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).

  • Method for air/fuel imbalance detection
    Patent number: 9752517
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring air/fuel imbalance in cylinders of an engine. In one example method, air/fuel ratio of a cylinder is modulated to produce a series of rich, lean, and stoichiometric conditions in the cylinder and corresponding crank accelerations are measured to calculate a peak function indicating an air/fuel ratio in the cylinder. The peak function is calculated over a plurality of modulations to provide a more reliable computation of the air/fuel ratio of the cylinder and its deviation from a pre-determined air/fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz, Michael Igor Kluzner
  • METHOD FOR REDUCING CYLINDER AIR-FUEL RATIO IMBALANCE
    Publication number: 20170241369
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for monitoring air/fuel imbalance in cylinders of an engine. Engine speed signals are sampled and then run through a notch filter set to the sampling frequency. Based on a first frequency content of the resulting filtered engine speed, cylinder imbalance is detected and addressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Hassene Jammoussi, Imad Hassan Makki, Robert Roy Jentz, Michael Igor Kluzner
  • Fuel system leak detection using passive valves
    Patent number: 9739248
    Abstract: Methods and systems for fuel system leak detection using passive canister vent valves are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises generating engine off vacuum or pressure in a fuel system for leak diagnostics, where the pressure and vacuum are held via first and second mechanical relief valves positioned in parallel with one another and without a valve holding current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Mark W. Peters
  • Method for estimating charge air cooler condensation storage and/or release with two intake oxygen sensors
    Patent number: 9732690
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating water storage in a charge air cooler (CAC). In one example, engine operation may be adjusted responsive to water storage parameters at the CAC, the water storage parameters based on an output of a first oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the CAC and a second oxygen sensor positioned upstream of the CAC. Further, operation of the first oxygen sensor and the second oxygen sensor may be diagnosed during certain engine operation conditions wherein no condensate is forming in the CAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz, Rommel Racelis
  • ADJUSTING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS BASED ON COLLECTED VEHICLE DATA
    Publication number: 20170228946
    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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Finn Tseng, Imad Hassan Makki, Pankaj Kumar, Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Capless refueling system cleaning using engine vacuum
    Patent number: 9724736
    Abstract: Methods and systems for cleaning a capless refueling system in a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a leak detected following a refueling event, cleaning the capless refueling system using engine vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Scott A. Bohr, Russell Randall Pearce
  • NETWORK BASED SHARING OF AUTOMATED FUEL CHARACTERISTICS
    Publication number: 20170211489
    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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Tseng, Imad Hassan Makki, Pankaj Kumar, Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Crankcase integrity breach detection
    Patent number: 9714590
    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: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • METHOD FOR ESTIMATING CHARGE AIR COOLER CONDENSATION STORAGE AND/OR RELEASE WITH TWO INTAKE OXYGEN SENSORS
    Publication number: 20170191435
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating water storage in a charge air cooler (CAC). In one example, engine operation may be adjusted responsive to water storage parameters at the CAC, the water storage parameters based on an output of a first oxygen sensor positioned downstream of the CAC and a second oxygen sensor positioned upstream of the CAC. Further, operation of the first oxygen sensor and the second oxygen sensor may be diagnosed during certain engine operation conditions wherein no condensate is forming in the CAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Robert Roy Jentz, Rommel Racelis
  • Evaporative emissions testing based on historical and forecast weather data
    Patent number: 9696234
    Abstract: A method for a vehicle, comprising: initiating an engine-off natural vacuum test based on an ambient temperature change potential over a testing duration. The ambient temperature change potential may be based on historic weather data and further based on forecast weather data. In this way, the engine-off natural vacuum test may be executed only when conditions favor an in-tank temperature change significant enough to cause a threshold change in fuel tank pressure, thus reducing the number of aborted tests and increasing the test's overall performance metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Finn Tseng, Imad Hassan Makki, Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Hsin-hsiang Yang
  • System and methods for mechanical vacuum pump exhaust
    Patent number: 9689350
    Abstract: A system for an engine is provided, the system comprising a vacuum pump at least partially deposed within an engine crankcase, and a fuel vapor canister coupled to an exhaust conduit of the vacuum pump via a one-way valve. By coupling the vacuum pump exhaust to the fuel vapor canister, unmetered fuel vapor flow to the engine intake may be reduced, thus decreasing engine stall events. Further, crankcase pressure may more accurately represent airflow through the crankcase via a crankcase ventilation system, thereby improving the accuracy of crankcase ventilation diagnostics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Method and system for determining air-fuel ratio imbalance
    Patent number: 9683506
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for assessing the presence or absence of cylinder air-fuel ratio deviation that may result in air-fuel ratio imbalance between engine cylinders. In one example, the method may include assessing the presence or absence of air-fuel ratio errors based on deviation from an expected air-fuel ratio during a deceleration fuel shut-off event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassene Jammoussi, Imad Hassan Makki, Michael I. Kluzner, Robert Roy Jentz
  • Pair of rear inside fenders
    Patent number: D790418
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Roy McMath
  • Vehicle bumper
    Patent number: D792817
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Roy McMath
  • Vehicle bumper
    Patent number: D792818
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Roy McMath
  • Tire carrier
    Patent number: D792826
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Roy McMath
  • Vehicle bumper
    Patent number: D793304
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Roy McMath
  • Vehicle bumper
    Patent number: D793305
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Roy McMath
  • Vehicle bumper
    Patent number: D794519
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Roy McMath
  • Vehicle bumper
    Patent number: D795142
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Roy McMath