Patents by Inventor David Spuller

David Spuller 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: 10029695
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying degradation of a belt-driven integrated starter generator (BISG) active belt tensioner coupled to a vehicle engine. By using the monitored change in FEAD load to compare the actual state of the tensioner (either in retracted or extended state) relative to the commanded state, the presence of excess belt tension may be distinguished from the presence of insufficient belt tension. Timely diagnosis of a belt tensioner may be improve belt health and extend fuel economy benefits of a BISG system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander O'Connor Gibson, John Eric Rollinger, David Lew, David Spuller, Veronica Pablo Osorio
  • Patent number: 8631772
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of transmission fluid in a motor vehicle includes operating in an automatic transmission fluid cooling mode, a heater priority mode entered by disabling automatic transmission fluid heating, and an automatic transmission fluid heating mode which includes sending hot engine coolant to a heat exchanger for heating the automatic transmission fluid by transferring heat from the hot engine coolant to the automatic transmission fluid. The method switches to from a heater priority mode to a transmission heating mode base on a number of sensed conditions including sensed automatic fluid transmission temperature. The method also includes an automatic transmission fluid temperature regulating mode including measuring an automatic transmission fluid temperature and switching between the cooling mode and the heating mode based measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Thomas Gooden, Jianping Zhang, Steven Keith Plumb, David Spuller
  • Patent number: 8515635
    Abstract: A method and system provides a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Override mode in a vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission. With power applied and ignition on, a driver will press and hold an override switch for a calibrated time. While the override switch is pressed, the driver presses a non-Park button for another calibrated time. The result will be that the vehicle is placed in the selected range wherein the transmission will not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event. The driver is able to shift the vehicle from Park, even if an electrical failure prevents the transmission from shifting out of Park. As such the vehicle can be driven until the failure is serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Turnavitch, Christopher Lee Danks, David Spuller, Charles C Poon, Matthew Luke Fyie
  • Publication number: 20130151092
    Abstract: A method and system provides a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Override mode in a vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission. With power applied and ignition on, a driver will press and hold an override switch for a calibrated time. While the override switch is pressed, the driver presses a non-Park button for another calibrated time. The result will be that the vehicle is placed in the selected range wherein the transmission will not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event. The driver is able to shift the vehicle from Park, even if an electrical failure prevents the transmission from shifting out of Park. As such the vehicle can be driven until the failure is serviced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Curtis Spaulding, Brian J. Deurloo, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Christopher Lee Danks, David Spuller, Charles C. Poon, Matthew Luke Fyie
  • Publication number: 20110284200
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of transmission fluid in a motor vehicle includes operating in an automatic transmission fluid cooling mode, a heater priority mode entered by disabling automatic transmission fluid heating, and an automatic transmission fluid heating mode which includes sending hot engine coolant to a heat exchanger for heating the automatic transmission fluid by transferring heat from the hot engine coolant to the automatic transmission fluid. The method switches to from a heater priority mode to a transmission heating mode base on a number of sensed conditions including sensed automatic fluid transmission temperature. The method also includes an automatic transmission fluid temperature regulating mode including measuring an automatic transmission fluid temperature and switching between the cooling mode and the heating mode based measured temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Thomas Gooden, Jianping Zhang, Steven Keith Plumb, David Spuller