Patents by Inventor Barry Lewis Ladd

Barry Lewis Ladd 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).

  • Method for controlling a transmission during acceleration from idle
    Patent number: 8041489
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission in a motor vehicle during acceleration from an idle condition begins when the vehicle is stationary, the engine is at idle, and the transmission is in the first gear range or ratio. When the vehicle begins to accelerate, the method includes the steps of monitoring the rate of vehicle acceleration and comparing the rate of vehicle acceleration to a rate of vehicle acceleration threshold. If the rate of vehicle acceleration is less than the acceleration threshold, then the transmission allows one of the currently engaged clutches to slip. This clutch slip reduces the torque load on the engine. The method then monitors the engine output speed. If the engine output speed exceeds an engine output speed threshold, then the clutch is fully applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William J. Wegeng, Peter Edwin Swingler, Edmond M. Etchason, Barry Lewis Ladd
  • METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TRANSMISSION DURING ACCELERATION FROM IDLE
    Publication number: 20090281696
    Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission in a motor vehicle during acceleration from an idle condition begins when the vehicle is stationary, the engine is at idle, and the transmission is in the first gear range or ratio. When the vehicle begins to accelerate, the method includes the steps of monitoring the rate of vehicle acceleration and comparing the rate of vehicle acceleration to a rate of vehicle acceleration threshold. If the rate of vehicle acceleration is less than the acceleration threshold, then the transmission allows one of the currently engaged clutches to slip. This clutch slip reduces the torque load on the engine. The method then monitors the engine output speed. If the engine output speed exceeds an engine output speed threshold, then the clutch is fully applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: William J. Wegeng, Peter Edwin Swingler, Edmond M. Etchason, Barry Lewis Ladd