Patents by Inventor Steven Todd Wooldridge

Steven Todd Wooldridge 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: 8240297
    Abstract: A method for engine starting is provided. The method may include performing idle-stop operation, and during a subsequent re-start, applying multi-strike ignition operation for a first combustion cycle. In this way, improved engine starting may be achieved with reduced emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Cindy Zhou, Steven Todd Wooldridge, David Reiche
  • Publication number: 20120024259
    Abstract: A method for engine starting is provided. The method may include performing idle-stop operation, and during a subsequent re-start, applying multi-strike ignition operation for a first combustion cycle. In this way, improved engine starting may be achieved with reduced emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Cindy Zhou, Steven Todd Wooldridge, David Reiche
  • Patent number: 8047188
    Abstract: A method for engine starting is provided. The method may include performing idle-stop operation, and during a subsequent re-start, applying multi-strike ignition operation for a first combustion cycle. In this way, improved engine starting may be achieved with reduced emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Cindy Zhou, Steven Todd Wooldridge, David Reiche
  • Publication number: 20110041801
    Abstract: A method for engine starting is provided. The method may include performing idle-stop operation, and during a subsequent re-start, applying multi-strike ignition operation for a first combustion cycle. In this way, improved engine starting may be achieved with reduced emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Cindy Zhou, Steven Todd Wooldridge, David Reiche
  • Publication number: 20100300404
    Abstract: A method for operation of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine may include one or more combustion chambers, a fuel delivery system including a direct fuel injector coupled to each combustion chamber, an ignition system including one or more spark plugs coupled to each combustion chamber, a piston disposed within each combustion chamber, and an intake and an exhaust valve coupled to each combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine providing motive power to the vehicle. The method may include discontinuing combustion operation within the internal combustion engine responsive to idle-stop operation. The method may further include, during a direct-start, performing multi-strike ignition operation per combustion cycle via one or more selected spark plug(s) for at least a first combustion cycle in a combustion chamber following the discontinuation of combustion operation, the one or more selected spark plug(s) coupled to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Cindy Zhou, Steven Todd Wooldridge, David Reiche
  • Patent number: 7827975
    Abstract: A method for operation of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine may include one or more combustion chambers, a fuel delivery system including a direct fuel injector coupled to each combustion chamber, an ignition system including one or more spark plugs coupled to each combustion chamber, a piston disposed within each combustion chamber, and an intake and an exhaust valve coupled to each combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine providing motive power to the vehicle. The method may include discontinuing combustion operation within the internal combustion engine responsive to idle-stop operation. The method may further include, during a direct-start, performing multi-strike ignition operation per combustion cycle via one or more selected spark plug(s) for at least a first combustion cycle in a combustion chamber following the discontinuation of combustion operation, the one or more selected spark plug(s) coupled to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan VanDerWege, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Cindy Zhou, Steven Todd Wooldridge, David Reiche
  • Patent number: 7720593
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of a multiple cylinder direct injection internal combustion engine include injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber during the exhaust stroke at high engine speeds and loads to reduce the effect of intake airflow on the injection spray and improve fuel-air mixture homogeneity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jianwen James Yi, Steven Todd Wooldridge, George Carver Davis
  • Publication number: 20090088945
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of a multiple cylinder direct injection internal combustion engine include injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber during the exhaust stroke at high engine speeds and loads to reduce the effect of intake airflow on the injection spray and improve fuel-air mixture homogeneity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jianwen James Yi, Steven Todd Wooldridge, George Carver Davis