Patents by Inventor Dennis Craig Reed

Dennis Craig Reed 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).

  • Methods and systems providing driveline braking
    Patent number: 9738267
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline braking may transition from regenerative braking to engine braking to reduce the possibility of battery degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Seung-Hoon Lee, Gregory Michael Pietron, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING CATALYST TEMPERATURE
    Publication number: 20170232955
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine exhaust after treatment device is cooled at an opportunistic time. The approach may provide improved cooling for exhaust after treatment devices and it may also improve vehicle emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Alex O`Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADJUSTING CYLINDER AIR CHARGE
    Publication number: 20170225674
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of an engine are presented. In one example, a position of a throttle is adjusted along with other actuators to improve engine starting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O`Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Adam Nathan Banker, David Oshinsky
  • Methods and systems for a vehicle driveline
    Patent number: 9688269
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline operating modes may be manually selected to improve hybrid driveline operation during off road conditions. The approaches may improve vehicle drivability and reduce driveline degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Adam Nathan Banker, Dennis Craig Reed, Seung-Hoon Lee, James William Loch McCallum
  • Methods and systems for adjusting cylinder air charge
    Patent number: 9650036
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of an engine are presented. In one example, a position of a throttle is adjusted along with other actuators to improve engine starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Adam Nathan Banker, David Oshinsky
  • Method and system for controlling catalyst temperature
    Patent number: 9643588
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine exhaust after treatment device is cooled at an opportunistic time. The approach may provide improved cooling for exhaust after treatment devices and it may also improve vehicle emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Method and system for improving vehicle launch
    Patent number: 9637105
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a clutch is operated while a vehicle is stopped and while a vehicle brake is applied to determine a clutch torque transfer function. The approach may improve vehicle launch after an engine stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, David Oshinsky, Dennis Craig Reed, Adam Nathan Banker
  • Methods and systems for conditionally entering a driveline sailing mode
    Patent number: 9610935
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a driveline may selectively enter a sailing mode to provide quick driveline torque response with reduced impact on fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Clutch stroke adaptation on engine shutdown
    Patent number: 9545908
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a transmission system of a vehicle by positioning a disconnect clutch at its stroke point in response to a commanded engine shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Methods and system for improving hybrid transmission gear shifting
    Patent number: 9523341
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving transmission gear shifting of a hybrid vehicle are presented. The systems and methods may allow transmission input shaft torque to be lowered to levels where driveline torque disturbances may be reduced even though the driveline has a larger inertia. In one example, driveline torque may be reduced via retarding spark timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Michael Glenn Fodor, Adam Nathan Banker, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Methods and systems for engine starting during a shift
    Patent number: 9499165
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque demand of a driveline after a shift is forecast to determine if it is desirable to start the engine early so that engine torque is available after the shift. The approach may improve vehicle torque response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed, Gregory Michael Pietron, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Adam Nathan Banker
  • Methods and systems for adjusting driveline disconnect clutch operation
    Patent number: 9493152
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque transferred via a driveline disconnect clutch is estimated based on characteristics of a torque converter to improve driveline operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Dennis Craig Reed, Gregory Michael Pietron, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENGINE STOPPING
    Publication number: 20160297427
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is stopped to a desired position via slipping a driveline disconnect clutch so that engine starting may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Alex O`Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, David Oshinsky, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Systems and methods for driveline torque control
    Patent number: 9435432
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a difference between estimated torque output of an active torque source in a driveline and actual torque output of the active torque source is mitigated via entering a driveline speed control mode. The methods and systems may be useful when switching between different driveline modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajit Johri, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Mark Steven Yamazaki, Wei Liang, Xiaoyong Wang, Dennis Craig Reed
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENGINE STARTING DURING A SHIFT
    Publication number: 20160236677
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque demand of a driveline after a shift is forecast to determine if it is desirable to start the engine early so that engine torque is available after the shift. The approach may improve vehicle torque response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed, Gregory Michael Pietron, Alex O`Connor Gibson, Adam Nathan Banker
  • Coordinated engine start in hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 9409561
    Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle powertrain, where the powertrain includes a motor and an engine, includes providing a first motor torque in response to an engine start request. The first motor torque cranks the engine through a first compression event. The method additionally includes providing a second motor torque in response to the engine being cranked through the first compression event. The second motor torque is less than the first motor torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Jeffrey Allen Doering, David Oshinsky, Xiaoyong Wang, Felix Nedorezov, Mark Steven Yamazaki
  • Method and system for stopping an engine
    Patent number: 9393949
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a disconnect clutch is operated in response to an engine stop request to adjust an engine stopping position during an engine shutdown. The approach may reduce engine starting time after the engine stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, David Oshinsky, Seung-Hoon Lee, Jeffrey A. Doering, Dennis Craig Reed
  • Methods and systems for driveline mode transitions
    Patent number: 9393951
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a method for transitioning between regenerative braking and providing positive torque to a driveline is presented. In particular, an electric machine of the hybrid vehicle may be operated in a speed control mode to reduce the possibility of gear lash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Methods and systems for engine stopping
    Patent number: 9393954
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is stopped to a desired position via slipping a driveline disconnect clutch so that engine starting may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, David Oshinsky, Dennis Craig Reed
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DRIVELINE TORQUE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20160185341
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline oscillations are reduced during engine air-fuel ratio modulation. The driveline oscillations may be reduced via adjusting torque of a motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Dennis Craig Reed, Robert Wright, Daniel Colvin, Jeffrey Allen Doering