design parameters. The method comprises the steps of measuring the coolant temperature, measuring the electrical current and voltage to the pump motor, determining the pump speed and coolant flow, determining the desired coolant flow, determining a negative correction to the flow control valve and pump if desired flow is less than present coolant flow and determining a positive correction to the flow control valve and pump if desired flow is more than present coolant flow and undertaking this correction to coolant flow. Thus, based upon inferred back pressure in the engine coolant system from the data relating to the pump energy input, proper coolant flow, heat rejection and engine operating temperature can be maintained in spite of variations in system flow restrictions and backpressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Sergio Quelhas, Vijay A. Ramappan, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10578008
    Abstract: A method for coolant pump flow rationalization using coolant pump parameters includes calculating a first pump coolant flow based on a coolant input pressure sensor signal and the coolant pump speed. Further, the method includes calculating a second pump coolant flow based on coolant pump current and coolant pump speed when the first pump coolant flow is greater than a predetermined threshold; and comparing the first pump coolant flow with the second pump coolant flow to rationalize the coolant pressure sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Daniel J. Shepard
  • Patent number: 10473023
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes an engine, a coolant pump, a first heat exchanger, a first valve in communication with the first heat exchanger, a second valve having a plurality of outlets, a second heat exchanger in communication with a first of the plurality of outlets, a third heat exchanger in communication with a second of the plurality of outlets, a bypass fluid conduit in communication with a third of the plurality of outlets, and a controller that determines a first potential benefit based upon a loss function of the second heat exchanger, determines a second potential benefit based upon a loss function of the third heat exchanger, compares the first potential to the second potential, and proportionally distributes flow between the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, the third heat exchanger, and the bypass fluid conduit based upon the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Daniel J. Shepard, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190277182
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle propulsion system includes an engine having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, a coolant pump having an outlet in communication with the engine coolant inlet, a coolant valve that controls coolant flow from the engine coolant outlet to a transmission heat exchanger, and a coolant valve controller that selectively actuates the coolant valve during an initial transmission warm up condition, wherein the coolant valve controller selectively closes the coolant valve after a transmission temperature exceeds a target transmission temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel J. Shepard, Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190271260
    Abstract: A method for coolant pump flow rationalization using coolant pump parameters includes calculating a first pump coolant flow based on a coolant input pressure sensor signal and the coolant pump speed. Further, the method includes calculating a second pump coolant flow based on coolant pump current and coolant pump speed when the first pump coolant flow is greater than a predetermined threshold; and comparing the first pump coolant flow with the second pump coolant flow to rationalize the coolant pressure sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Daniel J. Shepard
  • Publication number: 20190234292
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes an engine, a coolant pump, a first heat exchanger, a first valve in communication with the first heat exchanger, a second valve having a plurality of outlets, a second heat exchanger in communication with a first of the plurality of outlets, a third heat exchanger in communication with a second of the plurality of outlets, a bypass fluid conduit in communication with a third of the plurality of outlets, and a controller that determines a first potential benefit based upon a loss function of the second heat exchanger, determines a second potential benefit based upon a loss function of the third heat exchanger, compares the first potential to the second potential, and proportionally distributes flow between the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, the third heat exchanger, and the bypass fluid conduit based upon the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Daniel J. Shepard, Michael J. Paratore, JR.
  • Patent number: 10161501
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a transmission fluid temperature sensor and a coolant valve control module. The transmission fluid temperature sensor measures a temperature of transmission fluid that is circulated through a transmission. The coolant valve control module controls at least one coolant valve to adjust coolant flow from an engine to a transmission fluid heat exchanger and at least one of a radiator, an engine oil heat exchanger, and a heater core. When the transmission fluid temperature is less than a first temperature, the coolant valve control module controls the at least one coolant valve to allow coolant flow from the engine to the transmission fluid heat exchanger and prevent coolant flow from the engine to the at least one of the radiator, the engine oil heat exchanger, and the heater core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Sergio Quelhas
  • Publication number: 20180045297
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a transmission fluid temperature sensor and a coolant valve control module. The transmission fluid temperature sensor measures a temperature of transmission fluid that is circulated through a transmission. The coolant valve control module controls at least one coolant valve to adjust coolant flow from an engine to a transmission fluid heat exchanger and at least one of a radiator, an engine oil heat exchanger, and a heater core. When the transmission fluid temperature is less than a first temperature, the coolant valve control module controls the at least one coolant valve to allow coolant flow from the engine to the transmission fluid heat exchanger and prevent coolant flow from the engine to the at least one of the radiator, the engine oil heat exchanger, and the heater core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Eugene V. GONZE, Michael J. PARATORE, JR., Sergio QUELHAS
  • Patent number: 9869223
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for optimizing fuel economy during an engine warm up phase of operation of an internal combustion engine. An exhaust manifold may have a coolant jacket through which a coolant may flow. A temperature of the coolant in the exhaust manifold may be determined to detect when it is at a predetermined maximum threshold, which represents a temperature threshold just below a temperature at which the coolant will begin to boil. When this threshold is reached, then a determination may be made as to a minimum rate of flow of the coolant through the exhaust manifold which maintains the coolant at about the predetermined maximum threshold, and the coolant may be flowed through the exhaust manifold at the determined minimum rate of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Vijay Ramappan, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Yue-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 9856774
    Abstract: An engine exhaust system includes an exhaust pipe assembly having an engine exhaust system inlet configured to receive engine exhaust and an engine exhaust system outlet. The system includes a first selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst device positioned downstream in exhaust flow from the engine exhaust system inlet. The first SCR catalyst device includes a substrate with a metallic catalyst coated on the substrate. An electric heater is configured to heat the metallic catalyst. A second SCR catalyst device is positioned downstream in engine exhaust flow from the first SCR catalyst device and upstream of the engine exhaust system outlet. The first SCR catalyst device and the exhaust pipe assembly define an empty chamber between the substrate and the second SCR catalyst device. Engine exhaust flows directly from the substrate to the second SCR catalyst device through the empty chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Luciano Nunziato Di Perna, Raffaello Ardanese, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Rahul Mital, Jianwen Li
  • Publication number: 20170356327
    Abstract: A strategy for controlling an electric pump and control valve in an internal combustion engine cooling system compensates for backpressure variations and maintains system operation within design parameters. The method comprises the steps of measuring the coolant temperature, measuring the electrical current and voltage to the pump motor, determining the pump speed and coolant flow, determining the desired coolant flow, determining a negative correction to the flow control valve and pump if desired flow is less than present coolant flow and determining a positive correction to the flow control valve and pump if desired flow is more than present coolant flow and undertaking this correction to coolant flow. Thus, based upon inferred back pressure in the engine coolant system from the data relating to the pump energy input, proper coolant flow, heat rejection and engine operating temperature can be maintained in spite of variations in system flow restrictions and backpressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Sergio Quelhas, Vijay A. Ramappan, Michael J. Paratore, JR.