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).

  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PISTON COOLING
    Publication number: 20170138298
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for supplying cooling oil to a piston of an engine cylinder. In one example, a method may include repeatedly activating an oil supply only during a part of a cylinder cycle synchronous with a reciprocating motion of the piston. In particular, supply of cooling oil may be initiated by displacing a poppet valve arranged within a piston cooling assembly via a reciprocating motion of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Vehicle location accuracy
    Patent number: 9650039
    Abstract: A controller may maintain a last-known vehicle location, and, when satellite-positioning data is unavailable from a satellite-based positioning-system module, utilize compass data and stability control data to estimate a current vehicle location from the last-known vehicle location. The controller may avoid use of the compass data to estimate the current vehicle location when the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating in East or West headings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher James Hocking, Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin, William Paul Perkins, Thomas G. Leone
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CATALYST TEMPERATURE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20170122164
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling and coordinating control of a post-catalyst exhaust throttle and an EGR valve to expedite catalyst heating. By closing both valves during an engine cold start, an elevated exhaust backpressure and increased heat rejection at an EGR cooler can be synergistically used to warm each of an engine and an exhaust catalyst. The valves may also be controlled to vary an amount of exhaust flowing through an exhaust venturi so as to meet engine vacuum needs while providing a desired amount of engine EGR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, William Charles Ruona, Thomas G. Leone, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Systems and methods for engine control based on engine oil viscosity
    Patent number: 9624858
    Abstract: A method, comprising: setting an engine intake airflow parameter based on an engine oil viscosity index. In this way, engine operating conditions that depend on engine friction and engine intake airflow, such as engine idling speed and engine friction torque, may be determined and implemented with an increased consistency. This in turn may decrease the possibility of engine stalls and improve engine performance, particularly at low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Catalyst heating with exhaust back-pressure
    Patent number: 9624855
    Abstract: Embodiments for controlling an exhaust back-pressure valve are provided. In one example, a method for operating an engine comprises closing an exhaust back-pressure valve in response to a component temperature, adjusting intake and/or exhaust valve operation in response to closing the exhaust back-pressure valve to reduce cylinder internal exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and while the exhaust back-pressure valve is closing, indicating degradation of an exhaust back-pressure system if a designated engine operating parameter remains constant. In this way, degradation of the exhaust back-pressure system may be diagnosed while maintaining combustion stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Peter C. Moilanen
  • Systems and methods for control of turbine-generator via exhaust valve timing and duration modulation in a split exhaust engine system
    Patent number: 9624850
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing exhaust energy delivered to a turbine of a turbine-generator coupled to a split exhaust engine system in order to reduce turbine over-speed conditions and/or to reduce a generator output. In one example, a method may include retarding a first timing of a first exhaust valve utilized to deliver a blowdown portion of exhaust energy to the turbine, and/or advancing a second timing of a second exhaust valve utilized to deliver a scavenging portion of exhaust energy to an exhaust catalyst in response to a turbine speed greater than a threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Thomas G. Leone, Daniel Joseph Styles, Karen Elizabeth Maceroni
  • System and method for selective cylinder deactivation
    Patent number: 9605601
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Brad Alan Boyer, Mrdjan J. Jankovic
  • Systems and methods for piston cooling
    Patent number: 9605620
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for supplying cooling oil to a piston of an engine cylinder. In one example, a method may include repeatedly activating an oil supply only during a part of a cylinder cycle synchronous with a reciprocating motion of the piston. In particular, supply of cooling oil may be initiated by displacing a poppet valve arranged within a piston cooling assembly via a reciprocating motion of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Systems and methods for dedicated EGR cylinder valve control
    Patent number: 9599046
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Michael Howard Shelby, Daniel Joseph Styles, James Alfred Hilditch, Brad Alan Boyer
  • HYBRID VEHICLE AND METHOD OF CONDITIONING A VEHICLE BATTERY
    Publication number: 20170072813
    Abstract: A includes a battery, an electric machine, an electrically powered cooling system, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to charge the battery with current generated from regenerative braking. The electrically powered cooling system is configured to cool the battery. The controller is programmed to, in response to a temperature of the battery being greater than a threshold, direct at least a portion of the current generated from regenerative braking to the cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond MARTIN, Thomas G. LEONE, Kenneth James MILLER
  • REGENERATIVE BRAKING POWER TO OPERATE VEHICLE ELECTRIC HEATER
    Publication number: 20170074130
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine configured to recharge a battery through regenerative braking, an electric heater configured to heat a powertrain lubricating oil, and a controller. The controller, in response to a temperature of the powertrain lubricating oil being less than a threshold, directs regenerative braking power to the electric heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin
  • THROTTLE ADJUSTMENT DURING DECELERATION FUEL SHUT OFF
    Publication number: 20170044998
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a throttle during deceleration fuel shut off (DFSO). In one example, a method may comprise controlling a position of a throttle in an air inlet of an engine propelling a vehicle, in relation to vehicle operator commands, and during a deceleration fuel shut off mode, increasing opening of said throttle independently of said operator commands when speed of said vehicle is or is expected to fall below a desired speed or desired speed trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick Kevin Holub, Thomas G. Leone
  • REFUELING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MIXED LIQUID AND GASEOUS FUEL
    Publication number: 20170036904
    Abstract: A fuel tank system, comprising: a fuel tank configured to store a liquid fuel and a pressurized gaseous fuel capable of partially dissolving in the liquid fuel; a refueling conduit coupled to the fuel tank via a tank access valve; a first high pressure refueling port coupled to the refueling conduit; a low pressure refueling port coupled to the refueling conduit via a check valve. In this way, pressurized gaseous fuel or a pre-pressurized mix of fuels may be added to the fuel tank without active control any time the fuel pressure in the fuel tank is below a maximum allowable pressure, and liquid fuel may be added to the fuel tank with active control whenever the fuel pressure and liquid fuel level in the fuel tank are below threshold levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Method and system for catalyst temperature control
    Patent number: 9556771
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling and coordinating control of a post-catalyst exhaust throttle and an EGR valve to expedite catalyst heating. By closing both valves during an engine cold start, an elevated exhaust backpressure and increased heat rejection at an EGR cooler can be synergistically used to warm each of an engine and an exhaust catalyst. The valves may also be controlled to vary an amount of exhaust flowing through an exhaust venturi so as to meet engine vacuum needs while providing a desired amount of engine EGR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, William Charles Ruona, Thomas G. Leone, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Method and system for vacuum control
    Patent number: 9556784
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a fuel injection split between a direct injection and a port injection based on engine vacuum demand. When more intake manifold vacuum is required, relatively more direct injection is used to take advantage of the associated throttling for generating vacuum. The vacuum may then be used for canister purging, crankcase ventilation, or actuating an engine vacuum consumption device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Octane separation system and operating method
    Patent number: 9546583
    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: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Fuel separation via fuel vapor management systems
    Patent number: 9528474
    Abstract: Systems and methods for separating higher octane fuel from a fuel mixture are presented. In one example, fuel vapors may be limited or constrained from migrating to fuel tanks storing lower octane fuels. The systems may vent fuel vapors from a plurality of fuel tanks to a single fuel vapor storage canister. Alternatively, the systems may vent fuel vapors from the plurality of fuel tanks to a plurality of fuel vapor storage canisters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, James Eric Anderson
  • Refueling systems and methods for mixed liquid and gaseous fuel
    Patent number: 9527718
    Abstract: A fuel tank system, comprising: a fuel tank configured to store a liquid fuel and a pressurized gaseous fuel capable of partially dissolving in the liquid fuel; a refueling conduit coupled to the fuel tank via a tank access valve; a first high pressure refueling port coupled to the refueling conduit; a low pressure refueling port coupled to the refueling conduit via a check valve. In this way, pressurized gaseous fuel or a pre-pressurized mix of fuels may be added to the fuel tank without active control any time the fuel pressure in the fuel tank is below a maximum allowable pressure, and liquid fuel may be added to the fuel tank with active control whenever the fuel pressure and liquid fuel level in the fuel tank are below threshold levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Viscosity detection using sump
    Patent number: 9523320
    Abstract: Various methods for inferring oil viscosity and/or oil viscosity index in an internal combustion engine are provided. In one aspect, a new control method comprises: after engine shutdown, learning engine oil viscosity based on time to drain the oil back into an engine sump and oil temperature during the draining, and correcting an engine operating parameter based on the learned oil viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VACUUM CONTROL
    Publication number: 20160363023
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling and coordinating control of a post-catalyst exhaust throttle and an EGR valve to expedite catalyst heating. By closing both valves during an engine cold start, an elevated exhaust backpressure and increased heat rejection at an EGR cooler can be synergistically used to warm each of an engine and an exhaust catalyst. The valves may also be controlled to vary an amount of exhaust flowing through an exhaust venturi so as to meet engine vacuum needs while providing a desired amount of engine EGR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Thomas G. Leone, William Charles Ruona, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, John D. Russell