Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Leone

Thomas G. Leone 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 SELECTIVE CYLINDER DEACTIVATION
    Publication number: 20160003168
    Abstract: Embodiments for operating an engine with skip fire are provided. In one example, a method comprises during a skip fire mode or during a skip fire mode transition, port injecting a first fuel quantity to a cylinder of an engine, the first fuel quantity based on a first, predicted air charge amount for the cylinder and lean of a desired air-fuel ratio, and direct injecting a second fuel quantity to the cylinder, the second fuel quantity based on the first fuel quantity and a second, calculated air charge amount for the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, John Eric Rollinger, Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Brad Alan Boyer
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SECONDARY AIR INJECTION COORDINATION WITH EXHAUST BACK PRESSURE VALVE
    Publication number: 20150369101
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling and coordinating control of a post-catalyst exhaust back pressure valve and secondary air injection to expedite catalyst heating. By adjusting the exhaust back pressure valve to increase the exhaust backpressure and injecting secondary air into an exhaust passage upstream of the catalyst during cold start conditions, exhaust catalyst activation may be expedited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STOPPING AND STARTING AN ENGINE WITH DEDICATED EGR
    Publication number: 20150369180
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including a DEGR system during start-stop and DFSO conditions. In one example, the DEGR cylinder may be deactivated prior to deactivating the non-DEGR cylinder group and stopping the engine, to purge EGR from the intake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Chris Paul Glugla, James Alfred Hilditch, Michael Damian Czekala, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DEDICATED EGR CYLINDER VALVE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150354482
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving combustion in a highly exhaust gas diluted engine are disclosed. The methods and systems may be provided in an engine that includes independent control of cylinder valves with respect to other cylinder valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Michael Howard Shelby, Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Brad Alan Boyer
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EGR CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150354477
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing torque transients experienced when a dedicated EGR cylinder is deactivated to reduce EGR. Before deactivating the dedicated cylinder, an intake throttle position and spark timing of remaining engine cylinders is adjusted to build-up torque reserve in anticipation of a negative torque transient at deactivation. Then, the throttle position or spark timing is adjusted to reduce torque when a positive torque transient is expected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Michael Howard Shelby, Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Damian Czekala, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Method and system for adjusting engine throttles
    Patent number: 9206747
    Abstract: An engine system and method for operating an engine including a central throttle and a port throttle is disclosed. In one example, the central throttle and port throttle are adjusted to improve air flow distribution to engine cylinders. The system and method may be particularly beneficial for turbocharged engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Norman Ulrey
  • VEHICLE HEATING SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20150330351
    Abstract: Methods and system for providing heat to a vehicle are presented. In one example, a heat pump supplies thermal energy to an engine to reduce engine emissions during engine starting. Further, heating the engine via the heat pump may also reduce engine friction at colder ambient temperatures where oil viscosity may be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Franco Ragazzi, Thomas G. Leone
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING OPERATION OF A HIGHLY DILUTE ENGINE
    Publication number: 20150322904
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving combustion in a highly exhaust gas diluted engine are disclosed. The methods and systems may be provided in an engine that is supplied two different types of fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, John D. Russell
  • Intercooler condensate to sump or positive crankcase ventilation flow
    Patent number: 9181853
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for removing condensate from a charge air cooler. Condensate may be drained from the charge air cooler and introduced into a positive crankcase ventilation flow or an engine oil sump. Introducing condensate into the engine oil sump may be controlled based on conditions of the engine oil sump and stored condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Michael Damian Czekala
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING TORQUE RESPONSE OF AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20150307076
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving engine torque response are presented. In one example, engine idle speed is increased to shorten engine torque response based on engine operating conditions. The methods and systems may be useful for operating an engine that is supplied a gaseous fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • OCTANE SEPARATION SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD
    Publication number: 20150308312
    Abstract: An engine method, comprising delivering high octane fuel to a high octane fuel tank and delivering low octane fuel to a low octane fuel tank and injecting atmospheric air into an exhaust system for secondary air injection in response to delivering low octane fuel to an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUPPLYING GASEOUS FUEL TO AN ENGINE
    Publication number: 20150307075
    Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, a gaseous fuel pump is selectively activated to extend a vehicle's operating range. The methods and systems may be useful for operating an engine that includes directly injected gaseous fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Water injection for catalyst oxygen reduction and temperature control during transient events
    Patent number: 9169755
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting water based on duration of cylinder deactivation, and exhaust catalyst temperature during an engine cylinder deactivation event so as to reduce an exhaust catalyst regeneration requirement following the cylinder deactivation, and to prevent catalyst degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Octane separation system and operating method
    Patent number: 9121355
    Abstract: An engine method, comprising delivering high octane fuel to a high octane fuel tank and delivering low octane fuel to a low octane fuel tank and injecting atmospheric air into an exhaust system for secondary air injection in response to delivering low octane fuel to an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • ENGINE CONTROL FOR CATALYST REGENERATION
    Publication number: 20150240709
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for injecting water during an engine cylinder deactivation event so as to reduce an exhaust catalyst regeneration requirement following the cylinder deactivation. In one example, water is injected at one or more deactivated engine cylinders to reduce oxidation of the exhaust catalyst. Then, during engine cylinder reactivation, a degree of richness of a combustion air-to-fuel ratio may be reduced to decrease fuel penalty to the engine while reducing NOx emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Mark Allen Dearth
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING ENGINE STARTING
    Publication number: 20150211428
    Abstract: An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, engine port throttles are adjusted differently during automatic and operator initiated engine starts. The system and method may improve engine torque control during an engine start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Ralph Wayne Cunningham
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEPARATION OF LIQUID AND GASEOUS FUEL FOR INJECTION
    Publication number: 20150198118
    Abstract: A method for an engine may comprise, on board a vehicle, supplying fuel from a fuel tank to a fuel separator, wherein the fuel comprises a gaseous fuel solubilized in a liquid fuel, desolubilizing the gaseous fuel from the liquid fuel in the fuel separator, and separating the gaseous fuel from the liquid fuel in the fuel separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING AMOUNT OF LIQUID AND GASEOUS FUEL
    Publication number: 20150192450
    Abstract: A method may comprise, on board a vehicle, identifying a volume of gaseous fuel in a tank based on a volume of liquid fuel in the tank, the liquid fuel comprising a first fuel and a second fuel, the gaseous fuel comprising essentially the second fuel, and identifying quantities of the first fuel and the second fuel in the tank based on a solubility of the second fuel in the first fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SAMPLING INTAKE MANIFOLD PRESSURE
    Publication number: 20150184607
    Abstract: An engine system and method for improving sampling of a port throttle pressure sensor. In one example, the port throttle pressure sensor is sampled a plurality of times during a cylinder cycle and different engine operating conditions are determined from selected samples. The system and method may improve engine air-fuel control as well as engine diagnostics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • SCR catalyst diagnostics
    Patent number: 9068491
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises operating the engine with an upstream exhaust sensor, intermediate exhaust sensor, and downstream exhaust sensor each indicating rich, adjusting engine operation to operate the engine with an upstream exhaust sensor, intermediate exhaust sensor, and downstream exhaust sensor each indicating lean, adjusting engine operation to operate the engine with the upstream exhaust sensor indicating rich and the intermediate and downstream exhaust sensors each indicating lean, and indicating degradation of an SCR catalyst based on when the intermediate and downstream exhaust sensors switch from lean to rich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Giovanni Cavataio, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Thomas G. Leone, Joseph Robert Theis, Michael James Uhrich