Patents by Inventor Shifang Li

Shifang Li 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: 10259448
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion includes an engine and a first electric machine, where each is configured to selectively provide torque to propel the vehicle. The propulsion system also includes a second electric machine coupled to the engine to provide torque to start the engine from an inactive state. A high-voltage power source is configured to power both of the first electric machine and the second electric machine over a high-voltage bus. The propulsion system further includes a controller programmed to deactivate the engine and propel the vehicle using the first electric machine in response to the vehicle being driven at a steady-state speed for a predetermined duration of time. The controller is also programmed to restart the engine using the second electric machine powered by the high-voltage power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Norman K. Bucknor, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Lei Hao, Derek F. Lahr, Dongxu Li, Shifang Li, Chandra S. Namuduri, Thomas W. Nehl, Avoki M. Omekanda, Rashmi Prasad, Farzad Samie, Aaron M. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20190103797
    Abstract: A solenoid assembly includes a solenoid actuator having a core. A coil is configured to be wound at least partially around the core such that a magnetic flux (?) is generated when an electric current flows through the coil. An armature is configured to be movable based on the magnetic flux (?). A controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for controlling the solenoid assembly. The controller is configured to obtain a plurality of model matrices, a coil current (i1) and an eddy current (i2). The magnetic flux (?) is obtained based at least partially on a third model matrix (C0), the coil current (i1) and the eddy current (i2). Operation of the solenoid actuator is controlled based at least partially on the magnetic flux (?). In one example, the solenoid actuator is an injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shifang Li, Thomas W. Nehl, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Avoki Omekanda, Rashmi Prasad, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 10125710
    Abstract: An engine system includes a mass air flow sensor and a manifold absolute pressure sensor configured to provide a real-time MAP signal during an event. The mass air flow sensor is configured to generate a set of mass air flow readings based on an airflow through the mass air flow sensor during the event. The set of mass air flow readings have a maximum value and a minimum value. A controller is configured to execute a method for detecting reversion in the air flow. If the rate of change in the real-time MAP signal is less than the predetermined transient threshold value (T0), the method includes setting a delta factor (D) as the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value. Reversion is detected based at least partially on a magnitude of the delta factor (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yiran Hu, Shifang Li, Chen-Fang Chang
  • Patent number: 10107165
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system including a selective catalytic reduction device (SCR), a NOx sensor and a reductant injection system is described. A method for controlling the reductant injection system to inject reductant into the exhaust gas feedstream upstream relative to the SCR includes monitoring engine operation, and determining an initial reductant dosing rate responsive to the engine operation. A dosing perturbation is induced in the reductant dosing rate. The exhaust gas feedstream is monitored via the NOx sensor, and a reductant dosing correction term is determined based upon the monitoring. A final dosing rate for controlling the reductant injection system is determined based upon the initial reductant dosing rate, the dosing perturbation, and the reductant dosing correction term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Min Sun, Anthony B. Will, Ping Ge, Shifang Li, Gongshin Qi
  • Patent number: 10088298
    Abstract: A system that can be used for semiconductor height inspection and metrology includes a complementary plate that is used with a beam splitter to create desired astigmatism and to remove chromatic aberration. Simultaneous optimization of lateral resolution and sensitivity can be enabled. The complementary plate can be made of the same material and have the same thickness as the beam splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Shifang Li
  • Publication number: 20180150952
    Abstract: Wafer edge profile images are analyzed at locations around a bonded wafer, which may have a top wafer and a carrier wafer. An offset curve is generated based on the wafer edge profile images. Displacement of the top wafer to the carrier wafer is determined based on the offset curve. The wafer edge profile images may be generated at multiple locations around the wafer. The wafer edge profile images may be shadowgram images. A system to determine displacement of the top wafer to the carrier wafer can include an imaging system connected with a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Kaushik Sah, Thomas Krah, Shifang Li, Heiko Eisenbach, Moritz Stoerring
  • Patent number: 9958257
    Abstract: A system includes a first beam splitter, a second beam splitter, and a mirror. The second beam splitter can produce two lines of light, which are received by at least one sensor. The two lines of light have different focal heights on the wafer. A distance between the second beam splitter and the mirror can be configured to change a focal height on the wafer. A height of an illuminated region on a surface of the wafer relative to a normal surface of the wafer can be determined using the two lines of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Shifang Li
  • Patent number: 9938908
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a pedal position prediction module and an engine actuator control module. The pedal position prediction module predicts a pedal position at a future time based on driver behavior and vehicle driving conditions. The pedal position includes at least one of an accelerator pedal position and a brake pedal position. The engine actuator control module controls an actuator of an engine based on the predicted pedal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shifang Li, Yue-Yun Wang, Chen-Fang Chang, Christopher E. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20180088560
    Abstract: Two or more color data can be combined to form a new data source to enhance sensitivity to defocus signal. Defocus detection can be performed on the newly formed data source. In a setup step, a training wafer can be used to select the best color combination, and obtain defocus detection threshold. This can include applying a segment mask, calculating mean intensities of the segment, determining a color combination that optimizes defocus sensitivity, and generating a second segment mask based on pixels that are above a threshold to sensitivity. In a detection step, the selected color combination is calculated, and the threshold is applied to obtain defocus detection result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Xuguang Jiang, Shifang Li, Yong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9927780
    Abstract: A system includes a target generating module, a model predictive control (MPC) module, and an actuator module. The target generating module generates a target value for an actuator of an engine. The MPC module generates a set of possible adjustments to the target value and predicts an operating parameter for the set of possible adjustments. The predicted operating parameter includes an emission level and/or an operating parameter of an exhaust system. The MPC module determines a cost for the set of possible adjustments and selects the set of possible adjustments from multiple sets of possible adjustments based on the cost. The MPC module determines whether the predicted operating parameter for the selected set satisfies a constraint and adjusts the target value using the possible adjustments of the selected set when the predicted operating parameter satisfies the constraint. The actuator module controls the actuator based on the target value as adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Min Sun, Shifang Li, Giuseppe Mazzara Bologna, Francesco Cianflone, Paolo Nalbone
  • Patent number: 9909481
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a model predictive control (MPC) module and an actuator module. The MPC module generates a set of possible target values for an actuator of an engine and predicts an operating parameter for the set of possible target values. The predicted operating parameter includes an emission level and/or an operating parameter of an exhaust system. The MPC module determines a cost for the set of possible target values and selects the set of possible target values from multiple sets of possible target values based on the cost. The MPC module determines whether the predicted operating parameter for the selected set satisfies a constraint and sets target values to the possible target values of the selected set when the predicted operating parameter satisfies the constraint. The actuator module controls an actuator of an engine based on at least one of the target values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Min Sun, Shifang Li, Francesco Cianflone, Paolo Nalbone
  • Publication number: 20180050686
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion includes an engine and a first electric machine, where each is configured to selectively provide torque to propel the vehicle. The propulsion system also includes a second electric machine coupled to the engine to provide torque to start the engine from an inactive state. A high-voltage power source is configured to power both of the first electric machine and the second electric machine over a high-voltage bus. The propulsion system further includes a controller programmed to deactivate the engine and propel the vehicle using the first electric machine in response to the vehicle being driven at a steady-state speed for a predetermined duration of time. The controller is also programmed to restart the engine using the second electric machine powered by the high-voltage power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Venkata Prasad Atluri, Norman K. Bucknor, Robert S. Conell, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Lei Hao, Chunhao J. Lee, Derek F. Lahr, Dongxu Li, Shifang Li, Chandra S. Namuduri, Thomas W. Nehl, Avoki M. Omekanda, Bob R. Powell, JR., Rashmi Prasad, Farzad Samie, Neeraj S. Shidore, Aaron M. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9885656
    Abstract: This semiconductor inspection and metrology system includes a knife-edge mirror configured to receive light reflected from a wafer. The knife-edge mirror is positioned at a focal point of the light reflected from the wafer such that the reflective film on the knife-edge mirror is configured to block at least some of the light reflected from the wafer. The portion of blocked light changes when the light reflected from the wafer is under-focused or over-focused. At least one sensor receives the light reflected from the wafer. Whether the light is under-focused or over-focused can be determined using a reading from the at least one sensor. A height of an illuminated region on the surface of the wafer can be determined using such a reading from the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Shifang Li, Paul Horn
  • Patent number: 9863756
    Abstract: A device and method for surface height profiling are presented. The device has a source with a source slit through which light is provided. The device includes an objective lens having a reference surface. The objective lens is configured to illuminate a sample with test light from the source and to combine test light reflected from the sample with reference light reflected from the reference surface to form combined light. A spectrometer is positioned to receive the combined light at an entrance slit. The spectrometer is configured to image the combined light as a 2D image with a wavelength dimension and a spatial position dimension. A processor in electrical communication with the spectrometer is programmed to receive a signal representing the 2D image and to determine a surface height profile of the sample based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Shifang Li
  • Publication number: 20170370261
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system including a selective catalytic reduction device (SCR), a NOx sensor and a reductant injection system is described. A method for controlling the reductant injection system to inject reductant into the exhaust gas feedstream upstream relative to the SCR includes monitoring engine operation, and determining an initial reductant dosing rate responsive to the engine operation. A dosing perturbation is induced in the reductant dosing rate. The exhaust gas feedstream is monitored via the NOx sensor, and a reductant dosing correction term is determined based upon the monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Min Sun, Anthony B. Will, Ping Ge, Shifang Li, Gongshin Qi
  • Publication number: 20170356350
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a pedal position prediction module and an engine actuator control module. The pedal position prediction module predicts a pedal position at a future time based on driver behavior and vehicle driving conditions. The pedal position includes at least one of an accelerator pedal position and a brake pedal position. The engine actuator control module controls an actuator of an engine based on the predicted pedal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Shifang LI, Yue-Yun WANG, Chen-Fang CHANG, Christopher E. WHITNEY
  • Patent number: 9803532
    Abstract: A method for controlling a selective catalytic reduction device in an exhaust aftertreatment system of a vehicle includes monitoring vehicle connectivity information, and controlling ammonia storage in the selective catalytic reduction device based on the monitored vehicle connectivity information. Vehicle connectivity information is used to predict vehicle operating conditions along an estimated path of vehicle travel. The predicted vehicle operating conditions are used to predict profiles for vehicle exhaust gas parameters. Predicted profiles for exhaust gas parameters are used in determining ammonia storage setpoints for the selective catalytic reduction device. The ammonia storage setpoints are use in regulating an amount of ammonia producing dosing agent injected into the exhaust aftertreatment system, thereby controlling ammonia storage in the selective catalytic reduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shifang Li, Min Sun
  • Publication number: 20170278236
    Abstract: A system is configured to perform metrology on a front surface, a back surface opposite the front surface, and/or an edge between the front surface and the back surface of a wafer. This can provide all wafer metrology and/or metrology of thin films on the back surface of the wafer. In an example, the thickness and/or optical properties of a thin film on a back surface of a wafer can be determined using a ratio of a greyscale image of a bright field light emerging from the back surface of the wafer under test to that of a reference wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Shifang Li, Lena Nicolaides, Paul Horn, Richard Graetz
  • Patent number: 9771851
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine fluidly coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system includes a particulate filter device, a first selective catalytic reduction device disposed upstream relative to a second selective catalytic reduction device, and an injection system disposed to inject a reductant into the exhaust gas feedstream upstream relative to the first selective catalytic reduction device. A method for controlling the internal combustion engine includes monitoring engine operation, and determining an amount of particulate matter stored on the particulate filter based thereon. An amount of reductant stored on the second selective catalytic reduction device and operating conditions associated with the exhaust aftertreatment system are also determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Min Sun, Shifang Li, Giuseppe Mazzara Bologna, Joshua Clifford Bedford
  • Patent number: 9747520
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing inspection sensitivity to detect defects in wafers using an inspection tool are disclosed. A plurality of light emitting diodes illuminate at least a portion of a wafer and capture a set of grayscale images. A residual signal is determined in each image of the grayscale image set and the residual signal is subtracted from each image of the grayscale image set. Defects are identified based on the subtracted grayscale image set. Models of the inspection tool and wafer may be built and refined in some embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Shifang Li, Youxian Wen, Sven Schwitalla, Prashant Aji, Lena Nicolaides