Patents by Inventor William Charles Ruona

William Charles Ruona 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).

  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REGENERATING A PARTICULATE FILTER
    Publication number: 20140041362
    Abstract: An engine system and method for operating an engine that includes a particulate filter is described. In one example, spark delivery to one or more engine cylinders is ceased while fuel is continued to be injected to the one or more cylinders to improve particulate filter regeneration. The system and method may be particularly beneficial for direct injection turbocharged engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Adam Nathan Banker, William Charles Ruona, Henry W. Patterson
  • MULTI-STAGED WASTEGATE
    Publication number: 20140041380
    Abstract: Embodiments for controlling boost pressure are provided. In one example, a method of controlling a turbocharger of an engine via a multi-staged wastegate comprises during a first condition, actuating a first stage of the wastegate based on boost pressure generated by the turbocharger, and actuating a second stage of the wastegate based on a temperature of a catalyst downstream of the turbocharger. In this way, catalyst heating and boost control may be provided by a common wastegate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Keith Michael Plagens, William Charles Ruona
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING OPERATION OF AN SCR
    Publication number: 20140010744
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving operation of an SCR are disclosed. In one example, engine hydrocarbon emissions are reduced and/or directed to bypass an SCR so that SCR efficiency can be increased. The methods and systems may reduce NOx emissions of a vehicle via improving SCR efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Charles Ruona, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Devesh Upadhyay
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EMISSION SYSTEM CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140000242
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine having a turbocharger, and a particulate filter upstream of a turbocharger turbine. In one example, the method comprises, under selected boosted operating conditions, injecting a reductant upstream of the filter during an exhaust stroke to generate an exothermic reaction at the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • METHOD FOR EVALUATING DEGRADATION OF A PARTICULATE MATTER SENSOR AFTER AN ENGINE START
    Publication number: 20130255353
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, particulate sensor degradation is indicated in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY OF A VEHICLE INCLUDING A SCR CATALYST
    Publication number: 20130261930
    Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing fuel economy of a vehicle including a SCR catalyst are presented. In one example, an amount of EGR provided to an engine is decreased in response to performance of the SCR being within a predetermined range of performance. The methods and systems may increase vehicle fuel economy while vehicle tailpipe emissions are achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Kurtz, Paul Joseph Tennison, William Charles Ruona, Waheed Alashe, David A. May, Joshua Putman Styron
  • Methods and systems for emission system control
    Patent number: 8516799
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine having a turbocharger, and a particulate filter upstream of a turbocharger turbine. In one example, the method comprises, under selected boosted operating conditions, injecting a reductant upstream of the filter during an exhaust stroke to generate an exothermic reaction at the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Method for evaluating degradation of a particulate matter sensor after an engine start
    Patent number: 8448511
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, particulate sensor degradation is indicated in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • Methods and Systems for Emission System Control
    Publication number: 20130118162
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including an emission control system, the emission control system comprising a catalyst downstream of a turbine of a boosting device and a reductant injector upstream of the turbine. In one example, the method comprises injecting reductant into exhaust upstream of the turbine, mixing the injected reductant with exhaust gas via the turbine, and delivering the mixed reductant to the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Method for evaluating degradation of a particulate matter sensor
    Patent number: 8438899
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, degradation of a particulate matter sensor is indicated after a temperature of a substrate of the particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold temperature and an output of the particulate matter sensor is below a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, Jr., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • GASOLINE PARTICULATE FILTER REGENERATION AND DIAGNOSTICS
    Publication number: 20130008162
    Abstract: A method for operating a spark-ignition engine having a three-way catalyst and a particulate filter downstream thereof, comprising: oscillating an exhaust air-fuel ratio entering the particulate filter to generate air-fuel ratio oscillations downstream of the particulate filter, while increasing exhaust temperature; when the downstream oscillations are sufficiently dissipated, enleaning the exhaust air-fuel ratio entering the particulate filter; and reducing the enleanment when an exhaust operating parameter is beyond a threshold amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Charles Ruona, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Methods and systems for emission system control
    Patent number: 8347609
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including an SCR catalyst downstream of an exhaust turbine and a particulate filter upstream of the turbine. In one example, the method comprises, adjusting a turbine wastegate to adjust a catalyst temperature to a desired catalyst temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Methods and systems for emission system control
    Patent number: 8347611
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including an emission control system, the emission control system comprising a catalyst downstream of a turbine of a boosting device and a reductant injector upstream of the turbine. In one example, the method comprises injecting reductant into exhaust upstream of the turbine, mixing the injected reductant with exhaust gas via the turbine, and delivering the mixed reductant to the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Gasoline particulate filter regeneration and diagnostics
    Patent number: 8327628
    Abstract: A method for operating a spark-ignition engine having a three-way catalyst and a particulate filter downstream thereof, comprising: oscillating an exhaust air-fuel ratio entering the particulate filter to generate air-fuel ratio oscillations downstream of the particulate filter, while increasing exhaust temperature; when the downstream oscillations are sufficiently dissipated, enleaning the exhaust air-fuel ratio entering the particulate filter; and reducing the enleanment when an exhaust operating parameter is beyond a threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Charles Ruona, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt
  • Pre-delivery strategy for diesel-engine vehicles
    Patent number: 8265856
    Abstract: A method to supply fuel to an engine of a vehicle is provided. The method includes adjusting a direct injection of fuel into a cylinder of the engine based on whether the vehicle is in a pre-delivery state. In one example, the method includes reducing an amount of fuel in a post injection to reduce cylinder bore wetting effects and lubricant dilution during the engine cold start. After pre-delivery, a normal post injection schedule may be used to reduce emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John William Hoard, William Charles Ruona
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING REDUCTANT QUALITY
    Publication number: 20120192548
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a reductant delivery and storage system in an emission control system, comprising of correlating a change in a monitored operating condition with a refill event to determine whether a reductant-diluting substance has been added to the reductant storage system; and limiting vehicle operation based on the correlation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Furqan Zafar Shaikh, John Paul Bogema, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Scott Donald Cooper, Garry Anthony Zawacki, Jacobus Hendrik Visser, William Charles Ruona, Timothy Webb, Ed Kulik, David K. Chen
  • SYSTEM FOR AN ENGINE HAVING A PARTICULATE MATTER SENSOR
    Publication number: 20120174564
    Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, an engine controller that activates a heater of an exhaust gas sensor after an output of a particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold value after an engine is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Garry Anthony Zawacki, Robert F. Novak, Roberto Teran, JR., Dave Charles Weber, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Michael Hopka, William Charles Ruona
  • Methods and systems for exhaust gas mixing
    Patent number: 8200414
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine system is described in which a back-pressure valve of a low pressure EGR system can be modulated at a lower frequency during an EGR operation, and at a higher frequency when additional exhaust gas sensing is requested. Back-pressure valve modulation can therefore be used to promote exhaust gas mixing while providing EGR. Exhaust gas constituents in the mixed exhaust gas can then be sensed with higher accuracy by downstream exhaust gas sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, William Charles Ruona, Paul Joseph Tennison, Michael Hopka
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING FUEL INJECTION
    Publication number: 20120143477
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for controlling fuel injection to an engine. In one example, fuel injection timing of a cylinder of the engine is adjusted during a hot engine restart such that a fuel injector is open only when the cylinder pressure is greater than a threshold cylinder pressure. The threshold cylinder pressure may be adjusted responsive to a fuel rail pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Charles Ruona, Fred Howard Trinker
  • Methods and Systems for Emission System Control
    Publication number: 20120117963
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a turbocharged engine including a particulate filter positioned upstream of a turbocharger turbine, a catalyst positioned downstream of the turbine, and an EGR passage coupled between an engine exhaust and engine intake. In one example, the method comprises, diverting exhaust gas from downstream of the filter to the engine intake via the EGR passage, and adjusting an amount of diverted exhaust gas based on filter operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz