Patents by Inventor Alexander P. McDonnell

Alexander P. McDonnell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8793057
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle driveline having a power source and a transmission clutch includes using a difference between two spaced locations in the subject vehicle driveline to determine driveline twist speed due to applied torque, using a product of driveline twist speed and a sampling interval to produce an estimated driveline twist from the sum of incremental changes in driveline twist that are between predetermined upper and lower magnitudes, producing, in response to a demanded wheel torque, a first signal that controls torque transmitted from the power source to the clutch during a lash crossing using the estimated driveline twist and the current driveline torque; and producing a second signal that controls clutch torque capacity such that clutch slip is produced during the lash crossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander P. McDonnell, Terry G. Feldpausch, Bradley D. Riedle, Jeffrey A. Doering, Peter D. Kuechler, John E. Rollinger, David H. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8550961
    Abstract: A method for controlling an input clutch of a vehicle transmission during a tip-in includes using a current gear and rate of change of transmission input speed to determine a first torque modifier, if a peak or trough occurred in input speed, using the current gear and a difference between measured input speed and expected input speed to determine a second torque modifier, and changing a torque capacity of the clutch using said modifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hong Jiang, Matthew J. Shelton, Zhengyu Dai, Davor D. Hrovat, Bradley D. Riedle, Alexander P. McDonnell
  • Publication number: 20120312657
    Abstract: A method for controlling an input clutch of a vehicle transmission during a tip-in includes using a current gear and rate of change of transmission input speed to determine a first torque modifier, if a peak or trough occurred in input speed, using the current gear and a difference between measured input speed and expected input speed to determine a second torque modifier, and changing a torque capacity of said clutch using said modifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hong Jiang, Matthew J. Shelton, Zhengyu Dai, Davor D. Hrovat, Bradley D. Riedle, Alexander P. McDonnell
  • Patent number: 8332111
    Abstract: A method for controlling a driveline having a transmission clutch includes locking the clutch before a driveline lash crossing occurs; maintaining a locked clutch during the lash crossing; after the lash crossing occurs, increasing a clutch capacity at a slower rate than a driveline twist torque rate; and after the lash crossing occurs, producing clutch slip by controlling engine torque and clutch capacity such that engine torque exceeds clutch capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander P. McDonnell, Terry G. Feldpausch, Bradley D. Riedle, Jeffrey A. Doering, Peter D. Kuechler, John E. Rollinger, David H. Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20120109477
    Abstract: A method for controlling a driveline having a transmission clutch includes locking the clutch before a driveline lash crossing occurs; maintaining a locked clutch during the lash crossing; after the lash crossing occurs, increasing a clutch capacity at a slower rate than a driveline twist torque rate; and after the lash crossing occurs, producing clutch slip by controlling engine torque and clutch capacity such that engine torque exceeds clutch capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander P. McDonnell, Terry G. Feldpausch, Bradley D. Riedle, Jeffrey A. Doering, Peter D. Kuechler, John E. Rollinger, David H. Schmitt