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).

  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PARTICULATE FILTER REGENERATION
    Publication number: 20190024552
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine compression ratio (CR) and spark timing to attain particulate filter (PF) regeneration temperature. In one example, a method may include, in response to PF load reaching a threshold and PF temperature being lower than the PF regeneration temperature, lowering the CR and then selectively adjusting spark timing based on an estimated residual gas fraction (RGF) at the lower CR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Paul Glugla, Emil G. Serban
  • Bidirectional valved aspirator for surge control and vacuum generation
    Patent number: 10167826
    Abstract: An aspirator coupled between an inlet of a compressor and an engine intake manifold may include sonic/supersonic expansion curves for both forward and reverse flow through the aspirator. Suction flow may enter a first entraining port coupling an ambient side of the aspirator with a vacuum source during reverse flow through the aspirator, whereas suction flow may enter a second entraining port coupling a manifold side of the aspirator with the vacuum source, the first entraining port counter sunk relative to a nominal slope of the aspirator to reduce flow disruption caused by the port during forward flow through the aspirator. A radial-flow aspirator shut-off valve arranged in series with the aspirator may be controlled to enable or disable motive flow through the aspirator, and motive flow may enter the valve in a direction perpendicular to a motive flow axis of the aspirator when the valve is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Luehrsen, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Gaseous fuel system and method for an engine
    Patent number: 10161351
    Abstract: A vehicle method for gaseous fuel loss detection, including for each of a high and low pressure portion of a fuel system including a gaseous fuel, indicating degradation based on a loss of mass from the fuel system, the loss of mass based on separately tracking fuel mass in each of the portions based on respective temperatures and pressures at a first and second instance following an engine off condition. The method may utilize the respective pressures and temperatures to determine which portions of the fuel system are losing mass and further identify degradation of fuel system valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Adjusting pump volume commands for direct injection fuel pumps
    Patent number: 10161346
    Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling a direct injection fuel pump, wherein a solenoid spill valve is energized and de-energized according to certain conditions. A control strategy is needed to operate the direct injection fuel pump outside regions where pump operation may be variable and inaccurate, where the regions may be characterized by smaller pump commands as well as smaller displacement volumes. To maintain a suitable range of pump commands and displacements while operating outside the low accuracy regions, a method is proposed that involves clipping calculated pump commands when the calculated pump commands lie within the low accuracy regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Method and system for fuel system control
    Patent number: 10161349
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Christopher Arnold Woodring, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David Ord
  • Method to adjust fuel economy readings for stored energy
    Patent number: 10163279
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for compensating an instantaneous fuel economy reading for stored energy. One method comprises, when a vehicle undergoes a sufficient change in one or more of square of vehicle speed and vehicle altitude, estimating a conversion factor for fuel due to stored vehicle energy and adjusting the instantaneous fuel economy reading by the estimated conversion factor. The adjusted instantaneous fuel economy reading may be displayed to an operator of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, William Charles Ruona
  • Humidity sensor diagnostic method using condensation clearing heater
    Patent number: 10156213
    Abstract: A diagnostic method for a capacitive humidity sensor comprising a heater, and a capacitance-sensing element that individually identifies heater, temperature-sensing element, or capacitance-sensing element degradation. By this method, individual elements of the sensor may be replaced or compensated for to allow for further operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Imad Hassan Makki, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Pankaj Kumar, Yong-Wha Kim
  • METHOD FOR CRANKCASE VENTILATION IN A BOOSTED ENGINE
    Publication number: 20180334974
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing crankcase ventilation in a boosted engine. During boosted conditions, a crankcase may be ventilated via vacuum generated at an aspirator coupled in a compressor bypass passage. However, when the aspirator is plugged, pressure in the crankcase may be relieved by flowing crankcase gases through an aspirator bypass passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark Steadman, Katherine Jane Brewer
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING A LIFT PUMP
    Publication number: 20180334981
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a lift pump of an engine fuel system. In one example, a method may comprise predicting when a fuel rail pressure will decrease below a threshold assuming that a lift pump remains off. The method may further comprise powering on the lift pump before the fuel rail pressure decreases below to the threshold to prevent fuel rail pressure from decreasing below the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Justin Trzeciak, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARACTERIZING A PORT FUEL INJECTOR
    Publication number: 20180328306
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating engine port injectors. After pressurizing a low pressure fuel rail, a lift pump may be disabled and port injector variability may be correlated with a measured fuel rail pressure drop at each port injection event by sweeping injection pressure while maintaining injection voltage, and then sweeping injection voltage while maintaining injection pressure. A port injector variability map learned as a function of injection voltage and injection pressure is then transformed into a map learned as a function of injection current and injection pressure by accounting for injector variability caused due to changes in injector temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARACTERIZING A PORT FUEL INJECTOR
    Publication number: 20180328304
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating engine port injectors. After pressurizing a low pressure fuel rail, a lift pump may be disabled and port injector variability may be correlated with a measured fuel rail pressure drop at each port injection event by sweeping injection pressure while maintaining injection voltage, and then sweeping injection voltage while maintaining injection pressure. A port injector variability map learned as a function of injection voltage and injection pressure is then transformed into a map learned as a function of injection current and injection pressure by accounting for injector variability caused due to changes in injector temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Adithya Pravarun Re Ranga, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Alternator charging based on marginal fuel cost
    Patent number: 10128784
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20180319399
    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 12, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Zhengyu Dai, Yang Xu, Sathish Atluri, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARACTERIZING A PORT FUEL INJECTOR
    Publication number: 20180306134
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes one or more fuel injectors are described. The systems and methods may characterize fuel injector operation during a time when injecting fuel may be useful to maintain balance of a catalyst to reduce engine emissions. Further, large or small amounts of fuel may be injected without affecting engine combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR GASEOUS AND LIQUID PROPANE INJECTION
    Publication number: 20180298848
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for fueling an engine with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In one example, a method may comprise pumping (LPG) from a fuel tank to a direct injection rail and not to a port injection rail. The method may further comprise supplying LPG from the direct injection rail to a port injection rail without returning the LPG to the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Systems and methods for fuel injection
    Patent number: 10100774
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for pressurizing a step chamber of a direct injection fuel pump. In one example, the step chamber may be pressurized to a pressure higher than an output pressure of a lift pump, the lift pump supplying fuel to the direct injection fuel pump. The pressurization of the step chamber may occur during at least a portion of a pump stroke of the direct injection fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Basmaji, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mark Meinhart, Hao Zhang
  • Methods and systems for clearing throttle obstruction
    Patent number: 10100751
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting throttle obstructions in a vehicle. In one example, after engine start up, throttle icing condition resulting from the throttle capturing ice fragments originally formed within a charge air cooler or an intake passage upstream of throttle, may be detected. Responsive to detecting the throttle icing condition, the throttle may be adjusted to a fully open position independent of accelerator pedal position, and maintained at the fully open position for a threshold duration while maintaining a desired torque, to release the captured ice fragments from the throttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gianluca Mantovano, Dev Saberwal, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Method for crankcase ventilation in a boosted engine
    Patent number: 10100757
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing crankcase ventilation in a boosted engine. During boosted conditions, a crankcase may be ventilated via vacuum generated at an aspirator coupled in a compressor bypass passage. However, when the aspirator is plugged, pressure in the crankcase may be relieved by flowing crankcase gases through an aspirator bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark Steadman, Katherine Jane Brewer
  • Method of controlling aspirator motive flow
    Patent number: 10093301
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an aspirator shut-off valve in an engine of a hybrid vehicle. One example method includes opening the aspirator shut-off valve following a shut-down command to the engine when engine speed is between a first engine speed and a second engine speed, the first engine speed being lower than an idle speed and the second engine speed occurring before an imminent engine stop. The example method further includes not opening the aspirator shut-off valve between the first engine speed and the second engine speed if an oxygen content of an emission control device is at or near a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Luehrsen, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Optimizing intermittent fuel pump control
    Patent number: 10094319
    Abstract: Various methods are provided for operating a fuel pump. In one example, a method of operating a fuel pump comprises iteratively reducing an on-duration of a low pressure fuel pump pulse, until a peak outlet pressure of the fuel pump decreases from a peak outlet pressure corresponding to a previous pulse, to identify a minimum pulse duration, and applying a pulse having the minimum pulse duration to the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull