Patents by Inventor Joseph J. Torre

Joseph J. Torre 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).

  • Control of an electronic locking differential
    Patent number: 9605740
    Abstract: A method for controlling a locking differential of a motor vehicle includes locking the differential, if vehicle speed is less than a reference speed, and a wheel speed differential due to wheel slip is greater than a reference speed; and unlocking the differential and preventing its engagement, if vehicle speed is greater than the reference speed, and said wheel speed differential is less than a reference speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob M. Povirk, Brian J. Andonian, Joseph J. Torres, Kenneth G. Walega
  • Voltage control of a locking differential
    Patent number: 8156843
    Abstract: A method for controlling a locking differential includes determining a temperature-dependent reference voltage at which a coil locks the differentia, determining an electric potential of a battery, using the battery to energize the coil and lock the differential, if the electric potential is equal to or greater than the reference voltage for a current temperature, and maintaining the differential unlocked, if the electric potential is less than the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob M. Povirk, Joseph J. Torres, Brian J. Andonian, Jihong Guo, Patrick Meloche, Kenneth G. Walega
  • Control of a locking differential
    Patent number: 8109853
    Abstract: A method for controlling a locking differential for a vehicle includes using a coil to unlock the differential, if the vehicle stops for a period whose length is equal to or greater than a reference length, and using the coil to lock the differential, if the vehicle is moving or stopped for less than the reference length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob M. Povirk, Joseph J. Torres, Brian J. Andonian, Jihong Guo, Patrick Meloche, Kenneth G. Walega
  • Control of an Electronic Locking Differential
    Publication number: 20110082634
    Abstract: A method for controlling a locking differential of a motor vehicle includes locking the differential, if vehicle speed is less than a reference speed, and a wheel speed differential due to wheel slip is greater than a reference speed; and unlocking the differential and preventing its engagement, if vehicle speed is greater than the reference speed, and said wheel speed differential is less than a reference speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Jacob M. Povirk, Brian J. Andonian, Joseph J. Torres, Kenneth G. Walega
  • Control of a Locking Differential
    Publication number: 20100255947
    Abstract: A method for controlling a locking differential for a vehicle includes using a coil to unlock the differential, if the vehicle stops for a period whose length is equal to or greater than a reference length, and using the coil to lock the differential, if the vehicle is moving or stopped for less than the reference length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Jacob M. Povirk, Joseph J. Torres, Brian J. Andonian, Jihong Guo, Patrick Meloche, Kenneth G. Walega
  • Voltage Control of a Locking Differential
    Publication number: 20100256879
    Abstract: A method for controlling a locking differential includes determining a temperature-dependent reference voltage at which a coil locks the differentia, determining an electric potential of a battery, using the battery to energize the coil and lock the differential, if the electric potential is equal to or greater than the reference voltage for a current temperature, and maintaining the differential unlocked, if the electric potential is less than the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Jacob M. Povirk, Joseph J. Torres, Brian J. Andonian, Jihong Guo, Patrick Meloche, Kenneth G. Walega
  • Tachometer system picking up ignition signals from vehicle ground
    Patent number: 5883510
    Abstract: A ground pick-up tachometer for detecting a rotational speed of an engine in a vehicle includes a probe arranged for connection to a vehicular ground to detect signals emitted from an ignition system of the engine. A tachometer circuit is operatively connected to the probe to identify the detected signals representing ignition sparks and provide an output representative of the rotational speed of the engine based on the identified signals. The tachometer circuit includes a circuit common reference, separate from the vehicular ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Torre, Steven J. Nichols
  • Temperature sensing system
    Patent number: 4877330
    Abstract: A temperature detecting system includes a temperature sensor which permits a current to flow whose magnitude is substantially proportional only to the temperature of the sensor. The sensor can be coupled via cables and slip rings to a fixed display unit. The slip rings permit the temperature sensing unit to be located at a desired depth in a fluid for sensing the temperature thereof. The sensed temperature is substantially independent of impedance variations of the slip rings or associated brushes due to wear or corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Pacific Atlantic Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Torre