Patents by Inventor Christopher E. Whitney

Christopher E. Whitney 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: 8602001
    Abstract: A lubrication torque limit module includes a temperature module that determines a temperature of an engine and generates an engine temperature signal. A limit module generates a torque limit signal based on the temperature signal and a speed of the engine. The torque limit signal identifies an indicated torque maximum limit. A torque arbitration module limits indicated torque of the engine based on the indicated torque maximum limit. The indicated torque of the engine is equal to an unmanaged brake torque of the engine plus an overall friction torque of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher E. Whitney, Timothy W. Athan, Dennis A. Light, Timothy L. Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20130325233
    Abstract: A controller architecture for a vehicle including a multi-mode powertrain system includes an engine controller having a control routine for determining and executing engine torque commands responsive to a hybrid engine torque command, and a control routine for determining a propulsion axle torque command responsive to an output torque request. The controller architecture further includes transmission controller having a control routine for selecting and effecting operation of the passive transmission in a preferred gear responsive to the output torque request. The controller architecture further includes a hybrid controller having control routines for determining and executing torque commands for each of the non-combustion torque machines and for determining the hybrid engine torque command to achieve a desired axle torque in response to the propulsion axle torque command with the passive transmission operating in the preferred gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER E. WHITNEY, ANTHONY H. HEAP, SEAN W. MCGROGAN, KIANA WHITEHEAD, MICHAEL LIVSHIZ
  • Publication number: 20130325227
    Abstract: A hybrid diesel-electric powertrain includes an electric motor in electrical communication with a traction battery, a diesel engine in power-flow communication with the electric motor and with an automatic transmission, and a controller. The diesel engine and electric motor are configured to provide a combined torque to the automatic transmission. The powertrain further includes an exhaust aftertreatment device in fluid communication with the diesel engine. The controller is configured to: receive a regeneration request from the exhaust aftertreatment device; determine if a state-of-charge of the fraction battery is within a predetermined range of a target value; initiate a regeneration event if the state-of-charge of the traction battery is within the predetermined range of the target value; receive an immediate torque request from the automatic transmission; and provide a torque command to the electric motor in response to the immediate torque request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Luca Scavone, Anthony H. Heap
  • Publication number: 20130325228
    Abstract: A hybrid diesel-electric powertrain includes a diesel engine in power flow communication with an electric motor and a controller. The diesel engine and electric motor are each configured to generate a respective torque in response to a provided torque command. The controller is in communication with the electric motor, the diesel engine, and an accelerator pedal, and configured to receive a driver torque request from the accelerator pedal. In response to the driver torque request, the controller is further configured to command the diesel engine to generate an output torque that is less than a smoke limit torque, and command the electric motor to generate an output torque equal to the difference between the driver torque request and the output torque of the diesel engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Luca Scavone, Anthony H. Heap
  • Publication number: 20130310219
    Abstract: A method of commanding a synchronous gear shift begins by receiving a request to shift from a third gear to a first gear, and skipping a second gear having a gear ratio between the gear ratio of the first gear and the gear ratio of the third gear. Subsequently the method includes: reducing a torque command to a predetermined value; opening a clutch disposed on the input shaft of the transmission to decouple the transmission from the engine; transitioning the engine from a torque-control mode into a speed-control mode; commanding the engine to rotate at a speed dictated by the motion of the vehicle and the gear ratio of the first gear; closing the clutch to couple the transmission and the engine; and transitioning the engine back into the torque-control mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Christopher Harold Knieper, Ronald W. Van Diepen, Ning Jin, Matthew D. Whitton
  • Publication number: 20130311055
    Abstract: A method of controlling the performance of a vehicle from a stationary condition includes operating a vehicle powertrain in a creep mode following the disengagement of a driver-operated braking device; and operating the vehicle powertrain in a launch mode following an engagement of a driver-operated acceleration device subsequent to the disengagement of the driver-operated braking device. Operating a vehicle powertrain in a creep mode includes: applying a friction clutch to couple an engine crankshaft of the vehicle powertrain with an input shaft of the transmission; determining a torque command to accelerate the vehicle powertrain at a predetermined rate; providing the torque command to an engine controller to controllably increase the input torque to the transmission; and operating a closed loop engine speed control module to prevent the crankshaft speed from slowing below a predetermined engine idle speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Klaus Pochner, Colin Hultengren, Krishnendu Kar
  • Patent number: 8573181
    Abstract: A throttle control system includes a pressure comparison module and a throttle plate control module. The pressure comparison module determines an inlet pressure upstream from a throttle body and an outlet pressure downstream from the throttle body. The throttle plate control module controls a position of a throttle plate based on the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Arnett, Christopher E. Whitney, Per Andersson, Justin A. Zaydel
  • Patent number: 8577578
    Abstract: A method of controlling torque on a vehicle wheel axle includes comparing a torque intervention request to a predetermined minimum axle torque for a current vehicle speed and a current direction of motion of the vehicle. The predetermined minimum axle torque decreases as vehicle speed in an operator-selected direction of motion increases. An arbitrated axle torque is calculated based on an operator-requested torque, the current vehicle speed, the current direction of motion, and the greater of the torque intervention request and the predetermined minimum torque. Axle torque is applied to the vehicle's wheel axle based at least partially on the arbitrated axle torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Richard B. Jess, Danny Abdow, Thomas Richard Durkin
  • Patent number: 8560204
    Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, and a reserves module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on an adjusted predicted torque request. The spark control module controls spark timing of the engine based on an adjusted immediate torque request. The reserves module determines an arbitrated reserve based on a maximum one of a minimum reserve and an additive reserve sum. The reserves module also generates the adjusted predicted torque request based on a sum of an arbitrated predicted torque request and a requested reserve, wherein the requested reserve is based on the arbitrated reserve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Christopher E. Whitney, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 8538644
    Abstract: A minimum torque module selectively determines a first minimum propulsion torque based on second and third minimum propulsion torques when a torque converter clutch is in unlocked and locked states, respectively. A zero pedal torque module selectively sets a zero pedal torque equal to the first minimum propulsion torque. A pedal request module determines a pedal torque request based on an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed, and the zero pedal torque. A driver request module determines a driver axle torque request based on the pedal torque request. A shaping module selectively shapes the driver axle torque request into a shaped driver axle torque request. A conversion module converts the first minimum propulsion torque into a minimum axle torque. A final driver request module sets a final driver axle torque request equal to a greater of the shaped driver axle torque request and the minimum axle torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Robert C. Simon, Jr., William L. Aldrich, III, Jun Lu, Birendra P. Bhattarai, Adam J Heisel, Ning Jin
  • Publication number: 20130184907
    Abstract: A monitoring module selectively generates a request to at least one of: transition from providing rich fueling an engine to operating the engine in a fuel cutoff (FCO) state; and transition from operating the engine in the FCO state to providing rich fueling to the engine. In response to a response to the request, the monitoring module: selectively controls fueling to the engine to perform the at least one of the transitions; and selectively determines whether a fault is present in a component based on a response to the at least one of the transitions. A hybrid control module controls an electric motor of the hybrid vehicle and that selectively generates the response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Anthony H. Heap, John W. Siekkinen, Michael John Dokter, Stephen Paul Levijoki
  • Patent number: 8483935
    Abstract: A method for selectively creating vacuum in a hybrid powertrain controlled by a hybrid control processor and having an engine controlled by an engine control module includes requesting a pressure differential between a first intake point and a second intake point, wherein the first intake point and the second intake point are separated by a throttle. An actual torque capacity is calculated for the engine, wherein the actual torque capacity occurs when pressure is substantially equal at the first intake point and at the second intake point. A desired torque capacity is also calculated for the engine, wherein the desired torque capacity reduces the pressure at the second intake point relative to the pressure at the first intake point, such that the requested pressure differential is created. The engine is then operated at one of the desired torque capacity and the actual torque capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, William R. Cawthorne, Anthony H. Heap, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Dennis A. Light, Jon C. Wasberg, Weixin Yan
  • Patent number: 8473179
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a desired manifold absolute pressure (MAP) module, a MAP to torque module, a threshold determination module, and a fuel economy (FE) mode module. The desired MAP module determines a desired MAP for operation of an engine in one of a cylinder deactivation mode and a low-lift mode based on a difference between a desired vacuum and an air pressure upstream of a throttle valve. The MAP to torque module determines a desired torque output of the engine for operation in the one of the cylinder deactivation mode and the low-lift mode based on the desired MAP. The threshold determination module determines an entry torque based on the desired torque output. The FE mode module selectively triggers operation in the one of the cylinder deactivation mode and the low-lift mode based on a comparison of the entry torque and a torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Andrew W. Baur, Alfred E. Spitza, Jr., Zhong Li, Jeffrey M. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 8437938
    Abstract: An axle torque control system includes an axle torque request module that receives an axle torque request and that selectively outputs the axle torque request. An axle torque conversion module receives the axle torque request and converts the axle torque request to an engine torque request. A rate limit module receives the engine torque request and a pedal engine torque request and selectively adjusts the engine torque request based on the pedal engine torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Vivek Mehta, Barbara A. Shuler, Patrick J. O'Leary, Jun Lu
  • Publication number: 20130096797
    Abstract: A method of controlling torque on a vehicle wheel axle includes comparing a torque intervention request to a predetermined minimum axle torque for a current vehicle speed and a current direction of motion of the vehicle. The predetermined minimum axle torque decreases as vehicle speed in an operator-selected direction of motion increases. An arbitrated axle torque is calculated based on an operator-requested torque, the current vehicle speed, the current direction of motion, and the greater of the torque intervention request and the predetermined minimum torque. Axle torque is applied to the vehicle's wheel axle based at least partially on the arbitrated axle torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Richard B. Jess, Danny Abdow, Thomas Richard Durkin
  • Publication number: 20130096810
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a fuel control module and a voltage setting module. The fuel control module cuts off fuel to an engine during a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) event. During the DFCO event, the voltage setting module monitors a brake pedal position, sets a desired voltage to a first predetermined voltage when a brake pedal is not depressed, and sets the desired voltage to a second predetermined voltage when the brake pedal is depressed. The second predetermined voltage is greater than the first predetermined voltage. A regulator generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal based on the desired voltage and applies the PWM signal to an alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Josef J. Correia, Christopher E. Whitney
  • Patent number: 8406954
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a torque control module, an air conditioning (A/C) load comparison module, and an A/C load compensation module. The torque control module controls an engine to produce a first torque request based on a first torque maintains a current speed of the engine. The A/C load comparison module compares a transient load to a difference between a torque available to the engine and the first torque request. The A/C load compensation module selectively increases the first torque request prior to a clutch engagement based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Mark E. Johnston, Todd R. Shupe
  • Patent number: 8397694
    Abstract: A method of torque-based control for an internal combustion engine may include determining a desired airflow rate into an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine during an engine start condition, determining a torque limit for a torque-based engine control module based on the desired airflow rate, and regulating engine torque based on the determined torque limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jon C. Miller, Robert C. Simon, Jr., Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Todd R. Shupe, Mark D. Carr
  • Patent number: 8386150
    Abstract: An engine control system includes a fuel cutoff (FCO) module, a fuel control module, and a spark control module. The FCO module, when a FCO event is disabled, determines a feed-forward (FF) number of cylinders to offset a delay period associated with supplying fuel to the cylinders of an engine and selectively maintains a FCO torque request at a predetermined torque. The fuel control module commands fuel be supplied to the FF number of cylinders of the engine when the FCO event is disabled. The spark control module maintains a spark timing of the FF number of cylinders at a fully retarded spark timing based on the FCO torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Jun Lu, Michael J. Pitsch, Ryan Goode, Krishnendu Kar
  • Publication number: 20130045832
    Abstract: A control system for use with an engine and a transmission in a vehicle is provided that includes at least one controller having a processor with at least one stored algorithm that determines different crankshaft torque capacities associated with different respective torque actuators including a relatively slow torque actuator, such as an airflow actuator, and at least one relatively fast torque actuator, such as a spark actuator or a fuel actuator. The algorithm determines a torque actuation range over which to modify engine torque during an oncoming shift of the transmission. The torque actuation range may be based at least partially on a target gear of the upshift, desired shift duration, and a vehicle operating condition indicative of an operator intent regarding shift duration. Requests for torque modification by use of the torque actuators are then made to provide the torque actuation range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Mark A. Schang, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Andrew W. Baur, Ning Jin