Patents by Inventor Michiel van Nieuwstadt

Michiel 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).

  • Patent number: 10920645
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a NOx storage capacity of a passive NOx adsorption catalyst (PNA) included in an exhaust gas after-treatment system of an engine. In one example, a method may include, after an engine cold start and prior to an exhaust gas temperature reaching an upper threshold temperature, indicating degradation of the PNA based on an amount of NOx measured downstream of the PNA during a fuel cut event and while the exhaust gas temperature is between a lower threshold temperature and the upper threshold temperature. In this way, degradation of the NOx storage capacity may be inferred based on an amount of NOx released from the PNA and independent of a NOx storage measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: In Kwang Yoo, Michiel Van Nieuwstadt, Douglas Allen Dobson, Christine Lambert
  • Publication number: 20200040796
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a NOx storage capacity of a passive NOx adsorption catalyst (PNA) included in an exhaust gas after-treatment system of an engine. In one example, a method may include, after an engine cold start and prior to an exhaust gas temperature reaching an upper threshold temperature, indicating degradation of the PNA based on an amount of NOx measured downstream of the PNA during a fuel cut event and while the exhaust gas temperature is between a lower threshold temperature and the upper threshold temperature. In this way, degradation of the NOx storage capacity may be inferred based on an amount of NOx released from the PNA and independent of a NOx storage measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: In Kwang Yoo, Michiel Van Nieuwstadt, Douglas Allen Dobson, Christine Lambert
  • Patent number: 10550784
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine with an electrically driven compressor are described. In one example, output of the electrically driven compressor is adjusted to increase a temperature of an engine so that the engine may be started without glow plugs or with glow plugs that have a lower heat capacity output. Additionally, a position of a recirculation valve may be adjusted to increase the temperature of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brien Fulton, Michiel Van Nieuwstadt, Claus Maerschank, Daniel Roettger
  • Publication number: 20190271276
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine with an electrically driven compressor are described. In one example, output of the electrically driven compressor is adjusted to increase a temperature of an engine so that the engine may be started without glow plugs or with glow plugs that have a lower heat capacity output. Additionally, a position of a recirculation valve may be adjusted to increase the temperature of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Brien Fulton, Michiel Van Nieuwstadt, Claus Maerschank, Daniel Roettger
  • Patent number: 8915065
    Abstract: In one example, a method of operating an engine having a diesel particulate filter in a vehicle, the particulate filter having a length and depth, includes performing particulate filter regeneration in response to temperature variation across the length and/or depth of the particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Avra Brahma, Michiel van Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20110252961
    Abstract: In one example, a method of operating an engine having a diesel particulate filter in a vehicle, the particulate filter having a length and depth, includes performing particulate filter regeneration in response to temperature variation across the length and/or depth of the particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Avra Brahma, Michiel van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 8011180
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine having a diesel particulate filter in a vehicle is disclosed. In one example, the filter is regenerated in response to a temperature differential across each of a plurality of filter channels. The method can improve the timing of filter regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Avra Brahma, Michiel van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 7886524
    Abstract: A method for improving engine control during a regeneration of an exhaust gas after treatment device is described. According to one aspect of the description, engine air amount and engine fuel amount may be adjusted based on data from a previously executed regeneration of an exhaust gas after treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel van Nieuwstadt, Kevin Chen, Kevin Murphy, Ognyan Yanakiev
  • Patent number: 7810469
    Abstract: Feedback control of an internal combustion engine is performed based on a signal from a vibration sensor and a crankshaft angle sensor. An energy factor can be computed based on these sensor signals. A vector of energy factor can be computed as a function of crank angle degree over a particular window of engine rotation of interest. Based on the energy factor vector, combustion phasing can be estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Vigild, Charles Tumelaire, Evangelos Karvounis, Daniel Roettger, Thomas Brewbaker, Michiel van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, Diana Brehob
  • Publication number: 20090044514
    Abstract: In one example, a method of operating an engine having a diesel particulate filter in a vehicle, the particulate filter having a length and depth, includes performing particulate filter regeneration in response to temperature variation across the length and/or depth of the particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Avra Brahma, Michiel Van Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20080053405
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of performing feedback control of the operation of an internal combustion engine based on a signal from a vibration sensor and a crankshaft angle sensor. An energy factor can be computed based on these sensor signals which provides an estimate of the combustion phasing and combustion intensity. A vector of energy factors can be computed as a function of crank angle degree over a particular window of engine rotation of interest. Based on the energy factor vector, combustion phasing can be estimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Christian Vigild, Charles Turnelaire, Evangelos Karvounis, Daniel Roettger, Thomas Brewbaker, Michiel van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, Diana Brehob
  • Publication number: 20070125075
    Abstract: In an apparatus having an internal combustion engine, an exhaust system for transporting engine exhaust from the engine, a particulate filter disposed in the exhaust system, and a particulate detector disposed downstream of the particulate filter in the exhaust system, a method for monitoring a performance characteristic of the particulate filter, including detecting an increase in exhaust flow in the exhaust system; determining if the increase in the exhaust flow occurs at a rate equal to or greater than a threshold rate of change; and if the increase in the exhaust flow is determined to have occurred at a rate equal to or greater than the threshold rate of change, then determining from a signal received from the particulate detector if a value of a parameter related to particulate matter passing through the particulate filter has a predetermined relationship to a predetermined threshold value that indicates a reduction in filter trapping efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Margherita Zanini-Fisher, Michiel van Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20070125349
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an internal combustion engine, an exhaust system in communication with the engine, a particulate sensor associated with the exhaust system, and a controller in electrical communication with the particulate sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine a change in a rate of exhaust flow in the exhaust system, to compare the change in the rate of exhaust flow to a preselected threshold rate of change; and if the change in the rate of exhaust flow has a preselected relationship to the preselected threshold rate of change, then to determine a degradation of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Margherita Zanini-Fisher, Michiel van Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20070119172
    Abstract: A system for a diesel engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, comprises a turbocharger between the intake and exhaust manifolds of the engine; a low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system with a first end coupled to the exhaust manifold downstream of the turbocharger and a second end couple to the intake manifold upstream of the turbocharger, said low pressure exhaust gas recirculation having a first valve coupled thereto for regulating flow; a high pressure exhaust gas recirculation system with a first end coupled to the exhaust manifold upstream of the turbocharger and a second end coupled to the intake manifold downstream of the turbocharger, said high pressure exhaust gas recirculation having a second valve coupled thereto for regulating flow; a first mass airflow sensor coupled in the engine intake manifold upstream of an inlet of said second end of said low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system; and a control system configured to diagnose the degradation of said first mass airfl
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: David Barbe, Michiel van Nieuwstadt, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Publication number: 20070079614
    Abstract: A system for a diesel engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, comprising a turbocharger coupled between the intake and exhaust manifolds of the engine; a low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system with a first end coupled to the exhaust manifold downstream of the turbocharger and a second end coupled to the intake manifold upstream of the turbocharger, said low pressure exhaust gas recirculation having a first valve coupled thereto for regulating flow; a high pressure exhaust gas recirculation system with a first end coupled to the exhaust manifold upstream of the turbocharger and a second end coupled to the intake manifold downstream of the turbocharger, said high pressure exhaust gas recirculation having a second valve coupled thereto for regulating flow; a first mass airflow sensor coupled in the engine intake manifold upstream of said second end of said low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system; a second mass airflow sensor coupled in the engine intake manifold downstream of said
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: David Barbe, Michiel van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 7047729
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling regeneration in a particulate filter coupled to an internal combustion engine. The method controls hydrocarbon injection into engine exhaust upstream of an oxidation catalyst disposed upstream of the particulate filter in accordance an algebraic sum of a feedforward term and a feedback term. The feedforward term is a function of a difference between with the engine exhaust temperature upstream of the catalyst and a predetermined desired particulate filter temperature. The feedback term is a function of a temperature of the particulate filter and the predetermined desired particulate filter temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel van Nieuwstadt, Paul Tennison
  • Patent number: 7017338
    Abstract: A low cost particulate filter pressure monitoring system and method are presented. The differential pressure across the filter is estimated based on an atmospheric pressure, a measured absolute exhaust gas pressure upstream of the first emission control device coupled to the engine and an estimated pressure drop across all other emission control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michiel van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 6990854
    Abstract: An accurate thermodynamic model of an Active Lean NOx (ALNC) Catalyst is presented. The model takes into account hydrocarbon storage and release mechanisms of the ALNC, as well as the degradation in the ALNC hydrocarbon conversion efficiency due to ageing, and thus provides a more accurate estimate of an exotherm generated by hydrocarbon combustion in the ALNC. The estimated exotherm can them be used to detect system degradation and identify components responsible for the degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel van Nieuwstadt, Michele Reichenbach, Fumin Yuan
  • Patent number: 6990800
    Abstract: An accurate thermodynamic model of an Active Lean NOx (ALNC) Catalyst is presented. The model takes into account hydrocarbon storage and release mechanisms of the ALNC, as well as the degradation in the ALNC hydrocarbon conversion efficiency due to ageing, and thus provides a more accurate estimate of an exotherm generated by hydrocarbon combustion in the ALNC. The estimated exotherm can them be used to detect system degradation and identify components responsible for the degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel van Nieuwstadt, Michele Reichenbach, Fumin Yuan
  • Patent number: 6988361
    Abstract: A method and system for simultaneously regenerating a particulate filter coupled to an internal combustion engine and for desulfating a lean NOx trap disposed downstream of the particulate filter. The method includes adjusting at least one engine operating parameter to maintain a desired air fuel ratio for gases exiting the particulate filter in accordance with a difference between a reference set point air fuel ratio level and the air fuel ratio of gases exiting the particulate filter and wherein the reference set point level is changed between a rich air fuel ratio and a lean air fuel ratio as a function of the air fuel ratio of the gases exiting the lean NOx trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel van Nieuwstadt, John Cavataio, Thomas A. Brewbaker