Patents by Inventor Qiuping Qu

Qiuping Qu 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).

  • Method and system for improving fouled spark plug detection
    Patent number: 11598307
    Abstract: Methods and systems to determine a presence or absence of engine misfire or spark plug fouling are presented. In one example, rates of change in engine speed are arranged in engine data blocks and root mean square values for the rates of change in engine speed are determined. The presence or absence of engine misfire or spark plug fouling may be based at least in part on the root mean square values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qiuping Qu, Rani Kiwan, Robert Sarow Baskins, Chris Paul Glugla, Imtiaz Ali
  • Method and system for engine control
    Patent number: 11359566
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for protecting an exhaust catalyst from degradation during a DFSO event. Exit from DFSO due to pedal input received from an operator with a jittery foot is averted by filtering the pedal input differently when operating in a DFSO mode as compared to when operating out of the DFSO mode. Exit from DFSO is confirmed after receiving a higher than threshold pedal position input for a sustained period of time, or when an integrated fuel injection amount exceeds a threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGINE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20210040905
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for protecting an exhaust catalyst from degradation during a DFSO event. Exit from DFSO due to pedal input received from an operator with a jittery foot is averted by filtering the pedal input differently when operating in a DFSO mode as compared to when operating out of the DFSO mode. Exit from DFSO is confirmed after receiving a higher than threshold pedal position input for a sustained period of time, or when an integrated fuel injection amount exceeds a threshold amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • System and method for monitoring an ignition system
    Patent number: 10900461
    Abstract: A system for monitoring and cleaning a spark plug is disclosed. In one example, rim firing of a spark plug is detected according to characteristics of a voltage of a primary coil of an ignition coil. The system may institute spark plug cleaning after rim firing of a spark plug is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garlan Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AN IGNITION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200284234
    Abstract: A system for monitoring and cleaning a spark plug is disclosed. In one example, rim firing of a spark plug is detected according to characteristics of a voltage of a primary coil of an ignition coil. The system may institute spark plug cleaning after rim firing of a spark plug is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Garlan Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • System and method for monitoring an ignition system
    Patent number: 10711758
    Abstract: A system for monitoring and cleaning a spark plug is disclosed. In one example, rim firing of a spark plug is detected according to characteristics of a voltage of a primary coil of an ignition coil. The system may institute spark plug cleaning after rim firing of a spark plug is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garlan Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AN IGNITION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200072179
    Abstract: A system for monitoring and cleaning a spark plug is disclosed. In one example, rim firing of a spark plug is detected according to characteristics of a voltage of a primary coil of an ignition coil. The system may institute spark plug cleaning after rim firing of a spark plug is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Garlan Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • System and method for delivering spark to an engine
    Patent number: 10502176
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering spark to an engine is disclosed. In one example, a single conductor carries a spark signal that is indicative of a desired spark advance for a plurality of ignition coils. The system and method may reduce wiring complexity for spark plugs that are supplied energy via two ignition coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Damian Czekala, Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • Spark plug fouling detection for ignition system
    Patent number: 10054101
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a type of spark plug fouling. In one example, a method may include differentiating spark plug fouling due to soot accumulation from spark plug fouling due to fuel additive accumulation based on a current on a control wire of the spark plug following application of a dwell command. Further, exhaust oxygen sensor degradation and/or exhaust catalyst degradation may be determined based on switching frequencies of one or more exhaust oxygen sensors and the type of spark plug fouling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Garlan J. Huberts, Nelson William Morrow, Qiuping Qu
  • System and method for diagnosing an ignition system
    Patent number: 9890758
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing the presence or absence of ignition coil degradation for an ignition system that includes two ignition coils for each spark plug. Ignition coil degradation may be determined without having to monitor ignition coils via specialized hardware circuitry. In one example, degradation of one or more ignition coils may be inferred from cylinder the presence or absence of cylinder misfire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala, Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • SPARK PLUG FOULING DETECTION FOR IGNITION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180023531
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a type of spark plug fouling. In one example, a method may include differentiating spark plug fouling due to soot accumulation from spark plug fouling due to fuel additive accumulation based on a current on a control wire of the spark plug following application of a dwell command. Further, exhaust oxygen sensor degradation and/or exhaust catalyst degradation may be determined based on switching frequencies of one or more exhaust oxygen sensors and the type of spark plug fouling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Garlan J. Huberts, Nelson William Morrow, Qiuping Qu
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING AN IGNITION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170350362
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing the presence or absence of ignition coil degradation for an ignition system that includes two ignition coils for each spark plug. Ignition coil degradation may be determined without having to monitor ignition coils via specialized hardware circuitry. In one example, degradation of one or more ignition coils may be inferred from cylinder the presence or absence of cylinder misfire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala, Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • Spark plug fouling detection for ignition system
    Patent number: 9835128
    Abstract: A method for determining a level of spark plug fouling and providing an indication to change the spark plugs of an ignition system is provided. The method includes providing a dwell command on a control wire of an ignition system and generating an indication of a recommendation to change a spark plug of the ignition system based upon a current on the control wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • Spark plug fouling detection for ignition system
    Patent number: 9777697
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a type of spark plug fouling. In one example, a method may include differentiating spark plug fouling due to soot accumulation from spark plug fouling due to fuel additive accumulation based on a current on a control wire of the spark plug following application of a dwell command. Further, exhaust oxygen sensor degradation and/or exhaust catalyst degradation may be determined based on switching frequencies of one or more exhaust oxygen sensors and the type of spark plug fouling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Garlan J. Huberts, Nelson William Morrow, Qiuping Qu
  • SPARK PLUG FOULING DETECTION FOR IGNITION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170268476
    Abstract: A method for determining a level of spark plug fouling and providing an indication to change the spark plugs of an ignition system is provided. The method includes providing a dwell command on a control wire of an ignition system and generating an indication of a recommendation to change a spark plug of the ignition system based upon a current on the control wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ENGINE KNOCK AND MISFIRE
    Publication number: 20170241394
    Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple commands to an ignition coil driver circuit to provide spark, ion signal integration, and ignition coil shunting during a cycle of a cylinder is presented. In one example, multiple voltage pulses are provided over a single conductor communication link. The voltage pulses provide encoded instructions for ignition timing, ignition coil shunting, and ion signal integration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • System and method for detecting engine knock and misfire
    Patent number: 9739252
    Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple commands to an ignition coil driver circuit to provide spark, ion signal integration, and ignition coil shunting during a cycle of a cylinder is presented. In one example, multiple voltage pulses are provided over a single conductor communication link. The voltage pulses provide encoded instructions for ignition timing, ignition coil shunting, and ion signal integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • System and method for operating an ignition system
    Patent number: 9695792
    Abstract: A system and method for mitigating the possibility of missing ignition coil commands is presented. In one example, one or more ignition coils may not be charged and/or discharged during a cylinder cycle in response to the absence of a voltage pulse forming at least a portion of an ignition coil command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garlan J. Huberts, Michael Damian Czekala, Qiuping Qu
  • Spark plug fouling detection for ignition system
    Patent number: 9670894
    Abstract: A method for determining a level of spark plug fouling and providing an indication to change the spark plugs of an ignition system is provided. The method includes providing a dwell command on a control wire of an ignition system and generating an indication of a recommendation to change a spark plug of the ignition system based upon a current on the control wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu
  • Dual coil ignition system
    Patent number: 9605644
    Abstract: A dual coil ignition system is provided. The dual coil ignition system includes a first inductive ignition coil including a first primary winding and a first secondary winding, and a second inductive ignition coil including a second primary winding and a second secondary winding, the second secondary winding connected in series to the first secondary winding. The dual coil ignition system further includes a diode network including a first diode and a second diode connected between the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garlan J. Huberts, Qiuping Qu, Michael Damian Czekala