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).

  • 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
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170292469
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for increasing a lift pump voltage to a high threshold voltage responsive to a DI pump efficiency being below a threshold efficiency, and increasing a lift pump voltage to a first threshold voltage less than the high threshold voltage responsive to a main jet pump fuel reservoir level being less than a first threshold reservoir level. The approach increases fuel jet pump performance and thereby reducing engine stalls induced by fuel vaporization, while maintaining DI pump efficiency and fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Ord
  • Systems and methods for fuel vapor canister purging
    Patent number: 9777676
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for purging a fuel vapor canister. In one example, a method may include during boosted engine operating conditions, utilizing regulated compressed air from an engine intake to purge fuel vapors stored in the fuel vapor canister. Further, during non-boosted condition, regulated air from the intake may be utilized to purge the fuel vapor canister. The purged fuel vapors and intake air may be delivered to upstream of a compressor when operating with boost, or to an intake manifold when operating without boost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Meisam Mehravaran
  • Method for lift pump control
    Patent number: 9771909
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a low pressure pump in port fuel direct injection (PFDI) engines. One method includes, when operating a high pressure pump in a default pressure mode, pulsing the low pressure pump when pressure in a high pressure fuel rail decreases below a threshold. The method further includes, when operating the high pressure pump in a variable pressure mode, pulsing the low pressure pump based on presence of fuel vapor at an inlet of the high pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Systems and methods for fuel injection
    Patent number: 9771910
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for delivering fuel to a port injector fuel rail in a port fuel direct injection (PFDI) engine. In one example, the port injector fuel rail may receive fuel from each of a compression chamber and a step chamber of a direct injection fuel pump coupled in the PFDI engine. In this way, pressurized fuel may be supplied to the port injector fuel rail during an entire cycle of the direct injection fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph F. Basmaji, Mark Meinhart, Hao Zhang
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENGINE FUEL AND TORQUE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170268451
    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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Justin Trzeciak, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENGINE FUEL AND TORQUE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170268447
    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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Michael McQuillen, Martin Brown, Imtiaz Ali, Naginder Gogna
  • Increasing crankcase ventilation flow rate via active flow control
    Patent number: 9759168
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for coordinating throttle bypass flows from brake booster vacuum reservoir, a fuel vapor purge system, and a crankcase ventilation system via active, electrical control of a crankcase ventilation valve. In one example, a method may include actively opening the crankcase ventilation valve to allow crankcase ventilation flow into the engine during conditions in which doing so will not result in engine air flow rate and/or engine fuel flow rate exceeding desired rates. Priority is given first to brake booster replenishment, then to fuel vapor purging, and then to crankcase ventilation during conditions where all three throttle bypass flows are desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Methods and systems for fixed and variable pressure fuel injection
    Patent number: 9752530
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Joseph F. Basmaji, Mark Meinhart, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Gaseous fuel injector activation
    Patent number: 9752520
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Samuel Guido, Ed Badillo
  • VEHICLE CLIMATE CONTROL METHOD
    Publication number: 20170240023
    Abstract: A method for controlling a climate control system is disclosed. In one example, the climate control system includes an air mixing valve that is adjusted in response to an energy conversion device load demand. The method may provide improved climate control in a vehicle cabin during high energy conversion device load conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FUEL VAPOR CANISTER PURGING
    Publication number: 20170234269
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for purging a fuel vapor canister. In one example, a method may include during boosted engine operating conditions, utilizing regulated compressed air from an engine intake to purge fuel vapors stored in the fuel vapor canister. Further, during non-boosted condition, regulated air from the intake may be utilized to purge the fuel vapor canister. The purged fuel vapors and intake air may be delivered to upstream of a compressor when operating with boost, or to an intake manifold when operating without boost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Meisam Mehravaran
  • METHOD FOR COOLING A DIRECT INJECTION PUMP
    Publication number: 20170234283
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cooling a high pressure fuel pump. One method includes, when a spill valve is in a pass-through state, circulating fuel from a compression chamber of the high pressure fuel pump to a step room of the high pressure fuel pump. The fuel circulation through the step room may provide for a reduction in fuel temperature in the step room, and thus, the high pressure fuel pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Systems and methods for sensing fuel vapor pressure
    Patent number: 9726105
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing fuel vapor pressure are provided. In one example, a method for a vehicle comprises: during an engine start after the engine has been off for at least a minimum duration, actively controlling fuel pressure in the fuel system to a vapor-liquid volume ratio greater than zero and then recording sensed fuel pressure and temperature in the fuel system. In this way, the vapor pressure of a fuel at a given temperature may be accurately measured during isothermal conditions, thereby improving an estimation of fuel volatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Pankaj Kumar, Imad Hassan Makki
  • Methods and systems for high pressure port fuel injection
    Patent number: 9726106
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving fuel injection of an engine that includes a cylinder receiving fuel from two different fuel injectors is disclosed. In one example, fuel is supplied to port fuel injectors and direct fuel injectors via a same high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure port fuel injection is activated at times where direct fuel injection would supply less fuel than is desired or an inconsistent amount of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Mark Meinhart, Joseph F. Basmaji, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Method and system for vacuum control
    Patent number: 9719391
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling and coordinating control of a post-catalyst exhaust throttle and an EGR valve to expedite catalyst heating. By closing both valves during an engine cold start, an elevated exhaust backpressure and increased heat rejection at an EGR cooler can be synergistically used to warm each of an engine and an exhaust catalyst. The valves may also be controlled to vary an amount of exhaust flowing through an exhaust venturi so as to meet engine vacuum needs while providing a desired amount of engine EGR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Thomas G. Leone, William Charles Ruona, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, John D. Russell
  • Method of controlling aspirator motive flow
    Patent number: 9714614
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling an aspirator control valve in an engine. An example method comprises closing the aspirator control valve responsive to diagnosing a first engine degradation condition and opening the aspirator control valve in response to diagnosing a second engine degradation condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Luehrsen, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • 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
  • SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR FUEL PRESSURE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170204803
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a lift pump of an engine fuel system. In one example, a method may comprise closed loop operating a lift pump of a fuel system based on a difference between a desired fuel rail pressure and an estimated fuel rail pressure, and open loop operating the lift pump to the desired fuel rail pressure in response to a fuel flow rate in a direction of a fuel rail through a check valve positioned between the lift pump and the fuel rail decreasing to a threshold. Thus, outputs from a fuel rail pressure sensor may not be used to adjust lift pump operation when an amount of fuel flowing to the fuel rail decreases to a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Justin Trzeciak, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • Method and system for sampling intake manifold pressure
    Patent number: 9708996
    Abstract: An engine system and method for improving sampling of a port throttle pressure sensor. In one example, the port throttle pressure sensor is sampled a plurality of times during a cylinder cycle and different engine operating conditions are determined from selected samples. The system and method may improve engine air-fuel control as well as engine diagnostics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull