Jeffrey A Doering

US Patent:

6357430, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Mar 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/531739

Inventors:

Michael John Cullen - Northville MI
Brent Edward Sealy - Dearborn MI
Jeffrey Allen Doering - Canton MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02D 4100

US Classification:

123683, 123403, 123399

Abstract:

A method for updating an air flow ratio of a current engine load to a maximum engine load includes calculating an approximate air flow ratio based only on throttle position changes. The approximate air flow ratio is calculated by modifying a normal, conventionally calculated air flow ratio based on a difference between two throttle position loads. The throttle position loads are ratios between sampled throttle positions and a reference throttle position. By approximating the air flow ratio rather than conducting an exact calculation, the invention method can update the air flow ratio to reflect changes in throttle position without adding significant chronometric burden.

US Patent:

6378505, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Aug 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/639651

Inventors:

Jeffrey Allen Doering - Canton MI
Brent Edward Sealy - Dearborn MI
Jae Doo Chung - Westland MI
Marianne L. Vykydal - Onsted MI
Patrick Joseph Curran - Northville MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 3302

US Classification:

123520, 123198 D

Abstract:

A method is presented for diagnosing a condition in the fuel vapor purge system. The engine, the fuel tank and the carbon canister are connected in a three-way connection. The engine can be selectively isolated by a purge control valve, and the fuel tank can be selectively isolated by a fuel tank control valve. The operation of both valves is coordinated by an electronic engine controller. By isolating the fuel tank, and comparing the actual rate of change of the internal tank pressure (from the tank pressure sensor) to the estimated rate of change (from engine operating conditions) it is possible to determine if a condition occurred, and whether it is in the tank or in the vapor purge lines.

US Patent:

6422214, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Aug 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/638691

Inventors:

Brent Edward Sealy - Dearborn MI
Jae Doo Chung - Westland MI
Jeffrey Allen Doering - Canton MI
Marianne L. Vykydal - Onsted MI
Patrick Joseph Curran - Northville MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 3704

US Classification:

123520, 123674

Abstract:

A method is presented for controlling fuel tank pressure in an internal combustion engine. The engine, the fuel tank and the carbon canister are connected in a three-way connection. The engine can be selectively isolated by a purge control valve, and the fuel tank can be selectively isolated by a fuel tank control valve. The operation of both valves is coordinated by an electronic engine controller. By isolating the fuel tank during the carbon canister purge, better estimate of the fuel fraction flowing into the engine can be achieved, thereby improving fuel economy.

US Patent:

6427109, Jul 30, 2002

Filed:

Oct 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/976962

Inventors:

Jeffrey Allen Doering - Canton MI
Mrdjan J. Jankovic - Birmingham MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 4128

US Classification:

701 54, 701 53, 701 55, 701 57, 701 58, 701 59

Abstract:

An improved method for estimating an input torque to the continuously variable transmission (CVT) is presented. The method includes calculating torque adaptation coefficients when the torque converter clutch is unlocked, and an accurate torque value can be obtained based on the torque converter characteristics. The adaptation coefficients are then used to correct the transmission torque estimate, which is then used to determine proper CVT clamping forces. This method improves fuel economy, transmission durability, and customer satisfaction.

US Patent:

6440041, Aug 27, 2002

Filed:

Feb 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/779816

Inventors:

Bradley Dean Riedle - Northville MI
Jeffrey Allen Doering - Canton MI
Ronald Thomas Cowan - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 4104

US Classification:

477107

Abstract:

A method of controlling engine torque in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and multi-ratio transmission when launched from a neutral idle rest condition. At neutral idle, the transmission is controlled such that the input and output members are decoupled. During vehicle launch, two different strategies may be employed to control engine torque. One preferred method is to determine an engine brake torque limit as a function of time. Another preferred method to determine the engine brake torque limit is to estimate the torque capacity of the forward clutch at any given time using a mathematical model and a calibrated offset of turbine torque. Irrespective of the particular method used, the determined engine brake torque limit is compared to the corresponding engine torque amount that is requested by the vehicle operator. As a result, the actual engine torque output is optimized at all times to provide approximately the maximum amount of requested torque without exceeding the capacity of the transmissions forward clutch.

US Patent:

6550466, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

Feb 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/785769

Inventors:

Kenneth John Behr - Farmington Hills MI
Brent Edward Sealy - Dearborn MI
Jeffrey Allen Doering - Canton MI
Richard Andrew Booth - Canton MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02D 4100

US Classification:

123692, 123691

Abstract:

A method for controlling first and second air/fuel ratio oscillations in first and second cylinder groups, respectively, of an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes determining a first frequency of the first air/fuel ratio oscillations in the first cylinder group. The method further includes determining a second frequency of the second air/fuel ratio oscillations in the second cylinder group. Finally, the method includes adjusting the first frequency towards the second frequency responsive to a frequency difference between the first and second frequencies.

US Patent:

6571771, Jun 3, 2003

Filed:

May 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/866341

Inventors:

Jeffrey Allen Doering - Canton MI
Giuseppe D. Suffredini - Shelby Township MI
Jon Walter Halverson - Dearborn MI
Mark Thomas Linenberg - Dearborn MI
Paul Charles Mingo - Farmington Hills MI
Ralph Wayne Cunningham - Milan MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 5100

US Classification:

123480, 123492

Abstract:

A method and system for controlling the fuel mass to be delivered to an individual cylinder of an internal combustion engine during engine transients caused by intake control device transitions. The method and system compensates for fuel transport dynamics and the actual fuel injected into the cylinder. A plurality of engine parameters are sensed, including cylinder air charge. An initial base desired fuel mass is determined based on the plurality of engine parameters. An initial transient fuel mass is also determined based on prior injection history which, in turn, is modified based on the transition of the intake control device for that cylinder. A desired injected fuel mass to be delivered to the cylinder is determined based on the initial base desired fuel mass and the initial transient fuel mass. These same calculations are then used to compensate for changes to the base desired fuel mass while the fuel injection is in progress, resulting in an updated desired injected fuel mass. Finally, the injection history for that cylinder is updated to account for the actual desired fuel mass delivered to the cylinder.

US Patent:

6595190, Jul 22, 2003

Filed:

Jul 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/918080

Inventors:

Brent Edward Sealy - Dearborn MI
Douglas Joseph Mancini - Farmington MI
Jeffrey Allen Doering - Canton MI
Marianne Lambert Vykydal - Onsted MI
Thomas Raymond Culbertson - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 3302

US Classification:

123520, 123518

Abstract:

A system and method for adjusting fuel vapor delivery from a fuel vapor recovery system in an internal combustion engine. A requested amount of fuel vapor delivery is determined based upon a desired fuel vapor delivery amount and various system constraints, which ensure continued optimal operation of the vehicle. Purge fuel ratios are calculated by comparing desired levels to actual levels of various operating parameters. The purge fuel ratios are compared to each other to determine the minimum value from among the various purge fuel ratios, which is indicative of the most limiting system constraint. The most limiting system constraint is used to calculate an amount of fuel vapor to be delivered from the vapor recovery system.