Patents by Inventor Timothy Joseph Clark

Timothy Joseph Clark 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: 10947932
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of a split exhaust engine system based on a total flow of gases through a scavenge exhaust gas recirculation system of the split exhaust engine system. In one example, a method may include setting a cam timing correction based on a difference between a first value and a second value of a flow through an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage, the first value determined based on a first parameter set including a cylinder valve overlap area and the second value determined based on a second parameter set not including the cylinder valve overlap area, and operating at least one of an intake cam and an exhaust cam at a corrected timing using the cam timing correction. In this way, the flow through the EGR passage may be adjusted even without active control of a valve coupled in the EGR passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Paul Madison
  • Publication number: 20200400106
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of a split exhaust engine system based on a total flow of gases through a scavenge exhaust gas recirculation system of the split exhaust engine system. In one example, a method may include setting a cam timing correction based on a difference between a first value and a second value of a flow through an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage, the first value determined based on a first parameter set including a cylinder valve overlap area and the second value determined based on a second parameter set not including the cylinder valve overlap area, and operating at least one of an intake cam and an exhaust cam at a corrected timing using the cam timing correction. In this way, the flow through the EGR passage may be adjusted even without active control of a valve coupled in the EGR passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Mohannad Hakeem, Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel Paul Madison
  • Patent number: 10816644
    Abstract: A computing device in a vehicle can emit a sequence of light pulses having a first speed, then receive a signal from another vehicle. Following this, the computing device can emit a message as a sequence of light pulses having a second speed based on the signal received from the vehicle, wherein the first speed is different from the second speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 10767571
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes a compression ratio linkage for adjusting engine compression ratio are described. The systems and methods provide different ways of changing a compression ratio of an engine based on forecast or anticipated engine operating conditions. In one example, the forecast or anticipated engine operating conditions may include a forecast or anticipated transmission gear shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Glugla, Imtiaz Ali, Lyth Alobiedat, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Publication number: 20200025113
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes a compression ratio linkage for adjusting engine compression ratio are described. The systems and methods provide different ways of changing a compression ratio of an engine based on forecast or anticipated engine operating conditions. In one example, the forecast or anticipated engine operating conditions may include a forecast or anticipated transmission gear shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Glugla, Imtiaz Ali, Lyth Alobiedat, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 10480443
    Abstract: Embodiments for diagnosing a humidity sensor are provided. One example method comprises adjusting an engine operating parameter based on humidity of a first gas flow measured by a humidity sensor, and indicating degradation of the humidity sensor if a humidity of a second gas flow measured by the humidity sensor is different than an expected humidity. In this way, degradation of the humidity sensor may be indicated if the humidity of the second gas flow measured by the humidity sensor is different than expected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Imad Hassan Makki, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Pankaj Kumar
  • Patent number: 10173674
    Abstract: A first vehicle includes: steering, brakes, memory, sensors, and processor(s) configured to: determine, with the sensors: the first vehicle's acceleration, a second vehicle's acceleration; compute a theoretical collision velocity (TCV) between the first vehicle and the second vehicle based on the accelerations; apply a function or generate a command based on the TCV and a selected coefficient of kinetic friction (COF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 10156213
    Abstract: A diagnostic method for a capacitive humidity sensor comprising a heater, and a capacitance-sensing element that individually identifies heater, temperature-sensing element, or capacitance-sensing element degradation. By this method, individual elements of the sensor may be replaced or compensated for to allow for further operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Imad Hassan Makki, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Pankaj Kumar, Yong-Wha Kim
  • Publication number: 20180292513
    Abstract: A computing device in a vehicle can emit a sequence of light pulses having a first speed, then receive a signal from another vehicle. Following this, the computing device can emit a message as a sequence of light pulses having a second speed based on the signal received from the vehicle, wherein the first speed is different from the second speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 9984567
    Abstract: Infrared light is detected in a vehicle computer via an infrared sensor from a source outside the host vehicle. The computer can further determine that the infrared light was generated from a source in a second vehicle, detect the second vehicle based at least partly on the detected infrared light and possibly also partly on input from a host vehicle collision detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 9932938
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an intake oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of an intake oxygen sensor based on a first time constant of an output of the intake oxygen sensor and a second time constant of an output of a throttle inlet pressure sensor. The method may further include adjusting EGR flow based on the output of the intake oxygen sensor and the output of the throttle inlet pressure sensor when the intake oxygen sensor is not degraded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Yong-Wha Kim, Michael James Uhrich, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Publication number: 20180075741
    Abstract: Infrared light is detected in a vehicle computer via an infrared sensor from a source outside the host vehicle. The computer can further determine that the infrared light was generated from a source in a second vehicle, detect the second vehicle based at least partly on the detected infrared light and possibly also partly on input from a host vehicle collision detection sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 9897030
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for accurately learning the zero point of an intake gas oxygen sensor during selected engine no-fueling conditions. The learned zero point is used to infer EGR flow and accordingly adjust EGR valve control. In addition, EGR valve leakage is diagnosed based on the zero point learned during a DFSO adaptation relative to a zero point learned during an idle adaptation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Clark, Gopichandra Surnilla, Matthew John Gerhart, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Publication number: 20170361839
    Abstract: A first vehicle includes: steering, brakes, memory, sensors, and processor(s) configured to: determine, with the sensors: the first vehicle's acceleration, a second vehicle's acceleration; compute a theoretical collision velocity (TCV) between the first vehicle and the second vehicle based on the accelerations; apply a function or generate a command based on the TCV and a selected coefficient of kinetic friction (COF).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 9845749
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining changes in a flow area of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve for EGR flow estimates due to soot accumulation on the EGR valve. In one example, a method includes indicating soot accumulation on the EGR valve based on a difference in EGR flow estimated with an intake oxygen sensor and with a pressure sensor coupled across the EGR valve. The determination of the difference of the EGR flow estimates may occur when the engine is not boosted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Imtiaz Ali, Daniel Joseph Styles, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 9828949
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Robert Roy Jentz, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Richard E. Soltis
  • Patent number: 9803590
    Abstract: Embodiments for diagnosing a humidity sensor are provided. One example method comprises, responsive to a humidity sensor test cycle, pumping air conditioning and windshield washer gas flows past a humidity sensor, and indicating humidity sensor degradation based on a response of the humidity sensor to the air conditioning and windshield washer gas flows. In this way, degradation of the humidity sensor may be indicated if the humidity sensed by the humidity sensor does not change responsive to the humidity sensor test cycle being initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Imad Hassan Makki, Timothy Joseph Clark, Michael James Uhrich, Pankaj Kumar
  • Patent number: 9714619
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indicating water at an oxygen sensor based on power consumption of a heating element of the oxygen sensor. In one example, water may be indicated at an oxygen sensor positioned in an intake of an engine responsive to power consumption of the heating element of the oxygen sensor increasing above a baseline level. Engine operating parameters may then be adjusted based on the water indication and the power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Dan A. Makled, Timothy Joseph Clark
  • Patent number: 9683500
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing EGR estimation errors during lean engine operating conditions. During lean engine operation, EGR is disabled if the estimated exhaust air-fuel ratio becomes leaner than a lean threshold. The lean threshold is adjusted based on an upper limit of EGR errors that may be tolerated by the engine at a given engine speed and load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, James Alfred Hilditch, Timothy Joseph Clark, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Julia Helen Buckland, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Patent number: 9670861
    Abstract: Embodiments for testing a humidity sensor are provided. One example method comprises indicating degradation of a humidity sensor based on a humidity sensor output and output from an intake gas composition sensor. In this way, output from the intake gas composition sensor may be used to determine if the humidity sensor is degraded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Timothy Joseph Clark, Imad Hassan Makki, Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Michael James Uhrich