Patents by Inventor James L. Worthing

James L. Worthing 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: 7440838
    Abstract: A method of regulating operation of an internal combustion engine includes monitoring a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of the engine, determining an engine torque based on the MAP, estimating an air per cylinder (APC) based on the torque, determining a volumetric efficiency of the engine based on the APC and regulating operation of the engine based on the volumetric efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Layne K. Wiggins, John A. Jacobs, Richard B. Jess, James L. Worthing
  • Publication number: 20080228337
    Abstract: A fault clearing system and method for an engine control system includes a plurality of processor modules to control and monitor the engine and set a plurality of faults. The plurality of processor modules includes an electronic throttle control (ETC) module to control and monitor a throttle of the engine, and a plurality of engine sensors and ETC sensors. An ETC diagnostic module monitors the ETC sensors and engine sensors, with the ETC diagnostic module setting a low voltage induced fault. The ETC diagnostic module will also enter one of a plurality of low voltage states in response to the low voltage induced fault. The ETC diagnostic module selectively controls the ETC module and selectively clears the faults in the ETC module and plurality of processor modules upon entry into one of the low voltage states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, Sharon L. Storch, Joseph M. Stempnik, Richard B. Jess, James L. Worthing, Daniel G. Bolstrum
  • Publication number: 20080176705
    Abstract: A method and system to capture energy during regenerative braking while managing driveline disturbances by controlling locking and unlocking of a torque-converter clutch based upon operator input, typically throttle position or accelerator pedal position, vehicle speed, and engine load is offered. The exemplary vehicle has an engine, a torque converter with a clutch, and a transmission device. Vehicle kinetic energy is transmittable to an electrical machine using the transmission device and the torque converter. It includes monitoring an operator demand for power, engine operating speed, and, engine load; and, actuating the locking clutch for the torque converter based upon the operator demand for power, the engine operating speed, and, the engine load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, Daniel P. Laurent, Birendra P. Bhattarai, James L. Worthing
  • Publication number: 20080121211
    Abstract: A method of regulating operation of an internal combustion engine includes monitoring a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of the engine, determining an engine torque based on the MAP, estimating an air per cylinder (APC) based on the torque, determining a volumetric efficiency of the engine based on the APC and regulating operation of the engine based on the volumetric efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Jeffrey M. Kaiser, Layne K. Wiggins, John A. Jacobs, Richard B. Jess, James L. Worthing
  • Publication number: 20080047524
    Abstract: A method of regulating a throttle opening of an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle system includes initiating a fuel-cut off operating mode of the engine, monitoring an engine speed during said fuel cut-off operating mode and regulating the throttle opening based on the engine speed during the fuel-cut off mode to maintain a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of the engine above a threshold MAP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, James L. Worthing
  • Publication number: 20080021599
    Abstract: A control system for regulating operation of a first vehicle system includes first and second sensors that respectively monitor first and second operating parameters of a plurality of operating parameters, and a module that receives signals generated by the first and second sensors. The module accesses a look-up table that is normally provided to determine a first one of the plurality of operating parameters based on a second one of the plurality of operating parameters and an actual value of an input parameter. The module determines a virtual value of the input parameter while the actual value of the input parameter is equal to zero At least one of the first and second vehicle systems is normally regulated based on the input parameter. The module regulates operation of the first vehicle system based on the virtual value of the input parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, James L. Worthing, Joseph M. Stempnik, Daniel G. Bolstrum
  • Publication number: 20070295297
    Abstract: A method of regulating a crankshaft position in a hybrid electric vehicle includes deactivating cylinders of an internal combustion engine, driving a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine using an electric machine, and determining a target crankshaft position when a rotational speed of the crankshaft crosses a first threshold. The crankshaft is driven towards the target crankshaft position at a nudge rotational speed, and rotation of the crankshaft is braked using the electric machine when a brake crankshaft position is achieved at the target rotational speed. Rotation of the crankshaft is arrested at the target position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, Mark A. Zerbini, James L. Worthing
  • Publication number: 20070293368
    Abstract: A control system for enabling an engine to operate in a deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) mode is provided. The system includes: an enable module that selectively enables a DFCO mode based on an accelerator pedal position; and an engine speed module that regulates engine speed based on turbine speed during a predetermined time period after the DFCO mode is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, Birendra P. Bhattarai, William L. Aldrich, James L. Worthing
  • Patent number: 7269491
    Abstract: An engine management system for a vehicle includes engine and transmission control modules that are connected to a serial vehicle data bus. A dedicated serial data bus is connected to the transmission control module and the engine control module. The engine and the transmission control modules perform processor validity and integrity checks over the dedicated data bus. In an alternate powertrain management system, engine and transmission control modules are connected to a serial vehicle data bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kerfegar Khurshed Katrak, Paul Alan Bauerle, Bruce A. Rogers, James L. Worthing, Mark Henry Costin, Robert J. Schaller, James T. Purcell, Timothy John Hartrey, Patrick J. O'Leary
  • Patent number: 7092810
    Abstract: A system and method is directed to wheel slip for a mobile vehicle. The method provides for monitoring a plurality of vehicle system signal inputs, determining an actual vehicle speed value, a pedal progression vehicle speed value, and a control signal modification value based on the vehicle system signal inputs. The method further provides for determining a control signal value based on the control signal modification value and controlling pedal progression input based on the determined control signal value. The system includes determining an actual vehicle speed value, a pedal progression vehicle speed value, and a control signal modification value based on a plurality of vehicle system signal inputs. The system further determines a control signal value based on the control signal modification value and controls a pedal progression input based on the determined control signal value are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, James L. Worthing
  • Patent number: 7082925
    Abstract: Apparatus are provided for an electronic throttle control (ETC) system having a throttle body assembly. The apparatus includes a throttle actuator, an input circuit receiving sensor signals and having first, second, and third reference voltages, a first throttle position sensor (TPS) connected to the second reference voltage, a second TPS connected to the second reference voltage, a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor connected to the first reference voltage, a manifold airflow (MAF) sensor connected to the third reference voltage, and a processor connected to the input circuit and transmitting a control signal to the throttle actuator based on the sensors, reference voltages, and returns. The ETC system has improved remedial actions responsive to failures of the various sensors, reference voltages, and returns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, John N. Stockbridge, Mark H. Costin, Robert J. Schaller, Timothy J. Hartrey, James L. Worthing, Paul A. Bauerle, Bruce A. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6957140
    Abstract: A throttle control system for a vehicle includes a driver input that generates a control signal and a control module that generates a throttle control signal based on the control signal. The control module determines whether the throttle control signal is within one of a first and a second region, determines a compensation factor from a first look-up table when the throttle control signal is within the first region and determines the compensation factor from a second look-up table when the throttle control signal is within the second region. The control module calculates a compensated throttle control signal based on the compensation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, Joseph M. Stempnik, Kerfegar K. Katrak, Donovan L. Dibble, Alfred E. Spitza, Jr., James L. Worthing, John N. Stockbridge, Edward J. Tully
  • Publication number: 20040073352
    Abstract: A system and method is directed to wheel slip for a mobile vehicle. The method provides for monitoring a plurality of vehicle system signal inputs, determining an actual vehicle speed value, a pedal progression vehicle speed value, and a control signal modification value based on the vehicle system signal inputs. The method further provides for determining a control signal value based on the control signal modification value and controlling pedal progression input based on the determined control signal value. The system includes means for determining an actual vehicle speed value, a pedal progression vehicle speed value, and a control signal modification value based on a plurality of vehicle system signal inputs. Means for determining a control signal value based on the control signal modification value and means for controlling pedal progression input based on the determined control signal value are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Paul A. Bauerle, James L. Worthing
  • Publication number: 20030216848
    Abstract: An engine management system for a vehicle includes engine and transmission control modules that are connected to a serial vehicle data bus. A dedicated serial data bus is connected to the transmission control module and the engine control module. The engine and the transmission control modules perform processor validity and integrity checks over the dedicated data bus. In an alternate powertrain management system, engine and transmission control modules are connected to a serial vehicle data bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Kerfegar Khurshed Katrak, Paul Alan Bauerle, Bruce A. Rogers, James L. Worthing, Mark Henry Costin, Robert J. Schaller, James T. Purcell, Timothy John Hartrey, Patrick J. O'Leary