Patents by Inventor Patrick Brostrom

Patrick Brostrom 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: 9989026
    Abstract: A fuel system including a high pressure fuel pump with a quite fuel metering valve is disclosed. In one example, the quite fuel metering valve may be driven via a rotating motor. The fuel system may reduce engine noise and may provide improved fuel pressure control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Vince Paul Solferino, Kyi Shiah, Joseph Basmaji, Patrick Brostrom, Scott Lehto
  • Patent number: 9683512
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a high-pressure fuel pump to mitigate audible ticking noise associated with opening and closing of a digital inlet valve of the high-pressure pump. To reduce the ticking noise associated with the high-pressure pump when the engine is idling, a solution is needed that is simple and does not involve retrofitting the fuel system with noise, vibration, and harshness countermeasures to mask the noise. Pressure devices and associated operation methods are provided that involve adding a combination of several check valves, an accumulator, and a flow control valve with weep channels to allow the digital inlet valve to be deactivated during engine idling as defined by a threshold engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Stickler, Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Robin Ivo Lawther, Patrick Brostrom, Jacob Jensen, Christopher Woodring, Joseph F. Basmaji, Mark Meinhart, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 9303607
    Abstract: A fuel system including a high pressure fuel pump with a quiet fuel metering valve is disclosed. In one example, the quiet fuel metering valve may be cam driven. The fuel system may reduce engine noise and may provide operating modes that are different from other fuel systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Vince Paul Solferino, Kyi Shiah, Joseph Basmaji, Patrick Brostrom
  • Patent number: 9284931
    Abstract: A method of pressuring fuel for a direct injection fuel system via a fuel pump in an engine is provided. The method includes, during a first mode, adjusting a magnetic solenoid valve (MSV) to control pump outlet pressure and during a second mode, deactivating the MSV and controlling pump outlet pressure via a noise-reducing valve assembly on an inlet side of the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Brostrom, Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng
  • Publication number: 20150337753
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a high-pressure fuel pump to mitigate audible ticking noise associated with opening and closing of a digital inlet valve of the high-pressure pump. To reduce the ticking noise associated with the high-pressure pump when the engine is idling, a solution is needed that is simple and does not involve retrofitting the fuel system with noise, vibration, and harshness countermeasures to mask the noise. Pressure devices and associated operation methods are provided that involve adding a combination of several check valves, an accumulator, and a flow control valve with weep channels to allow the digital inlet valve to be deactivated during engine idling as defined by a threshold engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Stickler, Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Robin Ivo Lawther, Patrick Brostrom, Jacob Jensen, Christopher Woodring, Joseph F. Basmaji, Mark Meinhart, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 9169817
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel pump is provided. The method may include decreasing a pump chamber pressure, passively opening a metering valve coupled to a pump chamber in response to the decreasing, and while the metering valve is open, generating a rotational output via a motor, transferring the rotational output into an actuation force applied to the metering valve via a metering valve actuation device, and inhibiting the metering valve from closing via sustaining application of the actuation force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Vince Paul Solferino, Patrick Brostrom, Kyi Shiah, Joseph F. Basmaji, Scott Lehto
  • Patent number: 9127605
    Abstract: A canister purge valve, fuel vapor recovery system, and method are provided. The canister purge valve may include an inlet port configured to be coupled with an inlet line to receive a fluid from a vapor-recovery canister. The canister purge valve may also include an outlet having two or more exit ports configured to be coupled with a common exit line to pass the fluid to an engine. In this way, improved mixing may be achieved without substantially increasing flow resistance and/or noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin William Plymale, Paul Zeng, Patrick Brostrom, Abdelkrim Zouani, Ahsanul Karim
  • Patent number: 9016263
    Abstract: A high pressure fuel pump for use with an internal combustion engine and a method of operation of a high pressure fuel pump are disclosed. The high pressure fuel pump may include a supply chamber and a pump chamber separated by a passage in sealing arrangement with a disk. The disk may have one or more holes therethrough and be rotatable in order to place the holes in the disk in varying degrees of alignment with the passage to allow respective, varying amounts of fuel to flow through the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Vince Paul Solferino, Patrick Brostrom, Kyi Shiah
  • Publication number: 20150027416
    Abstract: A method of pressuring fuel for a direct injection fuel system via a fuel pump in an engine is provided. The method includes, during a first mode, adjusting a magnetic solenoid valve (MSV) to control pump outlet pressure and during a second mode, deactivating the MSV and controlling pump outlet pressure via a noise-reducing valve assembly on an inlet side of the fuel pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Brostrom, Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng
  • Publication number: 20140154100
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel pump is provided. The method may include decreasing a pump chamber pressure, passively opening a metering valve coupled to a pump chamber in response to the decreasing, and while the metering valve is open, generating a rotational output via a motor, transferring the rotational output into an actuation force applied to the metering valve via a metering valve actuation device, and inhibiting the metering valve from closing via sustaining application of the actuation force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Vince Paul Solferino, Patrick Brostrom, Kyi Shiah, Joseph F. Basmaji, Scott Lehto
  • Patent number: 8651090
    Abstract: A direct fuel injection cylinder for an engine of a vehicle includes a direct fuel injector disposed in an injector bore within a cylinder head. A beveled conical wave washer is disposed between a shelf in the injector bore and a shoulder of the direct fuel injector. During operation of the vehicle, the beveled conical wave washer is elastically deformed by radial displacement caused by absorption of high frequency energy from the direct fuel injector. Elastic deformation of the beveled conical wave washer may reduce noise which may be caused by impact of the direct fuel injector and the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng, Patrick Brostrom, Giuseppe DeRose, Jr., Scott Lehto
  • Publication number: 20140003966
    Abstract: A high pressure fuel pump for use with an internal combustion engine and a method of operation of a high pressure fuel pump are disclosed. The high pressure fuel pump may include a supply chamber and a pump chamber separated by a passage in sealing arrangement with a disk. The disk may have one or more holes therethrough and be rotatable in order to place the holes in the disk in varying degrees of alignment with the passage to allow respective, varying amounts of fuel to flow through the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Vince Paul Solferino, Patrick Brostrom, Kyi Shiah
  • Publication number: 20130284153
    Abstract: A direct fuel injection cylinder for an engine of a vehicle includes a direct fuel injector disposed in an injector bore within a cylinder head. A beveled conical wave washer is disposed between a shelf in the injector bore and a shoulder of the direct fuel injector. During operation of the vehicle, the beveled conical wave washer is elastically deformed by radial displacement caused by absorption of high frequency energy from the direct fuel injector. Elastic deformation of the beveled conical wave washer may reduce noise which may be caused by impact of the direct fuel injector and the cylinder head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng, Patrick Brostrom, Giuseppe DeRose, JR., Scott Lehto
  • Publication number: 20130247880
    Abstract: A canister purge valve, fuel vapor recovery system, and method are provided. The canister purge valve may include an inlet port configured to be coupled with an inlet line to receive a fluid from a vapor-recovery canister. The canister purge valve may also include an outlet having two or more exit ports configured to be coupled with a common exit line to pass the fluid to an engine. In this way, improved mixing may be achieved without substantially increasing flow resistance and/or noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin William Plymale, Paul Zeng, Patrick Brostrom, Abdelkrim Zouani, Ahsanul Karim
  • Patent number: 8516996
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel injector pocket, formed within a cylinder head, for housing an injector which sprays fuel into a combustion chamber defined by the cylinder head and a piston crown. The injector is mounted with a conical isolator which is loaded at a lower, elastic rate during lower power operation, with the conical isolator being stacked solid between a tapered portion of the injector and a corresponding tapered portion of the cylinder head during high power operation of the engine and injection system. The isolator controls unwanted injector ticking noise, while protecting the integrity of the injector's tip seal by preventing excessive axial displacement of the injector during higher load operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng, Scott Lehto, Patrick Brostrom, Giuseppe DeRose, Jr., Simon Antonov, Jim Chern
  • Publication number: 20130213361
    Abstract: A fuel system including a high pressure fuel pump with a quite fuel metering valve is disclosed. In one example, the quite fuel metering valve may include a fuel volume control plate. The fuel system may reduce engine noise and may provide improved fuel pressure control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Vince Paul Solferino, Kyi Shiah, Joseph Basmaji, Patrick Brostrom
  • Publication number: 20130213359
    Abstract: A fuel system including a high pressure fuel pump with a quite fuel metering valve is disclosed. In one example, the quite fuel metering valve may be cam driven. The fuel system may reduce engine noise and may provide operating modes that are different from other fuel systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Vince Paul Solferino, Kyi Shiah, Joseph Basmaji, Patrick Brostrom
  • Publication number: 20130213360
    Abstract: A fuel system including a high pressure fuel pump with a quite fuel metering valve is disclosed. In one example, the quite fuel metering valve may be driven via a rotating motor. The fuel system may reduce engine noise and may provide improved fuel pressure control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Zeng, Vince Paul Solferino, Kyi Shiah, Joseph Basmaji, Patrick Brostrom, Scott Lehto
  • Patent number: 8469004
    Abstract: A direct fuel injection cylinder for an engine of a vehicle includes a direct fuel injector disposed in an injector bore within a cylinder head. A beveled conical wave washer is disposed between a shelf in the injector bore and a shoulder of the direct fuel injector. During operation of the vehicle, the beveled conical wave washer is elastically deformed by radial displacement caused by absorption of high frequency energy from the direct fuel injector. Elastic deformation of the beveled conical wave washer may reduce noise which may be caused by impact of the direct fuel injector and the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng, Patrick Brostrom, Giuseppe DeRose, Jr., Scott Lehto
  • Publication number: 20120138013
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel injector pocket, formed within a cylinder head, for housing an injector which sprays fuel into a combustion chamber defined by the cylinder head and a piston crown. The injector is mounted with a conical isolator which is loaded at a lower, elastic rate during lower power operation, with the conical isolator being stacked solid between a tapered portion of the injector and a corresponding tapered portion of the cylinder head during high power operation of the engine and injection system. The isolator controls unwanted injector ticking noise, while protecting the integrity of the injector's tip seal by preventing excessive axial displacement of the injector during higher load operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Vince Paul Solferino, Paul Zeng, Scott Lehto, Patrick Brostrom, Giuseppe DeRose, JR., Simon Antonov, Jim Chern