Kevin W Plymale

US Patent:

20090188573, Jul 30, 2009

Filed:

Jan 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/019238

Inventors:

Mike Dong - Ann Arbor MI, US
Kevin Plymale - Canton MI, US
Mohammad Usman - Northville MI, US

International Classification:

F02M 37/22

US Classification:

137549

Abstract:

A low noise valve assembly () mitigates noise induced by near sonic gas flow encountering stagnant flow in the region of the valve (). An inlet tube () terminates in an annular chamber (). An outlet tube () has a generally annular valve seat () disposed within the chamber (). The valve () moves toward and away from a closed condition in direct contact with the valve seat (). The valve () includes an insert body () that is spatially segregated from direct contact with the outlet tube () while partially filling the flow channel () of the outlet tube () when the valve () is in its closed condition. The insert body () has a generally circular base with a diameter that is larger than the throat diameter (T), which is the internal diameter of the flow channel () adjacent the valve ().

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:

20130247880, Sep 26, 2013

Filed:

Mar 21, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/426533

Inventors:

Kevin William Plymale - Canton MI, US
Paul Zeng - Inkster MI, US
Patrick Brostrom - Livonia MI, US
Abdelkrim Zouani - Canton MI, US
Ahsanul Karim - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 33/04

US Classification:

123519

Abstract:

A canister purge valve, fuel vapor recovery system, and method are provided. The canister purge valve may include an inlet port configured to be coupled with an inlet line to receive a fluid from a vapor-recovery canister. The canister purge valve may also include an outlet having two or more exit ports configured to be coupled with a common exit line to pass the fluid to an engine. In this way, improved mixing may be achieved without substantially increasing flow resistance and/or noise.

US Patent:

20140076286, Mar 20, 2014

Filed:

Sep 19, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/622982

Inventors:

Abdelkrim Zouani - Canton MI, US
Kevin William Plymale - Canton MI, US
Paul Zeng - Inkster MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 33/04

US Classification:

123520

Abstract:

A vapor purge valve in an engine is provided. The vapor purge valve includes a purge valve inlet, a purge valve outlet, and a muffler including a housing at least partially enclosing a diffuser in fluidic communication with the purge valve inlet and the purge valve outlet.

US Patent:

20180209359, Jul 26, 2018

Filed:

Jan 25, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/415575

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Kevin William Plymale - Canton MI, US
Charlie P. Threadingham - Westland MI, US
David Martin - Dearborn MI, US
Terry Vandenbrink - Carleton MI, US
Mark W. Peters - Wolverine Lake MI, US

International Classification:

F02D 41/00
F02M 25/08

Abstract:

Methods and systems are provided for operating an evaporative emissions system in a turbocharged engine. In one example, a method may include pulsing open a canister purge valve responsive to the turbocharged engine entering a boosted mode of operation. The canister purge valve may be opened for a duration long enough to close a check valve coupled between the canister purge valve and an intake of the engine.

US Patent:

20160076493, Mar 17, 2016

Filed:

Sep 11, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/483853

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Kevin William Plymale - Canton MI, US
Dennis Seung-Man Yang - Canton MI, US
Michael Wene - Canton MI, US

International Classification:

F02M 25/08
F16K 31/44

Abstract:

Systems and methods are described for a canister purge valve. A method comprises rotating an armature within a valve body in the canister purge valve as the canister purge valve opens and closes during a purge operation. The armature is encircled at a first end by an elastomer seal with multiple angled wings that enable rotation of the armature about a central longitudinal axis during the purge operation.

US Patent:

20140311461, Oct 23, 2014

Filed:

Apr 18, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/865766

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Dennis Seung-Man Yang - Canton MI, US
Russell Randall Pearce - Ann Arbor MI, US
Mark W. Peters - Wolverine Lake MI, US
Kevin William Plymale - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 25/08

US Classification:

123520

Abstract:

A method for a fuel system coupled to an engine comprising: under vacuum conditions, opening the fuel vapor canister purge valve, and generating pressure pulsations in a conduit coupled to the fuel vapor canister purge valve by opening and closing a fuel vapor canister vent valve one or more times while maintaining the fuel vapor canister purge valve open. In this way, contaminants and/or debris that may prevent the canister purge valve from closing completely may be dislodged and evacuated to the intake manifold.

US Patent:

20140196694, Jul 17, 2014

Filed:

Jan 17, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/744292

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Kevin William Plymale - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 25/08

US Classification:

123520

Abstract:

Systems and methods for a multi-path purging ejector are disclosed. In one example approach, a dual path purge system for an engine comprises an ejector including a restriction, first and second inlets, and an outlet, at least one break-point at the restriction or inlets, and a shut-off valve coupled to the outlet.