Patents by Inventor Qi Ma

Qi Ma 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).

  • Publication number: 20110038394
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas feedstream flowing past a gas sensing device disposed therein. The gas sensor includes an integrated electrical heating element which provides a resistance indicative of its temperature. An unknown input observer is used to determine the exhaust gas feedstream temperature based on the heating element temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Julian R. Verdejo, Nicholas John Kalweit
  • Publication number: 20100308799
    Abstract: A system includes a transceiver module and a rotating device. The transceiver module generates an electromagnetic (EM) field using an antenna. The rotating device includes N transponders arranged such that each of the N transponders passes through the EM field during one revolution of the rotating device. Each of the N transponders damps the EM field when passing through the EM field. The transceiver module determines a rotational speed of the rotating device based on a number of times the EM field is damped during a period. N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Brian M. Tulkki
  • Patent number: 7848872
    Abstract: A method for controlling EGR gas flow in an internal combustion engine during ongoing operation includes determining an engine operating point and a preferred EGR fraction for a cylinder charge based upon the engine operating point. A feed-forward command for controlling an external EGR gas flowrate to an engine intake manifold based upon the preferred EGR fraction for the cylinder charge is determined. An EGR ratio in the intake manifold is determined. And, the external EGR gas flowrate is controlled based upon the estimated EGR ratio in the intake manifold and the feed-forward command for controlling the external EGR gas flowrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Man-Feng Chang
  • Patent number: 7841769
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas feedstream flowing past a gas sensing device disposed therein. The gas sensor includes an integrated electrical heating element which provides a resistance indicative of its temperature. An unknown input observer is used to determine the exhaust gas feedstream temperature based on the heating element temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Julian R. Verdejo, Nicholas John Kalweit
  • Patent number: 7793641
    Abstract: A fuel control system for regulating fuel to cylinders of an internal combustion engine during an engine start and crank-to-run transition includes a first module that determines a plurality of step-ahead cylinder air masses (GPOs) for a cylinder based on a plurality of GPO prediction models. A second module regulates fueling to a cylinder of the engine based on the plurality of step-ahead GPOs until a combustion event of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Stephen Yurkovich, Kenneth P. Dudek, Stephen K. Fulcher, Robert X. Monchamp, Jon C. Miller
  • Publication number: 20100228462
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an engine function includes a deflection determination module generating a clutch deflection signal. The system further includes an engine function module controlling an engine function in response to the clutch deflection signal. The clutch deflection signal may be generated by sensors associated with the transmission shaft such as within the clutch housing or the friction disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Julian R. Verdejo, Paul A. Piorkowski, Qi Ma
  • Patent number: 7784441
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a direct start engine, an automatic transmission having a threshold fluid pressure sufficient for enabling operation of the transmission when the engine is off, a controller, and a fuel delivery system. The controller determines the presence of predetermined engine states, and optimizes a stop-and-go functionality of the engine. The fuel delivery system includes a motor and an integrated pump assembly having a secondary high-pressure (HP) fuel pump which is selectively connectable to a rotatable shaft of the motor, and a secondary low-pressure (LP) fluid pump which is continuously connected to the shaft. The motor continuously energizes the secondary LP fluid pump via the rotatable shaft to thereby maintain the threshold fluid pressure during a first or second engine state, and selectively energizes the secondary HP fuel pump via the rotatable shaft to maintain the threshold fuel pressure during the second engine state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Hsu-Chiang Miao, Kenneth J. Shoemaker, Thomas R. Brown
  • Patent number: 7775091
    Abstract: A method for determining intake air mass into the engine includes equipping an air intake system with an air meter system configured to generate a signal output having a cycle period correlatable to an intake air mass. The signal output from the air meter system is monitored during an event, and successive cycle periods of the signal output from the air meter system are determined. Intake air mass for each of the successive cycle periods is determined and integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Qi Ma
  • Publication number: 20100198613
    Abstract: A computer system (1) comprising: a system hub (11) configured to receive data signals from one or more items of equipment (13, 15), and to generate signals for transmission to a wearable computer (3) from said received data signals; a wearable display (5); and a wearable computer (3) configured to receive the signals transmitted from said system hub (11), and to display on said wearable display (5) information relating to the signals received from said system hub (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: CITY UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Peter Richard Weller, Qi Ma
  • Patent number: 7769524
    Abstract: A system and method comprises receiving a mass air flow signal having a frequency that varies based on mass air flow in an intake manifold of an engine, determining first period data from the mass air flow signal, deriving first mass data for the mass air flow signal based on the first period data, cumulating the first period data and the first mass data for N cylinder events, wherein N is an integer greater than 1, and calculating a mass air flow between the N cylinder events from the cumulated first period data and the cumulated first mass data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventors: Nicholas John Kalweit, Layne K. Wiggins, Qi Ma
  • Patent number: 7712445
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing pressurized fuel for an engine includes an engine starting apparatus including an electric motor operative to crank the engine and a fuel pump operatively coupled to the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, William C. Albertson, Frederick J. Rozario
  • Publication number: 20100100301
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a direct start engine, an automatic transmission having a threshold fluid pressure sufficient for enabling operation of the transmission when the engine is off, a controller, and a fuel delivery system. The controller determines the presence of predetermined engine states, and optimizes a stop-and-go functionality of the engine. The fuel delivery system includes a motor and an integrated pump assembly having a secondary high-pressure (HP) fuel pump which is selectively connectable to a rotatable shaft of the motor, and a secondary low-pressure (LP) fluid pump which is continuously connected to the shaft. The motor continuously energizes the secondary LP fluid pump via the rotatable shaft to thereby maintain the threshold fluid pressure during a first or second engine state, and selectively energizes the secondary HP fuel pump via the rotatable shaft to maintain the threshold fuel pressure during the second engine state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Hsu-Chiang Miao, Kenneth J. Shoemaker, Thomas R. Brown
  • Patent number: 7690344
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a direct-start engine and a fuel rail with a threshold fuel pressure, a transmission having a threshold fluid pressure, and a fuel delivery system. The system has a controller, a motor having a shaft, and an integrated pump assembly including a high-pressure (HP) fuel pump and a low-pressure (LP) fluid pump each connected to the shaft. Threshold pressures are maintained during the predetermined engine state, which includes an engine idling and an engine cranking state. A method for providing stop-and-go functionality in a vehicle having a direct-start engine includes detecting a current engine state, rotating a motor shaft to energize a secondary HP fuel pump at a first threshold pressure during engine cranking, and rotating the shaft to energize an LP fluid pump at a second threshold pressure during engine idling and engine cranking. The secondary pumps can also be used when primary pumps are temporarily inoperable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Hsu-Chiang Miao, Kenneth J. Shoemaker, Thomas R. Brown
  • Publication number: 20100082219
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block defining at least one cylinder therein. A cylinder head is attached to the engine block and defines a combustion chamber with the at least one cylinder in the engine block. A piston is disposed within the at least one cylinder. A glow plug is disposed within the combustion chamber. A resistance of the glow plug is detected and an estimated combustion temperature is determined based upon the detected resistance of the glow plug. The engine is then controlled based upon the estimated combustion temperature established from the glow plug resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Qi Ma
  • Patent number: 7683799
    Abstract: A system for determining the position of a rotating wheel using RFID. In one embodiment, the system includes a position sensing wheel mounted to one or both of a crankshaft and a camshaft in the engine. A plurality of RFID tags are disposed at predetermined intervals around the wheel, and an RFID transceiver is positioned proximate the wheel. As the wheel rotates, the RFID transceiver transmits a signal that interrogates the RFID tags, which then transmit a coded signal to the transceiver identifying the wheel's position relative to the transceiver. Therefore, regardless of the position of the wheel, the RFID transceiver can interrogate the closest RFID tag and immediately know the position of the engine so that an engine controller can provide fuel and spark to the cylinders as soon as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Qi Ma
  • Publication number: 20100018505
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a direct-start engine and a fuel rail with a threshold fuel pressure, a transmission having a threshold fluid pressure, and a fuel delivery system. The system has a controller, a motor having a shaft, and an integrated pump assembly including a high-pressure (HP) fuel pump and a low-pressure (LP) fluid pump each connected to the shaft. Threshold pressures are maintained during the predetermined engine state, which includes an engine idling and an engine cranking state. A method for providing stop-and-go functionality in a vehicle having a direct-start engine includes detecting a current engine state, rotating a motor shaft to energize a secondary HP fuel pump at a first threshold pressure during engine cranking, and rotating the shaft to energize an LP fluid pump at a second threshold pressure during engine idling and engine cranking. The secondary pumps can also be used when primary pumps are temporarily inoperable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Hsu-Chiang Miao, Kenneth J. Shoemaker, Thomas R. Brown
  • Patent number: 7647162
    Abstract: A fuel control system for an internal combustion engine includes a first module that determines a corrected injected fuel mass based on an engine temperature and a measured burned fuel mass and a second module that determines a raw injected fuel mass based on the corrected injected fuel mass and the engine temperature. A third module regulates fueling to a cylinder of the engine based on the raw injected fuel mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Stephen Yurkovich, Kenneth P. Dudek, Stephen K. Fulcher, Robert X. Monchamp
  • Publication number: 20090198431
    Abstract: The disclosure sets forth operating a spark-ignition, direct-fuel injection internal combustion engine, including transitioning the engine from operating in a stratified charge combustion mode to operating in a homogeneous charge combustion mode. External EGR flow is discontinued, and an in-cylinder trapped air mass and an in-cylinder EGR mass in an air intake system of the engine are estimated. Engine throttle position is controlled to achieve trajectories for air/fuel ratio and the in-cylinder EGR mass determined based upon the estimated in-cylinder trapped air mass and the in-cylinder EGR mass in the air intake system. A double-injection fueling strategy and a single-injection fueling are used during the transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Cleary, Jyh-Shin Chen, Qi Ma
  • Publication number: 20090193795
    Abstract: The disclosure sets forth operating a spark-ignition, direct-fuel injection internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust aftertreatment system including a lean-NOx adsorber device. The engine is operated substantially un-throttled and at a lean air/fuel ratio and a first fuel pulse is injected to meet an engine output torque during a compression stroke of each engine cycle prior to a spark-ignition event. When regeneration of the lean-NOx adsorber device is commanded, a second fuel pulse is injected during a second engine stroke of each engine cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Cleary, Qi Ma, Kevin L. Perry, Thompson M. Sloane, Paul M. Najt
  • Patent number: 7565892
    Abstract: The disclosure sets forth operating a spark-ignition, direct-fuel injection internal combustion engine, including transitioning the engine from operating in a stratified charge combustion mode to operating in a homogeneous charge combustion mode. External EGR flow is discontinued, and an in-cylinder trapped air mass and an in-cylinder EGR mass in an air intake system of the engine are estimated. Engine throttle position is controlled to achieve trajectories for air/fuel ratio and the in-cylinder EGR mass determined based upon the estimated in-cylinder trapped air mass and the in-cylinder EGR mass in the air intake system. A double-injection fueling strategy and a single-injection fueling are used during the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Cleary, Jyh-Shin Chen, Qi Ma