Patents by Inventor Brian Hildreth

Brian Hildreth 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).

  • Engine torque truncation method for a four-wheel drive vehicle
    Patent number: 7395891
    Abstract: A four wheel drive powertrain control for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. It includes a torque transfer case that distributes power from an engine-powered transfer case mainshaft to a secondary driving axle through a friction clutch as power is distributed directly from the engine-powered mainshaft to a primary driving axle. The friction clutch capacity is sufficient to mechanically lock the transfer case in a four wheel drive mode. If the clutch torque capacity is exceeded, a control algorithm will strategically ramp down engine torque requests by a powertrain controller to eliminate clutch slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Barrette, John Glab, Joseph Torres, John O'Rear, Brian Hildreth
  • ENGINE TORQUE TRUNCATION METHOD FOR A FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20070039770
    Abstract: A four wheel drive powertrain control for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. It includes a torque transfer case that distributes power from an engine-powered transfer case mainshaft to a secondary driving axle through a friction clutch as power is distributed directly from the engine-powered mainshaft to a primary driving axle. The friction clutch capacity is sufficient to mechanically lock the transfer case in a four wheel drive mode. If the clutch torque capacity is exceeded, a control algorithm will strategically ramp down engine torque requests by a powertrain controller to eliminate clutch slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Barrette, John Glab, Joseph Torres, John O'Rear, Brian Hildreth