Patents by Inventor Steven E. CARLSON

Steven E. CARLSON 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: 11724594
    Abstract: Engine controllers and control schemes that facilitate skip fire engine operation in conjunction with use power take-off devices are described. In one aspect, a skip fire mode is exited when the power take-off unit is engaged and the current torque request exceeds a torque threshold. In some embodiments, the exit is delayed when the temperature of an after treatment system is below a designated temperature threshold. In another aspect, the engine transitions to the skip fire mode when the power take-off unit disengages. In some embodiments, exiting is conditioned on the current torque request being less than a torque threshold. In some embodiments, the transition is made immediately, whereas in others the transition only occurs when the power take-off unit is not reengaged for a period of time or is further conditioned on determining that the power take-off unit is likely to remain disengaged for the period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: Tula Technology, Inc., Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Kolhouse, Lisa A. Orth-Farrell, Steven E. Carlson, Aaron W. Beinborn
  • Patent number: 11549455
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine operates so that it delivers zero or negative torque. The engine operates in either a deceleration cylinder cut off (DCCO) mode or skip cylinder compression braking mode. In the skip cylinder compression braking mode, selected working cycles of selected working chambers are operated in a compression release braking mode. Accordingly, individual working chambers are sometimes not fired and sometimes operated in the compression release braking mode while the engine is operating in the skip cylinder compression braking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: Tula Technology, Inc., Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Carlson, Louis J. Serrano, Mark A. Wilcutts, Vijay Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 11352966
    Abstract: Controllers and methods for managing transitions into and/or out of a cylinder cut off mode are described. In some embodiments, a skip fire based transition into a cylinder cut off mode is used in which the fraction of working cycles that are fired is gradually reduced to a threshold firing fraction. Once the threshold firing fraction has been reached, all of the working chambers are deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Carlson, Xin Yuan, Siamak Hashemi, Vijay Srinivasan, Srihari Kalluri, Andrew W. Phillips, Mark A. Wilcutts, Louis J. Serrano, Shikui Kevin Chen
  • Publication number: 20220074361
    Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Kian EISAZADEH-FAR, Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO
  • Patent number: 11261807
    Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for improving fuel economy and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire controlled engine are described. An engine controller dynamically selects a gas spring type for a skipped firing opportunity. Determination of the skip/fire pattern and gas spring type may be made on a firing opportunity by firing opportunity basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry F. Fuschetto, Matthew A. Younkins, Ihab S. Soliman, Mark A. Wilcutts, Steven E. Carlson, Louis J. Serrano
  • Publication number: 20220009348
    Abstract: Engine controllers and control schemes that facilitate skip fire engine operation in conjunction with use power take-off devices are described. In one aspect, a skip fire mode is exited when the power take-off unit is engaged and the current torque request exceeds a torque threshold. In some embodiments, the exit is delayed when the temperature of an after treatment system is below a designated temperature threshold. In another aspect, the engine transitions to the skip fire mode when the power take-off unit disengages. In some embodiments, exiting is conditioned on the current torque request being less than a torque threshold. In some embodiments, the transition is made immediately, whereas in others the transition only occurs when the power take-off unit is not reengaged for a period of time or is further conditioned on determining that the power take-off unit is likely to remain disengaged for the period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: J. Steven KOLHOUSE, Lisa A. ORTH-FARRELL, Steven E. CARLSON, Aaron W. BEINBORN
  • Patent number: 11208964
    Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Kian Eisazadeh-Far, Steven E. Carlson, Louis J. Serrano
  • Publication number: 20210199061
    Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for improving fuel economy and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) in a skip fire controlled engine are described. An engine controller dynamically selects a gas spring type for a skipped firing opportunity. Determination of the skip/fire pattern and gas spring type may be made on a firing opportunity by firing opportunity basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Jerry F. FUSCHETTO, Matthew A. YOUNKINS, Ihab S. SOLIMAN, Mark A. WILCUTTS, Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO
  • Patent number: 10941722
    Abstract: In one aspect, a skip fire engine controller is described. The skip fire engine controller includes a skip fire module arranged to determine an operational firing fraction and associated cylinder load for delivering a desired engine output. The skip fire engine controller also includes a firing controller arranged to direct firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. Various methods, modules, lookup tables and arrangements related to the selection of a suitable operational firing fraction are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignees: Tula Technology, Inc., GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Shost, Louis J. Serrano, Steven E. Carlson, Vijay Srinivasan, Eric J. Defenderfer, Nitish J. Wagh, Randall S. Beikmann, Jinbiao Li, Xin Yuan, Li-Chun Chien
  • Publication number: 20210040904
    Abstract: Controllers and methods for managing transitions into and/or out of a cylinder cut off mode are described. In some embodiments, a skip fire based transition into a cylinder cut off mode is used in which the fraction of working cycles that are fired is gradually reduced to a threshold firing fraction. Once the threshold firing fraction has been reached, all of the working chambers are deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Steven E. Carlson, Xin Yuan, Siamak Hashemi, Vijay Srinivasan, Srihari Kalluri, Andrew W. Phillips, Mark A. Wilcutts, Louis J. Serrano, Shikui Kevin Chen
  • Publication number: 20200386176
    Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Kian EISAZADEH-FAR, Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO
  • Publication number: 20200318566
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine operates so that it delivers zero or negative torque. The engine operates in either a deceleration cylinder cut off (DCCO) mode or skip cylinder compression braking mode. In the skip cylinder compression braking mode, selected working cycles of selected working chambers are operated in a compression release braking mode. Accordingly, individual working chambers are sometimes not fired and sometimes operated in the compression release braking mode while the engine is operating in the skip cylinder compression braking mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO, Mark A. WILCUTTS, Vijay SRINIVASAN
  • Patent number: 10787979
    Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Kian Eisazadeh-Far, Steven E. Carlson, Louis J. Serrano
  • Patent number: 10436133
    Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Kian Eisazadeh-Far, Steven E. Carlson, Louis J. Serrano
  • Publication number: 20190178180
    Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Kian EISAZADEH-FAR, Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO
  • Publication number: 20190170074
    Abstract: In one aspect, a skip fire engine controller is described. The skip fire engine controller includes a skip fire module arranged to determine an operational firing fraction and associated cylinder load for delivering a desired engine output. The skip fire engine controller also includes a firing controller arranged to direct firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. Various methods, modules, lookup tables and arrangements related to the selection of a suitable operational firing fraction are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Mark A. SHOST, Louis J. SERRANO, Steven E. CARLSON, Vijay SRINIVASAN, Eric J. DEFENDERFER, Nitish J. WAGH, Randall S. BEIKMANN, Jinbiao LI, Xin YUAN, Li-Chun CHIEN
  • Patent number: 10259461
    Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements are described for controlling transitions between firing fractions during skip fire or dynamic firing level modulation operation of an engine. In general, actuator first transition strategies are described in which an actuator position (e.g., cam phase, TCC slip, etc.) is changed to, or close to a target position before a corresponding firing fraction change is implemented. When the actuator change associated with a desired firing fraction change is relatively large, the firing fraction change is divided into a series of two or more firing fraction change steps. A number of intermediate target selection schemes are described as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Serrano, Steven E. Carlson
  • Patent number: 10247121
    Abstract: In one aspect, a skip fire engine controller is described. The skip fire engine controller includes a skip fire module arranged to determine an operational firing fraction and associated cylinder load for delivering a desired engine output. The skip fire engine controller also includes a firing controller arranged to direct firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. Various methods, modules, lookup tables and arrangements related to the selection of a suitable operational firing fraction are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: Tula Technology, Inc., GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Shost, Louis J. Serrano, Steven E. Carlson, Vijay Srinivasan, Eric J. Defenderfer, Nitish J. Wagh, Randall S. Beikmann, Jinbiao Li, Xin Yuan, Li-Chun Chien
  • Patent number: 10196995
    Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi, Kian Eisazadeh-Far, Steven E. Carlson, Ying Ren, Joel D. Van Ess
  • Publication number: 20180320615
    Abstract: Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating the torque profile of an engine and/or for controlling torque applied to a powertrain by one or more devices other than the engine itself to manage the net torque applied by the engine and other device(s) in manners that reduce undesirable NVH. The described approaches are particularly well suitable for use in hybrid vehicles in which the engine is operated in a skip fire or other dynamic firing level modulation manner—however they may be used in a variety of other circumstances as well. In some embodiments, the hybrid vehicle includes a motor/generator that applies the smoothing torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Mohammad R. PIRJABERI, Kian EISAZADEH-FAR, Steven E. CARLSON, Louis J. SERRANO