Patents by Inventor Thomas Alan Brewbaker

Thomas Alan Brewbaker 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: 11220970
    Abstract: Methods and systems for an engine controller are described. In one example, the engine controller includes a reference control system and a disturbance rejection control system. The engine controller avoids use of integral feedback in the reference control system, while permitting integral feedback in the disturbance rejection control system, to improve controller response without unduly increasing engine pumping work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 10330034
    Abstract: A device for predicting an exhaust gas recirculation rate of an internal combustion engine, which comprises an inlet system and at least one exhaust gas recirculation valve, is described. The device comprises a sensor arranged in the inlet system for determining the composition of the gas, a sensor for determining the position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve, and an evaluation apparatus. The evaluation apparatus is configured to determine and output a prediction of the exhaust gas recirculation rate based on a corrected estimate of the exhaust gas recirculation rate, wherein the estimate is based on the position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve and is corrected based on the composition of the gas as determined using the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Christian Winge Vigild, Daniel Roettger, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 9909490
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for pressure control in a boosted engine system. A variable geometry turbine (VGT) geometry, and/or wastegate (WG), and/or an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve opening is adjusted at least based on a difference between the exhaust pressure and an intake pressure in order to reduce the difference between exhaust and intake manifold pressures, thereby reducing pumping work losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Hand, III, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Publication number: 20170314483
    Abstract: A device for predicting an exhaust gas recirculation rate of an internal combustion engine, which comprises an inlet system and at least one exhaust gas recirculation valve, is described. The device comprises a sensor arranged in the inlet system for determining the composition of the gas, a sensor for determining the position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve, and an evaluation apparatus. The evaluation apparatus is configured to determine and output a prediction of the exhaust gas recirculation rate based on a corrected estimate of the exhaust gas recirculation rate, wherein the estimate is based on the position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve and is corrected based on the composition of the gas as determined using the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Christian Winge Vigild, Daniel Roettger, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20170276067
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for pressure control in a boosted engine system. A variable geometry turbine (VGT) geometry, and/or wastegate (WG), and/or an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve opening is adjusted based a difference between the exhaust pressure and an intake pressure, and optionally other signals (e.g., engine speed, exhaust pressure) in order to reduce the difference between exhaust and intake manifold pressures, thereby reducing pumping work losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. Hand, III, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Brien Lloyd Fulton
  • Patent number: 9732646
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for opportunistic regeneration of a diesel particulate filter based on cloud based traffic information and navigation information. In one example, a method may include determining initiation of regeneration, termination of regeneration and a degree of regeneration based on information from a lead vehicular network and navigation information in order to reduce a regeneration fuel penalty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Devesh Upadhyay, Michael Hopka, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Cory Scott Hendrickson
  • Publication number: 20160201533
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for opportunistic regeneration of a diesel particulate filter based on cloud based traffic information and navigation information. In one example, a method may include determining initiation of regeneration, termination of regeneration and a degree of regeneration based on information from a lead vehicular network and navigation information in order to reduce a regeneration fuel penalty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Devesh Upadhyay, Michael Hopka, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Cory Scott Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 9341127
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a LP-EGR valve and an LP intake throttle to provide a desired LP-EGR flow rate while maintaining a minimum differential pressure. In one example, a method for a turbocharged engine method comprises: responsive to a differential between intake and exhaust pressure below a threshold, adjusting a LP-EGR valve while adjusting a LP intake throttle to regulate a LP-EGR flow rate and the differential to respective setpoints; and responsive to the differential above the threshold, saturating the LP-EGR valve to minimize the differential while actuating the throttle to regulate the flow rate to its setpoint. In this way, control of the LP-EGR system may be more robust to disturbances at very low differential pressures, require less actuator movement, and increase fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20150354483
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a LP-EGR valve and an LP intake throttle to provide a desired LP-EGR flow rate while maintaining a minimum differential pressure. In one example, a method for a turbocharged engine method comprises: responsive to a differential between intake and exhaust pressure below a threshold, adjusting a LP-EGR valve while adjusting a LP intake throttle to regulate a LP-EGR flow rate and the differential to respective setpoints; and responsive to the differential above the threshold, saturating the LP-EGR valve to minimize the differential while actuating the throttle to regulate the flow rate to its setpoint. In this way, control of the LP-EGR system may be more robust to disturbances at very low differential pressures, require less actuator movement, and increase fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Patent number: 8267065
    Abstract: A method for adjusting fuel injection of an engine is disclosed. In one example, fuel injection timing is adjusted to account for fuels having different cetane numbers. Operation of the engine may be improved especially during conditions where combustion phase may vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Kurtz, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michael Hopka, Douglas Kuhel, David Joseph Dronzkowski
  • Publication number: 20120085315
    Abstract: A method for adjusting fuel injection of an engine is disclosed. In one example, fuel injection timing is adjusted to account for fuels having different cetane numbers. Operation of the engine may be improved especially during conditions where combustion phase may vary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Kurtz, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michael Hopka, Douglas Kuhel, David Joseph Dronzkowski
  • Patent number: 8051829
    Abstract: A method for adjusting fuel injection of an engine is disclosed. In one example, fuel injection timing is adjusted to account for fuels having different cetane numbers. Operation of the engine may be improved especially during conditions where combustion phase may vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Kurtz, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michael Hopka, Douglas Kuhel, David Joseph Dronzkowski
  • Publication number: 20110168129
    Abstract: An engine with a high flow capacity brake booster is disclosed. In one example, an actuator is adjusted in response to a flow between the brake booster and an engine intake manifold. Operation of the engine and vehicle brakes may be improved especially when the engine is turbocharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Kurtz, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Thomas Alan Brewbaker, Michael Hopka, Douglas Kuhel, David Joseph Dronzkowski