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).

  • Methods and systems for selectively fuelling a vehicle
    Patent number: 8627858
    Abstract: Methods and systems for selectively fuelling a vehicle are provided. One example method of fuelling a vehicle may include receiving a fuel in a fuel reservoir in the vehicle, and directing the fuel to one of a plurality of storage tanks based on a fuel type. In one example, the directing of fuel may include adjusting one or more fuelling valves positioned between the fuel reservoir and the plurality of storage tanks to vary a direction of fuel flow to the plurality of storage tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shane Elwart
  • FUEL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING FUEL SYSTEMS IN A VEHICLE WITH MULTIPLE FUEL TANKS
    Publication number: 20140007951
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns
  • HYDROCARBON RETAINING AND PURGING SYSTEM FOR FLEX-FUEL COMBUSTION ENGINE
    Publication number: 20130247544
    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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks
    Patent number: 8539938
    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: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns
  • Methods for reducing engine exhaust emissions
    Patent number: 8499546
    Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine wherein, during an initial, relatively low temperature operating phase of the engine, the engine operates with a modulated air/fuel ratio established independently of the operating condition of the engine and wherein, during a subsequent higher temperature operating phase of the engine, the air/fuel ratio is modulated in as a function of the operating conditions of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eva Thanasiu, Carolyn Parks Hubbard, Shane Elwart
  • Engine starting control for engine with hydrocarbon retaining system
    Patent number: 8448422
    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: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • Hydrocarbon retaining and purging system for flex-fuel combustion engine
    Patent number: 8448427
    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: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • System and method to operate a fuel cell in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8394542
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle having an engine with an exhaust comprises a fuel cell coupled in the engine exhaust wherein the fuel cell has an output circuit; a battery coupled with the fuel cell; and a controller receiving a signal indicative of an electric output of the fuel cell output circuit, and adjusting one of the fuel amount and the air amount supplied to the engine in response to said signal to affect air-fuel ratio of the exhaust of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Kerns, Gopichandra Surnilla, David Bidner
  • Hydrocarbon retaining and purging system
    Patent number: 8375701
    Abstract: Method and systems are provided for operating an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system coupled to an engine exhaust and an engine intake. During an engine cold start, routing exhaust gas to the hydrocarbon retaining system to store hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon retaining system. Then, depending on temperature, the hydrocarbons are purged with varying amounts of exhaust gas and fresh air in order to maintain proper temperature control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Aaron Lupescu, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich, Harendra S. Gandhi
  • Engine exhaust system having a thermoelectric conversion device and a heat pipe
    Patent number: 8341950
    Abstract: Systems and methods for converting engine heat energy to electricity using a thermoelectric conversion device are provided herein. One example system may include an engine heat source, a thermoelectric conversion device for converting heat into electricity, and a heat pipe. The heat pipe is positioned so that when the temperature of the engine exhaust is too high, the excess heat may be transferred away from the thermoelectric conversion device to the heat sink via the heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Robert Jay Natkin, Shane Elwart, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Hydrocarbon retaining system and method
    Patent number: 8333063
    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: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, Michael James Uhrich, James Michael Kerns, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • Hydrocarbon retaining system for flex-fuel combustion engine
    Patent number: 8261531
    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: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harendra S. Gandhi, Michael James Uhrich, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • Vehicle-Based Strategy for Removing Urea Deposits from an SCR Catalyst
    Publication number: 20120216510
    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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Lifeng Xu, William Lewis Henderson Watkins, Shane Elwart, George Wade Graham
  • Method for detection of emissions levels during extended engine speed controlled operation
    Patent number: 8249795
    Abstract: A method for detection of emissions levels during extended engine speed controlled operation is provided. The method includes monitoring mass airflow passing through the engine while operating the engine. The method further includes adjusting mass airflow responsive to engine speed to maintain a desired engine speed. The method further includes shutting down the engine when engine mass airflow becomes higher than a predetermined mass airflow threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Bala Chander, Nate Trask, Shane Elwart, Stephen B. Smith
  • HYDROCARBON RETAINING AND PURGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120204544
    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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, James Michael Kerns, Shane Elwart, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • Hydrocarbon Retaining System Configuration for Combustion Engine
    Publication number: 20120137659
    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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • System and method to operate fuel cell in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8192877
    Abstract: An exhaust emission reduction system of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine with an at least one cylinder coupled to an exhaust system comprises a NOx reduction catalyst disposed in the exhaust system downstream of the engine exhaust system; and a fuel cell disposed in the exhaust system downstream of the NOx reduction catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Kerns, Gopichandra Surnilla, David Bidner
  • Vehicle-based strategy for removing urea deposits from an SCR catalyst
    Patent number: 8171724
    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 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lifeng Xu, Williams Lewis Henderson Watkins, Shane Elwart, George Wade Graham
  • Hydrocarbon retaining and purging system
    Patent number: 8161733
    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: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, James Michael Kerns, Shane Elwart, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • System and method to reduce stall during deceleration fuel shut off
    Patent number: 8133157
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle comprising of deactivating a fuel injector of the engine during a deceleration condition of the vehicle; and reactivating the fuel injector when a rate of change of a powertrain shaft deceleration is greater than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Doering, David Bidner, Shane Elwart