Patents by Inventor Ronald J. Kubani

Ronald J. Kubani 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: 10916370
    Abstract: An engine ignition coil assembly disclosed herein provides an ignition coil housing that may be mounted on an engine block assembly and that is isolated from engine vibrations. The engine ignition coil assembly comprises an ignition coil housing. The ignition coil housing contains an ignition coil apparatus. An electrical connector for the ignition coil apparatus is mounted to the ignition coil housing. An elastomeric boot supports the ignition coil housing and may be disposed on an engine block assembly such that ignition coil housing is spaced apart from the engine block assembly by the elastomeric boot. A single fastener extends through a fastener opening in the ignition coil housing parallel with the elastomeric boot. An elastomeric isolator is disposed on the ignition coil housing at the fastener opening around the single fastener. A proximal end of the single fastener may be fixed to the engine block assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Kubani, Coburn C. Bland, Jr., Sean M. Whitaker
  • Publication number: 20190279814
    Abstract: An engine ignition coil assembly disclosed herein provides an ignition coil housing that may be mounted on an engine block assembly and that is isolated from engine vibrations. The engine ignition coil assembly comprises an ignition coil housing. The ignition coil housing contains an ignition coil apparatus. An electrical connector for the ignition coil apparatus is mounted to the ignition coil housing. An elastomeric boot supports the ignition coil housing and may be disposed on an engine block assembly such that ignition coil housing is spaced apart from the engine block assembly by the elastomeric boot. A single fastener extends through a fastener opening in the ignition coil housing parallel with the elastomeric boot. An elastomeric isolator is disposed on the ignition coil housing at the fastener opening around the single fastener. A proximal end of the single fastener may be fixed to the engine block assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Kubani, Coburn C. Bland, JR., Sean M. Whitaker
  • Patent number: 9506381
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a valve lift determination module and a fault detection module. The valve lift determination module determines valve lift based on at least one of a first period when a valve is open and N differences between a first value of a valve lift signal generated by a valve lift sensor when the valve is closed and a second value of the valve lift signal when the valve is open, wherein N is an integer greater than one. The fault detection module detects a fault in a valve actuator based on the valve lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Kubani, Scott T. Feldmann, Donovan L. Dibble
  • Publication number: 20150218978
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a valve lift determination module and a fault detection module. The valve lift determination module determines valve lift based on at least one of a first period when a valve is open and N differences between a first value of a valve lift signal generated by a valve lift sensor when the valve is closed and a second value of the valve lift signal when the valve is open, wherein N is an integer greater than one. The fault detection module detects a fault in a valve actuator based on the valve lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: RONALD J. KUBANI, Scott T. Feldmann, Donovan L. Dibble
  • Patent number: 7814874
    Abstract: A camshaft (cam) phaser control system for an engine includes a first camshaft having a first target wheel. A second camshaft has a second target wheel. A cam position sensor detects said first and second target wheels and generates camshaft position data based on said first and second target wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald J. Kubani, Coburn C. Bland, Jr., Anthony L. Marks
  • Patent number: 7607415
    Abstract: An engine system that compensates for disturbances in a crankshaft signal is provided. The system includes: an error module that computes an error between an ideal period and an actual period of a crankshaft signal; a correction factor module that determines a correction factor based on the error; and a compensation module that applies the correction factor to the actual period of the crankshaft signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Mathews, Tameem K. Assaf, Ronald J. Kubani, David L. St. Pierre, Yong Xu
  • Patent number: 7519465
    Abstract: A method of correlating a rotational position of a crankshaft to a rotational position of a camshaft includes determining a stretch value of a timing connection, which drivingly couples the crankshaft and the camshaft, and calculating a crankshaft to camshaft rotational position value indicative of the rotational position of the crankshaft with respect to the rotational position of the camshaft. The crankshaft to camshaft rotational position value is compensated based on the stretch value to provide a compensated crankshaft to camshaft rotational position value and whether the rotational position of the crankshaft correlates to the rotational position of the camshaft is determined based on the compensated crankshaft to camshaft rotational position value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio E. Bartolomeo, Richard M. Frank, Ronald J. Kubani, Jordan R. Lee, Anthony L. Marks, Blake B. Nye, John F. Van Gilder
  • Publication number: 20090030586
    Abstract: A method of correlating a rotational position of a crankshaft to a rotational position of a camshaft includes determining a stretch value of a timing connection, which drivingly couples the crankshaft and the camshaft, and calculating a crankshaft to camshaft rotational position value indicative of the rotational position of the crankshaft with respect to the rotational position of the camshaft. The crankshaft to camshaft rotational position value is compensated based on the stretch value to provide a compensated crankshaft to camshaft rotational position value and whether the rotational position of the crankshaft correlates to the rotational position of the camshaft is determined based on the compensated crankshaft to camshaft rotational position value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Antonio E. Bartolomeo, Richard M. Frank, Ronald J. Kubani, Jordan R. Lee, Anthony L. Marks, Blake B. Nye, John F. Van Gilder
  • Publication number: 20080230024
    Abstract: A camshaft (cam) phaser control system for an engine includes a first camshaft having a first target wheel. A second camshaft has a second target wheel. A cam position sensor detects said first and second target wheels and generates camshaft position data based on said first and second target wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald J. Kubani, Coburn C. Bland, Anthony L. Marks
  • Publication number: 20080127936
    Abstract: A timing arrangement for an internal combustion engine includes a timing connection having first and second connection features, each of which include respective properties wherein the second property is greater than the first property. A first timing wheel is fixed for rotation with a crankshaft of the engine. The first timing wheel includes first and second adjacent teeth, wherein the first and second adjacent teeth respectively include first and second widths, which correspond to the first and second connection features, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald J. Kubani
  • Publication number: 20080078361
    Abstract: An engine system that compensates for disturbances in a crankshaft signal is provided. The system includes: an error module that computes an error between an ideal period and an actual period of a crankshaft signal; a correction factor module that determines a correction factor based on the error; and a compensation module that applies the correction factor to the actual period of the crankshaft signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: David S. Matthews, Tameem K. Assaf, Ronald J. Kubani, David L. St. Pierre, Yong Xu
  • Patent number: 5345817
    Abstract: Engine combustion malfunctions are detected and the responsible cylinder identified by an approach appropriate to the engine operating point by monitoring change in engine speed in a manner insensitive to engine output shaft tooth-to-tooth spacing variations, substantially linear changes in engine speed, and driveline ringing, such as from rough roads or a previously detected misfire. Multiple misfires may be detected in a single engine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Grenn, Ronald J. Kubani