Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Porlick

Thomas F. Porlick 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).

  • System and method for diagnosing a fault in a camshaft position sensor and/or a crankshaft position sensor
    Patent number: 9194321
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a starter control module, an engine speed module, and a sensor diagnostic module. The starter control module generates a starter engage signal to engage a starter of an engine. The engine speed module determines a speed of the engine based on input from at least one of a camshaft position sensor and a crankshaft position sensor. The sensor diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in the at least one of the camshaft position sensor and the crankshaft position sensor based on a rate of change in the engine speed before the starter engage signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas F. Porlick, Kevin A. Sherwin, Layne K. Wiggins
  • Engine heater use detection systems and methods
    Patent number: 8166808
    Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a temperature derivative module and a heater use module. The temperature derivative module determines a derivative of a temperature of one of a fluid of an engine of a vehicle and a component of the engine measured by a temperature sensor after a vehicle startup event. The heater use module selectively indicates that an engine heater was used before the vehicle startup event based on the derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A Bialas, Igor Anilovich, John W. Siekkinen, Thomas F. Porlick
  • ENGINE HEATER USE DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20120011925
    Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a temperature derivative module and a heater use module. The temperature derivative module determines a derivative of a temperature of one of a fluid of an engine of a vehicle and a component of the engine measured by a temperature sensor after a vehicle startup event. The heater use module selectively indicates that an engine heater was used before the vehicle startup event based on the derivative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPEARATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Bialas, Igor Anilovich, John W. Siekkinen, Thomas F. Porlick