Patents by Inventor Shane Elwart

Shane Elwart 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).

  • Method and apparatus for crowd-sourced traffic reporting
    Patent number: 9047774
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to project monitoring needs for a road segment. The processor is further configured to contact one or more vehicles traveling on the road segment during a time of monitoring need. The processor is additionally configured to instruct a first number, determined based on a projected monitoring need, of contacted vehicles to being monitoring and reporting traffic data for the road segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Tseng, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Shane Elwart, Jianbo Lu
  • AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE MODES
    Publication number: 20150149017
    Abstract: A vehicle operator is identified. Based at least in part on the operator's identity, one or more parameters are determined specifying a mode for autonomously operating the vehicle. The vehicle is autonomously operated at least in part according to the one or more parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, John P. Joyce, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Douglas Scott Rhode, John Shutko, Louis Tijerna, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Wilford Trent Yopp
  • MODIFIED AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE SETTINGS
    Publication number: 20150149023
    Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one autonomous driving sensor configured to monitor at least one condition while operating in an autonomous mode. The vehicle further includes a processing device configured to identify at least one occupant, select a profile associated with the occupant, and autonomously operate at least one subsystem according to the selected profile and the at least condition monitored by the at least one autonomous driving sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Douglas Scott Rhode, John Shutko, Eric Hongtei Tseng
  • IN-VEHICLE PATH VERIFICATION
    Publication number: 20150149088
    Abstract: A vehicle is operated at least partially autonomously. A predicted path of the vehicle is monitored to identify an object with which the vehicle is likely to collide. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided that includes the predicted path, a proposed path for the vehicle to avoid a collision with an object, and the vehicle. A selection is made to follow one of the predicted path and the proposed path. The GUI is updated to include the selected one of the predicted path and the proposed path, along with a location of the vehicle on the selected one of the predicted path and the proposed path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, John P. Joyce, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Douglas Scott Rhode, Matt Y. Rupp, John Shutko, Roger Arnold Trombley, Louis Tijerina, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Andrew Waldis
  • WEARABLE COMPUTER IN AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20150149018
    Abstract: A wearable computing device in a vehicle is identified by a vehicle in a computer. Collected data is received relating to autonomous operation of the vehicle. A message is sent to the wearable computing device based at least in part on the collected data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Attard, Shane Elwart, Jeff Allen Greenberg, Rajit Johri, John P. Joyce, Devinder Singh Kochhar, Thomas Edward Pilutti, Douglas Scott Rhode, Matt Y. Rupp, John Shutko, Roger Arnold Trombley, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Andrew Waldis
  • Method and apparatus for estimating the distance from trailer axle to tongue
    Patent number: 9042603
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a trailer image. The processor is also configured to identify an axle in the trailer image and identify a tongue-end in the trailer image. Further, the processor is configured to receive a tire image, including a wheel diameter provided on a tire. The processor is additionally configured to retrieve the wheel diameter from the tire image. The processor is also configured to identify a wheel, having an indentified diameter corresponding to the wheel diameter, in the first image. Additionally, the processor is configured to calculate a distance from the axle to the tongue-end using the identified diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, John Shutko, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Nave
  • Hydrocarbon and NOx trap
    Patent number: 8978360
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon and NOx trap and related apparatus and methods for reducing cold-start NOx emissions from an engine are provided. In one embodiment a trap includes a first, topmost layer, exposed to an exhaust gas flow path of exhaust gases from an engine, the first layer comprising a zeolite, a second layer, substantially covered by the topmost layer, the second layer comprising a NOx adsorbing material and a monolithic substrate, directly supporting the second layer and indirectly supporting the first layer, the substrate providing a substantially rigid structure of the trap. In this way, engine emissions, such as NOx and hydrocarbons may be adsorbed over the exhaust trap at low temperature and then thermally released, limiting cold start emissions beyond engines that only include a lean NOx trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Jason Aaron Lupescu, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich
  • Trailer target placement assist system and method
    Patent number: 8930140
    Abstract: A vehicle trailer backup assist system and method includes a hitch angle detection apparatus and a target monitor controller. The target monitor controller processes images acquired of the trailer towed by a towing vehicle to assist with placement of a target on the trailer. The target monitor controller also monitors the target and provides feedback to the user as to proper positioning of the target on the trailer. A target move detection routine detects movement of a target by processing the pixels of the image to determine if a new trailer has been connected. Further, a trailer connection monitoring routine monitors for a changed trailer based on loss of the hitch angle or target for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Shutko, Shane Elwart, Kenneth Michael Mayer
  • Hydrocarbon retaining and purging system for flex-fuel combustion engine
    Patent number: 8915070
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • STOP/START CONTROL BASED ON REPEATED DRIVING PATTERNS
    Publication number: 20140343830
    Abstract: A method or system for controlling a vehicle having auto stop and auto start functions includes selectively inhibiting or disabling the auto stop or auto start functions in response to a detected vehicle position relative to an automatically learned vehicle route. The vehicle route is learned in response to previous drive cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, Sudipto Aich, Jamel Seagraves
  • Method and Apparatus for Crowd-Sourced Traffic Reporting
    Publication number: 20140266795
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to project monitoring needs for a road segment. The processor is further configured to contact one or more vehicles traveling on the road segment during a time of monitoring need.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Fling Tseng, Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Shane Elwart, Jianbo Lu
  • Method and Apparatus for Estimating the Distance from Trailer Axle to Tongue
    Publication number: 20140241584
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive a trailer image. The processor is also configured to identify an axle in the trailer image and identify a tongue-end in the trailer image. Further, the processor is configured to receive a tire image, including a wheel diameter provided on a tire. The processor is additionally configured to retrieve the wheel diameter from the tire image. The processor is also configured to identify a wheel, having an indentified diameter corresponding to the wheel diameter, in the first image. Additionally, the processor is configured to calculate a distance from the axle to the tongue-end using the identified diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, John Shutko, Kenneth Michael Mayer, Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Nave
  • Method and Apparatus for Automatic Estimated Time of Arrival Calculation and Provision
    Publication number: 20140244143
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive information relating to a vehicle location. The processor is also configured to determine one or more filters, based on the received information, for filtering out a plurality of non-specified locations from varied location types. Further, the processor is configured to apply filters for each varied location type to select a plurality of non-specified locations. The processor is also configured to calculate an estimated time of arrival (ETA), for each of the selected locations, and deliver the selected locations and the calculated ETAs to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Timothy Mark Feldkamp
  • Hydrocarbon retaining system configuration for combustion engine
    Patent number: 8776496
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING TRAILER HITCH ANGLE
    Publication number: 20140172232
    Abstract: A sensor system and method for estimating a hitch angle of a trailer attached to a vehicle includes a primary sensor and a secondary sensor. The primary sensor has a camera that monitors a target on the trailer to determine a measured hitch angle. The secondary sensor monitors the trailer to determine an indicator of the hitch angle. The sensor system also includes a controller to steer the vehicle to attain a selected hitch angle when the measured hitch angle correlates with the indicator of the hitch angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matt Y. Rupp, Shane Elwart, Roger Arnold Trombley
  • Vehicle-based strategy for removing urea deposits from an SCR catalyst
    Patent number: 8739517
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling regeneration of an SCR catalyst. The method includes coordinating the regeneration duration and temperature (e.g., longer/shorter regenerations and/or lower/higher temperatures) to the urea deposit loading. In this way, improved regeneration may be achieved due to the particular nature of urea deposits on SCR catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lifeng Xu, Williams Lewis Henderson Watkins, Shane Elwart, George Wade Graham
  • System and method to operate fuel cell in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8733082
    Abstract: A method for operating an international combustion engine, the engine also includes a first cylinder, a second cylinder, an exhaust system, and a fuel cell in the exhaust system. The method comprises operating the first cylinder lean to provide air to the fuel cell during at least one condition; and operating the second cylinder rich or stoichiometric to provide torque output and fuel to the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Kerns, Gopichandra Surnilla, David Bidner
  • Hydrocarbon retaining and purging system
    Patent number: 8707683
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system and an emission control device coupled to an engine exhaust, the engine exhaust comprising a venturi. One example method comprises, during a storing condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi without generating a venturi action, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, while bypassing the emission control device, to store hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon retaining system, and during a purging condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi while generating venturi action, then to the emission control device, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, to purge stored hydrocarbons, wherein a flow of purged hydrocarbons is drawn back to the venturi via venturi action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, James Michael Kerns, Shane Elwart, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks
    Patent number: 8707937
    Abstract: Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns
  • TRAILER TARGET PLACEMENT ASSIST SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20140058668
    Abstract: A vehicle trailer backup assist system and method includes a hitch angle detection apparatus and a target monitor controller. The target monitor controller processes images acquired of the trailer towed by a towing vehicle to assist with placement of a target on the trailer. The target monitor controller also monitors the target and provides feedback to the user as to proper positioning of the target on the trailer. A target move detection routine detects movement of a target by processing the pixels of the image to determine if a new trailer has been connected. Further, a trailer connection monitoring routine monitors for a changed trailer based on loss of the hitch angle or target for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Arnold Trombley, Christopher Scott Nave, Thomas Edward Pilutti, John Shutko, Shane Elwart, Kenneth Michael Mayer