Patents by Inventor Russell Randall Pearce

Russell Randall Pearce 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: 10100758
    Abstract: A vehicle method for barometric pressure identification, including adjusting engine operation responsive to barometric pressure, the barometric pressure based on a pressure change at a sector of the fuel system when the sector is sealed with the vehicle travelling. The method may utilize a pressure change at the sealed sector of the fuel system, such as a sealed fuel tank, to identify barometric pressure, even with the engine off for extended durations of vehicle travel. As such, in a hybrid-vehicle application, including during hill descents in which the engine is maintained off, barometric pressure can still be updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Bohr, Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Robert Roy Jentz, Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10077731
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting leaks in an engine fuel system coupled in a vehicle including a first fuel tank and a second fuel tank, and a canister coupled together via a three-way valve. A leak test may be initially performed on the first fuel tank by supplying vacuum to the first fuel tank. The second fuel tank may be tested for leaks immediately following the leak test on the first fuel tank by recycling vacuum from the first fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • Patent number: 10049512
    Abstract: A diagnostic system of a vehicle is provided herein. The system includes a control unit onboard the vehicle for controlling at least one of a vehicle system and a vehicle subsystem. A device prompts the control unit to diagnose an operating condition of the vehicle and report diagnostic data to the device. A light source onboard the vehicle is operable to project a diagnostic image onto a viewing surface located external to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
  • Publication number: 20180202376
    Abstract: A vehicle method for barometric pressure identification, including adjusting engine operation responsive to barometric pressure, the barometric pressure based on a pressure change at a sector of the fuel system when the sector is sealed with the vehicle travelling. The method may utilize a pressure change at the sealed sector of the fuel system, such as a sealed fuel tank, to identify barometric pressure, even with the engine off for extended durations of vehicle travel. As such, in a hybrid-vehicle application, including during hill descents in which the engine is maintained off, barometric pressure can still be updated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Scott A. Bohr, Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Robert Roy Jentz, Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10006413
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting and mitigating the presence of liquid fuel carryover in an evap system of a vehicle in response to a refueling event. In one example, during a first condition, a vacuum pump is activated to pressurize the fuel system responsive to a first fuel tank pressure decay rate being less than a threshold, and responsive to a second fuel tank pressure decay rate being greater than a threshold, the vacuum pump is maintained on until a fuel tank pressure decreases to atmospheric pressure. In this way, liquid fuel carryover can be quickly and accurately diagnosed, such that mitigating actions may be taken to ensure liquid fuel is returned to the tank prior to contacting the adsorbent material within the vapor canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Robert Ognjanovski, Jr., Russell Randall Pearce
  • Publication number: 20180135342
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for opening a refueling door. In one example, a method may include gradually opening the refueling door in proportion to a fuel tank depressurization rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Charles Qin, Neil Wu, Le Hong, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • Publication number: 20180135574
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fuel tank mounted to a vehicle. Specifically, a saddle fuel tank comprising of a primary and secondary fuel compartment, each compartment having a module for mounting a fuel pump, fuel sensor and other accessories is disclosed. A first and second crimped opening formed on a top external wall and bottom internal wall, respectively of the saddle fuel tank may provide means for securely mounting a main and sub-side module to the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Scott A. Bohr, Mohammad R. Aghili
  • Patent number: 9956867
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a latchable refueling valve designed to reduce noise associated with opening and closing the valve. In one example, a system may include a valve armature with first and second latch indices formed on an outer diameter of the armature. The latch indices may be rounded and configured to engage with a latch guide to enable rotation between the armature and the latch guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Ognjanovski, Jr., Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Kevin Lucka, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Patent number: 9945309
    Abstract: A vehicle method for barometric pressure identification, including adjusting engine operation responsive to barometric pressure, the barometric pressure based on a pressure change at a sector of the fuel system when the sector is sealed with the vehicle travelling. The method may utilize a pressure change at the sealed sector of the fuel system, such as a sealed fuel tank, to identify barometric pressure, even with the engine off for extended durations of vehicle travel. As such, in a hybrid-vehicle application, including during hill descents in which the engine is maintained off, barometric pressure can still be updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Bohr, Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Robert Roy Jentz, Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 9932937
    Abstract: Methods and system are provided for distinguishing fuel tank vacuum generation due to canister purge valve degradation from vacuum generation due to canister vent valve degradation. A fuel tank vacuum level is monitored after sealing the fuel tank from the atmosphere following an engine pull-down. If there is an ensuing change in fuel tank vacuum, canister purge valve degradation is determined, else, canister vent valve degradation is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Roy Jentz, Mark W. Peters, Scott A. Bohr, Russell Randall Pearce, Aed M. Dudar
  • Publication number: 20180072556
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting remote refueling events of a passenger vehicle, and for coordinating said remote refueling events with a fuel tank fill level prior to the remote refueling event, a loading state of a fuel vapor storage device, and current and predicted fuel tank pressure. In one example, an amount of fuel that can be added to the fuel tank without overwhelming a capacity of the fuel vapor storage device is increased responsive to scheduling the remote refueling event to take place at a time when the fuel tank is at a negative pressure, thus resulting in partial purge of the fuel vapor storage device prior to commencing refueling. In this way, environmentally friendly refueling events may be enabled, thus reducing the potential for undesired evaporative emissions during refueling events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Kevin Lucka, Mohammad R. Aghili, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Publication number: 20180050587
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for opening a refueling door of a vehicle. The method comprises adjusting a speed of opening the refueling door based on a fuel tank vapor pressure in response to a detected refueling request. Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a refueling door assembly for a vehicle. The refueling door assembly comprises a fuel tank; a refueling inlet to receive a fuel dispensing nozzle; a fuel fill line coupled between the fuel tank and the refueling inlet; a refueling door located at a vehicle body; an operating mechanism connected to the refueling door to open and close the refueling door; and a control module configured to open the refueling door responsive to a refueling request and control an opening speed of the operating mechanism based on a fuel tank vapor pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Charles Qin, Russell Randall Pearce, Neil Wu, Le Hong
  • Publication number: 20180037105
    Abstract: A fuel tank is provided. The fuel tank includes a housing enclosing a fuel, the housing including a reinforcement region having two opposing interior surfaces in face sharing contact with one another and a mechanical fastener extending through the reinforcement region, the mechanical fastener including a first head positioned within an external depression of the reinforcement region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Daniel Frank Cragel
  • Patent number: 9856804
    Abstract: A method is provided, comprising indicating a fuel vapor canister load based on a steady-state fuel vapor circulation rate in a vapor recovery line during a refueling event; and adjusting a canister purging operation in response to the indicated fuel vapor canister load. Restrictions in the vapor recovery line may increase the rate of fuel vapor canister loading during a refueling event. In this way, an accurate canister load may be determined following a refueling event, and canister purging operations adjusted accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce, Rob Ognjanovski, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170363055
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating evaporative emissions from a fuel system. In one example, a method may comprise spinning an engine unfueled responsive to a hydrocarbon concentration at a fresh air end of a fuel vapor canister increasing above a first threshold. The method may comprise spinning the engine to pull hydrocarbons away until a hydrocarbon concentration at a purge end of the fuel vapor canister, opposite the fresh air end, increases above a second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Mark W. Peters
  • Publication number: 20170365111
    Abstract: A diagnostic system of a vehicle is provided herein. The system includes a control unit onboard the vehicle for controlling at least one of a vehicle system and a vehicle subsystem. A device prompts the control unit to diagnose an operating condition of the vehicle and report diagnostic data to the device. A light source onboard the vehicle is operable to project a diagnostic image onto a viewing surface located external to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
  • Publication number: 20170356360
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indicating a restriction in a fuel system vapor recovery line. Responsive to such an indication, methods and systems are provided for taking mitigating actions such that an entirety of a vehicle fuel system and evaporative emissions system, including a fuel filler system, may be diagnosed as to a presence or absence of undesired evaporative emissions, even with the restriction in the vapor recovery line present. In this way, undesired evaporative emissions may be reduced or avoided, completion rates for such tests may be increased, and customer satisfaction may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • Publication number: 20170355260
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for aging a new plastic fuel tank in a vehicle. In one example, during a plug-in event to recharge a battery of the vehicle, the fuel tank is isolated and the fuel pump is actuated to agitate fuel within the tank and increase fuel vapors until the plastic fuel tank becomes aged to a predetermined degree by fuel vapors generated therein. In this manner, the fuel tank is aged more rapidly, resulting in more accurate fuel level readings and less noise and vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce, Larry Castleberry
  • Patent number: 9822737
    Abstract: A method for a fuel system, comprising: indicating a leak in a fuel tank following applying a vacuum to the fuel tank by running a vacuum pump in a first direction; then purging a fuel vapor canister to the fuel tank by running the vacuum pump in a second direction, opposite the first direction. In this way, the fuel vapor canister may be purged of its contents following a fuel system leak check. This may reduce bleed emissions while increasing the efficiency of the vehicle, as the engine does not need to be turned on in order to purge the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Patent number: 9822719
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the purging of a fuel vapor canister coupled to a vehicle fuel tank, configured for capturing and storing vapors emanating from the tank. In one example, two canister purge valves are coupled in series in a fuel vapor conduit between the fuel vapor canister and engine intake, one at the intake manifold and one at the fuel vapor canister, such that fine control over the introduction of fuel vapors into the engine is maintained via the purge valve at the intake manifold, while thorough purging of the fuel vapor canister may be regulated via the purge valve at the fuel vapor canister. In this way, fuel vapors in the fuel vapor canister may be effectively purged to intake, thus reducing the potential for undesired evaporative emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Donald Ignasiak, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Niels Christopher Kragh