Patents by Inventor Shawn Spannbauer

Shawn Spannbauer 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: 11821392
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing ice formation in a charge air cooler. In one example, a method includes, operating a radiator fan of a vehicle in a first direction to cool an engine of the vehicle, and reversing a direction of rotation of the radiator fan to blow heated air towards a charge air cooler, the charge air cooler arranged proximate a radiator of the vehicle. Operating the radiator fan in a first direction may be based on the engagement of one or more gears of a transmission of the vehicle while operating the radiator fan in the reverse direction may be based on an engine temperature condition, one or more ambient weather conditions, and an engine idle condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Spannbauer, Shuya Shark Yamada, Stephen George Russ
  • Patent number: 11674461
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an EGR valve and VGT vanes during engine braking. In one example, a method may include during an engine braking event in an engine, coordinating adjustments of both of a cross-sectional area of an inlet of a turbine and an opening of a valve of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system to achieve a desired braking power and to maintain an exhaust system temperature above a threshold temperature during the engine braking event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Shawn Spannbauer, Kyle Pohlkamp, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Curtis Michael Bauer
  • Publication number: 20230151784
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing ice formation in a charge air cooler. In one example, a method includes, operating a radiator fan of a vehicle in a first direction to cool an engine of the vehicle, and reversing a direction of rotation of the radiator fan to blow heated air towards a charge air cooler, the charge air cooler arranged proximate a radiator of the vehicle. Operating the radiator fan in a first direction may be based on the engagement of one or more gears of a transmission of the vehicle while operating the radiator fan in the reverse direction may be based on an engine temperature condition, one or more ambient weather conditions, and an engine idle condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Shawn Spannbauer, Shuya Shark Yamada, Stephen George Russ
  • Publication number: 20230139973
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an EGR valve and VGT vanes during engine braking. In one example, a method may include during an engine braking event in an engine, coordinating adjustments of both of a cross-sectional area of an inlet of a turbine and an opening of a valve of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system to achieve a desired braking power and to maintain an exhaust system temperature above a threshold temperature during the engine braking event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Matthew Kurtz, Shawn Spannbauer, Kyle Pohlkamp, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Curtis Michael Bauer
  • Patent number: 11598295
    Abstract: Engines and engine systems for managing blow-by gas and/or moisture therein, and methods of operating the same are disclosed. The engine systems may include an air intake system including a compressor such as a turbocharge and a charge air cooler. The engine system may also include an engine such as combustion engine have a crankcase. During combustion blow-by gas may be captured in the crankcase and recirculated back to the air intake system. The blow-by gas may be diluted by additional air such as fresh air prior to being recirculated. The system may also include a pump to facilitate recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shuya Shark Yamada, Shawn Spannbauer
  • Patent number: 11591946
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for maintaining a temperature of exhaust gases of an engine within a temperature range at which catalytic conversion is most efficient. In one example, a method for controlling a temperature of exhaust gases entering a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system for an engine comprises delivering pressurized air into the exhaust gases upstream of the SCR system, the pressurized air cooled by an air cooler; and adjusting a degree of pressurization by adjusting operation of a turbocharger pressurizing the pressurized air. In one embodiment, the air cooler may be a charge air cooler of a primary turbocharger of the engine, which may flow pressurized air both to the engine and to the SCR system. In other embodiments, the air may be pressurized by an air pump or a secondary dilution turbocharger, and cooled by a secondary charge air cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Spannbauer, Eric Matthew Kurtz, Stephen George Russ
  • Patent number: 11566590
    Abstract: A charge-air cooler includes an airflow path, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the airflow path, a water reservoir, and a water-wicking plate. The water-wicking plate has a lower portion disposed in the water reservoir and an upper portion disposed in the airflow path, wherein the water-wicking plate includes a water-absorbent material configured to draw water from the water reservoir and to release the water to the airflow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shuya Shark Yamada, Shawn Spannbauer
  • Patent number: 11566560
    Abstract: A system and method for discharging condensation from an engine system is disclosed. The system includes a drainage pathway from an upstream body that collects water to a downstream portion of the air intake system. A controller may initiate a draining event upon determining a threshold amount of water has been collected in the upstream body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shuya Shark Yamada, Shawn Spannbauer, Stephen George Russ, Richard Germek
  • Patent number: 10590872
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) distribution among individual engine cylinders. In one example, a method may include fluidly coupling a plurality of intake runners of an engine to a vacuum pump, diverting a portion of intake charge gas from the intake runner to a gas composition sensor with the vacuum pump, measuring an oxygen concentration of the diverted intake charge portion with the gas composition sensor, and estimating an EGR concentration of the intake charge based on the measured oxygen concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Lacey, Shawn Spannbauer, Norman Opolsky, Chad Stateler
  • Publication number: 20190249612
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) distribution among individual engine cylinders. In one example, a method may include fluidly coupling a plurality of intake runners of an engine to a vacuum pump, diverting a portion of intake charge gas from the intake runner to a gas composition sensor with the vacuum pump, measuring an oxygen concentration of the diverted intake charge portion with the gas composition sensor, and estimating an EGR concentration of the intake charge based on the measured oxygen concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Tyler Lacey, Shawn Spannbauer, Norman Opolsky, Chad Stateler