Patents by Inventor Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt

Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt 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).

  • Systems and methods for running a NOx self-diagnostic test
    Patent number: 9670817
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting NOx sensor degradation based on results from a NOx sensor self-diagnostic (SD) test. In one example, a method may comprise: determining that a nitrogen oxide (NOx) sensor is degraded if outputs received from the sensor via a CAN bus during a self-diagnostic test are outside a threshold range. Additionally, only outputs received from the sensor during a self-diagnostic (SD) test performed after a first completed SD test after a key-off event, where the outputs are generated under conditions where a temperature at the sensor is less than a threshold, and an oxygen concentration is within a threshold range may be used to determine if the sensor is degraded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: In Kwang Yoo, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Garth Michael Meyer
  • Method and system for leak detection at a particulate filter
    Patent number: 9664095
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for correlating a pressure drop across an exhaust particulate filter with the output of an upstream exhaust oxygen sensor and a downstream exhaust oxygen sensor. The pressure drop is then used to infer leakage of the filter during conditions when an exhaust oxygen concentration across the filter is substantially constant. The diagnostic may be performed during selected entry conditions such as when a particulate level in the GPF is below a predetermined threshold, exhaust flow rate is above a threshold rate, and an absolute exhaust flow rate derivative is below a threshold derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Joseph Norman Ulrey, William Charles Ruona
  • Method and system for maintaining a DFSO
    Patent number: 9657664
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a length of DFSO. In one example, a method may include adjusting the length of DFSO based on a particulate filter temperature change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Method of pilot injection control
    Patent number: 9599062
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for adjusting a pilot injection during initial engine operation from vehicle manufacture. In one example, a method comprises delivering a first proportion of fuel as the pilot injection, and only decreasing the first proportion of fuel responsive to learning an injector flow characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Aaron John Oakley
  • ENGINE OPERATING SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20170051700
    Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating cylinder pressure profiles in cylinders of an engine are disclosed. In one example, fuel injection timing of engine cylinders is adjusted to improve engine combustion in response to output of one or more pressure sensors installed in engine cylinders. Combustion within a plurality of engine cylinders may be adjusted in response to pressure sensed in a single engine cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Brien Lloyd Fulton, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Daniel Roettger, Aaron John Oakley, Claus Maerschank
  • Dual rate diesel particulate filter leak monitor
    Patent number: 9534524
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting leaks in a diesel particulate filter (DPF). In one example, a faster leak detection routine may be performed during a single drive cycle to detect large leaks in the DPF. However, if there are no large leaks in the DPF, a slower leak detection may be performed over a plurality of drive cycles, to detected smaller leaks in the DPF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Brendan Hopka, William Russell Goodwin, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • DUAL RATE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER LEAK MONITOR
    Publication number: 20160369673
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting leaks in a diesel particulate filter (DPF). In one example, a faster leak detection routine may be performed during a single drive cycle to detect large leaks in the DPF. However, if there are no large leaks in the DPF, a slower leak detection may be performed over a plurality of drive cycles, to detected smaller leaks in the DPF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Brendan Hopka, William Russell Goodwin, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RUNNING A NOx SELF-DIAGNOSTIC TEST
    Publication number: 20160363030
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting NOx sensor degradation based on results from a NOx sensor self-diagnostic (SD) test. In one example, a method may comprise: determining that a nitrogen oxide (NOx) sensor is degraded if outputs received from the sensor via a CAN bus during a self-diagnostic test are outside a threshold range. Additionally, only outputs received from the sensor during a self-diagnostic (SD) test performed after a first completed SD test after a key-off event, where the outputs are generated under conditions where a temperature at the sensor is less than a threshold, and an oxygen concentration is within a threshold range may be used to determine if the sensor is degraded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: In Kwang Yoo, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Garth Michael Meyer
  • Ammonia storage management for SCR catalyst
    Patent number: 9512764
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for managing ammonia storage in an SCR catalyst. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a vehicle-off event, injecting ammonia during a final exhaust blowdown until a predetermined value of ammonia is stored in the SCR catalyst; and in response to a subsequent vehicle-on event when an amount of ammonia stored in the SCR catalyst is less than the predetermined value, injecting ammonia until the predetermined value of ammonia is stored in the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Devesh Upadhyay, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Christine Kay Lambert, David Wynn Philion
  • System for determining EGR cooler degradation
    Patent number: 9476387
    Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing an EGR system are presented. The method provides for indicating EGR system degradation in response to a temperature at an outlet of an EGR cooler. The method may require less calibration effort than a model based diagnostic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yong-Wha Kim, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Eric Kurtz
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING ENGINE EXHAUST EMISSIONS
    Publication number: 20160305302
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for addressing engine cold-start emissions while an exhaust catalyst is activated. In one example, a method for improving exhaust emissions may include flowing ionized air into an engine exhaust, downstream of an exhaust catalyst, to oxidize exhaust emissions left untreated by the catalyst. The approach reduces the PM load of the exhaust as well as of a downstream particulate matter filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Kenneth James Miller, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, John Eric Rollinger
  • Enhanced real-time ammonia slip detection
    Patent number: 9429059
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for detecting ammonia slip. In one example method, an exhaust system with two NOx sensors uses transient responses of the NOx sensors to allocate tailpipe NOx sensor output to NOx and NH3 levels therein. An ammonia slip detection counter with gains is included that determines a probability of NOx and NH3 based on the measured sensor activities that are further processed by a controller to adjust one or more parameters based on the allocation and changes of sensor output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Riffle, Frank M. Korpics, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Devesh Upadhyay, David Robert Nader
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAINTAINING A DFSO
    Publication number: 20160222898
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a length of DFSO. In one example, a method may include adjusting the length of DFSO based on a particulate filter temperature change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOVING ASH WITHIN A PARTICULATE FILTER
    Publication number: 20160160723
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting water to reduce an ash load on a PF. In one example, a method may include injecting water from a reservoir to between a PF and a three-way catalyst in order to reduce an ash load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Lyle Thomas, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Kenneth John Behr, Mira Bumbaroska
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GAS PARTICULATE FILTER
    Publication number: 20160138447
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a particulate filter located in an exhaust runner of an engine cylinder. In one example, a method may include flowing exhaust from a first cylinder through a first particulate filter in a first runner, and flowing exhaust from a second cylinder through a second particulate filter in a second runner. The method may further include adjusting engine operation in response to particulate filter degradation, the particulate filter degradation distinguishing between degradation of the first and second particulate filters based on an exhaust pressure pulsation timing relative to combustion events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Multivariable low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation control
    Patent number: 9341127
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a LP-EGR valve and an LP intake throttle to provide a desired LP-EGR flow rate while maintaining a minimum differential pressure. In one example, a method for a turbocharged engine method comprises: responsive to a differential between intake and exhaust pressure below a threshold, adjusting a LP-EGR valve while adjusting a LP intake throttle to regulate a LP-EGR flow rate and the differential to respective setpoints; and responsive to the differential above the threshold, saturating the LP-EGR valve to minimize the differential while actuating the throttle to regulate the flow rate to its setpoint. In this way, control of the LP-EGR system may be more robust to disturbances at very low differential pressures, require less actuator movement, and increase fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Smart vehicle sensor
    Patent number: 9341131
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling operation of a motor vehicle based on a sensor. One example method comprises receiving sensed parameter data from the sensor, receiving calibration data from the sensor, and adjusting a vehicle operating parameter in response to the sensed parameter data and the calibration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dave Charles Weber, David John Kubinski, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID STRATIFICATION
    Publication number: 20160115838
    Abstract: A method for an exhaust system is provided, comprising adjusting reductant injection responsive to a reductant concentration, the reductant concentration based on concentration sensor readings and vehicle motion. If the reductant freezes, the reductant may stratify, leading to inaccurate concentration sensor readings. Vehicle motion may mix the reductant, thereby ensuring an accurate concentration measurement which may then be used to adjust reductant injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Nicholas Girardi, Scott Donald Cooper, Cory Scott Hendrickson, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Diesel particulate filter passive regeneration during stationary power take-off
    Patent number: 9297338
    Abstract: The systems and method described above in the present disclosure allow for regeneration of a diesel particulate filter while a vehicle is in stationary power take-off mode. Described is a method of: during select power take-off conditions, reducing an EGR rate responsive to an indication to regenerate a diesel particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Reich, Frank M. Korpics, Dean Pennala, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, David Wynn Philion, James Campbell, Timothy Webb
  • METHOD OF PILOT INJECTION CONTROL
    Publication number: 20160025031
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for adjusting a pilot injection during initial engine operation from vehicle manufacture. In one example, a method comprises delivering a first proportion of fuel as the pilot injection, and only decreasing the first proportion of fuel responsive to learning an injector flow characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Aaron John Oakley