Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Ting

Thomas L. Ting 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: 7444235
    Abstract: An engine exhaust sensor diagnostic system for an exhaust system including a catalyst and a post-catalyst oxygen sensor includes a first module that calculates a total integrated area based on a signal generated by the post-catalyst oxygen sensor. A second module compares the total integrated area to a threshold integrated area and generates a pass status signal when the total integrated area is less than the threshold integrated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Anilovich, Thomas L. Ting, Zhong Wang, Justin F. Adams
  • Publication number: 20080184695
    Abstract: An engine exhaust sensor diagnostic system for an exhaust system including a catalyst and a post-catalyst oxygen sensor includes a first module that calculates a total integrated area based on a signal generated by the post-catalyst oxygen sensor. A second module compares the total integrated area to a threshold integrated area and generates a pass status signal when the total integrated area is less than the threshold integrated area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Igor Anilovich, Thomas L. Ting, Zhong Wang, Justin F. Adams
  • Patent number: 7266442
    Abstract: A method and system to optimize values of a plurality of calibration discharge coefficients useable in a computer program operable to estimate mass air flow into an internal combustion engine having an air intake system comprising a throttle body and a plurality of sensors is presented. This includes collecting engine operation data points, including throttle position. Discharge coefficients are calculated, one for each engine operation data point. The discharge coefficients are partitioned based upon throttle position. Calibration discharge coefficients are calculated for each partitioned plurality of discharge coefficients. This includes circumscribing each calibration discharge coefficient based upon predetermined thresholds. This further includes monitoring and collecting input signals correlatable to airflow from the sensors during ongoing engine operation, preferably comprising throttle position, manifold pressure, intake air temperature, and, atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Ting, Bruce K. Walker
  • Patent number: 6957562
    Abstract: An engine exhaust sensor diagnostic system includes an oxygen sensor and a controller. The controller monitors a signal generated by the oxygen sensor, determines a rate of change of the signal, and computes diagnostic parameters. The controller indicates malfunction of the oxygen sensor if the diagnostic parameters are smaller in magnitude than corresponding thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Igor Anilovich, Thomas L. Ting
  • Patent number: 6763708
    Abstract: A process for computer based, wholly passive, diagnosis of an automotive vehicle exhaust gas recirculation system is disclosed. Use is made of any suitable math model of the vehicle's air intake system to estimate the absolute pressure in the intake manifold, MAP, assuming both a healthy EGR system, MAPHE, and a faulty EGR valve, MAPFE. Both estimated values are compared with the actual normally measured manifold pressure, MAPmeas. Both comparisons are repeated over many calculations and the differences analyzed to reliably determine whether there is a real restriction to recirculated exhaust flow. A preferred math model of the intake system uses as input variables: mass air flow, barometric pressure, the position command for the EGR valve and engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas L. Ting, John F. Van Gilder
  • Patent number: 6701282
    Abstract: A fault identification system for intake system sensors according to the invention includes a throttle position sensor (TPS), a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, and a mass airflow (MAF) sensor. A diagnostic controller is coupled to the TPS, the MAP sensor and the MAF sensor. The diagnostic controller implements a throttle model, a first intake model and a second intake model and correctly identifies faults in the TPS, the MAP sensor and the MAF sensor. The throttle model generates a mass airflow estimate. The first intake model generates a first MAP estimate. The second intake model generates a second MAP estimate. The diagnostic controller applies residual calculations on outputs of the throttle model, the first intake model and the second intake model. The diagnostic controller applies a first order lag filter on the residual calculations. The diagnostic controller accesses a truth table to identify faults in the TPS, the MAP sensor and the MAF sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas L. Ting, John F. Van Gilder
  • Publication number: 20030065483
    Abstract: A fault identification system for intake system sensors according to the invention includes a throttle position sensor (TPS), a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, and a mass airflow (MAF) sensor. A diagnostic controller is coupled to the TPS, the MAP sensor and the MAF sensor. The diagnostic controller implements a throttle model, a first intake model and a second intake model and correctly identifies faults in the TPS, the MAP sensor and the MAF sensor. The throttle model generates a mass airflow estimate. The first intake model generates a first MAP estimate. The second intake model generates a second MAP estimate. The diagnostic controller applies residual calculations on outputs of the throttle model, the first intake model and the second intake model. The diagnostic controller applies a first order lag filter on the residual calculations. The diagnostic controller accesses a truth table to identify faults in the TPS, the MAP sensor and the MAF sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas L. Ting, John F. Van Gilder
  • Publication number: 20030029233
    Abstract: A process for computer based, wholly passive, diagnosis of an automotive vehicle exhaust gas recirculation system is disclosed. Use is made of any suitable math model of the vehicle's air intake system to estimate the absolute pressure in the intake manifold, MAP, assuming both a healthy EGR system, MAPHE, and a faulty EGR valve, MAPFE. Both estimated values are compared with the actual normally measured manifold pressure, MAPmeas. Both comparisons are repeated over many calculations and the differences analyzed to reliably determine whether there is a real restriction to recirculated exhaust flow. A preferred math model of the intake system uses as input variables: mass air flow, barometric pressure, the position command for the EGR valve and engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas L. Ting, John F. Van Gilder
  • Patent number: 6275761
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for computer-based control of the timing and level of gear shifts in a multi-speed automatic transmission operated in combination with an internal combustion engine and interposed fluid torque converter. The computer containing power control module signals gear shifts in response to its repeated cyclic processing of engine and transmission operation parameters including torque converter slippage. Here, such slippage is estimated using a neural network with suitable such parameters as input data. In preferred modes of operation, different neural networks are available for selection and use by the computer in different modes of engine-transmission operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas L. Ting