Patents by Inventor Gregory Michael Pietron

Gregory Michael Pietron 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: 11198440
    Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated fiction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a torque source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a torque source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided. Measured torque values are used during a torque phase of the upshift to correct an estimated oncoming friction element target torque so that transient torque disturbances at an oncoming clutch are avoided and torque transients at the output shaft are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher John Teslak, Gregory Michael Pietron, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Yuji Fujii, Michael Glenn Fodor, Diana Yanakiev, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10525967
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is couple to a transmission in response to a transmission upshift to reduce transmission output shaft torque disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10451125
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission and a controller. The transmission has clutches that are configured to establish multiple speed ratios, including a first clutch. The first clutch has a measured drag torque distribution. The measured drag torque distribution has a median and a standard deviation. The controller is programmed to increase a pressure at a rate to engage the first clutch and to increase the rate in response to a measured first clutch torque exceeding the median by a predetermined multiple of the standard deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Qi Wang, Yuji Fujii, Rohit Hippalgaonkar, Joseph F. Kucharski, Jason Meyer, Stuart N. Ford
  • Patent number: 10343678
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, compensation is provided for a dual mass flywheel positioned in a vehicle driveline. The approaches may reduce driveline torque disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, James William Loch McCallum, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee, David Oshinsky
  • Patent number: 10344851
    Abstract: During a transmission upshift, a torque capacity of an off-going clutch is maintained at a non-zero state during the transition from the torque phase to the inertia phase and throughout a substantial portion of the inertia phase. This permits the inertia phase to be completed faster without an unacceptable increase in output torque during the torque phase. Monotonically reducing the off-going clutch torque and using feedback from an output torque sensor enable sufficiently precise control of the off-going clutch torque capacity during this interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hiral Jayantilal Haria, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Rohit Hippalgaonkar, Todd Mccullough
  • Publication number: 20190084576
    Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated fiction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a torque source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a torque source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided. Measured torque values are used during a torque phase of the upshift to correct an estimated oncoming friction element target torque so that transient torque disturbances at an oncoming clutch are avoided and torque transients at the output shaft are reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher John Teslak, Gregory Michael Pietron, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Yuji Fujii, Michael Glenn Fodor, Diana Yanakiev, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20190048947
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission and a controller. The transmission has clutches that are configured to establish multiple speed ratios, including a first clutch. The first clutch has a measured drag torque distribution. The measured drag torque distribution has a median and a standard deviation. The controller is programmed to increase a pressure at a rate to engage the first clutch and to increase the rate in response to a measured first clutch torque exceeding the median by a predetermined multiple of the standard deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory Michael PIETRON, Qi WANG, Yuji FUJII, Rohit HIPPALGAONKAR, Joseph F. KUCHARSKI, Jason MEYER, Stuart N. FORD
  • Patent number: 10180186
    Abstract: A transmission and control method are disclosed which ensure proper stroke pressure and minimize torque transients during a shift event. The transmission includes a clutch having a torque capacity based on a fluid pressure, a torque sensor adapted to measure a torque value that varies in relationship to the torque capacity, and a controller. The method includes varying the fluid pressure around a predetermined value, measuring a resulting torque difference with the torque sensor, and adjusting a clutch control parameter if the resulting torque difference is less than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Yuji Fujii, Joseph F. Kucharski, Nicholas Joseph Witte, Stephen Michael Cicala, Bradley Dean Riedle, Diana Yanakiev, Nimrod Kapas, Davorin David Hrovat
  • Patent number: 10166989
    Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated friction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a torque source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a torque source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided. Measured torque values are used during a torque phase of the upshift to correct an estimated oncoming friction element target torque so that transient torque disturbances at an oncoming clutch are avoided and torque transients at the output shaft are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher John Teslak, Gregory Michael Pietron, Hongtei Eric Tseng, Yuji Fujii, Michael Glenn Fodor, Diana Yanakiev, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10166980
    Abstract: A vehicle having a drivetrain is controlled based on a difference between a torque transmitted by the drivetrain when the vehicle has constant non-zero speed and the torque transmitted by the drivetrain when the vehicle is accelerating. The drivetrain torque may be measured by a drivetrain torque sensor. The effective vehicle mass is computed from the torque difference. The computed mass of the vehicle is used to adjust the activation of a collision warning system or a collision avoidance system. A method of operating a vehicle where the activation of a collision avoidance system is adjusted based on a difference between a torque transmitted by a drivetrain when the vehicle has constant non-zero speed and the torque transmitted by the drivetrain when the vehicle is accelerating is disclosed. The torque difference is used to compute a vehicle mass that is used to adjust a collision warning distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Nimrod Kapas, Joseph F. Kucharski, Diana Yanakiev, Eric Hongtei Tseng, Jianbo Lu, Gregory Michael Pietron
  • Publication number: 20180372214
    Abstract: During a transmission upshift, a torque capacity of an off-going clutch is maintained at a non-zero state during the transition from the torque phase to the inertia phase and throughout a substantial portion of the inertia phase. This permits the inertia phase to be completed faster without an unacceptable increase in output torque during the torque phase. Monotonically reducing the off-going clutch torque and using feedback from an output torque sensor enable sufficiently precise control of the off-going clutch torque capacity during this interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Hiral Jayantilal Haria, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Rohit Hippalgaonkar, Todd Mccullough
  • Patent number: 10155513
    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: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Adam Nathan Banker, Dennis Craig Reed, Seung-Hoon Lee, James William Loch McCallum
  • Patent number: 10086836
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline operation may be adjusted in response to operating the hybrid vehicle in a four wheel drivel low gear range. The approaches may improve vehicle drivability and reduce driveline degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, James William Loch McCallum, Yuji Fujii
  • Patent number: 10011263
    Abstract: A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque converter impeller torque from beginning to end of transmission shifting is adjusted in response to variable driveline inertia. The approach may improve transmission shifting and reduce driveline torque disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory Michael Pietron, James William Loch McCallum
  • Patent number: 10001175
    Abstract: A transmission includes a case, a torque sensor, and a two-piece output shaft. The torque sensor is attached to the case and defines an inner diameter. The two-piece output shaft assembly is partially disposed within the case and includes a planet carrier operably coupled to a shaft extending through the inner diameter. The carrier and the shaft are separate components that are directly connected together and the carrier defines a park gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Edward Brevick, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Gregory Daniel Goleski, Jeffrey Edward Maurer, Mark Edward Urbaniak
  • Patent number: 9951827
    Abstract: A method of determining automatic transmission lubrication fluid flow rates corresponding to a running vehicle without direct oil flow measurements is disclosed. A set of in-vehicle clutch torques for a chosen clutch pack during a gear shift event for a set of shift conditions is obtained. A series of bench tests at various clutch-pack clearances and oil-flow rates for the set of shift conditions are performed. The clearances and oil-flow rates are adjusted in response to the measured magnitudes exceeding thresholds. In-vehicle transmission lubrication oil-flow rates are estimated at the chosen clutch pack for the set of shift conditions when the bench-test and in-vehicle clutch torques are less than the thresholds. The steps are reproduced for other engine conditions and fluid temperatures corresponding to other transmission gear positions. A functional map of in-vehicle oil flow rates are produced, and the transmission is adjusted based on the map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Rohit Hippalgaonkar
  • Patent number: 9945300
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle includes measuring a transmission output torque, measuring impeller and turbine speeds, estimating a transmission component torque, and adjusting an engine torque to avoid overstressing a transmission component such as a gear. The method does not rely on an accurate estimate of engine torque. Furthermore, the method does not rely on a fixed transmission torque rating in each gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rohit Hippalgaonkar, Joseph F. Kucharski, Yuji Fujii, Gregory Michael Pietron, Jason Meyer, Eric Hongtei Tseng
  • Publication number: 20180093657
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is couple to a transmission in response to a transmission upshift to reduce transmission output shaft torque disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O`Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9933069
    Abstract: When a transmission controller issues a control command, such as pressure to control clutch torque, the response may be delayed due to dynamic properties of the control system. These properties can be modeled using a dynamic response model. One potential model is a combination of a pure time delay and a first order distributed delay. Control methods may be improved in several ways by accounting for the dynamic response. First, the dynamic response model may be used to improve adaptation of a transfer function between the commanded control signal and the clutch torque. Second, the command may be adjusted based on the dynamic response model. Both the pure time delay and the time constant of the first order distributed delay may be functions of operating conditions such as temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Diana Yanakiev, Gregory Michael Pietron, Jason Meyer
  • Patent number: 9827975
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is couple to a transmission in response to a transmission upshift to reduce transmission output shaft torque disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Dennis Craig Reed, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Seung-Hoon Lee