Patents by Inventor Robert Roy

Robert Roy 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).

  • Correlation based fuel tank leak detection
    Patent number: 9857266
    Abstract: A method for an engine, comprising: sealing a fuel tank; and indicating fuel system degradation based on a comparison of a first correlation coefficient, determined based on a change in fuel tank pressure and a change in fuel tank temperature, to a second correlation coefficient determined based on a change in ambient pressure and a change in ambient temperature. In this way, leak tests, such as engine-off natural vacuum tests, may be performed without knowledge of the properties of the fuel stored in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Tseng, Imad Hassan Makki, Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Dimitar Petrov Filev
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TARGETED HEATING IN AN EVAPORATIVE FUEL VAPOR CANISTER PURGE
    Publication number: 20170370306
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an ultrasonic wave generator within a vehicle emissions control system. In one example, a frequency of ultrasonic waves may be applied to a fuel vapor canister, the frequency adjusted in response to an estimate of hydrocarbon distribution within a vapor canister received from temperature and hydrocarbon sensor outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • Estimating vehicle fuel Reid vapor pressure
    Patent number: 9850853
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating fuel volatility. During a vehicle-off condition following a refueling event, fuel volatility may be estimated by operating a fuel pump of a fuel system immediately after the refueling event while a fuel tank temperature is stable. Based on estimated fuel volatility, fuel injection amount and leak test thresholds may be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING AIR-FUEL RATIO IMBALANCE
    Publication number: 20170356363
    Abstract: Methods and systems include determining a cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance in a multi-cylinder engine. In one example, the method may include sequentially firing an engine cylinder to provide an expected air-fuel deviation and learning cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance based on an error between an actual air-fuel ratio deviation from a maximum lean air-fuel ratio relative to an expected air-fuel deviation during a deceleration fuel shut-off event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Hassene Jammoussi, Imad Hassan Makki, Michael Igor Kluzner, Gopichandra Surnilla, Robert Roy Jentz
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AIR-FUEL RATIO CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170356380
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for learning fuel injector error for cylinder groups during a deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO), where all cylinders of an engine are deactivated, sequentially firing each cylinder of a cylinder group, each cylinder fueled via consecutive first and second fuel pulses of differing fuel pulse width from an injector. Based on a lambda deviation between the first and second pulses, a fuel error for the injector and an air-fuel ratio imbalance for each cylinder is learned. Alternatively or additionally, a difference in crankshaft acceleration between the first and second pulses relative to the expected deviation may be used to learn torque error, and adjust fuel injector error and air-ratio imbalance for each cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Hassene Jammoussi, Robert Roy Jentz, Michael Igor Kluzner, Stephen B. Smith
  • Fuel vapor line diagnostics
    Patent number: 9840985
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing fuel vapor leaks due to un-latching of quick connectors in interfaces of a fuel vapor system. In one example, a method may include using positive pressure generated in the intake manifold by reverse rotation of the engine unfueled, to detect un-latching of quick connectors in the fuel vapor system. After the positive pressure test, a negative pressure test is performed on the fuel vapor system to confirm any un-latching of quick connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING AIR-FUEL IMBALANCE
    Publication number: 20170350332
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to determine air-fuel imbalance of cylinders in a variable displacement engine. In one example, the method may include during a cylinder deactivation event, sequentially deactivating each cylinder of a cylinder group including two or more cylinders and estimating a lambda deviation for each cylinder following the sequential deactivation of each cylinder of the cylinder group; and learning an air error for each cylinder based on the estimated lambda deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, John Eric Rollinger
  • Method and system for humidity sensor diagnostics
    Patent number: 9828949
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Robert Roy Jentz, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Richard E. Soltis
  • Method for triggering a vehicle system monitor
    Patent number: 9824505
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the frequency of attempting and successfully completing one or more on-board diagnostic routines. Engine operating conditions are predicted based on a vehicle operator's driving pattern and routines are initiated if the predicted conditions match the conditions required for performing the routine. If the conditions do not match, entry and/or execution conditions of the routine are adjusted to better match the predicted conditions, so as to enable the routine to be attempted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Tseng, Imad Hassan Makki, Robert Roy Jentz, Aed M. Dudar, Dimitar Petrov Filev, John Ottavio Michelini
  • Adjusting diagnostic tests based on collected vehicle data
    Patent number: 9824512
    Abstract: A system comprising a processor is programmed to receive, from a plurality of vehicles, sets of diagnostic test data relating to a performed diagnostic test. Each set of diagnostic test data includes a test output value and one or more corresponding test condition values. The processor is further programmed to select some of the test output values based on selecting a function to relate the test output value to test output values from different sets of diagnostic data. The processor is further programmed to provide the test output value and the corresponding test conditions values as input to the selected function to obtain a plurality of scaled test output values; and generate an adjustment to the diagnostic test based at least in part on the scaled test output values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Finn Tseng, Imad Hassan Makki, Pankaj Kumar, Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Network based sharing of automated fuel characteristics
    Patent number: 9822713
    Abstract: A system of one or more computers configured to perform operations or actions by virtue of having software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them installed on the system that causes the system to perform the actions. The programs can be configured to perform operations, when executed by computer, cause the computer to perform the actions. One general aspect includes a system, a program to initiate an evaporative control engine off natural vacuum test in a vehicle and identify a geolocation where a fuel was obtained for the vehicle. The system then determines an e100 value and an e0 value for a temperature of the fuel and determines a vehicle percentage of ethanol of the fuel using at least the e100 value, the e0 value, a timestamp, and a fuel tank pressure and adjusts at least one engine parameter based upon the percentage of ethanol of the first fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Tseng, Imad Hassan Makki, Pankaj Kumar, Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Method for determining an offset of a manifold pressure sensor
    Patent number: 9810171
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining an offset of a manifold pressure sensor. In one example, an engine method may include indicating degradation of the manifold pressure sensor based on a sensor offset, the sensor offset based on a manifold pressure measured at a first throttle angle, a barometric pressure at a second throttle angle, a reference manifold pressure at the first throttle angle and reference barometric pressure, and the reference barometric pressure. Further, the method may include adjusting an output of the manifold pressure sensor by the determined sensor offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rommel Racelis, John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENGINE COOLANT SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS
    Publication number: 20170314455
    Abstract: Methods are provided for engine coolant system diagnostics. In one example, engine coolant system malfunction is indicated based on an engine coolant temperature inference model, whereas in another example engine coolant system malfunction is indicated based on a time-based monitor, where the inference model is enabled at ambient temperatures above a predetermined threshold, and where the time-based monitor is enabled at ambient temperatures below the predetermined threshold. In this way, accurate engine coolant system diagnosis may be accomplished under ambient temperature conditions wherein the engine coolant temperature inference model may be compromised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Sitaram Rejeti, Robert Roy Jentz, Aed M. Dudar, John Smiley, III, Joseph Lyle Thomas
  • Crankcase integrity breach detection
    Patent number: 9790885
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using a crankcase vent tube pressure or flow sensor for diagnosing a location and nature of crankcase system integrity breach. The same sensor can also be used for diagnosing air filter plugging and PCV valve degradation. Use of an existing sensor to diagnose multiple engine components provides cost reduction and sensor compaction benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Cooling system diagnostic method
    Patent number: 9790842
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine cooling system is provided. The method includes monitoring a coolant temperature profile after engine shut-down and indicating a low coolant level based on the coolant temperature profile determined after engine shut-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Method and system for determining air-fuel ratio imbalance via engine torque
    Patent number: 9759148
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for assessing the presence or absence of engine torque deviation which may indicate air-fuel ratio imbalance between engine cylinders. In one example, the method may include assessing the presence or absence of engine torque variation based on engine torque deviation from a desired engine torque during a deceleration fuel shut-off event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassene Jammoussi, Imad Hassan Makki, Michael Igor Kluzner, Robert Roy Jentz
  • SIX DEGREE OF FREEDOM AERIAL VEHICLE WITH OFFSET PROPULSION MECHANISMS
    Publication number: 20170253332
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), which includes a plurality of maneuverability propulsion mechanisms that enable the aerial vehicle to move in any of the six degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, pitch, yaw, and roll). The aerial vehicle may also include a lifting propulsion mechanism that operates to generate a force sufficient to maintain the aerial vehicle at an altitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Roy Champagne, JR., Gur Kimchi, Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Ricky Dean Welsh
  • SIX DEGREE OF FREEDOM AERIAL VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20170253329
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), which includes a plurality of maneuverability propulsion mechanisms that enable the aerial vehicle to move in any of the six degrees of freedom (surge, sway, heave, pitch, yaw, and roll). The aerial vehicle may also include a lifting propulsion mechanism that operates to generate a force sufficient to maintain the aerial vehicle at an altitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Roy Champagne, JR., Louis LeRoi LeGrand, III, Nicholas Hampel Roberts, Ricky Dean Welsh
  • Wheel
    Patent number: D801252
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Roy McMath
  • Wheel
    Patent number: D803129
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Roy McMath