Patents Examined by David D. Le
  • Patent number: 9115797
    Abstract: A method of setting a reference position of an actuator in an automated manual transmission, may include acquiring a full stroke by checking both ends in a shifting direction, determining whether or not the full stroke is within a normal range, moving a finger to a position that is half of a previous full stroke when the full stroke acquired at the procedure of acquiring the full stroke exceeds the normal range as a result of determining whether or not the full stroke is within the normal range, and determining whether or not a selection operation is carried out at the position that is half of the full stroke after moving the finger to the position that is half of the previous full stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Young Min Yoon, Hyung Wook Cho
  • Patent number: 9096222
    Abstract: A system and method for learning a transferring torque for a hybrid vehicle includes: an engine and a motor connected through a clutch; a Hybrid Starter Generator (HSG) that is connected to the engine and is used to start the engine; and a controller for transferring a charging power by the motor to the HSG in a case where the charging power by the motor is greater than or equal to a chargeable power of the battery when the transferring torque is learned through the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 9097345
    Abstract: An automatic transmission for a vehicle drivetrain includes a transmission housing, an input shaft, an output shaft, and a plurality of gears within the transmission housing. The plurality of gears defines multiple mechanical gear ratios between the input shaft and the output shaft. The transmission further includes a plurality of clutches operable to selectively engage the multiple mechanical gear ratios, and a plurality of rotational speed sensors. Each rotational speed sensor is operable to measure rotational speeds relative to the transmission housing for of one of the input shaft, the output shaft, or one of the plurality of gears. The transmission further includes a transmission control system configured to receive signals representing the measured rotational speeds from the plurality of rotational speed sensors and control the plurality of clutches to change between gear ratios based at least in part on the signals representing the measured rotational speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Joseph Funyak, Edward Lezon, Michael D. Hausmann, Martin D. Graefling
  • Patent number: 9090245
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an axle torque determination module, an engine torque determination module, a torque security module, and an engine torque control module. The axle torque determination module determines an axle torque request based on a driver input and a vehicle speed. The engine torque determination module determines an engine torque request based on the axle torque request and at least one of a first turbine speed and whether a clutch of a torque converter is applied. The torque security module determines a secured torque request based on at least one of the driver input, the vehicle speed, and an engine speed. The engine torque control module controls an amount of torque produced by an engine based on one of the engine torque request and the secured torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Ryan Z. Goode, Richard B. Jess, Michael L. Waterman, Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9090241
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling an automatic engine stop-start in conjunction with a transmission having one or more latching valves. The system and method is configured to determine whether conditions are met for an autostop, and if so, to latch or unlatch the latching valve(s) by changing clutch pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Paul G. Otanez, Craig S. Ross
  • Patent number: 9080617
    Abstract: A method for controlling a friction clutch in a drive train of a motor vehicle, using a clutch actuator, on the basis of a clutch model. A nominal characteristic curve of the clutch moment, which is transmitted via the friction clutch, is adapted continuously to actual operating parameters. In order to counteract a loss of comfort of the motor vehicle, which is caused by the running-in behavior, for example, of the friction linings of the friction clutch, the friction clutch is operated by way of different sets of operating parameters during a running-in phase of the friction clutch, and after the run-in phase of the friction clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ekkehard Reibold, Georg Goeppert, Loyal George MacMillian
  • Patent number: 9074680
    Abstract: A system for shifting an automatic or continuously variable transmission of a vehicle. The system includes a plurality of wheels, an engine, a transmission, a memory, a processor, and a paddle shifter. The engine provides a torque to the plurality of wheels through the transmission. The transmission has a plurality of set gear ratios to shift through. The processor detects when the paddle shifter is pressed and held, to instruct the transmission to perform a first half shift. When the paddle shifter is subsequently released, the processor instructs the transmission to perform a second half shift, completing a full shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew W. Pekema
  • Patent number: 9073540
    Abstract: A system for decelerating a hybrid vehicle, the system includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, a sensor for detecting a vehicle deceleration, a memory for storing a target deceleration corresponding to a coasting deceleration of the vehicle, and a processor. When the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are released, the vehicle coasts. If the vehicle deceleration does not match the target deceleration, the processor adjusts the torque output by the CVT so that the vehicle deceleration substantially matches the target deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Cauthen
  • Patent number: 9073533
    Abstract: A system for improving performance of a hybrid vehicle at higher elevations. The system includes a plurality of wheels, an engine, an altitude sensor, a transmission, a memory for storing target engine speeds, and a processor. The engine provides a torque to the plurality of wheels through the transmission, based on gear ratios limited by a wide open throttle (WOT) guard. The altitude sensor determines an elevation of the vehicle. Above a certain threshold elevation, the processor changes the WOT guard to improve performance at lower gears, such as standing start performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher T. Gauthier
  • Patent number: 9068518
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a crankshaft which rotates at an engine speed, a transmission having a rotatable input member, a transmission control module (TC), and an engine control module (ECM) in communication with the TCM. The TCM is programmed to execute a transmission-to-engine speed monitoring and control method which includes transmitting an engine speed request to the ECM which requests a positive increase in the engine speed, and terminating the request when the request is active for more than a first calibrated timeout duration. The TCM also terminates the request when the request is active for more than a second calibrated duration that is less than the first calibrated duration, the transmission is not in neutral, and both a shift of the transmission and an acceleration of the input member are not active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr., Scott D. Biggs, Shih-Ying Sheu
  • Patent number: 9068651
    Abstract: A powertrain includes a controller and gear sets, clutches, rotatable members, and torque actuators, e.g., an engine and one or more motor/generator units. Each torque actuator outputs a total control torque. The total control torque from a given actuator is used to achieve a target value, which is a torque value of a member of one of the gear sets, clutches, or rotatable members. The controller includes proportional-integral (PI) control logic. The total control torque is the sum of proportional and integral torque terms from the PI control logic. The controller detects a predetermined vehicle event, for instance a change in a hybrid range state or a control gain reduction event, and then automatically resets the integral control torque term(s) for the physical target value during the requested vehicle event to thereby maintain the total control torque for the same target value through the execution of the predetermined vehicle event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shaochun Ye, Robert L. Morris
  • Patent number: 9068645
    Abstract: A method of controlling a level of fluid in a main sump of a transmission includes opening an auxiliary reservoir with a first valve when fluid temperature in the main sump is at or below the predetermined temperature. The first valve is opened to increase the level of fluid in the main sump to at least a predetermined height so that transmission rotating components contact the fluid and generate splash lubrication. When the transmission is transmitting torque and the fluid is above the predetermined temperature, the level of fluid in the main sump is maintained below a predetermined height with closed first valve, such that the rotating components do not contact the fluid inside the main sump. A fluid pump alone is sufficient to lubricate the rotating components above the predetermined temperature and sufficient to lubricate the rotating components at or below the predetermined temperature only with splash lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, Norman Schoenek, Anthony J. Corsetti
  • Patent number: 9067581
    Abstract: An automatic transmission capable of causing first and second clutches and a connection/disconnection device to properly operate during stoppage of a vehicle, thereby enabling preventing vibration and improving marketability as well as obtaining excellent vehicle startability. When a shift position is switched to a forward travel position, first and second connection operations are executed for connecting transmission of a motive power of a prime mover, from first and second gear mechanisms to drive wheels, respectively, while changing the speed thereof. If the shift position is switched to the forward travel position and no request for a standing start of the vehicle is determined to be made by a driver, engagement of first and second gear clutches for connecting/disconnecting between the prime mover and the gear mechanisms is permitted when both the first and second connection operations have been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kumiko Ohya, Shinichi Okubo
  • Patent number: 9062763
    Abstract: A method for synchronizing a gear on a parallel-shafts vehicle gearbox shaft including at least one primary shaft connected to a power source, one secondary shaft driven by the primary shaft to transmit driving torque to wheels over plural transmission ratios, and at least one mechanism coupling a gear to its shaft to engage a transmission ratio without mechanical synchromesh members. The power source is made to operate to produce a signal commanding the reference torque (T1ref), equal to minimum torque that can be transmitted to minimize a discrepancy (?2K??1) between a primary speed (?1) and a secondary speed (?2) multiplied by a reduction ratio (K), when the relevant gear is coupled to its shaft, wherein the control signal is given by the sum (KwK?2?Ks?1+T1int), in which (T1int) is a term derived by integrating the primary speed (?1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Abdelmalek Maloum
  • Patent number: 9061675
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine and a transmission assembly having a stationary member, gear sets, an input member connected to one of the plurality of gear sets, a binary clutch assembly, and a transmission control module (TCM). The binary clutch assembly includes a freewheeling element which holds torque only in a first rotational direction and a binary device that, when engaged, prevents rotation of the binary clutch assembly in a second rotational direction, and that allows the binary clutch assembly to freewheel in the second rotational direction when released. The TCM executes a method via instructions to determine a total amount of clutch energy of the binary clutch assembly, compare the determined total amount of clutch energy to a calibrated clutch energy threshold, and delay an execution of the requested shift when the determined total amount of clutch energy exceeds the calibrated clutch energy threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Patent number: 9062761
    Abstract: A computer-implemented shifting method for a vehicle is described. The method is based upon, at least in part, identifying a reference output torque at an output shaft associated with a transmission of the vehicle. The method includes reducing a torque capacity of an off-going output clutch from a starting capacity and determining a torque load for the off-going output clutch. The method includes maintaining a first transition torque capacity during a first transition period after the determining of the torque load, and increasing a torque capacity of the on-coming output clutch to a second transition torque capacity. The method includes maintaining the second transition torque during a second transition period. The method includes reducing the torque capacity of the off-going output clutch to a first final torque capacity and increasing the torque capacity of the on-coming output clutch to a final torque capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Ronald D. Bremner
  • Patent number: 9057438
    Abstract: A compression control device for a continuously variable transmission is provided in which when estimating the torque ratio, which is the ratio of the actually transmitted torque relative to the maximum transmittable torque of the continuously variable transmission, based on the transmission characteristics for transmitting the given variable component of the input shaft to the output shaft via an endless belt, a slip identifier, which is an indicator for the ratio of the amplitude of the variable component between the input shaft and the output shaft, or a phase lag, which is an indicator for difference in phase of the variable component, is used. It is possible to improve the control responsiveness and reduce the computation load of the control device and to improve the power transmission efficiency of the continuously variable transmission while preventing the endless belt thereof from slipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyohei Sakagami, Hirohiko Totsuka, Masato Shigenaga
  • Patent number: 9057434
    Abstract: A method of identifying a synchronous position of a synchronizer actuator fork includes sensing a deceleration rate of a first shaft, when a synchronizer is positioned in a neutral position, to define a first rate of deceleration. The synchronizer is moved along the first shaft from the neutral position toward a gear with a synchronizer actuator fork. A deceleration rate of the first shaft is sensed, while the synchronizer actuator fork moves the synchronizer along the first shaft, to identify a change from the first rate of deceleration to a second rate of deceleration. The location, of the synchronizer actuator fork relative to the first shaft, at which the rate of acceleration of the first shaft changes from the first rate of deceleration to the second rate of deceleration, is identified as the synchronous position of the synchronizer actuator fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xuefeng Tim Tao, Matthew Kempeinen, Jeryl McIver, Christopher Jay Weingartz, David H. Vu
  • Patent number: 9052012
    Abstract: A method for determining a transmission range selection of a shift-by-wire system, which includes a shift lever, a park button, and a controller, is provided. The shift lever is movable between a plurality of transmission range positions, each corresponding to a transmission range, and a null position. The park button is switchable between a pressed position corresponding to a Park transmission range, and a released position. The method includes determining, by the controller, if at least one predetermined condition exists. If it does, then the controller determines the transmission range selection to be the Park transmission range. Otherwise, the controller determines the transmission range selection to be the transmission range corresponding to the transmission range position in which the shift lever is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Bialas, Orson S. Wang, Anne Bliss
  • Patent number: 9045129
    Abstract: An engine control system for changing engine speed on an agricultural vehicle. The system includes a vehicle control unit for controlling an engine and a transmission mounted within the vehicle, and a tire control unit for detecting the pressure of at least one tire and wherein the engine speed is automatically changed upon detection of an adjustment of the tire pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: AGCO INTERNATIONAL GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Brenninger