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: 9809441
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling a vehicle operator to select a desired amount of fuel to add to a fuel tank, and wherein overfilling of the tank is prevented by pressurizing the fuel system with an onboard pump. In one example, the tank may be sealed to induce an automatic shutoff of a refueling dispenser if the fuel level is below the capacity of the tank, and in another example, wherein it is indicated that the tank is full, the fuel system may be pressurized via the pump to induce automatic shutoff of the refueling dispenser and to prevent further overfilling of the tank. In this way, vehicle operators may add desired amounts of fuel to the tank wherein shutoff of the refueling dispenser is automatic, and wherein liquid fuel entering an evaporative emissions control system as a result of overfilling a fuel tank is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Sheven Sharp, Russell Randall Pearce, Donald Ignasiak, Bryan Michael Bolger
  • Patent number: 9802478
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle system is provided. The method includes monitoring a change in a temperature of the fuel vapor canister coupled to a fuel tank via a canister temperature sensor and adjusting operation of a fuel tank isolation valve based on the change in temperature of the fuel vapor canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Patent number: 9797347
    Abstract: Embodiments for controlling fuel vapors are disclosed. In one example, a method comprises during a purge of a fuel vapor canister, adjusting a heater of the fuel vapor canister based on a rate of a purge flow exiting the fuel vapor canister and a concentration of hydrocarbons released from the fuel vapor canister. In this way, a fuel vapor canister purge efficiency may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Peters, Mark Daniel Bunge, Michael G. Heim, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Patent number: 9797809
    Abstract: A method for localizing restrictions in a fuel system during refueling, comprising: monitoring fuel tank pressure, fuel vapor canister temperature, and evaporative leak check module pressure during a refueling event; and responsive to a premature shutoff event, indicating a location of a restriction among a plurality of locations based on whether monitored pressure and temperature changes during the refueling event are greater than respective thresholds. In this way, the cause of a premature shutoff event may be diagnosed without requiring additional sensors within the fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce, Scott A. Bohr, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • Patent number: 9777678
    Abstract: A fuel system is provided, including a fuel tank isolation valve comprising an actuation coil and a latchable valve shaft at least partially disposed within the actuation coil. A controller may be configured to indicate a position of the valve shaft based on a measured current-voltage relationship between the first and second terminal wires during a condition in which the magnetic field generated by actuation coil current has a flux density below a threshold required to adjust a position of the latchable valve shaft. In this way, the position of the latchable valve shaft may be indicated without moving the valve shaft, and without requiring a dedicated valve position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Robert Ognjanovski, Jr., Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam
  • Publication number: 20170260918
    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: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Donald Ignasiak, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Niels Christopher Kragh
  • Patent number: 9745907
    Abstract: A method is provided, comprising indicating a fuel vapor canister load based on a steady-state pressure 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: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Russell Randall Pearce, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • Patent number: 9732706
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating the flow of fuel vapors exiting a fuel tank. In one example, a method for an engine may include adjusting an amount of fuel vapors flowing through a fuel vapor recirculation line, where the recirculation line may be coupled on a first end to a fuel tank and on an opposite second end to a fuel fill inlet. The valve may be adjusted to a more open position to increase fuel vapor flow through the recirculation line in response to increases in hydrocarbon emissions from a fuel vapor canister, and to a more closed position to reduce fuel vapor flow through the recirculation line in response to increases in hydrocarbon emissions from the fuel fill inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Patent number: 9724736
    Abstract: Methods and systems for cleaning a capless refueling system in a vehicle are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, in response to a leak detected following a refueling event, cleaning the capless refueling system using engine vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Robert Roy Jentz, Scott A. Bohr, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Patent number: 9709006
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for depressurizing a fuel tank prior to refueling the fuel tank. One example method includes adjusting a latchable refueling valve to a latched open position to enable vapor flow from the fuel tank to a vapor canister at a first rate, and responsive to fuel tank pressure being higher than a first pressure threshold after a pre-determined duration at the latched open position, modifying the latchable refueling valve to an unlatched open position. The unlatched open position of the latchable refueling valve enables a second flow rate for fuel vapors, the second flow rate higher than the first flow rate at the latched open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Peters, Bryan Michael Bolger, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Patent number: 9694672
    Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle, comprising a housing and a compliance structure coupled to the housing, the compliance structure including a support element coupled to a first side of a structural element and a reinforcing element coupled to a second opposing side of the structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20170174501
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling a vehicle operator to select a desired amount of fuel to add to a fuel tank, and wherein overfilling of the tank is prevented by pressurizing the fuel system with an onboard pump. In one example, the tank may be sealed to induce an automatic shutoff of a refueling dispenser if the fuel level is below the capacity of the tank, and in another example, wherein it is indicated that the tank is full, the fuel system may be pressurized via the pump to induce automatic shutoff of the refueling dispenser and to prevent further overfilling of the tank. In this way, vehicle operators may add desired amounts of fuel to the tank wherein shutoff of the refueling dispenser is automatic, and wherein liquid fuel entering an evaporative emissions control system as a result of overfilling a fuel tank is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Sheven Sharp, Russell Randall Pearce, Donald Ignasiak, Bryan Michael Bolger
  • Patent number: 9677512
    Abstract: A method for a fuel system is provided. A vacuum is applied to a fuel vapor canister side of the fuel system, and hydrocarbon breakthrough is indicated responsive to a fuel vapor canister side pressure inflection point indicative of a decay in fuel vapor canister side vacuum. In this way, an evaporative leak check module may perform a leak check on a fuel vapor canister, while hydrocarbon breakthrough from the fuel vapor canister may be indicated without requiring a dedicated hydrocarbon sensor in the canister vent line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce, Mohammad R. Aghili
  • Patent number: 9669705
    Abstract: A method, comprising: indicating leakage on a canister side of a fuel system based on a first fuel system pressure following applying a vacuum to the fuel system with a fuel tank isolation valve closed; and indicating leakage on a fuel tank side of the fuel system based on the first fuel system pressure and a second fuel system pressure following applying a vacuum to the fuel system with the fuel tank isolation valve open. In this way, an ELCM with a single reference orifice may be used to perform a leak test with two different thresholds for leak detection. This may allow vehicles currently in production to meet future emissions standards without costly upgrades to the ELCM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Mark W. Peters, Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • Patent number: 9664145
    Abstract: A method, comprising: indicating a leak of a first diameter on a canister side of a fuel system following applying a vacuum to the fuel system with a fuel tank isolation valve closed; and indicating a leak of a second diameter on a fuel tank side of the fuel system, based on a vacuum decay in an isolated fuel tank following applying a vacuum to the fuel system with the fuel tank isolation valve open. In this way, an evaporative leak check module with a single reference orifice may be used to determine leaks of multiple sizes in multiple sectors of a fuel system. This may allow current production models to meet more stringent emissions regulations in the future.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Patent number: 9611817
    Abstract: A method for a fuel system, comprising: during a first condition, purging fuel vapor from a fuel vapor canister to a fuel vapor accumulator; and then during a second condition, evacuating fuel vapor from the fuel vapor accumulator to a fuel tank. The fuel vapor accumulator increases the volume of the fuel system, providing a temporary storage for desorbed fuel vapor. In this way, canister breakthrough of hydrocarbons can be mitigated, thereby reducing bleed emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Publication number: 20170050512
    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: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Ognjanovski, JR., Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Kevin Lucka, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Publication number: 20170045019
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for regulating the flow of fuel vapors exiting a fuel tank. In one example, a method for an engine may include adjusting an amount of fuel vapors flowing through a fuel vapor recirculation line, where the recirculation line may be coupled on a first end to a fuel tank and on an opposite second end to a fuel fill inlet. The valve may be adjusted to a more open position to increase fuel vapor flow through the recirculation line in response to increases in hydrocarbon emissions from a fuel vapor canister, and to a more closed position to reduce fuel vapor flow through the recirculation line in response to increases in hydrocarbon emissions from the fuel fill inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Patent number: 9546620
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for purging a fuel vapor canister into an engine intake. A method comprises flowing fuel vapors from a fuel tank through a full length of the fuel vapor canister from a first input to a first output on a first opposite side from the first input. The adsorbed fuel vapors may be purged from the fuel vapor canister through a full width in the fuel vapor canister from a second input to a second output on a second opposite side from the second input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Donald Ignasiak
  • Publication number: 20170008390
    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: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Robert Ognjanovski, JR., Russell Randall Pearce