Patents by Inventor Ross Dykstra Pursifull

Ross Dykstra Pursifull 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).

  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20180029598
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing perception of transitions from shifting a transmission from neutral to drive are described. In one example, the transmission is shifted from neutral to drive in response to brake pedal motion before the brake pedal is fully released so that timing of pressurizing clutches and engaging a forward gear is advanced to occur while the brake pedal is still applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Zhengyu Dai, Yang Xu, Sathish Atluri, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • System and method for improving vacuum generation
    Patent number: 9879633
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving vacuum generation for a diesel powered vehicle that includes a mechanically engine driven vacuum pump are presented. In one non-limiting example, engine idle speed may be increased in response to a number of braking events and/or a request for vacuum based on an amount of stored vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell William Ferguson, Joel John Beltramo, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • System and method for canister purging
    Patent number: 9874137
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing purge flow when applying shallow intake manifold vacuum. An alternate purge route that circumvents the more restrictive canister purge valve and directs purge vapors through a branched path via a less restrictive mechanical purge valve is used during low intake manifold vacuum conditions. By enabling higher purge flow rates when manifold vacuum is lower, a more complete canister cleaning is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark W. Peters
  • Filter diagnostics and prognostics
    Patent number: 9874124
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for a lubricant filter. In one example, a method for a lubricant filter comprises indicating a condition of the filter based on a difference between a measured pressure differential and an expected pressure differential during select conditions in which all lubricant pumped by a pump upstream of the filter flows into the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Direct injection pump control for low fuel pumping volumes
    Patent number: 9874185
    Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling a solenoid spill valve of a direct injection fuel pump, wherein the solenoid spill valve is energized and de-energized according to certain conditions. A control strategy is needed to operate the direct injection fuel pump when small fractional trapping volumes are commanded, wherein a small amount of fuel is compressed and sent to the direct injection fuel rail. To maintain reliable and repeatable solenoid spill valve behavior for small fractional trapping volumes, methods are proposed that involve energizing the solenoid spill valve for a minimum angular duration below a trapping volume fraction threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark Meinhart
  • POWERTRAIN LASH MANAGEMENT
    Publication number: 20180015926
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting powertrain torque in a vehicle based on driver intent. Driver intent is inferred based on foot motion inside a foot well monitored via a foot well region sensor and changes in clearance outside the vehicle monitored via a range sensor. By adjusting powertrain torque based on operator foot motion and traffic movements outside the vehicle, frequency of lash transitions can be reduced and lash transition initiation can be adjusted based on expected changes in torque demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH
    Publication number: 20170369064
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a torque converter clutch of an automatic transmission are presented. In one non-limiting example, the torque converter clutch is closed to provide a threshold torque capacity during a vehicle launch. If an engine torque request is less than the threshold torque capacity, the torque converter clutch remains closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Donald J. Lewis
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRIVING VEHICLE ACCESSORIES
    Publication number: 20170369066
    Abstract: Methods and systems for driving vehicle accessories of a vehicle that includes an automatic transmission are presented. In one non-limiting example, the vehicle accessories are driven via a vehicle's kinetic energy while an engine of the vehicle has stopped rotating. Vehicle accessories are driven from a location of a driveline downstream of a torque converter impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael E. Reibling, Steven Michael Cyr, Ray C. Siciak
  • Methods and systems for engine fuel and torque control
    Patent number: 9845760
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately estimating intake aircharge based on the output of an intake oxygen sensor while flowing EGR, purge, or PCV hydrocarbons to the engine. The unadjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine fuel control while the hydrocarbon adjusted aircharge estimate is used for engine torque control. A controller is configured to sample the oxygen sensor at even increments in a time domain, stamp the sampled data in a crank angle domain, store the sampled data in a buffer, and then select one or more data samples corresponding to a last firing period from the buffer for estimating the intake aircharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Justin Trzeciak, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR DECELERATING A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20170349179
    Abstract: A method for improving operation of a vehicle that includes an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter clutch is disclosed. In one example, the method assesses whether or not driver braking is expected and adjusts driveline braking accordingly. The method freewheels the driveline to extend vehicle coasting when driver braking is not expected and the method increases or decreases driveline braking based on a closing distance between the vehicle and an object in the vehicle's path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Common shut-off valve for actuator vacuum at low engine power and fuel vapor purge vacuum at boost
    Patent number: 9835115
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating vacuum via an ejector arranged in a compressor recirculation flow path and an aspirator arranged in a throttle bypass path, where a suction port of the ejector is coupled with a canister purge valve having two outlet ports. In one example, the canister purge valve may include only a single flow restriction, the flow restriction arranged in a path coupling a fuel vapor purge system with the intake manifold when a solenoid of canister purge valve is open, such that a path coupling the fuel vapor purge system with the suction port of the ejector does not include any flow restrictions upstream of the suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A DUAL LIFT PUMP FUEL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170342936
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a fuel system comprising two lift pumps. In one example, a method may comprise adjusting operation of a first lift pump to achieve a desired fuel rail pressure. The method may comprise powering on a second lift pump to achieve the desired fuel rail pressure when operating only the first lift pump is not sufficient to achieve the desired fuel rail pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Lyle Thomas, David Gimby
  • System and method for controlling canister purging
    Patent number: 9822718
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling canister purge flow in a boosted engine. An example method for the boosted engine comprises, during boosted conditions, flowing stored fuel vapors from a canister into an ejector coupled in a compressor bypass passage, the flowing bypassing a canister purge valve. The method further comprises, responsive to a canister load higher than a threshold load, closing a canister vent valve coupled to the canister, and discontinuing flowing stored fuel vapors from the canister into the ejector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXHAUST GAS HEAT RECOVERY
    Publication number: 20170328263
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust flow and recovering heat from exhaust gas under different operating conditions. In one example, motive flow of fresh air via an ejector coupled to an exhaust bypass assembly may be utilized to divert exhaust through a heat exchanger during cold-start conditions and heat extracted from the exhaust gas may be utilized for passenger cabin heating and other vehicle heating demands. The exhaust bypass assembly may also be used for EGR delivery wherein the exhaust heat exchanger may be used as an EGR cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • ALTERNATOR CHARGING BASED ON MARGINAL FUEL COST
    Publication number: 20170317626
    Abstract: Method and systems are provided for, in response to a state of charge (SOC) of a vehicle battery increasing above a threshold SOC, reducing an alternator charging based on one or more of a spark timing, an engine speed, an air-fuel ratio, and an engine load. In this way, fuel consumption may be reduced while maintaining a battery SOC for operation of front-end accessories may be achieved, and fuel consumption may be reduced during aggressive vehicle driving conditions such has high engine loads near transmission downshift thresholds and high engine speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Fuel vapor blocking valve control
    Patent number: 9803592
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and reducing current consumption of a vapor blocking valve are disclosed. In one example, current supplied to the vapor blocking valve is adjusted proportionately to fuel tank pressure to compensate for fuel tank pressure acting on the vapor blocking valve. Vapor blocking valve current is adjusted to reduce current consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark W. Peters, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Humidity sensor diagnostics
    Patent number: 9803590
    Abstract: Embodiments for diagnosing a humidity sensor are provided. One example method comprises, responsive to a humidity sensor test cycle, pumping air conditioning and windshield washer gas flows past a humidity sensor, and indicating humidity sensor degradation based on a response of the humidity sensor to the air conditioning and windshield washer gas flows. In this way, degradation of the humidity sensor may be indicated if the humidity sensed by the humidity sensor does not change responsive to the humidity sensor test cycle being initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Imad Hassan Makki, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Pankaj Kumar
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FIXED AND VARIABLE PRESSURE FUEL INJECTION
    Publication number: 20170306881
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a high pressure injection pump to provide each of high fixed fuel pressure at a port injection fuel rail and high variable fuel pressure at a direct injection fuel rail. Port injection fuel rail pressure can be raised above a pressure provided with a lift pump via a fuel system configuration that includes various check valves, pressure relief valves, and a spill valve positioned between an inlet of the high pressure injection pump and the port injection fuel rail. High pressure port injection may be advantageously used to provide fuel at high pressure during conditions when fuel delivery via high pressure direct injection is limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph F. Basmaji, Mark Meinhart, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Method and system for fuel vapor management
    Patent number: 9797322
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the efficiency of canister purge completion. Based on engine operating conditions, a canister is purged to a compressor inlet or a throttle outlet. During purging conditions, as canister loads change, a purge flow through the canister is varied so that a fixed preselected portion of total engine fueling is delivered as fuel vapors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Niels Christopher Kragh
  • GASEOUS FUEL INJECTOR ACTIVATION
    Publication number: 20170298851
    Abstract: A method for starting an engine is provided. The method comprises in response to an engine start request, cycling a gaseous fuel injector prior to activating a starter motor. In this way, delayed engine starts using gaseous fuel may be mitigated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Samuel Guido, Ed Badillo