Eric A Macke

US Patent:

8439017, May 14, 2013

Filed:

Oct 6, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/574538

Inventors:

Mark Peters - Wolverine Lake MI, US
Eric A. Macke - Ann Arbor MI, US
Christopher Kragh - Commerce Township MI, US
Robert Roy Jentz - Westland MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 33/02

US Classification:

123520, 123198 D

Abstract:

A method for operating a fuel vapor control system included in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The method may include storing positive pressure or negative pressure in an isolated fuel tank, transferring at least a portion of the positive pressure or the negative pressure to an evaporation canister region, and determining degradation of the evaporation canister based on a pressure response of the evaporation canister region while the evaporation canister region is isolated from the fuel tank. In this way, it is possible to utilize pressure that may be passively generated in one portion of the system, even during shut-down engine operation, to verify the integrity of another portion of the system.

US Patent:

20090288645, Nov 26, 2009

Filed:

May 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/124691

Inventors:

Terry Wayne Childress - Clinton Twp MI, US
Jason Eugene Devries - Belleville MI, US
Mark William Peters - Wolverine Lake MI, US
Douglas Joseph Mancini - Macedon NY, US
Eric A. Macke - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 33/02

US Classification:

123520

Abstract:

Evaporative emissions management for a vehicle having a fuel tank and a low-vacuum internal combustion engine, including hybrid electric vehicles, include first and second canisters with the second canister disposed between the first canister and atmosphere. A refueling valve routes fuel vapors from the fuel storage tank through the first canister, and to the second canister when the first canister becomes saturated, during refueling. Other than during refueling, the refueling valve is closed to route fuel vapors around the first canister and directly into the second canister. First and second purge valves are controlled during canister regeneration or purging so air from atmosphere is routed primarily through the second canister to the engine to purge the second canister before the purge valves are operated to route air from atmosphere through both the second and first canisters to purge the first canister.

US Patent:

20110017178, Jan 27, 2011

Filed:

Jul 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/506283

Inventors:

William Keith McDonald - Ypsilanti MI, US
Keith Scott Koller - Grosse lle MI, US
Eric A. Macke - Ann Arbor MI, US
Kevin Plymale - Canton MI, US
Niels Christopher Kragh - Commerce Twp MI, US
Scott Bohr - Plymouth MI, US
Eric David Bramson - Ann Arbor MI, US
Dennis Harrigan - Monroe MI, US

International Classification:

F02M 33/02
F16K 31/02

US Classification:

123520, 25112901

Abstract:

A purge control valve control system is provided for an internal combustion engine system, comprising: a voltage source having a positive potential and a negative potential; a purge control valve having a solenoid, such solenoid comprising an electrically inductive element, such inductive element having a first terminal coupled to the positive potential of the voltage source; a diode having an anode and a cathode. The control unit includes a transistor having: a control electrode fed by a train of pulses; a first electrode coupled to the negative potential of the voltage source; and a second electrode coupled to a second terminal of the inductive element and to the diode. A train of pulses fed to the control electrode is a pulse width modulated signal and switches the transistor between a conducting condition, wherein current passes between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a non-conducting condition, wherein current is prevented from passing between the first electrode and the second electrode. When the transistor is in the conducting condition current from the voltage source passes through the inductive element and through the first and second electrodes with a potential being produced across the diode to bias the diode to a non-conducting condition and wherein when the transistor switches into the non-conducting condition, energy stored in the inductor when current passes through the inductor during the conducting condition of the transistor, produces a voltage pulse to bias the diode to a conducting condition and such stored energy is dissipated in the inductor as such energy passes as current through the conducting biased diode to the voltage source.

US Patent:

20180036956, Feb 8, 2018

Filed:

Aug 2, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/226034

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Shawn McGrath - Carleton MI, US
Roger Joseph Khami - Troy MI, US
Chris A. Myers - Holly MI, US
Robert Joseph Mohan - Canton MI, US
Steven James Hoffman - Ann Arbor MI, US
John Emley - Canton MI, US
Scott M. Rollins - Canton MI, US
Eric A. Macke - Ann Arbor MI, US
Matthew Werner - Marysville MI, US

International Classification:

B29C 65/08
F02M 25/08
B29C 45/00
B29C 65/02
B29C 65/48
B29C 65/58

Abstract:

Vapors in the fuel tank of a vehicle are collected in a carbon canister. An ejector or aspirator is used to purge the carbon canister in a pressure-charged engine in which a positive pressure exists in the intake. A compact ejector includes a substantially planar flange and a venturi tube coupled to the flange with a central axis of the venturi tube substantially parallel to the flange. By manufacturing the ejector in two pieces, dimensions within the ejector: throat, converging section, and diverging section, is more accurate than prior art manufacturing techniques thereby providing better flow characteristics throughout the boost range.

US Patent:

20180038321, Feb 8, 2018

Filed:

Aug 2, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/225920

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Dhaval P. Vaishnav - Canton MI, US
Syed K. Ali - Dearborn MI, US
David S. Moyer - Sterling Heights MI, US
Scott M. Rollins - Canton MI, US
Matthew Werner - Marysville MI, US
Eric A. Macke - Ann Arbor MI, US
Roger Joseph Khami - Troy MI, US

International Classification:

F02M 25/08
F02M 35/10

Abstract:

Vapors in the fuel tank of a vehicle are collected in a carbon canister. An ejector or aspirator is used to purge the carbon canister in a pressure-charged engine in which a positive pressure exists in the intake. A compact ejector includes a substantially planar flange and a venturi tube coupled to the flange with a central axis of the venturi tube substantially parallel to the flange. By mounting the ejector on an intake component, having the venturi tube on the inside of the intake component, and having the venturi tube parallel to the flange yields a very compact package and protects the ejector from damage from other engine components.