Patents by Inventor David Hesketh
David Hesketh 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).
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Publication number: 20220024442Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a controller. The electric machine is rotatably coupled to the engine and is configured to deliver electrical power to electrical accessories. The controller is programmed to, in response to a control signal loss between the electric machine and the controller, limit torque output of electric machine to less than a torque threshold that corresponds to the power threshold. The controller is further programmed to, in response an accessory power demand being greater than the power threshold, control the engine to power the electric machine to increase the torque output of electric machine to greater than the torque threshold to meet the accessory power demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2020Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Edward Ball, David Cox, Matthew Mitchell, David Hesketh, Jonathan Thombs, David Ramiro Garcia
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Publication number: 20220010742Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine with an electrically heated catalyst and an electrically driven compressor are described. In one example, the electrically driven compressor and the electrically heated catalyst are activated before an engine start so that vehicle emissions may be reduced more efficiently at engine starting and thereafter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: David Cox, Themi Petridis, David Hesketh, Mario Balenovic, Helmut Matthias Kindl
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Patent number: 11220265Abstract: A method of controlling the engine of a vehicle having a stop-in-gear (SIG) stop-start system includes: a control module determining that a brake is being applied, based on an output from a brake sensor, and that a transmission is in an in-gear position, based on an output from a transmission sensor; and, while the brake is applied and the transmission is in an in-gear position, the control module causing the engine to start in response to detecting movement of a clutch pedal towards a released position based on an output from a clutch pedal sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2020Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Hesketh, Gary Paisley, Dilli Poudel, Chris Edward Pedlar
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Publication number: 20210140400Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine. In one example, a method of operating an engine of a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a brake pedal, a clutch pedal and a transmission having a neutral position and at least one in-gear position, comprises starting the engine if either the brake pedal of the vehicle is released or the transmission has been in neutral for a predetermined period of time, and the clutch pedal of the vehicle is depressed concurrently with the transmission being moved out of the neutral position into an in-gear position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2020Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Gary Paisley, Hank Kwong, Dilli Poudel, Chris Edward Pedlar, David Hesketh
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Publication number: 20210070297Abstract: A method of controlling the engine of a vehicle having a stop-in-gear (SIG) stop-start system comprises: a control module determining that a brake is being applied, based on an output from a brake sensor, and that a transmission is in an in-gear position, based on an output from a transmission sensor; and, while the brake is applied and the transmission is in an in-gear position, the control module causing the engine to start in response to detecting movement of a clutch pedal towards a released position based on an output from a clutch pedal sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: David Hesketh, Gary Paisley, Dilli Poudel, Chris Edward Pedlar
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Patent number: 10823129Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dealing with a change of mind event during an automatic shut-down of an engine in which the speed at which a starter motor used to restart the engine is disengaged is based upon the comparison of current engine speed (N) with a cranking speed limit (SLIM). In one example, during an engine restart while the engine is spinning down, the starter motor may crank the engine to a threshold cranking engine speed adjusted based on a position of the gear.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Hesketh, Gary Paisley
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Patent number: 10569778Abstract: A vehicle having a manual transmission, adaptive cruise control, and an electric motor/generator includes electric creep and electric crawl modes that use the electric motor/generator to propel the vehicle when in traffic. Creep mode may be enabled and the engine stopped automatically when the transmission is in neutral and the vehicle is stationary. Crawl mode may be activated when the creep mode and the adaptive cruise control are enabled to use the electric motor/generator and adaptive cruise control to maintain a target distance to a forward vehicle. The creep mode may be canceled responsive to brake pedal activation. The creep mode and crawl mode may be canceled and the engine started responsive to clutch pedal or accelerator pedal activation. The creep mode and crawl mode may be deactivated responsive to battery charge level being below a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Christopher Edward Pedlar, Anthemios Philemon Petridis, David Hesketh
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Patent number: 10502174Abstract: A vehicle and associated method of operating a vehicle having an engine, a user interface configured to select a start-stop mode, and a controller communicating with the engine and the user interface automatically shutdown and restart the engine, and inhibit the automatic engine shutdown or restart responsive to any of a first group of inhibitors, or alternatively, any of the first group and a second group of inhibitors depending on the start-stop mode selected via the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Edward Pedlar, David Hesketh
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Publication number: 20190360417Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine. In one example, a method comprises stopping an engine via a soft-stop method in response to a likelihood of condensate forming being less than or equal to a threshold likelihood. The method further comprises stopping the engine via an exhaust gas evacuation method in response to the likelihood of condensate forming being greater than the threshold likelihood.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: David Hesketh, Aaron John Oakley
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Patent number: 10385816Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine of a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started are disclosed. In one example, a speed at which a vehicle system induced automatic engine stop inhibit request is cleared may be adjusted to permit automatic engine stopping during a wide variety of driving conditions so that fuel may be conserved and the possibility of disturbing vehicle occupants may be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hafiz Khafagy, Gary Paisley, David Hesketh, Jonathan Wentworth, Dilli Raj Poudel
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Publication number: 20190219019Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine of a vehicle that may be automatically stopped and started are disclosed. In one example, a speed at which a vehicle system induced automatic engine stop inhibit request is cleared may be adjusted to permit automatic engine stopping during a wide variety of driving conditions so that fuel may be conserved and the possibility of disturbing vehicle occupants may be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2018Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Hafiz Khafagy, Gary Paisley, David Hesketh, Jonathan Wentworth, Dilli Raj Poudel
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Patent number: 10293673Abstract: A system for providing electric creep in a manual transmission vehicle having an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and an engine uses an electric motor configured to provide creep torque to a transmission output shaft when the manual transmission is in neutral, the electric creep mode is activated and the engine is auto-stopped. The system may provide forward or reverse creep torque. The system may cancel the electric creep in response to a vehicle door opening, a driver unbuckling a seatbelt, or depressing the accelerator pedal or the clutch pedal, or shifting the manual transmission out of neutral.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Edward Pedlar, David Hesketh
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Patent number: 10260473Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a vehicle including a start-stop system configured to shut down and restart an engine of the vehicle automatically based on a brake value of a brake system. In one example, the method may include determining a first threshold brake value as a first function of a gradient of a surface on which the vehicle is positioned, determining a second threshold brake value as a second function of the gradient, wherein a difference between the first and second threshold brake values varies as a function of the gradient, shut down the engine when the brake value exceeds the first threshold brake value, and restart the engine when the brake value drops below the second threshold brake value. In this way, an incidence of inadvertent engine shut downs and restarts when the vehicle is stopped on an incline may be decreased.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chris Pedlar, David Hesketh, Gary Paisley, Dilli Raj Poudel
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Patent number: 10221822Abstract: A vehicle and method of controlling a vehicle having an engine and braking system having an associated braking pressure include stopping the engine responsive to the brake pressure being above a first threshold, restarting the engine responsive to the brake pressure falling below a second threshold, reducing the second threshold for a predetermined time after the vehicle speed falls below a speed threshold, and resetting the second threshold after the predetermined time. The predetermined time may be modified based on input from a user interface or a user-selected vehicle operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher Edward Pedlar, David Hesketh, Gary David Paisley, Dilli Raj Poudel
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Publication number: 20190055911Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dealing with a change of mind event during an automatic shut-down of an engine in which the speed at which a starter motor used to restart the engine is disengaged is based upon the comparison of current engine speed (N) with a cranking speed limit (SLIM). In one example, during an engine restart while the engine is spinning down, the starter motor may crank the engine to a threshold cranking engine speed adjusted based on a position of the gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2018Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: David Hesketh, Gary Paisley
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Publication number: 20180274509Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a vehicle including a start-stop system configured to shut down and restart an engine of the vehicle automatically based on a brake value of a brake system. In one example, the method may include determining a first threshold brake value as a first function of a gradient of a surface on which the vehicle is positioned, determining a second threshold brake value as a second function of the gradient, wherein a difference between the first and second threshold brake values varies as a function of the gradient, shut down the engine when the brake value exceeds the first threshold brake value, and restart the engine when the brake value drops below the second threshold brake value. In this way, an incidence of inadvertent engine shut downs and restarts when the vehicle is stopped on an incline may be decreased.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Chris Pedlar, David Hesketh, Gary Paisley, Dilli Raj Poudel
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Publication number: 20180274510Abstract: A vehicle and associated method of operating a vehicle having an engine, a user interface configured to select a start-stop mode, and a controller communicating with the engine and the user interface automatically shutdown and restart the engine, and inhibit the automatic engine shutdown or restart responsive to any of a first group of inhibitors, or alternatively, any of the first group and a second group of inhibitors depending on the start-stop mode selected via the user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Christopher Edward PEDLAR, David HESKETH
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Patent number: 10072625Abstract: A vehicle start-stop system includes an engine and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate the system in a first mode when a first input is selected, and in a second mode when a second input is selected. The controller is further programmed to inhibit engine stop in response to being in the first mode and an evaporator temperature having a first value, and stop the engine in response to being in the second mode and the evaporator temperature having the first value.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Hesketh, Themi Philemon Petridis, Ian Halleron, Christopher Edward Pedlar
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Publication number: 20180156178Abstract: A vehicle and method of controlling a vehicle having an engine and braking system having an associated braking pressure include stopping the engine responsive to the brake pressure being above a first threshold, restarting the engine responsive to the brake pressure falling below a second threshold, reducing the second threshold for a predetermined time after the vehicle speed falls below a speed threshold, and resetting the second threshold after the predetermined time. The predetermined time may be modified based on input from a user interface or a user-selected vehicle operating mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Christopher Edward PEDLAR, David HESKETH, Gary David PAISLEY, Dilli Raj POUDEL
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Publication number: 20180099673Abstract: A vehicle having a manual transmission, adaptive cruise control, and an electric motor/generator includes electric creep and electric crawl modes that use the electric motor/generator to propel the vehicle when in traffic. Creep mode may be enabled and the engine stopped automatically when the transmission is in neutral and the vehicle is stationary. Crawl mode may be activated when the creep mode and the adaptive cruise control are enabled to use the electric motor/generator and adaptive cruise control to maintain a target distance to a forward vehicle. The creep mode may be canceled responsive to brake pedal activation. The creep mode and crawl mode may be canceled and the engine started responsive to clutch pedal or accelerator pedal activation. The creep mode and crawl mode may be deactivated responsive to battery charge level being below a threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Christopher Edward PEDLAR, Anthemios Philemon PETRIDIS, David HESKETH