Patents by Inventor Robert E. Heger

Robert E. Heger 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: 10001073
    Abstract: A catalyst control system includes a stop and start module that, during a period that the vehicle is ON between (i) a first time when the vehicle is turned ON and (i) a second time when the vehicle is next turned OFF, selectively shuts down and starts a spark ignition engine of the vehicle. A catalyst light off (CLO) control module initiates a first CLO event for a first engine startup during the period and, when a temperature of a catalyst that receives exhaust output by the engine is less than a predetermined temperature, selectively initiates a second CLO event for a second engine startup during the period. A fuel control module richens fueling of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period. A spark control module retards spark timing of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Gwidt, Robert E. Heger, Robert J. Genslak, Stephen P. Levijoki, Edward Stuteville
  • Publication number: 20170342924
    Abstract: A catalyst control system includes a stop and start module that, during a period that the vehicle is ON between (i) a first time when the vehicle is turned ON and (i) a second time when the vehicle is next turned OFF, selectively shuts down and starts a spark ignition engine of the vehicle. A catalyst light off (CLO) control module initiates a first CLO event for a first engine startup during the period and, when a temperature of a catalyst that receives exhaust output by the engine is less than a predetermined temperature, selectively initiates a second CLO event for a second engine startup during the period. A fuel control module richens fueling of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period. A spark control module retards spark timing of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: J. Michael GWIDT, Robert E. HEGER, Robert J. GENSLAK, Stephen P. LEVIJOKI, Edward STUTEVILLE
  • Patent number: 9599006
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes an oxygen storage capacity (OSC) determination module, a delay determination module, a correction module, and a fault detection module. The OSC determination module determines an OSC period of a catalyst of an exhaust system based on first and second amounts of oxygen measured using first and second oxygen sensors located upstream and downstream of the catalyst, respectively. The delay determination module determines a delay period of the second oxygen sensor. The correction module sets a corrected OSC period for the catalyst based on a difference between the OSC period and the delay period. The fault detection module selectively indicates that a fault is present in the catalyst based on the corrected OSC period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Genslak, Robert E. Heger, Edward Stuteville, Jerry J. Sheahan, Thomas J. Large
  • Publication number: 20130054083
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes an oxygen storage capacity (OSC) determination module, a delay determination module, a correction module, and a fault detection module. The OSC determination module determines an OSC period of a catalyst of an exhaust system based on first and second amounts of oxygen measured using first and second oxygen sensors located upstream and downstream of the catalyst, respectively. The delay determination module determines a delay period of the second oxygen sensor. The correction module sets a corrected OSC period for the catalyst based on a difference between the OSC period and the delay period. The fault detection module selectively indicates that a fault is present in the catalyst based on the corrected OSC period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Genslak, Robert E. Heger, Edward Stuteville, Jerry J. Sheahan, Thomas J. Large