Patents by Inventor Donald G. Levens

Donald G. Levens 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).

  • Updating shifting profiles for adaptive transmissions
    Patent number: 10203032
    Abstract: A computer having a processor and memory that stores instructions executable by the processor, wherein the computer is programmed to: receive adaptive transmission clutch data from a plurality of first vehicles, the data from each first vehicle including a modified shifting profile; determine, using the received data, an updated initial shifting profile; and provide the updated initial profile to a plurality of second vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Ernest Gray, Donald G. Levens, Gurjeet Singh, Douglas Ryan Cecil, Matthew Thomas Trent
  • UPDATING SHIFTING PROFILES FOR ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSIONS
    Publication number: 20180274668
    Abstract: A computer having a processor and memory that stores instructions executable by the processor, wherein the computer is programmed to: receive adaptive transmission clutch data from a plurality of first vehicles, the data from each first vehicle including a modified shifting profile; determine, using the received data, an updated initial shifting profile; and provide the updated initial profile to a plurality of second vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Charles Ernest Gray, Donald G. Levens, Gurjeet Singh, Douglas Ryan Cecil, Matthew Thomas Trent
  • Method for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine that may be automatically stopped
    Patent number: 9238457
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine during an engine start are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to an indication of transmission slip. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steve Michael Cicala, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Eric Frank Banners, Hong Jiang, Donald G. Levens
  • METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TRANSMISSION COUPLED TO AN ENGINE THAT MAY BE AUTOMATICALLY STOPPED
    Publication number: 20150038294
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine during an engine start are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to an indication of transmission slip. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steve Michael Cicala, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Eric Frank Banners, Hong Jiang, Donald G. Levens
  • Method for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine that may be automatically stopped
    Patent number: 8864623
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine during an engine start are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to an indication of transmission slip. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steve Michael Cicala, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Eric Frank Banners, Hong Jiang, Donald G. Levens
  • METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A TRANSMISSION COUPLED TO AN ENGINE THAT MAY BE AUTOMATICALLY STOPPED
    Publication number: 20120115679
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a transmission coupled to an engine during an engine start are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to an indication of transmission slip. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Steve Michael Cicala, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Felix Nedorezov, Eric Frank Banners, Hong Jiang, Donald G. Levens