Patents by Inventor Scot A. Douglas

Scot A. Douglas 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: 10371083
    Abstract: A cold start control system for a vehicle having a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine includes a startup control module and a fuel actuator module. The startup control module sets a mode of operation to a cold start mode. In response to setting the mode to the cold start mode, the startup control module determines target combustion parameters and a predetermined amount of fuel, wherein the predetermined amount of fuel is less than an amount of fuel required to initiate a combustion stroke of the SIDI engine. The startup control module controls injection of the predetermined amount of fuel, during cranking of the SIDI engine, based on the target combustion parameters. The fuel actuator module injects the predetermined amount of fuel, during cranking, based on the target combustion parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Scot A. Douglas
  • Patent number: 10329971
    Abstract: A system and method for sensing a camshaft barrel position of a sliding camshaft includes at least one sliding camshaft having at least one camshaft barrel and at least one position shifting slot disposed in the at least one camshaft barrel. At least one actuator is provided for engaging the at least one position shifting slot on the rotating sliding camshaft and shifting position of the at least one camshaft barrel and at least one sensor is provided for detecting the shifted position of the at least one camshaft barrel wherein the camshaft barrel includes position identifying features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas R Verner, Scot A Douglas, Joseph J Moon, Alexander Doss
  • Patent number: 10316777
    Abstract: A method for heating a sliding camshaft actuator at cold engine start wherein the sliding camshaft actuator includes at least one magnetic field generating coil having a core, a piston armature disposed in the core of the at least one magnetic field generating coil, a magnet in mechanical communication with the piston armature, and an actuator pin in mechanical communication with the magnet. The method includes detecting a cold engine start condition and reversing an energizing voltage on the at least one magnetic field generating coil when the outside temperature is below a predetermined temperature threshold. The reverse energizing voltage on the at least one magnetic field generating coil is maintained for a predetermined period of time to heat the piston armature, the magnet, and the actuator pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas R. Verner, Scot A Douglas
  • Patent number: 10301981
    Abstract: A method for retracting an extended pin of a sliding camshaft actuator wherein the actuator includes a magnetic field generating coil, a magnetic piston in connection with the extended pin operable to be actuated by the magnetic field generating coil, and a pin stop plate. The method comprises creating an air gap between the magnetic piston and the pin stop plate and reversing voltage on the magnetic field generating coil to retract the extended pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas R Verner, Scot A Douglas
  • Patent number: 10280847
    Abstract: A method for retracting a partially extended pin of a sliding camshaft actuator having first and second pins being selectively actuatable by adjacent first and second magnetic field generating coils includes determining if the first or the second pin is partially extended after engine ignition. A partially extended first pin is retracted with flux linkage created by the second magnetic field generating coil being coupled unto the first magnetic field generating coil, and a partially extended second pin is retracted with flux linkage created by the first magnetic field generating coil being coupled unto the second magnetic field generating coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scot A Douglas, Douglas R Verner
  • Publication number: 20180291828
    Abstract: A method for heating a sliding camshaft actuator at cold engine start wherein the sliding camshaft actuator includes at least one magnetic field generating coil having a core, a piston armature disposed in the core of the magnetic field generating coil, a magnet in mechanical communication with the piston armature, and an actuator pin in mechanical communication with the magnet. The method includes detecting a cold engine start condition and reversing an energizing voltage on the magnetic field generating coil when the outside temperature is below a predetermined temperature threshold. The reverse energizing voltage on the magnetic field generating coil is maintained for a predetermined period of time to heat the piston armature, the magnet, and the actuator pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas R. Verner, Scot A. Douglas
  • Publication number: 20180258803
    Abstract: A system and method for sensing a camshaft barrel position of a sliding camshaft includes at least one sliding camshaft having at least one camshaft barrel and at least one position shifting slot disposed in the at least one camshaft barrel. At least one actuator is provided for engaging the at least one position shifting slot on the rotating sliding camshaft and shifting position of the at least one camshaft barrel and at least one sensor is provided for detecting the shifted position of the at least one camshaft barrel wherein the camshaft barrel includes position identifying features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas R. Verner, Scot A. Douglas, Joseph J. Moon, Alexander Doss
  • Patent number: 9970332
    Abstract: An engine control module includes at least one high side driver connected to at least one intake camshaft actuator and at least one exhaust camshaft actuator. A plurality of low side drivers is connected to the at least one intake camshaft actuator and the at least one exhaust camshaft actuator. A sliding camshaft control module selectively actuates the at least one high side driver and the plurality of low side drivers based on a status associated with the at least one intake camshaft actuator and/or the at least one exhaust camshaft actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas R. Verner, Kevin Andrew Gady, Scot A. Douglas, Joseph J. Moon
  • Patent number: 9714617
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine cranking module and a throttle control module. The engine cranking module determines whether an engine is cranking based on at least one of an input received from an ignition system and engine speed, and generates a signal indicating whether the engine is cranking. The throttle control module selectively adjusts a throttle of the engine to a fully closed position when the signal indicates that the engine is cranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scot A. Douglas
  • Patent number: 9488078
    Abstract: A startup/shutdown control module selectively generates an engine startup command when an engine of the vehicle is off. A starter control module applies power to a starter motor when the engine startup command is generated. A valve control module, in response to the generation of the engine startup command: operates intake valves of cylinders of the engine in a low lift mode when an engine temperature is less than a predetermined temperature; and operates the intake valves of the cylinders of the engine in a high lift mode when the engine temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scot A. Douglas
  • Patent number: 9309821
    Abstract: A fuel control system of an engine includes a fuel economy module. The fuel economy module determines a first valve lift state and a second valve lift state of a valve of the engine. The fuel economy module generates a first fuel consumption signal based on the first valve lift state and an engine torque request signal, and generates a second fuel consumption signal based on the second valve lift state and the engine torque request signal. The fuel control system also includes a valve lift state module. The valve lift state module selects one of the first valve lift state and the second valve lift state based the first fuel consumption signal and the second fuel consumption signal. The valve lift state module generates a valve lift select signal. The valve lift select signal indicates the selected one of the first valve lift state and the second valve lift state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scot A. Douglas
  • Patent number: 9260996
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling an exhaust system includes determining an air to fuel ratio within a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, measuring a temperature of an exhaust gas flow from the internal combustion engine into the exhaust system and determining a specific heat for the exhaust gas flow in a first segment of the exhaust system based on the temperature of the exhaust gas flow from the internal combustion engine and the air to fuel ratio, wherein the first segment is upstream of the particulate filter. The method also includes determining a first temperature of the exhaust gas in the first segment based on the specific heat for the exhaust gas flow and selectively controlling a regeneration process for the particulate filter using the determined temperature of the exhaust gas at the selected location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scot A. Douglas, Patrick Barasa
  • Patent number: 9145844
    Abstract: A control system includes a starter control module, a mode setting module, a fuel pressure control module, and a fuel control module. The starter control module initiates cranking of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine in response to user actuation of an ignition switch. The mode setting module sets a mode of operation to a cold start mode when an engine coolant temperature is less than a predetermined temperature during the cranking. The fuel pressure control module, in response to the setting of the mode to the cold start mode, determines a target fuel rail pressure. The fuel control module controls fueling during the cranking based on the target fuel rail pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventors: Scot A. Douglas, Jonathan T. Shibata
  • Patent number: 8875505
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention a method for controlling a speed of an internal combustion engine includes shutting off fuel flow into a cylinder to reduce the speed of the internal combustion engine. The method also includes providing an electrical load to an alternator of the internal combustion engine, further reducing the speed of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scot A. Douglas, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8868269
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine having a cylinder with first and second intake valves and a piston configured to rotate the engine's crankshaft. The method includes determining whether deceleration of the vehicle is desired and ceasing supply of fuel to the cylinder when such condition is satisfied. The method also includes closing the first intake valve at a first predetermined instance and closing the second intake valve at a second predetermined instance via a specifically configured device when the fuel supply has been ceased. The second predetermined instance is after the first predetermined instance relative to rotational position of the crankshaft and magnitude of compression pulses in the cylinder during deceleration is reduced relative to when the cylinder is being fueled. A system for controlling the hybrid vehicle and a vehicle employing such a system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scot A. Douglas, Craig D. Marriott
  • Patent number: 8820051
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel tank, an internal combustion engine, an oxidation catalyst, a regenerable particulate filter in fluid communication with an outlet side of the oxidation catalyst, and a host machine. The host machine calculates an actual hydrocarbon level in the exhaust stream downstream of the particulate filter as a function of an actual energy input value and an actual output value of the oxidation catalyst, and subsequently executes a control action using the actual hydrocarbon level. A method for use aboard the vehicle includes using the host machine to calculate an actual hydrocarbon level in the exhaust stream downstream of the particulate filter, including solving a function of an actual energy input value and an actual energy output value of the oxidation catalyst, and executing a control action aboard the vehicle via the host machine using the actual hydrocarbon level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Barasa, Scot A. Douglas, Jason D. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20140238344
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine cranking module and a throttle control module. The engine cranking module determines whether an engine is cranking based on at least one of an input received from an ignition system and engine speed, and generates a signal indicating whether the engine is cranking. The throttle control module selectively adjusts a throttle of the engine to a fully closed position when the signal indicates that the engine is cranking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Scot A. Douglas
  • Patent number: 8818691
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an internal combustion engine includes a fuel system in fluid communication with a cylinder to direct a fuel flow to be mixed with air in the cylinder and an exhaust system in fluid communication with the cylinder to receive an exhaust gas produced by the combustion process, wherein the exhaust system includes an oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter downstream of the oxidation catalyst. The system also includes a control module that determines an amount of energy to be provided by at least one of: a post-injection process, hydrocarbon injector, and heating device, wherein the amount of energy is based on a desired temperature at a selected location in the exhaust system, an exhaust gas flow rate, a temperature of the received exhaust gas, a flow rate and temperature of the exhaust gas at the inlet of the oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scot A. Douglas, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Jason Daniel Mullins, Patrick Barasa
  • Patent number: 8800265
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine comprises an oxidation catalyst device configured to oxidize the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas. A first temperature sensor is located downstream of the oxidation catalyst device and has a temperature probe that is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas flow exiting the oxidation catalyst device. A second temperature sensor is located downstream of the oxidation catalyst device and has a temperature probe that is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas flow exiting the oxidation catalyst device. The temperature probe includes a catalyst compound coating disposed thereon and is operable to catalyze the oxidation of CO and HC, or a combination thereof, that exits the oxidation catalyst device. A controller is in signal communication with temperature sensors and is configured to monitor signals from temperature sensors to determine if the temperature differential exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Scot A. Douglas
  • Publication number: 20140172274
    Abstract: A cold start control system for a vehicle having a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine includes a startup control module and a fuel actuator module. The startup control module sets a mode of operation to a cold start mode. In response to setting the mode to the cold start mode, the startup control module determines target combustion parameters and a predetermined amount of fuel, wherein the predetermined amount of fuel is less than an amount of fuel required to initiate a combustion stroke of the SIDI engine. The startup control module controls injection of the predetermined amount of fuel, during cranking of the SIDI engine, based on the target combustion parameters. The fuel actuator module injects the predetermined amount of fuel, during cranking, based on the target combustion parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Scot A. Douglas