James H Kerns

US Patent:

6352490, Mar 5, 2002

Filed:

Feb 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/498141

Inventors:

Imad Hassan Makki - Dearborn Heights MI
James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI
John Ottavio Michelini - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60R 4102

US Classification:

477 78, 123478, 123295

Abstract:

A method of generating a shift schedule and combustion mode schedule to optimize performance characteristics of a lean capable, multiple combustion mode engine with a time-variant after-treatment system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating a lowest cost value for fuel economy and vehicle emissions as a function of an engine operating mode, wherein the engine operating mode is selected from a group consisting of a homogeneous stoichiometric mode, a homogeneous lean mode, and a stratified mode. The lowest cost value is stored in a shift schedule and combustion mode schedule along with the engine operating parameters that achieved the lowest cost value.

US Patent:

6356831, Mar 12, 2002

Filed:

Jun 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/597642

Inventors:

John O. Michelini - Sterling Hts. MI
Imad H. Makki - Dearborn Hts. MI
James M. Kerns - Trenton MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 1500

US Classification:

701 56, 701123, 340438

Abstract:

A method of generating a shift schedule and combustion mode schedule to optimize performance characteristics of a lean capable, multiple combustion mode engine associated with a manual transmission with a time-variant after-treatment system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating a lowest cost value for fuel economy and vehicle emissions as a function of an engine operating mode, wherein the engine operating mode is selected from a group consisting of a homogeneous stoichiometric mode, a homogeneous lean mode, and a stratified mode. The lowest cost value is stored in a shift schedule and combustion mode schedule along with the engine operating parameters that achieved the lowest cost value. Then, at a particular vehicle speed and wheel torque, the actual transmission gear is compared to the optimal transmission gear as determined by the shift schedule and combustion mode schedule. If the actual transmission gear is different than the optimal transmission gear, a shift indicator light is illuminated directing a vehicle operator to either shift down or shift up the transmission gear to the optimal transmission gear.

US Patent:

6363715, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

May 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/561643

Inventors:

David Karl Bidner - Livonia MI
Gopichandra Sumilla - West Bloomfield MI
Imad Hassan Makki - Dearborn Heights MI
James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI
Stephen B. Smith - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F01N 300

US Classification:

60285, 60274, 60277, 60276

Abstract:

An air/fuel control method for an engine including a NO sensor in operative relationship to a catalytic converter. The method comprises the steps of providing a base fuel signal related to a quantity of air inducted into the engine and generating a bias signal for biasing the base fuel signal towards a leaner air/fuel ratio. The output of the NO sensor is monitored to detect a predetermined exhaust gas NO value representing a predefined NO conversion efficiency. The base fuel signal is then modified as a function of the bias signal corresponding to the predetermined exhaust gas NO value to maintain the catalytic converter within a desired efficiency range. In one aspect of the invention, the process of detecting the edge of the NO conversion efficiency window is executed at predetermined time periods measured by the distance the vehicle traveled, or the elapsed time since last base fuel value modification.

US Patent:

6363908, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Aug 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/630887

Inventors:

James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02B 1700

US Classification:

123295, 123520

Abstract:

A method for operating a direct injection spark ignition engine in stratified mode and dual mode is presented. The method includes determining a fuel fraction in a fuel vapor canister; determining whether the fuel vapor canister should be purged; performing purge flow from the fuel vapor canister to a cylinder of the engine; and supplying purge flow and injected fuel to a cylinder of the engine during an intake stroke and supplying injected flow during a compression stroke so that the engine operates in the combined homogeneous and stratified charge mode. The method also includes controlling the purge flow and the injected fuel supplied to balance an amount of fuel supplied during the intake stroke and the compression stroke. The step of controlling calculates the amount of fuel to be injected and includes adjusting the amount of fuel supplied based on an amount of purge supplied to the cylinder.

US Patent:

6390040, May 21, 2002

Filed:

Jul 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/611868

Inventors:

Mazen Hammoud - Dearborn MI
Imad Hassan Makki - Dearborn Heights MI
James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Tech., Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F01L 1300

US Classification:

123 9015, 123 9011, 12340629, 123435

Abstract:

A valve timing system is provided for dynamically suppressing cylinder knock within an internal combustion engine. The engine is of the type including several cylinders , each having intake and exhaust valves. Valve timing system includes a controller , sensors , and actuators which selectively actuate valves in response to signals received from controller. Controller identifies knocking within one or more of cylinder(s) , and provides a modified control signal to the valve actuators which are associated with the identified cylinder(s). The modified control signal alters the duration in which the valves remain open, thereby suppressing knocking within the cylinder(s) without adversely effecting the vehicles fuel economy or emissions.

US Patent:

6393345, May 21, 2002

Filed:

Jan 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/479858

Inventors:

James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI
John David Russell - Farmington Hills MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16D 3102

US Classification:

701 34, 701 29, 123295, 123505

Abstract:

A direct injection engine is coupled to a vacuum brake booster wherein vacuum created from engine pumping is used to supplement driver braking force. The brake booster is coupled through a check valve to the engine intake manifold. A method is disclosed for estimating pressure in the brake booster based on operating conditions. A method is also disclosed for estimating operating parameters based on measured brake booster pressure. Further, a method is disclosed for diagnosing degradation, or monitoring, a brake booster pressure sensor based on operating conditions. In addition, a method is disclosed for diagnosing degradation in other vehicle and engine sensors based on measured brake booster pressure.

US Patent:

6481428, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Oct 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/687628

Inventors:

Imad Hassan Makki - Dearborn Heights MI
James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI
John Ottavio Michelini - Sterling Heights MI
Stephen B. Smith - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02D 4100

US Classification:

123685, 1231791, 12317921

Abstract:

In order to provide for reduced internal combustion engine exhaust emissions when cold starting an internal combustion engine, there is provided two methods and systems for cold starting an internal combustion engine, and one method and system for shutting down an internal combustion engine. The methods and systems are directed towards: (1) a preheating of a minimum of one thermally activated sensor within an internal combustion engine prior to cold starting of the internal combustion engine; (2) an autocranking of an internal combustion engine while metering fuel into the internal combustion engine and timing ignition within the internal combustion engine such as to reduce internal combustion exhaust emissions when cold starting the internal combustion engine; and (3) a phased shut down of fuel supply control followed by ignition source control when shutting down an internal combustion engine after operating the internal combustion engine.

US Patent:

6493617, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Jan 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/479250

Inventors:

John David Russell - Farmington Hills MI
James Michael Kerns - Trenton MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

701 34, 701 29, 701 35, 123505

Abstract:

A direct injection engine is coupled to a vacuum brake booster wherein vacuum created from engine pumping is used to supplement driver braking force. The brake booster is coupled through a check valve to the engine intake manifold. A method for estimating pressure in the brake booster uses various engine and vehicle operating conditions. A method for estimating operating parameters uses measured brake booster pressure. Further, a method for diagnosing degradation, or monitoring, a brake booster pressure sensor is based on engine or vehicle operating conditions. In addition, a method for diagnosing degradation in other vehicle and engine sensors uses measured brake booster pressure.