Patrick M Curran

US Patent:

6378505, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Aug 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/639651

Inventors:

Jeffrey Allen Doering - Canton MI
Brent Edward Sealy - Dearborn MI
Jae Doo Chung - Westland MI
Marianne L. Vykydal - Onsted MI
Patrick Joseph Curran - Northville MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 3302

US Classification:

123520, 123198 D

Abstract:

A method is presented for diagnosing a condition in the fuel vapor purge system. The engine, the fuel tank and the carbon canister are connected in a three-way connection. The engine can be selectively isolated by a purge control valve, and the fuel tank can be selectively isolated by a fuel tank control valve. The operation of both valves is coordinated by an electronic engine controller. By isolating the fuel tank, and comparing the actual rate of change of the internal tank pressure (from the tank pressure sensor) to the estimated rate of change (from engine operating conditions) it is possible to determine if a condition occurred, and whether it is in the tank or in the vapor purge lines.

US Patent:

6382191, May 7, 2002

Filed:

Aug 12, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/637941

Inventors:

Patrick Joseph Curran - Northville MI
Douglas Joseph Mancini - Farmington MI
David Chester Waskiewicz - Hamburg MI
Jae Doo Chung - Westland MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 3302

US Classification:

123518, 123520

Abstract:

A method is presented for controlling fuel tank pressure in an internal combustion engine. The engine, the fuel tank and the carbon canister are connected in a three-way connection. The engine can be selectively isolated by a purge control valve, and the fuel tank can be selectively isolated by a fuel tank control valve. The operation of both valves is coordinated by an electronic engine controller. By isolating the fuel tank during the carbon canister purge, vapor spikes into the engine are eliminated, thus preventing engine stalls. Also, canister durability is improved by continuously storing and purging vapors in opposite directions.

US Patent:

6407521, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Sep 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/682534

Inventors:

Abbas Raftari - Northville MI
Patrick J. Curran - Northville MI
Vijay K Garg - Canton MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

H02K 2300

US Classification:

318254, 318138, 318439, 318245, 318430, 318499

Abstract:

In an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, a voltage monitor ( ) is directly coupled to a traction motor ( ) and/or generator motor ( ) to detect a permanent magnet induced voltage within the motor at a predetermined speed and no load condition ( ). A controller ( ) compares the detected permanent magnet induced voltage with an expected reference voltage that represents an expected permanent magnet induced voltage at full magnetization and the predetermined speed ( ). The controller produces an indication of magnetization based on the reference voltage, the detected permanent magnet induced voltage, and the predetermined speed. If the indication of magnetism reaches a predetermined threshold, the motor is made inoperable and/or a current to the motor is limited to prevent damage to components ( ). Preferably, a user of the vehicle is made aware of these actions by an audible and/or visual indicator ( ). If available, another source of motive power is substituted for the motor that is made inoperable ( ).

US Patent:

6422214, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Aug 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/638691

Inventors:

Brent Edward Sealy - Dearborn MI
Jae Doo Chung - Westland MI
Jeffrey Allen Doering - Canton MI
Marianne L. Vykydal - Onsted MI
Patrick Joseph Curran - Northville MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02M 3704

US Classification:

123520, 123674

Abstract:

A method is presented for controlling fuel tank pressure in an internal combustion engine. The engine, the fuel tank and the carbon canister are connected in a three-way connection. The engine can be selectively isolated by a purge control valve, and the fuel tank can be selectively isolated by a fuel tank control valve. The operation of both valves is coordinated by an electronic engine controller. By isolating the fuel tank during the carbon canister purge, better estimate of the fuel fraction flowing into the engine can be achieved, thereby improving fuel economy.

US Patent:

6427794, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Sep 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/682533

Inventors:

Abbas Raftari - Northville MI
Patrick J. Curran - Northville MI
Vijay K Garg - Canton MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60K 604

US Classification:

180 653, 180 652, 180 651

Abstract:

In an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, a voltage monitor ( ) is directly coupled to a traction motor ( ) and/or generator motor ( ) to detect a permanent magnet induced voltage within the motor at a predetermined speed and no load condition ( ). A controller ( ) compares the detected permanent magnet induced voltage with an expected reference voltage that represents an expected permanent magnet induced voltage at full magnetization and the predetermined speed ( ). The controller produces an indication of magnetization based on the reference voltage, the detected permanent magnet induced voltage, and the predetermined speed. If the indication of magnetism reaches a predetermined threshold, the motor is made inoperable and/or a current to the motor is limited to prevent damage to components ( ). Preferably, a user of the vehicle is made aware of these actions by an audible and/or visual indicator ( ). If available, another source of motive power is substituted for the motor that is made inoperable ( ).

US Patent:

6443535, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Oct 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/686381

Inventors:

Dale Scott Crombez - Livonia MI
Patrick Joseph Curran - Northville MI
Steven Lee Napier - Canton MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60T 844

US Classification:

3031143, 303 31, 303152, 60397, 60534

Abstract:

A system or method for compensating for low vacuum levels in a brake-by-wire system includes continually monitoring the level of vacuum in a vacuum booster. The state or condition of the vacuum source is also monitored to determine whether it is on or off. When the vacuum source is off, the level of vacuum is measured to determine whether it is at or below a critical level. If the level of vacuum is critically low, the vacuum source is turned on. If the vacuum level is not critically low, the hydraulic boost gain is modified in order to provide more braking pressure in response to brake force exerted at the brake pedal.

US Patent:

6591925, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Sep 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/682537

Inventors:

Abbas Raftari - Northville MI
Patrick J. Curran - Northville MI
Vijay K Garg - Canton MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60L 800

US Classification:

180 653, 180 651, 180 654, 180 652

Abstract:

In an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, a voltage monitor ( ) is directly coupled to a traction motor ( ) and/or generator motor ( ) to detect a permanent magnet induced voltage within the motor at a predetermined speed and no load condition ( ). A controller ( ) compares the detected permanent magnet induced voltage with an expected reference voltage that represents an expected permanent magnet induced voltage at full magnetization and the predetermined speed ( ). The controller produces an indication of magnetization based on the reference voltage, the detected permanent magnet induced voltage, and the predetermined speed. If the indication of magnetism reaches a predetermined threshold, the motor is made inoperable and/or a current to the motor is limited to prevent damage to components ( ). Preferably, a user of the vehicle is made aware of these actions by an audible and/or visual indicator ( ). If available, another source of motive power is substituted for the motor that is made inoperable ( ).

US Patent:

6624527, Sep 23, 2003

Filed:

Sep 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/663515

Inventors:

Dale Scott Crombez - Livonia MI
Patrick Joseph Curran - Northville MI
Steven Lee Napier - Canton MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02N 1106

US Classification:

290 40C

Abstract:

A method and system that responds to non-propulsive needs of a hybrid vehicle by setting at least two thresholds related to engine support: one threshold to keep a running engine ON and a another threshold to turn the engine ON from an OFF state.