Patents by Inventor Mohammad R. Pirjaberi
Mohammad R. Pirjaberi 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).
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Patent number: 11359562Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Mark A. Wilcutts, Masaki Nagashima
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Patent number: 11280276Abstract: Engine controllers and methods are described that facilitate skip fire control of an internal combustion engine. An engine controller determines a skip fire firing fraction and (as appropriate) associated engine settings that are suitable for delivering a requested output. The engine controller selects an operational firing fraction from a set of available firing fractions. A firing controller then directs cylinder firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. The firing controller includes an accumulator that helps smooth transitions between different firing fractions.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2021Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Adya S. Tripathi, Louis J. Serrano
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Publication number: 20220074361Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Kian EISAZADEH-FAR, Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO
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Patent number: 11208964Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Kian Eisazadeh-Far, Steven E. Carlson, Louis J. Serrano
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Publication number: 20210396189Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, John W. PARSELS, Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Mark A. WILCUTTS, Masaki NAGASHIMA
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Patent number: 11136928Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Mark A. Wilcutts, Masaki Nagashima
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Publication number: 20210199060Abstract: Engine controllers and methods are described that facilitate skip fire control of an internal combustion engine. An engine controller determines a skip fire firing fraction and (as appropriate) associated engine settings that are suitable for delivering a requested output. The engine controller selects an operational firing fraction from a set of available firing fractions. A firing controller then directs cylinder firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. The firing controller includes an accumulator that helps smooth transitions between different firing fractions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Adya S. TRIPATHI, Louis J. SERRANO
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Patent number: 10968841Abstract: Skip fire engine control using a first order sigma delta based firing controller is described. An engine controller determines a skip fire firing fraction and (as appropriate) associated engine settings that are suitable for delivering a requested output. The operational firing fraction is selected from a set of available firing fractions. The engine controller uses a first order sigma delta based converter to direct working cycle firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected firing fraction. The converter includes or functions substantially equivalent to a first order sigma delta converter and may be implemented any of: algorithmically using a processor; using digital, analog or hybrid components; using a lookup table; or using other appropriate techniques. In some embodiments firing decisions are made on a working cycle by working cycle basis. The described approach may be used in gasoline engines, diesel engines, turbocharged or supercharged engines, or others.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: TULA TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Adya S. Tripathi, Louis J. Serrano
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Patent number: 10954877Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a dynamic firing level modulation manner. A smoothing torque is determined by adaptive control that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Masaki Nagashima, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mark A. Wilcutts
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Publication number: 20210071605Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, John W. PARSELS, Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Mark A. WILCUTTS, Masaki NAGASHIMA
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Publication number: 20200386176Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Kian EISAZADEH-FAR, Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO
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Patent number: 10830166Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a skip fire manner. A smoothing torque is determined that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the skip fire firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Mark A. Wilcutts, Masaki Nagashima
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Patent number: 10787979Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Kian Eisazadeh-Far, Steven E. Carlson, Louis J. Serrano
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Publication number: 20200158044Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a dynamic firing level modulation manner. A smoothing torque is determined by adaptive control that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Masaki NAGASHIMA, Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Louis J. SERRANO, Xin YUAN, John W. PARSELS, Mark A. WILCUTTS
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Publication number: 20200080500Abstract: Skip fire engine control using a first order sigma delta based firing controller is described. An engine controller determines a skip fire firing fraction and (as appropriate) associated engine settings that are suitable for delivering a requested output. The operational firing fraction is selected from a set of available firing fractions. The engine controller uses a first order sigma delta based converter to direct working cycle firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected firing fraction. The converter includes or functions substantially equivalent to a first order sigma delta converter and may be implemented any of: algorithmically using a processor; using digital, analog or hybrid components; using a lookup table; or using other appropriate techniques. In some embodiments firing decisions are made on a working cycle by working cycle basis. The described approach may be used in gasoline engines, diesel engines, turbocharged or supercharged engines, or others.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Adya S. TRIPATHI, Louis J. SERRANO
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Patent number: 10578037Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a dynamic firing level modulation manner. A smoothing torque is determined by adaptive control that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Masaki Nagashima, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels, Mark A. Wilcutts
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Patent number: 10508604Abstract: In various described embodiments skip fire control is used to deliver a desired engine output. A controller determines a skip fire firing fraction and (as appropriate) associated engine settings that are suitable for delivering a requested output. In one aspect, the skip fire controller is arranged to select a base firing fraction that has a repeating firing cycle length that will repeat at least a designated number of times per second at the current engine speed. Such an arrangement can be helpful in reducing the occurrence of undesirable vibrations.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Adya S. Tripathi, Louis J. Serrano
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Patent number: 10436133Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Kian Eisazadeh-Far, Steven E. Carlson, Louis J. Serrano
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Patent number: 10344692Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire engine control system are described. In one aspect, a firing sequence is used to operate the engine in a dynamic firing level modulation manner. A smoothing torque is determined by adaptive control that is applied to a powertrain by an energy storage/release device. The smoothing torque is arranged to at least partially cancel out variation in torque generated by the firing sequence. Various methods, powertrain controllers, arrangements and computer software related to the above operations are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.Inventors: Masaki Nagashima, Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Louis J. Serrano, Xin Yuan, John W. Parsels
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Publication number: 20190178180Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Kian EISAZADEH-FAR, Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO