James F Kerns

US Patent:

6640539, Nov 4, 2003

Filed:

Jul 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/064432

Inventors:

Donald James Lewis - Howell MI
James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI
Matthew John Gerhart - Dearborn Heights MI
Ralph Wayne Cunningham - Milan MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F01N 300

US Classification:

60284, 60274, 60285, 60289, 12340623, 123699

Abstract:

A method for rapidly heating an emission control device in an engine exhaust uses excess air added to the exhaust via an air introduction device. After an engine cold start, the engine is operated to raise exhaust manifold temperature to a first predetermined value by operating the engine with a lean air-fuel ratio and retarded ignition timing. Once the exhaust manifold reaches the predetermined temperature value, the engine is switched to operate rich and air is added via the air introduction device. The added air and rich exhaust gas burn in the exhaust, thereby generating heat and raising catalyst temperature even more rapidly. The rich operation and excess air are continued until either engine airflow increases beyond a pre-selected value, or the emission control device reaches a desired temperature value. After the emission control device reaches the desired temperature, the engine is operated substantially around stoichiometry. Further, a method is described for adaptively learning pump airflow using feedback from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.

US Patent:

6666021, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Jul 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/064430

Inventors:

Donald James Lewis - Howell MI
James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI
Matthew John Gerhart - Dearborn Heights MI
Ralph Wayne Cunningham - Milan MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F01N 300

US Classification:

60289, 60274, 60276, 60285, 60290

Abstract:

A method for rapidly heating an emission control device in an engine exhaust uses excess air added to the exhaust via an air introduction device. After an engine cold start, the engine is operated to raise exhaust manifold temperature to a first predetermined value by operating the engine with a lean air-fuel ratio and retarded ignition timing. Once the exhaust manifold reaches the predetermined temperature value, the engine is switched to operate rich and air is added via the air introduction device. The added air and rich exhaust gas burn in the exhaust, thereby generating heat and raising catalyst temperature even more rapidly. The rich operation and excess air are continued until either engine airflow increases beyond a pre-selected value, or the emission control device reaches a desired temperature value. After the emission control device reaches the desired temperature, the engine is operated substantially around stoichiometry. Further, a method is described for adaptively learning pump airflow using feedback from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.

US Patent:

6715280, Apr 6, 2004

Filed:

Jul 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/064433

Inventors:

Donald James Lewis - Howell MI
James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI
Matthew John Gerhart - Dearborn Heights MI
Ralph Wayne Cunningham - Milan MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F01N 300

US Classification:

60274, 60284, 60285, 60292, 60289, 12340644

Abstract:

A method for rapidly heating an emission control device in an engine exhaust uses excess air added to the exhaust via an air introduction device. After an engine cold start, the engine is operated to raise exhaust manifold temperature to a first predetermined value by operating the engine with a lean air-fuel ratio and retarded ignition timing. Once the exhaust manifold reaches the predetermined temperature value, the engine is switched to operate rich and air is added via the air introduction device. The added air and rich exhaust gas burn in the exhaust, thereby generating heat and raising catalyst temperature even more rapidly. The rich operation and excess air are continued until either engine airflow increases beyond a pre-selected value, or the emission control device reaches a desired temperature value. After the emission control device reaches the desired temperature, the engine is operated substantially around stoichiometry. Further, a method is described for adaptively learning pump airflow using feedback from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.

US Patent:

7185487, Mar 6, 2007

Filed:

Oct 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/697596

Inventors:

Donald James Lewis - Howell MI, US
James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI, US
Matthew John Gerhart - Dearborn Heights MI, US
Ralph Wayne Cunningham - Milan MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F01N 3/00

US Classification:

60289, 60274, 60276, 60284, 60285, 60290

Abstract:

A method for rapidly heating an emission control device in an engine exhaust uses excess air added to the exhaust via an air introduction device. After an engine cold start, the engine is operated to raise exhaust manifold temperature to a first predetermined value by operating the engine with a lean air-fuel ratio and retarded ignition timing. Once the exhaust manifold reaches the predetermined temperature value, the engine is switched to operate rich and air is added via the air introduction device. The added air and rich exhaust gas burn in the exhaust, thereby generating heat and raising catalyst temperature even more rapidly. The rich operation and excess air are continued until either engine airflow increases beyond a pre-selected value, or the emission control device reaches a desired temperature value. After the emission control device reaches the desired temperature, the engine is operated substantially around stoichiometry. Further, a method is described for adaptively learning pump airflow using feedback from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.

US Patent:

7293406, Nov 13, 2007

Filed:

Oct 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/692413

Inventors:

Donald James Lewis - Howell MI, US
James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI, US
Matthew John Gerhart - Dearborn Heights MI, US
Ralph Wayne Cunningham - Milan MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F01N 3/00

US Classification:

60284, 60274, 60285, 60289, 12340623, 123699

Abstract:

A method for rapidly heating an emission control device in an engine exhaust uses excess air added to the exhaust via an air introduction device. After an engine cold start, the engine is operated to raise exhaust manifold temperature to a first predetermined value by operating the engine with a lean air-fuel ratio and retarded ignition timing. Once the exhaust manifold reaches the predetermined temperature value, the engine is switched to operate rich and air is added via the air introduction device. The added air and rich exhaust gas burn in the exhaust, thereby generating heat and raising catalyst temperature even more rapidly. The rich operation and excess air are continued until either engine airflow increases beyond a pre-selected value, or the emission control device reaches a desired temperature value. After the emission control device reaches the desired temperature, the engine is operated substantially around stoichiometry. Further, a method is described for adaptively learning pump airflow using feedback from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.