Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Babcock

Douglas J. Babcock 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: 8731751
    Abstract: A hybrid controller for controlling a hybrid vehicle is set forth. The hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric motor and an engine controller determining a crankshaft torque. The hybrid controller includes an optimization module determining an electric motor torque, determining an engine torque and communicating the engine torque from the hybrid controller to the engine controller. The hybrid controller also includes a motor control module controlling the electric motor based on the electric motor torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, Jr., Christopher E. Whitney, William R. Cawthorne, John L. Lahti, Douglas J. Babcock, Vivek Mehta, Anthony H. Heap, Todd R. Shupe, Cheryl A. Williams, Leonard G. Wozniak, Ning Jin, Birendra P. Bhattarai, James L. Worthing
  • Patent number: 7704185
    Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of each of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric machine (EM) in a hybrid powertrain system includes determining a desired axle torque of the hybrid powertrain system and arbitrating the desired axle torque and a first plurality of torque requests in an engine control module (ECM) of the hybrid powertrain system to provide an arbitrated axle torque request. The method further includes arbitrating a torque request, which is based on the arbitrated axle torque request, and a second plurality of torque requests in a hybrid control module (HCM) to provide a final torque request, and generating ICE control signals and EM control signals based on the final torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Babcock, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 7614384
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a predicted airflow module, a first actuator determination module, a first desired air module, and an actuator position module. The predicted airflow module determines a predicted engine airflow based on a desired torque. The first actuator determination module determines a first engine actuator value based on the predicted engine airflow. The first desired air module selectively determines a first desired engine air value based on the first engine actuator value and the desired torque. The actuator position module determines a desired engine actuator value based on the first desired engine air value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Douglas J. Babcock, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher E. Whitney, Per Andersson, Magnus Johansson
  • Publication number: 20090204280
    Abstract: A hybrid controller for controlling a hybrid vehicle is set forth. The hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric motor and an engine controller determining a crankshaft torque. The hybrid controller includes an optimization module determining an electric motor torque, determining an engine torque and communicating the engine torque from the hybrid controller to the engine controller. The hybrid controller also includes a motor control module controlling the electric motor based on the electric motor torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Simon, JR., Christopher E. Whitney, William R. Cawthorne, John L. Lahti, Douglas J. Babcock, Vivek Mehta, Anthony H. Heap, Todd R. Shupe, Cheryl A. Williams, Leonard G. Wozniak, Ning Jin, Birendra P. Bhattarai, James L. Worthing
  • Publication number: 20090118968
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a predicted airflow module, a first actuator determination module, a first desired air module, and an actuator position module. The predicted airflow module determines a predicted engine airflow based on a desired torque. The first actuator determination module determines a first engine actuator value based on the predicted engine airflow. The first desired air module selectively determines a first desired engine air value based on the first engine actuator value and the desired torque. The actuator position module determines a desired engine actuator value based on the first desired engine air value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Douglas J. Babcock, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Christopher E. Whitney, Per Andersson, Magnus Johansson
  • Publication number: 20080220934
    Abstract: A method of regulating a torque output of each of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric machine (EM) in a hybrid powertrain system includes determining a desired axle torque of the hybrid powertrain system and arbitrating the desired axle torque and a first plurality of torque requests in an engine control module (ECM) of the hybrid powertrain system to provide an arbitrated axle torque request. The method further includes arbitrating a torque request, which is based on the arbitrated axle torque request, and a second plurality of torque requests in a hybrid control module (HCM) to provide a final torque request, and generating ICE control signals and EM control signals based on the final torque request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Douglas J. Babcock, Leonard G. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 7395147
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine having an intake manifold and a turbocharger that supplies compressed air to the intake manifold. An engine control module calculates a desired pre-throttle pressure of air before the throttle and calculates a desired manifold air flow into the engine. The engine control module determines a desired pre throttle pressure area based on the desired air per cylinder, desired manifold pressure and RPM and generates control signals to control the engine with the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Douglas J. Babcock, Joseph R. Dulzo, Emil Ritzen, Anne E. Vondracek, Lennarth Zander
  • Patent number: 7346447
    Abstract: An engine knock control system for an engine having a turbocharger includes a first module that determines octane scalars indicative of an engine knock propensity for each cylinder of the engine system and a second module that determines a cylinder air mass limit based on the octane scalars. A third module limits a boost output of the turbocharger based on the cylinder air mass limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Babcock, Richard M. Backman, Emil Ritzen
  • Publication number: 20080060356
    Abstract: An engine system includes an engine having an intake manifold and a turbocharger that supplies compressed air to the intake manifold. An engine control module calculates a desired pre-throttle pressure of air before the throttle and calculates a desired manifold air flow into the engine. The engine control module determines a desired pre throttle pressure area based on the desired air per cylinder, desired manifold pressure and RPM and generates control signals to control the engine with the turbocharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Douglas J. Babcock, Joseph R. Dulzo, Emil Ritzen, Anne E. Vondracek, Lennarth Zander
  • Patent number: 7305825
    Abstract: A turbine temperature control (TTC) system for regulating operation of an engine to control a temperature of a forced air induction device. The system includes a sensor that is responsive to an exhaust gas temperature and that generates a signal. A control module determines a temperature based on the temperature signal and compares the temperature to a threshold temperature. The control module regulates operation of the engine to decrease the temperature when the temperature exceeds the threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Victoriano Ruiz, Douglas J. Babcock
  • Patent number: 7070538
    Abstract: A vehicle having an engine and an automated manual transmission (AMT) includes an electronically controlled clutch (ECC) that selectively couples the engine and the AMT to transfer drive torque to the AMT. A controller communicates with the ECC and the engine and generates a load signal based on an anticipated engine load. The controller adjusts spark timing of the engine based on the load signal prior to engagement of the ECC. The controller adjusts spark timing of the engine based on a rate of change of engine speed after engagement of the ECC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas J. Babcock
  • Patent number: 6330873
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock, S. Miller Weisman, II
  • Patent number: 6067489
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of compression-ignition internal combustion engine, wherein the control strategy integrates various functions of engine control with cooling fan control, and wherein the cooling fan control automatically ramps down cooling speed for multi-speed cooling fans whenever monitored engine conditions effecting cooling fan operation dictate transition of the multi-speed cooling fan from a high speed to an off condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Letang, S. Miller Weisman, II, Douglas J. Babcock
  • Patent number: 5847644
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: S. Miller Weisman, II, Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock
  • Patent number: 5732676
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of an internal combustion engine, such as a compression-ignition engine, utilizing an electronic control module (20) is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including an acceleration balance test for the engine cylinders, a fuel economy vehicle speed limit adder, a fueling limit for high altitude vehicle operation, throttle logic, a data-hub for operation trending and vehicle component lifing analyses, a gear ratio torque limit, an air temperature based torque limit, enhanced cooling fan control, and an idle shutdown strategy based on ambient air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corp.
    Inventors: S. Miller Weisman, Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock, Arnold J. Vanderbok, Eric D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5647317
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventors: S. Miller Weisman, II, Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock
  • Patent number: 5615654
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: S. Miller Weisman, II, Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock
  • Patent number: 5483927
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise .control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock, S. Miller Weisman, II
  • Patent number: 5445128
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock, S. Miller Weisman, II