Patents by Inventor Rebecca J Darr

Rebecca J Darr 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: 8478565
    Abstract: A method of monitoring soot mass in a particulate filter of an exhaust system includes determining a pressure differential across the filter, obtaining a first soot mass estimate by fitting the determined pressure differential to a first stored database of measured or modeled pressure differentials and corresponding measured soot masses taken during filter regeneration using a substantially similar filter previously loaded following a complete filter regeneration, and obtaining a second soot mass estimate by fitting the determined pressure differential to a second stored database of measured or modeled pressure differentials and corresponding measured soot masses taken during filter regeneration using a substantially similar filter loaded following an incomplete filter regeneration. Actual soot mass is estimated by calculating a weighted sum of the first and second soot mass estimates with weighting based on operating parameters indicative of regeneration efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Raffaello Ardanese, Michelangelo Ardanese, Rebecca J. Darr, Paul Jasinkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8454916
    Abstract: A dosing control system for a vehicle includes a current storage module, an adaption triggering module, and an adaption ending module. The current storage module estimates an amount of ammonia stored by a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. The adaptation triggering module triggers a reduction of the amount of ammonia stored by the SCR catalyst to zero when a first amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) measured by a first NOx sensor located downstream of the SCR catalyst is greater than a predicted value of the first amount of NOx. The adaptation ending module selectively ends the reduction and enables injection of dosing agent based on a comparison of the first amount of NOx with a second amount of NOx upstream of the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventors: James M. Perrin, Rebecca J. Darr, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Jason Daniel Mullins, Kyle E. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20130125529
    Abstract: A method for controlling regeneration within an after-treatment component of a compression-ignition engine comprises calculating an initial estimate of accumulated particulate matter based on a pressure-based soot accumulation model and a pressure drop index indicative of a decrease in pressure across the component. An adjusted estimate of accumulated particulate matter in the component is calculated based on the initial estimate and a soot prediction error inherent in the soot model. The adjusted estimate is compared to a predetermined threshold associated with the after-treatment component, and a remedial action is initiated when the adjusted estimate of accumulated particulate matter in the after-treatment component exceeds the predetermined threshold. The pressure-based soot accumulation model may be configured to predict soot accumulation in the absence of passive regeneration, and an adjusted kinetic burn model may be used to estimate a quantity of soot disposed through passive regeneration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: GM TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michelangelo Ardanese, Rebecca J. Darr, Raffaello Ardanese, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Min Sun
  • Publication number: 20130111877
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of regenerating a particulate filter includes flowing an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into a particulate filter and determining a particulate level in the particulate filter. The method also includes performing a primary regeneration when the particulate level is below a first value, the primary regeneration including flowing exhaust gas with a selected amount of hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas into the particulate filter, and performing a secondary regeneration when the particulate level is above the first value, the secondary regeneration including flowing exhaust gas with an increased amount of nitrogen oxide into the particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Larose, JR., David Michael Vanburen, John A. Catalogna, Christopher Whitt, Rebecca J. Darr
  • Patent number: 8429898
    Abstract: A dosing control system for a vehicle includes an adaption triggering module, a dosing management module, and an adaption ending module. The adaptation triggering module triggers performance of an adaptation event when a first amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) measured by a first NOx sensor located downstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst is greater than a predicted value of the first amount of NOx. The dosing management module disables dosing agent injection during the adaptation event. The adaptation ending module selectively delays ending the adaptation event after a predetermined number of phases of the adaption event have been completed based on a comparison of the first amount of NOx with a second amount of NOx measured by a second NOx sensor located upstream of the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Rebecca J. Darr, James M. Perrin, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Jason Daniel Mullins, Kyle E. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8424372
    Abstract: A method of establishing a mass flow rate of air entering an engine includes establishing an input voltage by an energy supply device to energize a mass-air-flow sensor. The method also includes generating an output frequency via the mass-air-flow sensor in response to the mass flow rate of air entering the engine and determining the flow rate using the generated output frequency. The method additionally includes comparing the generated output frequency with a predetermined threshold output frequency that corresponds to the established input voltage. Additionally, the method includes selecting the determined flow rate as the established flow rate if the generated output frequency is at or below the predetermined threshold output frequency. Furthermore, the method includes selecting a predetermined alternative algorithm to generate the established flow rate if the generated output frequency is above the predetermined threshold output frequency. A system for establishing the mass flow rate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Christopher Sarsen, Christopher Whitt, Rebecca J. Darr
  • Patent number: 8413432
    Abstract: A regeneration control system for a vehicle includes a regeneration control module and a regeneration interrupt module. The regeneration control module selectively provides fuel to an oxidation catalyst for a regeneration event of a particulate filter that occurs during a predetermined melting period for frozen dosing agent. The regeneration interrupt module selectively interrupts the regeneration event and disables the provision of fuel to the oxidation catalyst before the regeneration event is complete when a temperature of a dosing agent injector that is located between the oxidation catalyst and the particulate filter is greater than a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Jason Daniel Mullins, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Kyle E. Crawford, Justin A. Shetney, Rebecca J. Darr
  • Patent number: 8413427
    Abstract: A dosing control system for a vehicle includes a pump control module and an enabling/disabling module. The pump control module controls a pump that provides dosing agent to a dosing agent injector located upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst in an exhaust system. The enabling/disabling module disables the pump for a predetermined melting period after engine startup when the dosing agent is frozen and selectively activates the pump during the predetermined melting period to cool the dosing agent injector when a tip temperature of the dosing agent injector is greater than a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Jason Daniel Mullins, Justin A. Shetney, Kyle E. Crawford, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Rebecca J Darr
  • Publication number: 20130025266
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided and includes an exhaust gas conduit, a hydrocarbon supply, a particulate filter (“PF”), at least one sensor, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a control module. The PF is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit and has a filter structure for removal of particulates in the exhaust gas. The filter structure has an innermost region and an outermost region. The PF is selectively regenerated during operation of the internal combustion engine. The PF has a stratified temperature structure that causes the particulates trapped at the innermost region of the PF burn off before the particulates trapped in the outermost region of the PF during regeneration. The control module has a memory with an infinite stage temperature control curve stored thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jianwen LI, Rahul Mital, Michael V. Taylor, Thomas Larose, JR., Thomas J. Sobtzak, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Rebecca J. Darr
  • Patent number: 8359828
    Abstract: A method and system of controlling an engine includes a control system includes an exhaust gas flow rate module generating an exhaust gas flow rate signal corresponding to a flow rate of exhaust gases. The control system further includes a temperature adjustment module that determines a temperature correction factor based on the exhaust gas flow rate and that determines a corrected temperature particulate sensor signal in response to a measured particulate temperature signal and the temperature correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Larose, Jr., Rebecca J Darr
  • Publication number: 20120291421
    Abstract: A control method for an exhaust treatment system is provided. The method includes: selectively determining a fluid state from a plurality of fluid states based on a temperature of a fluid supply source; estimating an average consumption rate based on the fluid state; and evaluating a fluid supply within the fluid supply source based on the average consumption rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca J. Darr, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Matthew King
  • Publication number: 20120279291
    Abstract: A method of establishing a mass flow rate of air entering an engine includes establishing an input voltage by an energy supply device to energize a mass-air-flow sensor. The method also includes generating an output frequency via the mass-air-flow sensor in response to the mass flow rate of air entering the engine and determining the flow rate using the generated output frequency. The method additionally includes comparing the generated output frequency with a predetermined threshold output frequency that corresponds to the established input voltage. Additionally, the method includes selecting the determined flow rate as the established flow rate if the generated output frequency is at or below the predetermined threshold output frequency. Furthermore, the method includes selecting a predetermined alternative algorithm to generate the established flow rate if the generated output frequency is above the predetermined threshold output frequency. A system for establishing the mass flow rate is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: DOUGLAS CHRISTOPHER SARSEN, CHRISTOPHER WHITT, REBECCA J. DARR
  • Publication number: 20120272638
    Abstract: A method of regenerating a particulate filter of an exhaust system is provided. The method includes determining a first regeneration mode based on a soot level; generating control signals to a first fuel injector associated with an engine based on the first regeneration mode; determining a second regeneration mode based on the soot level; and generating control signal to a second fuel injector associated with an exhaust stream of the exhaust system based on the second regeneration mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul Jasinkiewicz, Rebecca J. Darr, James M. Perrin, Steve L. Melby
  • Publication number: 20120233984
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an exhaust system, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device, a first and a second NOx sensor configured to respectively measure an upstream and a downstream NOx level, and a controller or host machine. The controller, via the present method, calculates a NOx conversion efficiency rate of the SCR device using the NOx levels from the sensors. At the end of a key cycle when an accumulated amount of upstream NOx is less than a calibrated upstream NOx level, the controller determines if the NOx conversion efficiency rate is presently passing or failing. The accumulated upstream NOx is recorded in memory for use in calculating the NOx conversion efficiency rate during a subsequent key cycle only when the NOx conversion efficiency rate is presently passing at the end of the key cycle. A control system for the vehicle uses the controller and sensors as noted above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Levijoki, Rebecca J. Darr, Steve L. Melby
  • Publication number: 20120198820
    Abstract: An amount of particulate matter accumulated in a particulate filter of an exhaust system is estimated by preloading a memory location with a plurality of hybrid models. Each hybrid model estimates an amount of particulate matter accumulated in the particulate filter between a pair of operating points. An estimated amount of particulate matter accumulated in the particulate filter is stored in the memory location for each hybrid model. Each hybrid model is ranked based on estimation accuracy during operating conditions and the highest ranked hybrid model is selected. The estimated amount of particulate matter accumulated in the particulate filter corresponding to the highest ranked hybrid model is added to the soot estimation value stored in the memory location that corresponds to a ranked hybrid model to provide a soot estimation value of a cumulative estimated amount of particulate matter contained in the particulate filter for the ranked hybrid model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Raffaello Ardanese, Rebecca J. Darr, Michelangelo Ardanese, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Christopher Whitt
  • Publication number: 20120151900
    Abstract: A method unloads hydrocarbon emissions deposited by an exhaust gas on an after-treatment device that is employed in an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine. The method includes determining whether the engine has been operating at a preset idle speed for a predetermined amount of time. The method also includes increasing the preset idle speed by a predetermined value if the engine has been operating at a preset idle speed for a predetermined amount of time. The increasing of the engine idle speed increases a flow rate of the exhaust gas to the after-treatment device and unloads the deposited hydrocarbon emissions. A system for unloading hydrocarbon emissions deposited on an after-treatment device and a vehicle employing such a system are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Whitt, Rebecca J. Darr, Thomas Larose, JR., Sarah Funk
  • Publication number: 20120123630
    Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a level of diesel-exhaust-fluid (DEF) in a reservoir that is operatively connected to a catalyst for a diesel engine. The method is employed in a vehicle in order to facilitate a refill of the reservoir. The method includes sensing a level of diesel fuel in a fuel tank via a sensor operatively connected to the tank. The method also includes determining whether the vehicle is on an incline using the sensed level of diesel fuel in the fuel tank. The method additionally includes determining the level of DEF in the reservoir if the vehicle is determined to be substantially not on an incline. A system is also provided for detecting a level of DEF in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew King, Rebecca J. Darr
  • Patent number: 8146351
    Abstract: An exhaust control system includes a temperature sensor, a temperature estimation module, and an exhaust condition adjustment module. The temperature sensor measures an outlet temperature of an exhaust gas downstream from an emission reduction device. The temperature estimation module estimates a highest temperature of the emission reduction device. The exhaust condition adjustment module controls operation of the exhaust control system based on the highest temperature of the emission reduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Jianwen Li, Michael Christopher Luckham, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Rebecca J Darr, Rahul Mital
  • Publication number: 20120006003
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes determining if a diesel emission fluid is at least partially frozen, and determining if the vehicle is currently operating in a low diesel emission fluid inducement protocol. If the vehicle is not currently operating in the low diesel emission fluid inducement protocol, and the diesel emission fluid is at least partially frozen, then a temporary minimum diesel emission fluid mass may be defined to prevent entry of the vehicle into the low diesel emission fluid inducement protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Rebecca J. Darr, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Kyle E. Crawford, Jason Daniel Mullins, Matthew King
  • Publication number: 20120000187
    Abstract: A regeneration control system for a vehicle includes a regeneration control module and a regeneration interrupt module. The regeneration control module selectively provides fuel to an oxidation catalyst for a regeneration event of a particulate filter that occurs during a predetermined melting period for frozen dosing agent. The regeneration interrupt module selectively interrupts the regeneration event and disables the provision of fuel to the oxidation catalyst before the regeneration event is complete when a temperature of a dosing agent injector that is located between the oxidation catalyst and the particulate filter is greater than a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Daniel Mullins, Paul Jasinkiewicz, Kyle E. Crawford, Justin A. Shetney, Rebecca J. Darr