Patents by Inventor Michael N. Kotsonas

Michael N. Kotsonas 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: 9234475
    Abstract: A cold start control module for a direct injection engine includes a fuel flow determination module and a cylinder activation/deactivation module. The fuel flow determination module determines a requested fuel flow. The cylinder activation/deactivation module deactivates at least one of cylinders when the requested fuel flow exceeds a maximum fuel flow of the fuel pump during cold start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jesse M. Gwidt, Michael N. Kotsonas, Robert X. Monchamp, Karen Margaret-Bell Gwidt
  • Patent number: 8433496
    Abstract: A control system includes an engine enable module and a fuel control module. The engine enable module determines whether predetermined operating conditions of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine are satisfied and enables an engine prime mode when the predetermined operating conditions are satisfied. The fuel control module controls a fuel injector to deliver a prime pulse to a cylinder of the SIDI engine when the engine prime mode is enabled. The fuel injector delivers the prime pulse by opening for a pulse width to inject fuel directly into the cylinder when the SIDI engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Mark D. Carr, Michael N. Kotsonas, Michael J. Lucido, Dean R. Kwapis
  • Patent number: 8215288
    Abstract: A method and control module for operating an engine that includes a pressure range determination module that determines a pressure value for a pressure sensor in a fuel rail is out of range. A fuel rail pressure estimate module that determines a predicted pressure value. An engine control module that operates the engine using the predicted pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventors: Jesse M. Gwidt, Michael J. Lucido, Jon C. Miller, Michael N Kotsonas
  • Patent number: 8146569
    Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle comprises a combustion control module and an engine startup module. The combustion control module selectively controls a spark timing and airflow into an engine based on a counter value. The engine startup module, when the counter value is one of greater than and less than a predetermined final value, controls an equivalence ratio (EQR) of an air/fuel mixture provided to the engine during an engine cranking period based on a fuel rail pressure and controls the EQR during an engine running period based on the fuel rail pressure and an engine runtime period. The counter value is set to the predetermined final value after the engine is started for a first time after the engine is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Michael C. Zumbaugh, Jon C. Miller, Robert C. Gibson, Mark D. Carr, Michael J. Lucido, Michael N. Kotsonas
  • Publication number: 20120024252
    Abstract: A method and a system are provided for starting an engine that is employed for propulsion of a vehicle. The method includes determining that an engine start via a starter is desired, wherein the starter is powered by an energy storage device. The method also includes determining a state of charge of the energy storage device. The method additionally includes commanding the starter to crank the engine at a first predetermined speed, if the energy storage device is at or above a predetermined state of charge and supplying fuel to the engine for a first predetermined number of fueling events. Furthermore, the method includes commanding the starter to crank the engine at a second predetermined speed that is lower than the first predetermined speed and supplying fuel to the engine for a second predetermined number of fueling events, if the energy storage device is below the predetermined state of charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jon C. Miller, Fernando F. Pio, Michael N. Kotsonas, Mark D. Carr, Kevin A. Sherwin
  • Publication number: 20110288746
    Abstract: A control system includes an engine enable module and a fuel control module. The engine enable module determines whether predetermined operating conditions of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine are satisfied and enables an engine prime mode when the predetermined operating conditions are satisfied. The fuel control module controls a fuel injector to deliver a prime pulse to a cylinder of the SIDI engine when the engine prime mode is enabled. The fuel injector delivers the prime pulse by opening for a pulse width to inject fuel directly into the cylinder when the SIDI engine is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark D. Carr, Michael N. Kotsonas, Michael J. Lucido, Dean R. Kwapis
  • Publication number: 20100288231
    Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle comprises a combustion control module and an engine startup module. The combustion control module selectively controls a spark timing and airflow into an engine based on a counter value. The engine startup module, when the counter value is one of greater than and less than a predetermined final value, controls an equivalence ratio (EQR) of an air/fuel mixture provided to the engine during an engine cranking period based on a fuel rail pressure and controls the EQR during an engine running period based on the fuel rail pressure and an engine runtime period. The counter value is set to the predetermined final value after the engine is started for a first time after the engine is assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
    Inventors: MICHAEL C. ZUMBAUGH, JON C. MILLER, ROBERT C. GIBSON, MARK D. CARR, MICHAEL J. LUCIDO, MICHAEL N. KOTSONAS
  • Publication number: 20100280742
    Abstract: A method and control module for operating an engine that includes a pressure range determination module that determines a pressure value for a pressure sensor in a fuel rail is out of range. A fuel rail pressure estimate module that determines a predicted pressure value. An engine control module that operates the engine using the predicted pressure value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: JESSE M. GWIDT, MICHAEL J. LUCIDO, JON C. MILLER, MICHAEL N. KOTSONAS
  • Publication number: 20100147240
    Abstract: A cold start control module for a direct injection engine includes a fuel flow determination module and a cylinder activation/deactivation module. The fuel flow determination module determines a requested fuel flow. The cylinder activation/deactivation module deactivates at least one of cylinders when the requested fuel flow exceeds a maximum fuel flow of the fuel pump during cold start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jesse M. Gwidt, Michael N. Kotsonas, Robert X. Monchamp, Karen Margaret-Bell Gwidt