Michael Shane Parsons

US Patent:

6694908, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Jul 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/201793

Inventors:

Michael G. Parsons - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

B63B 3903

US Classification:

114125, 114 74 R

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for changing the volume of the watertight hull of a ship in the light or no cargo condition to achieve the required ballast drafts. At least one trunk extending longitudinally from a first end at a bow of the ship to a second end at a stern of the ship. The first and second ends of the trunk connectible to the water surrounding the ship by operation of an inlet valve and an outlet valve adjacent each end. When in the light condition, or no cargo condition, the valves at each end of the trunk or trunks are moved to an opened position to reduce the volume of the watertight hull in order to achieve the desired ballast draft. While the ship is in motion, sufficient pressure differential exits between the bow and the stern of the ship to exchange the volume of water in the trunks over a period of time. Preferably, the fluid flow through the trunks exchanges the water at least approximately every hour when the ship is moving at normal speed.

US Patent:

6935311, Aug 30, 2005

Filed:

Oct 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/065362

Inventors:

Jacobus Hendrik Visser - Farmington Hills MI, US
Allan Joseph Kotwicki - Williamsburg MI, US
Allan J. Lippa - Northville MI, US
Carina Eva Irene Bjornsson - Goteborg, SE
Carol S. Smith - Farmington Hills MI, US
Daniel Lawrence Meyer - Dearborn MI, US
John D. Russell - Farmington Hills MI, US
Michael Howard Parsons - Ann Arbor MI, US
Philip William Husak - Southgate MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02P005/00

US Classification:

12340647, 123494

Abstract:

A system is described using a fuel quality sensor for controlling various aspects of engine operation. In particular, an acoustic wave sensor is utilized to measure viscosity and density of gasoline fuels. This measurement is utilized to predict engine combustion quality during an engine start. Based on the prediction, the method adjusts engine operating parameters (such as fuel injection amount and ignition timing) to achieve improved vehicle driveability and engine combustion.

US Patent:

7210455, May 1, 2007

Filed:

Jul 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/183286

Inventors:

Jacobus Hendrik Visser - Farmington Hills MI, US
Allan Joseph Kotwicki - Williamsburg MI, US
Allan J. Lippa - Northville MI, US
Carina Eva Irene Bjornsson - Gothenburg, SE
Carol S. Smith - Farmington Hills MI, US
Daniel Lawrence Meyer - Dearborn MI, US
John D. Russell - Farmington Hills MI, US
Michael John Cullen - Northville MI, US
Michael Howard Parsons - Ann Arbor MI, US
Philip William Husak - Southgate MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G01N 33/22

US Classification:

1234063, 123 1 A, 123685, 731181, 73 3502

Abstract:

A system is described using a fuel quality sensor for controlling various aspects of engine operation. In particular, an acoustic wave sensor is utilized to measure viscosity and density of gasoline fuels. This measurement is utilized to predict engine combustion quality during an engine start. Based on the prediction, the method adjusts engine operating parameters (such as fuel injection amount and ignition timing) to achieve improved vehicle driveability and engine combustion.

US Patent:

7578925, Aug 25, 2009

Filed:

Dec 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/297153

Inventors:

David Kubinski - Canton MI, US
Richard Soltis - Saline MI, US
Jaco Visser - Farmington Hills MI, US
Yi Ding - Canton MI, US
Michael Howard Parsons - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G01N 27/407

US Classification:

205781, 2057845, 204425, 73 2331

Abstract:

A method of operating a gas sensor is disclosed, wherein the sensor includes a pumping electrode configuration and a measuring electrode configuration, and wherein the method includes operating the sensor in a first mode in which a first, lower pumping potential sufficient to electrochemically remove an interfering compound from the sensor without electrochemically removing the analyte from the sensor is applied across the pumping electrode configuration and a measuring potential sufficient to electrochemically remove the analyte from the sensor is applied across the measuring electrode configuration; and operating the sensor in a second mode in which a second, higher pumping potential sufficient to electrochemically remove the analyte from the sensor is applied to the pumping electrode configuration.

US Patent:

20090223835, Sep 10, 2009

Filed:

May 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/469874

Inventors:

David Kubinski - Canton MI, US
Richard Soltis - Saline MI, US
Jacobus H. Visser - Farmington Hills MI, US
Yi Ding - Canton MI, US
Michael Howard Parsons - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G01N 27/26

US Classification:

205781

Abstract:

A method of operating a gas sensor is disclosed, wherein the sensor includes a pumping electrode configuration and a measuring electrode configuration, and wherein the method includes operating the sensor in a first mode in which a first, lower pumping potential sufficient to electrochemically remove an interfering compound from the sensor without electrochemically removing the analyte from the sensor is applied across the pumping electrode configuration and a measuring potential sufficient to electrochemically remove the analyte from the sensor is applied across the measuring electrode configuration; and operating the sensor in a second mode in which a second, higher pumping potential sufficient to electrochemically remove the analyte from the sensor is applied to the pumping electrode configuration.

US Patent:

61457639, Nov 14, 2000

Filed:

Dec 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/223170

Inventors:

Jonathan Edward Fleming - Canton MI
Michael Howard Parsons - Ann Arbor MI
Robert Eugene Hetrick - Dearborn Heights MI
William Martin Sheeran - Novi MI
Xia Zhang - Canton MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 1903
H05H 124

US Classification:

2395851

Abstract:

An automotive fuel injector having a fluorine-coating amphorous hydronated carbon film coating to resist the formation of carbonaceous deposits thereon. The fluorine-coating amphorous hydronated carbon film is made in part form trifluoromethyltrimethylsilane. The coating helps the fuel injector resist coking or the growth of hard carbonaceous deposits. This reduction in coking and deposits improves the fuel economy and engine performance.

US Patent:

56717164, Sep 30, 1997

Filed:

Oct 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/725045

Inventors:

Robert Eugene Hetrick - Dearborn Heights MI
Harold Sean Hilbert - Canton MI
Michael Howard Parsons - Ann Arbor MI
William Francis Stockhausen - Northville MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 5100

US Classification:

23491

Abstract:

A fuel injection system used in the intake air passageway of an internal combustion engine has a strategy for reducing cold start hydrocarbon emissions. The fuel injector has an actuator which allows the fuel spray pattern to be varied from one which is widely dispersed and atomized to one which is only weakly dispersed. A strategy for varying the spray pattern during the engine warm-up period after cold start is disclosed. The strategy increases evaporation within the passageway so that cold start overfuelling and attendant hydrocarbon emissions are reduced.

US Patent:

57251517, Mar 10, 1998

Filed:

Oct 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/725040

Inventors:

Robert Eugene Hetrick - Dearborn Heights MI
Michael Howard Parsons - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B05B 5025

US Classification:

239 3

Abstract:

An electrospray adapted fuel injection valve includes an anode and cathode to inject monopolar electric charge into electrically insulating fuel. On exiting the injector, the charge containing fuel atomizes and disperses to reduce electrostatic energy. Additional electrodes with an appropriate method of biasing extend the range of applicability of the process by adjusting space charge distribution within the injector to compensate for variability in component manufacture and variability in the electrical conductivity of the fuel.